By Dayan Jayatilleka –
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
“…namely, the freedom to use reason publicly in all matters…” — Immanuel Kant
Throughout decades of conflict, the Sri Lanka state never moved against an elected Mayor of Jaffna, or indeed, of any city or town in the North and East. It never laid a hand on a Mayor nor arrested a single one.
The Tigers did, killing two: Alfred Duraiappah who was assassinated by Prabhakaran, and, decades later, Mrs. Yogeswaran, widow of the TULF MP.
During the LTTE’s offensive which took Elephant Pass, it was easier for the State to retain Jaffna, also because Douglas Devananda’s EPDP had won many municipalities. More Tamil civilians moved into state-controlled areas than flowed out of them, during the Tiger offensive of 2000.
Today, there is an ironic inversion. The state’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has arrested under the PTA, the young Mayor of Jaffna, Viswalingam Manivannan. He is not charged with anything remotely forceful, let alone violent, and least of all terrorist. He has not been discovered with explosives in his back office. He is supposed to have authorized the setting up of a unit attached to the Jaffna Municipal Council, wearing uniforms which bore a semblance to those worn by the illegal LTTE Police. Going by the photographs there are no militaristic or militant symbols on the uniforms.
If no other Municipal Council in Sri Lanka has such employees, or rather, employees so clad, then surely it is a matter for the Minister in charge of Local Authorities to have a word with the young Mayor of Jaffna or send him an official letter of caution of the matter. Instead, he has been arrested, under the draconian PTA at that.
Throughout the world, one of the basics of de-radicalization and counter-radicalization strategies is to work with the elected legislators of the areas in which the disaffected population lives. This is especially so at the level of the mayors, because the mayoralties are the units through which services are channeled. Even in Israel, the authorities cultivate good relations with Palestinian mayors.
Obviously, not so, or no longer so, under the Gotabaya government. The universal manuals on prevention of radicalization are being torn up and re-written. Exactly the moves that are recommended against, are being used here and now, for the first time ever.
The sudden arrest of the Mayor of Jaffna undermines the argument, not of the liberals or moderates, but precisely the ultra-nationalists in the Gotabaya administration. Their point is that the unit of devolution should not be the province but a smaller one such as the district or the Pradesheeya Sabha, which is closest to the grassroots and can be a better delivery vehicle for development and services.
The arrest of the Jaffna Mayor over a non-violent alleged offense, actually a procedural or regulatory one if at all, gives the signal that there will be no autonomous space for the minorities even at the level of the smallest unit, namely the municipality, let alone the province.
The arrest comes at a point where the Sri Lankan government is under global scrutiny on human rights issues. Either the Colombo authorities do not care, or they think that a telephone conversation with President Xi is sufficient to enable them to act with impunity. The US, UK, EU and UN are seen as ‘paper tigers’ who won’t, can’t, walk the talk (or stalk the growl).
The arrest also comes a few weeks before the Tamil Nadu election and cannot make political life easier for Prime Minister Modi. Obviously the Gotabaya government cares nothing about that either.
Any serious observer knows that the movement led by filmmaker and history student Seeman, an openly pro-Prabhakaran, pro-Tiger, charismatic personality, is contesting across the state. While it will not prevail, it is sufficiently significant to serve as a radical pressure group on the streets, acting upon the Tamil Nadu and Delhi administrations on the issue of Sri Lanka and Tamil rights. The arrest of the Jaffna mayor will only help Seeman’s movement and momentum. The Gotabaya government doesn’t know or care.
The arrest of a monk, a mayor and a former beauty queen, none of which seem necessary, and all of which are overreactions, indicate that the threshold of tolerance is very low. The shrinkage of civic space that the UN Human Rights High Commissioner cautioned about seems to be a prophecy coming true.
It is illogical to believe that a regime which behaves in this manner now, will accept electoral defeat in 2024/5. It is far more likely to try a Myanmar model.
What we are witnessing now are the first signs and symptoms. Myanmarization may be underway. Sri Lanka will get there not with a bang as in Myanmar, but by gradual, incremental moves such as which we are witnessing, i.e., by stealth.
As Hannah Arendt once said somewhere, we sometimes cross invisible lines in History and are unaware about it until we look back and find they have grown into walls behind us.
Myanmar is to the 21st century what Spain was to the pre-WWII world in the 1930s. If President Biden is serious about a global ‘Alliance of Democracies’, its immediate objective must be ‘No More Myanmars!’ and such an Alliance must develop its own Charter and systems to defend democracy and prevent another Myanmar.
The Sri Lankan political parties, right, left and center, are all operating within a paradigm of an electoral endgame. They may be wrong. There may be those who are already considering, even planning for a non-electoral, extra-electoral endgame, with or without the stepping stone of a new, dictatorial Constitution using the ‘Sinhala-Buddhist State’ brand to secure acceptance at a referendum.
The structures and networks, national, local and global; South and North; must be created to pre-empt a Myanmar outcome, to secure an electoral endgame and the level playing field, and most importantly, to secure the respect of the outcome of that electoral endgame unlike in Myanmar.
As the Myanmar resistance is finding out, the unity of the democratic forces of the ethnoreligious majority and the anti-dictatorship forces of the ethnoreligious minorities, is an imperative.
The Sri Lankan democratic political parties, mainly the Opposition parties, and chiefly the parties of the left, must learn, internalize and apply the lessons of History of the struggle against autocracy throughout the world:
1. United Fronts and Coordinating Committees at the political and social movement levels are imperative.
2. The broadest international solidarity in support of democracy and against ultranationalist autocracy is imperative.
3. ‘When all the conditions are ripe to resist dictatorship, it is already too late to prepare to do so’.
*Dr. Jayatilleka is a former Vice-President of the United Nations Human Rights Council and a former Chairperson of the ILO.
Thiru / April 9, 2021
Harsha Gunasena,
Take note of the above article and don’t call me a coward for using my name Thiru.
Dayan Jayatilleka clearly enunciates the grave situation we are in: We don’t have to wait for another Myanmar to prop up before taking action.
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nk / April 9, 2021
Dayan J is good at spinning.
Once again we are presented with false dichotomies, merely aimed at regime change, projecting himself as progressive, under the pretext of democracy…and the Tamils, as an oppressed group, are asked to trott along as always.
For one thing, there won’t be a change in the status quo as far as Tamils are concerned.
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Buddhist1 / April 9, 2021
NK,
The foolishness of the Rajapakse regime has been displayed in this act of theirs. All over the world Cities and Municipalities have officers in uniform who fine individuals and businesses for various violations. Its the City and Municipal Councilors who have the authority to pass a resolution what actions are chargeable and who has the authority to make the fine. In this case if this was passed by the Councilors then the Mayor cannot be taken to task, its a collective decision. The colour of the uniform or the style of the uniform can be anything. If there is a law that no one can use LTTE Police colours or that style of uniforms, even Sri Lankan Navy cannot wear their uniforms as some of the Navy uniforms are similar to LTTE uniforms in style and colour. Even VIP security uniforms in Sri Lanka look similar to Prabaharan’s civilian uniform in which he appeared in so many videos.
For a President who has lived in USA for so many years, not to know this and understand this, makes me wonder how suitable is he to govern a country that too under 20A, a dictatorship constitutional amendment.
Gota FAIL, Sawbagya Dakma FAIL, SLPP FAIL, above all entire Rajapakse Family FAIL!
