19 March, 2024

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OHCHR Report & Catch-22 Situation Of The Sinhalese Liberals

By Suraj Dehiwatta

There is no doubt reading through OHCHR report with its detailed findings on human rights violations and violations of international law, would make even the staunchest Sinhala Buddhist nationalist with conscience, to reflect and to be introspective, which was perhaps the reason for somewhat mellowing overtones of that hardcore nationalist, Udaya Gammanpila, as evinced by his interview with Ravaya newspaper last week. But what about Sinhalese moderates, by which I mean not the self-serving vociferous NGO types masquerading as the “Civil Society”, but the ordinary Sinhalese who empathize with the plight of the Tamil people, who believe in an equitable solution to the ethnic problem, who also believes in accountability for the wrongs done to the fellow citizens. It is some of these people who have so far carried the liberal torch in the Sinhala social media sphere, and who have come under intense pressure from Sinhalese Buddhist nationalists who make up the vast majority, just as Tamil communalists and secessionists took lion’s share in the Tamil social media sphere during the civil war and immediate post-war period. Perhaps the dilemma faced by Sinhalese moderates is a reflection of what their Tamil counterparts faced /facing.

Mahinda Anuradhapura 17 July 15The Sinhalese moderates, just like rest of the “South” and arguably Tamils of the North East are beneficiaries of the end of separatist conflict, which was brought about by a huge cost of lives of both civilians and the armed forces. These are same people who had live in constant fear of LTTE bomb attacks or aerial attacks, who were afraid for the lives of their children until they return home safely, who were afraid to use public transport during their daily travel. But to convince their fellow Sinhalese that this is a reflection of what their Tamil fellow citizens were undergoing at the same time, such as the constant fear of aerial bombardment, extrajudicial killings and in the final stages of battle, shell attacks, so far proved futile in a highly ethnically polarized environment. Therefore they are placed in an unenviable position.

The main detractors of the OHCHR report are Sinhala Buddhist Nationalists, with Jathika Chinthanaya lobby being the most vociferous among them. Their argument is OHCHR itself is a tool at the hands of powerful nations of the West who themselves stand accused of far greater crimes against humanity, which are not punished or given the same prominence as Sri Lanka. This sentiment is echoed somewhat by former President Rajapaksha in his statement as well. Further the fact that there cannot be an independent corroboration of witness testimonies, that people living under political asylum in the west might try to exploit the situation by giving an exacerbated picture of what actually took place, cannot be ruled out. Hence despite the accusations leveled, throwing their full weight behind the report would leave them open to accusations of treacherous conduct. The Sinhalese liberals therefore should try to act as a moderating force by attenuating the influence of Sinhala Buddhist Nationalist and bridging the divide with Tamil moderates, thereby facilitating true reconciliation. But the situation is increasingly becoming problematic as the pro- Mahinda Opposition try to whip up xenophobic nationalism.

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Latest comments

  • 9
    1

    “Pro- Mahinda Opposition” is looking for any crack to wedge a sward to create division among Sinhala-Buddhists to make a come back. They are going to be exposed to the extent that normal Sinhalese will start to think thy are a bunch of humbug. No one in the SLFP or UPFA that ts led by Mahinda feels responsible to pay Rs.192 millions to the Sri Lankan Buses for hiring for electioneering or Rs 100 m to ITN for advertising. They don’t even talk about their responsibilities but quick to shout and make que and cry on the domestic investigation of some recommendations in OHCHR Report. They are wreckers as any one can see or begins to see how much wealth of average citizens was robbed and swindled. Only by waking the public to what Mahinda and his accomplices were doing while in power they can be permanently silenced and good politicians can begin to develop and unite the country.

    • 0
      1

      HIS HOLDING HAND UP -us giving him MAMA THAMAI Raja – feeling -anyways now to have become a dog that hide the tail behind the legs – as I happened to see him the screen yesterday – sitting next to decent Wickremasinghe… by all these any average could go into pieces – sesible leaders could go hurt, but MR the former IRC man would never end up that way. His is akin to that of a butcher mentality. Some feel here him to have reacted emotionally, but to me, MR has not shown his real face yet. A days ahead of us, everything will come to surface.

