19 March, 2024

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OMP Needed In Jaffna Too: Sampanthan Tells UN

A meeting was held today between the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence Pablo De Greiff and the Leader of the Opposition and the Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan in Colombo.

Sampanthan highlighted the important issues faced by the Tamil people with regard to the release of Lands belonging to civilians, Missing persons and the political prisoners.

Apprising on the land issues to special rapporteur Sampanthan pointed out “that our people have strong attachment to the lands not merely a sentimental but much beyond that and people are protesting demanding the release of their lands in some areas for more than three hundred days, they are in the sun in the rain and they are exposed to all kinds of elements but they are determined that they want their land to be returned”. Sampanthan highlighted that the government must understand that this is a matter that they are dealing with feelings of people and the rights of people and it must be resolved without any further delays. He further added if we are seeking for a genuine reconciliation these realities must be recognized.

Speaking of the Missing persons Sampanthan said “if a mother handed over her son to armed forces or a police officer she wants to know what happened to him it is a legitimate demand, these demands cannot be ignored”. Highlighting the delay in operationalizing the Office of the Missing Persons, Sampanthan pointed out the importance of having this office established in the Northern and the Eastern provinces as well.

On the issue of political prisoners, Sampanthan pointed out that “they are in custody not because they robbed or stole for personal gain. Every one of their cases has a political dimension, therefore their cases need to be looked at in that context and resolved. Further, he said, the Sri Lankan Government has failed to understand this fact. He further said, “the government has already accepted the fact that the PTA is a detrimental law and a law that should be removed from the statutory books”. He raised the question how come any government could keep someone in custody under such law. All these prisoners should be released Sampanthan added.

Sampanthan brought to the notice of the special rapporteur that these matters must be resolved, and cannot drift if it drifts it will create a serious impediment to the reconciliation process. There are people waiting to disturb the reconciliation and the political solution process and we must not play into the hands of those people he said.   

Sampanthan urged the Special rapporteur to ensure that the voluntary commitments made by the Sri Lankan government to the people of Sri Lanka and to the international Community are implemented fully. He highlighted that these commitments were made by the government for the betterment and the advancement of the country and for its people, therefore, the government must honor its commitment and deliver so that the commitments do not end with just blueprints.

The Special Rapporteur appreciated Sampanthan and assured his commitment and the UN’s involvement in achieving a lasting solution to the national question. 

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Latest comments

  • 24
    3

    Very well said sampanthan Aiya. Yes there should be rule of law. Not rule of the jungle. Prez and PM back tracking on many imp issues and both are caught in catch 22 situation.

    • 19
      5

      The reason given by those run this govt is that this is not acceptable to Buddhist Sinhala Monks and Fundamentalists. They think they are above the law and according to their (it is jungle law, we never had rule of law in this island since 1947) law Buddhist Fundamentalists are above the human or even written law. There are lots of Sinhalese also treated like Tamils if they talk truth and justice.

      • 18
        3

        Presidential pardon had been given to Sinhalese in several instances before.
        1. JR after becoming executive President, released all JVP prisoners after six years in jail, which includes Wijeweera, Lionel Bopage etc.
        2. Premadasa gave pardon to hijacker Ekanayake who is also accused of leading a mob inside prison killing Tamil political prisoners, after serving only few years.
        3. Premadasa gave pardon to Wijithamuni Zoysa who was jailed for attempted murder of Rajiv Gandhi after serving only 03 years in prison.
        4. Chandrika gave pardon to JVP prisoners involved in 1989 uprising. Somawansa Amarasinghe who led the revolt and escaped to UK via India was also pardoned.
        When these are so why this big fuss in releasing Tamil prisoners most of whom are in remand without trial for over 10 years. Is this not racial discrimination.

        • 9
          1

          You’ve got a point there, Dr Gnana.

        • 1
          10

          Dr. Gnana,
          Wijeweera, Bopage, Ekanayake, Wijithmuni, Somawansha, etc are native Sinhalese and Sri Lankans. But so called ”Tamil prisoner” are violent Kallathonie invaders. When they served their prison-time, they will be deported to Tamil Nadu.

          Racist you haven’t mentioned Karuna, KP, Pillayan, Jenivan the Tamil who attempted to k1ll the president, and the “12000+ Ex-LTTE Kallathoni terroists” who were rehabilitated and released.

          You should be thankful for not punishing the Tamils who are lying at the UN and to the world , and the Tamils who are trying to carve out their own country, which they have no right to, YET.

          • 7
            2

            The first historically recorded Kallathonis are Vijaya and his 700 criminals. Had they been deported back to where they came from, none of the present problems would have occurred. You should be thankful that Kuveni did not punish them. If Vijaya and his gang can carve out their own country, for which they had no right to, why cannot Tamils who as Dravidians are the rightful owners of Srilanka.

