9 December, 2024

Blog

GR Regime’s New Year Gift To Muslims 

By Ameer Ali

Dr. Ameer Ali

The new year 2021 starts with the burial issue remaining unresolved and continuing to hurt the hearts and minds of Sri Lankan Muslims. A religious tradition, observed without exception in the entire world of Islam for over fourteen and a half centuries, has been plucked away from Sri Lankan Muslims, all in the name of a piece of pseudo-science propounded by mediocre specialists and backed by a politicized sector of the Sangha and an Islamophobic think tank advising the ruling regime. In spite of the horrendous impact on peoples’ lives and livelihood and on the economy, brought by Covid-19, members of this power cartel should thank the pandemic for providing them with another casus belli to continue with their irrational hatred towards a beleaguered Muslim community.  

As far as Sinhala-Buddhist-Muslim relations in Sri Lanka are concerned the year 2009 marked a turning point if not a caesura. A millennium old inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, integration and friendship between the two communities, which was disrupted briefly in 1915, started crumbling after that year.  It was more or less a one-sided affair in which it was not the Muslims but a newly emerged group of Buddhist supremacists, who wanted to end that relationship altogether, and re-started Anagarika Dharmapala’s pre-1915 campaign that Muslims were aliens to this country and that they should be expelled to Arabia. The truth is, Muslims of this country are so indigenized and so rooted to the soil that they owe allegiance to no other country or community in the world except Sri Lanka. That they are a segment of a universal Muslim umma is no more than an emotional attachment with their co-religionists, and has nothing to do with their undivided commitment to their mother country.  

True, there were certain unsavory developments within the Muslim community especially since 1980s, which unwittingly and unnecessarily self-alienated them from the rest of Sri Lankan society, and which were exploited by Muslim leaders in the interest of their own political and selfish agenda. I have pointed out the inherent dangers of these developments and criticized the leaders’ exploitative behavior on previous occasions in this journal, and called for urgent internal reforms to avoid external attacks. As expected, those developments provided ample ammunition to the supremacists to attack the community at the slightest provocation. Their animosity began to take a violent turn particularly since 2013, if not earlier. That violence was rationalized by a set of reasons none of which have been proved right to this day. Anyhow, those falsehoods were so rhetorically and emotionally repeated by its zealots that a gullible Sinhala Buddhist public began to believe the untruth. While this was happening, governments in power at that time never bothered to counter the supremacist campaign and present to the people, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. That silence on the part of the rulers had sinister political motives. Governments surrendered the public platform to the false prophets of Islamophobia. Anti-Muslim violence therefore became a regular occurrence since 2013.

There is no gainsaying the fact that when violence broke out in various localities, the police and army, the so-called peace keepers, just remained onlookers.  Not until today did these peace keepers brought before the law any of those law breakers. Even when they brought a few, those culprits were released on orders from influential politicians. Sadly, the one-sided violence perpetrated by supremacists ultimately ended in the Easter Sunday massacre of 2019, when a few Muslim extremists took the law into their hands, engineered a suicidal mission and killed nearly 250 innocent Christian worshippers. The full story of this infamy is yet to be told. Will it be ever told? 

After that horrific incident, which was unreservedly condemned by the entire Muslim community, physical harm to Muslims subsided mostly because the new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) vowed to eradicate religious extremism from the country. Whether he undertook to exterminate even the extremism of Buddhist supremacists was not made clear.  However, the Muslim community, even though they did not overwhelmingly vote for him, expected not any special favors but at least justice, since GR declared that he would be a president for all Sri Lankan communities.

It is this commitment that he is finding extremely hard to deliver. The Muslim burial issue is a classic case to illustrate his predicament. He is fully aware that world opinion, including that of WHO, favors burial of the dead if families of Covid-19 victims prefer that mode of disposal. The problem for him is the hardline attitude of his Viyathmaga power cartel and politicized Buddhist clergy who insist on cremating, preferably all Muslim dead, or, at least those actually died or suspected of being dead because of Covid-19. It is not science or epidemiological expertise that drives their hardline attitude but the One-Country-One-Law mantra to which GR is also a party. No wonder even the so-called committee of 30 experts appointed by GR to resolve this issue has adjourned its first meeting without agreement. Obviously, many of them are under pressure from the hardliners.   

In the meantime, there are signs that the supremacists are looking out for some excuse to resume their violence against Muslims. The new year may witness either a repeat of 2013 Alutgama, and possibly this time in Mawanella or a revisit of July 1983, unleashed nationwide against Muslims. In either case, one can expect the peace keepers to delay performing their duty at least for few hours if not days. 