  • 19
    6

    Good to read. but each and every writings always amplify the lTTE atrocities un proportionally and mitigate, omit or avoid to mention Sinhala atrocities in a very big scale. you all are not realising the root causes of the Sri Lankan internal war. The war against the unarmed non state Tamils using modern warfare arsenal and Techniques.
    IC court can indict and punish mara. But the problem will continue as long as the Singhala mind set continue.
    SL armed forces chased the Tamil from their homes and illegally destroyed their towns and villages , illegally occupying the their homes and habitats.
    Tamils need their homes, churches, temples and gardens, farms, and sea and shores back. The anti Tamil brain washed military should vacate from the midst of Tamil population.
    The presence of military in Tamil area is illegal by international standard. If you want one country the military should vacate immediately. presence of military in the north means the SL military of war crimes is continuing in the Tamil country. and there are two countries one is subjugatively occupying the other.
    The root causes also originate from the KKS -Colombo Trains and still continues. People experienced the presence soldiers in the crowded trains would be still living.

  • 9
    5

    Good point. It is important in the interests of the whole country that the Sinhala moderates as representatives of the major ethnic group in the country should remain unshaken by the voices of the extremists, strengthen their conviction, extend their hand of friendship to the Tamil moderates and to help take the country forward. They should never have a dilemma in this. It is only their actions with a sense of responsibility that will pave the way for genuine reconciliation.
    Sengodan. M

    • 3
      1

      Suraj Dehiwatta

      RE: OHCHR Report & Catch-22 Situation Of The Sinhalese Liberals

      “It is some of these people who have so far carried the liberal torch in the Sinhala social media sphere, and who have come under intense pressure from Sinhalese Buddhist nationalists who make up the vast majority, just as Tamil communalists and secessionists took lion’s share in the Tamil social media sphere during the civil war and immediate post-war period. Perhaps the dilemma faced by Sinhalese moderates is a reflection of what their Tamil counterparts faced /facing.”

      One cannot please them all.

      The Gully and the Criminals should be identified and punished accordingly.

      Identifying the guilty in itself in a punishment, though milder.

      The real punishment should come based on the crimes they committed.

      LTTE killed Muslims and expelled them. LTTE Criminals not punished until they were defeated in 2009.

      Is that a crime to defeat a terrorist organization like the LTTE? No.

      We are only talking about the excesses, those who gave orders to commit the excesses. We are not talking about the whole armed forces.

      To the Sinhala Buddhist Nationalist, All Criminals are Patriots, because they defeated and killed their fellow Para-Tamils, who came to Lanka, the land of Native Veddah Aethho by hora oru and Kalla Thonis, Illegal boats.

      Sinhala Buddhist Nationalist must be told, when you commit crimes, you have to pay, Buddhist or not.

      The Sinhala liberals must be told, as well, when you commit crimes, you have to pay, Buddhist or not.

      When will they hang Gotabaya Rajapaksa if found guilty?

      Any others?

  • 8
    9

    Well written. If moderate Sinhalese collectively fail as they have been, in the adverse turn around in future they will have no one to blame but themselves.

    • 5
      5

      puh!
      what is a moderate sinhalese? moderate in what?
      It is the Sinhalese who have safeguarded and built this country…they will continue to do so.

      • 4
        3

        Thoooo… Definitely not you, racist. I had seen here few people who are neutral,there may be plenty more stuck helplessly and silently encroached by you cockroaches

        • 3
          4

          what is neutral? bending to terrorists? we call them traitors…..

          • 2
            3

            sachooooooooooooo the Stupid I

            What is the difference between you and a knife?

  • 14
    10

    Sri Lanka has to immediately comply with the UN resolution. SL should start the investigation with help from the US. SL should demand every Tamil diaspora who contributed money to the LTTE has to be summoned for cross examination and they will be considered accessories to war crimes. Tony Blair, David Cameron, Callum Macrae, Human rights watch groups, British parliamentarians who supported the terror group, Other western countries who protected and supported terrorist, Norwegian politicians, Adele Balasingham, Tamil Nadu politicians, financial institution who handled LTTE illegal money transfers etc. etc. should be summoned and cross examined and investigated for their LTTE connections, funding and their role during the war. Any opposition or refusal to face the investigating panel by any of the above will make way for SL to invalidate the investigation and dissolve the panel.

