By Colombo Telegraph –
A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Pathberiye Gnanaloka Thero is being roughed up by a group of Tamil nationalist in Tamil Nadu today. A group of monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia went to thanjavur for research. These monks are currently pursuing archaeological studies in Delhi University.
The Brahadeewarar temple, called the Big Temple, is dedicated to Lord Siva. It was built by the great Chola King Raja Raja 1 (985 -1012 A.D). it is an outstanding exmple of Chola architecture. Recognizing its unique architectural excellence, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Monument.
The Sri Lankan Tamils issue has generated heat again in Tamil Nadu in recent weeks following the alleged cold-blooded killing of LTTE chief Prabakaran’s 12 year-old son Balachandran.
Meanwhile DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Saturday expressed his disappointment over the Centre’s silence on announcing its stand on the US-sponsored draft resolution against Sri Lankan in the United Nations Human Rights Council for its war crimes.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVZRCI8cbKI
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1z2BWMmwzo&feature=youtu.be
Abdullah Abdulrahuman / March 16, 2013
AA I personally knew most of them(victims and accused) and my mother/Sister accommodated over 300 people at our family home….fortunately one of the main culprits(his name is mentioned as one of the key figures in this article) was known to my late father and he always was grateful to my father for helping him….due to this my mother managed to accommodate the refugees and no body bothered us…eventually she spoke to a nearby school principal moved them to safety…Alhamdulillah
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THIS …IT VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND ACCURATE
INDICTMENT AGAINST SRI LANKA: Genocide ’83
Badulla – a case study of mob frenzy and state terror as told by B. A. Ajantha…
The facts that went to make this case study were painstakingly collected by one individual who went about the task with a missionary fervour within 10-15 days after the violence had ceased in August 1983. Being familiar with the terrain, he visited the scenes of violence, spoke to dozens of people, many of whom were not only eye witnesses to incidents but had personal knowledge of the some of the villains of the drama. (Sri Lanka: July 1983 Violence against ‘Indian Tamils’ – Edited by S.Sivanayagam, Tamil Information Centre, Madras)
Contents
Badulla, a fortress of Sinhala chauvinism from the fifties
Police were aware of the plot to attack the Tamil people
Sinhala thugs were functioning to a well prepared plan
Looting commenced only after the attack was over
Ramanathan family murdered
Flashback to 1981
Some others who were attacked
Doctor who served for 42 years
The big men behind the violence
Badulla – Points to remember
Badulla – a fortress of Sinhala chauvinism from the fifties
Badulla was a fortress of Sinhala chauvinism from the fifties. It was a stronghold of the old Sinhala Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna headed by one of the pioneers in Sinhala racist politics – Mr. K.M.P. Rajaratne. Badulla was one of the main targets of anti-Tamil violence in the riots of 1958. In 1983, the Sinhala Buddha Peramuna under the leadership of a senior Cabinet Minister, Mr. Cyril Mathew, enjoyed considerable support there.
But although anti-Tamil violence beginning with the riots of 1977 had become a continuous feature elsewhere in the country, Badulla was spared the horrors until July 1983. The secret was police vigilance in 1977 and thereafter. Although the police in Badulla at that time had earned a notoriety for accepting bribes from Tamil businessmen, this had led to a widespread sense of apathy and security among Tamils, born out of the confidence they had in police vigilance.
The names of two police officers (both Sinhalese) are remembered with gratitude – Headquarters Inspector de Silva who served in Badulla during the island-wide riots of 1977 and HQI Dharmapala who protected the town in 1981. Inspector Dharmapala is a grandson of Anagarika Dharmapala, well-known for his role in the Buddhist renaissance. So that, when the July conflagration began in Colombo on the night of the 24th and exploded into widespread violence on the 25th, Badulla received the news with equanimity.
Badulla was in fact in a festive mood on the night of the 24th, because Hindus and Buddhists were taking out two religious processions in the town, an annual event that had helped to build a bridge of cultural camaraderie between the two communities. It had been the precedent that the Buddhist Perahera ends by midnight and the Hindu Vel Festival continues till around 2 o’clock in the early hours. This year, the police ordered the Vel Festival to be closed at the same time as the Perahera at 12 midnight.
The police had a suspicion that Buddhist thugs will attack the Tamils after the Perahera crowd returned home that night. (I have no doubt that Sinhala thugs had a plan for a vicious attack on the Tamils. If this plot had not been foiled by police that night, thousands of Tamil devotees might have lost their lives).
Police were aware of the plot to attack the Tamil people
This sequence of events indicates that the police were aware of a plot to attack the Tamils. If the government had taken sufficient precautions a holocaust will not have happened in Badulla. In any case the Tamils lived in hope that the police were on their side.
July 25: 9.05 p.m.: There is no curfew in force. A crowd pours petrol and sets fire to a Tamil shop called “Sri Lanka Stores” in South Lane. The inmates of the shop and neighbours act quickly and put out the fire. There is no damage. Immediately Lamlat Perera, Head Quarters Inspector arrives on the scene with a police party. No arrests are made.
July 26: The town is alive with rumours that Tamils were getting massacred elsewhere in the country. The Sinhala thugs consider: “What is our contribution?”. Passions are inflamed and fear grips the Tamil community. There is panic all over. Government announces all-island curfew from 6 p.m. In Badulla police start enforcing curfew from 4.30 p.m. There were no incidents in Badulla Town on this day. A solitary instance of arson was reported outside the town, when a house owned by the Tamil proprietor of “Ambika Stores” was set on fire. On the other hand Sinhalese thugs were making preparations and on the other, police were showing signs of being on the alert. The Badulla Tamils were depending wholly on the police and taking no protective measures themselves.
July 27:
6 a.m. Boutiques open as usual. Superintendent of Police Mr Randenigalla orders the closure of shops. Tamils know him well. In 1981, when he was in Batticaloa, violence was let loose on Tamils. Mr Randenigalla returns at 7 a.m. and requests the shops to open. This gave the impression that police were aware of events to come.