The Sinhala news media has been orchestrating for some time a land dispute between Muslims and a temple at Devangala, in Mawanella. Muslims there are obviously living under fear. Recently, the same media was spreading a story about the disappearance of a few gelignite sticks from a quarry, and lately about stoning a glass enclosure that protected a Buddha statue, both in Mawanella. The media’s anti-Muslim bent in both these stories was quite clear. Two days ago, the obstreperous Ven. Gnanasara had visited Mawanella to witness the damage to that enclosure. This man is notorious for instigating trouble wherever he went. He was there in Alutgama in 2013 and also in Mullaitivu in 2019, besides several other trouble spots. One has to wait and see how Mawanella develops into a flash point in the new year. When that happens, it will be the regime’s new year gift to Muslims. 

Is there any prospect of an anti-Muslim flare up? Aggravating economic difficulties are increasing its probability, because the regime needs a diversion to redirect the public anger that is growing daily against it. When in doubt play a trump, say bridge players. Muslims are the trump for GR-MR to play their power game. When Muslims are sacrificed there may be some empty protest from the Arab world and that would be all. Apart from that business will be as usual.  

Also, the new year has witnessed another development reflecting the militarization of the country. GR has appointed 25 Major Generals, one to each district, to take charge of controlling the pandemic virus. Is this the thin end of a wedge to militarize the entire district administration? Where is the country heading?      

Latest comments

  • 40
    24

    I’ll have to begin where Ameer Ali ends: Where is the country heading?
    I see no difference in its course. The country has been traveling on its well calculated route for quite a long time. When it began its journey the Muslims were happily on the side of the very same vultures who were after Tamil blood.

    • 5
      3

      With a new dawn of the year, nothing will turn out to be better for the masses of this country. 2020 was the most wasteful year for srilankens than any other leaders in the region. Poverty numbers are rapidly growing. Incumbent president and his men behave as if they are under drugs and alcohol. Muslim srilankens are upset as no times in the past.
      Beginning of an end was started with the election of Gotabaya That MACO and former President should be punished for all the mess.

      Almost everyone knew how it would be if GOTLER would take it to his hand to the very same manner an untrained nurse took the lead in severe kind of heart surgery. Today PM MR acts as if he is not aware of many things while Gotabaya as a press-shy president in entire south asian region, stay away.
      My prediction was added to this other forum repeatedly. His would be a fit for a ” hang man position” but never for the presidency. I really dont know what go through the mind set of SLPPrs today ? සර් ෆේල්, වෙඩ බැරි ටාර්සන්… are what we are compelled to hear today…
      :
      At least 50% of the island population knew it well if Rajapakshes would be back- not an inch of progress would be achieved in any areas for the benefit of the masses, but to their family.
      .
      Nevertheless, people were fooled again. This is unstoppable in this island. Like walking on a curve. JVPrs have no idea about the abusive nature of the people.

      Responsible authorities over to you- it is high time to work on human building for a better nation. Experts should wake up from their long slumber. If not today when ?

    • 3
      2

      Hi Friends,
      .
      please listen to the video below
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9KEUVAWdp0

      I thought we could all agree with them. Unfortunately, the kind of forum is not yet seen for COVID crisis.

    • 0
      0

      When the journey started early last century, the great leader of the Tamil elite Sir PR sided with the vultures who came for Tamil blood four decades later.
      When the vultures were busy denying Hill Country Tamils their right to citizenship at the dawn of independence, many Northern Tamil politicians voted with the vultures.
      *
      How easily do we forget things that are not to our comfort!

  • 43
    10

    An amazing article. It’s refreshing to see writing that counters the racist rhetoric I’ve seen in the recent past by extremist sinhala buddhists (some one this website) who try to claim sri lanka for themselves to the exclusion of Tamils, Muslims and Christians. I wonder what these extremist sinhala buddhist think that gives them superiority over minorities ?? Do you think going into the Forrest and sleeping with animals gives you superiority ?? Eh lions blood people ?
    .
    The extremist sinhala buddhists have absolutely ruined this country with their insecure racist rhetoric. The upcoming sanctions (better late than never) will leave this country crippled and the 69 lakh fools will have to take to the streets when they wont be able to find food for their families. All bad things I’m sure the extremist sinhala buddhists will try blame on the minorities. We MUST IMMEDIATELY institute a plan to remove buddhism from politics and make an example out of extremist sinhala buddhists by punishing them for their human rights abuses, such as the +100,000 innocent Tamils that were raped/murdered and the forceful cremation of Muslim and Christian corpses.

