In what maybe considered as a ‘baby step’ towards genuine reconciliation, Sri Lanka today witnessed a rare occurrence on it’s 68th Independence Day celebrations, when a symbolic gesture was made in decades with the singing of the national anthem in Tamil at the formal celebrations held at the Galle Face in Colombo.
Sampanthan
The singing of the national anthem also stirred emotions in several Tamil legislators including the leader of the Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan, who was reportedly seen in tears while the anthem was sung in his native language.
The event brought mixed reactions, with some taking to social media to approve and disapprove the move, where some termed the gesture as an important step towards genuine reconciliation, while others claimed it was another step towards separating the country into two.
Minister of National Dialogue, Mano Ganesan in a Tweet said that the national anthem sung in Tamil after decades is a victory in Sri Lanka’s co-existence journey. “Yes, it’s a very small act, but it’s a step forward.”
The Movement for Equal Rights said that if Sri Lanka is to achieve true independence and reconciliation, politicians harbouring extremists’ views who even go to the extent of protesting against the national anthem being sung in Tamil must first be defeated.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva in a Facebook post said, “A first in my lifetime. After many years, the independence day celebrations came to a close with the national anthem sung in Tamil.”
In response to his post, a follower on his page by the name of Amali de Silva said, “It should always be one country, one national anthem, get an example from our neighbour India, they have only one national anthem although they speak nearly 60 languages.”
In response to her, the deputy foreign minister wrote back saying, “According to her (Amali’s) FB page, she lives in Australia. I have noticed that a lot of Sri Lankans who are critical of our government’s efforts to unite this nation are actually living comfortable lives overseas!”
Meanwhile 600 prisoners, including 13 females, who had committed minor offences, were granted a presidential pardon in view of the 68th independence day.
Native Vedda / February 5, 2016
Amali de Silva said,
“It should always be one country, one national anthem, get an example from our neighbour India, they have only one national anthem although they speak nearly 60 languages.”
Does she know that Indian national anthem was written by the renowned scholar Rabindranath Tagore who was a Bengali, and the anthem is in Bengali, a language spoken only by 68 million in India, a very small minority among the 1.3 billion people, about 5%?
Would she be happy to have just the Tamil version of the anthem sung in official functions.
Is Amali de Silva and Shenali D Waduge are one and the same person?
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Point of View / February 5, 2016
‘Is Amali de Silva and Shenali D Waduge are one and the same person?’
No, Native.. Shenali’s looks are scary but they have the same Hambantota meeharak mentality and the IQ levels !
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Rohan / February 5, 2016
Huh! Independently, I asked almost the same question!!!
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Amarasiri / February 6, 2016
Native Vedda
“Is Amali de Silva and Shenali D Waduge are one and the same person?”
Whether the same person or not, they have the same Sinhala “Buddhist” belief:
Stupidity is a Virtue.
They still have the 46 chromosomes, and apparently the Y Chromosome is missing.
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sinhalese buddhist / February 5, 2016
I am very glad that they sang the anthem in Tamil. I do not care in which language they sing it, perhaps even in Esperanto – as long as it is a symbol of unity and peace among the people who live on this beautiful island of OURS – both Sinhala and Tamil speakers.
I was surprised, frankly, to find out that it has not been sung in Tamil all this time. Well, better late than never.
Bravo to the courageous politicians who made this happen. I would like to see all children taught to sing the anthem in both languages in the future.
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Shan / February 5, 2016
You cannot trust anything these politicos say. I remember before the election, Harsha almost swore that a deal between government and Volkswagen was signed to start a plant in Sri Lanka. I wonder what happened to that. BTW, VW is facing huge fine (possibly 18 Billion) by US government.
Harsha, instead of answering Amali’s question, questioned her citizenship status.
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vishvajith / February 5, 2016
Good point Shan. Wonder why people down vote them.
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Lanka Watch / February 5, 2016
The national anthem is sung always at the start of a national event
and never sung at the end of an event . This may the reason Mr. Sambanthan shed tears as Tamil given a secondary place. The singing of the N.A. in Tamil language should have followed immediately after the Sinhala version was sung. This is the norm.