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 9, 2021
Dayan this is a brilliant move by Jaffna Municipal council to expose Sinhala racism, and by the rash reaction, government has demonstrated that it is panicking. No action was taken against Colombo Municipal council which has similar officers with similar uniform. This uniform is not an exclusive property of LTTE, as it is worn by police officers in several countries. History is repeating itself. In early 70s they found Tiger under every bush, till the real tiger arrived. Mark my words, this time it will come from abroad with support of international community, where Sinhala racists could do nothing about.
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GATAM / April 10, 2021
Tamil racism verses PTA. Who wins? PTA.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 10, 2021
It is actually Sinhala racism and terrorism versus truth and justice. If you go through history, it is always that truth and justice wins. “Sathyameva Jayathe”.
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RAVI PERERA / April 10, 2021
“Jaffna Municipal council to expose Sinhala racism, and by the rash reaction, government has demonstrated that it is panicking.”
The above statment shows that you are looking for something to feel happy thinking the sinhalayas are in trouble.
Ok, lets wait till the real tiger comes from abroad…
You think it will come before we stop seeing your comments here…
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 10, 2021
Sinhalayas are already in trouble, knocked out in Geneva. I said this sometime ago that bluff of Sinhalese will not be tolerated for long and stick will come, and this has happened. Now all local bodies in north and east must appoint their own health and environment enforcement officers. Next step should be highways and farms protection officers. Both are devolved subjects under 13th amendment which has been authorized by UNHCR. You have to precipitate a crisis to settle any dispute. Already the government is on its back foot to escape thrashing from UNHCR. Real tigers with blessing of UNHCR will arrive if there is no compliance to the resolution by two years.
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RAVI PERERA / April 11, 2021
“Sinhalayas are already in trouble, knocked out in Geneva”
It was not a complete knockout you bugger, anyway lets wait and see what the tamils of the elected local bodies get upto. A more confrontational stance they take or better it is for us. You mention 2 yrs here. you think we might see your comments in those two years ? By the way how is the COVID situatiion over there ? Are you frightened ?
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KA / April 11, 2021
Come on RP.
I am not in any way batting for GS.
You say Sinhala bad behaviour is reserved for Thalayas.
Eve if GS’s is bad, which I do not think , it is by mouth and stating the reality, which every one can understand and see.
One of the Sinhala propaganda in the LTTE time and for LTTE controlled area was that Tamils could open their mouth only to eat and yawn.
Do you still think Tamils must open their mouth only to eat and yawn under Sori Sinhala control?
RP, do you know you all believe that you will be kings as long as you have the possession of supposed Puththar’s tooth.
Why worry and panic against a simpleton, GS’s comments? Or, is it some thing wrong with the tooth?
Who will first stop posting comment here from this moment on is anyone’s guess.
Although I do not personally wish that, the nature might choose you first, even though GS or anyone for that matter including me may be older than you.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 11, 2021
KA the bogus all knowing fellow calling logical and intellectual view as that of a simpleton, all what I have said has come correct. If you have any sense of decency, post comment in your own name if you wish to attack others.
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KA / April 11, 2021
Yes, logical and intellectual. Fine.
Were the thenTamil leaders not?
Where we are now?
As a matter of fact, all learned, educated, logical and intellectual Tamil leaders had failed one way or another.
It took person like Prabha to put the issue in the world’s conscience, despite opposition by another intransigent and so called Ghanthian force, Hinda.
If you are not humble enough to see simpleton in this whole issue, then it
is not my problem.
All your qualifications and learning that you boast at times are nothing if you cannot figure out ‘simpleton’ in the context.
By the way, I do not have to tell my name to post and not attack that is essentially a common sense.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 12, 2021
You are the simpleton who cannot see the through the issue. No ethnic group won their rights without the support of at least one powerful country. Unfortunately Tamils do not have a single country which is prepared to support a separate state. It is the suffering of Tamil community at the hand of racist terrorist Sinhala state that stirred the conscience of others, and not Prabaharan. In fact by his acts, he had made the world think that Tamils are intransigent. Whether you like it or not Tamils will not get anything without the consent of India. Whether Sri Lanka remains one or two depends entirely on India. This is a fact that simpletons like you are unable to grasp. It should be the policy of Tamils is to go along with India, to bring Sri Lanka down and in the process get the rights.
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KA / April 11, 2021
I do not claim to know it all and it is you.
Please answer one thing for all your logical, rational and intellectual prowess that you wish to be acknowledged.
You have been saying here Hindia forcing Sinhalese to accommodate Tamil aspirations etc. in some form.
Whereas I have been pessimistic of Hindia.
The latest indication of the line of thinking in Hindian powers that be is that leave the Tamil issue for Sinhalese to deal with.
I have already posted the link to the analysis by M. R. Narayan Swamy, where he advocates Hindia to leave the Sori Sinhalam to deal with 13-nothing to the liking of Sinhalese.
You have already seen in here Col. Hariharan’s line that the Island is home only to Theravada Buddist Sinhalese.
If you are prepared to sideline these persons’ views as something personal, then again you are making the same mistake the Tamils made in 70s and early 80s that Hindia would aid Tamils in this issue.
Where is the logical, rational and intellectual thinking in all these?
Again, you fell for Hindia’s empty word for Tamils in UNHRC.
Can you not see what Hinida say about two pillars, one is absolutely guaranteed for all practical purposes. The other, Tamils equality, dignity, peace etc. what left after the 2009 massacre with the Hindian lead is being destroyed by Sinhalese.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 12, 2021
Your arguments show that you have no understanding of the issue. India came to implement 13th amendment and it was Prabaharan who sabotaged it, despite the Tamil civil society asking him to accept it. With IPKF on the ground, Tamils would have achieved in securing their land intact, though lacking in the desired extent of power. It is on the instigation of India, that unilateral declaration of independence was made by Perumal. After 1990, India lost its interest in 13th amendment, and only after LTTE was defeated that they took it up as a weapon to bring Sri Lanka under. I have clearly said that India is not totally sincere about it, but the situation has changed to an extent that, it will be used more frequently. Reality is that Tamils have no straw to cling on other than 13th amendment of India and human rights concerns of Western countries.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 12, 2021
India need not have brought 13th amendment into the resolution, if it did not want it internationalized. By including the statement equality, justice, peace and dignity, it has showed the world that these are being denied to Tamil community. When there are two pillars to anything, it is common intelligence to perceive that one pillar cannot sustain the structure. Similarly western nations are using Tamil issue to bring Sri Lanka under their influence. Tomorrow if Sri Lanka ditches China, all these caring for Tamil sufferings will be dumped. This is why I have told Tamils not to allow a government sympathetic to west come to power, even though lackeys like Sumanthiran will paint a rosy picture. What happened during last five years should be a reminder.
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KA / April 14, 2021
If Pirabha sabotaged 13th amendment, why Perumaal who went along with 13th amendment had to make UDI?
If Perumal made UDI at the instigation of Hindia, who and what prevented Hindia from firmly establishing legitimacy of UDI by a referendum? It was most conducive conditions for referendum on Permaal’s UDI.
Actually, Permaal’s UDI caught Hindia unguarded against its own tiger (even if not true tiger) and exposed true Hindia to Tamils, who until then firmly believed Hindia would aid them in this issue.
