By C. V. Wigneswaran’s Private Secretary –
Responding to an opinion article on the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C. V. Wigneswaran, by Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, titled ‘Is The Chief Minister Of The NPC Ethically & Morally Fit To Govern?‘, published in July 28, 2015, Private Secretary to the Chief Minister sent the following clarification to the Editor today.
06.08.2015
Editor,
Colombo Telegraph,
Colombo.
Dear Sir,
Article titled ‘Is The Chief Minister Of The NPC Ethically & Morally Fit To Govern?’ Posted on 28 July 2015
We write with reference to the above article written by Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan of the Point Pedro Institute of Development appearing in your website on 28.07.2015. We are surprised to note that no steps were taken by you to verify the malicious and defamatory allegations levelled against the Hon. Chief Minister of the Northern Province prior to publishing the said article. We hold you to high journalistic standards and are most disappointed by this lapse.
C.V. Wigneswaran
With regard to the several calumnies contained in the article, we wish to place on record the Chief Minister’s position so that the public may make up their own minds:
(a) The Ho. Chief Minister did indeed have the privilege of concluding a very productive meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the World Hindu Congress held in India. The Congress, being one related to Hinduism, naturally and obviously focused on challenges faced by Hindus.
The Ho. Chief Minister’s address was titled ‘Whither Hindus?’ and highlighted among other things the following as matters affecting Hindus in Sri Lanka:
i. According to the figures released by the Sri Lankan Government’s own Ministry Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, out of the 1607 registered Hindu temples 1479 were damaged as of 1993.
ii. In 2010, which had seen the brutal end to the war in the previous year, the Memorandum forwarded to the Director General of the UNESCO by the Hindu Religious Priests’ Organization of the North East Province said “More than 1560 Hindu temples have been damaged and rendered useless while 240 Hindu temples have been totally destroyed due to the ongoing war in the North and East”.
iii. The Centre for Policy Alternatives, a leading think tank in its March 2013 report stated “Access to temples in High Security Zones and areas restricted by the Military; Military intrusion into religious practices and rituals; Buddhist and other religious symbols being set up in the vicinity of Hindu religious sites; allegations of destruction of kovils and shrines; disputes over archaeological sites; threats to religious places from development activity; concerns of conversions from Hinduism to other religions” and listed them as the major impediments facing the Hindus of the North and East.
iv. When he attempted to visit an area as the Chief Minister, upon hearing that Army personnel were destroying a Hindu place of worship, he was politely denied access by the Army.
(b) The malicious nature of the article is quite evident in that it faults the Hon. Chief Minister for failing to mention the travails faced by minorities other than Hindus in Sri Lanka. Though the article refers to the Chief Minister’s Kannabiran Memorial address, which was referred to as ‘an appeal to India’s conscience’ by reputed Indian journalist K. Venkataramanan (see The Hindu, November 14, 2014), it suppresses the fact that the Chief Minister had specifically mentioned the challenges faced by Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka at that time, in such address.
(c) Given the nature of the event, it was entirely natural that several Hindu organizations were represented at the event and that the Chief Minister had occasion to meet representatives of those organizations and discuss matters relating to Hinduism, challenges faced by Hindus and shared experiences in overcoming those challenges within a democratic framework.
(d) We also wish to point out that the Chief Minister was a founder member of the Congress of Religions (See Section 4, Congress of Religions Act No 13 of 1970) and was instrumental in inviting the Mahanayaka Thera to visit Jaffna in 1965. He has represented Hindu viewpoints at several inter-religious meetings held in Sri Lanka and has an excellent working relationship and understanding with other religious leaders.
(e) While a proper investigation into certain matters adverted to will shed light on numerous injustices caused, the Chief Minister declines to comment on matters connected with his personal religious beliefs. He believes that such discussion in public forums is in poor taste.
(f) The article refers to the Chief Minister not meeting “useful persons from overseas and within” and refers to one meeting with the Malaysian Special Envoy on Infrastructure to India and Southern Asia and a complaint by some Provincial Councillors. The circumstances under which the meeting with the Malaysian Envoy could not take place were explained in detail by the Hon. Chief Minister to the Provincial Council on 17.03.2015. In brief, the details pertaining to the meeting were not communicated clearly by the then government liaisons organizing the meeting.
