Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
Newspapers of 16 January 2019 report Indian Poachers turning on our Navy. An earlier incident of 23 Dec. where poachers really used violence was hardly reported. All this mis- and non-reporting raise questions of the veracity of our Navy and the irresponsibility of our press to us reader. These newspapers have become willing propaganda tools of the Navy, spreading falsehoods that shield the Navy from any culpability. This article reports my best reconstruction of events.
Recall that early in the morning on 13 Jan. (Sunday) in the northern seas a total of 28 Indian fishermen were interdicted on the charge of entering Sri Lankan waters without permission. This has been confirmed by the navy, admitting that they, the Navy itself, had taken them into custody. Seventeen fishermen from four boats were arrested in the Delft area and taken to the Kankesanthurai Navy Base, and a further 11 in seas in the proximity of Kilinochchi were interdicted, and taken to the Kiranchi Naval Base. Accordingly, the 11 arrested in Kilinochchi were handed over to the Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries, Kilinochchi and charged. There is no controversy over the Kilinochchi arrests
Those 17 Indian Fishermen said to have been arrested in Jaffna were attempted to be handed over by the Navy to the Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries, Jaffna. According to information by the Navy, two staff members from the Fisheries Department went to Kankesanthurai. The staff members returned to the Department on 13th evening after 4 pm. However, instead of 17, the department had accepted responsibility only for nine Indians who had come in two boats. The remaining 8 who had fished in two further boats, say reports, the Department had refused to accept any responsibility for.
At the same time, well after Sunday after 5 pm, Indian media released a report that a total of 29 fishermen had been captured by Sri Lankan authorities. At this point Jaffna reporters knew that something serious was amiss. When queried both the Fisheries Department and the Navy refused further information. Some reporters from Jaffna thereupon directly contacted indian reporters. The latter confirmed that 29 Indians had been captured. Jaffna reporters then obtained 29 names from India and the names of the 28 in Sri Lankan custody. Comparing the two lists, one fisherman named Munnaichaami was seen to be missing from the Sri Lankan Navy’s custody. When it was confirmed that Munnaichaami’s name was missing, Indian sources claimed that Munnaichaami had been murdered by the Sri Lankan Navy. The Indian Consul in Jaffna was now fully alerted and began querying Sri Lankan authorities.
Upon these developments, the Navy issued a statement that a body had been retrieved from the seas, and that it could be that of Munnaichaami. The body was taken to the Kankesanthurai Navy Base.
It is inferred by those who know the system that the Fisheries Department refused to accept the eight fishermen from Kankesanthurai because of the missing ninth person, although they had initially claimed that they had refused because the usual evidence like nets had not been given to them to take to court.
In the circumstance of the Fisheries Department refusing to accept responsibility for body brought to Kankesanthurai and the eight fishermen, the Navy asked the Kankesanthurai Police to assume responsibility. The Police too were reluctant. Following this, the Mallakam Magistrate had his attention drawn to this around 8 pm Sunday. The Magistrate ordered the Police to accept the body and report to court. As a result, around 11 pm the Jaffna Teaching Hospital accepted the body. The eight fishermen were handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police. All this information was given to the Indian Consul.
The next morning, Monday, the eight fishermen were met independently by reporters and the Indian Consul at the Kankesanthurai Police Station. It is learnt from the testimony of two of the three fishermen who had travelled with the deceased Munnaichaami, namely Kaarmeham (aged 40), and Selvam (aged 45), that the trawler in which they had travelled had been travelled was stopped by navy boat made of iron (presumably a Dvora), ordered the fishermen (now in custody) to come on board the Navy ship. Seemingly to facilitate that, the navy boat was brought close to their trawler, at a high speed, and the iron navy boat smashed wooden fishing trawler penetrated its body. The part of the trawler penetrated by the navy boat, entered the pilot’s cabin of the trawler.
During that event, the wooden planks from the trawler crushed the person piloting the trawler. The trawler broke into pieces and capsized. The three jumped into the sea and were picked up by the navy. However, the pilot Munnaichaami went down with the trawler. Munnaichaami had no chance to jump into the sea or otherwise escape. On account of language difficulties the fishermen could not communicate to the Navy the information on the presence of Munnaichaami in the wreckage. As a result, in a short while, the Navy went to Kankesanthurai with just the three fishermen,leaving Munnaichaami behind.
