By Harini Amarasuriya –
The UNHRC Resolution is certainly providing political spin doctors with plenty of material. Largely, the spin has taken on predictably partisan directions. Pro-government groups are portraying this as a major foreign relations coup while anti-government groups are describing the UNHRC resolution as one of the greatest betrayals of the country. While the anti-government spin is predictable and to be expected, the pro-government spin is actually far more worrying.
Signs of the directions in which government groups were going to spin this were evident at the welcome planned for the President when he returned from New York. He was lavishly welcomed back as a ‘hero’ who had not simply rebuilt the image of the country internationally, but had also ‘saved’ the armed forces. Meanwhile, it was reported that Minister Champika Ranawaka was charged with explaining the UNHRC resolution to the armed forces. Armed forces personnel were informed that government would defend military personnel who may face charges. Last weekend’s papers also reported the Foreign Minister as stating that accused military personnel would be able to confess to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Compassionate Council (made up of eminent religious leaders) would recommend a pardon to those who confess (Sunday Times, 11th October 2015).
All this indicates that the government is bending over backwards to reassure the majority Sinhala community and the military that the post-war narrative of triumphalism, impunity and heroism would not suffer in anyway. It is extremely telling that the government has not considered it necessary that the victims of human rights abuses documented in the UNHRC report (most of whom are minority Tamils) be reassured in any way, that justice will be served to them. This then begs the question, what is this entire process about?
If we step back from the UNHRC reports and resolutions, to simply think about the challenges facing this country, few could deny that ethnic reconciliation is perhaps very high on the list of priorities. Events of the past several decades, and certainly since independence have created a huge gulf between ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. Relations between ethnic groups, particularly between Sinhalese and Tamils are at worst full of bitterness, anger and mistrust and at best, simply mired in a sea of misunderstanding and strangeness. Of course, there are plenty of examples of individuals who have managed to rise above these, but if we are to speak of the relations between ethnic communities, there is certainly much to be desired. We can debate on who is to blame for this situation: the British, elite, westernised politicians, the open economy, the Mahavamsa, the Indians, the Americans, Western and Western trained anthropologists, Nalin de Silva and the Jathika Chinthanya, the Sinhala Only Act..the list goes on. Perhaps all of these are to blame. Yet, the fact remains, that even after we exhaust the blaming game, there still remains an unresolved problem. A problem that resulted in the death, disappearances, disability, loss, suffering and trauma for many thousands of people: all of whom were citizens of this country. And the UNHRC resolution was supposed to be about THEM, the victims – I repeat, all citizens of this country. It was not supposed to be about regime change, rebuild Sri Lanka’s image, establish good governance or improve foreign relations. It was about justice for victims of human rights abuses and initiating a process of acknowledging the horrors of war. And my fear is that if the spin is anything to go by – the government, the international community and the UN are losing sight of this important fact.
Beyond the sheer injustice of this, is a larger question of how ignoring the victims, or brushing aside the victims, will impact on that all important task of reconciliation in the country. The current spin has once again reiterated the fact that what is important for the powers that be is reassuring the Sinhala majority. We are once again stating quite loudly and clearly, that any attention to addressing the grievances of minority communities cannot in anyway, upset, alarm or unsettle the majority Sinhalese. In other words, we may all be citizens – but minorities will always come second.
Anpu / October 14, 2015
Thank you Harini. Please publish this article in Sinhala and Tamil.
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Thiru / October 14, 2015
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya,
What a contrast between your enlightened opinion and the lop-sided racist views of Dr Dayan Jayatilake!
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Vibhushana / October 14, 2015
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Nabil / October 14, 2015
Dr Dayan Jayatilake is the king of all the political spin doctors in Sri Lanka.
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Dr. Rajasingham Narendran / October 14, 2015
Harini,
Thank you. Bravo. Could not have been said any better. It is not about our governments, politicians, armed forces, LTTE, other militant groups or national sovereignty, but about citizens- of all communities- who have been shamelessly and brutally abused by their State, it’s instruments and those who claimed to be their leaders and representatives. It is also an indictment of our pretenses, including our religiosity .
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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jen / October 14, 2015
For one i see a perfect analysis from a person of race .
All though the military has been enjoying impunity right through out independence during MR’s regime it turned to the worse where even murderers, crooks and thugs got into this defence establishments by way of body guards to these vvip”s . They were given training on most sophisticated weapons and were let loose.
The quality of recruitment to forces were brought down to such a low level that perverts and rapist all were in the military trotting the gun and showing the masculinity to all. ( if you see some of those videos and the way they were behaving with dead bodies it runs shivers down my spine as i too have daughters )
You see these deterioration in they they behave with the public….. Police think they can beat people up and get a confession ( recently as well in the little girls Murder ) . The military will just finish you off as they did in the north and east….
The day the forces though they were above the law …. Major General Prasanna Silva having unregistered van taken from the north for his personal use… Our Beloved nation was ruined…..
Murders…. Rape…..robberies All have become a simple way of life for us…. As most of this thugs who were armed during the previous regime and had absolute impunity and power and income have no income now as they were being paid by our tax money and now have been sent off home are forced to do this things for their living .
Forget the UNHCR … MR , GOTA and rest of the gang have to be sent to gallows for put the entire nation in such a bad predicament.
Its going to be long road for sri lanka to get back to normalcy …. and humanity ….. with the help of Lord Buddha’s preachings……even that is not going to be easy as long as when ven Gnanasara Thero’s are around.
( Thugs waring mongs cloths )
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Plato. / October 14, 2015
Thanks for this crystal clear essay.Dr.Harini.
At long last,we see in the Landscape,A Mountain Spring flowing into clear streams.
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NAK / October 14, 2015
Anyone can stand on their heads if they like and deny but regime change it was. Now they have the duty to pay those braved the rains on their behalf.
hence the so called search for justice.
The whole world knows what really happened and there is no real need for international inquiries. This is solely to satisfy the hurt ego’s of the Tiger diaspora.
Isn’t it stange that jutice is sought only for the Tamils as if they were the only victims. What about the Sinhala and the Muslims. Why aren’t they demanding for justice?
Simple, this is not at all about justice but about revange.
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Native Vedda / October 14, 2015
NAK
“Isn’t it stange that jutice is sought only for the Tamils as if they were the only victims.”
You should have demanded justice for all victims irrespective of their race, religion, region, etc, an investigation covering the period from 5th April 1971 to date, if you really believe in what you say.
Your parochial ghettoised mind cannot and will not accept a genuine independent investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity. For you its about state which does no wrong, a majoritarian perspective. We on the left of the fascists want the state and people to do the right thing at the right time and place, in order to help cleanse the entire muderous state.
Thats what people want and that is what good for the people.
You along with other war crime deniers can leave the matter with people and keep sitting on your brain as long as you believe in apartheid justice for the people of different races.
The Sinhalese keep demanding justice for all atrocities committed against them by all since 1971. The difference between you and us (on the left of Fascistic tendency) are that we hear them loud and clear, sypmpathise with them, help them campaign for justice albeit delayed.
Have you ever met victims of terrorism, state as well as groups?
Stop mourning as if Independent Investigation is the end of this island.
Justice should be colour, sex, race, religion, region ……….. blind. If you cannot live with the idea of justice for all, then feel free to join ISIS, BJP, BBS (BJP now), Ku Klux Klan, ………….. your natural habitat.
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David / October 15, 2015
[Edited out]
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
David
“[Edited out]”
Thanks for keeping your typing brief,
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Shrikharan / October 14, 2015
Nak
“Isn’t it stange that jutice is sought only for the Tamils as if they were the only victims. What about the Sinhala and the Muslims.”
All suffered Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims but the Tamils suffered very much more in magnitude. The so called ‘Tiger terrorism’ was the by product of the terrorism and gross unfairness Tamils had to face since 1958 unleashed by the ‘majority’. You speak on the events after 1980 when you began to feel the pinch, Tamils were feeling the pinch from 1958.
During a recession all the people suffer but rich people may not be able to eat chocolates as they did before but for the poor they starve unable to find a meal. so in the end both rich and poor were victims of the recession but one cannot equate both.
During Hitler’s rule both Jews and Germans suffered because there was a case where a Jew had killed a German! so both races suffered so why talk of a Holocaust!
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Justin / October 14, 2015
We in SL, are very fortunate to have had Marti Arthisari; a very honourable, peace loving and pragmatic person to investigate and report about the war in SL.
