By Dayan Jayatilleka –
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
I never knew him personally but Weerasooriya of Uhumiya was my batch-mate as a first year arts student at Peradeniya. I was on campus early that morning in November 1976 when the shots, the gun smoke and the tear gas wafted through the green hills of Peradeniya. Years later when I taught at Colombo University, a student was shot dead before my eyes, outside the hostel at Havelock road. I have been both a university student activist and a university teacher. I am therefore doubly appalled by the killing of two students at Jaffna University and am heartened that university students all over Sri Lanka are demonstrating in protest against the killings and in solidarity with their counterparts.
This is an opportunity to cut across ethnic barriers and build North-South solidarity which can evolve into a common identity as Sri Lankans. This is something I have fought for, made sacrifices and taken risks for, since my early twenties. But this will not happen until all forms of racism, North and South are criticized, condemned and resisted. This includes both the BBS type racism in the South and the Northern racism that hospitalized Sinhala students of Jaffna University some months ago. I wish the Inter-University Students Federation had demonstrated against that as well but it didn’t.
The building of North-South solidarity is also contingent on dropping secessionist, pro-terrorist symbolism and practices such as the commemoration on Jaffna campus of the LTTE and the display of the Tamil Eelam map on May 18-19th this year. The current agitation also calls for foreign observers at an independent inquiry into the shootings. This is unacceptable as the North isn’t occupied Palestinian territory. The IUSF must make that clear to their Northern counterparts, who cannot have their cake (Southern solidarity) and eat it too (separatism, anti-Sinhala racism).
The FSP and IUSF are attempting what the VK (Vikalpa Kandayama) and ISU (Independent Students Union) tried in the 1980s, though in the ’80s, the decade of the civil wars– North and South– it was at a higher level of political literacy and a much higher price (state repression, clandestinity, abduction, detention, torture, violent death).
If the IUSF does not stand against regressive, neo-separatist Northern phenomena while they correctly stand with the Jaffna students against police brutality, it is they who will become a large ghetto among the broader southern masses.
An earlier (1980s) generation of Southern radical leftists including the Vikalpa Kandayama and the Independent Students Union, found this out the hard way, as Tamil ultra-nationalism marginalized and also swallowed up progressivism in Tamil politics.
A hallmark of North-South interaction in Sri Lankan politics is that Southern leftists are more internationalist than nationalist while northern Leftists are or become more (Tamil) nationalists than internationalists. In response, either the Southern leftists are eclipsed by the Southern nationalists or join them or become them. And the cycle repeats.
There is only one way out. Anti-racism and North-South solidarity are a two way street.
Leelawathie / October 25, 2016
This I like since it has not taken the usual mode of DJ articles.
However, it is right saying whoever parties, that promote the kind of racism should be controlled by the maximum steps being taken against them. Be them coming from Northern or SOuthern, pro-racism fractions should be banned forever as Germany NPD would not allow to rise up again.
No barriers should be there to punish the crimedoers regardless of their professions. For example, treat with impunity against crime friendly policemen and soldiers is no means acceptable. Just because the soldiers defeated the physical terror governed in the country, that must no means a licence them to escape any crimes. A tiny minority of them are liek that. Perhaps, army deserters or ones that stay cornered inthe socitey and their supporters in army or police may have been linked with racism promoting crminal gans. Civil society groups should rise up against any kind of racial groups -sicne it is not only the tasks of politicians to do the due if to be protected the youth in this war torn nation.
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Kumar R. / October 25, 2016
Leelawathi,
I agree that the seeming positive change in DJ’s tune is encouraging, but history should not be ignored. Could it be that DJ’s current expression is a mere “feel-good” effort or perhaps even worse, just another deceit.
Here are two firm, educated stand-point he had taken in the past that make me extremely apprehensive on the merits this article possibly was meant to invoke.
