28 March, 2024

Blog

A Response To Thisuri: We Know All Forms Of Violence Better Than You

By Elanko Muthu

Elanko Muthu

Elanko Muthu

An article by Thisuri Wanniarachchi on the recent violence at Jaffna University is being shared by many of my Facebook friends. It is great that she acknowledges her privileges and apologizes throughout the article. Her point about how women respond to everyday violence against them with “tolerance” (rather than violence) is noteworthy. We, among friends, have often debated on how every protest organizer should ponder on the fact that women were able to achieve so much in the last hundred years without resorting to violence. However, it is crystal clear that as long as the Sinhala majoritarian nationalism exists, Tamil nationalism will be alive. (How Tamil nationalism has turned or has been turned into an irrational passion is altogether another topic for conversation) Tamil nationalism of the future will undoubtedly become another form of narrow nationalism unless it roots from the marginalized and women.

Putting these aside, let us talk about Thisuri Wanniarachchi’s words addressed towards the Tamil students. As a person from the majority ethnic group who has claimed to understand her own privileges, she should not start with an “advice” for Tamil students. She should firstly address her own people who have the same privileges she has. Giving her some benefit let us and assume that her words come from true care and concern for the Tamil people. Her reading of history is still questionable. Is she reading history with her privileges or after getting rid of them?

To Thisuri:

You mention that our country fell into the abyss of a 3-decade war after an attack by Tamils (Tigers) in 1983. LTTE attacked the armed forces. Why did the retaliation end up killing many unarmed, innocent civilians? This question should be the beginning of every conversation. Let us say, in your own way, that LTTE sowed the seeds of violence. If so, who are the perpetrators of violence between the 1956 ‘Sinhala only Act’ and 1983? Your choice to ignore this means you have not stepped out of your privilege while racing to give ‘advice’ to the oppressed.

You request Tamils not become violent, but we are tired of you failing to see the source of the violence. After the colossal destruction of war and after being oppressed in every way, why do Tamils still harbor ‘violence’? It is important for you to give it some thought. You say that nothing has changed in the Sinhala society and you ask us what will happen if they turn to be the violators. You don’t seem to be giving the same advice you gave to Tamils to the Sinhalese. Moreover, I cannot fathom how you can say the following while also apologizing:

“But at the end of the day we are both Sri Lankan and we cannot let our parents’ and grandparents’ generation’s mistakes belittle the future we have to rebuild.”

I do not understand how you can say this. It is acceptable if you have acknowledged that we live in the same country with our own different ethnic identities, but no. Isn’t it great violence when we are never made to feel ‘Sri Lankan’ but are now asked to unite under one umbrella with a singular Sri Lankan identity? If you were a politician, we will tolerate you. It is astounding that you, who claim to acknowledge your privileges and to care for the Tamil people, can say what you have said.

On your benevolence towards Tamil students and on the fact that violence should never be justified, we agree with you. However, I regret that it has not been communicated clearly in your writing. We know all forms of violence better than you who preach nonviolence. We have seen violence lead our community to the lowest level of dignity. You have to give deeper thought to the reason why our war-torn community is still clinging to violence. Why does the community want to live with a unique identity rather than joining the ‘Sri Lankan’ identity? This is food for thought for a person like you who belongs to the majority ethnic group and is attempting to understand their own privilege.

Thanks to R & A for translating my essay from Tamil into English

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 21
    34

    Thanks you Elanko and the translators for this response. I am happy to see an actual dialogue in the formation. Hope Thisuri will respond.

    To ELanko: is the solution to this violence a new country on the island? Would that help eliminate or further escalate the animosity and violence?

    • 30
      8

      “Hope Thisuri will respond.””

      mottaya she was never born to understand in 1983- She is a liar like another Valli history prof, the mottaya BBS.

      “”You mention that our country fell into the abyss of a 3-decade war after an attack by Tamils (Tigers) in 1983. LTTE attacked the armed forces. Why did the retaliation end up killing many unarmed, innocent civilians? This question should be the beginning of every conversation. “”

      Rightly said. many non indian nationals were attacked and their enterprises were set on fire Thirasanno- SC/ST. It’s on our own thailand record- blue sapphire trade- the king knows it, the family knows it.

      • 15
        29

        @Paker and other Tamil sympathizers,
        I sincerely hope that you would read my comment.

        This is the position of majority of the Sinhalese on so-called ethnic issue of Sinhalese and Tamils. If you don’t agree, I’m afraid, another round of war is inevitable. In that case, we both should be prepared for that, instead of writing comments wasting invaluable time :(

        1. We (Sinhalese) do not agree that Jaffna belong to Tamils, Battikollo belongs to Muslims and Colombo belong to Sinhalese because majority of the population is from the relevant ethnicity. It’s one country and one law. We all can live anywhere we prefer.

        2. Therefore, these ethnic groups cannot govern their own traditions, laws and policies within these geographical areas on National level events. It’s the Sri lankan tradition, law and policies that has to be practiced. Everyone should honer others.

        3. We Sinhalese clearly agree that all Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese have the same rights as human beings. If there any discrepancy you face from Police, Politicians, Government service are equally experienced by Sinhalese as well. We, Sinhalese too hate the Police and our own Politicians for cheating us and day and night.

        4. If you are harassed by any of the entity of Sinhalese, we clearly do not agree with that and we honestly expect you (Tamils/Muslims) to live in harmony with us, without being discriminated against.

        5. We, the normal Sinhalese don’t think that Tamils/Muslims are second class citizens. We respect your culture, food, believes and tradition. In-fact we too follow them to some extent, Don’t we? At the same time we expect you to honor ours as well.

        6. So Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese don’t own any particular part of the country. Being Sri Lankas, we have the same rights at all the places on this land. Therefore, you can’t stop us putting up Business, Temples and Buddha statues in Jaffna. And we have allowed you to do the same in rest of the parts of the country. Haven’t we?

        Do you agree ?

        I will bring one example to finish my points. Do you remember there was any debate, confusion or disagreement among Sinhalese to this level when the government brought the idea of singing National anthem in Tamil? (Honestly something not practiced in the out side world, yet the government wanted to have it anyway as a good gesture). There was a little, but not not by the normal Sinhalese. Because we did extend our heartfelt honest solidarity by doing that. But the issue at Jaffna university and the whole ideology brought forward to justify it by Tamils has caused a lot of commotion among Sinhalese. They are worried and doubtful, if the Tamils have ever been honest in reconciliation.

        I must say that its not the University incident that has cased this, but the so-called arguments, justifications and ideologies brought forward by you (Tamils) has done the destruction.

        /Hunu Patiya

        • 20
          8

          Hunu,

          Your points are correct but I am not sure you understand the implications of your view. And by using certain words such as majority, minority, etc you are showing your bias.

          Ok, if you think that all ethnicities should be spread in all parts of this island, would you mind if Tamils and Muslims grab, steal land from your ancestors in Hambantota, Polonnaruwa, Galle, Matara? So for every plot of land stolen from the citizens in the north, would you give an equal piece of land in the south?

          Your comment has a condescending tone that makes it repulsive. Did you realize that?

          • 8
            20

            @Japwatch,
            Let me answer your question with another question.

            If Sinhalese agree to an eelam or a Tamil’s country whatever you call it, in the N&E, would all the Tamils living in other parts of SriLanka would like to give up their lands, buildings, business and life and move to the new promised land for Tamils?

            Because it’s not fair by any standards for Tamils to say that Tamils in Colombo 1 to 15, Wattala, Negambo, N’eliya and other places still want to stay there (with Sinhalese mottayas as you call them) even after a separate country is created for themselves.

            Or still you want both lads?