Likewise, another boat like Munnaichaami’s, a second boat, also has been sunk by the navy in the vicinity on the same day. The five men who had travelled in the same vessel are with the Navy. In the incident involving the second vessel, two fishermen have been injured – one with serious head injuries that have since been treated by the Navy’s hospital in Kankesanthurai. Of these five, two are young students as learnt from the Kankesanthurai Police Station — one is in Plus 1 Grade in India and the other is in an engineering faculty in India.
On the same day, a third boat also was hit by Sri Lankan Navy’s Dvora and damaged in the rear end of the Indian boat which managed to make it back to India. The damaged trawler is shown with bullet holes as released by Indian sources.
Rammed Boat with Bullet Holes
As the story broke at 10 am on the 14th, of the eight fishermen, three who travelled with Munnaichaami, were taken to the Teaching hospital in a police vehicle. They were manacled with two hand cuffs; that is, the man in the middle had both hands cuffed. The practice is not to handcuff such fishermen when taking them to court. They were being taken to identify Munnaichaami’s body. Around 11 am, these three manacled fishermen identified the body of Munnaichaami who had travelled with them. The three fishermen were then subject to a medical examination at the Teaching hospital to so that the charge of assault cannot be sustained against the Navy. (Those assaulted were the other five who were not brought for a medical examination). These three were then taken back to the Kankesanthurai Police.
The laxity of security, despite the manacles, is seen in the photo where they are seen being taken to court transporting the policemen’s personal effects like a bicycle, and their stopping for diesel on the way.
In Police Jeep: Lax Security and Cruelly Placed Handcuffs
According to normal procedure, cases have been filed against all of them. Following the confirmed identification of the body of Munnaichaami, on the 14th a report was submitted to Court and permission obtained by Police for an autopsy. As a result after 5 pm that day, Jaffna Teaching Hospital’s JMO Mayoorathan conducted the autopsy. The next day, 15th, having been a holiday, on the 16th morning, on the basis of Munnaichaami’s daughter asking for his body, the Jaffna Consul for India asked Court for custody of the body. The Mallakam Court has authorized the release.
Family of Munnaichaami
Why was the navy careless in coming close to the Indian vessel and ramming it hard enough to sink it? Why did the navy resort to violence over civil misdemeanors?
In answer, it is good to recall a poorly reported incident on 23 December 2018, when the Sri Lankan Navy on small boats (said to be scooter-like) is said to have stopped five Indian fishermen on a fishing boat (presumably in Sri Lanka waters). During that encounter, when the three navy men tried to bring the Indians ashore, one naval man boarded the Indian boat to be in command of the Indian boat while the other two navy men were to go in front in their vessels.
However, the Indian trawler took off towards India with the Sri Lankan on board. The Indians had overcome the navy man. Having given chase, upon reaching Indian waters, the naval man in captivity was dumped overboard. That naval man had a gun on him and fired at the Indian vessel. Three bullet holes are said to visible. The boat reached the Rameshwaran shore and reported to the Indian authorities. As a result their fishing permit has been suspended by Indian authorities and the incident is reported by the Indian press as well as television channels.
When such horrible things were reported only by Indian press and sources, the Sri Lankan Navy higher-ups were questioned by many reporters over three days showing them photographs of the rammed boat with bullet holes. The Navy has denied the occurrence of any such incident.
