Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
Abbas Ahmadi (33), wife Hakkima (30), and four children aged 12 to 6, came as refugees to Sri Lanka from Afghanistan 5 years ago, were processed by UNHCR and have papers to live here until the UNHCR finds them a country to settle in. This is all with our Foreign Ministry’s consent. Their stay in Sri Lanka is legal.
Following the Easter Day bombings, their world turned upside down. Mobs attacked Muslim refugees and wanted them to leave their neighbourhood. Credible reports say the police encouraged their eviction. When mobs came to attack them the police did not arrest or otherwise deter the rowdy mobs but moved the refugees to camps in police stations and mosques. When the National Christian Council took some refugees into their building, mobs led by monks chased them out. Efforts by Sarvodaya met the same fate.
Only the North seemed quiet. Government made plans to bring them to Chettikulam but some Tamil MPs protested. They seemed to forget that in 2007 Tamils were evicted from Colombo by Gotabaya Rajapaksa saying others in Colombo are unsafe with Tamils around. Now these Tamil MPs are saying the same about Muslims. We forget that Tamils in the tens of thousands live in other countries just like these Muslims and are treated well. The Ahmadis have only temporary sojourn and that also is objected to. 
The Governor
Governor/North, Suren Raghavan, then had this hallucinatory vision of putting them all in Poonthoddam where Tamil refugees who had been driven like cattle by the LTTE as effective hostage shields were accommodated after the war behind barbed wire. The policy seemed so careerist after the President, his appointing authority, wanted other nations to take them over. It seemed designed to make the refugees so discomfited that they would leave Sri Lanka
The Anglican Church
Christians cannot ignore this refugee plight, especially of children. The Bible is very clear about looking after the widows, the children and sojourners in our land, The Anglican Archdeacon of Jaffna appealed to Anglicans privately to host a family each. My wife and I agreed. Rather surprisingly Maravanpulavu Sachithananthan whose Siva Senai put up notices in Jaffna asking people not to vote for Christians, said things sympathetic to the refugees but the editor of a Hindutva newspaper editorialized that if the refugees come North and should something happen to them, those bringing them to Jaffna would be responsible. It was perceived as a threat to harm the refugees. While the hosts were undeterred many refugee families backed out.
HQI Prasad Fernando and Governor Suren Raghavan
Finally one family came, the Ahmadis, on 19 May 2018 to my home. We took them immediately to the Jaffna Police and registered them. HQI Prasad Fernando accepted the registration. That night after 9 pm I received a call to return to the police station the next morning. Fernando returned the papers I had filled up. He claimed intelligence reports that extremist Hindus will attack the refugees. He stood up indicating our meeting was over. DIG Jaffna indicated that Raghvan was insisting that the Ahmadis enter Poonthoddam. We unsuccessfully asked for the rejection in writing.
We were summoned by Raghavan to his office that evening where he ceased to be courteous. The meeting was almost mutually accusatory.
Despite their papers Raghavan insisted that the Ahmadis broke the law by not applying for Asylum in India through which they transited to Colombo. If that were true the Sri Lankan government should have arrested and deported them as the bluffing Governor knows.
Raghavan insisted that the Ahmadis move to Poonthoddam. I said I need to consult lawyers and he gave me till Friday. I asked him to guarantee that no police or army would come home till this grace period is over. He gave me his word in the presence of 5 witnesses.
Gestapo Tactics Begin
The Ahmadis were already upset about the claims of attacks being planned on them. Around 8 pm a police jeep parked in front of my house. Upon realizing its presence when I went to the road, it took off, By then the Ahmadis were in panic. Nobody believed Fernando’s and Raghavan’s claims of an imminent attack. We say the claims are inspired to terrorize us and make the Ahmadis flee. But then, what if it were true? The Ahmadis decided to leave at 9:00 pm. As they were leaving two policemen turned up and waited till the Ahmadis left at 9:20 pm
Raghavan’s were clearly Nazi Gestapo tactics, well emulated by our police and army which usually come at night to drive fear into us. Raghavan shamelessly broke his solemn word and used Gestapo tactics to make the Ahmadis run. He had no heart and wanted little children confined in his concentration camp.
Respectability to Rogues
Rogues always need respectability. It is a human need, When rogues hold high office, the public also seeking respectability invite them to their functions. The ethIcs of it is never discussed because many people play this game to different degrees, to be seen themselves as important.
