By Colombo Telegraph –
One hundred and thirty three Christian priests from Sri Lanka have written to the UN Human Rights Council urging much tougher action on war crimes and human rights. The priests call for a strong and action oriented resolution on Sri Lanka at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.
We publish below the statement in full;
As a group of concerned Christian clergy living and serving in North and East of Sri Lanka, we are writing to appeal for a strong and action oriented resolution in relation to accountability, reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka, which will go beyond the resolution adopted at the 19th session of the Council.
As noted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in her report to the Council, what we have seen since the rather weak resolution adopted at the 19thsession of the Council is a total lack of political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations therein, such as the call for investigations into allegations of international law during the final stages of the conflict and cooperation with the UN Special Procedures, as evident by the lack of response to requests for country visits by 8 thematic UN Special Procedures for a number of years.
We had also witnessed continuing ignorance and violations of the key LLRC recommendations, related to political solution to the ethnic conflict, release of political prisoners, appointment of a Commissioner to look into disappearances, reparations, release of land occupied illegally by the military, restrictions on media, commemorating those dead and disappeared, use of both national languages etc. In the last year, those criticising and challenging the government in peaceful ways including by engagement with the UN, have been assaulted, questioned, arrested, threatened, discredited and intimidated by government ministers, officials, military and police. Victims include some of us and fellow clergy who are not signing this letter due to fear of reprisals.
We feel that the killing and disappearance of tens of thousands of Tamil people and actions that are supressing the Tamil people and community, our culture, religions, language, land in a systematic way before, during and after the war, appears to be done with an intent to destroy us in whole or part, and thus, it is imperative that the international community addresses this seriously even at this late stage. We fear that at the pace these oppressive methods are carried out after the war, our identity as a people will be destroyed in the near future. Hence there is an exigency to arrive at a political solution which acknowledges the internal self-determination of the Tamil People.
While we have focussed on issues confronting the Tamil people, particularly in the North and East, we also remain deeply concerned about increasing authoritarianism all over Sri Lanka, such as the recent attacks against Muslims, killing of 27 Sinhalese prisoners in November last year, lack of investigation into discovery of skeletal remains in Matale of those suspected to have been tortured and killed, threats, attacks and intimidations of journalists, human rights defenders, student leaders, trade unionists and religious clergy who criticize the government. We remain in solidarity with victims, their families and those who struggle for justice. The most recent impeachment of the Chief Justice bypassing Court decisions and due process, attacks and threats on judges and lawyers, as well as inaction of statutory bodies such as the Police, National Human Rights Commission and Attorney General’s Department reinforces our long held view that justice for Tamils through domestic processes is not realistic, despite our own engagement with several such bodies in good faith.
We are attaching a letter written by the Catholic Bishop of Mannar to the President in August 2012 and a letter to the Catholic Bishops Conference by the Justice and Peace Commission of Jaffna Diocese in January 2013, giving details of our concerns and also serve as examples of the numerous unsuccessful domestic efforts we have undertaken.
We are convinced that the root cause of these problems is a lack of political will, than the capacity. Hence, it is our firm conviction that technical assistance from the UN in the form of training, advice, financial and material support will not suffice, and may even serve as red herring if not accompanied by more substantive investigative, monitoring and reporting role.
Thus, we appeal for a strong and action oriented resolution, which will:
- 1. Note the lack of progress on human rights and reconciliation since the last year’s resolution, the continuing repression of minorities and those with dissenting views and unwillingness of the Sri Lankan government to address allegations of past violations
- 2. Establish an international and independent commission of inquiry to look into allegations of violations of international law by all sides during the war, with a proper witness protection mechanism and including with specific reference to findings and recommendations of the UN Secretary General’s Panel of Experts report
- 3. Appoint a Special Representative / Rapporteur on Sri Lanka with a broad mandate to address the past and on-going violations and assist and advice the government on future reconciliation initiatives
- 4. Identify a team of thematic UN Special Procedures to visit Sri Lanka considering pending requests for visits
- 5. Set up an accountability mechanism for UN officials implicated in the failure of the UN’s protection mandate in relation to last stages of war in Sri Lanka as identified in the UN’s own Internal Review
- 6. Welcome the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the 22ndsession of the Council and request her to report back to the Council’s 25thsession her observations on progress of the above and recommendations.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Signatures
Read the full text of the statement and annexes here.
