Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando said 11 soldiers would be prosecuted in the next two weeks over what he termed the most heinous murders in recent history.
Hemasiri Fernando
Addressing an event at Nalanda College, Colombo, Fernando asked the members of the Tamil diaspora to present evidence, if available, against any Sri Lankan soldier involved in potential war crimes.
“Everyone who joins the Army does not become a war hero. To become a war hero, a soldier has to earn a medal and their accomplishments should be announced by way of a gazette. As of now, there are only 39,000 war heroes in Sri Lanka. Of them, 34,000 belong to the Army. Nearly 4400 represent the Navy and 868 belong to the Air Force. A soldier who joined the Army just three months ago is not a war hero,” Fernando explained.
“Especially a murderer cannot become a war hero. He is only a murderer,” he said.
He also said most of the licensed pistols are not with the rightful owners. “The majority are with underworld gangs and they pay a commission to the ones who own the license,” he added.
“Therefore, we have begun a regulation process for licensed pistols. We have, for the moment, cancelled all licenses for pistols. The Defence Ministry will examine these pistols one by one and issue licenses,” Fernando said.
justice / January 21, 2019
Hemasiri Fernando, beware.
The army takes truths as insults.
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Amarasiri / January 21, 2019
Hemasiri Fernando,
“Murderers Cannot Be War Heroes: 11 Soldiers To Be Prosecuted In Two Weeks For Heinous Murders
Yes. Why, should 150,000 good war heroes be tarnished, because these these murderers?
Why not go after the illegal and unconstitutional coup conspirators as well?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / January 22, 2019
This is a fake trial to hoodwink the world, especially when UNHRC is due to meet in March to assess progress in war crimes investigation promised by Sri Lanka. They will tell UNHRC that they have just commenced the process and to give them further time to complete the inquiry. With institutional racism in Sri Lanka judiciary, final verdict is well known. To say that only 11 persons committed murders and the rest did not, itself is a blatant lie. Murder of Tamil civilians by armed forces was not an exception but widespread as witnessed by me as medico-legal officer in war zone.
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Simon De Silva / January 22, 2019
Dr Gnana,
.
agree with you more. Just an another redherring to mislead the gallery.
:
What happened to those 11 boys who were abducted and killed by Navy on the patronage of Navy head ? Why did it take long even to interogate Navy chief etc are fishy to us.
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All what we expected SILLYaka SORRYsena to do is to serve justice for all who were abducted, assaulted and gunned down.
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SorrySena is the KEY person according to rumours to be standing on the way not allowing autohrities to do the job as it should be.
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Let alone now, Sorrysena should do SOME good as PROMISED to 6.2 mio voters in 2015.
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Kumarathasan Rasingam / January 22, 2019
Most of the core issues mentioned in the UNHRC Resolution 30/1 30/4 and not even the GOSL’ s own LLRC recommendations were not implemented. These token acts to hoodwink the UNHRC in March 2019. Pogroms and Genocide against the Tamils started from 1956; The articles below gives a clear picture
https://www.academia.edu/29486541/Importance_of_an_Independent_Homeland_for_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka_Genocide_of_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka
https://www.academia.edu/37466427/MILITERIZATION_OF_TAMILS_HISTORICAL_AND_TRADITONAL_HOMELAN1.docx
https://www.academia.edu/37301888/Mass_Graves.docx
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nic / January 22, 2019
There are only 2 biggest war criminals – 2 brothers with the Rajapakse last name in Sri Lanka who ordered and had carried out mass murder, summary killings, rape, sodomy, plunder, extort, thieve and de-humanize civilians under the caption which merits no repetition.
Meet out to them what they meted out to the many Sinhalese and Tamils – do not waste tax payer money.
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KA / January 22, 2019
This ploy is well crafted by the British as showpiece for upcoming UNHRC theatrics. SL is just following the advice of the British.
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nimal fernando / January 22, 2019
“Murderers Cannot Be War Heroes”
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Gota is the biggest war hero! The war is even his – Gota’s war! ……….. and a murderer, a habitual killer, a serial-killer.
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Talk, talk, talk; Lankan style ………. heard them all before and sure to hear them again …….. go back to Sirisena-talk 2015 :)) ………… Mahinda-talk, Ranil-talk ……..
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I’m sure Mr Hemasiri Fernando got thunderous applause …….. thank my lucky stars he is not named nimal fernando; couldn’t have lived with it.
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So should we all hold our breath in expectation/hope? ……. hope…… despair …….. hope ……. despair …….. hope ……. despair ……. once again hope ……….. 1948,1949,1950,1951,1952 ……. 2015,20116,2017,2018,2019 ……….
