Karikalan S. Navaratnam
“Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable.” ― Mark Twain
On 12 Oct. 2017, in the course of a debate on Sri Lanka in the House of Lords, Lord Naseby (a.k.a., Michael Morris) had urged the British government, inter alia, – To “ get the UN and the UNHRC in Geneva to accept a civilian casualty level of 7,000 to 8,000, not 40,000.” in the Sri Lankan ethnic war, and – To acknowledge “that no one in the Sri Lankan Government ever wanted to kill Tamil civilians.” ( Daily Mirror, 14 Oct. 2017 – “West must remove war crime threats on SL…..” )
40,000 Vs. 7,000:
While trashing the (Darusman Report) figures of 40,000 civilian casualties as “best-guess” based, Lord Naseby had fixed the war casualty level at 7,000 to 8,000. In support of his postulation, he had cited the figures extracted from different sources , viz: UN Country Team, UTHR(J), Sri Lanka Census Dept., US envoy Robert Blake and Maj. Gen. Holmes. Most of them do not include the casualties of the closing days of fierce and intense fighting.
The nationalists and ‘patriotic’ columnists in the mainstream media in Sri Lanka and commentators in Colombo Telegraph have gaily greeted Lord Naseby’s recent manoeuvres. They believe that the “Naseby revelations” would convince the UNHRC to revisit resolution 30/1 and that Sri Lanka could wriggle out of her Geneva commitments. ( The Island, 30 Nov. 2017 – “Naseby Revelations……”).
By the way, although the LTTE also stands accused of committing serious war Crimes, it is intriguing that the “patriots” have been throwing temper tantrums at the mention of the word Geneva.
‘Bombshell’ Statement?
In a state of ecstasy, the patriots tend to treat the Naseby revelations as a rare discovery. The Island (ibid.) has described the disclosure as “Naseby’s…bombshell statement in the House of Lords….”
Evidently, there is nothing to find a “bombshell” in his statement. In fact, Lord Naseby had already canvassed the same issue in a previous debate in the House of Lords in Jan. 2013:
“……On the numbers killed, four reports have come out recently. One was produced by the UN Country Team, which was never published. ………….. That indicated that 7,000 were killed. A satellite analysis by the Americans indicates that fewer than 2,000 were killed within the graves that can be found. The recent census by Tamil teachers, again, indicates that just over 7,000 were killed. There were not 40,000 killed.” (House of Lords Hansard, Volume 742, 8 Jan. 2013 – Sri Lanka debate).
The only element that sets apart Nasby’s recent grandstanding is that he had since accessed the British Defence Attache dispatches.
President Sirisena himself had, on 2 Nov. 2017, written to Naseby expressing appreciation for all his efforts on behalf of Sri Lanka. In particular, the President had thanked Naseby for keeping him “periodically briefed of his efforts…” ( The Island, 16 Nov.2017 –“Prez thanks Lord Naseby” )
Naseby’s preferences:
Lord Naseby’s predilections and preferences bear examination: Naseby has a weakness for Sri Lankan hosts and hospitality. He has been “interested in Sri Lanka for 50 years”. He is the founder-President of the All-party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka (and there is a pro-Tamil rival grouping of British M.Ps, called “All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils”). He has visited Sri Lanka many times, including two “key visits” in Jan. 2009 and March-April 2013. (Hansard, Vol. 742 – ibid). He was awarded the “ Sri Lanka Rathna” national honour “for exceptional and outstanding service to the nation.” (Daily Mirror, 14 Oct.2017 – ibid). He has been keeping President Sirisena “periodically briefed of his efforts”
Apologist for Sri Lankan govt.:
Incidentally, Peter Osborne, the chief political commentator of Daily Telegraph (UK) had some unkind words for Lord Naseby in the context of Nasby’s snarky remarks about Channel4 portrayal of the savage war in Sri Lanka:
“…… Most troublingly he has become an apologist for the Sri Lankan government…… it is essential to adhere scrupulously to the facts when it comes to an event as grave and sensitive as the massacre of the Tamils in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war………Lord Naseby has given misleading testimony to the House of Lords, and his remarks have been picked up in Sri Lanka and are being used in defence of the regime.”