Therefore people wonder if there is a private miniwar between India and Sri Lanka. Is our navy hunting for Indian fishermen? Is it open season on Indian fishermen because some of them dumped a navy man in the sea in escaping arrest? Is our press covering up this racist nonsense, making a military campaign out of illegal fishing by poor fishermen? Like the police shooting at speeding motorists?
sen / January 18, 2019
Mr Hoole
we don’t need to be a educated like you to understand this event
Srilankan navy been involved in this slaughtering for years -Every northeast citizen know this
The people in the south puppeted by states and extreme media ,believe the decorated stories of navies , Because these all been happening for years
Killing tamils -Make the ruling parties of sri lanka and India happy -got a same goal , Genoicde on minorities (Kashmir and eelam)
Tamil from northern waters opposing the poachers, While no one can support killing the innocent indian fishermen
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / January 18, 2019
We must congratulate and thank Prof Hoole for exposing this episode without fear. This shows that state terrorism is still continuing. Sinhala controlled armed forces are law unto themselves especially when committing atrocities against Tamils. It is well known that Navy are involved in drug smuggling and army are involved in drug peddling, but government is turning a blind eye because of its policy of subduing Tamils by getting them hooked to drugs. Sinhala policemen are well known in covering up crimes committed by armed forces on Tamils, producing false evidence and forced confessions., which as medico-legal officer in the past, I had come to experience. Unless Sinhala armed forces and police are removed from Tamil areas and replaced by international peace keeping force, there will be no peace for Tamils.
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Jaffna Citizen / January 18, 2019
There are issues of war crimes, issues of torture and disappearances committed by both sides to the war. Since the State has been stonewalling on issues of justice, there is a constant need to pressurize the State and international agencies in this regard.
But the war ended nearly ten years ago and the greater interest would be in whether the State has learnt anything from this mess and how much regard the security forces and law enforcement agencies show for the rule of law.
Investigative reports like that above are an essential corrective for the State and media institutions that represent civil society. They are also necessary for the UN to judge what is going on here.
Correctives are needed not only for the State and the Sinhalese, but also for Tamil society. Commentators who constantly fault the Sinhalese and the State are those who deliberately refuse to accept that horrendous crimes were also committed by the Tigers from the beginning to the end of their existence. That is why the Tamils continue to be a backward people with little regard for the law.
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thamizh / January 19, 2019
Here comes another with ‘two sides’ argument as if the crimes committed by the oppressor state and the oppressed are equal. This line of argument was trumpeted by those allied to western interests, namely, HRW, International Crisis Group, Colombo based think tanks, etc.
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Raman / January 18, 2019
The trouble with the power- holders in SL is that they don’t study the history of how India deals with perceived threats. The take-over of Goa from the Portuguese started with an alleged attack on Indian fishermen. The half-literates in the Navy could hardly be expected to know such things.They are too busy kidnapping children for ransom.
The way things are being covered up , both by the Navy and the jingoist media, we will only know the truth when the Indians arrive in Colombo.
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Kumar R. / January 19, 2019
Sen,
Indeed it is quite amazing how much enlightenment Prof. Hoole, DSc has had, not just since returning to the country, but more specifically and only after being denied the political patronage that was once promised towards his long-held dream.
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Perhaps the Professor is owed a “congratulation” for this exemplary, rapid-fire enlightenment on ground realities that was nothing more than “the life as we know it” for most of us pinned under the boots of SL Regime for decades.
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Seerar Tamiloor / January 19, 2019
Prof. Hoole has lived in Jaffna and studied here. He was there for the Tamil students in Peradeniya and Colombo even America during the worst of times. He has spoken out for Tamils every time.
Please give us your history so we may judge your right to judge him.
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Kumar R. / January 21, 2019
ST,
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You are but just one in the long-line of lame surrogates called on to provide infantile if not idiotic cover for one tongue-tied by either lack of courage or sincerity. These ineffective, imbecilic, impotent smokes and screens obfuscation that I believe started with Erasmus, Chundukullis, and having traversed via at least fifteen to twenty other morphs to date will of course not end with you — whether you are real, fake, fictional or otherwise. Your intervention only goes to affirm the defenselessness of the Prof!
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Judge not by where one lived or where or how much one has learned. It is not how much education one can put on his record that matters, but how the education one received has helped enlighten and expand one’s view of the world and one’s view of his own responsibility that matters.
