Amidst continuing protests by Tamils in the North demanding the military to vacate lands belonging to civilians, the Government today ruled that it will at no cost remove the Army Camps in the province.
State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene declared that, “We will not remove the Army Camps in the province.”
He made this statement at an event in Rantambe today. Wijewardene also said that his Government was not afraid of such demonstrations. “They can shout all they want, but we reiterate that we will not remove the camps,” he said.
He also added that even though a small group was creating unnecessary issues; the Government will go ahead with its reconciliation process. A group led by Northern Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran has been demanding the Government to remove all military camps in the province. Some of the protesters at the demonstration were seeing carrying placards saying “Sri Lankan Army get out of Tamil land.”
punchinilame / September 25, 2016
Whilst H.E. Maithiripala Sirisena wants to make the Island an exemplary
Democratic Unit, the Minister here wishes to speak out for brownie points at
Ratambe . The Lands Policy on paper appears to reassuring ……
“The policy calls on the Ministry of Defence to coordinate with the Ministry of Law and Order, to accurately map out all land that is or was owned, claimed or used by civilians, and is currently occupied by any of the three forces or police. These should be returned to civilian use and ownership urgently, unless the State determines that it is required for public purpose, it holds.
Such purpose–be it national security or development–should be carefully scrutinised, including to ascertain whether no alternative land could be found. This would also mean releasing land used by the military for non-security reasons, including agricultural production, tourist enterprises or recreation.
The ‘National Policy on Durable Solutions for Conflict-Affected Displacement’, written over the past year by the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement, has been approved by Cabinet. Other impediments to resettling people include lands being claimed by Government departments and authorities, as well as conflicting land claims and disputes, it says.
At the start of drafting, a majority of internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to their places of origin. But there were still over 40,000 in the country and more than 100,000 Sri Lankan refugees in India and elsewhere. There were also others who were resettled but, continuing to struggle”
see: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160925/news/return-of-lands-pivotal-for-resettling-idps-national-policy-209864.html
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malik / September 25, 2016
wait one second.. These fools dont know what they are even protesting about, or the parrots in CMB telegraph have not. Or another misleading story as usual
‘Tamils in the North demanding the military vacate lands belonging’
The Protest was i am sure was to do with so called Sinhala colonization and buddhist statues in areas where there are no Buddhist. The Usual rhetoric. It came from the horses mouth.
But recently the American ambassador made a comment which stated ‘ displaced tamil civilians are being prevented from returning to their land’s released by the security forces by some EXTREMIST elements in the NORTH’ ? Maybe these rented crowd not all but some might have been these ‘EXTREMIST elements’
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / September 26, 2016
I do not understand the reason for government to keep such large army in Tamil majority areas especially northern province. If they say that it is necessary to prevent resurgence of LTTE or creation of a separate Tamil state, then they are absolute liars. The best guarantee the Sinhalese and Srilanka government has got regarding these is by international community particularly India that they will not allow any division of Srilanka. Under this circumstances Tamils will have no chance either to resurrect LTTE or to succeed in creating Eelam. Vast majority of Tamils know this and will not support any armed movement in the near future.
Then why does the government want to keep army there other than to carry out their hidden agenda of subjugating Tamils.
Government has given an undertaking to international community that they will gradually reduce military pressence in Tamil majority areas, and due to Sinhala racist pressure they are unable and more correctly unwilling to carry out this promise.
Army is occupying lands belonging to Tamil people preventing their return to their original dwelling which is a basic entity in any reconciliation process. Moreover army is indulging in agriculture, trading and interfering in administration. In the minds of Tamils, army is a racist terrorist outfit which has committed atrocities on Tamils in the past. Thus pressence of army in Tamil areas is a detriment to peace and reconciliation.
The correct path to take by the government is to transform the present 99% Sinhala army to a true Srilankan army with Tamil and Muslim numbers, and restrict them to barracks without indulging in activities other than national security. There is no excuse in denying the lands belonging to Tamils on the basis of security concerns which is more a percieved than real. It would be better for these politicians to tell the truth to Sinhala voters about the necessity to reduce army in Tamil areas in order to bring about reconciliation, rather than this type of rhetoric to please Sinhala voters. Please remeber no Sinhala army can prevent the birth of Eelam if the international community particularly India decide to grant it due to Sinhala intransigence to deny Tamils their legitimate right to live in dignity and safety in their traditional areas ruling themselves.
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Dankottuwa Manike / September 26, 2016
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
If the army is pulled out of Jaffna in Toto where do you board them?
At Royal College in Colombo?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / September 27, 2016
Royal College is the abode for innocent people and not for these murderous racist bunch. It gave shelter to Tamil victims of the ethnic riots in Colombo in 1958. Do not spoil the hallowed status of this great institution. You can dump these jokers in the maha vidyalayas from where they came.
