28 March, 2024

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Full Speech: UN High Commissioner For Human Rights Navi Pillay At The Press Conference On Her Mission To Sri Lanka

Good morning, and thank you for coming.

As is customary at the end of official missions such as this, I would like to make some observations concerning the human rights situation in the country.

During my seven-day visit, I have held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and senior members of the Government. These included the Ministers of External Affairs, Justice, Economic Development, National Languages and Social Integration, Youth Affairs and the Minister of Plantations Industries who is also Special Envoy to the President on Human Rights, as well as the Secretary of Defence.  I also met the Chief Justice, Attorney-General, Leader of the House of Parliament and the Permanent Secretary to the President, who is head of the taskforce appointed to monitor the implementation of the report of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

I had discussions with politicians who are not part of the current Government, namely the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Tamil National Alliance; in addition I met with the National Human Rights Commission, and a total of eight different gatherings of human rights defenders and civil society organizations in Colombo, Jaffna and Trincomalee. I also received briefings from the Governors and other senior officials in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

I thank the Government for its invitation and its excellent cooperation during the planning and conduct of this very complex mission. It stated that I could go anywhere, and see anything I wished to see. And, despite some disturbing incidents which I will go into later, that commitment was honoured throughout.

Even though this is the longest official visit I have ever made to a single country, I am acutely conscious that I was unable to see everyone who requested a meeting. Nor will I be able to do justice to all the human rights issues facing the Sri Lankan people and government. Since I will be providing an oral update to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in late September, and a full written report in March next year, I will today confine myself to a few key issues that crystallized during the course of the mission.

I will divide these human rights issues into two parts: those related to the vicious and debilitating 27-year conflict between the Government and the LTTE, and its aftermath; and those that relate to the whole country.

Some media, ministers, bloggers and various propagandists in Sri Lanka have, for several years now, on the basis of my Indian Tamil heritage, described me as a tool of the LTTE. They have claimed I was in their pay, the “Tamil Tigress in the UN.” This is not only wildly incorrect, it is deeply offensive. This type of abuse has reached an extraordinary crescendo during this past week, with at least three Government Ministers joining in.

Firstly, let me say, I am a South African and proud of it.

Secondly, the LTTE was a murderous organization that committed numerous crimes and destroyed many lives. In fact, my only previous visit to Sri Lanka was to attend a commemoration of the celebrated legislator, peacemaker and scholar, Neelan Tiruchelvam, who was killed by an LTTE suicide bomb in July 1999. Those in the diaspora who continue to revere the memory of the LTTE must recognize that there should be no place for the glorification of such a ruthless organization.

I would like to pay my respects to all Sri Lankans, across the country, who were killed during those three decades of conflict, and offer my heartfelt sympathy to their families, all of whom – no matter who they are – share one thing: they have lost someone they can never replace. I have met many people during this visit whose relatives or spouses – both civilians and soldiers – are known to have been killed, or who are missing and may well be dead.

It is important everyone realizes that, although the fighting is over, the suffering is not.

I have been extremely moved by the profound trauma I have seen among the relatives of the missing and the dead, and the war survivors, in all the places I have visited, as well as by their resilience. This was particularly evident among those scratching out a living among the ghosts of burned and shelled trees, ruined houses and other debris of the final battle of the the war along the lagoon in Mullaitivu.

Wounds will not heal and reconciliation will not happen, without respect for those who grieve, and remembrance for the tens of thousands of Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims and others who died before their time on the battlefield, in buses, on the street, or in detention. As one wife of a missing man put it poignantly: “Even when we eat, we keep a portion for him.”

Throughout my visit, the authorities, at all levels, have been keen to demonstrate to me how much has been achieved in terms of resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the relatively short period since the conflict with the LTTE ended in 2009. And the reconstruction achievements, made with the help of donor countries, UN agencies and NGOs, are indeed impressive: in both the Eastern and Northern Provinces, large numbers of new roads, bridges, houses, medical facilities and schools have been built or rebuilt; electricity and water supplies have been greatly improved; and most of the landmines have been removed. As a result, the great majority of the more than 450,000 people who were internally displaced at the end of the conflict have now gone home.

These are important achievements, and I understand the Government’s concern that they have perhaps not been sufficiently recognized.  However, physical reconstruction alone will not bring reconciliation, dignity, or lasting peace. Clearly, a more holistic approach is needed to provide truth, justice and reparations for people’s suffering during the war, and I have repeated my previous offer of OHCHR’s assistance in these areas.

There are a number of specific factors impeding normalization, which – if not quickly rectified – may sow the seeds of future discord. These are by and large to do with the curtailment or denial of personal freedoms and human rights, or linked to persistent impunity and the failure of rule of law.

From the very beginning, I have placed great hopes in Sri Lanka achieving true peace and reconciliation after the war. I welcomed the LLRC report as an important step in that direction, even though it side-stepped the much-needed full, transparent, impartial investigation into the conduct of a conflict that saw numerous war crimes and other violations committed by both sides. The Human Rights Council has expressed a strong interest in seeing progress in the implementation of the most important LLRC recommendations, and proper investigation of the many outstanding allegations and concerns.

The LLRC report contains a broad range of excellent recommendations regarding concrete improvements on human rights, and I was interested to receive a briefing on the extent of the implementation of some of those recommendations from the Permanent Secretary to the President. My Office will closely examine that update and future developments in the implementation of the LLRC, and I will of course make reference to any genuine progress in my reports to the Human Rights Council.

I will now briefly outline some of the other issues that were raised during my visits to the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and which I have in turn raised with various ministers.

I welcome the forthcoming elections to the Northern Provincial Council and hope they will proceed in a peaceful, free and fair environment, and usher in an important new stage in the devolution of power.

I was concerned to hear about the degree to which the military appears to be putting down roots and becoming involved in what should be civilian activities, for instance education, agriculture and even tourism. I also heard complaints about the acquisition of private land to build military camps and installations, including a holiday resort. This is only going to make the complex land issues with which the Government has been grappling even more complicated and difficult to resolve. Clearly, the army needs some camps, but the prevalence and level of involvement of soldiers in the community seem much greater than is needed for strictly military or reconstruction purposes four years after the end of the war.

I understand the Secretary of Defence’s point that the demobilization of a significant proportion of such a large army cannot be done overnight, but urge the government to speed up its efforts to demilitarize these two war-affected provinces, as the continued large-scale presence of the military and other security forces is seen by many as oppressive and intrusive, with the continuing high level of surveillance of former combatants and returnees at times verging on harassment.

I was very concerned to hear about the vulnerability of women and girls, especially in female-headed households, to sexual harassment and abuse. I have raised this issue with several ministers, the provincial governors and senior military commanders who attended my meeting with the Secretary of Defence. I challenged them to rigorously enforce a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse.

I have also been following up on the status of the remaining detainees and have urged the Government to expedite their cases, either by bringing charges or releasing them for rehabilitation. I also suggested it may now be time to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act which has long been cause for concern.

Because of the legacy of massive trauma, there is a desperate need for counseling and psychosocial support in the North, and I was surprised and disappointed to learn that the authorities have restricted NGO activity in this sector. I hope the Government can relax controls on this type of assistance.

