Prof S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
A resolution has been passed at long last at the UN Human Rights Council on March 27, 2014 calling for war-crimes investigations in Sri Lanka. As David Cameron the Prime Minister of the UK has noted, this is a victory for the people of Sri Lanka who need to know the truth. This would not have been possible without the active support of Canada, the US and the UK, and the UN Human Rights Commissioner Navaneetham Pillai as well as of Amnesty International, the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and many organizations which never let the world forget the large scale murder in Sri Lanka in January to May 2009.
First, before I speak, just a reminder on signing the important petitions from AI before you go. These are on human rights activists at risk, the disappeared Prageeth Eknaligoda, the five bright Tamil students from Trincomalee murdered by Sri Lankan forces between high school and college, and a more general one on Prevention of Terrorism Act detainees long after the war. As someone supported and helped by AI, I tell you that these petitions help. So please do sign before you go.
As a speaker I can claim a kind of neutrality. In 2006 the Tamil Tigers came after me and I had to flee my homeland. In 2011 again, I had to flee when the government issued an open warrant for my arrest because I wrote of the election rigging that I was witness to. I aver a firm opposition to anyone violating human rights, be it the government or the Tamil Tigers.
*The speech made on last night (March 31, 2014) accompanying the screening of No Fire Zone at the Student-Chapter of Amnesty International at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48864, USA . To read the full speech “Looking Ahead: After the UNHRC Resolution Mandating the Office of the High Commissioner to Undertake a War Crimes Investigation in Sri Lanka” click here
Amarasiri / April 1, 2014
Prof S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
“A resolution has been passed at long last at the UN Human Rights Council on March 27, 2014 calling for war-crimes investigations in Sri Lanka. As David Cameron the Prime Minister of the UK has noted, this is a victory for the people of Sri Lanka who need to know the truth. This would not have been possible without the active support of Canada, the US and the UK, and the UN Human Rights Commissioner Navaneetham Pillai as well as of Amnesty International, the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and many organizations which never let the world forget the large scale murder in Sri Lanka in January to May 2009.”
These are symptoms of disease which the UN HRC is trying to address.
It will not cure the Sri Lanka disease and curse.
What is the disease? Monk Mahanama Sinhala “Buddhist” racism, in the native land of Native Veddah.
So, if the UN really wants to help Sri Lanka, they need to help cure the disease- The Monk Mahanama “Buddism”.
/
Sama / April 1, 2014
Hali kata-Ghanasara has started it again
—-
Video: BBS flays Govt. on Wilpattu housing project
TUESDAY, 01 APRIL 2014 18:13 E-mail Print
The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation today lashed out at President Mahinda Rajapaksa and government officials for keeping mum about a large scale housing complex being constructed in the middle of the Wilpattu National Park.
It said there was evidence to prove that some unscrupulous elements in the government were backing this illegal project which was bound to destroy a national treasure and that the BBS would take the matter to courts shortly.
The organisation claimed that the huge housing project was being carried out with funds received from a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in a Middle Eastern country with the backing of a minister.
“A project of this nature has to be carried out with the involvement of several ministers such as those of the Environment and Renewable Energy Ministry and the Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry because this project is located within a National Park. The National Heritage Ministry should be responsible because of valuable artefacts that might be destroyed because of the construction work. Ministries of Finance and Planning and External Affairs and even the security forces should not keep silent on important matters such as this,” BBS General Secretary the Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera told a news conference today.
He said the BBS had requested a meeting with the President to discuss this matter.
“But we haven’t received a reply so far. The Construction, Engineering Service, Housing and Common Amenities Minister, who should resolve these concerns is also silent,” the Thera charged.
According to the BBS, the minister who is backing the project has received funds from an NGO. “Even the Regional office of the Central Environmental Authority has said this project would destroy the forest. If the authorities are resettling people it should be carried out in a proper manner and in a proper place, not illegally in the heartland of a valuable forest reserve,” the Thera said. (Lahiru Pothmulla and Darshana Sanjeewa)
/
Rightminds / April 1, 2014
This time they have been unbiased.
That sounded impartial but I hate to hear it from a man in Sanga costumes to use terms familiar in fish and manning market. Perhaps even worst than those place.
/
BBS Rep / April 2, 2014
Sama,
BBS is a group that represents the worst in the Sri Lankan society.
However if houses are being built within Wilpattu to house war displaced Muslims or any other group, that is a matter of concern for all Sri Lankans. I wish someone can examine and report back to CT readers the real situation with regards Gnanasara’s claim.
/
Lanka Muslim, UK / April 2, 2014
Study carefully every statement that the Thero has made. None of them are true. They are big bluffs coming out of the Thero’s big mouth.
/
lionking / April 1, 2014
Navi Pillay is on LTTE payroll
/
Meltinghearts / April 1, 2014
So then Obama only elected for future of the afro americans.