The address by Prince Zeid, chief of the UNHRC, was an honest reflection of the spirit of the report.
The UNHRC resolution A/HRC/36/L 29 was a diluted correction plan for SL.
And, our reaction to the resolution should be submission, remorsefulness and corrective action, not rebellion and unpatriotism towards it.
Our remorsefulness should be based on the truth that the GOSL and Sinhalese, using their larger population, started bullying the indigenous Tamils from 1958, and provoked them in 1960’s by sending military to oppress, disappear and kill them.
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Saro / October 14, 2015
Yes, appeasing the ethnic majority or more appropriately, their vociferous leaders is the paramount at the expense of justice, reconciliation and long term recovery of this country. The anti-government groups especially the pro-Rajapakse are more to protect their master and his cronies, may be unknowingly, from criminal acts such as setting up or blind to white van abductions, murders and squandering of national wealth than hate towards white or interfering in local affairs.
As Hiruni Amarasuria articulates eloquently doing justice to the civilian victims of war crimes and violation of human rights is ignored by the anti-government groups in order to be popular among the ethnic majority and to continue with their dominance.
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vass / October 14, 2015
A partisan view ignoring the geo politics of the west. They inspired and helped the LTTE, Isreal trained both LTTE and Army and called them monkeys ” In The Way Of Deception),at the end of the war they wanted to save Prabahakaran and the various under hand activity using JRJ the monkey who was subservient to the white man with the final aim of destabilising South Asia so that they could manipulate SL to control the Sea lanes. The other country India was interested in annexing SL by wanting a division of SL so that they could join eelam with Madras now coming forward with another trick of building a bridge between India and SL so that annexation would be easier. Ignoring these facts and presenting everything as human rights violations of a conflict that was instigated by India and maintained by the west is naivety or to say the least is ignorance. The country is full of Lotus Eaters subservient to the colonial masters who cannot make a informed analysis of the present problems. God save SL.
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gamini / October 14, 2015
Let God save Sri Lanka from your ilk, to be more precise.
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
vass
“they could manipulate SL to control the Sea lanes.”
Who is controlling the sea lanes now? Is it this island?
“at the end of the war they wanted to save Prabahakaran”
Who exactly wanted to save Prabaharan? It is what Hindian wanted to do with VP that mattered. What did Hindia want VP to do?
“by wanting a division of SL so that they could join eelam with Madras”
Not really. The Hindians never wanted to divide this island, when they believe the entire island is the Sinhala state of Hindia.
“now coming forward with another trick of building a bridge between India and SL so that annexation would be easier. “
How the bridge would make annexation easier. When they move troops through the bridge, it can be blown up at this end. Have you seriously given this your utmost thought?
“who cannot make a informed analysis of the present problems.”
Can you?
“God save SL.”
Is there a god in Sri Lanka?
As Gamini put it “Let God save Sri Lanka from your ilk, to be more precise.”
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vass / October 15, 2015
Ntive Vedda and Gamini
Its the idiots like you and gamini who promoted the civil war in sri lanka by supporting the agenda of the foreigners from whom sri lanka has to be saved. India and the west has a separate agenda from SL. Their interest not that of SL . For god sake grow up from the colonial mentality. People like you are no different from JRJ whose sins we are still paying.
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
vass
Thanks for not dealing with the real issues. If you want to live in your own Ghetto feel free to do so at your own expense.
In a globalising world the path you chose can only lead you to an build another isolationist North Korea. If that is what you want go ahead but majority people are not that stupid to follow your path. You would have been the best successor to Prabaharan.
Paranoia cannot be a substitute for wisdom.
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justice / October 14, 2015
“Events of the past several decades and certainly since independence………………………………………”
Mainly, the ‘events’ of massacres of batches of Tamils for the only reason that they were Tamils, by the army and police, more than 115 in number, since 1951, are what caused the birth of Tamil militancy soon after the all island pogrom of July 1983 – the very same army and police which later efficiently massacred both LTTErs and civilians in 2009, assisted by 25,000 bombing missions by the air force, and even shot ‘white flag’ surrendees.
These massacres are on record by the North East Secretariat Of Human Rights – NESOHR.
This genesis is completely ignored/forgotten.
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kali / October 14, 2015
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Beyond The Political Spinning Of The Geneva Resolution:
*** I am not going to heap praise on you until, I analyse the meaning of every word you say for what it is worth. We have burnt our fingers with the so called Liberals who are supposed to steer this Torn Nation to a Civilised,Prosperous future and a Country fit Not only for kings but also House CRMINALS in secure accommodation.
1) The UNHRC Resolution is certainly providing political spin doctors with plenty of material. Largely, the spin has taken on predictably partisan directions.
*** That is the Job of the Spin Doctors.To convey the differing views of the protagonists. But here the Job has been made easier because there is a Common Interest. Both sides aim to deceive the World. There are 1001 evidence to confirm this. For me Dayan is no different to Mangala.
2) Pro-government groups are portraying this as a major foreign relations coup while anti-government groups are describing the UNHRC resolution as one of the greatest betrayals of the country. While the anti-government spin is predictable and to be expected, the pro-government spin is actually far more worrying.
*** They are both right. From a point of view of the Victims the GOSL hasnt gone far enough to satisfy the Tamil demand. So there is course for celebration on the part of the GOSL that they have managed to pull a wool over the heads. The opposition are also right in that it has gone too far.
2) President when he returned from New York was lavishly welcomed back as a ‘hero’ who had not simply rebuilt the image of the country internationally, but had also ‘saved’ the armed forces.
*** It was not difficult as it was only a Tent to be blown away after the next Tsunami.
3) Meanwhile, it was reported that Minister Champika Ranawaka was charged with explaining the UNHRC resolution to the armed forces.
*** This can only happen in Sinhala Lanka. The advice will be how to get rid of the Forensic Evidence.
4) Armed forces personnel were informed that government would defend military personnel who may face charges. Last weekend’s papers also reported the Foreign Minister as stating that accused military personnel would be able to confess to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Compassionate Council (made up of eminent religious leaders) would recommend a pardon to those who confess (Sunday Times, 11th October 2015).
*** So the Rapist would go to the mother of the Victim and tell her sorry mum I put mine got stuck in a pothole. Travesty of Justice and to be precise Justice Sri Lankan style. Even the Americans did not defend the accused soldiers.
5) All this indicates that the government is bending over backwards to reassure the majority Sinhala community and the military that the post-war narrative of triumphalism, impunity and heroism would not suffer in anyway.
*** You are absolutely spot on. Not only would not suffer but continue for generations.
6) It is extremely telling that the government has not considered it necessary that the victims of human rights abuses documented in the UNHRC report (most of whom are minority Tamils) be reassured in any way, that justice will be served to them. This then begs the question, what is this entire process about.
*** You contradict yourself. The intention was not for the Truth to be told and punishment to be handed out. But to defend all actions from the Commander in Chief to the Foot Soldiers. This was a promise given by MS to the Father of the Nation MR ( The CRIMINAL) to the sons of the of the Soil ( The Barbaric Soldiers) .
7)Of course, there are plenty of examples of individuals who have managed to rise above these, but if we are to speak of the relations between ethnic communities, there is certainly much to be desired.
*** Can you please give me names of a few. I hope you dont mean
Wimal the Wansa
Vasu the Pisasu
Karuna
Douglas
Pillyan.
8) We can debate on who is to blame for this situation:
You can blame the
Anthropologists, Ninja Turtles the list goes on.
9) A problem that resulted in the death, disappearances, disability, loss, suffering and trauma for many thousands of people: all of whom were citizens of this country.
*** But Paranagama the Crook has already answered it. He said you cant talk about the Disappeared until you have resettled them . He means the Skeletons.
10) And the UNHRC resolution was supposed to be about THEM, the victims – I repeat, all citizens of this country.
*** It was about giving Sinhala Lanka Metal Detectors to pick up signals from under the Ground.
11) And my fear is that if the spin is anything to go by – the government, the international community and the UN are losing sight of this important fact.
*** My friend the UN was blinded by a Sri Lankan Bomb
12)The current spin has once again reiterated the fact that what is important for the powers that be is reassuring the Sinhala majority. We are once again stating quite loudly and clearly, that any attention to addressing the grievances of minority communities cannot in anyway, upset, alarm or unsettle the majority Sinhalese.