10 a.m.: A van (Hiace No:38 Sri 1831) arrives near a shop adjoining the clock tower. Around 15 persons alight from the van. They enter and make tea. They are talking furtively. ‘Sama’ a prominent U.N.Per (the party of the Government in power) and a municipal council member is in the crowd giving instructions. A few minutes later they approach Tamil-owned “Gowrie Stores” with petrol bombs and torches. The owner of the shop sits motionless through incomprehension. While trading was in progress petrol is thrown inside. As one thug was setting fire a colleague of his throws some petrol on him accidentally from behind and he is enveloped in flames. He is admitted to hospital with serious burns and dies after 5 days. The nephew of the Manager of Gowrie Sores, a customer, a Muslim, a 12 year boy named Santha Kumar, sustain serious burns.The police hurry to the scene. Superintendent of Police fires into the air, the thugs disperse. The police are afraid to arrest them as they know influential politicians are behind the thugs.
As the burning of Gowrie Stores was in progress at one end of Badulla town, at Kings Street, at the other end of the town near the Buddhist Vihare, government-owned Transport Board employees in two C.T.B. Buses shouting “We will kill Tamils” approach the centre of the town. They commence their operations after worship! They set fire and destroy the biggest Hindu Temple in Badulla, the ‘Kali Kovil’.They then proceed to set fire to every Tamil vehicle on the road.
The police bring the situation under control. A shot fired by H.Q.I. to disperse the crowd hits one man. He dies on the spot. The police action was a challenge to the thugs who were swearing “to bathe in Tamil blood”. They retreat and take shelter in their head quarters, the Buddhist Vihare.
The organisers take stock of the situation. There was no incident for an hour.The political organisers who were operating behind the scenes are besides themselves with pent-up fury. They jumped into the fray openly.
11.30 a.m.: Newton Dias, a brother of the father of the U.N.P. Member of Parliament, a U.N.P. organiser and a member of the local Municipal council, emerges. In front of the tourist Hotel a few yards away from the Buddhist Vihare he addresses the crowd in public: – “I will look after the police, you go ahead without fear” and gives encouragement to the thugs. With some hesitation the thugs set fire to “Rayans” and “Cheapside Stores”.
Immediately S.P., A.S.P., H.Q. I., all three police top brass hurry to the spot. On seeing Newton Dias they retreat. The police make no attempt to hold the thugs; they become spectators. Their inaction gives courage to the thugs. They mount a full scale attack.
Sinhala thugs were functioning to a well prepared plan
The attack did not start at one end and proceed to the other end. It was scattered. Each area was allotted to a group of thugs. Each group was given a separate list. They were functioning according to a well prepared plan based on data collected earlier. The thugs disperse in groups and start the attack at the centre and at nooks and corners.
All shops and houses belonging to Tamils are set on fire. In Tamil shops where the premises were Sinhala-owned, goods are taken out, heaped on the road and set on fire and the buildings saved from destruction.
The frenzy which commenced at 11.30 a.m. comes to an end at 2.30 p.m. In these three hours all Tamil shops and houses were attacked except a few houses in Gregory’s Road and those within the Baullapitiya housing colony. At Gregory’s Road, Tamil houses about ten in number, escaped the mob fury when influential Muslims in the area managed to stave off the attackers. As for the Badullapitiya colony it was a housing scheme where a mixed-up communal life had evolved without distinctions of race or creed. Popularly nicknamed ‘Korea’ the colony had its own “tough characters” with their own sense of solidarity, where even the Tamils will take to violence at the drop of a hat, or take advantage of a riot situation.
With these two exceptions, no Tamil house or shop in Badulla, even those in nooks and corners, not normally identifiable, was spared. This only proved that the 3-hour attack had been done to a methodically pre-determined plan. During the three hour long operation of the thugs no looting or robbery took place. Anyone attempting robbery was warned by thugs. All food, drinks, implements and petrol for thugs was provided by the Chief Incumbent of Muthiangana Buddhist Vihare.
Looting commenced only after the attack
Looting commences after 3 p.m. All people irrespective of age occupation or status took part in the robbery. There were jailors, policemen, teachers, students, public servants. In Pattapundura the robbery was carried out by jailors. Eighty per cent of the participants in the looting were between the ages of 10 and 25. Many of these were students. In the vast multitude of humanity that engaged in this pitiless act there was not one with grey hair.
The army was called in “for show”, after all was quiet. The holocaust could have been stopped, if the police stationed at strategic points in the town had taken stern action. The situation could have been handled by 25 policemen. In fact the police top brass did act with determination, but the interference of politicians frustrated their efforts.
There was curfew all over the island. There was no movement of people on the road. The rank and file of the Badulla police in collusion with thugs were emptying Tamil jewellery shops. Smoke was still coming out of shops. Policemen themselves, were breaking open safes and collecting jewellery in bags. The booty was divided among all policemen Lekum Arachie, Sergeant Buddha Dasa, Sergeant Madawala and Constable Bandara were leading the looters.
Just one single jewellery shop in all Badulla town was saved. This was S. Pachiayapillai Jewellery Palace. Army Commander Jayaratne arrived on the scene as the safe in this shop was being broken. Unable to tackle the police who were the culprits, he informs the Government Agent, and the Government Agent takes over the jewellery into his custody.
But Dharma and law now lay prostrate before political brigandage. Unbridled thuggery reigned supreme. The cry of pain of the Tamils echoed everywhere. It is hard to put in words the painful experiences and sense of tragedy that gripped them during those three hours.
Ramanathan family murdered
Everyone in Badulla knows the proprietor of Yogam Stores, a trader in camphor goods. His name is M. Ramanathan, a man of courage and forethought. He had taken many precautions to protect himself. The back of his beautiful home was protected by a high wall. In front, his vehicles in a row were kept safe behind protective walls.
As the town of Badulla was in flames nearly two hundred thugs armed with guns, petrol bombs and dangerous weapons gather in front of his house shouting ‘Kill the Tamils’, ‘Hunt the Tigers’. Many of them are employees of the Ceylon Transport Board. They appear either drunk or drugged and bereft of human feelings. Three brothers of the U.N.P. Member of Parliament lead the group.