Hindia was never serious about 13th amendment because it was drawn by Hindia to be wish of Sori Sinhalam so that can be done away with even without the stroke of a pen, and Hindia made to appear supposedly grandeur solution.
I will not go further into this.
Tamils have nothing is true.
UNHRC resolutions are not binding. Then again, all these resolutions are watered down to the level that they can only be implemented with ‘concurrence’ of Sori Sinhalam.
It is again, just like 13th amendment, Hinida’s empty and supposedly grandeur concern for Tamils in the Island.
Hindia will not send any forces if Sori Sinahalam completely abrogate 13th amendment.
Please read the link and you can see it yourself.
http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article9868.html
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nk / April 10, 2021
Buddhist, lets be clear. I think it is the opposition that brought this issue of LTTE uniform in the parliament.
As far as I am concerned, the debate should not be about uniform but about PTA, which is, historically, being utilized to repress Tamils.
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GATAM / April 10, 2021
Tamils also fail!
Isn’t it?
PTA always beat Tamils down. Always!
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Svenson / April 9, 2021
Don’t worry Thiru you are not cowardly for not using your own name. I don’t use my own name either and I am a member of a small minority too. Go ahead, take action before another Myanmar pops up. Let us know what you intend to do .
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leelagemalli / April 10, 2021
DJ,
.
You are too complicit. You hands are not clean.
:
Good governance govt balanced almost everything multiple times better than Gota s 15 months sofar.
:
However, Sirisena s stupdity allowed MEDAMULANA rascals to grab power. There your behaviour was also in favour of MAHINDA Rajakashes who should take the entire responsiblity to the fall of nation as of today.
:
Not because of COVID, but lack of WISDOM in current leadership, they fail to deliver even petty handlings.
:
I think PEOPLE in this country is slowly become somewhat wise… I always believe the very same people would not welcome their untruths again and again.
:
UK is mourning today hearing the loss of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. However, I dont think SRILANKENs would shed a tear drop if Mahind Rajapkashe would die next. He has ruined srilanka as of today. Not his milltary brother, but MR should be made accoutable for all the mess
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N. Perera / April 13, 2021
Bullshits people are telling Sri Lanka is the same as Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, and another Myanmar. Real reality in Sri Lanka, who robbed the wealth of Sri Lanka and still robbing the wealth of Sri Lanka, Tamils, and Muslims. See the Coconut oil scandal. Who are behind this 95% importers are Muslims and Tamils. Who robbed Central Bank? Arjun Mahendran now living in Singapore and changed his name also. Who robbed American Banks? Raj Rajarathnam, now in jail in the USA. We all know only the Indian Bora community brought money from India and established business in Sri Lanka. Wealth robbers of Ceylon( Heladiva Sri Lanka) I mean Sinhalese Aryans country, Sri Lanka
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chiv / April 13, 2021
N.Perera what took you so many attempts in wishing CT readers, this Avurudu season. Happy prosperous and splendour year for you too.
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SJ / April 13, 2021
NP
We have unquestioningly accepted images of African countries as presented by by White racist media.
Sub-Saharan Africa bore the brunt of imperialist plunder and social destruction.
It has not been easy to rebuild.
Their problems have to be seen in the context of history of denial of right to develop on their own terms.
Our problem is that we have been on a suicidal course for long, especially since the Executive Presidency.
Africa will develop fast in the next decade. Will we?
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old codger / April 13, 2021
NP,
“Bullshits people are telling Sri Lanka is the same as Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, “
Well at least Eritrea voted for you. Is Sri Lanka the same as USA or Europe? Why are you trying to get refugee status then?
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old codger / April 13, 2021
NP,
“Wealth robbers of Ceylon( Heladiva Sri Lanka) I mean Sinhalese Aryans country,”
I will tell you something you don’t know about these robbers.
The Portuguese came here to rob our cashew nuts, tomatoes, beef curry, chillies, avocado, etc. The Dutch came here to rob our brinjals, Kokis, lamprais, and the Galle Fort. The British took our tea and rubber and totally ruined the hill country by building railways. I hope you put these facts in your future writings.
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nimal fernando / April 9, 2021
For once I agree with Dayan!
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Never thought I’ll live to see the day!
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nimal fernando / April 9, 2021
It seems no one has learnt a thang ……. from 30 years of utter destruction and mayhem.
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All you minority-baiters won’t be found even under your beds when crap hits the fan and the fireworks start.
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Last time good ol’ Prabakaran saved us from India while all the Sinhalese Rambos were hiding behind womenfolk …….. or looking for Indian feet to fall down at ……….
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Next time there is no Prabakaran to save us.
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The best deterrent against the threat of India turning into a threat ……… is a Tamil population that feels they are full stakeholders of the country.
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I don’t say this out of any love for the Tamils but out of love for my own frigging Sinhala skin …… Unlike Native Wedda, I don’t care for anyone but me!
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In the safety of large numbers, I know the bravery of the Sinhalese: I know them like my own people. Only too well ! ……… But when the chips are down there is no hero to be found …….. except your own enemy Prabakaran ………..
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I know this will rile a lot of “patriots” ……… but not if they are smart.
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Don’t sell Smart Patriotism short!
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N. Perera / April 13, 2021
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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old codger / April 13, 2021
N Perera,
“Wealth robbers of Ceylon( Heladiva Sri Lanka) I mean Sinhalese Aryans country,”
I will tell you something you don’t know about these robbers.
The Portuguese came here to rob our cashew nuts, tomatoes, beef curry, chillies, avocado, etc. The Dutch came here to rob our brinjals, Kokis, lamprais, and the Galle Fort. The British took our tea and rubber and totally ruined the hill country by building railways. I hope you put these facts in your future writings
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nk / April 9, 2021
Here is the question.
Will Dayan J’s preferred Sinhala buddhist populist leader, Sajith Premedaa, get rid of the draconian PTA under which Jaffna mayor Manivannan was arrested? Of course not! PTA had long been used as a repressive tool and the Tamils know all too well.
Dayan J is just having his go at the Gota regime, perhaps as a matter of international/public relations.
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N. Perera / April 13, 2021
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Dilshan / April 9, 2021
Is there anything new. A war criminal who did not care international consensus and decency and murdered in cold unarmed surrendering combatants and who directed rape, torture of innocent civilians including children like Balachandran, is worried about anything. 6.7 million idiotic voters screwed the country well and good.
The international community who supported a terror agent should rectify the mistake they made.
US used Osama to beat Russia and they had to eliminate him. Similarly international community which helped war criminal state terrorist Nandasena, should ignore the Sovereignty of Sri Lanka the way they ignored that of Pakistan when they took out Isama, should take him out ASAP to compensate for the blunder they made in supporting a psycho.
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ReginaldShamalPerera / April 9, 2021
Keep dreaming and reciting fairy tales just before bed time. At least, you will have a good night’s sleep.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 9, 2021
Tanzania was authorized to remove Idi Amin and his catchers, Vietnam was authorized to remove Pol Pot and his catchers, the same fate will fall on Rajapakse gang.
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Native Vedda / April 10, 2021
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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“Vietnam was authorized to remove Pol Pot and his catchers”
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By whom?
Until the last minute China, UK, USA, ….. were with Pol Pot, supporting him and supplying him with everything from A to Z.
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SJ / April 10, 2021
GS
“Tanzania was authorized to remove Idi Amin”
You are lying again after it was pointed out as untrue.