(g) The Hon. Chief Minister has been accessible to his Provincial Councillors in person at his office and at his residence. Certain communication issues through electronic and telecommunication means were faced and have been addressed. Those issues arose due to the lack of resources the NPC faces.
(h) A simple perusal of the newspapers over the last one and half years will demonstrate the number of personnel, both overseas and local, that the Ho. Chief Minister has had productive meetings with. In fact, the Chief Minister has had communications even with the author himself.
(i) The Ho. Chief Minister condemns the defamatory and baseless allegations made against Mr. Karthikeyan, and unequivocally denies that Mr. Karthikeyan was ever a Tamil Tiger member in any capacity whatsoever. Mr. Karthikeyan is a respected former officer of the UNDP in Sri Lanka, who is committed to the welfare of the Tamil Speaking Peoples. His interaction with the Tamil Tigers was in the discharge of his professional obligations as the Deputy Project Manager, UNDP Transition Project during the ceasefire period from 2002 to 2004. Several civil society members, government officials and UN officials were involved in the UNDP Transition Project and Mr. Karthikeyan’s role was officially authorized and transparent. Thereafter he had offered his services for post tsunami relief work with INGOs and NGOs (during the period of Cease Fire Agreement). His appointment as a UNDP Official was subject due processes established by UN. Mr. Karthikeyan, an old boy of Royal College, Colombo, has obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and is currently reading for his Doctorate in Social Sciences on Challenges in transition from militancy to democracy – case study of Sri Lanka at the University of Sydney, Australia. Obtaining his services to assist in the enhancing of the capacity of the NPC would indeed be useful.
The Hon. Chief Minister’s interactions with him were in furtherance of Mr. Karthikeyan’s academic pursuits, in the context of Mr. Karthikeyan’s abiding interest in the democratic well being of the Tamil Speaking Peoples of Sri Lanka.
The Ho. Chief Minister appreciates and welcomes fair criticism of his official functions, and only expects that a view from his office is sought prior to publication of articles that are manifestly intended to malign him. We trust that in the highest journalistic tradition you would publish this response with equal coverage on your print and electronic media.
Thank you,
Yours sincerely’
Private Secretary to the Chief Minister\Northern Province
Siva Sankaran Sarma / August 6, 2015
” While a proper investigation into certain matters adverted to will shed light on numerous injustices caused, the Chief Minister declines to comment on matters connected with his personal religious beliefs. He believes that such discussion in public forums is in poor taste.”
Hehehehe. I guess venerating, worshipping and defending a convicted rapist & murderer is in good taste. Looks like Dr Muttukrishna Sarvananthan was right on the money about that, as he probably is about the rest of the claims in his article :D
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Off the Cuff / August 6, 2015
Dear Hon Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran,
Cannot understand why you have to get your private Secretary to write such a lengthy explanation to clear Mr. Karthikeyan from any Tiger connection When you yourself has hailed the Terrorist Leader of the LTTE, Prabahkaran, as a Great Hero.
“Pirapakaran oru payangaravathiyalla. Avar Thamil Inathin Viduthalikkaaha Poaradiya oru Maha Veeran”
If Prabahkaran is a Great Hero the LTTE are Heroes as well. Why this haste to dissociate the Tiger connection that you are proud of?
What is this big Repudiation for?
Defies Logic.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Mallaiyuran / August 7, 2015
If you come to ICC, you will find for the reason for that repudiation!
If write another Mahawansa it will not hold at ICC. “Pirapakaran oru payangaravathiyalla.”
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Off the Cuff / August 7, 2015
Dear Hon Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran,
Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, has called your bluff and thrown down the Gauntlet. Are you willing to pick it up and throw it back at him? If not why?
Vide Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan’s comment on CT of August 5, 2015 at 9:23 pm.
Quote
04 August 2015,
I read the response titled “Chief Minister’s position” by the “Private Secretary to the Chief Minister\Northern Province” in the Sunday Observer of 02 August 2015 to my opinion piece titled “Wigneswaran unravelled” in the Sunday Observer of 26 July 2015. The Private Secretary to the CM claims that my allegations are “malicious and defamatory”. I challenge the Chief Minister to take legal action against me if my claims are indeed “malicious and defamatory” Unquote
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/is-the-chief-minister-of-the-npc-ethically-morally-fit-to-govern/#comment-1868238
.
