By Callum Macrae –
Callum Macrae
When you announce that you are going to apply for media accreditation for a routine international political event like the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) you don’t normally expect a rash of death threats – or to find a senior diplomat from the host country threatening on twitter that he will “make sure you don’t get a visa”.
But this year’s CHOGM is no ordinary event. It is being held in Sri Lanka – whose government is accused of some of the worst war crimes of this century. A country marked today by increasing repression of its Tamil minority and a brutal clamp-down on any government critics, particularly among the press and the judiciary.
When David Cameron controversially announced that he would be attending CHOGM despite calls for a boycott, Alistair Burt, the foreign minister with responsibility for Sri Lanka, went on record to say: “We will make it clear to the Sri Lanka Government that we expect them to guarantee full and unrestricted access for international press covering CHOGM”
The omens for that “guarantee” do not look good.
I have now directed three films looking at the events of the last few months of the civil war. The first two were commissioned and broadcast by Channel 4, building on the work of Channel 4 News. The latest, effectively the culmination of three years of investigation, is No Fire Zone: the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka, a 93 minute feature documentary, supported by C4, BRITDOC and others. The films have had a huge impact, winning a number of awards, being cited by the UN and even seeing the team nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In No Fire Zone we use some of the most disturbing video evidence ever recorded, to chronicle how, just four years ago, the Sri Lankan government announced a series of grotesquely misnamed No Fire Zones, encouraged hundreds of thousands of Tamil civilians to gather there for safety – and then systematically shelled them, also denying them adequate food and medicines. Perhaps 40,000, perhaps – as one UN report suggested – 70,000 or even more civilians died, most killed by government shelling. The predicament of the civilians was made worse by the Tamil Tigers who also stand accused of committing war crimes and of preventing civilians from escaping the No Fire Zones.
It is fair to say the government of Sri Lanka does not like me – or others who have reported the truth from Sri Lanka, including C4 News foreign correspondent Jonathan Miller or former BBC Sri Lanka correspondent Frances Harrison, author of a book of Tamil survivors stories.
But when I revealed that I intended to apply for accreditation to CHOGM (as I did when it was last held in Australia in 2011), it provoked an astonishing series of attacks. Comments published online included a series of clear death threats. One of the mildest, in response to my remark: “I trust the Sri Lankan Government will welcome me” read: “Absolutely white van is waiting at the airport.” White vans are notoriously used in the abduction of government critics and are seen as a weapon of terror associated with extra-judicial killings and disappearances.
Another comment said I was welcome in Sri Lanka “only to go back in a coffin”. And another said: “Callum Macrae – do not come to Sri Lanka. You will be abducted in a white van, and sent to meet Lasantha Wikremasinghe (sic).” Lasantha Wickrematunge was the editor and founder of the Sunday Leader – a respected newspaper critical of the Rajapaksa regime. He was shot and killed by unknown assassins in January 2009.
Then – a week ago, as I was touring with the film in Australia – Ambassador Bandula Jayasekara, a senior Sri Lankan diplomat in Sydney and former Chief media advisor to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, issued a series of threatening tweets in which he said he would “make sure you don’t get a visa” and accused me of being “hired by (Tiger) terrorists as a full time propagandist for the blood thirsty terror group overseas”.
Indeed, far from condemning the death threats against me, he seems almost to be encouraging the climate of hostility and suspicion which lies behind them. Then last week the Sri Lankan government’s own media minister echoed his words saying: “press freedom… cannot be something that can be framed inside aiding terrorism or being a propagandist for terrorism. So, we will be 100 per cent cautious about who comes to Sri Lanka for CHOGM.”
As I write this the Sri Lankan government has issued a rather more conciliatory statement, suggesting that they will issue visas to those given accreditation by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
We shall see – and the world’s press will now, I hope, be watching very carefully.
*Callum Macrae – Director – No Fire Zone: the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka, www.nofirezone.org Twitter: @nofirezonemovie
Sceptical / August 1, 2013
The only statement clearly attributed to the Government is that they will ‘issue visas to those given accreditation by the Commonwealth Secretariat.’
The rest of the allegations (including private prejudices of a diplomat) cannot be linked to the Government in any way.
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Aney Apochchi! / August 1, 2013
Sceptical:
What is this meant to be? A “respectable” defence of the murderous Rajapassa government?
And you have the nerve to use the pseudonym “Sceptical!”
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Tsunami Hora / August 2, 2013
This sceptical will get a nervous breakdown when Gota Falls.
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Sceptical / August 2, 2013
Aney & Tsunami, that seems to have touched a raw nerve in both of you!! Checkmate!
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Aney Apochchi! / August 2, 2013
Sceptical:
If that covers your knowledge of chess, you’d be well advised to stick to “gudu.”
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Tsunami Hora / August 3, 2013
Leela, Save breath. Gota’s days are numbered.
The whole regime will fall like nine pins. The cursed family and Co will be humiliated. What would happen to (in the likes of) you and Gnanasara is kind of interesting.
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Spring Koha / August 1, 2013
Sceptical:
What a government servant communicates publicly,and the government does not retract or correct, is always taken as coming with the blessings of the government.
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Dev / August 1, 2013
what a cry baby…. i know he makes drama … but to be acting as a drama queen really deserves an award… keep it up Callum…
So u want to become center of attention… good on u
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abhaya / August 1, 2013
dont be a crying bitch , just go there . I think you will find that your travel back will be arranged very comfortably , muck racking turd excuse for a journalist ..
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gamini / August 1, 2013
Do we need more Jackasses than these to confirm the current uncultured, corrupt, murderous elements in control of this country, supported by this type of hooligan, to doubt of what we are being accused off?
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abhaya / August 1, 2013
what is wrong with making his travel more cofortable . true Sri Lankan hospitality . I say
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Bedrock Barney / August 1, 2013
How shocking. Some people don’t like you coming to SL. Perhaps you can do a documentary about the dangers of shopping at ODEL.
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nospinzone / August 1, 2013
What a joker this guy is, How many lies ? even in this article he doesn’t care to mention that LTTE was holding the civilians as human shields which has been their age old tradition. This guy is being paid by the shameless Diaspora who were funding the killing of thousands of Sinhalese muslims and mainly tamil innocent people for the last 30 years. sorry so called journalist. lol
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Anura / August 1, 2013
My dear NospinZone says LTTE was holding civilians as human shield.
