Lee Kuan Yew, the Father of Singapore and father of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore has described Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a Sinhalese Extremist and what happened in Sri Lanka in 2009 as ethnic cleansing.
Lee Kuan Yew
This statement of Lee is a matter with great import. All these years criticism from outside was dismissed by the Sri Lankan government as by colonialists. But this is by a respected Asian leader. After Singapore’s Senior Minister has spoken thus, will Singapore feel free to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November?
These comments were made during lengthy conversations with the author of the book Prof. Thomas Plate, Citizen Singapore: How To Build A Nation – Conversations with Lee Kwan Yew, Marshall Cavendish, 2011.
Surprisingly such comments of great import in a 2011 book are making it into the public domain only 2 years later.
Author Thomas Gordon Plate is an American journalist, internationally syndicated columnist and a Professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA as its Distinguished Scholar of Asian and Pacific Studies.
Specifically Lee Kuan Yew has said of President Rajapaka and Sri Lanka, “[Sri Lanka] is not a happy, united country. Yes, they have beaten the Tamil Tigers this time, but the Sinhalese who are less capable are putting down a minority of Jaffna Tamils who are more capable. They were squeezing them out. That’s why the Tamils rebelled. But I do not see them ethnic cleansing all two million-plus Jaffna Tamils. The Jaffna Tamils have been in Sri Lanka as long as the Sinhalese.”
Plate: “So what Asia saw was ethnic cleansing?”
Lee: “That’s right.”
Plate: “They [the Tigers] will come back, you think?”
Lee: “I don’t think they are going to be submissive or go away. The present President of Sri Lanka believes he has settled the problem; Tamil Tigers are killed and that is that.”
Plate: “See, that’s really a fascinating point, because to the extent that we have any sense of who you are at all, we think of you as this hard-boiled force first guy. But in fact your system of government is much softer, consensual and intelligent, whereas what the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka are doing is a caricature of an LKY who never existed.”
Lee: “I’ve read his speeches and I knew he was a Sinhalese extremist. I cannot change his mind.”
Mohideen / August 13, 2013
Abhaya, first of all you learn the history of SINGAPORE and LEE KUAN YEW, the man behind SINGAPORE. He is not a extremist, He is a honest person who rebuilt SINGAPORE, did he divide and rule like in Sri Lanka, what he say’s is true. What do you know about world history, I think you know more about “EXTREMISM”. Go back to school and refresh your brain. Don’t think extremism, think “PEACEFUL MISSION” what has “BUDDHA DHRAMA” said.. is it “PEACE” or “EXTREMISM”
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thiscantbhappening / August 13, 2013
Lots of ships and planes waiting to berth & land in H’tota too.
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patriot / August 13, 2013
First and foremost one must know about Singapore is that the city nation of 5 million inhabitants has been ruled by father and son tag team as a totalitarian one party police state since 1959. I am not surprised Lee Kuan chose to accuse MR as a ‘Sinhalese extremist’ for in my opinion he just wanted to get out of the ‘dictator’ tag and portray himself as an democrat and an egalitarian. So, lets examine his past doings.
Everyone knows that ethnic Malays and Indians formed about 50% of the island population 20 years ago. But today Malays are no more than 13% and Indians a mere 8%, and decreasing. However, the island’s ethnic Chinese component is about 77% and increasing. How?
The simple answer is Lee Kuan Yew and his son prefer their own race. They don’t like Malays whom they consider inferior to them and they don’t like Indians whom they consider troublemakers. They bring in plane loads of Chinese from the Peoples Republic of China to settle in Singapore and give them instant citizenship.
In spite of Lee’s accusation of MR as a racist, , nobody identifies themselves as Singaporean in Singapore, meaning there are no Singaporeans. Just like in Sri Lanka one’s racial identity is what he is first and foremost in Singapore. His or her ID tells what race he or she belong right from the time he or she is born. ‘Sedition Act’ in Singapore have all but silenced debates like what we do here on matters of race, ethnicity, and religion. And that makes it very difficult to address the problem of discrimination such what as above, publicly. In my short stays, I have experienced racism in Singapore much much more than in Sri Lanka.
Singapore has no race relations laws and the government departments and private companies are free to engage in racial discrimination at will.
Consequently, ethnic minorities in Singapore complain they are being discriminated against daily on the basis of their race or religion. They argue that their views are often not given airing in the local mainstream media and they are further prevented from discussing these issues openly due to legislation restricting freedom of expression and assembly ‘Sedition Act’ and etc.
Today Malays and Indians are denied good jobs. Lee’s Chinese employers refuse to employ them them tactically: Every job vacancy listed in the island carry the notation “Only Chinese need apply” or “Knowledge of Mandarin required”. Realizing the problem, an Indian said to have decided to learn Chinese but still he did not get the job; the excuse being that the Chinese customers would not appreciate a non Chinese looking person. But there are ample menial jobs such as dishwashers, low ranking policemen, drivers, street sweepers and etc for Malays and Indians.