First, while now he believes that murder in the North or South should be seen without prejudice, he is the one who stood in front of the UN Forum to attest “zero civilian casualty” on behalf of Gota and MR. Is it really believable he believed in that proclamation? And worse, he went on for four years or so chest-thumping his performance as the single most reason for victory of MR’s regime in the international arena!
Second, despite his vast exposure and education in Politics, Sociology and Civics, he was the strongest proponent who egged on the MR regime to establish and celebrate the majoritarian “Victory Day”, just a feel good hood-wink to help establish the Maharaja profile among the naïve populace! More importantly, in justifying his stand on the issue, he expressly opined “after all, the protest against apartheid was rooted in majoritarian aspirations!” That from a Political Science PhD? Really?!
Dayan, may I ask you – do you still support the need for establishing an annual “Victory Day” celebration as you did in 2010?
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Ajith / October 25, 2016
I don’t think DJ has changed. His change is not positive.He his playing a different game. This bloody racist Fundamentalist is another game player like his racist master Mahinda Rajapakase.What he is trying to say here that this is the work of this government. In fact, we have seen a number of simlar provogative incidents were planned and staged by Mahinda_Gota Regime to create a bad image to this government in his advice. We all know how he reacted when there was a trouble in University of Jaffna between Tamil and Sinhala students when the Sinhalese students try to forcefully incorporate kandyian dance.
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Samuel Jayaweera / October 26, 2016
Human beings of the DJ nature would not change fully.
He as a former diplomat had been in Europe, he got on with the men from whom he could learnt a lot. But nothing helped him changing him towards positivity. So, now even think of man to have sensed it let alone today- is just a joke actually.
This man with his ultra nationalistic tactics willhave to be shed his breath being caught by his 4-walls. That will surely be his destiny.
Unfortunately, we have more of them in this country, that vehemently stand on any good moves. That is the ground reality.
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Bunjappu / October 26, 2016
It is simple:
Then DJ is no human being
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Sam Fernando / October 26, 2016
QUOTE “First, while now he believes that murder in the North or South should be seen without prejudice, he is the one who stood in front of the UN Forum to attest “zero civilian casualty” on behalf of Gota and MR.” UNQUOTE
Zero civilian casualty was their stupid argument evasively passed by both Rajeeva and DJ. That proved well about their abilities and the nature the way these both acted then.
TODAY VERY SAME MEN THAT DJ AND RARJEEWA HAD BEEN WORKING MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONTINUE THEIR VIOLENT MANNERS IN TERMS OF GRAB POWER.
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Amarasiri / October 25, 2016
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
RE: All Lives Matter: Northern Killings & North-South Protest
Thanks for the write up.Yes, All Lives Matter.
“I am therefore doubly appalled by the killing of two students at Jaffna University and am heartened that university students all over Sri Lanka are demonstrating in protest against the killings and in solidarity with their counterparts.”
“This is an opportunity to cut across ethnic barriers and build North-South solidarity which can evolve into a common identity as Sri Lankans.”
Yes. This should be the catalyst that beings together the North the south, and put and an end to this mayhem, ever since the British left. Too bad sri lanka always had racists Govt since independence.
Are they going to change their ways, so that the Tamils and others can cooperate and have equal rights under the law?
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Hinniappu / October 25, 2016
What occured is occured – it has to be investigated without being biased. Tihs could also happen in the other areas of the country.
Now those who make every efforts to widen the gaps between the communities should be given no chances… I have no idea why the media men allow rabbleroucers to add their firing thoughts.
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sekara / October 25, 2016
“The building of North-South solidarity is also contingent on dropping secessionist, pro-terrorist symbolism and practices…”
Building of North-South solidarity has to go on irrespective of all forms of sectarianism.
Less than century ago, in the 1920’s and into the 1930’s Northern politics was far more secular than that of the South, despite not having a left movement.
Then Jaffna produced some of the best minds in all left traditions.
What went wrong? Racism too is a two-way street. It is easy to blame parochial politics. But there is need for soul searching on all sides.