Nobody authorized anything. There was prolonged armed conflict at the end of which Tanzanian forces moved in and deposed Amin.
Amin had lost support from a public that had some liking for Obote.
The world just sat and watched. Nobody had tears to shed for Amin, except perhaps the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*
Vietnam wan not authorized by any.
Vietnamese invasion was bitterly held against it by the US even several after there was a new regime in Phnom Penh.
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SJ / April 10, 2021
Correction:
Vietnam was not authorized by any.
Vietnamese invasion was bitterly held against it by the US even several years after there was a new regime in Phnom Penh.
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Tamil from the north / April 10, 2021
Ado Reginald Shemale Perehera bugger, what are you moaning about now?
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Dilshan / April 10, 2021
That is what exactly Pakistanis would have said about US taking out Osama a dream
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Native Vedda / April 10, 2021
Reginald Shameless Pererass
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“Keep dreaming and reciting fairy tales just before bed time. At least, you will have a good night’s sleep.”
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Please read APJ Abdul Kalam’s Quotes to Dream and Innovate in Life:
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1. You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
2. A dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.
3. Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.
4. If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.
5. Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit.
6. Luxury and Lies have huge maintenance costs. But Truth and Simplicity are self-maintained without any cost.
7. You should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.
8.Never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence
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nk / April 9, 2021
If Dayan J is really concerned, he should advocate for the removal of PTA.
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GATAM / April 9, 2021
Colombo Mayor should also have own police force. Lucrative!
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Native Vedda / April 9, 2021
JATAM
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“Colombo Mayor should also have own police force. Lucrative!”
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He modeled his Municipal Sanitary Inspector’s uniform exactly on Colombo municipal employee’s uniform. Then what is your problem?
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The Mayor was arrested under the draconian PTA by the notorious dumb asses, for what?
Is this a case of “the tail wagging the dog”?
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Thiru / April 9, 2021
There is a proverb in Tamil which says in essence that “Fermenting dough is good for hoppers”.
Fomenting political unrest and taunting Tamils and Muslims is good for making hoppers out of Sri Lanka!
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SJ / April 9, 2021
T
I know it for a fact that fermented batter is good for hoppers.
But is there a ‘proverb’ to that effect?
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GATAM / April 10, 2021
It is a Tamil Nadu proverb. Not a Sri Lankan proverb. Be specific.
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SJ / April 10, 2021
My doubt concerned, even if there was such saying, whether its implication was as suggested by T.
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N. Perera / April 13, 2021
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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GATAM / April 9, 2021
He won the mayor post with EPDP help. EPDP is pro-government. Now EPDP should elect their own man for mayor post.
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Thiru / April 9, 2021
Are people using pseudonyms when writing comments cowards?
Harsha Gunasena says so in his reply to my comments on his article comparing Myanmar and Sri Lanka:
Harsha Gunasena / April 8, 2021
Thiru
Sri Lanka is not under a military dictatorship as Myanmar.
What is the morality of a coward who covers himself behind a pseudonym even to make a comment, and asking me whether I am afraid? I have said what is to be said.
Does Colombo Telegraph accept such branding by Harsha Gunasena.
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SJ / April 9, 2021
T
Is CT the place for people to demonstrate their personal prowess of bravery, courage and valour?
As one of the more civilized commentators here, will not you agree that leaving out personal jibes will make discussions a lot more civilized?
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Rajash / April 9, 2021
what message does this arrest send out to the world hot on the heels of UNHCR resolution!
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Thiru / April 9, 2021
One country,
One law, but
No rule of law.
That sums up Sri Lanka today.
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Ajith / April 9, 2021
PTA was originated by the Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalist JR Jeyawardane in 1978. Since then it was used by police and military and Ruling parties not only against Tamils but also against their political enemies. So, this is not the first time that is used with false accusation and evidences. I know some of our relatives who was in Colombo were arrested after keeping a bomb in their bag and then charged them as terrorist or terrorist suspects. In some cases they were released after paying many thousands.
We only talk about LTTE and terrorism but never talk about other paramilitary groups like EPDP, EPRLF, PLOTE, TELO, and many other terrorist groups who worked with Sinhala Terrorist military. If you look at the present Government and President, there were number of suicide bombs and attacks done by themselves to put the blame on LTTE. Dr. Dayan was in the same government when such acts and PTA are used against innocents. Even JVP leader was assassinated by Sri Lankan military or police.
Gota is now becoming unpopular among Sinhala people. Rajapaksas know how to cheat Buddhist Sinhala. Rajapaksas now need to to show Sinhalese that LTTE is emerging and he is the only one who can save Sinhalese from LTTE.
The reality is Sri Lanka is on the way to collapse. The country and people need to be saved.
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Eagle Eye / April 9, 2021
Ajith,
“The reality is Sri Lanka is on the way to collapse. The country and people need to be saved.”
—
You guys can run to your ancestral homeland and save your ssss.
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Tamil from the north / April 10, 2021
Eagle ‘moron’ Eye, so when are you leaving to Orissa? Monkey brain, merely because you came to this country and created a new race doesn’t mean you are a native of this land. This land belongs to the native veddahs, not to you or me. So get a cure for your mental illness at the Angoda.
/
Simon / April 10, 2021
Ajith: I agree with you. This “Rajapakse & Co. Inc.” is not to be underestimated when it comes to grabbing “Power” and “Staying” in power. They have all the capacity and acumen to plan and execute any “Dirty Game” provided that will bring the desired results. As of date, the entire regime of “GR” is facing trouble both from within and outside. The most “Dangerous” planner and “Executioner” of the entire “Clan” is Basil. He is well aware of the situation that prevails among the “6.9 million”. Now a “Dramatic Move” has to be “Staged” to win the “Sinhala/Buddhagama” voter bank. “He” will definitely plan to “Stage” a “Come Back” of LTTE and “Inject” the “Aphrodisiac” to rejuvenate the “Patriotism” of the “Sinhala/Buddhagama” voter bank. Most of the commentators here are talking of a “Uniform” type but do not understand the “Message” the Government of GR is giving to that “Voter Bank”. The message is: “Here is once again that “Perumal Vardaharaja” types coming. We have to wipe it off at its earliest, otherwise the “Freedom” we got you in 2009 would once again be lost.
/
GATAM / April 10, 2021
At the time of introduction of PTA there were less than 2 million Tamils. Now it has grown to 3.5 million Tamils.
/
Ajith / April 10, 2021
GATAM,
Can you provide the evidence (Census)? Also Can you compare that with Sinhalese?
/
Muhandiram / April 9, 2021
Mr. DJ
“Even in Israel, the authorities cultivate good relations with Palestinian mayors.”
Are there any “Palestinian mayors” in Israel?
You very well know that Israel was NOT there before 1948 and came into being as a result of a plot by the West led by Britain following the victory in WWII and the West’s control of the UN. The UN was used to create the zionist Israeli entity by UN Gen.Assembly Resolution 181 of Nov 1947 which gave the zionists 56% of Palestine though they formed ONLY 33% of the Population. Though this Resolution needed Ratification by a UN Security Council Resolution, the zionists who were well armed and organised carried out several Terrorist Attacks on the Palestinians and forced hundreds of thousands of them to flee and proclaimed the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 BEFORE the UNSC could ratify Resolution 181. Since then, life was Hell for the Palestinians living in areas allotted to them by the UN. In the 1967 war, the zionists captured the rest of Palestine earmarked for them by the UN and, since then, the Entire Palestine became under the control of the zionist entity. Several UN Resolutions condemning the zionist Occupation and Demanding a withdrawal by the zionist entity have been contemptuously rejected by the zionists.