This morning our family had a function where a memorial hostel for school girls in want was to be opened. Generous donations ensured free board, school fees and transport to the poor inmates. Our Bishop of Colombo had come and he was joined by the Bishop in Jaffna and the Vicar General of the Bishop of Jaffna in blessings and invocatory prayers. Many of Jaffna’s big wigs were present.
Sharp at 8:00 am, a siren and a convoy. Alighting, to my great shock were HQI Fernando and Governor Raghavan. Raghavan raised the national flag and stood erect for the national anthem.
Irony was that the twosome were pretending to care for the welfare of the girl children occupants – even as the they both were consigning poor children certified as deserving of asylum to their concentration camp. The irony was not lost on other participants who informed me that Raghavan was pushing for housing that had been callously taken over by the army (and now ready to be returned to the rightful owners) to be added as part of his extended concentration camp. It betrays a mindset of taking over other people’s property in an abuse of authority in a vain attempt to show the President that he had solved the problem of refugees where others had failed.
I was so worked up about the smug pretentiousness of the Governor and his sidekick HQI in starting stories blackening Jaffna’s name to achieve their political and careerist ends, that I was mulling if I should greet them with a Gestapo salute of “Sieg Heil.” What held me back was that my relatives would be quite upset. Fortunately the Jekyll and Hyde pair took off immediately after the national anthem probably seeking more respectability elsewhere.
Narrow Escape from Trauma for the Ahmadi Children
Thank God that the Ahmadis left Jaffna this 21st morning and have found temporary accommodation for three days. The Poonthoddam Camp (with 19 Pakistani and 16Afghan youths) in Vavuniya was attacked around 2:00 pm with rods and batons today by Sinhalese goons led by monks, and Sinhalese Pradeshya Sabha Members from Vavuniya with no Tamil reported among goons. The Police guards are incapable of shooting Sinhalese, especially monks. Fortunately, as reporters on ground inform me, there were 10 or so soldiers also as part of the guard. They summoned more solders who vowed to open fire and thereby controlled the goons.
Imagine the trauma for the Ahmadi children if the Fernando-Raghavan pair had had their way and they faced the mob. The only option open to us seems to be to get judicial intervention to let the children live peacefully in Jaffna till UNHCR can relocate them.
There is no Tamil out to attack the refugees although the authorities badly to want to tarbrush Tamils at a time when the South has gone out of control.
Propaganda Machine in Overdrive
A Section of the Government’s propaganda machine is in overdrive. Raghavan untruthfully claims that the Ahmadis are illegal. The authorities are holding up the delimitation report thereby preventing provincial elections. This lets governors usurp the powers of provincial councils and stooge for their master in exchange for privileges. Tamil Congress Lawyer Suhaas said I am illegally accommodating them. A good Sinhalese friend called me at 10:20 pm saying Sirasa TV said something similar and asked me if it is true.
It is no longer just a fight for the well-being of refugees. It is a fight for our fundamental right to keep law abiding people we choose as our guests at home, and it is a fight for the truth, to be free of politicians who tarnish the good names of law abiding Tamils and Sinhalese who care, and to uphold our democracy, as an attempt is being made to claim falsely that there is so much chaos so as perhaps to dispense with presidential elections.
I challenge the Gestapo to stop hiding behind “state secrets” and show us with proof that they are not creating this story of attacks on refugees in the North to achieve their political object. As I told Raghavan, when politicians raise the spectre of terror, it is usually to rob us of our freedoms as he is doing. We civilians must ensure that we distribute all power into atomized centers. When the police tell us to eject our visitors and we meekly obey, we lose our rights, making the police our lords. We are a democracy, not a police-cracy.
Related posts:
Afghan Refugees Face Jaffna’s Hostility: These Sri Lankans Are Crazy
Afghan Refugees Face Jaffna’s Hostility: Post Script
Kumar R. / May 23, 2019
Jeevan,
“The Anglican Archdeacon of Jaffna appealed to Anglicans privately …. Rather surprisingly Maravanpulavu Sachithananthan’s Siva Senai…. said things sympathetic to the refugees”
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So, contrary to your previous view of collective “Jaffna’s hostility” you concede that both Christians and Hindus have shown support – it is the Governors personal need to abide by the President’s wish that is standing in the way.