    • 4
      4

      Why forget India? If you have guts.
      Then see what is unfolding in next UNHRC

      • 4
        4

        India finally helped to butcher the nandikadal cowards ne..they even lied to u…so can forgive

        After all why should we hurt the IPKF

        • 2
          3

          sachoooooooooooooo the stupid II

          What is the difference between you and a knife?

  • 10
    9

    The writer places himself before Tamil that he empathaise with them by calling Sinhala nationalist forces as xenophobic. He does appear to have missed the venemous Tamil nationalism (Eelamism) which created Sinhalese as Yakkaa “Modaya” and barbarians. Had the writer read Tamil nationalist xenophobic materials and listened to their Tamil xenophobic medias he would have not simply blamed the Sinhalese patriots as xenophobic nationalists.

    Most of the Tamil and Mulsims asylum seekers were and are bogus claimants who claimed that they were victims of the Sri Lankan forces who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Tamils chose to fight against the Sinhalaa army and went on a consistent rampage on innocent Sinhalese , Tamils and Mulsims. What else an armed forces of a country could do, Sinhalese never took up arms against the Tamils in the first place. Attacks on Tamils by the sinhalese thugs are unjustifiable but Tamils who started attacks against the forces and police. Would the USA , and the Western countries keep silent when their armed forces and police are attcaked by a bunch of terrorists.

    Yes, Of course OCHR has no backbone to make reports on Saudi Arabia for its open war crime against the Yemenis. The USA and Britain killed thousnads of innocent Iraqis and Afghanis in the name of war on Terror. Would the writer who blames the patriotic Sinhalese as xenophobic , (There are Patrotic Tamils and Mulsims too) can say a few words about the attrocities and war crimes of the so called democratic Western countries. What happend to the Chilcot report for over a decade.

    Being sympathetic to “Tamils” does not mean in itself peanalsing the brave forces and the patriotic elements which defeated the menacing Elahara- Pirabakaran forces who were unpatriotic and had their own nationalist xenophobic ideologies.

    Mahintha is a history , so is Duttagemunu and He will be remembered in the history irrespective of the fact that he had made a lot of mistakes and blunders, as a man who loved his country and routed Tamil terrorism ( The writer should know that most of the Tamils in Sri Lanka including Tamil politicians once claimed that they were the supporters of Tigers and other Tamil armed militants. ) That’s what the tigers took all the Tamils with them in late 1990’s from jaffna to Wanni and in 2009 from Wanni to Mullivaaikkaal.

    OCHR chief Zaid who is manipulated by the Western forces would never point his fingers at Saudi or Bahrain or even Israel on the issue of Plastine. He is a puppet of the west or simply an employee pleasing his masters.

    • 6
      6

      What a load of extremist crap, even the UN investigation stated the larger share of this war crimes lies in the hands of the Sri Lankan state and armed forces. The LTTE were no saints but the violence perpetuated by them is less than 50% and most of this was directed towards their own fellow Tamils. Trying to equate the miniscule suffering of the Sinhalese and the Muslims ( other than the northern ones) with colossal suffering that was inflicted on the Tamils by every party in this conflict is a joke. This is like the Nazis trying to justify what they did with the killings done by the résistance forces. None of this would not have happened if the minorities especially the indigenous Tamils, whose history in the island is a old or even older than the Sinhalese were treated with respect and given their due rights. Do not try to blame the victim for resisting state sponsored oppression.
      As for the refugees, you have no idea how they are assessed in the west. Any bogus refugee will be returned, like the recent spate of Sri Lankan asylum seekers ( largely the recently Sinhalised bilingual Negombo and Chilaw Sinhalese ) were returned. A few may obtain asylum but not mass scale. Nowadays western governments a not stupid, they will even check the dialect of the so called Sri Lankan Tamil from the North and East by a linguist to check if the person is genuinely from this area.

      • 6
        5

        What a load of extremist crap, even the UN investigation stated the larger share of this war crimes lies in the hands of the Sri Lankan state and armed forces. The LTTE were no saints but the violence perpetuated by them is less than 50% and most of this was directed towards their own fellow Tamils. ///LOL

        it is the UN report that in unbiased and a load of cr@p

        Sri Lanka responded to a territorial threat and terrorism that unleashed upon its people like any other country would do. And there is nothing wrong in that. The only wrong is past governments before MR not doing it properly and pandering to pro-separatist forces.

        • 5
          5

          sach the Stupid II

          What is the difference between you and a knief?