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As Reader correctly points out, judge based on the positions Jeevan has taken in the very many sustained writings from Jeevan over the years. To list a few,
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1. Jeevan’s opposition to war affected Tamils when they objected to Mahinda being honoured at the Oxford Union,
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2. Shameless seeking of political patronage of Mahinda and Douglas (both of whom he now sees fit to condemn) towards the VC appointment
3. Pathetic appeals over CT for paltry benefits of $15 driver allowance and $100 nightly allowance
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4. The tragi-comedic, if not racist, bigoted and chauvinistic view about “Kattu Patthai” women and even Hindu temple dancers,
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5. Several attempts aimed at divisiveness, with religious bigotry, not to mention dragging in own offspring’s comments which seemingly brought some deserved familial wrath.
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I will stop here restrained by CT’s 300 word limit – but if you need more details for objective judgement, I will be happy to oblige!
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Reader / January 19, 2019
Please read Hoole’s sustained writings over the past several years.. I have.
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Wizaran / January 18, 2019
Hoole,
wake up. So, all these years you thought your Sri Lankan forces were professional and humanitarians? Have you heard of the Tamil Genocide?
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JD / January 18, 2019
Tamil Genocide. PAw Da Tamils. Why don’t you understand that Hoole is also for Tamil Genocide. Why he does not go to his mother land. Instead hang on to Sinhale.
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Tamil from the north / January 19, 2019
@JD bugger, the Tamils are willing to share the cost of the boat ride to India with you and other racists among the Sinhalese. When you have finished packing your sarong and baniyan, let them know.
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JD / January 20, 2019
MODA DEMALA Tamil from the North. If you want bosats, NAvy will provide Tamilnadu boats for you to leave.
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Sinhala_Man / January 18, 2019
All that relates to our country is confusing. How can we possibly survive?
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This article relates to happenings on the high seas, owing to which there appears to be the body of an Indian fisherman, named Munnaichaami, which has to be returned to his family who are pictured at Rameswaran. I cannot understand many things in this article.
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To be fair by Prof. Hoole, a most learned man, he has stated that, “This article reports my best reconstruction of events.
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I’ve just seen this story, and will leave it at that hoping it gets clarified. But there is so much else relating to our country that is confusing. We citizens can only appeal to those who control us, and who want to control us, to act rationally.
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There is this report of our own President, Sirisena, visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, with a group of Opposition MPs who “seemed clueless during the discussions.”
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sirisena-gives-slfp-group-extravagant-holiday-in-philippines-busting-taxpayers-money-high-level-discussions-become-a-farce/
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President, Duterte “war” against drugs has “resulted in the unlawful killings of tens of thousands of drug suspects.”
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“Suspects” only. What happens if I am arrested as a “suspect” (never mind what the crime) as I walk out of my house? Do I end up in a place like this?
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/cctv-footage-of-torture-at-angunakolapelessa-prison/
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At least these are prisoners who have been produced before a magistrate, but note that they have not been convicted.
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Kumar R. / January 19, 2019
Sinhala_Man,
As for your desperation, “We citizens can only appeal to those who control us, and who want to control us, to act rationally”, I think you either underestimate the power of citizens in a democracy, or are collectively far too timid to do the right thing.
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First, consider “:demanding” rather than “appealing”.
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Second, why is Sri Lanka repeatedly electing these rascals – Sirisena wanting to mimic Duerte, MR & family that worshipped Gadafi, Bandaranaikes (father, mother and daughter) who were all self absorbed and used racial divide to keep their control.
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Are you (rationally) expecting some divine intervention to bring about a change?
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Do you see any role for the (sensible) majority among the majority to take the bull by the horn, if you guys are truly concerned and truly brave? Or would you rather repeatedly stay on the sideline and let the extremists on either side call the shots, election after election after election?
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Mere expressions of exaspiration and purposeless, meritless and perhaps even shameless sanctimony hardly serves a purpose, except perhaps afford some false-comfort!
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Sinhala_Man / January 18, 2019
Oh. my God, where are we heading? Just seen this report in one of the most independent newspapers in the world.
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/example-to-the-world-sri-lanka-president-plans-to-copy-dutertes-war-on-drugs
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Sirisena really has to be mad to align himself to people like Duterte.