            I’m itching to hear my Tamils friends answer :)

            /Hunu Patiya

            • 13
              3

              “”If Sinhalese agree to an eelam or a Tamil’s country whatever you call it, in the N&E, would all the Tamils living in other parts of SriLanka would like to give up their lands, buildings, business and life and move to the new promised land for Tamils? “”

              You have no head stop sitting if you got one.

              Brits and Scots do not say that. In or out does not effect the inhabitants elsewhere- your idea only spews world war like Bosnia ethnic cleansing.
              French and Spanish do not say that to Catalan or Basque. Because they are settlers on traditional land after WW2 divisions in chaos of renegade Russia and China.
              Remember your vote does not give the overall winner right over others lives- moving them across continents- you nor the international have the balls for that under democracy.

              • 2
                6

                well what others say does not matter to us…NONE of the tamil speakers will be allowed here

            • 6
              2

              Hi again HUNU,

              No one wants another country. Are you this gullible? Think. I think what all these ‘ other people’ want is for you and your clans o accept that they hold equal rights as you do. They contribute immensely to the wealth of this country. They roll the economy, so they want you to give regard to that.

              No I don’t think they want to confine to one geographic area. Boring. For rest of the facts,check my response to SL CITIZEN below.

              Chill out HUNU. Dont have fear, no one will take away your country. Just change your thinking.

        • 20
          6

          Batticaloa belongs to Musims? Must be joking 78% of the population in the Batticaloa district is Tamil. Tamils are the largest population in the east 40% not the Muslims or Sinhalese and if the Tamil refugees from India return the Tamil percentage in the east will increase dramatically . Oh by the way the Muslims of Sri Lanka are ethnically Tamil. Just because their largely low caste immigrant Indian Tamil Hindu ancestors converted to Islam a few centuries ago, does not make them Arab or different from the rest of the Tamils. Lastly the Sinhalese in the east are very recent arrivals, Illegal settlers, deliberately settled on stolen Tamil lands by the Sinhalese state and the vast majority of them arrived in the east only in the last 30-40 years. These illegal state sponsored Sinhalese settlers should have no say regarding the self determination of the east.

        • 16
          1

          Hunu Patiya,

          “1. We (Sinhalese) do not agree that Jaffna belong to Tamils, Battikollo belongs to Muslims and Colombo belong to Sinhalese because majority of the population is from the relevant ethnicity. It’s one country and one law. We all can live anywhere we prefer.”

          What your opinion of Kandy? Do you think that the Kandyans should give up Kandyan law?

          • 4
            16

            @Keynes,
            FYI, Thesavalamai and Kandyan law are two laws accepted by Srilanka Roman Dutch law framework for civil matters, such as lands, inheritance and marriage. You have the rights to give away these laws and apply the standard law if you will withing the legal framework.
            So cares !!

            /Hunu

            • 8
              2

              “”by Srilanka Roman Dutch law””

              It died long long ago when EEIC and Shakespeare came to play. – the tragedies. English Law for the past over 200 years. remember England and Netherlands were in the region Surat from 1600 and you sinhalaya did not exist except names given by traveling salesmen.

              You are the new chokka on CT. Aoi, get your self a bullock cart and dump the kunnu pettiya at kolonnawa hiruknickers residence.

              • 5
                16

                Amal Perera says ‘sinhalaya did not exist except names given by traveling salesmen”.

                The whole world knows now that this ‘Amal Perera” is not a Sinhalese but something else.

                What’s your arrangement here to use a Sinhalese name and comment for Tamil interests?

                Shame on you !!

                /Huna

                • 8
                  3

                  “What’s your arrangement here to use a Sinhalese name and comment for Tamil interests? “

                  Amal comes from Amul butter the first of its kind in hindu india.

                  Perera comes from Spain/Portugal of old.

                  There is no sinhala language… your language begins with portugese/spanish eg kamese.(had no clothes `servitude` in boat)

            • 8
              3

              What about Kandyan dancing? The Kandyans believe that it is their own unique dancing form.

              Should the Kandyans give up their dancing form and start practicing a fusion of sorts that is representative of all the ethnic dance forms in this country?

              The Sinhalese themselves differentiate between Uda Rata and Pahatha Rata. So, why can’t other Sri Lankans do this?

          • 4
            9

            Wow !!! i’m feeling knocked out by so many head shots !!!

            I tired to do a decent conversation with my Tamil brothers (at least i thought so). But you called me ‘stupid’, ‘ignorant’, ‘socialist’, ‘higana’ and ‘chokka’. What a fantastic way towards a reconciliation !!

            Apparently I have been talking to few LTTE loosers who have saved their sorry asses after been beaten shit out. So they are earning their buck by becoming hero on a web site !!!

            Keep it up you cronies… see you all soon….

            /HP

            • 6
              3

              Hunu Patiya,

              “What a fantastic way towards a reconciliation !!”

              allu pattiya,

              It’s never entered my vocabulary. it’s the southern villagers in a trance imagining that they own the island and have outed the west capital folk.

              No nation in the world and even england have not prospered with labour- you are labour villager an anathema to `quality of life`- you are afraid of your shadow because the pit is getting deeper with the 2 of you digging it.

              quick sand is your living condition until you stop dividing and trying to rule.

        • 8
          3

          @ Hunu Patiya

          Again it is your ignorance. You didn’t read my comment properly. I said clearly that It’s systematic state sponsored sinhala colonization by forcing tamils to leave their leagally owned private land. (Do you know in srilanka, if the government want your private land for its purposes it has the right take it from you? Normally, It should be for projects such as Industries or any other developement project, or military purposes)

          By forcing tamils to leave their own land,and Then settle down sinhalese on that. How will I allow my own private land is forcefully taken and given to another one? You have no answer for this systematic state sponsored sinhala colonization.

          Second thing, /// Therefore, these ethnic groups cannot govern their own traditions, laws and policies within these geographical areas on National level events. It’s the Sri lankan tradition, law and policies that has to be practiced. Everyone should honer others.////

          For your above part of your comment, I asked one question to you. In which convocation of pera, mora, UOC or any other uni in west they had ‘Nadhaswaram and Tamil – Drumbs and Music’ for welcoming. Significant no of tamil students are studying in these Universities for almost more than 40 years. Have you ever heard any tamil started fighting in those 40 years for not including tamil style of welcoming?

          At last, I have to give you some informatio from what Lecturer of the Department of History of the University of Kelaniya, Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero has said. in any university due prominence is always given to that respective university’s cultural background.

          “Even at the University of Kelaniya or the University of Peradeniya, when there are major events, the cultural activities at these functions are based on the locality, hence one cannot find fault that even at the Jaffna University preference was for cultural activities from that area,” he said.

          Don’t come and type same thing again, without giving proper answer to my argument. ( I had to repeat some part of my comment again , because you came with same stupid comment.)

          (Tamils live everywhere why sinhaelse cannot – for this read my first and second para of this comment, secondly One tradition cannot govern traditions in national level event- for this read 4,5,6 th para of my comment.)

          //Singing National anthem in Tamil?// Do you know what is in constitution ? Sinhala and Tamil are official languages of this country. As per constituion, In north and east, Circulars should be sent in tamil and whereas in other part of this country circulars should be sent in sinhala in governement offices. But You still have the right to request for a sinhala version of the circular in north or east. Similarly I can reqest circular in tamil in the rest part of this country if I want to. Morever, There is a tamil version of national Anthem in this country since independence. In the first independence day, They even sung tamil version. Then why is it a big issue to talk about ? Tamils in north and east hardly sung in sinhala version, because most of us did not even understand it. So singing national anthem hardly an issue to talk about.

          //(Honestly something not practiced in the out side world, yet the government wanted to have it anyway as a good gesture) /// There are several countries like Canada, Philipines , Belgium, Switzerland and South Africa where the national anthem is sung in two or more languages in full or in parts.