      • 6
        5

        Paul
        You appear to be a fiction writer. Keep writing!

        • 2
          3

          Nuisance the stupid I

          “Paul You appear to be a fiction writer. Keep writing!”

          Do you fear Paul is going to replace Mahanama?

          What is the difference between you and a knife?

    • 2
      3

      Oh, what a clear understanding of our history, you have dear Jain! Tell me, oh, tell me, how did you manage to assemble such not so known facts! You are brilliant! For posterity sake, save them in a time capsule.

  • 5
    4

    There should be an international commission to investigate why USA, UK and France wanted to save Velu and the gang.

  • 3
    2

    Yes bring on Mahinda Rajapakse and all his boot/arse licking cronies to defend Mother Lanka against these inhuman western Governments?

    Give Wimal and DR DJ Dunce as much air time as possible. Let these Sri Lankan intellectuals cricise and insult all these idiots at the UN.

    Where is the other SL intellectual Mervyn Silver, He put that South African Tamil Navi Pillai in her place. Merv the swerve put that Harvard Educated second class World citizen in her place. Oh how all of us superior Sinalhese Buddhists Laughed when Merv offered to marry her.

    While the rest of the World laughed even louder as they looked on at the illiterate Sinhalese idiot thug politician, Insulting an exceptionally well educated Woman. And the rest of the world laughed even louder, for they knew and especially in the West, that it is not a good idea to insult and poke fun at an official who is about to report to the ultimate International body the UN. Especially when some the high ups in Sri Lanka appear to have quite a few skeletons in their cupboard.

    So Let all patriotic Sinhalese Buddhists converge on the UN building in Colombo and we will have a mass hunger strike unto death.We can show the World that we intellectual Sri Lankans cant be bullied by the thickos in the UN.

    Must Nip out now and buy my Lemon puff biscuits before they run out of stocks in Food City Island wide. Cos we all know how popular they are during a fast unto death, Ask Wimal our resident expert!!!!!!!!!

    Jeez ya gotta laugh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 1
    2

    True Sinhala liberals, I mean true Sinhala liberals, are like the proverbial needle in the haystack. Very difficult to find them.

    • 7
      3

      very easy than finding a tamil with a conscience.

      • 3
        4

        sach the Stupid II

        What is the difference between you and a knief?

        What is the difference between Nuisance the stupid I and a knief?

  • 3
    1

    In a democracy, it is all a numbers game. At the moment the current government is popular and represents the majority of Sri Lanka’s people. The rest will simply have to accept the rule of majoritarianism.

    Although there is value in pointing out the hypocrisy of the West, however one might as well argue with the Taliban. The great powers only need weak arguments, the rest will be compensated by their influence as powerful nations. An American president once said their policy would be to “Speak softly and carry a big stick” -now does that sound like democracy or more like what the previous “regime” was accused of? Intimidation perhaps?

    The current OHCHR report looks like a win-win situation for Sri Lanka and the United States, and India. So be it. An international investigation, followed by justice. At least I believe that is what the government is betting on. After that they will leave us alone.

    The only question is- what does the OHCHR report have to do with the 13th amendment or devolution of power? The link is soemewhat tenuous.

  • 3
    4

    I am reading the UN Report.I am not surprised for I am an observer of all the misdeeds of our Sinhala majority since 1956. We should first learn to call a spade a spade. There is something rotten in our society. Our first step to good governance is to accept the truth. There is no point in looking at the truth from a nationalist perspective. There is no point in denying the truth.
    It is said that Vijaya and his followers brought South Indian women to be their wives. So we Sinhalese are at least half Tamil. Let us forget this Sinhala nationalism and accept all the people who live here as having equal rights. That is the bare minimum required fr peaceful co-existence. Let us leave the rest to the future. It is my belief that nothing good and of permanent value has ever disappeared permanently from history.What is required is for us to disown the rabid nationalists among us and insist that law and order be maintained without discrimination on grounds of ethnicity or religion.We have to live together for nobody will allow any displaced people to come into another country as we saw with regard to those displaced from Myanmar.

    • 5
      5

      RMB
      Can you give me any laws enacted by the gov that is discriminatory of tamils? If there is none what else can a government do. If any discriminatory activity happens in SL it is purely social or for political gain. What has the tamils done to alleviate this? Even today They refuse to learn sinhalese and get assimilated to the society. After all the luve in a country where 85% of the population read and write sinhalese. Tamils immigrated to Italy learns italian. Why don’t they learn sinhalese and make their life better? How come 50% of the Tamils live in the south and prospering? These few out of many important facts we seem to neglect.

