A group of Sri Lankan university academics who took different positions during the war fought between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE have called upon the Sri Lankan government, all political parties, the UN and other international bodies and sponsors of the UNHRC resolution to place the needs and concerns of those who suffered during the war at the forefront of any mechanisms that will be put in place in the future.
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda
Sending a letter to the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights they said;”This relates not only to their protection, but also that their psychosocial needs and wellbeing should drive the investigation and accountability process.”
“We must also ensure those who have suffered human rights violations do not get ‘re-traumatised’ through this endeavour and that psychosocial support for those who need it is provided before, during and after the process. In this regard we emphasize that what is required is not simply a judicial process or a punitive process of investigation and punishment, but a process that will consider and respond to all the different needs of those who have been affected by the war such as their material, emotional and social protection needs. This means approaching the issue of justice from the broadest possible perspective. We strongly urge all parties involved to desist from efforts to use the suffering and trauma of these people for engaging in political grandstanding. We also urge the Sri Lankan state and the UN to ensure that the process of accountability is made meaningful for the victims of war and not simply as an exercise in image building for any individual, group or organisation.” they further said.
We publish below the letter in full;
To:
H.E President Maithripala Sirisena
Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister
Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hon. R. Sampanthan, Leader of the Opposition
Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Your Excellency and Honourable Sirs,
SRI LANKAN UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS APPEAL TO THE AUTHORITIES REGARDING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON SRI LANKA
One of the greatest challenges facing the new government today is that of reconciliation between ethnic and religious communities. This challenge is all the more formidable because ever since the end of the war in 2009 in Sri Lanka, the ideology of the ruling regime reinforced ideas of Sinhala majoritarian supremacy and the suppression of minorities. It is in this context that we need to respond to the recent UN Human Rights Council Report on Sri Lanka and the resolution to which the current government is a co-sponsor.
We, the undersigned, took different positions during the war fought between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE. Some of us were opposed to the war, while some of us were of the view that the LTTE had to be defeated militarily. However, whatever our differences on the war, we are of the view that the conduct of the Sri Lankan state after the end of the war and the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009 exacerbated existing ethnic tensions in the country. No war can claim to have been fought cleanly. All wars claim victims and leave losers. The latest UNHRC report documents with strong evidence the human rights violations that occurred during the last stages of the war. Even otherwise, our own observations and experiences provide evidence of the tremendous losses, suffering and trauma to which our fellow citizens, especially in the North and East were subject. The efforts especially by the last regime, to gloss over these losses have been the greatest barrier to national reconciliation. It created a situation where any attempt to acknowledge the loss and trauma of war and violence were depicted as ‘anti-national’, pro-terrorist and unpatriotic. It is time that these notions are once and for all put to rest. The Sri Lankan state which has claimed victory in this war, a war which we must remember was fought against its own citizens and was the result of historical failures in state-building, has an undeniable responsibility to respond to these instances of human rights violations.
We are strongly of the view that it is therefore necessary to acknowledge the loss, suffering and trauma of this war. People who were subjected to human rights violations deserve to have their story heard and acknowledged. It is also noteworthy that this report documents human rights violations also in the South of the country. The grief and loss of those whose rights have been violated cannot simply be ignored or swept aside through the rhetoric of ‘defeating terrorism’ and ‘protecting the sovereignty of the country’. Attempts by certain groups, individuals and the media to portray this report as ‘anti Sri Lanka’ are particularly disturbing since it suggests that some Sri Lankan citizens are less worthy or more expendable than others. It is for this reason that we strongly oppose attempts to undermine investigations into human rights violations during the war and to hold accountable those who were responsible for such violations. We find attempts to frame such interventions as ‘western conspiracies’, attacks on sovereignty and insulting to ‘war heroes’ as particularly damaging towards reconciliation and healing. We would like to draw the attention of everyone, especially those who are resisting current efforts to investigate human rights violations, to Sri Lanka’s international obligations to uphold human rights of all its citizens.
We therefore call upon the Sri Lankan government, all political parties, the UN and other international bodies and sponsors of the UNHRC resolution to place the needs and concerns of those who suffered during the war at the forefront of any mechanisms that will be put in place in the future. This relates not only to their protection, but also that their psychosocial needs and wellbeing should drive the investigation and accountability process. We must also ensure those who have suffered human rights violations do not get ‘re-traumatised’ through this endeavour and that psychosocial support for those who need it is provided before, during and after the process. In this regard we emphasize that what is required is not simply a judicial process or a punitive process of investigation and punishment, but a process that will consider and respond to all the different needs of those who have been affected by the war such as their material, emotional and social protection needs. This means approaching the issue of justice from the broadest possible perspective. We strongly urge all parties involved to desist from efforts to use the suffering and trauma of these people for engaging in political grandstanding. We also urge the Sri Lankan state and the UN to ensure that the process of accountability is made meaningful for the victims of war and not simply as an exercise in image building for any individual, group or organisation.
It is in this context, that we are especially concerned that the process for investigation and accountability that is undertaken is independent and legitimate. Given the serious erosion of judicial independence in Sri Lanka in recent times, we are of the opinion that a purely domestic process cannot ensure justice or inspire confidence especially among the affected people. Neither do we think that the mere presence of international actors can ensure this. We call upon all those responsible to learn from similar processes in countries such as South Africa and Cambodia and to apply those lessons to the processes and institutions that are to be established in Sri Lanka.
We, the undersigned, reiterate that how we deal with the human rights violations during the wars could be the single most meaningful intervention towards the all important and badly needed task of reconciliation, healing and rebuilding our country as one which is truly democratic, inclusive and pluralistic. Without acknowledging our past wrongdoing we will be unable to move forward as a country and society.