–
–
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. — (Good ol’ Will 1606 …… there’s a far-sighted visionary!)
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Sorry to burst your bubble; fellow countrymen
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Fonseka / January 22, 2019
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Bunjappu / January 22, 2019
If this action would cause to wake up President and his indifference nature, that would be a plus at this critical and highly frustrated turning point of the country.
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President SILLYSENA should grasp that entire folks would reject him and it is the chance him to iron out, let alone by doing some good the nation.
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The Navy chief to be bailed out irrespective of the torments of those mothers who lost their young son, to everyone s eye no means acceptable. The very same Navy chief is allegedly to have committed lot more high crimes. All these should be investigated in next days:
.
Sillysena can also rethink if he is right to stand on the way, not allowing GOTABAYA and rest of other Rajapakshes being not jailed for their high crimes committed.
:
Sillysena acts today, as if DRUG menace would be the only problem, but not even having done the litte to irradicate it yet. His wasteful entourage to Philiphines last week, cant make a wonder in drug control of the country, but, just lost few more millions from the state treachery whose every ct is now being in demand to pay Rajapakshe huge debts.
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Rajaakshes should openly be interogated as to why UNNCESSARY sums lost, during their high days. Just stay mum as if RAJAPAKSHES are allowed to commit any high crime just because of him being the leader of the country at the time, 3 forces liberated the country.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / January 22, 2019
TO BE contd.,
These extremists should leave TEACHINGs of buddha, in order to achieve their hate mongering efforts.
:
Ethnocentric Rajapakshes paint the picture contrast in favour of his come back.
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People are kept in dark by main stream media with the country.
If people would be questioned, wht their thoughts and minds are,
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Just listen to the following link – there are monks set to be that OBSEQUEOUS, being brainwashed to talk about Rajapakashe family.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp9uIuZQZ2I&lc=z224i5nrmwucyr1l0acdp435xjrn5gdfspggsznt5q5w03c010c
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These so called monks seem to have the audacity to talk about even RAJAPKAHSE ‘s sexual life and how powerful he would have been in the bed.?
If Rajaakshes wife, an another criminal fallen in the list of murderers of Thadudeen killers, would be ready, even today, according to the MONK, Rajaakshe can make another child bla bla… deterogatory as no times before. No matter entire communities that are parentless would be offended, these BPs and WPs continue with their kind of uncouth statements.
:
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Babansincho / January 22, 2019
Murderers should NOT be war heros.
:
Fits most to Rajapakshes. All is clear going by how they handled it in the post war scenariao, by murdering over 50 journos and let go missing uncountable numbers of any dissidents, and not respecting the least human rights as one of the common wealth nations, and not holding any investigations even if Rajakapkshe men behaves going beyond all ethics and morals (fact finding missing led by UNP MPs were brutally assaulted and the vehicle was demolished with the direct patronage of Mahinda Jarapakshes). We also remember how Rajapakshe defended those thugs that were abused to attacked the visiting MPs then.
:
No any high crimes, not even that most known murder of Lasanth W, sundy leader editor, was properly investigated, … and several other far brutal incidents that sent panic across the country by 2015., were good enough to label Rajaakshes are NO means HEROS, but they grabed the credibility by abusing it through their PROPAGANDA machines. From ITN to all other pvt senders were highly abused for poliishing their image: :
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If those SOLDIERS to be jailed, RAJAPAKSHES shoudl also be jailed MUCH earlier. Then only the world can see that SILLYSEN though bit late, but fullfilled his mission as promised in 2015 election manifesto.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / January 22, 2019
Not the army but lanken President. is person to be blamed for being the trouble not allowing any GENUINE investigations be finalized sofar. Be them in terms of Rajakashes or men in Forces, he is standing on the way, We know how he sacked that CHIEF of FCID, the iron lady who had no fears to acts against Rajakshes and criminals in forces in this country.
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President himself is the root cause of the problem. We need to get rid of him on the spot..
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This statement came all of sudden – never forget, this man HEMA fernando was appointed by SORRYSENA during that 51day black period.
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Some of those appointments and their legality and constiutionality are yet to clarrify.
.
If Hemasiris Fernando is genuine,
a) Why his silence grew up at the time NAVY CHIEF was remanaded and set free on bail few days after ? – there, he could also react boldly as he could if he isgenuine. Those victimized mothers are still in the torments of tantalus not knowing when they would hear that their SONS (11 young boys were reported to have been abducted by navy almost 10 years ago, yet to clear if these youth are still alive or not) are still alive or not or what happened to them ???????????????????