So much for Lee’s record.
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Kalu Nangi / August 13, 2013
Hey Patriot….you cannot take what LKY says because truth hurts!
It is true about ethnic cleansing….and Rajapakse is an extremist and suffers from MEGALOMANIA ….
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Native Vedda / August 13, 2013
patriot
Thanks for exposing your own ignorance.
I am grateful to you.
/
Thiru / August 13, 2013
“Everyone knows that ethnic Malays and Indians formed about 50% of the island population 20 years ago. But today Malays are no more than 13% and Indians a mere 8%, and decreasing. However, the island’s ethnic Chinese component is about 77% and increasing. How?”
The above looks like Bhikkus in Sri Lanka re-writing bogus history.
I know from 1971 for sure the 13% Malays and 8% Indians remain the same throughout. Please don’t spread lies.
Singapore has meritocracy, SL has Sinhala majoritariansm, that’s the difference.
“Today Malays and Indians are denied good jobs. Lee’s Chinese employers refuse to employ them them tactically: Every job vacancy listed in the island carry the notation “Only Chinese need apply” or “Knowledge of Mandarin required”. Realizing the problem, an Indian said to have decided to learn Chinese but still he did not get the job; the excuse being that the Chinese customers would not appreciate a non Chinese looking person. But there are ample menial jobs such as dishwashers, low ranking policemen, drivers, street sweepers and etc for Malays and Indians.”
The above is another load of crap. Certain jobs with Chinese only speaking private enterprises ask for Chinese speakers as workers, that is fair. Low ranking jobs are taken by Sri Lankan maids, Chinese laborers, Indian, Bangaladeshis, and others from neighboring countries.
Next to the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the finance minster is the second most powerful man in Singapore. By the way he is of Sri Lankan Tamil origin. His father was a professor in medicine in Singapore University.
From the fact above you know that “patriot” is vomiting prejudices to support MR.
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sach / August 14, 2013
ministers or Prieministers are picked by Lee who are his Yes men. You get in his camp he will treat u well. Lee is a man like MR only difference is MR is stupid
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Maghribi / August 13, 2013
The core difference is ‘Father and Son’ team has brought prosperity to Singapore rather than to themselves. Perhaps time will prove the critics wrong.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
“If he labels MR as a Sinhalese extremist then he has his foot in his mouth because he became a Chinese extremist”
Rubbish, LKY is not a Chinese extremist like MR: He locked up the Chinese extremists long ago. Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English are official languages in Singapore.
He is admired by all races and religions in Singapore: please don’t spread quarter-truths.
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Vizzy / August 13, 2013
To The Professional:
As part of the team that supported the idea of our boss in a presidential task Force, whose brilliant mind came up with the idea of a port, I say that THE PREOFESSIONAL who has written in support of the port in H thota is totally mad. Even though the idea seemed brilliant at the time, it was not feasible. This is proven today. A useless port, a useless airport and a useless stadium build for the glorification of the Rajapaksas.
Singapore Changi is the only airport in Singapore with 18 million tourists a year. 1300 hectares in extent,with a touch down of a plane or takeoff. Mattala is over 2000 hectares unutilised. katunayake is used ony 40% of its tota capacity and Sri lanka only has 1 million tourists a year. If ordinary people know this did not the briliant Rajapaksa strategists know this? Of course they did. But these edifices were built for commissions and glory. A dangerous combination that is taking the country down the drain, though fools like ‘the professional’ and masses devoid of right information cannot see it.
Sri lanka’s whole housing issue could have been solved with this illogical use of funds.
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Maghribi / August 13, 2013
The professional must be a paid servant of the Sinhellist (BBS/JHU/SR)
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Common Sense / August 13, 2013
So, the “Professional” is actually done an UNPROFESSIONAL job…WellDone MaRa boys…keep up the dirty work.
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Lapatiya / August 13, 2013
LKY has commented about our Saddarmadveepa Chakrawarthi because he may be felt Jealous with him. There are some reasons behind the Jealousy.
1. LKY is not known as “Aadambarakara Thaththa” in Singapore.
2. LKY does not have Titles such as “Saddarmadveepa Chakrawarthi, Sri Rohana Manaranjana etc.etc.
3. LKY doesn’t have International Ports, International Airports, Cricket Stadiums, Public Toilets after his name.
4. LKY could not change the Singapore constitution to become a Life time Leader.
5. LKY can’t boast that he killed 40000-50000 citizens and Liberated the country.
6. LKY never killed their own citizens who ask for clean water to drink.
7. LKY didn’t have any Opportunity to appoint Most Independent Judges to the Courts.
8. There is no record to suggest that LKY giving party for Independent Media personal and advising them about the importance of Independent media like our Aadambarakara Thaththa.
9. LKY never carry a pre arranged baby when ever he attend public gathering like our Chakrawarthi.
10.In Singapore LKY did not own a “White Van” company.
11.We are a proud nation that at present competing with Zimbabwe to take the world 1st place in Crimes, LKY is far behind us.