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Nallasamy - Talawakella / September 26, 2016
Sri Lanka is Sinhala Buddhist Country. Buddhism is the State Religion. Sinhalese is the Official language. Tamils and Muslims are second and Third class citizens. Drugs and Booze are freely available in the Northern Province. Over 150,000 Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhist armed soldiers are still occupying the Northern Province. The SLA has occupied Tamils lands and engaged in Farming and in Fishing making the Tamil population unemployed.how can you have reconciliation when the Northern Tamils are under a Military Junta and racist Sinhala Governor. Now the war is over and there is no need the Army to remain in the Northern Province.
The Sri Lankan Govt. Promised the UN to remove the army Camps.
I agree with the Chief Minister Hon. Wigneswarn’s statement during the Eluga Thamil in which over 20,000 Tamils participated.
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Hiranthi / September 26, 2016
The “Ezhuga Tamizh” rally and general strike which were organized in Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majority Northern Province on Saturday, represent a jockeying for power and position in Tamil nationalist politics rather than a genuine attempt to find a realistic and sustainable solution to the Tamil question, say independent observers of the North Sri Lankan political scene.
Scholarly and far sighted observers like writer Sivarasa Karunagaran and researchers Rajan Hoole and Ahilan Kadirgamar, fear that such attempts at mobilizing the Tamil masses on sensitive ethnic issues without thinking through the consequences, could take Sri Lanka back to the era of sharp and violent ethno-politics ,which as in the past, had only lead the Tamils to destruction sans any achievement.
The organizers of “Ezhuga Tamizh” the Tamil Peoples’ Council (TPC), had waxed eloquent about being a movement to being about the unity of Tamils cutting across party lines. But in reality, the TPC made no attempt to take into confidence the moderate Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the main party in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which also has the largest number of Sri Lankan Tamil members in parliament and the Northern Provincial Council (NPC).
Although TPC’s co-chair and Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran said in his speech at the rally that the movement was not against the ITAK, few would take him seriously on this, given the on-going cold war between him and the leaders of the ITAK such as R.Sampanthan and M.A.Sumanthiran.
The line up on the “Ezhuga Tamizh” side clearly indicates that it is a group composed of parties and individuals opposed to the present leadership of the TNA and ITAK for one reason or the other. They want the ouster of Sampanthan and Sumanthiran. Some in the movement are moderate but others are extremist, trying to revive the uncompromising politics of the now defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
But the general tendency in North Tamil politics is towards extremism as was evident in the way the organizers kept out previously “pro-government” or “pro-Indian” parties like the Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Douglas Devananda, and the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) led by V.Anandasangaree. The EPDP wanted to join the bandwagon but kept away when it found that the list of supporters published by the organizers had omitted it. It held a rally of its own. V.Anandasangaree went to the venue without an invitation but walked out because he was not allowed to mount the dais.
Although Wigneswaran said that the “Ezhuga Tamizh” is only meant to support the elected Tamil MPs in their fight for the Tamil cause, critics wonder how presenting the demands using only ethnic phraseology and through aggressive mass mobilization would help the elected representatives negotiate a sustainable deal with the government which is dependent on the votes of the majority Sinhalese community.
The fear that the now accommodative Sirisena government and its liberal Sinhalese supporters will clam up if pushed to a corner is haunting the moderate Tamils like writer Sivarasa Karunagaran.
Ahilan Kadirgamar recalls how in the past the adoption of similar techniques had led to the Tamils’ defeat every time.
“Extremist slogans are seductive but are also destructive. From the earliest phase of the Tamil movement, seductive slogans have been made without thinking through the consequences,” he said.
“The mobilization of university students is fraught with dangerous consequences” warns Dr.Rajan Hoole.
He wondered how the Vice Chancellor allowed student mobilization for the extremist “Ezhga Tamizh” rally in the campus when she had disallowed a meeting to commemorate the human rights worker Dr.Rajini Thiranagama.
It is said that a section of the Tamil Diaspora linked to the now defunct LTTE may be funding some individuals in the “Ezhuga Tamizh” movement .But impartial observers say that raising extremist slogans and demands has been part and parcel of Tamil politics for decades and is done despite a repeated failure to deliver the goods.
“The demands made at the ‘Ezhuga Tamizh’ are not new but what is worrying is the mass mobilization that is being sought to be done on the basis of extremism. That is very worrying,” Kadirgamar said.
Asked if Chief Minister Wigneswaran is likely to split the TNA and ITAK and form his own party, some of his close associates said that he has promised not to do so. Some who are presently in the TPC will quit if he does so. But given the move to whip up mass emotions, media and Diaspora support, Wigneswaran may be forced to break off from the TNA and ITAK and form his own party sooner or later
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Desperate Lanken / September 26, 2016
If Anti Wiggie would be seen more, these men will be defeated as Rajapakshe kith and kin have been. Just wait some more time. Sumanthiran clearly makes it Wiggies stances are no means acceptable by those of them. They have clashes between Wiggie and TNA proactive men. No doubt, as was the case in the past, Wiggie s will be the minority, and will be isolated soon.
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Leelawathie / September 26, 2016
[Edited out]
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Sam Fernando / September 26, 2016
Provid that Army will be removed from the former war zone andthe related areas- who would take care of the abusive acts of the war torn people, that have even today been reported high ? What is the alternative according to good learnt former judge Wiggie ?
