The Tamil Civil Society Forum has today condemned the violence perpetrated against Muslims in the South West of Sri Lanka – in Aluthgama, Beruwela and other places.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph
“We express sympathy to the families that lost their dear ones and to those injured. We express collective empathy and solidarity with the Muslim community in this difficult hour and time.” said Bishop Dr. Rayappu Joseh, Bishop of Mannar.
Issuing a statement on behalf of the Tamil Civil Society Forum, the Bishop said; “We are alarmed though not surprised by the fact that none of the chief culprits responsible for the violence have been arrested to date. We are not surprised because the culprits have in the past shown close contact and have enjoyed patronage from senior figures in the defense establishment. We are also not surprised because the kind of violence that Aluthgama represents has enjoyed impunity in Sri Lanka in the entirety of its history.
“The attacks should not be seen in a vacuum or as being spontaneous. Initial well informed reports confirm that police (including the Special Task forces) did very little to contain the Sinhalese mobs that attacked Muslim residences, religious and commercial establishments. The attacks either by direct action or complicity, are part of the long established practice of the State, in its Sinhala Buddhist character, which seeks to instill fear among the other communities with the objective of negating and refusing space in Sri Lanka for their social, cultural, political and economic prosperity. While its important that perpetrators need to be brought to justice, that will not be enough. The problem is not about a single organization or a political party. It is much more perverse and deep rooted. Unless this is acknowledged and reversed we regret to say that the Aluthgama incident will be unlikely to be the last of such similar incidents. We urge all concerned to reflect and act on this more complex understanding of those issues that Aluthgama reminds us of.”
LMAO / June 18, 2014
Thank you Ven Joseh for revealing the truth and caring for the oppressed. You are bold enough than boneless mahanayakkaas, Muslim ministers n MPs and sinhala catholic priests who are still silent uttered a single word about this brutal incident against humanity.
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Amarasiri / June 19, 2014
Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph,
“Issuing a statement on behalf of the Tamil Civil Society Forum, the Bishop said; “We are alarmed though not surprised by the fact that none of the chief culprits responsible for the violence have been arrested to date. We are not surprised because the culprits have in the past shown close contact and have enjoyed patronage from senior figures in the defense establishment. We are also not surprised because the kind of violence that Aluthgama represents has enjoyed impunity in Sri Lanka in the entirety of its history. “
This is what the Para-Sinhala are doing in the Egalitarian Land of Native Veddah.
These Para Sinhala need to be sent back to their original South India.
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Dr. Rajasingham Narendran / June 18, 2014
Let the government arrest Gnanasara and charge him in the courts. There is enough evidence to arrest and prosecute him. This is the litmus test for the bonafides of this government. Nothing less will be acceptable or just.
Will it? No.
Should this government be thrown into the dustbin of history? YES.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Punnakku / June 18, 2014
Gad, Sir – not the dustbin of history. Ney. They must be consigned to the dark corners of hell itself dressed, in the case of Gota, in a gasoline-soaked coat (he likes to dress up, doesn’t he)
Punnakku
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JimSofty / June 20, 2014
Rayappu Joseph openly supported and nourished LTTE.
He was never arrested or Prosecuted.
Why is that ?
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Thiru / June 18, 2014
Rayappu Joseph,
You have the moral courage to condemn the attacks by the mobs and the complicity of the Sri Lankan state in the killing, injuring and destroying of Muslims and their homes, businesses and mosques.
This is a recurring pattern for Tamils and Muslims since independence, which the majority community doesn’t seem to take seriously or issue any serious protests. Perpetrators have been operating with impunity for several decades.
Do the Sinhalese people and their political leaders realize that one day the international community, which is very much aware of what is happening and who is behind it, will say enough is enough, and take appropriate action.
Then it will be too late to cry foul, just as the Sinhalese together cry foul now that international war crimes investigations are proceeding.
Simply keeping quiet is equivalent to acquiescing with the state’s inability or unwillingness to protect communities other than Sinhala Buddhists.
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Mallaiyuran / June 18, 2014
I do not understand why these peoples, one after other criticizing only government? What happened to the share of the SLMC? Didn’t last week’s Friday’s incident, there was news circulating around that Hassan Ali said whatever may happen SLMC will not resign from UPFA. Isn’t in that sentence that Hassan Ali pleading that he is aware of something bad going to happen on Sunday, just for that, please don’t back and ask them to resign? Suppose if we give him the benefit of the doubt that he did not know what is going to happen on Sunday, still didn’t he give an open permission to do anything to Muslims by that statement? Ok say he did not mean even that. Will he come out and apologize for his earlier report? You know how they defend.