          /// I must say that its not the University incident that has cased this, but the so-called arguments, justifications and ideologies brought forward by you (Tamils) has done the destruction./// I must say it’s your continious ignorance and refuse to go into deep to undertand the actual things has caused this country more destructions. (Your comment about national anthem and other replies to my comment clearly reflect the things)

        • 10
          1

          “”””I must say that its not the University incident that has cased this, but the so-called arguments, justifications and ideologies brought forward by you (Tamils) has done the destruction.””””

          Hooo the voice of the higano island that cant think beyond squeezing the bollocks of 10% to rule the nation without working but the international begging bowl. Majorities get bombed too.. its all a european art and manufacture.

          you are from plantation worker stock and can never rule in a democratic setup but that of the animal.
          after tamil ..muslim…christian…
          You are wasted space an `economic embargo` does wonders ask your elders.

          “”Do you agree ?””

          we say breed counts because….

        • 4
          1

          Hunu,
          There are other countries in our big wide world where the the national anthem is sung in more than one language. Check out New Zealand (Maori and English) and South Africa (Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans and English) to name a few.
          They are but a youtube click away. Best chech your facts before sprouting the BBS line!!!

        • 2
          1

          Some accuracy would have been beneficial.

          You almost claim that Sri Lanka is unique in having an anthem sung in two languages (“(Honestly something not practiced in the out side world”).

          There are actually several other countries that have national anthems in two or more languages including: Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland, Cameroon, et al.

          Regarding your point 4 “If you are harassed by any of the entity of Sinhalese, we clearly do not agree with that and we honestly expect you (Tamils/Muslims) to live in harmony with us, without being discriminated against. “

          While you claim to “not agree” with such harassment, history demonstrates that the majority has indeed agreed with this – as they did when they voted in the party and people that campaigned on the Sinhala Only Act and indeed enacted it as law…

    • 16
      2

      Dear Elanko Muthu,
      I appreciate your courage for correcting the young lady Thisuri and hope she will respond to your queries and queries raised by many commentators particularly regarding the origin of violence in this land. I am sure most of the younger generation were fed with huge lies about Tamils. None other than Tamils in this island talk about pre 1983 period. Even Sinhalese are not prepared to talk about the JVP violence of 1970 and 1989. Tamils who live in South will understand how brutal was those periods and over 60,000 was murdered and covered under the grounds by the brutal Sinhalese only forces. Nobody has the courage among Sinhalese are prepared to ask for justice. If you ask justice, you are out. That is the real face of Sri Lanka.

  • 12
    5

    For young Thisuri, Especially a person from majority, The questions raised here are too much [ For a person to understand these without any efforts and from experiences he or she must be at least 30 years of age and from minority ] I saw many sinhala guys of 50 plus years of age conveniently hid all the truths and asked us to change ,and the very few who knows why tamils have been forced to react in this manner also act as if they do not know the real facts.

    • 6
      1

      @Parker

      “he or she must be at least 30 years of age and from minority”

      Fully Agree.

      It seems Elanko Muthu also has no business talking about this stuff.

      Judging by his photograph, he seems pretty young. The only qualification he has is that he seems to be from a minority – but without experience and being under-aged, he is not qualified to talk.

      We should leave such lofty matters to be resolved by old people for sure. They have done a great job so far.

      • 3
        1

        @ maalumiris

        The problem is even majority guys of 50 plus age have selective amnethisa which casued them to forgot lots of arocities commited on tamils in this country.

        Though Elanko seems young, The questions and facts raised in his argument are right and shows he knows about history unlike Thisuri. That shows the difference between tamil who lived in North or East and Sinhalese lived outside of N & E.

        • 6
          12

          The only people who suffer selective amnethisa is none but tamils. We see tamils mourn everyday for 83 or SinhalaOnly or what ever the hell happened to them. We no longer give a flying fuk to them and we are used to hearing them all the time. I as a sinhalese do not think we should be sorry to a community who funded terrorism in my country for 30 years.

          I am yet to see Sinhalese talking about the murdered innocents in Gonagala, kebithigollawa, Anuradhapura and all the victims of suicide terrorism. If We are to respond every article on 83 with examples of LTTE terrorism we would not be able to do anything else.

          So my suggestion to fellow sinhalese is dont be sorry cos you dont have to especially to a community who funded terrorism and proud about killing innocents in SL. Tamils are yet to apologies for LTTE terrorism so until then 83 violence should be immaterial to us as much as what ur neighbour eats for dinner….

          • 5
            2

            @ Sach

            // The only people who suffer selective amnethisa is none but tamils. //

            Yes Sach !!! You are somewhat right, because I Forgot about many rapes committed aginst tamil women and other arrocities committed in north. By the way, Those who know about LTTE very well know that You can not blame LTTE for any single rape against Sinhala or Tamil women.

            Here are some rapes commited. Mary martin vankaalai, Mannar. (They blamed LTTE for this rape, but We Tamils know that LTTE and rape never go together.) In this case, The whole family was destroyed. Father & 7 yr old son murdered and hanged into roof using ropes. 9 yr old daugther was raped and genital area was damaged. Mother was raped and was shot in her genital area. How cruel it could be for a man to see his wife gang raped by barbarians and his daugther also. (if the raped happened before he was hanged to death.)

            Tharsini rape case – pungudutivu, sarathampal rape case – pungudutivu (she had no husband & had only one daughter), I think daugther is now living with relatives. Krishanthy rape case in semmmani.

            No of rapes reported are very less than that no of rapes not reported. Because Those women never wanted to identify themself as raped victim in the society.

            Allaipitti massacre, Murusuvil massacre, Navaali st.peters chruch massacre, kumarapuram massacre, including rape of 16 year old girl.

            EVEN IN 1983 PROGRAM ITSELF, MORE TAMILS DIED THAN THE SINHALESE DIED IN ALL BOMBINGS BY LTTE.

            Sorry Mate ! As you said I suffer selective amnethisa because I still can not recall many massacre committed in the north from 1983 till 2009.

            • 2
              5

              ///Tamils are yet to apologies for LTTE terrorism so until then 83 violence should be immaterial to us as much as what ur neighbour eats for dinner…. /////

              • 2
                0

                Parker and Sach: yes, a lot of people on both sides of the conflict suffered. Both sides did cruel things, and denying that won’t do anything but make another generation feel that they have no cause to feel like they do. However, just as you can’t hold all Sinhalese responsible for the actions of a few, you can’t hold al Tamils responsible for the actions of a few either.

        • 6
          3

          @Parker

          What are you saying here ?

          Only Tamils have grievances ? Only Tamils experience the human condition ? The Tamil narrative is the only valid one ?

          That’s breathtakingly arrogant !

          And here I was, all this time, thinking it was only the Jews who were Gods Chosen People

  • 24
    8

    I joined the Government service in 1956, after “Sinhala only” act was passed in Sri Lanka that year. From then, until my retirement in 1999, I had suffered by way of loss of seniority, non payment of my due increments, transfers to uncongenial stations, inability to get transfer to my home area, due promotions on time. non – selection for scholarships abroad, inordinate delay in my pension payment on retirement, etc:. Who or what was responsible for these? I feel that the fact that I am a Tamil and that mu Superiors were Sinhalese , was the cause. I had never been found fault in my work. However, I didn’t run away. I survived in the same Department for 42 years and 5 1/2 months. Even now, I use to think, “If I had been a Sinhalese?”

    • 8
      18

      Hmm…my question is can this story be the same for another person? My father was a school teacher joined Upa guru retired the same. Once they sent him almost to jail. Then they transfered him to a far away place that it was impossible for him to keep the job and family together. Regardless I never knew he ever wished that he was someone else. Neither he thought of changing his political views either nor go after politicians. That’s a spirit. He is no happily retired on UPA GURU pention. BTW he is pure Govigama Sinhala.