Do not curse the darkness. Light a candle. If you cannot do not discourage others who try.
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srinath.gunaratne / October 25, 2016
Most of the problems faced by the citizens of Sri Lanka are common issues, rather than ethnic or political!
Politicians and racists provide the communal undertones to fulfill there vested interests.
The greatest requirement today is to have a legal/justice system completely independent of politics and politicians,
May be we ought to elect our prosecutors, Judges, like in USA.
England is following this practice now.
Even the local police chiefs need to be elected by the people judging by their achievements/character as policemen.
The so called independent commissions we have is a farce, But good start in the right direction.
They must only be answerable to the people, not politicians.
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Native Vedda / October 25, 2016
srinath.gunaratne
“Most of the problems faced by the citizens of Sri Lanka are common issues, rather than ethnic or political!”
Could you list them.
“Politicians and racists provide the communal undertones to fulfill there vested interests.”
You are right, this has been the case since the Sinhala/Buddhist took complete control of the state say from 1950s, worsened since 1970s.
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / October 25, 2016
NV,
how would a man such as Srinath G with diehard affinity to MR manthar list them ?
Secondly, this man is though a retired person behaves often no second that MAXImoron et al.
They are against anything and everything but MR mantra.
MR mantra should be eleminated if at all progress to be achieved. That is what i see.
God bless SL
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siva / October 25, 2016
I sincerely doubt the same would have been written by this author prior to the government change,to me it appears politicians of the DJ like will always look to get some benefits out of others misery.
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Burning Issue / October 25, 2016
It is indeed nauseating to read your ostensible piece! You fought against all forms racism; please give me a break. Your uncompromising support for the Mahinda Rajapakse is testament to your inherent racism! You exclaimed at the fall of the LTTE saying that, The Sinhala prevailed over the Tamils or to this effect! Please save your breath and you sympathy is not needed.
You support the Mahinda gang that is hell bent on profiting on ethnic divisions. You advocated nation-wide protest on the basis of ethnicity to object the new constitution on the basis it gives too much to the Tamils.
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Sri.Krish / October 25, 2016
Dayan, you want to feel good and hence this article.
You exhibit hypocrisy and knowing very well that without radical changes in the constitution, structural changes in governance and attitudinal changes, solidarity is a delusion –a pipe-dream,you come out with empty expressions
The necessary condition for unity is that both groups must be equal. Reconciliation or unity or solidarity is possible only among equals.
It may not be sufficient
When you refuse to share power ?or when you claim that the country belongs to the majority or the majority ha special rights
Among unequal, constant bickering is the certainty
I am not being pessimistic, but being a realist as you used to say!
Dayan, brush up your Marxism and or Political science!
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / October 25, 2016
Next step would be he will be found naked running along the colombo streets as was the case with him early 90ties. He was lanken Archimidis some but for me remains as modern day hypocrite. But I wish him to have all powers to sense it correctly.
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Liverpool Suddha / October 25, 2016
Dr.DJ
“A hallmark of North-South interaction in Sri Lankan politics is that Southern leftists are more internationalist than nationalist while northern Leftists are or become more (Tamil) nationalists than internationalists. In response, either the Southern leftists are eclipsed by the Southern nationalists or join them or become them. And the cycle repeats.”
As you have experienced it the above is true.The real tragedy was that in the eighties the GUEST was progressive but the LTTE butchery(Pathmanabha & co) of all progressives ended the north south dialogue .The subsequent killing of Jaffna student leader Vijitharan killed by Kittu .The Fascists always hijack the process!
This is more problematical because the Northern struggle is a National liberation Struggle with a vertical split while south was a more Progressive movement(horizontal class split)hijacked by the Deshapremis(Rohana Wijeweera) who killed Dayapathirana.
The problem is simply that Petty bourgeois will always capture the center stage.
So there ends your ‘Socialist Project’ with leadership being given by Gammanpila & Wimal Weerawansa at the moment!