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What is imbecilic if not moronic of you that destroys your credibility are non-constructive if not despicable, unethical, divisive statements you make (more-or-less in alignment with Sinhala Man’s observation of “an overgrown schoolboy!”) such as:
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(a) “surprisingly Maravanpulavu Sachithananthan whose Siva Senai put up notices in Jaffna asking people not to vote for Christians”. Did you forget that you, having congratulated the Hindu’s for not voting on religious basis, then went on to shamelessly propose that the Christians should leverage their Christian majoritarian advantage? Not only that, but later you went on to deny ever saying that!
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(b) “Poonthoddam where Tamil refugees who had been driven like cattle by the LTTE as effective hostage shields were accommodated after the war behind barbed wire.”
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What is your compulsion to use every opportunity to demonize LTTE? Is guilt eating you up? Are you still trying to find excuse for making deals with MR compromising your own community’s basic civic rights and fairness in governance? How do you know if all or most of those put under barbed wire were not just desperate widows and orphans resulting from SL’s deliberate genocidal act under the cover of fighting terrorism? By adding “who had been driven like cattle by the LTTE as effective hostage shields,” you are only exposing your personal weak defensiveness, your guilt and the inner shame you are unable to shake off.
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Grow up!
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K.Anaga / May 23, 2019
Jeevan!
It appears to me that the Jaffna Tamils or for that matter any Tamils are against the Afghan Refugees being brought into Jaffna. If they had been brought to Jaffna prior to 21/4 there may not have been any objection. However after the 21/4 event, there appear to be a hidden agenda by the government to create discord and send more army to quell it. Not that there are are less army personal now. There was further suspicion as to why Deep South or East West and Central was not selected?. Already Jaffna is being colonized to change the texture of the population and there is a fear of Muslims being introduced in addition to Sinhalese . The government’s promise that it is only for few months cannot be trusted with our prior experience with the government together with your crocodile Tears. You are aware of what happened to the Muslims in Jaela/ Minuwangoda- sponsored by Suspected MP’s . While one has to sympathies with the refugees- the remedy should be not worse than the disease whether created or’ natural ‘. Let not the ‘apparent’ peace in Jaffna be disturbed..
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Roman / May 24, 2019
Anga
I don’t get it. Why should Jaffna Tamils be upset about introducing Muslims into Jaffna. They once lived there too. You still haven’t forgotten your LTTE days
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Saro / May 23, 2019
Prof Ratnajeevan Hoole, it’s nothing new that all communities in Sri Lanka are selfish hostile and hateful to each other. They all go abroad with cooked up torture stories against the government or armed groups and claim asylum but unsympathetic towards their own orphans and widows.
The leaders are interested only in the welfare of their families and friends. No leader in Sri Lanka is worthy of governing. Look at the sorry state of the people and the country. They pretend to develop the infra structure by borrowing heavily from their friendly countries and institutions and give tenders to their friends to build white elephants and fatten their bank balances but blame others for for all ills. The voters are foolish enough to trust them time and time again.
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nalmen / May 23, 2019
all sirisenas governors should be sacked
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rohani / May 23, 2019
Irrespective of what clan or creed these refugees represent are they not human beings? Just look at . the pathetic family. Bringing them to another country and harassing them. God punish the perpetrators.swiftly.
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Aananda kanneer / May 23, 2019
Saint Hoole, you are so Christlike in your love for humanity and your selfless sincerity! Even a Mother Theresa or a Mahatma Gandhi would be eclipsed by your sheer sympathy and dedication for the poor! You have infinite compassion, mercy and affection for the downtrodden. What strikes me is your utter lack of ego!! You are worthy for the Nobel Prize given your stunningly self-sacrificing and generous altruism. On your death, let’s canonize you as the saint for the poor like no other. You are certainly not driven by self-importance but only by your empathy and benevolence. Your life after all is what Jesus preached! We mere mortals are not fit to untie the straps of your sandal!! Do continue the good work in your saintly dedication (not to mention delusions of grandeur)..
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Ooliya / May 23, 2019
Aananda kaneer
Why didn’t you finish with ” praise the Lord or Hallelujah “
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Salankai Oli / May 23, 2019
This is what some village heads in North did in 19th century. Then they were in love, they would wear a belt embedded with salankai so that all neighbourhood would know what they were up to!