Ramanathan a licensed gun in hand was preventing the thugs entering his house. As the thugs enter the gate he fires a shot into the air. The thugs retreat in fear. The leaders shout at the thugs: ‘Is there no Sinhalese blood in your veins?’, and urge them to action. The thugs surge ahead with hesitation. Again shots ring from Ramanathan’s gun. The thugs go back. The brothers of the M.P. were determined to take revenge on Ramanathan. They keep goading the thugs.
Piyasena, a bus conductor could contain his anger no longer. He goes forward recklessly and calls: ‘Cowards follow me’. A shot from Ramanathan hits him. Piyasena falls to the ground. He is removed in a hurry to a dispensary. There is no doctor who can take the pellets from his body. The only man proficient in this field is Dr. Maruthappu, a Tamil, who was by that time a refugee in the camp. There was none to save Piyasena the thug. He dies at the dispensary.
News of this incident incite the Sinhala thugs. Tigers are hiding in Ramanathan’s house. They are armed with modern automatic weapons, these are the rumours spread around the town.
On the orders of the brothers of the MP, police hurry to the scene. They crouch in front of Ramanathan’s house and fire into the house. Within a short time two jeeps full of army men are also called to Ramanathan’s house. The thug attack on Ramanathan is now reinforced with police and army action.
The neighbours, all Tamils, seek refuge in a sugarcane plantation nearby. The thugs set fire to the sugarcane plantation to prevent their escape. The sugarcane plantation is aflame. In front, army men and policemen keep firing. But for the horrible fact that it was actually happening, it looked like a scene reminiscent of some war film.
There is no escape. Ramanathan thinks the thugs will not harm him if he surrenders to the police. Fearful yet resourcefully he takes a 2½ years old girl in hand expecting the crowd will not attack a small girl and walks out unarmed with his hands raised in surrender.
The 2½ year old Viji who had been clutching him tight cries out ‘Aiyo…’ That’s all. The thugs drag Ramanathan and attack him with iron rods and wooden clubs like a mad dog and torture him to death. They burn his face with lighted torches.
They drag the 2½ year old Viji holding on to Ramanathan’s hand and dash her to death on a tree. This devilish deed was executed by Nimal, a man from Devundara. He has worked as a peon in the People’s Bank there and been dismissed for robbery. He is a local leader in Minister Cyril Mathew’s Sinhala racist organisation.
“Surrender, or we will set you on fire”, shouted the police and the thugs to the rest of the occupants of Ramanathan’s house. With no means of escape, they trickled out and meekly surrendered. The sons of Ramanathan – Yoganathan, Vimalanathan, Sathianathan all met the same fate as their father. All of them were beaten brutally to death. Even norms of warfare declare that those who surrender should be spared. But there was no room here for any kind of “Dharma”, war or peace.
Another son of Ramanathan, Packianathan, surrendered embracing his three-year old daughter, Kausik. The terrified child spread her arms on her father’s shoulders and hid her face on his chest. A bullet pierced her arm and entered her father’s chest. He died on the spot, but little Kausik survived with her injury. One soldier in the crowd of army men who could not bear to see the blood on the tender hand of the child, had the humaneness at the moment to shout: ‘Enough, stop, stop…’
In the moment of the temporary slackening of tensions, Mrs Ramanathan, her 15-year old daughter and Kausik escaped death. Stricken with terror, Mrs Ramanathan had hidden inside the bathroom. Later, left with no alternative, she had come out and surrendered just after Packianathan had fallen to the bullet and Kausik lay injured. “Are there any more Tigers inside?”, the mob demanded from her. Speechless and dazed, she was then handed a lighted torch with which she was asked to set fire to the vehicles belonging to Ramanathan parked in the premises.
That left five members of the Ramanathan family dead within fifteen minutes. The three who escaped were taken to the refugee camp. The police who thought that those who escaped may give evidence against them went round all refugee camps trying to locate them. The inmates of the refugee camp separated them and hid them. Subsequently, they were smuggled away to Batticaloa without the knowledge of the police.
Those who were trapped in the sugar cane garden and who had no option but to surrender met the same fate as others. Among those who were done to death were four members of a family – that of a local prominent journalist S. Ganeshan. His elderly father K. Sundaram, Ganeshan’s brother S. Rajeswaran and a nephew were killed along with a Sinhala visitor to the house from Talawakelle.
The father, brothers and uncle of the little girl Viji who was dashed to a tree were also killed. So was Ramanathan’s lorry cleaner.
A total of fifteen dead bodies now lay on Ramanathan’s premises. Six of them were killed by gunshot and nine of them were tortured to death. All bodies were dragged and made into a heap in front of Ramanathan’s house, rubber tyres were brought, petrol poured and a mass cremation was done.
The Ramanathan house itself was not touched until then, and until even later in the afternoon of the 27th. A systematic looting was done, and thereafter the house itself was burnt down.
When I visited the spot I saw the charred human bones. Two lorries – 26 Sri 6750 and 24 Sri 2468, one car, 8 Sri 132, two vans, 34 Sri 121 and D.D. 14/2, two motor cycles, one a Susuki and the other unidentifiable except the number – 85 Sri 6422, two bicycles, one Chopper, all belonging to the Ramanathan family, were in a burnt state.
Why so much hatred against Ramanathan, the Yogams mudalali? It has been mentioned already how Badulla escaped the anti-Tamil rioting in 1977 and in 1981. The Police did a good job on both occasions (which really meant that one effective officer, imbued with impartiality and determination can make a big difference to police attitudes) and the suppressed racism was simmering below the surface.
The planned attacks of Tamils of Indian origin in nearby areas in the Sabaragamuwa province in 1981 in which they were unable to participate, left the Badulla racists with a feeling of failure to rise to the occasion! It was a challenge to their self-respect. Ramanathan was a Tamil of Indian origin who had made good in life, prospered and wielded some influence with the police as well. Moreover, his house stood in splendid isolation, a good and worthwhile target.