12.We are a leading country in child rape cases and one child rapist is in the parliament also and LKY is no where to be seen in that aspect.
13.LKY never had a Jumbo Cabinet like ours.
14.LKY couldn’t buy any opposition members to Strengthen his hands.
15.LKY never had an Independent Judiciary that has accepted a Killers statement that he did not remember anything about murder incident (Mata Mathaka Naha)
There are more and more reason for LKY’s Jealousy. Therefore no one should take him seriously.
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gamini / August 13, 2013
Absolutely true Lapatiya.
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Native Vedda / August 13, 2013
Lapatiya
“LKY never killed their own citizens who ask for clean water to drink”
Given that Singapore buys water from Malaysia.
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The Professional / August 15, 2013
NV: a correction,
“,…Given that Singapore buys water from Malaysia.”
Not anymore because Singaporeans realized that it was like buying oil from Middle East and now they purify sea water. A Sri Lankan Architect was involved in designing the structures.
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Rooster / August 13, 2013
Brilliant Lapatiya, Super comment.
Nicely said.
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S Mahinda / October 10, 2013
Lapatiya, is this a party political broadcast on behalf of almost non existant UNP, almost non existant JVP or pro LTTE TNA? Which local or foreign NGO is funding your propaganda?
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Gamage / August 13, 2013
This article must be published in TIME or NEWSWEEK magazine.
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upu / August 13, 2013
LKY must hand over Singapore to Malays who are made to make tea for Chinese. Chinese businessman took over Singapore from Malays.Indian Tamils s are licking asses all over the world anyway. The old humbug, after earning billions for over 30 years rule, is still craving and seems like getting his pay cheques from LTTE after retirement. I had respect for him until I read what he has said.
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Clement Perera / August 13, 2013
The Sigapore is feeling the pinch of the economic development of Sri Lanka. His son is failing as the Prime Minister of the country. World trade is focusing more towards Sri Lanka. In another two years time Sri Lanka will be the business hub of entire Asia. All this time Singapore was enjoying this position. So in order to destroy the economic development in Sri Lanka, all this ailing leaders will have to get rid of Mahinda Rajapakshe. This what late Indira Gandhi was trying to do when Mr. J.R. Jayawardane was in power. Tamil tigers initially trained by the Indian RAW on the instructions of then PM of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi. We are living in Sri Lanka, and therefore we know the truth.
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manisekaran / August 13, 2013
oh Yeaaaaaaaaaaah… Srilanka will become trillion dollar economy will have a space station built in sky, make 50 aircraft careers to station at Indian ocean, oh man!
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J.muthu / August 13, 2013
Mani
Most sinhala budhist are free loaders. JUst ignore this bunch of nutters…
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Native Vedda / August 13, 2013
J.muthu
“Most sinhala budhist are free loaders. JUst ignore this bunch of nutters…”
Aren’t they your blood brothers?
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Sanjaya / August 13, 2013
“Thiru”
[Edited out]
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amara / August 13, 2013
We were a proud nation ruled by internationally recognised and awarded statesmen who were well respected for their education and political charisma. SWRDB was conferred the title of golden tongue by Oxford university. Mrs. B was fame for being the world’s first lady prime minister. NM Perera, Colvin RD Silva, JR Jayawardene, Lalith Athulath Mudaly, Gamini, ACS Hameed, Amirthalingam etc etc.. Now it has gone to dogs and it is despicable to even watch the speeches and interviews the Rajapakse family is giving in the media. Its a shame the country is rules by these low quality goons. We have lost all our reputation internationally.
Sinhalese and Buddhists need to think over and stand firm to chase out this bunch of rogues who have already sold part of the country to Chinese gamblers and International prostituion ring leaders. Otherwise we will not be able to save our daughters from being dragged into their fancy night clubs to please their foreign masters.
We need to protest BBS and its rogue, drunkard monks and prevent them from doing more damage to the nation in collaboration with the rulers. They are the main brokers for Rajapakse family to rob the country’s wealth. Wake up guys.
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Banana / August 13, 2013
Amara, most of the leaders you mention created the war through acts such as the Sinhala Only Act (which prevented Tamils from getting Government jobs), Education Standardization (which reduced Tamils’s access to higher education) and the 1983 anti Tamil riots ( the Government of the day did not act soon enough to prevent the riots from continuing/spreading).
The acts of the BBS cannot be condoned. But the Government must be given time and the space to come up with a solution to the just grievances of the minority communities.
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Sanjaya / August 13, 2013
Thiru, keep close your [Edited out] man.
Your father and mother not belongs to this country.They came form india as labours.You have no rights to this country.
Your roots in india and not in sri lanka.Go back idiot.
But peacefull tamils are always wellcome.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
Sanjaya,
This is the attitude Lee Kuan Yew is Talking about. After all you elected MR the extremist, didn’t you?
Tamils of Ilam (North-East of Sri Lanka) were trading with King Solomon’s merchants 3000 years ago before Sinhala history began.
