It is with perplexity and disappointment we state our protest at the way Ms. Swasthika Arulingam, Attorney at law, was recently turned away from a lecture she was scheduled to deliver at the University of Jaffna. Ms. Arulingam, a human rights lawyer has championed the cause of justice in a wide array of cases and has stood by so many who had been denied justice: she has fought for the independence of the judiciary and for justice for all people; she has stood against state repression and has stood by women, minorities and other marginalised persons.
Swasthika Arulingam
At a recent event in Colombo, Ms. Arulingam had, among many other pronouncements on the cause of justice and repressive laws, characterised the LTTE as a fascist organisation. This one remark, an aside in her speech at this unrelated event, had earned the ire of the student union of Jaffna University.
Subsequently, when the Department of Law, University of Jaffna had invited her to deliver a lecture ironically on judicial independence in a time of crisis, on the 31st of October, 2023, certain sections of the student population, including the Student Union, had railed against the conduct of the event. They had forced the Dean and University authorities to cancel the lecture, with threats of gheraos and barricades, barring her entry into and exit from the venue. The University authorities had caved into this pressure, and had suggested a change of venue, outside the university, which Ms. Arulingam had quite rightly said no to.
Violence in our universities needs to be checked and countered with greater openness and discussion. Universities are places for the exchange of ideas. They are considered the crucibles of new ideas and change. Developments such as these further undermine the history of the university as a space of freedom, a space where one can dissent without fear of retribution, essential for the flourishing of criticality. There is no place for violence and acts of intimidation in our universities. To condone censorship in such a space is a violation of this spirit. It severely compromises the substantive mandate of the university. There is, in addition, a subtle rhetoric around Ms. Arulingam’s being an ‘outsider’ who was invited ‘in’ for a talk, who therefore should have abided by the tacit rules in place. We find this attitude objectionable, because we should not subscribe to the gatekeeping of ideas nor any form of insularity in our thinking. On the contrary, universities should facilitate the open exchange of ideas, in and across the many spheres of our civil and political lives.
It is ironic that the incident takes place at a time when university students themselves are facing severe repression from dominant state forces. In such a context, it is all the more disheartening to see that students, particularly student unions who have a certain amount of political clout and power within university spaces, engage in willful suppression of views opposed to theirs. This attitude is visible in ragging as well as in other instances of dissent, such as in this case. The fact that student politics increasingly mirror that on the national level, in spirit and in strategy, signals a dangerous trend of intolerance coming to define life at all levels of society. In this extremely trying time of a severe economic crisis, repressive laws that undo protection for the ordinary people, and a resurgence of majoritarian chauvinism in many areas of policy and populist appeal, the space for independent thinking needs to be kept alive and fought for with vigour.
The incident at Jaffna University is a wake-up call to all of us in the university system, to jealously guard the space for independent thinking and push this ethic to the utmost. We therefore call on all in the university system – academics, students, administrators – to urgently commit to ensuring that the university remains a space of freedom, criticality, and mutual respect. We call on the University of Jaffna and all other state universities to cherish and promote these principles. In this spirit, we call on the Department of Law, University of Jaffna to re-invite Ms. Arulingam to deliver her lecture, in an affirmation of the values of freedom of expression and respect for different viewpoints that she has consistently fought for.
- Udari Abeyasinghe, University of Peradeniya
- Ranil Abayasekara, formerly University of Peradeniya
- Liyanage Amarakeerthi, University of Peradeniya
- Dewmini Amunugama, University of Peradeniya
- Fazeeha Azmi, M. I.,University of Peradeniya
- Crystal Baines, formerly University of Colombo
- Imani Bakmeedeniya,University of Peradeniya
- Dhanuka Bandara,University of Peradeniya
- Shyama Banneheka,University of Peradeniya
- Ann Conrad, University of Peradeniya
- Suresh de Mel, University of Peradeniya
- Erandika de Silva, formerly University of Jaffna
- Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, University of Colombo
- Kanchuka Dharmasiri, University of Peradeniya
- Priyan Dias, University of Moratuwa
- Pavithra Ekanayake, University of Peradeniya
- Avanka Fernando, University of Colombo
- Amna Frouz, University of Peradeniya
- G D U P K Gamage, University of Peradeniya
- Ruwani Gamalath, University of Peradeniya
- Dileni Gunewardena, University of Peradeniya
- Farzana Haniffa, University of Colombo
- S. T. Hettige, Emeritus Professor, University of Colombo
- Tracy Holsinger, formerly Open University of Sri Lanka.
- Ishafa Illiyas, University of Peradeniya
- Kaushalya Jayasinghe, University of Peradeniya
- Prabath Jayasinghe, University of Colombo
- Jennifer Edama, University of Peradeniya
- Jeyaratnam Jeyadevan, University of Jaffna
- Ahilan Kadirgamar, University of Jaffna
- Maduranga Kalugampitiya, University of Peradeniya
- Madhara Karunarathne, University of Peradeniya
- Chulani Kodikara, formerly University of Colombo, Visiting Lecturer
- Manikya Kodithuwakku, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Yasas Kulasekara, University of Peradeniya
- Supoorna Kulatunga, University of Peradeniya
- N. Savitri Kumar, Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya
- Shamala Kumar, University of Peradeniya
- Vijaya Kumar Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya
- Rohan Laksiri, University of Ruhuna
- A. H. Lareena, Sabaragamuwa University
- Hasini Lecamwasam, University of Peradeniya
- Saumya Liyanage, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo
- K.W.S.I.Madumali, University of Peradeniya
- Lahiruka Madhuwanthi, University of Peradeniya
- Sudesh Mantillake,University of Peradeniya
- Prabha Manuratne, University of Kelaniya
- Sitralega Maunaguru, formerly Professor at Eastern University Sri Lanka
- Dushyanthi Mendis, University of Colombo
- R. Morel, University of Peradeniya
- Kethakie Nagahawatte, University of Colombo
- M. A. Nuhman,Retired Professor, University of Peradeniya
- Gananath Obeyesekere, formerly University of Peradeniya
- Ranjini Obeyesekere, formerly University of Peradeniya
- Buddhima Padmasiri, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Sasinindu Patabendige, formerly University of Jaffna
- Hasitha Pathirana, University of Kelaniya
- Pradeep Peiris, University of Colombo
- Ruhanie Perera, University of Colombo
- Hasitha Perera, University of Jaffna
- Kaushalya Perera, University of Colombo
- Nicola Perera, University of Colombo
- Sasanka Perera, Formerly Professor, University of Colombo
- Rupika Rajakaruna, University of Peradeniya
- Udara Rajapaksha, ,University of Peradeniya
- Dileeshiya Rajarathna,University of Peradeniya
- Muthumini Rajasooriya,University of Peradeniya
- Harshana Rambukwella, formerly Open University of Sri Lanka
- Udayana Ranatunga, University of Peradeniya
- Madushani Randeniya,University of Peradeniya
- Bhathiya Rathnayake, University of Peradeniya
- Sajitha Ratnayake, University of Peradeniya
- Gameela Samarasinghe, University of Colombo
- T. Sanathanan, University of Jaffna
- Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, University of Jaffna
- Dr Asanka P. Sayakkara, University of Colombo
- Kalana Senaratne, Dept. of Law, University of Peradeniya
- Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Sabaragamuwa University
- Poornima Senaweera, University of Peradeniya
- Tudor Silva, Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya
- Krishan Siriwardhana, University of Colombo
- Sahani Situbandara, University of Peradeniya
- H. Sriyananda, formerly Open University of Sri Lanka
- Sivamohan Sumathy, University of Peradeniya
- Ruth Surenthiraraj, University of Colombo
- Esther Surenthiraraj, University of Colombo
- Vasanthi Thevansan, Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya
- Dayapala Thiranagama, formerly University of Kelaniya
- Mahendran Thiruvarangan, University of Jaffna
- Ramila Usoof, University of Peradeniya
- Jayadeva Uyangoda, Emeritus Professor University of Colombo
- Vivimarie VanderPoorten, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Selvaraj Vishvika,University of Peradeniya
- Chamini Weerasinghe, University of Peradeniya
- Ruvan Weerasinghe, University of Colombo
- Carmen Wickramagamage,University of Peradeniya
- Kumudu Wickramathilaka, University of Peradeniya
- Ranjit Wijekoon, formerly University of Peradeniya
- Shalini Wijerathna, University of Peradeniya
- Shermal Wijewardene, University of Colombo
SJ / November 17, 2023
I expected an overwhelming number of signatories from among dons of the University concerned.