Why LTTE (rebel group against legitimate gov which is UN and commonwealth member) tried to use civilians as human shield? You can called it a heinous act?
They, LTTE rebels, had some hope, they thought they were fighting against civilized democratic gov in 21st century and they might be able to hide behind civilians. LTTE were fools… they didn’t know their enemy…
Why the LTTE tactic using civilian as human shield failed completely against democratic government under Rajapakse Family?
Any thoughts?
Anura
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gamini / August 1, 2013
Anura, although it was hyped that the LTTE was holding the civilians as a human shield, they let every civilian to wade across the Nandikadal lagoon in boats and rubber dinghies to the Forces controlled mainland leaving only the LTTE cadre and any who opted to remain with them, like Isapriya. This is also like the hype of the LTTE threatening to make the A9 a river of blood if the Forces entered Kilinochchi, but the LTTE left their strong hold Kilinochchi to expose them with no cover or heavy artillery on a beach front to get massacred?
For these illuminatis who sell Refrigerators to Eskimos, what is the difficulty in selling a Hoax of War to Tree worshiping Jathika Story believers, to project their brief carrier MR as a War Victor to have defeated the LTTE, killing VP but retaining the rest with KP?
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David Blacker / August 9, 2013
Even the Darusman Report acknowledges that the Tigers used civilians as “human buffers”, but apparently Gamini believes it is all a US conspiracy :D
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crazyoldmansl / August 1, 2013
You know mister Callum, you call these ‘threats’. But in Sri Lanka where most remarks begin “F…your mother” or something similar, these would be considered polite tea table remarks.
We are a violent, rowdy, ugly, cunning, murderous bunch as these Tamils have learned. This is our culture and you had better learn how to respect it. The ambassador you speak of is one of us so naturally he agrees with what we are doing and in fact he represents precisely our political agenda and way of life. You have to understand that this is our nature and we are proud of it and like the USA we want to rule the world and WE WILL!!!
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Wickramasiri / August 1, 2013
For making an inappropriate remark as an officer of the foreign service Bandula Jayasekera must be sacked.
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kk / August 1, 2013
Then we will appoint you for that post
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Wickramasiri / August 2, 2013
Thank you. Accept.
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kali / August 5, 2013
kk,
I have a piece of news for you. From your comments we have discoverd that you are a Sinhalese Racist. Just to remind you do you know you are half animal and half human and that is why you behave the way you do because you have Animal instinct. Why dont you add another k to your name.
KKK Klu Klux Klan the racist organisation in America
Even better Sinhla KKK ( they are white but you can go as black KKK)
You just have to do a Deed poll and register with Gothas ( the other KKK) Ministry and you will be officially recognised and also join BBS
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kk / August 5, 2013
You don’t know what you talking about don’t bring shit amerian organisation to this forum if you live there then you can easily joint to that organisation as racist tamil
You are not even half animal, you are a full animal
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kali / August 5, 2013
klu klux klan
Truth hurts doesn’t it . I know what I am talking about and I HAVE GOT YOU ON THE HOP YOU ANIMAL. It is better to be pure than half caste like you and cherish the following man.
Sinhabahu or (“Lion-arms”), was the son of a Vanga princess and a lion. He killed his father and became king of Vanga. His son Vijaya would emigrate to Lanka and become the progenitor of the Sinhala people.
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kali / August 5, 2013
By the way kkk
just one question:
If you are pure you know where to put your thingy. But if you are half half where will you put it man I mean which pit Animal pit or human pit may be you will smell first.
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Pinappu / August 2, 2013
This would never expect so long MR is in power.
How many times we thought that ministers should resign following even worst kind of incidents. At the time, poor Rizana was beheaded for no reasons, people were convinced that the regime could well have saved her life if they made genuine efforts. But what happened was just after the regime bribed that the victimized family, none of the met ministers resigned. They shamelessly argue on the incident – saying that no any power could work on that incident. How many times should the minister of justice have left his post sofar – when looking at the manner how the state investigated most known murderous level crime investigations, not forgetting Bharata and Kelaniya MP murders. And the question regarding the truth of Duminda Silva s so called brain injury related health history – had those professionals shown the truthful source data in those public statements ?
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jega / August 1, 2013
You fear now coming to Sri Lanka for what you did in the past to spoil the image of the people of my country. Do not use the same measurement to measure the other as in your country. Sri Lankans will be revengeful and are not particularly moved by the emotions. SO you can come here and do your job but not by being completely a biased person. And do not make another forged Channel 4 video but report the truth.
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kris / August 1, 2013
If you want to avoid the white van , follow the same tactics used by one of the Chanel 4 director (your boss) and his wife( Former LTTE terrorist) take new passport with another name not as Callum Macrae then at the airport no one will notice you.
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Sandy / August 1, 2013
‘There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed’-
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Aney Apochchi! / August 1, 2013
Dev & Abhaya:
It is very obvious who the “turds” are. Why don’t you crawl back up the orifices from which you emerged or have they since been put to other rather unorthodox uses by your mentors who have a great reputation in that regard!
Speaking of cry-babies, what bigger can you find than those who have the backing of white-vanners and still don’t have the guts to use their real names?!
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kk / August 1, 2013
Are you using your real name
Crab asking his sons to walk strait- ha ha ha
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Fairplay in action / August 1, 2013
If and/or when this Channel 4 morpher comes for the CHOGM meeting, will he produce an unbiased report of that Meeting or will he produce more Garbage for the LTTE Diaspora?
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Anura / August 1, 2013
Several of Callum Macrae documentaries were investigations on war crimes.
*) Unreported World (2003) (Directed and filmed) – on the Civil war in Uganda
*) A Day of War (War coverage) – Covered the war in Northern Uganda for BBC. Filmed a massacre on the Sudan/Uganda border.
*) Iraq’s Mission Billions (2006) – On the Coalition’s alleged misuse of billions of Iraqi fund during the Iraq War.
*) On Whose Orders – A Panorama series investigation on the allegations of unlawful killings in Iraq by the British troops.
*) Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields – On the war crimes in the final stages of the Sri Lankan War in 2009.