So, you understand a bit of history, if you want to know about the true history please read authentic history books, not those doctored by Bhikkus.
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M.SIVANANTHAN / August 13, 2013
Bhikku Mahanama came from kanchipuram and wrote Mahavamsa.
Dont you know it?
King Solomon.. hahah
ILLAM is in Kerala and not the VVT smugglers.
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Thiru / August 14, 2013
Mahanama might even have descended form the heaven, so what?
Ha ha ha, Read history, you are not Lord Siva, for the truth.
Without the proper history please don’t argue with opinions: Your ignorance shows glaringly.
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M.SIVANANTHAN / August 15, 2013
I know you are a fool and never read any history. Read mahavamsa if you can.
I think you read only propaganda and no history. Many such Tamil fools like you bark for LTTE. Even Prabhakaran was a half malayalee. Do you know it?
History is not the “kalla uruthi” of Jaffna!
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sach / August 14, 2013
And u were crying abt Bhikkus writing SL history
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Native Vedda / August 13, 2013
Sanjaya
“Your father and mother not belongs to this country.They came form india as labours.You have no rights to this country. Your roots in india and not in sri lanka.Go back idiot.”
Your ancestors too came from India and your roots are in India too. I suggest when Thiru and his people return to his homeland I hope he would give your a free passage back to your homeland, Sinhapura, Venga in Lata land.
Please go.
We want our land.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
Native Vedda,
Original peoples of Ceylon were Yakkas, Nagas and Veddas.
Nagas transformed into Tamils: You will read in history books that the North-East kingdom was also called Naga dwepa. Veddas, you claim are your ancestors is the second group. Yakkas with input from North India transformed into Sinhalese.
Ilam state (North-Eastern Ceylon) had contacts with the traders of the Middle East as afar back as 3000 years ago. They were not Muslims then, but Arabs some of them settled in the island. Their descendents and some Tamils became Muslims with the advent of Islam. You can Google and find many of the things I mention here, if only we keep our minds open.
Therefore, all the groups belong to the island. Nobody needs to go anywhere else.
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The Professional / August 15, 2013
Historians also suggests that villages in the south that starts with “Na-” were original settlements of Nagas. The late Arisen Ahubudu described Nagas as people who worked with irrigated water. The late Dr. RL Spittle described in “Wild White Boy” and “Wild Sambur” the Veddahs as having origins to a tribe of homo-sapiens called Australoid. Veddah community has also been mentioned as descendants of Kuweni’s children. I suggest for reading “Roots” and “Chesapeake Bay” for some idea as to how migration and integration with “locals” have changed and shaped “demography” and to visit South Africa to find how many “coloureds” are in the urban areas. LKY gradually paved way for Mandarin speaking Chinese to take over the “control” of Singapore. In almost all capital cities of the Western Europe, the majority are not natives of those countries. Under these liberation Sinhalese, liberation Tamils, Liberation Muslims and Liberation “Veddahs” have no meaning. It matters when it comes to money and power.
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AYMAN / August 13, 2013
[Edited out]
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cholan / March 28, 2015
Joker your ancestors came from today Kerala in India then Tamil Sera Kingdom and occupied this country ..and your roots are in South India ..
Fool do you know Kandayan kingdom was created by colonization of Hindu Manwadus from South India who converted to Buddhism later
First you better go back to Kerala …
Tamils are living here from historical time if you believe fake ..fabricated Mahawamsa it is your fault
Tell me what you Sinhalesae have in your own ?Except imported religion..impoted culture..imported food..imported dress.all from todays Indian lands ……copied festivals from Tamil
Now sending your own sisters and wives to service Arabs day and night for few dollars without shame soon you will send them to China also do you know even the poorest Bangaldesh banned girls going to Middle East as maids atleast they have self-respect
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xlntgson / August 13, 2013
How to compare a tiny city state of 5O m. population and a nation with 20 m. The port expansion and free port may not go further if Rajapakses are ousted, but I think he will win on communal card. Both Lees and Rajapakses are dynastic. What Lee, a chinese origin, has to say about Chinese expansion here against presumed Indian expansionism? The problem of Sri Lanka is like a small fish waiting to be swallowed by two giant fish? So, developing spines all over the skin, will it bother the predators?
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Banana / August 13, 2013
Mr. Lee’s facts are wrong.
The simple facts are; MR on being elected President in 2005 initiated peace talks but the LTTE/V.Prabbakaran withdrew believing that the Sri Lankan military could be defeated and Tamil Eelam established. The plain truth was that the SL Army at that time was running low on ammunition and weapons and the LTTE sought to take advantage of that. Thankfully, Pakistan and China came to SL’s assistance.
Thereafter, in the latter stages of the war, i.e. in early 2009, MR made several offers to the LTTE/VP to surrender – having surrounded the terrorists from all directions. This was done in order to avoid civilian casualties. However, the LTTE/VP rejected all these offers and went to the extent of using Tamil people as human shields in order to save their/his skin(s).
The fact is that, if not for the SL Military’s determination to avoid/minimise civilian casualties, the war would have been over sooner.