“The rules are clear. Those who make misleading statements to Parliament must correct the record at the first opportunity. Lord Naseby has misled parliament, and thus given comfort to perpetrators of state-sponsored terror. He must return to Parliament and withdraw his allegations.” ( Colombo Telegraph, 6 June 2014 – “Lord Naseby has misled the Lords over Sri Lanka…..” )
The Lord’s attitude and antics would reveal his bias and propensity. By way of illustration:
In his opening remarks in the House of Lords, Naseby has gone out of his way to appease the ultra-nationalists in Sri Lanka:
“…..(B)ut we need to understand the history behind the current situation. In the 11th century AD Tamil Cholas invaded Sri Lanka and took over the north and north-east. Understandably, the Sinhalese were left with the remainder…...” ( Daily Mirror, 14 Oct.2017 – ibid)
Naseby’s histrionics:
Thus, Lord Naseby had digressed from the issue and proceeded to denigrate the Tamils as the progeny of alien invaders – not natives of the island – not the original inhabitants of the North-East habitats, but illegitimate occupants. Lord Naseby’s histrionics can in no way detract from our distinct heritage and the shared history with the Sinhala people. Proceedings in the House disclose that many members did not buy Naseby’s biased version and had politely disagreed with him. In the face of dissenting voices, Naseby appeared pathetic, stumbling and bumbling during intervention.
(Let me revisit the scenario):
Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour)
“…But there still is a heavy military presence in the northern part of the country, which is a serious challenge to transitional justice. The largely Sinhalese and Buddhist army engages in everyday commercial activity,…. It runs shops, restaurants and hotels, leaving local businesses unable to compete. It is common practice for the army to occupy, cultivate and harvest farmlands and sell produce back to the local community. If that continues, it is bound to increase discontent among Tamil communities……..”.
Lord Naseby (Intervening )
“As I said, I went there in February and I saw the shops being closed. I was told that there was no trading activity anymore and I checked with the traders who confirmed that. The noble Lord is right that trading was happening extensively, but it now seems to have ceased—or at any rate at least 95% ceased.” (Daily Mirror, 14 Oct. 2017 – ibid )
Abductions trivialized:
Lord Naseby had trivialized the serious issues of abductions and disappearances in Sri Lanka and treated them dismissively:
“ A great issue has been made of abductions. I have looked at the figures. In 2011, there were 239, with 226 now traced; in 2012, there were 225, with 207 now traced…” (Hansard, Vol. 742 – ibid )
It is not clear as to who fudged these figures for Lord Naseby. Al Jazeera reports emanating around this time said:
“Despite government claims of peace, torture and abductions continue to be used to stifle ethnic and political dissent…. Travelling to the north of Sri Lanka, we meet civilians whose loved ones are still missing after surrendering alive at the end of the war.” ( Al Jazeera, 27 Dec 2013- “Scars of Sri Lanka” )
Also, reports concerning the aborted Debate on the “Enforced Disappearances” Bill fly in the face of Naseby’s assertions: “Debate on the disappearances bill stopped by prez” (The Island, 17 Sept. 2017)
War without witnesses:
The savage war was universally known as the “War Without Witnesses.” Peter Westmore of Newsweekly, Australia, writing on the “Mass carnage of Tamils in war without witnesses ” said: “A civil war of merciless atrocity, in which tens of thousands of Tamils have been killed recently by the Sri Lankan army, came to an end last month….” (Newsweekly, June 13, 2009.)