In case, southe would be made a war zone, there too, Army should be diployed to the very same manner, Germany and Japan do even today.
We perfectly know how some crime friendly people behave themselves today even after 6 yrs is goine since the war is no longer there.
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Amarasiri / September 26, 2016
punchinilame
//”Ruwan Wijewardene, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene declared that, “We will not remove the Army Camps in the province.”//
The Para-Sinhala and the Para-Tamil (Demala) war continues. Right now it is a lull. The Para-Sinhala follows a distorted form of Para-Buddhism. The Para-Tamils follow a distorted form of Para-Hinduism,
Para-Sinhala thinks that Para-Tamils will start another war, if the army camps are removed.
Para-Tamils thinks that we can start another war, if the Army camps are removed.
The Native Veddah Aethho wants BOTH the Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamils, t get back to their homeland, India, Bharat, Damba-Diva.
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Raymond / September 25, 2016
The Defense minister knows that Government had promised the UN that army camps will be withdrawan slowly. He could have easily said that. However his statements like, “They can shout all they want, but we reiterate that we will not remove the camps,” and “a small group was creating unnecessary issues” are very insensitive comments. I remember how the governments ignored Tamil problems in the past. The abrogations of DC pact and BC pact,Standardization etc finally resulted in a 25 year civil war. Again the government is following the same destructive path by ignoring the Tamil demands. Democracy cannot be enforced by army camps. The Minister’s attitude is a sure recipe for more trouble to come.
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kumar D / September 25, 2016
protesters at the demonstration were seeing carrying placards saying “Sri Lankan Army get out of Tamil land.”
How much did they get paid? Was it by the hour?
Still We know how some Rich Canadian Tamils who have used their money power are putting false deeds to get land which they never even have set foot on. specially beach side property. No news or protest on these activity.
less than 4000 people turned to this protest. a fun day out in Jaffna town just like the 80’s minus ‘Our Boys’ This time. Thank god
still had a nice ice cream at Rio and a dam good laugh with the rent a protesters bused in.
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AJ / September 26, 2016
After ended there is free movement between north and south. Tamils have learnt the ‘rent a protest’ scheme by Rajapakse and utilizing it now. well spotted.
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rashid / September 25, 2016
Telegraph very quick to publish work’s of Rajan Hoole who detailed the hardship during the war years and his articles on criticising previous government. Yet today colombo telegraph brushed aside ‘Rajan Hoole’ who criticised this demo by North CM wiggy and written a article condemning such volatile action. Surely Rajan Hoole has not become a extremist in the eyes of colombo telegraph now.
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Ranil / September 26, 2016
Renowned academic Dr. Rajan Hoole has questioned the conduct of the Jaffna University Vice Chancellor in allowing for the students to mobilize for an ‘extremist’ rally in the campus, the New Indian Express said.
Speaking to the Chennai-based newspaper, Hoole has questioned as to how the Vice Chancellor allowed student mobilization for the extremist “Ezhga Tamizh” rally in the campus when she had disallowed a meeting to commemorate the human rights worker Dr. Rajini Thiranagama.
The “Ezhga Tamizh” or “Tamil People Arise” protest was organized by the Tamil People’s Council led by Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. Even the pro-LTTE TamilNat backed the protest, naming it an ‘uprising.’
However, observers some observers have pointed out that the protest was actually a part of the ‘cold war’ between Wigneswaran and the TNA leadership and not driven by a true need for Tamil people’s rights.
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Plato. / September 25, 2016
Youth and discretion are ill-wed companions.The outburst of Ruwan Wijeywardena is ample Testimony.
How on earth can there be Reconciliation when the Army is in occupation of Civilian Lands?
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nalaka / September 25, 2016
COLOMBO telegraph are a bit cheeky when publishing their story. This is the entire context of his speech, Don’t know if this is down to poor journalism or a deliberate approach at misrepresentation.
——————————————————————-
State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene today said that the government will not agree to remove Army camps in the Northern Province even though some people were holding demonstrations demanding to do so.
While commenting on the ‘Eluga Tamil’ (Let Tamils Rise!) demonstrations organized by the Tamil People’s Council (TPC) led by Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, the Defence State Minister said when the government is putting its utmost effort to establish reconciliation among the races and religions, such extremist activities cannot be accepted.
He said this at a Commencing Ceremony of a Junior School Force Training Programme in Rantembe.
“A harthal was organized by Northern Province CM and some extremist groups demanding the Army camps be removed. The protesters demand us not to build temples and settle foreigners there. We would like to stress that, the government will not remove our Army camps,” he said.
He further said that whatever the demand the protesters come up with, the government will go ahead with its reconciliation process.
As a government, the minister said they would join all the nations in the country for the development plan in coming years.
He also reiterated that the government will not leave opponents to pose a threat to national security and peace that has been established in the country.
“We are not afraid of their challenges. They can protest and shout as all they want. Despite the obstacles created by them, the government will not return in this correct path,” State Minister Wijewardene stressed
——————————————————-
WONDER IF THEY WILL PUBLISH MY COMMENT.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2016
nalaka
“WONDER IF THEY WILL PUBLISH MY COMMENT.”