(Good and bad are not delivered by others.)
from puRanAnURu 192
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srikrish / November 18, 2023
I endorse every word of what the Dons say in protest against the cancellation of the proposed Swasthika Arulingam’s lecture at Jaffna University.
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Captain Morgan / November 17, 2023
No doubt the LTTE was fighting for a worthy cause but the fact remains that it was essentially a Fascist organization. Doesn’t Ms. Arulingam have the right to call a spade a spade?
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Ajith / November 17, 2023
Did she call that Srilanka state as fascism?
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SJ / November 17, 2023
She may have during a certain period of its recent history, when the state was on the fringe of fascism.
If she did, will it please you and will you concede that the LTTE is a fascist bunch?
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srikrish / November 18, 2023
Ajith,
Ms Arulingam may not have called Sri Lanka a fascist state, but still she has the right to express her opinion whatever her opinion may be on any matter.It is her democratic right
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Rohan25 / November 18, 2023
Yes, it is her democratic right but when this so-called human rights activist calls the LTTE fascist and not say anything about the what the Sri Lankan state or the armed forces did to the island’s Tamils, which was far more fascist and terrorist than what the LTTE did and the immense war crimes and structural genocide that is committed against the island’s Tamils and still are continuing to do so and she and all these so called Dons who are now protesting, were mum and still are keeping mum about this, they cease be neutral and biased and have lost all their credibility to come to the Jaffna university to express her opinion. If she had called out all the parties and condemned them for what they did, then I would have supported her and all these hypocritical Sinhalese Dons, but she did not. She was very selective with her criticism and who she chooses to criticize and condemn.
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SJ / November 18, 2023
What makes you so sure that she is not critical of state oppression?
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Tharma / November 19, 2023
She wasn’t taken by white van
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SJ / November 20, 2023
T
Were you taken by a white van?
If you were not, where does it place you and, regardless of your ride in the van, the many that were denied a ride?
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SJ / November 18, 2023
sk
The poor fellow is trying hard to protect a fascistic outfit.
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Ajith / November 18, 2023
srikrish,
Similarly, the university students have the right to protest against her opinion democratically.
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SJ / November 18, 2023
Protesting has a place and a way– certainly not the obscene blocking of freedom of expression.
How pathetic are the tiger proxies!
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Mahila / November 20, 2023
Ajith,
“Did she call that Sri Lanka state as fascism?”
Although I understand where you are coming from, especially, when you talk about ‘free speech’, the question posed by you is ‘SUPERFLUOUS’!!
Swastika is talking about LTTE and comment really is on that!!! Why should one question whether in that presentation she called the SL state, Fascist!!! Or Third Reich a Fascist Organisation, though the established historical fact is they were and found guilty as such!!!
Hope you understand where I am coming from??
Swastika, May WELL BE OF THE VIEW, OR NOT!!! But that reference may not be within the ambit or scope of the presentation. Unless you are implying she is partial!!!??? Even then that question or answer to it is not going to make much revelation!!!
Possibly, if she had made a presentation on SL State handling NE affairs, there may have been possibility of eliciting her view expressed therein and used as contestable material!!!
Not otherwise!!!
One speaks of President Biden handling Chinese relations; he need not speak or express matters about Russia or NK to balance off views!!! That’s personal choice!!?? Normally doesn’t happen always!!!
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Native Vedda / November 17, 2023
Captain Morgan
–
“No doubt the LTTE was fighting for a worthy cause but the fact remains that it was essentially a Fascist organization.”
–
What was LTTE’s worthy cause?
–
“Doesn’t Ms. Arulingam have the right to call a spade a spade?”
–
No, according to our friend nimal fernando.
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nimal fernando / November 18, 2023
I’m not restricted to terms/names/words ……… the human-condition is bigger/larger than that …….
–
You don’t understand that, Native. ……. So you flap around like fish …… in or out of water. :))
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Native Vedda / November 18, 2023
nimal fernando
–
What has happened to Gota’s Gnana Akki from Anuradhapura?
/
Mahila / November 19, 2023
NV,
She is in Hibernation!!!??
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Mahila / November 21, 2023
NV,
Perhaps until SAVIOUR and MESSIAH is ENABLED to be Active and Functional once again!!!??? Time is the GREAT REVEALER!!!???
Until then consider ourselves mere MORTALS pardon our IGNORANCE and/or IMPERTINENCE!!!
SLC and ICC seem replaced ISIS, and Terrorism and/or Religious and Racial hatred damaging or Impinging on Public security – 04/2019 – “Massacre of Christian Easter Church-Goers” to incite!!!
Replaced succinctly, with LOSS of the “INNOCUOUS” ICC MEMBERSHIP, nevertheless, infuriating Cricket Loving Public and resentment and resultant loss of Votes!!!??? CRICKET in both Sri Lanka and South Asia, prevails prominently, which transcends and over-rides all Religions, Races and Communities with no CLASS “bridgings and/or divides” is a core element of constituents’ WANTS AND NEEDS!!!???
VALID CAUSE – NEED FOR STRONG MAN (Who else?? GR Ofcourse without doubt) – CONSOLIDATE, UNIFY and CONFOUND the ‘Sovereign Voters’ to re-elect the defamed into “SEATS OF POWER”?
Is that the ‘RR’ Grand Scheme 2023 – replacement for ‘SS’ (SONIC SONIC) OF 04/2019???!!!
CONFOUNDING EFFECT AND INVEIGLING the Minds of “PODUJANA” of Sri Lanka – Not associating any fronts, but of the COMMON MAN Sri Lankan VOTER at large – another 6.9 ‘PLUS’ Million Voters
“GRAND PLOT” – NOW UNVEILED Bared to “Bones”!!??
PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWAKENED TO THE DEVELOPING REALITIES!!!???
/
Tharma / November 19, 2023
But she did not call mass murderers as murderers
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Pandi Kutti / November 19, 2023
Yes, she did not, as if she had called the Sri Lankan state and armed forces as murderers and fascists, she and the rest of the Dons who are now protesting would have become part of the mass murdered. Therefore, was very selective, as LTTE bashing, has now become very fashionable, amongst the southern circles. Nothing will happen to you and the authorities and Chingkallms will look upon this very favourably, especially if it comes from a Thamizh.
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SJ / November 20, 2023
Was not the killing of young TELO members by the LTTE mass murder?
Was not the Kaaththaankudi mosque massacre mass murder?
She did not refer to them either.
This desperate move to protect the LTTE is pathetic.
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Rohan25 / November 22, 2023
No one is defending anything but stating the truth about the selective memory and criticism of the so called Southern human rights activists. You are also one of them. You talk about Kaathanankudi Mosques massacre but keep quiet about why it occurred and the reason. Showing your own self-hating anti Tamil bias, always fawning to Sinhalese extremists and these fake Arab, south Indian origin, Sri Lankan Tamil Muslim fanatics. It occurred as this mosque was the center of Islamic extremism then as now and was used by the Muslim home guards who were heavily armed by the Sri Lankan state and STF, as an arms depot and the center of their activities to attack surrounding Tamil Hindu villages, kill, ethnically cleanse Hindu Tamils and destroy Hindu temples. The LTTE was forced to act and the person who planned this was Karuna, now the darling of the Sinhalese and Muslims.
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Rohan25 / November 22, 2023
After this mosque was attacked by the LTTE, strange miraculously, the attacks on Tamil Hindu villages by these Islamic home guards armed by the Sri Lankan state more or less state. It was not the Tamils but the Muslims in the east started this blood bath in the name of their religion. Far more Tamil Hindus in the east, were killed, raped, ethnically cleansed and many Hindu temples were burnt and destroyed and still remain destroyed. Especially in the Amparai district. Tamil Hindus who are the original people of the east are still not allowed to return to these ancient villages, that have now been converted to Muslim or Sinhalese Buddhist villages. You are very silent about this, and your memory also is very selective.
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Rohan25 / November 22, 2023
Both the TELO and the LTTE were created by India and were armed by them at the beginning. India deliberately created many Tamil groups, as they wanted them to fight amongst themselves, so that they all remain loyal to India and be controlled by them. Why create all these splinter groups instead of one. If you fight for the liberation of the Tamils, there should be one group and organization not a hundred, otherwise it fails. Creating all these splinter groups was a deliberate move so that everything will fail, and India gets a toe hold on the island, using the just grievances. However, this move backfired and the LTTE became more organized, dedicated, ruthless and saw through India and had to eliminate all these splinter groups, that were really not doing anything other than creating problems and doing India’s bidding, it was either these groups eliminating the LTTE and the Tamil liberation movement or the LTTE elimination them. Admit it was ruthless and horrible, but this is how it works not only here but everywhere. You cannot have many splinter rival groups at the bidding of a foreign power fighting for the liberation of your people, just one, especially when many of these so-called splinter groups are really not dedicated to the liberation of their people but doing the foreign powers bid to largely create chaos.