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Paul / January 19, 2019
Sinhala_Man, do not worry. The idiot Sirisena hasn’t the slightest intention of seeing this through. He is trying to nail his flag to any cause that he thinks is popular enough to win him the Presidency for a second time. In the meantime he gives Sri Lanka a very bad reputation abroad.
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Sinhala_Man / January 20, 2019
Sirisena had my vote in 2015. He’s not going to have it again. He’s quite mad.
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I agree about the damage he’s doing to our country. Who would be so brave as try to predict his next move?
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As for the incident described in this article, and also the accounts of what had Angunukolapellessa, the reactions of many make me wonder whether I’ve not been naive (perhaps like Prof. Hoole?). It may be that we have to face up to the fact we, relatively, form an elite (like it or not) who are comfortably ensconced because it has always been the case that we are, in a sense, protected owing to a system that is unfair to the poorest.
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It’s just that everything gets reported now. No, that again is wrong. We tire of too much of this.
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There is selectivity in what is reported. Who, then, controlls us?
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Certainly not Prof. Hoole! He’s blunt and honest, quite incapable of scheming.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / January 20, 2019
no repuation left by him at all.
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He struggled with his English all these days. Actually, why not SIRISENA holds his speeches in SINHALA langauge ? Even european counterparts hold their speeches in their own langague. They also have an interpreter. That many travel with him by abusing lacks of poor man s taxes, why cant one of them do the job of an interpreter to him ? Why cant these men think it about ? Why srilankens to be fallen that deep internationally ?
Million dollar question – what is the purpose of the visit at all ? Once he wanted to reintroduce gallow and end up not moving an inch forward, now travelling to Manila, how can he speed up irradication of drug problems in SL ? How can MANILA help srilanka that regard ? It is just this bugger thought of sending a message no second to that of his former President. THat is it: But I dont think we can digest this man a week more.
Birds of the a feather flock together.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcItZ6kpJeM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64ZMaf5Cr3M
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWCuffCpJnY&t=9s
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Sinhala_Man / January 20, 2019
Dear Desperate Sinhalaya,
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Thanks for the painful Youtube links. This is no longer the man whom we voted for. The contents of the videos were sickening because they served no purpose except to keep this mentally sick man occupied – with what colossal waste of our resources and the diminishing stock of goodwill we had in the world.
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When he was elected, with Ven. Sobhitha as his mentor, he was at least mouthing sensible thoughts; I am one who would have even admired the man for his courage in risking some English in a worthy cause. This charade now is incredible. Disgusting!
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K. Arulananthan / January 18, 2019
Its well known that Indian Fishing Vessels do fishing within the Sri Lankan waters and do aggressive maneuvering against the Sri Lanka Navy, when they try to apprehend them. Arresting the fishermen, then capturing the Indian fishing boats were practiced as a deterrent, which didn’t stop the Indian fishing vessel encroaching into the Sri Lankan waters. SL Navy is left with the only option that is ramming the Indian Fishing Vessel and sinking them . This deterrent method (ramming and sinking) is practiced by many countries. We really don’t know, whether SL Navy rammed the Indian Fishing Vessels and sunk them, If they have done, its a good job and well done.
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Native Vedda / January 19, 2019
K. Arulananthan
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I suppose you intend to escalate the already worsened relation between South India and Sri Lanka. Being a Tamil from this island you should be much cleverer than the Hindian state or the South Indians. Hope you would think harder and better to find amicable solution.
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The key to solving the problem is that the boat owners (mostly powerful supporters of political parties) should be rewarded to get rid of their boats which are financed by loans with high interests. The boat owners need to make a substantial amount in a month to repay the loan and interest. The only way they could do this is to charge high lease charges to those who are desperate to hire those boats.
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You sound like VP’s political strategist.
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K.Pillai / January 18, 2019
Lankan Navy personnel are no angels..
Impartial newspapers cannot survive in the present commercial environment
The two governments must step in but they will not.
The poor fisherfolks bear the brunt.