You shouldn’t worry about your comments. If jim softy the dimwit, sachooo the stupid II, Nuisance the stupid I, somasaaa, Sinhala Pandaranayakkam, K A Sumanasekere ……. are allowed to post their typings on this forum why not you?
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sarojini / September 26, 2016
Hats off to. RUWAN WIJEWARDENE for talking straight without the politicians waffle. He made it loud and clear that the army camps will not be removed by protests
It is the Government that decides what is best for the country.If Tamils can occupy the whole of Wellawatte in. Colombo why are the Tamils protesting when the. Sinhala occupy Jaffna. Have any sinhala person protested the prescence of. Tamils in Colombo. The unreasonable demands of the Tamils seem to be escalating after the election of the YP goverenment as they know they have the backing of unsavoury characters like. CBK AND. Mangala. This duo only dances to the tune of foreign countries. They do not know where they stand only talk big to please thier masters.
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Joseph De Vazz - Kotte / September 26, 2016
The Sri lankan Govt.agreed to the UN to get the Sinhala army out of the Northern Province. The war is over and the 150,000 strong army is still there engaged in Farming-Fishing and encroaching private lands.
I agree with the Hon. CM Wigneswaran.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2016
sarojini
“If Tamils can occupy the whole of Wellawatte in. Colombo why are the Tamils protesting when the. Sinhala occupy Jaffna.”
Thank you for illuminating the discussion.
I haven’t heard the Tamils protesting against the ordinary Sinhalese occupying Jaffna or any part of this island.
Are the Tamils and Muslims who are “occupying Wellawatte” in their uniform, armed with guns, tanks, fighter jets, fast attack crafts ….. 300,000 men doing nothing, simply wasting the state resources, …. ?
The land that is being occupied by the armed forces belongs to the private owners, most of it productive but not used.
If you really think you are clever think twice.
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sarojini / September 27, 2016
Really. Jaffna is armed with guns ,tanks fighter jets, fast attack air crafts and 300.000!men doing nothing. Are you talking about. Jaffna or. Syria. ??????
On which planet are you?????
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prem / September 26, 2016
RW is a joker. He is acting like Booruwansa who visited army camps in the north some time back, unless RW identifies him correctly and throw him our he will have problems
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Sellam / September 25, 2016
The Minister do not understand the meaning of Reconciliation. With Whom is he going to Reconcile and why and how? Why does he want to keep the 150,000 army in the North? Which means that the government is still at war with the Tamils and without shame telling the world that the government is taking action for reconciliation. The Tamils from the North does not want Army rule .
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Purawesiyek / September 25, 2016
If USA can keep their army in Germany and Japan for security reasons, why Sri Lanka cannot keep army in any place in the country if they feel it is necessary for security reasons. However, if the Government has taken private land for security reasons, those affected should be compensated or provide land in another place. The government acquires land for development activities such as reservoirs, high ways and pay compensation or provide land in another place. Same principle should apply when it comes to security.
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SinhalaPropaganda / September 26, 2016
//If USA can …///
If USA can commit genocide on Native Americans, why can’t Sinhalese do the same to Tamils?
If USA can own blacks as slaves, why can’t Sinhalese do the same to Tamils?
If USA can invade Iraq and kill millions, why can’t Sinhalese do the same to Tamils?
Moral of the story: USA is not the standard of morality.
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cholan / September 26, 2016
@ Sinhala Propaganda
He He He
Where were you till 2009 May hiding under bed hugging Nonaa?
Coward your card board army couldn’t beat LTTE alone for 30 years …..now challenging ?.
Cheers
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davidoff / September 26, 2016
You are absolutely right. And, the Sri Lankan Army are in lands belonging to their country unlike US forces which are forcibly occupying Okinawa despite protests from the vast majority of its people.
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words / September 26, 2016
Yeah.. then the tails from north should stop screaming about self autonomy and merge of North and East. . It dint gonna happen mister.. ! Get that into your thick head..
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davidoff / September 26, 2016
One cannot expect the Army to be moved out at once.Perhaps, a time frame should be set out outlining a phased withdrawal whilst handing over certain security aspects to the Police.
On the other hand I wonder what our Intelligence services were doing without being able to identify Vigneswaran as a die hard LTTE sympathizer while he went on to become a Judge of the Supreme Court.
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words / September 26, 2016
The army must remain to protect innocent Tamils from racist Tamils like you.. we have not forgotten how that SoB Prabakaren treated his own kind!! Shame!!!
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words / September 25, 2016
The country is steadily moving towards ethnic strife once more.. thanks to the extremely shortsightedness of yahapalanaya jokers!!
Or maybe they will say the JO organise this rally in jaffa too!!
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / September 25, 2016
These protesters seem somewhat “revolutionary” in that they seem to reject the legitimacy of the SL government in their local area.
Whilst the cries and protests are over the “occupation” (a term that would only be relevant if it was a foreign land)it certainly does nothing to help reconciliation.
