9 October, 2024

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Merger Of North & East: Another Kalashnikov Pointed At Muslims

B Salithamby Abdul Rauff

Dr. Salithamby Abdul Rauff

Dr. Salithamby Abdul Rauff

The matter that has notably occupied the political spectrums of Tamil and Muslim minorities in Sri Lanka today seems about whether to merge or demerge the already demerged Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country. The talks of North-East merger/demerger have been a political exercise perennially brandished by Tamil political leaders and at times their Muslim counterparts when they have nothing in their hands to deliver to their respective communities. In their bid to please their own people by attempting to conclude these two provinces’ political power based future, these leaders simply overlook local multi-facet social realities and regional geo-political factors that decisively influence any decision of whether merger or demerger.

We do hear via numerous media reports in recent days that Tamil leaders of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) led by R. Sampanthan have passed a resolution in a formal gathering that North and East should remain one province in future with a merger. In effect, these Tamil leaders predominantly didn’t hail from the east. The question arising in our mind is: then who are these non-eastern leaders to decide for the people in the east because it is the people of the east to write whatsoever their fate for themselves? These leaders may claim they have absolute mandate from their Tamil people in the east to decide for them. Yet, the Eastern Province is belonging not only to Tamils, but it is home to Muslims and Sinhalese also. Muslims and Sinhalese are both a joint majority in the province. Muslims are living in the East as equal or at times they are slightly more than Tamils in their size. Another question disturbing us here is: then how can these leaders from a community living as minority in the province determine the political will of other communities living as majority in that province?

Relations between Tamils and Muslims have been still strained in recent times. Mutual misperception and hatred are the ingredients of Tamil-Muslim relations today. For Muslims, They have virtually totally lost their faith placed onetime in Tamils today. They have legitimate fears of Tamils. Many campaigns well calculated and pursued by Tamils in the past against Muslims have fed today’s Muslim fears and distrust. In every peace talk that took place in the past between government and Tamils to find a political settlement to a prolonged ethnic question that badly batted the country, when Muslims wanted to be included as a separate group in such talks to represent themselves for their legitimate grievances, aspiration and interests, Tamils summarily rejected such independent Muslim participation in any peace talks claiming that Muslims were a small segment of Tamils.

Back In 2003, when Tamils introduced a power-sharing based administrative structure the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) following the ongoing peace talks of the time to run governance for people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, they had carefully marginalised the uniqueness, legitimate political aspirations and interests of Muslims of the North and East in their ISGA. The ISGA has not given rightful place to Muslims in it. Instead, it had submerged Muslims as a subgroup with Tamils not involved the ethnic problem.

In the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami, when Sri Lankan government set up a Tsunami recovery mechanism of PTOMS and wanted to include Tamils and Muslims in that PTOMS as its stakeholders to rebuild the life of Tamil and Muslim people affected by Tsunami, Tamils were intransigent and unjustifiably inhibited Muslim inclusion in the PTOMS despite Muslims being the most affected community of the Tsunami.

Today, in this post-war context, people mainly from the North who were voluntarily or involuntarily displaced by the local armed conflict of the country were steadily returning to their places of origin to continue their life. Unfortunately, several thousands of Muslims from the north who were forcibly displaced by Tamils during the same armed conflict have still not been able to return to their homes even in this no more war context. It is none other than Tamils to block their return. Tamils, Muslims grieve, effectively use their power in the Northern Provincial Council and their leverage at centre as a tool to halt Muslim return.

Meanwhile, Muslims of the north faced an ethnic cleansing in 1990s when Tamils irrationally expelled at least 60,000 Muslims from their homes within two hours or so only allowing a pair of cloth to take with them at the time of expulsion. This ethnic cleansing is uncritically a flagrant human right violation and a serious crime against humanity committed by Tamils. This is therefore an ethnic cleansing that is indefensible at all. Unfortunately, Tamils have not issued at least an apology for this to Muslims even about 30 years after this unfortunate incident occurred.
The economic interests of the Muslims living in the North and East, as Ameer Ali observed, lie in the land. Tens of thousands acres of Muslim lands have been illegally occupied by Tamils since the armed conflict. These occupied lands have yet to be returned to Muslims even in this post-conflict context. This illegal occupation has not only affected Muslims’ economic life, it has effectively hampered their return also. So, any north and east merger, Muslims feel, will put their economies at risk.

Finally, the TNA leader R. Sampanthan had attended the 19th national convention of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) at Palamunai in May 2016 as an honourable guest. Mr. Sampanthan in his speech uttered not a single word on how Muslims’ existence and interests would be guaranteed if both Northern and Eastern Provinces were merged in future.

For many of these reasons, Muslims distrust Tamils and have serious questions over merging north and east in future. They perceive any merger of north and east as another Kalashnikov to cleanse their existence and interests from their historical homeland of north and east. Muslims therefore apparently ask: how can we co-exist with those who still do not have heart to recognise our existence and appreciate our legitimate grievances and interests in a merged north and east?

*The writer teaches at Dhofar University of Sultanate of Oman

Latest comments

  • 7
    11

    Don’t worry mr Rauf, it won’t happen.

    Soma

    • 10
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      yes Peach blossom from Lankaweb you and the rest of the rest of the Sinhala extremist Lankaweb patrons are praying and hoping opportunistic southern Muslims like this author will sabotage the North East merger and wont let it happen.
      This short term love affair in the east between the recent state sponsored illegal Sinhalese settlers and the South Indian origin refugee Muslims to marginalise and dispossess the indigenous eastern Tamils of their land, will not last, as both have different agendas. The former to convert the Tamils east to a Sinhalese Buddhist land. The latter to make it a Wahhabi Islam fundamentalist Isis haven that will be heavily funded by certain Gulf Arab states and Porkistan and soon become a thorn and pain to the entire region. As if having Islamic basket cases like Porkistan Bangladesh and Afghanistan and mad rabid Iran in the region is not enough.
      once the indigenous Hindu eastern Tamils are disposed of their land then the fun will start in the east. The fake Arab Wahhabi will start to turn against Sinhalese extremist Peach Blossom and crowd and vice versa and will compete with each other to build mosque and Budda statues in the once Hindu Tamil east. We will hear loud Islamic calls to prayer competing with Buddhist Banna from various lodspeakers.

    • 2
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      Dr. Salithamby Abdul Rauff

      RE: Merger Of North & East: Another Kalashnikov Pointed At Muslims

      “The matter that has notably occupied the political spectrums of Tamil and Muslim minorities in Sri Lanka today seems about whether to merge or demerge the already demerged Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country. “

      This has been imposed on SL by the Indians, without the ground realities.

      What happened? The Tamils ethnically cleansed the Tamil speaking Muslims after they cleansed the Sinhala from the Northern Provence.

      Furthermore, the “Low”” CASTE EASTERN TAMILS WILL COME UNDER THE hegemony OF THE northern VELLAHALA “HIGH” caste TAMILS as well.

      So who wants it? The Vellahala Tamils Only. Others want economic and social development with law and order.

      Forgotten People – The Evicted and Displaced North Muslims of Sri Lanka (English)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JV60McNQ9o

      Published on Jun 1, 2013
      The Evicted and Displaced North Muslims of Sri Lanka. The expulsion of the Muslims and other nations from the Northern province was an act of ethnic cleansing carried out by the Tamil militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization in October 1990. In order to achieve their goal of creating a mono ethnic Tamil state in the North Sri Lanka, the LTTE forcibly expelled the 72,000 strong Muslim population from the Northern Province.

    • 5
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      somaasss

      “Don’t worry mr Rauf, it won’t happen.”

      We will never know how things happen.

      Did you expect tsunami to strike this island some years ago? Another tsunami could strike this island any time and wipe out 3/4 of the population.

      Read the following excerpt from a press briefing:

      “Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me,

      because as we know, there are known knowns;

      there are things we know we know.

      We also know there are known unknowns;

      that is to say we know there are some things we do not know.

      But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know.

      And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones”

      – United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, February 12, 2002

      • 1
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        N.V.

        Allow me to revise my statement:


        Don’t worry mr Rauf, it won’t happen baring a tsunami. “

        Soma

        • 4
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          But this is happening to Lanka’s dream funder gone sour.
          his belt and Road Initiative is going going gone to Saudi.

          9/1/2016
          Xi calls for joint efforts with Saudi Arabia in supporting G20’s role.
          Chinese PresidentXi Jinping(R) meets with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

          Xi made the remarks when meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Beijing.

          He said the international society looks forward to seeing the G20 Summit play a positive role in boosting the global economy and enhancing international economic cooperation.

          China and Saudi Arabia are both important G20 members and emerging economies. They should work together to ensure G20 functions well as the major forum for international economic cooperation, Xi said.

          Mohammed, also Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, will attend the G20 Summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, scheduled for Sept. 4-5.

          Xi welcomed Mohammed’s visit to China and congratulated him on the success of the first meeting of a high-level steering committee for coordinating bilateral cooperation.

          China takes Saudi Arabia as an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that China is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to enrich their comprehensive strategic partnership.

          Underlining the importance of cementing strategic mutual trust, Xi said China supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts in safeguarding its own security and stability.

          He called on the two countries to step up the alignment of each other’s development strategy, so as to deepen the integration of common interests.

          “We should use the Belt and Road Initiative to lead bilateral pragmatic cooperation,” he said……..
          you never know the communist or islamist.

  • 16
    2

    It is great that some Sri Lankan Muslims carry a name of their mother tongue – in this case Tamil.

    In many parts of the world Muslims carry only Arabic names and you cannot guess from their names whether they are Malay, or Pakistani, etc.

    Muslims in Sri Lanka must be recognized as brothers and sisters of Tamils.

    • 6
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      I have never noticed this before. Is it unusual?

      • 15
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        No. Not unusual as Sri Lankan Muslims are not Moors but Tamil by ethnicity. They are descended from immigrant Tamils from South India who converted to Islam. The Arabic or Moorish origin is a myth. If there is it is very negligible and only a few hundred families will be able to provide some proof of a distant Arab male ancestor.

        Common Sri Lankan Muslim family names and titles like Thambi like this author Marrikar, Lebbai, Rawther, Kutty are all Tamil Muslim castes from South India. The Marrikars are generally from the coastal areas and the Lebbai and Rawthers are largely from the interior of Tamil Nadu.

        The Muslim identity in Sri Lanka is really not an ethnic identity. As ethnically they are Dravidian and Tamil. It is a religious identity that has now become an ethnic identity due to politics of dividing and ruling the island’s Tamils on regional and religious lines.