How ever the President and the PM should be congratulated for having
taken a bold step in the right direction to unite the two major communities. Hope Mr. Sampanthan and TNA do not get swayed away with these small gestures. There are more important things to do as none of
burning issues affecting the Tamils in their day to day life are not even discussed and stagnating.
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Uthungan / February 5, 2016
Absolutely yes!
The singing of the NA in Tamil should have followed immediately after it was sung in Sinhala.
To have relegated it to be sung at the end of the event to mark the 68th anniversary from British colonialism is an insult.
The Indian & Pakistani Citizenship Act which was a sequel to 4th February 1948 is an eloquent example of that.
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Sellam / February 6, 2016
I fully agree with you Lanka watch
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Mallaiyuran / February 5, 2016
Commented earlier, somewhere else.
I hear Sampanthar shed “Aananthakaneer”(tears of happiness). Great!
After this great achievement, now, who need the UNHRC resolution, Internal or self-determination? Now Sampanthar can peacefully retire from politics and wait for the rest.
What are all these comedies man? Now the Tamil comedies are beating the Sinhala comedies in their quality and achievement!
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Rohan / February 5, 2016
//Mano Ganesan in a Tweet said that the national anthem sung in Tamil after decades is a victory in Sri Lanka’s co-existence journey. “Yes, it’s a very small act, but it’s a step forward.”//
I am with Mano Ganeshan on this. He wanted the Anthem to be sung in Tamil, but hardly any Tamil demanded for it. It was mainly the government decision, and is a welcomed one. Against multitude of opposition, including impeachment threat and strong opposing voices from senior monks, The President and the Prime Minister stood up.
I have sung the anthem in Tamil as a young boy in the 1970s and was very excited about the song and the words even at that time. I am not sure how many Sinhala speakers can without a song sheet, but I can sing nearly 100% of of the song without any error.
It is a good initiative by the government. But, songs and shows do not bring reconciliation, only a genuine effort can do that. We will see how far this goes.
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Rohan / February 5, 2016
//“It should always be one country, one national anthem, get an example from our neighbour India, they have only one national anthem although they speak nearly 60 languages.”//
Huh! These extremist idiots from overseas mess up the place. India sings the anthem in a non-majority language (not sure whether this Amali, the patriot knows this). That itself is a wonderful gesture. Can we change the Anthem to Tamil?
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kp / February 5, 2016
See, that’s the funny thing about things like this. Unlike the pada-shows put up by Gnaanasaara, “sinha le” or lunatics like Sumane, these aren’t done for show, or to get a reaction out of people.
Death to cynicism, death to the bigots!
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bo / February 5, 2016
Actually I listened to the National Anthem sung in Tamil language at the Independence Day ceremony. It was well done and just as evocative as the original form in Sinhala, and capable of giving me a sense of pride and belonging. I cannot see why Tamil people should not sing in Tamil if they feel that it gives them a greater feeling of Unity within the Nation.
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Nathan / February 5, 2016
Singing of the National Anthem in Tamil is a welcome move.
I wouldn’t say that we have turned the corner until the ripple effects it produces are known.
I wish that we would sing the National Anthem in unison in both languages on every occasion where the anthem is sung.
I long for the day when our school children will be singing the Anthem in their daily assemblies, in Sinhala and in Tamil, both in the South and in the North.
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Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah / February 5, 2016
Learn here why merely singing the national anthem in Tamil alone won’t cut it: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-face-of-despair-the-black-day-that-is-sri-lankan-independence-day/
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Ben Hurling / February 5, 2016
Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah,
What is it you exactly trying to teach? Perverted nationalism?
Why should we turn to you for that? We have plenty of excellent teachers in that field here in Sri Lanka. Both among Tamils and Sinhalese. Believe me they are doing a damn good job.
You can retire now. Go on then.
Cheers!