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Rohan25 / November 22, 2023
Sorry more or less ceased not state.
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SJ / November 17, 2023
CM
What worthy cause will a fascist organization fight for?
The term ‘fascist’ is used rather liberally. The dividing line between sectarian nationalism and fascism is rather woolly, and some of LTTE’s methods and attitudes were so intolerant that observers and victims could seem justified in using the term to refer to it.
But comparison with fully fledged fascist organizations will show areas where the LTTE stops short. But it was/is a politically intolerant, anti-democratic, anti-left outfit.
What are the students (or really the group dominating them) afraid of?
If they are sure that they can defend the LTTE why could not they contest the claim of Ms SA at the meeting? They could have held placards if they thought it fit. There are many ways to object and make one’s point. Is not their attitude rather fascistic?
I wonder if fascism is not only more infectious than COVID-19 virus but also more resilient.
*
Lawrence Britt in his “Fascism Anyone?” (http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/27/076.html) listed 14 defining features of the fascist regimes of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco , Suharto and several Latin American regimes. Notably, the 14 features nicely fitted the USA in some way.
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Dilshan / November 17, 2023
Will these dons allow if someone speaks on Genocide by Sri Lanka armed forces in a University. In Peradeniya, sinhala students put up posters before the standardisation of 1971 that if the Tamil students without standardisation come to Engineering faculty there will be blood flowing in Mahaveli. The goverment itself got scared of the students snd refused admissions to Tamil students after informing them that they are selected to university
Now we are talking about university openness.
In the minds of the Tamil population other than those who want to curry favours from people of the Racist south; LTTE is Liberation army that was massacred by international conspiracy. The same way Palestine today is.Anyone denying that will not be accepted. Will any university admit anyone who critizes Buddist philosophy. Even the Buddistrituals.
These dons and Swatika the human rights champion do not have the guts ti talk about a monk saying that he will chop the Tamils in South including swastika herself.
After 25 years of imprisonment without any investigation three people were released by court. What did swatik the human right activists do.
Under what definition LTTE was termed facist. Did she explain.
I am ashamed to be sinhaleese same way several Jews today ate
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Mahila / November 18, 2023
Dilshan,
“Under what definition LTTE was termed fascist. Did she explain?”
Yes, she has indeed did as in the clip (u-tube Interview) – elsewhere on this page!! Unfortunately, it is in Tamil and i have gone the whole hog in that interview and there was a specific question by the Interviewer on that matter which she answered with the definition of fascism and relevance why she attributed such claim, related to the incident!!???
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chiv / November 18, 2023
Dilshan, thank you for that saner comment. I agree Swastika should not be denied her rights to speak. But what about those victims. Will any of the signatory stand up for the poor victim’s basic right to remember their dead ones ?? “Dons” my foot, just a bunch of hypocrites like the rest. The only difference is that they have some paper qualification to show off.
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SJ / November 18, 2023
One tends to see in others what one really is.
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chiv / November 19, 2023
Yes , there is no reason to look any further than, Don of Hypocrite.
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SJ / November 20, 2023
I have not called you any name, although there is fair cause to do so.
Now you see in me what you are once more I fear!
Thank you.
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chiv / November 21, 2023
You seem to admit that you are the Don of ………
You’re are free to call or address how ever you wish. Were you a signatory???? Sorry I missed your name. Let me go through one more time.
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SJ / November 21, 2023
You are getting increasingly pathetic.
Try stopping talking to a mirror.
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SJ / November 18, 2023
“In Peradeniya, sinhala students put up posters before the standardisation of 1971 that if the Tamil students without standardisation come to Engineering faculty there will be blood flowing in Mahaveli. “
I was in Peradeniya then.
Never saw such a poster.
There was strong protest at 80% of those admitted to the Faculty of Engineering being Tamils.
That is fair cause for suspicion of foul play. The government inquiry cleared the examiners. But feeling was strong among the Sinhalese public.
Medium wise standardization was a clumsy way to address the issue. But very few on all sides bothered to figure out what went wrong with the examinations.
There was a call for sanity by Drs (later professors) Jayatilleke and Ranaweera amid the pile up of emotion. They were even accused of betrayal by some while nobody has appreciated their courage.
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Dilshan / November 19, 2023
You must have been blind if you have not seen that in the arts faculty.
I know that Engineering student Union did vote condemning the standardization after speeches by one Rajan Philippupillai (Rajan Philip’s in CT) and Rajan Hoole
But not the dons. Exception may have been the Engineering faculty members you have mentioned.
Atleast I know of one such AL student who joined LTTE after refused admission to Engineeting Faculty after being informed he is selected. He came addressed few of sinhala people in 2018 tracing the history of armed struggle of the North
He of course joined Dougls Devanada in 1987 after indo Lanka accord. Thavarasa once opposition leader of Norther Provincial Council. What an intellect he was. He said in 2018 that he has given DNA for research and he predicted that will demolish of several myths of Sinhala Tsmil conflicts
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SJ / November 19, 2023
The statement by Laxman J & Ranaweera was published in the Daily News.
If you did not know about it, it is a pity.
I am sure that RP & RH would have known about the letter.
BTW
You are yet to say where was the poster that you referred to was posted?
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SJ / November 20, 2023
I asked a specific question about a poster.
You claimed seeing it, but dodge answering the question.
I will not call you a liar, although you are most economical with the truth.
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Ajith / November 17, 2023
Recently Nixon, a journalist from North clearly explained that it is wrong to call a liberation struggle by LTTE as fascism considering the oppression and genocide of Tamils since 1948 by Buddhsit Sinhala Fundamentalist state.
Swasthika arulingam or other Signaturies may have taken some cases of few minorities but they have not lead any struggles in the field for minorities. Hundreds of Mothers who handed over children are now protesting for 14 years and what contribution these human rights activists made towards these people.So far how many journalists and human rights activists murdered by the Sinhalese state and what these human rights activists achieved through their actions.
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SJ / November 19, 2023
“…clearly explained that it is wrong to call a liberation struggle by LTTE as fascism “
If that was the statement it is valid. Nobody called any struggle fascism.
But he said something else.
Being a liberation force is no license for fascist actions, which were aplenty in the LTTE’s activities since their ascent began.
*
It was various things done in the name of liberation that were fascist and did not help liberation.
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Mallaiyuran / November 18, 2023
“Under what definition LTTE was termed facist. Did she explain.
Dilshan,
I don’t need an explanation from her. But if she come to Jaffna University and speak I like hear what she wants to talk about all these?
But why would you want her explanation, after all you don’t want hear from her.
I have been writing some thing here for long about explaining things, specially to public: “America did it so why can we” do is no explanation at all. Revenging is not an example to follow and cherish. Revenging must have died on the first place it appeared. Fighting for community or individual has no element of revenging in it. Aansuwa is the last institution somebody should loo for example.
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Sura / November 18, 2023
Exchanging ideas is good. But there has to an exchange. If you force your idea on others is when the issues start…
LTTE is and was a terror organisation. Issue was they resorted to inflicting violence to the innocent civilians….
Instant results is a childish expectation. They could have planned to achieve their goals with time and civility….
Hence, it’s best to ban ideas when they don’t respect the opposition. Please note respecting is not acceptance…
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SJ / November 18, 2023
S
For all practical purposes the LTTE that exists is a pure business venture.
As long as the government fails to address the national question there is scope for business.
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SJ / November 19, 2023
S
Now they have a new product to flog in the Tamil Diaspora market:
VP’s daughter’s resurrection!
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deepthi silva / November 18, 2023
The same things the Sinhala establishment is accused of is many times worse among the Tamils ! The brutality, the crudity, the corruption !
The LTTE is not Facists ! Ask Amithralingam, Rajiv Ghandi,Mahathaya, so many thousands of silent witnesses !
The LTTE had their own Further ,Gobels,Goering . Although they were murderous they also looked comic.
The comedy ended badly for these rascals
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Dilshan / November 19, 2023
Ask the Tamils. If they trust you, they will tell as they have told me.
Amirthalingam started the cry for separate and advocated armed struggle. But once he got the post of Leader of opposition, he let the youths down.
Rajiv Ghandhi invited Pirapaharan to discuss the Indo Lanka accord and kept him in solitary confinement in a Delhi Hotel,the leader of the Griup that his mother created and nutured.