*** So what is the point having an Inquiry if the Inquiry is not going to Deliver Justice to the victims but simply rubber stamp the Actions of the Aggressor. What a Fairy tale END. A truly whirlwind Romance.
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maalumiris / October 14, 2015
@Kali
You said ” Even the Americans did not defend the accused soldiers. “
Care to elaborate with some examples please ?
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kali / October 14, 2015
maalumiris:
I think you are jumping the Gun. Dont take it out of context. GOSL have promised to defend the Soldiers come what may.
GOSL has a duty to victims not to take sides. That is what I meant. American State Department has not poured money in and Provided Leagal Counseling to help those soldiers accused. The Army High Command may heve helped and even attempted to cover just like SF but not the elected Government. They have a duty to be impartial.
I hope that clarifies my position on this.
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maalumiris / October 15, 2015
Thank you for the clarification.
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Eusense / October 15, 2015
kali,
American soldiers can be tried under the American legal system only. You know what happens then.
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kali / October 15, 2015
Eusense you Nonsense:
Once they are found Guilty they get sent to “Welikada” for summer holoday.
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eusense / October 15, 2015
Kali
You have been spreading nonsensical false information here. Your human rights violations of terrorists is also a farce!
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kali / October 15, 2015
Eusense Nonsense:
You will have your day in Court ( Hybrid).
You wont be giving evidence before Paranagama the Crook but in front of reputable International Judges.
1) You have been spreading nonsensical false information here:
The UN Chief Prince Zeid believes it. Even Banki Bloody Moon the Buddhists Monk now believes it. What are you going to do man.
2)Your human rights violations of terrorists is also a farce!
*** Have you noticed the State Terrorist called Mahintha Percy Rajapaksa cries foul that his Human Rights is being violated. See how the table has been turned. It is a small world.
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Tamil from the north / November 19, 2015
Nuisance, didn’t I tell you to jump in the lake? Why are you still around?
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Tamil from the north / November 19, 2015
Nuisance the downright racist, why don’t you go jump in a lake and end it. Nobody needs to see your ugly arse popping up everywhere. You need some serious treatment for mental issues. Disgusting prick.
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Ram / October 16, 2015
Even today having forced their way into the ‘smart-bombed’ hospital in Afghanistan manned by the MSF, they are busy destroying evidence. Twelve MSF personnel died, alongside 10 patients, while 33 are described as ‘missing’. An international investigation has been rejected in toto, but ‘compensation’ has been offered. If previous experience is anything to go by, where funeral and wedding parties were bombed in order to instil fear, the compensation would amount to about US$ 2000 per Afghani dead.
What has so far been established is that the US knew full well that the facility was a hospital, and that the bombing was as directed by US soldiers in the vicinity on the ground.
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Vetmahadeva / October 14, 2015
Harini Amarasuriya,
It is very difficult to get total accolade from Kali,
my accolades to you what you said finally
“The current spin has once again reiterated the fact that what is important for the powers that be is reassuring the Sinhala majority. We are once again stating quite loudly and clearly, that any attention to addressing the grievances of minority communities cannot in anyway, upset, alarm or unsettle the majority Sinhalese. In other words, we may all be citizens – but minorities will always come second”
There is no any spin here, this has been tendency since the independence of the nation, notion fear for nothing whenever slightest political right is offered (presently we are confronting for judicial justice for victims) the rectums of majority swells with chili jealous, that they cannot even be seated. What is the further prove needed to conclude that the war had been an imposed one on Tamils through a run a amok criminal by the name of
V. Prabaharan.
What a criminal will do in loose, desperate scheming to be free always, and the so called security forces can massacre all what intended for on the pretext catching at last! what a game of hide and seek for 30 years!
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kali / October 15, 2015
Vetmahadeva:
I know English is not your Mother Tongue (I don’t know what is ) . But what ever it is why don’t you write in Sinkalam.
” the rectums of majority swells with chili jealous, that they cannot even be seated”
*** Have you heard of PILES. Here it is
Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings that contain enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus).
This is what happens if you eat too much Chilli like in your case.
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punchinilame / October 14, 2015
A timely write-up and I wish the so-called 70 Academics who rightfully oppose the co-
sponsored UN Resolution assimilate the contents of Dr. Hirini`s essay. It is possible to have another 70 Acadenics to support the Dr. as a stand in keeping with current times and
situation. If MRs politics is to be supported by these intellectuals, they will be unwittingly paving the way to eventually create a UN Protectorate of the North and East in the next UN step? If this is Distiny, so be it.
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Shrikharan / October 14, 2015
I applaud Dr. Harini Amarasuriya for boldly speaking out for the victims, which I have not seen from any in the Government.
The moment the Government approached the Military and reassured their war criminals will be defended and protected they lost the right to rule. They gave up on the victims estimated to amount to over 40,000 and they are citizens the same country and Government. The duty of the Government is to protect its citizens and not what the shameless former President had expressed to standby the ‘war heroes’ (war criminals).
If the Government can give up on the citizens where do the citizens go? The Government should actually give financial and legal aid for the citizens and not criminals and they have clearly failed as rulers. Political expediency clouded their short term thinking and which they will regret once the dust settles. How can anyone say providing justice to its citizens is letting down the country and that seems to be the skewed motto of many politicians?
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gamini / October 14, 2015
How many of the Forces have committed War Crimes? Not even a five percent. I personally feel they should be hounded out of the Forces and punished. Such action is no reason for the rest of the Forces to feel hurt or humiliated. On the contrary that action will clear the good name of the rest. If not the Force’s good name will be tarnished by the few War Criminals if they are to be protected. Let us be done with this issue for good.
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vass / October 15, 2015
Gamini,
Only 5% committed war crimes but I– Like you forget the IPKF and Tigers. Let the diaspora that supported the LTTE also be charged for war crimes. Is the IPKF not accused of rape of Tamil women. People like you are schizophrenic only see a small part of the whole story.
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
v ass
“Only 5% committed war crimes but I– Like you forget the IPKF and Tigers. “
Where did you extract this statistics? Could you cite your source.
“Like you forget the IPKF and Tigers.”
Its the responsibility of the state to bring charges against IPKF, LTTE, JVP, ….. Home guards, its own armed forces and politicians.
Why isn’t the state carrying out its responsibility?
“People like you are schizophrenic only see a small part of the whole story.”
Can you persuade the state to see the larger picture and investigate all war crimes committed by all during the period from 5th April 1971 to 2015?
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Eusense / October 14, 2015
Ms Amarasuriya,
This article is based on YOUR assumption that human right violations (HRV) of Tamil minorities has happened in abundance at the final phase of the war. Have you personally witnessed any incidence of these HRVs or your concerns are based on UNHRC report? Could you be more specific of the types of HRVs and the number of incidences? I ask you this because many use blanket statements saying HRVs were rampant.
I am sure there may have been instances where the SLDF have been forced to act in that manner as they were fighting a terror group which couldn’t be differentiated from civilians.
As a learned Dr. (either a medical practitioner or a PhD) I am sure you are familiar with knowledge based judgments than anybody else. The reason I am appealing you not to lay much trust on UNHRC reports for several reasons. First, we do not know how the UNHRC collected their data. No UNHRC officials ever visited SL for this purpose. They have never interviewed a single soldier or a citizen of Sri Lanka. As we all know all evidence came from “victims” who were Tamil asylum seekers or from the Tamil diaspora. Also, we will never know who gave such evidence/information as the UNHRC is keeping this information undisclosed for over a 20 year period. The second reason I do not trust the UNHRC is their partisan stance on HRVs of the terror wars of the west.
That is why I want you to hold your premature accusations of HRV against our country. Let the real victims, Surviving LTTE fighters, LTTE supporters, SLDF personnel, foreign leaders of the west and Tamil Nadu, Tamils living in SL, Sinhalese diaspora and Sinhalese living in the north etc. etc. come forward and give evidence to the hybrid investigator panel that is to be set up soon.
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Native Vedda / October 14, 2015
Nuisance Stupid I
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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Shrikharan / October 15, 2015
“As we all know all evidence came from “victims” who were Tamil asylum seekers or from the Tamil diaspora.”
That is your assumption. From where did you get that information? Have you never heard of many members of families complained that security forces had come and taken away telling they will be sent back after a small inquiry but never to return? You are being very unfair. Do not speak like that. Will you call them war heroes if the same happens to your family member? Then you will know how innocent are the security forces.
We do not trust Sri Lankan judges and they all are corrupt down to the core.