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Mallaiyuran / January 18, 2019
The election promise of 2015 was “No leader, No Commander, No Soldier” will be prosecuted. Yahapalanaya has been rigidly implementing this until Oct 2018. Old Royals, New Royals, Chitanta elements and all Rapist defense forces were given a blanket protection form any law sues all these time. Now the things are getting into serious area. Coup was partnered by Ranil and Karu with the expectation of Old Royals would take over the government, letting down all other UNP partners, IC & TNA. So this forced the TNA and IC to work & bring back Ranil reluctantly. When Old King saw he couldn’t continue the Chitanta government, he conducted the Jan, 2015 election and let the SLFPyers & the country in ruin. When Ranil saw he could not run it any more he invited the coup, with same effect to his partners. But Ranil is forced back to the seat. This ended up like the story the nursery teacher punished to eat it up the child who throw up disliking the food.
The growth of the country is falling below 3%. Dollar rate is rocketing. The loss occurred to Lankawe on the Coup is estimated as $2B. Lankawe has to pay $7B loan. IMF put a halt on releasing the loan $250M. MCC suspended its loans; as well as Japan. The looted Central Bank is already crippled. Ranil has been pampering the destroying forces of the country without any inquiry, but with addition money laundering acts, only to earn a name that “Ranil saved the war criminals”. The government could not move forward because 2016 CB looting investigation, Resolutions 30/1 and 34/1, 2017 sales of Hangbangtota and other properties, LG election, NCM, Digana and other communal riots….. Yahapalanaya, by gaining a new relationship with China, was purposefully ill-treated and harassed the Western countries. Now some external forecasters are suggesting as Ranil government is financially ruined so it cannot last until the next presidential election.
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Mallaiyuran / January 18, 2019
One time, Ranil, who thought that he had fooled India and West, is now being forced to rethink about it. Ranil has been showing run around to Indian request and American requests. Now Ranil has no option but to work with India on Mahinda Bachan Naked International Airport. That loan too has to be repaid. Giving that airport to China is like blasting an atomic bomb in TTH. Ranil may still continue to fool West as they would not lend money for him and his ministers to indulge in their butterfly like. Furthur, loans given by China is strictly for White Elephant projects and will be used by it to bring its labor and material. So Ranil is now on the new lease of new Indian relationship. India will have to take it because if not It will be China who replaces India.
A new “Old Brother Prince factor is looming”, a threat and guard. This is not plainly a competitor in EP election. Ranil may lose his endorsement for EP by West, losing to Old Brother Prince. Old Brother Prince would become the most favored candidate of the West in the next coming election, provided there will be an EP election. He is a candidate not favored by India. West and India was together when they endorsed Yahapalanaya in the last elections. India may stick to Ranil, while West goes with Old Brother Prince. (There is still a chance that America backup both Old Brother Prince and Ranil.)
In the coming days there is going to be lot of propaganda and advertisement favoring India by politicians from both isles, SLFP-Slap Party and Ranil. The stalled ETCA may resurface. Colombo media’s UNP section is going to start to sing a lot about Ranil. In that circumstance, Mr. Modi will not give a damn about the dying Tamil Fishermen from India. Neither TN government.
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Douglas / January 18, 2019
For how LONG and by HOW many “Authoritative” persons like Prof. Hoole, this illegal “POACHING” by Indian fishermen has been discussed without any solution? There is a Provincial “Chief Minister”, a “Minister” in-charge of “Fisheries”. Have they done anything to solve it? Then we have a “Minister” in-charge of “Fisheries” of the country. What has he and the Government done to solve the problem? This “POACHING” by Indian fishermen is ILLEGAL and it must be STOPPED. The fishermen in the Northern Province are particularly and the country as a whole have LOST millions and brought economic hardships to the people. But have we found or attempted to find a lasting solution? NO. WHY? This subject has become a “Higannage Thuwalaya” ( a Beggars wound) that must be kept without healing it for “Personal” and “Political” benefits of those ” Authoritative Figures” Unfortunately, Sri Lanka has an ABUNDANT SUPPLY of these “BRILLIANT BRAINY” “Professionals” who cannot help to “SOLVE” ; but simply “DISCUSS” problems.
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Native Vedda / January 19, 2019
Douglas
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“There is a Provincial “Chief Minister”, a “Minister” in-charge of “Fisheries”. Have they done anything to solve it?”