I met many relatives of missing or disappeared civilians and soldiers who are still hoping to discover the whereabouts of their loved ones, and they emphasized the urgent need to resolve this issue – something that was made abundantly evident at the two very moving meetings with relatives of the disappeared that I attended yesterday, to commemorate the International Day of the Victims of Forced Disappearances.

I asked the Government for more information about the new Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances, and stressed the need for it to be more effective than the five previous commissions of this kind. I was disappointed to learn that it will only cover disappearances in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, which means that the many “white van” disappearances reported in Colombo and other parts of the country in recent years will not fall within its scope.

I urge the Government to broaden the Commission’s mandate, and seize this opportunity to make a comprehensive effort to resolve the disappearances issue once and for all. I therefore welcome the new proposal to criminalize disappearances in the penal code, and hope this will be done without delay. The Government could also send a clear signal of its commitment by ratifying the International Convention on Disappearances, and by inviting the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances to visit Sri Lanka, ideally before I report back to the Human Rights Council in March.

The Human Rights Council will also be looking to see something credible in terms of investigation of what happened at the end of the war and many other past cases.

I was pleased to learn that the case of the five students murdered on the beach in Trincomalee in 2006 has been reinvigorated by the arrest of 12 Police Special Task Force members known to have been in the vicinity at the time of the killings. I will be watching the progress of that case with interest, as well as the other infamous unsolved case of 17 ACF aid workers murdered in the same year, just a few kilometres to the south.

I also requested more information about the Courts of Inquiry appointed by the army to further investigate the allegations of civilian casualties and summary executions, and suggested that appointing the army to investigate itself does not inspire confidence in a country where so many past investigations and commissions of inquiry have foundered one way or another. Unless there is a credible national process, calls for an international inquiry are likely to continue.

The recent deployment of the military in support of police to control a demonstration in Weliweriya, which resulted in at least three deaths, has sent a shockwave through the community.   I stressed to the Defence Secretary the need to urgently complete and publish a proper investigation into this incident.

Too many other investigation files remain pending, for instance the custodial deaths of prisoners in Vavuniya and Welikada Prisons in 2012.  The Government has since announced police powers will now be transferred from the Ministry of Defence to a new Ministry of Law and Order, but this is at best a partial separation as both Ministries will remain under the President, rather than under a separate civilian ministry.

I have also reminded the Government that Sri Lanka desperately needs strong witness and victim protection legislation, which has been languishing in draft form since 2007.

I expressed concern at the recent surge in incitement of hatred and violence against religious minorities, including attacks on churches and mosques, and the lack of swift action against the perpetrators.  I was surprised that the Government seemed to downplay this issue, and I hope it will send the strongest possible signal of zero tolerance for such acts and ensure that those responsible (who are easily identifiable on video footage) are punished. The Minister of National Languages and Social Integration told me that he has proposed new legislation on hate speech.  We have recently concluded a study of such laws and would be happy to assist in this area. The same Minister, along with the Minister of Justice, expressed to me his support for a visit by the Independent Expert on Minorities, and I hope this can happen as soon as possible. I also applaud the Government’s policy of introducing tri-lingualism all across the country.

I would now like to turn to a disturbing aspect of the visit, namely the harassment and intimidation of a number of human rights defenders, at least two priests, journalists, and many ordinary citizens who met with me, or planned to meet with me. I have received reports that people in villages and settlements in the Mullaitivu area were visited by police or military officers both before and after I arrived there.  In Trincomalee, several people I met were subsequently questioned about the content of our conversation.

This type of surveillance and harassment appears to be getting worse in Sri Lanka, which is a country where critical voices are quite often attacked or even permanently silenced. Utterly unacceptable at any time, it is particularly extraordinary for such treatment to be meted out during a visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. I wish to stress that the United Nations takes the issue of reprisals against people because they have talked to UN officials as an extremely serious matter, and I will be reporting those that take place in connection with this visit to the Human Rights Council.

I urge the Government of Sri Lanka to issue immediate orders to halt this treatment of human rights defenders and journalists who face this kind of harassment and intimidation on a regular basis.  More than 30 journalists are believed to have been killed since 2005, and several more – including the cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda ­– have disappeared. Many others have fled the country. Newspaper and TV offices have been vandalized or subjected to arson attacks – some, such as the Jaffna-based paper Uthayan, on multiple occasions. With self-censorship fuelled by fear, journalists report that there are articles that they dare not write, and others their editors dare not print. Freedom of expression is under a sustained assault in Sri Lanka. I have called for the right to Information Act to be adopted like many of its neighbours in SAARC.

The war may have ended, but in the meantime democracy has been undermined and the rule of law eroded.  The 18th amendment, which abolished the Constitutional Council which once recommended appointments to the independent bodies, such as the Elections Commission and Human Rights Commission, has weakened these important checks and balances on the power of the Executive. The controversial impeachment of the Chief Justice earlier this year, and apparent politicization of senior judicial appointments, have shaken confidence in the independence of the judiciary.

I am deeply concerned that Sri Lanka, despite the opportunity provided by the end of the war to construct a new vibrant, all-embracing state, is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction.

Ending on a more optimistic note, yesterday, at the Government’s suggestion, I visited the Youth Parliament. This unusual institution, founded in 2010, is filled with bright, enthusiastic students from all across the country, and dedicated to a tolerant and all-inclusive approach. The parliament draws on elected members of youth groups who meet once a month to discuss key issues such as the importance of Amendment 13 to the Constitution and the LLRC (indeed they claim they actually debated the latter before the National Parliament).

I hope that the current and future members of the Youth Parliament, three of whom delivered excellent speeches in my presence, will, when they graduate to the main political stage, usher in a new era of tolerant coexistence in this beautiful island, where – despite the problems I have listed above – I have been greeted with great warmth and hospitality.

Thank you.

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Latest comments

  • 1
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    Thank you Miss Navi Pillay for letting the world know what some of us have known for a very long time…and we appreciate your mention of the infamous “white van” which has been used to abduct and kill hundreds of people who have gone against the family regime governing the country. Do not believe any of the promises this regime makes and keep following up on the killings of the 5 students and the 17 aid workers because these investigations could be swept under the carpet after you leave. Thank you once again and we appreciate everything you have done on your visit.

    • 0
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      Navi Pillay, the UN and USA?

      “If the United States doesn’t respond, as Secretary of State John Kerry suggested Monday, where is the world’s humanity and morality? “

      http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/28/20232943-what-happens-after-a-strike-on-syria-it-depends-on-how-far-the-us-goes?lite

      Why the double standards? Is it in the UN Charter?

      If you are prepared to send hundreds of Tomahawks to Sria, why not send a few towards the Resplendent Island that Follows the Enlightened Buddha teachings as well?

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        @ Amarasiri

        Just one Tomahawk missile targeting Hotel de Temple Palace and sent at night when the wannabe king is in his bed chambers would be more than enough.
        Remember how one Mr.Thamil Selvam met a similar fate a few years ago at the hands of the wannabe kings air force? :)

        • 0
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          We may disagree with people including our president, but civilized people don’t consider murder a solution. Your statement, threatening the life of a Head of State, should be taken seriously. You should be tracked, and prosecuted via Interpol if you live outside of Sri Lanka. Rule of law should be enforced, and idiots like you should be brought to justice. We need intelligent political discourse, not this crass BS

        • 0
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          It’s not Mr. Thamil Selvan, he is a murderous terrorist, not a gentleman. Died in the right way :)

        • 0
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          You did not suggest a Tomahawk to George Bush the idiot when he killed 1.2 million people in serch of WPD they never found, ?