Signed
Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda – University of Colombo
Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri – University of Colombo
Dr Neavis Morais – Open University
Dr Mahim Mendis – Open University
Dileepa Witharana – Open University
Dr Harini Amarasuriya – Open University
Dr Harshana Rambukwella – Open University
Dr Farzana Haniffa – University of Colombo
Dr Theodore Fernando – Open University
Prof Gameela Samarasinghe – University of Colombo
N.G.A Karunathilaka – University of Kelaniya
Sithumini Rathnmalala University of Moratuwa
Dr Aboobacker Rameez – South Eastern University
Dr Prabhath Jayasinghe – University of Colombo
Dr Pavithra Kailasapathy – University of Colombo
Dr Jeyasankar Sivagnanam – Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Dr Sengarapillai Arivalzahan – University of Jaffna
Dr Sumathy Sivamohan – University of Peradeniya
Athula Kumara Samarakoon – Open University
Dr Ruwan Weerasinghe – University of Colombo
Dinesha Samararathne – University of Colombo
Upali Pannilage – University of Ruhuna
Dr Janaki Jayawardene – University of Colombo
Dr A.W. Wijeratne – University of Sabaragamuwa
Dr Romola Rassool – University of Kelaniya
Dr Chandrabose Suppiah – Open University
Dr Dinuka Wijethunga – University of Colombo
Dr D.H.S. Maithripala – University of Peradeniya
Dr Kaushalya Perera – University of Kelaniya
Prof Neloufer de Mel – University of Colombo
Dr J. Kennedy – Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Dr Shyamini Hettiarachchi – University of Kelaniya
Chandraguptha Thenuwara – University of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr Jeyaratname Jeyadevan – University of Jaffna
Dr S. Krishnakumar – Open University
Prof Priyan Dias – University of Moratuwa
Dr Ranil D Gunarathne – University of Colombo
Krishantha Fredricks – University of Colombo
Dr. Jeyaseelan Gnanaseelan – Vavuniya Campus
Ravi de Mel – Open University
S. Selvarajan – University of Jaffna
Sengodan. M / October 1, 2015
” …..consider and respond to all the needs of those who were affected by the war such as their material, emotional and social protection needs”
An excellent statement!
In this connection the government should seriously consider a great reduction in the military presence which is still overwhelming and intimidating. The affected people need a peaceful atmosphere in the first instance. Then, the lands grabbed from the people should be returned to the rightful owners. They should be resettled with a roof over their heads. It is estimated that nearly 140,000 dwellings were damaged during the war. These have to be repaired or rebuilt. Some means of livelihood have to be found for the affected people, especially to those families headed by war widows. Psychological and emotional support too should be provided where needed.
This is the only way reconciliation can progress.
Sengodan. M
/
Uthungan / October 1, 2015
Unlike many of the soggy contributions which have been peddled by many in this forum recently on the subject of UNHCR’s resolution, I would urge all those genuinely concerned about the future and welfare of the people of our lsland country to be realistic enough to accept all that has been stated in this article and endorsed by the academics.
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Walt / October 2, 2015
you sound like poo saree.
Its just another donkey bleating for recognition in a shape shape society.
You need to look inwards for your solution because that is where you lost to bad logic donkey.english and americans have bad logic you are stupid marx who could never read the english way.
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Amarasiri / October 1, 2015
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda
RE: Don’t Re-Traumatise The War-Traumatised: Dons
The UN adopted the resolution sponsored by the United States, United Kingdom and a few others, the resolution was backed by Sri Lanka.
The resolution envisages the establishment of a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. The proposed mechanism will include Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defense lawyers and authorized prosecutors and investigators.
There was no voting and there were no last-minute changes in the text of the draft resolution, which was submitted by the sponsors on September 24, according to a spokesperson of the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Now, All those who were victimized by the Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamils can have their day in court in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho. This of course include the academics among others. Now it is time to expose the bad and Ugly Paras, and recognized and reward the good Paras who wanted to make the Land of native Veddah Aethho livable for ALL PARAS.
Let’s identify the bad Paras, and punish them, according to their crimes.
Let’s identify the good Paras, and reward them, according to their positive contributions.
/
Walt / October 2, 2015
all the idol worshipers are saying Arohara, how they slave.
perhaps they all now believe in buddha god
stupid buddha is happy person.
/
Punitham / October 1, 2015
Do
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Thinesh / October 2, 2015
The “professionals” have failed to mention the hundreds and thousands of VICTIMS of terrorism that are all over the Island. If not politically motivated why speak of 2 provinces only? The victims in border villagers massacred. The suicide blasts island wide with a heavy Sinhala and Muslim presence targeted for 28years? What about their trauma? If claiming to be professionals address the permanent scars left by the terrorists and terrorist funders on the lives of the Victims. The widows, the displaced, the injured, the marriages that broke up when children were blown up with families unable to cope, the single mothers, single fathers, the grandparents having to pick up the pieces. Address the Trauma of 30yrs of Victims of Terrorism. If there was “NO terrorism there would be no War”…”there is No terrorism now so there is NO war” said by none other than a former member of the LTTE. The former LTTE – have seen both sides and have not been armchair academics that issue grand statements. The people who suffered on the ground are those that want to move on. Those waking up now to the discourse, want to make a meal out of it.
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Yasin / October 15, 2015
Thinesh, a very honest and valuable comment. You could not have said it any better in one paragraph which says it all in short.
Thank you for your sensible comment.
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Karthigesu M. Nirmalan-Nathan. / October 1, 2015
A very well thought out letter indeed and please accept my expression of gratitude for making the effort to make a difference. Makes you believe that humanity is still alive and kicking in some corners of Sri Lanka which I’d love to call my mother land. Thank you all very much for timely considerate contemplation. Will our politicians understand let alone take note is another matter.
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Walt / October 2, 2015
“Will our politicians understand let alone take note is another matter. “
Its for you to understand not the politicians that logic is fit for detectives, debates not human affairs.
they like the English and Americans have bad logic and ` way of doing things` –
birds of a feather gather together read Aesop’s which is valid till 4000AD.
the subtlety of stupidity the advantage of lying low.
Blessed are the idiots for they are the happiest people on earth.
/
Sajith / October 1, 2015
Significant timely appeal. Thank you all.