Flashback to 1981
Let us now do a quick flashback to 1981. Aware of the attacks on Tamils in Ratnapura, Kahawatte and estate areas, Ramanathan was on constant alert. It was around midnight one day, and he spotted a figure, carrying on what looked like a can of petrol, throwing the petrol on one of his lorries, and attempting to set it on fire. He ran and tried to catch him red-handed. The man took to his heels, leaving the petrol can. Ramanathan chased him with his gun, but on closing upon him made a startling discovery. The running figure was no less a person than the MP’s brother, whom he knew very well indeed. He hesitated for a moment but kept the chase nevertheless. The house of the MP’s father was close by and as the figure darted into the house, there was no mistaking the identity.
Ramanathan did not want to let the matter rest. He lodged a complaint with the police the very next morning. Headquarters Inspector Dharmapala, duty-conscious offer as he was, was in a quandary. At any rate, involving as it did, the brother of a governing party MP who was then participating in an event at the Buddhist vihare, it was decided that the MP should for his own sake hush the matter. He knew Ramanathan well. He apologised on his brother’s behalf, undertook to see that there was no repetitions of such incidents and appealed to him to withdraw the complaint. Ramanathan relented. He could not afford to offend the MP in the face of a direct request like that. But this of course left the MP’s brothers hardly in a happy frame of mind. He was determined to have his revenge some day. He kept circulating the rumour that Ramanathan and his sons were Tamil “Tigers”, and like all deliberately circulated rumours, it gained credence among the gullible Sinhala population.
Came July 1983, came the country-wide tension and the golden opportunity that the MP’s brother was waiting for. His wish came to be fulfilled beyond his wildest expectation!
Some others who were attacked
Ramachandran is another well-known man in Badulla. He was rich too, which made him another suitable target for a blood-thirsty mob. Here again, one gun kept the mob at bay, but the police stepped in. A police gun left him injured and while he lay unconscious, the mob pounced on him and tortured him to death. A visitor at Ramachandran’s house, an Indian national by the name of Nainar, was also murdered by the thugs. Ramachandran’s son Vengadesan was meanwhile set upon by a mob near the railway station and he too was killed.
P. Ravindran was the son of the proprietor of Pushpa Hardware Stores. His father’s household goods had miraculously escaped damage. Ravindran was lurking around waiting for a suitable opportunity when the mob was not around to rescue those things. But a policeman spotted him. The curfew was not in force at that time. The policeman stuck a rifle on his chest and demanded “what’s your name?” Trembling, he replied “I am Ravi”. “What Ravi?” demanded the policeman further (Ravi is a name common to the Sinhalese as well). When the reply came “Ravindran”, a shot felled him. He fell face down and the policeman thinking he was dead, hurried away. But Ravindran managed to stagger back to the road and run. Thugs who noticed this, caught him, beat him up and while alive put him inside a car belonging to Alagasundaram parked near the Liberty cinema and set fire to the car.
Aravandipillai was a prominent trader in the town. His son got caught to thugs who attacked him with iron rods and wooden clubs. He ran bleeding into his Sinhalese friend’s shop. His friend saved him and sent him in a lorry to the hospital. The lorry, for protection, was taking the road past the Buddhist temple. But opposite the temple, thugs stopped the lorry. They dragged the wounded man out, bundled him into a gunny bag, brought more sacks from a nearby shop, and set fire to him alive. They beat up another Tamil boy and dumped him into the same fire. This macabre incident took place beside the bell tower of the temple of the Buddha – the Buddha who preached Ahimsa to the world.
Another burning in the vicinity was that of Neelameham who was rushing to his home in a van. He was stopped, pulled out, beaten to death with a crowbar and other implements and burnt along with his van.
The tragic end of two little boys employed at a shop called Kandy Stores, one from Glen Alphin estate and the other from Third mile post, will rend anyone’s heart. When the roof of their shop caught fire they ran out. A policeman took aim at them with a gun. Frightened, they rushed back into the shop again and jumped into the water tank. Unfortunately the tank exploded and nothing was seen of them later. Their bodies were discovered two weeks later after the parents had made a search for them. The bodies were found burnt and locked in an embracing position.
He was a small-time trader, occupying a small room in the town. Over the years, he had managed to set by some monies and saved up Rs 3,000. When the attack on the Tamils began, he thought it was unsafe to carry the money with him. So he took all that worldly wealth and hid it hurriedly under a heap of firewood. Having done that, he fled to the refugee camp. At the camp he kept on asking everyone whether his room was attacked. Most did not know, but some said his room was safe. That gave him hope. When the situation eased he rushed back to his room. Yes, the room was intact but having entered it, he stood thunder-struck. Not a stick of firewood was left. All was lost. He was at a loss where to begin, how to go on. There was no one to borrow from. All had been affected. He borrowed Rs.10 from a friend, bought a bottle of insecticide, and killed himself.
Doctor who served for 42 years
Dr. Sivagnanam had earned a name as a good doctor. There was no one in the locality who did not know him. In fact it could be said that the was no one in Badulla who had not taken treatment in his private dispensary during the 42 years he served there. He was married to a Sinhalese.
He had complete faith that whatever happened to others, that he will not be touched. There were other Tamils like him, doctors and others, who had lived long among the Sinhala people, had the same kind of faith not only during the July 1983 violence but also during earlier anti-Tamil riots, and who had met with disillusionment. Dr. Sivagnanam was no exception.
When at last it dawned on him that he was about to be attacked, he got into his car with his wife to seek refuge in a Sinhala friend’s house. On the way the car stalled. A second group of thugs nearly caught him. Abandoning the car, he ran with his wife to another Sinhala friend’s house in the vicinity. The thugs surrounded the house, but his friend had the courage and presence of mind to smuggle them into a neighbour’s over a back wall, before opening the door to the goondas. Interestingly, the man who saved this Tamil doctor was closely associated with the JVP one of the two organisations that the government chose to blame for the violence! It was told to me later that Dr Sivagnanam and wife left the country to live with their son in the U.S.
The big men behind the violence
Everyone in Badulla knew that some of the bigwigs from the governing UNP party were behind the violence and killings. The key role performed by the MP, D Vincent Dias’ own brother has already been noted. Let us now examine the contributions of others.
Francis Rajapakse. He was an active UNP man and member of the District Development Council. He was to be seen all over Badulla during the 3 hour orgy of violence at several spots where violence occurred. He was seen on a motor bicycle every time, giving encouragement to thugs, posting them with information of “successful jobs” done elsewhere.