    • 8
      3

      ‘All bad things I’m sure the extremist sinhala buddhists will try blame on the minorities.’

      Typical comment. He then goes on to blame ‘all bad things’ on the Sinhala Buddhists. What a moronic statement.

    • 6
      10

      Until recently I naively thought India was wrong in Kashmir, China was wrong in Xinjiang, Russia was wrong in Chechnya, USA and Russia were wrong in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel was wrong in Palestine, Iran, etc. How wrong I was and how right they always were.

      All those countries are highly successful.

    • 8
      11

      sitrep24,
      You do not know the history of Sinhale.
      Sinhalayo who are the Native people in this country have shed their blood and sacrificed their lives to protect their country from the enemies from outside and within.
      Sinhala Buddhists fought with Dravida (Demala) invaders who invaded Sinhale 52 times from 3rd Century BC.
      After Europeans colonized this country Sinhalayo fought with them to liberate this country. During British rule, Demalu, Muslims, Christians, Malays and Burghers cooperated with Brits to oppress and massacre Sinhalayo.
      Not a single Demala, Muslim, Malay or Burgher person went in front of firing squads of Brits for fighting to liberate this country. Many Sinhalayo did.
      Not a single Hindu Poosari, Muslim Mullah, Christian or Catholic priest went in front of firing squads of Brits for fighting to liberate this country. Many Buddhist Monks did.
      Tamils, Muslims or Christians did not shed their blood or sacrificed their lives to protect this country. In fact, Tamils and Muslims shed their blood and sacrificed their lives to ruin this country by carrying out terrorist activities.
      So, Sinhala Buddhists have every reason to think that they are superior over minorities who went against Sinhala Buddhists.

      “I wonder what these extremist sinhala buddhist think that gives them superiority over minorities”

      • 2
        2

        EE,

        You are such an ungrateful person. What is your creed? I think you must be a Buddhist.

        “Tamils, Muslims or Christians did not shed their blood or sacrificed their lives to protect this country.”

        Mutalif
        Kadirgamar
        Doraiappah
        Sebastianpulle
        Fernandopulle
        Sivapulle (Parama Weera Vibhushana – highest honor of the country)
        Lapheer (Parama Weera Vibhushana – highest honor of the country)
        Hasheem
        Countless Jaffna Muslims who were the backbone of LRRP, DPU units and secret service units (decorated without publicity)
        Loganathan (ceasefire unit)
        Thambimuttu
        Latiff
        Thabru
        etc.

        Tender a public apology EE or answer my question.

    • 6
      8

      “I wonder what these extremist sinhala buddhist think that gives them superiority over minorities ?? “
      What makes Sinhala Buddhists think they are superior is your inferiority complex exhibited by your desire to live in Sinhala majority provinces. Why don’t you move out?
      Still not convinced?
      Try answer the following questions.
      How many Muslim dead bodies have been cremated so far by Sinhala Buddhists?
      How many Muslim Covid patients have been treated and cured so far by Sinhala Buddhists?

      Soma

      • 3
        1

        soman

        “How many Muslim dead bodies have been cremated so far by Sinhala Buddhists?
        How many Muslim Covid patients have been treated and cured so far by Sinhala Buddhists?”

        Please redirect these questions to single handed Generals Shavendra and Kamal who are in total control of RANAVIRUS.

  • 20
    45

    Islam is a maniacal faith. It is good at indoctrinating and molding maniacs out of lost minds. Remember what Taliban did to the Banyan Statues besides being part of the Buddhist Culture they are part and parcel of the human civilization. Buddhism is a pacifist faith as opposed Islam which is fanatical. Like Afghanistan, Indonesia and many other parts of the world whose inhabitants were followers of the Buddhist faith got wiped out. It does not make sense to let insanity pervade the earth.

    • 8
      4

      Hancho pancha@

      Is it Islam or practising nature of some muslims?

      You talk about BUDDHISM in srilanka ? Do we the majority of sinhalaya in SL practise true buddhism ? True buddhism is based on NON-VIOLENCE. Alone the topple of former govt was based on premeditated acts on violence, by sinhala buddhists/their supporters. Am I wrong to interpret it this way ? Crimes in the country today are promoted by so called buddhists or by minority hidus/muslims ?I mean we need to check the rates closely.

      How can we call “thattamamala/so called buddhagama monks” as real buddhists /buddha putharayas while they repeatedly make their violent remarks/practises strenghthening the hand of vicious politicians ?