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Real Peace / October 1, 2015
Absolutely right! The criminal mess created by the Mahinda regime is huge. The state will have to handle many, many very important issues that manifest from the war crimes. Poor Ranil is now picking up the pieces. If Ranil fails act promptly the international community will call him a pariah and impose sanctions, on the other hand, if he acts promptly he might lose the next election.
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Ibadun / October 1, 2015
I appreciate the great initiate..there were/are time that all intellectuals silence about what ever happen/happened in this country which led/leads to an opportunity to politicians and general public to get undue advantages.. if our intellectuals response in time than there will be meaningful debate will happen and general public will have great awareness about the situation which prevent them to relay on politicians for information.
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Analyst / October 1, 2015
If only the majority of the intellectuals and the non intellectuals thinks the same way as the above signed academics the country need not to visit the UN Session nrepeatedly with a begging bowl and tails behind the backs.
You all know what I meant.
We need intellectuals as above to lift our country’s image and prevent future armed struggle and Racism.
I salute you all .
From the psychological point of view from all sides of the communities are struggling in silence wanting to know what really had happened to their loved ones before ,during ,and after the war .
It’s a curse of the country which had been forced onto innocent victims too due to the hate factor.
The families of the victims need closure , until then the believe that the ” spirits will never rest ” will continue in the minds of the victims families.
We need to put these minds at rest , they need psychological and spiritual help. The country which waged war against their own citizens need to solve the after effects too.
Congratulations and best wishes to these Academics ,!please recruite more intellectuals and non intellectuals too for this rewarding venture for the “GOODNESS OF THE COUNTRY CALLED SRILANKA WHICH I LOVE AS YOU DO”
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Pasuwardana / October 1, 2015
Yes. human right violations have taken. But the problem is how to deal.
I think while we should step aside the accountabiltiy, but help the victimised. For example war- widows.
This accountability will not lead any thing better for the victims.
Pursuing accountability will upset the internal balance of forces, destabilise and in the end unleash further violence.
We must ensure that past sins are not repeated.
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Walt / October 2, 2015
At yakko island,
You think humans think with their minds??
You are dung and sound like a bell.
The first step to humanness is shaking hands while both wriggle own with it comes `reasonableness`. by wriggling and throwing your murder under the carpet and raping kids you propose to understand?? Don’t be too smart.”
`For example war widows`- you make good money sending your sinhala women to medieval middle east while the trade is banned by india and pakistan- that’s running harem buru lanka.
You love Tsunami and the honey that comes with it.
suggest nothing the hindians might whisper in your ear.
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Analyst / October 1, 2015
There are children who are traumatised , there are individuals have been traumatised as well due the effects of WAR.
I have just read that UNICEF will be helping the children too on the recommendations of the UN.
Great move I believe and request these Academics to include this worthwhile cause to help building bridges for the future of our nation that is our present children of the future .
You will be doing a great service to our future and the present generation.
Good Luck .
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Hare Rama Hare Krishna / October 1, 2015
Well Done dons,
Now you have woke and have come openly to state their views for the benefit of the country. The social responsibility of the academics in Sri Lanka and their genuine voices were missing for a long time other than a few individuals projecting themselves as the saviours of the country expressing their one sided and biased views.
Now Dayan J and Tamara K should think twice to write or speak anything about their one sided and biased opinions.
This is a balance and genuine concerns of the intelligentsia of Sri Lanka and should be considered valid. The media in Sri Lanka also have a role to educate the grassroots level people about the necessity of genuine reconciliation process and avoidance of any kind of future violence.
/
Senthil / October 1, 2015
I have just looked at the Singhalese version but that pictures and news are different from English version. I think CT have to publish same thing in all three languages including the translation of comments(translating comments may be costly and time consuming or may be not practicable). Include GLP as well and ask him to watch Mahabaratham.
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Vetmahadeva / October 1, 2015
Well done the Dons!
True Elites of the Educated
In timing and the contends of this collective appeal
I am sharing of this appeal
My FB for further the attraction of authorizes!
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Vetmahadeva / October 1, 2015
Correction Please
The last line should read as
My FB for further the attraction of authorities!
/
Mallaiyuran / October 1, 2015
Another LLRC.
Sweet, but the patient is diabetes.
Sinhala Intellectuals who got splitted by the elections regrouping to throw cold water into the eyes of IC to go blinded temporarily, until they finish the cover up.
Another group to divert UNHRC’s opinion. So far this group has not stated whether it accepts the OSIL report as asked by the High Commission on the first day of the report. Basically there are no Tamils group remain not accepted it and TNA took the responsibility, an additional part, while there are no confirmed report of one single Sinhala Intellectual groups on this including the New Royals, the “Appe Aanduawa”
Where were these comedian until they saw a damning report from OISL. The governments continuously distracting with interest group is biggest tactics from the Sinhala Intellectual Government’s tactics.
Diaspora and other Tamils wanted a IC inquiry to establish the fact whether LTTE was a terrorist movement as declared by those who wanted to buy Migs or are they really freedom fighters? Diaspora and other groups wanted an IC Inquiry for the 6th amendment removed and let the Tamil express their feeling rather than bullied Sampanthar unaccounted consents. Tamils wanted an IC inquiry to put a halt to the UNP-SLFP’s cheating and tearing the pacts started by DS who falsely had the Soulbury constitution ratified with paid out Tamils ministers instead of referendum from the Tamils.
Who are victims of the war? Is that only victims.In which process it has been established? Old Old and Royal Family?
What about the oppression. What about the families who lost jobs for the revenging law making from 1948? How many ways the “Appe Aanduwa” had made the Tamils in their own land as refugees?
Now many Sinhala Intellectuals are getting out of the “Mig Deals” are going to be ended in one hand. So they wast tell sweet stories to put their hands on the IC helps. That is the only intentions of these Sinhala intellectuals.
No more hanky Pankies. We need IC Inquiry First! No insertions into that, no more mix ups”
/
Lankan / October 1, 2015
Mallaiyuran,
Let me clarify for you the LTTE – freedom fighters, maybe,
whatever defines that, but they definitely were ruthless
terrorists.