Dissanayake. A member of the Municipal Council representing Kanupellela, also of the UNP, who moved with the thugs and participated in many of the atrocities.
Chief Incumbant of the Buddhist Vihare. The role played by this “religious” man in yellow robes at Mudhiyagana was indeed deplorable. His vihare supplied all the drinks, food and tools of destruction to the thugs. The kind of hate-filled racist “sermons” he preached to the Sinhala Buddhist people and to the rabble defies description. Even after a few days after the violence, he began shouting over a loudspeaker one day: ‘The “Tigers” are coming! Buddhists unite! All Buddhist come into the Vihare’ and so on.
Herath. He is the Principal of Badulla Maha Vidyalaya. He is also an officer in the Voluntary Army Corps. He is a right hand man of the MP for Badulla and a prominent member of Cyril Mathew’s Sinhala Buddhist racist caucus. He played a leading role in the attacks on Tamils and Tamil property with the help of his own school pupils. The destruction of houses at Bandaranayake Mawatha was carried out at his instigation.
Hettihewa. The proprietor of Central Hotel and Bakery. To him goes the “distinction” of looting the statue of the deity in the Hindu temple in Badulla, the Kali Kovil. He stole gold jewellery that adorned the statue. The public became aware of this incident. One day, a man of the area who had got drunk stood in front of Hettihewa’s bakery and kept shouting in Sinhala. “You are a great guy. You stole from the deity!” It became such a public scandal that the police had no option but to arrest Hettihewa and the gold was recovered from him. But being a rich “Mudalali” in the area and moreover a UNP supporter, he had friends in high places. There was a desperate bid to force the police to release him, and among those who actively moved in the matter was Weerawanni Samaraweera, Deputy Minister of Education.
Sugathasa. Another wealthy man of the area and ardent supporter of the UNP. He is owner of Manel Rice Mill and Rex Cinema. He was responsible for setting fire to a rival Tamil-owned cinema – the Liberty.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 17, 2013
A sad narrative to remind us of what results when madness is unleashed by a few, using the scum of society and supported by politicians and religious elements. When politicians get involved, the law and order mechanisms fail and rarely recover. I hope we do not play with fire again. The victims are not only the targeted innocents, but also the vast majority of innocents in whose name the mayhem is instigated and carried out.
The government here and in Tamil Nadu should immediately crack down on elements trying to become the law and dictate societal norms. The Sri Lankan government has to immediately crack down on the BBS and its likes. The JHU has obtained the permission to hold the BBS rally in Kandy in its name, when the permission was refused to the BBS. The JHU is part of the government and what it does reflects on the government. While we cannot dictate to the Tamil Nadu government, we have to hope that common sense prevails there too. Tamil Nadu politicians should not go overboard with their pro-Sri Lankan Tamil rhetoric and theatrics. The law of the jungle should not be permitted in any civilised society under any circumstance.
The memories of the past are yet haunting us and are a stumbling block to reconciliation. The government has not learned the lessons from the 30 year war and the preceding communal riots or has learned the wrong lessons. the vast majority of people have however learned lessons, they had no need to learn. There is no need for new pains to be endured and new memories created. There are many hands stirring the witches brew- here, in India and internationally. Fortunately, there are no takers yet. But under the present circumstances it won’t be long before there are takers.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Dubdoc / March 17, 2013
Abdullah,
What you describe is the man’s inhumanity to man.No other species on this planet can do this. Same terrible things happen right now in Afghanistan, Iraq and probably many part of Africa.Whole idea of these discussions is how to eliminate them from our society.
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Hade Sheriff / March 18, 2013
A pathetic story well presented with substantial evidence, it should be an eye opener to all communities.
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shankar / March 16, 2013
Jayalalitha should take stern action against this type of incidents.Primarily this is a law and order issue and the Chief Minister is responsible.If this continues people are going to question whether a woman is capable of maintaining law and order in the state.Her gender rightfully or wrongfully will come into focus and she will only have herself to blame.Thugs and hooligans must be put in their place in any society,as Srilanka found out in July 83 and the tamils found out the hard way with the rise of the LTTE.In a harmonious progressive society thugs and rowdies have know place and jail is the best place for them.
Jayalalitha also should put a stop to tamilnadu fishermen poaching in srilankan waters.She always howls about them being attacked or arrested but is silent on why they are poaching.Why does she just not say the reason is because fish stocks are depleted in tamilnadu waters ,so we have to steal from our neighbours.Let her also proudly proclaim that stealing is a culture of the tamils,as she is a brahmin and not a original tamil. Deep sea fishing is the answer to her fishing problem and sooner she gets onto it the better for everybody concerned without defending stealing from the so called tamil brothers in srilanka and rousing up the passions in tamilnadu when their fishermen get attacked by the navy or get arrested.Roughing up an innocent bhikku will not make the srilankan state change their mind on this issue.
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Roger Kumar / March 17, 2013
ILL WILL WILL BEGET ILL WILL. THIS IS THE ETERNAL LAW . GOVERNMENTS IN ANY COUNTRY SHOULD GOVERN WITH ” LOVE AND COMPASSION ” . Governments and Political Factions in any country should understand the ” TRUE MEANING OF LIFE ON PLANET EARTH “. Then and then only will we humans see TRUE PEACE , LOVE AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL HUMAN INHABITANTS ON THIS PLANET REGARDLESS OF RELIGION. LANGUAGE, CASTE , AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES . IF GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICAL LEADERS GOVERN AND BELIEVE IN THESE PRINCIPLES OF ETERNAL LAW THEN AND THEN ONLY WILL THE HUMANS ON THIS PLANET WILL SEE HEAVEN ON EARTH . DO NOT POINT YOUR FINGER AT SRI LANKA ONLY , WE CAN POINT FINGERS AT PAKISTAN, INDIA, ISRAEL, AFGHANISTAN, ALL ARABIAN COUNTRIES , EGYPT, LIBYA, KENYA, MOZAMBIQUE ETC; I PRAY THE WORLD MARCHES WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION .
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jacko / March 17, 2013
You srilankan & tamils wont get matured enough at all.
Its the military thats all done all those massacress, why the hell u beat up those tourist because he’s a singhala,..
I think its the best part in sinhala people who don’t beat up any tamil tourist in colombo..
God when will we stop dirty politics against all these nonsenses..
war is over before 4 yrs..
every bad is done…
peoples are crying nonsenses now.
why the hell u don’t spoke when war is going on.
whats the use shouting and beating innocent people now guys..
Cumon guys don’t go like srilankan tamils or indian tamils
believe like, those peoples are srilankan, we are indians..
that will do..
this is the hell of DIVIDE AND RULE POLICY
used by brits to separate us nw used by politicians for support.
there is a saying..”vandharai vaazha vaikum tamil nadu”.
Don’t let this name to fade on us..
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May / March 17, 2013
Same thing – not only in Tamil Nadu and India- going to happen to us, all over the world if we do not change, think and treat that all human beings are the same irrespective of how they were born into this world. We asked for it, owing to our silly and stupid behavior toward fellow human beings. My dear Sri Lankans, if you wouldn’t change and respect every one for what they are, then enjoy this for a long time to come!
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PEACELOVER.. / March 17, 2013
soon BODU BALU SENA will sourround the embassy of India ……wait and see…..if they dont then they better take off their kaavi sari and put on DENIMS..
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2013
Animals. These Tamil Nadu monkeys should be banned from setting foot in Sri Lanka. Once they start getting flak from thousands of out of work sari sellers and pavement traders they’ll change their tune. Unfortunately our spineless diplomats will do sod all as usual.
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Rama / March 17, 2013
oi bogus brahnmin donkey, when i see the picture only bikku looks a black monkey. tamils don’t look like monkeys at all. by the way sinhala women wear cheap saris imported from tamil nadu. in tamil nadu they wear silk saris which are quite expensive. if sinhala women don’t cover themselves with sari , then they have to go back to their ancient custom . you know what i mean , don’t you. i mean going around naked before civilisation arrived to shit lanka. as you know civilisation arrived only 500 years ago.
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Dubdoc / March 17, 2013
Rama,
I am seeing your true colours now.Shame on you. First learn history before commenting.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2013
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Prassanna Pathmanathan / March 17, 2013
This monk also need to know how to respect Hindu religion. He enters with a Buddhist robe and asking for trouble. Educated person would never enter such troublesome area and later make remarks to antogonise Buddhist people in Sri Lanka, especial when Bodu Bala Sena is ruining the spirit of all Sri Lankans.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 17, 2013
P. Pathmanathan ,
What is wrong with a Buddhist monk entering Hindu temple in his robes. He is in theory a Sanyasi, the highest state any Hindu could aspire to be in this life. To us Saivaites, ‘ Em Mathamum Sammatham ( all religions or faiths are acceptable). Do not endorse stupidity and barbarity, even with good intentions. Evil should not be accommodated, as it becomes a habit very quickly. The attack on the monk has to be condemned outright and unconditionally.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran.
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Jjay / March 17, 2013
Ultimately these monks won’t have any place in the world to go. Making enermies of all communities. Can you even think of them going to any Missle East country wearing safron robes, let alone India, the birthplace of their own Buddhism?
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Kalu Malli / March 17, 2013
How would the boys at BBS react? Bravely invade Tamil Nadu?
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Naga / March 17, 2013
I got a few flak from some readers for speaking out on the attack on the Buddhist monk in Tamil Nadu. One should realize that no country in the world, however weak it is, should tolerate attacks on its citizens in another country. If this attack happened to an Indian in a foreign country, Indian Prime Minister would have been on the phone to the leader of that country. When Indian students came under attack in Australia for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, India made big noises and protested to the Australian government. India was within its right in making those protests. But by the same token New Delhi should ensure that foreigners in India are not subjected to attacks or abuse on its own soil.
A majority of the Tamil Nadu youths are a fanatic lot. They become easy prey to scheming politicians who ignite their passions to achieve their own political ends. Tamil Nadu politicians have ignited this present anti-Sri Lankant passion with an eye on next year’s Lok Sabha Elections but it appears to be going out of hand.
In no other Indian state you will find this type of behaviour. No wonder that Tamilians from Tamil Nadu are looked down by people of neighbouring States. Tamilians are hated in neighouring Kerala, Karnataka and Andra States and are not made welcome. You will realize this when you drive in the streets of Karnataka or Kerala with a Tamil Nadu licence plate.
Actions of neighbouring States are threatening the livelihood of Tamilians and their economic interests. Karnataka is refusing to allow Kaveri water to Tamil Nadu. Kerala is trying to block the Mullaperiyar dam. Andhra Pradesh is building a dam across Palar river blocking flow of water to Tamil Nadu. However, there are no mass agitations in Tamil Nadu against these anti-Tamil Nadu activities by the neighbouring States.
When over three hundred thousand Sri Lankan Tamils faced death and destruction in Vanni four years ago, there were no agitations in Tamil Nadu on the scale of the present protests. Neither Karunanidhi nor Jayalalitha came forward to protect the Tamils when they needed their help. Vaiko and the likes failed to organise mass protests on the scale we see now. What is the use of these protests now? Nothing. On the contrary, these protests and attacks on Buddhist monks will only bring about a backlash on Sri Lankan Tamils forced to live in the midst of Sinhalese in the South and in the midst of Sri Lankan Armed Forces in North East Sri Lanka.
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Native Vedda / March 17, 2013
Naga
“I got a few flak from some readers for speaking out on the attack on the Buddhist monk in Tamil Nadu”
You got flak not for speaking out on the attack but for your stupid suggestions as to how best to deal with appalling attack on unarmed individuals.
Please ensure you think before typing any suggestions.
“One should realize that no country in the world, however weak it is, should tolerate attacks on its citizens in another country”
I hate to agree with you.
However the question remains as to why Sri Lankan state tolerated the IPKF for invading, killing, raping, maiming, looting, …………a section of the people and occupying my ancestral island. Had Sri Lanka challenged India for its iron fist policies towards small states Tamilnadu Tamils would not have dared to treat the Sri Lankans the way they did in the past.