Hakeem is asking “If anybody is ready to ensure the protection of Muslims, then I will resign”. I think we need not feel the loss of Jay Leno in the late night show. Hakeem is doing that day and night, double the time better than Jay Leno. Hakeem took the ministerial grand gifts from the government, now he is asking us to ensure the protection of Muslims. How much of that he shares with us to ensure the protection of the Muslims. He stood for the election. By asking us to ensure the protections of the Muslims, he is ascending to accept he doubts that he if had done that ever. We went there to do the Job. He accepts that he did not do it. Now, what is holding him from resigning the job?
He is not taking responsibility of failing to ensure the protection of Muslims. He is brushing off the Aluthgama. He is worried about and looking for somebody to ensure, the protection of the Muslims. Can he openly discuss what is expecting to happen and why he is looking for protection to Muslims? Let me put the question direct rather than beating around the bush? People say “throw a lobster to catch a Shark”. He is brushing off his failure of protecting Muslims in Aluthgama, In other words he not holding government for that mistake. But he wants to stay in the government to protect the Muslims. Here is this man, who does the right thing at the right time, does he throwing the Aluthgama, the lobster to catch a shark in the future? If he thinks that the Muslims safety in the future is shark comparing with the Aluthgama lobster, from whom this is going to come? Why is he not warning the Muslims community of what he is sensing?
Is he meaning as long as he is receiving the Ministerial Grand payouts the Muslims are protected and if leave the job, Sinhalese rowdies going to walk over the Muslim community? Or did he join the Unjustice ministry because the King gave him the assurance of the protection of the Muslims. Just for a time of second, leave all that blah blah talks. Let us ask him a question. Does he mean that he is going to staying the government because his aim is to extract the assurance of the protection of Muslims for the King? Could he honestly discuss why did he say the devastated the Authgama peoples, “Sorry people just because you are hurt I cannot resign, Please don’t ask me that”?
He is saying that Navi Pillay is correct when she is saying that Lanka is carrying out a Muslim Genocide in Aluthgama. Well 3 Muslims died in Aluthgama. Tamils are missing in Mullivaikkal alone 147,000. Police report said Muslims youths attacked a Monk (I am not going for standoff that the police report is correct. Especially NPC said in reports in CT that the police account is not reliable). 1958 to 1983 not in one single place a police report says that a Tamil provoked anything. Then why did he went to Navi Pillay at Geneva and denied that the Tamils are not facing Genocide in Lanka. He is the low grade opportunistic rogue. He can stick on the government to protect him from the juggleries he did. But I assure him that “the Muslims safety is in jeopardy in Lanka”.. If he is going to deny my fear he should say so or he should say how is he planning to ensure the Muslims safety by staying in the government that is attacking the Muslims?
He is asking to guarantee the Muslims safety to resign, but he did not ask anybody to guarantee the Muslims’ safety to stay in the government. In fact he is the one selling to government the Muslims’ safety and buying him protection. He has turned the Muslim citizens into worse than the Mahavamsa Modayas in the last few elections. If ever UNP come back to power, even before they investigate Royal Family’s atrocities, they should try to find out what was behind in Hakeem to so desperately throw Muslims’ safety under King’s feet and seek protection to him?
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Rajash / June 18, 2014
Absoluteley ..why is Hakim still in the Govt.He Should have resigned his ministerial post and withdrawn his support to the Govt immediatley. In the Al-Jazzera interview he says he asked for assurance from the Govt.When the interviewer asked him point blank “will you resign if assurance were not given”? . he replies will will withdraw our cooperation. ha ha what a joke. Mahinda visited Beruwella today and has promised to set up yet another inquiry. I am sure Hakim will use that as a lame excuse to hang on to Mahind’s tail.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2014/06/who-behind-sri-lanka-religious-violence-2014617174319873584.html
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Yehiya / June 19, 2014
Hakeem need money & women. He never care of Muslims politics. Only Fowzie is done great service to nation but his silent of long period is major hit to muslims.
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Rajash / June 18, 2014
Dr Joseph has shown lot of courage despite the risk of white van treatment. THe Tamil mothers and children and old men showed the same courage when they defied the army and the police to stage a protest during CHOGAM. The Sinhalease and Muslims should show the same courage and embark on a island wide protest. I am sure the Tamils in the NE will offer their support whole heartedly
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Leon / June 19, 2014
We would like to similar statements from Malcolm Ranjith, and other Christian Organizations.
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Ramanay K / June 19, 2014
Rayappu,
-What were you doing when the Muslims were chased away from Jaffna?
-What were you doing when the Muslims were killed in the east?