The moment the Government approached the Military and reassured their war criminals will be defended and protected they lost the right to rule. The duty of the Government is to protect its citizens and not to standby the war criminals so called ‘war heroes’. No legal assistance was promised to the affected citizens as if they are from a different part of the world. How can anyone say providing justice to its citizens is letting down the country. If the security forces are clean why are they reluctant for an independent inquiry? Just answer these to your conscience.
I will wait patiently, and not me you will become the victim to your heroes and you will realize what Tamil victims cried out for. Then you think of me. I will wait for that day.
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Eusense / October 15, 2015
mr. shrikaran,
The UNHRC never came into Sri Lanka for the purpose of investigating for the report they produced. So, all information for the report comes from asylum seekers, diaspora groups and diaspora funded human rights NGOs like Amnesty International etc. The UNHRC does not reveal their sources, so you and I both will never know the truth in this regard. Also, have you noticed that not a single Tamil family has come forward to claim that their lost next of kin was a LTTE terrorist. Where are the next of kin of thousands of LTTE terrorist who perished at the end of the war??
I am sure security forces may have arrested suspected terrorists. I am not talking about these incidences as this article is based on UNHCR report. I feel embarrassed if innocent civilians were subjected to this kind of actions. However, you need to consider these incidences are unavoidable and are consequences of raising arms against a govt. Similar scenarios happened to Sinhalese young men when the JVP raised arms in the seventies. So, I have no answers for you.
I call these soldiers war heroes not because of these activities but redeeming this country from 30 years of terror which killed close to 100,000 innocent Tamils and Sinhalese.
You do not need to be surprised about the gov. defending it’s troops. Every country do that vigorously. The US does not even allow or entertain any complaints against its troops.
Shrikharan, war criminals for you are war hero for others. Similarly freedom fighters (LTTE) for you were brutal terrorist for others. This is how humanity reacts and you need to relax as you and I can’t do a darn thing about it.
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Anpu / October 15, 2015
eusense,
“The UNHRC never came into Sri Lanka “
Are you stupid?
They were not allowed. Who prevented them? The biggest terrorist Rajapakse .
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eusense / October 15, 2015
Anpu
You seem to be the idiot here. You are now supporting my statement that the report was prepared without even visiting SL.
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
Nuisance Stupid I
“Anpu You seem to be the idiot here.”
The consensus is that you are the one who is first among the idiots.
“You are now supporting my statement that the report was prepared without even visiting SL.”
If the Investigators were denied permission visit this island by the smart ass patriots, then they could not visit.
What are you you trying to type here?
Man does not have to visit Mars to investigate/study its environment.
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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Shrikharan / October 15, 2015
Eusense
“Shrikharan, war criminals for you are war hero for others. Similarly freedom fighters (LTTE) for you were brutal terrorist for others.”
At least I am pleased I am not labeled as a ‘terrorist’ for talking on LTTE side and you must be pleased I am not calling you a ‘war criminal’ for your war of words supporting the Military. Neither you nor I had taken a gun and shot at anyone, and we have nothing to do with what had happened. In one of the forums many years ago I was called a ‘terrorist’ by one commentator for speaking on the ‘Tamil’ side.
I mainly discuss these topics mainly as an intellectual challenge and to harness and sharpen my debating skills. I try not to win by shouting but by facts. Obviously being jovial and sarcastic is acceptable and Native Vedda can be a treat, with no offense to you. I know you do not like him and is understandable.
You and I are educated (you entered the University in the same year as me) so best we agree to disagree. You have your own strong issues and I too have my own but they seemed not to match. Nothing personal. You have your right to challenge me with facts and so do I. It can get a little heated at times and that is understandable, but as long as we do not use foul language. I shall end with a quote by Voltaire “ I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
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Eusense / October 16, 2015
Shrikhar,
I have written million times in this forum why I support the SL Military and the gov. which eliminated terrorism. I am a strong, strong opponent of terrorism. I truly hate people who resort to terrorism. However, I would very much support any minority in achieving their goals in a peaceful manner if they are legitimate.
I also give my gratitude for those civilians who gave their life to eliminate this menace. I consider these civilians as the real heroes because they gave their life for the sake of others and the country. I am sure as a rationally thinking person you might not be proud of what Parabakaran did.
Vedda is of a different kind. For me he sounds petty and childish when he responds to my posts. I am skeptical that he is a real Peradeniya graduate.
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Shrikharan / October 16, 2015
Eusense
Greetings and thanks for your reply.
“you might not be proud of what Parabakaran did”
Prabaharan was a by product of various anti Tamil events that took place. It seemed to be a necessary evil. Please do not misunderstand me for saying this. In the 70’s and 80’s that is the way many Tamils believed. Also take note Tamils were a peaceful, hardworking people before. What made such a community to become ruthless terrorist should be carefully analyzed. Certainly something went wrong and we cannot deny that.
I do not deny lots of wrong things have been committed by the LTTE. He made terrible blunders. I shall speak in the Tamil perspective he started off fine.
The first blunder he made, he should have accepted the Indo Lanka accord which gave everything Tamils wanted except a separate state. Surely Tamils do not need a separate and is not practicable. I do not want to list the reasons here (I have said this in another discussion). Indo Lanka accord more than adequately addresses the basic fears of the Tamils.
The second biggest blunder was the killing of Rajiv Gandhi. That made his demise to be written on the wall and it was a matter of time.
Anton Balasingam had in fact advised Prabaharan to end hostilities and to accept a solution with the concept of ‘internal self determination’. Prabaharan refused his advise and in fact Balasingam fell out of favour. I am sure Prabaharan would have realized the truth of Balasingam’s advise in his last few days
Please don’t get me wrong. I am not anti-Sinhala, and I am not an escaped terrorist now writing in the Colombo Telegraph. I am just speaking my feelings. I did feel disgusted for certain things LTTE had done. My weakness is I love to debate interesting issues and keep me intellectually stimulated.
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Shrikharan / October 17, 2015
Eusense
“Shrikharan, war criminals for you are war hero for others. Similarly freedom fighters (LTTE) for you were brutal terrorist for others.”
“I have written million times in this forum why I support the SL Military and the gov. which eliminated terrorism. I am a strong, strong opponent of terrorism.”
I will wait patiently when the roles will change and I tell what you told me and you will tell what I told you!
We tend to use ‘Sinhala’, ‘Tamil’ when we think and allow emotions to override logic and truth. It is better to use ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ when deriving an unbiased opinion and minimizing emotional and subconscious prejudice. Otherwise one day you might have to eat your own words!
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 17, 2015
Eusense,
just as much you are opposed to terrorism, Tamils also have the right to oppose state terrorism, which is still rampant. LTTE terrorism was a reaction to this state terrorism unleashed in various forms since independence. Now that LTTE is eliminated it is the duty of peace lovers to eliminate this state terrorism.
You are saying that you will support any minority in achieving their goals in a peaceful manner if they are legitimate. Since Independance, there were several attempts by Tamils to reach a settlement by every peaceful means such as negotiations and peaceful protests. At every turn it was the Sinhalese who scuttled them by broken pacts and violence to subdue Tamils. Fortunately Prabaharan is no more, which has given Tamils a golden opportunity to demonstrate to the world that it is the Sinhalese who are intransigent and not willing to settle the ethnic problem in Srilanka in a internationally accepted way.
Could you let us know what are the legitimate goals of Tamils. Sinhalese must be ashamed of themselves when you look at Nepal and Burma, where in Nepal they have promulgated a constitution to accommodate the minorities who are recent immigrants from India on a federal basis, and in Burma the army generals have told the minorities fighting for independence that they are prepared to grant autonomy to them on a fedral basis. Do you say that federal demand of Tamils is unreasonable, especially when Tamils had their own soverignty at the time of Portugese conquest, which was not returned to them by British when they left. Insistence on a unitary state will only result on the continued subjugation of Tamils by a Sinhala majority legislature.
In Srilanka Sinhala racists are still sticking on to Unitary state and are also claiming eastern province belongs to them when there are convincing reports to the contrary. Do you say that the demand of Tamils for north-east merger is unreasonable. You can settle it in the following manner : Remove Amparai electorate and Lahugala AGA division from Amparai district and join them to UVA Province. Remove Gomarankadawela AGA division from Trincomalee district and link it to North-central province, and link the rest of Eastern province to Nortern province.