      • 17
        3

        mixing grapes and apples of buruvas.

        • 12
          22

          Yeah right. When it happens for Tamils, it’s pure discrimination. But when it happens to Sinhalese, what do you call it?

          The whole issue of Tamils is that they think, every single difficulty they face in Sri Lanka is because they speak a different language. They don’t understand that the system is causing the same issue for rest of the people as well. You people are so selfish!!!!

          /Hunu patiya

          • 9
            2

            From Estado Nuevo of portugal (fascist) mentality of the forefathers who did not fire a shot but worked like chameleons underground.

            to che guevara to asu thune 83.

            presently salli no, malli no.

            The WB is for the borrowing by emerging and developing economies.

            When a nation goes to IMF is when it has nowhere else to go.

            Samanta flew to washington from new York as lanka was sinking.

            You will never come right again.

          • 10
            3

            Hunupatiya

            Have you not heard about minority with majority mentality?

            When the system systematically fails a minority ( at least that is the perception of that minority) then minority’s role in change is paramount. (This I read some where I can’t source the quote right now)
            Time to grow up patiyo!

            • 8
              0

              that’s what the `One Nation one People` Marxist of the nation failed to consider : je ne sais quoi factor.

              Its the je ne sais quoi factor in the Americans and English that Karl M did not calculate and the rest is history of the octopus..

  • 23
    27

    Elanko Muthu,

    My response to your response to Thisuri, summarized well in the title, ” A Response To Thisuri: We Know All Forms Of Violence Better Than You”:

    Elanko, ‘ We’ have also known and experienced ‘ Violence’ for a longer time than you have and in all its many facets, promoted and instigated by those of many hues,labels, positions and ages, directly, and have been extremely lucky to survive.

    “We’ yet do not advocate counter violence as a response or a solution.

    Thisuri, may not have personally experienced the violence nor learned all the intricate details, but she has learned the right lessons and drawn the right conclusions from what she knows.

    Violence in thought , word and action, whether as an initiative or reaction, has only helped escalate violence. There is no justification for violence, if we call ourselves human! This is the lesson we have to learn and Thisuri has learned it well. Those who advocate violence or counter-violence, rarely pay the price. It is those who are drawn into the vortex of violence as instruments or hapless victims, who do.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

  • 17
    7

    Don’t want to jump the gun, but…

    Thisuri Wanniarachchi’s article was shared among many Tamils as a view of a genuine person of Sinhala background. Ilanko Muthu deserves similar respect among Sinhala reeaders. But, I get a feeling that he (his write up) would either be ignored or be abused by many.

    • 20
      1

      Neither were born during 83.
      She (undergrad) brushed it aside with political correctness that is lingering
      While he comes out forthright-
      “”LTTE attacked the armed forces July 83. Why did the retaliation end up killing many unarmed, innocent civilians?””

      Yes international killings and colombo 7 escaped the looters and arsonist- protection of armed forces.(all embassies etc)

      this is the shame that she is conveniently hiding away feeling your face and kicking ass. another Valli now down under with rob the prof.

      no class but interfering government servant stock still the gammya in town generation
      BTW village life is the article that brings Booker – non political.

  • 7
    32

    Thanks to R & A for translating my essay from Tamil into English.

    As You are poor in english, I am pretty sure, some one translated thisuri’s article to you in Tamils.

    Tamils are not only violent, Tamils are violent when they were Indian too.

    • 21
      4

      jim softly:

      “Tamils are not only violent, Tamils are violent when they were Indian too”

      The Sinhalese are very very gentle people. After all, they carry the human charter in one hand and gun in the other. When the bombed the civilians relentlessly, then sent the buddha statue with the shells. What a generous race?

    • 0
      0

      EARLIER YOU SAID your English IS POOR BECAUSE YOU ARE PATRIOTIC. NOW YOU ARE CONDEMING OTHERS’ English Ability. hypocrite.

  • 19
    1

    Elanko,
    Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and R &A for translating it. Sharing their views by very young Sinhalese and Tamil is a good sign of reconciliation, better future for the country.
    Elanko, please encourage your young friends to come forward and share their thoughts with the rest of us.
    As Dalai Lama is telling repeatedly, dialog is the only way to resolve conflicts.
    mikka nandri Elanko.

  • 16
    29

    According to Mano Ganeshan there are 3.6 million Tamils and out of that 50% live in the south with Sinhala community. After the 1983 incident for which Tamils have to take some responsibility, Sinhalese did not use violence against Tamils despite the fact that LTTE went on with a killing spree of innocent Sinhala civilians. Tamils in Jaffna, particularly Wellala Tamils should learn from the Tamils who live in the south and live in peace with the Majority community. If you want your identity as a separate nation, Sri Lanka is not the place. Go back to South India which is the traditional homeland of Tamils.

    History of Sri Lanka did not start in 1948 after the country got independence from British rule. Sinhalese has a history running into thousands of years and during this time Sinhalese fought many wars with Tamil invaders from India. So fighting, if the necessity arises to save Sinhala identity, is not a new thing. Tamils did not built this country. Only thing they did was destroying the prosperous economy and the great civilization of Sinhalese in the northern part of the country.

    According to my judgement Vignashwaran and few other TNA Wellala politicians are the biggest obstacle to reconciliation.

    If Tamils get ‘Elam’, Tamil Nadu will take it for a bite. Tamils will be worse off than living in a united Sri Lanka. Even now one can see how Tamil Nadu fishermen ruining the livelihood of Sri Lankan Tamils. At least now the Sri Lankan navy is chasing away Tamil Nadu fishermen.

    • 12
      4

      SL citizen,

      Under what authority are you commanding other fellow Sri Lankans to go to South India? Who appointed you to that position?

      Why don’t you learn a thing or two from the same Tamils who live in the south about living in co-existence?

      • 2
        11

        Japwatch,

        You should have read my comment carefully before replying. I said the Tamils in Jaffna should learn from the Tamils live in other parts of the country among Sinhala community and if they do not want to live in harmony should go to South India. That is not an order, a friendly suggestion.

        • 6
          0

          Slcitizen,

          Tks for correcting me. Yet, I cannot say that your suggestion is friendly :) Each ethnicity has its own cultural specifics which may be scorned at by others. That does not mean that other aspects of the cultures are not appreciated, liked or followed. It is up to the intelligent and discerning people like you, HUNU PATIYA and a few others to highlight the good things and unite the diversity.

          In fact, that is already happening and the smart ones don’t want to show explicitly. Rather they are happily do-existing with all the communities and encouraging the ‘not so smart ones’ to get embroiled in fights and disputes. In Colombo, the monied people from all communities unitedly make more money by forming alliances and partnerships. Simple example is the leading politicians and the businessmen. They are Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. The ‘little people’ with little money are fighting. So it is money and wealth that matters.

          SL citizen, if you do a bit of traveling you will see that the Sinhalese writing looks very similar to Telugu scripts, and the bangladeshis and keralites have a lot in common with the Sinhala culture, food etc. What does that suggest to you? To me it means nothing! To me, I love a lot of Sinhalese food, love the handicraft and workmanship etc. The beauty of the osariya and the grace of a kimono clad lady just makes me admire in silence.

          So you and a few other guys commenting here should throw that fear away that you are looked down upon or the Tamils feel superior because they are good at making wealth.

          Just chill out and enjoy life to the full. Who cares about other things?

          • 1
            4

            Can’t all these Tamils’ arguments be summarised in the following manner?