Your SL President’s all 3 sons are driving $300,000 to $500,000 sports cars openly and they close your public roads when they want fun driving. What is your presidents salary? $200,000 a year? But all three sons openly driving Porsche, Maserati. MR presents brand new Benz to your Asgiriya chief Buddhist monks almost every year, and he accepts :-)
You call these people like Callum Macrae are getting bribes from rebel groups in uncivilized poor countries like SL?
May be, but I doubt it..
And you don’t have questions how all three of your president’s sons driving $300 ~ 500,000 sports cars…
You idiots
Anura
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kk / August 1, 2013
Idiot Anura
What is the connection between Callium Macrae visit and president sons wealth. Are you jealous about president’s three sons fortune,
Several of Callum Macrae documentaries were investigations on war crimes.
Do you really know what has happened in those countries , as per Callum M SL reports we know those are garbage, that is why we are against him.
As a part of LTTE diaspora, work hard earn more and pay more to CM then he will produce more reports like this to satisfy idiots like you.
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Anura / August 1, 2013
I know SL troops killed my brothers and uncles in 1971 and 1988-89. Most of them were killed when they are unarmed, no legal procedings. This should not be the practice of democratic government. So when it comes to minorities who have different language and religion, I wonder how they, lion soldiers, treated them.
I know intelligent Sinhalese like you, KK, knows all answers.
I escaped with my family to a civilized country, you better look after your family KK.
Anura
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kk / August 2, 2013
Cat jump out of the sack
1971 and 1988-89 everyone knows what JVP goons done to our country no different to what LTTE did.
Do you think brothers and uncles did nothing to the innocent people, how many innocent people your JVP killed , if someone opened the shop then they killed , if you sell indian products then they killed, JVP Leader of the Japura university Nandana , gave tips to Govnment killed so many your people, 1988 at time two boys tied to trees in uni and then later JVP killed those two
Vijay Kumaranathunga
Premakeerthi de Alawis
Who killed above people
I just mentioned only few, what happened to the people killed by JVP was there any justice for those families
We don’t need brained washed people like you in our country for another disaster, have good life where ever you live and don’t be burden to that country as well
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Aney Apochchi! / August 2, 2013
Anura:
You are wasting your time laying down to these creatures something they have no understanding of:FACTS.
According to them, the WHOLE WORLD has been bought and paid for by the Tigers, that is why EVERY SINGLE non-GOSL commentator has condemned BOTH the Tigers and the GOSL.
These idiots, given their single-digit IQ – will take an oath at Kataragama that the world is flat!
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RuwanL / August 1, 2013
As a reporter you created films that would hurt a small country like ours by picking up bits and pieces of video from a group that terrorized our country for 30 years. Its very difficult to say whether these videos are authentic or not specially taking into account the fact that before 2009 even I did not have a mobile phone that did have a recording facility. You should also ask yourself as to why a Sri Lankan Soldier should carry a mobile phone to the north as there was no mobile transmission in the area during that time. Some of us are hurt with your cruel one sided cooked up stories. Could you have not made videos of the terrorist killing civilians? There are many available at sinhaya.com/Sinhaya.com/Massacres_by_LTTE.html I guess that would not get any awards? Though you have played dirty games we will not stoop to your level to hurt you! You are always welcome to our land and I am sure no harm will befall you though there are a few threats!!
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gamini / August 1, 2013
Heavens help the sanity and the rationale of the above Ruwan type and the below Sumanasekara type. Please see my above comment under this thread to Anura. Ruwan, although you may not have had a mobile camera phone, long before 2009 mobile phones with cameras were available to the masses including the soldiers. These Phones were marketed in the North by Tiran Alles through Emil Kanthan who was the go between for MR to secure help to become the Fraud of a President by paying off the LTTE. When Tiran and Sripathi were discarded after the bear hug of MR everyone saw how Tiran Alles was hounded for camera evidence of the Basil Rajapaksa meeting with the LTTE where the money was paid. No wonder Callum Macrae is sending you buggers round the bend with hard evidence, which even the Illuminatis in America do not want to discredit as it will blow in their face, leading to a inevitable Probe.
Callum Macrae my best wishes as a Pure Sinhalese to expose these mixed Humbugs who are ruining this Nation.
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kk / August 1, 2013
Gamini
you are a Fox covered with lion skin
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gamini / August 1, 2013
kk, you are mistaken. I am not your great, great, great, great great great Grandfather, as revealed by that sadistic sodomite S Mahinda who fantasized Humans copulating with animals to have produced lion skins of your ilk. I have no lion skin but I have my foreskin yet intact. Any consolation?
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kk / August 2, 2013
Cut your foreskin and gift it to Callum Macrae
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sama / August 2, 2013
OMG – :( why should you guys to come to this level? Readership would be glad to welcome civilized sort of comments only.
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gamini / August 3, 2013
kk I thought you were going to gift your Lion’s skin to Callum Macrae, leave alone my prepuce. No wonder your type of mentality commenced with Sevala Banda that tried to grab anything big and nice, that led to Sir John to use a toilet than the common Urinals at the old Parliament.
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sarojini / August 2, 2013
Gamini and Macrare are of the same calibre of people . Both revel in slinging mud at anyone , without an iota of truth . Both of them must have had a very disturbed childhood.
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kris / August 4, 2013
Absolutly correct Gamini had very disturbing child hood
Now those memories coming out from his writing
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RewanL / August 1, 2013
The mobile phone with camera to records such videos were too expensive! They could not have afforded it! did Tiran give it free?and why should they carry it when there was no transmission?
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gamini / August 1, 2013
RuwanL you are a novice. Individuals like you are the ones that shout loudest accusing Callum Macrae of having produced fake videos to tarnish the image of this country, when Callum Macrae has only presented what has been filmed by our own soldiers as mementos and some have sent this out may be for payment. You believe that Camera Phones are expensive and whether the soldiers could have afforded it. For your information almost every second person has the camera facility in their phones. Besides the Forces were using modern technology to tap LTTE conversations over mobile phones right through and you wonder whether there was transmission in the North?
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RuwanL / August 1, 2013
“Callum Macrae has only presented what has been filmed by our own soldiers” can you prove it? according to experts the whole video is fake with a date indicating UTC 2009-07-15 13 :17:23 and taken by a Video Camera and Not by a mobile phone as indicated.