          No,? even Pillay the [Edited out] wouldn’t have got killed in the backyard of White House ?

  • 0
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    It is a very critical but open verdict of the current human rites situation in the country. What a shame for this South African born lady to be branded as a Tamil by many including three Ministers while holding such responsible positions. UN is an organisation Sri Lanka is a member and trying to bring discredit to its members to cover our weaknesses is like trying to cover our nakedness with a small handkerchief . It is a pity this government failed to bring a satisfactory end to a 30 long years of suffering of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims due to bad policies and greediness of the rulers. I hope the Human Rights Commissioner Dr. N. Pillai will consider the flight of the ordinary Sri Lankans and present a written report to the March 2014 UNHRC meeting a very workable resolution to make Sri Lanka another happy country.

    • 0
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      Please edit and choose your wording carefully when commenting. Ms. Pillai was not ‘branded a Tamil’. There is no shame in being Tamil. She was branded a pawn of the LTTE. An important distinction. Thank you.

      • 0
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        Dr J Peiris:

        Have you read what the most brainy minister Wimal Wirawansa said of Pillai? Yes, yes and yes – he branded her ethnicity and based on that her bias. How ignorant you are.

        • 0
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          The booruwansa was from a Sinhala terror out fit. And the ugly monkey faced joker who wanted to marry her! She probably would not hire him even to clean her shoes!!!!

        • 0
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          It is sad but true that we have “such buffaloes like Pretty Wimal, bulldog Mervyn in our government who talk through their
          … and bring discredit to all others who call themselves sri lankan.

        • 0
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          How come you name him as most brainy ?
          Are Mervin, Kumara Walgama and the like are brainy for you ?

          As it is clear to any 10 year old, would consider it that the man – Buruwanshe is idiosyncratic to his remarks specially when making them regardless of the severity and impact of the issue. His actions (like go on protests of his unique way and the like)of all forms are not common to many. That makes is unique to him but he is far from being brainy …. but for sure, he can move gawky, gullible masses – that is criminal and fraudulent to me. This is the main reason him to have been placed by president for his saving mode (Mervin, Buruwanshe and few others are just like barking dogs)

          ” For Wimal Weerawanshe any one with Tamil inheritage are labelled as Ltte supporter – not even studying them clearly – this is absolutely symptoms of a psychological disorder; he cant comprehend anything appropriately specially when they are being detailed in English language. He must not speak English, but at least the knowledge of understanding them is a mandatory, if he dares to leave comments for saving the regime”.

      • 0
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        There were many mails denouncing her as an ethnic Tamil. I used my knowledge about her to tell every Sinhala patriot ( what they think about them) that she is a South African born person . Yes every one accusing her as a Tamil was erring to her as a LTTE supporter. Who else is supporting the LTTE than the Rajapaksa brothers?

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          Tamil or Sinhala is not a problem in holding a position in the UN but she read LTTE propaganda materials as hers. That is the problem.

          Further she must be aware how her South African ships sent bombs to LTTE and those ships were destroyed 200 miles south of Sri Lanka by the SL air force.

          She did not explain how LTTE criminals stay in South Africa. S/Africa do not accept refugees. Even a LTTE man in London (Mandai Kannan)who was the body guard once to Prabhakaran, claimed Prabhakaran is alive and live in South Africa.

          So, the South African connection to LTTE is evident.

          • 0
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            and…. what does that have to do with Human Rights violation by the Sri Lankan Government and Hon Navi Pillay?

    • 0
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      What are you talking about? The war was ended thanks to rajapakshe. Unless, still there is war. You seem to have a personal issue with Rajapakshe, dont bring disgrace to country by talking nonsense due to personal issues. Thank you!
      And yes, its not that she is tamil. Its that she is from the UN, she is doing things the US wants, not justice.

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        Ravi Samaranayake

        “The war was ended thanks to rajapakshe. Unless, still there is war.”

        Oh really?

        • 0
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          Yes really, and it’s not rocket science to know that.

    • 0
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      Only the Frogs living in wells would not understand why Navi pillai is not the best in order to what US wants to achieve in Sri Lanka.

      NAvi pillai has the perfect resume for that.

      • 0
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        US has the right to get anything in favour of US. You guys are beggers depending on loan and grants from west and blaming the west. Your Rajapaksa Brothel company is currupted. Daylight robbers of national resources undercover of budhism.

    • 0
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      She wasn’t “branded” a Tamil, she IS a Tamil South African. That has nothing to do with her current job

  • 0
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    Criticisms are 100% valid. Although I doubt it very much, let us hope something positive will come out of this for ordinary Lankans.

  • 0
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    Respected UNHR Commisioner,

    The projected growth and development of a north is aimed towards marginalizing Tamils and Sinhalisation of North. How come just two days before your visit national anthem in Tamil was reinstated and military was contained to barracks? And soon your departure they reappeared? Did n’t you see the ploy to cheat you by threatening people who approached you for justice?

    What is the use of this 13A without land and police power to province which MR declared that it will not be devolved?

    Did n’t you read the report of UN body that IDP resettlement is not upto Mark?

    The message is not as stern as that is needed for reconciliation of the people.

    Please do one thing, please visit as many times as possible to Srilanka atleast for drama sake there will be some peace to people.

    Manisekaran. M.S
    Salem, Tamilnadu

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      manisekaran,
      It seems, you wanted Sri Lanka national anthem to be sung in Tamil. Not a bad aspiration to start another fight. Tell us, do 65 million Tamils sing ‘Vande Matharam’ in Tamil in India. Imagine the chaos if everyone start to sing it in their own language at at an all races included ceremony. We can visualize egalitarianism of Tamils when we visit adjoining states like Kerala and then visit your Tamilnad.

      Land and police power to provinces! We won’t buy it for there will be 9 different policing for this tiny island. When one CM orders his chief to arrest another we’ll have real roadshow. Solheim would love it. We have to have weekly flights to Oslo to fly him in with his magic wand to settle disputes. Ah, land powers, you always wanted to keep non-Tamils out of your bantu land.

      You should know the military is always in the barracks. They’ll come out only when terras show up. What fair opinion one expect from Pillay? She has been blind to LTTE terrorism and opens only to the opinion of anti-Sri Lanka NGOs that are funded by LTTE backers. And that’s truth. This is a game my friend. We have opened an embassy in Israel and we’re learning the art of surviving from them.

      • 0
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        she has been blind to LTTE terrorism, read minimum the speech before you post. As far as my understanding, in 1987 itself Tamil was accepted to be national language of Srilanka, what is wrong in singing national anthem in Tamil? who is narrow minded here. Military is always in barracks in Srilanka, kidding? Who killed civilians in weliweriya, who were the terras appeared that day?

        • 0
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          Manisekaram,
          Yes, and then what about the national anthem in English and in Malay and in Urdu ????? There are so many minorities among the minorities in Sri Lanka.

          Have you forgotten (or do you know at all) that in all of India there is only one ‘Jana gana mana’ …….

          and ‘patriot’,

          It’s ‘Jana gana mana’ not ‘Vande Mataram’

          • 0
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            Correct me If I am wrong, National anthem in Tamil has been sung even from the beginning of Independence. So my question why to scarp something already existing which consider the equality of Two major recognized language of the Island? Whereas In India, the case is different. Can you get the point.