Arrogant statements that reject the protests also seem counter to a government’s duty to consider the calls of its citizens.
All in all, there does not seem to be a true peace after the military defeat of the LTTE.
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sr / September 25, 2016
Forces are every where in any country, it’s nature.
Do Tamilnadu people want security forces(Indian) out from Tamilnadu.
However it’s good beginning to disarm the whole world. If American people demand forces out, America will be demilitarized.
UN must seriously consider this matter and before all there should be no UN forces.
Likewise we can make the whole world demilitarized.
What a good idea Northern Sri Lankan people introduce to the world; they should be given Nobel award for peace.
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Shamil / September 25, 2016
What are the disadvantages that will happen if TE is declared as a separate Nation?
Is there any bad thing will happen to sinhaleaks?
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soma / September 26, 2016
You are right Shamil.
You are asking Ealam AND the right to live anywhere
I am insisting Ealam OR the right to live anywhere.
Soma
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2016
somaaasss
“You are asking Ealam AND the right to live anywhere”
You have your Sinhala state of Hindia yet many of you are leaving and working through out the world, including medieval middle east kingdoms.
What is your problem?
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sr / September 26, 2016
Shamil
Forget it man, you’re still brewing that useless idea of Ealam; I’m sad about you.
There’s no need of talking advantages and disadvantages.
However, good to see the possibility of making it in Tamilnadu.
We’re also ready to help you.
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Raja / September 25, 2016
Minister does not want to listen Tamils like the racist sinhala leaders of the past. Only difference is that this time state terrorist s did not act like previously thanks to attention of the international community
It appears Minister is very keen to create another LTTE
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jim softy / September 25, 2016
Minister is getting some cheap publicity becase of Tamil Tribalists. Minister is not the sole authority for Sri lanka. People are well aware how these politicians contribute to the derstruction of Sri lanka while talking this rhetoric.
Generally, when a minister talks here like this, next news report will be that some corruption attached to him.
that is the Sri lankan style.
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kumaran / September 26, 2016
I wonder what people would say if My3 did not have the guts to contest in 2015 and THAT lot came. No talk!!! The Diasporas all over will be wailing and the UN and all those will be screaming and short of a military intervention like in Bosnia, that left that poor country in utter shambles, there would be no hope. Even to live and love!! Even then, app. 70% of the majority Sinhalese will have to be pacified.
Be realists. Give time to heal and just concentrate on the ECONOMY, stupid.
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Ajith / September 26, 2016
Dear defence Minister,
You are not a minister to defend the military. You are there to protect the people because you are elected by People. Only under authoritarian rule you ignore the people. We all believed that in January 2015 the people get rid of authoritarian government and expected the govt is for good governance. THe cheif minister raised many concerns about the military presence, their activity and other unlawful activities that is going on in the North. Why don’t youlisten to those concerns and answer those questions. For example, why the military is doing farming in the peoples land? This is a simple question and it is a right question. Why can’t you answer this question rather than shoting at those who are asking questions. If you think Tamils have no right to ask Sinhalese because Tamils are slaves of Sinhalese then don’t play double game.
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Ranbandu / September 26, 2016
Whether this minister genuine or not, message is absolutely correct. If this government cannot uphold the rule of law, some other party will come forward to fulfill the wishes of majority. A minority cannot dictate on terms on how to maintain the democratic institutions and the security apparatus in our motherland.
In this instance, Wigneswaran is doing his utmost to derail the reconciliation efforts.
It is not a secret that even US government has questioned Wiggy’s belligerent approach and his not-so-constructive efforts in the North. It is no doubt he is a wolf (tiger) in sheep’s clothing. His campaign to bring terrorism as a tool to achieve political goals seems to be well financed. The only imaginable source of his financial support is the LTTE Tamil Diaspora.
It is also not a secret that Ranil and his cohorts have openly extended the LTTE Diaspora to engage in any activity under the guise of Investment projects. No LTTE Diaspora member is interested in genuine investment project in Sri Lanka. Ranil is blinded by power (or lack of power) and corruption, therefore he is unable to see the co-relation between the Tamil Diaspora and LTTE.
The only dependable party right now in Sri Lanka is the Military forces. They will ensure our safety and future of our children no matter where they live (North, South, East or West), be they Sinhala or Tamil, be they Buddhists, Hindus, Christians or Muslims. What we need is a national but non-traditional pragmatic political leadership and a parliament sans common criminals, ethanol dealers, drugs/ narcotic peddlers, womanizers and above all someone known for taking disciplinary actions against the excesses of cabinet ministers.
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AJ / September 26, 2016
Lots of Tamils fled abroad during the war era. Their properties remain vacant or squattered by strangers. If Bodhi tree naturally start growing in those properties and if they are vacant, army starts building Budha statues in those private vacant properties. I have witnessed at least 2 statues built on private property in Jaffna. I do not think the army deliberately do that to hurt the sentiment of Tamils, but there may be some other underlying reason that I am unaware of.
Tamils view the erection of Buddha statue as intentional and systematic Sinhala colonisation. Next decade is a very sensitive time for both sides. Both sides should avoid hurting sentiments of others so reconciliation can conclude.
