By R. Sampanthan –
R. Sampanthan
Even the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government released over 11,000 persons in custody. They gave them rehabilitation and released them. But this Government in the course of the past almost 18 months or more than that has not been acting in this matter as expeditiously as we expected them to.
Speech made by Hon. R. Sampanthan on Tuesday in Parliament on the issue of political prisoners and their release:
[6.27p.m.]
ගරු රාජවරෝදියම් සම්පන්දන් මහතා (විරුද්ධ පාර්ශ්වයේ නායකතුමා)
(மாண்புமிகு ராஜவரோதயம் சம்பந்தன் – எதிர்க்கட்சி முதல்வர்)
(The Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan – Leader of the Opposition)
Sir, I move,
“Government has consistently undertaken to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act in view of the several obnoxious provisions contained in the said Act.
Several Tamil persons are held in custody under the provisions of the said Prevention of Terrorism Act for various offences arising out of the armed conflict.
It is seven years since the armed conflict came to an end. Though much time has lapsed, there is no finality to the issue of these Tamil prisoners in custody and several persons are in custody for long periods. These prisoners have been staging various protests and demonstrations from time to time demanding their release.
Several others who should have faced charges for much graver offences, have not been brought before the law while very many others have been released. This has happened recently and also after the insurrections in 1971 and 1988-89. The prisoners in custody genuinely complain that the treatment meted out to them is discriminatory and unequal. They have thus been denied equal treatment under the Law.
It is compulsory that the Government states its position on this matter and takes action to release the said prisoners. Their continuance in custody causes immense harm and harassment to their families, and impedes the process of reconciliation. The Government is seen as being insensitive to the genuine grievances of these prisoners.”
As this House is aware, this is a matter which has been pending for a long time. This is a matter we have discussed with His Excellency the President and his views in regard to this matter have always been positive. We have discussed this matter with the Hon. Prime Minister and his views in regard to this matter have always been positive. There seemed to be some difficulty with the Attorney-General’s Department earlier on. Now, there is a change in the Attorney-General’s Department. The third person in command who may bring this matter under his control is the Minister of Justice. We have been talking to him quite frequently. He has not been negative, but I do not know whether action taken by him is not positive enough to bring about the desired and a desirable result to this issue.
We need to know, Sir, what the obstacle is to an acceptable decision being arrived at in regard to this matter. His Excellency the President pardoned his assailant and that man has been given his freedom. That really indicates his thinking.
I want to pose the question as to why others should be treated differently. It is seven years since the conflict ended. Persons have been in custody for long periods of time; some for about 10 – 15 years. There seems to be a justification for their release.
It is accepted widely that the Prevention of Terrorism Act is an obnoxious law and needs to be repealed. I want to, Sir, refer to certain matters which have been decided upon before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Paragraph 12 of the Resolution adopted on the 1st of October, 2015 states, I quote:
“Welcomes the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to review the Public Security Ordinance Act and to review and repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and to replace it with anti-terrorism legislation in accordance with contemporary international best practices; ”
So, the Sri Lankan Government has given a commitment to the UN Human Rights Council that the Prevention of Terrorism Act would be repealed. Why? Because the law is obnoxious. The law contains provisions under which there cannot be a fair trial. The rules of natural justice cannot be ensured under this law. That is why the Sri Lankan Government has given this commitment to the UN Human Rights Council.
Recently, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights made a statement in June, 2016 and what did he have to say? He said, “The fate of remaining security detainees held under the PTA remains a major concern for the Tamil Community.”
“In December 2015, the Government released on bail 39 individuals detained without charge, but around 250 detainees are believed to remain in detention. The Government has made indictments in 117 of these cases and in January, created a special High Court Bench to expedite proceedings. The Government had promised that the Attorney-General’s Department would make decisions by the end of March, but there have been no further charges or releases this year. This situation is not only traumatic for the individuals concerned. Some of whom resorted to hunger strikes and for their families but a source of growing frustration among Tamil political parties and the community at large.”
“At the end of his visit in February 2016, the High Commissioner urged the Government to quickly find a formula to charge or release the remaining security-related detainees.” You will see, Mr. Deputy Chairman of Committees, even the Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner have quite clearly expressed grave concern in regard to the situation of these detainees and they say that it is a matter of concern not merely to the detainees or their families but also to the Tamil people and to the Tamil political parties. The High Commissioner is aware that the political parties have also taken up this issue not merely with the UN Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner himself but also in this august Assembly on several occasions.