      Look at athana methana natana rathana, BBS head monk, and that cigarette smoking mangalaramaya mad monk !
      :
      How would it be, if SO CALLED SANGARATHNAYA would do their job well ? Gone were the days, they buddhagama monks were indispensible in keeping the society/people civilized. Unfortunately, it has now become upside down, since SIVURU wearers shamelessly abuse their place being given in the society today. We the lay people have to teach them to behave well. අබුද්දස්ස කාලයේ ලබුත් තිත්තලු…

      Most known examples:
      Chief incumbent buddhist monk-Venerable / veneral fake Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera ( report say this monk to have studied at renowned Sorbonne Université/Paris/France
      What brought him his education – he has promoted high criminals in public. Is that buddhism ?

      Kotuwe Hamuduruwo- a joker, an uneducated man in robes, born to please colombo ladies on the cost of sinahal diasphora in Italy. He is used to say “බොහෝම පින්, ඕපදුප කිය කියා… හරියට මිනිමරන/මරපු රාජපක්ශෙ වරු “ බුදු සරනයි කියනව වාගෙ“ like murderous rajapakshe pretend to be strong buddhists on the cost of the tax payers.

      Buddhist faith got wiped out also in SL in recent times. That is the truth, we like it or not. My elders incl. Late Rev Walpola Rahula predicted all this to us.

      • 4
        4

        continuing
        -How would it be, if SO CALLED SANGARATHNAYA would do their job well ? Gone were the days, they buddhagama monks were indispensible in keeping the society/people civilized. Unfortunately, it has now become upside down, since SIVURU wearers shamelessly abuse their place being given in the society today. We the lay people have to teach them to behave well. අබුද්දස්ස කාලයේ ලබුත් තිත්තලු…

        Most known examples:
        Chief incumbent buddhist monk-Venerable / veneral fake Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera ( report say this monk to have studied at renowned Sorbonne Université/Paris/France
        What brought him his education – he has promoted high criminals in public. Is that buddhism ?

        Kotuwe Hamuduruwo- a joker, an uneducated man in robes, born to please colombo ladies on the cost of sinahal diasphora in Italy. He is used to say “බොහෝම පින්, ඕපදුප කිය කියා… හරියට මිනිමරන/මරපු රාජපක්ශෙ වරු “ බුදු සරනයි කියනව වාගෙ“ like murderous rajapakshe pretend to be strong buddhists on the cost of the tax payers.

        Buddhist faith got wiped out also in SL in recent times. That is the truth, we like it or not. My elders incl. Late Rev Walpola Rahula predicted all this to us.

        • 1
          5

          It was only less than two years the fanatics carried out the Easter Sunday massacre killing and maiming hundreds of innocent souls majority of them while in silent prayer, right here and under our very noses. The crazies were taught to naively believe that when they kill infidels (non Muslims) and blow themselves up that the Celestial Nymphs are waiting to coddle them. This is insanity in the Richter Scale. How short and narrow minded most of us are?? It is high time that most of you get to see the light.

          • 2
            1

            The writing was on the wall for radicalitzation and wanting to create a Muslim state/law when Muslims in SL started to

            1. More and more women wear niqub, burka, based on teaching of Preachers/ Mulla’s.
            2. Mulla’s are sent Saudi and come with Saudi Wahhabisam thinking.
            3. ACJU is more and more constituted by eastern Muslim’s..
            4. Galle muslim’s who lived integrated were sidelined from leadership /MP’s.
            5. Muslims are sending more and more of their childrean to Muslim only international schools – of few 100’s in each by-lane where they only associate mono-cultural environment – (only other Muslims) and there are no sports of mixing with others.
            6. Saudi/Egypt Qatar sending USD direct to eastern politicians to build schools and mosques in their name and spread their brand of religion.
            7. CBSL not checking and requiring approval for USD coming in – allowing funding from ISIS.
            8. Muslims girls more and more asked to cover fully.. removed from schools /sports/ drama and married off underage.
            9. All ACJU members opposing MMDA changes and no one willing to openly stand up to take up marring age to 18 years which is the UNICEF agreement..
            10. Muslim voices of intellectuals young people are not able to openly talk. Hardly any one queries decisions of ACJU / Islam in Social media ?

    • 7
      4

      Hello hanchopancha,
      Let us not hide under true Buddhism. After witnessing the systematic state aided periodical mayhem would you want me to believe that what is practiced in our country is pacifist Buddhism. Make up your mind.

      • 2
        0

        Hide and Seek is the nature of SRILANKENs from the day one.