He sent IPKF to protect the Tamils. But finally under his orders killed Doctors and para medics in the Jaffna hospital in cold blood gang raped daughters and wives infront of parents and husbands and killed them. Number rapes by Srilsnkan army of innocent civilians were insignificant compared to that by IPKF. Rajiv Ghandhi had the command control.
According to Tamils both if them deserve capital punishment. If state organs have the right to kill terrorists then a Liberation army has the right to kill terrorists protected by State.
Mahathaia was a spy and deserves capital punishment.
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deepthi silva / November 20, 2023
Dilshan, now you are revealing deep secrets ! Prabakaran and a few other half-baked and deranged guys giving death sentences. !
All these things are subjective opinions. There are millions who will not agree with this so called Tamil opinion.
Don’t take the high road or victim pose hereafter!
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Dilshan / November 20, 2023
Like the milli9ns who take the side Nethanyaku
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SJ / November 20, 2023
D
“According to Tamils both of them [AA & RG] deserve capital punishment.”
Which Tamils?
I know many who were utterly disgusted by both acts.
If you approve of such foul cowardly murders, do not complain about their consequences.
To you Mahaththaya was a spy, then the Jaffna Muslims were also spies and we can go on.
Please do not try to make Lankan Tamil people complicit in the evil deeds of deranged minds.
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Dilshan / November 21, 2023
Do you justify the IPKF murders of zhaffna hospital doctors and paramedics and rape in the most degrading manner
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Dilshan / November 21, 2023
Read Prisoner #1053 by Roy subendran Ratnavel for his impression on the murder of Rajiv Ghandhi. Abetted seller in Canafa his truthful comments about a Sri Lankan Colnel? Sri Lankan army and the IPKF that murdered his father
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chiv / November 22, 2023
Dilshan , that is a true story of a prisoner, who is able to overlook the injustice met to him and still wanting to help his failed nation. Not a DON with hyper inflated EGO. You can read his interview on DM.
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Ruchira / November 18, 2023
Sri Lankan universities are hardly the spaces where free speech, free thinking and new ideas flourish; and where fruitful intellectual debates take place, or ground breaking discoveries are made, as some would expect or want them to be.
.
Instead they have become fertile grounds for students that come from less privileged, economically marginalized sectors of the society to express their frustrations, often in dysfunctional means, that sometimes take violent turns. Ragging, to a great extent, is a part of this dysfunctional expression of their frustration.
.
This appears to be true for both the south, where leftist student unions and the north, where pro-LTTE student unions appear dominate.
.
We may not be able to address problems of Sri Lankan universities without addressing the problems in the society at large, as the former is a reflection of the latter.
.
Academic faculties that are often products of this dysfunctional system, are part of the problem, except perhaps for few isolated individuals.
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SJ / November 19, 2023
“Sri Lankan universities are hardly the spaces where free speech, free thinking and new ideas flourish; “
Are things brighter outside? Like in our media?
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Ruchira / November 21, 2023
SJ,
.
The short answer is No!
.
I personally find Sri Lankan media incompetent more than anything else. Their capacity to report on something, to ask relevant questions, are minimal.
.
But media is usually owned and governed either by businessmen, and in the case of Sri Lanka, the government, therefore are not the places where you would find free speech or free thinking to flourish, despite their claims. They often have agendas and are the gate-keepers of the status quo.
.
Universities on the other hand are places where dissent is celebrated and free thinking, free speech, and new and revolutionary ideas emerge, fostered, and flourish.
.
Perfect example is what’s going on in the western countries these days, particularly in the US, where even students of major universities like Harvard, Stanford, etc. that usually are homes and breeding grounds for the rich and the elite, are rallying to protest against Israel and for a free Palastine; while mainstream media maintains the pro-Israel status quo.
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Sugandh / November 18, 2023
I unequivocally support this protest.
–
It is unfortunate that the University of Jaffna pulled the plug on the scheduled lecture of Ms. Swathika Arulingam. As far as I know, UofJ is yet to issue an official response to the public and reply to Ms. Arulingam’s letter to the UofJ.
–
The space for healthy exchange of differing ideas and opinions, debates, and discussions must be fostered in all of SL, not just at university campuses. Ms. Arulingam is an active and dedicated proponent of that. She represents the best of Sri Lanka and it is absolutely hypocritical for anyone to shun her view’s which she seemed to derive from her direct work with the concerned communities.
–
The following is an interview given by Ms. Arulingam [in Tamil] on the UofJ matter;
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yeWq1pQtSwA&pp=ygUiI-CupOCuo-CvjeCun-CusuCvjeCuleCuvuCusOCuqeCvjQ%3D%3D
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Mahila / November 18, 2023
Thanks Sugandh,
Appreciated, provides different perspective to the issue!
/
SJ / November 18, 2023
S
The university administration has for long been subject to bullying by the government, armed forces, and Tamil parochial pressure through the students.
The last major occasion concerned the memorial for the war dead. The VC took a tough decision but buckled under pressure.
He may have got away with it at a different time.
For long it has also been a matter of personal survival I would say.
/
Ajith / November 19, 2023
I had an opportunity to go through her interview. She admits that she is from Colombo and she came to politics in 2012. She is against to Tamil Nationalism and she is adamant that she still call LTTE as “Fascist” because LTTE wanted to be only one military organisation. We all know there were more than 30 Tamil armed groups originated and trained by India and many of these groups acted as paramilitaries for India and Sri Lanka military. We know why we have one military for each democratic country. Unfortunately, it looks her understanding of democracy may be different. She thinks the burning of houses of MPs and the murder of an MP by aragalya is not violent. Simply, her interest in politics she needs publicity and popularity.
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Cicero / November 18, 2023
Human rights activists in Sri Lanka have their own agendas. It is seldom about human rights. It is more about self-advancement. There was no need to make lofty statements about a group which had had its day but still continues to hold sway in the imagination of the people in Jaffna. It is unnecessary to all it a fascist organisation so as to court favour with another section of the populace. That is not how human rights people should work. I do believe that they should not engage in branding human beings for their beliefs particularly when such human beings continue to have a wide following within sections of human beings. This does not mean we should embrace Hitlerites b
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SJ / November 18, 2023
C
The naming of something as fascist was a remark in passing.
If the students wanted they could have confronted the speaker at the meeting demanding clarification.
The issue today is not about HR activism or LTTE residuals, it is about the right to free expression.
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Ajith / November 19, 2023
right to “Free expression”.
Free expression means free jail or free abduction, free murder endorsed by China
/
SJ / November 19, 2023
hic!
/
Dilshan / November 19, 2023
Ask the Tamils. If they trust you, they will tell as they have told me.
Amirthalingam started the cry for separate and advocated armed struggle. But once he got the post of Leader of opposition, he let the youths down.
Rajiv Ghandhi invited Pirapaharan to discuss the Indo Lanka accord and kept him in solitary confinement in a Delhi Hotel,the leader of the Griup that his mother created and nutured.
He sent IPKF to protect the Tamils. But finally under his orders killed Doctors and para medics in the Jaffna hospital in cold blood gang raped daughters and wives infront of parents and husbands and killed them. Number rapes by Srilsnkan army of innocent civilians were insignificant compared to that by IPKF. Rajiv Ghandhi had the command control.
According to Tamils both if them deserve capital punishment. If state organs have the right to kill terrorists then a Liberation army has the right to kill terrorists protected by State.
Mahathaia was a spy and deserves capital punishment.
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Plato / November 18, 2023
The U O J has had cold feet and cancelled the lecture of Swastika Arulingam.
Just like that. At the drop of a hat.
In the process she has won her day and proved her point with just a passing remark about the LTTE.
/
roynathan / November 18, 2023
What is Swastika’s view on JVP and its killings. Same as LTTE or different ?
/
SJ / November 18, 2023
“What is Swastika’s view on JVP and its killings.”
One could have asked her if she was only allowed to talk.
*
Let us not find excuses for a set of fascistic actions by calling others names.
/
roynathan / November 19, 2023
Ok SJ, what is your view on JVP and its killings? Are they Fascists or liberation fighters?
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SJ / November 19, 2023
What difference will it make to you?
I try to be careful with my words.
I have not called anyone a fascist, but only denounced fascistic deeds.
*
BTW
Did the JVP kill any Tamil or Muslim based on ethnicity during the time they went on a rampage against the forces and certain politicians?
/
ramona therese fernando / November 18, 2023
A name like Swasthika? Who calls their kid that name? After how the Nazis used that symbol, it is blatantly immoral to have that name. It’s like people calling their kids Nazi or Hitler in the West. And it is uncommon for even Hindus to give a name like that to their offspring. That’s a symbol. Who for example, names their kid, Cross!