Therefore, Mr. Lee’s contention of ethnic cleansing (the words appear to have been put in his mouth by the author)is INCORRECT. Further, the war was not one made by MR. It was the LTTE/VP which forced war on MR/SL by closing the sluice gates of Mavil Aru, thus denying water to Tamils/Muslims/Sinhalese.
The simple fact is that the LTTE/VP went against nature and its/his own people and paid the price.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
Banana,
You have gone bananas.
The problem was not started by the LTTE, my friend. The seeds of discord were sown by DSS, SWRD, Srimavo, JRJ and other leaders that followed them. LTTE was the result of the state oppression of Tamils. Have you forgotten all the anti-Tamil pogroms since 1956, 58 ….? May be you were born much later.
Lee Kuan Yew said a similar thing about SWRD after he visited Ceylon and admired its prosperity then.
Lee knows the history of Ceylon/Sri Lanka inside out. He is a world renowned statesman.
You or me are nowhere near his stature, so don’t insult him saying he doesn’t know the facts.
One can twist the facts, but facts remain.
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sach / August 14, 2013
the beginng of conflict is a different topic. This is abt Lee
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Thiru / August 15, 2013
That was my reply to Banana’s comment:Is his comment just about about Lee Kuan Yew? He talks about Sinhala/Tamil politics and war!
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sach / August 15, 2013
Actually he talks abt war in relation to MR and how Lee’s perception is screwed. :D read it again then u’l understand
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Das / August 13, 2013
In Singapore, it follows order and law.not law and order.Singapore will never be Sri Lanka as they are like north and south plole.some of the writers are like frog in the well.I am a Sri lankan Tamil migrated forty years ago never even regretted my decision.this is a great country.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
Are you a proud Singaporean? If so, you have every reason to be!
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Thrishantha / August 13, 2013
Rajapaksa’s supporters often took Singapore as a lucrative example to justify his path towards a dictatorship to cheat the ignorant people. Many don’t know that corrupt dictatorships are sweet only in the short-run. In the long run, they collapse together with the country and the people. The thud on the ground is very painful. Singapore was a totally different story with virtually no state corruption.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
Absolutely, we are at least a century away from Singapore!
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amara / August 13, 2013
We were a proud nation ruled by internationally recognised and awarded statesmen who were well respected for their education and political charisma. SWRDB was conferred the title of golden tongue by Oxford university. Mrs. B was fame for being the world’s first lady prime minister. NM Perera, Colvin RD Silva, JR Jayawardene, Lalith Athulath Mudaly, Gamini, ACS Hameed, Amirthalingam etc etc.. Now it has gone to dogs and it is despicable to even watch the speeches and interviews the Rajapakse family is giving in the media. Its a shame the country is rules by these low quality goons. We have lost all our reputation internationally.
Sinhalese and Buddhists need to think over and stand firm to chase out this bunch of rogues who have already sold part of the country to Chinese gamblers and International prostituion ring leaders. Otherwise we will not be able to save our daughters from being dragged into their fancy night clubs to please their foreign masters.
We need to protest BBS and its rogue, drunkard monks and prevent them from doing more damage to the nation in collaboration with the rulers. They are the main brokers for Rajapakse family to rob the country’s wealth. Wake up guys.
/
sooriya / August 13, 2013
We need an extremist like Mahinda to this country for ever…If not Tamil and Muslim extremist can not be defeated..Mahinda built up a harbour in Hambantotoa..Are you gelous of ot Lee?…Mind your own business…We can manage ourselves…Tamil ass licker…
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Aela / August 13, 2013
Phew! Sooriya! Lee talks straight unlike your lying MR and he becomes a Tamil [Edited out]. But your ancestor’s are also Tamil, my friend. Just remember that!
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Lapatiya / August 13, 2013
“We need an extremist like Mahinda to this country for ever…If not Tamil and Muslim extremist can not be defeated”
You are absolutely correct. Mahinda Hitlerpaksha defeated Tamil and Muslim extremism and he also defeated Waliweriya Water Terrorism, Katunayaka FTF pension scheme Terrorism, Halawatha Diesel Terrorism and now we are now very close to the Aascharya.
“..Mahinda built up a harbour in Hambantotoa..Are you gelous of ot Lee?…Mind your own business…We can manage ourselves…Tamil ass licker…”
Actually, as you said LKY may be Jealous as he could not Build a Harbor and name after him. LKY feel more Jealous because our Harbor is now being used as a Swimming Pool and that is the biggest Swimming pool in the Region.
Also, I agree with you “Tamil ass licker” story. Now a days nothing will happen without the knowledge of Tamil Diaspora. May be they paid big sum to LKY to make this statement and this also can be considered as part of an International Conspiracy to tarnish good image of Rajapakshas . Puh…
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M.SIVANANTHAN / August 13, 2013
The harbor expansions of MR may hurt old Lee. If Chinese exports directed to Lankan ports, Singapore has to lose billions. Old Lee smells the trouble his son going to face in the future.