There was a Statement made by the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Mangala Samaraweera also in June, 2016 at the UN Human Rights Council, where he said, “A Committee is now putting the final touches to the first draft of the new counter-terrorism legislation that will replace the much criticized and the much abused Prevention of Terrorism Act, in keeping with Sri Lanka’s commitments and obligations to human rights and countering terrorism.” Even the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs described the Prevention of Terrorism Act as the much criticized and the much abused Act. He has said this in his Statement before the UN Human Rights Council. How can anyone be held in lawful custody under such a law? I want to pose that question. It is a law which you say is obnoxious, it has been criticized by everyone, not merely by people in this country, by the international community, and it is a law which has been abused. How can anyone be held legally in custody under that law? How can anyone be charged under that law? How can anyone be convicted under that law? It is our submission that all persons taken into custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act must be released because your Government concedes that the law is unjust, is obnoxious and is not a law that should remain on statute books in this country. This is a law that must be repealed. So, I think the time has come for all these people who were taken into custody under this law, whatever their present status maybe, whether they have been charged, they have not been charged, and even if they have been convicted, it would be my very strong submission that all persons taken into custody under an obnoxious law must be released. Sir, it is sometimes said that some of these persons have committed grave offences. Most of them have not been convicted of having committed such grave offences up to now. But, if the law under which they are being charged, the procedure under that law in regard to arresting a person, in regard to investigating a person, in regard to prosecuting a person and in regard to coming to a finding in respect of such person is deficient, then surely such persons must be released. Does that law conform to principles of natural justice? What does it matter, whether the offence is grave or not?
It maybe a grave offence. It may not be such a grave offence. But the fact of the matter is that the provisions of the law under which that person is dealt with are unacceptable. And if the law is unacceptable, it would be my submission Sir, very strongly, that those persons must be released and that there is a compulsory need to look at this matter objectively. What is worst, Sir, is different people have been treated differently. I normally do not refer to persons by name, I do not like to do so. But the prisoners pose the question, “Why has KP not been charged?” He was a favourite of the former Government. Is he a favourite of the present Government? Why is the Government not taking action against him? He is a person who is believed to be on the wanted list of the International Police.
ගරු එම්.ඒ. සුමන්තිරන් මහතා
(மாண்புமிகு எம்.ஏ. சுமந்திரன்)
(The Hon. M.A. Sumanthiran)
Interpol.
ගරු රාජවරෝදියම් සම්පන්දන් මහතා
(மாண்புமிகு ராஜவரோதயம் சம்பந்தன்)
(The Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan)
Interpol. He is a person who has not merely smuggled arms to this country, he was the chief arms procurer. What has happened to other persons who had held Ministerial office in the former Government – the person who held the position of Chief Minister in the Eastern Province? Have they not committed grave offences? Why do you not charge them? You pick up some youth or people from weaker sections of society and you hold them in custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. I do not think, Sir, this should continue any longer. These prisoners want to know, “Are the offences that we have committed graver than the offences committed by the other people?” In 1971 there was an insurrection. In 1988 and 89 there was an insurrection. A large number of persons were taken into custody. They were eventually released. They were sent home. They were pardoned. They took to arms against the State. They conducted an armed insurrection against the State. But you pardoned and sent them home. How can you justify keeping these persons in custody any longer, particularly when you admit that the law under which you are holding them in custody is not a law which conforms to principles of natural justice either by domestic norms or by international norms? Therefore, Sir, I would very strongly urge that these persons must be released. It is our duty to raise this issue on the Floor of this House on behalf of these prisoners.
The Tamil people as a whole look upon the reluctance of the Government to act firmly in regard to this matter as a severe impediment to the process of reconciliation. Even the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government released over 11,000 persons in custody. They gave them rehabilitation and released them. But this Government in the course of the past almost 18 months or more than that has not been acting in this matter as expeditiously as we expected them to.
I wish to also record, Sir, that this afternoon, I and my Colleague, Hon. Sumanthiran, had a meeting with the Hon. Prime Minister which was also attended by the Hon. Minister of Justice and the Hon.Deputy Minister of Justice and we discussed this matter fairly extensively with the Hon. Prime Minister. Then, there is a meeting to be held by the Hon.Minister of Justice this Friday with the Attorney-General and other relevant authorities to examine the question of how this issue can be addressed without further delay. We would very strongly urge, Sir, in the context of these persons being charged under a law which you, yourself concede as being unfit to remain in the statute books of this country, that all these persons are entitled to be released irrespective of whether they have not been charged, they have been charged or even those who have been convicted. It would be my submission, that if you accept that basically, your law is not a just law that entitles them to their release.
I thank you, Sir.
jim softy / August 25, 2016
Even the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government released over 11,000 persons in custody. They gave them rehabilitation and released them. But this Government in the course of the past almost 18 months or more than that has not been acting in this matter as expeditiously as we expected them to.
Mr. Sambandan:
Those days when the LTTE was active, I heard, you guys were LTTE proxies and even pooped in the middle Parliament meeting hall (I can not remember the word for it).
You yourself write that even the previous govt released over 11,000. Only about 250 are believed to be in detention. Even the Guantanamo which is holding suspects – they are suspects and not caught fighting – for 9/11 is still hodling those suspects. YOu want to release these Suicide bombers, black tigers as political prisoners. Don’t you feel any shame labelling them as political prisoners when their duty was to to kill soldiers. They definitely have killed soldiers. Do you know had happened to child soldiers in afghanistan caught for shooting American soldiers. I am pretty sure, all this 250 can be prosecuted for shooting at Sri lankan soldiers. There should be some of these prisoners who commiitted grave crimes.