“For your information almost every second person has the camera facility in their phones” May be now but not in 2009 with camera facility? No way!
“Besides the Forces were using modern technology to tap LTTE conversations over mobile phones.” wrong again! LTTE used only Land-based microwave connections and few satellite communication equipment. How can they use mobile phones as there were no communication towers in those areas?
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Pinappu / August 1, 2013
Ruwan L @
” How can they use mobile phones as there were no communication towers in those areas?”
where have you been all the times ? Today even prisoners communicate with their gangsters in and out of parliament (meaniing: considering that at lest 90% of current day lawmakers are criminals) as it is legally allowed. So why cant you believe – that LtterS should have all kind of sophisticated communicative devices long before 2009. May be our forces were not that equipped but they were. How naive you and the ilk should have been to just leave this kind comments ?
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RuwanL / August 2, 2013
Pinappu – don’t talk crap!
“Today even prisoners communicate with their gangsters in and out of parliament (meaniing: considering that at lest 90% of current day”
you seem to be confused with dates – you say TODAY! I am referring to before 2009 ie 4 years ago!
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sarojini / August 2, 2013
Absolutely spot on .Ruwani. Our poor soldiers were not paid that highly to own their camera phones . Even if they owned the phones they would have to abide by the rules and regulations of the army . No one in their senses would believe Callum Macre’s Cock and Bull stories . It is very likely that the video footage was from the LTTE camera phones .
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gamini / August 3, 2013
Absolutely spot on .Ruwani. Our poor soldiers were not paid that highly to own their camera phones . Even if they owned the phones they would have to abide by the rules and regulations of the army.
Do you know the salaries paid to the Forces? Do you know the support financial and otherwise they received after hyping them with ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ from the general public and the Private Sector? Rules and Regulations of the Army did not prohibit the soldiers carrying their cellular phones then or even now. Have you not seen soldiers carrying cellular phones, making calls in public places and jumping queues to settle bills at payment centres? Whom are you trying to bluff?
‘It is very likely that the video footage was from the LTTE camera phones’.
So your conclusion is that the LTTE killed the LTTE and gave the videos to Callum Macrae? This is like how Lasantha killed himself and Prageeth disappeared himself.
Saravajini, please do not soil this web with your discharges, please do it elsewhere. Thanks.
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Anura / August 1, 2013
Do you guys remember one incident in Kataragama in 1971. Police or Army people made one JVP girl walked naked along street as punishment before they killed her. In 1971, this was published and I beleive some actions were taken. In 2013, typical SL politician who made school kneeled in front her students has no legal case even after huge publicity.
Patriotic people in this country call foreign journalist who made documentaries on similar things in SL are liars.
Anura
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srilal / August 1, 2013
“Its very difficult to say whether these videos are authentic or not specially taking into account the fact that before 2009 even I did not have a mobile phone that did have a recording facility”
on the contrary, with the help of Advance digital signal processing simulation , it is very easy to find out those video clips genuine or not ! you may be right that you didn’t have a mobile phone with recording facility in 2009 , please try to understand there is a whole different world out there beyond your understanding , don’t even think you and your little gadgets are the benchmark for the rest of SL.
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RuwanL / August 1, 2013
Are you saying that the videos are genuine? There were many experts who said they were not! Who do you believe? Don’t take what I said out of context! What I meant was if I could not afford a mobile phone with a camera, how could a poor soldier afford it unless they were given free?
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gamini / August 1, 2013
RuwanL please tell me who are these Experts that confirmed the videos are fakes? Is it MR or Gota or the Govt. Media?
Oh! come on Ruwan, you can afford a computer to be on this Web but cannot afford a Camera Phone. Even my domestics all have Camera Phones, including even the minor labourers in this country. So please get real for your own good and stop supporting this megalomaniac regime.
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RuwanL / August 1, 2013
Experts that confirmed the videos are fakes – Mr Grant Frederick
Even my domestics all have Camera Phones, including even the minor labourers in this country – may be now but not in 2009?
You seem to be confused with dates!
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gamini / August 3, 2013
MR govt. has been paying Bell Pottinger & Co then and an American Company now, not for nothing, but to get Experts to defend MR from people like Callum Macrae. So they would in turn pay some of these so called Foreign Experts to deny for MR to gloat over.
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srilal / August 1, 2013
RuwanL
i don’t wish to comment on the authenticity of the numerous video clips as I’m not in a position to judge any of them , nonetheless here are some of the authorized people’s final verdict.
1) Technically qualified Sri Lankan born Australian Sri Hendawitharana , flatly rejected the entire movie series, claiming they had been doctored.
2) UN experts: respected forensic pathologist Professor Derrick Pounder , Forensic Pathologist Daniel Spitz, , forensic video analyst Jeff Spivack, special firearms expert Peter Diaczuk, forensic video expert, Grant Fredericks all cleared the channel 4 movies as genuine .
3) The British broadcasting regulator Ofcom has also cleared Channel 4’s documentary movies as genuine.
“Don’t take what I said out of context! “
which part have i taken out of context ??
“What I meant was if I could not afford a mobile phone with a camera, how could a poor soldier afford it unless they were given free?”
again you are reiterating the same thing , basically what you are saying is , financially sound me couldn’t afford such a phone back then how can poverty stricken army guys afford one , right ?
let me ask you this , go to a any shopping mall or any crowded place and observe how many guys and gals having the latest mobile in their possession , do you think all of them can afford to have these latest gadgets , yet almost all of the guys use the very latest ,sophisticated toys , have you ever wonderd why ? what made you think among the hundred of thousands employed sri lankan soldiers, none could afford a latest gadget of their choice ? how many solders do you actually know who did/didn’t have a mobile camera ? don’t you think you after the messenger than the actual message ? these are all silly questions , it does not really matter those clips were originated from a mobile camera ,video camcorder or a satellite image , what matters is, are they authentic ? to answer that question an independent analysis is a must (as some alleges that UN experts are not what they are claiming to be )
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Chandra / August 2, 2013
Srilal,
With respect to (1):Siri Hewavitharana from Cisco, it was found by expert witnesses that his findings were contradictory and not credible to withstand scrutiny in a Court of Law.