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Non PhD / October 25, 2016
Amarasiri,
First I thought you are joking about DJ’s write up but suddenly I realised you are serious and telling the truth. Truth has prevailed. Yes the problem festered since 1948.This was the cause for Southern militancy and NE militancy by the citizens.
Are Chinese internationalists after Deng took power ? Russians after Gorbachev took power ? Cubans after Fidel Castro fell sick ? Was Nelson Mandela ultra nationalist ? Navipillai product of Mandela era a ultra nationalist ?
I wish DJ takes the initiative and translate or get it translate the recent speech by CM Wiggie in London to English ans Sinhalese first. Then to do his analysis on his speech to educate the citiens in the rightway.
I sicerely hope our smart patriot has become PIVITURU SRILANKAN PATRIOT unlike Weeravwansa & Gamanpilla.
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Mahesh Nirmalan / October 25, 2016
Dear Dr Jayatilleka,
“This is an opportunity to cut across ethnic barriers and build North-South solidarity which can evolve into a common identity as Sri Lankans. This is something I have fought for, made sacrifices and taken risks for, since my early twenties. But this will not happen until all forms of racism, North and South are criticized, condemned and resisted. This includes both the BBS type racism in the South and the Northern racism that hospitalized Sinhala students of Jaffna University some months ago. I wish the Inter-University Students Federation had demonstrated against that as well but it didn’t”…..absolutely and wholeheartedly.
I represent a group of Sri Lankans, who are proud of our “Srilankan Thamil” identity……Yes in that order. First Srilankan and then Thamil, but equally proud of both components. I am proud to say in my prayers the 6th century verse “Konamamalai amarndare” (or praise the Lord who adorns the hills of Trincomalee) or the 6th century verse “Ketheesharaththane” (paying homage to the God who dwells in the banks of Palavi in Thiruketheeswaram)….while being equally proud to sing “Disa wawai Sigiriyai mageth urumayai” (Tissa wewa and Sigiriya are part of my own heritage as well). We are admittedly a small minority tribe within the broader Thamil people…..but yet we exist.
It is however an absolute necessity that people like ourselves should be in a position to give a viable solution to the anxieties of others who have a realistic fear in loosing their cultural identity and heritage, if Srilanka is treated as one homogeneous entity. As you will know it’s a sheer numbers game and a process of assimilation resulting in homogeneity. If the state and groups such as BBS/ JATHIKA CHINTANAYA/RAWANA BALAYA/CYRIL MATHEWs etc. etc. etc. insist on the concept of large scale – state sponsored land settlements, aimed at changing the demography to reflect National figures, what gurantee do the minorities have in being able to protect their cultural identities and way of lives as equal citizens. While I fully endorse the right of free movement for all citizens to live, work and own land in any part of the country, state-sponsored settlements is another issue. I am sure you will be honest enough to admit how Thondeswarm (in Devinuwara or Thevan Thurai), Kathirgamam (or Katharagama) has changed in character since I first visited there as a child in the 70s, or how the Kinniya hot springs – a place of great spiritual and mythological significance to the Hindus is changing in character and ambiance right now.
Unless you are willing to adress these very real concerns and very sensitive issues, perhaps through the PC system and the 13th Amendment, I don’t think you can look in the mirror and honestly say to yourself that you have tried your best to settle this issue or have “made sacrifices” to promote an inclusive Sri Lankan identity.
This,in my humble view, is where Mahinda failed in securing a lasting legacy. I admit that winning the war was a necessity (more for the Thamils than for anyone else), the associated loss of civilian lives and limbs (in very large numbers) was, largely inevitable…..but failing to use that opportunity to foster an inclusive Sri Lankan identity, where all of us could feel secure as equal citizens was a crime……in fact it was THE CRIME. I do, most sincerely hope that you will make an honest attempt to resolve this rather than pandering to the popular sentiment or the ‘majoritarian politics’ that has plagued post-independence Sri Lanka.