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Mallaiyuran / August 25, 2016
Softy,
Scientist have taught horses and donkeys to do some math. But, becuase you from the Wildlife Sanctuary, SinhalE Lankawe can write English, Don’t keep comparing Guantanamo to Lankawe torture Chambers. As you could not read anywhere so far, FYI,some suspects are kept in Guantanamo only to avoid applying American law to them, but to treat them as enemy combatant status, which their defense administration thinks less defensive in to the suspects. In other words the IC law will be less lenient to the suspects than the American law. Don’t keep thinking you have twisted it to Appe Aandu’s beneficial when you have not read about it.
None of them are American citizens. American defense administration system want them to stay in that status, not to lose that grip by bringing them into America. Don’t keep howling to show your ignorance. Idiot, are ready to declare the Tamils falsely arrested are non Wildlife Sanctuary Citizens, which you forcefully impose on them? Are you ready to treat them as Tamil Eelam citizens, whom you picked up from their Tamil Eelam homes, where you are obligated to treat them as International POWs? That is the status of Guantanamo prisoners current situation.
The entire world know how the Guantanamo prisoners were picked up. It is not because they did not sell freebies to American army occupying the Tamil Eelam, in Vanni. They were picked up by extensive, CIA, NSA operation in collaboration with the relevant Muslim country’s governments.
But you failed to make Tamil Eelam Citizens to confess even after touring them under Lankawe PTA for 25 years. Your own confession is you do not know why you arrested these people. ” They definitely have killed soldiers. Do you know had happened to child soldiers in afghanistan caught for shooting American soldiers. I am pretty sure, all this 250 can be prosecuted for shooting at Sri lankan soldiers.”
Now Tamils are using the form of Diplomatic agitation to achieve their relief. Just to bring the cases of 250 falsely arrested innocents, government is showing that much of run around. It is hiding the files of the 42 war criminals, not prosecuting. So even if those arrested are criminals, there is no way the Appe Aadnuwa can be forced to bring cases against them. This is the government working feverishly to fool the entire world on March 2017 at Geneva. It’s all attention is how to cheat the IC in Geneva in the coming March. Sampanthar could not have the government to honor the promises it gave to him on releasing the prisoners.
Yahapalanaya Appe Aandu of Lankawe is keep these 250 innocents as a bargain chip against IC from preventing them following up on the 42 war criminals who were named in the report purported to presented in March 2015, but torn off by UNHRC High Commissioner Prince Zeid, in support of Yahapalanaya Goverment.
If the political prisoners want to fast to death, instead of taking the PTA torture for life time, Sampanthar should allow them. He should not fool them with his false promises that he can not honor. Thier death will be recorded in the International Community’s mind of the Appe Andu’s real Yahapalanaya nature.
When SJV could not do anything further, he declared to Tamil Eelam Citizens in 1976 that he was cheated by Lankawe government. That time he was following non violence path. When Leader Pirapaharan saw the Chemical bombs were given to Lankawe free by Sonia, he asked the Tamils to take over struggle again. Even when Ambassador Robert Blake saw he was cheated by Appe Anduwa, he declared in congress that America was cheated.
Sampanthar was cheated by Chandrika in September, October, November, December of 2014. Time for him to confess it the way other politicians and diplomats did. When UNSG come to Lankawe next month, Sampanthar, without keep repeating Appe Aanduwa is going to him a solution without Sinhalese and Joint Comedians knowing it, he must publicly declare to Secretary Ban-Ki-Moon, not in any secret chambers, in an open public forum, that he has been chated on the promise given to him during the Common Candidate Election time. Then it is UN and Tamils to decide whether to follow up on that or and if how.
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Shawn / August 25, 2016
Mr. Sampanthan,
If you have any respect, you must resign immediately from your post as Opposition Leader that you don’t deserve. It is a shame that you are holding that post for no reason other than all the perks you enjoy on your retirement career. Sri Lankan people deserve a vigorous and forceful Opposition Leader not a fake like you for the benefits of My3 & Ranil government. Earlier Amirthalingam did the same but he had the numbers in parliament for the job. JO or JVP should hold the job not you. You represent only Tamils. You don’t represent the entire Sri Lankans. You can’t even get released the Tamils in Jail; why do you need the job. Shame !!! Shame !!! Shame !!!
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Unreal / August 25, 2016
Shawn, Very explosive comment.
Referring to Mr. Sampanthan you say, ‘You don’t represent the entire Sri Lankans’. That is bold. That is the absolute truth.
And then, you vex me. Don’t be mean. You leave me begging for more. Who in the House represent the entire Sri Lankans.
Your answer will help me ease my anxiety. Show mercy. Don’t leave me stranded. Thank you.
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Backlash / August 25, 2016
As I commented elsewhere in this page, in addition to the Rajapakse regime this one of Sirisena-Ranil also wishes to resolve this contentious issue. The obstacle, which Mr. Sampanthan speculates, is clearly the Sinhala Buddhist extreme and the much pampered SB army.
No less the peculiar nature of our political culture.