K.A. Sumanasekera / February 19, 2013
When the NGOs were working hand in hand with the LTTE, these Reverends were busy looking after their spiritual as well as logistical needs.
Now they are desperately working to get at least UN teams to protect the Diaspora agents who are operating in the North trying to help the separatists to homelands.
The Church should not get involved in Politics.
Specially when it is blatantly communal politics.
Catholic Church as it is is facing un precedented challenges
If the Tamil clergy is going to involve themselves in communal politics to help the Diaspora and its agents. it is going to alienate the majority,
Perhaps these Reverends want to establish a separate entity in a separate homeland.
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A Lover of Justice / February 19, 2013
This is exactly what one should expect when Bodu Bala Sena, with impunity and possibly blessings from the high-ups, declares that this is Sinhala Buddhist Country and all others should live according to what they dictate: how and what to eat, how to behave, what to wear and what to do in leisure hours etc.
Don’t lament that they are separatists.
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Ajay / February 25, 2013
I’m glad you admit they (the Christian Crusaders)are the counterparts of the Saffron-Mafia. They thrive on each other. So do the Saiva-Vellala-Jaffna-Fascists and the Mullahs.
It is symbiosis, stupid!
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Aney Apochchi! / February 19, 2013
K.A. Tsunamisekera:
I used to miss the howling of jackals in my neighbourhood. Now, all I have to do is read your comments in CT to feel whole again. Except that jackals were never vicious racists!
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WK Costa / February 20, 2013
One should also not forget that the LTTE is not a Tamil liberation front but a Christian terrorist force assisted by the west (London, Paris, Newyork). These bunch of comunal priests were on blind eye to VP s barberic acts on innocent people of the country for 30 years and their main target wass to destroy the place owned to Buddhism and Hinduism in the country. Now they are sad because they have being continuing to fail for the last 500 years since 1505 and now praying their western masters for an invasion.
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THAMBI / February 23, 2013
WHAT RUBBISH !
BIG PRABHA WAS HINDU !!
IF TRUE & SO CONCERNED, THEN GIVE RIGHTS TO AT LEAST THE HINDUS !!!
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Malini / February 24, 2013
GEN. DENZIL KOBBEKADUWA; A CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN !!
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Lanka Liar / February 21, 2013
Cant you get Mervin to tie them to trees. You only need some ropes.
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Aney Apochchi! / February 26, 2013
Tsunamisekera:
You obviously find it perfectly acceptable for the Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Bodu Balu Sena et al to engage in politics and violent racist politics(in the case of the BBS). How do you explain this discrepancy in your judgement? Is it because those three support your Lord, Rajapaksa?
Strange logic to say the least, but then violence and corruption are what you and your mentors are best at, right? Not anything resembling decency or reason!
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D / February 19, 2013
At least someone is speaking up agaisnt crimes and human rights.
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Watcher / February 19, 2013
Did you check the names? Almost they are [Edited out]
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PresiDunce Bean / February 19, 2013
@K.A. Sumanasekera
These priests are only speaking out against the “Human Wrongs” that were perpetrated against unarmed civilians during the war and even today almost 4 years after the war has ended. Non of these priests have crept into parliament like some of the Buddhist monks in this country, and neither have they formed racist organizations like ‘Bodu Bala Sena’ or ‘Sinhala Rawaya.’
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lawyer / February 19, 2013
This is the same K A Sumanasekera who wrote that as long as Gotabhaya Rajapakshe is the Secretary of Defence,that honest police officer DIG Lateef, who arrested the brother of a politician for beating up two police officers on duty, would not be transfered from Moneragala, and that nothing will happen.
Well DIG Lateef is transfered. So Mr Kiss Ass please bend down and bite your two peanuts, that is if you could find them!
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Aney Apochchi! / February 26, 2013
Lawyer:
Tsunamisekera will have committed suicide if he bites his two peanuts as you have suggested because I’m sure they’re full of hemlock!
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premalal / February 19, 2013
Remember! the guns that were used to kill civilians in the name of so called humanitarian operation during the war in the north and east will be used to kill the Sinhalese in the event of a threat from the South to the rulers.Killing civilians is easier than eating a biscuit to the trigger happy soldiers.Recall the days during the 88-89 terror period in Sri Lanka. Almost everybody was terrorized by the JVP and the government forces and nobody was sure whether he or she would be alive on the following day.I am a Buddhist but I appreciate the church as they are fearless in condemning the human rights violations of Sri Lankans irrespective of ethnicity, religion,creed and caste.