–
It means differently to Hindus of course, but still the nobleness of character meaning comes from the caste-system where Hindus are concerned. For according to the Hindus, nobleness in character can only come from being high-caste as it’s more natural to them; a low-caste person has to make an enormous concerted effort to be noble. (anywhere else in the world it has a good and soft meaning).
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SJ / November 18, 2023
To a Hindu
The name has a meaning other than a Nazi logo.
Most of us bear names given to us at birth, by other people
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Pandi Kutti / November 19, 2023
You have very little knowledge of anything and really should s-ut your tr-p. Lots of Christians are given the name” Cross”. Especially in Latin countries. the name Cruz, Cruze De Cruze is common. This means the ” Cross”. Go to the northwestern coastal Catholic belt in Sri Lanka and see the number of people named Cruz or De Cruz. Names like Jesus, Hallelujah is also common in these countries. As for Swastika it is an ancient symbol of that was hijacked by the Nazis, and it was even found in Christian churches. It is a Hindu name, and the symbol has always been sacred to Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210816-the-ancient-symbol-that-was-hijacked-by-evil
/
Pandi Kutti / November 19, 2023
As for caste the Chingkallams are far more casteist than the Thamizh, this is the reason they constantly speak of caste. They deliberately want to divide the Thamizh on the basis of religion, hence the so-called Sri Lankan Muslims or Moors, by origin, Indian origin and native, by region (northern Thamizh, eastern Thamizh) and caste. So, they can divide the Thamizh into little, groups, vying and fighting with each other for crumbs from the Chingkalla master’s table, like what the Thamizh Muslims do. This is the reason they have created to new identities post July 1983 from two Thamizh castes, Bharatha( Paravan) and Colombo Chetties. If they were not caste conscious, why did they create. these new identities solely based on caste.
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Pandi Kutti / November 19, 2023
Chingkallams elect only high castes as their leaders, the MPS are solely chosen on basis of the predominant Chingkalla caste and religion of the electorate, their Buddhist orders are caste based, and just look at the Chingkalla marriage columns, where parents are demanding partners for their offspring only belonging to their caste or higher, never lower. Yet they have the audacity to talk about caste. You are very caste conscious, may because of your status in the caste pecking order, this is why most probably you constantly talk about caste but strangely amongst the Thamizh but never about caste discrimination amongst Chingkallams. This is article is from CT and written by a Chingkallam
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/caste-and-exclusion-in-sinhala-buddhism/
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ramona therese fernando / November 19, 2023
Chinkallams honor their high-castes of course (unfortunate and inevitable result of egalitarian Buddhists living so close of Hindus). But Buddhist high-castes won’t kill if castes assimilate, although they might try and prevent it to a small extent.
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Pandi Kutti / November 20, 2023
Similarly, you do not find caste killings amongst Sri Lankan or Eezham Thamizh people if they intermarry or assimilate. They may not like it but accept and tolerate it. So stop posting lies and misinformation. What happens in India in the name of caste has nothing to do with us or the Chingkallams.
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ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Nah….that only happened after the LTTE-freedom-fighting-from-caste-system-&-national-capitalism scenario caused them to become more Sinhalese-like. Before that they were busy whipping and killing their low-castes and untouchables.
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ramona therese fernando / November 19, 2023
Cross as a last name is quite ok. But imagine giving your new born baby a Nazi sounding first name? I don’t think the Indians do so. Only Lankan Tamils. Weird.
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Mahila / November 21, 2023
“I DON’T THINK THE INDIANS do so. Only, LANKAN TAMILS. Weird.”
Weird and Patronising attitude!!!???
Limited exposure to multi religious facts, essential!!!
India has Many times more HINDUISM AND JAINISM FOLLOWERS, than Sri Lanka!!!??? Is there a suggestion than both those faiths are on the “decline in the 1.5 Billion Country, predominantly followers of Hinduism and Jainism”!!!???
Or as usual as happens in SL, “PLUCKED OUT OF THE WILD” and made to appear the FACT and TRUTH – MANUFACTURED!!!???
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
Not, “Limited” BUT “UNLIMITED”
apologies for error!
/
Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
Grandma,
You are living like Adolf Hitler with your Sinhala Buddhist Racism (after all you are not an ordained official Sinhala Buddhist) but checking the intelligence of a person named as Hitler? Smarty!
“Pinthi Vantha Kompu Munthi Vantha Seviyai Maraichutham”. (The horn that comes later is hiding the ears, which came earlier.) Is it your theory that your Western Half Brothers Germans kept killing one another in the last century, that Hinduism which came 6000 years ago must abstain from everything they owe? Are you saying that the 1.2B people should abandon their culture because 80M Germans didn’t know how to live?
Don’t you know all that glitters is not gold? Your racism makes you dedicated to standardization, doesn’t it? What is the Special Theory of Relativity you are trying to invent by drawing energy from your illusion of that all named as Romana as a racist as you?
Sorry to tell you the truth. Hindus didn’t steal from Hitler. It was Hitler who stole from Hindus. So your racism finds satisfaction by depriving Hindus for Hitler’s theft?
/
ramona therese fernando / November 20, 2023
Merely giving some tough love to my fellow Tamil Brethren who I am large part of…ahhhhh for my people……Ramona being an ancient Lankan(Tamil/Sinhalese) name somewhat lost in antiquity.
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Pandi Kutti / November 21, 2023
Tough love! I think you are some loonies and when did Ramona become an ancient Chingkalla/Thamizh name. Pandu Kutti is.
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old codger / November 21, 2023
PK,
Depends on how one defines antiquity.
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ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Was told so by Buddhist priests who read all the ancient texts.
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ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Was told by parentals too.
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Mallaiyuran / November 21, 2023
“Was told so by Buddhist priests who read all the ancient texts.
Grandma,
Do you mean your name is in the Mahavamsa too? If that is correct, I don’t need any further elaborations on it. I already had suspected that you could not have come from anywhere else other than from where Vijaya came! Yap the book of filth, murders, abuse, deceits, disloyal, double crossing…… lies!
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ramona therese fernando / November 22, 2023
Mullai,
–
There are other ancient texts other than the Mahavamsa. All kinds of ola leaves are around….Tamils also have them.
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Rohan25 / November 21, 2023
Ramona the racist Klu Klux clan in the south of the USA use to burn crosses to terrorize and then kill black people. What is your explanation for this, Then Christian people should not use the Cross as their symbol and should not have names like Cruz. Think before you post selective racist rubbish. The Swastika is an ancient symbol of wellbeing used by many eastern people, especially the Hindus 6000 years ago, later also used by the Jains and Buddhists as a sacred symbol, as their daughter religions of Hinduism and the name Swastika given to Hindu girls long before the Nazi Germans appropriated this ancient symbol and used a convoluted form of it for their evil purposes. The Germans are not even Aryan but Teutonic.
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ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Rohan25,
–
If the name was given in any other culture other than Germans and Indians, it would have been ok. Still, nobody uses it, especially after the Nazis. The name Hitler for example, was a common name before Hitler. It is a banned newborn name now.
–
And for the Hindus, the Swastika was used with casteist connotation. Hindus do not protest it, because according to their religion, castes are a natural part of existence. Modern democratic world and it is an oddity.
–
And Christians use crosses, not burning crosses. Burning it is meant to show the opposite to what the cross represents.
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ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
And I’d bet you low-caste Hindu girls are not given that name.
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ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Not allowed to be given that name.
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Rohan25 / November 22, 2023
Sorry they are daughter religions and not their.
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Mahila / November 22, 2023
Bharathiyars’ Bharatham
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
“Who CALLS ‘THEIR KID THAT NAME’? After how the Nazis used that symbol, it is BLATANTLY IMMORAL TO HAVE THAT NAME”
A SIGN OF SPIRITUAL PURITY – HINDUISM, JAINISM
Historically, go back to Sanskrit, 4th century BCE, instead of 19th century European usage!!!??? Recent common usage is 20th century CE – adverting to sign usage by warring Fuhrer of Germany, Adolf Hitler!!??
Hindu usage predates Fascism and Hitler who was undoubtedly a Grand Opportunist as our recent Messiah and nationalist!!!
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
“Who CALLS THEIR KID THAT NAME? After how the Nazis used that symbol, it is BLATANTLY IMMORAL TO HAVE THAT NAME”
SWASTHIKA – A SIGN OF SPIRITUAL PURITY – HINDUISM, JAINISM
Historically, go back to Sanskrit, 4th century BCE, instead of 19th century European usage!!!??? Recent common usage is 20th century CE – adverting to sign usage by warring Fuhrer of Germany, Adolf Hitler!!??