        The Muslim elite especially from the southern cities encouraged this artificial identity for their own benefit and many of them like this author. use the Tamil Muslims in the north and east who are 100% Tamil in every aspect, race language culture way of life, as pawns for their power game with the Sinhalese to gain favours from them. The author is very quiet about the fact that the Tamil Muslims in the east are so mixed up with the Tamils of the east that they even follow the eastern Tamil Kuddi system and the Mukkuva law.

        They usually blackmail the Sinhalese using the eastern Muslims as a trump card to contain the indigenous Tamils and the Tamilised Vedda of the east who are the real owners of the east.

        Not the Sinhalese who only came to the east in the past few decades through state sponsored colonisation schemes, done deliberately to change the demography of the east and make the Tamils who were a 60-65% majority in the east now a 40% minority. In 1948 the Sinhalese population in the east was less than 5% now 28% and growing. How can a population that was less than 5% increase more than 6 times within a few decades? This was done by large scale settlement of Sinhalese in the east by all Sinhalese governments since 1948 until present on ethnically cleansed Tamil lands. They also merged many Sinhalese areas from the Uva province with the Amparai electorate in the east. Almost 100000 Sinhalese were added to the population of Amparai by this Many border Tamil villages from the Batticaloa district were taken from the east and made part or the Polonaruwa district.

        These Sinhalese should never be allowed to decide on the fate of the eastern Tamils who had lived there and ruled from time immemorial and were the overall majority in all the provinces in the east until the state sponsored colonisation of Sinhalese took place in the late 1950s, together with the artificial changing of boundaries in the east that incorporated many Sinhalese areas from the UVA to deliberately change the demography and make the Tamils a minority in the east.

        People who were settled using the might and force of a racist government on ethnically cleansed Tamils land should not be now allowed to decide on the fate of the real owners of the land. This means genocide and ethnic cleansing that is a war crime is now being rewarded.

        The best compromise that will make everyone happy is to take of he Sinhalese majority Amparai elecotorate and Lahugala from and merge it with the UVA. Then take to now Sinhalese majority Gomarankadawela division from Trincomalee and merge it the North Central province by this more than 90% of the Sinhalese now living in the east will be removed from the predominantly Tamil speaking Tamil east and will be merged with the neighbouring Sinhalese majority provinces. It will be a win win situation. The Sinhalese can remain in their newly colonised lands and the rest of the Tamil east can decide on their fate.

        Similarly in the Puttalam electorate, areas that are predominantly Tamil Muslim and Eelam Tamil should be removed from the North Western province and merged with the north. In these newly merged north and east the Muslim majority area non contiguous areas should be given a lot of autonomy to run their own affairs. After other than religion there is hardly any difference between the Tamils and the Tamil Muslims. Especially the ones living in the north and east. May be there may be a difference in the Muslims living further south( not that I have noticed) but definitely not amongst the Muslims living in the north east and Puttalam region.

        These southern Muslim Thambis Marrikars Lebbai Rawther and Kutti should learn to allow them to live peacefully with their fellow non Muslim Tamils instead of agitating them and using them as pawns to blackmail and win favours from the Sinhalese. If they are genuine about the Muslims in the north and east they should allow them to live in peace and amity with their fellow Tamils, just like they want to live in harmony with the Sinhalese.

        Contrary to what this Muslim man states the Muslims do not belong to the east and don’t have any ancient history. Show me anything ancient and Muslim in the east? Nothing . Everything ancient and historical in the east is Tamil and Hindu. The history is Tamil the rulers were all Tamils and all place names were all Tamil Hindu. Nothing Muslim or Islamic or Sinhalese.

        All their history there spans only a few hundred years in the east, when they arrived there as refugees fleeing Portuguese persecution along the western coast and them Sinhalese persecution in the central highlands, to where they fled first. The Sinhalese did not want them in the central highlands, so started to persecute them and King Senarath who at that time had loose control of parts of the east, requested the Tamil Vannimanai chieftains in the east to settle them. They reluctantly obliged and settled them at specific places largely away from the native Hindu Tamils. They also gave them local Tamil Mukkuva women in marriage as many of these Muslim refugees were only men.

        These eastern Muslims like rest of the Muslims in the island were regarded as foreign and outsiders and were never allowed to own land and had to least it from the native Tamil Hindus. Like in the rest of the island the eastern Muslims were not allowed to have any important positions. All the local rulers chiefs village headmen were all Tamils. Not only in the east but in any part of the island there is no ancient Islamic history or a history of Muslim rulers or chiefs.

        The reason is that their Tamil Dravidian only migrated to the island from South India in huge waves a few centuries ago around 600-700 years ago. Muslims Arab traders nay have come to the island much earlier but they were just a few hundred over a span of a few centuries and only a few amongst them would have had some relationship with local low caste Tamil women and produced offspring. These half and quarter castes would have only numbered a few thousand and would have been soon got assimilated into the hundreds of thousands of Dravidian Tamil Muslims who migrated from South India. Now trying to show these few thousand half and quarter castes as proof of Arab heritage for the entire Muslim community in the island is a joke. The author and non of the rest of the Muslim columnists at CT remotely resemble Arabs. They all look like Dravidian Tamils that they really are.

        It was only the British who changed the law in the late 19th century and allowed Muslims and the lower castes to own land. Even up to the late 1970s most of the land in the east was still owned by the Tamils. This only changed during the Srimavo/Baddudeen Mohamed era in the when marginalisation of the Tamils in the east began in earnest and the large scale colonisation of Sinhalese in the Trincomalee district.

        Tamils are the historic and real owners of the east. They history in the east goes more than 2300 years of continuous occupation and ruling. All the ancient archaeological finds and ruins in the east are all Tamil Hindu or Tamil Buddhist. Nothing Sinhalese and definitely not Muslim . From time to time parts of the east may have come under the loose benign rule of the Tamil/Sinhalese kings of Kandy but this does not negate the ancient and continues claim of the Tamils to the east. Everything about the east even now largely screams out Tamil not Sinhalese or Muslim. Sinhalese presence in the east is only a few decades, thanks to deliberate state sponsored ethnic cleansing of Tamils and colonisation of Sinhalese. Muslim presence in the east a few centuries when they fled persecution claimed asylum from the eastern Tamil Hindus who were very generous to them as fellow Tamils and gave them villages to live and women to start families. They had no history of owning land or of ruling or deciding the fate of the east.

        Individually the Sinhalese nor the Muslims cannot do anything to the Tamils of the east who are still the largest community( not the Muslims as they falsely like to claim). However by ganging up together both these two immigrant communities in the east are now trying to marginalise and dispossess the eastern Tamils of their heritage and land and claim the east as theirs. One arrived a few decades ago after independence using the power of a racist Sinhalese government and armed forces to dispossess Tamils of their lands and settle on them. The other arrived there a few centuries ago claiming refuge from persecution and is now ironically now persecuting marginalising and dispossessing the very same people who took pity on them and gave them refuge. Tamis gave a home to these immigrant Dravidian Tamil Muslims from South India who fleeing persecution and now they want to join hands with the illegal Sinhalese settlers and steal the home and lands from the very same Tamils who gave them a home.

        If there is referendum in the east these illegal Johnny com lately Sinhalese settlers settled on ethnically cleansed Tamil lands by the racist Sinhalese state should not be allowed to vote. They did the same thing to the Indian origin estate Tamils who had lived in the central province for more than 150 years, stating that they did not belong and should return to India, as they were settled in the central province against the will of the Sinhalese. What is good for them is good for the Tamils too. Also the referendum should be extended to the 100000 or more Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps in South India as most of them are from the east and they are now allowed to settle in India.

        • 2
          17

          (un)Real Siva Sankaran Sarma

          What a waste, space and your time and others time too for attempted scan.

          KISS (keep it short and sweet)

          Write volumes, you’ll never succeed my dear.

          • 3
            0

            He He He
            truth is always bitter
            Hindu Tamil converted Muslims now dress like Arabs but talk Tamil .disgusting
            Not only Arabs but also Local Memon ,Borah Muslims treat local thoppies as shits because they know ell these thoppies are all converted Tamil Hindus
            Cheers

        • 7
          9

          Hello Sarma;
          Your assertion with the following will never be disputed by Sinhala Buddhists. We know the facts for sure.

          “No. Not unusual as Sri Lankan Muslims are not Moors but Tamil by ethnicity. They are descended from immigrant Tamils from South India who converted to Islam. The Arabic or Moorish origin is a myth. If there is it is very negligible and only a few hundred families will be able to provide some proof of a distant Arab male ancestor. Common Sri Lankan Muslim family names and titles like Thambi like this author Marrikar, Lebbai, Rawther, Kutty are all Tamil Muslim castes from South India. The Marrikars are generally from the coastal areas and the Lebbai and Rawthers are largely from the interior of Tamil Nadu. The Muslim identity in Sri Lanka is really not an ethnic identity. As ethnically they are Dravidian and Tamil. It is a religious identity that has now become an ethnic identity due to politics of dividing and ruling the island’s Tamils on regional and religious lines.” blah,blah

          But my dear fellow Sarma;

          When you start with the following crap and twist the history without any evidence;

          “Tamils are the historic and real owners of the east. They history in the east goes more than 2300 years of continuous occupation and ruling. All the ancient archaeological finds and ruins in the east are all Tamil Hindu or Tamil Buddhist… Blah, Blah and Blah..

          You have stepped out of your league. Only TAMIL terrorists make such comments. You may not like the reality in Sri Lanka but you have to swallow it, because it is the truth.;

          Sri Lanka is a Sovereign and Unitary state established by SINHALA BUDDHISTS and recognized as a SOVERIEGN AND UNITARY STATE by every nation on earth that you and I live. So stop this humbug of Tamil supremacy in the eastern province and northern province etc….
          You will live in the SOVERIEGN AND UNITARY STATE founded by SINHALA PEOPLE, The State religion must be Buddhism. SINHALA BUDDHISTS are the majority, Just like Catholics are the majority in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy etc.. Therefore Merger or demerger or any other demarcation will be decided by the SINHALA BUDDHISTS, It will be the only and sole criteria until eternity.

          Therefore without being guided by ignorance and misinformation, live happily during your short life. Do not make comments to ignite racial violence again, we have had enough of LTTE doctrine. And you know the outcome.