        • 1
          8

          Those mentioned have never waged war against the Sri Lankan state.

          • 5
            0

            With whom did JVP wage war in 1971 and 1989. Both Ekanayake and Zoysa had committed international crimes bringing disrepute to Srilanka.

          • 3
            0

            Shenal, hahahaha are you kidding me? What did the JVP do in 2 different insurrections? Let’s see whether you can answer this question truthfully and intelligibly. Don’t throw your racist rubbish. Come back with a proper answer. Do you still remember what happened back in 1962 coup d’etat? Majority of the people involved were Sinhalese? Do you remember this incident were you still being manufactured in a machine?

      • 3
        11

        Ajit
        Now do you accept that Sinhalese problems are no different from that of Tamils? Only a minority of Sinhalese have the rights and well being in SL. Though you say Tamils have issues in SL, look at the bond scam and see how these well connected Tamils have all the rights and protection from the top politicians. Do you think a villager from Anuradhapura will have the same Access? You need to realize that this is not racism but class and power differences.

        • 9
          2

          Eusence

          You can compare the like with like, not elitist Royalist with poor masses. PM gave CB job to Mahendran because they were Royalists not because he happened to be a Tamil.
          Tamils cannot understand the police, do not understand the written reports of their complaints but still sign, Tamils do not understand the letter of demand sent by police, Tamils’ lands are occupied by the armed forces, Tamil LTTE suspects are locked up for years and years without any investigation or suing them in courts, Tamil mothers are crying for their sons taken away by the military without any trace. These problems are unique to Tamils.
          These are also common problems of poverty, unemployment, diseases and so on. Please do not try to complicate issues and trivialise the discriminatory nature of extremists in and out of the government.

          • 1
            8

            saro,
            Are you saying that there were no Sinhalese from Royal for the PM to give that job? Even if your answer is yes what does his action means? The PM is blinded to racial discrimination!
            Stop looking at everything in a negative way. That is the problem with Tamils like you.
            Sri Lanka has passed over 50 years since independence. For you to say there are people who don’t understand Sinhalese is pathetic. Every Tamil who left Sri Lanka learned the language of those country whether it was English, French, German, Italian, Spanish etc. etc. Why on earth are the Tamils, who live in a country where 85% of the people speak Sinhalese, do not want to learn Sinhalese? Imagine if Mahendran family was not in the south and kept complaining like you, where would they be today?
            continued…….

            • 4
              0

              Eugene,
              PM also appointed many Sinhalese to very important jobs but only a few Tamils. There were corruption in selling bonds even under the previous government. Tamils and also Sinhalese go abroad and work. They are highly educated professionals. But how can old men and women learn another language? Tamils have been in Sri Lanka for long even before the language Sinhalese was created. Tamils are natives, too. Sinhala Only was the start of the problem. In Singapore only 4.7 % of the population speak Tamil but still an official language. A Tamil write a letter to the government in Tamil and the reply also in the samr language. Singapore is a civilised country and prosperous because people are in peace and harmony. Only Sinhala elites in Sri Lanka want to oppress other communities. I studied and lived with ordinary Sinhalese, they are friendly, helpful and decent. Look at yourself, you are a learned intelligent person, yet, racist in your attitude. Unless you learn to accommodate others with different mother tongue or gender or religion you cannot get out of the well which is narrow but
              deep.

          • 1
            5

            saro,
            continued……

            You can’t be blaming everybody else for “Problems” you have. Lets take one by one of your statements.
            Tamil lands occupied by the armed forces; Did the armed forces occupy Tamil’s land before you started your terror war? What happened was you invited the AF by engaging in terrorism. True or False?
            Tamils terror suspects are locked up for years; Personally, I don’t recommend that these suspects are released until the Gov is 100% sure that they are innocent. We can’t go through another 30 years of terrorism in our country. They should be treated as “enemy combatants” similar to what the US is doing with the al qaeda suspects.
            Tamils taken away by the military; This is a gray area specially NONE of these mothers or any other mothers/fathers/relatives are claiming that their offspring/siblings/relatives/friends were LTTE terrorists. So where are these terrorist who fought the military? You and other Tamils should be able to give the gov. a list of next of kin of these terrorists. You and the politicians have to work with the gov. on these to bring about harmony and goodwill among all Sri Lankans. I guess you will agree that most of these problems were created by Tamils themselves by resorting to terrorism against innocent civilians of Sri Lanka..