In 21st centaury, attention seekers are releasing selfies in auto mode even in chaotic situations.
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Rabok / May 24, 2019
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Shane / May 23, 2019
What a biased one sided article this is. This guy Hoole has so many personal grudges against people while spouting Christianity, just like the BBS does to attack others!
There is indeed Hindu Nationalist groups funded by India called Raavana Sena set up in Jaffna after the defeat of the LTTE which could launch an attack against these unfortunate refugees.
This is a real threat to the peace in Jaffna . Religion is being weaponized in Sri Lanka at this time and everyone must be cautious before making foolish accusations Hoole seems to have personal grudge against Ragavan,
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S.R.H. Hoole / May 23, 2019
I just read that the President has pardoned Gnanasara Thero.
Is there an agenda here? The Thero, the Governor, and the President?
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Kumar R. / May 23, 2019
Jeevan,
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Before you go speculating on other’s agenda, why don’t you first elaborate on your agenda when you horse-traded with Mahinda w.r.t. your dream job at Jaffna University?
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SJ / May 23, 2019
Wonder why and when the writer fell out with the Governor.
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umberto / May 23, 2019
Yes Hoole
They are going to get you man. Be careful!!
May be you should get back to USA and carry on with your evangelical work over there. Trump needs you. Let the Jaffna man have a peaceful life.
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Rabok / May 24, 2019
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Nathan / May 23, 2019
Sri Lanka as a nation has buried humanity wholesale. All our values are gone. It is true that our country as a whole is suffering from poverty and famine and insecurity at various levels. I feel so sad looking at these innocent kids. Our plight does not mean that we should not help these helpless people as human beings. Just watch the curse. In the name of religion and race how people are suffering and what good these religions and so many Gods have done to people except making a few vested interests to prosper. It is a curse to man kind. Let there be harmony and peace.
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SJ / May 23, 2019
N
“…our country as a whole is suffering from poverty and famine….”
Poverty, yes.
Famine?
Gods and religion have nothing to with being humane.
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Naay Agam / May 23, 2019
No secret, that many of the Sinhalese monks are xenophobic totally at odds with Budhdhism. The monks have to be first mentally “DEPROGRAMMED ” to save the rest of the Buddhists and novices at the viharas becoming barbarians.
The monks are after all the rice fields of the minorities.
They lead the murder and theft openly as if it was Lord Buddha’s .mission. Budhdha’s teachings are flouted by the monks because of greed.
Just like they are monitoring the muslim madrassa the Sunday schools and the frequent sermons in the schools and universities by Buddhist monks must be monitored for incitement. This xenophobic terror must stop through pressure on Sri Lanka by UN Human Rights.and limiting the money donated by the Christian countries until results are shown. SRI Lanka is become a nation of barbarians with all the Free Education and xenophobic government textbooks.
Now Jaffna’s Buddhist Governor too is acting xenophobic for all the foreign degree_polish he fakes?
They say in Jaffna, that Jananayagam is dead in the North, they have made Jaffna a Police_nay_agam.
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Sri-Krish / May 23, 2019
I associate myself with yourself noble sentiments and salute you for your courage
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Simhi / May 23, 2019
You have the courage of your convictions Hoole. Please keep up your good work related to the Ahmadiyya refugees. They deserve our help at this time.
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Sri-Krish / May 23, 2019
Correct the typo in my earlier comment–
“‘I associate myself with your noble sentiments and salute you for your courage”
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Eagle Eye / May 23, 2019
Wellala politicians barred Sinhalayo and Muslims expelled from Yapanaya to return. Sinhalayo who went to Yapanaya were chased away by Demala mobs. To my knowledge, no one has come to their help. Even the Rajapakse regime kept silent on this action by Demala mobs. What I learnt is Rajapakse regime arranged buses for those Sinhalayo to return to South. Shame on Rajapakses. Chandrika who has become the champion on ‘Sanhidiyawa’ was also silent on this. Shame on Chandrika too. This Government also did not do anything. Shame on this Government too. This is the pathetic situation of Native Sinhalyo. Hoole wants to help Pakistani Muslims but do not want to utter a single word about Sinhalayo and Muslims of this country.