.
And as Secretary of Defence, we need to KNOW as to why that informant NAMAL Kumara be given that much of IMPUNITY, further let him creating continous anxities to masses in this country – if the alleged ASSASINATION plot is just a blant lie or not Secretary of defence could clear it to the nation yet today.
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Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is hurt as no other, falsehoods about him and PM Ranil W are in the air through that NAMAL kumara the informant – a man of Pre Sirisena – why then this secretary seems not uttering a single word on the issue ?????????????
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 22, 2019
Please get your facts on this crook.
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http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/09/03/law-order/92198?page=11
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He is no better to his boss – the Minister of Defence in current cabinet- NONE other than the SORRYSENA himself.
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These men are born crooks. Dont think these men would ever become genuine by their performance.
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In the days of BP Mahinda Rajakashe – March and September in each were seen as black months. They were always spreading lies about internal politics to the world even went on creating new ETHINIC based clashes to display the world how INTENSE our ethinic based conflicts have been. In the reality, that is not he case.
Devil is not at all dark, perhaps, there is no devil in this country If Rajakashe and Sirisena or the like highly abusive men would HAVE been taken away from lanken politics.
Genuine politicians of today are RW and CBK. I still believe, they are not playing with hearts and minds of minority issues. They are the ones who thought to widen the chances of coming to a sustainable solution for long standing ethnic problems in the country.
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Babalathappu / January 21, 2019
This comes in a time, where, Mafia boss, former President makes every effort to rabble rouse the nation by spreading blatant lies about a constitution which is not even available as a draft. The necessity of a new constitution became clearer during previous presidential election. Now to bumps back and to support Rajapakdhe extremism is not what people expected from Mr Sirisena by appointing him in 2015. Just after becoming president to behave as if his appointement came in to being through DIVINE forces, kicking all those who supported him – is beyond all ethics and morals.
:
You- defence secretary, are spot on, regarding your bold statements, just becasue of them being soldiers, but some of them albeit army/navy/airforce deserters, today, many of them in and out of the country seem enjoying impunity. This is under the direct patronage of former president and his abusive joint opposition men.
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Let alone today, people in this country should be fed with truthful information about anything. For their advantage, anything to be manipulated and pass them as their version have become the style of today s news media within the island. Media men refrain from not passing valulble info to the public. Spcecially, Derana, Sirasa and Hiru and that Wanamohini channels mislead the nation as no times inthe past.
They dont care about the impact of socail degragation resulted by being spread lies across their channels.
If the media would LOVE the country and people than their pocket filling tactics things could change drastically, becasue the visual media pictures worth thousands words. And people are gullible and become easy prey of predatory Rajapakshe politics.
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Naman / January 21, 2019
You are absolutely right in saying that the PUBLIC should be told the TRUTH in order to counter act Fake News by Majarajah’s or Rajapaksa’s TV/Newspapers.
The Democracy dies when the voting public are told lies and bribed to vote for them. It also dies when the Majority suppresses the MINORITIES.
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justice / January 21, 2019
Hemasiri Fernando honors the military at a Passing Out parade.
He knows when to praise & when to reprimand.
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Agnos / January 22, 2019
Justice,
I don’t take Mr. Fernando’s words at face value and doubt his sincerity.
Let us wait and see if they take any real action to show any genuine interest in accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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Simon De Silva / January 21, 2019
Perhaps these statements are because we are now nearing March 2019.
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These men are no independent to issue the kind of statements – by having behaved against countries constitution during the past 3 months, but all of sudden to leve explosive statements ?.
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Raj-UK / January 21, 2019
At last a Defence Secretary who seem to have guts & not concerned about the ‘politically correct’ rhetoric of misguided resists who live in denial. Just one thing, why not start at the top? Those who gave orders or turned a blind eye to atrocities are equally responsible, if not more, for the crimes of ordinary foot soldiers in the guise of liberating the country.
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Douglas / January 21, 2019
CT: Why this reporting titled “Explosive Statement”? If the Government Authorities can find who the “MURDERERS” are, whether in Armed Forces or “Outside”, make an HONEST STATEMENT and bring all of them to face justice. This has not been done as expeditiously as expected and that is the very reason the Government is facing PUBLIC condemnation. Now at least, the present Defence Secretary says what has to be said; but what NEEDS to be done is yet to come. So Mr. Secretary, DO IT. We have so many “WAR HEROES” who are seeking “Cover” under this “TITLE” ; but in actual fact they are “WAR CRIMINALS”. Once again, I am telling, Mr. Secretary “DO IT”.