Thanks and best wishes
Professor Mahesh Nirmalan
University of Manchester
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Anpu / October 25, 2016
Prof,
“the associated loss of civilian lives and limbs (in very large numbers) was, largely inevitable..”
More than 70,000 lives does not mean anything to you.
Jayatillake (for him zero causality) will be very happy to read your comment.
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Mahesh Nirmalan / October 26, 2016
Dear Mr Anpu, I never said the lives lost never mattered to me…..for they keep me awake to this day, 7 years after the end of the war. All I said was that if we choose to fight a conventional army……..any army, Indian, American, Soviet, Syrian, Iraqi, Egyptian, Chinese and yes Sri Lankan too, standing behind scores of civilians- at times mingling with civilians and at other times standing behind them dressed in civilian clothes…… well then civilian deaths is inevitable. It is as certain as ‘night following day’. I say this because I was one of the 40,000 or so refugees crowded within the Nallur Kanadawsamy Temple (Palaniandavar section) when the fighting started with the IPKF. Guess what, we chose to fix our machine guns at the immediate perimeter of the Kovil Veedi, where scores of hungry men and women stood. Yes, such was our determination to draw International condemnation and that was our modus operandi to achieve that good for nothing ‘International condemnation’. Under these circumstances, civilian deaths….yes in the tens of thousands was inevitable. It pains me deeply and keeps me awake, because I too contributed to this war – in thoughts or in deeds, but that does not alter the course of events. Please….oh please lets not repeat that grave miscalculation. That’s my plea to all of us – on both sides of the ethnic divide.
Best wishes
Mahesh
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kay / October 26, 2016
You are talking bull shit Prof. Nirmalan when you say that all we did was to draw international condemnation. Have you heard about bombing of the Church in Navaly by the srilankan Airforce after leafletting asking the people to move into the church for safety. Are you going to say that it is because there was some freedom fighters in the crowd. [Edited out]
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Native Vedda / October 25, 2016
Mahesh Nirmalan
” I am proud to say in my prayers the 6th century verse “Konamamalai amarndare” (or praise the Lord who adorns the hills of Trincomalee) or the 6th century verse “Ketheesharaththane” (paying homage to the God who dwells in the banks of Palavi in Thiruketheeswaram)…”
You are asking for trouble.
Regards to Trincomalee, our own Bandu de Silva (the only one who had access to Hugh Nevill collections kept at British Museum) believes there had never been a Hindu temple at Trincomalee before the advent of Europeans here in this island. He confirmed there used to be a Buddhist Vihare since time immemorial which was destroyed by foreigners and the Hindus built the temple on the same place.
Another history denier wrote, prior to 1970s Ketheesharam was a small temple where Indian traders worshiped whenever they visited this island on their business trips. Only in the 1970s the temple was enlarged and many native Hindus started visiting the Temple.
And you are unwisely talking about 6th Century temples.
Please consult jaffnahistory.com
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Burning Issue / October 26, 2016
Native,
I am sure Prof. Chandra Dharmaeadane will concoct a dodge website to prove that there no Hindu temples in the east prior the arrival of the Europeans!
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sach / October 26, 2016
For f’s sake can these tamils learn some proper history from a book?
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Burning Issue / October 26, 2016
Certainly not from the books that you devour!
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Tamil from the north / October 26, 2016
Sach’ithanantham’…………mutt have you ever read a book? At least a comic book.
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Native Vedda / October 26, 2016
Tamil from the north
“At least a comic book.”
You mean Mahawamsa?
Are you kidding?
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Uthungan / October 25, 2016
Thank you MN aka Sivapuranam Thevaram for a sober analysis and presentation.
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Jaymass / October 26, 2016
Uthungan:
I doubt if this MN fellow whose analysis you approve is Thevaram. According to an article I found in the Sunday Leader (which is archived here)
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2009/12/20/the-structure-of-tamil-names/
he could be either Thiruvasakam or Thirumanthiram!