            1. Jaffna is OUR area
            2. Jaffna should give prominence to Tamil culture. Therefore the welcome parade should be only with tamil dance

            Isnt this a tribal demand? And believe me I tend to agree with them on second point. I dont think Kandyan dance suits a welcome procession in Jaffna.

            But the problem is these Tamils are reluctant to treat the others in the same manner they expect others to do to them.

            1. Sri Lanka is not a Sinhala country but Sri Lanka is the Sinhala homeland. Sri Lanka is the place which gave birth to Sinhala culture. But Tamils would not acknowledge that. Tamils have been living in Jaffna as a community since 13AD but the Sinhala which was started in SL has formed the civilisation of SL since 5 BC.
            Tamils are reluctant to understand and recongise that Sri Lanka is mainly Sinhalese and Sinhala identity is supreme.
            Like GG Ponna in 1947 a mere 25% want a 50% power and recognition while limiting a 75% to 50% power and recognition. While they request us to bow down to their tribal demands they are not ready to heed the tribal demands of others.

            One the of most racist people ever to live on this planet is Tamils. Look at how they treat the Telegus in TN and how they ask for piviledges in SL being a mere 12%

    • 6
      15

      Listen. For the purpose of discussion time stops at 83 and begins May 2009.

  • 5
    23

    An interesting and in-depth article centered around the recent issue at the University written by Mahendran Thiruvarangan has appeared in ‘ The Island’ today. Although it is only the first part, it deals with the superficial/ pedestrian views expressed in this article, in an impressive manner. It deals with the issue of identifying cultural identities as static issues and the inability to study in-depth the past and chart a more progressive and problem resolving thoughts and actions for the future. The role of a University to serve a community by researching multi-facted issues confronting it, an on-going process, is very clearly articulated. Issues facing the Tamils of the north are not exclusively of an ethnic orientation , but involve caste, dowry system, unemployment, under-employment, water availability, agriculture, industry, homelessness, landless , moral turpitude and lack of enlightened political leadership, etc. this has been also pointed out in passing by Mahendran.

    There is an urgent need to understood that culture is not language, religion, dance, music and handicrafts, but a composite that defines a community or sections of the community as a living entity, in many facets of life.

    http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=149276

    Dr.RN

  • 17
    31

    Dear Elanko Muthu,
    I don’t understand the so-called privileges that Sinhalese enjoy, but not Tamils. Do you meant to have these privileges?

    1. Tamils can live any part of Sri Lanka but not Sinhalese

    2. Tamils can have ‘wale’ parades across the major busy cities but Sinhalese can have a small Kandian dance in a University

    3. Tamils can open any sort of business in any part of the country including Colombo, but Sinhalese can’t.

    4. Tamils students can beat Sinhalese students in Jaffna university (whatever the reason is) and every single ‘intellectual’, local and abroad take the side of the attacker, while If this had happened in Colombo university, it would lead to a tons of protests, economic embargos and travel bans etc. on Sinhalese and Sri Lanka.

    5. Tamils can build Kovlils and Churches wherever they like in any part of the country, but Sinhalese can’t build Buddhist temples in Jaffna, a place that was visited by Buddha, according to the history.

    6. Any Tamil can hold any top position in any private or public business entity while, Sinhalese can’t do the same when they do business in Jaffna

    7. Any Tamil can work and live without any fear in Colombo, but Sinhalese can’t live or work in Jaffna. They are beaten and harassed…

    I don’ get it. Is it only me just feel like that ?

    /Hunu Patiya

    • 16
      3

      @ Hunu Patiya , renu & thumpane gamaya

      Before you guys write your comments, Please read this top to bottom and then think Are we/Our guys are right before pointing fingers on tamils ?

      It’s not a problem for us to let sinhala students to have kandiyan dance in welcoming, as a person who was born and lived in north for 20 plus years, my fear is if we allow this time , in 10 years time , they will say they must have kandiyan dance *** ONLY*** in welcoming ceremony. that is, they will destroy the identity of the place completely and there will be no sign of tamil traditions in future.

      Sinhala guys may ask why do you guys have such fear? Well, Because it’s not just solely based on the recent incident. It’s a history that has been happening over fifty years, that is, It’s a systematic colonization sponsored by different gov of srilanka who ruled this country over the years. Do you know what is happening in kokilai, mullaituvu? How tamil dominated kokilai (tamil name) is changed to kokilawa (sinhala name), and how sinhala fishermen who have no land in that place, occupy tamils’ land(it’s their legally owned private land) in that places with the help of SOME(HOPE EVERYONE KNOW WHO THEY ARE). Tamils in that place have documents for their lands, still Sinhalese illegally occupy that land and build permanent houses and fishing in that area with the help of (SOME). THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE. Our fear is justifiable and we have enough grounds to justify not to have kandiyan dance to welcome freshers.

      In other universities such as mora, pera, UOC and etc, there are tamil cultural associations and they do conduct tamil cultural events on their own. If sinhala students want to visit as a viewer, they can. As you know, In Jaffna uni also, sinhala students celebrated many of their cultural events in the recent past. But in a major events like welcoming freshers (please understand welcoming freshers or convocation in an educational institution is a major event). In that event, you cannot bring your tradition to change the tradition which has been followed by a university for ages. |

      Let me give you all one example by translating what one of my friend wrote in tamil. He was a mora uni student, graduated last year. He said we were welcomed by kandiyan dance on convocation held at BMICH. We tamils did not bat an eyelid. We accepted their tradition because mora is located in sinhala dominated area and they follow their tradition. We did not even ask they have to bring our tradition too. I hope you guys (my Sinhala friends) also can do the same, namely, respecting the tradition of a university which has been followed by a university for ages. You can have your cultural events on stage if you want to.

      I think I can give you one more problem. One tamil girl who graduated from wayamba uni said there were limited no of hostels around 2005. But rooms were shared among students based on the ratio of Sinhala and tamil students. Thus, many tamils students from Jaffna, batticalo, and vavuniya did not get hostel rooms. On the other hand, many Sinhala students from negombo, kandy, chilaw and other places which are less than 2 hours of drive got hostel rooms. But it’s the responsibility of the management to give these rooms to students considering the place they are coming from. But not a single Tamil student went and told the management it’s wrong and questioned them. Because they know if they ask, he or she will be categorized as a racist. Tamils students who studied outside of the north and east think in this way; yes it’s just four years. If management works against us, better not to talk about that. Once four year finished, we will go out of this shit.

      Tamils who studied outside of north and east have a mindset of not to bat an eyelid when things are not in their favour (THIS IS THE REASON THERE WERE NOT ANY MAJOR CLASHES in mora, pera, UOC and etc.) Let me ask you one question. Which convocation held at BMICH or freshers’ welcome in above mentioned universities had nadhaswaram and thavil to welcome tamil students of those universities. The answer is nothing. Not a single tamil student raised voice against that and they did not even ask to have tamil style of welcoming. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN nadhaswaram and thavil to WELCOME STUDENTS in south or west?????? HAVE YOU EVER HEARD TAMILS STUDENTS FOUGHT FOR THAT?

      • 12
        1

        I hope and wish the Singhalese including the privileged girl who started this topic will read this article and the comment by Parker.

        In this way, they may be able to understand our feelings, worries etc before preaching us re. how we behave, act and about non violence et.

        Thanks Elanko & Parker

        • 1
          2

          Can’t all these Tamils’ arguments be summarised in the following manner?

          1. Jaffna is OUR area
          2. Jaffna should give prominence to Tamil culture. Therefore the welcome parade should be only with tamil dance

          Isnt this a tribal demand? And believe me I tend to agree with them on second point. I dont think Kandyan dance suits a welcome procession in Jaffna.

          But the problem is these Tamils are reluctant to treat the others in the same manner they expect others to do to them.

