Kumarathasan Rasingam
Tamils in Sri Lanka especially in the North and East are now living between the devil and deep sea. Heavy presence of the military [to the ratio of one soldier to every four civilians 1: 4] and on the other side they are scared of the Covid-19.
The President is determined to hold the election on August 05, 2020 without taking into consideration the voices of the opposition parties requesting to postpone the elections. The government is now under financial crisis and the coast of living is increasing day by day due to the recession prevailing around the world due to Covid-19. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is determined to hold the election as early as possible as he and his party expect two third majority in parliament to repeal the 19th Amendment so that the president will have more powers than the Parliament with executive powers to dissolve the parliament.
The dilemmas facing Sri Lanka since independence in 1948 remain unsolved. Democracy did not take hold as expected then, people still needed a good governance, and what transpired since has been a country raped and pillaged by successive generation of politicians all feathering their own nests while sowing racial and communal discord.
New military facilities have opened across army bases in Jaffna, as the military continues to consolidate its presence across the Tamil homeland.
Despite calls for demilitarisation of the region, the official military website reported that the new facilities were built for the “benefit of soldiers.”
This is the latest example of the Sri Lankan military’s approach to embed and normalise the process of militarisation, despite the armed conflict ending over a decade ago.
The forcible appropriation of lands of the Tamil people for the building of Sinhala Army cantonments, recreation facilities, Buddhist temples and Sinhala settlements is seen by Tamil as a clear move to further blur the demography and a way to plunder the TAMIL NATION and robbing of both its natural resources and of its arable lands with no thought given to sustainable development.
Tamil’s nationhood and Tamil right to rule comes at a critical time when concerns running high over the intensified ‘Structural Genocide’ of the Tamil nation leading to the virtual obliteration of the Tamil Nation that has been undertaken by Sinhala administrations of the past and now pursued with vengeance by Rajapaksa’s administration and gaining rapid rapid momentum in the North and East. The end goal of the Rajapaksa’s and the Buddhist clergy is to make the Tamil Nation extinct on the island.
It is relevant to note the historical maps before the demographic changes and since the Colebrook Cameron Commission in 1833 and later since independence in 1948; it is crystal clear that the Tamil Nation possessed a clearly defined contagious territory comprising the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the island, had its own Tamil Kingdom and was sovereign. The Jaffna Kingdom existed with Nallur as its capital from 1215 AD to 1619 AD and existed for 403 years. Although Sri Lanka is a multi-linguistic, multi-religious country Rajapaksa’s are not prepared to guarantee equal status for faiths Hinduism, Christianity and Islam as for Buddhism.
Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist Governments have unilaterally abrogated Pacts, Accord and promises.
[1] Bandaranaike/Chelvanayakam Pact JULY 26, 195
[2] Dudley Senanayake/Chelvanayakam Pact 24th March 1965
Indo-Sri Lanka Accord between India and Sri Lanka signed by the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister JR Jayewardene on July 29, 1987.This Accord is still to be implemented fully due to the pressure from extremist Buddhist clergy and racist politicians.
It is interesting to note that President Gotabaya has recently declared that he is not going to honour the UNHRC Resolutions 30/1 and 40/1 even after getting extensions to implement these Recommendations So far no action has been taken to implement the Recommendations mentioned in UNHRC Resolutions 30/1 and 40/1.
Sri Lankan Government promised the United Nation and the European Union to repeal the draconian Prevention of terrorism Act and will introduce a new one with international standard. So far no action has been taken and still people are arrested under this draconian Law. This draconian Law [PTA] which was passed in 1979 strikes at the roots and principles of rule of law. It denies an accused a fair trial. It unjustly provides impunity for the wrongs of Security personnel. It treats one person unequally below the law and another one above the law. It is a mockery of judicial process travesty of justice in a civilized democratic country.
It is now in the hands of the United Nations, UNHRC, and International Criminal court to take prompt and punitive measures to force Sri Lanka to oblige and implement the UN recommendations.
IT IS ALSO THE SOLEMN DUTY OF THE CO-SPONSORS OF THE UNHRC RESOLUTION 30/1 AND 40/1 TO RAISE THE ISSUE IN THE FORTHCOMING UNHRC SESSION AND URGE ALL UNHRC MEMBER COUNTRIES TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION LIKE ECONOMIC/DIPLOMATIC SANCTIONS AND TRAVEL BAN TO ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS.