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Burning Issue / February 5, 2016
Ben,
Certainly accommodating the tamil version of the national anthem is a good gesture. However, it is perfectly understandable from tamil perspective as to why they are incredulous that the Sinhala would indeed go the mile and grant them self-respect. Democracy in Sri lanka should be just and representative. The Tamils seek federalism as the final solution and Sri Lanka must move towards that to make the final nail to shut the national question for good.
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Dankottuwa Manike / February 6, 2016
Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah
Tamils went to the peak to fight a very destructive war to win their rights and in that they were finally brought to their appalling status. It is sad.
You are back to square one. Worse than your status until the war started.
Take one step at a time from the ground level to rebuild your strength. Every step must be a milestones.
Start with the 13th amendment. That is the only statutory gained by the Tamils. Ask your Wigneswaran to engage in the little space he has with his position as the Chief of NPC and campaign further to get rid of the concurrent list.
By doing this, Wigneswaran and the elected members in the Council will justify their pay packets from the government.
Do not pitch yourself too high at where LTTE left you all. You will not succeed.
Tamils will suffer for generations.
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Saro / February 5, 2016
People like Amali de Silva must understand that
India set up quasi-Federal system to accommodate different ethnic communities, is she in favour of such a system in force in Sri Lanka, too.?
India cannot sing her national anthem in all 60 languages , instead, it is sung in a minority language, Bengali and NOT in the dominant Hindi. It’s like singing Sri Lankan national anthem in Tamil alone, I do not think she is in favour of it either, neither do Tamil speaking people.
How can Tamil speaking children in North-East who do not know a word of Sinhalese sing in that language, it will be murmuring or mimicking.
I do not think anybody lose anything in singing in both languages, every citizen understands what is singing.
We are backward in many ways. Other countries with multi culture and multi-ethnicity forge ahead with development and live in peace. We are fighting among ourselves on petty things and destroy the ‘paradise island’.
After all the ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse spoke in Tamil in main meetings without anyone making any fuss, does it mean only he can do such a thing and no one else? Let us wait what else has he and his brothers did to themselves, the country and poor masses before passing judgement on his activities.
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Peace Lover / February 5, 2016
Even the famous STF Commandant Nimal Lewke has fully supported the national anthem in Tamil as it aids reconciliation
The only people who are upset are the MR group and our very own K A Sumanasekera ;)
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Priya / February 5, 2016
Whatever you do for a change their will be mixed reactions.You cannot make everyone happy.This is a major step towards genuine peace and harmony.Sinhalses who used to hear anthem sing in their own language may feel bit betrayed.Some thing solely belonged to them appears to have taken away.Majority of Tamils and Mislims will remember this step as a major effort towards reconciliation.We are a wounded nation.There was not enough time to heal wounds fully.It will take couple of generations forget everything.However some one who has the vision for future should take bold decisions and put the country in the right path.
Nelson Mandela did that in South Africa.Against all odds he have mercy to white rulersThis government has done similar thing on a minor scale.One cannot appease extremists.They will keep barking on the either side of the fence and let us forget them and get together to move the country forward.To achieve something in a wider scale Sinhalese will have to give away something.Tamils and Muslims also should acknowledge the good will gesture to form a united front.In that kind of context there will be no place extremism.Hopefully no more bloodshed in this land.We had enough.
චිරං ජයතු ශ්රි ලංකා මාතා !
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Reginald / February 5, 2016
Referring to Amali de Silva(Looks like a Portugese descendant)India may sing its anthem in one language but it has 29 Federal States.Each State has its own land,police,trade and education autonomy among other rights.Each State is proud to belong to India.There is no one who lost his increment or government job for not knowing Hindi. There is no “Standardization” for University admissions.
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Native Vedda / February 7, 2016
Reginald
“India may sing its anthem in one language but it has 29 Federal States.Each State has its own land,police,trade and education autonomy among other rights.”
Ahhhh
The states fight among themselves over water.
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Mallaiyuran / February 5, 2016
I went to colombo start of 1976. 1977 Pogrom. When I was coming from the Muththumari Amman temple, I was pulled out of the bus for having Pottu and beaten up. July 1983 I almost lost my job, but lost all my properties. Then I left Colombo. In those years between, when I go temple, at the doorway erase the Pottu and take bus.