Lee can do one thing. Create another LTTE to destroy the resources now diverted towards developments! But that never happen.
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J.muthu / August 13, 2013
Dont forget your medication, take it now…
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Alan / August 18, 2013
M. Sivananthan, is one of the intelligent person in the world……………..Singapore has the almost second biggest harbor in the world. The are in multi billion dollar business and fully automated container terminal system they maintained even i know in 2000’s. Hambanthota port has nothing and they are trying to recover the lost at least to make vehicle off loading terminal. The port construction is failure and required huge money to make success. Because, we have involved in Sri Lanka the port related infrastructure business..
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siripala / August 13, 2013
We don’t need LKY to tell us that MR is a Sinhala racist. We know it!
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Citizen / August 13, 2013
Lee Kuan Yew has correctly said. Tamils will bounce back like the Germans. History repeats. MR is short-sighted while Lee Kuan Yew is far-sighted. Lee Kuan Yew is a Statesman. MR has not reached that stage. Lee Kuan never plunders the wealth of his country.
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
You can’t keep Tamils down unless you exterminate them – that’s what MARA regime did in 2009, is trying to do in a different form.
All humanity loving people must stop this barbarism because eventually it will come to you too, as the Muslims realize now.
All Tamils ask for is this: Let us thrive in excellence, like other freedom loving peoples, in our historical habitat of the North-East which we inherited from our ancestors of 3 millenniums or more.
How does it hurt the Sinhalese people?
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sach / August 14, 2013
well tamils have been down for 30 odd years in SL. It took a sinhala army to save them :D
North East is not ur historical habitat! thats y!
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cholan / March 28, 2015
he he he Sinhala army save Tamils this is why now under UN investigation
your army has no brain or muscle to beat them this is a history ….
It is because of the help of poverty India and 36 countries you have silenced them …
When KATUNAYAKA airport was attacked your security forces were running like headless chickens according to a European passenger who was there at that time Shame to this day your modaya forces are unable to recover the brand new van used by rebels …
Lee has correctly pointed Tamils will arise again then you will hide under bed with your wife
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Vibhushana / August 13, 2013
/*
The Colombo South Terminal of the Colombo Port was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 05.
The massive terminal in Colombo is located mid-way on the lucrative east-west sea route and has facilities on a par with Singapore and Dubai.
*/
It must hurt and causing a few worries.
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Safa / August 13, 2013
Singapore is an ideal we could do well to emulate.
http://libguides.nl.sg/content.php?pid=109756&sid=827175
“According to the 2009 Population Trends report by the Singapore government, the ethnic composition of Singapore residents stands at:
• Chinese 74.2%
• Malays 13.4%
• Indians 9.2%
With close to 5 million people living in close proximity on an island which is just under 700 sq km and sharing common work and social spaces enable people from different communities to be exposed to and to gain a shared mutual understanding and respect for other cultures and religions. The unique customs, traditional clothings, festivals and foods of each ethnic group contribute to create a rich and colourful society that celebrates and embraces differences.
Singaporeans are privileged to live in a multicultural society where there is equitable treatment for all ethnic and religious groups and one which is tolerant of different cultural and religious practices. There have been many occasions past and present, where people of different faiths have come togther and banded as a collective force to help one another through periods of adversity and tragedy. The challenges of sustaining a peaceful and harmonious multicultural society are manifold as the same differences can give rise to tensions and conflicts if these are not managed properly. The other sub-sections in this tab address the internal and external threats to Singapore as well as how the government has been successful in managing our multi-ethnicity.”
In terms of personal development, housing, education, healthcare and technology they are way ahead of us and no wonder. Whereas we have been fighting and killing each other, they have worked on building a society free of discrimination where every citizen has a fair chance to improve and come up in life. We continue to quote history, quibble and attack each other, so we seem to be running on the same spot.
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Safa / August 13, 2013
Under the same tab – “Case Study Sri Lanka”. Singapore is learning from us.
“The ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka has a history spanning more than 100 years. It began when Sri Lanka was under the British colonial rule, as resentment was created when the Tamil minority was privileged over the Sinhalese for jobs and educational opportunities. The reversed happened when Sri Lanka became independent in 1948, as the Sri Lankan government passed the Ceylon Citizenship Act and the ‘Sinhala Only’ Official Language Act, making life increasingly difficult for the Tamils. Ethnic violence errupted during the 1950s and 1960s as a result of the perceived unfair treatment. Further unhappiness was caused with the introduction of new and more stringent university admission criteria for Tamils after 1970 to limit their enrolment in university, as well as the resettlement policy implemented during the 1950s, when Sinhalese peasants, Buddhist monks and even the Sri Lankan Army moved in and took over areas occupied by Tamils. The unjust treatment of Tamils was the impetus for the formation of the Tamil United Liberation Front, a new political party created to fight for Tamil rights. Out of this arose the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE aka Tamil Tigers), a youth militant group who adopted violence as a means to achieve their goal – to have a separate and independent Tamil state.