If the issue is resolved soon, within hours the country could be set aflame with such “Sinhala heroes” as the Rajapakse Brothers, Gammanpila, Bandula and Dinesh Gunawardena, Nalin de Silva, Gunadasa Amarasekera, Gnanassara Thero/BBS and the various devilish Ravayas and their ilk. I am reminded here of a set of poems by Prof. Nuhuman which he called “Buddhism murdered” – which centers on our national crisis.
This has been the curse of this country from the 1950s. We need a few more Ven. Maduluwewa Sobita Theros to inject some sense, justice and intelligence into the Sinhala majority.
Backlash
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soma / August 26, 2016
Sellam
Tamil racists are demanding Ealam AND right to live anywhere.
I am campaigning for Ealam OR right to live anywhere.
Soma
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soma / August 26, 2016
Backlash
There is no way to begin a meaningful discussion on the subject because it is not clear whether a political solution is sought for only Hindu and Christian Tamils in the North or all Tamil speaking people (Tamil nation) scattered throughout the island.
Soma
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Sellam / August 25, 2016
Mr. Sambanthan
It is a pity that with all those years of political experience, you are unable to think of the mentality of the Sinhala leaders have towards the Tamil people since Sri Lanka gained independence. They will not grant anything what the Tamil people demanded. As a representative you are making speeches,giving interviews to the media but nothing tangible has taken place and the government’s secret plan which you are not aware of. The government’s plan is to grab lands , colonise with Sinhala people and make the Tamils as minority in the North. What do you think as to what happened in Trinco and Batticaloa.Therefore what is the alternative for the Tamils?
It is sure and certain that you are not going to get anything you asked for on behalf of the Tamil people. Then what will you do? Continue as a parliamentary representative and continue to hold office as Opposition Leader?
The next parliamentary elections will come soon and you all will put your names and the people have vote for you. What for? It is regrettable that you and Mr. Wigneshwaran are at logger heads in order to satisfy Ranil Wickremasinghe. For you Ranil is more important than Mr.Wigneshwaran. Mr wigneshwaran’s voice is people’s voices which may not be palatable for you and the government. Your stand seems to be that you are part and parcel of the government although in name sake you are the Opposition leader.
I would like to impress upon you of the fact that all Tamil leaders and all Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Diaspora should unit together, form one body and put forward a set of demands on the government with an ultimatum (like the Vaddukoddai resolution) and if the government fails to finally demand a referendum to be held in the North and East for the Tamil people to vote to either secede or to stay within. This should be the final and permanent demand of the Tamil people. There is no other way. If you are sincere and genuine , this should be your task.
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max / August 25, 2016
//The government’s plan is to grab lands , colonise with Sinhala people and make the Tamils as minority in the North.//
Sellam, do not worry. What you guys did to Wellawatte will not happen to Jaffna.
/
Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
max the moron
“Sellam, do not worry. What you guys did to Wellawatte will not happen to Jaffna.”
I will be the happiest person in the whole world if Wellawatte happened to Jaffna. Indeed I hear Jaffna is increasingly becoming Wellawatte.
As long as the people pay for the land and rent for the properties they occupy their shouldn’t be any objection.
The objection is about the state and security forces appropriating of the land to others who do not call it their natural habitat and free of charge.
I have a few friends in the North who I am sure will help you to buy properties if you indeed need one and prove them your ability pay the full market price.
There is no such thing as free rice from moon.
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max / August 25, 2016
ah.. NV the stupid after long time.
How are going to do that? With the help of Pujith Jaya who can turn the law (thesawalamei – in this case) as of his recent claim?
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
max the humongous moron
What do you know about Thesawalamai and how does it stop you from buying land (with your own funds) in the North?
Thesawalamai is meant to pass on the land and property to the inheritors without any complex transaction.
It also meant to keep the real estate value at reasonable level.
It does not prevent non Tamils buying the properties.
In case the Tamils/Sinhalese/Muslims who have properties in the North refuse to sell theirs to you, I do understand. The bottom line is that any Sinhalese/Muslims/Tamils with some sanity would not like to share their neighborhood with moron/bigot like you.
In that case I don’t mind them invoking Thesawalamai, to keep you out of the area and many in this forum would support the move.
What does Kandyan law say about properties transaction? Find out and let us know.
I am not sure if they want to sell their land to you.
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Uthungan / August 25, 2016
NV
If you had studied the Thesavalamai law and understood it well you would not have said ‘you would not mind if the said law could be invoked to keep bigots like the one one you refer to’ from buying land in Jaffna, because the purpose of the said law is only to give the first option to a co-owner to buy the land at the going market price. That is all.
So a typical Jaffna man wouldn’t even flinch about selling even to a bigoted moron if he can make a good profit provided the co-owner does not have the necessary money to buy the land at the market price.
Any bigoted moron from the South can easily buy land in Jaffna at the right price if he so desires and there is no way any Jaffna man will invoke the the Thesavamai law if he is going to gain and in such an instance a wise co-owner will stand to gain if he knows how to cut a deal with the seller.
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Uthungan / August 26, 2016
Correction
In place of co-owner read “adjoining land owner”. He has the Right of Premption.
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Native Vedda / August 26, 2016
Uthungan
” In place of co-owner read “adjoining land owner”. He has the Right of Premption.”