Is that correct ?
/
Ram / April 1, 2014
Pillay’s narrative of the events is identical to that of the terrorists. Yet, she wants us to believe in her impartiality and independence. It does NOT smell right.
It must not be forgotten that she attempted to place a wreath in his honour, where the lead terrorist met his maker.
/
Jayantha / April 2, 2014
Ram,
Even our great King Dutugemunu built a monument to Elara after his death, after the final battle and wanted people to respect him by keeping silent when passing by.
Please read these webs.
http://tamilnation.co/heritage/tomb_of_elara.htm
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/05/22/dutugemunu-and-elara-betrayed/
It is not the norm for DS to destroy dead LTTE Tamil combatants war cemetaries, Tomb stones and their dead war memorials.
Civilised world do not do these types low grade things.
Navi Pillai wanted to place a wrath on behalf of all the war dead including innocent tamil people.
Rohana Wijeweera is still been commorated by JVP without any restrictions.
Only intelligent people can understand this.
/
Ajith / April 1, 2014
Your worry is understandable because your boss couldn’t bring Navi pillai under the category of corrupt Indians like Sharma, Manmohan singh.
/
Stewart Sloan / April 1, 2014
While I agree with everything you say about the importance of supporting the UN and the resolution against Sri Lanka I must add that the UN and AI would have more credibility if they insisted that the US and UK answered for their war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention Ireland.
/
Ajith / April 1, 2014
You are right to call for an investigation of war crimes or human rights violation against UK and US or war crimes and human rights violations by China in Tibet and Russia in Chechnya.
That should not affect the investigation of war crimes investigation committed by a government against its own citizens of Sri Lanka. Both are not the same. There is no state to represent Tamils at UN and Tamils are the victims of this war crimes by the Government of Sri Lanka and it is right call for international investigation against SRi Lanka.
/
punchinilame / April 1, 2014
Navipillai was not supported by the US to reach her present status
in UN twice earlier.
Precedence of a State warring its own citizens and UN intervention
even at late stages is on record. Therefore SL issue will reach
higher levels with the support of its strong diaspora, compared to Iraq etc.
A local matter has been internationlized willy-nily by MR himself.
/
James Chance / April 1, 2014
Stewart: Please take a good look at the website of Amnesty Int’l and/or Human Rights Watch. Both have written extensively about violations of international law by the US, UK and Nato is various recent wars and called for proper investigations and prosecutions. It’s not fair to criticise them for the double-standards of the UN and its member states.
/
Eusense / April 2, 2014
James,
You seem to have had done a lot of research on this. Can you speculate why no country is bringing a resolution in the UNHRC,like the one on SL against these countries? Do you think they did not violate human rights? or for some other reasons?
/
Sinniah Rajalingam / April 1, 2014
Alas! Hoole is back!
Ramany had stated correctly that Prof.Hoole was hell bent on getting the VC post at least this time and going after the corrupt politicians begging their support and because of that ,stopped attacking the government.The Jaffna university council slapped him on his face with two votes.
Now,he is back and CT readers can expect more articles attacking the government. There are academics who criticize MR with genuine motive,but not Hoole.As far as Hoole is concerned, attacking or praising someone is out of his self interest.
/
punchisingho / April 1, 2014
Idiots!
Inquiring into violations of human rights prevents rulers from violating human rights again at least to a certain extent.When rulers are convinced that they will be dragged to courts some day, they will think twice before issuing orders to armed forces.Many Sinhalese have forgotten how Sinhalese were kidnapped and shot dead during 88-90 period.
If you approve HR violations today, it is a support you give to white van your children/grand children/friends children by future governments.
/
Hilmy / April 2, 2014
“I can claim a kind of neutrality” …. Yes, KIND of…
Unfortunately this dishonorable doctor’s words have no credibility because everyone knows he won’t be saying these things if he had got the VC post.
/
Ram / April 2, 2014
Pillay was previously an advisor to the ‘NGO’ (EU funded) run by Sooka. Where they both come from is therefore easy to understand. Sooka also meets politicians in Britain (elsewhere too ?) with the likes of the GTF.
/
aratai / April 2, 2014
.
Ram,
An MP named Namal opens a charity…
SriLankan President donates to the charity.
The MP spends charity money in support of President.
and Ram is very happy.
:-)
/
BBS Rep / April 2, 2014
Ratnajeevan,
Yes, a resolution has been passed at last at the UNHRC.
However what do you think will be the outcome of any investigation.
I assure you it will all be like going to the toilet. First an inquiry, second deliberations, third a report and finally the matter will be dropped. That is all.