India treated a section of Tamils of Sri Lanka very badly in Sri Lanka. India treats another section of Sri Lankan people very badly in its own soil. What is the commonality? On the whole India does not give a damn about whether your people are in Sri Lanka or India, whether you are Tamil or Sinhalese.
India doesn’t discriminate when it wants to beat you up, it just treat you as its own people.
“A majority of the Tamil Nadu youths are a fanatic lot”
So are the Sinhala/Tamil youth in Sri Lanka, worse the grown ups too are fanatics.
“In no other Indian state you will find this type of behaviour.”
If that is the case why do other Indian states have police force, courts, ………..etc?
Come on, are you being serious?
“Neither Karunanidhi nor Jayalalitha came forward to protect the Tamils when they needed their help.”
Their hands were unclean and tied, therefore both were obliged to tow Delhi’s line.
Think before commenting.
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Jayantha / March 18, 2013
Naga,
I agree with you. But first Justice has to be seen and done before pointing fingters at others.
What happened the the British Pakistani Tourist who was murdered by Govt. goon on day after Christmas in Tangalla and molesting his Russian Girl friend, and now languishing scott free……how and why….
When his brother came with a British minister, nobody in the Parliament or Government bothered to talk to them. Not even the Minister of Justice who is a Muslim……..How….and…..Why……..
How come a British come to Sri Lanka on a holiday turn back at the Airport simply because he had a Buddha Tatoo in his arm.
My Great…great….Grand Father and Grand Mother would have had more commonsense to resolve these simple matters pleasing everybody.
If the frogs want to stay in the well…….why are they promoting tourism……. Let them stay in pansala reciting bana…. and not do politics governing a country.
If you look at the marketing point of it, don’t you think this is better way to spread buddhism among masses than wearing yellow robes. Where’s the common marketing knowledge my great grand father had that do not have with the current rulers. Will the SL tourist board publish a travel guide for tourist attair when they visit SL…….and dress and body codes……..do’s and dont’s when when they land here the Buddha country.
How about promoting among tourists LIVE murder shows while police are watching ,live theft shows,live riots,live white van abductions, live rape shows, live vehicle crash accidents, live elephant murder, live parliament party jumpers etc, also advertise and publis these in tourist pocket bulletins to attract more tourists.
POINTING FINGER AT OTHERS WILL NEVER WORK, UNTIL THAT FINGER FIRST DIRECTS AT THE DIRECETOR. TIME FOR CHANGE ATTITUDE AND MINDSET CHANGE.
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MIC / March 17, 2013
Thanks to Al- Qaida, the Muslim’s are looked at suspiciously across the Globe and subjected to harassment. Similarly, thanks to LeT, Pakistani’s cannot visit India. In the same light, the Sinhalese are looking at becoming pariah’s courtesy the Liberation Lions of Sinhala Facist ( aka BBS ).
The attacks in India is just the begining and don’t let the Muslim Jihadist do the same in other Countries. We may see Sinhala budhist returning to their Dhammadvipaya in plane Ioads. The migrant workers in the ME ?
Where are WE heading ……..
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Jayantha / March 18, 2013
MIC,
You ask….. Where are WE heading …….. I say Frogs to the Frogwell….
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Probono Publico / March 17, 2013
This is totally uncalled for attack and shows the low side of human race which we should all condemn hope the culprits will be punished for attacking that monk,nothing but third grade rowdyism
All right thinking people will also hope that the scum in the Nawala attack too are punished and dis-robed from the Sanga as they are nothing but gutter rats
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Jayasiri / March 17, 2013
There are so many TN businessmen in Sri Lanka. No one has harassed them.
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Jayantha / March 17, 2013
Nobody is safe when it comes to Looting, stealing, and robbing minorities using “Desha Premi” card like in Black July ’83…7/83.
Now minority communities, Races and Religions are sitting ducks waiting to be attacked by Sinhala Racist Fanatics with various Desha Premi names….with the influence of top Govt. officials.
Did’t you see how all these times many Tamil businesses been robbed and harassed asking Kappans. Latest was robbing over 10 Million from Tamil Money exchange at Wellawatte by Govt. security personnel and Police.
SRI LANKA ALREADY A PARIAH STATE, IMPORTING DUTY FREE ETHENOL AND DRUGS BY GOVT. MINISTER GOONS TO MAKE PEOPLE DRUNK AND USING THEM TO STEAL OTHER PEOPLE.
PARIAH IS A PARIAH NO MATTER WHAT, EVEN IF HE RULES THE COUNTRY.
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Native Vedda / March 18, 2013
Jayasiri
“There are so many TN businessmen in Sri Lanka. No one has harassed them.”
To achieve some sort of parity in stupidity do you think TN businessmen should be harassed in Sri Lanka?
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Hela / March 19, 2013
Hi Vedda,
May be it is time we show some stupidity and treat some TN fellas equally.
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Native Vedda / March 19, 2013
Hela
“May be it is time we show some stupidity and treat some TN fellas equally.”
Stupid man you have been doing it all your life, it is not going to change your status whether you continue or stop.
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shuaib salam / March 17, 2013
This is not fail and unacceptable behaviour. Every community have few people with racist ideology. Just because of BBS’s extreme unacceptable racist actions, no other innocent monks and civilians to be targetted. Then whats the difference between those elements and people who love peace and tolerance.
This kind of violent reaction will never bring peace, hormony between communities instead will add fuel to the fire. Moreover groups like BBS will have the reasons to justify their illegitimate claims.
Let us strive hard promote tolerance and harmony between communities in order to isolate and disappearance of groups like BBS.