In recent times, the worst periods of violence occured between 1981 and 1984, particularly the July 1983 riots, which resulted in the deaths of 13 Sinhalese solders, who were killed when their army truck rolled over explosives planted by the Tamil Tigers.
As a result of the July 1983 riots, unemployment became wide-spread among both the Tamils and Sinhalese as factory and plantation workers lost their jobs. Foreign investment dropped to an all-time low after the civil unrest. The tourism industry was also badly hit, as tourists avoided Sri Lanka as their holiday destination, leading to job losses and a stagnant growth for the country, even up to the late 1990s.
Due to the 1983 riots, thousands of Tamils fled from their homes in the northern part of Sri Lanka and sought refuge in Tamil Nadu, South India. To combat the LTTE, the Sri Lankan Army set up High Secuiry Zones (HSZ) in the early 1990s and moved into Tamil occupied areas in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Many Tamils were driven out of their homes by the army occupation and had to live in poorly equipped refugee camps established by the army.
With Norweigians as mediators, the Sri Lankan government and LTTE held their first peace talks in 2002. However, the peace talks were derailed when LTTE withdrew in 2003 as they perceived that the treaty was biased against the Tamils. Things went downhill from there, beginning with a suicide bomb blast in Colombo in 2004, the assassination of the Foreign Minister in 2005 and other attacks against the army the same year. The country continued to be crippled by political instability and sporadic outbreaks of bloody violence.
The civil war finally came to an end on 18 May 2009, when the Sri Lanka governement officially declared that the Tamil Tigers had been defeated. The number of deaths and injuries sustained have been staggering – estimated 100,000 deaths, tens of thousands injured and almost a million left homeless. Sri Lanka is now slowly picking up the pieces and faces difficult challenges ahead in its journey towards economic, social and political recovery.
The resources below provide an introduction to and a multi-layered perspective of the Sri Lankan conflict.”
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Thiru / August 13, 2013
Well said Safa,
It is so sad we never had a leader with vision such as Lee Kuan Yew. All the leaders we have had are selfish, opportunist humbugs. Majority of the people still don’t realize it.
Lee Kuan Yew said in one of his books: Somebody should tell the Sinhalese and the Tamils to go separate ways in Sri Lanka for its own good. He is virtually saying the same now.
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sach / August 14, 2013
if the sinhalese had a leader like Lee, U tamils will be extremely powerless
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Thiru / August 15, 2013
You find several powerful Tamils in Singapore government, not like the Tamil puppets in SL govt.
Sri Lanka never had proper leaders to start with, but selfish opportunists.
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M.SIVANANTHAN / August 15, 2013
Who are the so called “powerful” Tamils in Singapore under LEE?
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sach / August 15, 2013
having several powerful individuals in a gov is different from being powerful as a race. Even in JRs and even Premadasa’s governments’ there were powerful tamils. :D but they couldnt do sh1t :D
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S Mahinda / October 10, 2013
Thiru, you are most welcome to go and live in your first homeland Tamilnadu where they beat the hell out of innocent Buddhist monks. The Muslims in SL are building Mosques everywhere and say that these Mosques are 100, 200 or 300 years old just like u Tamils are re-writing history to say you have lived in SL for 3000 years. Funny how visitors or traders to Sri Lanka in the olden days don’t mention Tamil citizens and only mention Sinhala people. Tamils are masters at propaganda and would go to any length to carve out land belonging to others. Ask for Eelam in Singapore and see how LKY would make mince meat out of the extremely racist and caste minded Tamils.
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Hashi / August 13, 2013
I have been verbally abused many times during the last 20 years while traveling through Singapore by Chinese calling me a dirty Indian. The last incident was at Changi airport when I tried to pay for excess baggage. The staff of Singapore airlines staff of Malay & Indian origin were shocked & in sheer shame gave me free baggage allowance. They upgraded me on the flight & treated me with all benefits as they were so ashamed of the behavior of a Singaporean of Chinese origin. I am not an Indian & have no connection or roots to India. I have read & seen videos that Mr. Rajapakse is now destroying the Sinhalese & Buddhist sites with the Muslims.
Read the case about Sinhalese being killed by the Army at Rathupassala, The Ancient Buddhist shrines & Trees cut down at many locations, Ancient pagodas & hermitages bulldozed to build mosques.
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I am no cad / August 13, 2013
Strange! I travel through Singapore frequently and I have never ever met a rude Singaporean during the past 30 years of travel there. they may be distant, but very professional and polite.
Unless of course you did something crude, typical of Sri Lankans, did you jump queues, jostle, or do something silly? with our ” me firs” mentality we do cut a poor image with no sense of civility,
Once I was at the taxi stand, during the rush hour, and kept looking at the watch. The gentlemen in front of me must have noticed and gracefully gave way. Despite my remonstrations, he insisted, saying I was a guest
That’s my experience of Singapore
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justice / August 13, 2013
Singapore prospers because highly educated persons with proved skills and experiance are chosen as ministers.