          • 6
            1

            Most Sinhalese like the Sri Lankan Muslims are also descended from low caste Indian Tamil immigrants, imported into the island by the Portuguese and Dutch. Now one claims an Aryan origin and the other to hide their low origin. That is why they have a very close affinity and liking for each other.
            Sinhalese, a people largely made up of assimilated low castes from south India only became a majority through a quirk of fate, when the British decided to merge the Tamil north and east that was a separate land until then with the Sinhalese south in 1833, and then handed the entire island into the evil genocidal racist Sinhalese paws, in 1948
            Until this time you never had a peep into the ancient Tamil lands in the north and east. In fact Sinhalese savages like you were ruled by Hindu and Buddhist Tamil dynasties and aristocracy of largely South Indian origin, who tried their best to civilise the Sinhalese but seems to have failed. All you so called Sinhalese aristocracy have their origins in South India.
            Do not try to compare the situation in the island with France Spain or Portugal. These were nation states where the majority Catholic ethnic group had ruled the land what you call France Portugal and Spain for centuries, whereas you Sinhalese never had a history of ruling the entire island and were only confined to the southern western and central parts of the island. In fact you have a history of being ruled by Tamils and Tamil dynasties and not the other way around. If not for the British you would have never had your dirty greedy evil racist Sinhalese paws to steal rape loot and ethnically cleanse and kill in the Tamil lands of the north and east. Joker

        • 5
          0

          What I meant was, is it unusual for Muslims to have a Tamil-sounding name like Salithamby

          • 5
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            It means on one hand we have `honest sergeant kandiah`, and on the other `thoppi peretu thambi` both working for the sinhalese kappan kakko.
            first names require just an affidavit as per british law or roman.

        • 0
          4

          From the Unreal SS Sarma lead me to the Real. You have a lot to get off your chest. Let it go, let it all go….

    • 15
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      No disrespect to good muslims.

      Majority of them are opportunistic – Hat …..

      • 7
        10

        Anpu,

        You Thalayas are worse

        • 13
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          ravi perera Sinhala speaking Demela

          “You Thalayas are worse”

          How about Sinhala speaking Demelas, such as yourself?

          By the way is it true super patriot Wimal Weerawansa’s dad has a deep, deep, deep South Indian name? Is it Sankili Karuppan (Weerasangilige Podineris)?

          What was your Tamil name before you converted to Sinhala/Buddhism?

        • 12
          1

          I have noticed Ravi Perera often using the term Thalayas to describe, derogatorily from his point of view, the Tamil community. By Thalaya I expect you mean those using Sesame Oil. In the Tamil, Malayalee, Telugu, Kannada traditions in South India Sesame Oil (Thala Thel) is a healthy ingredient both as a medium of cooking and application to the body before bathing. I expect it is the same in other parts of India. The Chinese all over the world use this medium of cooking extensively. It is for that reason it is called Nalla Ennai (the good oil) in Tamil. The use of this oil in cooking is, therefore, an indication of an ancient and enlightened culture.

          Even Sinhala Doctors – Western and Native – recommend the use of this oil for their patients.

          So, Mr. Ravi Perera, it is time to educate yourself a little bit more about the cultured practises of ancient people. In trying to denigrate another ancient race and cultured people, I am afraid you have only succeeded in exposing your weaknesses. How about that famous cry of the Coastal Sinhala fisher-folk even today in anger “thoge maalu mang kanawa” (I will eat your raw flesh) You cannot deny this has happened earlier throughout the ages.
          Clearly, no cooking oil required there for the descendants of that blood-drinking Rakshini Kuveni – some of whom are still with us. It is time Ravi Perera checked his family tree i.e. ancestry.

          Backlash

          • 0
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            parippu ravi the lizard fears going loose brooze.

            Thalayas- that is where the toddy tapper got his head from. He is jealous of sesame seed oil which carries much carbohydrates.

    • 3
      3

      Thiru
      Indonesia is remarkably different in that respect.

      Protestant Christians and Catholics had non-native names not long ago. Some Sinhala Buddhists still do.

      Look at the names of many young Sri Lankan Tamils today: they are not Tamil, Hindi, or any such thing. That is addiction to ‘numerology’.
      There are other comic results too because of the substitution of soft r in Tamil for ‘t’ in English. The reverse has happened with a ‘t’ standing in for Tamil ‘r’in the name of recent frequent contributor

      • 4
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        sekara/SJ

        “Look at the names of many young Sri Lankan Tamils today: they are not Tamil, Hindi, or any such thing.”

        Would you like your fellow Tamils to go back into their past to look for authentic Tamil names.

        Look what I found,

        Illamtirayan, Illamcingam, Ilaiya Kunjira Mallar, Imayavaramban Nedunceralatan, Gajalaksmi, Daksinamurti, Irumporai, Kacciyarayar, Kampavarman, Karuvur Devar, Kulottunga, Krsnadevaraya, Kurruva Nayanar, Kundavai, ,,,,,,.,,,,,,

        • 0
          4

          Eaxctly. The tamils that live in Sri lanka are largely malabars who were brought here as indented laborers, and they have Malabar names – not genuine tamil names.
          In 1815 most inhabitants of Jaffna were moors, as noted by captain Percival. A minority were Sinhalse and Malbaras (Tamils).

          • 5
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            Bodin

            “The tamils that live in Sri lanka are largely malabars who were brought here as indented laborers, and they have Malabar names – not genuine tamil names.”

            They had since converted to Sinhala/Buddhism, forming large part of the noisy Sinhala/Buddhist population.

            “In 1815 most inhabitants of Jaffna were moors, as noted by captain Percival. A minority were Sinhalse and Malbaras “

            Please cite reference. Did he see any Sonakar among Jaffna population?

      • 0
        0

        NV
        Thanks for being serious.
        The comment was in context of admiration of a Muslim for having a good Tamil name.
        My observation was about names being rendered meaningless by temptation to be different, modern or, more worryingly, “numerologically correct”. The latter is an ailment that seriously affects Sri Lankan Tamils more than other Tamils or other Sri lankan communities.
        I am no traditionalist of any description. I respect tradition but do not crave for the past.

        • 3
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          sekara

          Throughout the history of this world, changes have been taking place every second of the day.

          “In all the universe nothing remains permanent and unchanged but the spirit.”

          ― Anton Chekhov, The Seagull

          In case if you need more choices of ancient and medieval names, please give me shout.

          • 0
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            Agree.
            The list may be use to some purists, but not me.
            I will pass on your offer of help if I come across anyone in need.

    • 1
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      Thiru

      “Muslims in Sri Lanka must be recognized as brothers and sisters of Tamils.”

      Yes, the SL Muslims carry Sinnathamby, Periyatanbi, Thagacchi, Aachi, Appa etc. as they respect their mother tongue Tamil and the Tamils who speak Tamil. Unfortunately, the problem is with their fellow Tamil Speaking counterparts, Tamils, and they want to ethnically cleanse them, kill them etc.

      Forgotten People – The Evicted and Displaced North Muslims of Sri Lanka (English)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JV60McNQ9o

    • 1
      2

      Indeed, Tamils should be regarded as our younger brothers –thambi level.
      Remember, >b>Captain Percival who lived in Jaffna during the 1800-1815 period
      gives data and indeed explicitly says that there are more Moors than
      Maalabars (Tamils) in Jaffna .

      Jaffna too is the rightful homeland of the Muslims, with our
      younger brothres having a minority place there.
      Muslims must be given back their alnds in the North as soon as possible.

      A for eastern province townships, we have the administrative dispatches of
      Englsih government agents who have listed the Sinhalese Villages which are being encroached by Malabars (the name used by the British for the Tamils as the vast majority of today’s Tamils came here from the Malabar coast as laborers working in the Tobacco plantations, cinnamon and later coffee and Tea plantations. Sankilli and his descendants are a small number and they had got absorbed into the vanni.

      If you go back to even 1900 you see that these Tamils have no place in the East. The majority of people were Sinhalese and Muslims, with a minor Tamil presence in the coastal fishing towns during the fishery seasons.

      • 2
        0

        Tell us the names of these so called British government agents and never heard of a Captain Percival. 1900 years ago there were no Sinhalese/Sinhalese language and nor was Mohammed or Islam born. However lots of archaeological evidence Hindu of Tamil Hindu presence in the north and east. So there was a Tamil Jaffna kingdom without Tamils but full of Muslims and Sinhalese!. If want to tell stories at least get your facts and history correct.

    • 5
      1

      It’s the fault of the tamils at heart for not portraying the conflict as a faith based ethnic conflict.
      If you tell a white `racist` issues they don’t like to hear your boring subject but the low class extreme left whites listens. Now look at your boat people/diaspora all underclass contesting as Labour and losing. diaspora tamils have generations to go while the sinhala/muslim spin is for real and they do not miss an opportunity.
      Imagine except for USA the world supports terror outfit palestine but the tamils are stupider than the Bedouin that their voice is distorted in African race politics of mandela black vs white race.

  • 15
    0

    Seku Thamby ..Nainaa Mohamad ..Seeni Mohamad etc., etc., are common names among Muslims here also Muslims have Kudi system as well as caste … Muslims follow dravidian tradition…. Muslims write horoscope when children after birth.

    There were no Muslims in North-East before the arrival of Portugese this is the fact .

    Muslims in this country are coverted Tamil Hindus .

    Cheers

    • 1
      6

      Muslims know their identity very well, whether they’re from India and embraced Islam or migrated from Arab world or Sinhalese embraced Islam etc.

      Tamils need not teach them about it.

      I’m sure Muslims are in favor of having East as a separate province or merge with Central or Uva or with both.

      People have problems and difference but they’re not to keep them away from each other.

      • 4
        2

        sr

        “I’m sure Muslims are in favor of having East as a separate province or merge with Central or Uva or with both.”

        I am not sure about what the East would decide. It can only be determined by holding a referendum. They may also choose/decide to carve out a separate state from rest of the island if you hassle them with your prescription.

        Maybe a separate state for the East would be a good idea, provided Hindians are persuaded to see the benefit of having an ideal state. All three people could build a secular democratic state based on ideals such as “unity in diversity”.

        I may choose to live there if the state functioned properly. Why not?

        It is too soon to judge what would happen.

        Leave them alone.

        • 0
          5

          Native

          “Leave them alone”

          Advice relevant to Northern people as well

          But we should not forget the fact that as Sri Lankans we are interested in what’s happening in other provinces; as we love all the people and the whole country.

          Personally for me ideal country is racially undivided one.

          • 5
            1

            sr

            “Personally for me ideal country is racially undivided one.”