Sivapuranam Thevaram does show up in these columns once in a while after a pub crawl, so cannot do sober analysis.
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Non PhD / October 25, 2016
Amarasiri,
First I thought you are joking about DJ’s write up but suddenly I realised you are serious and telling the truth. Truth has prevailed. Yes the problem festered since 1948.This was the cause for Southern militancy and NE militancy by the citizens.
Are Chinese internationalists after Deng took power ? Russians after Gorbachev took power ? Cubans after Fidel Castro fell sick ? Was Nelson Mandela ultra nationalist ? Navipillai product of Mandela era a ultra nationalist ?
I wish DJ takes the initiative and translate or get it translate the recent speech by CM Wiggie in London to English and Sinhalese first. Then to do his analysis on his speech to educate the citiens in the rightway.
I sicerely hope our smart patriot has become PIVITURU SRILANKAN PATRIOT unlike Weeravwansa & Gamanpilla.
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Thamilan / October 25, 2016
At last a non racist article by Dr.DJ.
We need more articles like this from you to bring the communities back together.
Why this change of heart? Looking for a job in the present government??
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Park / October 25, 2016
Until I read the last para I thought this [Edited out] has at last written a sensible article. But to say the Southern politicians are internationalists and not nationalist is a lie. I challenge this “[Edited out] to tell if Mahinda Rajapakse, Gothabaya, Joint Opposition members especially Dinesh Gunawardena, Wimal Weerawansa, Gamanpilla etc are not racists! I agree the Northern politicians are nationalists.
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Leelagemalli / October 25, 2016
But he has to whitewash them since the bugger is on their pay slip.
Now it is believed the man is unemployed. Not even Uni cmbo would appoint him as a senior lecturer. This man s mouth piece is no second to that of that Pawithra of JO – one of my friends shared me yesterday.
I CHALLENGE IF ANYONE WOULD SUPPORT Dinesh Gunawardena, Wimal Weerawansa, Gamanpilla AND THE LIKE MEN, ARE AT ALL HEATHY IN THEIR HEADS ?
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Lester / October 29, 2016
Park:
“I challenge this “[Edited out] to tell if Mahinda Rajapakse, Gothabaya,…”
Rajapakses are not racists. People assume they are racists because they have the popular support. Most politicians these days don’t have popular support. That is why the West is in a mess. The native populations of Britain, France, and Germany didn’t ask their politicians to bring in floods of barbarian refugees with a different religion and different set of values. Mahinda is great, he had a MANDATE from the majority community to finish off the LTTE and that’s what he did.
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Manicka Vasagar / October 25, 2016
Enough is enough. What is the option for the Tamils after 66 years of history.
He says – The building of North-South solidarity is also contingent on dropping secessionist, pro-terrorist symbolism and practices such as the commemoration on Jaffna campus of the LTTE and the display of the Tamil Eelam map on May 18-19th this year. The current agitation also calls for foreign observers at an independent inquiry into the shootings. This is unacceptable as the North isn’t occupied Palestinian territory. The IUSF must make that clear to their Northern counterparts, who cannot have their cake (Southern solidarity) and eat it too (separatism, anti-Sinhala racism). ?????
He is saying if rape,murder and colonisation is unavoidable, just relax and enjoy it. How’s that?.
The Tamils will decide to make or break Sri Lanka. Not you.
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Anpu / October 25, 2016
Manicka,
This dj fellow said zero casuality.
Now he says all lives matter.
Prof mahesan says it is ok for more than 70000 tamils to be murdered by sinhalese buddhists army.
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Shan / October 25, 2016
“A hallmark of North-South interaction in Sri Lankan politics is that Southern leftists are more internationalist than nationalist while northern Leftists are or become more (Tamil) nationalists than internationalists.”