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lawyer / February 19, 2013
K A Sumanasekera have you no shame?
In another post you declared that as long as Gotabhaya is there he would not care for politicians and that the honest police officer DIG Lateef would not be transfered from Moneragala on the demand of corrupt politicians.
Well DIG Lateef is transfered. Now go back to that cave where you hide
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Helena Waidiyasekerta / February 19, 2013
These reverends are not interested in the diaspora, they want reconciliation from hurt and masaccre, equality, dignity and human rights to all citizens living in the north and east which is not evident, one cannot have one law for one category of people whilst the others lands and houses have been taken over and they are being governed by goons and with no normalcy to their lives, just think about this is it not the right of every human being no matter who, what you are, colour and creed to enjoy these basic tennents of human rights which is enshrined in our constituion, do not look at this injustice with blinkers, but with an open mind and heart and provide equality and justice to all mankind.
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No more Proud to be Sri Lankan / February 19, 2013
It is ok only for Buddhist priests to be involved in militant Taleban style politics as in the case of Bodu Bala Sena?
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kaputakukula / February 19, 2013
Dear Mr. K.A. Samarasinghe, are your buddhist monks who spread, instigate and lead racial and religious hatred (recently against the Muslims) are exempted from your advise to the catholic priests? Hy;ocrit.
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kaputakukula / February 19, 2013
Sorry, the above is addressed to the conscience of the guy K.A.Sumanasekera. Apologise for the mixup of the name.
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Saman Wijesiri / February 19, 2013
Reverends, I can understand your sentiments. I think you were eye-witness to revolting horrendous bloodbath in the North and East. Some donkeys in the South, self-styled patriots are in the way of reconciliation, peace and national unity.Don’t mind their braying.It is a pity we don’t have a political party or a political leader capable of uniting all communities to prevent a de facto separation of the country!
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The Professional / February 19, 2013
The Catholic Church is familiar with Salvation and Liberation and in the North and the East the Catholic Church thought that the LTTE would liberate the Tamils from Sinhalese. However, in 2009 the Sinhalese soldiers liberated nearly 300,000 Tamils from the Liberation Tigers.
The Catholic Church does not want to acknowledge that. They continue to preach their flock that the Liberation Tigers will be coming very soon and therefore be prepared for the next battle of liberation.
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Rohan / February 19, 2013
“The Church should not get involved in Politics. Specially when it is blatantly communal politics.”
Why? Is it an exclusive right to the members of the Sangha?
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Kumar / February 19, 2013
If the Sinhala-Buddhist clergy is involved in Racist/communal politics to help the Sinhala Buddhists and its corrupt and anti-minority government there is nothing wrong what so ever in the Tamil clergy or the Muslim clergy involving in politics. Who cares even it it is going to alienate the majority.
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Maha / February 19, 2013
At last some one speaks out. Speaking up for Human rights is politics??
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Safa / February 19, 2013
This is a telling indictment against the govt that as many as 133 catholic priests have voiced their disapproval of govt policy towards the people in the north.
The catholic clergy is well known for their down to earth living and caring for their flock. Christianity is also known to be a religon of love and neighbourliness. That they have voiced their displeasure means that something is really wrong at grass roots level.
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Helena Waidiyasekerta / February 19, 2013
Speaking for justice and human rights is no political gain, just plain speaking the right to live, employment, with a roof above your head, with security, right to eduction for all citizens, not only for the majority to live in dignity so that all must live in harmony and justice. If this equality and justice is not afforded to the minority does it mean that they all have to take poison and commit sucide in the land of their birth which the farmers are doing right now. It is in this backdrop if the polticians are biased and corrupted to the hilt, that the Reverends have to come out openly and seek justice if not from its governors who are rabid, but from international human rights. What has the buddhist priests been doing to bring about equality and justice, nothing expect for a few few handful of genuine buddhists priests who are shouting hoarse in the wilderness, majority of buddhists priests and uneducated, arrogant, rogues who hide behind the saffron cloth to bring division and mayhem, which is being condoned by the governors. It is in this light we uphold these reverends who are seeking justice and fairplay for the downtrodden minority who are suffering in silence. The truth must prevail and justice, dignity and fairness given to all citizens of this land, otherwise natural calamities as seen will increase and bring burdens on this government.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / February 19, 2013
A few posters here say these Reverends want to correct Human Wrongs and restore Human Rights.
That is excellent.