To the Tamil political parties contesting in the North and East on August 2020;
Any party deviates from this declaration will definitely lose the confidence and respect from the Tamil voters.
It is worth recounting the declaration reached by the TULF, LTTE, EROS, TELO, EPRLF and PLOTE, in full.
The four cardinal principles were which were recognized are as follows:
– Recognition of the Tamils of Ceylon as a nation
– Recognition of the existence of an identified homeland for the Tamils in Ceylon
– Recognition of the right of self-determination of the Tamil nation
– Recognition of the right to citizenship and the fundamental rights of all Tamils in Ceylon
To the Tamil voters in the North and East;
– Kindly elect energetic, educated, dedicated, honest and trustworthy members who will be able to lead the Tamils in the correct path with a vision and determination and fearlessly.
– Elect an honest and dedicated leader from any party with a good policy so that he will cooperate with other Tamil MPs and work jointly to find justice and freedom to the oppressed Tamils who has been taken for a ride by the former MPs in TNA.
– The fate of the future generation of Tamils depends on the strength, dedication, honesty of the newly elected MPs. Tamils at this critical time must vote for the hardworking, honest leader who will be prepared to lead the Tamils in the correct path and will not be attracted to perks and positions like the past Tamil MPs.
NO MAN HAS A NATURAL RIGHT TO COMMIT AGGRESSION ON THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF ANOTHER, AND THIS IS ALL FROM WHICH THE LAWS OUGHT TO RESTAIN HIM. ~ Thomas Jefferson
Ajith / July 25, 2020
I am not bothered about Tamil or Muslims but the threat is for all of Srilankans including Sinhala as well. Sinhala people also had a very good experience under dictatorship and hardships. They cannot forget the period under Srimavo Bandaranaiyake from 1970 to 1975 and during the period under JRJ from 1978 to 83 and 1989-90 under Premadasa and 2005 to 2015 under Mahinda Rajapakse. Executive presidency. means oppression of rights of all communities. When it happens to Tamils, Sinhalese thinks that it is not for them and when it happens to Sinhalese, Tamils think it is npt for them. The fact is the executive power do not differentiate between Sinhala and Tamil when it comes to threat to their powers. The economic disaster means sufferings to the people (unemployment, no earnings, food shortage) and state and power will use military to oppress poor people. It is not a problem for wealthy Sinhala and Tamil but it is a life or death problem or ordinary Sinhala and Tamil.
So, irrespective of Sinhala or Tamil, rational thinking people should think twice and make sure to avoid a dictatorship and military rule.
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Pandi Kutti / July 26, 2020
Yes but there are also lots of difference that you should be bothered unless you are Chingkallam. In Chingkalla areas dictatorship or not , their nationhood , identity and culture are not threatened . No one is appropriating thousands of acres or Chingkalla land to build facilities for an occupying armed force , that belongs to a hostile ethnic group. Settling Thamizh, building Hindu temples and destroying Buddhist temples and monuments or claiming them as Hindu with false concocted history. Just like it is happening in the Thamizh areas. The very existence of the Thamizh people as a nation , their culture and history are threatened by these occupying Chingkalla armed forces , who are supposed to have demilitarize and left by now. leaving only a token force. However the opposite is happening . They are there to destroy the Tahmizh people and their nationhood and land nothing else. Whether it is a dictatorship or democracy this will not change. Chingkallams do not have this threat as the state is ruled by them, dictatorshio or democracy, their nationhood , identity and their very existence as a people are not threatened. This is what you do not understand
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Eagle Eye / July 26, 2020
Ajith,
“under Srimavo Bandaranaiyake from 1970 to 1975”
“2005 to 2015 under Mahinda Rajapakse.”
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Dictatorships? Man, don’t talk BS!
Mahinda Rajapakse liberated Demalu (Tamils) who were under a brutal megalomaniac dictator who considered killing as his hobby and gave democracy by holding elections for NPC.