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MsPittubambuwa / May 23, 2019
This man’s last word while shedding last breath will also be ” wellala demala”: My gosh, you as an octagenarian, how poisonous you should be. The kind of ballige puthas destroyed our sinhala race.
For your luck only you got the asylum in Australia, if you continued to live in SL, you would have gunned down by your own extremists in SL, perhaps, the one would have pulled the trigger, could also be Rajapakshe himself.
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umberto / May 23, 2019
Eagle Eye/ Racist Mahidapala
What did you do. Ran away to Australia with your Tamil wife. Made her to earn for your living. You are a racist scum.
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kali / May 23, 2019
Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
*** You sound like a Mad Proffessor. Let me give you facts.
To start with Raghavan is RIGHT and you are WRONG and I will explain why..
1) In the West due to pressure of refugees arriving at their doorstep as a counter measure to stop abuse what is called a Dublin Cnvention was brought in. Under the Dublin Convention if a refugee was found to have arrived in France ( where if he or she was finger printed or had any document to prove they arrived in France before crossing ) and then crossed over to UK they will be sent back to France but there is a time limit. Unless they were sent back back before the dead line France can refuse to accept. I have personally come accross many cases.
2) We Tamils are Refugees in our own country and I am sure appreciate Sri Lanka is not a SAFE Third Country to house Refugees and the Ahmadis were mad to come to Sri Lanka instead of claiming asylum in India.
Dont forget Ganasera Thero ( BBS Leader) has been pardoned and is on the move and no minority is safe.
There is nothing wrong in Raghavan asking them to move to Poonthoddam where they are safe with other refugees. Beggars cant be choosers . If you want out of the goodness of your heart you can lend them yur Knife & Fork. Ask yourself ” Would you have shown such genoricity to an African Refugee. I doubt very much.
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Save the children / May 23, 2019
“Raghavan asking them to move to Poonthoddam where they are safe with other refugees.”
Safe in Poonthottam?. Can’t you read ?
The Poonthoddam Camp (with 19 Pakistani and 16Afghan youths) in Vavuniya was attacked around 2:00 pm with rods and batons today by Sinhalese goons led by monks, and Sinhalese Pradeshya Sabha Members from Vavuniy
You must be Raghavan’s side kick in the act.
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kali / May 24, 2019
Save the Children:
Man God save you . You ignorant cant you read. The writer has said the following.
Propaganda Machine in Overdrive
1) A Section of the Government’s propaganda machine is in overdrive. Raghavan untruthfully claims that the Ahmadis are illegal.
*** Raghavan is correct. The truth is Ahmadis are Illegals by passing through India which is a SAFE Third Country without claiming Asylum at the first available opportunity which they clearly failed. If the Ahmadis are in the UK having passed through France and waiting to be sent back to France will be classed as someone liable to be detained by the Immigration Authorities. Raghavan is a Government Servant and he cant break the law and he is not the Authority . The Authority is the GOS and the Army. Ahmadis can be detained and Raghavan can be dismissed by the CROOK MS. for harboring Illegals.
So Child get your facts right before you dare to attack.
2) It is no longer just a fight for the well-being of refugees. It is a fight for our fundamental right to keep law abiding people we choose as our guests at home, and it is a fight for the truth, to be free of politicians who tarnish the good names of law abiding Tamils and Sinhalese who care, and to uphold our democracy, as an attempt is being made to claim falsely that there is so much chaos so as perhaps to dispense with presidential elections.
*** Writer is talking rubbish. Ahmadis are not citizens of Sri Lanka and they have no LEAVE TO REMAIN granted by the Sri Lankan Immigration.
PUT up or SHUT up.
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Siyarata / May 23, 2019
When we visit those so-called Christian countries we are expected to submit blood , urine , semen , saliva , shit etc. How come any son of a gun could come here without proper surveillance ? Actually Sri Lankan population is overwhelming now . We dont need refugees . They come here and after a while start cursing the land . Go to those heavens you belong . Why do you need this country purportedly ? As per Hoole ,this is a country of Goons and thugs .
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Dodwel / May 23, 2019
Hoole , Will you go to court again if this Government abruptly postpone the Electoral franchise of the people unduly ?