        • 0
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          Worry about Tamil Nadu first. Just because the center doesn’t give a damn about TN and that TN has become a burden to the whole India, don’t think it would be easy to create the same situation in SL.

          • 0
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            We have nothing to worry about the life of us. definitely you know, if i ask water, definitely no bullets back. Of course we are poor and poverty can be eliminated.

            • 1
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              Mani,

              What about ( In India)

              1) 600 million people under absolute poverty line ?

              2) 600 million without Toilet ?

              3) 2.5 million deaths per year of kids less than 05 years old due to poverty ? (Unicef)

              You Indian or TN mutts have unsolved problems up to the nose , yet peeping into other countries, shamelessly.

            • 0
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              John,

              What about ( In India)

              1) 600 million people under absolute poverty line ? I can care about only my state, it is for the each of the state head in India to worry. In TN poverty had been reduced a lot, and what you are going to do for those 1 million maid cleaning teh home of Arabs in middle east form your country? Are they rich people going to Arab for serving as maid as social service. You better wither false superiority as if you live in the land of california.

              2) 600 million without Toilet ? Again my state has moved fast, and in next five years, there is no homeless, no toiletless people will be in TN. We need some toilet cleaners, how about sending few of them who you are sending to Arab. You need to worry also the dying maid every month in Arab.

              3) 2.5 million deaths per year of kids less than 05 years old due to poverty ? (Unicef)

              In my Land, malnutrion is reduced lot, it is all happening in West bengal, Bihar, and orissa and you know who tehy are, I dont need to tell you.

              You Indian or TN mutts have unsolved problems up to the nose , yet peeping into other countries, shamelessly.

              I am peeping because your military is peeping into our sister’s home when they trying to change their dress, First you discipline you, then you wont see me,

              Sorry to moderate sihalese for my offensive language, but I need to respond this little John, in the language he knows,

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              So you are downgrading maids? That is a respectable job too, learn to respect other peoples jobs. But again, mutual respect is a foreign concept to Indians, so understandable.

              You don’t have sisters in Sri Lanka. And Sri Lanka is not a part of Tamil Nadu. People in Sri Lanka is been taken cared of. They are Sri Lankans first, Tamils second. If SL is against Tamils, come to Colombo capital and see what percentage of businesses are run by tamils. Check if they’re doing good or living with fear. Check the list of Mahinda Rajapakses personal friends, and see how many tamils are there. Sri Lankan government has apparently spent 2.5 billion on rehabilitation. You can verify that if you are interested.

              What politicians in Tamil Nadu does is, create things to gain political advantages by fooling people. And majority, including you, buy them!

          • 0
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            Ravi Samaranayake

            Manisekaran as an Indian has all the rights in this world to worry about his Sinhala state of India (Akand Bharat). He cares about his Sinhala brethren.

            Do you have any problem with it?

            • 0
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              Firstly, there is no sinhala state in India.
              Secondly, you are just a troll, so no real interest in responding to u.

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              Ravi Samaranayake

              “Firstly, there is no sinhala state in India.”

              But your ancestors came from India by Kallathonies, and your roots are still there. Go back and build your own Sinhala/Buddhist state in Bihar sing your national anthem in Sinhala.

              I will be happy to support your claim to a homeland in Bihar. You can count on me.

          • 0
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            @Ravi,

            To answer you,

            Srilanka is the 60 year concept of this century, even prior to that We have had umblical relationship with Tamils In Srilanka from historical times. Secondly to assume brotherhood one dont need to be citizen of that country. Third, We have been taking care of 1.5 lakhs of Tamils from Srilanka , I have every right on that account to call them. Finally you dont know, there are many Srilankan Tamils married to TN Tamils.

            My intention is not to defame Maids but if someone is barking at us like they way john did, we also need to pelt a stone at some point. I know it is not decent that’s why i ended with apologies. For me poverty is not shame, british looted badly and left us as alves in 300 years, We show brave face to rise from that.

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              Brother I’ll give you a clue that these cheats are hiding, The SL national anthem in Sinhala was reworded. The tune is same. But the tamil version is carried on. The one who wrote the Sinhala version committed suicide due to it. check Wiki. One dangerous development..After 2009 there is a new cult in SinhalaBuddist glorifying Ravana. Funny enough the dravidian politics started with Arian revolt based on Ramayana. But this cult is all based on hearsay and bile as they keep changing without foundation.
              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Matha

      • 0
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        a typical “sinhala patriot” comment.

        In India, Tamil Nadu people dont sing in Tamil coz there’s no tamil version since there’s only ONE official language in the country. In Sri Lanka, according to the constitution of our country, we have two official languages. It is only fair that the national anthem be sung in any of the official languages. If you dont care what religion, cast, colour the person next to you is, then why care what language he is singing in, as long as it means the same?

        Also, for your information, “Vande Matharam” is a poem written about India. Not the national anthem. Indian national anthem is “Jana Gana Mana” (basic common sense).

        Also having 9 different police divisions is no problem since police from one division can operate within their province only. Thats the rule when implementing that system. Not even the president cant order a police from one province to go and arrest a person in another province. (study law please).

        Military in the barracks? you can say that by watching the government channels and reading the government news papers but if you want to know the truth, go to the north and see for yourself. See for yourself how many army soldiers are roaming around in the Jaffna town itself. Iam a sinhala buddhist myself and I know that people in the north are not 100% free since i have witnessed the situation myself on several of my trips to the north over the last few years.

        • 0
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          Pl note that National Anthem is not in Hindi the official language but in Bengali, a regional language. India is a great country unlike yours.

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          “If you dont care what religion, cast, colour the person next to you is, then why care what language he is singing in, as long as it means the same?”
          Quoting what you just said, then why don’t you just sing the anthem in Sinhalese and be happy about it? Racism is in you, isnt it?

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            Ravi Samaranayake, When someone says that he does not care what race, caste,colour, etc. of the person next to him is, what does he mean? He means that his attitude to and judgement of that person does not depend on those factors. Therefore he is not a racist. You cannot be a racist when you are even willing to give more privileges isn’t it? Any one who thinks his race is exceptional, or superior, and does not wish to confer equal rights to another is a racist, and one who refuses to accept that truth is a bigot.

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              My simple point is that, as you said if that means the same, why should u care about the language. If “some” tamils consider it a problem to sing the national anthem in Sinhalese, thats their problem, isnt it? what if all races request for their own version of a national anthem? not going to work like that, isnt it?

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            Ravi Samaranayake

            “Quoting what you just said, then why don’t you just sing the anthem in Sinhalese and be happy about it? Racism is in you, isnt it?”

            If you are not an Aryan, Sinhala/Buddhist supremacist majoritarian stupid bigoted racist you just sing the anthem in Tamil, English, Bengali,…Swahili, Chinese or any other language except Sinhala and be happy about it. Why do you insist on singing in Sinhala?

            Aren’t you born racist?

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              Nobody said I insist singing it in Sinhalese. Don’t assume.
              Secondly, its already in Sinhalese, there is no reason in changing it. however, if there is a language everybody can accept, thats the language it should be in. not in every language.

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              Ravi Samaranayake

              “Secondly, its already in Sinhalese, there is no reason in changing it.”