In fact I was going to mention the preemption right of neighbors.
Being a Tamil from the North the vendor would want to extract the best price possible irrespective of the state of mind of the buyer, however the neighbours’ priorities are concerned with safety, security, peace, dignity, ……. and keep other castes and class away from their neighborhood.
The main idea was to maintain class caste purity.
Now tell me if you are the immediate neighbor of the property will you agree to have max moron next door?
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Uthungan / August 26, 2016
NV
Why do you attribute all the motives like those you mention to the Tamil property vendor in the North.
He is selling his property for a good price intending to either sneak off by boat to Aus or buy a plush suit at the Emperor Apartments in Colombo,so why would he object to max moron moron being a nuisance to his old Jaffna neighbours?
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Jayasingha / August 31, 2016
In the south and elsewhere other than in the north immediate neighbors have no say when adjoining lands are sold and do not object to the seller if undesirables in terms of ethnicity, religion , caste, social standing or any other difference are going to be their neighbors.It is purely a matter for the buyer and seller if both are satisfied.It is price for both and seller and the acceptance of the buyer to live with the new neighbors whoever they may be.This shows that Singhalese in the south are not racists as it is shown but are more accommodating. For eg: how many properties owned by singhalese in wattala/Hendala areas are being bought/ leased/or rented by tamils during recent times? Will this be so if singhalese have racist attitudes or do not like having tamils or muslims as neighbors? Is’nt it a fact that most tamils and muslims do not mind living in sinhala neighborhoods? It is the extremist tamils and muslims that want to live in closed communities.
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
max
“ah.. NV the stupid after long time.”
I was forced to spend a spell in the forest.
My Elders were very very crossed with me for commenting on stupid typing of various stupid people, for example you for a start, Jim the dim wit, sachoo the stupid II, nuisance the stupid I, KASmaalam, Ravi Perera the Sinhala speaking Demela,lal loo, ……. and another thousand of them.
They felt that far too much of my productive time is being spent on educating you, and feared that I am unlearning what I learnt in the past.
I am sorry I was not being able to insult you for about four or five weeks.
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Eusense / August 27, 2016
Low IQ vedda,
Now I know where the stupidity come from.
You should be a domicile of the forest. That is where you belong!
By the way who put your name in the “missing persons” list?
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Sellam / August 25, 2016
max
you are not seeing my point or determined not to see my point. Government sponsored colonisation is what the Tamils are against. individual Sinhalese wishing to live in north for jobs or businesses are welcome. The Tamils living in Wellawatta are and were settled individually for two reasons, one for jobwise and the other businesswise. Your government did not colonise the Tamils in Wellawatta.
Now you can see the Tamils when supporting the government is a failure and when opposing the government is a failure. So what do you expect the Tamil people could do
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Lanka Watch / August 25, 2016
Jim Softy – Agreed !, but why are they not charged in courts yet. Looking for flimsy excuses, is it?. This is what the detainees are asking the authorities to either charge them or release them so
that they can join their families as some of them had been the
bread winners of the families stranded in N/E.
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jim softy / August 25, 2016
Lanka Watch:
Why you are in a hurry.
They ran the War for 30 years and they were waiting to bite the Cyanide Capsule. Why they can not live in inside the jail.
they are at least living.
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
jim softy dim wit
“They ran the War for 30 years and they were waiting to bite the Cyanide Capsule. Why they can not live in inside the jail.”
Just forget the Tamil or Sinhala prisoners who have been detained without any charges for long period of time.
It appears that you have been a prisoner of your own ignorance all your life.
The day you find freedom from your own ignorance/stupidity, I assure you the Tamil/Sinhala prisoners will be freed.
I pity you.
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Eusense / August 27, 2016
Nonsensical post!
Don’t show your stupidity by writing garbage. But don’t feel bad. A lot of people have no talent!
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jim softy / August 25, 2016
Bouquets For Rajapaksa, Brickbats For Maithri-Ranil Over Tamil Prisoners Issue
It is the same Sambanthan who said, he never wanted to garland Mahinda Rajapakse and garlanded Maithripala sirisena.
It is the same Sambanthan who was a proxie of LTTE (the most ruth less terrorist organization) now says these Caynide Capsule carrying killers are political prisoners.
When they were blowing up every where in Colombo, what did he say ?
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shankar / August 25, 2016
” Persons have been in custody for long periods of time; some for about 10 – 15 years.”
I think the AG should take another look at their cases.If a person has been for such a long period in custody,surely compared to karuna and KP they have suffered enough.Some of them may be justified for release.
“In December 2015, the Government released on bail 39 individuals detained without charge, but around 250 detainees are believed to remain in detention. The Government has made indictments in 117 of these cases and in January, created a special High Court Bench to expedite proceedings.”
what about the balance 233.If the government has not made indictments then they should be released.The others should be expedited by the special courts.
It is a shame for a country to show the whole world that we are without a justice system.A unnecessarily bad image is being created of srilanka.
The war is over.we have to now look towards the future,not past and move on.
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jim softy / August 25, 2016
It is a shame for a country to show the whole world that we are without a justice system.A unnecessarily bad image is being created of srilanka.