            • 2
              0

              Eusenseless
              “Did the armed forces occupy Tamil’s land before you started your terror war?”
              Did the Tamil youths took up arms before your Sinhalese thugs with the help of Sinhalese military & Sinhale govts burnt 3000 Tamils in a day light for nothing in 1958 followed by Sinhala only Act? Are you going to say protesting by Satyagraha is a terrorism?

        • 7
          1

          Eusense,
          There are common problems for all citizens andthere are specific problems for Tamils. Sinhala act was a specific problem for Tamils. Language based standarisation was a specific problem for Tamils. Having 99 % Sinhalese is a problem for Tamils, paricularly in the North East. They can’t communicate with the people. Do you expect a tamil who lived in the North East for over 500 years to learn Sinhala to communicate with the Sinhala police who only understand Sinhala? Why cannot you replace a Sinhalese police with Tamil police? We expect common sense from people like you, not to follow the extremist ideas of fabe Buddhists.

      • 7
        1

        There is no reason for the government to rely on an extra constitutional body like the Sangha consisting of orange and yellow robed shaven headed Buddhist monks who are supported to have renounced a worldly lifestyle. Their involvement in politics runs counter to the tenets of Buddha’s teachings which they claim to follow.
        The self serving Sinhalese Buddhist politicians rely on their support to confuse,stupefy and create hatred against other minority racial groups by using the fundamentalist monks.
        When the interests and opinions of a people from a minority
        community are overridden by a majority there will be a natural concern and justification for the UN and liberal for the establishment of civil rights to act as a protection against the will of the majority.
        The core principle of the Responsiblity Protect embraces three responsiblities.
        1) Responsibility to prevent harm,2)Responsibility to react
        3) Responsibility to build. The UN Special Rapporteur is in SL only for that purpose.

  • 12
    1

    The point is the same law is used differently for the Tamils and Sinhalese. Presidential pardon is given to some without a noise and even with a noise others don’ get itt

    • 3
      8

      K.Anaga,

      “Presidential pardon is given to some without a noise and even with a noise others don’ get itt”

      As far as I know Presidential pardon is for persons who have been convicted by a court not for persons remanded by a court.

      • 13
        0

        Lone wolf, there is a small difference. Those who were pardned were convicted after a speedy and fair trial. In the case of these Tamils, they have never been brought to trial, in most cases for over ten years. Is this the course of justice that you approve of.

        • 1
          7

          sankaralingam,
          Have you heard of “enemy combatants” of the US who are in Guantanamo Bay camp since the era of 9/11? If you need more info you can contact the US gov.

          Just a thought:
          If Tamils did not engage in terrorism their wouldn’t be any of these issues, Right?

        • 0
          3

          Dr Gnana S,

          “Those who were pardned were convicted after a speedy and fair trial.”

          Do you mean the persons you listed in another comment above? I believe you and agree. One major difference is that in addition to being Tamils the remanded guys are unknown nobodies.

          “In the case of these Tamils, they have never been brought to trial,”

          Most not but maybe some have been charged. I do not have the details.

          “in most cases for over ten years. Is this the course of justice that you approve of.”

          As I have stated many times before I do not believe that justice exists in Sri Lanka.

          Meanwhile Mr Sivajilingam and his poor student supporters continue requesting impossible actions from the President. The President cannot transfer court cases nor pardon remanded persons.

          I can understand that Mr Sivajilingam as a politician needs to make noise but the students from Jaffna University should have some knowledge of law and not to be drawn into this. These students supposedly represent the best of the Tamil youngsters who left school. When they allow themselves to blindly be lead by these “Sivajilingams” what can we expect from the majority of the youngsters in the North? Is this not an attempt to distract voters from the fact that Tamil politicians have delivered very little?

          • 0
            0

            LW
            You attach too much significance to Sivajilingam’s lead in the matter.
            Even without his involvement, the students would have come out in protest.
            *
            Why is only Sivajilingam among Tamil politicians protesting, if it is an exercise in vote gathering?
            *
            The man has publicly identified himself a little more closely with the oppressed than the rest, for whatever reason.

            • 0
              0

              SJ,

              “You attach too much significance to Sivajilingam’s lead in the matter.
              Even without his involvement, the students would have come out in protest.”

              True but are the students not organized by politicians and Jaffna academics close to politicians of the TPC?
              *
              “Why is only Sivajilingam among Tamil politicians protesting, if it is an exercise in vote gathering?”

              It is not only him. The recent Black Flag Demo at Jaffna Hindu and other activity have been supported by three other former MPs.
              *
              “The man has publicly identified himself a little more closely with the oppressed than the rest, for whatever reason.”

              Thank you for the good news.