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They cannot interfere in matters relating to foreign affairs. Unofficially (not illegally) they try their best to engage with the other side. Those small matters were scuttled by the powers at the centre. Even Douglas caught a boat and stood their as a Viking Warrior posing for media during the rule of his master MR. The argument at the time was this was not a provincial issue but a matter between two states. As you know the centre loves to sit on its power and does not give a damn about the livelihood of the local people.
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The boat owners are closely connected to powerful political parties in the south. They bought those boats on high gearing, which they recover from lessees who actually go for fishing use the boats, …
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The brilliant state functionaries (no less) should open talks directly with boat owners through back channels.
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Native Vedda / January 20, 2019
Douglas
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Please read as:
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The boat owners are closely connected to powerful political parties in South India.
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K.Anaga / January 19, 2019
‘WHO IS ROCKING The BOAT’- INDIA/SRILANKA or HOOLE
Some body Is Trying to FISH in TROUBLED WATERS.
This is an other unsolved problem like the Tamil Problem in SRILANKA
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sach / January 20, 2019
This is a very normal thing. Once Indian navy personal killed a fishermen by burning him as revenge for a similar attack by SL fishermen on Indian navy personal. This man try to bring race to every issue, this is how the world works.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / January 20, 2019
Sach do you want what happened to Sri Lanka navy personnel before. Despite several appeals and warnings Sri Lanka navy personnel continued to harass Tamil fishermen just because they were Tamils. India decided enough is enough, arrested a boat load of navy personnel, took them to India assaulted them and released them with a stern warning. This stopped any further attacks on Tamil fishermen and restated after IPKF withdrew in 1990 and is still continuing. Similar treatment to Sri Lanka navy personnel will only put a stop to this terrorist behaviour. I hope India does it.
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sach / January 20, 2019
Hoole resume—
1. Went after Devananda and Rajapaksas to get a job at Jaffna uni.
2. The fellow fears LTTE
3. The fellow ask for Sri Lankan government security
4. Fellow flees SL and comes again.
5. After war ends, he makes a 180 degree change, the armed forces who gave him security becomes a war criminal and peddles in Tamil nationalism to look important so rest of the Tamils will forget his religious identity
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Native Vedda / January 20, 2019
sach
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“4. Fellow flees SL and comes again.”
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Are you referring to Dr Gota?
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Sinhala_Man / January 20, 2019
I think that Douglas, above, is quite right. We should be grateful to Prof. Hoole for reporting for us the manifestations he has stumbled upon. This article amounts to a timely warning that nothing has been done.
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The other comments, too, have made me recall things that I had heard of, but have only a vague understanding. These are the symptoms of problems that run much deeper.
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There are some agreements known as the “Law of the Sea”, and problems relating to marine ecology. The Indians have been over-exploiting the seas close to us deliberately using trawlers which drag nets quite deep along the relatively shallow waters of the Palk Strait. A guy like me would know very little about such things.
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From what I remember, the methods used by our fishermen are more sustainable than those employed by the Indians. The languages that they speak are of little relevance; the significance of factors affecting marine biology are of world-wide relevance. We must not allow poor, uneducated fisherman and navy guys to fight it out. Nor should we be ramming and sinking boats, with loss of life resulting.
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This is a serious matter for our government to take up with the Indian Government. The problem surely is that we have no government. We already have more Ministers than India, which is how many times larger than us? More fellows want to be Ministers.
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When the Supreme Court put an end to the immediate constitutional crisis I thought that we had got over most of the obstacles to our progress. But no, the UNP Government is not doing any re-thinking. I’m sorry that I’m going on repeating like some faulty old gramophone record.
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Jane Doe / January 21, 2019
Sinhala man,
The trawlers used in Mullaitivu are Sri Lankan. The poor fishermen refugees are being exploited . The Government is party to it.
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Ad / January 22, 2019
Tks for the article. Informative. When are our Navy and their bosses going to ever learn to maintain law and order. If somebody take extreme decisions, then may be they will start to cry foul. Stupid Navy.
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