Months before embarking on its “no-holds-barred” bloodbath campaign in 2009, Colombo had given the marching orders to all potential witnesses who could otherwise have borne testimony to the calculated carnage. “Get Out” orders targeted the whole gamut of UN agencies, Aid agencies, INGOs, NGOs, local and global media etc. Thus, the UN agencies got ready to leave Vanni in late 2008:
“Nearly 70 UN workers are to pull out from LTTE-held Kilinochchi”
“United Nations say that it is withdrawing from LTTE held territory in northern Sri Lanka. The UN statement issued from Colombo on Tuesday came after the Sri Lankan government ordered the withdrawal of all foreign and local aid workers From LTTE-held Vanni.” (BBC News, 09 Sept. 2008)
In support of his claim on casualties (i.e., 7,000 – 8,000), Lord Naseby had cited, inter alia, the UTHR(J) Report as his source material. He cannot make selective use of a piece of documentary evidence. It is relevant to see what the UTHR(J) says about the casualties.
*To be continued…..
Anpu / December 12, 2017
Thank you Karikalan.
Shamindra Ferdinando –
The British High Commission has declared that Lord Naseby’s recent statement in the House of Lords pertaining to accountability issues in Sri Lanka doesn’t reflect UK’s stand.
The British HC said so in response to The Island query whether the BHC had discussions with the Foreign Ministry here or the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) as regards Lord Naseby’s call for reviewing Geneva Resolution 30/1. The following is the text of the BHC statement:******* “Lord Naseby was not speaking for the British Government***** when speaking recently in a debate in the House of Lords. As a Member of Parliament he is entitled to express his own views.”
“A point that has not been in dispute in all that has been written and said since Lord Naseby spoke is that many thousands of civilians died during the conflict. We continue to encourage the Sri Lankan Government to implement the commitments it gave and which are set out in UNHRC resolution 30/1 and reaffirmed in UNHRC resolution 34/1, including the undertaking to establish a truth-seeking commission. Resolution 30/1 emphasises the importance of a comprehensive approach to dealing with the past, incorporating the full range of judicial and non-judicial measures, including truth-seeking. The resolution affirms that the commitments given, if implemented fully and credibly, will help to achieve reconciliation. Achieving reconciliation is in the clear interests of every community in Sri Lanka.”
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / December 13, 2017
Why are you wasting your time with this Naseby fellow. As far as UK government is concerned he is a non entity. He has been well and truly dealt with by other lords. He has been ignored by UK parliament. UK foreign ministry has distanced it from him. It is the Sinhala media and Srilanka government are going to town with this as if he can do wonders. As far as UN is concerned, the report of the panel appointed by them has done a good job in assessing the casualty figures. If Naseby talks too much, RTI will be invoked to get the amount received by Naseby from Srilanka government for this.
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Spring Koha / December 12, 2017
As if the Government of Sri Lanka cannot manufacture its own cock-ups, up pops the bumbling Lord to lend a helping hand. The GoSL will grab at any passing straw, and has. What is a few thousand war dead between friends. The truth is that NO GoSL will ever allow a full-blown investigation into the ‘war without witnesses’. The finally reckoning!
NO Sri Lankan political leader will be identified as the one that threw our national heroes to the wolves. It will be political suicide. So let us continue with the charade of sending a contingent to Geneva every now and then, playing for time, and hoping to wear down the opposition. We are good it, no?
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Eusense / December 12, 2017
Karikalan,
Who appointed Darusman Group (DG)? For what purpose? and who gave them information on the number of casualties? Did DG interview any SL gov. officials, SLDFs or any SL citizens (both Tamil and Sinhalese) in Sri Lanka? How many asylum seekers did they interview? How many families of LTTE terrorist were interviewed?
Until this information is supplied no one should rely on DG report.
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Ajith / December 12, 2017
Eusense,
Your president (former) said not a single civilian dead. That is the official statement of Srilanka. Can you ask your president who gave that statistics? UN got most of the information from those military personal who left Srilanka after the war? Before end of the war, according to your govt the number of people was 70000. The statistics given by the Govt agent was 400000. The people who found after war was 300000. What happened to those gap? If it is your govt statement is right, where from those 230000 came? Moon? If your govt agents account is right, 100000 are massacred is true. Your did not allow anyone to enter the zone for nearly a year before you dump all those massacred. This is exactly same as your bull dosed 60000 innocent Sinhalese in 1989.