          1. Sri Lanka is not a Sinhala country but Sri Lanka is the Sinhala homeland. Sri Lanka is the place which gave birth to Sinhala culture. But Tamils would not acknowledge that. Tamils have been living in Jaffna as a community since 13AD but the Sinhala which was started in SL has formed the civilisation of SL since 5 BC.
          Tamils are reluctant to understand and recongise that Sri Lanka is mainly Sinhalese and Sinhala identity is supreme.
          Like GG Ponna in 1947 a mere 25% want a 50% power and recognition while limiting a 75% to 50% power and recognition. While they request us to bow down to their tribal demands they are not ready to heed the tribal demands of others.

          One the of most racist people ever to live on this planet is Tamils. Look at how they treat the Telegus in TN and how they ask for piviledges in SL being a mere 12%

      • 1
        1

        @Parker

        “It’s not a problem for us to let sinhala students to have kandiyan dance in welcoming….”

        That’s nice of you. And you have no objection to having been welcomed in the South in “Kandyan” fashion

        Did you and your peers (the other Jaffna Uni students), even think to welcome the Sinhala students to the Jaffna Uni, in Thamil fashion ? Thus perhaps extending some form of friendly gesture to them ?

        Or is that something you just don’t do ?

        • 1
          0

          @ maalumiris

          /// Did you and your peers (the other Jaffna Uni students), even think to welcome the Sinhala students to the Jaffna Uni, in Thamil fashion ?Thus perhaps extending some form of friendly gesture to them ?

          Or is that something you just don’t do ? ///

          That is what jaffna uni students did. Seems You did not see the video of the incident. (Nadhaswaram and Thavil – you can not see among the crowd. but can hear the sounds of Nadhaswaram and Thavil)

      • 1
        3

        when ever a suicide bomb attack happened in CMB or assassination of a high profile leader or when LTTE attacked an army camp, the Tamils in Mora have celebrated it with fire crackers amidst Sinhalese. The Sinhala students did not respond with violence.

        Tamils are extremely free when they are in South..

        And why should we give prominence to tamil culture in Jaffna?

        • 0
          0

          @Sach

          // when ever a suicide bomb attack happened in CMB or assassination of a high profile leader or when LTTE attacked an army camp, the Tamils in Mora have celebrated it with fire crackers amidst Sinhalese. //

          I have never heard a joke this much hilarious. You are far better than charlie chaplin. Give us more joke. Wanna hear. All tamils leaf through this comment must have laughed loudly.

  • 10
    23

    Dear Thisuri
    See the reaction from Jaffna. The way that we think about them and the way they think about us is very different. Difficult to change their attitudes. They seems to be following their sole representatives foot steps. Its not easy to satisfied them. Tamil people who live in Colombo and other areas are living as same as others. They purchase lands from Colombo and old other main cities. However they are not allowing to sell any lands to sinhala community in Jaffna. They dont like when sinhala students are studying in Jaffna university. Truth is bitter. But we have to understand the reality.

    • 7
      26

      Renu, your spot on. For this unfortunate situation, it is Tamil chauvinist politicos should be blamed. While residing in Colombo with all the perks and having luxury lives, these gundas spreads the weeds of hatred towards Sinhalas among Tamils. Locally and internationally.

      • 1
        7

        Tamils are inherently racist..that is their nature. They used to rule ( vellalalas) over Sinhala when the british was there. It is the LOSS of these priviledge that they are terming as discrimination

        Remember how Wiggie was saying Tamils should not marry Sinhalese and at the same time his own children had married Sinhala women.

    • 11
      0

      good writing Ilanko, whether you write in Tamil or English you have brought out the essence. People might say that Tamils don’t learn form the war, what do they expect, for Tamils to stay quiet and endure what ever is done. The Tamil problem is far from being settled which the Sinhalese fail to understand, because rhey fail to understand the reality of identity. When identity is threatened people react. Just because the war as come to an end – does not mean that Tamils have to shut up and wait.

  • 9
    1

    Elanko,

    Brilliant that there is an active conversation initiated on this subject by both Thisuri and you. A great step towards efforts for reconciliation. Being an optimist, I like to think this way.

    Just one thought though: it would be better if you could make the Tamil text also available. Not for comparison, but for those able to understand the different languages can see the true intention of your writing. We don’t want the translators sentiments unnecessarily tainting your intentions. At the same time, note to other commentators- sometimes not-picking on minuscule stuff is just a waste of time.

    Best wishes.

  • 11
    22

    Elanko….I appreciate your views….but son there is no point in doing research to find which community is responsible for what? both communities paid a massive price looking for each one’s dignity. What is important is to inculcate the welcoming and caring attitudes. You guys should make Jaffna University a welcoming place for youth from any community. If you guys have yet to learn the right attitudes, just visit Colombo or Peradeniya university an see to yourself how nicely the students are mixed in one university environment. Be prepared to change; cause if you guys don’t change attitudes the end result will be Jaffna university be branded as a entity with no ethnic diversity; internationally.

  • 6
    25

    Dear Thisuri
    See the reaction. Difficult to talk to them Difficult to change their thinking.We know its not easy to chage attitudes. But majority of Sinhala people are ready to accept things. Ready to live peacefully with Tamil people. Thats what actually happening in Colombo and other main cities. But in Jaffna tamil people are not allowing Sinhala community to buy and lands. See how the reaction of a tamil youth. Its sad.

  • 8
    23

    We already know you know all forms of violence. Ask the pregnant mothers whose womb was cut open in gonagala and the little babies who were thrashed upon tree trunks.

  • 24
    3

    How fragile the belief of a Tamil must be if he feels threatened by a stupid article by Thisuri?

    Tamil nationalism and its violence towards the Sinhalese is not grounded in their conviction of their superiority nor is it primarily derived from their desire to safeguard their cultural-religious identity from the onslaught of the Sinhalese.

    The problem with Tamil nationalism is not that the Sinhalese consider them inferior, but, rather, that the Tamils themselves secretly consider themselves inferior. This is why condescending politically correct assurances from the likes of Thisuri that the Sinhalese feel no superiority towards the Tamils only makes Tamils more furious and feeds their resentment.

    The problem is not cultural difference (their effort to preserve their Tamil identity), but the opposite fact that the Tamil nationalists are already like the Sinhalese, that, secretly, they have already internalized the standards of the Sinhalese like Thisuri and measure themselves by it.

    Paradoxically, what the Tamils really lack is precisely a dose of that true ‘racist’ conviction of their own superiority over the Sinhalese. This is not to imply that the Jaffna Tamils do not have a sense of superiority over the Plantation Tamils.

    I hope this answers the question as to why the war waged by the LTTE, a preponderant representative of the Tamils, was neither Marxist nor Hindutva but based on a self-respect movement started by Periyar in India.

    A test of loyalty came when when India’s independence was on the negotiation table. Periyar was not very much in favour of it and washed it away “ithu enna Vengayam?”

    Periyar felt that the British should stay longer to discipline the Indians. In his opinion the Indians, especially the southerners had much more to learn from the Britishers, which in turn attested to his inferiority complex. He wanted them to learn much more from the whites before acquiring independence. He also felt that the social system in India had to be reformed drastically before independence is granted. This same Periyar had called the Tamil language “kaattu mirandi mozhi” for whatever justification he may provide. India was already undergoing drastic and dramatic changes under Lord Curzon and Robert Clive. That would make Periyar’s work much easier to press his ideas of delayed independence.

    • 16
      1

      “”called the Tamil language “kaattu mirandi mozhi” for whatever justification he may provide. India was already undergoing drastic and dramatic changes under Lord Curzon and Robert Clive. “”

      whole of india including Tamil nadu which was ruled by the maratha army at tanjavur.
      Nabob Clive of EEIC by defeating the (Bhosle- Vikoji)Maratha Army 1818- Hastings.
      Observe why they inland depended while the rest of Nadu Tamil Brahmans of the intellects were at Detroit before Gandhi did buying and selling.The Auto was there later.

      tamil issue unlike the jews who sit together as family at table to eat is socio economic and stupidity.jealousy. weser!