Do you need someone to list for you the atrocities
committed by them against unarmed civilians?
/
Mallaiyuran / October 1, 2015
I do not need one more after OISL have listed 47 Royal governments officers, including the Old King and the new King as the war crime murderers.
“Arasan Evalee, Kudikal Avalee” (It is the King’s path the citizens follow.) Is there some one in Lankawe to do the listing? Is there one to throw the first first stone? All are murderers, as per the OISL list. All are rapist as even warned to select them to UN Peacekeeping.
Where were these Sinhala Intellectual when Hakeem set out a trip to see Hilary Clinton with a sake NAP?
Thanks.
/
Lankan / October 2, 2015
Mallaiyuran,
I see…so you are one of those hypocrites who
can’t admit the obvious. Prabhakaran would be the number
one murderer on any list. Stop living in a world of make believe
and hate.
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Mallaiyuran / October 2, 2015
Would you murder somebody who murdered you 1956,1958,1961,1971, 1977, 1983…..
It is ok if Pirapaharan did a murder have it checked as the OISL report. But if the Lala’s wild animals doing it, they not good for even ciucus; they need to be euthanized.
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Lankan / October 2, 2015
Mallaiyuran,
It’s clear that you are a hardcore
LTTE supporter,blinded by hate.
Sadly you are a prisoner of your own mind
who cannot think objectively,without
taking sides.
You seem to believe in ‘an eye for an eye’,
which is the preserve of the unintelligent and
volatile masses.Good luck with that.
As Lord Buddha is said to have said,
violence begets violence.
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Walt / October 2, 2015
“”As Lord Buddha is said to have said, violence begets violence. “”
your food is the only food but you can never control $6 billion exports. Your language is the only language?? your confidence??
So is anyone going to buy some Viagra off you now or what?
When Elizabethan England needed pirates to protect the Empire she was able to produce enough pirates to meet the situation and glorified them. In every period England was able to fight the right war, against the right enemy, with the right ally, on the right side, at the right time, and call it by a wrong name. England did not do it by logic, did they? They did it by their tentacles.
What was that GL Peiris name- Humanitarian Operation.
there is the wisdom of the foolish,- stupid buddha!!
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ravivararo / October 3, 2015
[As Lord Buddha is said to have said, violence begets violence. ]
tell this to your modawamsa idiots.
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Lankan / October 4, 2015
ravivararo,
Why don’t you dwell on it’s meaning, or are you an idiot?
/
punchinilame / October 1, 2015
The Sri Lankan intellectuals have come out of their hide-out, as it were! Very
welcome and timely, as opposed what the political breed keeps repeating even at this
stage of change. Hoping for the best.
/
senthil / October 1, 2015
very much doubt that we have any actual intellectuals, may be gained knowledge by reading others text books. How come these intellectuals allowed big countries to pull Tamils and Singhalese into an unwanted war and came into the picture as mediators – where were these intellectuals and why didn’t they stop it at the beginning – who gained by this war. Why didn’t they put a full stop to UNP/SLFP using Tamils for their gains.
/
Analyst / October 1, 2015
@senthil
Result of 60 plus years of Nationalism created the war , destruction of one Race against another all because of Singhala Nationalism followed by Tamil Nationalism .
What we now witness a regular plea bargaining twice a year visit / pilgrimage to the UN with tails behind our backs with a begging bowl, begging for MERCY. How about that?
the international community is dictating us for the mistakes caused by the past and present politicians. We are still not out of the woods yet.
Instead of Nation building all the energy and financial drain continues for this Twice yearly costly visit to the UN.
It’s not like a walk in the park is it?
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Mallaiyuran / October 1, 2015
“It’s not like a walk in the park is it?”
Could you that question from Shenuka, Douglas, Hakeem Mahinda Samarasinga, GLP….
When the Sinhala Cinema Actresses accompany, it is little bit more fun in the nights at the Geneva Hotels.
(That is really a wolf’s cry)
/
Malli / October 1, 2015
Letter from NGO funded academics.
Absolutely anti-Sri Lankan, absolutely pro LTTE.
/
Mahesh Nirmalan / October 1, 2015
During my recent visit to the Vanni in August, I had the opportunity to talk to many victims who had seen it all and lived through it all. Revisiting these old wounds is not going to help these victims. They need support, protection, livelihood and honor. They need the comfort that all of us – Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and all others care for them and are determined to use this opportunity to put in place a series of mechanisms to prevent recurrence. They must not be used as political footballs – either in the internal power struggles between the UNP/SLFP; squabbles between the different Tamil groups in their ‘we are more patriotic than you’ kind of battle and the regional aspirations of the different global powers…..in that context, I am very grateful to the authors of this letter. Implementation of 13A in letter and in spirit should give them the necessary time and space to regain their lost lives. We all owe it to them.
Professor Mahesan Nirmalan
Manchester Medical School
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Eusense / October 1, 2015
MN,
Where were you when the LTTE was formed and took violence, kidnapping Tamil youth and suicide bombing as weapons to fight for the so called Tamil concerns? Did you ever wrote anything like you are doing today?
Have you ever visited Vanni to talk to “victims who had seen it all and lived through it all” the LTTE to convince them to stop this carnage and use a different path?
During the terror war did you ever thought “The Tamils need support, protection, livelihood and honor” as you say now?
What would be you say today if the terror war was not terminated by the gov.?
/
Walt / October 2, 2015
“”Where were you when the LTTE was formed and took violence, “”
Hello Dalit nonsense,
Jackass learn Hindi and ask the question directly from your godhead Hindia.
there lies the answer but you are too afraid because time is running out.
Like the north east Sikkim Nagaland Bhutan etc the island must go to rightful administration in Hindi.