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Eusense / December 13, 2017
ajit
Yes, the orders were to avoid civilian casualties. But collateral damages can’t be avoided plus Tamil tigers killing human shields when they were trying to escape also is unavoidable.
Give me the links to your numbers. I will explain.
Whichever way those non-terrorists killed are our heroes. If not for them Tamil Tigers would have suicide murdered another 100,000 innocent civilians by now.
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Native Vedda / December 12, 2017
Nuisance
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“Who appointed Darusman Group (DG)?”
Are they an engineering firm who built Petronas Towers in Malaysia?
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“Did DG interview any SL gov. officials, SLDFs or any SL citizens (both Tamil and Sinhalese) in Sri Lanka?”
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Did Dr Gotabhaya (DSc) grant UN panel the necessary permission to meet, interview, discuss …. the victims and the perpetrators. ?
“How many asylum seekers did they interview? How many families of LTTE terrorist were interviewed?”
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Well you should be able guess these vexed questions.
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Eusense / December 13, 2017
stupid vedda
Your answers show the DG has no value!
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Eusense / December 14, 2017
Idiotic vedda
Got a did not give permission because DG was not an UN appointed official group!
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Eagle Eye / December 12, 2017
Karikalan S. Navaratnam is like as we call in Sinhala a ‘bhumithel gevichcha geradiyek’ (snake on whom kerosene has been spilt). Lord Naseby has spilled lot of kerosene on Tamil propagandist snakes. Karikalan is saying that Lord Naseby is coming forward to challenge the figures cooked up by Tamils because he is a friend of Sri Lanka. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Lord Naseby has nothing to gain by challenging the figures but those politicians who talk against Lord Naseby have something to gain by doing so because they are trying to please the Tamil voters in their constituencies. Even in UK, there are cheap white politicians!
If 40,000 were killed by army, there should be 40,000 skulls somewhere in Sri Lanka. President Rajapakse or Gotabaya cannot hide 40,000 skulls in their closets. Collect those skulls and pile them up like they have done in Kampuchea. That is the challenge for Tamils if they want to contradict Lord Naseby’s assertions. Anyway, do not give a contract to a Chines company to make artificial skulls. You Tamil guys are capable of doing such things.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / December 13, 2017
Similarly if you say the casualty figure is 7000, where the skulls. Do not say that the dead bodies were either burnt in incinerators or dissolved in Sulphuric acid drums. This is a challenge for Sinhalese if they want to prove Lord Naseby’s assertions. Be careful if there is an international inquiry to ascertain the truth, they will demand to see records of purchase of unauthorised weapons as well as acid drums/incinerators.
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Sunil / December 12, 2017
Anyone conspiring to protect the Rajapaksas criminals should be punished for collusion and aiding and abetting criminals an act of treason…
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Spring Koha / December 12, 2017
Remember, TWO names never to be mentioned in the presence of anyone from the Rajapaksa clan: Lasantha, and Tajudeen.
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Rajiv / December 12, 2017
Mr. Navaratnam,
As far as the numbers are concerned, you can argue against the UN country team, UTHR(J), Robert Blake, SL census department and anyone else, but those were the same numbers TamilNet also came up with. Just saying.
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Native Vedda / December 12, 2017
Rajiv
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For argument sake lets agree on 7000 deaths during the last pace of the war (lets leave aside the question of during the 30 years).
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Alright, don’t the people have the right to know the truth about the death of their kith even if the number is one?
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Why does the successive governments and state find it difficult to publish the names and details of those who surrendered, interned, ….. and let out. Surely whoever receive the surrender must have counted them in and counted them out when they were released.