      • 3
        5

        ///How come 50% of the Tamils live in the south and prospering?// This is wrong – 70% Sri Lankan Tamils live in North and East according latest 2011 census
        Another lie created by nationalist Lobby

      • 3
        2

        Eusense you Nonsense:

        Stop talking rubbish like a Child and Grow up. You are yesterdays man.

        Let me give you a bit of a lesson as you have a lot to learn.

        1) Can you give me any laws enacted by the gov that is discriminatory of tamils.

        *** Why do you need laws when it is Mob ( Sinhala ) rule.

        2) If there is none what else can a government do.

        *** Exactly that is why Mahintha killed so many. But now International law has come to our rescue with Foreign Judges and , Prosecutors. No way out.

        3) If any discriminatory activity happens in SL it is purely social or for political gain.

        *** What do you expect the Tamils to do. Take it lying down. NO MAN.

        4) What has the tamils done to alleviate this.

        *** First we fought with Guns and lost. This time we fought using our intellectual talent and won hands down.

        5) Even today They refuse to learn sinhalese and get assimilated to the society.

        *** How dare you. Tamils would never learn a Primitive Language when we have Thevaram, Thiruvasagam Thirukural and so on.

        6) After all the luve in a country where 85% of the population read and write sinhalese. Tamils immigrated to Italy learns italian. Why don’t they learn sinhalese and make their life better? How come 50% of the Tamils live in the south and prospering? These few out of many important facts we seem to neglect.

        *** Let me give it to you straight.

        a) We had our own kingdom and our country. In the North and East we are 85%.
        b) We learn Italian because Italy is a Foreign Country. Moreover they dont kill us like you lot.
        c) 50% of Tamils live in the South because the only thing we have in the North are Skeletons. We need jobs to fill our Bellies.

        So now you have got the Full Facts which you have neglected so far.

        • 0
          1

          Kali,
          Sorry. It is a “F” for your answers.

          • 1
            0

            Eusense you Nonsence:

            So you have have surrendered and declared you are ” ILLITERATE” .

            If you cant defend yourself you must not commit the Crime.

            In your case surrendering has many meanings.

            You lot have finally raised the White Flag and surrendered at the UN by agreeing to everything. .

            Foreign Judges
            Foreign Prosecutors
            Disbanding the Crook Parangamas report.

            Implementing 13th Amendement.

            Agreeing to Bild the Sedu Tunnel.

            Man I can go insulting you but it is too much for your Tiny Brain.

    • 1
      4

      The Vijaya story is a myth concocted by the writers of Mahavamsa, to create a separate origin for the islands indigenous Tamils and other tribes who converted to Buddhism and later evolved into the Sinhalese. This was done do that they may never identify themselves with their unconverted Hindu Tamil ethnic kin in the island and in South India and to prevent them from reconverting back to their ancestral Hindu religion. By stating that they are different to the Tamils with a different origin and encouraging the evolution of the fledging Sinhalese dialect that was at the beginning a heavily corrupted form of Tamil with the Pali and Sanskrit of Buddhism. They ensured this separation. Especially after the demise of Buddhism in the Indian mainland.
      This same tactic is now being followed by the Tamil Muslim elite in the island. Stating and brainwashing the Tamil Muslim masses to believe that they are all descended from Arabs and miraculously, started to speak Tamil and follow Tamil customs. When in reality only a few hundreds Arabs arrived to the island over the centuries and only a few hundred Muslim families in the island have little amount of this Arab blood.
      This has resulted in the Tamil Muslim masses in the island believing this Arab origin myth (just like the Aryan origin myth for the Sinhalese.) and despite speaking Tamil hating and distrusting their Tamil Hindu/Christian brothers and sisters and now foolishly aping Arab culture dress modes and the intolerant Wahhabi form of Islam and forsaking their ancient rich highly tolerant Tamil Sufi Islam that is almost a 1000 years old.
      There may have been some immigration from the North eastern parts of India but it would have been miniscule. All later immigration to the island came from the South of India and 90% of this from the then Tamil country ( Kerala and Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra). It is a very well recorded fact that around 50% of the present day Sinhalese both low and high born are descended from recently migrated South Indians again most of them Tamils.
      The author/authors of Mahavamsa never realised the people of Bengal/Orissa are not Aryans but a Dravidian, Dravidian/Mongol or Dravidian/Australoid.