/
Manel Fonseka / April 10, 2021
Muhandiram
I have responded to your point about the suffering Palestinians, but have mistakenly posted way down the page, probably below Eagle’s response to Mallaiyuran. Using my mobile frequently causes such mistakes.
Manel Fonseka
M
.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 10, 2021
Manel,
I thought 32 nations, Social Service Activist Radhika and Chemical bombs were the parties to Genocide of Tamils in Lankawe, but I didn’t know even your cell phone was in that too. Disappointing!
/
Manel Fonseka / April 10, 2021
??? Mallaiyuran — I beg yr pardon???
/
SJ / April 10, 2021
Manel
I used to ask for a translation.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 11, 2021
You are a case brain washed yourself with subjects you have no connection when Britain sent you back home.Leave the Israel Palestinian problem aside man. Did you watch your Lankawe beauty queens’ cats fight on their on their walks for their run ups on the stage. That is a good topic you me to discuss in your Covid-19 vacation time.
(a chaff advertising himself as proud hero because he asked for translation! – but translation for what? ” Savam”? Savam means one who is equal to a dead body in understanding things. That is a slander slammed by the Jaffna Saddampies at their kids if they are slow to pick up. )
/
Mallaiyuran / April 11, 2021
Willingly pardon granted.
Next time talk to me direct. Like UOJ Saddampi, don’t seek out Munthanai to cover and then fire. It is lower than Marianna Trench.
/
SJ / April 13, 2021
The yelping has subsided I guess.
/
KA / April 11, 2021
“You very well know that Israel was NOT there before 1948 and came into being as a result of a plot by the West led by Britain following the victory in WWII and the West’s control of the UN.”
Was there Sori Sinhala Lanka before 1948?
I learned new version of history.
It is just like Muslims in the Island are Arabs, which the original Arabs not only laugh at but consider to be abominable even for disdain.
/
Punchi Point / April 9, 2021
‘No Myanmar In Sri Lanka!’
No Tamilnadu in Sri Lanka, either.
Also, No Tamileelam in Sri Lanka.
Wearing LTTE outfits in Srilanka by government employees is alright? Lets say German government employees wore SS uniforms in Germany today. What would happen?
/
Punchi Point / April 9, 2021
Daily Mirror says : “Jaffna Mayor Visvalingam Manivannan said that a five-member Police unit has been established to protect the cleanliness of Jaffna.
According to the residents, the uniforms of the five-member Police unit were used during the war by the de facto LTTE police”.
So, its actually not just these outfits “bore a semblance to those worn by the illegal LTTE Police”, they are actually LTTE outfits. The more serious question than the symbolic issue here is, where and how did they get these outfits?
Also, the Tamil Visvalingam Manivannan didn’t just establish “a unit attached to the Jaffna Municipal Council” it is a police unit according to Daily Mirror, which would mean that they had taken police powers under the Mayor! This is worse than Pradeshiya Sabha MPs playing police with their thugs down south. Rule of law is seriously threatened by these thugs, whether they are Jaffna Mayors or down south Pradeshiya Sabha MPs.
/
Dilshan / April 9, 2021
You believe Daily Mirror a racist outfit of wijewardene. A national paper reports according to residents. Who is the resident Ava Group Drig peddler Arun Siddarth. Nobody else Arun who lives SLPP hand out. It is identical to the outfit of CMC parking wardens. Does that mean the Colombo Mayor will be also taken into custody under PTA
What a country and citizens
/
Pandi Kutti / April 9, 2021
Little W-lly Yes yes say no no no to everything , We definitely cannot have Myammar or Thamizh Nadu and will have Thamizh Eezham and Chingkallam in the near future, thanks to Chingkalla Poutha Fascists , Cheena and Chingkallams like you, who are working very hard to make Thamizh Eezham a reality. Prapakaran was working very hard to make Thamizh Eezham a pipe dream. During his later days he was the best friend and best asset that the Chingkallams had, as he worked hard for the Chingkallams and Rajapakses . You should make Maavirar Naal a national holiday and make the RaavaVeerar march and parade in honour of your most dedicated ally.
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Native Vedda / April 9, 2021
Punchi Point
Punchi Brain
Punchi Willi
–
“Wearing LTTE outfits in Srilanka by government employees is alright? Lets say German government employees wore SS uniforms in Germany today. What would happen?”
–
Then why the hell some Colombo Municipality Employees are allowed to wear exactly same type of uniform in public?
–
Prabaharan used to wear safari suit if he is not pretending to be fighting. Are you going get your dumb asses to ban safari suit in the whole of North East while allowing dumb ass leaders are allowed to wear them in the rest of the island?
–
Go get a life.
/
Simon / April 10, 2021
NV; Please don’t “VIEW” this “Episode” in that simple terms of a “Uniform”. There is a “BIG” plan behind this “Drama”. I have explained (as I see) it in a reply comment to “Ajith’s” comment. Please read it and would like you to take a more serious look at it. Thanks.
/
GATAM / April 10, 2021
Vedda,
2009!
/
Native Vedda / April 10, 2021
JATAM
–
“Vedda, 2009!”
–
4 June 1987????
/
Tamil from the north / April 10, 2021
Punchi (Point) Banda, the high command of the LTTE is directly working with Ali Baba and his band of thieves and killers.
/
Svenson / April 9, 2021
‘What we are witnessing now are the first signs and symptoms. Myanmarization may be underway. Sri Lanka will get there ….by stealth.’
.
Storm in a teacup. Nothing of the kind will happen. Myanmar has been run by the military since independence but Sri Lanka has always had elections. The only time a part of the country was under the heel of a dictator was when the brutal Tamil upstart Prabhakaran ruled the North East.
/
Pandi Kutti / April 10, 2021
How is Master Sir the actual Svenson? I heard that you are camped out at Lapland herding reindeers. No wonder so frustrated.
/
Svenson / April 11, 2021
Herding reindeers is nothing compared to what piglets have been doing to them. No wonder you are a half breed.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 9, 2021
As Hannah Arendt once said somewhere, we sometimes cross invisible lines in History and are unaware about it until we look back and find they have grown into walls behind us.
Myanmar is to the 21st century what Spain was to the pre-WWII world in the 1930s. If President Biden is serious about a global ‘Alliance of Democracies’, its immediate objective must be ‘No More Myanmars!’ and such an Alliance must develop its own Charter and systems to defend democracy and prevent another Myanmar.