The main objective of the protest didn’t ask the army to leave. The army has every right to be in the ‘non private property’ anywhere in the country: whether north or the south. The protest was against erection of Buddha statues in private properties.
It is peculiar the government would respond to the protest by saying, ‘we wouldn’t remove the army.’ It appears to me the government is fine with army’s erection of statues in private property. Why didn’t the government instruct the army to restrict erecting of statues to the government property?
The central government represent all faiths, not just Budhist. Logically speaking, it is wrong for the government to erect only Buddha statues in government properties. If they erect Buddha statues, should they also not erect Hindu and Christian statues in government properties? (Muslims dont idol worship)
I can see multiple solutions to all this, I hope others can see the solution too.
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KA Sumanasekera / September 26, 2016
Last time the Jaffa inhabitants protested, current Vellala CM’s new Hero Pirahaparan sent 13 Sinhala Buddhist Soldiers in Body Bags as a present to young Nuwana’s great Uncle Junius.
As I understand the Yahapalana PM , Batalanada Ranil is also related to Nuwan.
Wonder whether Batalanada Ranil will get any Body bags this time .. Or will they be delivered to Batalanada’s helper in Reconciliation, Bodhi Sira the President.
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Native Vedda / September 27, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“Last time the Jaffa inhabitants protested, current Vellala CM’s new Hero Pirahaparan sent 13 Sinhala Buddhist Soldiers in Body Bags as a present to young Nuwana’s great Uncle Junius.”
How is your memory bank today?
Ever since Sinhala/Buddists invented their new identity, there have been protests of all dangerous kind, homes and businesses went up in flames and were being looted, women raped, men, women and children murdered or maimed, bombed, shelled fired upon, …….
Now your close ally the saffron clad thug seeking permission from Gota to use T 56.
Perhaps it is the bottled up colonial anger that it let loose on innocent civilians, including the periods 1971 and 1987/90.
Why do the Sinhala/Buddhists rage on 24/07/52 basis?
As I wrote before, the world is large enough for all of us, let us share the good things on the earth, care it.
All these months and years I thought you have been sitting on your brain now I have changed my view. It now appears that RW is sitting on your brain.
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Lanka Watch / September 26, 2016
What the Tamils want is the reduction of the armed forces strength
to a reqd.level in N/E and not a total pull out as this is peace time and not to keep in excess as it will be a hindrance to free movement of general public. It could also create an impression to the out side world that they are occupational forces, while the Govt.has declared peace in the country and reconciliation work is in progress.
However the decision maker is the President, who is the defence minister and the commander in chief of the armed forces and Tamils
have not heard from him saying anything to this effect. I suppose,
as the confidence grows in the govt. and the majority people that
Tamils are integrating well, confrontational politics by the Govt.
will be dropped and peace will prevail.
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Karthigesu Nirmalan-Nathan / September 26, 2016
What do they mean, when they say that they will go ahead with the reconciliation? What is the real meaning of expression reconciliation in our situation?
In many ways our situation is similar to that of Germany after Adolf Hitler. Only difference is that Sri Lanka has had many Hitlers since independence culminating at Mullivaikal. Now the present administration is continuing same principle through the deception of good governance. It is very important to understand what is meant by reconciliation.
What is Reconciliation In Business?
Reconciliation is an accounting process that uses two sets of records to ensure figures are accurate and in agreement. Reconciliation is the key process used to determine whether the money leaving an account matches the amount spent, ensuring the two values are balanced at the end of the recording period.
If we apply this to our problem the books do not balance and it never will as long as there are Sri Lankans languishing in prison, refugee camps internally and externally. Building Buddhist temples and shrines is not the priority at the moment.
Now let us look at reconciliation after a cruel merciless conflict situation
Reconciliation is coming to terms with the past and “overcome the negative, repressed and incriminating, mental injuries and guilt.” It is the guilt that is missing.
In all Sri Lanka remorse complicity in the war crimes in the final stages at Mullivaikal should be accepted and dealt with. Without acceptance everything is just mere cosmetic. In this sense, the word reconciliation refers to the psychic process of damages caused by “Suyabasa Calamity.”
Rehabilitation must be an attempt to analyze, digest and learn to live with the past, in particular the Mullivaikal Massacre. The focus on learning is much in the spirit of philosopher George Santayana’s oft-quoted observation that “those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Now the minister’s statement only validates his confident ignorance and his intellectual incapacity to understand the real meaning of reconciliation!
“He also added that even though a small group was creating unnecessary issues; the Government will go ahead with its reconciliation process. A group led by Northern Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran has been demanding the Government to remove all military camps in the province. Some of the protesters at the demonstration were seeing carrying placards saying “Sri Lankan Army get out of Tamil land.”
Chief Minister who is the undisputed leader of the Tamils of the North and East never demanded that all military camps should be removed. In my opinion he made some reasonable claims and asked for explanations for the actions and inactions on the part of the current administration who is burying its head in the sand and playing ostrich hoping the problem will go away.