Surely since you sat on the Supreme Court Bench, you have the legal knowledge and the capacity to take down Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan and shut him up for good, IF HE HAS INDEED DEFAMED you as claimed.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Sulaiman / August 7, 2015
Dear OTC,
One is a question of opinion, the other a question of fact.
Regards,
S
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Off the Cuff / August 7, 2015
Hello Sulaiman my friend,
Did not see you around for a long time.
True it’s CM wig’s opinion of Praba but that he expressed that opinion Publicly is a Fact. If Praba in the CM’s eyes, is a Great Hero, then it follows that the LTTE as a whole are great heroes and that what the LTTE did was Heroic!
Why then this long rigmarole by his private secretary trying to explain Mr. Karthikeyan’s association with the LTTE on behalf of CM Wig’s.
When the Chief Minister Himself declares in Public that the LTTE are Great Heroes and their Actions were Heroic, what is defamatory here?
How can anyone defame another by associating them with a Hero or Heroic group?
Quote “The Ho. Chief Minister condemns the defamatory and baseless allegations made against Mr. Karthikeyan, and unequivocally denies that Mr. Karthikeyan was ever a Tamil Tiger member in any capacity whatsoever. Mr. Karthikeyan is a respected former officer of the UNDP in Sri Lanka, who is committed to the welfare of the Tamil Speaking Peoples. His interaction with the Tamil Tigers was in the discharge of his professional obligations as the Deputy Project Manager, UNDP Transition Project during the ceasefire period from 2002 to 2004. Several civil society members, government officials and UN officials were involved in the UNDP Transition Project and Mr. Karthikeyan’s role was officially authorized and transparent. Thereafter he had offered his services for post tsunami relief work with INGOs and NGOs (during the period of Cease Fire Agreement). His appointment as a UNDP Official was subject due processes established by UN. Mr. Karthikeyan, an old boy of Royal College, Colombo, has obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and is currently reading for his Doctorate in Social Sciences on Challenges in transition from militancy to democracy – case study of Sri Lanka at the University of Sydney, Australia. Obtaining his services to assist in the enhancing of the capacity of the NPC would indeed be useful.
The Hon. Chief Minister’s interactions with him were in furtherance of Mr. Karthikeyan’s academic pursuits, in the context of Mr. Karthikeyan’s abiding interest in the democratic well being of the Tamil Speaking Peoples of Sri Lanka”
This is Politics my friend. When you want to eat, even the poisonous scavenger the “Kabaragoya” becomes the edible “Thalagoya”
The CM is a Fool to make a issue of it and make it more public than it already is.
I expect another follow up by Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, laundering more dirty linen in Public.
Unfortunately, the SC Judge who sat in Judgement of Tamils accused of Terrorism, under the PTA, threw his reputation to the winds when he decided to Hail the Murderous Praba as a Great Hero for political expediency, though he was well aware, of how, the Late Lakshman Kadirgama, a giant amongst Sri Lankans and perhaps in the world, Dr. Rajani Thiranagama (née Rajasingham), Rajiv Gandhi and a whole heap of Tamil Intelligentsia were Executed, not forgetting the multitude of Lamp post killings in Jaffna where poor Tamils were killed and strung up on Lamp Posts on mere suspicion.
The CM is undressing in a glass house.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Sulaiman / August 8, 2015
Dear OTC,
Simple answer. I may say that the Australian team is the best in the world, but if someone says that I’m Australian I would dispute it, because it is factually incorrect. It does not mean I like the Australian team any less.
Read the portion quoted by you carefully. “Chief Minister condemns the defamatory and baseless allegations made against Mr. Karthikeyan, and unequivocally denies that Mr. Karthikeyan was ever a Tamil Tiger member in any capacity whatsoever.” There are two parts to this statement. The defamatory part is not necessarily connected to or linked exclusively to the allegation that NK was a LTTE Mole. If you go back to Dr. M.S.’s remarkable original piece you will see that he had questioned NK’s degree and called him a bootlicker among other terms of endearment. So the CM’s position is consistent, even if we are to go by your argument.