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And what is your problem with numbers? Are you trying to be smart ass clever dicks? Could you let us have details of the seven thousand death and the details of those who surrendered.
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This is not brain surgery nor rocket science.
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Native Vedda / December 12, 2017
Karikalan S. Navaratnam
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The Sinhala/Buddhist fascist media has been bombarding us with the myth that Tamil Diaspora is the most powerful in the world only next to the Jewish one. What are they doing about agents/extension of the Sri Lankan state who rather than digging out TRUTH, working hard on finding ways and new means to cover up war crimes.
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The Tamil diaspora never protested against the Sri Lankan state while it was butchering its own people in 1971 and during 1987 – 1990 nor did it demand investigation into war crimes committed during the periods.
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Well it seems Sinhala/Diaspora is on complete silent mode on the 30 years of war, carnage and the war crimes.
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Probably our regular typist Srinathan.Gunaratnam must be leading a concerted black propaganda in what was originally a white country on behalf of his fellow brown racists/state.
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Real Revolutionist / December 12, 2017
The most important knowledge in this regard is that LTTE had been a terrorist organization, most importantly they had been described/identified as the cruelest set of terrorists ever existed on this planet. (The presence of ISIS at that time was unknown)
It’s a fact that in a battle ground against terrorism the real enemy can’t be identified.& tendency for a civilian to be shot & in the same way a terrorist killed may be described as civilian killed.
The civilized world should understand this & the diaspora cry to defame majority Sri Lankans, its forces must be condemned.
Sad to mention that those who has made the outcome of war to live in their green pastures still clung
in diaspora view.
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Anpu / December 12, 2017
Tisaranee Gunasekara
“The LTTE did not come into being or grow into a world-class terror outfit in a vacuum. Without the Sinhala Only, the Tiger may have remained unborn. Without the Black July, the Tiger may not have grown exponentially. If the B-C Pact and the D-C Pact did not miscarry (thanks to the midwifery of Sinhala extremism), the LTTE, even if it was born, would have remained a fringe group.”
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Eusense / December 12, 2017
Anpu
Are you saying that the LTTE ‘coming into being” was a good thing for the Tamils? What a stupid assumption??
If the Tamils started it they have to bare the consequences. Don’t complain now, please!
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Anpu / December 12, 2017
You are an idiot. No doubt about that. READ what Tisaranee has said few times and think about it and try to understand what she said.
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Ajith / December 12, 2017
Eusense,
Are you saying that the recent attack on Muslims are welcome one by Buddhist Fundamentalism? What do you thing about the consequences of brutal massacre of Tamil civilians in 2009. Whatever you say about the numbers the UN resolution remains same and the human rights violations and war crimes are the consequences of Buddhist Sinhala fundamentalism is real. LTTE coming not only affected Tamils but also Sinhalese. Why Sinhalese lost 60000 in 1989 to its own Sinhalese army? How many innocent Sinhalese soldiers gave their lives during the 30 year war? How much of wealth the country spent on buying arms, ammunition, cluster bombs and chemical weapons? How many billions you paid for people like Lord Naseby, Numbiar, Ban-ki-Moon etc. to get your numbers. How much of National wealth robbed by Mahinda Family? Don’t you think all these are consequences of Buddhist Sinhala Fundamerntalist terrorism ?
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Eusense / December 13, 2017
ajit,
Whether Tamil or Sinhalese if they are involved in terrorizing innocent civilians they should be eliminated. That was done as required for the peaceful existence of SL. Please don’t complain!
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Native Vedda / December 13, 2017
Nuisance
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“That was done as required for the peaceful existence of SL.”
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So why didn’t the state deal with people such as sach, you, Champa, …………………………………….?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / December 13, 2017
This is exactly what the Tamils are asking, eliminate Sinhalese involved in terrorising innocent Tamil civilians, whom the government is protecting. This is required for the peaceful existence of Srilanka, and please do not complain.
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Shenal / December 13, 2017
The real question is that how much money are you getting from LTTE rump?