/
Tamil from the north / October 2, 2015
@Eusense the bloody nuisance, let me answer the question you asked Mahesh Nirmalan, we were in Jaffna seeing our family, class-mates, friends being arrested without a reason and most disappeared without a trace. I still remember one friend who was coming back from tuition class was arrested and mercilessly beaten at the army camp in 1984. He was released after a nasty thrashing for 2 weeks. when I saw the next day he was filled with anger and said ‘I never thought of joining the rebels but now I want to join and kill these bastards for beating me for no reason.
Bloody Nuisance;
Where were you when innocent Tamils travelling to Colombo and back were pulled out of busses and shot by the thug hoodlums in army uniform?
Where were you when the riots took place in 57/58 & 77/83?
Where were you when 200 drunks in Police uniform when they burnt our beloved Jaffna Library with the help of two racist dogs one by the name Cyril Matthew and another dog called Gamini Dissanayake? Then they set fire to the entire Jaffna town.
Do you want me to list further details so that a racist baseborn like you will understand the suffering the Tamils went through?
/
Paul / October 2, 2015
Where were you when the discrimination ethnic cleansing and genocide of the island’s Tamil population started from independence and is still continuing even six years after the demise of the LTTE. The LTTE was not there for the first 30 years of this horror. They are the child of stated sponsored Sinhalese racism and Indian opportunism. They were no saints, however what they did was very miniscule compared what the Sinhalese the Sri Lankan government establishment and the armed forces did to the Tamils. No one can accuse the LTTE of raping or looting. They contributed to around 5% of the violence. However the Sinhalese and Hindian/Brahmin establishment magnify and blow out of proportion what the LTTE did and the miniscule suffering of the Sinhalese whilst completely ignoring the enormous suffering that the Tamil people suffered under the hands of all parties to this conflict. It is so insulting to see this miniscule suffering by the non Tamil population in the island being equated to the enormous suffering of the Tamils, the large scale ethnic cleansing the killing and genocide by all interested parties
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eusense / October 2, 2015
Paul
First you need to find the meanings of words like ethnic cleansing and genocide. If these two things happened you wont be living today and no tamils will be existing in SL
If the ltte is the child of SL gov’s activities why they kill tamil leaders?
I have heard of enough fake accusation of genocide, rape etc. etc. Without any substantiated evidence. They are all fictional stories without real victims! Give me a list of victims and dates these happened at least during the last 6 years.
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Native Vedda / October 2, 2015
Nuisance
What is the difference between you and a knife?
/
Walt / October 2, 2015
nonsense the yakka (boasting about pera as if it is foundation Ivy league 8
He is `jack the knife` in a yellow span cloth- from poor background, baldie education
even stupid bikkhus like vibushana went to university then threw the cloth because of promiscuity now they are bounty hunters.
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Tamil from the north / October 2, 2015
Eusense, you are not only a nuisance but also a global 3rd class pariah. Why do you bring the LTTE into anything and everything? Even the Tamils in these strings who are dead against the LTTE are fed with your vile garbage about LTTE. Stand on your feet you coward. Stop harassing people in these strings who have no interest in the LTTE. You are an airhead, nothing inside and nothing outside. Paul and I have no interest in the LTTE, grow up racist. I never had any interest in the LTTE. LTTE is the same as the successive GOSL. Killed all the decent people who stood against them. Genocide does not mean you get to eradicate an entire ethnic group. Hitler tried to kill as many Jews as possible and killed 6 million Jews. But there are still millions of Jews still alive and many survived in Germany. Ratko Mladić, Radovan Karadžić, Slobodan Milošević and many other Serbs tried to kill all the Bosnians and they did not succeed. Therefore, before you come to these strings and spew your garbage watch what you say. Not everyone here lives in a vacuum like you.
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Eusense / October 2, 2015
Tamil,
You have used the words “nuisance”, “3rd class pariah”, “coward”, “vile garbage” and “airhead” in your post as personal attacks. For me it proves that my message has been delivered and that you have no valid answers. Next time try to take sentence by sentence of my posts and rebuttal them so that the readers and I can learn something new if what you write has any sense.
Isn’t all this with UNHRC rhetoric started because of the short sited terror war of the LTTE? Wouldn’t it have been smart if the Tamils opted to negotiate instead? What would be the situation today if the GOSL did not eradicate the LTTE? How many more Tamils do you think would have been killed by now? Will there be any UNHRC activity on SL?
You say “Even the Tamils in these strings who are dead against the LTTE ….”. Have you or the others in this string ever condemned the LTTE activity at the time they were suicide murdering? I am yet to see any Tamils like vedda, paul, the insane “walt”, Mahesh Nirmalan, thondamany etc. etc. condemning the LTTE even now. Only one I see condemning the LTTE is Dr. Narendran.
So you are now saying that genocide means selective eradication? What criteria do you think the GOSL is using in this selection? By the way you and your separatist Tamil buddies say genocide is still happening! That means it has not ended. That means it will happen until all the Tamils are eradicated. So according to you and your buddies you will be gone soon too!
What a group of intellectuals I am dealing with!!
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / October 3, 2015
Funny how it now turns out that no We Thamizh ever supported the LTTE :D Kind of like how the “ex” LTTE We Thamizh crawling out of the woodwork with fantastical tales to tell all turn out to have just been memebers of the LTTE catsitter & gardener corps :D
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Tamil from the north / October 3, 2015
Eusense, I cannot take any sentence you write apart to the core molecule of your comment, I can only react in a very awful toxic manner as your comments have no common sense and filled with racism. A rabid dog like you should be destroyed immediately. We ran away from our home and our country because of racist inbred bastards like you and you want me to take your rubbish apart? What is there to take apart? The deeper I go into your comments, it smells even worse. You have the audacity to even comment in that way? The only answer I can grant you is turn nastiness back to you. Scoundrel, the damn LTTE is a creation of successive racist pogroms of the racist elements amongst the Sinhalese such as similar vile garbage like you. LTTE was not an elected government by the Tamil people as Tamils don’t have a separate land. GOSL is an elected government by the people to represent the folks who live in the country. How do you expect me to comment after telling you to stop talking about the LTTE as they are irrelevant to the discussion and present situation. LTTE is NOT AN ELECTED GOVERNMENT, so shut up about the damn LTTE. A thick skinned scoundrel like you needs to be put in your place. How do you live with yourself day after day having this amount of hatred for your fellow country men and women for no apparent reason besides they are of a different ethnic group? Disgusting fellow. Did you even provide a rebuttal to any of my reply to your comments. Why don’t you start now in a sincere way to provide a decent rebuttal and then I can change my way of talking to you. You want Tamils to criticise a non-existent terror group which most Tamils don’t have an affiliation with, then why don’t you start commenting on the successive terror governments we have had in SL in the last 65 years with an exception of CBK? Lets start with the riots in 57/58 & 77/83 and how did the Sinhala racist governments deal with it? Lets also talk about the burning of the Jaffna library by cops and government ministers. Lets talk about JR’s comments/response to a foreign journalist after the end of the 83 riots and how he did not give two hoots about what happened to the Tamils (3000 innocent Tamils were murdered and thousands lost everything they had), this was an elected leader. Do you want me to go on?