Kantalai which was a Tamil majority area has now been ethnically cleansed following repeated violence committed by Sinhalese, In Bosnia all lands that were ethnically cleansed by Serbs were returned to Muslims and in Palestine no recognition is given to lands that have been colonised by Jews. Similar principle has to be applied in Srilanka also. To compenste the land loss, you could de-link Puttalam electorate from Puttalam district and link it to Northern province. This area has been proved to be the cradle of dravidian civilisation with discovery of urn burial sites and also at present has a Muslim and Tamil majority. After these adjustments, muslim majority areas can be brought together similar to Pomdichery model as a sub-unit in North-east region. This will take 80% of Sinhalese out of Tamil control and grant the demands of Muslims and deliver justice to Tamils.
If you are a reasonable person as what you are claiming, please impress upon the Sinhalese people to grant substatantive autonomy to Tamils to rule themselves without any Sinhala interfence in their lands of historic habitation to live in dignity and safety. If not you are another die-hard racist who is trying to portray yourself as a person willing to grant flawed justice to Tamils. Should Tamils be denied justice continuously due to the racist mindset and atavistic fears of Sinhalese.
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Shrikharan / October 17, 2015
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
An excellent response by you, but
Eusense will never reply this!
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Eusense / October 18, 2015
Sankaralingam,
The Police or the Military action on law breakers is not state terrorism. You can indulge in sathyagraha, civil disobedience, hartal etc. etc. but if these activities disrupt the country’s peace and normal activities it is the duty of the security personnel to take care of those. There is nothing called state terrorism. In the US police shoots at least one Black person on a daily basis for some reason. That is not considered as state terrorism. My advice: negotiate in good faith
You are asking me for legitimate goals of Tamils????? This is a question I have been asking from Tamils in this forum for years! You are the one who is upset about Tamil problems, So tell me what enacted laws of SL deprive Tamil’s rights? Are you saying that there are special laws for Tamils different from Sinhalese? Tell the people of SL what you want. I will tell you that not a single Sinhalese knows what you want. So, list everything you want for god’s sake! If you think Parayabakaran gave you a golden opportunity you should follow his foot path.
As far as I am concerned no self determination for Tamils or any other ethnic group of SL. In the US the blacks are 20% and Hispanics are 25% are they going to get self determination in spite of them being discriminated in many aspects in the society. What Parayabakaran did broke the trust of the majority population. Until this trust is restored I would not favor giving autonomy in any aspect. I feel Parayabakaran destroyed a golden opportunity in this aspect. This country will never be divided on ethnic lines and I will never support that. What is next? Muslims need their own? Buddhist wants a carved out area? Gay people wants autonomy?
What do you mean Kanthalai was ethnically cleansed? Isn’t Kanthalai in Sri Lanka? Any ethnic group can live anywhere in SL.
Please remember I am a reasonable person but not a stupid person. I will never support autonomy to any group or division of the country. Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians should all work together to make SL prosper.
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Shrikharan / October 18, 2015
Eusense
“There is nothing called state terrorism.”
Who said that? Who are you to say that? You make your definitions to suit you. It is your arrogance ‘might is right’ that is speaking. Then why is the UN gunning for the Government of Sri Lanka?
We also can then say there is nothing called ‘terrorism’ and it is a ‘liberation’. As you said before one person’s ‘liberation’ is another’s ‘terrorism’. Our ‘liberation’ was your ‘terrorism’ and your ‘liberation’ was our ‘state terrorism’.
So if there is nothing called ‘state terrorism’, Hitler did not do anything wrong to the Jews and there is nothing called the ‘holocaust’ and he had his reasons as a head of state to do what was best to his country. Remember he did this while he was the der Führer of Germany. Eusense you are talking bullshit!
“My advice: negotiate in good faith”
Tamils did everything in good faith. It took more than 20 years before armed struggle from the Tamils. Till the late 70’s it was a peaceful Gandhiji type of non violent protest to express Tamils displeasure and discontent. Simply touch your heart and say how long do you expect Tamils to go on with all the burdens laid on them? We can go on till the cows come home and realizing this fact, and it was the 1969 media-wise standardization for University admissions which the final straw which broke the camel’s back, culminating in a Tamil youth unrest paving the way for an armed liberation struggle.
If you refuse to see I cannot help you, and it was because of people like you the problems were never solved and we as a country slid down to a failed state. If educated people like you cannot feel for yourself, what it was like to the Tamils, I feel very sorry. Just for once put yourself in the shoes of the Tamils and think how much Tamils have to endure for so long without any hope of a light at the end of their tunnel of despair. Just think when you are totally relaxed and in a ‘meditation mode’. Just for once think you could be wrong. Please!
I am confident the truth will always prevail. You will one day realize the truth, it may take a long time, but it may be sadly due to a personal tragedy that opened your eyes.
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eusense / October 19, 2015
shrikh,
Are you saying maintaining law and order by the Police and Army is “state terrorism”? So, what should these security forces do when groups like the LTTE brutally suicide bomb and terrorize citizens? Leave them alone? You think that would have saved the country? Where is your common sense?
UN gunning for the Gov. of Sri Lanka? Not any more it wanted a regime change and the people of SL gave it to them. Half hearted hybrid investigation has been given 4 years to write a report. Do you think that is gunning for the SL gov.?
Go look at the definition of “terrorism”. Terrorism is the use of violence, intimidation and terror on people in the pursuit of political aims. Isn’t that what the LTTE did? What insanity is to call that “liberation”? If you consider that “liberation” you are a terrorist! The SL gov.did not suicide bomb Tamil citizens. Any Tamil citizens who were killed by SLDF bombings were due to LTTE using them as human shields.
I don’t know the logic of you bringing in Hitler here! You can call Hitler anything you want but the Jews did not suicide bomb any German citizens and Germany was not under a terrorist threat where over 100,000 of it’s citizens were murdered by the Jews.
Yes, you should negotiate with the gov. in good faith. But first you should know what you need from the gov. and let it know what laws of SL are problematic to the Tamils. As far as I know there is nothing and none of you in this forum has given me a single item. Even your favorite “know it all” sankaralingam went silent when asked for a list of problems the Tamils have. Why do you think Tamils keep these so called problems secretive?? You are saying “If you refuse to see I cannot help you”. I am begging you to give me this list of problems.
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Shrikharan / October 20, 2015
Eusense
“I don’t know the logic of you bringing in Hitler here! You can call Hitler anything you want but the Jews did not suicide bomb any German citizens and Germany was not under a terrorist threat where over 100,000 of it’s citizens were murdered by the Jews.”
I am asking because you said “The Police or the Military action on law breakers is not state terrorism. You can indulge in sathyagraha, civil disobedience, hartal etc.”
Tell me was there any suicide bombs then during the period of Sathyagraha in the 1950’s. So if you say you are right as a Government to take action what ever seems right then Hitler being the head of state he was right too. That is the logical interpretation of what you said. I am only using what you said. What you said can’t be right for Sri Lanka and wrong for Germany.
You are not talking sense and I feel it is a waste of time. Only you will come to your senses when you meet with similar personal tragedy. Then I will say Security forces cannot be wrong.
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Shrikharan / October 18, 2015
Eusense
“So tell me what enacted laws of SL deprive Tamil’s rights? Are you saying that there are special laws for Tamils different from Sinhalese?”
I am sure you can answer the question yourself! You just said (not me)”In the US police shoots at least one Black person on a daily basis for some reason.”
The laws are there it is the simple IMPLIMENTATION OF THE RULE OF LAW my dear. There is a big difference between word and deed I hope you know this. Why are you complaining about the UN there is no special rules for Sri Lanka and another for the rest of the world!
In another posting you said “The UNHRC never came into Sri Lanka for the purpose of investigating for the report they produced.”
You cannot have it both ways, firstly Sri Lanka NEVER allowed the UN to come here and make a ‘fair inquiry’ so certainly they will get the facts by other means. You can’t have the cake and eat the cake. You stop the UNHRC from coming and then use it to complain they “never came into Sri Lanka for the purpose of investigating for the report they produced.” Certainly it was a very serious allegation from many citizens of the country. There is enough photographic and other documentary evidence. There is nothing called a ‘war without witness’ and it was a fantasy of Mahinda Rajapakse, and the world cannot just keep quiet to be swept under the carpet. Remember it may be the Tamils who were the victims this time, but next time it may be just you! So don’t cut your nose to spite your enemy, just be prepared and don’t take yourself off guard when the rules you had for the Tamils turn against you when you become the victim and become a savior for your assailant!