            Good advice, you should start your campaign here and now.

            The country was racially divided in 1956 by the super patriots. The rest is history. Please have a serious talk with the present day super super patriots and let us know what they think.

            If you thought Buddhism should be given super status in the constitution then you ought know the country is not only racially divided but religiously too. We should always remember crooks cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of protection religion.

            The divide is more than what you may consider theoretical.

            The idea that as majority people think that they ought to have final say and control over all state institutions and policy making are undemocratic and known as dictatorship of the majoritarian. You seem to maintain a deafening silent in this forum when some bigots claim this island being a Buddhist country and they form the majority therefore the country belongs to just Sinhala/Buddhists.

            If you are serious please tackle the bigots then educate them in secularism and democracy, as I have seen they tend to control the political agenda. Have a word with them.

            They are the enemies of all people.

            • 2
              4

              Native Vedda,

              Hope you are doing well.

              I thought I will share my thinking.

              With regards to OTC – This is what I think . She (perhaps a Tamil journalist) is not with us any more.

              • 2
                3

                Anpu

                Thanks.

                “With regards to OTC – This is what I think . She (perhaps a Tamil journalist) is not with us any more.”

                Please give us a clue.

                I wrote to him few months ago and still awaiting for his response.

                Hope he/she is well.

                By the way where is Vibushna?

              • 5
                2

                OTC is smarter than a village tamil.
                Way back he admitted that he is a Perera from Wattala.
                Like Senguttuvan has, perhaps he has a responsible job from government .

                • 2
                  3

                  Tsylana

                  “OTC is smarter than a village tamil.”

                  He a habitual liar, a proven plagiarist, a stupid moron.

                  “Like Senguttuvan has, perhaps he has a responsible job from government .”

                  Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan never lied, nor plagiarized and definitely not a stupid moron. In fact he contributed immensely to this forum and elsewhere. By the way, ISS was a consultant to governments at various times, not a permanent employee.

                  OTC was sent relevant information on many subjects with references, in order to repudiate his lies, he never accepted his deliberate mistakes nor did he came back on certain historical facts.

                  • 6
                    1

                    Native Vedda
                    Aiyo your apu papu ponnu,

                    “”He a habitual liar, a proven plagiarist, a stupid moron.””

                    one has to be smart to do that with confidence isn’t it?

                    in fact he told you on the sideline about his phone connection etc. etc.

                    “Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan never lied, nor plagiarized and definitely not a stupid moron. In fact he contributed immensely to this forum and elsewhere.””

                    one of your chola godfathers who decided to read plato and went to the bamba pansala, komiss kakka. electrical at col 11??

                    we know you have none other than Vaiko verti to cling on to.The more you dig the more the sinhalese would welcome the re-take over of union just like Sikkim.

                    “”By the way, ISS was a consultant to governments at various times, not a permanent employee. “”

                    Historians, journalist, think tanks are in fact Professional Politicians Spin Doctors so what’s new?/ governments like spin opposition like spin.

                    “”OTC was sent relevant information on many subjects with references, in order to repudiate his lies, he never accepted his deliberate mistakes nor did he came back on certain historical facts””

                    This is a common attribute so the newsroom is know (a couple of comments from others highlighting it a few days back) as filth that has bypassed a sensor. I generally do not accept even a research paper unless it is verified. Arts history do take anything at face value. There are many catholic tamil trolls too.

                    His opinion of you may be similar. so what can you do?
                    How many reply??I seen you lament about it.
                    Very often comment irrelevant to the article but fiery animal rhetoric cultivated from fascist vermin sinhala, tamil, muslim.

      • 5
        0

        First stop speaking Tamil at home
        What about Arabic as mother tongue or fabricated Urudu don’t worry Ulamahs living in stone age will help you from Saudi.
        A person whose mother Tongue is Tamil is always a TAMIL.
        Thoppies change their caps according to the direction of winds not Tamil.
        Jokers are now running Tamil dominated East …for how long?
        Cheers

    • 2
      0

      choan

      “Muslims in this country are coverted Tamil Hindus .” True for Christians and Catholics well.

      and

      Sinhala in this country are converted Hindus . Even Buddhas was a converted Hindu.

  • 12
    1

    What about the Tamils expelled from their villages by Muslim home guard thugs?
    What about Hindu temples are being destroyed regularly?
    Ever heard Tamils destroyed any Mosque ?
    Even in 100% Tamil Hindu areas there are mosques ..
    Can Muslim allowed a Hindu Temple in their area near Tamil villages?
    Stop the dream of Kathankudy Caliphate U.S drones are in Pakistan .

    Cheers

  • 13
    0

    The Muslims were settled in the Batticaloa region by King Senerath in the 16th century-6000 or so. Batticaloa region extended right down to Pottuvil and even beyond at that point of time.
    The Mukkuva Chieftains who were the De-Facto rulers in the region settled them in specific villages and also married them to Tamil women.
    Hence,their Mother Tongue is Tamil to this day,though Islam is their religion.
    With the Sinhala-Tamil divide,the Muslims are cashing on the conflict,turning their political caps to suit them.
    The Sinhala groups have also realised their political moves.
    Talking of Mergers,the natural merger would be the Sinhala-Tamil merger,in more ways than one!

  • 12
    7

    It is very noteable that the writer’s mother toungue is not Tamil and his origin is probably Arabia. He carefully ignored about the recent violence against the so called Muslims in the South and he reitreted that Muslims and Sinhalese are majority in the East. This tells that they are against to Tamils (anti- Tamils).
    In the civilised world, the major threat to the peace & democracy is Islamist Terrorism. Even the Buddhist Sinhalese have realised that threat in this island and their hand is now strengthening in this island. It is not only a threat to Buddhism but also to Hiduism and Christianity as well. Buddhism and Hindsism has a common base and Tamils and Sinhalese have more common than Islamists. Islamists in this island are not loyal to this island and their motive is to work against the unity of historical inhabitants (Sinhalese and Tamils)of this island. It is time for both Tamil and Sinhalese leaders to realize the truth and act together to face the threat of islamic fundamentalism. Why can’t we realize that Tamils and Sinhalese are majority not only in the East but also in the whole island.

    • 8
      1

      “” Islamists in this island are not loyal to this island and their motive is to work against the unity of historical inhabitants (Sinhalese and Tamils)of this island””

      But money from middle east talks the talk. Saudi alone $1 billion per year from house maids. While the boat people belch and fart all along in the west buying the best of fish, condiments etc all lanka produce and expect white man to bring an embargo of their goods. Canny is too good a word for terrorist.

      ¬Why can’t we realize that Tamils and Sinhalese are majority not only in the East but also in the whole island.¬

      Because Vaddukoddai (Hydrocele) villagers squandered the goodwill.

      Franco the Frog invited the Indu to his place of birth Tenerife. Today they are the richest in the island and look very much Spanish that one cannot differentiate until they mention my hindu name is such and such.With your working class problems neither would meet them.

    • 2
      0

      Ajith,

      Remember the fate that overtook the Maldives which was multi-religious
      till a few decades ago. What happened there and in Batticaloa can happen in the Sinhala South and elsewhere. The Saudi Wahabis and the Iranian Jihadis are providing the funds in their mad dream of an entirely Islamic world in the next few years. The corrupt and unprincipled Pakistanis are providing arms and secret military training. Unless the rest of Sri Lanka take early and urgent steps to protect themselves what happened to these countries – including the present Malaysia, Indonesia – can well be our fate. Sinhalese and Tamils must narrow their differences and join together without delay.

      Pandaranayagam

  • 12
    4

    Look at this joke with a typical Tamil name Thambi looking like a typical Tamil and not an Arab, most probably speaking Tamil at home,running down the Tamils and claiming the east as Muslim land, when they only arrived in the east in the late 16Th/17Th century fleeing the Portuguese/Sinhalese and begging for refuge from the eastern Tamils.
    Now joining hands with the very same Sinhalese who chased them away to the east to claim the east from the Tamils.
    Most probably the ISIS must be telling Thambi to claim the east from the Tamils for Islam. Thambi where is your thoppi? Has the wind blown it away?
    Thambi are you aware that the eastern Muslims follow the ancient Dravidian Kudi system that is practised by the eastern Tamils and in Kerala. They also follow the Tamil Mukkuva laws of the east. The eastern Muslims are Tamil not Arab. Thambi keep your opinion and Thopi to yourself and don’t let if fly too high in the air. Contain your politics to the Muslims in the south where you belong and not to the north or east where you do not belong. Cheenithambi Chinnathambi Asi Thambi Sali Thambi

  • 11
    0

    I suspect the people of the north and east have bigger problems to deal with. I certainly ignore these report. I suggest you do the same.

  • 12
    1

    Salithamby…
    I am surprised that you have not floated the idea that Beruwella should be merged with the East

    • 16
      1

      Rajash

      “I am surprised that you have not floated the idea that Beruwella should be merged with the East”

      How about every bit of land where Muslims live is merged with the Islamic Republic of Kattankudy?

      Do you know the Islamic Republic of Kattankudy has unofficially banned infidels visiting that area?

      • 6
        0

        Aiyo Sali

  • 8
    9

    Ajith
    Go and relearn the history of Sri Lanka.The Sinhalese or Tamils are NOT “historical ” inhabitants of Sri Lanka as you claim.Only the native Veddah community can claim to be so.The MAHAVAMSA itself admits that Prince Vijaya came to Sri Lanka with his 500 refugees after been banished by his father in 500 BC.The Tamils are the remnants of the soldiers of the Chola and Vijayanagara invaders who came here inbetween the 11th and 13th centuries.Todays Tamil community are the decendets of those lowly soldiers , although some now claim that they are of Vellala stock.The Muslims are descendent so of the Arab traders who sailed the seas since the days of Arab Calipahates.ofcourse some Muslims from India too arrived.The Burghers are the remanats of Portuguese,Dutch and English stock.So NO COMMUNITY except the Veddah community can make the claim that they are ORIGINALLY Sri Lankan.

    • 11
      4

      You are not Ruwan Pitigala but another Thambi who has lost is thoppi and trying to spin an Arabian night tale about the about the Sri Lankan Muslims under a fake Sinhalese identity. Good try Thambi. What is your real name Cheeni Thambi Kutti Thambi or Kalla Thambi?

      Everything is a myth Vijaya isa myth and Tamils are a myth only the Arab origin of the Muslims is not a myth. How come if they are descended from Arabs most of them do not look like Arabs at all but like Tamils and only a few hundred Muslims families in the island were able to prove that they had a very distant male Aran ancestor.