Yes, true; that is how Colvin R. de Silva changed his stand nationalist (one language two countries, two languages one country) on the language issue in 1956 for internationalist one by abolishing article 29 of the earlier constitution. It’s been the hallmark of the Sinhalese leaders to turn their back on the innocent Tamils who helped them in their need. It was Tamils in the north who it was said helped the Leftists to flee to India under disguise when their movement was banned by the British government.
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Non PhD / October 25, 2016
Dr.DJ,
Professor Mahesh Nirmalan has raised a pertinent point that after 2009 what Mahinda as leader did to the country was a crime. Do you beleive in confession and agree with the Prof.
Another fact is Mahinda wanted the constitution changed so that he can become a president for the 3rd time but the majority of the SRILANKANS did not vote for him.
I am a by-product of Oxford educated SWRD, Mahinda’s father, et al coming to power in 1956 with 2/3rd majority using language and religion. So my English is very poor. I did not study in a school like St. Josephs Maradana Colombo.
So could you enlighten me what is the real meaning of “CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME ” in relation to the Sri Lankan political frame. You pretend that you understand the global frame better and you are an INTERNATIONALIST. You are pathetic when it comes to your political theory of relativity within your own country (home )
Do you know Arahat Mahinda did not practice what your Mahinda (son of a Rajapakse ) has been practising or practices ?
Do you think that the Mahinda & bros should gracefully retire from politics or should come back to power at any cost to Sri Lanka ?
Why not you write an analysis , what will happen to Sri Lanka or to you if Rajapakses do not come back to power very soon.
Do you think army,navy, airforce and police with the help of a global power should bring back a rajapakse govt ?
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jim softy / October 25, 2016
I think this is an intentionally partial analysis. In CT itself I read, That the Sinhala actor, who played the character if Sergent Nallathambi was shot dead in Colombo by Army at a Barricade, probably during the peak JVP time.
I think Dayana Jayathilake as he gets scoded by LTTE Tamils every time in CT, he thought to analyse this supporting arrogant Tamils who don’t care law enforcement. Tamils in the north are generally violent even before the LTTE.
In Sinhale North too, Violence nature of the society and violent elments are still there. Crashing a barricade at mid night is scary, most probably make the people guarding it to take sudden decisions.
So, the result will be to shoot at them.
The reason had been
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jim softy / October 25, 2016
A gang named ‘Aava’ had circulated handbills in some areas claiming that they attacked the police in retaliation to the death of two Jaffna University students recently, allegedly due to police shooting.
The police have launched an operation to apprehend members of the ‘Aava’ gang in the North, Rathnayake said.
The minister said that the shooting incident in Jaffna recently, where two Jaffna university students were killed, involved police officers who were looking for ‘Aava’ sword gang members.
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Mallaiyuran / October 26, 2016
Softy,
Two thieves were attacking a shop owner. Then two undercover police officers coming there to save the owner. Then, secret movement members coming, wearing masks and attacking the police.
Is this Hollywood creations or Himalaya Creations Private ltd?
What a coordination!
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SimonP / October 25, 2016
Yes, DJ. You kill two Tamil students for your wish of making Sri Lankan identity – great idea mate!
You can’t forcefully build this “Sri Lankan identity”, it should come naturally. It will come only when the Tamils feel they have equal power and equal rights. Why don’t you trade your racist mindset and give up your Sinhalese nationalism and support the Tamils in whatever they want, or do you prefer to be the Master for the Tamils?
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Richard Kaz / October 26, 2016
Well said!
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Mallaiyuran / October 25, 2016
Can you call this as Sudalai Gnanam? (The enlightenment at the deathbed) ? Certainly not. Then, is this a Kommpalailai Koovintha(I don’t know to say that in English – may be -just shouting with the prayer crowd, without feeling to pray?). Not that either.