/
shankar / April 3, 2014
BBS Rep,it is the report that will be the problem.The matter can’t be dropped because of the report.All interested parties will be digging it up over and over again,though the UN might like to drop it.Finally to satisfy these parties the US might withdraw our quotas to the garment industry stating that due to the human rights violations and lack of accountability for it srilanka does not deserve the special status of being rewarded with quotas.Garment industry will collapse.
mahinda might try to take some action against the miscreants to avoid it.For all his bluster about the electric chair he is a cardboard Tarzan.Unfortunately for him the miscreants might just state that they were following orders right from the top.So he can;t take action too.
Every year the noose is going to tighten further and more.So don’t dismiss these resolutions so flippantly as mahinda does.The US and UN officials are not fools to spend their time and money on a worthless exercise.You are underestimating western brains and thinking they are like our modayas.They work with precision on long term strategies.
/
shankar / April 3, 2014
BBS rep,you say “I assure you it will all be like going to the toilet. First an inquiry, second deliberations, third a report and finally the matter will be dropped.”
I think it is a little bit different process here.
1.Sit down and keep your eyes and ears wide open and your antenna firmly fixed on the environment.
2.Inhale and take a deep breath when you get tensed up,but don’t talk.
3.Contemplate deeply on the matters to be investigated.
4.Try to find the root cause of the problem and prise it out inch by inch and move it towards an exit so as to wash your hands off it.
5.Sigh with satisfaction and drop the matter successfully.
Usually these 5 steps are enough in srilanka,but since this has become an international issue a sixth step might take place.
6.Try to send the dropped matter far away so that it will not be stinking around you.Keep turning the flush but not working it seems.
/
Suganthan / April 2, 2014
If an open warrant was issued because Prof.Hoole wrote of the election rigging,then what happened to Prof.Hoole’s brother Rajan Hoole who is now teaching at the JU wrote bundles and bundles of reports attacking the government and vote riggings in the past?Were any deals made behind the scene with MR before RH landed in Srilanka?SRILANKANS SHOULD BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE DOUBLE AGENTS AND THE ONES MASQUERADING AS HR ACTIVISTS.
/
HR Worker / April 3, 2014
Hoole Rajan is Human Rights! Have you seen him writing lately? Silence seems to be the enormous price for getting his job back at JU. Silence must be the deal with the govt.
Sad Jaffna cannot champion its own human rights in the millenium that opened with a human rights agenda. Dr. Hoole has always been a pacifist, against war and violence. He has the highest award for human rights and he is not allowed to write. He lives very simply and is an excellent academic.Your statement reflects that you are both ignorant of human rights and unfair in your judgement.
/
Sampson / April 5, 2014
“Hoole Rajan is Human Rights! Have you seen him writing lately?”…….
-To be honest with you,I havnt seen Mr.Rajan Hoole’s writing lately,but I don’t know what he is doing COVERTLY(underground). He may be working hard to bring “Family Rule” in the Jaffna University clandestinely . I have read all his politically motivated “stories”, lies and also I know how he distorted informations.If you take AI,HRW etc,etc ,you can at least contact them over the phone and send your rebuttal.But,as far as RH’s UTHR is concerned,even if you send an email,you will never get a reply.This is like Obama’s body dropped in the ocean.by navy seal.RH & Co. are clear about their agenda of working for their masters and money.It is unfortunate that many people are in the dark and we have a noble duty ahead of us.
HAPPY HOOLES ARE DANCING HYSTERICALLY TO THE TUNE OF THEIR WESTERN MASTERS AND MISTRESSES.
“Dr. Hoole has always been a pacifist, against war and violence’
How can we call people pacifists when they work for American interests, whose policies causing destruction in the world. Some people may oppose wars in the open, but they may work for wars behind the scene. Is damaging the reputation of the people with western resources who they do not like for political reason is pacifism? We have to remember that they tried to save many murderers in the past by putting the blame on the others.
To my knowledge, he never supported the war and violence in Srilanka and at the same time Prof.Hoole never uttered a word against the war in Iraq initiated by the Americans.People are getting killed every day in Iraq.
“He lives very simply and is an excellent academic”.
Yes,Prof.Hoole is a glib talker. But,I am wondering whether someone goes to Turkey for March break is living a simple life.
Yes,of course,no one can deny the fact that Prof.Hoole is an excellent academic.No one can deny Prof.Hoole’s knowledge in Calculus ,but they are CALCULATING.He is not like some other academics who studied in SL,He is FOREIGN educated.But,he is an OPORTUNIST.He is power greedy.The public perception is that he is honest,but the truth is he will go after any politicians for his own benefit.Can you sublate this?Accordong to Thinakkathir website, he wanted to make a deal with DD and the government and in this regard he wrote a letter to DD and other government officials.They ask for openness but when it comes to them, it is kusu kusu(secrecy). Now tell me,who is ignorant ?You or me?
/
Real Peace / April 3, 2014
An excellent and a balanced presentation, thank you.
/