              • 0
                0

                LW
                The TPC can instigate but not organize. It seeks to ride on the back of dissent groups.
                There is anger among students; and political groups try to use it to their advantage. But the students have a mind of their own.
                If you say that students can be misled, I agree. But we are in a time when there is no leadership for students to look up to.
                All of us learn by mistakes and today’s students will too. But it is not easy for any to take them for a ride without risk of destroying himself.

                • 0
                  0

                  SJ,

                  I agree.

        • 0
          0

          Dr Gnana S,

          “In the case of these Tamils, they have never been brought to trial, in most cases for over ten years.”

          Do “these Tamils” include the “Anuradhapura three”? As far as I know they have been indicted, it is less than 10 years and there are over 60 witnesses including 3 state witnesses. These guys are not accused of having served a cup of tea for LTTE cadres. Is not killing POWs a war crime?

          The state must be able to protect the witnesses in Vavunya so that I see no reason to transfer the case.

  • 22
    2

    A true democracy does not lock up people without trial for years. It also respects the right to life which was egregiously violated when civilians were bombed to death and those who surrendered were disappeared.

    The President and PM were elected to do the right thing. Even now, two years after that, it is not too late to honour that commitment to the electorate

    • 4
      20

      Dr Hoole
      You took our right to life for 30 long years.
      You are free to talk about democracy thanks to our soldiers. You were hiding in Colombo when your sole representative was ruling Jaffna. Your attempt always is to manipulate the Sinhala modayas. There is no ‘justification’ to release these terrorists. If you collectively own up their crimes Sinhalese only can forgive them. There is no other basis to release them.
      Soma

      • 10
        3

        somass ji

        “You took our right to life for 30 long years.”-

        Not so fast.
        Lets see what happened in 1915, 1958, 1961, 1971, 1977, 1983, between 1987 and 1990, and thirty long years. Can we now discuss about “right to Life”

        Where were you when your army was hiding behind VP’s bum and behind their women folks? Didn’t you conveniently ignored “right to life” or suspend it in those critical periods?

        There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud and tyranny.
        -Frederick William Robertson.

        • 2
          8

          NV
          If ‘hypocrisy’ is included Tamil political class who live in Colombo deserve no mercy.
          Soma

        • 4
          5

          Ada Native Veddo: three of those innocent political prisoners have been prosecuted. their offence is they have slaughtered 26 army fellows and eight police officers. Now, they need their case heard among Tamils. so they speak only in Tamil which the sinhala lawyers can not understand for legal purposes and the Tamil judges give the verdict to support the political prisoners who killed army and police fellows.

          • 6
            2

            Jimsofty Dimwit

            Did you really type the above?

      • 6
        2

        Soma

        You are trying to defend Sri Lanka without Knowing the Geograpoy of Sri Lanka leave alone the History.

        Jaffna was never ompletely ruled by the LTTE even for one day. It was land mass out side Jaffna that was under complete rule of you r named Sole representative.

        Please the Map of the Island of Sri laNKA BEFORE TYPING YOUR NONSENSE.

        LEVI

      • 10
        2

        Dumb Soma, explain how Ratnajeevan took your life to live for 30 years. If these are terrorists, then try them in the court of law and if found guilty punish them. While you are punishing them, cath that bugger Karuna, Pillayan, Daya Master, KP, Inniyabarathy, Douglas Devananda, MR, Goat Rajapaksa, Basis, Namal, Chamal and the garbage from Hambantota and charge them as well. Tiran Alles gave that tooth paste advertisement LTTE Brigadier Thamilchelvan Rs. 185 MM in the Vanni jungles given by the Rajapaksas. Investigate that too. STF Inspector who killed the Trinco 5 by the name Kapila Jeyasekera should also be arrested and charged. The law does not only apply to Tamils. It applies to all who live on the country. Do you realize Ratnajeevan’s brother was on the hit list of the LTTE? Do you realize the Hooles ran away to Colombo to avoid getting killed by the LTTE? Do you know his brother co-authored a book blasting the LTTE and exposing all their atrocities, etc? Do you also realize the Tamils were slaughtered by your cousins and uncles for 30 years in various riots before the insurgency? So, according to you and some of these wing nuts on CT, the Tamils never had the right to fight back? I am no supporter of the LTTE or any other armed group, we ran away mainly because of them. But I need to throw this question out to you, scratch your balls and think, whether you still remember what happened to the Tamils before this damn insurgency. This insurgency was created by you folks. It did not just happen because people wanted to create trouble. Use your head. I have given you a half decent rebuttal to your stupid argument as you don’t seem to be a full blown racist like the other fellows like Chi(a)mpa, Jim Shitty, Nuisance, KA Sumanaya, that joker from the army Retarded Lt. Reginald Shemale Perehera, Grandma Therese Fernando. So read this comment and while scratching your balls think!!! Remember your people and my people stole this land from the Natives of this beautiful country. While this country bleeds, stupid fools on both sides are busy talking nonsense. I am a Tamil from the north and I am very happy I never turned out to be a Tamil racist. I love my Sinhala brothers and sisters the same way I love my own.