Hindu usage predates Fascism and Hitler who was undoubtedly a Grand Opportunist who used an old/ancient Hindu/Jain and Sanskrit sign!!! So did our recent Messiah and nationalist redeemer!!
/
Native Vedda / November 22, 2023
ramona grandma therese fernando
–
“After how the Nazis used that symbol, it is blatantly immoral to have that name. It’s like people calling their kids Nazi or Hitler in the West.”
–
The swastika as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune is widely distributed throughout the ancient and modern world. The word is derived from the Sanskrit svastika, meaning “conducive to well-being.” It was a favourite symbol on ancient Mesopotamian coinage. ….
https://www.britannica.com/topic/swastika
–
If you pull your head from wherever it is now you will see the world and people differently.
/
ramona therese fernando / November 18, 2023
Thus, one can deduce that the lady Swasthika, full of Hindu nobleness, is attempting to merge the Sinhala and Tamil races via high-caste and high-caste status only; LTTE being deemed low-caste, untouchable, and terroristic, to be kept in eternal bondage. And we ALL know why the LTTE came about in the first place : High-castes of all Lankan races accumulating the money of the hard-work of the Lankan masses for their own elitist pleasurable superiority!
/
Ruchira / November 18, 2023
Given the class and caste issue you have highlighted, do you think devolving power would benefit the Tamil people who are actually disadvantaged in the North? Or will it stop at satisfying the political ambitions of the high-caste Tamils?
/
ramona therese fernando / November 19, 2023
Ruchira,
–
Yeah…. devolution will stop at satisfying the political ambitions of the high-caste Tamils.
–
At the present time, all Tamils are disadvantaged, with Tamil high-castes taking their chance to create a New-Lankan-Order, attempting to link hands with Sinhala high castes and……Rule!
–
Sinhala high-castes might revel in the idea for a while, but ultimately, in-born egalitarian Buddhist DNA-imprints will kick in. They will soon turn up their noses at Tamils discrediting their very own brethren, and running after them for power. Come AKD and his JBB party ushering in the Newest-Lankan-Order, and both Tamil and Sinhala Masses will be fulfilled.
/
Native Vedda / November 20, 2023
“(Good and bad are not delivered by others.)”
–
Except in the cases of JR, UNP, Dudley, Amirthalingam, Chelva, Sambandan, TULF, TNA, ……. Tamils, University Teachers for Human Rights, UTHR, …..
–
All good are delivered by Mao and his Red Book, SWRD Banda, Sirimao, ….
/
Native Vedda / November 20, 2023
ramona grandma therese fernando
–
“ll Tamils are disadvantaged, with Tamil high-castes taking their chance to create a New-Lankan-Order, attempting to link hands with Sinhala high castes and……Rule!”
–
Sorry what do you mean?
–
As far as I know all people are disadvantaged by a small band of highly crooked Sinhala/Buddhists robber barons, some wear saffron robes .
–
Before responding to my comment make sure you are not sitting on your head.
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
‘Liquid Equilibrium of the “Balancing Mechanism” would be distinctly disturbed by such comedian antics!!!??? True. Also, increased pressure on the Cranium disturbs thinking prowess!!!
/
ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Highly crooked Sinhala/Buddhists robber barons, some wear saffron robes are besides the point NV. It’s that Tamil elite love the idea of being on par with them. Eelam for them is not about looking after their people’s livelihoods; it’s about preserving the caste status irrespective to what happens to their masses, thus creating a new Lankan vision.
–
Tamil masses became LTTE because the national socialist insurgency drives due to national suffering came to a rapid end. Sinhala rulers arrested the Sinhala insurgents, tortured and killed them. Tamil suffering masses then saw Sinhalese after that as rich arrogant capitalists with nothing left over for them. So they became terrorists. Tamil elite took over the LTTE mouthpiece as long as they were strong – first time in their history they saw potential in their suppressed castes. When all came to an end, Tamil elites convened together to condemn their suffering Masses and are running after the SB Elites as a new form of caste preservation.
/
Native Vedda / November 22, 2023
ramona grandma therese fernando
–
“It’s that Tamil elite love the idea of being on par with them.”
–
Oh please.
Not just Tamils almost all people of this island except your small band of highly crooked Sinhala/Buddhists robber barons have been demanding a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, equal opportunity, justice, ….. . Had Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese, … were given equal opportunities they would have made great changes to the country, achieved development, ………….. higher living standards, contributed to global wealth, helped poor countries, …. Even the supreme courts has just identified the main robber barons who claims to be Sinhala/Buddhists and who were/are known to use thuggery, murder, mass killing, ….
–
Why don’t you check your reality (as the Americans say) and come back and type?
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
HOPE FLOWS ETERNAL IN HUMAN HEART!!!???
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
It Seems St. Mother Theresa would take up Residence in Sri Lanka, to enjoy the vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, come 2024, good aspirations and Blessings – Sri Lanka too as a whole!!!???
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Ruchira / November 22, 2023
ramona therese fernando,
.
I do agree to the idea that devolving power may not necessarily fulfil the aspirations of disadvataged low-caste Tamils in the North but whether the AKD led JVP/NPP is the solution is, I am doubtful. I’ll believe them once and if they prove it. But first people will have to vote them in. I am not surprised if the people vote the same crooks and their cronies back into power, come next elections. That’s how smart the Sri Lankans are!
/
ramona therese fernando / November 22, 2023
Ruchira,
–
JVP’s is a simple philosophy: Tax the rich! Spread the wealth! Build the country from ground up through social planning and by utilizing the funds of generous capitalistic donor nations. Major powers will readily give us grants just for stopping being a big nuisance that wants to be another Singapore or S. Korea. These countries already served their purpose of being US Dollar counter-balancers. West doesn’t need any more of them, however much Ranil pleads and begs and plays the race card with it.
–
Reason people voted R’s in was because they, like me, really thought R’s were going to do great things for the land. We all thought that at some point they were going to stop playing around with the aspiring offshore capital and work on the intricacies of the building up the Lankan system. When they saw the money of the people vanishing in off-shore schemes, instead of stopping short and re-working for the people, they went the opposite way and put all that was left in the country into even extra global Ponzi schemes. If they try to entice the people yet again, people will be very, very, wary.
/
SJ / November 18, 2023
rtf
I think that it is good for one to cut the crap on things that one does not know anything about.
/
SJ / November 19, 2023
rtf
I think that you said something that is not at all in order.
Adding nonsense to justify it will not help you.
/
ramona therese fernando / November 20, 2023
he, he 😁…..but too true what I say, right SJ?
/
SJ / November 21, 2023
Sadly, you can hardly tell between reality and fantasy.
If you want to make an ass of yourself there is plenty of space here.
Carry on regardless.
/
ramona therese fernando / November 21, 2023
Someone has to do the dirty work for the truth to come out, SJ.
/
Mahila / November 21, 2023
“One can deduce that the lady Swasthika, full of Hindu nobleness, is attempting to merge the Sinhala and Tamil races via high-caste and high-caste status only; LTTE being deemed low-caste, untouchable, and terroristic, to be kept in eternal bondage”
SWASTHIKA’S CASTE TOO HAS NOW BEEN DETERMINED!!!
WHY CANNOT WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION EXCLUDING CASTISM??? IS IT BIGOTRY??? Reason to believe, Sinhalese are most Caste Reliant than any other Communities in Sri Lanka!!!???
/
Sugandh / November 19, 2023
For those wondering about Ms. Arulingam’s stance on the State’s treatment of the N&E Tamils, please take a look;
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=89soWWmTwHA
–
In an article by Ms. Arulingam here on CT on the proposed Counter Terrorism Act to replace the existing PTA, she noted, “…, in practice the legislation has been a tool for state terror against labour activists and racially profiled Tamil citizens.” ;
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/will-tna-vote-for-the-draconian-counter-terror-act/
–
Also we must take note of Ms. Arulingam’s work representing the victims of state’s abuse of the PTA in the North and East;
https://groundviews.org/2016/06/28/continuing-abuse-under-pta-abductions-arbitrary-arrests-unlawful-detentions-and-torture/
–
Let’s not try to bury the truth. Let’s be fair. Let’s be open to dialogue and not shun those who are doing their best to make things better for everyone.
/
SJ / November 20, 2023
S
Thank you for that sobering comment.
/
SJ / November 21, 2023
S
I appreciate your courage.
But deep seated fascism is hard to dislodge.