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Buramphisincho / January 21, 2019
Douglas,
I think you dont get it. Yesterday I have read somewhere that UNHRC forces srilanka to be work on the promises given tto them. Nothing is done since President Sirisena has always been the stumbling block. Not just dissmissal of then FCID chief lot more interference SIRISENA made on and on. But tried to be in good books by putting the blame on RW.
Yes, caption should be changed accordingly, it is the truth not an explosive statement, but this is very unprecedented right? How can we expect genuineness the way these men behaved until few weeks ago ?.
–
There are simple issues that SIRISENA can be work on in order to achieve the goal. Like for example, the recommendations made by PC set on INVESTIGATION of high profile crimes. There, he keeps the files away from Public to release it whenever he would be pressed by Rajaapakshes next. This Sirisena would never be dead even if he would have been put in 240 degrees. He is the king of all crooks in today s context.
:
If Sirisena would visit Europe, I will myself travel to his meetings in order to question him a lot. I have my right to do so, sincewe have worked to appoint him in 2015. He has done nothing but what UNP led men achieved were reaped by him. Just becasue bond bank scam screwd up the image of UNP, they just stayed mum, but today I see, it was premeditated by a plan made by MOST abusive president. He himself uttered it over 99% of bond scam had been during previous regime. However he abuses that for his power greedy tactics. This man Sirisena is now making effort to get an extension by hook or crook.
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Native Vedda / January 21, 2019
Douglas
–
Wait until how Hopper Sirisena is going to react to Hemasiri Fernando’s address.
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PARAMESH JOLAD / January 22, 2019
this appayas election gimmicks. Land release and these he thinks will win Tamil votes. This modaya has to go
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / January 22, 2019
He goes to the north and declares lands have been released and when the legal owners go to reclaim their lands , the fake war hero , war criminal army blocks them from entering their so called released lands. Just a farce and this trial will be another farce to hoodwink the world. Only 11 men facing trial and all the rest, including the leaders going scot free.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 22, 2019
May well be a red herring to tell the world ” we are working on them”. hahaha..
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Sirisena abusive nature is public secret to the world (but not yet to lankens).
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Fonseka / January 22, 2019
He might summon Arle for a massage?
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Saman Adikari / January 21, 2019
Ministry of Defense that guy has to realized, as person in charge that position there two types of War on history of all conflicts of wars . Just war and unjust Wars .I need not teach of lessons of war because that Guy of MOD has to be veteran of all policy matter of security forces and Wars. I feel that guy made stamen in public which is irrelevant to place he out-spoken against soldiers of SL army is nothing to related to the policy President line of thinking.
Whom it may concern that Sri Lankan security forces which fought for against 30 years launch by ruthless that LTTE Tamil Terrorist; which was against Unity and Sovereignty of Island democracy.
The root cause war of Sri Lankan security was resistance in defense of nation sovereignty which that Undeniadelly a Just War.
It was fought by security forces defend that Right of self-determination of Island which including 2600 years of Civilization and its National Independence, Territory integrity and by its longest save democracy nation who that survival Third World nation, which is that like Sri lanka.
Therefor that War criminals like Nazis of Germany ,Fascist in Italy and Militarism of Japanese were committed WAR Crime against People of World . That was address after the Second World by War Criminals in by ICJ.
The Sri lanka nation NOT come under that category, so Lankan security forces are FREE from any means of “War crime” that allegation framed and concord by Tamil of LTTE, TNA and Diaspora’s of Tamils are out-of Island.
We came to conclusion that guy of MOD is made by reckless speech, we do not agreed at all.
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / January 22, 2019
Only thing blabbering here is you racist. Just war!. What is just about genocide, ethnic cleansing , discrimination denial of language , education , land rights and even citizenship to certain categories of Tamils by the Sinhalese led state, establishment and armed forces , since independence? Mad man the island was never Sinhalese from ancient time , the north east and the north west coast have always been Tamil , ruled by Tamil kings and chiefs. Even your Mahavamsa comic book admits to this fact that the lands to the north and east of the island are all Tamil lands. Sinhalese as a language and a people only came into existence around the 7TH -9TH century AD and they are largely descended from local Dravidian ( Tamil) Naga and Yakka tribes and Indian Tamil invaders and immigrants who converted to Buddhism and corrupted their Tamil with the Pali of Buddhism. So where is your 2600 year civilisation. Even most of your kings were of Tamil ancestry and never called themselves Sinhalese or Aryan as they were not. Monks from the Mahavihara had to have a compulsory knowledge of Tamil , Pali and Sanskrit to become monks there not Sinhalese , as no such language existed at that time or it was not a literary language but still evolving from Tamil and Pali.