      DNA analysis has proved that there is no genetic difference between the Sinhalese Tamils and the Muslims in the island and there is very little Arab amongst the Muslims of Sri Lanka. They are all cluster with the population of southern India and the south Indian Muslims. You can keep on repeating a lie thinking that an often repeated lie will become the truth but DNA does not lie. Good try Thambi.

      • 4
        14

        Rohan, you ask why the Muslims of the Eastern Province Or atleast most of them look more Tamil than Arab.The answer is simple You see the Arabs were quite naughty!!They came without their wives.So when they got the ” urge” the Tamil women became fair game.They put a jump!Having done so for around 1000 years how can a majority of Muslims look Arab anymore?Asking that the Muslims continue to look Arab would be like asking the Tamils to look like their Negro ancestors.Today only the dark skin of the Negro ancestor remains in the Tamils

      • 3
        14

        Rohan, you ask why the Muslims of the Eastern Province Or atleast most of them look more Tamil than Arab.The answer is simple You see the Arabs were quite naughty!!They came without their wives.So when they got the ” urge” the Tamil women became fair game.They put a jump!Having done so for around 1000 years how can a majority of Muslims look Arab anymore?Asking that the Muslims continue to look Arab would be like asking the Tamils to look like their Negro ancestors.Today only the dark skin of the Negro ancestor remains in the Tamil people.

        • 9
          2

          Mad person not only Tamils but all humans came out of Africa including your ancestors. Understood Thambi

    • 13
      0

      Ruwan Pitigala

      “Todays Tamil community are the decendets of those lowly soldiers , although some now claim that they are of Vellala stock.”

      Most have converted to Sinhala/Buddhism and now claim to the guardians of this island.

      Some fought along with king Rajasimha against the invading foreigner whilst the Radala colluded with Suddas and betrayed this island.

      • 1
        12

        Dumb Native Veddo:

        Some fought along with king Rajasimha against the invading foreigner whilst the Radala colluded with Suddas and betrayed this island.

        Rajasinghe was a womanizer and he liked Disawe’s beauritiful wives in comparision his south Indian wife. So, disawes had to seek help from sudda. that is why he killed ehelepola’s wife.

    • 9
      1

      There are different versions of history. You may be right that Veddah community can claim historical inhabitants but the truth is Sinhalese and Tamils have historically much earlier than Islamists. Sinhalese have a language and Tamils have a language but how they become to speak mainly Tamil when they have their own language. Did they marry Tamil women or learned Tamil? If they are traders why they settled here? Did they bring Arab women as well?

      • 10
        0

        Ajith

        First find out how Sonakar became Muslims.

      • 1
        8

        Ajith, you have raised a very valid point, which I have answered in full in response to a similar query by one Rohan above.

        Cheers!!

      • 4
        0

        One of my Muslim friend says

        “It is admitted that Tamil is the language of a majority of the Muslims of Sri Lanka. Their accent may differ from that of those in the North or even the East, yet it is Tamil they speak. The only valid explanation for this is that their original mother’s were Tamil speaking. So it is my opinion that Muslims are Tamils following a different religion just as the Christians among the Tamils. The latter are comparatively recent converts from Tamils who followed Hinduism while the Muslims are converts from Tamil Hindus of several hundred years ago. There cannot be any other valid reason why they speak Tamil today. “

    • 1
      10

      Ruwan, you spoke the facts. Most of them here are talking bull shit. Real Sarma is a hardcore racists. He thinks Tamils are superior to any other races in the world and all others are LOW people. Pure ignorance and suffering from low inferiority complex. He cannot be cured. He is sick and trying to spread is sickness to all readers of CT. Poor guy let him live in is sand castle.

      • 6
        0

        You mean to say that you are the only Muslim in the Island who is a real Arab amongst the rest of the fakes and very upset that Real Siva Sankaran could not spot that from his sand castle? How real? We need a photo to judge.

        Most probably his eyes got blinded by his racism and a sand storm and he failed to spot you. The real amongst a sea of fake.

        If real Arab the name should be AbdulGany and not AbdulKany . What is your first name? Kutti Thambi? Chinna Thambi? Chella Thambi?

      • 7
        0

        People who live on glass houses should not throw stones at others. This is your story. The biggest racists are the Sri Lankan Muslims, especially their elite. A people who do not want to admit or acknowledge their real origins and ethnicity but pathetically fake an origin an ethnicity that only a very small fraction of them can partially claim. Even this small fraction is predominantly Tamil and Dravidian with little Arab.
        They think that by denying their actual Dravidian South Indian Tamil origin and solely claiming only the very miniscule amount of Arab/west Asian origin as their true heritage and origin makes them look great superior and acceptable to the majority Sinhalese and the rest of the world.
        There is nothing more despicable or lowly than a person who denies their real parentage and starts claiming a very distant relative or some other people whom they think are far more acceptable to their image as their parents or origin. No one respect such people and neither will anyone respect a people for political economic and for other powerful selfish reasons do this.
        No one believes in the claim that Sri Lankan Muslims are of Arab/Moorish/West Asian descent. Trying to cling on to an incorrect classification that the Portuguese gave to all South Asia Muslims ” Moors” after the only Muslim population that they had encountered before their travels. The was not an ethnic or racial classification but a religious identity that all other South Asian Muslims soon discarded other than the Sri Lankan Muslims, as they were not Moorish.
        DNA has proved this and 99% of the Sri Lankan Muslims or Moors as they like to call themselves do not have the look or Arabi on their face or features but the look of Tamil/Dravidian on their face and features, Just like the author of this article.
        Even the Arabs have openly stated and classified the Sri Lankan Muslims as South Asian coverts to Islam not of Arab descent. When the late president Gadhafi was asked to make a speech in the 1970s at a function held by the Sri Lankan Muslims in Colombo during the Non aligned Conference. What did he say. ” some of you here may have some Arab ancestry” He diplomatically stated you are not Arabs but some of you may have a distant Arab ancestor. We all have a little bit of something but it is not the little bit that does not define but the very large bit but the Sri Lankan Muslims are completely ignoring the very very large 95-99% Tamil bit and pathetically clinging to the 1-5% Arab bit as theirs.
        I have worked at Oman for six years and can speak basic Arabic and Hindi still very fluently and Malyalam also to a large extent. The Omani Arabs are very nice and they are also a mixed bunch. They have African Indian and other blood in them and the Indian influence is very strong. Even they get very amused when Sri Lankan Muslims try to impress to them that they are of Arab heritage. They listen to this politely and laugh behind their back saying “what Arab all Malabari who converted( meaning the people of Kerala who area there in large numbers). May some Arab came and did some jigi with some local Malabari woman at times.” This is not my words it is exactly theirs.
        It is not me building sand castles but Muslims like you with all these fake heritages and creating all this problems to the rest of the Tamils not only in the east but in the rest of the country.
        Basically you are an immigrant community from South India that arrived in the island around 600-700 years ago and will do anything and tell/claim anything to establish in your new land even at the expense of your fellow non Muslim indigenous Tamils who gave you refuge in the first instant.

  • 3
    3

    don’t worry non of those people living in north and east read CT they are struggling to get food on the table, in east 3/4 of Muslims and 1/4 of Tamils make 1 full size Dick

  • 4
    2

    I am sorry to find this sort of racist authors and racist writers are allowed in a public forum. Look at neighboring India. Are you Sri Lankans very much different from India and all the different races living amicably in India, or Singapore or Malaysia. Do you see any of this kind of racist and hate inducing article or forums coming up in any of the neighboring countries? It is high time Sri Lanka clamp down on racist and ethnic journals/authors and small time politicians living off of suffering people. This racism in Sri Lanka comes from the bad politicians who divided Sri Lanka campaigning for votes by creating racial hatred among different races. Especially in the North and South where the majority are Tamil and Sinhalese it was easy for the opportunist politician to avoid the economic and living standard issues and bring up the personal jealousy issues to win election. I wonder if Sri Lankan Government is still existing on racism and anti Tamil foundation. If not the Government should have clamped down any kind of racial and communal instigating writing by now. The politicians must not work for the downfall of the Country any more. Please be more responsible.

  • 6
    1

    Dear Dr.,
    Educated and concerned Sri Lankans like you should clearly understand the situation of Sri Lanka and what the Sri Lankan Leaders are trying to achieve now. Your hatred inducing article is most unwelcome to a Country that is buried in racism and trying to come out of the pit. It is the dirty politicians on both side of the divide led the people to focus on personal jealousy and inducing racial hatred took the power in their hands and rolled down the Country. But now after the intervention by the International community the Country is making an attempt to rectify the racist problem. Unless the Government clamp down the wrong and hate inducing politics, there is no hope for the people of Sri Lanka to improve their living standards. It is very sad there are no responsible Leaders in Sri Lanka so far to curb down the unwanted and hate inducing issues like how it is done in other neighboring Countries. Even if the Leaders are irresponsible, educated people like you must not bring up provoking hate inducing subjects to the public. Thank you.

  • 4
    15

    Dr. Rauff ,
    Congratulations for this excellent and timely article.Merging the North and East provinces would tantamount to a Eelam by another name and another form.They must and shall out of absolute necessity remain two distinct provinces.The Tiger remanants after having lost the 50-50 demand and been soundly defeated in 2009 are coming up with this merger demand.The Sinhalese and Moors should unite to prevent any merger.We must recall that Tiger Pirbhakaran ethnically cleansed the Moors from the North,by deporting them with just what they were wearing overnight.It will happen again , this time to both us Sinahalese and Moors if the merger takes place.For sure both communities will be chased out of the East.Lets not leave any room for such a calamity.

    From the comments here it is obvious that some extremist Tamils are trying to divide and destroy Sinhala- Muslim unity by trying to exploit the the current situation.Having come as invaders and nearly destroyed the Sinhalese ( read Prof. K.M. De Silva’s “History of Sri Lanka”)and causing the “South West drift” of the ancient Sinhalese kingdoms, the Tiger rump is claiming that the East originally belonged to them.What a bloody joke!

    Our relations with the Muslims have been excellent except for a few instances in the last 1000 years ,as Dr Lorna Dewaraja proves in her excellently researched book on the “Muslims of Sri Lanka”.Both communities should keep relations in that tone and tenor and not allow the terrible Tiger to drive a wedge.Otherwise this demand for the merger of the North and East Provinces will ultimately be the end of our Sri Lanka.