I will leave with a famous quotation:
“First They Came for the Jews”
By Pastor Niemoller
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
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eusense / October 20, 2015
shrik,
So Please tell me what laws are there and which ones are not IMPLIMENTATED OF THE RULE OF LAW.
You say:
“Why are you complaining about the UN there is no special rules for Sri Lanka and another for the rest of the world! “
For your information, there are separate rules for SL! Why do you think US, UK and other western countries are not investigated by the UNHRC for their war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine? Don’t be naive Shrik!
Yes, I said “The UNHRC never came into Sri Lanka for the purpose of investigating for the report they produced.” That is why I don’t have faith on it. If they give SL all details of every aspect of the report and method of collection, sources etc. I would accept it. Imagine a woman in your neighborhood accuses you of raping her. She says she have witnesses and they have given evidence secretly. Your attorney can’t access any evidence or cross examine any witnesses. Would you consider justice will be served?
Would you think whether the US or UK will allow any outside judicial body to enter it’s country to investigate what happened in their country? Why do you think SL should allow that?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 19, 2015
Eusence, you are a born racist trying to cover up the atrocities committed by the security forces on Tamils. Naturally racists like you do not want an internatinal inquiry on war crimes. I had worked as a medico-legal officer in the warzone and therefore I am a medical witness to these atrocities. I agree with you that arrest and trying in courts, of law breakers even it is political is justified, but to say that the Srilanakan security forces did not transcend this parameters is a blatant lie. There are several insatances where they have gone on rampage killing people after a land mine blast, firing into people in towns deliberately killing some and wounding others, going into houses and shooting people dead, lining up people against a wall and summary execution, indiscriminate shelling and bombing into schools and places of worship, Kumudini boat murder where 36 Tamil passengers were killed by the Navy in mid sea, Valvettiturai massacre when people were locked into a community center and granade denoted killing people etc,. There are several mass graves around army camps, where people were arrested arbitrarily and executed, but there will never be permission granted to unearth them and expose the atrocities. The recently discovered mass grave in mannar are the dead bodies buried by Thalladi army camp of those arrested after a landmine blast near Murunkan post office. Government if it is honest must match the DNA of the remains, with DNA of relatives of missing persons. Please stop your propaganda that security forces adhered to the rules when tackling Tamil uprising against Sinhala racism and state terrorism unleashed on them.
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Shrikharan / October 19, 2015
Excellent reply, but Eusense will never respond with a reply.
I see a lot of thumbs down for what is perfectively justified and balanced comment and I conclude lots of racists viewing our comments. Sri Lanka will never come out of the mess it got into. First step for self improvement is to accept ones faults and it is your own faults that are the impediments to ones progress.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 19, 2015
Tamils want to live as first class citizens ruling themselves in their land of historic habitation without Sinhala interference. In Srilanka Sinhalese make the rules and force it on Tamils which practice must stop. Tamils cannot be first clss citizens under a Sinhala rule. There should be a Tamil majority legislature which enects laws and implements it. This is the only way that Tamils could remedy injustices done by Sinhalese since Independence. If this could not be accommodated under a Single nation, then Tamils should be allowed to secede and form a separate country. Your claim that not a single Sinhalese know what Tamils want depicts the sad mental state that you are in. Tamils want all the lands appropriated from them by way of ethnic cleansing of Tamils and planned settlement of Sinhalese be given back to them and brought under their rule. All illegal Buddhist temples and Buddha statues put up in Tamil areas be demolished. All discreminatory practices in education and employment to be removed and merit be introduced as the sole criteria. Tamils must be able through their judicial mechanism, to arrest and put to trial any Sinhalese who commits crime on Tamils, and if convicted to keep in jails under their command and supervision. Tamils must be able to develop their lands of historic habitation according to their wish. Do you think Sinhala racists will ever allow Tamils to prosper.
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Tamil from the north / November 19, 2015
Nuisance, what happened to you for you to hate the Tamils so much? Did your wife run away with a Tamil man?
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Tamil from the north / November 19, 2015
Eusense the nuisance, you are one third class low life global PARIAH.
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leelawathie / October 18, 2015
Why you waste the web space of this valuble forum? Yours are always far from understanding
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Shrikharan / October 19, 2015
leelawathie
“Why you waste”
Who is you?
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
Nuisance Stupid I
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 17, 2015
The problem here is not whether people see as war heroes / war criminals or freedom fighters / terrorists. What the Tamils are asking is why the Tamils who ccommitted crimes had either been killed in combat / murdered after surrendering or those who had committed minor crimes are languishing in jails and worse those who had not committed any crimes are being kept in remand for over 15 years without trial, while Sinhala and Muslim criminals who committed worse atrocities on Tamils are walking free. Why is this discrimination in justice when the Sinhalese are telling ad nauseum in international fora that all are equal legally.
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Ram / October 16, 2015
” We do not trust Sri Lankan judges and they all are corrupt down to the core. “
This is certainly true of some. CV Wigneswaran, a Supreme Court judge no less, has proved to be utterly untrustworthy. Whether he is equally corrupt or not, I cannot as yet say.
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Vetmahadeva / October 15, 2015
Ever Nuisance,
Primitive male dominant advise, in that you are quite natural,
but you are pretending to be an absolute fool of primitive for the denial of HRV
Are you one those who betrayed the Defense Forces as well as the Nation, which is otherwise would have been in good name!
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Eusense / October 16, 2015
vetma,
You call it “Male dominant advice”????
So, only males can give dominant advice? Is that the way Tamil men think and treat their women? Women can’t be leaders and give advice? What primitive ideas these Tamil males have! Tamil women should make a note of this. This is what you women will be subjected to when the “stone age” Tamil males get an “Elam”!
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Vetmahadeva / October 18, 2015
Ever Nuisance,
“So, only males can give dominant advice?,”
You did that and you got agitated, did not know what you typed.
Ealam is not a piece of cake for me
But a word of scorn for racist like you
For me the tranquil island attracted ancient
Pilgrims towards the “Panja thisa” “Pangeswaram”
“Panja thisa” “Pangeswaram” = Devine island Ealam that attracted pilgrims in the ancient period through Five temples in five directions
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Vibhushana / October 14, 2015
Is the Govt funding legal requirements of soldiers? That is what the Sinhala electorate demands.
If Tamil electorates in Tamil Nadu, England, Malayaisa, South Africa can meddle in SL via their govts why cannot SL do the same in the interests of Sinhala electorate?
The Tamils have isolated themselves in SL again. They have themselves to blame for this.
In Sri Lanka interests of Sinhala people comes first just as with Tamils in these other countries.
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Shrikharan / October 15, 2015
Vibhushana
“In Sri Lanka interests of Sinhala people comes first”
So we agree Tamils made the first blunder to agree with the British to grant us the so called ‘Independence’ in 1948. Then all Ceylonese were considered the same as we are simply ‘dark skinned’ for the British.
DS Senanayake simply cheated on the Tamils promising they will look after the Tamils equally and made Tamils accept transfer of power from British to Sinhalese. Tamils should have at least demanded autonomy of the N&E from the British where Tamils were in the majority. We trusted the Sinhalese and allowed a unitary state. Tamils should have had a little more foresight and avoided the deadly events that took place later on.
Had if we had the N&E autonomy then as you said in the N&E Tamils people would come first and rest of the island the Sinhala people come first. Some where Tamils are first and some where Sinhalese are first. Now Tamils are second class everywhere including in their own home territories.
Now you can’t blame Tamils hoping another colonial rule by any foreign power then we both are simply ‘dark skinned’ people and thus all citizens come first and not second class as how you made it to be from what you just said.
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sajith / October 15, 2015
Thanks Harini speaking to seek justice for srilankan people and victims of war.
can feel the fresh air breeze.make a world of difference. country need more of you to protect if from climate change!
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msd / October 15, 2015
Harini, another sinhalese is taking the blame without knowing the facts. If we do not know the facts we cannot say someone is guilty or not guilty. In an age when the advertising companies are paid large amounts of money to do anything at all and the tamil diaspora has all the money at their finger tips to influence almost any and everyone against the sinhalese army and the government. No Sinhalese should enter any discussion on the problem of reconciliation in sri lanka without knowing all the facts about its tamil citizens. There are is a disgusting caste difference here and now the problem is between the high and low caste tamils and who is going to control the north and east if the tamils finally get their separate state. So whatever the sinhalese and the sri lankan government does for the tamils will not satisfy them as they want a separate state and then they will fight over who is going to control the state – the vellalas or the low caste!! So the situation will continue for ever and ever.