It is the situation still now when the Sinhala Songs’s Tamil Translation was sang. There Muslim boys wearing their hat. There was some Saheli Gamages were singing “Maha Rajane” Songs in the Kumpal. But, out of the Tamil girls apparently who were having hindu face and who were shouting “Koovinda”, were wearing flowers only like buddhist girls. Sampanthar is crying, but others are laughing by this shameless drama.
I do not know what brought tears from Sampanthar’s eyes. May be because when he didn’t wanted to stand up, Hemma pulled him up and made him to stand up; that pain might have made him to cry. Otherwise it does not make sense!
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Sapumal / February 5, 2016
It is regrettable to hear your story in the past as peace loving Sri Lankan. Don,t assume everyone is same and we must not give up fight back when injustice occurred . It has to be non violent and with love. No one has ever achieved anything without peace.
“Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world. It is appeased only by loving-kindness. This is an ancient law. “Hon. Mr. R. Sambandhan and many others may understand this reality with their matured thinking.may be That’s why they want to create environment for coexistence.
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Sinchoappu / February 5, 2016
As one living on the west and pay visit to home country at least once a year, I feel this every time back in home country. Most of people dont respect laws. They behave so thuggish. I hate that.
Such treatments are not only Tamil srilankens, we the southerners also face it. I hate.. when the people will become civlized.
Last time in Pettah bus stand (July 2015), I happened to ask a busdriver about some information, he shouted at me as if he was the bus owner.
These are just typical to lankens.
I each time, try to use normal buses for my commuting since then only i can sense it well. Mostly, the buses are filled with over sound exposures – going beyond all decibel levels, as if they dont hold to any regulations. This is sad nature in our so called mid income nation in 2015.
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Janz / February 5, 2016
This autonomous lunatic Mallaiyuran needs to be beaten up by everyone every day.
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Karaiyuran / February 6, 2016
Mallaiyuran,
When you were coming from the Muththumari Amman temple, did they kick your monkey nuts?
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Good Governance / February 5, 2016
I champion the causes of good governance which necessarily means the rule of law and upholding the Constitution and the Law and as well as the amity of the community which necessarily means the reconciliation of those divided. Singing the so called anthem which is not the one stipulated by the constitution is not a good idea. Everyone knows that the 1978 constitution was promulgated in terms of the 1972 constitution and the Sinhala translation of the constitution prevails over the translation of it any other language. While the English translation of the constitution depicts the national anthem is the same as that of the Sinhala translation, the Tamil translation gives something else. In the spirit of good governance, this ambiguity should have been settled by the Government by referring the matter to the Supreme Court for advice as the President is entitled to refer matters to it which are of national importance and obtained a ruling. Otherwise, those who are sharp and critical of the Government would interpret this act as an insincere and diabolical attempt to hood wink the minorities. In fact some of them told me so. They even told me why not introduce a constitutional amendment to change the national anthem to have both versions like that of Belgium where the anthem is in three languages (French, Dutch and German)? They further threw a challenge at me to obtain a referendum (as that clause is supposed to be an entrenched clause) and get the majority of people in Sri Lanka vote for it? “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER. If you can, then there is some hope that people in Sri Lanka are interested in reconciliation and not just a few fellows who talk of cosmetic reconciliation” said they. In the light of their reactions I wonder whether the effort taken by the government to sing in Tamil caused the desired effect. I was stunned when they posed some deadly questions. “If you fellows can take some legal action for waving a flag purporting it to be the national flag then what action will be taken against those who organized to sing a song purporting it to be the national anthem? If you fellows can brazenly violate the constitution just to hood wink us and the International Community then what guarantee can you fellows give us for mutual respect and the right to live as equal citizens of Sri Lanka?”. This is where I lost my tongue.
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Arun / February 5, 2016
SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN TAMIL @ 68TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
THERE ARE VIEWS – BOTH PRO AND CON – WITH REGARDS TO SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN TAMIL.