-Will you give back the land and houses of the Mannar Muslims?
-How did you become a Tamil Civil Society member and who elected you?
_What is the difference between you and Gnanarasa(only difference is white and yellow)?
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Native Vedda / June 19, 2014
Ramanay K
“What were you doing when the Muslims were chased away from Jaffna?”
What were you doing when Premadasa and his armed forces supplying arms and financing LTTE while hiding behind VP’s fat bum?
“What were you doing when the Muslims were killed in the east?”
What were you doing when MR paid a large sum VP for his services in connection with presidential elections?
“Will you give back the land and houses of the Mannar Muslims?”
Will you give back Tamil lives who were mercilessly massacred in Vanni?
“How did you become a Tamil Civil Society member and who elected you?”
How did MR win both presidential elections?
“What is the difference between you and Gnanarasa(only difference is white and yellow)?”
What is the difference between you and Gnanarasa(the only difference is he is a saffron clad thug and you are a web vandal)?”
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Mallaiyuran / June 19, 2014
You are a poor soul. Bishop Rayappu did not work with LLTE. His policies still not in line with LTTE. Father Francis and others did. Bishop’s name started to circulate mainly after he gave his witness for LLRC. He is not even with TNA, though has advised couple of times TNA members unofficially on their internal problems. Your writing appears like you memorized something that someone gave and coming here and spitting it off.
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Maveeran / June 19, 2014
Ramany I got just a few words to say to you. STFU!
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Indra / June 19, 2014
CT readers will be interested to [Edited out]
We are sad to reveal nevertheless, so far none of the perpetrators of these crimes have been arrested. As of now Gnanasara and his drunken goons are roaming free inciting hatred and unleasing violence. Although the law compels their arrest, ironically it is seven Muslim victims who are now in police custody.
Out of the nine Muslims killed, two were shot to death by BBS goons in Dharga Town on the 15th. There is no investigation how these murderers obtained fire arms. There has been no magisterial enquiry.
It is well known that Medamulana MaRa started the terrorist organizations BBS and Sihala Ravaya. He nurtured and fattened them with the Government’s Secret Security Fund. The Buddhist terrorists (oxymoron? Ha, ha!!) are now wreaking havoc.
Prior to his departure for Bolivia, the Mara instructed his criminal to use Gnanasara to create pandemonium among the Muslim community. And while his brother was faithfully carrying out “orders” he babahukumly tweeted from Bolivia “everyone please, exercise restraint”.
Upon returning to the country, the first thing that this “concerned” President did was tour the devasted Aluthgama and Beruwala to inspect and admire the handiwork of his loyal brother. They hugged and embraced each other just like in that salivating photo readers have seen so many times on these pages and puked. Gota says to Mara “Aiye, hereafter no Sinhala Buddhist will ever vote for anyone but for you”. Mara says “Sadhu, sadhu, father will be very proud”.
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Indra / June 19, 2014
A newspaper banned in Sri Lanka reported:
On 15 th at noon , Pradeep Kumara had phoned the IGP and reported , the violent situation that prevailed a few days ago had not died down , and the feelings of the people of the area are still running irrationally high. Based on reports received by him at ground level , if the meeting is allowed to be held , the already volatile situation can turn explosive. The OIC had therefore sought the IGP’s instructions to ban the proposed meeting.
The IGP who could not discard the assistance sought by his subordinate and himself harboring fears as he himself was fully aware of the dangers had explained to criminal defense secretary Gotabaya over the phone in detail of the grave risks besetting the peace of the area and the violence that can erupt if this BBS meeting is held. The IGP had therefore asked Gotabaya to grant permission to ban the BBS meeting. Gotabaya the defense secretary alias criminal offense secretary, on the other hand had replied in the negative. Instead of giving consideration and showing concern to the dangerous violence in store for the innocent people , the criminal defense secretary had instructed the IGP not to obstruct the meeting of the BBS under any circumstance , and to give protection to the world recognized terrorist organization, and Gnanassara its demonic leader. Accordingly the IGP had given a directive to his subordinate not to ban the public meeting of BBS terrorists. Consequently Gnanassara was provided with a security detail of six STF soldiers and a defender vehicle thereby precipitating a communal holocaust – the inevitable result SL’s criminal defense and communal offense secretary Gotabaya longed and prayed for !
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Ansar / June 19, 2014
Ramanay,
Thank you for equating Prabhakaran with MR. You are absolutely right, MR has eliminated VP and taken the reigns of VP from South. His Colonel is his Bro Gota, just like Karuna/KP was for VP.