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Mallaiyuran / January 21, 2019
” Rubbish. A covert operation to protect war criminals. Diaspora’ should not give any evidence to these guys until Rome Treaty is accepted in Lankawe, all necessary UN conventions on war crimes are ratified and appropriate bills passed to prosecute the criminals under those conventions, PTA removed and a genuine witness protection bill passed. Not again the Tamils victims should succumb to these techniques. We don’t want any more Paranagama commissions to send CIDs to missing person’s relatives’ homes to suppress evidences.
Now the Rapist Army has to submit the list of the prisoners it took after the war in Mullaitivu. Tamils can file cases to those missing person on the Rapist Army.
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Tamil from the north / January 21, 2019
Hemasiri, while you are catching the army buggers who committed unspeakable crimes, there are some LTTE buggers who are aligned with the Parayapaksas (Pillayan, Karuna, Daya Master, KP Pathmanathan) and EPDP buggers………..haul their arse to the inquiry as well. Let this be a lesson, if you commit a crime so heinous, you go to jail whether you are Sinhalese, Tamil or whatever. You don’t get a jail free card if you belong to a particular community. Then put this bugger Go(a)ta in jail too.
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JD / January 22, 2019
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JD / January 21, 2019
Hemasiri Fernando can talk BS. Turkey straight forward said it would not be prosecuting any soldiers. Those who went to the war are not Robots as the one who di dnot go to war wants it. Grow up.
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Real Revolutionist / January 22, 2019
The way people accept ” a war hero” is different.
Only 29000 war heroes!
Well, that may be, how ceremonially/officially describe it.
For the people, all those took part actively in the war are heroes except those have committed crimes during the stay in military.
SL war ended in 2009 & people want to end all these controversies or start another war against Diaspora.
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Ajith / January 22, 2019
I recently read a news item that former defence secretary asked Lasantha’s daughter to come to Srilanka to see who killed Lasantha. Gota was given doctarate by Universities as well. Is that for any murder?
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Tamil from the north / January 22, 2019
@Ajith, Goat got a PhD in Murder………….that makes him a Murderologist (a new word I just created just for our lovely Goat). He is also an Assassinologist, Thieverologist and Robberologist.
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JD / January 22, 2019
I do no tknow whether Hemasiri Fernando is testing the waters on behalf of the PResident. First HEmasiri Fernando should talk how many LTTE caders they have incarcerated exept the few hundred they are keeping. How many escaped. If they go to jail, even KAruna, douglas, TNA, Penthouse RAVI, Johnaston Fernando, Ranil, Kiriella must go to jail.
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Champa / January 22, 2019
Blast you, idiot.
You don’t deserve to hold the Defence Secretary post.
You asked evidence from LTTE diaspora? LTTE diaspora? You are asking evidence from terrorists?
I am too angry to answer the rest.
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Native Vedda / January 22, 2019
Champass
–
“You don’t deserve to hold the Defence Secretary post.”
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If Gota could why couldn’t Hemasiri Fernando.
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“You asked evidence from LTTE diaspora? LTTE diaspora? You are asking evidence from terrorists?”
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Have you got a list of LTTE diaspora.
If you have could we have a copy.
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Tamil from the north / January 22, 2019
Chimpa, Chimpa, Chimpa why are you so bloody dumb and stupid?
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LEELAGEMALLI / January 22, 2019
His profession was/is the oldest in the world.
.
We are ashamed to see SINHALAYAS of Champas nature, but many prostitutes behave so for various reasons. It is just pathological really.
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Tamil from the north / January 22, 2019
@LEELAGEMALLI, if I was living in Lanka and I knew you, I will be working to promote you to become the next leader. At least you have a heart and think with kindness. I may not know who you are, but I respect you with all my heart.
Chimpa is a woman. I would have thought a woman will have more compassion than men, no I am wrong. She is a vile pig.
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Ajith / January 22, 2019
Champa.
Calm down. Truth is always difficult for some. Evidence is important in any case. It is not depend on who gives evidence but it is the validity of the evidence. We have seen how the truth was destroyed (by the murder of witnesses) in Lasantha murder case. You know who murdered Lasantha. Do you think the murderer of Lasantha should go free and to become a National Hero?
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Mallaiyuran / January 22, 2019
Shavendra Silva, Jagath Jayasuriya, Jagath Dias and other 42 people accused in the first OISL report should be taken care. Wimal has all details.