  • 4
    10

    My Dear Thambi Abdul;

    You have said;

    “We do hear via numerous media reports in recent days that Tamil leaders of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) led by R. Sampanthan have passed a resolution in a formal gathering that North and East should remain one province in future with a merger. In effect, these Tamil leaders predominantly didn’t hail from the east…”

    Tamil or Tamil speaking Muslims can talk about mergers, de-mergers or partitioning the country “UNTIL THE COWS COME HOME”. It does not matter, what do they think; This is the country of SINHAL BUDDHISTS, we the majority decides the fate and future of country not Tamils, Muslims or any other minority not even the present government lead by pretentious Buddhist can make that type of decisions.

    So my dear Thambi, give-up bloody humbug rhetoric. Let us live within our Sovereign and Unitary State of Sri Lanka in Peace and Harmony.

    Remember we the SINHALA BUDDHIST ONLY CAN MAKE THAT DECISION. These big mouthiest including TNA and the racist CM Viggy are incapable of learning from the past mistakes.

    • 8
      2

      Silent Observer

      Too loud.

      “This is the country of SINHAL BUDDHISTS, we the majority decides the fate and future of country not Tamils, Muslims or any other minority not even the present government lead by pretentious Buddhist can make that type of decisions.”

      I beg to differ.

      It is neither the Sinhala/Buddhists nor the Tamils decide the fate of this island, on the contrary, it would be the Hindians who have the final say over what to eat when to sleep when to go to the toilet,… You can shout, scream, yell and cry until the cows come home, Hindians will tell you what to do and you better learn to say “AYE AYE SIR”.

      Need I remind you the history of Bangladesh?

      Since you claim to be the majority in this island have you ever bother to notice that you have more stupid people than rest of the minorities put together. Is it not a great achievement?

      I suggest once in a while you pull your head wherever it is and see the world around you.

      • 3
        8

        Salaam Alaikum Native Vedda

        You have buried your head in the sand for a long time. Whether you like it or not, It is a SINHALA-BUDDHIST country. All national affairs must be decided amicably, peacefully according to noble Buddhist traditions within the framework of SOVERIEGN UNITARY STATE of SRI LANKA.

        Masalaama

        Ranbandu

        • 7
          0

          Ranbandu

          Peace be upon you.

          “It is a SINHALA-BUDDHIST country.”

          Since when?

          Could you define SINHALA-BUDDHIST country.

          “All national affairs must be decided amicably, peacefully according to noble Buddhist traditions within the framework of SOVERIEGN UNITARY STATE of SRI LANKA. “

          Amicably, I never heard of it in Sri Lankan political context. please define and explain.

          Is it antonym for unilateral.

          What is Buddhist tradition?

          Please explain SOVERIEGN in Sri Lankan context.

          “UNITARY STATE”

          So the state is not united at all? Why?

          Are you still sucking your thumb?

        • 5
          0

          “”It is a SINHALA-BUDDHIST country.””

          World Nayakarayo. – හිඟන්නෙ.

          country has a virus: Hingannage Thuwale

          you are settler jack.

          hindi bolo sinhala buddhist we own your god.

    • 8
      0

      Thank the British that you became a majority in the whole island. Before 1833 you were only a majority in the south and nothing in the north and east and were still nothing until the late 1950s, when state sponsored colonisation and settlement of Sinhalese in the north and east begun on ethnically cleansed Tamil lands.

      Only the Tamils and the Tamil Muslims in the east should get to decide the in the referendum on deciding whether the east is to be merged with the north. This also includes the Tamil refugees originating from the east now languishing in India.

      Sinhalese nothings from the south, who were settled on stolen Tamil land using the all the resources of the Sinhalese state and the force and might of the Sinhalese armed forces and police in the past few decades, should not be given an opportunity to decide on the fate of the Tamil east to which they have no right. If they are allowed to decide it will be a travesty of justice, where a people who were deliberately settled by a racist state in order to deliberately change the demography of a region, so that future referendums like this for self determination for the real owners of these lands can be sabotaged and the real owner then made marginalised voiceless minority in their own lands to be ruled and damned eternally by the racist Sinhalese nothings who were given everything by the state there.

      This will be rewarding genocide and ethnic cleansing that is a war crime. People should be asking how a Sinhalese population that was less than 5% in the east in 1948 ballooned up to 28% within a few decades and how an indigenous Tamil population that was 65% in 1948 and 50s got reduced to 40% within a few decades. Only Sinhalese residents whose families had lived in the east prior to 1948 should be allowed to vote in the referendum no the others.

      If the Sinhalese were able to make more than a million Indian origin estate Tamils who had lived in the Central Province for more than 150 years and contributed most to the economy stateless and deport most of them forcibly against their wishes to India, stating that they do no really belong there and were brought in and settled by the British colonial masters against the will of the local Sinhalese, the same law and justice applies to the Tamils of the east. The Sinhalese settlers in the east were forced upon the Tamils on stolen Tamil land using the might and resources of a racist Sinhalese state. They also do not belong and should return. The Indian origin Tamils lived in the central parts of the island for over 150 the illegal Sinhalese in the east only a few decades.

  • 4
    9

    Sri Lanka only country in the world where “With every kind of Tamil -Genocides” increases Tamil population!

    Isnt this baffling? Sri Lanka is accused of committing genocide, plenty of propaganda is being paid for to showcase this but no one seems to be bothered to look at the statistics and ask ‘how can genocide take place while Tamil population is increasing?” A lot of people have landed in a soup associating themselves with the 40,000 or more genocide claim. Pressed to show evidence they have only paid propaganda and nothing else. However, what needs to be reiterated is that war crimes tribunals can be considered if and only if there is a semblance of truth to the claim of 40,000 dead (being killed)…even that looks quite remote now. Therefore, the GOSL must not allow the UNSG to wriggle in another joint statement that would create plethora of problems for the country. At the other end without any uniform global census mechanism countries are clueless about the numbers of Tamil migrants who have gained entry as asylum/refugees, political refugees, official migration schemes, origins of naturalized citizens/green card holders etc. So we do not know how many Tamils/LTTE have left the country legally or even illegally and none of the countries they are in can give correct figures either. However, what we can confirm is that the numbers that Tamil diaspora are dabbling in and the numbers claimed as ‘genocide’ figures are absolutely bogus and nothing but propaganda.

    • 4
      0

      Must be very baffling for you especially after you read South Indian origin Karawa Jenali Borukiyanage’s article that always misinforms.
      It very easy Jimmy soft on the head. If there was no genocide or ethnic cleansing of the island’s Tamils their percentage of population should be still be around the 26=28% mark as it was in 1948 and the Sinhalese population around the 66% as it was in 1948. Sri Lankan Muslims or Tamil Muslims around the 7-8% mark but it is not the percentage of Tamils has drastically reduced from 26-28% to 15-16% and still reducing, whilst the percentage of Sinhalese and Muslims have drastically increased from 66% to 75% and from 7-8% to 11% respectively.

      In the east of the island percentage of Tamils was 65% in 1948 and now drastically reduced to 40% and will even reduce further with the very high birth rate amongst the Muslims, more Sinhalese settlement and further ethnic cleansing of Tamils. Perce4ntge of Sinhalese in the east was around 4.5% in 1948 and in the early 1950s now has increased 5 fold to around 28% or more within a few decades. due to large scale illegal settlement of Sinhalese on ethnically cleansed and stolen Tamil lands in the east by every Sinhalese led Sri Lankan government from the time of independence. This was a very well thought out diabolical plan that had been hatched out by the Sinhalese elite long before independence and kept secret. This is what is called genocide and ethnic cleansing. The indigenous Tamil population in the island now should be around 3.6 million and not around 2,2 million. The Indian origin Tamil population should be around 2.5 million and not a million. Understood . Don’t listen to Karawa Janali akki’s fairy tales that has more omissions than the truth. She is just fishing.

      Populations always increase but they have not increased proportionately as they should have done.

      Most probably the darling of the Sinhalese extremist site Lankaweb, Karawa akki Jenali would have selectively taken the population of Tamils in the 1880s and compared it to the present population and all the Lankaweb soft on the head Sinhalese extremists like you would have taken it as gospel truth. This is what is called selective disinformation the Nazis under the supervision of Goebbels were very good at. May be Karawa Jenali may have been a Nazi in her previous birth and you her pet Alsation.

  • 10
    1

    Do not know who pumped Mr.S.A. Rauf to write such a disparaging article
    on Tamil/Muslim unity. It is true that during the armed struggle, the
    Ltte treated the Muslims badly in Jaffna due to suspicion that Muslims of Jaffna supported the armed forces,passing information on their movements and after the war ended and Ltte eliminated, the Tamil political parties and leaders like Sambanthan ,who hails from the Eastern province apologised to the Muslims, specially those who got displaced in Jaffna and pleaded with them to return to their original places.Unemployed and disgruntled youths of JVP & Ltte started armed insurrection and scores of people got killed on both sides and it was never called a Sinhala/Tamil war. Similarly, the Tamils never fought the Muslims. Mr. Rauf may come from the elite of Colombo and would
    not have visited the East, where only the religion separates the two communities but otherwise, we do not see much difference in their culture and behaviour as they speak the same language which is Tamil and work together in the same paddy fields. It is worth mentioning here that there were and are, Poets, scholars and writers in Tamil Language like Mr. A.M.A Azeez, ex-principal of Zahira College,Jaffna.
    The women dress alike in deep East and preachings by Imams are done
    in Tamil language.

    Both communities lived in peace and harmony for hundreds of years and
    how come Mr. Rauf found that Muslims distrusted the Tamils and v.v. A referendum in the E.P will settle the problem of merger of both pro-
    vinces. The Govt. cannot over rule a referendum by the people. It is well known that Prime minister of UK, Mr. Cameron, had to give his position due a referendum held in UK recently, on whether England should remain in the E.U. or not.

  • 6
    0

    In 1949 the Federal Party was formed with full Lankan Muslim support. In the 1956 election, MS Kariapper and MM Mustapha were FP MPs. Both found that Sinhala CAS Marikkar was minting money as Communications Minister in SWRD B cabinet – he was later charged for corruption.

    Lankan Muslims decided “If you cannot beat them, join them”. From the 1958 pogrom onwards Lankan Muslims were treated as Honorary Sinhalese by the marauding goons. They say “All good things come to an end” – the June 2014 Aluthgama pogrom is a precursor. This is the AK47 Salithamby!