Dear Mr.State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene your sense of reconciliation leaves a lot to be desired. You must defend against ignorance and misinformation.
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Ravi / September 26, 2016
INSTALLATION OF BUDDHA STATUES IN THE NORTH & EAST IS FOR ILLEGAL LAND GRAB.
It is obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence that erecting Buddha statues in Non-Buddhist North & East predominantly occupied by Hindus and Muslims is not meant for worship or veneration. In every case of statue installation the modus-operandi is to grab the lands of the Tamil speaking people and change the demography of the region. First, a Buddha`s statue is installed which is then followed by Buddhist monk (s) taking residence nearby. Since the monks need the support of lay Sinhalese for their survival, illegal Sinhala thugs are brought in from the south to form a new colony. The Police and army ably aid and abet such illegal settlements. Along with Sinhala-Buddhist politicians, saffron-robed Ayatollahs and Brigades of Buddhist monks are in the front-line of all illegal colonization in the Northeast. They have personally led hordes of illegal Sinhalese to settle in the historic habitation of the Tamil speaking people.
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Richard / September 26, 2016
Dear Participants,
Please know basic principles of law. Power is blind. All Sri Lankan politicians in power are from the supremacist Regime that got the taste of suppressing Tamils. When Sri Lanka got independence Sri Lanka was the envy of all Asian Countries. At that time all forces, Army, Navy, Air force, Police, all Departments, Finance, Education, Public works, Plantation and all were administered by both Sinhalese and Tamils. In competition for electorates, the Sinhalese politicians started eliminating Tamils from the South first and followed up with eliminating from all other Cities in all provinces. From the forties to date, Targeting Tamils and winning elections on a racist platform is the norm in the South and other provinces too. Tamils who escaped the pogroms from time to time took refuge in their native North and East. The traditional occupation of Tamil was Government employment in all parts of Sri Lanka. on the Governments curtailing employment and blocking entering College for higher education, the youth were made to face the wall in North and East. After the Tamils were eliminated from all forces, and Provinces, Government forces started Violence in the North and East when the Tamil youth took to arms to protect themselves and the innocent civilians. For the last almost 70 years, the process of elimination of Tamils tantamount to genocide. Comparing this targeting an ethnic group, rioting, killing, torturing, occupying, preventing Tamils livelihood, destroying culture and religion prove a definite genocide and nothing less.
The new Governance that committed to the UN for reconciliation with Tamils is just continuing with the same genocide as before, but without violence just to become small time heroes. Enjoying heroism in their electorates and habitually pushing the Country down the precipice is a norm for which they don’t care the penalty, may be until they realize the Country getting sold out.
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Vanguard / September 26, 2016
I wonder if he is afraid then to visit those areas and listen to their demands. Under armed guard of course. He has a duty to listen. Since he brought up not being afraid then maybe he should show his concern for these civilians and also explain to how the promises of the government are going to be implemented. Let’s see the campaign promises UNFGG :
“Within a Unitary State take
measures to devolve the
maximum devolution of power
possible with everyone’s consent.
A just solution to the ethnic
conflict that meets the aspirations
of all communities.”
That should end the protests.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2016
Vanguard
“Within a Unitary State take measures to devolve the maximum devolution of power possible with everyone’s consent”
What are the upper and lower limits of devolution? Could you spell it out for the people like me?
What is wrong with pronouncing this country as a united state?
Finally Tamil Eelam is only possible or depends on Hindian might/foreign policy adjustments, Sinhala/Buddhist stupidity, Tamils not doing their tried and failed stupid politics.
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shankar / September 26, 2016
“He also added that even though a small group was creating unnecessary issues; the Government will go ahead with its reconciliation process”
what reconciliation is he talking about.You can’t take land belonging to cvilians and say that you are trying to reconcile too.
This word reconciliation is being bandied about a lot just to placate the international community.Now if the sinhales don’t reconcile with the tamils what is going to happen.Unless that is clearly spelt out to them then the word reconciliation will be just used and used an used by both parties with nothig tangible taking place to really reconcile.The sinhalese must be believing that the threat to them is over with the demise of the LTTE and tamils are like fools talking and talking of reconciliation and better to just humour them and go alng with it to keep them happy without really doing anything to reconcile.
Tamils remind me of a poker player without any good cards to play trying to bluff the other player into thinking that they have some powerful cards.
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Non PhD / September 26, 2016
Lasantha, Kumar D, Plato and others ,
If the word “occupation” is wrong, how come all the politicians, armed forces , media and other enities talk about 30 years of “WAR” ?
Why then JR invited Indian armed forces to fight Tamil rebels in the NE by occupying NE ?
Later why Premadasa regime supplied arms not Sinhalese armed forces to fight the IPKF ?
What is the composition of the armed forces in the NE ?
How many are :
Sinhala budhists, Sinhala christians & catholics, Sinhala Hindus and Sinhala Muslims ?
Do they reflect the population ratio of each racial and , religious groups ?