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srilal / August 2, 2013
cisco qualified (CCDP)Sri Hendawitharana has managed to prove that one of the video clips have been digitally manipulated , based on that finding he declared all the movie series are null & void !
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RuwanL / August 2, 2013
I am sure they had basic mobile phones but not with cameras that could take such sophisticated videos? What the experts say is that the video was taken by a video camera and then doctored to make it look like it was taken by a mobile phone!
“let me ask you this , go to a any shopping mall or any crowded place and observe how many guys and gals having the latest mobile in their possession” yes definitely in 2013 but not in 2009 – what I am saying is mobile camera that can record for a considerable period of time were out of reach for the middle class!
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sama / August 2, 2013
U sound to be very naive, Ruwan – HOPE NOT THAT SIGNIFICANT MASSES WOULD BEAR THE SAME VIEW IN OUR POPULATION.
What kind of a sophisticated film are u talking about ?
Film contents were taken using any simple kind of a camera and had been put together. Filming functions of cameras were introduced to the markets long before 2009. Please check it out on the web before adding this kind of ridiculous comments.
I know some in our country would not want to see facts as they really are – Wimal weerawanses theories would support you further.
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srilal / August 2, 2013
RuwanL ,
My friend you seem to be going round in circles, Almost every thing what you have stated here are far from actual truth , you just repeat the same old Mantara adding different flavors to it!
if you want to have a decent constructive debate, please come up with some thing new !
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Walagambahu / August 3, 2013
@Ruwan, Oh my god, where the HELL WERE you in 2009, Timbaktu ? Time of I-Phones, Black Berries, HTC phones and Nokia smart phones, all supported hours of high quality seamless video recording ! Out of Reach from Middles class ? Are you referring to the middles class of Malawi or Bhutan?
Dude, please educate us what kind of technology advancement made since 2009 respective to Video technology ?! Which is purely in-house, circuitry related and has nothing to do withe LTE and intranet technologies that came along later.
BTW, N95 phone I bought in 2008 had 5 mega pixel camera and excellent video capabilities than the I-phones that came later. nuff said mate.
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Jayantha / August 2, 2013
SriLal,
I watched the final LTTE battle on both ITN and Rupawahini news broadcast and saw many other live battle recordings done by professional cameramen.
May be you could be able to see some in you tube. What I say is yes, there were professional cameramen who covered the final battle using professional video cameras.
Therefore the channel 4 telecast could be the access of a combination of both Professional, hand held video cameras and also with soldiers using their cellphone video cameras.
Remember this final war was a Life long memorabelia in Sri Lanka’s history and many soldiers as well as the defense secretary wanted the biggest live covferage of it to preserve the whole episode for future reference while using a wide range of both professional and amature video cameras, and soldiers used their cell phone video cameras. These were their price trophies.
I have no doubt that the Channel 4 Video recordings are Jenuine and I say this with me having some experience in Video recording.
Just show some of the youtube clips to your Videographers and get their views and opinion.
Only fools try to hide the truth.
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srilal / August 4, 2013
Jayantha ,
in order to clear the air , an independent international scrutiny is the only answer , but then chicken & Egg question comes to surface , who has access to the original videos ????????
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David Blacker / August 9, 2013
The video is a genuine one of armed men killing prisoners, and the audio is a genuine one too. The point is whether they belong together. Without the audio there is absolutely no way of ID’ing the executioners as SL soldiers.
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sarojini / August 2, 2013
Yes it very well could be authentic if this drama had been stage manged for propaganda purposes.
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gamini / August 3, 2013
If not stage managed by the Americans from the word go, to have got MR elected coercing VP after nurturing the LTTE for thirty years and for them to bury their heavy artillery and arrange a surrender only to get them massacred. There after offer protection to the man responsible Shavendra Silva in the UN and look after the Rajapaksas with watered down resolutions, preventing a probe or any being questioned. The War prior was a total Propaganda exercise alright. Get the list of the Forces dead for the period Jan 2007 to May 2009 to confirm this.The Forces shelled and destroyed the Hospitals where the sick and the injured were, considering the burden. It was a mercy killing of the sufferers.
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Jayantha / August 10, 2013
If the facial photos could be matched to find if the executioneers are Sri Lankan soldiers or LTTE carders.
Also there are over 40,000 General Sarath Fonseka loyalist soldiers as well as those SF loyalist soldiers who were prosecuted by GOSL are out there who could provide some valuable information on last stages of war. Imprisonning Gen.Fonseka was a Rajapakse Blunder.
Running a database of the armed forces are not a difficult task.
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Wickramasiri / August 2, 2013
RuwanL. These phones with cameras and recording facilities were in fact available to soldiers. Many were given free by phone companies. The phones are not what we should question. What we should question are 1) the authenticity, of the films,2) availability of mobile transmission (you can still record and film) and 3) the figure of 40,000, 70,000, and 100,000 quoted as killed. Callum Macrae is a media man and he may have political motives, but our intention must be to get at the truth (whether true or false), not merely hurl insults. This is what Bandula Jayasekera did irresponsibly, much to the embarassment of the government. For instance, when Prabhakaran’s son’s body was displayed in a photo, the bunker looked very neat and the sand bags were clean. Hardly possible in the battle field. A soldier standing by wore slippers. Again hardly possible. So there is a doubt. Mind you, there is only a doubt, we cannot be definite still. So let’s be impartial. We are only trying to get at the truth isn’t it? On the other hand if we are merely trying to defend the government, then any lie can be stated but most bloggers know a lie.
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SUN / August 2, 2013
For some reasons, Ruwan seems to have no idea about the initial market introduction and availability of those phones with filming and other facilities. He should better do som recherche to get the facts straight. Not only cameras of this kind, even other surveillance devices were well developed to that time. No doubt, the Fact that they are much more developed today than before 2009. I myself have seen tamil europeans playing with these cameras wherever I got to see them in Europe (Airports,Kiosks, Cities across the europe). All these were undoubtedly long before 2009. Many of these tamil europeans are part of LTTE diaspora community. So why can NOT we believe that those good cameras and the kind of devices were with LTTERs long before 2009 ?