FOLLOWING FACTS MAY ENRICH THIS DISCOURSE
a) INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM IS IN BENGALI LANUGUAE MOTHER TOUNGUE FOR 8% OF INDIANIS ( NOT IN HINDI SPOKEN BY 40% OF INDIANS)
b) SINGAPORE NATIONAL ANTHEM IS IN MALAY LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY 13% OF SINAPORIANES ( NOT NEAR 80% OF CHINESE SPEAKING SINAPORIANS)
c) NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL ANTHEM HAS A PARA IN MAORI DIALECT
d) IN SOUTH AFRICA AND CANADA IT IS SUNG IN 2 OR MORE LANGUAGES
AS LONG IT HAS BEEN OFFICALY APPROVED AND EVEN HAS BEEN SUNG IN 1948, THERE IS NO IMPEDIMENT TO DO THIS UNLESS BLOCKED BY BARRIERS IN OUR MINDSET. IS IT NOT BETTER, TO PASSIONATLY SING OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, UNDERSTANDING THE TRUE MEANING WITHOUT PARROTING FOR THE SAKE OF IT?
I BELIEVE SRI LANKA MATHA, SRI LANKA THAYE ( TAMIL ) OR MOTHER OF SRILANKA IS MOTHER FOR ALL SRI LANKANS; SINHALESE, TAMILS, MUSLIMS ,BURGERS, MALAYS ETC,.
I ALSO AGREE A BIT WITH OUR FORMER PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSHA THAT WE SHOUD FOLLOW THE INDIAN WAY. AS ACCORDING TO HIM, WE DO EVERYTHING AS INDIANS DO. MAY BE YES .WE FOLLOW THE GREATESTS GIFT GIVEN BY THE GREATEST SON OF INDIA LORD BUDDAH. MANY OF OUR POLITICIANS ALSO RUN TO INDIA TO PRFORM POOJAS TO REMOVE IMPURITY AND GET DIVINE BLESSINGS TO CLING ON TO POWER – MR NO EXCEPTION. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO REQUIRMENT TO SING OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM IN A MINORITY LANGUAGE LIKE IN INDIA AS ADVISED BY MR!!!!!
I ALSO CONGRADULATE THE RESOLVE OF MR PRESIDENT, MR PRIME MINISTER AND MADAM CHANDRIKA FOR TAKING THIS GIANT LEAP TOWARDS THE ACT OF RECONCILIATION. (NOT A BABY STEP)
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Don Stanley / February 5, 2016
Mr. Sampanthan is being generous to say that singing the Sinhala Anthem in Tamil is a ‘baby step’ to reconciliation.
Nationalism is the last resort of scoundrels like Mahinda Jarapassa. If there had to be so much public debate on such a simple issue as this, with Mahinda Jarapassa the ignorant criminal thug opposing even this small gesture which is a NATIONAL LANGUAGE RIGHT of the Tamils of Lanka, shows the pathetic state of society, politics and institutions in Sri Lanka.
Fact of the matter is that, majority of the Sinhala politicians are uneducated and stupified RACISTS who use the DIVIDE, DISTRACT and RULE method, whereby people are distracted from the CORRUPTION of the so called SInhala leaders and politicians by the anti-minority RACISM. Mahinda Jarapassa and his family are the classic example of how SInhala politicians cover up their corruption by using racism like the Sinhala Le and BBS thugs to distract the masses.
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Sinchoappu / February 5, 2016
More of awareness workshops should be held in nothern and souther areas.
Combining them can turn their mind sets considerably to realities. Religious leaders – Uniproffesonals school teachers principles could do the job properly under the patronage of the current administration.
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Lanka Watch / February 5, 2016
Don Stanley – You may have to correct your statement in your 1st para to read ‘National anthem in Tamil” instead “Sinhala anthem in Tamil” as the N.A sung at the Independence day by Tamil speaking children in Tamil is not a direct translated script of the anthem sung in Sinhala, but their own, sung for decades in their areas in N/E.and only the tune
used is the same as the Sinhala version. This may create an impression
among the masses that Tamils never had a N.A of their own and the fact
is they were not allowed to sing their own anthem on public occasions
by communal minded by successive Govts.