        They dont care the little about truths and factful information. Today NK made it very clear, that this nation is filled with PUNNAKU drinkers. Be them Sinhalaya, Tamils, Muslims and others .. so long they are srilankens, they dont use their brains.

    • 4
      2

      Here’s is what people of the “pacifist” faith are capable of.

      “The two soldiers confess their crimes in a monotone, a few blinks of the eye their only betrayal of emotion: executions, mass burials, village obliterations and rape.

      The August 2017 order from his commanding officer was clear, Pvt. Myo Win Tun said in video testimony. “Shoot all you see and all you hear.”

      He said he obeyed, taking part in the massacre of 30 Rohingya Muslims and burying them in a mass grave near a cell tower and a military base.

      Around the same time, in a neighboring township, Pvt. Zaw Naing Tun said he and his comrades in another battalion followed a nearly identical directive from his superior: “Kill all you see, whether children or adults.
      “We wiped out about 20 villages,” Private Zaw Naing Tun said, adding that he, too, dumped bodies in a mass grave.

      The two soldiers’ video testimony, recorded by a rebel militia, is the first time that members of the Tatmadaw, as Myanmar’s military is known, have openly confessed to taking part in what United Nations officials say was a genocidal campaign against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority.” New York Times

      So does this mean ALL Buddhists are bad, and Buddhism is bad?

      What may or may not have happened CENTURIES AGO cannot be changed. What should change are racists who take the opportunity in the comments section to spew their Islamaphobic BS to spread hatred.

    • 2
      0

      People of all faiths have killed millions each.
      Look what Hindus did/do in India in 1947, 2002, etc.? They killed millions of Muslims and continuing. Look what the Hindu terrorists did in SL, Maldives, etc. Killed over 100,000 people. All 3 Ghandis were killed by Hindus.
      Look what happens in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc. Muslims have killed millions of Muslims and continuing.
      Look what happened in WW1 and WW2? Christians killed millions.
      Look what Buddhist Ghenghis Khan, Polpot did? Killed millions. Khan fathered 30% of modern Hindus forcibly (10% of world population).

      Drop tribal mindset everyone. Look at your own backyard first, everyone.

      • 0
        0

        GATAM: “Drop tribal mindset everyone”. GOLDEN advice.” Look at your own backyard first, everyone”. I would have said this a little differently like: Look at yourself first and know who you are and what you care for. Wish you a Peaceful New Year 2021.

        • 0
          0

          Pol pot was catholic

  • 6
    3

    I would like to know on how he responded to the ‘BLACK JULY OF 1983. The muslims benefitted out of the Tamils SUFFERINGS. They bought the lands and properties ( both business & residential) that belonged to the Tamils cheaply. I don’t understand why the Muslims did NOT see that they are going to be the NEXT target of the JEALOUS Sinhala Buddhists Extremists. In Tamil Nadu, the muslims consider themselves as Tamils FIRST and NOT as muslims. Now, there is no one to listen to the hue & cry. What is the Justice Minister doing now? He had been the personal defender for the President. Muslims parliamentary representatives VOTED for the 20th AMENDMENT to make President more powerful and be above the law. He has the power to direct the Judges at any level to dish out judgements to suit his highness. The local Journalists are self sensoring. News papers are owned by ‘Kings’ stooges. As long as the gullible Sinhala `buddhists are kept fed with falsehood by GoSL, there is NOT going to be any PEACE/PROSPERITY in the country, We need to change the National Flag so that the LION is pointing not TOWARDS the minorities but towards the outside world. Make the lion do a 180 degrees TURN as well as make the LION to represent ‘SRI LANKAN’ & NOT sinhala Buddhist.

    • 2
      6

      The root cause of black July 1983 is found in the Black August 1977 against Sinhalese in the north. (Newton’s Third Law)

      • 1
        1

        The root cause is because of opportunistic Thullukans like you , constantly lying and backstabbing , now trying to create an ISIS Islamic state in the east from stolen Eezham Thamizh lands , for your fake Arab immigrant largely low caste converted Thamizh Dravidian community from South India , who arrived in the east as refugees fleeing Portuguese and Chingkalla persecution. Root cause of July 1983 is found in Black August 1977 against Chingkallams in the north. From where did you pull out that lie Thullukan? Other than in southern parts of Vavuniya there were hardly any Chingkallams found anywhere in the north. Keep on lying Thullkan . Everyone knows that everything about you people is fake. Fake Arab origin , Fake Moor name, Fake Arab behaviour

      • 1
        0

        Another Arabian night fairy tale by Gadam. Sinhalese in the north in 1977! Where? Please stop posting rubbish , lies and false propaganda.