War victory was a collective one with hidden agendas of US and India. Not the magic man -MR should be given all credit to have done that. Ruwan and the ilk seem to have no idea about many of the facts related to the warend. Unfortunately, these gawking gullible communities will stay misguided further. They are the bread for the ruling criminals. MR^s focus is those naive majorities to stay in power further. Simbawewe ^s leader has the same view towards his poor folks. I believe if any of our previous leaders had the same killing mentality and the tactics they too could easily defeat LTTErs even long before 2009.
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SUN / August 2, 2013
This is the reason WHY Bandaranayake govt^s appointed only qualified candidates to those diplomatic positions. Those like Bandula are not at all appropriate for such missions since their bursts of this kind can harm the entire nation. Most talented Diplomats like DJ and TK are now being marginalised by lanken leaders – that alone indicate the vision of the current political leadership. Bandula should apologize for his ridiculous tweets on the issue of visa to Calum. Calum is just one among the many that would need visa to enter the country. Particular Bandula, cant be the all mighty man to handle such issues irrelevant to him.
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sama / August 2, 2013
It is evident that PRESIDENT has no control over any of the ministries. So such grotesque tweets to allow from a diplomatic level are indicative that rulers are just jokers. Entire IC laugh at us today only because these idiots are not learnt to behave.
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sama / August 2, 2013
Baby Boy Ruwan @Please read below it will help you to someextent…
Notable events involving camera phones
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was the first global news event where the majority of the first day news footage was no longer provided by professional news crews, but rather by citizen journalists, using primarily camera phones.
On November 17, 2006, during a performance at the Laugh Factory comedy club, comedian Michael Richards was recorded responding to hecklers with racial slurs by a member of the audience using a camera phone. The video was widely circulated in television and internet news broadcasts.
On December 30, 2006, the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was recorded by a video camera phone, and made widely available on the Internet. A guard was arrested a few days later.[21]
Camera phone video and photographs taken in the immediate aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings were featured worldwide. CNN executive Jonathan Klein predicts camera phone footage will be increasingly used by news organizations.
Camera phone digital images helped to spread the 2009 Iranian election protests.
Camera phones recorded the BART Police shooting of Oscar Grant.
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K.A Sumanasekera / August 1, 2013
Wouldn’t Callum be of more value to the great majorty of our inhabitants when he is alive and well?.
Just imgine the pulling power of portraits of Callum alongside Cameron,wrapped around our lamp posts if the BBS gets really serious about mustering the masses?.
Callum should do an investigative piece on these purported threats.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if these originate from his own troops.
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gamini / August 1, 2013
Wouldn’t Callum be of more value to the great majorty of our inhabitants when he is alive and well?.
Sumanayo, in other words what you imply is that if the BBS gets activated Callum will be no more, once the BBS muster the masses. How strange each night I go to sleep to wake up for the News of the same fate befalling Gota that a true Patriot has done the deed. I certainly will attend Gota’s funeral for sure, to pay my respect by spitting on the bugger’s face. Unfortunately I do not think his coffin will be opened as it will be closed, because there will be only pieces.
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Wickramasiri / August 2, 2013
Are you saying that Buddhists must kill Macrae and Cameron?
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SUN / August 2, 2013
Govt is not even able to handle the british murder investigations yet, so what talks about providing adequate security as the foreign missions wish. I have no doubt, few crimes similar to Uk murder incident will repeat during those 3 days in Nov, if the prevailing frequency of crimes today would continue.
CHOGM summit holding in crime friendly country like ours – under a crime friendly leader that has done nothing but red herrings particularly in terms improving HR issues since the UN resolution is imposed is CLEARLY a big joke to many.
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The Professional / August 1, 2013
“I have now directed three films looking at the events of the last few months of the civil war. The first two were commissioned and broadcast by Channel 4, building on the work of Channel 4 News. The latest, effectively the culmination of three years of investigation, is No Fire Zone: the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka, a 93 minute feature documentary, supported by C4, BRITDOC and others. The films have had a huge impact, winning a number of awards, being cited by the UN and even seeing the team nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.”
I do not know what is cinematic in films fabricated with collages. Judges who recommended awards for these films must be drug addicts who watch films from the gallery. Nobel Peace Prize is not given to those expose murder with fire arms and explosives but to those who promote environment friendly human development through non-violence. The author of this piece appears to be an expert in mouth to mouth resuscitation with his head between thighs of dying. Since of late Tamil diaspora has been relying on such experts to keep them alive.
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gamini / August 1, 2013
With self appointed Professionals like you with little grey matter, even mouth to mouth resuscitation on MR’s arsehole, will not be able to cover and hide the truth, what Callum Macrae has put together thanks to the very Forces of having provided the material.
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RuwanL / August 1, 2013
We are not MR supporters but for sure glad our soldiers were able to end the war so that we go to work without fear of not coming back home. I nearly got caught to the Central Bank Bomb and the WTC bomb too! I was to go to an office opposite the Central Bank but was delayed by a few minutes! I saw the Central Bank blow up!
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The Professional / August 2, 2013
I am happy that my response has caught the eye of a member of the Tamil Diaspora. You sound like a person after receiving “mouth to mouth resuscitation” from Callum Macrae.
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sama / August 2, 2013
Not different from- all dissidents are being called as NGOs, imperialists, tamil diaspora supporters, kade yanawa for dollar..etc.
These are just zero excuses from the rulers and gawking stupid folks.
Why not you guys seem to have a brain the size of a needle head to see things impartially ?
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Peter Casie Chetty / August 3, 2013
This is an ignorant and abusive post. Why was it published? Because it is anti-Government. Simple.
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gamini / August 3, 2013
Peter Casie Chetty, why you got offended when I said that I would spit on Gota’s face? Did you not get offended when this same Gota, abused Frederica Jasz in filth, calling her a Pig Shit eating Bitch, threatening to kill her? Strange, why your double standards? I have used a disparaging remark, just to suit the person, that is all. As for the Professional’s remark coming from the clan of Olcott Buddhists sired by a wild animal, obviously needs resuscitation and MR will not fail to oblige. Pathetic Humbugs exposed now!
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Peter Casie Chetty / August 3, 2013
Well said!