              The national anthem is already in Tamil as well. No need to accept one language, if it is already written and sung in another language.

              “if there is a language everybody can accept, thats the language it should be in. not in every language.”

              Since you have a Tamil version why don’t you sing it in Tamil? Or force others to accept it?

              What seems to be the problem? Is it to do with your perception of being Aryan, Sinhala/Buddhist supremacist majoritarian stupid bigoted racist?

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          Agree with you. Well said. Many Sri Lankans think patriotism is about singing the national anthem or standing to attention when the flag is raised. These are only symbolical. Patriotism is about being true to your country and your countrymen. A person who does an honest job of work is a truer patriot than one who does lip service. A patriot will not abuse his position, will not take bribes and commissions at public expense, will not rob the country and stash monies in offshore accounts. A country is it’s people, and not the earth and the trees. A patriot will treat every citizen as an equal and will want all rights to be enjoyed by every one, whatever the race, religion, or colour. Any one who cannot is a pretender at best.

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        Patriot

        Pathetic

        “Tell us, do 65 million Tamils sing ‘Vande Matharam’ in Tamil in India”

        Bande Mataram is not national anthem of India, it is a Hymn for motherland.

        The national anthem is Jana Gana Mana, which was written in Bengali by Tagore and sung by all Indians.

        As long as Indian National anthem is not in Hindi, fine.

        Do you want Manisekaran to sing his national anthem in Sinhalese? It is brilliant idea.

        Lets have Bengali versus for Sri Lankan anthem. I don’t mind as long as the anthem is not in Sinhalese.

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          It was originally meant to be sung ‘One-day-matram’, but the idiots continued with the same bhajan.

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        So Mr Patriot, let me get your logic straight and be blunt here. We want to build a nation. We want the Tamil youth to stop fighting for a separate state and consider themselves full equal Sri Lankan citizens. BUT we don’t want them to sing the national anthem in their own language. You don’t want Tamil children to every morning sing a song in Tamil in which they profess the glory and beauty of mother Lanka and commit to love and protect it. Are you really that shortsighted? that naive and that stupid? Who cares what India does, we have our own problems to solve, and if singing our national anthem in Tamil can help then why not??????

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          Deshapriya

          “Who cares what India does, we have our own problems to solve, and if singing our national anthem in Tamil can help then why not??????”

          Why not in Veddah Language?

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      After the “Katrina” in New Orleans the affected people are still live in camps in USA.

      Sri Lanka is not USA and 30 years terror of LTTE cannot be “repaired” in one month.

      In your country National Anthem is still sung in Bengali. Tamil version of SL National Anthem never stopped and sung by the Tamils.

      13A was not accepted by pro-LTTE parties including TNA. M.A.Sumanthiran declared it in Canada. Then what the hell you want under 13 A?

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        Sivanathan,

        Yes, I agree that settling displaced people will take time, but the intent of the government was to pursue Airport,Military camp, army buildings,swimming pools and cricket stadium at amazing pace and di not pay as much as enthusiasm in settling people.

        Oh no, Sivanathan, dont you know the quality of camps in US, buddy, do some research. They are better in equivalence with their normal life at their own residence, not like stealing 14 acres of land and allotting 300 square feet home as one war victim cried to Navi Pillay. Have some heart, if at all true that you are tamil as you claim to be.

        Yes, In my land, National anthem is sung in Bengali,but we sing a equivalent thamizhthai vazhthu also in addition to that in TN, Plus Tamilnadu has been seeking Tamil version for last few years. Indian govt did not gift a Black july like JRJ to us for that, we peacefully pursuing it, and they peacefully explain us the complications. So stop saying that Tamil people in TN did not pursue of it.

        How poor you are that you did not even know that national Anthem in tamil was stopped in srilanka in 2010 ( If my memory serves correct) and reinstated just a week before Navi Pillai visit.

        Coming to 13A, they did not accept because of its fault in structure and they wanted 13 corrections to it.( That what i learnt). That does no mean that you can scrap it all together the few good things in it.

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          If USA cannot settle or any financial aids to katrina victims, what is the poers of USA? Military, stadiums are part of the on going economical plans. Are you telling here that government to stop everything and build houses for Tamils who lost everything because of the LTTE?

          //thamizhthai vazhthu// is not the same as National anthem of India.

          Black July of 1983 was a co-production of JRJ and LTTE. That is why LTTE joined the same UNP Sinhalese in 1987 and killed more than 1500 Indian soldiers of the IPKF. Why cannot you advise the Simon and VaiKo to talk about the “Indian way” instead of LTTE?

          I was in my country and in schools Tamil anthem was sung in 2011 also. You better go to Sri lanka once and see the relaities instead reading kumudam or vikatan!

          13A is rejected by LTTE and their heir TNA. 13A is a good amendment because it solved the “stateless” problem of more than 500,000 Tamils of Indian origin in hill country. But the idiotic LTTE tail pieces never acknowledge this important fact and the good results of the Rajiv-JRJ agreement.

          In a way Jaffna Tamils got upset because the Estate Tamils got the citizenship and voting rights under the 13A. I never see any Tamil bastard ever mention this great achievement. tell this matter to VaiKo and other LTTE coolies in tamil nadu.

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            i did not say thamizhthai vazthu is translated version of national anthem, i said a equivalent to that. Equivalent does not mean taking word by word.

            Tamizhthai vazhthu says;

            Neeradum kadaluththa nila madanthai kezhil ozhugum
            seerarum vadhanamena thigal bharatha kandamidhil”

            Meaning: Earth is a beautiful lady dressed with ocean who has beautiful face called India, in that face..
            It praises first India , then Tamilnadu.

            Those houses were destroyed by War, not by LTTE by shelling. Hence government is responsible to build that first, not cricket stadium.

            I read in India today, the below is the link.
            http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-12/south-asia/28247438_1_national-anthem-tamils-sri-lankan

            http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lanka-scraps-tamil-version-of-its-national-anthem/1/123071.html

            However it is good that if it was not scrapped as you said.

            The Tamils issue is not just about of Tamils of Indian origin only, it includes every Tamil. And please be united.

            I have no connection to any LTTE or Vaiko or seeman, I am a neutral person wishing and praying everyone there to have a peaceful life. Amen!

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              LTTE is still responsible for the sufferings of the Tamils and no others. People have to wait to see the return of the economic growth. “War damages” cannot be repaired as you expect.

              The “Tamizhthai vazhthu” has no connection with the Indian national anthem.

              Sri lankan Tamils are leass than 13% of the total population. If they ask 1/3 of the land, no one will give it. Even UN never agree the demands of the Tamil fools!

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              It has connection, you are terribly wrong. you are seeing literal meaning of it, but not why the great Manonmaniam has even written that? Of course as an outsider i dont expect you know that, but dont argue that “no connections”. You know why after National anthem, Thamizhthai vaazthu is sung in TN?

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        M.Sivananthan, Can we discuss Katrina and New Orleans when somebody writes about that subject? You are very knowledgeable about other countries but do not seem to know much about what is happening in Sri Lanka.

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          Your name sounds like a Sinhalese. Can you explain why UNP Sinhalese and Catholic Church have honey-moon with LTTE. if you know the SL affairs?