Thero is right and not right, both. The wall, unlike as he mentioning, is not erected in 2019. It was erected in 1948. Or let me put it this way, some lefts like LSSP did know that Sinhala-Tamil citizens of Lankawe did not walk into this side of the wall ever, i.e. they never achieved the “Freedom” in the classical sense. Like the October Revolution, when the monarchs were defeated the communist took over, in Lankawe when Britain left Sinhala Chauvinism (The Don Stephen’s Demockracy”) have taken over. LSSP did know the country had only come up to the wall (freedom), bus instead of crossing over it to freedom, it walked back into the dark jungle, the self-retrain. It cannot defeat, join them. From then on, LSSP became path of the dictators. In 1948, only Britain left, but country continued in slavery.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 9, 2021
It may or may not that the tears of Kuvanee, but there is a role of the tears shed by the upcountry workers by the tyranny of Don Stephen, in this development. It is very, very important for the learned Buddhist Sinhalese to understand the past 75 years of Lankawe history, if they which to get out of this. This is not in parallel with Myanmar. We may have to repeat what we said when Secretary Kerry thought that he had put Myanmar and Lankawe back into democracy. Pakistan crisscrossed many times. Because the element present there, the China, it is possible that repeats even in future. While Lankawe is creating its dictators with its universal franchise, in Myanmar it was only one time military take over and it never came out of it. The Myanmar Junta played only time buying game last time, until it had renegotiated with China.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 9, 2021
Remember, Burmese only vote for democratic governments. That is why Myanmar can be brought to democracy by a regime change (by whatever the means), but Lankawe cannot become a democracy anytime soon, under Stephen’s Demockracy. Educated Buddhist Sinhalese should willing call for external interference to end the, 75 years old Stephen Demockracy. Unlike in Burma, world will stay away and watch Lankawe as long as Buddhists Sinhalese call Stephen Demockracy as democracy. Whether it is green or red, the flag for the freedom of Buddhist Sinhalese is in their hand. They can rise whichever they choose. They should raise the green for external involvement to end the Quasi, convenient military rule under PTA.
/
Eagle Eye / April 9, 2021
Mallaiyuran,
“Unlike in Burma, world will stay away and watch Lankawe as long as Buddhists Sinhalese call Stephen Demockracy as democracy.”
—-
Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake made a blunder by accepting the rotten democracy imposed on Sinhalayo by Brits that agave ‘Wal Booru Nidahasa’ to racist separatist Malabar Vellala Tamil politicians to play hell and ruin this country. If he deported racist separatist SJV Chelvanayakam who was an illegal immigrant from Malaya and put all the other separatist Tamils behind bars, this country could have become the best country in Asia. Native Sinhalayo suffered a lot by giving too much freedom to ‘Paradeshi’ Tamils.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 10, 2021
Eagle,
” this country could have become the best country in Asia. “
Eagle now what do you have man? Isn’t according to the Colombo Media Lankawe is on top of everything? Thus a Miracle (or mirage) of Asia; isn’t it? Murder, robbery, looting, money laundering, missing persons, rape, sex industry, drug trafficking, uneducated rowdies running parliament, loan borrowing and selling assets, Foreign Ex falling…..Myriad!
Listen man, we have been telling to the Educated Buddhist Sinhalese that you and they have to live in peace. Tamils are in between your peace and your life. Time to they(the learned crowd) make a deal with India, US, UK, EU, UNHRC,, UN……and let the Tamils to go on their path, as the Tamils want – The Singapore -Malaysia deal. It is Educated Buddhist Sinhalese need to start to heed your talks, the legendary (Mahawamsa) Sinhala Buddhists.
/
GATAM / April 10, 2021
EE,
You are funny. SL made 3 attempts to repatriate Tamils back to India. 1948 Citizenship Act. 1952 Kotalawala-Nehru pact. 1973 Sirima-Shastri pact. But India did not accept them back.
So it means Tamils are not going anywhere. Accept it.
Just split the island equitably into 3 mono ethnic nations. Sinhala Only Elam, Tamil Elam and Muslim Elam. You will have your very own nation. Don’t be greedy. No one can have the entire island.
/
Pandi Kutti / April 10, 2021
Jadam /Pathima how ever much you advocate or cry out there will be no Islamic Eezham ( which by the way is the ancient Thamizh name for the island) in this island. Muslim is a religious and not an ethnic identity and Sri Lankan Muslims are basically South Indian Thamizh immigrants to who converted to Islam and arrived in the island a few centuries ago, some as traders but largely as refugees. They have no ancient history in the island, nor any history of owning or ruling the island. The entire history of the island is Hindu or Buddhist and about the Chingkallams and Thamizh , nothing about Muslims. A little bit of Arab heritage and a few Arab emissaries and traders arriving to the courts of the island’s Chingkalla and Thamizh kings does make them Arab or their history 1000 years old. Arabs are different and the Dravidian South Indian origin Sri Lankan Muslims are different. The Muslims have to decide if they are going to be part of the greater Eezham Thamizh nation, which the ones in the north and east will do and the rest most probably will ultimately convert themselves from Thamizh Musim or Moor to Chingkalla Muslim. It is their choice . Hope you will become the latter and best of luck as you will really need it. Good riddance.
/
Manel Fonseka / April 10, 2021
Muhandiram on reading your
“Since then, life was Hell for the Palestinians living in areas allotted to them by the UN…”
I am tempted to stray even further from Dayan’s subject & take the opportunity to canvas any readers.who have Netflix to watch a very short (24 mins) film called “The Present”. The first film made by a Palestinian woman, hitherto a stockbroker, in England, I think. It is set in the West Bank & revolves around one of the 100 checkpoints in the WB, manned by Israelis. This really has to be seen to be believed.
Mf
/
old codger / April 10, 2021
Manel,
You forget that Israel , in the eyes of many in SL, is a paragon of democracy, not a racist settler colony. There are even people who believe that it’s a Christian country!
/
Mallaiyuran / April 10, 2021
You are on the point Old.
Israel too elects thorny prime ministers, but never voted for a Hitler to Genocide Palestinians. They elected a prime minister who won Nobel Price with Yazeer for making peace with Palestinians. SWRD was killed for only not implementing his Sinhala Only. But a racist killed Menachim Begin only for making peace with Palestinians. So their democracy is in full tact. They are not Lankawe; they are not Myanmar; they are not North Korea; but , though they had their first atomic bomb even before India. There is a government in that country with it international government are keep doing diplomatic deals, though not very success in getting a state to Palestinians.
/
Muhandiram / April 10, 2021
Old codger
Israel is not only a “democracy’ but, more importantly the ONLY ‘demoCRAZY’ in the Middle East.
Something that should interest the SL admirers of this demoCRAZY’ is its record in UNHCR. Since the inception of the UNHCR in June 2006 till June 2016, this ‘demoCRAZY’ has the distinction of having More Resolutions passed against it than ALL the other countries Combined! Of the total number of 135 Resolutions passed by the UNHCR during the 10 year period, 68 Resolutions were Against this demoCRAZY which simply ignored ALL of them and the UNHCR did NOTHING.
Well, poor SL doesn’t have the luxury of following the precedent set by this demoCRAZY.
How many Sri Lankans know that one of our Best Civil servants of the past, Shirley Amerasinghe, who was our Permanent Representative at the UN from 1967 to 1980, on one of his well known speeches at the UN, referred to this demoCRAZY as the “Most undutiful child of the UN”.
/
Native Vedda / April 10, 2021
old codger
–
You got to be bit careful when you comment on Israel as they are the chosen people. I don’t think you can critically look at their state’s pattern of behavior.
/
Manel Fonseka / April 10, 2021
Native, when you say “I don’t think you can critically look at their state’s pattern of behavior,” I hope you’re not being serious. Or do you actually subscribe to this notion of “a chosen people”? Forgive me if I offend yr religious beliefs but why should the non-Jewish, non-Christian people of the world pay any heed to this characterisation of the Jews? Indeed, there’s quite a bit written now, questioning such assumptions. May I suggest, for instance, “The Invention of the Jewish People” by Jewish, Israeli History Prof Shlomo Sand? Or another book by him, “The invention of the Land of Israel”. And, of course, there’s always Ilan Pappe, another Israeli prof, who had to flee the country after his work on the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians appeared.