  • 6
    1

    A pluralist Sri lanka that accepts diversity and treats all its citizens equal before the law is the only way the Sinhala people can prevent the country from sliding into a theocratic military dictatorship and protect their own fundamental rights. Gota the ‘redeemer’ is definitely not Singapore-bound. The myth-oriented Viyath Maga is rushing the country headlong into the kind of nightmare from which Myanmar is struggling to emerge after years of collective suffering and stagnation.

    • 4
      4

      “all its citizens equal before the law”

      I agree.

      That means no Sharia Law, no Thesawalami law, no Qathi courts, no MMDA (only the general marriages ordinance), no Islamic banking, No Thalaq, etc. and full implementation of the prevention of social disabilities acts (1957 and 1973).

      Do you agree?

  • 6
    2

    Dr. Ameer Ali,
    I appreciate the title of this article. It is the Muslims who gave the two third majority Gift to Gotabaya against the country and people. It is the same Muslim gave the same gift to Mahinda for 18th amendment which strengthened Mahinda actions against from Dambulla to Cremation of Muslim bodies.

  • 1
    8

    It is one superstition against another superstition. For those who believe in superstition it is religion.

    This is not the last of the series. When Eastern Sunday attackers and their accomplices are rightfully punished, that too will be another confrontational issue. Never ends.

    There is only one solution. Split the island equitably into 3 mono ethnic nations. Sinhala only Elam, Tamil Elam and Muslim Elam. Unless and until it is done, all these will continue.

    • 5
      2

      Ghatam or Gadam is a percussion instrument that makes a lot of noise in Indian music and this Muslim Gadam as well as all these so called Muslim columnists are cunningly trying everywhere to make a loud noise and try to justify a non existent Muslim ethnicity, which in reality is not an ethnicity but a religious identity and an Islamic state in the island , for these converted Dravidian Tamil immigrants from South India , with little bits of Arab/Iranian , Afghan and North Indian Muslim ancestry , the total of which will not go over 10% of their total genetic makeup for the entire community. They keep on harping about this 10% or less of all these western Asian , Afghan and Muslim North Indian origin of their genetic makeup , whilst completely ignoring the 90% or more of their Tamil Dravidian ancestry , origin and 100% of their Tamil Dravidian Islamic culture , to justify this fake ethnic origin claim and now a fake Islamic state claim , based on this fake non existent ethnicity , that funnily enough is only to be exclusively carved out from the Tamil areas of the island , despite the fact more than 70% of the island’s Muslim population living in the Sinhalese south.

      • 6
        2

        Gadam to be frank 99% of the island’s Muslim masses , especially the ones living in the north , east and the north west coast like Chilaw Puttalam are 99-100% of South Indian Tamil Dravidian converted origin and will not have any other origin or heritage in them. These people make up 99% of the island’s so called Sri Lankan Moors or Muslims. It is only a few hundred elite trading families living in Colombo , Kandy and other southern areas that have this so called Arab/Iranian/ Afghan North Indian/Pakistani Muslim mixture and even these people are of predominant Dravidian Tamil ancestry and origin and these people make up around 1% of the island’s Sri Lankan Muslim or Moor population. May be because of this slight mixture this 1% of the so called Sri Lankan Moors largely living down south , qualify for a different ethnicity and can claim for a separate Islamic nation based on this still fake ethnicity (as they still more than 80% Tamil Dravidian in origin. ) in places like Maradana, Slave Island , Beruwela , Dematagoda or Gampola where they all reside. Not the 99% the rest of the Sri Lankan Moors who are more or less pure Tamil by ethnicity. This 1% is trying to ride piggy back on the 99% Tamil Muslim population and brain wash them to hate their non Muslim Tamil brethren for their own selfish political and economic benefit. You may be belonging to this piggy backing 1%.

  • 2
    3

    I must admit I do not understand the logic behind non-burial. I would have selected a small uninhabited offshore island in the north to do the burials.
    The virus can last unto 2 days outside of human body it seems. Perhaps the high water table in the island mainland can cause viral transmission.
    Regardless, the living must be given first priority over the dead. So it’s not something you want to cause an uproar in the middle of a pandemic. Over 2000 die a day in USA do not forget.