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The Professional / August 1, 2013
“But when I revealed that I intended to apply for accreditation to CHOGM (as I did when it was last held in Australia in 2011), it provoked an astonishing series of attacks. Comments published online included a series of clear death threats. One of the mildest, in response to my remark: “I trust the Sri Lankan Government will welcome me” read: “Absolutely white van is waiting at the airport.” White vans are notoriously used in the abduction of government critics and are seen as a weapon of terror associated with extra-judicial killings and disappearances.” (Callum Macrae)
If you do not like White Vans then order a Royal Service from a Professional Mortician in UK and ask the dual citizenship holding members of the Tamil Diaspora to be the pallbearers.
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sooriya / August 1, 2013
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – Ct
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / August 1, 2013
Callum’s got his panties in a bunch over some comments online. How desperate are we for publicity again :-)
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punchinilame / August 1, 2013
KAS makes veiled threats of annihilation of an accredited journalists
intended visit to a CW Member State, as KAS knows what is hidden still.
If this journalist is free to meet anyone, I am sure he will like to
have chat with Mr. Ramawickrema (if he is alive!) as the only embedded
Army videocameraman of the war-without-witnesses.
As to the authenticity of the clips, only an International body can
decide. The Balachandran photos were not challenged as much as Ch.4
NFZ documents? Macrae has more work, whether S. Lanka lies it or not
for humanity sake.
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ajith / August 1, 2013
It is not only journalists but also political activists, businessmen, parliamentarians, innocent civilians were abducted using “White Van” and murdered by the State owners. If it is not the work of the state, at least one of those crimes should have investigated and charged in Sri Lankan courts. Unfortunately, nothing like happened. Every citizen including those who deny for the sake of racism it is a fact and whatever Callum’s said is true.
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Eusense / August 2, 2013
Finally the Sri Lankan Government has to decide to issue or not to issue visas to any applicant irrespective of the purpose of their visit. If the Gov. decide this guy Macare is a threat to the security and goodwill of the country it should not issue a visa; no explanation is required, the same way most Western countries decline visas to Sri Lankan applicants without any reason.
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sama / August 2, 2013
All I have informed myself for this date is that GOTA has controlled over all these as if he has been the ombudsman of the nation. Why is that the buggers govt have no proper policies on these arrangements ? If they are genuine, why cant they appoint committees work on these matters ? Is that because they are not capable of settling all these or they deliberately ignore the particular issues for no reasons ? For example,duality passport issue stay unsettled for the last 2 years. No embassies can deliver any supportive responses in this regard either. There are a significant number of highly educated Lankens waiting to regain their citizenships for some research purposes. But all their attempts have not worked on this yet. This is the reality of the INCAPABLE regime in terms.
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sama / August 2, 2013
As DJ once pointed out, lanken ministry of external affairs have no good policies. THis I realized lately very clearly. Many would wonder why just considering that the minister is a Prof. (GLP). Even alarming issues such Dual citizenship arrangements stay unsolved for such a long time now.
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Jayantha / August 10, 2013
The reason for delay in authorizing dual passport is due to Hambanthota Gas Gembas running the country like their Family “Ra Kade” Toddy Tavern business.
Also the crooks are fighting among themselves to share the North/ East Land Loot.
The two containers they were trying to smuggle out in Weliweriya could be the ones that Customs caught containing illicit alcohol spirit used to make Kasippu that were disappeared from their warehouse three weeks ago. Where are they now.
Demand for Kasippu has increased by 50% after the recent price hike for regular liquor. Weliweriya is the Kasippu distribution center in Sri Lanka while Kolonnawa for drugs, both managed, operate and monopolised by the Ruling Mafia cartel.
Callum Macrae could run his next documentary on Sri Lanka’s Kasippu, drug and casino Mafia operation, Thangalla Murder/ rape case and Weliweriya conspiracy murder Genocide.
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Muliyawaikkal / August 2, 2013
Endia plans to DIVIDE Tamil Nadu into 3 parts – Tamil Nadu, Kongu Nadu and Tondai Nadu
EXCELLENT!! Divide them and rule them.
LTTE Seeman and Ramadoss have already praised the idea.
A divided Tamil Nadu will be weak and we can manage it better.
Endia has realized the DANGER power devolution to LARGE units. Yesterday Endia created Telagana out of Andra Pradesh breaking the big state into 2 smaller states.
Endia plans to create 22 NEW small states to DIVIVE AND RULE.
So Endia IS BREAKING UP and they are doing something about it.
SL should divide northern province into 3 parts – Jaffna, Vanni -west and Vanni – east.
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kali / August 4, 2013
MULLI
Man you have now run out of ideas to write and balabbering and spinning out of control and WHAT CONNECTION DOES YOUR COMMENT HAVE TO THE ACCOUNT BY CALLUM MACCRAE.
What you have written above doesnt make any sense and who is your audience. No doubt you have written what you have written after reading the divison of Telungana ( read why it happened ) but fragmented India poses more problems than it solves for the simple reason that there will no unifying force to hold the Nation together There is no one out there interested in what you have written other than your Ghost from the Blast from the Past.
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Peter Casie Chetty / August 3, 2013
I worked alongside Harrison and her side kick Varuna Karunatillake. They were both intent only on collecting the negative information – and we in the local media were getting quite used to this because Susan Price before her was the same. The reason was that their terrorists were not ours and the BBC called the LTTE “rebels” while Al Kaidha and the Taliban were terrorists. I have noted over a hundred discrepancies in her book “Still counting the dead”. One blaring case is that she says that the areas where the LTTE were supposed to be were untouched whereas most of the damage was done in the areas where the civilians were. Agreed dear Harrison because the LTTE were not where they were supposed to be but hiding among the civilians so that there was not point in wasting ammunition on where they said they would be. Intelligent is not Harrison’s forte!
Obviously McRae feeds on the money earned by the drug and credit card scams of the LTTE so he was willing to risk his credibility and lie about the facts of the infamous Channel 4 documentary.
Did he realise that he trips on many issues. For example where Prabakaran younger son’s body lies the men around are wearing rubber slippers or “flip flops”. This is clearly the sign that the LTTE were around the body and if the army had been there the men would have been in boots.
The scene where the “authenticated” shooting of the men with their hands tied behind their backs shows the man doing the shooting in an oversized uniform. This was prevalent and the men that were being shot behind their heads were soldiers not LTTE men. Remember how the 700 policemen were assassinated? That scene is clearly an LTTE style execution and if Mc Rae can swear before a court that the film was made by a soldier and then handed to him he is a damned liar.