—
But, anyway, thanks for the warning, Native, it doesnt do t to criticise Israel.
Mf
/
Native Vedda / April 11, 2021
Manel Fonseka
–
Thanks for your comment.
I refer you to “The Decadence of Judaism in Our Time” by Moshe Menuhin, a brilliant book which shaped my idea of Jews. A friend of mine borrowed it from me before I had finished reading it. Now he tells me he couldn’t find it.
–
The book clearly distinguishes between Jews and Zionists.
–
Please look at the activism of Zionists.
Recent example is the campaign mounted by Zionists against the most humane leader of Labour Party of UK ever had after Michael Mackintosh Foot, Jeremy Corbyn. A relentless campaign which targeted specifically Jeremy Corbyn. Now UK has lost a campaigner who was and is always with ordinary people.
–
I can give you many examples which will clearly show you that many liberals are now reluctant to question Israeli state’s conduct, including Jews themselves.
–
This is not just an Israeli phenomenon we witness this through out the world how state is being shaped and controlled by a hand full of people with their own undemocratic agenda although periodic elections are being held in those countries.
–
I don’t subscribe to the idea of “a chosen people”.
Nor do I accept the myth that Buddha blessed this island 2500 years ago and transfered the land deeds to Sinhala/Buddhists.
Thanks again.
/
old codger / April 10, 2021
Native,
It was my intention to set the cat among the pigeons. Please enjoy the fun!
/
Native Vedda / April 11, 2021
old codger
–
“It was my intention to set the cat among the pigeons. Please enjoy the fun!”
–
Thanks.
If you look at the world trend Fascists are killing off Liberalism wherever possible on the one hand and Maoists are theoretically lurking in the shadow waiting for the right time to ambush the ordinary people with their Red Book on the other.
–
Do you see any difference among Marxist, Maoists and Fascists?
/
Manel Fonseka / April 10, 2021
Old Codger
Actually, I DONT forget that, & am thoroughly dismayed that so many are either ignorant of or couldnt care less about, the true nature of Israel — let alone its utterly wrong & unjust creation by the “Great” powers.
—
There’s been a lot of writing in recent years, which questions the description of Israel as a democracy & even describes it as an “apartheid state”. The latter quality has become much more apparent with the introduction of new legislation relegating its Arab population to the condition of second class citizens.
—
And what is democratic about its flouting of international law regarding territories under its occupation?
—
Years ago I was a great supporter of the Jewish state, having inherited a kind of existential guilt about what happened to the Jews under Hitler, etc. I even hoped to work on a kibbutz. I think it may have been in connection with the June 67 War that I began to inform myself about the region & ever since I have been firmly on the side of the “victims of the victims”.
—
Having said that, I must not forget this time to record my disgust at the humiliating treatment meted out to the Jaffna mayor.
—
What a country!
/
old codger / April 10, 2021
Manel,
“so many are either ignorant of or couldnt care less about, the true nature of Israel “
You could say that again, especially in Sri Lanka.
Israel should have been set up in Germany, not planted on the Palestinians. That would have saved 70 years of trouble , from Suez to Afghanistan.
/
Native Vedda / April 11, 2021
old codger
–
It is increasingly becoming difficult to air our honest informed opinion about states, ruling gang, leaders, practice of judiciary, human rights abuses, ….. In the North I hear stupid young people are being arrested and about to be charged under PTA for just storing VP’s photos on their mobile phones and typing stupid things about VP, LTTE, the war …. on their Face Book.
–
It appears that The Prince of Darkness Sarath Weerasekera has nothing better to do. He has already started organizing groups of snitches in every village maybe modeled on STASI, perpetrating arbitrary arrests and extorting confessions using unceasing nightly interrogations and other torture methods…………………………
/
old codger / April 11, 2021
Native,
Looks like Sarath W acts and Nandasena reacts. What a government!
/
Sinhala_Man / April 11, 2021
Brilliant, oc.
.
Not too late to suggest to Angela.
.
Seriously, it would be beneficial to almost all.
/
SJ / April 13, 2021
OC
A location in South America was proposed, but Zionism will buy nothing short of Palestinian soil.
Israel is a proxy of the US, but one able to make bigger demands than any other.
The US cannot let go if its ME watchdog. Things have gone too far, and the fall of Israel will be the collapse of the Empire in North Africa and West Asia.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 11, 2021
You call it country? Sorry Manel, I call it Wildlife Sanctuary for the lion’s SinhaLE descendants.
You are in USA. Go to a Jewish Business organization count how many Muslims each of them are employing. If you watch carefully, some of the the Muslim ladies would be attending with niqab or burqa. I am a living witness, when I was returning from Kotahena Amman Temple, I was pulled out of bus and beaten for having pottu. That is not the case in Israel too. They are heavily dependent on Palestinian workers. One and half million Tamils have left the country,beyond the deported ones by Sirimavo. It seems you are not just being paid to read about Israel, but also for not to read about the Wildlife sanctuary and Appe Aanduwa.
Lankawe Rapist Army shot Gobi calling he and imprisoned Jayakumari & her 9 years old child, blaming under PTA that they were reviving LTTE. If you have not so far written against about the cruelties done to a woman who has already lost three children by rapist Army, you can’t understand, Israel has genuine fear to 55 powerful nations(OIC) who are described as the next powerful international organization to UN. Israel’s Protection has to be guaranteed. Palestinians has to get their land. Tamil who lived for more than 5000 years in Ceylon.
/
Manel Fonseka / April 11, 2021
Mallaiyuran
Sorry, but I dont quite understand you when you say “You are in USA.” Do you mean that l, MF, am in the US? I’m afraid we dont speak the same English &, like with Leelage malli (despite being a Leelage akka), I frequently misunderstand you.
—
Anyway, I am not in the USA, I am very much here, tho I often wish I weren’t. And nobody is paying me to read anything. What a crazy idea. Plus, having lived thru at least 3 major anti-Tamil riots, the 2nd JVP uprising & lots of pre- & post-election violence — &, of course, the war — I scarcely need to read books about the country. During the referendum I was even threatened by a UNP MP with a gun, when observing malpractice at a polling station. Thanks to quick thinking on the part of former Senator S. Nadesan, I was bundled away to safety.
—
Speaking of Nadesan, why dont u Google him + my name + Tamil Nation. It wasnt from books that I knew all that about him.
/
SJ / April 13, 2021
Manel
“I’m afraid we don’t speak the same English &, like with Leelagemalli (despite being a Leelage akka), I frequently misunderstand you.”
*
Welcome to the club.
/
Muhandiram / April 10, 2021
Tks. Manel. I will try to watch the film “The Present” though I don’t have Netflix.
/
Manel Fonseka / April 12, 2021
Muhandiram!
Great news!
British-Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi’s short film The Present has won the award for Best Short Film at the 2021 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards.
/
Manel Fonseka / April 12, 2021
Muhandiram!
It’s on You tube.
—
https://youtu.be/Aaz9g_FQL5I
Though it wont be so good on a small screen
/
Muhandiram / April 15, 2021
Manel
Tks. for your Msgs. I will try to watch it on You tube today.