  • 7
    8

    Ameer Ali wants the Government to give a New Year gift to Muslims by allowing them to bury their Corona infected dead bodies. The gift that the Government give to Muslims could possibly become a tragedy for the Sinhalayo and others in this country.
    In the same token Muslims talk about their rights Sinhalayo who are the Native people and majority in this country also can talk about their rights. Sinhalayo have a right to tell the Government that they should not take any decision that could possibly have disastrous consequences to them in future.
    Can Muslims give a guarantee that there will not be any negative effects by burying Corona infected Muslim dead bodies.

    ‘Moda’ Muslims who still live in Stone Age are incapable of understanding the rationale behind the decision taken by the Government.

  • 6
    5

    The worlds poorest countries are all muslim nations. In fact most of the 1.6 billion muslims live in the worst conditions imaginable. Afghans, Pakistanis, Bangladesh, Yemen, the west African muslims. Absolute hellholes. The only reason Saudi Arabia, UAE, omen etc have wealth is because Americans tagged the dollar to petroleum. Very soon there won’t be a dollar as the world moves away from fossil fuels. In about 50 years the Saudi will revert to the hellholes that they are .
    Muslims due to their nature easily earn the ire of their host nations. The Turks and moroccans in Germany and Sweden, the north Africans and blacks in France, the Pakistani and Bangladeshi in England etc. They should all go to Saudi Arabia live according to their beliefs instead spreading their death cult.

  • 4
    1

    This burial issue is hijacked and in my opinion a nonissue. We should focus not on burying or not of the Covid victims but on how to avoid the death by Covid.
    This is swept under the carpet.
    What is the government doing about getting the vaccine
    Where is the fund coming from
    What is the logistics to vaccinate the entire population?
    ===============
    The Covid is a new virus.even the so called experts do not know enough about it and even the experts are disputing each other.
    =========
    So let’s bury the burial issue and focus on containing the virus and bring life back to normal so we can all practice our religion
    Amir Ali lets start today

  • 4
    3

    Some Muslims thinkers seem to be trying to close the gate after the horse bolted. It should have been the obligation of T.B. Jeya like earlier politicians to work with Ponnampalam Brothers and (latter) with SJV for a common solution for minorities. When US ambassador Blake asked Hakeem to lead to solve the minorities’ problem in Lankawe, Hakeem said he didn’t need lesson from Neo-imperialist to deal with his own government. Thus cunning Muslim politicians thought carrying the torch to gullible Sinhala opportunistic leaders like Don Stephen & Solomon West Ridgeway Dias would get them the lion share. Unlike Tamils, they underestimated the Sinhala Aappa Diplomatic power. They thought they are the Fox in the Pancha Dhantra story of Lion, Donkey & the Fox. They assigned Tamils donkeys roll and played fox for them. But now they see they are the donkey. They badly overrated the exchange rate of Riyal to Sinhala Buddhists’ gems.
    Muslim leaders said they voted for 20A only to keep Tamils out of Kalmunai. Even this week, when Tamils asked government to isolate at least northern Kalmunai, because Kalmunai Muslim section is one of most highly active Covid -19, Harris used his remaining influence with Aanduwa to veto Tamils’ request.
    Dr.Amir’s essay is well drafted as usual, But not that much auspicious to prophesying a 1983 in Mawanella in the first, New Year Message.

    • 0
      0

      WTH – first the CM of North should give back all the land that was forcibly taken by Tamils when LTTE ordered the Muslims out of North in 24hrs. The GOSL should resettle all Muslims (or their descendants) back to their rightful land + property and built the mosques in the North which were destroyed. We need the payment for the property taken by force and what’s rightfully ours..

  • 6
    1

    Its not only the Muslims who are facing the burial issue, its also against Christian practice. SL Rajapakse Govt has provided such a large portion of the budget for 2021 for armed forces at the expense of education and health care to citizens. In addition, the ongoing promotion of the officers of the armed forces to higher positions adds on to the expenses the people will have to bear when the country is borrowing to make ends meet. In order to meet the deficit partially the Govt has to harm to citizens of the country. These are also harm done not only to Muslims but the entire SL population.

    We have the 5th largest active armed force in the world for such a tiny country, this will become one of the top – “top heavy” armed force in the world very soon. Further if you look at the promotions all are Sinhalese there are no Tamils or Muslims, which means the term used for Sri Lankan army should be “Sinhala Army”. SL armed forces may also top the world list of armed forces which is “ethnically based” where the citizens are from various ethnicities.

    All in all its not only the Muslims who are at the end of the gun its all the citizens of the country.

  • 6
    4

    Same blahblah BS by this clown.

    A new year and the same old garbage. why does this so called educated monkey not realize that the dead are dead. we have to protect the living.