    Since 1956, Lankan Muslims have exploited the language divide and have done very very well. Muslim MPs have always changed over to the government side.

    Lankan Muslims are feeling a bit jittery and Salithamby Abdul Rauff was asked to write this article. He clumsily makes his case through lies. The Muslim MPs have adopted the never-say-such things strategy.

    Salithamby poses the stupid question “………… how can these leaders from a community living as minority in the province determine the political will of other communities living as majority in that province?” All the Muslim MPs live in Colombo.

    By the way Universities in North and East are looking for staff. Why the hell is Salithamy working in Sultanate of Oman?

  • 3
    10

    east should be east, north should be north. the jaffna tamil will oppress the eastern tamil more than anything else. LTTE used mainly eastern children as child soilders. remember why karuna left P. So be it.

  • 2
    5

    Dr Rauff,

    You raise some good points. Very pertinent in the ongoing Sri Lankan political scenario where all ethnicities are still polarised. The ideal would be for all citizens to be equal under a single undivided country. But the mindset of all Sri Lankans are still too immature to achieve such high goals. Therefore we have to keep bungling along ethnic lines with the occasional riots, rape, pillage and pogroms. When we repeatedly keep appointing well known rogues, manipulators, the corrupt and the frauds to high political positions we have no end in sight for all that is evil.

  • 2
    4

    The question that we need to ask is who divided Sri Lanka into provinces and what was the rational in drawing the boundaries. This was done by the British for administrative purposes. Demarcation of the provincial boundaries had nothing to do with the distribution of ethnic groups. Simply because there is a heavy concentration of Tamils in Jaffna peninsula and in a few pockets in the Eastern province, using the boundaries drawn by British to carve out a so called ‘Traditional Homeland of Tamils’ does not make sense. These defunct provincial boundaries became prominent because of the 13th Amendment which was imposed on Sri Lanka by Rajiv Gandhi. Unfortunately, we had a spineless President who did not have guts to reject it. Before going any further with the Provincial Councils, a proper study should be conducted to check whether there is a positive impact of these Provincial Councils that is drawing a huge sum of money of the tax payers. Even having a nationwide referendum is not a bad idea. It is worth noting that marginalized low caste Tamils in Jaffna had objected to giving police and land rights to High Caste Wellala dominated NPC. One thing that has happened with Provincial Councils is that it helped to decentralize corruption. That in a way help to have better income distribution in the country provided the corrupt politicians pump that money into local economy.

    • 5
      0

      Yes you want a unitary Sinhalese Buddhist land. It was the same British for administrative purposed amalgamated the Tamil north and east with the Sinhalese south to create a new colony called Ceylon so that also should not have been allowed as per your warped logic.
      When the British carved out the present north and east, they were very generous to the Sinhalese and every vague and unsubstantiated Sinhalese claim was dealt favourable. What is now the present north and east are the lands that the Sinhalese had no historical or any other claims whatsoever and these were core Tamil lands that only belonged to them. There are very sparsely populated lands and jungles in the southern Sinhalese provinces too just like in the north and east so what is your problem.
      The north and east are the lands of the Tamils and this has been recognised historically internationally and by various Sinhalese governments too. Do not try to rewrite history and talk about Vellala rule etc. What has Vellala got to do with federal self rule and just rights for the island’s Tamil speaking population? Despite following Buddhism Sinhalese are far more casteist then the Tamils. They will never allow a non Govigamma Buddhist to rule them. Tamils will allow a non Vellalar like Pirapakaran to be their leader or a non HIndu like Chelvanayagam to lead them.
      You are just another Sinhalese Buddhist bigot, who is trying to justify the entire island being under Sinhalese Buddhist rule and not recognising the North and the East from ancient time and upto now is not Sinhalese nor Buddhist but has always been the land of Tamils( Hindu Muslim and Christian)

      • 1
        6

        Real Siva Sankaran Sarma

        In 1545, at the time of Portugeuse, JAffna Tamil population was 18%, Muslim population was 20% and Sinhala population was 60%.

        Then Dutch came after introduced the thesavalamei.

        • 5
          0

          Who told you that? South Indian origin Jenali Borukiyanage courtesy Lankaweb? Where was this census taken in Colombo?
          The Dutch did not introduce Thesavalami it was already existing as the defacto law for all Tamils from the Jaffna kingdom. That is the entire northern province and the Trincomalee district. Just like the Kandyan law was the defacto law for the Sinhalese who originated from the former Kandyan kingdom.
          The Dutch only codified this ancient law that was already recognised as the law of the north and Trincomallee. Just like after the fall of the Kandyan kingdom the British recognised the Kandyan law as the law that prevails when it comes to matters of inheritance marriage divorce and other family disputes amongst the Kandyan Sinhalese. Got it.
          Sinhalese extremist like you are now trying to disband the Thesawalamai and discredit with all sorts of inaccuracies, as this is the living proof that the island’s Tamils are a distinct and separate nation with their own laws and customs from the Sinhalese .
          Unlike the Thesavalamai and the Kandyan law that were codified , the Tamil Mukkuva law that is the customery law of the Tamiils and Tamil Muslims of the east ( Batticaloa and Amparai region) was not codified. Therefore cannot be used in courts for legal purposes but can be taken into account with matters dealing to these people.

        • 2
          0

          Bumsofty please add links so that the readers could feel what you have been uttering is right numbers. Else anyone could add the kind of thoughts, after all if you are rightly belonged to MEEHARAKA Rajapakshe fractions.

        • 4
          0

          Mahabodhi Jim Softy,

          “Then Dutch came after introduced the thesavalamei. “

          Higanno!

          The VOC brought in the kacheri and grama sevaka administration which is still practiced world over.
          The VOC system of multinational shipping and trading is still on par and in use.
          When these get replaced world over Sri lanka kaput.

        • 1
          0

          Jimmy,

          What are you smoking these days. Something new? You’re off your
          rocker, dear chap. Relax with a few Gals and then you may regain
          your marbles.

          R. Sole

  • 0
    0

    mr.s.thamby u should know about the present american mentality. they say that muslim radicalism is not because of socioeconomic reasons. there is a grand design to capture the whole world. warnings are given to the us govt. to fight the grand design by any means. for them it is like fighting communism during the cold war period. even using atomic bombs are considered. there are much more bigger and dangerous enimies for muslims. in the us there are hundreds of incidents in which innocent muslims are attacked. even a very popular actor sharook khan is not allowed free movement by the security here. actor kamala hassen was interrogated because of his name. SL tamils are peanuts for muslims.. mr.s.thmby and izath hussian are enough to marginalize the muslims from other minorities. the view points expressed in their articles will chase away a few tamils who have some sympathy and understanding about muslims. you know sinhala extremist are betraying innocent SL muslims as having connection with extremists. look after those things instead of aged sambanthan.
    -dayal

  • 0
    3

    tamils and muslims are wasting their time talking about the merger.They have forgotten their is a third party called the sinhalese too who should be in the discussion.Where are they?Under the bed?inside the garage?Don’t waste time and energy talking about the merger and deviating from the extent of devolution.

    For tamils the unit of devolution is not that important as the extent.For the eelam dreamists of course unit may be important.Prabhaharan had a dream.The dream of eelam.Sampanthan has a dream,the dream of a merger.Finally delay,delay,delay in getting what the tamils really need which is maximum possible powers to run their own affairs in a devolved administration in the north and east.India and the international community are not going to support the merger when the sinhalese vehemently oppose it because there is no justification for it in respect for devolution of powers to the tamils.

  • 1
    6

    All Tamil speaking people(Tamil nation) should forgo their differences in caste, region, religion and the date of arrival and form one common front for a ‘political solution’. Based on their distribution across the island they can devise a suitable devolution model which can satisfy at least 95% of them and submit that for negotiations. What is presently being proposed is an enclave for Hindu and Christian Tamils in the North which is less than 5% of the population leaving the other 95% among the discriminatory Sinhalese.

    Soma

    • 4
      0

      somaaaaaaaaaass

      “All Tamil speaking people(Tamil nation) should forgo their differences in caste, region, religion and the date of arrival and form one common front for a ‘political solution’.”

      And they should convert to Sinhala/Buddhism (whatever that maybe) and learn to live in a Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto.

      Somaaass will be there to assist and officiate the conversion, a sort of Sinhala/Buddhist baptism.

      • 1
        3

        Their inordinate preference to live in the Sinhala Buddhist ghetto is the conundrum I am grappling with when there is plenty of space in the North and East and the motherland is just 20 miles across that. Free education, free health and above all toilets are probably making the difference.

        Soma

        • 4
          1

          somaassss

          “Their inordinate preference to live in the Sinhala Buddhist ghetto is the conundrum I am grappling with when there is plenty of space in the North and East and the motherland is just 20 miles across that.”

          You should ask yourself this question. Why did your ancestors cross the 20 miles across the sea in Kallathoni, and settle down in the the south and convert to Sinhala/Buddhism.

          Why are the descendants of Kallathonies keen on building a Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto? Why didn’t they remain Tamil speaking, Hindu kallathonies?

          Was it not a historical compulsion to be part of and fit in with the Sinhala/Buddhists, share the loot?

          • 0
            4

            Why did your ancestors cross the 20 miles across the sea in Kallathoni, and settle down in the the south and convert to Sinhala/Buddhism.

            Dumb Native Veddo:

            Above statement shows how dumb and ignorant you are.

            YOa don’t know even about South Asia you arrogant dummy.