/
Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
Puli Neeka Arasiyal Ethirppu (Opposition for Tiger Elimination Politics):
In 2018, because of the high crime incidents against Jaffna Women and children, Vijekala Maheswaran said that if the Tigers come only the crime against women and Children would stop. She was arrested for trying to resurrect Pulies and released but her case closed only two months ago. The Irony is she was the minister of Women and children affairs that time. Vijeyakala family is UNP members and considered anti- LTTE activists. Neither Vijeyakala nor Maheswaran were treated as anti-Tamils, though they both enjoyed the UNP ministerial perks. The reason Vijeyakala’s out of the way comment was because, on one side, after LTTR went missing, Rapist Army, Paramilitary and local criminals were showing it, mainly against Women and children. On the other side, LTTE’s stern action against criminals on women had made it known for the protection of women. Some other movements didn’t have a clear record. But LTTE had an unstained record on that. It is unbelievable, some filthy criminals had gone to Swastika Arulingam’s you tube interview and show shown who they are. It is shame of the shame of the century some heinous criminals did that filthy work in the name of a Liberation movement. These hooligans are calling it “Puli Neeka Arasiyal Ethirppu. (Opposition to LTTE elimination Politics.)
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
That is why I am extending my call to TGTE, BTF, ATC, GTF, WTC, CTCC to show their support for UOJ to reinstate the canceled lecture. This kind of shameless attack should not be launched on any Individuals. The defaming comments on YouTube cannot have been made by anyone who had seen the respect LTTE had installed on women folk. I honestly believe, like Mrs. Maheswaran said, if LTTE comes back, they will shoot these low-class births like shooting watermelons. There is no place for such behaviors in the path of freedom fight. I call the UOJ administration and Students, at the limelight on the perpetrators’ indecent interference in the YouTube interview, to spring up and fix the matters. There are female students in the university too. In this 21st century, you can’t let misogynists like those one hide behind your shadow and create havoc to the society. There is a subject agreed to lecture on. Ms. Arulingam can be asked to stay on the subject and not to wander into Puli Bashing. A senior UOJ official can be appointed as a moderator during question time. This will protect the students and the lecturer’s social standing intact. There won’t be any abusive betrayal from any side. Denying her chance at UOJ will only disgrace UOJ but cannot close her mouth on speaking about LTTE, which will go unanswered.
/
Sugandh / November 20, 2023
A worthy effort towards a balanced perspective on LTTE, Malaiyuran! Much appreciated.
–
Whatever and however much was the UofJ student opposition to Ms. Arulingam’s lecture for the Faculty of Law, it does not represent the view of all Tamils who reside in the North and East including ex-LTTE cadres and their families.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
Sorry guys, I have to digress from the main point that a speaker on the topic of “Government’s failure to rule by law and provide justice” and it ended up UOJ refusing to provide justice for the speaker herself. I need to talk about the misunderstood Tamil politics by people like few writers & Tamilwin like media. The debacle of Swastika’s lecture at UOJ has dragged many years behind the Tamils’ freedom fight in the minds of the international community. After our last comment on requesting TamilWin to work with local youths on developing a meaningful path to after civil war era freedom fights, TamilWin doubled the violent publication. (I have given the links of the topics I want to discuss.) TamilWin is not ready to publish its opinion on this matter by editorial writing. TamilWin, a media, has so far not said that Swastika Arulingam’s freedom of expression needs to be respected. TamilWin is publishing Swastika bashing essays and videos “Athiradiyaka”(Stunning) but disclaiming the responsibility for those essays. There is one excessive and convoluted point being revealed in these materials. “A Colombo Tamils is trying to overthrow the faiths and life style of Jaffna population.” Authors and printers of these material are treating Jaffna population only as a herd of sheep and assuming them as the Kooli dogs, needed to keep them disciplined to put on the right path.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
This is an indication that the denial of justice in Langkang is not just happening from the majority community towards minority communities, or at government politicians’ level, but it has deeply penetrated down to the root of every lifestyle of the country. The powerful ones oppressing the weak is the emblem of life on the Island in this era. If one sees that he/she lacks power, instead of dealing with their problem in a mature or cultured way, they think to create & nature power in their own way and they wield against the enemy. This is beyond eye for eye. As a result, crime persisted in the country, beyond limit because nobody cares about conventional methods to deal with their enemy or other one living in the country at this time. “Revenge the one to complete destruction, who opposes you!” is the slogan that this group of people are scripting on their forehead.
They do not stop to see, think, ponder, and realize. Any damage they can inflict on others is treated by them as their victory they earned by their status. This hooligans’ object is only to defeat Tamils’ course. Otherwise, I have no way to understand the meaning of those filthy curses when there is a subject very seriously being discussed. I do not believe those who committed those ugly sins are Tamils at all!
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
Everybody knows I worked with TGTE. I left it after realizing the job in front of Tamils is not just a liberation fight. A much larger one like Gandhi and Nelson had to lure their followers to a newer channel, democratic, non-violent which the followers were not accustomed to or lay confidence on it at their contemporary conditions. Successive recent events happened, within people’s “finder’s view range” only reinforced their negativity. So, they need a new culture to liberate them out of what they have fallen into now if they need to launch their freedom fight. It is not just “this leader or that leader”, but anybody in front of another is constantly devising methods to exploit the one below to use as a ladder and be catapulted to their target swiftly. I am not just talking about the top notched ones quarrel within them for minister posts, PM, Presidency. I am talking about laymen’s life. Traveling united is not possible for the pretentious, (especially) Tamil leaders and writers.During the protest, that is why I kept writing in these columns. to the educated to organize the protest and the Middle class to follow the path, though both are not the ideal one to those jobs. The hijacking of the protest by the same culprits rulers indicated a part of educated misdirected the middle class by scaremongering with anarchy.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
We need a new culture to free us from this gloomy quagmire in order to seek political freedom for us. You cannot depend on the slippery post to save the cat from the tree. You need a step-by-step ladder to climb the tree and bring the cat down. It is a completely different route.
Recently TamilWin.com has “Athiradiyaka” created and floated,their opposition to Puli Neeka Arasiyal (Politics). “Athiradi” is a sensationalizing word TamilWin uses almost on all headings, to unethically sensationalize the news it wants. Tamilwin has published this video, without publishing the credit scripts or editorial people involved in that.
TamilWin posted this with the name of: Lanka Siri,
1). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44WaahjleM0
Eventually another essay appeared in IBC Tamil under the courtesy of writer Theepan Chelvan.
2). https://ibctamil.com/article/politics-of-removing-the-ltte-1699889576
The third one, another video relevant here is from TGTE.
3). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPfSX9nf9kQ
We are taking the first two because they contain some response for the matters, we discussed here in CT in the previous essay written by writer Nixon:
4). https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/can-political-liberation-movements-be-called-fascists/
In the following discussion, I will be referring to these link materials as 1),2),3), & 4) without any name pointers.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
Writer Nixon’s discussion mainly centered on the incident calling LTTE a fascist movement, which took place in an earlier meeting by the Lady lawyer. Mr. Nixon’s has only a theoretical question. But our comment on that was about the appropriateness and the necessity to hear from a person, who is only an opposite view holder, but not widely known as an anti-Tamil crusader or pro government propagandists. But because of my lack of knowledge of the speaker, I stayed away from commenting about her or tried to analyze in depth the meaning of her referred speech. I noticed there were some differences in Page Tamil reporting and TamilWin reporting of this issue. Further I never play hide and seek. So, I had openly criticized TamilWin’s opportunistic journalism & propagandas using the hard-hit Tamils’ ailments to keep its media register ringing. After that I saw the 1). and 2). in TamilWin’s other media versions, called IBC Tamil and Lanka Sri. In these, TamilWin has launched a thunderous campaign against “Puli Neeka Arasiyal ”. To interpret TamilWin’s rhetoric, the Western Nations are launching a Puli Neeks Arasiyal; for that they are paying for the speaker and understandably others too. Though here TamilWin pointing its finger on Ms. Swatika Arulingam, it appears TamilWin has an innocent, childish tendency to blame the child in front of it.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
In the 3) we can see two years ago TGTE Prime Minister was asking the public to sign a petition to remove LTTE from the Western Countries’ (here Britain)’s prohibition list. During my time with TGTE, I agreed on many issues with TGTE to take forward the fight of seeking freedom for Tamils and I opposed some of their resolutions as they were digressing from the main path. The main problem here is Langkang is a UN member, and the Western Democracies have little ground to dictate over a democratic country, though UN. There has to be serious pressure to force the UN to interfere. The UN purposefully made the Civil war as a war without witness. So, this has conveniently excluded the UN from using R2P and getting involved in the fight. So, the next stop on this matter is War Crime/ Genocide investigation. Though the Western controlled UN dodged its responsibility, Western countries still have a reasonable amount of material about the war. Further Tamils need their other resources to prepare for an investigation. In other words, Western countries, currently, are unavoidably important allies to Tamils. Other countries have friction with the West, But Tamils, with their Hinduism and Christianity culture, have no difficult issues with Western democracy and the capital market. Many Tamils are refugee immigrants there.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
So Tamils need no’ approval of anybody to make friendship with the West, BUT TGTE position seems to be not so. As you can see in the 3) link is about clearing the name of LTTE. When the case was filed, I supported the move, because there were many youths who were being prosecuted at that time because they were collecting money & technically associated with LTTE. Collecting money without an approved purpose is one thing;collecting money on the name LTTE was another thing because LTTE was a proscribed organization. This was a big drain on Tamils activists who wanted to collect money and take forward the Tamils campaign. But eventually I dissociated from it because after an early mild victory, the later losses revealed the courts directly consulted their governments and gave out the governments’ words as verdicts. That was only political verdicts, no court verdicts for pouring money on those. This in turn indicated that the clearing the name of LTTE was involved in facing a trial at the International Level and proving the war crime/genocide crime of the Aanduwa. Proving the War Crime Genocide crime only can explain to the International Community the inherent objects of the successive government’s. The Tamil elimination effort was the foundation for all that happened in Ceylon after the freedom.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
My stand on the effort of sanctioning of LTTE was, we need to remove thorn by a thorn; IC refusal to unban LTTE was a political issue, not a legal issue; Sanction on LTTE was later made as sensational matter, but bailing out the activists from the Western prisons were life blood to keep the fight move forward. So, we needed to stop putting money further on those. TGTE is a self imprisoned institution. It talks about breaking doors, but cannot make breakthrough decisions. TGTE thinks that Tamil Eelam and LTTE proscription are heavy shackles on its legs to move forward. So It took detours from its original policy of Tamil’s thirst is Tamil Eelam to Tamils’ future in Tamils’ hand. But it could not come with a work around to proscription so it could not work with international governments. This made LTTE members feel they were lacking behind. Some members of TGTE are narcissistic too, they brag too much about their innovations. It seems that they wanted people to think they are still maintaining LTTE’s stunning actions and break through technologies. LTTE doesn’t know the art of making members listen to the leadership. So leaders let the members on their own and they sit on the seat securely. See how many times the leadership change has taken place in Australia & Britain these days.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
But there is no talk about that in LTTE. To substitute their lack of leadership, they blame others. So, disappointingly, later TGTE renamed this case as TGTE’s fight against “Puli Neeka Arasiyal, which was never substantiated by any evidence as existing anywhere in reality ”. By this action TGTE blamed the West as involved in Puli Neeka Arasiyal & redirected its fight towards IC where they were trying to seek injustice. Here the situation is it is very difficult to say that TGTE did not understand the simple matter, so one has to be content that TGTE was doing these to justify its stay. This is the puli Neeka Arasiyal now downloaded on the head of Swasthika Arulingam. Even though I don’t know who she is, I am well convinced that this is an unethical action of TGTE propagandists. Like TGTE could not get members corporations for a work around to LTTE proscription, but stuck on that, now its propagandists unnecessarily loaded this Puli Neeka Arasiyal on a single woman & struggling not knowing to smooth it off. Of course those who are against Tamil Eelam will pick up on these mistakes, and plan their strategies. Fortunately TGTE is not the only movement fighting for Tamil Eelam and some others are much ahead of lame duck TGTE.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
I can cite some examples of those who resisted cooperating with IC and then later knocked on their heads. UP country Tamils have been celebrating their 200th years. The Smarty Langkang Evil administration, who campaigned to get IMF loan and WB funding has appointed an Upcountry Tamil as Minister and Governor. He is spearheading this celebration, assigning prominence for the Sinhala Buddhist Politicians (Mano Ganesan), but ignoring even up-country Tamils participation in that. These types of celebrations from minorities are very important for the UNP-SLFP government, though the two political parties forced the life of the Up-Country Tamils as 5th or even 6th class citizens of the country. The IC’s rapporteur & ombudsmen’s repeated visits have created a lime light to Up-Country Tamils problems. As usual there are a lot of opportunists, building their politics based on this too. TGTE is an organization resisting democratizing its leadership or being open to making acquaintances with IC. So, without heads, the tails organized a meeting in Tamil Nadu to celebrate the “Naam 200” in Chennai. But the DMK state government denied permission for it. All that TGTE was able to do was bring back Karunanidhi’s decades old political somersault to criticism for this failed arrangement for celebration. For how long TGTE wants to refuse to join the mainstream who are advocating the “Diplomatic Agitation” and keep failing?
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
After 15 years of the liberation movement declaring the “Arms are Silenced” how long TGTE, without honestly analyzing why could not it gain acceptance in the government (TN), which passed a unanimous resolution recognizing the Tamil Eelam, but going to explain everything as Puli Neeka Arasiyal? Though it was an unadvisable job like “Malaiyai Kelli Elliyai Pidikirathu” (Demolishing the mountain only to catch a rat), PM Rudra Kumaran was asking people signature support (a form democratic participatory) to fight his form of Puli Neeka Arasiyal. But when it is applied to Ms. Swastika Arulingam by the propagandists in the North East, it has evolved into an atomic bomb. This is what we are witnessing in TamilWin’s essays and videos. I need not to tell anything about the Puli Neeka Arasiyal Essay 2) I have attached. Those who don’t read Tamil can change it into English using Firefox, Edge or Chrome. But the Video is different. It is starting like a news piece of Puli Neek Ayasiyal. But it is just following Theepam Chelvan’s Swastika bashing essay. At the end it is claiming victory for the successful lesson taught to those who are engaged in Puli Neeka Arasiyal. And it is going to another level to warn those, by the evaluation of TamilWin and its media men, who are engaged in Puli Neeka Arasiyal, that they are in serious trouble.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
It is interesting to watch that two years ago the idling proclamation of the existence of Western countries’ Puli Neeka Arasiyal has grown locally & practiced by everyone who is reading TamilWin, so it has to keep its eyes open on those who are engaged in it. TGTE could not have a meeting in Chennai for Indian Origin Tamils’ second century. But TamilWin drew big headlines with a fisherman’s foul words against Kuspu! Who is this Kuspu? She only appears on TamilWin’s cinema gossip. What other connections Tamils have with her. She ruled the Tamil movies one time, but she is not a Tamil. TamilWin lazily bashing her too and claiming its victory. What a smallness of TamilWin that it cannot remember that the Prime Minister of TGTE cannot buy a ticket for Chennai? First thing, before celebrating the denial of Kuspu’s visit to the Jaffna Music concert, TamilWin should remember that she is a billion rupees owner, The TN’s CM’s father’s personal friend of hers. He wanted her for a long time to join DMA, Congress and BJP doing all they can do to keep her in their party. That is the treatment she gets within 80M Tamils. The Jaffna Tamils of 600,000, who are under the control of this new extremist, suffer, because they have no entertainment in the Tamil Nadu Movies are not coming to Jaffna.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2023
Isn’t it Jaffna youths pouring milk for Vijey’s cut out? He is divorcing his Jaffna wife, as per TamilWin’s Cinema gossip? What is wrong with these silly people? Are they dying for Tamil Eelam or waiting to build their temple for Kuspu in Jaffna? Why did they invite her in the first place?
Aanduwa claims that North East Tamils can have their lands back, but the lands are only being given to Anti-Tamil Crusaders. Hezbollah, who proclaimed that he would make Tamil blood flow in the North East has got His Islamic University back. Government made sure this returning process was celebrated by the Up-Country Tamil governor. But this governor opposed Tamils MPs like Gajendran observing Theelepan’s Memorial Day in East, saying there are Sinhalese & they are provoked by this celebration so he cannot allow Gajendran like people observe Theleepan day in East. Jaffna University Students went to support Eastern province boys in their protest against Aanduwa swindling Tamil farmers’ lands in Maylathamadu. Interestingly, an Ex. Governor Anuradha who was appointed by Aanduwa to act for the EPC, which was formed to grant land rights to Tamil, is doing this for Tamils. There were arrests in all these Tamils’ democratic protests by the Aanduwa. All over the North East, still Rapist Police units are filing requests at court to ban Tamil MPs, parents, university students’…….etc’ participation in Maveerar Naal.
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