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            HONEYMOON TO BREAK-UP THE TAMIL HOUSEHOLD/FAMILY (the Karuna split)
            SL FAMILY PARTY SINHALESE (creator Nilaperumal kalukapuge Bandaranayakas) LOST THE EELAM WAR III BADLY

            TAMIL CATHOLICS HAVE TO HONEYMOON WITH THEIR HINDU COUNTERPARTS (Velu was Hindu) LIKE THE SINHALESE CATHOLICS HAVE TO HONEYMOON WITH THEIR BUDDHIST COUNTERPARTS (Cardinal Malcom Ranjith on BBC; ‘Whilst he has to be against war as a servant of god, many Sri Lankans feel that this is the only option left’. Plus, many Sinhala-Buddist political families were one time Christian-Catholics…..Kobbekaduwa, etc.)

            Honeymooning with Tamils is SL culture; from VIJAY, ELLALA, PARAKUM, KOTTE TO KANDYAN,…… Knanaki to Pattini and Upalavan to Vishnu.

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    A very balanced, objective and decidedly pointed statement.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

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      Wasn’t it you who said maybe last year how you loved the fact the military had cleaned up the canals in Wellawatte to prevent flooding? Read how she clearly sees the military putting down “civilian ” roots…..

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        Dev,

        They do so yet and it is much needed. Fewer areas in Colombo have been affected by floods this year, despite the heavier rains. This was public service and not interference in civilian affairs. The army also built houses for the war-affected in the years after the last war in a well organised, co-ordinated and an accelerated manner. I welcomed this too. Everything positive I had brought to the attention of the readers have been praised by Navi Pillai. Further, the plight of the war-widows and psychological affected have also been highlighted by her. She has also very explicitly criticised the LTTE in very apt terms. I have of course not talked about the war-dead in terms of accountability, because both parties in the war were/are culpable and with regard to the death of ‘ Sand Bag ‘ Tamils, the LTTE more culpable.

        I yet think we as Tamils should acknowledge the positive and highlight the negative, when warranted, without being permanent nabobs of negativity. Where the negatives are those concerning all citizens of this country, we should not endeavour and strain to portray them as affecting us only. Bad governance is affecting all Sri Lankans.

        Politics is not a game that has be always adversarial by definition. It is a science and an an art combined to improve the lives of the people in the best possible way. I am one those who is glad the TNA is slowly, but surely moving in this direction, despite the idiocy of the likes of Suresh Premachandran and Sri Tharan.

        There is no election fever and the accompanying high passions in Jaffna, despite the pistol whipping incident in Chavakachcheri by Angajan Ramanathan’s (UPFA candidate) father. He is in remand custody.

        The people are weighing their options dispassionately and are aware of the flaws in the 13th amendment, and the problems ahead.

        Dr,Rajasingham Narendran

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          I am also aware that the army built houses and cleaned up the canal, but to be that was the first step of the army entering civilian life, in other countries the army does step in to do such things after a great calamity (Hurricane Katrina) but in those countries there are clear separation of powers !
          Not in SL, where the UN -elected public servant, namely the presidential sibling makes foray into politics and the twinning of the UDA with the ministry of defense is dangerous, which all started with the “cleaning of the canals and clearing garbage”

          I know all about what is happening in the north, just returned from there myself, and I am especially aware of whats happening in Chavakachcheri as I an from there (Nunavil) and stay there on my frequent visits.

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    Dr. Upasiri de Silva:
    It is more than “to cover our nakedness with a small handkerchief.” It is trying to use a tiny handkerchief to cover a huge erection caused by the prospect of killing more and more people!

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    Not a word of condemnation or mention of instances of planned, cold blooded murder of thousands of Sinhalese and Muslims by Tamil terrorists, by Ms. Pillai. As expected, the visit is a prelude for the grand finale in March 2014 (OHRC meeting), to subject Sri Lanka to Western lead courts.

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      Did she mention or condemned of planned and targetted blooded murder of millions of Tamils by Sinhala Terrorist Government?

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      “Secondly, the LTTE was a murderous organization that committed numerous crimes and destroyed many lives. In fact, my only previous visit to Sri Lanka was to attend a commemoration of the celebrated legislator, peacemaker and scholar, Neelan Tiruchelvam, who was killed by an LTTE suicide bomb in July 1999. Those in the diaspora who continue to revere the memory of the LTTE must recognize that there should be no place for the glorification of such a ruthless organization.” – Perhaps you cannot read, lal?

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    The Government should be ashamed to see that many number of citizens flock around UN for refuge than their own Government for redress. They feel that their own Government, which is bound to safe-guard the as citizens first and as humans at large, is their main source of threat to life and civil liberties. They gather around anybody whom they think can bring justice to their agonies. Shame on you the Government and the opposition. The blame should go to the opposition too. Why couldn’t you do a fraction of the duty Navi Pillay did by visiting the ground level to raise the issues in the Parliament? Maybe you plan to repeat the same when you come to power as you used to do during JRJ and Premadasa times?

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    Everything OK, but I think she missed very Important persons during her visit. Actually she should have avoided Opposition members and Human right defenders and other’s like free Media personnel and given more opportunities for others.

    She missed very Important person, Dr. Mervin Silva who brought a marriage proposal for her. Now this highly educated Guy may be singing Milton Mallawaarachchis Love Song’s as Madam Pillay didn’t say anything for the proposal.

    She Missed Minister Weerawansa who said Madam Pillay brought Explosives to the country. May be she avoided to have a chat with Minister as she doesn’t know Sinhala to speak with him.

    She Missed Minister Chmpika Ranawaka who has found that Dr. Mrs. Pillay is Indian Tamil. Actually she could have learnt more about “God Natha” who helped him giving more Rains during his tenure as Power and energy Minister had she spoken to him.

    She missed Udaya Gammanpila who has found Dr. Mrs. Pillay’s Husband was a former terrorist to know what kind of terrorist her husband was.

    Dr. Mrs. Pillay discussed about Sexual harassments without discussing the matter with Duminda Silva, Saruwa Sunil and Sampath Vidanapathirana, who has vast practical knowledge of the Issue.

    Dr. Mrs. Pillay was telling about Waliweriya Incident without knowing that the Armed forces were called by the God.

    Dr. Mr. Pillay was talking about missing cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda as she can’t believe Hon. Arundika Fernando’s version of the issue. She should have known that our Politicians never lie and it is against Ahinda Chinthanaya.

    She Missed Galaboda Aththe Nanasara of BBS who is against killing only “Harak”. If she talked to him she could have realized that is because he doesn’t like to kill relatives. Actually Madam Pillay could have learnt how to Drive a vehicle after drinking one bottle of Whiskey from Naanasaara.

    I can’t understand why she avoided custodians of Sinhala Buddhism such as Ravana Balaya, Sinhala Ravaya to know about their activities and how they struggle to keep the Pure Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the help of Sambudda Saasana Chakrawarthi burning Muslim shops and banning Halal etc. etc.

    At least next time Dr. Mrs. Pillay should keep in mind to meet these people to know the truth about the Country while congratulating her to be able to avoid white van.

    Also we should thank her that she disappointed future Army deserters by accepting our advise, not keeping any money and Jewelry’s in her possession while staying here.

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      Just to point out the idiotic mindset of Lapatiya, he thinks, every learned leader have to speak in English. He should ask himself ‘how would Obama speak with the likes of Putin and Shinto Abby.’