The members of the Terrorist National Alliance can criticize Rajapakses, Sinhala Buddhists, SL Armed Forces because of freedom they got after Rajapakse regime eliminated LTTE Tamil terrorist barbarians. If they criticized the ‘Sun God’, they are six feet under. That was the fate of those who stood against Piripakaran.
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Eagle Eye / July 26, 2020
“Tamil Homeland”. Since when?
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How Malabar Vellala Demalu (Tamils) grabbed Sinhala land in Yapanaya.
The land that Demala people are occupying now in North and East was where Sinhala Kingdoms Anuradhapura (377 BC – 1017AD) and Polonnaruwa (1056 AD – 1310 AD) existed.
At the time Portuguese arrived, Yapanaya was under the Sinhala King Senerath whose seat was in Kandy. He sent a Sinhala army to expel Portuguese who came to occupy Yapanaya but failed. Portuguese who occupied Yapanaya took land from Sinhalayo at gun point for tobacco plantations and brought Dravida slaves to work in tobacco plantations. Dutch came and expelled Portuguese. British came and expelled Dutch.
During British rule Malabar Vellala Demalu became bosom friends of British. For the support received from Malabar Vellala Demalu to oppress Native Sinhalayo, British allowed them to take control of land in Yapanaya and use the Malabar customary law called ‘Thesawalamei’ to keep that land under their control.
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“New military facilities have opened across army bases in Jaffna, as the military continues to consolidate its presence across the Tamil homeland.”
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GATAM / July 26, 2020
Eagle
No point fighting, warring, arguing, rioting. Stop it. This has gone way too far and it only breeds more hatred.
Agree to split the island into a Sinhala only nation and a Tamil only nation. No Tamils in the Sinhala nation. Agree?
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a14455 / July 28, 2020
no one is fighting . all you need to do is to make a hole in the head of one of their donkeys in an amude every once in a while. preferably near a mucky swamp.
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Native Vedda / July 26, 2020
Eagle Brain Dead Blind Eye
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When did you last have an oil bath?
It is good for your body and mind.
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Pandi Kutti / July 26, 2020
Eagle Grandpa . Please read. Hope you are safe locked up in your room , at the Aged Care Home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eelam
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rj1952 / July 26, 2020
The eager less P…..?
Now being able to give back a below belt, ouch hurting blow you have become a prima donna of a historian in your always young demented senile age.?
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I have responded many a time to your stupid to the core nonsensical no value at all other than to your bad self two cents worth of garbage but never had the honour of being in receipt of a much sought after response.?
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Why?
Are you still hiding inside of the underskirts of the gorgeous Demala high caste meenachi who as the saying goes that love is blind had become an unwary victim to your Jinadasa’s charmed by a kattadiya thalagulli.?
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prove to the world that you are a man worthy of your balls by giving me a suitable right royal reply.
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Pandi Kutti / July 26, 2020
Yes but there are also lots of difference that you should be bothered unless you are Chingkallam. In Chingkalla areas dictatorship or not , their nationhood , identity and culture are not threatened . No one is appropriating thousands of acres or Chingkalla land to build facilities for an occupying armed force , that belongs to a hostile ethnic group. Settling Thamizh, building Hindu temples and destroying Buddhist temples and monuments or claiming them as Hindu with false concocted history. Just like it is happening in the Thamizh areas. The very existence of the Thamizh people as a nation , their culture and history are threatened by these occupying Chingkalla armed forces , who are supposed to have demilitarize and left by now. leaving only a token force. However the opposite is happening . They are there to destroy the Thamizh people and their nationhood and land nothing else. Whether it is a dictatorship or democracy this will not change. Chingkallams do not have this threat as the state is ruled by them, dictatorship or democracy, their nationhood , identity and their very existence as a people are not threatened. This is what you do not understand or pretend not to understand so does the world and UN. They selectively understand certain things that benefit them and ignore or pretend not to understand or pretend to be concerned but really not bothered.
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Eagle Eye / July 26, 2020
Sinhala Buddhists did not give power to SWRD Bandaranayake and Dudley Senanayake to enter into pacts with a person who was born in Malaya and entered Sinhale illegally during colonial rule to give ‘Rata Sabha’ to Demala people who are the descendants of Dravida laborers brought from Hindusthan to Yapanaya by Portuguese.