You filthy people, what did you say when they were blowing up every where it is the govt saved them from biting the Cyanide capsule. It is the Army who saved them from biting the Cyanide capsule. When did you Barbarians thank for that or at least acknowledge it.
All these Tamil – lover politicians were living with high security because LTTE would have blown up you guys.
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shankar / August 26, 2016
jim
you are a moron who is unable to distinguish between war time and peace time.In war times one persons terrorist may become anothers freedom fighter.These guys could have been genuinely brainwashed into thinking that they are freedom fighters.Now that the war is over no point in continuing the war with them.Look at the JVP today and in the 80’s.
also it is clear that for 233 of them there are no indictments because their is no evidence to convict them.Is that justice,to keep people in a cell for years without charging them.It could be you or me in there.
because you are a racist moron,you can’t think clearly,with your warped genes clouding your judgement.
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Lanka Watch / August 25, 2016
Shankar – It is a good explanation with facts and figures. Hope Jim
softy, with limited knowledge, understood it.
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Good student / August 25, 2016
Sri Lanka’s No1 Tamil hypocrite/ aka Mr Sampanthan,
I don’t recall you making any speeches or writing to Prabakaran asking him to free Tamil kids, when he was kidnapping Tamil kids by the thousands. Please see the very recent CT article.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-lttes-forced-recruitment-of-children-in-armed-combat/
Mr Sampanthan,
You have a very good command of English (unlike the blubbering rest of us), however you have prostituted your linguistics skills in favour of the LTTE. You were the political rep of the LTTE and continue to be so with close links to ltte abroad.You never genuinely condemned the LTTE because you were their supporter. You are not kidding the Sinhalese, Muslims or the decent Tamils. Under the guise of an eloquent speech you make the most unreasonable demands, which is normal for you and your sort. Its just your style.
You are now about 83 years old and still making demands which are well out of date, when most Sri Lankan Tamils live in the Sinhalese areas, (some 300,000 SL Tamils living in the Colombo district alone, doing extremely well and you claim they are being discriminated etc in international forums) you want 1/3 of the country for about half of the Sri Lankan Tamils, which is about 5.5% of the total SL population. Your type of Tamils are a selfish, violent people, always trying to rob the Sinhalese from time immemorial.(ie from the time your ancestors started attacking our cities of Anuradhapura and later Polonnaruwa). You are out of date.
You just made a bloody good living by stirring it up and exaggerating and telling outright lies.
You (and Wiggie) are out of date geriatrics, like the former Soviet Union leaders such as Leonard Breznev.
Please do the Sri Lanka Tamils a big favour just drop dead, bugger off to the next world and take Wiggie with you and leave the rest of us to get on with our lives without your making it worse just to satisfy your pathology.
My experience is Tamils and Sinhalese get along pretty well when so called leaders such as you don’t stir it up.
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
Good student with bad education
“I don’t recall you making any speeches or writing to Prabakaran asking him to free Tamil kids, when he was kidnapping Tamil kids by the thousands.”
I too don’t recall you making any speeches or writing to MR and Gota asking them to stop white vanning Tamils and Sinhalese.
I too don’t recall you making any speeches or writing to MR for bribing VP and condemning MR for ballot rigging.
I too don’t recall you making any speeches or writing to MR condemning his unprecedented scale of corruption, nepotism, …… human rights violations.
…..
….
Your hypocrisy knows no bound.
By the way, my experience is Tamils, Sinhalese, and Muslims get along pretty well when so called leaders yours and such Sinhala/Buddhists as yourself don’t stir it up, with your secret ambition of building a Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto.
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Antany Peter / August 25, 2016
The big shots of the LTTE have changed their mindset, and the government can afford to monitor. However, hardcore LTTE youth members can be easily misled; and not easy to monitor all of them. The government is reluctant to release those hardcore LTTE youth members, because Tamil leaders won’t guide those young Tamils in the right path. We all know what had happened at Jaffna University recently. Tamil leaders still follow the foreign powers even though they got nothing after fighting the Asia’s longest brutal civil war with the help of India and the West. Blame yourselves, don’t blame the government or the world. Until you start to acknowledge smart Tamils you meant to suffer. Sadly you don’t acknowledge your weakness; you have dirty determination which I never seen in other races. You always think you are right, and you would do anything to achieve your foolishness at any cost. You would even eliminate or isolate knowledgeable Tamils with the help of foreign powers to achieve your foolishness. I found that you are the most dangerous race among the 21st century humanity. I am ashamed as a Tamil, because of you. I have been enlightening Asians, especially the Chinese dragon. Only Sri Lankan Tamils have been ignoring me. I have a message for Sri Lankan Tamils and their White Masters. Keep on isolating me by your dirty propaganda; you would go down quickly than you anticipate. You never thought the world would come together to eliminate the LTTE. But it did, because people like me. I wrote more than 150 country leaders about the brutal LTTE and its assassinations. During the last stage of war I was under extreme pressure to write against the government to stop the war, but I never wrote a word against the government. I knew the LTTE had to go for the betterment of Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims and Indians.