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Estate Labourer / May 23, 2019
Professor Hoole:
You seem to have many enemies. Some of them have been clicking the ‘thumbs up’ and ‘thumbs down’ signs repeatedly and frenziedly in order to show their opposition to you! Anyway, I agree with much of what you say. Nothing useful accomplished by appointing a Tamil Governor; President might as well have appointed a Sinhala Governor!
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / May 23, 2019
Whatever happens or and irrespective of professor Hoole states, please be merciful, kind and compassionate to these overseas Muslim , Bhai and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Please welcome them to our land. These people have led persecution , suffered enough and are innocents and have nothing to do with what professor Hoole states or thinks or what the local Ravana /Rama/ Siva Senai thinks ,or what the brain washed fake Arab local Dravidian Wahhabis did. We Sri Lankan Tamils were welcomed in the west and given refuge when we fled persecution and the least we can do is extend this kindness to other unfortunate people in our land. If we are not kind and just to others , especially to helpless people fleeing persecution , how can we expect and demand kindness and justice from others?
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Kumar R. / May 23, 2019
S.S.S.
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I agree with you absolutely and without any reservation on the need to support the refugees – it wasn’t too long ago when we were in their boots!
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The opposition to and condemnation of Jeevan’s writing are not on the noble concern of support and protection the refugees need, but rather on Jeevan’s attempt to leverage the desperation of the refugees to unduly and unnecessarily castigate the Hindus, Tamils, LTTE’s, the Governor, etc so as to score a point while also unmistakably seeking self glorification.
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Who thinks that publicizing details with pictures to boot helps the refugees, security-wise or otherwise? Further, Jeevan’s self-serving publicity and unwanted harping and attempt to provoke religious and communal discord only goes to diminishes the charitable intent, even if there was any.
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Peacelover / May 23, 2019
S S Sharma
Can’t you see the difference between the war torn northern province and the western countries that are economically better off, for giving refuge. Western countries give asylum not only to Tamils but to all other nationalities because they have all the facilities to do so whereas Tamils in North and East live in abject poverty after the war. Tamils are not heartless cruel people but their precarious position forces them to refrain from adding more mess into their lives. Why can’t the govt accommodate them in other seven provinces ?
In any event calling the Governor and HQI as ” Rouges hold high office ” is most deplorable and might lead to a defamation action against Hoole.
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Eagle Eye / May 23, 2019
Peacelover,
“Why can’t the govt accommodate them in other seven provinces ?”
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Why should we accommodate them? These Muslims should be sent to Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia or Indonesia. The problem is these Muslim countries do not want them. Typical MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD.
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JD / May 23, 2019
I heard in the upcountry, Thondaman’s grand son had taken money and had allowed arabic Mullaahs to teach their Islam to Estate Tamil children. There are about 500 such converted children. So, Estate sector also has Wahhabis.
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Save the children / May 23, 2019
“Raghavan asking them to move to Poonthoddam where they are safe with other refugees.”
Safe in Poonthottam?. Can’t you read ?
The Poonthoddam Camp (with 19 Pakistani and 16Afghan youths) in Vavuniya was attacked around 2:00 pm with rods and batons today by Sinhalese goons led by monks, and Sinhalese Pradeshya Sabha Members from Vavuniy
You must be Raghavan’s side kick in the act.
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Eagle Eye / May 23, 2019
Save the children,
No such incident has been reported to Police. Typical Demala lies.
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S.R.H. Hoole / May 23, 2019
Governor Suren Raghavan’s difficulties speaking the truth .
Governor Raghavan in the newspaper Kaalaikathir of 22 May states that I asked for time to move the refugees and was strictly told no and that the family had to be moved to his poonthottam camp. However in the presence of Archdeacon Sam Ponniah he agreed to my request to be given till Friday to consult legal opinion and assured us that no police officer or soldier would enter my house till then. He further says in that article that the family was immediately sent to his Poonthottam Camp.
However the police came that very night like the Gestapo and the terrified family were assisted by those who helped bring them to my house to Colombo.
Officials who cannot speak the truth cannot be trusted even in minor matters.
Is this the same man who as Youth for Christ leader in Jaffna was going about Jaffna asking young people and school children “Jesus Loves you. Are you born again?”