  • 0
    3

    The best way to live is to live without passports and visas. Go anywhere you like, live anywhere you like,eat anything you like, marry any one you like and live happily ever after.Is it posible? Sinhalese want to live as Sinhalese,Tamils want to live as Tamils, Muslim want to live as muslims. Even brothers and sisters don’t live together. THEY WANT TO MANAGE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS.This does not mean they are angry with each other.They get together on occasions. Similarly the Srilankans… YOU DON’T GO AND AND PUT YOUR CHILDREN IN YOUR SIBLING’S HOUSE AND WITH HE PASSAGE OF TIME MAKE THEM A MINORITY IN THEIR OWN HOUSE AND DICTATE TERMS TO THEM.

  • 4
    4

    Harm down Mutthu, not sure who you refer to as “We” whether students of University of Jaffna or Tamils in general as your background isn’t explained. And then when you say ‘We know all forms of violence’ and I am not entirely sure if you meant to say we have mastered all forms violence (and good at) or you meant to say we have subjected to all form of violence (so the one of late is not a big deal), and I guess latter is the point you trying to make.

    There was a good article by Pradeep, a second year student at the Faculty of Art, and I thought that was very complementary to what Thisuri wrote yet he said all what needs to be said highlighting there have been some sort of a plan in action to make University of Jaffna look like not belong to Tamils alone but to all (at least for time being) by some elements with breaking of the Nanthi (Tiny Bull) statue and etc. This didn’t go down very well with Tamil students and some tensions have been brewing for a while.

    Then we saw the History Lecturer of University of Kelani Ven Thero puts his view re the brawl happened in U of J and help put things in a right perspective. Do we need any more in this?. There may be some lapses in her report, and I saw readers have commented on them all. Except that, it was a marvelous article. Not sure your background but your response even the title is violate all norms and you seems to have mastered on your own right. Her good will is great extending to her contemporaries while they are in strife all what you could ask for. To trash such offer with your instigator’s imaginary world concept will only take all Tamils to an abyss that we have had seem before. You speak for yourselves, hope the We you use doesn’t include me.

  • 6
    24

    Yet another young man, mislead by the bogus history and the chauvinist politicians in the array of SJV, Sundaralinkam, A.J. Wilson (though he’s not a politician per say but a nephew of SJV who openly said Tamils can demand a separation in time to come when they formed ‘demala rajjya pakshaya in 1949, way before the so called ’56), Amir and now the TNA leaders who preach racism in broad day light with the blessing of all the Sinhala haters’.

    ’83 was a bloody cruelty which was carried out by the then govt henchmen. It was NOT endorsed by very well majority of Sinhalese. In fact there were many incidents that Sinhalese took care of Tamil victims in a brotherly manner. And, Malli, the Tamil retaliation was damn too much over the innocent Sinhalas from ’83 until previous govt decided to finish it off after many many efforts to come to a settlement by talks. In 1958, 1977 we experienced massacres. Both sides involved in those ugly incidents. Sinhalawas who were in Nothern part of SL were murdered. Same as what happened recently in your university, Sinhala students were chased away by Tamils from the University of Jaffna. According to Sansoni report, it was TULF including its leader Amirthalinkam responsible for ’77 incidents. As I said before, it was Tamil chauvinist leaders who inject such ideas to general Tamil public and converted them as ‘haters’ to Sinhalas.

    “56 treachery” is a popular claim by various parties but the truth is otherwise. Vauniya ex-MP C. Sundaralinkam had talked about an “eelam” in early 40s’. Way before ’56. ‘Demala Rajya Pakshaya” alias Fedaral Party (the “fedaral’ section was there to mislead Sinhalese) of Chelvanayakam started in 1949. Again before 56. So, the ’56-treachery’ is yet another lie created by s/b haters.

    And, lets assume ’56 was wrong. It was re corrected immediately within few years by introducing Tamil language act.

    Malli, your blind with what your leaders have taught you. Try to think out of the box.

    Your allowed to preserve your ethnic identity. Your culture. It is your duty and the right. This land is yours and Thisuri’s as well.

    • 4
      20

      Max, you are not taking space time into account. Time is relative. Time starts on 56. Then continues through 70s to 83. Then it freezes only to restart on May 2009. Then think about the space. Space where things occurred is limited to the North.Things like unlawful disappearance or deaths are only recognized if occured within the Jaffna centered radio horizon.

  • 4
    17

    All I see hear is yet another Tamil youngster failing to reconcile. People are so threatened by educated moderates like Thisuri. We all know it is people with her thinking and diplomatic and social justice understanding and capacity that can give a true solution to the root causes of issues in Sri Lanka. She does it with awareness and empathy.
    Having seen the resilience and skills in Thisuri I’m sure people like Elanko and their angry “violent-victim” thinking will hopefully be left behind and true solutions will emerge through leaders like Thisuri.

  • 3
    22

    All I see hear is yet another Tamil youngster failing to reconcile. People are so threatened by educated moderates like Thisuri. We all know it is people with her thinking and diplomatic and social justice understanding and capacity that can give a true solution to the root causes of issues in Sri Lanka. She does it with awareness and empathy.
    Having seen the resilience and skills in Thisuri I’m sure people like Elanko and their angry “violent-victim” thinking will hopefully be left behind and true solutions will emerge through leaders like Thisuri.
    Good luck

  • 5
    24

    New trend is people trying to be famous by writing angry responses to Thisuri

  • 6
    16

    Elanko Muthu:

    You are better off in Tamilnadu where Tamils enjoy the Tamil-hospitality. Tamils entering the university are not killed because they are from low caste.

    Here in Sinhale, you can be arrogant because buddhists are very accomodative and patient. They live and let you live. So, you can tamilize the whole country and make rubbish claims.

    Why don’t you tell us how your motherland Tamilnadu has every political party as “TAMIL” ?. Is it because politics is between Dalits and other so-called high castes ?

    • 7
      0

      jim softly

      Your advice to Elanko (to go to India) is flippant and originates from a thick skull.

      You are not the first one with this idea. In 1981 the Jaffna Library was set on fire. The then cabinet ministers Cyril Mathew and Gamini Dissanayake, who witnessed the arson nonchalantly said “an unfortunate event, where [a] few policeman got drunk and went on a looting spree all on their own”. Few days later, Mr. W.J.M. Lokubandara (UNP) in Sri Lanka’s Parliament: “If there is discrimination in this land which is not their (Tamil) homeland, then why try to stay here. Why not go back home (India) where there would be no discrimination. There are your kovils and Gods. There you have your culture, education, universities etc. There you are masters of your own fate”. Lokubandara was rated stupid for this suggestion and here we have this jim softly saying the same thing!

      • 4
        3

        If Loku Bandara is stupid, Tamilnad Tamils fighting for Tamils should be really stupid. Tamil Migrants, in Sri lanka, who are trying to establish and claim a homeland should not be far away.

        This beating of Sihala Students by Tamils is the same thing happening in the Jaffna university since the day it was established. Now it is for decades, except during the LTTE time when the university was not operating.

        As there are no sinhala civilians there, Sinhala students are beaten. When no body is there, So called high cacte Tamils kill low caste tamils as it happens in Tamilnad.

  • 12
    2

    Thisuri’s article was of very high quality. Elanko Muthu has pointed out some shortcomings but he is not taking away the Thisuri in the Thisuri article.

    • 0
      0

      K. Pillai:

      That is not the point here.