The people of Sri Lanka want to live happily from now on and kicking all these mercenaries out – even David Cameron is best for our people. Cameron has his ass on fire. He charges £25,000 pounds for discussing lobbying and questions in Parliament. Parliamentary reporters know that the leader of a party hands down subjects to be dealt with by junior colleagues. There are more corrupt people in the Parliament in the London than there are anywhere else bar India.
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kali / August 4, 2013
You Chetty,
Are a scum bag and you accuse Callum of being paid from dirty Drug money but your source of renumeration is even worse and that is Blood Money.
Reading your account has an accelerated untruth and you start off mildly but it gets better and better and music to the ears of those to whom you are paid to write.
From your name Chetty you could be from the North of the most corrupt Nation on Earth or a Sinkalam hiding under a Tamil name which has become a fashion these days.
Where were you mate when the 700 Police were executed hiding or shitting in the Toilet.
Did this happen in one day over a number of days or over decades. I am sure Callum can swear not before a court but in front of you and call you an Uthi.. Pu..a. Got it
I like the following
The people of Sri Lanka want to live happily from now on and kicking all these mercenaries out – even David Cameron is best for our people. Cameron has his ass on fire. He charges £25,000 pounds for discussing lobbying and questions in Parliament. Parliamentary reporters know that the leader of a party hands down subjects to be dealt with by junior colleagues. There are more corrupt people in the Parliament in the London than there are anywhere else bar India.
Who are these mercenaries: Mervyn, Hirunda, BBS, Douglas, Karuna just confirm mate if you still out there.
David dosent charge £25,000 you idiot his current rate is £250,000 it looks like you have missed a 0.
You might be right that there are corrupt people in the UK but at least UK is civilsed enough to root them out when caugt. But in your land of the jungle they are given Royal treatment and look and made life peers as the following is the tip of the Iceberg
MR Count Dracula ( have you seen his mouth ready to suck I dont know what but I hope it is Blood and not you know …… what)
Gotha the looter still at the helm
King Mervyn roaming free shutting down factories
Heir to the Throne ” Hirunda” the killer is paid to have private teatment abroad.
BBS given patronage
the list is endless.
You have got more than you have bargained for so in future think before you speak.
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Candidly / August 3, 2013
Callum Macrae is a better actor than he is a documentary maker. Don’t give him the publicity he’s seeking in order to get people interested in his propaganda.
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Aney Apochchi! / August 3, 2013
If the clowns/stooges of the government cannot see the connection with the refusal/threat here and the incidents of shooting in unarmed civilians in Weliweriya they deserve every indignity they’ll receive in this country, the Miracle of Asia!
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13 Day bride / August 4, 2013
Things are getting worse
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kali / August 4, 2013
Dear friend Callum,
We Tamils salute you for your excellent work and you bear witness to the atrocities before , during and after the final stages of our Liberation Struggle. If you do manage to get in to the land of the animals ( I hope you do)it wont be because Sinhala Lanka respects Freedom of Press but the heat is intense to let the press have free reign. I hope as you said you make full use of it and hammer home the issue of Autonomy to the Tamil Minority and the issue of bringing the culprits of Genocide to justice.
The choice and hopefully the election of Ex Supreme Court Justice is the begining to deliver Freedom , Justice and Equality and above all Dignity to the Tamils.
Where else and from who else would you expect or imagine other than those representing the (Thuggish and Murderous ) GOSL to issue explicit threat to visiting Journalists. Modern technology is being used to communicate and resonbate the message of hatred and fear but sadly this has a very wide audience Worlwide .
I wish you the very best to do what are you paid and deicated to do and that is to report accurately. May god and Lord Buddha bless you to go in and get out in one piece.
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sadith / August 4, 2013
You are correct he should visit the land of animals and it’s capital Killinochi There were so much gruesome atrocities done by those barbaric animals called eelam tamils. If you visit there you can get true stories about how those barbaric tamils killed people.
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kali / August 4, 2013
Sadith,
Read history man and do you know you are half animal and half human. We may have killed but were driven to do it whereas you are a born animal and you have it in your Gene the killer instinct.
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kk / August 5, 2013
Ltte animal murderer hiding in another country and talking nonsense how many innocent tamil people you have killed
Now get together with CM trying cover up all the murders you have done,
But you can’t escape from the god KALI
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kali / August 5, 2013
klu klux klan
Kali is our God not for Sinhalese murderers like you
Sinhabahu or (“Lion-arms”), was the son of a Vanga princess and a lion. He killed his father and became king of Vanga. His son Vijaya would emigrate to Lanka and become the progenitor of the Sinhala people.
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kk / August 6, 2013
Yes god Kali will take revenge from you for what you have done to the innocent tamil people.
LTTE murderer you have no escape from Kali Amma
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kali / August 6, 2013
Yes god Kali will take revenge from( correct your English it should be on you ) you for what you have done to the innocent tamil people.
LTTE murderer you have no escape from Kali Amma
klu klux saneepa komathe;
Kali takes different forms: The one that will deal with you is Pathra Kali for lying and will shred you to bits. You are finished mate.
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kk / August 7, 2013
Kali is your god , she is famous for punish people who did the wrong things to the society
now you are waiting for your turn to come , remind the sins you have done, at least try to do something good to the society to reduce your punishment without bullshitting in public forums
Sapa nam Saneepai
Karuna and KP (KK)
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sadith / August 4, 2013
Sri Lanka simply should follow the UK footsteps, Last June UK didn’t gave visas to US journalist Ms Geller and Mr Spencer to cover the British Armed Forces Day. The reason UK gave is “ these people’s presence in UK is not conducive to the public good”
Sri Lanka definitely should ban this mean, nasty, disgusting, dastard from entering SL. Sri Lanka don’t have to give any reasons for that, simply say “not conducive to the public good” If they allow this bastard in to SL, people of SL should not allow this guy to roam freely, this is one of the instances where the people should take the law to their hands
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daya weerasinghe / August 5, 2013
Somebody should make a film about “The killing fields of Irak and Afganistan” and war crimes of Tony Blair and George Bush.(then they wouldn`t get visa to Usa and UK)Its the same crap.
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jegan aravundan-zurich / November 6, 2013
people of zurich wants callum macres email editor pl publish that
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