  • 5
    2

    When you just appoint 25 army majors to over look the control of COVID-19 and without defining the roll and duties given to them WHAT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RESPECTIVE DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER TO PLAY AND THAT OF POLICE AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNER .DO ALL THESE OFFICERS HAVE TO WORK UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ARMY MAJOR GENERAL?

  • 5
    0

    Muslims have taken many steps to ensure safeguard of the surrounding soil for burial, like burying their dead in concreted graves impermeable to water. It must be remembered that Covid is a germ that lives only for a few days, dies out very easily, and needs a host object to replicate. But that the government won’t compromise shows a level of persecution by them towards the Muslims that is so very unnecessary. Before ill-will breeds out of control, government needs to get out of its chauvinistic stance. Chinese money coming into the country cannot sustain forever, and the networking of unhappy persons will surely disintegrate the system that GoSL is basing all their hopes on.

  • 3
    0

    Everyone (including the “Intellectuals” of all types) have completely forgotten the President’s New Year Gift because all of them are “Discussing” and “Writing” on the subject “Sir Failed”. Today the President appointed 25 Army men (Major Generals, Brigadiers, and Colonels) to all the 25 Districts to set up “Coordinating Units” to assist the “Task Force” handling the Corona Virus. The slow and steady “MILITARIZATION” of the country has thus “BEGUN” and that is the “GIFT” of the “Trojan Horse” sent to cover the entire country. This President has chosen to send that “GIFT” at the very “Opportune” moment – the Pandemic Crisis. Hail GR!

  • 8
    4

    All this hue and cry about Muslims with lots of articles about condemning any little real and perceived discrimination against them from Sinhalese , Muslims and everyone else , but these same people who are now making a hue and a cry , were very silent about the war crimes , killings , large scale ethnic cleansing and discrimination ,even now being committed on the island’s indigenous Tamil population from the north and east who have lived and ruled their lands from ancient times. Many were even overtly and covertly supporting this state sponsored war crimes and genocide. Even recently a Buddhist monk was trying to illegally takeover 5 acres of land belonging to the ancient 2500 year old Thirukeetheswaram temple in Mannar and there is no hue and cry about this from anyone. As if it is ok and the norm to kill , murder, ethnically cleanse Tamils , take over their lands on the least pretext, destroy Hindu temples , even ancient historic ones and convert them to Buddhist or Islamic shrines and now no one cares , locally or internationally as this is the norm and acceptable but any little thing done to the island’s Muslims who despite being ethnically Tamil( South Indian origin not indigenous) were co partners of the Sinhalese, in the Eelam Tamil genocide and still are in the east as well as parts of the north , is a no no and there is a hue and cry locally and internationally.

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      4

      Basically now you can do anything to a Tamil , kill , ethnically cleanse them steal their lands and no one cares and accepts this as the norm but not to a Muslim , then it becomes a war crime and human rights abuse and becomes a local and international incident. Don’t get me wrong I do not condone discrimination of anyone on the basis of race , ethnicity or religion and I really think the policy of not allowing the island’s Muslims not to bury their Covid victims, according to their religious traditions , really smacks of discrimination and Sinhalese Buddhist racism but the island’s Muslims should also examine and ask them selves what did they gain by aiding and abetting and supporting Sinhalese racism and war crimes against the island’s Tamils who were their fellow ethnic kin? Did they ultimately gain anything by this betrayal or will in future gain anything by betraying their fellow non Muslim Tamils? The Sinhalese only used them to marginalize the island’s Tamils and are still cunningly using them as a tool to do so in the east.

  • 3
    8

    Here is a bunch of kotiyas and jihadi barbarians trying to be civilized is an utter joke

    • 1
      0

      Please stop whimpering , from your cave in La La land Bengal you part lion part human mythical creature , from the Mahavamsa fairy tale.

    • 1
      0

      Wijelion ? Are you the half lion half human freak that is the biggest joke

  • 1
    0

    @Amir Ali –
    1. Will you come to SL to become a party to the Muslim burial crew? We cant risk our armed forces to bury your dead and get infected?
    2. Will karthankudy Cemetery or Mannar Muslim Burial ground be used?
    3. What is the water level of these places? or have concrete tombs being designed?
    4. Muslim Burial crew to be tested each day – if positive then they have got infected via dead bodies?
    5. Cost of dead body transport to be borne by Muslim fund?
    6. No relatives to be allowed.. sealed container to be driven by the burial crew?

    Looks like Muslim advocates have not thought of these things..?

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