  • 7
    0

    At the cutting edge of human civilization there is a small minority of humans who are committed to the consolidation of transparency, human rights, equity and inclusiveness for all. This minority is made up of individuals of various ethnicities and cultures. They get on fine because they all accept the basic premises of civilization.

    Why is it so difficult for the sinhalese and tamils to accept these basic premises of civilization and become civilized and live civilized lives…?

    Why do they equate civilization with what they call “imperialism”…?

    Why do they equate freedom with freedom from law and order and due process…?

    • 9
      0

      Lankians behaving like beasts?? Truman stupid Freedom gave them the flag of the beast too to war over the world.

      in utter disgust Harry Truman (democrat) handed the reigns of the island to the terrorist sinhala buddhist of WW2. (Japan bombed Colombo under their espionage)

      lankans in their stupidity have laughed at India while hugging the muslim pakistan thief.(1 million sq KM stolen land)

      For many decades most Americans were inclined to the views of President Harry S. Truman, who dismissed India at its birth as an independent state as “pretty jammed with poor people and cows wandering around streets, witch doctors and people sitting on hot coals and bathing in the Ganges.” His Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, had an even more incisive perspective: “by and large [Indians] and their country give me the creeps.”

      According to a Gallup survey conducted earlier this year, more 70 percent of the U.S. public has a positive impression of India, a score on par with Israel’s traditionally-high favorability rating. This is the latest indicator of how decisively American perceptions about the country have shifted in a relatively short period of time. Not too long ago, India was widely regarded as the very epitome of what the term “Third World” meant – decrepit, destitute and pitiable.

  • 6
    0

    Well written with facts.

    It’s difficult to write about something without experiencing the same, but a good person can write by reading and listening.

    The whole problem is centred around wealth, which the minority holding the majority of it.

    Breeding is a choice and if you breed you must look after your brood at your expense.

    Just being the majority does not give the majority wealth automatically.

    The earth is the same size ever since, and we have to stand straight, to accommodate everyone.

    If we bend to encroach another’s space, wars start.

    Like the creatures we have to look after our brood which we bring into this world without their consent and solely at our discretion.

    It should not be ‘parents borrow and children pay back.’

  • 3
    13

    Elanko Muthu Is correct.

    Tamils know very well what Violence is. See the following to see how Tamil Students kill and engage in violence against Tamils because of Caste discrimination. They are simply like animals.

    Education
    Violent clashes in law college in Chennai, college closed and exams cancelled
    The campus has been indefinitely closed and all examinations cancelled since Monday.
    TNM Staff| Friday, March 18, 2016 – 10:04
    Facebook Twitter Email Google Reddit

    Violent clashes among students has rocked the School of Excellence of Tamil Nadu and Dr Ambedkar Law University, resulting in injuries and registration of a criminal case. The campus has been indefinitely closed and all examinations cancelled since Monday.

    Times of India reports that this comes just a month after shifting to the Taramani campus, which had been inaugurated by chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

    It all began with an attack on two first-year students by their seniors in the three-year stream on Friday afternoon.

    Even as the injured students were preparing to file a complaint with the university authorities, their batch-mates were engaged in a fight with their counterparts in the three-year stream on Monday afternoon. The fight erupted around 3pm, moments after a mid-semester examination.

    Because of this, the third session of the mid-semester examination scheduled for 3 – 4.30pm was deferred. A meeting of the staff and heads of department then decided to indefinitely close the School Of Excellence in Law.

    An inquiry committee decided to suspend three students involved in the fight.

    The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry reminded that students named in the FIR would not be allowed to be enrolled as lawyers if cases are pending against them at the time of enrolment.

  • 3
    5

    I think we must get the younger generation to watch the Kataragama perahera. where you can see both Tamils and Sinhalese’s sit together and watch two different nations performing their cultural arts, in one perahera. Most important was in front of the tusker carrying the casket was a group of kandyan dancers before the kandyan dance group was Tamil dance group. immediately after the tasker group of tamils and then followed Sinhalese’ if this harmony can prevail in down south why not in North. You can write the history and talk about it but not going to solve this problem how did those 30,000 people from north and east stayed in harmony at this large gathering. this is because every one respected the others right.

    • 8
      1

      Do you need this ancient stupidity at all. Isn’t it to play magic to tourist?
      you have nothing better than selling `show to tourist`?
      Aren’t you taking the island behind than working for a living finding food?

      After the war are you into R&D like the Japanese, Germans and Koreans are.

      It’s not in your breed but Holman in a technological world.

    • 3
      3

      Dear Nihal Surasena,
      Yes this can happen in the North as well but this is not the appropriate time to happen. North has gone through a period of oppression and this land has been suffered a huge loss of lifes, properties, land over the period of six years and still the land and people under the control of military rule. It is not the past history, still people feel that they under oppression. It is up to the Sinhalese people to make Tamils of the North to feel that it is their land and they are not under militarisation and they have all the rights as the people in the South. They can do it if they have the will power to change their attitude and behaviour. You must first think in the position of a Tamil boy or girl who lost everything.

      • 1
        1

        Ajith:

        What compassion on Sinhala brothers and sisters.

        Ask This muthu guy to start the next eelam war.

    • 3
      11

      That is because it is in south among sinhalese…..it is too much to expect from a racist lot like tamils

      • 7
        0

        “” south among sinhalese””

        so the south is getting a castration by the rest of the sinhala brethren??
        you must go back to your rightful place in the village- the nation does not need the dogs of war any more.

        war criminal family, when you persist in staying the snake would bite you.
        The west is doctor no.

        • 2
          1

          yes nation does not need dogs of war, that is why tamil racists and their apologists have to get lost

      • 1
        0

        Sach,
        Some Sinhalese like you are not racists. You all are blood loving meat only carnivorous Lion born animals. I am talking about those Sinhalese who understands what is love, peace and justice.

        • 0
          0

          @Ajith

          If you are refering to vijaya and his men. Most sinhalese today cannot be descendants of them. First of all because vijaya only arrived with 700 men. When he arrived there were other tribes such as the Yakshas living there. With the aid of Kuveni he and his men did manage to kill some of the Yakshas, however most of the Yakshas survived. Eventually most of the Yakshas/natives would have merged with vijayas clan and others who would have arrived from Bengal afterwards. This would have formed the early Sinhalese.

          Then second of all later on due to close proximity with South India there would have been mass migration back and forth. Eventually many of the South Indians settled would have adopted the Sinhala identity to the point where atleast 60-70% of Sinhalese are of South Indian origin. This includes both govigama and non-govigama sinhalese.

          Overall the present day Sinhalese is probably a mix between South Indians, Bengalis and Pre Vijayan tribes with the South Indian component being the strongest due to close proximity.

  • 1
    0

    Elanko,

    “Why does the community want to live with a unique identity rather than joining the ‘Sri Lankan’ identity?”

    Who says that the “community” is like this? Please clarify what you mean by the “community”? Are you the new sole representative of the Tamils by any chance?

    • 0
      2

      Community in which High caste tobacco farmers kill lowvcaste barbers, toddey tappers, fishermen…. who else ?

  • 1
    2

    Hello wvwryone, i am a sinhalese doctor, have worked in Northern province for more than 4 years now. Having had experience in Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya . With dreat dissapointment, i would like to state that another found of war is knocking on the door. Even if one arises even if they say tamil genocide or wtever it sure is something deserved. I have had many life threats. Seen LTtE supporters being so inhuman and even the name of “sinhala makes them so jealous. Most of the extremitists have no sense of humanity. They are just blood thirst thugs. Sri lanka is a country where the majority is sinhlese. There s no issue with democracy. All these ltte bastards should be expelled to thamilnadu. And lets make sri lanka a better place again for all those who love SL.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.