Did these same Reverends ask the UN or the UNHCR or its Boss to come hard and come strong to to do the same when uncle Praba karan was denying the Sinhala Catholics the right to pray at their Holy Madhu Shrine?.
When uncle Prabakaran was not only denying Sinhala Buddhists to worship Buddha’s foot steps at Nagadeepa, but also killing them wholesale at other holy places such as Srimahabodiya, and the Temple of Tooth in Kandy?.
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dicky Bird / February 19, 2013
The loot keepers of the LTTE are emerging once again.
With Pope Benedicts gone and only GOD knows what next, wonder whther his batchmate S.J.Emmanuel attempting to amalgamate the Vatican with that of the Temple of Sun Goat and him to become the new Pope.
Clergy gone wild with the worldwide NGOs.
Hail Mary pray for us & protect us from thhese Cassoack wearing Satans calling for tougher resolutions !!!!!!
Holy Mother, does the Heavenly Father too have any tough resolutions being prepared for these Cassoack wearing pretenders of servants of God?
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dicky Bird / February 19, 2013
Catholic Church and Their past……….. tainted with the blood of the innocent.
Church forces committed the first genocide at Languedoc in the Pyrenees in the 10th century when they massacered 30,000 Catharis adults & children who were followers of jesus Christ but did not follow Roman Catholic principles.
These cassoack wearing rogues are not serving their Master but pursuing self interest.
Church is a business today.
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Senguttuvan / February 19, 2013
One clear message that comes out of this petition is that the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is divided along racial lines. This was coming anyway as Catholic-Christian priests showed signs of being infected by the communal virus post-1983. If the Rajapakses continue to run the country in the aimless way they have so far done shying away from the main problems, the international community will be left with no other alternative than place the “2 Nations in one undivided country” reality in the international Agenda. If that is to follow through in its predictable end the Tamil Nation may see the first Tamil Catholic Cardinal in the world.
Senguttuvan
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Rama / February 19, 2013
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
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Iqbal / February 20, 2013
I had seen this article in Colombo Telegraph yesterday and was struck how uncomfortable I was with it. I did not comment yesterday but decided to do so today.
One, I looked elsewhere for the list of religious clergy who had signed this. Two were Anglican and one was Methodist. The 130 others were Roman Catholic. So this is not a Christian inter-denominational effort – it was just Roman Catholic for the most part.
Two, if we were to argue that Buddhist clergy not be involved in politics, the same rule should apply for Christian clerics.
Three, I note that the chief signatory is the Bishop for Mannar whom some Muslims accuse of having looked the otherside when the LTTE evicted the Muslims from Mannar district making that district the first Christian majority district in Sri Lanka as a result. Many Muslims had to hurriedly sell their land at give away prices to the church. Now, this is an allegation, not a fact but it remains disturbing.
Four, 85% of the ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka are Hindu. Its a bit odd when a exclusively Christian list of signatories starts arrogating the right to speak on Tamil human rights. A more inter-religious forum would have been appropriate instead.
In short, I think Rayappu Joseph needs to stay clear of politics and perhaps first return the lands that his people (religion and ethnicity wise) appropriated from the Muslims of Mannar.
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Senguttuvan / February 20, 2013
I wish to respond to reader Mr. Iqbal – and indeed of others of similar thoughts. It is common knowledge there is for sometime now a well-organised and carefully engineered project to – initially reduce the demographic reality of the Tamil Nation (in the North-East) that has been in effect from the late 1940s. The next stage is to entirely remove all vestiges of a Tamil presence in the island notwithstanding the fact this been home for Tamils from ancient times. That this cleansing project of 6+ decades has been in the drawing boards of successive Sinhala governments is significant.