        • 10
          1

          I’m getting quite sick of all this politics. When I saw a report on how Prime Minister, Ranil W., says he’s going to consult the “Maha Sangha” though, I thought I’d better say something, somewhere! The consultations are to be on a Constitution for the Country: what the devil do clergy know about such things?

          *

          It looks as though all of us are Third Class Citizens, compared with clergy (and may be politicians) of all sorts. Surely, the opinion of them, and us, should all count EQUALLY in deciding affairs of the state.

          *

          Your comment, dear “Tamil from the north” is so much to the point that I thought that I should have my say as a response to you. I think that all that you have said is spot on.

          *
          More and more the need is for us to acknowledge that we are ethnically almost identical, separated only by two languages, which are quite mutually incomprehensible unless we make a great effort to learn the other Swabasha. And yet, it takes only two generations nowadays, I think, to have a total change of language. So many Sinhalese with next to no knowledge of English wanting to go to Australia now, confident that their children will manage – and their grand-children will know only English probably.

          • 8
            1

            Dear Sinhala Man, sorry for many typos on my part in my previous comment. These comments are directly from my heart. I hate racism!!! We have many on my side too. They will run away, put their children in fantastic colleges and universities, settle them with huge dowries and marry them to affluent professionals or business people and on free time talk nonsense on Saturday evenings with other stupids who believe in this day dream called Tamil Ealam. We don’t need any Ealam. We need a free country for all who live there. Every Sinhala man or woman should have the right to be in the north without any fear. I was there visiting and saw many Sinhalese moving about quite freely in the north and that put a smile on my face. I only wished that happened when I was there many years ago. Having said that, elected leaders should act like leaders. Maha Sanga or the Christian clergy have no business in politics. Their job is in the Temples and Churches. From what you stated above, what was RW going to ask the Maha Sanga? If he cannot lead, then he needs to step down. But then again if he steps down, there is a vulture in Hambantota waiting to take his place. So we need to be careful.

            • 5
              0

              Bravo, TFN keep the clamour going on loud and fast.

        • 1
          6

          tftn
          You again vomiting the same over and over! All in your stupid list helped Sri Lanka destroy the Tamil suicide murder that menaced my country for over 30 years. I consider all in the list as saviors and heroes of my country. If not for them we will be still going through suicide murder of innocent citizens of my country which also belongs to you..

          If you say Tamils fought back for their “slaughter” It is accepted they also have to face the consequences. So please, no whining and crying. By the way were there Tamil “slaughter” all the time? If so how did you escape that to live today?

          • 2
            1

            Nuisance, you are stupid as stupid can be.
            Nuisance: You again vomiting the same over and over!
            TFN: It has not penetrated your thick skull yet? Then I have to say this over and over again that you are a mutt.

            Nuisance: All in your stupid list helped Sri Lanka destroy the Tamil suicide murder that menaced my country for over 30 years.
            TFN: Idiot, the Tamils did not blow themselves up, but the LTTE who happens to be Tamils did that. You have many of them roaming the streets of Colombo and some hold government jobs. Catch them and charge them, otherwise shut up.

            Nuisance: I consider all in the list as saviors and heroes of my country.
            TFN: Do you call three thugs who murdered surrendered policemen saviors of the land? If then, I can judge what kind of heartless bastard you are. What do you say to those poor Sinhala widows? These are poor rural families who lost their children to LTTE barbarism. Can you stand in front of just 3 families out of the 600 families and say this? I dare you little weasel.

            Nuisance: So please, no whining and crying.
            TFN: I do not cry or whine in the face of filth like you, I thrash garbage like you. That is your job, to cry and whine. Just read your comments, it is always Tamils did this and that. Stupid arse!!!

            Nuisance: By the way were there Tamil “slaughter” all the time? If so how did you escape that to live today?
            TFN: We ran away in the early 80s before your cousins and the LTTE got us.

            But today I am still alive because I came to this beautiful country called Canada, and most importantly have life left in me to thrash stupids like you.

            You and other racists elements are trying your utmost best to incite people to come back with racial slurs at the Sinhala people. That ain’t going to happen from me. Majority of Sinhalese and well meaning decent people. But every community has its own garbage……………you!!!!!

            Bye bye now, if you need more please come back.