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soma / December 12, 2017
Anpu
Tamil separatism would be kicking and alive with or without Sinhala only. In all probability they would have achieved their aim by now if not for Sinhalese as the majority aserting their authority in time.
India would not have been able to contain Tamil separatism in Tamil Nadu if they could join hands with our separatists.
Majority being weak opens up flood gates for bloodshed and this is what happened.
Soma
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Native Vedda / December 13, 2017
somass
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“Tamil separatism would be kicking and alive with or without Sinhala only”
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Well, is that why in self defense you were forced to act against the Tamils by deporting 300,000 hard working up country Tamils to India, disenfranchised 600,000 or more people, organising periodic riots (1958, 1961, 1977, 1983, …………………) burning down the library with more than 90,000 books and old ola manuscripts, allowing Hindians to invade this island, then arming the LTTE to fight the Invaders, bribing VP to rig the election in the North, ………………?
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What was your share of profit from 1983 riots? Your son in law/daughter must have been very pleased with you after receiving a hefty dowry.
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It appears you need a good riots to pay for your grand daughter’s wedding.
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Mama Sinhalam / December 12, 2017
If indeed as conceded by this cooly of the government, Naseby, 7000 civilians were killed, there should yet be an inquiry as to how this transpired. The war crimes and genocide charges still remain. An international inquiry is still needed. So, Naseby is like all British dogs, who continue to condone the carnage they committed in Asia, barking up the wrong tree. Maybe, he wants a higher honour. Should he not be tried for the crime of denying an atrocity that had been committed? The time for that will come too.
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soma / December 12, 2017
During the war there was a RAW agent under every other tree in the Wanni and every other lamppost in Jaffna. Prepostorous claims of genocide and accompanying implication that India chose to remain silent is a serious indictment against India.
X
Any investigation should begin with cross examination of Darusman witnesses (which are cleverly locked for 25 years!) and cooperation of Western countries on immigration of Tamils during the war.
X
The fact that every LTTE fighter did not wear a uniform and sport a cyanide pill blurs the distinction between terrorists and civilians.
X
Every civilian trapped crossed over to the government side.
X
In unconciable lying, Tamil separatists are adopting the maxim that anything is OK in love and war.
Soma
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Native Vedda / December 12, 2017
somass
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“Prepostorous claims of genocide and accompanying implication that India chose to remain silent is a serious indictment against India.”
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You are not only a racist but growing into a child.
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“Any investigation should begin with cross examination of Darusman witnesses (which are cleverly locked for 25 years!) and cooperation of Western countries on immigration of Tamils during the war.”
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All investigation should include (or start from Delhi) Hindia, members of Sri Lankan armed forces, Torture camp chiefs and operatives,. Tamil/Sinhala speaking surviving victims and kith and kin of people who died or missing, all Tamil/Sinhala terror groups and supporters (including Dasyan, Wimal, Dr Mahinda LLD…………..) members of Muslim Home Guard, ……………………….. and you.
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In a court of justice witness can be cross examined using various medium.
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“The fact that every LTTE fighter did not wear a uniform and sport a cyanide pill blurs the distinction between terrorists and civilians.”
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You are not only growing into a child but a qualified fully fledged stupid as well. There are thousands of software available in the market which can do wonders, including face recognition, finger print recognition, DNA testing, …. ..
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When can we expect you to stop your own bull s**t?
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Eusense / December 13, 2017
stupid vedda,
Are you talking on behalf of Tamils? If so please stop writing garbage; no one takes you seriously with your stupid counter posts!
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Native Vedda / December 13, 2017
Nuisanse
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“stupid vedda, Are you talking on behalf of Tamils? “
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Are you?
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” no one takes you seriously with your stupid counter posts!”
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Not true, at least one person take my comment seriously.
I take my comments seriously.
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Please note sach is on holiday hence she cannot find your padikkama.