During the January 2015 Election, Thero de Silva has been writing numerous letters and lectures to Ranil Mahata of how to win the election over the Old King. Now, after CBG Mahendran’s case and the secret deal of new Constitution with TNA without the Majority Sinhala Mass ever coming to know that being implemented, have convinced Thero De Silva that he has lot to learn from Ranil Mahata how to say good things and cheat all at once. This essay is the result of the first lesson Thero de Silva took from the 21st Fox, Ranil Mahata. He is apparently sensing Ranil mahata has well surpassed the 2009 May UNHRC sitting. That is why he is giving in like this.
“who cannot have their cake (Southern solidarity) and eat it too (separatism, anti-Sinhala racism).” What about Thero having the cake and eating it too and we don’t want to have it or eat it?. We do not want any of his Kavoom. We just want the check points dismantled and the Appe Anduwa police out of the North-East. When did it become ICUF meaning Southern University Students Union? We respect the Southern students participation, but not with the condition of Thero de Silva, the Nursery Students Union President’s c”You accept our Police’s Subjugation, or otherwise!” condition. Who is this guy to issue a condition in behalf of ICUF? Is this UNHRC in 2009 to overload with lies?
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Saro / October 26, 2016
The IGP is honest in this case unlike the previous president and his supporters throughout the previous regime. He said
“when it comes to the incident in which two Jaffna University students were allegedly killed by policemen, it seems there was a shortcoming on the part of the police officers,” he told the journalists at an event held in Anuradhapura to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Police Service.
The IGP said it was questionable whether there was the need to open fire at the students as the incident was not a robbery, organised attack or other life threatening event.”
“The current agitation also calls for foreign observers at an independent inquiry into the shootings. This is unacceptable as the North isn’t occupied Palestinian territory”
It was also confirmed that the students were not drunk.
Why do people want ‘foreign observers’? In the history of Sri Lanka there no government ever administered justice to the ethnic minorities. What happened to the killing of 5 students at Trinco beach in 2008, what happened to the murder of 16 aid workers? What happened to the killing of 146,000 in May 2009? The then claimed ‘zero civilian casualty’.
The truth is the foundation for trust; lies and enslavement cannot control a people however powerful the military is. The people of Sri Lanka from south and north must know how many were killed in the final war and then only they will feel remorse and in turn lead to a peaceful solution. If you bury the truth the agitation will last until it is dug out.
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jim softy / October 26, 2016
I think IGP is submissive to Tamils and he is unfair to his own people.
What IGP says is that arrogant Tamils can piss of Police in barricades and that is fair game.
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Richard Kaz / October 26, 2016
Too little too late from DJ to convince anybody that, to him, Tamil lives actually matter.
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Mallaiyuran / October 26, 2016
Calling for an inquiry after so long is openly displaying Thero’s sneaky motive. Thero should openly accepts there were organization working hard to set up pogrom extensive than 1983. Specially Thero’s friends have put together some police organised, Tamil area incidents, including the one was at Mattakuliya and blamed at Goverment as security laps is the reason. In fact, these were organized by that group to impress Old King of their ability to organize pogroms. There is enough tensions that one of like that can break out anytime. If one call Thero’s friends to stop organizing pogroms, they are not going to stop. Tamil politician have to get together and ask for R2P as it is now certain either government has no power or will or even both to protect Tamils. TNA should not sleep, then wake up and run to India after carnage is done. Diaspora organizing parade after another 145,000 plundered is not going to help. They both have to get together and do it this time, rather than dying for the names of who doing it.
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Mudson Silva. / October 26, 2016
[Edited out]
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Non PhD / October 26, 2016
Dr.DJ ,
When is Gotha returning from a far eastern country ? You too have been to this country this year.
It looks like some synchronised remote control work is going on and you are part of it or aware of it.
I think you are working hard to bring back rajapakses to power again, instead you should pursuade them to gracefully retire from politics so that the country can move forward very fast.
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Nuwan / October 27, 2016
Surprisingly this article is not a lengthy one. Why is this change of heart. Is he desperately looking for a job? He may be after Mangala begging for an overseas posting?
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