      • 6
        1

        Soma,
        You don’t represent whole Sinhala. More than half of the people of this island democratically agreed that the law and order should be the priority and that is why they send those who misused the power and law & order. Even the LLRC and UNHRC said that the law and order should be the priority and war criminals should be punished. If you know the law of the country, you should punish those who isued falst passport for terrorists, at least those who killed Sinhala journalists etc.

      • 0
        8

        SOMA: Calm down when it comes to Tamils, fior LTTE as well as for them, they need their way. When it comes to Sinhala people and those who liberated the country made these AHs to live peaceful life without getting shot have to be tried infront of foreign judges, so they can use the english worded as it is and prbably with lwas that are not applicable to sri lanka are appliccable. —————- Anyway, this MOP is a political gimmick. Punnakku for Stupid Tamils, so the Tamils are very emotional. Sri lanka does not need this many Tamil politician. Just to goven 14 Sq. KM aea region there are 38 provincial politicians and 14 federal politicians when Any state in the USA had only teo federalpoliticians. And these politicians are dependant on the Colombo federal govt even for their salaries and the luxury vehicle permits they sel for RS 45 million a piece. In order to fool those affected tamils by their own they try to eploit them. Those army fellows tho saved are neglected and they want to prosecute. that kind of pathetic Tamils. They should not be helped at all in their political ventures, sinhalize those poor Tamils, Dalits to start consdier them as our own. Tht is why forget this MOP office. what ever dance they do now, that won’t happen. buddhists are active. The number of Tamil politicians for sri lanka is excessive. Eventhe JVP which more votes have only 5 or 6 MPs. these guys for the same number of votes 14 people. those are true question. sinhala people have to talk the destruction, wastage etc done by ganged Tamil and Southern political parties.

      • 6
        0

        Soma “You took our right to life for 30 long years.”….only for 30 years?
        The Sinhalese took the rights of the Tamils for more than 60 years and they want to keep it like that for ever

      • 3
        0

        For 30 long years from 1956 to 1983, the Sinhalese including their leaders’ unleashed violence on moderate Tamil leaders and the unarmed Tamil protesters who engaged in non-violent/peaceful campaigns. The Sinhalese thugs attacked the innocent Tamils living in the south, broke their limbs, looted them, raped their women, killed them by burning, and torched their houses, shops and properties to the ground, overnight they were reduced to the state of beggars. For 30 years the Tamils were at the receiving end, they did not hit back.

        Only after 1983, the Tamils (LTTE) decided to hit back. The moment Tamils raised their hands and arms to hit back, the Sinhalese cried foul and called them terrorists. However, they experienced the same bitter medicine (nightmares) when the LTTE haunted them for 30 long years.

    • 0
      3

      Hoole,
      There is no such thing called true democracy!!!! There are lots of innocent people are falsely accused and jailed or given death penalty ( America) in so called democratic countries, and there are suspects without trial for years in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Enough with “Moda Choon”!!!

    • 1
      4

      The US does the same. That is in Guantanamo Bay calling them “enemy combatants”.

      Did this Pablo De Greiff guy go to US also to tell Trump about Guantanamo Bay?

  • 3
    17

    Sampathanan only cares about Tamils. But our hero Maha Ven Esq Gnanasara cares about all communities of mother lanka.

    • 9
      1

      Dear Softy

      How many NIC’s Does Gnanasara carries? None from your beloved Sinhala Buddhist Seurity Forces are Prepared catch the B****er and look into his amude!. It may reveal not only mulitiple IC but muliple Passpoerts Too.

      levi

    • 1
      2

      Jim
      Enough of your Gnanasara who is another terrorist.

  • 2
    12

    “they are in custody not because they robbed or stole for personal gain. Every one of their cases has a political dimension, therefore their cases need to be looked at in that context and resolved.”
    Such prepostorous, explicit justification of terrorisism I have never come across. I was agreeable for the release of these detainees in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. Who said they were involved in robbing and stealing – they are accused of unconciable terrorism.
    Sampanthan quite unconsciously has fallen into his former mentality when he campaigned LTTE to be recognised as the sole representative of Tamils and deploying children as soldiers for ‘national liberation’ was acceptable. If ever war crime trials are to be instituted Sampanthan too should stand accountable.
    Soma

    • 8
      2

      somass ji

      “Such prepostorous, explicit justification of terrorisism I have never come across. I was agreeable for the release of these detainees in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. Who said they were involved in robbing and stealing – they are accused of unconciable terrorism.”

      You have no idea how right you are.
      The only slight problem is you have not charged them at the courts yet. Have you? If they have not been found guilty because you haven’t charge them in a proper court of law and not found guilty by jury or the judge what are you going forgive them of, ….