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Fonseka / January 22, 2019
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Tamil from the north / January 22, 2019
@Mallaiyuran, are these fellows part of the real list? If yes, then is Kamal Gunaratne part of it too?
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Rajash / January 22, 2019
“Murderers Cannot Be War Heroes”
The satemetn by the defence secretary is not slip of the tounge.
it’ s his consciousness that is speaking
His conciousness that those who brutally murdered tens of thousands of Tamils in the no fire zone, His conciousness that Tamils who surrendered to the army were raped and tortured and killed including chldren…
HIs conciousness spoke spontaneously
Gota and Mahinda are carrying this guilt ….and one day the truth will prevail
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Nathan / January 22, 2019
Murderers cannot be war heroes but certainly patriots! That is the way of looking at it.
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Rajash / January 23, 2019
Nathan ; “Murderers cannot be war heroes but certainly patriots!”
That applies both ways
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Douglas / January 22, 2019
Buramphisincho” You said: “I don’t think you get it”. What are you talking about? I get everything that is going on. For how long I have been clamoring and demanding the :Authorities to hand off the “Law Enforcement” and the Judiciary, and allow them their “Independence” to investigate and bring these”Murderers” who are parading the streets with High Ups” to book. Just think of the most recent case of that “THUG” who was appointed as Chief of Defense Staff. For how long he has been evading arrest with the help of even the President. Isn’t he responsible and directly answerable to those 11 students killed and collecting “Blood Money” through his own subordinates. Interestingly, the the Secretary of Defense – GR has publicly asked the daughter of Lasantha Wickramatunga to come to him to know the “killers” of her father. In any other country this “bastards” would have been taken to custody and subjected to rigorous questioning; but not in Sri Lanka. All are talking of “Journalists” (some 44) lost or tortured during the MR’s regime. Do the “South” talk of Journalists, “Sivaram” (Thariki) “Nimalarajan”; “Sigeetharajan” and many such from the North? One thing, I must clearly say is: All these “Abductions”; “Murders” were the result of “Direct Involvement” and “Instructions” from the “Very TOP” who controlled the “Slaves” of the Armed Forces. Those “Higher Up” of the “Non Armed Forces” are the ones who should be hauled up before Justice. Get those “SLAVES” of the Armed Forces who “Obliged” vomit the TRUTH. That is how the JUSTICE must be dispensed with. Get those “Slave Masters” rounded up FIRST. Even the UN and its Agencies have very “Obligingly” overlooked that aspect of the “War Crimes”.
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Nathan / January 22, 2019
But yet, unless proved otherwise, I will consider this as a stunt to please the west, mounting pressures and human rights pressures. If this is the truth then certainly Shavendra cannot have been posted to the present position. This is to get some lone to salvage Mother Lanka and to settle part of the loans by MR. Come on guys these are just gundus.
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Lester / January 22, 2019
Let’s get the facts right. LTTE buggers had 27 years to surrender “peacefully.” They could have surrendered to India and had a federal state if they wanted instead of blowing up Rajiv Gandhi. Now it’s a “war crime” because some of these terror maniacs came out with a white flag but were executed by the SLA?
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Nathan / January 22, 2019
Lester, I agree with you fully. But killing of LTTE is not the issue but killing of innocent civilians and bombing safety shelters and hospitals ere a crime.
Of course when the LTTE leaders went with white flags at the heat of the war with so much anger they are damn stupid to believe that they would be spared. Come on guys let us be realistic. What happened to their cyanide capsules?
Karuna and co killed 800 surrendered police officers in the east during Premadasa’s time and how about that? That killer was also a deputy minster under MR and also servicing many old politicians ladies being a stud bull. Still he is loose?
Both LTTE and SL military committed war crimes and no one is innocent. But for completion it is good to have an independent inquiry involving neutral people. let the world know the truth.
As Lester says there was ample opportunity to have a federal state then but Prabha the Megalomaniac wanted absolute power to control Eelam and nothing else. He was prepared to sacrifice all including his children. Terrible mental make up.he simple not prepared to listen to anyone. Those who advised him are his enemies.
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Lester / January 23, 2019
Dear Nathan,
It is well-known that LTTE hid in the bomb shelters and hospitals. They hid weapons in the hospitals as well. LTTE held tens of thousands of innocent Tamils HOSTAGE. That is the real crime, not the SLA attacking Tamils. If SLA wanted to attack Tamils, there would be no Tamils left.