      What’s wrong Ranawaka thinking “God Natha” can give rain to a section of this tiny island, if Obama and all his predecessors thought their (Abraham’s) God has created this unimaginably large universe in just seven days and he alone can guide them wisdom to bomb many a defenseless countries.

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        I guess you did not understand / did not read the writing of Lapatiya. Actually his writing is full of sarcasm and not against Madam Pillay but against the government!!!

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        “Just to point out the idiotic mindset of Lapatiya, he thinks, every learned leader have to speak in English”

        True, I agree with Patriot, now only I realized why our Saddarmadveepa Chakrawarthi appointing Learned Leaders/Patriots as Cabinet Ministers with only Grade 8 qualification.

        “What’s wrong Ranawaka thinking “God Natha” can give rain to a section of this tiny island……….”

        Nothing wrong and thanks Mr. Patriot to reminding us that we don’t need any Qualified, Disciplined, Intelligent Leaders to run the Country as Ministers only duty should be to seek “God Natha’s” help to run his Ministry.

        Our Country is full of this kind of Rajapaksha Patriots. That is the Reason why the country is in this soup.

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      Booruwansa can not under stand English. He does not know where South Africa is . He thinks it is in TN!!!! Please Sri Lankans never ever vote for these jokers. Premadasas started the rot but he seems like a saint compared to these village idiots!

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        Pissu Pusa

        Weerawansa thought it was a joke to sing national anthem in Tamil as no country in the world, national anthem was sung in different languages. The fool forgot South Africa where national anthem are in four different languages and Singapore also has at least anthem sung in three different languages.

        The fool didn’t know in India national anthem is in Bengali not in Hindi.

        It speaks a lot about the people and not about the individual.

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          well said Native vedda.

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          And he creeps under the petticoat of Salaka mistress to recharge his national fighting spirit!

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      You forgot ‘Paba, who could hace enlightened her more on the 13th amendment !!!

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    A brave lady. Every true Sri Lankan should think about what the lady said and decide on the future of a united SriLanka sharing power with other communities and respect their individual and community rights under rule of law, not law of rules.

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    Those in power who slurred you and your neutrality let the cat out of the pocket and admitted inadvertantly that they ill treatment of ethnic minorities is based on their ethnicity. Those who know you can only tell them that you were a reputed honourable judge who was elevated to the present position as a recognition of your services and a testimony to your past achievements.

    Please do monitor the visits of military personnel in and out of uniform to the human rights activists, jounalists, politicians and those lost their loved ones.

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    Brilliant speech.
    MaRa and Sena asked for it. Absolutely brilliant, iam happy to hear
    Ms Pillay mentioned the ‘White Van’ and the people who met the High Commissioner has been questioned by so called surveillance members of Gothaya. Ms Pillay very wel know who was behind this. Its crystle clear to Ms Pillay that the regime is upto no good.
    Iam damn sure MaRa is having a headache and gothaya is paranoid.
    Well Done Madam High Commissioner. Great job done indeed.

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    What a balanced view delivered by an analytical and erudite person. Well said Ms Pillay. Let’s hope the world and Sri Lanka are listening.

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    It reminds me the speech given by Mark Antony after Julius Caesar was murdered

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      “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears in pus, so I can cork it with a bulb of garlic to cure” – Marcos Antoinne.

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      Chandima Gomes, Are you serious? That was devious speech by Mark Antony.

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    A well informed speech based on truth and ground reality. Good governance based on justice and equality for all has never been a strong point of this government, and those glaring deficiencies has been exposed by a neutral and independent body, for all the world to see. A silver lining in the gathering dark clouds. Now that this government has been put on notice, many countries will say ‘we knew it, and we told you so.’ Even Commonwealth and Democratic values will be called into question, with jaunts to Uganda, Madagascar and Belarus are the norm.

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    Navi Pillay’s speech may not be to the liking of the pro-LTTE Tamil Dispora. In particular her characterization of LTTE as “.. a murderous organization that committed numerous crimes and destroyed many lives” and her admonition that “[t]hose in the diaspora who continue to revere the memory of the LTTE must recognize that there should be no place for the glorification of such a ruthless organization” will not warm the hearts of those LTTE supporters within and without Sri Lanka who had been praising her for her role in calling for accountability of the Sri Lankan leaders for alleged human rights violations. No doubt she will now become a “traitor” for their Eelam cause.

    Her Tamil ancestry has nothing to do with the work she had been doing as the head of the world human human rights body. As rightly pointed out by Navi Pillay it is deeply offensive for some of government ministers and others to have questioned her impartiality purely on the basis of her Tamil heritage.

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    If the UN High Commissioner is a joke for Mervyn Silva, you can imagine what they would do to an average Tamil. Absalute fools, they are disgraceful for the entire world politicians, and shame for the governments all around the world.
    President MR has done lots of damages to democratic Sri Lanka. The constitutional amendment enables him to appoint key officials to the judiciary, the police, the electoral commssion and the central bank. Six year presidential terms now carrying on forever, the removal of checks and balances, blanket immunity and consolidation of presidential power is a very disturbing progress. Like the old days, the President has established a Rajapakse dynasty. He appointed himself minister of finance, minister of planning, minister of highways, ports and aviation and minister of defence. However, the Rajapaksa dynasty is coming to an end. The country is heading towards dictatorship, and becoming a little North Korea. This is a huge worry for the world, especially to India, Japan and South Korea. The UN clearly understands this, therefore I expect an adverse report by Pillay in September at the UNHRC meeting. Her adverse report will have a negative impact on the CHOGM in November. I am expecting an unsuccessful CHOGM, after that the Foreign Minister’s resignation. Most properly Sri Lankans will go to polls for the general election next year. If the Rajapaksa brothers decided to ignore the international community, and decided to place the country under military rule as North Korea to keep their power; it will get bloody ugly. Sri Lanka will become Libya, and the people of Sri Lanka will execute the Rajapaksa brothers as Libyans did to their leader. Playing against the world is a suicidal move; listening to the dragon always is not a wise choice either. The Rajapaksa brothers thought they are the smartest. They thought they will live happily ever after as long as they keep Karuna and KP next to them. They have ignored all the smart Tamils who are well educated and talented than Karuna and KP. The government even refused to reinstate Tamils citizenship. Finally, the Rajapaksa dynasty is coming to an end. Free at last, Free at last, Thank you Navi Pillay we are free at last.

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      Come,Come MR. Peter, and others: Dont dismiss Dr.Mervin de Silva too readily.He has a role to play in the island’s politics: Every Court needs a clown and you cannot contest the claim that M.de S fulfills his responsiblities with great skill!
      If he falters in this role we have Weerawansa as back up!

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    Brilliant speech, very smart lady, knows what she is doing!

    “I am deeply concerned that Sri Lanka, despite the opportunity provided by the end of the war to construct a new vibrant, all-embracing state, is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction.” -Navi Pillay

    I am expecting an adverse report in September at UNHRC meeting. Free at last, free at last, thank you Navi Pillay we are free at last.

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    very nice to visit youth parliament……….

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    shakesphere still not dead? Thank u madam! Great job you have done! But why you have waste seven days in s.l.?