Resistance to this diabolic plot comes from every Tamil – Hindu and Catholic-Christian. Despite belonging to two religious identities Hindus and Christian-Catholics in the Province of the Tamil dominated areas treasured their common heritage. They have lived in amity and peace for over five centuries from the time some Tamils converted from Hinduism. Inter-religious marriages between the two sides are common. Fr. Xavier Thaninayagam’s devotion and contribution to Tamil culture is remembered with great reverence even today. His name is remembered with much respect and reverence wherever Lankan Tamils live around the world today. The Tamil Nation is grateful to the signatories for bringing the plight of the Tamils to the notice of the world. It may be remembered, till recently, the appeals from the Tamil Christian-Catholic clergy was only made to the Sinhala-dominated political leadership in the South. They were, unfortunately, ignored and put aside for six decades making the alternate need to seek sympathy and justice elsewhere inevitable. This is the only reason, one presumes, these civic-minded priests appeal to the outside world at a time when the Lankan Tamil Nation, in different but subtle ways, is marked for rapid decimation. The manner in which ordinary soldiers of the army, now swarming the Tamil NEP – callously treat Tamil civilians is clear they are made to believe the Tamils are a subject people and need to be treated with disdain. Encouraged by the success of rendering Tamils in the Eastern Province to gradual insignificance, these sinister sources now pursue their dubious Agenda in the North with that multi-pronged State and army-sponsored grand design to realise this object – by fair or foul means. The current public cry of the JHU/BBS has escaped its poorly structured mask – “this is a Buddhisdt Sinhala country and there is no place for others here” This audacious canard cannot apply to the Lankan Tamil Nation. This is one warning that has to be taken seriously – particularly in the light of the Rajapakse Govt, enjoying ill-gained, unprecedented numerical strength in Parliament, chooses the path of least resistance. They choose to remain silent – except for occasional tepid squeaks calling for amity -more for external consumption (Donors and world opinion)
This reader argues if the Buddhist priests are called upon not to engage in politics, the same should also apply to the Christians-Catholics. This line of thought is buried in ignorance. Acivist Buddhist priests have been in the fringe of politics from the mid-1950s is something even Mr Iqbal cannot be ignorant of. That many in the Buddhist public are appalled at the open but shocking entry of the Buddhist clergy to the snake-pit of Parlimentary politics in recent times, is something even an 8th grader in the country knows. Even Mr Iqbal will admit Christian-Catholic priest are not engaged in naked politics.
If Muslims in Mannar, as claimed by Mr Iqbal, were forced to sell their properties in circumstances unfair during the War, he will be aware, with the return of many Muslims in the North, they have successfully laid claim to their assets and immovables. I am sure there is in place State process to reclaim properties so lost.
Incidentally, what the country learned when that Minister Bathiudeen made a fool of himself in the Courts in Mannar, it was more the Tamils who had been chased away from their ancestral lands by the now numerically-higher Muslims – lead by common gun-toting criminals going by as political leaders.
Senguttuvan
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K.A. Sumanasekera / February 20, 2013
Why is Mr Sengutuan so agitated by Mr Iqubal’s comment?.
Isn’t it a fact that over 100000 of our Muslim brothers and Sisters were given only 24 hours notice by Mr Prabakaran to piss off?.
Did any of these Catholics and Metodists cry foul and demand Ms Pillay to come hard on Mr Prabakaran?.
Now Mr Sengutuan is kindly advising these innocent uproots to seek consolation through State Instruments.
Isn’t the crux of the anti Sinhala , anti Buddhist and anti Lankan campaign of the Emmanuels and Rudrakumarans and their proxies led by Mr Sambandan is that there are no State Instruments for Tamils to occupy their land after Prabakaran?.
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Senguttuvan / February 20, 2013
Sumane, my friend:
The eviction of Muslims from the North is one of the most unfortunate aspects of that interrupted struggle. The Tamil political leadership has openly apologised for this aberration. In a bitter war such as that was fought there some ugly features become inevitable – according to the version of the militants. If you recall, the slaughter of over a dozen local volunteers – working with the French Aid body (ACF?)- later was quoted by these same sources for their fear. One such as you reasonably well informed of the dispute, claiming not to know this, is beyond me.
I am afraid you deliberately misquote those you name in the last para. TNA, speaking for the Tamil Nation, has not failed to express their appreciation for the limited progress made by GoSL in infra-structure development and even reconciliation. The truth is this has so far been more cosmetic than serious or adequate. That is the same language of the findings of visiting US/UK political representatives and
Mrs Navi Pillai – the alleged nemesis of the JHU/BBS “patriots” on the streets.
If you think I could be easily “agitated” you should take a little time off, relax on a glass or two of Dudleyge Sudiya.
Senguttuvan
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K.A. Sumanasekera / February 20, 2013
Mr Sambandan telling the Press ” Just leave the Muslims to me” when he was on the same platform with Fonseka to roll Rajapaksa doesn’t mean an apology.
Does it?.
Alan Keenan a keen anti Srilankan front man in his latest piece has acknowledged that Muslims need their own turf too.
And it is somewhat of a consolation for our Muslim brethren .in case the new Elara , Navai Pillay will force your often predicted 2 in 1 on us.