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Dilhara / February 5, 2016
Well said Harsha! This nobody Amali should educate herself!
Tiny Singapore sings its National Anthem in Malay Bahasa, even though the majority ethic group is Chinese and not Malay!
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Native Vedda / February 5, 2016
Dilhara
“Tiny Singapore sings its National Anthem in Malay Bahasa,”
Singapore national anthem words are in Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil.
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Mallaiyuran / February 5, 2016
Sampanthar has exchanged the 150,000 people’s death’s war crime investigation to sing the Sinhala Song’s translation in Tamil. There is already an opinion is spreading that New King has freed the Tamils from the Old King but there is war crime accusation is sitting in OISL’s erased report.
BBC:
“
The Sri Lankan government believes singing in Tamil will boost the post-war reconciliation process.
Some ultra-nationalist groups and Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had opposed the decision to sing in Tamil……
…President Maithripala Sirisena restored the Tamil version as part of moves towards ethnic reconciliation. ………
……..
Hardline Sinhala Buddhist groups have reacted angrily, using social media to express their disapproval of the government’s decision. “
But, it is Sampanthar who said in Parliament if Kathirgamar comes back he will see the result of his deeds.
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Ranmal de Mel / February 5, 2016
It would appear that most of the adverse comments have come from the rabid sinhala right wing propagandists ergo Gammanpila and his ilk.The so called joint opposition and MR contributing their two cents worth.
This must be seen as a mould breaking event and should now become a part and parcel of everyday lives of those who speak Tamil. MR’s statement regarding the Indian National anthem being sung in only one language, completely hides the fact that the language is not Hindi but a classical form of a minority language!
South Africa whose programme of reconciliation, this country should emulate has a national anthem whose verses are sung in four different languages is the standard bearer and perhaps we should follow the same example.
I congratulate President Sirisena for taking this bold step and hope that the majority of this Sinhala speaking nation, of which I am one backs him wholeheartedly.
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Kumar David / February 5, 2016
Doesn’t this person Amali de S who replied to Harsha not know that the Indian anthem (“Jana Mana Gana”) was first written by Tagore in Bengali and only later translated into a rather Sanskritised version. The whole anthem is a pean to pluralism.
It makes explicit reference to the communities of India. (“Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, the Dravida and Odisha and Bengal”). That is meaningful in a plural and united India.
Does she not know that the South African anthem (Nkosi Sikelel i Afrika) has a verse in Xhosa, followed by a verse Zulu, then Sesotho, then Afrikans and the last verse is in English? That is how big minds like Mandela thought.
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Pasuwardana / February 5, 2016
this is only a token gesture. Ranil is a cunning man. he wants to deceive the tamils, sinhalese, US and other minions.
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Saman Adikari / February 5, 2016
The sung in National Anthem in Tamil language Independent day in 2016 February 4th is not as simple as Tamil -TNA chauvinist political class and UNP political class think!
Tamil political class having own ongoing political agenda for Tamil rough state in North, which encourage by US -CIA and Indian -RAW of dual political purposed of expanding their Indian Ocean hegemonies powers and Military agenda.
TNA is now advancing Separatism slogans that will widen Eealm movement ,to curtail sovereignty and narrow ours Independent and that will place counter-revolution of ongoing bourgeoisie Revolution led by new emerging Middle class and progressive forces led by SLFP and their alliance…..
The secession an Island by Tamils reactionaries political class and TNA political Separatism and Eealm programmed being responsibility and accountability for INCOMPLETE bourgeoisies revolution; on that the backwardness of the Tamil feudal- bourgeoisie and lack of understanding majority people’s aspirations that sustsnibility of development capitalist and path of politics of democracy is not agenda of Tamil leadership in Sri Lankan politics of democracy.
The movement of TNA is seek undemocratic central government that should adjust Tamil separatism undermine development and democracy of our nations.