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sinhalese buddhist / October 15, 2015
Harini
Thanks for this sentiment. I agree that what happens at the UN and other “international” organizations is often not true justice, but political gamesmanship.
True justice which will help bring about genuine reconciliation will need to involve ALL perpetrators of crimes against humanity and human rights being punished. Thus it should include the state-military, police and para-militaries, the JVP, LTTE and Tamil para-militaries and the IPKF. All these groups are rightfully accused of horrendous violations of our rights as citizens of Sri Lanka. Cherry picking some violators and ignoring the rest won’t do.
The Sinhalese too have suffered at the hands of the state, as well as at the hands of the JVP, the LTTE and other Tamil para-militaries. Thus prosecuting all of these actors is vindication of the Sinhalese victims of violence as well.
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Pygmalion / October 15, 2015
sinhalese buddhist.
Eventually,the only way out is to rewrite History,not the current version,the Mahavamsa which has turned out to be the cause of all strife.
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Ram / October 16, 2015
Mahavamsa is NOT the cause of the strife. It is the fantasy that the Tamils attempted to portay that they were the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka and that the Eastern province had been a part of a fantasy Eelaam, which can only be described as an absolute lie (Dutch maps in evidence). The recent evidence that the Sinhala (from all parts of the island) and the Veddahs share the genetic footprint on the Island while the Tamils, be they from the North or the more recent Upcountry variety do not, gives lie to the first claim.
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Native Vedda / October 17, 2015
Ramuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Not so fast.
Which of the many genetic studies you have chosen to hide all scientific facts that have been already established.
If anything almost all studies confirm the fact that Sinhala/Tamils/Tamilnadu Tamils share more than 70% of their DNA with each other.
Will you stop lying.
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Ram / October 18, 2015
When the humans and the Chimps share 98% genetic similarity, your comment is laughable. It is the differences within the other 2% that matter.
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Native Vedda / October 18, 2015
Ram
What matters most is please factcheck before you claim anything as fact . You have become a habitual liar, am not sure whether you realise it.
It does not matter if you don’t have the facts in your finger tips, it is something you need not to ashamed of.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself only when you lie.
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Ram / October 18, 2015
The actual figure I should have quoted was 98.8%, and yet the 1.2% represents some 35 million differences. That according to you is a lie.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 17, 2015
Without hiding behind a pseudonym as a coward writing rubbish , please be brave and write sensibly under your full name.
All propaganda by Sinhala racists of Aryan descent has now been blown apart by recent DNA studies, where none of the thousands of Sinhalese tested had the typical Aryan gene. In fact the core genetic make up of both Sinhalese and Tamils were similar and resembled the core genetic make up of South Indians. Also core genetic material of Tamils in Srilanka and India were different. This disproves the Sinhala racist propaganda that Srilanka Tamils are recent migrants from South India.
Regarding Eastern province, the real owners are the Tamilised descendants of Veddhas living in coastal areas and not Sinhalese, Muslims or even other Tamils like Mukkuwas. Recent excavations in Trincomalee and Batticaloa show evidence of Tamil presence in pre-Buddhistic times blowing away Sinhala claim to Easten oprovince. It is intellectual dishonesty of Sinhala dominated archaeology department that is preventing the truth to be uncovered. With modern technology including instruments which are able to detect aretfacts buried deep in the ground, you cannot fool people any longer, laying to rest Sinhala myths.
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Eusense / October 17, 2015
gnana,
Sounds interesting. Could you give me a link to this genetic study? If not let me have the reference including the journal.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 17, 2015
There were two genetic studies. First done by Colombo Medical faculty headed by Prof. Rohan Jayasekera who is a geneticist, in collaboration with technical help from Newcastle University UK. Second one done by a Srilankan team in collaboration with Thai experts. Both were mentioned several times in these columns. It is strange that you did not see them, or is it that your racist mindset had clouded your ability to visualise truthful reports.
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eusense / October 18, 2015
Was it published in a peer reviewed journal?
If not i wouldn” read.
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Native Vedda / October 18, 2015
Nuisance
“Was it published in a peer reviewed journal? If not i wouldn” read. “
Come on do you really read at all. Surprise surprise, how come you rank first in the stupidity contest?
By the way could you give me the details of the last paper that you read in a peer reviewed journal.
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Shrikharan / October 18, 2015
Eusense
“Was it published in a peer reviewed journal? “
I remember you censured a commentator in a previous topic for asking for links and you told you will not spoon feed.
Are the links and referrals you provide peer reviewed? You keep on climbing one step above just to refuse to accept whatever that does not suit you.
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eusense / October 20, 2015
Shrikh,
You are a smart guy!
I like to be spoon fed in this case, because I couldn’t find any thing of this work in a reputable medical journal.
About your query “Are the links and referrals you provide peer reviewed?”:
First, I haven’t given anyone Journal links of Medical research. I have given links of news web sites like the BBC etc. Here is one, when the west was calling the SL terror war as “unwinnable” war of Sri Lanka; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/sri_lanka/183765.stm
You might have to ask the BBC whether those news items are peer reviewed! I don’t think so. Because their reporting s are mostly biased.
By the way I noticed that Colombo Telegraph don’t allow me to post links.
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Shrikharan / October 20, 2015
Eusense
Thanks for your reply.
>>”You are a smart guy!”
I am blushing!
Why don’t you accept serious violations have been committed by the security forces without blindly supporting them. Accept obvious facts. I accept LTTE has committed unacceptable mistakes and I must be frank as Tamils we did ‘support’ them (not material support just simple moral support). The conditions then during the 1970’s were such the Tamils had to seek help from the devil out of desperation.
There is only one way forwards, and to accept our respective mistakes. We cannot reverse what has happened can we? Then look for reconciliation. Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam October 19, 2015 at 3:58 am had mentioned very clearly the thinking of the Tamils. Let us all feel we are part of the country.
Let there be no minorities and so grant some autonomy for the North & East where Tamils are predominantly majority and we all are first class. India as a big country with many races are able to live coexistent only because of their federal structure. Certainly do not magnify the negative side out of proportion just to dismiss it, every system has it own advantages and disadvantages and we should look at the gross total. That is why everybody identifies them as an Indian first. It is not so in Sri Lanka.
Basically Tamils fears are related to Sinhala state sponsored colonization into ‘Tamil areas’ with a sole sinister purpose of making Tamils minority even in their own territories. Tamils do not mind Sinhalese settling in Tamil areas in their own free wish but detest the state sponsoring scheme. It is unfair to argue if Tamils can come and settle in Sinhala areas such as Colombo and Kandy why not for the Sinhalese to settle in Tamil areas? Tamils never settled in Sinhalese areas on a State sponsored scheme.
Further you should not compare Tamils settlement and Sinhala settlement on equal footing because there is a BIG difference. The Sinhalese can make the Tamils become ‘minorities’ in any area they choose but Tamils cannot do the same to the Sinhalese. Please understand this fact.
Unless the Sinhalese reach out to the Tamils (and Muslims) through their heart these animosities will continue for a long time to come. Granting limited autonomy to Tamils, the Sinhalese will not lose anything but stand to gain as a whole and we both Tamils and Sinhalese will be enjoying a win-win state.
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Eusense / October 20, 2015
Shrikharan,
This is the last reply I am writing because you keep on repeating the same in different form.
I have not denied that some Tamil citizens of the war zones were killed because of the actions of the DFSL. It is laughable when you say the terror group LTTE “committed unacceptable mistakes”. They were not mistakes. They used pregnant women, children and young adults strapped with bombs to murder innocent civilians in streets of Colombo and other areas of the south. These are well planed executions of civilians. While you call these “committed unacceptable mistakes” the SLDF bombing terror targets which were intentionally laced with Tamil civilians (unidentifiable from the terrorists)are called state terrorism. Did you and the LTTE expected the SLDF to drop arms and walk away because of these “civilians”? Didn’t you and the LTTE ever know that every action will have a reaction? Do you think the LTTE cared about Tamil civilian deaths? I need your answers.