/
ReginaldShamalPerera / April 9, 2021
The PTA is needed to keep these anti-social elements in check.
/
Native Vedda / April 9, 2021
Reginald Shamless Pererass
–
“The PTA is needed to keep these anti-social elements in check.”
–
In fact PTA is not draconian enough to deal with you and your state sponsored terrorism and saffron thugs.
/
GATAM / April 10, 2021
Vedda,
PTA was never intended against them. Remember they won in 2009 and you lost.
Going through comments here I’m 100% convinced PTA is needed now more than ever!
/
Native Vedda / April 10, 2021
JATAM
–
“Remember they won in 2009 and you lost.”
–
The war was between two stupid people, both are descendants of Kallathonies whose forefathers arrived here by boats looking for GOOD LIFE, welfare scroungers.
–
It was a battle of kallathonies.
–
“Going through comments here I’m 100% convinced PTA is needed now more than ever!”
–
May be you want much harsher PTA to deal with little nasty smart ass patriots like you, Wimal, Sarath, Udhaya, Dinesh, Diana, Manori, Anuradha, Gota, Mahinda, Shavendra, Kamal, …………… for their active participation in dividing the country, by looting, incompetency, …………… actively promoting racism, fascism, …….. land grabbing, thuggery of saffron brigades, …. Hope you are not a step brother of saffron thug Ampitiye.
/
Humble / April 9, 2021
First nandasena and his cronies make a complete fool of themselves in front of the UN
He then rubs salt into his own wounds by arresting the mayor of jaffna right
in front of the rest of the world.
The bible says something about god making certain people mad before destroying them.
/
GATAM / April 10, 2021
Crumble,
Did the SL government lose anything after UNHRC? Seems they are undeterred!
Isn’t it?
/
cugan / April 9, 2021
This is utter public waste of money there is no system to dumb the House hold items set up a yard where public can come and rid of.the unwanted items if you got rid of broken sofa will they pick it up use the resources in proper manner by fining it won’t work then you.strengthen the Ava
/
Lester / April 10, 2021
“Instead, he has been arrested, under the draconian PTA at that.”
If Moda Siri government had used PTA properly, Easter attacks could have been easily prevented. All warnings from Indian intelligence regarding Zaharan were ignored. Media propaganda leader Aadhil Ameez was a software engineer at Virtusa. CID should have seen that in these Youtube videos, Zaharan was clearly inciting violence against Sufis, Buddhists, and others. A massive security sweep of Kattankudy should have occurred. Instead, Moda government put Gnanassara in jail while Zaharan gang built a bomb-making factory in Colombo. 10 days warning of a possible attack was given by Indian intelligence, but Traitor Ranil, instead of elevating the threat level in Colombo, went overseas.
/
old codger / April 10, 2021
Lester,
Why don’t you make up your mind?
You say:”All warnings from Indian intelligence regarding Zaharan were ignored.”
But yesterday you wrote: “If that country is India, no problem. India is only a giant in corruption and poverty. When IPKF soldiers came to Sri Lanka, …”
Are you related to Gatam by any chance? Or is the stuff you smoke not consistent in quality, like your opinions?
/
Lester / April 11, 2021
Old Codger,
Your reading skills are poor, that is not my problem. Then again, you have been on the losing side for 2500 years. Gotha won the war, then the election, then the UNHCR resolution. How does it feel on your side?
/
Rajash / April 10, 2021
Apparently our friend Douglas Devananda appealed to the President Personally and the President decided to Pardon the Mayor of Jaffna with a slap on the wrist don’t do it again.
Readers of CT may recall that Douglas Devananda some time back imitated the arrest of Indian fisher man and he the personally intervened to release them.
The US Ambassador Teplitz also tweeted in an odd manner
“Arrest of Jaffna Mayor is worrisome. Having strong rule of law (with judicial safeguards) is a better way to fight terrorism while protecting everyone’s basic freedom.”
thus linking Jaffna Mayor and Terrorism
So who is playing games here
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Black Lankan / April 10, 2021
As long as donkeys such as blind Eagle alias HLD support Sinhale more and more such fiasco will continue to happen until total collapse. This bugger ranaway as a refugee to Australia after his handler Preme was murdered. Now living on tax payers money still talking of his lost paradise. Joker now that you have enough to eat and drink just spend your days in peace with your Thamil wife. Had you been there you will be eating poisoned coconut oil, slamon tin fish and pol sambol. I know you have some caste problem but in a civilised country like Australia it wont be a problem. Killing of Preme came as a blessing in disguise to you.
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chiv / April 10, 2021
A big ugly SHAM called Lanka. If a mayor cannot provide suitable attaire for employees what other powers does he have ???? Lanka also demonstrated to Geneva and world, the purpose and meaning of PTA. As I said Rajapaksas have inherent ability to create unwanted publicity and make people known world wide. Whether refusing Dileepan memorial, threatening environmental activist Bhagya and now Mani. Thanks to Double Paksa, this news and pageant brawl together has brought Lanka back to live, in world media.
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Whimpy Kid / April 10, 2021
“More Tamils moved in to state controlled areas” – Dayan J
Why? because of the LTTE atrocities.
The government was doing a better job at providing security and services to the people.
TNA you should STOP supporting the LTTE immediatly and get on with serving the people of the North and East.
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Naman / April 10, 2021
DJ
Are you not with the Sinhala Buddhists Fundamentalists? What kind of Sri Lanka are you wanting? Is it a SL that is Secular/Democratic / Meritocracy &where the Minorities RIGHTS are preserved + Judicial and Media Freedom + disciplined unbiased Security forces who have some neurons to distinguish legal and illegal orders of the rulers.
Have you contributed to the NEW 20th Constitution draft?
Displeasing the west and India will bring great harm to the citizensof SL. We do not want PROXY wars in and around SL…. like YEMEN.
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Whimpy Kid / April 10, 2021
The high profile brekki – hoppers is also some thing borrowed from Tamil Nadu no?
Our top Sinhala Buddhist Leaders break up political marriages and also do new deals over hoppers (appa, appam) brekki.
So how the hell can the Sinhala Buddhists feel superiour to the Tamils?
We have to grow up as a nation or else we are in deep shit….
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cugan / April 11, 2021
Just because we have KFC Mc Donald’s etc that doesn’t mean we are like Singapore Don’t even have public toilet but he wants to fine Rs5000 if you urinate you spit R2000 and monitoring parking then what next speeding ,who sets all these fines and who approves it uni administration all politically motivated not doing good.for the people living there
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ShanR / April 12, 2021
Any Tamil in Sri Lanka was and still is a fair game since independence. Now the Sri Lankan rulers have put the Muslims also in the same boat.
As pointed out by DJ in this article, creeping in of ultra national autocracy and ‘Myanmarism’ will surely make it worse. DJ has also correctly pointed out that due process was not applied in this case. But due process was never applied to Tamils since independence.
A similar case has occurred in Jaffna a few days before the Jaffna Mayor’s arrest. The employees of the Video channel Tubetamil have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and being held incommunicado. Apparently this organisation was started with government approval and producing news items similar to other Tamil news channels. They would have listened to any instructions from government. So why is this draconian measure and why are they being held incommunicado? What are their offences and why are reasons for being kept secret? Why is the government throwing away the due process?
Ignoring the due process will definitely lead to ‘Myanmarism’. It will be near impossible to come out of that.
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