      For example if police arrested your wife and daughter for kerb-crawling and soliciting prostitution while possessing Ecstasy with the intention to distribute it among their punters, ……………………………….

      What would you do? Would you dump them because you trust the patriotic police? Do you ask them be pardoned for reasons of forgiveness, and reconciliation? Pardoning for what crime? Your wife and daughter rather spend the rest of their life in prison than with you.

      Please don’t be the judge, jury and the executioner. On the other hand I see a sadistic torturer in you. You need help.

      • 1
        8

        NV
        Sampanthan’s line of argument is different from yours. He maintains that they did not get involved in the accused crimes for personal gain but there is a ‘political’ dimension. Desire to forgive is a sadistic mentality only for terrorist supporters like you.
        Soma

        • 4
          1

          somass ji

          “Sampanthan’s line of argument is different from yours. “

          I am not a politician nor your Tamil brethren.
          I say what I think right.

          “He maintains that they did not get involved in the accused crimes for personal gain but there is a ‘political’ dimension.”

          Let him say whatever he wants to say or wants us to believe. If you are a concerned about justice you wouldn’t be wasting your time here typing illogical nonsense. .

          “Desire to forgive is a sadistic mentality only for terrorist supporters like you.”

          No one forgives anyone who has not been found guilty of crime nor charged with a specific crime.

          The policemen who supposed to have arrested your wife and daughter for kerb-crawling and soliciting prostitution while possessing Ecstasy with the intention to distribute it among their punters, ……………………. could or should keep them both in custody for more than 15 years and then forgive them both without being charged, without the due process of law, before finding them both guilty, sentenced ……………

          You are indeed sick. You need help.

        • 4
          1

          Soma
          If they committed a crime why can’t you use your justice system to arrest and charge in courts. Even you were able to use your legal system to punish individuals without arresting and without proving in the courts? Why don’t you kill them as you did those surrendies with white flag? You are very good at murder, know?

    • 2
      0

      Soma,
      Can you explain how did you give pardon and giving ministeral post to the most ruthless LTTE terrorist who massacred 600 Sinhalese policeman and who massacred number buddhist monks, carried out attack on Dalada maligawa, Katankudi mosque, children as soldiers even after changing side from LTTE to Sinhala military, travel on deplomatic passport to UK and jailed for 9 months?

  • 9
    1

    There is no “case” provable against these prisoners in courts, hence false witnesses are being indoctrinated from among Tamils under threat of being jailed as collaborators/participants with LTTE during the war, and cases are being transferred to Anuradhapura courts where these persons could ‘testify’, and, lawyers, relatives and witnesses will find it difficult to attend.
    The attorney general and judiciary know this.
    All Sinhalese citizens too know, but are not bothered.

    This is the ‘Sirisena’ brand of democracy.
    This can happen only in our own “democratic, socialist republic”.

    • 10
      1

      You are quite right. This has been happening for several years now. As a medico-legal officer I have seen this taking place. cases are transferred to courts under Sinhala judges and Sinhala jury under the pretext of lack of security for the culprits. No consideration was given to financial difficulties, lack of transport and lack of accommodation for Tamil witnesses. False evidence was produced by Police which to any fair minded person is contradictory to medical evidence. The saddest part is that despite incriminating evidence, Sinhala Judges without batting an eye lid declared the suspects as innocent. In the case of Tamil suspects the cases are being transferred deliberately to southern courts to manipulate the cases and get judges to declare that these Tamils are guilty. This is the state of affairs in Srilanka, where there is institutional racism in judicial and executive functions.

  • 10
    3

    Sinhala politicians must clearly understand that “THERE CAN BE NO RECONCILIATION UNTIL ALL THE PRIVATE LANDS HELD BY THE MILITARY ARE RETURNED TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS, GENUINE EFFORTS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO TRACE MISSING PERSONS, AND ALL THE PRISONERS WHO ARE BEING HELD IN DETENTION FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS WITHOUT INQUIRY AND TRIAL ARE RELEASED.”

    • 2
      7

      Estate Labourer
      Private lands need not be released, they must be monetarily compensated as was done in the South for infrastructure projects.
      UN should compel countries with Tamil diaspora communities for relevant immigrant statistics.
      Detainees must be forgiven and let go not released as ‘political’ prisoners.
      Soma

      • 5
        0

        somass

        “Private lands need not be released, they must be monetarily compensated as was done in the South for infrastructure projects.”

        Isn’t it about land grabbing? So the state functionaries together with their political Mafia see the potential in your wife’s dowry land, draft an unconvincing infrastructure project, demand your wife to relinquish all her rights in the property, including 1000 coconut trees, ………….. the state pays for the land and pays compensation after 10 years from the day it grabbed the estate/plantation.