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Mallaiyuran / October 1, 2015
We can accept that had the TNA put that no “internal self determination” and 13A as the solution and no “IC investigation” and developments as the priority.
Right after the war that is what exactly TNA said. TNA said it did not wanted the ICC investigation. Ambassador Robert Blake declared Tamils wants developments and reconciliation, no Investigation. Then TNA changed the tone for providential election. Ambassador, after spending months to obtain a consent for favorable resolution for Sri Lanka, told the congress Sri Lanka has cheated him.
Why Prime Minster who is saying LTTE is the one killed all,is not ready to have that confirmed by ICC? Isn’t he promised at South not one single Leader, Commander and Soldier will be investigated? TNA said they are for international Investigation. Now how far Prime Minister is away from his goals and how far TNA is on its promises?
Without international community come inside and press the government, what you think the UNP and the SLFP combined government going to do?
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Thondamanny / October 1, 2015
[Edited out]
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Eusense / October 1, 2015
This letter not only disgrace all University dons signed here but also the intellectuals who graduated from Sri Lankan Universities. I have several reasons to say so.
The letter says “The grief and loss of those whose rights have been violated cannot simply be ignored or swept aside through the rhetoric of ‘defeating terrorism’ and ‘protecting the sovereignty of the country’.”
What do these “dons” have to say today if this war was not ended by the gov.? What about the grief and loss of those who would be killed by suicide bombings, inflicting fear and terror on all citizens, force recruitment of Tamil youth, disruption of families, financial losses for the country by destroying public property and diversion of finances towards the war that would deprive many development opportunities? How shameful and ignorant is this group of “dons” to call ending the war as rhetoric of defeating terrorism and protecting sovereignty? If not what else is it?
The letter also says “However, whatever our differences on the war, we are of the view that the conduct of the Sri Lankan state after the end of the war and the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009 exacerbated existing ethnic tensions in the country” How moronic for them to say so and then in the same letter to say “No war can claim to have been fought cleanly”?
“The latest UNHRC report documents with strong evidence the human rights violations that occurred during the last stages of the war”
What strong evidence did these “dons” find in this report? Do these dons know or will ever come to know who gave this evidence? How can these “intellectuals” assume a report that was prepared with evidence of only one side of the equation to be “strongly” acceptable?
It says further “Even otherwise, our own observations and experiences provide evidence of the tremendous losses, suffering and trauma to which our fellow citizens, especially in the North and East were subject.” From where did you make these observations and what experiences did they have? They should publicize those observations and experiences to all citizens of Sri Lanka. Otherwise there is no validity to this statement.
The statement “We find attempts to frame such interventions as ‘western conspiracies’, attacks on sovereignty and insulting to ‘war heroes’ as particularly damaging towards reconciliation and healing” shows how naive frogs in the well these dons are! Why do they think the UN and the west are not investigating human right violations of US, UK and the west inflicted on Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Palestine? Why do these dons think UN and the west is so focused on SL? There love for the Tamils?
I need to ask these “intellectual” dons who talk about reconciliation and healing, the question I have always been asking for years, but nobody answers. With whom are we expected to reconcile? And whose wounds do they want to heal?
I hope one of these dons will respond and clear things up!
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Native Vedda / October 2, 2015
Nuisance the Stupid I
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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eusense / October 2, 2015
Vedda
When will you grow up and write something that grownups write?
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Native Vedda / October 2, 2015
Nuisance the Stupid I
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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Tamil from the north / October 2, 2015
Eusense the nuisance, being a child is better than being a racist rabid dog like you. NV asked you a question, answer that dumb fool.
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mevan / October 2, 2015
This country needs to look forward and move on. A judicial inquiry and subsequent prosecutions and punishments may result in digging up all kinds of unsavoury details of atrocities by both sides, which will not be helpful will not help anyone. On the other hand, there is a need for those among the living ( on both sides) to tell their stories so that the “other side” will realize what each went through. They must then even if they cannot forget, forgive each other so that we can move forward for the sake of future generations on both sides.
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Walt / October 2, 2015
even childrens stories don’t come that way. Its about ghost- yakkas and games like snakes and ladders is still popular.
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Agnos / October 2, 2015
Prof. Uyangoda,
Thank you. With your JVP past, you are well placed to
counteract the malignant campaign of Dayan Jayatilleka,
who was on the political science faculty with you.
I hope Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero can also help you in this endeavor.
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Walt / October 2, 2015
You are Missing the human factor with all the logic of rigorous Marx dialectic.
Hamlet : of each new hatched unfledged comrade Beware!
If you been to uni then you must know that profs people manipulator politicians- keep away they are as shameless as DJ.
When you make a mistake the answer usually lies within.- they beat your logic with buruva back kick just like the english/american.
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Ashok / October 2, 2015
If only they listened to people like Jayadeva, even after Tsunami 2004 Sri Lanka will not be in this big mess right now.