What reconciliation are you talking about? With whom? Definitely not with innocent Tamil civilians who had nothing to do with terrorism. In fact, people who supported the LTTE, like you and the diaspora who funded them are the ones who should apologize and reconcile with the Tamil civilians of Sri Lanka. You and your friend Sankaralingam has no idea of what the majority of Tamils are thinking! These Tamils want a peaceful life, a steady job and a way to educate their children but not to be terrorists! That is why I always suggest the Tamils learn Sinhalese migrate south and prosper like other Tamils who are already there.
There is no need to have autonomy for Tamils who are only 12% of the population and a large percentage of this living in the south. If this trend starts next the Muslims will want their own autonomy and then who knows who else will be asking? SL is a small country and people should be cohesive and work together to make the country prosper. Until Tamils get rid of the idea that the north as their own and resent Sinhalese moving north (settlement or otherwise)it will be hard to get autonomy it being a trust issue. Furthermore every country has minorities. In the US Blacks are 20% of the population. Should they be given self rule? In spite of them being discriminated do you think the US gov. will give them autonomy?
Your statements indicate being a minority is the main problem you have. And you envy the Sinhalese being the majority. In that case moving to Tamil Nadu will be the best choice for you.
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Native Vedda / October 20, 2015
Nuisance
The Maxell Paranagama commission report is out.
Go read.
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Eusense / October 20, 2015
sankaralingam,
Where was this published? Give me the journal. Or are you saying it was published in Colombo telegraph??
You don’t need to bring racist remarks in every post you write!
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Shrikharan / October 21, 2015
Eusense
“This is the last reply I am writing”
May be that is best. Because we seemed to be firm on the ground we hold. Sorry I do not agree with your argument. If you change your mind then you can come back to me (or if I change my mind I will get back to you).
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 21, 2015
I do not want to waste time with you. If you wish to find out go to google and type “Genetic studies on ethnic groups in Srilanka”
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Ram / October 18, 2015
Hold your horses. You’ve yet again jumped up hoisting your RACE flag, something you’ve become very adept at, ignoring the fact that the REPUGNANT RACIST CLAIMS I mentioned are of TAMIL ORIGIN, that have gained currency in these columns in recent years. You also glibly accuse the Archaeological Dept of being racist. A new claim is made that the ‘Batticaloa Tamils’ are recently tamilised Veddahs, without ever mentioning that the Sinhala (and possibly others) were not immune from that process, in order to push your ‘theory’. This belief must certainly be one reason why the ‘Jaffna Tamils’ have always looked down upon their alleged kith and kin in the East, sometimes even more so than they did, the Sinhala..
The article in question does NOT look at the DNA proper, (the word Aryan was whimsically only mentioned by you). It looks at the EXCLUSIVE maternal contribution to the progeny, the mitochondrial DNA. It makes the usual comments about shared genetics in the subcontinent and the island, and the variations within the island subgroups. What stood out for me was “interestingly, highest number of haplotype sharing was found between Vedda with Up-country Sinhalese and with Low-country Sinhalese. On the other hand, there was no haplotype sharing between the Vedda people with any of the Tamils – commensurate with the claim by the Sinhala, as to who arrived on the island and when.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / October 19, 2015
There’s another journal paper which concludes that the Sinhalese are one of the parental populations of the so called original, native We Thamizh – again torpedoing these hilarious We Thamizh theories about We Thamizh being the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka :D
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Native Vedda / October 19, 2015
Wee Thamihz Siva Sankaran Sarma Menon
“There’s another journal paper which concludes that the Sinhalese are one of the parental populations of the so called original, native We Thamizh”
Yes, yes yes I remember now, it must be the 55th chapter of the Mahawamsa. By the way you must have missed the first few chapters of the book which describes how Sinhalese were advanced in genetic engineering and they were able to cross a beauty and beast to produce Hela race.
Its a truly mind boggling achievement indeed.
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Naykapandaram / October 20, 2015
Ram/Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
Ram Your are total lair, wanted to prove your self by lies,
who said only Batticaloa Tamils’ are recently tamilised Veddahs,
what is in prove is that Sri Lankan Tamils are of native origin as well
Dr. Gnana
Nobody tamilised anybody, it is a fact that Tamli speaking veddahs are still intact and Still we have got living veddha communities of Sinhala and Tamil speaking distributed in quite surprisingly single close proximity Vaharai to Thabahna closer distance in relation to both communities’ life style!
If the Govt. of Sri Lanka has recognized these what is your worry? You liar said
“It looks at the EXCLUSIVE maternal contribution to the progeny, the mitochondrial DNA” .. IN WHICH SCIENCE IT SAYS MITOCHONDRIAL DNA IS THE EXCLUSIVE MATERNAL CONTRIBUTOR ,absolute rubbish lie,
The fact is
The haplo-types and analysis of molecular variance revealed that Vedda people’s mitochondrial sequences are more related to the Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamils’ than the Indian Tamils’ sequences,
don’t worry you are still one of us, is that you want?
There is nothing called DNA proper or improper, DNA is DNA for one species you liar!
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Ram / October 16, 2015
The ‘victims’ are important, most of all to their own families, even if they were known to have engaged in savagery. Yet victims of one group are no more important than those of another. Having imbibed the worst of the propaganda the attempt is to portray that one group somehow is, and thereby to promote self-flagellation among the ‘others’. I doubt that there will be many takers.
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Native Vedda / October 16, 2015
Ramuuuuuuuuuuu
“Yet victims of one group are no more important than those of another.”
Who said victims of one group are more important than those of others.
Its the responsibilty of the state and its rulers to bring war crimes and crimes perpetrated on people by various terrorists including the state to closure.
Terroism by both armed groups and state didn’t start in 2009. Hence an investigation into all forms of brutality is urgently needed, covering the period from 5th April 1971 to date.
If you don’t mind please revisit 44 years of past history and see if you could dig out the truth, serve justice to the victims, compensate them adequately and bring the dark ages to an end.
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Shrikharan / October 17, 2015
Native Vedda
“Hence an investigation into all forms of brutality is urgently needed, covering the period from 5th April 1971 to date.”
Why do you say covering the period from 1971? No it should cover from 1958.
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Native Vedda / October 18, 2015
Shrikharan
“Why do you say covering the period from 1971? No it should cover from 1958.”
There was no war in 1958.
Armed forces were not deployed to kill people nor fight a war against an armed enemy.
There was no Tamil army.
The armed forces were still a truly Ceylonese army unlike the present one which proudly call itself a Sinhala/Buddhist vanguard.
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Shrikharan / October 18, 2015
Native Vedda
I take your point. I shall make use of this opportunity just to mention I enjoy your style of writing and humour!
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Karikalan Saravanan / October 16, 2015
What a wonderful piece by this wonderful lady ! I salute you Harini. Our country needs human beings like you, Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama (former Secy, Justice Ministry), Kishali Pinto Jayawardene, Nimalka Fernando, Surya Wickremasinghe ( listing, only by way of illustration) and the likes, to promote the delicate task of reconciliation. Sirisena-Ranil- Mangala combo and their retinue have, like the Bourbons of ancien regime, learnt nothing and forgot nothing. Let alone the medieval members of the Mahinda Rajapakse clan even their hired guns Dayan Jayatillake, HLD Mahindapala, Malinda Seneviratne et al can torpedo any chance of reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Keep up your good work, illustrious lady. God bless you!.
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Billa / October 17, 2015
WOW ! what a truthful, sincere, honest, unbiased, open minded observation and intelligent analyses. Dr.Harini Amarasuriya, you are really something that anyone can admire your words of wisdom. We are learning a lot from your no-nonsense factual writing skills. Keep up and please continue to enlighten our ill informed public. You deserve a big thank you and full salute !
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Ram / October 18, 2015
This report must come as a surprise to those who believe that the West is trustworthy. What they prescribe for little nations are not relevant to their own behaviour. Neither do they take the NGOs and the press to the warffront with them unless ’embedded’ with them. The others, independants, are ‘taken out’, before you could say, “war without witnesses’.
Read ” Getting rid of the Human Rights Convention on the battlefield is a victory over terrorists and legal vultures ” in the Sunday Telegraph today (UK) by Col. Tim Collins.
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Plato. / October 18, 2015
Eusense.
I am skeptical that he is a real Peradeniya graduate you say about Native;Why do you see the Oxbridge style in him?
A peer reviewed journal? If not I wouldnt read. So you are cultur eh?
No offence meant!
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Shrikharan / October 21, 2015
With the Paranagama report now released. This should be a good lesson for some racists commenting in these forums. So these war crimes are real!
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