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Kumar R. / May 24, 2019
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Kumar R. / May 24, 2019
Jeevan
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As for your preaching on the merits of truth telling to Ragavanwith such pomposity and feigned righteousness , why don’t you forthrightly explain the circumstances that lead to MR promising to intervene on your behalf on the Jaffna University appointment?
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K.Pillai / May 23, 2019
Prof S R H Hoole obviously dislikes the Northern Province Governor Dr Suren Raghavan.
S R H H refers to Poonthoddam an ‘LTTE Concentration Camp’. It was run by Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) which was recognised by CBK for the humanitarian work, rescuing and feeding/housing orphans following the 2004 Tsunami.
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S R H H uses terms like {“Raghavan shamelessly broke his solemn word and used Gestapo tactics to make the Ahmadis run”}
and {“……….that I was mulling if I should greet them with a Gestapo salute of “Sieg Heil”……”}.
{“Children Barely Escaping Trauma In Governor’s Concentration Camp”}
Raghavan might not be an angel but is not a fascist.
Efforts by S R H H to glorify Anglicans makes him a clumsy fascist.
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The care he showered on Ahmadis is probably to satisfy his own ego.
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kali / May 24, 2019
Ratnajeevan
You are a Professor and dont male a fool of yourself. by saying which is not correct.
1) A Section of the Government’s propaganda machine is in overdrive. Raghavan untruthfully claims that the Ahmadis are illegal.
*** For your infomation they have No Leave to Remain granted by the Sri Lankan Authoritites. If UNHCR has recognised them as refugees and waiting to find a Country which will take them they must remain in a Refugee Camp recognised by the Host Country which is Sri Lanka.
2) How can you tell the World that Ahmadis are( Law Abiding ) Citizens of Sri Lanka when they are not. I cant bring any one I choose to UK claiming them to be Law Abiding Citizens . If that is the case the whole of Africa will be on the Move. Just whisper this into the ears of “Save the Chid”. Dont let anyone else hear. PLEASE
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Nathan / May 24, 2019
I really wonder what this learned Professor Hoole is up to? He is always in conflict with someone. Except the Catholic churches and their Evangelists all others are evils. He finds fault with anything, every thing? Is he suffering from paranoid schizophrenia? He just makes bizarre allegations without any hard truth or fact. He simply imagines, speculates or perhaps hallucinates. Hallucination is one aspect of schizophrenia. His accusatory attitude and anti tamil and anti-hindu attitude make things difficult even for other good doers. He is seeing ghosts every where. Is he there to spread christianity or do good to people. Of course one can see very patently his ego and for publicity. He reminds me of another eccentric academic Subramaniyan Swamy who is ever ready to bite someone. Hoole is a man for controversy and conflict. Once he was running a famous Jaffna University Teachers for Human rights while he was no where near Jaffna Uni. Thank god they did not accept him as VC otherwise there would have been downright disaster. It is more of a personality disorder. Hoole you just keep quiet and things will fall into place. It is even not a bad thing for you to revert back to Hinduism and start meditating at Nallur Temple. Churches have more complex, more assertive and more interest oriented institutions unlike Hinduism that enjoys 100% freedom and even freedom to think rationally. Hindus never say that non-believers will end up in hell and will be roasted in fire. May I suggest that you revert back to Hinduism and meditate at some Hindu Kovil and that will bring eternal peace of mind and harmony. Buddha has gone beyond that and he says hell and heaven are all in this life and in your heart and your deeds only decide and that too in this life.
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Manel Fonseka / May 25, 2019
Nathan
You are confusing the writer, SRH Hoole, with Rajan Hoole, one of the main activists in the UTHR (J), along with Rajani Thiranagama, K Sritharan + Daya Somasundaram. These brave people also co-authored the book “The Broken Palmyrah”.
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Rev. Henry / May 27, 2019
Thank you Manel Fonseka for that correction.
Do not forget, however, that SRHH published the Broken Palmyra from his Sri Lanka Studies Institute from Claremont, CA and for that had the IPKF coming after him in Jaffna making him go into hiding.
At the time President Premadasa and V. Prabhakaran were working together making it impossible to publish the book anywhere in Sri Lanka.
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Manel Fonseka / May 25, 2019
P.S. to Nathan
Perhaps you should read Palmyrah Fallen: Rajini to the War’s End, by Rajan (MRR), published in 2015.
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Nathan / May 29, 2019
Sorry about the mix up
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