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n.ethir / October 2, 2015
Uyan,
As I had not the previledge of discussing the political problems of the Sinhala and Tamil communities with the other signatories, I am addressing my comment to you. Although I have not met you for more than 10 years, I am happy to know that your central theme of the problem remain consistent. While agreeing with you generally I like to make some comments that I think are important if anything useful is to come out of the UNHCR’s final resolution of the current session. You said about the Rajapaksa Regime,
“..the ideology of the ruling regime reinforced ideas of Sinhala majoritarian supremacy and the suppression of minorities.”
The Rajapaksa regime Reinforced what was existing in the fundamental political policies of Regimes past. I should add Regime Present too but with a more subtle and diplomatic expressions. The Regimes are so because the majority of the Sinhala voters are so.
Regarding The resolution it appears to me that you and your colleagues are wishing for simultaneous approach to accountability and justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity, Truth and reconciliation, psychosocial well-being of all the victims, reconstruction of the war areas and lives of the victims, and a political solutions.
From what I have observed first hand since 1994, it is important for separate commissions with international active and equal participation be set up to
1) investigate the war crimes and crimes against humanity,
2) Study and recommend repatriation of lands, reduction of the military presence equal to that of the other provinces, and Rebuilding the lives and homes of the Victims and the education and economic sectors of the North and East and border villages., 3)Introduce plans and programs to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of the traumatised people in the North and East and the border villages.
4) Begin a political dialogue to agree on a political solution that is outside a Unitary State.
These activities are not only the prerequisite of any reconciliation between the communities but they are also meaningful process of reconciliation. Real reconciliation will naturally evolve as the communities feel that they are all being treated equal. There are a lot of pseudo, self serving reconciliation attempts that is going on since 2010.
Based on my experience of the problem directly since 1956, I am pessimistic that the UNHRC recommended process accepted by the SL govt and the TNA will ever get off the ground. Even if it does, whether it will fly or be dragged along the ground like a kite that a kid try to fly but cant get it off the ground because there is no wind. We have over sixty plus years dragged the kite along the ground and the ground and rocks tear it apart because there is no will.
I anticipate chaos within the Sinhala community. Ranil and Srisena has already said there will not be prosecution of those who won the war for the Sinhala community, to calm those of the Sinhala majority that are waiting to see what the Srisena/Ranil do when they start the process.If the process starts as intended and in earnest to seek the truth and punish the perpetrator, it is on the Tamil community the anger will be directed as in the past.
Who will come to their rescue? India, USA, UN?
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The Rogue Ayer / October 2, 2015
“Without acknowledging our past wrongdoing we will be unable to move forward as a country and society.”
Thank you for this effort.
Why have only 3 academics from Jaffna University signed? Nobody asked them, they refused to sign or were ordered not to sign?
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Thinesh / October 2, 2015
The “professionals” have failed to mention the hundreds and thousands of VICTIMS of terrorism that are all over the Island. If not politically motivated why speak of 2 provinces only? The victims in border villagers massacred. The suicide blasts island wide with a heavy Sinhala and Muslim presence targeted for 28years? What about their trauma? If claiming to be professionals address the permanent scars left by the terrorists and terrorist funders on the lives of the Victims. The widows, the displaced, the injured, the marriages that broke up when children were blown up with families unable to cope, the single mothers, single fathers, the grandparents having to pick up the pieces. Address the Trauma of 30yrs of Victims of Terrorism. If there was “NO terrorism there would be no War”…”there is No terrorism now so there is NO war” said by none other than a former member of the LTTE. The former LTTE – have seen both sides and have not been armchair academics that issue grand statements. The people who suffered on the ground are those that want to move on. Those waking up now to the discourse, want to make a meal out of it.
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Premila / October 2, 2015
Why is there no mention of the thousands of innocent civilians who died at the hands of brutal terrorists in the border villagers and in the cities ? Are these not HR violations and shouldn’t the families of those victims have psychosocial support and redress in the same manner ? No one has bothered to highlight this in all these deliberations ! What about those who watched their loved ones being butchered alive , get blown up into pieces in front of their own eyes and have never got any recognition for the trauma they endured ! Let’s not talk as if the perpetrators of HR violations are the legitimate government and its armed forces which safeguarded the national integrity and sovereignty and recognize that it was the LTTE which violated the basics of HR by terrorizing a nation and its people for thirty years ! Where were these so called intellectuals when thousands were being blown up on our streets? This is a bunch of pseudo intellectuals trying to get some limelight in the midst of a national betrayal !! Shame on you !
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Native Vedda / October 2, 2015
Premila
“Why is there no mention of the thousands of innocent civilians who died at the hands of brutal terrorists in the border villagers and in the cities ?”
You must be a novice in this forum.
I have repeatedly stated that the state should look into all warcrimes and crimes against humanity which were committed by all sides during the period from 5th April 1971, particularly by the JVP terrorists and state in 1971, and between 1987 and 1990.
I wonder whether you remember these periods of dark ages.
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Naga / October 2, 2015
Now that Sri Lanka has agreed with the UN Human Rights Council in the resolution co-sponsored by it to repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), will you the University academics ask the Sri Lankan government to immediately repeal the PTA as promised and release all those Tamils presently incacerated under this legislation?
As you all may be aware the most objectionable section of Sri Lanka’s PTA is section 2(1)(j) which reads:
2(1)(j) harbours, conceals or in any other manner prevents, hinders or interferes with the apprehension of, a proclaimed person or any other person, knowing or having reason to believe that such person has committed an offence under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
Anyone can be put behind bars under this draconian section of the PTA.
A couple of days ago the Colombo High Court sentenced Ragupathi Sarma for a period of 300 years jail term in the attempted assassination case of Chandrika Kumaratunga. He remained in custody for more than 15 years before he was finally found guilty under this very same sub-section 2(1)(j) of the PTA? He was a Brahmin priest living in Colombo with his wife and I understand that they were charged for allowing some persons known to them to stay in their house and these persons later turned out to be suspected LTTE members who were alleged to have been involved in some way in that bomb attack. His wife, who too was incarcerated on the same allegation for 15 long years has now been released by the High Court as innocent after being denied her freedom for 15 years. In the absence of the incarcerated parents, their children had to be cared by others.