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Samuel Jayaweera / August 25, 2016
The problem we have today is – Big shots of Rajapkashe sick men have not changed their racial attitudes yet.
For them federalism is separating the country…
For them any other power devolutions are separating mechanisms…
But they do this continously making notherners and peace friendly majoratarian folks further fools.
Rajakashe stances are the most abusive to the moment, they will only live on ethnic conflicts making their pocket further fatter.
The recent allegations made on them, investigations clearing them… prove the gravity of harms deliberately being done by Rajakashes to this country.
World is watching on us with close eye how the current men would do thejob properly.
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
Samuel Jayaweera
“The problem we have today is – Big shots of Rajapkashe sick men have not changed their racial attitudes yet.”
The MR clan and cronies are suffering from withdrawal syndrome. They have lost their powers, perks and impunity they had enjoyed for considerable number of years.
They also fear that once the numerous criminal proceedings are genuinely pursued his serfdom might crumple. Hence there is no way of getting his former glory back.
The magic words “War Hero” is rapidly waning.
Like Banda, Siri Mao, JR, and their fellow racists, MR and his cronies have to rely on extreme forms of racism, in order to hide their crimes and failings. I have no doubt that a section of the population notably the noisy Sinhala/Buddhists can be weaned with high doses of anti minority sentiments.
How long it will work, depending on the ignorance of the voters, it can go on forever?
The entire media in this island has failed miserably. As recently as last week a leading English daily wrote an editorial which was based on its prejudices and paranoia, was not enlightening in fact reinforcing its old ideas of a country exclusively belonging to Sinhala/Buddhist.
Human progress and development may have to wait. The future generation is going to be the victims as were the past.
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sekara / August 25, 2016
It is not the credibility or integrity of Sampnthan or any other politician that should concern us here.
What is stated is true.
In fact President Sirisena pledged to release them and there was a cabinet coup that blocked the release. The proposal for a general amnesty by a member of the cabinet precipitated the problem, which could have been spared if the President was left alone to keep his pledge.
The detainees are persons against whom there are no charges. They have been “LTTE suspects” for several years. The PTA allows their unduly prolonged detention.
Where I fault Sampanthan is that he fails to note that these detainees were not released by the earlier regime even after the war ended.
If the government cannot release them, can the public be told exactly why?
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soma / August 25, 2016
Rajapaksha misused his presidential authority by releasing 12,000 hard core terrorists without the approval of the Parliament. Any accountability process must begin with rearresting them.
Soma
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jim softy / August 25, 2016
Not only that, he even asked foreign govts to release LTTE – financiers, LTTE weapon-buyers. HE is the one who disbanded so many Military camps in the North and East.
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
jim softy dim wit
“Not only that, he even asked foreign govts to release LTTE – financiers, LTTE weapon-buyers.”
Actually, MR & Gota never bother to arrest KP and Karuna. In fact, both were given special treatment, one was accommodated at a luxury apartment and the other was given a forged passport and appointed the Vice president of SLFP and a minister.
The entire Pottu Amman department was merged with Military Intelligence. Go ask MR and Gota as to why weren’t these key members of LTTE were not kept in custody?
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jim softy / August 26, 2016
Actually, MR & Gota never bother to arrest KP and Karuna. In fact, both were given special treatment.
Dumb Native Veddo:
Sambanthan and TNA should have been locked together with Karuna and KP.
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Native Vedda / August 26, 2016
jim softy dim wit
“Sambanthan and TNA should have been locked together with Karuna and KP.”
What are you doing to arrest arrest them all?
Are you a distant relative of KP and Karuna?
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Unreal / August 25, 2016
soma, Where does your ingenuity begin? Where does it end? How did you develop such a high imagination?
With such quality perception, why not write to MR and ask for an apology, for putting people like you at risk, freeing hardcore Tamil terrorists?
With such quality creativity, why not you write to MR2 thanking them for continuing to keep those terrorists behind bars.
Further, just don’t feel obligated. Just get an ally of yours to arrange for a felicitation in your honour, for your continuing service to keep all of your clan free of Tamil terrorists!
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Native Vedda / August 26, 2016
somaaass
“Rajapaksha misused his presidential authority by releasing 12,000 hard core terrorists without the approval of the Parliament.”
Please take him to courts, Charge MR for endangering the lives of public by releasing 12,000 hard core terrorists.
What are you waiting for.
I will be right behind you all the way to courts.
Go on.
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soma / August 26, 2016
NV
That is secondary. Primary issue is your accountability circus coming to town. Will this 12,000 be duly charged in the Geneva run courts? The heinous crimes they committed will not be counted as human rights violations because Rajapaksha released them? That would be an interesting piece of logic the foreign judges will have to gulp down.
Soma
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R K / August 25, 2016
Its nice to hear from Hon.Sampantnhan that former H.E released more than
11000 detainees after rehabilitation. Not only that even during the height of the war he had been releasing many on the recommendation of some. Hon Minister Dr. Rajitha is aware of this and he headed a committee that visited TID, CID, BOOSA and other places and recommended the release of many people in custody. Had former HE won he would released all these so called Political Prisoners. He would also solved most of the problems.