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Upali / January 22, 2019
Tamils celebrate Prabhakaran as a war hero.There are murderers on both sides. The real war heros are the true sons of poorest of the poor on both sides who joined the forces after the war commenced.Before eighties there was a clamor to join the army by applicants from big schools like Royal Trinity Ananda Nalanda and big schools. At passing out parades Silver Sword Awards were won by them but after the war commenced and body bags started coming dUpaliown the so called big school boys got scared and its the ‘Game school kollo’ who came forward to face the bullets. They on both sides are the war heros.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / January 22, 2019
This is Bold textCIVIL WAR (SINHALESE INTERPRETIONS)
That was not a war. But an ethnic struggle. Even today, they have been struggling for the same. Not just they but muslims srilankens too fight for their own rights. I am born sinhalaya, but for some reasons, I feel, some of people, but not lesser percentage yet today, are highly abusive and racial.
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The reasons, burgher community to have left the country for escape already few decades ago was not being able to bear the discriminatory excercises being practised by sinhalayas on them across the country.
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Do we have anyone to represent burghers in the country today. Why dont we see any MP in parliament to represent them ? That alone proves our sinhalayas ‘s ethnocentric behaviour. This no one can understate ? Media men are caught by Rajapakshe rascals, for their selfish gains SINCE grass eating dominated nation would never change their minds. Any crook can easily twist their mind set through spread of sorcery tricks and astrology. Longer they would talk about RAJAYOGAYA; easier to tame the guillible in the country.
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So, the word ” WAR HEROES” should be banned in our voccabulary. No doubt, any country would stand against terrorism of all forms. Not just tamil terror groups, we also had SINHALA terror groups that even caused to take the lives of over 70 k youth across the country in 70ties and 80ties.
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However, extremism of any form, be them led by former President or other groups to be eleminated, and we should take hard steps against them. Very unfortunately we see yet today, that those extremists in SAFRONrobes are in lead to paint incorrect pictures about our own minorities. Not just ethinic minorities, but also any form of social groups should not be treated the way some politicians publicly and shamelessly do yet today. It is of vital importance that we need to impose new laws. banning the uncouth langauge being applied by uncivilized people towards the minorities.
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Tamil from the north / January 22, 2019
@Upali, I am a Tamil. I do not consider VP a hero. Never did and never will. He has murdered many Tamils I personally know. He also tried to assassinate the only Leader (CBK) who might have done some good for the people of Lanka. I cannot respect him for these reasons. Yes, I agree to some Tamils he is a hero, but not to me.
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shankar / January 22, 2019
“Defence Secretary Makes Explosive Statement”
the explosion has been felt all the way to the UNHRC which is going to make a decision on SL soon.
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Manicka Vasagar / January 22, 2019
This is a stage drama and shadow play for the coming UN HRC session in Geneva. Just hand over the former defence secretary and the army general to the ICC. War Heroes – don’t cry for me, Sri Lanka.
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Mano / January 22, 2019
In the first place prove the war was for fair and just cause. The war was fought by the Govts. in power for political benefits but supposed to solve the political demands of the Tamils since the day of Independence 4th February ,1947.
All state atrocities perpetrated against the Tamils are crimes against Humanity including ban on travels, consumer and medical goods to the North since 1980s and enforced several times until 2009.
How about gunboat firings along the coastal villages from Sampur to Mullaitivu, myriads of air bombings, heli gun firings, carpet bombings of Vadamaradchi, Araly St.Paul’s Church , Navaly School and other bombings of Civilian Targets, murder of Media personal, M.PP and christian Clergy since 1980 ?
Mass Graves of Chemmany, still going Mannar excavations have all to be tried and justice meted. A total clean up is the issue or no nonsense of part and parcel solution and hoodwink the world.
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Wera / January 22, 2019
The Rajapakshe kept Media have been screaming about war heroes being sent to Jail. Given the usual indifferent attitude the UNP adopts to these claims some voters actually believe these claims. They use this as an excuse to support the Rajapakshe murderers. Therefore I am very sceptical about the defense secrataries claims.
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Upul / January 22, 2019
Notice how in Sri Lanka the announcements precede the action by weeks.
And, everyone forgets the statement because another ton of new announcements have buried the previous ones.
The lackadaisical and comical media still manages to cover all these announcements with zero followup or professional reporting.
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JD / January 22, 2019
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Naman / January 22, 2019
Those in Power NOW, are STILL very afraid of Gota and Mahinda’s capacity to take REVENGE and DON’T have the GUTS to bring them to JUSTICE.