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Rama / February 20, 2013
where is the future pope malcolm ranjith. what’s his stand on this matter.
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Tamil woman / February 21, 2013
As a Tamil Hindu, I would respectively differ from Senguttavan and agree with Iqbal. Here’s why.
The Tamil identity in Sri Lanka is defined by Hinduism. The Kingdom of Jaffna in the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s was a case in point. Tamil Christians in the Negombo and Puttalam declared themselves as Sinhalese in the 1930s. The Colombo Chetties declared themselves non-Tamil in the 1980s as did the Bharatas. The Tamil speaking Muslims do not categorize themselves as ethnic Tamils. Much earlier in Sri Lanka’s history, Tamil Buddhists assimilated in the Sinhalese mainstream. All this is recorded fact. Tamil Hindus alone nurtured the classics in the Portuguese and Dutch era, not to mention later.
The Tamil Christian leadership – Naganathan, Chelvanayakam etc prodded the Tamil community into a destructive political path that has brought upon us displacement, death, exile and alienation from the national mainstream. Many Tamil Christians tend to have a hatred of Buddhist ethno nationalism. Contrast that with the enlightened and far sighted politics of Tamil Hinduism in an earlier era – of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan who defended Buddhist interests, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam who defended Sri Lankan interests, of Sir Kandiah Vaithyanathan, of Arunachalam Mahadeva etc.
Iqbal is right – 85% of the Tamil population is Hindu. An exclusively Roman Catholic petition of this sort sidesteps the demographic of our land and is an attempt to usurp the leadership in the current political vacuum. It is inappropriate.
Further, Christian missionary activity which ultimately failed was heightened during the war years. This was intended at a decimation of Hindu society – to convert all of us to Christendom.
So yes, Iqbal – thank you for what you said. You spoke for many of us. This is not to defend SWRD Bandaranaike, Sirimavo, JR. Jayewardene or Rajapakse – but we really do not need Rayappu Joseph who is quite extreme in his political views.
And let us build bridges with Muslims and Buddhists. Surely, there should be a better path for Tamil politics.
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Jayantha / February 21, 2013
When the shepherd is busy with Vatican and heavenly life, it is good news that these 133 protectors who take care of the flock and talk on behalf of speechless, helpless, dumb and weak.
Keep it up you 133 Mother Theressas….take care of your weak and helpless flock and voice on behalf of them.
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Senguttuvan / February 21, 2013
To the learned Lady who prefers to call herself Tamil Woman,
There is little dispute the Tamil Kingdom from the 13th to about the 16th – you refer to – was defined by the Hindu identity. Much water has flowed down the rivers since then.
That the Colombo Chetties preferred to be identified with the Sinahala, Burgher communities – as well the Tamils in the littoral areas from Negombo beyond Puttalam to Mannar – too is not in dispute. This is in line with the empirical reality very small communities living under a large one change over – for reasons of economy, safety and other. This was seen in Eastern Europe where Jews and others preferred to be identified with the Prussians and other Slavic people for the same reason since WW1. But the world has gone through a sea change since then. The Ages of Enlightenment and of Reason in Western Europe starting from around the 17th century has given liberalism and tolerance a more humane face.
Today’s Lankan Tamil is far too liberal to be pinned down by prejudices of religion, race – or even caste. Being a Christian is no longer a minus factor to Tamil political leadership. Thanthai Chelva was/is equally held in esteem and veneration across the religious barrier. Youg Sumanthiran shows all the features of turning out to be an acceptable and popular Tamil leader. In case you had doubts, almost the entire Tamil Nation, I venture to suggest, will agree with the sentiments and apprehensions expressed by the 133 priests.
But I might add, for your benefit, those Colombo Chetties who changed after 1958/77 found some of them were attacked in 7/83 resulting in some of them changing their names. One cannot blame them for that.
The entire Tamil Nation is out there to “build bridges with Muslims and Buddhists” has been a message that went out long ago from the Tamil political leadership – and re-affirmed by Mr. Sampanthan and others in the very precincts of Parliament – if you care to refer to Hansard. It is proposals from the Tamil side that conform to the “better path for Tamil politics” that is at the door of the Rajapakse Family. You may have read the UN, USA/UK, the EU, India are all unanimous it is the Rajapakses who seem to have been held by sinister forces unseen to usher in the unity and reconciliation most people yearn for – both priests and the lay public.
Senguttuvan
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