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Ruwan / December 13, 2017
Eusense,
Please don’t respond to those who do not respect you when your views are different to theris. We Sri Lakans should respect each other when we wish to express our opinion. People who insult when responding have a major problem! We should ignore them!
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Native Vedda / December 13, 2017
Ruwan
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“We Sri Lakans should respect each other when we wish to express our opinion.”
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As long as the Sinhala/Buddhist fascist minorities agree with yours.
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“People who insult when responding have a major problem! We should ignore them!”
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True, however those who cheer the “Sunday Sil Monday kill” mob and the tens of thousands of war criminals will go to deva and brahma planes, possess supernormal powers, and attain rupa and arupa states.
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Plato. / December 12, 2017
Lord Naseby is conducting a massive clearance Sale. Usual Price 40,000; Sale Price 7000. 83% off!
No doubt this is payback time in return for Srilankan Hospitality.
Romesh Bhandari was also a beneficiary in the aftermath of 1983 at the Thimpu talks.
He was then thought to be a gem of a man and was given a Gem. 22/24 carat for dangling a carrot!
Machiavelli, unfortunately did not reckon that the Srilankan Govt: could also rise to the occasion!
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / December 13, 2017
in 1985, Romesh Bandari was presented with a diamond necklace by HW Jayawardena on behalf of his brother JRJ. This was done secretly and came to light when in one function Mrs. Bhandari was found wearing it and spilled the beans. Thimpu talks was deliberately scuttled by Romesh Bandari an anti-Tamil racist, after this bribe.
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Native Vedda / December 14, 2017
Plato
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Amid all these give and take activities Colombo based RAW agent Uni Krishnan was caught spying for Sri Lanka and USA. The usual stuff including women and presents. He was recalled and following charges he was sentenced to prison.
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K.Pillai / December 12, 2017
Let this Lord Naseby convince his peers first.
He certainly was not listened to by the then British PM Cameron when he took MR regime to the cleaners at 2013 CHOGM.
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Karikalan / December 12, 2017
*Thank you Anpu for the info.
*Eusense, DG was appointed by the UN-SG. The team tried to visit Sri Lanka and meet with all stakeholders including SL Govt. officials. But, the Rajapakse govt. refused them visas. It was a misguided move- didn’t help SL.
* NV, true, there was no organized protests from the Tamils condemning the the slaughter of thousands of Sinhala youths during JVP uprising.. But then, JVP campaign at that time was founded on a fiercely anti-Tamil platform and the Tamil youths could not emotionally identify with the JVP youths
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Native Vedda / December 13, 2017
Karikalan
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“But then, JVP campaign at that time was founded on a fiercely anti-Tamil platform and the Tamil youths could not emotionally identify with the JVP youths”
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JVP is neither a good excuse nor a good example for the rest of the people to do the right thing. JVP’s behaviour should not have set moral standards for the stupid Tamils to behave as they did. The Tamils should be ashamed of their moral deficiency.
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Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. – MARTIN NIEMÖLLER
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Anpu / December 13, 2017
I thought you all will be interested in reading these articles
https://www.srilankacampaign.org/lord-nasebys-revelations-hollow-attempt-re-write-history-deny-justice/
http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Statement-from-Lord-Naseby-Sends-detailed-evidence-to-United-Nations-including-Gash-Despatches–142022.html
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Saro / December 13, 2017
Karikalan Navaratnam did a good job to expose the habitual lies of Lord Naseby who is not taken seriously even by his Conservative government. The report the author of this article and other commentators refer to as “Darusman Report” is in fact was the Report of the Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts the United Nation. The Sri Lankan government refused to allow the members of the panel to either visit the scene of the war or talk to civilians affected or any one represented the government.
Those who call it “Darusman Report” are either biased or in ignorance.