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Park / March 17, 2013
Two wrongs do not make a right. What happened in Tamil Nadu for the monk is wrong. If Tamil Nadu citizens act like this, then there is no difference between them and the Bodu Bala Sena. Further, today Tamil Nadu citizens are against the Sri Lankan government, understandably its the right decision. But the demand they make is wrong. Tamil Nadu citizens do not actually have any strong links between them and the Tamils living in the North and East of Sri Lanka other than the language and religious connections. However, Tamils living in the Sri Lankan plantations have very close relationship with the Tamil Nadu citizens as they have the same blood. Hence the Tamil Nadu citizens, while protesting for equal rights to the minorities in Sri Lanka, should stop supporting a separate state for Tamils in Sri Lanka. Prior to Indra Gandhi creating LTTE and other groups, the Tamils from the NOrth and East of Sri Lanka treated the plantation Tamils in Sri Lanka as third grade citizens (Coolies). Although today the Tamils from NOrth and East of Sri Lanka are enjoying the support of Indian Tamils, if a separate state is created in Sri Lanka, it would be the plantation Tamils who will be suffering in the hands of the separate state Tamils and the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. So Tamils in India should stop supporting a separate state in Sri Lanka but fight for equal rights for all minorities in Sri Lanka.
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Jayantha / March 17, 2013
I hope BBS will think twice before next Desha Premi operation, after seeing this video clip.
Hope they saw this clip……….
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Candidly / March 18, 2013
Gordon Weiss, Frances Harrison, Vaiko, Callum McCrae, Channel 4 and others must be rubbing their hands with glee at seeing these signs of conflict between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. Men and women of goodwill should not fall into the trap of allowing chauvanists, racists, bigots and people driven by hatred to destroy harmonious living. Just ask yourselves – who will benefit from conflict between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka? Certainly not the majority of Sri Lankan or Indian people.
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Diogenes / March 18, 2013
Rama the donkey does not understand human language. He can only Bray! If you give him a history book he will thankfully grunt and eat it.
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msk / March 18, 2013
At all Srilankan demeaning Tamils of Tamilnadu, those who were behind this attack was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. You understand now what is called law and order and real democracy. TN police arrested their own citizen who were violent against lankan monk. Now if you have something called conscience, before lecturing other countries go and ask your govt to punish those responsible for war crimes, and other atrocities meted to minorities in island before speaking anything called morality
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Rama / March 18, 2013
what for history book. sinhala buddhist bikkus are thugs, killers, rapists and child molesters. there is nothing wrong to attack them or even to kill them. kill them all and chop them down.
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nimanta / March 18, 2013
If Tamil Nadu need more blood we will give more blood here in Sri Lanka. We will bring back little bit of Sri Lankan monks from there and will start to reply in the same way. If such things happen again get ready to accept tamil dead bodies more and more. It is possible if you need that. Yes we appreciate killing terrorist’s son. We will kill all the terrorrists son if we found again. We do not need to protect terrorrist’s son since we know that bloody terrorist killed thousands of babys some ever while sucking milk from the mother’s breast. Are you telling us to put that terrorist red carpet????????????????
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Rama / March 18, 2013
don’t indulge in brave talk you coward. you have been hiding for 30 long years unable to face prabhakaran’s onslaught. why weren’t you brave when he was alive. stupid sinhala coward.
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Native Vedda / March 18, 2013
nimanta
“If such things happen again get ready to accept tamil dead bodies more and more.”
Its a brilliant idea.
You are being very generous to the Tamils, what VP could not achieve in thirty years will be achieved in months depending on how fast you do the killing. My worry is that you are going to give it on a silver platter.
VP supporters will be grateful to you for the rest of their lives.
You must inform your fellow Sinhala/Buddhists about your cunning plan.
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K.A Sumanasekera / March 19, 2013
What a cowardly act by the LTTEers and their Tamilnadu supporters?.
Then again didn’t the LTTE massacre 32 of these Monks in one hit in the open?.
Are these the people who want a separate nation for themselves?.
While the activists are at it ,their leaders including the new ally Ms Pillay are in Geneva, to beg the whiteman to give them a homeland.
Just imagine what it would be if these LTTEers and their supporters sneak into a Homeland in the North?.
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Senguttuvan / March 19, 2013
Sumane,
I will deal with only the part of your comment “sneaking into a Homeland in the North” There are two errors there. First, it will not be “sneaking” because the struggle is to regain the Homeland that was lost by force of arms to Colonialists at the beginning of the 16th century. Second, it is the North-Eastern Province that was pre-dominantly Tamil until State-aided Colonisation, the baby-boom and the plundering of Tamil land and presence that changed the demographic reality of the EP, now designed to do the same to the NP.
Senguttuvan
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msk / March 19, 2013
Mr Nimanta,
If you are truly gutsy, propose your idea when UNHRC comes. i was talking about crimes of common man, and if you engage in eliminating innocent people sure, your next gen will see the result.. i leave it your guess, that there are 12 crore Tamils around world. And you know the today fault will be rectified by tomorrow’s reverse.
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Karunniyam / March 21, 2013
I am a Tamil and I have been to all famous vihares in SL and without any problem whatsoever. However after attack on bodi tree and inncocent civilian, there was eerie silence during my visist. Even at that time, there was no problem from the people but securitymen. I have lost a cousin who ran away from a mob at station when he was pulled out of train in Anuradhapura in 1977 was never returned – not even his body. As a victim, I must beg for sanity of public and never undermine the misbehaviour of frezied attack of a mob when the humanity looses its responsibility. This should not happened to anyone especially those who look upto India for the rich heritage and culture.
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Royal Bangal Tiger Mr Barua / March 25, 2013
i not say i hate any beings but i say the govt of srilanka to make sure the punishment of those tamil people who are torturing the monks and destroyed the Buddhism , as a Bangladeshi Buddhist monk i hope the govt of Srilanka will understand what i am saying and why, there are a lot of reason , for example the govt if not punish them may be they will torture monks or destroy Buddhism since the 10 century the muslims and hindus destroyed Buddhism in all countries of Asia(combodia,Bangladesh,india, indonesia,Afganistand,iraq,iran,malayasia),the muslims killed Monks and Buddhist people and occupied the lands, and the hindusim destroyed and land covered our buddhist monasteries and buddha statues, everything is destroying by Muslims and hindus , the christians our friend forever ,2001 afganistand buddha statues saved by the USA president W. Bush , and allcout takes Buddhism from Srilanka and service to spread so you not hate any beings but there have to punish if anyone destroy Buddhism or tortures Buddhist monks in Buddha pure Srilanka or any where, safe the monks life and Buddha sasana!Bhante Barua
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