You nut, this is what all are saying that the country has gone to dogs and State Terrorists and needs to be saved from these Medamulana Terrorists and handed over to the Civil Society to govern, by the rule of law, not by the laws of the jungle enacted by Medamulana barbarians.
You fellows will never come to your senses, and will eternally remain in your barbaristic attitude. Need to mention that there are still good practising Buddhists in our Island Nation who denounce your kind of living.You morons are a disgrace for the Noble Buddhism.
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Maveeran / June 19, 2014
Ansar you Blady Mussy, don’t disrespect VP or compare him with the coward Jarapassa. Remember you Muslims got chased away by the LTTE for back stabbing Tamils. You mafo’s paid for what you did.
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Native Vedda / June 19, 2014
Maveeran
“Ansar you Blady Mussy, don’t disrespect VP or compare him with the coward Jarapassa.”
Ansar should not have disrespected VP the psychopath, by comparing him to coward Jarapassa. How about comparing him to Gota the butcher?
“Remember you Muslims got chased away by the LTTE for back stabbing Tamils.”
Remember VP the psychopath surrendering to SL forces, tortured and eventually hacked to death. He was indeed a Maveeran.
Why haven’t you publicly announced his death to rest of your supporters?
Big talk by a man with little brain.
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Ansar / June 19, 2014
Maveeran,
With all due respect to VP, he did cross the line and transgressed when he had the opportunity to settle the issue when the time was opportune which would have saved lot of death and destruction to the Tamils. He was more concerned with his survival than the Tamil cause, I guess. That is where the parallel comes.
With regard to your point of back stabbing (prove it), I think even LTTE at their prime admitted to two strategic mistakes which adversely affected their cause. One was chasing Muslims out of Jaffna and killing Rajiv Ghandhi.
So be mindful of that. Whatever, it is we are at the receiving end and need to unite rather than fighting each other. Think about it.
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Maveeran / June 21, 2014
Never unite with Muslims. You can even forgive your enemy, but never forgive a backstabber. You Muslims are back-stabber and betrayed Tamils. You Muslims were defending the same Jarapassa regime who slaughtered ove 40,00 innocent Tamils. Where was the unity then? Where were you Muslims when Tamil were slaughtered?
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Maeeran / June 21, 2014
*40,000 Tamil civilians.
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Ansar / June 19, 2014
Maveeran,
Forget to mention about your tone of your language. Don’t scoop down to such low level when you correspond. Thought your race was bit dignified, so maintain that. About your quote of mafo’s, I am sure you don’t do that to your mother, do you..?
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Maveeran / June 21, 2014
[Edited out] Ansar, whether you say it or not our race is much civilised and more dignified than your Muslim race or Sinhala race.
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Native Vedda / June 21, 2014
Maveeran
How did you come to this conclusion that your race is much civilised and more dignified than your Muslim race or Sinhala race given that the caste consciousness is still alive and kicking, how dignified were the people under LTTE’s brutal rule, ….. .
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Orissa-man / June 19, 2014
Ramanay K
The difference between Rev Rayappu and Ven Gnanasar is
– one is not asking for violence and the other is.
– one is working for the innocents and the other is working for the thugs
– one is wearing white for peace and the other is wearing orange which is mixture of yellow and red (reminds me of the mixture of LTTE flag or srilankan flag) represents violence
I sense that you are not a Muslim or Sinhalease as many others would think.
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T.S.DHALLEY / June 20, 2014
Who is the Government. It is the Rajapakse family not the parliament. Parliament members are only bootlickers of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Things are happening here according the whims and fancies of this Government. How can there be law and order
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Crazyoldmansl / June 20, 2014
physical “attacks either by direct action or complicity, are part of the long established practice of the State, in its Sinhala Buddhist character, which seeks to instill fear among the other communities with the objective of negating and refusing space in Sri Lanka for their social, cultural, political and economic prosperity”.
This is seen dear father as “the state re establishing its monopoly on violence”, a monopoly that was broken by the LTTE which you seemed to support. All good democrats who support the monopoly of the state on violence are responsible for this situation and open the doors to discrimination and oppression.
Citizens of a state must have the freedom to challenge the violence of the state and ensure that it does not resort to violence because violence is resorted to only when there is partiality towards one party or another. Those who advocate this doctrine of a monopoly of violence by the state or any other actor are FASCISTS and the leader of the FASCISTS in Sri Lanka is the DJ.
Remember that almost ALL Sinhala Buddhists support the Sinhala Buddhgist state holding a monopoly over the use of violence and all supporters of thamileelam support the LTTE holding a monopoly over the use of violence. Both these parties are FASCISTS and neither is better than the other. As for the opposition all of us have heard of BATALANDA.
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