Naseby is well known for his distortion of facts and figures and is a regular visitor to Sri Lanka at latter’s expense to enjoy the hospitality that extends from expensive air tickets, hotels , wine and dine and other local company in hotel rooms. Some UK members of parliament, in the past, were known to have been bought with a closed ‘envelope’ containing money, air tickets, hotel vouchers and paid call girls. There is no secret about it. Of course, the racist press in Sri Lanka and ultra extremists will try to make them as ‘bombshell’ or even highlight them to give widest publicity.
What is worrying is that some people like Navaratnam spends his precious time to research to expose their incredibility.
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Mama Sinhalam / December 14, 2017
Naseby is coming to be regarded as a colossal joke. No one seems to want to comment on what he has to say except the Sri Lankan clowns, Sirisena and Marapona. For a view on his “revelations” see
https://www.srilankacampaign.org/lord-nasebys-revelations-hollow-attempt-re-write-history-deny-justice/
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Lakmal Wije / December 14, 2017
Oh this Naseby crack head ! He is full of garbage. The entire world knows, what qualities the ultra right guys represents in 2017. He is just one person with no any moral or ethical grounds, against 1000s and 1000s of moral, ethical, well educated, professionals from 100s of countries, represent the facts and truth. Why Naseby gets this much attention is wierd. Even ex officials of UN go unheard by media. Naseby bases his story on ONE individual military attache, obviously an ultra right, but fails to hear 1000s of above right minded persons. Its Nasebys who created Indo-Pak, Israel- Palestinian, Iraq and neighbors, all of Africa, Asia blood rivers last 70 years. This snowed-in, rotting meats, cant stop smelling tropical blood flow. SL+ Tamils put nearly $600 billion, into arms dealers pockets last 30 years. In 2009 it stopped. Now Naseby paid by arms dealers, to re-ignite war in SL.
2) US Pacific Command helped SL army in war, expecting a permanent, 1000 year, hatred between Tamils and Sinhalese in the island. But these gullible Sinhalese fell for it. Now due to some right minded Southerners working hard keep hatred away, western UR got panicked in form of Naseby. 3) Look the way GON, MODA Sirisena and others swallowed the dead rope of western UR, in form of Naseby. Sirisena even wrote thank you letter. Probably SL pay him lobby money too. 4) Naseby simply can’t live without Southern Hemisphere blood smell. Its coffee for him. He wants war in SL, for his grand kids survival in West. 5) Sinhalese are very vulnerable for UR tactics to permanently divide the People of island. 6) There is Economic estimates too, in case Tamils get some powers and some Tamils wealth from West moves to NEast of SL, its a significant move. Naseby can’t digest it. So he wants war in SL. Its the sole responsibility of all Sri Lankans, to remember, blood flow in Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq and many places for 70 years by Nasebys, and not let him play the same game with SL. Specially Southern racists and Mahanayakes have a very big role, not to fall prey to Naseby type Ultra Right. UR= Ultra Right
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / December 15, 2017
I make one observation in the comments from most of the readers is the anger that get expressed in discussing a different point of view. We should obejcteively look at the issue and be able to make our own case as we are all learning various details through media. However our torn of discussions in the comments section always turn into mudding the facts with our emotions. Paying tribute to all the children of Sri Lanka sadly died since independence for “variety of reasons” has to be much different than this please. We have to be respectful to each other even in the internet such the law of cohabitation is understood better and we shape a less confrontational future such even a single person death is discussed with due respect /attention to details. We lost all context of right and wrong through this miserable war and we need to get back to the way we Sri Lankans were with each other before all this misery took place. Retribution is not equal to Peace and Reconciliation even if some facts are disputable. Give and take attitude will save more life’s in the future than dwelling on the past so much as many Sri Lankans has already forgiven each other for many crimes already committed on them including the hideous crimes committed by “Tamil on Tamils” and “Sinhalese on Sinhalese” in much larger numbers and in much more cruel manner for a sustained period of times than the final phase of the war. The world would never discuss this as the divide and conquor opportunity will be missed otherwise. Let us focus on the living and the generations to come and shape a beautiful Sri Lanka.
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