Bandaranayake gave Sinhala only to Sinhalayo from his right hand and tried to give ‘Rata Sabha’ to Demalu from his left hand.
Because of what Dudley did Marxist politicians coined the slogan ‘Dudlige bade masala wade’.
They are tray tors!
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“Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist Governments have unilaterally abrogated Pacts, Accord and promises.
[1] Bandaranaike/Chelvanayakam Pact JULY 26, 195
[2] Dudley Senanayake/Chelvanayakam Pact 24th March 1965”
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Eagle Eye / July 26, 2020
Ceylon is dead and gone. So these cardinal principles are obsolete.
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“It is worth recounting the declaration reached by the TULF, LTTE, EROS, TELO, EPRLF and PLOTE, in full.
The four cardinal principles were which were recognized are as follows:
– Recognition of the Tamils of Ceylon as a nation
– Recognition of the existence of an identified homeland for the Tamils in Ceylon
– Recognition of the right of self-determination of the Tamil nation
– Recognition of the right to citizenship and the fundamental rights of all Tamils in Ceylon”
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Native Vedda / July 26, 2020
Eagle Brain Dead Blind Eye
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“Ceylon is dead and gone. “
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True it happened on 4 February 1948.
On that day Demons yakseya and yakka grabbed the entire island.
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Rajash / July 27, 2020
Eagle Eye “Ceylon is dead and gone”
Ceylon is Dead and Gone long live Ceylon Tea
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Ajith / July 27, 2020
Eagle Eye,
What about Mahinda’s military wings like EPDP and TMVP, CWC? Do you know them in Full?
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GATAM / July 26, 2020
The only sustainable solution is Sinhala Only Elam and Tamil Elam – 2 distinct nations in one island. If Sinhalese want Nagadeepa and militarisation of the north and if Tamils want to live in Colombo, then even that solution would not work thanks to their greed. Perpetual discrimination, second class citizens, riots and war and the military will be king forever.
Choose wisely. Once chosen, no more ifs and buts.
Had India, Pakistan and Bangladesh not partitioned, their deaths would be in tens of millions by now due to civil strife. If India had Godse’s way it would be far more prosperous, peaceful and united than now. But greed prevented it.
Sri Lanka’s war killed far more people than all India-Pakistan wars combined! Shame islanders are too greedy they cannot split the island peacefully.
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soma / July 26, 2020
GATAM
“The only sustainable solution is Sinhala Only Elam and Tamil Elam”
I am the only Sinhalese in this forum who agrees with you 100%.
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Soma
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soma / July 26, 2020
Mr Kumarathasan Rasingham
You are using the terms Tamils, Tamil Nation, Ceylon Tamils, Tamil people etc.. interchangeably. Are they the same category of people? My definition of’Tamils’ is “All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion, caste or the date of arrival” Am I right? Or you mean only Hindu Tamils in Jaffna?
What is your definition? What is TNA’s definition? What is the percentage of ‘Tamils'(as per your definition) out of total population?
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“Recognition of the existence of an identified homeland for the Tamils in Ceylon”
Does this automatically recognise the rest of island as the exclusive homeland for the Sinhalese?
.,-
Soma
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rj1952 / July 26, 2020
Why. oh, why are these devilish Yakko racist sods born with an inferiority complex.?
To me, Buddhism is only a simple way of life and not a religion.
The core principles developed by Lord Buddha, I follow minutely and have the highest admiration along with the respect that goes with it.
The so-called hypocritical low class petty-minded racist followers in this beggar’s colony are nothing but a disgrace to all the living things on this planet.
Ever since the late 1950’s the then docile armed forces were placed mainly in the north especially in the Velvettithuri area along with the sea coastal belt to be a deterrent to prevent the kallathonis similar to the current much wanted by the world war criminal of shivering in his amude so-called disgusting disgraceful lying through his teeth imbecile of a president ever since 2005 has been due to his apathy at meeting the then lauded Tamil Tigers face to face to say hello o the battlefield began during the course of this cursed cussed unnecessary war which took thousands of innocent lives and the much needed to feed the poor wealth of the country kindly left by the British on their departure after granting independence to Ceylon.
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