    • 4
      1

      All Sinhala people should follow Peach Blossom aka Somass and read Lankaweb that advocated all sorts of wonderful things for the island;a Tamils and after reading this jump into the sea in despair

  • 3
    0

    In conclusion, bit rich coming from this man about Tamils discriminating the Muslims, when in reality it was and is still the other way around. From the time of independence all Muslim politicians their elite have sided and given support to the every Sinhalese government and racist to enact laws against the island Tamils in the sphere of language use education employment and the colonisation of Sinhalese in Tamil areas. It was a Muslim minister during the Srimavo regime in the 1970s who introduced standardisation to deliberately reduce the number of Tamil students entering higher education. This act greatly disadvantaged all Tamil students even the ones from poor disadvantaged and remote areas and greatly advantaged the Sinhalese and Muslim students even from privileged backgrounds to enter university with marks far lower than what a Tamil student had to obtain for the same course.
    Even this did not curtail the number of students entering university, then this minister introduced a district basis scheme in addition to standasrdisation, where student intake will be in proportion to the population in the district. Of course there are more Sinhalese than Tamil disctricts and the irony was in the Central Uva and Sabragamuwa provinces the Indian origin estate Tamils who were denied any rights and considered not citizens were still counted just to inflate the population, so that more Sinhalese students could enter. Just like they did for electoral purposes to create more Sinhalese MPS and increase Sinhalese representation in the parliament. Sinhalese are 75% of the population but have around 85% or more representation in the parliament. Only in Sri Lanka parliamentary representation is skewed towards the majority and not towards the minorities like in other democracies.
    They joined hands with the Sinhalese and did everything to destroy the Tamil language culture and its presence in the island. Encouraged their children to forsake Tamil and switch to Sinhalese. They even denied their actual Tamil heritage and roots and claimed a far fetched Arab origin and heritage, thinking this will find favour with the largely anti Tamil majority Sinhalese electorate.
    He mentions about the ethnic cleansing of around 75000 Tamil Muslims in the north by the LTTE but fails to mention the large scale killing ,destruction of Hindu temples ethnic cleansing raping and looting of thousands of Tamils in the east in a far larger scale by Muslim home guards in the east of the island, who were heavily armed by the Sinhalese armed forces. Not only in the east but also in the south of the island where Muslim mobs joined hands with the Sinhalese and killed looted raped burnt and destroyed thousands of Tamil homes and businesses. It was due to these actions and also due to well founded suspicions that the northern Muslims were collaborating and spying for the Sinhalese armed forces and working against the Tamil population in general that the LTTE asked them to leave.
    Most Tamils have acknowledged that the forced expulsion of northern Muslims by the LTTE was not correct but not a single Muslim including this author has admitted or acknowledged to the grave atrocities that they had committed to the island’s Tamils from the time of independence. So far in the east not a single Tamil who was ethnically cleansed by the Muslims and the Sinhalese have not been allowed to return to their lands despite many court orders.
    In the east he talks of a beleaguered Muslim community. They are not beleaguered or fearful at all but quite the opposite. They have connived and joined hands with the newly arrived Sinhalese settlers to the east to rule marginalise and deny the native Tamils of the east who the historical owners of the east everything. This is like the aggressor now trying to play victim to gains false sympathy.
    Both these two communities in the east that only have a very recent history there are now conniving with each other for different reasons to steal the east from the Tamils. The eastern Tamils are now on the verge of loosing there land identity and history to these two recent immigrants to the east. One arriving as refugees and given asylum a few centuries ago, the other only arrived only a few decades ago using the might and resources of a racist government and armed forces to settle on stolen/ethnically cleansed Tamil lands. The only hope to safeguard the eastern Tamils their identity language and ancient Saivite Hindu heritage and lands from these two aggressive recently arrived immigrant communities that have no real history or tie to the east is to merge the Tamil east with the Tamil north as it was before the British arrived and the 1987 international Indo Sri Lankan agreement. They do not want this as this will dash their dream of a new Sinhalese Buddhist east or an ISIS/Wahhabi style Islamic east or a mixture of both. This why these Muslims and Sinhalese extremists are desperately and falsely crying foul.
    If the Sinhalese are really concerned the newly settled Sinhalese majority Amparai electorate and the Gomarankadawela division in the east can be removed from the east and merged with the neighbouring Sinhalese areas. This will remove more than 90% of the Sinhalese from the east. Muslims tend to live in enclaves that are surrounded by Tamil Hindu villages so they can only be provided greater autonomy in Muslim majority areas in the east north and Puttalam. After all other than religion there is hardly anyother difference between the Muslims and Tamils in the north east and Puttlam. The Muslims are ethnically Tamil. You cannot make a religious identity an ethnicity. Religious identity is something personal. A person during their life time can change religion but never their ethnicity or heritage. They do not seem to be getting this trough their heads

    • 1
      0

      Before the independence, in 1915 Muslims joined hand with British against Sinhalese. They tactics is that in order to maximise their benefit they join hands with those who are in power. We all talk about Mahinda’s dictatorship and 18th amendment. It is the Muslims who was made 18th amendment through but they joined Maithiri when Mahinda was not in power. Their motive is very simple. Use the opportunity until you capture the whole land.

    • 0
      2

      Real Siva Sankaran Sarma

      I asked this same question from many Tamils. No one responded.

      Why Tamils don’t want to go to their homeland just 16 miles away where everything is Tamil. Instead, they suffer in Sri lankan North ?

      Is it because, you all are Dalits there and no toilets to be found except the road side ?

      • 4
        0

        jim softy Dimwit

        “Why Tamils don’t want to go to their homeland just 16 miles away where everything is Tamil. Instead, they suffer in Sri lankan North ?”

        Perhaps they are being generous, making room for your return to your ancestral homeland. You know Tamil Nadu is too crowded now.

        Did you know there had been Simhala settlement in Thirunageshwaram, Chola country? What had happened to them?

        Maybe they switched their religion and language to Hindu Tamil just as your ancestors converted to Sinhala Buddhism.

        Find out whether Vaiko, Thirumavalavan, Karunanithy, Nedumaran …. are your long lost cousins.

      • 2
        1

        Jimmy the Dimwit

        So it is true what we have heard. That you are an unusual human
        being with your head from where the feacle matter comes out
        and your rear on where the head of other humans are. Your dumb
        questions are always suggestive of that.

        Did’nt you know over 9,000 years there was no separation of Lanka’s far North and India’s far South by sea. We are all the same people from the same gene pool – Brahmins, Vellalas, Dalits, Berays and all other.

        R. Sole

      • 2
        1

        No we hear a very large percentage of the Dalit population in Tamil Nadu had crossed the seas and come over to the southern parts of the island a few centuries ago and have now become ardent Aryan Sinhalese Buddhists and make up around 50% of the present Sinhalese population. May be even you and Soma ass aka Peach Blossom may be one of them. Therefore because of this we have decided to remain as if we move to Tamil Nadu there will be no Dalit to clean toilets. You are here so I too will remain. Hope you will think it is a privilege to clean the toilet of a Brahmin.

  • 6
    1

    An unnecessary, poorly constructed and provocative article produced by much misplaced prejudice, ethnic hatred and misinformation by an author of whom little is known. Some information of this Dhofar University and his own academic credentials will be usefu. It is noted the article contains many grammatical errors unworthy of one of proper learning.

    As to the author’s lament “Mr. Sampanthan in his speech uttered not a single word on how Muslims’ existence and interests would be guaranteed if both Northern and Eastern Provinces were merged in future…” The senior political leader Sampanthan was perfectly right in remaining silent on the issue. The matter of the merger was conclusively settled between two sovereign governments in 1987. The arrangement functioned well and peacefully in the merged Province until a judicio-political maverick, believed to be in undue haste engaged in mischief to please a Sinhala extremist grouping for his own then suspected ambitions to enter politics subsequently. The same man was to regret in later years publicly he made “a serious mistake” in pronouncing the de-merger. The other party to the issue, India, remained stoically silent throughout quite satisfied the merger was constitutional and the creature of two governments after many years of deep and carefully study by experts at both sides. Of course, the passage of three decades since then has seen much change in the political landscape at both sides since then. Changes or additions to the Agreement, therefore, in today’s context is understandable. However this has to be within the ambit of the Agreement and with due consent of both governments. Any arbitrary attempt to abort the agreement will be in poor taste and surely will be resisted by India with adverse global consequences to Sri Lanka’s system of law and justice.

    The Writer engages in provocation and can be charged to attempts to create public dissension and disorder when he irresponsibly writes

    “… these Tamil leaders predominantly didn’t hail from the east..then who are these non-eastern leaders to decide for the people in the east because it is the people of the east to write whatsoever their fate for themselves?…. Eastern Province is belonging not only to Tamils, but it is home to Muslims and Sinhalese also…”

    The vast majority of people and leaders of the NEP are Tamil hailing from the Province. They do not need any “advise” in the matter from recent intruders about who has the legitimacy to speak them. This also includes those like the Writer of suspect learning desperately trying to gain attention by efforts to catch the eye of the leadership of the Muslims in the country.

    “Tens of thousands acres of Muslim lands have been illegally occupied by Tamils since the armed conflict” is yet another alarming claim. Tamils of the NEP are in record of having complained to GoSL and the world community their homes, agricultural lands have been robbed by Muslims collaborating with Lankan armed forces during the currency of the war. The names of several Tamil villages and towns in the region have been changed into Islamic names in a desperate effort to give the area an Arabic look – suspected to be at the behest of global Wahabism. This includes the presence of Camels and the planting of Date palms along roads – all incongruent to the region. Both Sinhalese and Tamils are equally opposed to this. This opposition will surely take shape in the coming months and years. This outrageous claim of the Writer is akin to a thief who evicts the original owners of a house and thereafter asks for the Deeds of the property.

    “Tamils have not issued at least an apology for this to Muslims even about 30 years after this unfortunate incident occurred” laments the Writer. It is clear he is poorly informed of political events in the NEP. The cause of the eviction of Muslims by the LTTE in Jaffna is now well known. And, yet, the Tamil political leadership not only apologised to the Muslim community – since the majority of them hardly had anything to do with the collaboration and spying of Muslim home guards and other Muslim activists against the LTTE – working in cohorts with the armed forces. Respected and senior leaders such as the late Sivasithamparam and the current leader Sampanthan, within and outside Parliament, have not only apologised to innocent Muslims but have also sacrificed a National List seat in Parliament to accommodate a Muslim MP enabling the latter to advance Muslim interests in and outside Parliament.

    More than a single Muslim Writer/Commentator in recent times, in their parochial desire for publicity and fame, have poured anti-Tamil venom in the media. This can in no way advance the cause of improved Tamil-Muslim relations and will go against the greater interest of the Muslims in the country. The contribution of this Writer here must count as one of the more troubling and poorly structured efforts to strain Tamil-Muslim links.

    I expect the Muslim leadership will move quickly to restrain this loose cannon as they have done recently with other Muslim writers indulging in regular anti-Tamil bashing. I expect well-meaning and peaceful Muslims will enter the debate to contradict this Dr. Rauf with apparent Tamil origin.

    Backlash

    • 1
      0

      Backlash
      This may be an unnecessary article from the point of view of a Srilankan, but it is another publication in the CV of Salithamby Abdul Rauff . If you look at his publication list of 12 many are such articles to various web media. I agree with you that the article is poorly written with lots of grammatical errors, remember his is lecturing in a university in an arab country where they do not read the publications but just count the numbers. He needs his promotion. So please give the dog its bone.

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