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    it is a very forthright and courageous speech touching every aspect of human rights concern in Sri Lanka leaving none to cavil. It is also very evident that she has done her homework very thoroughly to ensure that she was very fair in her remarks. It is very refreshing that in response to her being vilified for being of Tamil origin from India she rises above these considerations to look at herself as a South African and as an international public servant. This should serve as lesson to all ethno religious chauvinists in Sri Lanka. Benson

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    Eloquent and diplomatic speech, streets ahead of our third rate diplomutts and patriots who read conspiracy and bias into every word uttered by the UN.

    If only the govt were to take her reccomendations seriously and implement the proposals, Sri Lanka would be able to recover from the current malignant and debilating culture of violence and discrimination.

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    Great news!
    What a beautiful diplomatic speech.
    I anticipated that Madam High Commissioner would deliever a good closing speech but this one was very good & almost Comprehensive. Far better than I expected. Really a great one and she had slapped Gotabaya right on his face and kicked Mahendra’s butt. The regime certainly wouldnt like this. Now the dobi ministers will come out tomorrow and speak cock.
    Mahendra will pound his chest with both hands.
    Lets wait and see the fun. Regime’s count down started?
    Ohh… I wish.
    Thank you Madam Navi Pillay.

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      Pandu@,
      it is indeed a great speech, our people have to learn a lot from such international figures like Ms Pillay.
      We the folks should be ashamed that the President is compelled to appoloigze for the uneducated ministers failed to behave during her stay.

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        Sirimal what is there to apologise after this Bugger MR getting them to ridicule Navi Pillai, like how he got some Jokers to ridicule former CJ Siranee Bandaranayake calling her disparaging names at the PSC sittings? This bugger MR is the most despicable uman tat I have come across other than his brother Gota.

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          Hi Gamini,
          So as you, I am well aware their tricks. Many become clear them today than had been in the past. My wish is Ms Pillay to issue a very offensive report (though it ll be oral one) in the UNHRC session at the end of the month. I hate to see the situation further. I really do. But what to do in a country the rulers have made everything in favour of them. Why Dittadammwedaniya take that long to punish MR, GR and others – is my question. Engouh is enough.My wish is to see all these happening sooner than later.

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    When I read the reproduction of the speech one thing comes very clearly to me, i.e. the ministry of defense is the main culprit in most of the issues. It is time for the Secretary of defense to resign his position based on this speech.

    Alternatively, the Parliament should call the Secretary of Defense and ask him to provide a step by step detailed proposal to the Parliament why he should remain in his position and if he is to remain as Secretary of defense what concrete actions will he take to overcome these issues.

    The speech delivered by Navi Pillai is the exact pulse of the nation. Its very balanced and no one can now say she is a tiger supporter. She has openly condemned not only the LTTE but all those diaspora who are carrying tiger flags. Well done Madam.

    We need a just, free and above all a true democratic judicial system.

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      Gota hasn’t resigned after few tragedies, highly unlikely he will resign for this speech. In fact, you all are underestimating the dragon. The Rajapaksa brothers have China’s blessing in controlling media and people. They were shooting the people, even though they knew Madam Pillay is going to be in the country within weeks. They even harassing the people who spoke with Madam Pillay. What does it tell you all these incidents? The country is under China, the Rajapaksa brothers don’t give a damn. They are enjoying all the perks and benefits which came from the Chinese investments. If you think Madam Pillay’s adverse report to the UNHRC or Sri Lanka’s general election will bring a change then you have under estimated the crazy dragon. This is not the end, it just a start, sit back and prepare yourself for unexpected shocks, because more to come, the dragon has fooled the Rajapaksa brothers beyond your understanding.

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      Ranil to ask the defense secretary to step down???? Ha ha ha

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    I hope and pray that the stupid minister GLP does not put another political spin to this speech. This is an excellent opportunity for the President to prove that he is for a Just Society in Sri Lanka and he is a true leader of the people.

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      Park@ he would surely please the nation by his kind kinf talks. But that would not stop UN´s actions against them this time.

      Wimal Buruwanse ´s parnoic contents in his speeches were well studied her for sure. Today, ministers leave their remarks wihtout seeing the gravity of the impact of them. If we the rulers are learnt to respect international norms and standards, Pillay´s visit could have used to get more support from her rather than the opposite. Now for sure, her report before the UNHRC at the end of Sep will be more critical than has been sofar. As Buruwanse´s predictions made it clear – she will be able to even assure the member state by taking the examples from her week long tour. This is very negative for the current regime. Some may feel their irrelevant, evasive criticsm made by Sinhala would not reach UN authorities, but they have kept eyes everywhere so that scrutinization can work properly. Hope not, this will help much lanken ministers to learn.

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    Her statement is very impartial and balanced. If we can implement her suggestions pertaining to human rights, Sri Lanka will be a true paradise.

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    Thankyou Madam Navi Pillai.You have indeed touched on all aspects of issues that have left the people of Sri Lanka traumatised.In no uncertain terms you have conveyed these issues to the government.
    Thanks.

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    As Nations we have down well during the last few years, we all know it’s not easy to keep all happy after 30 years of killing by the LTTE. People got to keep faith that this country will do well one day and it’s already showing that. There are few things that the Government needs to be watchful because there are cowards in this community and the International community which will try to bring our nation down. Some people don’t like this small Island to be peacfull place they want to try and build another war so that they can see another Iraq, Libia… i’m telling you bad boys please get lot’s Don’t try to put us down

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      hiran Gunasekera

      “As Nations we have down well during the last few years, we all know it’s not easy to keep all happy after 30 years of killing by the LTTE.”

      No doubt that LTTE went on a killing spree. Within the the period you mentioned, JVP and the state had their share of war crimes and crime against humanity.

      As is well known in this island people have selective and short memories of the past.

      You are not exception to the general observation.

      “Some people don’t like this small Island to be peacfull place they want to try and build another war so that they can see another Iraq, Libia”

      Please you better look for those people who don’t like this small Island to be peacfull place, starting with the clan, armed forces, bureaucracy, the Sinhala/Buddhists and assorted hangers on.

      Before looking outside, look deep into your own thoughts, words and actions. That might help you.

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    If we had a Statesman as our Head of State at the time war ended or if the Presidential Election was free and fare after the war, none of the negatives reported by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, would have occurred. We are so unfortunate that we had a Power Crazy Lunatic who turned the Country in to a corrupt, lawless Banana Republic with jungle law serving and protecting only the CRIMINALS. The civilians in this Republic still live in fear although no BOMBS explode, they cannot even ask for clean drinking water. Unless the UN helps to rediscover our lost democratic Sri Lanka from these crazy lunatics, the consequences will be disastrous. God save former democratic Sri Lanka.

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      Namal Perera

      VP must be laughing from his grave, for him this could be a sweet revenge or getting back at the Sinhala/Buddhists, electing a perpetual dynasty by fault and VP was instrumental in tilting the out come in favour of MR.

      Would you now agree VP was evil genius?

      As far as I am concerned he was a psychopath.

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      Namal Perera, you are quite right except that democracy is not lost. It is dead. And the only statesman we had was a car named Holden Statesman.

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    Great Lady, great statement put across with diplomacy and grace. The three ministers dont realise they let down all Sri Lankans being offensive and abusive to a person of such high stature. MR should kick them out immediately.
    Mrs Pillay may your final report become the light at the end of the tunnel this regime has put us Sri Lankans into.
    Rathu

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