      • 0
        1

        We Thamizh and our tales :D

        • 1
          0

          Sinkala Sabkaran Sarma;

          We Thamil you Sinkalam Do you know the meaning of Raising the White Flag and surrendering at the UN.

          D Stands for DIGNITY which you dont have any more.

  • 3
    1

    If the majority sin can it be presumed as angels’ sin. A crime can not be right or benevolent because it is committed by the majority.

  • 2
    2

    I Have come to realise the true freedom will come on when leaches such as Wimal Weerawansa . Idea Gamanpila, Wasudeva N, Dayan J , Tamara and lot more who preach patriotism to the masses and steel from right under their noses are eradicated from politics and put into jail.

    In Sri lanka the other word Patriotism is Rogues …… Just check the wealth this rogues have amassed in the last ten years being in politics

  • 3
    2

    Thank you Suraj for correctly identifying the importance of the non-English-speaking Sinhalese in moderating politics in Sri Lanka. I also hope that they are not shouted out and obliterated by the racist Sinhala supra-nationalists.

    We need to nurture the moderates of all ethnicities in order to strengthen the democracy in Sri Lanka, as called for by Hon.Mr. Sambandan.

    Most decent and thinking and feeling people agree that the Sri Lankan state employed-culprits of real crimes against Tamil civilians should be punished, as should the LTTE and other paramilitary members who murdered civilians.

    It is only with real justice for ALL, that the island will recover and achieve peace.

  • 4
    2

    The Sinhalese MODERATES, who the hell are they? you mean Arak/Kasippu(local alcoholic drinks)drinking, beef/ pork bites eating, washed-up ex-Communist now turned liberal, committing adultery, values hating, etc, traitors to the nation.

    There is no such thing as “ethnic problem”, the only problem is that some minority groups ask for separate nation which they shouldn’t ask for.

    Minorities must learn to integrate with Majority!!!

    • 3
      4

      jones

      “Minorities must learn to integrate with Majority!!!”

      I might consider doing exactly that if majority is generous, wise, hard working, peaceful, honest, well informed, caring, respect rule of law and human rights, refrain itself from thieving, drug smuggling, child abuse, raping, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, racism, …… ….. being hypocrite, ……

      Since the population of Sinhalese is only 15 Million don’t you think they should consider integrating with majority in South India?

      Think about it for your own good.

      On the other hand thinking for you is not only the most difficult task to perform but life threatening as well. Forget it.

      • 4
        2

        Vedda,
        When will you wtite something that is not childish?

        • 1
          1

          Nuisance

          “Vedda, When will you wtite something that is not childish?”

          When you answer my simple qestion, which is

          “What is the difference between you and a knife?”

  • 1
    2

    I am sick and tired of hearing these emotional nonsensical crap. Just look at the issues here. It may be difficult for Suya Basa educated pseudo intellectual visionaries to comprehend. There was a bloody and brutal conclusion to the civil war. So let us just stick to that. There were War crimes and crimes against humanity were committed. According to the report by both sides. Meaning LTTE and the Government of the day which was the the Megalomaniac Mahinda and his family plus the armed forces of Sri Lanka. The LTTE is out of it because the Government and the Armed forces dealt with them and served justice as they saw fit.

    Pirabakaran and his fighting forces captured and surrendered were dealt with by summary executions. Women combatants were gang raped and murdered others the government released them into society reformed and under supervision. The fate of the missing is still up in the air and there are still some languishing in the prisons.

    There is something in law called the “Double Jeopardy.” You cannot pass judgement on a person twice for the same offence. LTTE have paid the price of terrorism and they cannot be tried for the same offence again. This leaves only the Government of the day and it’s armed forces.

    A government is always held to a higher standard than a terrorist group. Some of you may be surprised to know that there are rules of engagement in any war. There had been blatant breaches of these rules of engagement by the government forces.

    When a government kills its own citizens in the numbers that they did in Sri Lanka it becomes an international affair. There are lots of examples of this in the history books. How can the accused try themselves. It defies logic.