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Ravi / September 26, 2016
The North & East of Sri Lanka was, is and will continue to be a Tamil speaking region. If the Sinhala-Buddhist government continues to deny the rights of the Tamils speaking people of this region and insist that the whole of Sri Lanka belongs to them and try to change the demography of the region, it will only push the Tamil leaders to seek alternative measures like mobilizing large masses, if not all of the Tamil speaking people, for a Non-violent campaign with Direct Action.
This Ezhuka Thamil (Arise Tamil) processions and rally is the very first attempt after the war by the Tamil leaders in mobilizing the Tamil masses for a Non-violent campaign. As a next step, they should follow what the joint opposition did recently, walk/march from the North to the East from Jaffna to Batticaloa and show the world that the Tamil speaking people are against the actions of the Sinhala-Buddhist government.
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cholan / September 26, 2016
Jayawewa Back to square one
Reconciliation means ..
Building Buddhist tempels in Hindu villages…Colonization ..brutality of Ganja selling
Sinhala card board army.
He He He we have seen this empty challenges in the past by Big nose J R and his Foxword qualified Athulathmudali in 70 s….
Tamils love challenges.
Cheers
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K.Pillai / September 26, 2016
Protests are not necessarily threats.
The recent Jaffna protest by over 10,000 was over a number of issues. State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene must listen to the protestors.
Most of the Lankan Army camps in North and East are bigger than the camps elsewhere. The camps are on private lands/buildings forcibly acquired.
Remember in 1956 there was a sathyagraha to protest over the Sinhala Only bill. The sathyagrahis were beaten up by thugs. The attitude was “How dare you protest.
Ruwan’s “We will not remove the army camps in the province” clearly has victor attitude.
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shankar / September 26, 2016
“Ruwan’s “We will not remove the army camps in the province” clearly has victor attitude.”
how to blame him when he is indeed the victor and prabha was the loser.
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SinhalaPropaganda / September 26, 2016
I have a dream that one day Sinhala colonialism and imperialism end and Tamils live with dignity and self-respect in their own lands.
I have a dream that one day Sinhalese truly live up to their Buddhist heritage by realizing that human life and freedom worth more than forced territorial unity.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2016
SinhalaPropaganda
I have a dream that one day kallathoni Sinhala/Tamil colonialism and imperialism end and Veddahs live with dignity and self-respect in their own ancestral lands
I have a dream that one day kallathoni Sinhalese/Tamils truly live up to their Buddhist(?)/Hindu(?) heritage by realizing that human life and freedom worth more than forced territorial unity.
I have a dream that one day kallathoni Sinhalese/Tamis leave this island and go back to their ancestral homeland in South India.
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Rajash / September 26, 2016
in the south we have Port City AKA International Finance City, Harbours, luxury hotels, airports etc.
In the North we have Army Camps
Reconciliation ? what reconciliation!
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shankar / September 28, 2016
rajash
“In the North we have Army Camps”
north will always have army camps in the future thanks to prabha,but they can’t have it on civilian lands.They have to get their own state lands and set them up there.The army has to be somewhere in the country and generally in any country their will be a preponderance in area where they think likely threat is.eg australia where the northern territory is given top priority due to the proximity of indonesia.We have to learn to live with these army camps whether we like or not.The proximity of tamilnadu with 80 million makes the north also just like indonesia is to australia the most likely candidate for army camps.
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Rajash / September 29, 2016
Shankar
ok let me rephrase it:
in the south we have Port City AKA International Finance City, Harbours, luxury hotels, airports etc.
In the North we ONLY have Army Camps
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shankar / September 29, 2016
rajash
but wiggie does not seem interested in building anything there.he says political solution before development.The cart before the horse.sampanthan says work towards political solution and economic development should be done together.I tend to agree with sam,but who is the leader of the tamils now sampanthan or wiggie?At one time people were asking is it amirthalingam or prabhaharan and then prabha made sure he was the ‘sole representative’ of the tamil people.
wiggie must be the only politician in the world to give back his allocation in the budget back to the government because it was unutilised.At that time i remember basil commenting on that and wondering whethr it was due to inexperience.The rajapakshes are the opposite when having money going pell mell spending it not caring at all for proper procedures and building white elepahants.Wiggie is the other extreme not al all interested in development,until the legitimate aspirations of the tamil people are met.Only time will tell who is right.wiggie or sampanthan.As usual tamils problem is too many leaders at the same time not being able to work in unity with common goals.
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Rohan Polwatte / September 26, 2016
If there is any private land occupied by the army camps should be given to the owners. But if the Army camps are in legitimate governmenent own land, no idiot can ask these camps to be withdrawn. There army camps in north, as well as south, east and west.
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To Dostar Honda nathi hithe / September 26, 2016
colombo Telegraph
Controversial Buddhist Monk Galagoda Atte Gnanasara of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has declared that if he and his group had a ‘little’ political backing then they can end the rise of the Muslims in the country.
and he said I feel like taking a T-56 and do what Prabhakaran did!
further he said he believes what LTTE did to the tamil youths is the best choice for the Sinhalese youths , to force them to become suicide bombers and kill the opponents indiscriminately without choice and for the ones who refuse to be gun down
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