But Tamil politicians gained popularity among tamils by critising Rajapakse. In fact they were playing politics rather than looking after their people
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KA Sumanasekera / August 25, 2016
Sorcerer and the Apprentice are at it again, holding the blow torch to Batalana’s belly.
Wonder what Batalanada told this Duo in those important meets.
Batalanada has locked up even our good Buddhist Monks for crimes like feeding Elephants.
Batalanda’s UNP CID and his own F******CID are grilling even Yosith’s Aachchci to see whether they can find anything in the family trust to take her to court.
And the Sorcerer here is demanding that Batalanada release his LTTE Boys.
These are hard core Terrorists who have blood on their hands.
Batalanada has already put in place his OMP to hunt our Rana Viru soldiers and hand them over to the Diaspora for punishment.
Batalanada is going to pay Widows Pension, Single mothers Pension and even reparations for Tigers whose names are missing in diaspora Census.
Bodhi Sira is trying his level best to control the Sinhala Buddhists and keep them quiet. But Pada Yatra upset his plan.
Now that sira has turned nasty towards the good SLFP folks, Batalanad will find it even harder to get his Federal Constitution through, to please the Vellalas and Surendran.
And releasing these Tigers ain’t going to make it any easier.
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Native Vedda / August 25, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“Sorcerer and the Apprentice are at it again, holding the blow torch to Batalana’s belly.”
Really?
Don’t you think its better than carrying MR’s b***s in public?
I wish you “Svasti Siddham” in your chosen career as the official b***s carrier to MR.
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Dickie Bird / August 25, 2016
Sellam……….. I want to return to my maker as the Leader of the Opposition.
Wiggy is trying his best to upsurge and return to the LTTE leader.
This tussle need to be resolved.
We were under the impression MR injected some virus into the released. Yet, Sampanthan is happy.
It is all SELLAM at the expense of the innocent lives of the Northerners by the Politicians & the Diaspora & the Catholic Church.
As a result, Mano Ganeshan an Indian cooley is quietly creeping into the North & very soon will be the spokes person for the Northerners.
My sympathies are with the plight of Mr. Sebastian Rasalingam.
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Estate Labourer / August 25, 2016
The gravest aspect of this whole issue in my view is the Sri Lankan parliament’s propensity / passion for enacting obnoxious legislation. That is the root cause of the problem! This is true whichever party or alliance is in power.
The problem is compounded further by parliament’s extreme reluctance to amend or repeal obnoxious legislation.
The saddest part is that the ‘Rule of Law’ is enforced in a lackadaisical manner but the ‘Rule of Obnoxious Law’ is enforced with a vengeance!
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Sellam / August 25, 2016
Fellows, why all these arguments browbeating each other. We do not want to have another war. Is it not the best solution for the Tamils to separate and go and introduce the Thesavalamai law fully. Tamils can live in the South and the Sinhalese can live in the North peacefully.
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jim softy / August 26, 2016
Tamils wants to live any where in the island and 68% live out side N & E. That is democracy. LEft over 32% live in the N & #. they want Tmil only procinve only for Tamils.
Muslims let us build mosques every where that is democracy.
christians are horaballu. they are behind many things.
Sinhala Politicians are cunning thrash. they talk about reconciliation, national question and steal from every direction to make ther families rich.
Now, one thief and his family is exposed he does not know what do.
Sambanthan comes here to manipulate readers here.
Simply shamless.
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soma / August 26, 2016
Sellam
Tamil racists are demanding Ealam AND right to live anywhere.
I am campaigning for Ealam OR right to live anywhere.
Soma
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pacs / August 26, 2016
According to thesavazhamai the north east belongs to L–E.
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Gopal / August 26, 2016
Dear All, I am sorry to learn the type of exchange of hate over a group of fellow Sri Lankan citizens held in jail without charges. I am not sure what their crimes are but someone will have credible reasons for their captivity correct? Then the reasons should be given to the nation? It is the same also if any of us are held too???
In the name of justice should not we talk facts and establish why these children of our land are held without trial? I believe if anyone committed a crime they should be punished but one need to know what they are irrespective of the circumstances for justice to be delivered??
Can we have some empathy and understanding and share facts with each other bringing some respect and dignity to all the Sri Lankan families who may not know why their loved ones are behind bars for a long time and without trial?? I am a one nation/one world man and this planet is the one and only habitat for all of us??? so please factual and mindful to fellow human needs and give them consolation in hour of need?? Apart from this being the law and order and in effect human right issue it is also our duty to ask and be satisfied with the answers so we can improve the system for our next generation too as part of human development???
Thank you
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Kumarathasan Rasingam / August 27, 2016
It is too late for the leader of the opposition to realize the mindset of the new regime. Both old and new regimes are united in crushing the Tamils reasonable basic demands and the UN Charter.
If the leader of the opposition behaves like a mouth piece of the new government the future of Tamils will be worse than the old regime.
It is welcome he now understands the truth and hope he will be very strong in voicing for the oppressed helpless Tamils in Sri Lanka.
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