Ranil W is in deep debt to Mahinda R for keeping him as Leader of the Opposition during his tenure. People don’t TRUST him. The current two PM and President should go asap. First the PRESIDENT by having the ELECTION for it as early as possible. We don’t want the USELESS Provincial Election NOW. It only serves the CROOKED Politicians.
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Simon De Silva / January 22, 2019
Naman,
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Not just politicians, but entire social structure is like an incurable stage of a cancer. Today than any time inthe past, buddhist monks and their vocals have been instrumental to spread blantat lies based on racism. Inflicting riots on Muslim people according to buddhist monks – is not a punishable act. They the malicious politicians of Rajaakshe nature do it in a fine manner, as nothing would come up. as was the case in Kandy riots, but cat is out of the bag – by unpredictable behavours of SILLYSENA.
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Very often, I feel, SILLYSENA betrays anyone not thinking twice. His recent actions are no based on wisdom. He should no means the PRESIDENT of a nation whose literacy rate is comparable to that o f western nation.
Just imagine, during that 52 day black coup, SIRISENA added that Kandy riots and Durga city attacks were all premeditated by RAJAPAKSHES loyalists (THIS IS THE MOST USEFUL STATEMENT issued by incumbent president to prove that he is STUPID as no any leaders in this country).
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Even if current men in UNP wholeheartedly want to deliver as pledged in 2015 Election manifesto – most powerful President stands on the way. Very same man would apply all the blatant tricks to be in good books – USING Kili sakili Maharaja TV (SIRASA) that UNP is the stumbling block whatever good work SORRISENA would want to bring about.
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Just imagine – few months ago, there had been BIG big talk about reintroducing the gallow – against any high criminals and their agendas – the discourse is now burried under the carpet.
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Not to underestimate – WHEN MEDIA is on their side, the message would not GO TO THE masses. See, mawbima and other printed media abuse it as no other..
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Srilankans – I mean majority masses are dependent on TV news than any other sources of vehicles which transport them the news.
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Nathan / January 22, 2019
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K.Pillai / January 22, 2019
Lankan Defence Ministry is an administrative job. A former Defence Secretary behaved as if he owned the ministry. On a visit to Australia he demanded and got a Guard of Honour. His posts in the Defence Ministry website brought harm to our international reputation. He used reprehensible language on those who dissented.
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The present Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando’s so-called ‘explosive’ statement of intent is politically sensitive. It would have been more appropriate had he persuaded the Minister of Defence to say it.
Addressing an event at Nalanda College, Colombo, Hemasiri Fernando asked the members of the Tamil diaspora to present evidence, if available, against any Sri Lankan soldier involved in potential war crimes.
This is definitely not the way to go about. There are several Tamil Diaspora organisations and Forum who have been in the lead as far as highlighting the grievances are concerned. Recognising and approaching them will enhance your noble effort. There might well be paid fake Tamil Diaspora who might bugger the whole thing.
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We suggest care and caution. This is a historic moment.
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 22, 2019
K. Pillai@
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let s wait to see if the statement of DS Fernando, to be credible or not – I have not yet heard anything on the topic being uttered by Rajapakshe men yet today. If this would have been issued by Ranil led groups, no dobut, they would already have rabbleroused the nation – calling, that it is an utter disgrace made to the WAR HEROS.
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It would have been more appropriate had he persuaded the Minister of Defence to say it.
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It would then be like asking pigs to fly. This is a premedidated act of ministry of defence to precede it a few weeks before next UNHRC sessions March 2019. Now with entire world standing against SILLYSENA, UN will put much pressure if they would not have done the least.
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UNP led groups made every effort to make them clear, but it was effortless as we everyone is clear today.
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But UNP is caught by the actions being taken by stupid SIRISENA since PM is the head of the cabinet.
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Seneka Goonewardene / January 22, 2019
Why don’t you start with Rajapaksa family, They are the ones who done most of the murders.
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Simon De Silva / January 22, 2019
He is just a Secretary of Defence who has been appointed during RECENT COUP. SO, what comes from his cesspit is no value/just thrash, dont take them serious
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. If the man is genuine, him to behave this way all of sudden, as if his rebirth occured yesterday ? He has been in the office for the last 3 months, and this guy is known to lanken politics since Mrs B s days. So all these are just redherrings to be in good books.
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Most likely the next attack on Muslim srilankens master minded by Rajapakshe/Sillysena to be fallen in the days to come -but before March 2019.
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And there are also rumours that BBS head will be set free from the prison by 2 Feb 2019.
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Then the picture will become even larger. Wait and see, all these are premediated acts of RAJAPKASHE-SILLYSENA.
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