But neither TNA nor UNP does anything sort of sovereignty of economics and politics to save Island & its majority people. They themselves are traitors to Sovereignty, Independent and Democracy ,who want maintain their reputation as ‘good governance and rule of Law of’ that unknown democracy of power devolution of Federalism encourage by US-CIA and Indian- BJP.+ RAW.
Well, “Democracy and Rule of Law” is theoretical formulation of UNP and TNA of pending question. Indeed UNP, TNA and JVP even in a democratic republic state is nothing but a junta machine for suppression of majority masses rights of democracy by few comprador bourgeoisies and vital interest of US & Indian.
The Tamil separatism history has veered round to bring power devolution back towards us now. It is evident propagated by that Tamil separatism cannot overthrown except by foreign powers.
But under the MR democratic alliance that Tamil -LTTE terrorism allied with TNA, being defeated 2009 May without foreign power. In fact UNP and TNA had cherished the illusion that the Indian, USA and UK stood for ‘Real’ democracy!
But currently that illusions is being completely dispelled by peace won 2009 May that terms are being misused by US and Indians.
The Sri Lankan national and democratic forces proving the correctness of MR alliance views on sovereignty of UNO international standard that politics accepted democracies since 2009 up 2015 January 9th..
Now, we have realized that USA, UK and Indian -BJP and join hand with TNA & UNP playing part of Sri Lankan butcher of and are doing it undermined our unitary natures’ of state. Now we see it appears that USA, UK and Indians acting as hangmen of Sri Lankan Freedom and Sovereignty they offer are hundred times more humiliating rapacious and predatory than peace won after LTTE Tamil Terrorist was defeated 2009 May by leadership of MR democratic alliance.
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Lanka Watch / February 5, 2016
Saman Adikari – You have talked lot of crap and far behind time . I hope you remember Mr. Sampanthan, Leader TNA, the sole representatives
of the Tamils in N/E had been to the supreme court and pledged allegiance to the state on behalf of the Sri Lankan Tamils and agreed that there will be no more demands for separatism and their demand will be for devolution of power for the regions without dividing the country. You seem to be under the phobia that SL will be engulfed by CIA(USA) and RAW(India) some day and people like you frighten the masses and makes unity impossible.
In most developed countries,like India, USA and even in a small country
like Switzerland, the reason for success is due to the use of federal system in their countries. They spend more time on improving their economy like what India is doing ,rather than fighting against each other on petty political matters, claiming supremacy over religion & language and no co-existence
Recently TNA visited Scotland to study how the federal system works
there with one time warring communities, who later joined hands ,
together to form the federal state. This is to show the international community that Tamils are definitely for federalism of some form and not for separation and this word is off the Tamil dictionary.
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Marwan / February 5, 2016
Singing of National anthem in Tamil was the perfect climax which created the most appropriate ending. All along and throughout the speech, whenever reference was made to religions, or ethnicity, mention was made by name of all religions of all people and of all ethnics living together in this country, This truly made a difference to all of the minority population to feel counted and respected. We all felt like this was our country’s independence, not theirs alone to celebrate. Since recent times, we have always felt alienated, but for once, tears of joy for many with hopes of a better future at least for our children, specially in this land of our birth which we have always considered as our home.
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roger / February 5, 2016
Well said Harsha!!!!!!
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Nantha / February 5, 2016
Well said minister.
One country one anthem slogan looks nicer. But in India, Tamils have their own state, own Police force. Let’s have the same model in Sri Lanka. Then you can demand for One Anthem.
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sach / February 5, 2016
then go to that state..it is that simple
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Nantha / February 5, 2016
I too had tears when I watched it last night.
We used to sing in schools before 1972.
First Republican constitution derailed the communal harmony.
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Jayasingha / February 5, 2016
Dr; Harsha, you were happy when expatriates criticized some MR regime decisions and actions but are unhappy when they comment adversely on certain decisions and action taken by your govt.You have to accept adverse criticism. This is not criticism against unity but forewarning of more divisions and unrest as a result of this.
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