They use their expertise for the nation’s welfare.Their personal lives and wealth are above board.There is no corruption or wastage of national resources – evey project is well researched and implemented carefully.
Hence Singapore excels in medicine,engineering,science and in all disciplines useful for mankind.
If sri lanka chooses ministers similarly and respects their opinions,we too will prosper.
And, all citizens should be assured EQUALITY in every sense of the word. Then there will be peace and justice.
But,in the present context of things,we can only dream.
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The Professional / August 16, 2013
Dear Mr. Justice,
One more thing. The success story is in their planning model. Every 10-years they forecast the world trend in politics, finance, energy supply etc. etc. and prepare a 10-year Master Plan for the city state covering economic, social, physical and environmental development. Both 40-year forecast and 10-year plan plan are monitored annually with up to date data, reviewed and adjustments are made to the 10-year plan.
As regards politics, the GOS recruits the cream of the university graduates annually to the state service because the state service is very powerful in governance of Singapore. The top management of state institutions are selected from the talent pool of managers in the state sector who are 35-40 years of age. When these top managers reach 45 they are offered the options of continuing as consultants to state sector, becoming entrepreneurs or choosing politics as a career.
So time tested models for planning and human resource management are the foundations of the success story of Singapore. Leaders may come and leaders may go but a strong government, whether it is democratic, autocratic or whatever you may call it, is essential for building up on strong foundations. Malaysia under Mahathir Mohamed, and Indonesia under Suhartho are the other comparable stories in the region. China under Deng Xiao Ping is also a story worthy of comparison.
With 5/6th majority JR also started towards economic development and physical development (sadly no social development) but from 1983 investments started drying up. Ministers of the caliber of Gamini Dissanayake (Irrigation and Hydro Power), Lalith Athulathmudali (Ports and Shipping) Ranasinghe Premadasa (Housing and Construction) worked hard for both national development and individual glorification.
In Sigapore the whole structure of governance is professional because the system developed after independence needs such professionalism. With our obsolete Administrative Service and public service over crowded with graduates recruited without vacancies and without proper screening it is difficult for SL to be productive. I kindly request the CT readers to compare the Planning and HR Management models of SL instead of criticizing people on surface value.
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crazyoldmansl / August 13, 2013
Show me the Sri Lankan leaders who were not sinhala extremists. The only one I am fairly sure was not one of these animals is that gangland boss called Premadasa. Of his son however I cannot say the same.
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Linage / August 13, 2013
Now, he only has to wait for the white vans.
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kp / August 13, 2013
cant help but laugh to myself at all these comments here. oh how we’ve fallen as a society… when you start besmirching the name of a man who, until he criticized your local lord, was one of those great regional figures, you know you’ve come to the phase where you’re past the point of opening your eyes to reality.
as much as i hate to say it, if this is the view of the majority of lankans, im afraid we’re heading for a very big turning point indeed. back in the 30s the germans had the same blind ‘patriotism’ and ended up with their country utterly destroyed. that’s what it took to teach them the lesson they needed to learn. and we’re on that path.
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Alan / August 13, 2013
Guys, He was one of the Successful president in the world like Abraham Lincoln in USA. People like him when talk about Sri Lankan President it is shame for the country. Majority of Sri Lankan are highly literate than other South Asian countries (almost 100%). More than 90% of Sri Lankan wanted peace and harmony in the country, but there are few people who attempt to create ethnic violence for their political benefits.
We have some basic problem in the country to protect the law and order even though we are in a Democratic country. Country like in Sri Lanka it is not suitable to keep executive presidency system…..because we are still in the list of developing countries. There should not be any room for racism…laws should protected equally and there should not be any partiality. Sri Lanka is not belong to any group…..this country is belong to everyone who born and live there…and every community has the history in Sri Lanka.
The religious practicing places should be built as per the approval of the government authorities….and should bring the strict law on this. Also there should not be partiality on approvals. Don’t think about Muslim, Tamil, Sinhala ( or Buddhist, Islam, Hindu, Christian) etc. Think we are all Sri Lankan. When the laws are protected independently without influence of politicians crimes can be reduced.
The Singapore is good example for us to think……………………….But we are still talking about the Racism and non-sense.
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Jim softy / August 14, 2013
Alan:
Why don’t you migrate to another country ?
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Alan / August 14, 2013
Jim softy,
Migrating to other country is not big deal. But why should I migrate? I like to face the challenge in my own country. since my ancestors have been living for more than thousands of years. Our mothers were Buddhists before conversion to Islam…..So I like to live in my mother land.
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Kamal David / August 13, 2013
Lee Kuan Yew should know how an extremist’s mind works. Looks like some of us have forgotten how he brought up Singapore. Initially, he did massacre his opposition (go and read about it, it is all documented)! In a way, he may be seeing a bit of himself in MR. The difference is Lee did this for the sake of Singapore. MR is not a singhala extremist. He’s another selfish SOB in a line of Sons and Daughters of of bitches in Sri Lanka has produced since independence!
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