Have you ever heard the continued cries of the mothers,wives and sisters of those Tamils who remain incarcerated for years under the most deplorable Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)? Some of these detainees were known to have become mentally deranged because of their years of incarceration.
The relatives of those held in detention under the PTA had been agitating for their release for many years. The government of the day never provides any information to their relatives and not even admit that some of these people are in fact detained.
Why don’t you University academics hold a protest march in front of the residences of the President and Prime Minister demanding the immediate repeal PTA and release of all prisoners held under PTA?
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Agnos / October 2, 2015
Academics can’t do much on that issue by themselves. There has to be a civil society plus trade union plus political party volunteer movement, of which the academics can be a part, to repeal the PTA and release detainees who have no cases. Presidential pardons should also be considered.
Sampanthan/Sumanthiran/Senathirajah of the TNA have to show that by compromising on the demand for international investigations, they have achieved some positive results within a reasonable time frame; otherwise they will lose their support base.
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The Rogue Ayer / October 5, 2015
Agnos,
“Presidential pardons should also be considered.”
My understanding is that for a presidential pardon a person has to be sentenced by a court. Before being sentenced a person has to be prosecuted.
SL ,of course, is not yet Singapore so that maybe the President can do anything and nobody will react.
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thondamanny / October 2, 2015
NAGA of Pamankade fame….. You are now in an exercise of leading these Academics “outside their thinking box”.
Naga.. you must understand these academics are blinkered and made to make a statement. Nirmal Dewasiri all to well is aware how such statements appear……….
These academics need to return to their …… to find an answer to your querry Mr. Naga.
Please wait……….
Because, even the UNHRC did not summon Muralidhar Reddy, Rajasingham Narendra and even the UTHR nor call for their testimonies.
Even the UN shleved their somewhat accurate report prepared during the last days of the War & it never saw the light of the day…
My gestimation, their report contained about 7k+ deaths & then you one guesstimate the number of injured.
For some reason UN in Colombo and their Official got cold feet.
Gordon the Wise Man using his past position went for easy $$$$$$ with his Cage. Lo & behold Jeffry Robertson of course praised it.
Dianna Paramour is the only Tasmanian Australian to stand up for Sri Lanka by herself.
Sources told the UTHR that LTTE had shot and killed 500 Tamils on the 14th May 2009…… Its not reported anywhere.
Please ask Micheal Roberts but oh no… he is branded a traitor
Uyangoda’s JVP had traumatised the people is enough in 1971 & 1988/89. What has the academics done? Nothing as there was no NGO thing lingering within at the time.
SO LET THE PTA REMAIN FOR NOW UNTILL THE ACADEMICS RECEIVE MORE INPUTS.
Wonder how much Research Projects these Academics undertake do anually? I have not come across any of their research reports
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Mallaiyuran / October 2, 2015
thondamanny,
Paranagama, the defense attorney of Old King’s Royal government has fired a reply back at Prince Zeid, the High Commissioner. This guys was the one manning the MPCS (Multipurpose Commission of Sri Lanka). High Commissioner Zied had said the Paranagama’s MPCS’s effectiveness is questionable.
High commissioner Prince Zeid has a job assigned going up to, at least to the 34th sitting of UNHRC. He is investigating the Human rights violation in Lankawe and the progress after that. His job is of a political process. The defense attorney Paranagama was assigned by Lankawe government to attend a legal or technical process. So would you explain where the provision of the referral on his jobs is defining to defend at the UNHRC of the MPCS commission? Did the political leaders attended to the UNHRC sitting or the Lankawe’s ambassador at Geneva requested him to reply for the High Commissioner’s concern?
Defense attroney, Paranagama had confirmed to the High commissioner that a CID bully had been sent to the private homes of the witnesses. Will the Defense attorney deliver a copy of the list of names of the CIDs visited to witnesses’ homes showing which homes and how many times they visited, with thier past crime records?
Defense attorney Paranagama said that when they requested 300 people to come, more than 1000 people came in and nobody was turned back. . This is they guy who has declared all missing peoples were made missing by by LTTE. Could he provide an explanation of how the three times more people were handled when MPCS was manned only for 300 people? Can he provide the high Commissioner with how many minutes each witnesses were interviewed by an official one on one?
High Commissioner’s concern was the reliability of the MPCS. If the MPCS was satisfactorily interview 1000 people why in the first palace the MPCS has been inviting only 300 people?
The defense attorney should have been doing his job and the answering about the reliability of the MPCS must have been done by those who went to the UNHRC floor. Could you tell that donkey to stop barking and it is dogs job for his master?
In Lankawe these dogs, named above in the report were eating the meat piece thrown by the thief, did not do their job so the education has gone bad to worse. The uneducated army donkeys were teaching the leadership at the universities. Tell these dogs to wake up and instead doing service for thieves, bark at the universities for the well being of the students whom really needs the protection of these dogs.
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The Rogue Ayer / October 5, 2015
thondamanny,
“Wonder how much Research Projects these Academics undertake do anually? I have not come across any of their research reports”
Many claim to research enough to receive the allowance.
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Off The Wall / October 3, 2015
One can sense a feeling of unease between the lines. This bunch of self-selected Warriors Of Virtue are beginning to worry….with things going in the right direction for the country and its people, their role in Sri Lanka’s modern history may soon become redundant. They seem to be getting edgy thinking it’s the end of the road for them.
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eusense / October 3, 2015
This letter will straight go to the garbage!
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Tamil from the north / October 3, 2015
Eusense the nuisance, just like how we trash your racist disgusting low life vile dirty rubbish nasty toxic despicable hollow comments.
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Fedrick / October 4, 2015
Jokers are again issuing jokes. [Edited out]
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Native Vedda / October 4, 2015
Fedrick
“Jokers are again issuing jokes. [Edited out]”
If I were you I would laugh, why aren’t you laughing?
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