        The land was sold to the politicians b***s’ carrier for a nominal sum. This is not new. Is it why both your wife and daughter took up prostitution as their full time job?

  • 3
    4

    Sampanthan,

    “Sampanthan highlighted the important issues faced by the Tamil people with regard to the release of Lands belonging to civilians, Missing persons and the political prisoners.”

    Important yes but are they the most important for Tamils? Are they worth repeating all the time? As I predicted some weeks ago you apparently have nothing new to offer for the voters.

    How about better nutrition and education for the children who are the future?

  • 3
    1

    Doesn’t the UN officials know the situation in the North and East. Sambanthan has been discussing about the land issue, release of Tamil political prisoners, ,missing persons with various officials of the diplomatic circles, the UN officials, Indian prime minister and various others for so long. Did he get any sustainable answer or any substantial results. No. Did he speak to the President and the Prime Minister on these issues? Why did he support the government these two years attending the independence day celebrations, raising the Lion Flag, Supporting and voting for the Budget . Why does he want the job of the Leader of the Opposition when there is already a joint opposition working against the government. Position, power and money! Mr.Sambanthan, Please understand that You can fool some of the people sometimes but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

  • 6
    2

    Srilankan government should release all tamil speaking political prisoners now unconditionally.
    Perpertrators of the killing of raviraj joseph sivaram should be arrested immediately.

  • 4
    0

    Mr.Sambanthan

    There are thousand of war widows undergoing hardship, financial difficulties, indebtedness , No roof above their heads. High cost of living and people in the North have become more poorer than before. What have you done about it. You all hibernate and once in a while say something which has no value at all. You have given your nod to a Budget when there is no development programs initiated. No money allocated to the development in the North. It is a shame.

    • 0
      1

      Sellam,

      “You have given your nod to a Budget when there is no development programs initiated. No money allocated to the development in the North. “

      Funds have been allocated and some of them even used all though a lot of funds have been returned unused. The new Gramashakty intends to choose 1000 of the poorest villages for development projects. Some of these villages must be in the very poor districts of Kilinochi, Mullaithivu and Batticaloa. The Government wants to let villagers decide but what will happen in practice?

      Unfortunately my expectation is that once again government servants with local politicians using GS, PS, Divisional and District Secretaries and Divisional and District Development Committees will decide what the poorest of the poor need. Do not expect anything for war widows or malnourished children not going to school. Do not expect drinking water. Expect better buildings for the government servants,road construction and funding for supportive “community groups”.

      It is a shame.

    • 0
      0

      Sellam,

      “It is a shame”
      £
      Yes it is. Grama Shakty asks Divisional Secretariats to choose two needy villages for the project in all of SL. That is where the empowering of the villagers stops.
      £
      Grama Shakty might be a good project plan but will face problems when implemented.
      £
      I will monitor my area.

  • 4
    0

    All the provincial councils must have an Office of Missing Persons (OMP). In some provinces, talking about Missing Persons is considered unpatriotic. All those who disappeared during the JVP insurrections are thought to be members of JVP. This mindset must change.

    • 0
      3

      This is a nadagama for Tamils. Tamils should start paying for those. Sinhala peole and others should refuse to fund these drams as Tamils talk they are going to pay for all thei Tribalism.—————— this is all overseas living Trobalists promoting Tribalism in the SINHALE NORTH.

  • 4
    0

    Soma.

    …….your opening line….
    You took our right to life for 30 long years……
    So you are referring to S.R.H.Hoole eh?
    Soma have you seen a Horse-Whip?

    • 4
      1

      Plato

      “Soma have you seen a Horse-Whip?”

      somass is going to enjoy it.

  • 3
    2

    We are talking about reconciliation and trying to give more powers to people like this. They tell something to Sri Lankans and when a foreign delegate comes tell a different story to them.

  • 7
    0

    Mr. Sampanthan, you are a senior most politician. How come you and TNA blindly supported this government without any preconditions or MOU while you very well knew how agreements and pacts were reneged by successive governments in the past. Now whining and seeking outside help is like crying over spilt milk. You missed a golden opportunity of bargaining at the last general elections. It is a pity that the government you support is not even willing to release the Tamil prisoners.

  • 0
    4

    Anything that PAblo De Grief approves because Of Sambanthan’s demands, should be funded by UN and must be common even to the south.

  • 0
    2

    Some-Pandan !!! As long as these warp minded old TNA/LTTE politicians keep whinging and whining going down on their knees before all these foreign White Eyes there will never be any reconciliation in SL. Their greed is unmeasurable. Even if they are elevated to Kings and Emperors they will still be looking down at the Sinhalese as their man gripe !!!

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