    Sooner or later Sri Lanka as a nation must face the hard and inconvenient truth for its own good and future peace and prosperity. Sure the Megalomaniac Mahinda and the psychopathic murderer Gotabaia will be remembered in the annals of history for all the wrong reasons.

  • 0
    2

    jones.

    Minorities must learn to integrate with Majority you say.

    The present day Karawes,Durawes and Salagama castes migrated from South-India from about the 13th to 17th centuries and integrated with the Sinhalese-The Majority.
    The SriLankan Tamils have been on this Island from antiquity.Why should they integrate with the Majority?

  • 1
    0

    I am surprised to read an unlikely emotional outburst from RMB Senanayake supporting the UNHRC report on Sri Lanka. Truth has to be established with credible evidence. Evidence cannot be hearsay as reported by biased NGOs and economic migrants. Evidence can be accepted only if they are open to be tested by cross-examination. UN reports are kept confidential for 20 years. Prince Zaid accepted ownership of the UNHRC report. His bias was obvious in his address to the Council and the Press Interview. Let us see without jumping the gun how much of these wild allegations stand the test in a court of Law.

    RMB is taking the Mahavamsa version of Vijaya literally to claim that the Sinhalese are half Tamil. His equating South Indian as Tamil does not reflect well on his academic background. He should have at least called them Dravidian rather than Tamil. I hope RMB is aware that at least from the time of the Balangoda Man there had been human settlements in Sri Lanka. The fact that Kuveni was spinning yarn shows when Vijaya saw her shows that there was an advanced settlers in SL before the advent of Vijaya. The very same Mahavamsa mentions that Buddha visited Kelaniya, Nagadeepa and Mahiyangana and preached the Dhamma. Buddha would not have preached a complex religion to a unsophisticated population. Vijayan influx would have been a small addition to the population of the Island. Mahavamsa was keen to maintain a royal lineage to the new group by importing Pandyan royal brides. As an Island nation on the cross roads of Far East and West Asia was subject to much infusion of foreign blood. Sri Lankans are a very hybrid nation.
    Could RMB enlighten the Sinhalese on what individual rights are enjoyed by the Sinhalese which are denied to the Tamils?
    In accepting the US resolution and the ZAid report the nation has been sadly betrayed and is falling into a dangerous trap.

    • 0
      3

      Vichara

      is there any historical evidence to suggest that Siddhartha Gauthama has left India and visited this country, apart from Mahavamsa –
      Even Jayantha Chandrasiri, who researched for Dutugamunu film suggests Elara was not Tamil
      Mahavamsa is not a historical document but more of a legend concocted at a time of great anti Tamil period in country due to invasions from South India -and obviously Mahanama wanted to coalesce Buddhism with Sinhala nation and hence he came up with this canard of Buddha’s three visits to Lanka
      without any evidence from other sources this looks like another legend and hence inadmissible :)

  • 5
    1

    Suraj Dehiwatta

    OHCHR Report & Catch-22 Situation Of The Sinhalese Liberals:

    *** I agree with much of what you have written but I have some difficulty with the following and let me give you my reasons.

    1) Further the fact that there cannot be an independent corroboration of witness testimonies, that people living under political asylum in the west might try to exploit the situation by giving an exacerbated picture of what actually took place, cannot be ruled out.

    *** The very meaning of Corroborative evidence is to support what evidence is already there. I disagree with you that there cannot be INDEPENDENT Corroboration of Witness Statement. These range from Victims to Soldiers ( Sinhalese) who were privy to the Army Atrocities.

    2) Hence despite the accusations leveled, throwing their full weight behind the report would leave them open to accusations of treacherous conduct.

    *** It is not clear who you are pointing your finger at. The people who are supporting the report are the victims and fair minded Liberals. People who think it is treacherous are the perpetrators of the Genocide.

    3) The Sinhalese liberals therefore should try to act as a moderating force by attenuating the influence of Sinhala Buddhist Nationalist and bridging the divide with Tamil moderates, thereby facilitating true reconciliation. But the situation is increasingly becoming problematic as the pro- Mahinda Opposition try to whip up xenophobic nationalism.

    *** You are never going to change the Buddhist Nationalist by power of Persuasion. For me it is a Carrot and a Stick Approach as the Charge has been laid. It is punishment time and then Reconciliation in that order.

    Mahintha is not coming back. He is a Prison material.

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