You seem to be one of the few polite and intelligent commentators. Pity we dont see eye to eye. Perhaps we should thrash out our differences over a virtual cup of coffee.
Best,
S
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Off the Cuff / August 9, 2015
Dear Sulaiman,
I agree with the logic of your first para but not connecting it with the second.
That the LTTE and it’s actions are considered Heroes and Heroic by the CM is not contestable. Hence there was no necessity to explain the LTTE connection at All, because in the eyes of the CM, it’s a honourable association. The CM cannot have it both ways, he cannot have the cake and eat it.
I noticed the choice words used by Muthu and also the aspersion about Mr NK’s Education but why is Dr Muthu not taken to court, despite being challenged to do so?
Dr. Muttukrishna says, “The Private Secretary to the CM claims that my allegations are “malicious and defamatory”. I challenge the Chief Minister to take legal action against me if my claims are indeed “malicious and defamatory” which has not happened.
The CM and his party or Mr NK fears to sue because Dr Muthu holds more Aces than he had revealed (note his threat about meeting transcripts?).
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Sulaiman / August 9, 2015
Hi my friend,
Have you tried taking anyone to court in sri Lanka? We are involved in a dispute for 11 years with no sign of resolution. Plus you have to keep going to court just to see the case postponed.
I re read my earlier comment. It was not clear. Apologies. What I meant was it is possible that the CM was referring to other allegations as defamatory and the tiger allegation as baseless. So he may consider being a tiger heroic but not necessarily defamatory and only baseless .
But the thrust of the article is clear- he wishes to include both, and while it is possible to argue as I have, that would be dishonest. The more likely answer is that he considers it legally defamatory but morally not. For example one may have thought Robin Hood was great, but because he was legally an outlaw, he may state that being called one of his merry men is defamatory.
S
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Heretic / August 7, 2015
OTC,
“Cannot understand why you have to get your private Secretary to write such a lengthy explanation to clear Mr. Karthikeyan from any Tiger connection When you yourself has hailed the Terrorist Leader of the LTTE, Prabahkaran, as a Great Hero.”
For some reason our CM wants to defend Mr Karthikeyan. We can only assume that Mr K is needed in the future.
I believe that LTTE is banned in Australia where Mr K apparently reads for his doctorate.
If I have understood correctly Mr K escorted the CM during recent foreign travel in the UK and USA. Who paid the expenses of Mr K and compensation for him? Who paid the expenses of the CM? Did they use NPC funds for their travel?
Following the money trail might reveal new facts.
/
Off the Cuff / August 7, 2015
Dear Heretic,
I have posted two more comments one to the CM and the other to Sulaiman, a decent and intelligent Tamil, that comments on CT (we don’t see eye to eye though).
Re “For some reason our CM wants to defend Mr Karthikeyan. We can only assume that Mr K is needed in the future”
Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, says
Quote, “In his response to my opinion piece, the most untenable defence of the Private Secretary to the Chief Minister is on my claims about Rasiah Nimalan Karthikeyan. I reiterate my claims made against Rasiah Nimalan Karthikeyan in the opinion piece in the Sunday Observer of 26 July 2015 and subsequently in the Colombo Telegraph. If my claims about Nimalan Karthikeyan are in fact “defamatory” as claimed by the Private Secretary to the CM, I challenge the former to take legal action against me.
The facts are as follows. Rasiah Nimalan Karthikeyan joined the UNDP in 2002 after the ceasefire agreement between the GoSL and the LTTE as the Deputy Project Manager of the Umbrella Project of the UNDP, which was superseded by the Transition Programme in 2003. Nimalan later joined the TRO in Colombo (the humanitarian front organisation of the LTTE banned by various western countries including the UK and USA, but continues to operate in Australia even today) and appeared as its spokesperson on television in Colombo after the Tsunami of 26 December 2004.
According to the Sunday Times newspaper (12th July 2015), Nimalan Karthikeyan was also a member of the LTTE delegation during the last round of peace talks held in Geneva in February 2006 during the Rajapaksa regime”. http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150712/news/us-tells-wigneswaran-to-work-with-govt-scale-down-genocide-talk-156712.html
unquote
I don’t think that either CM Wigs or his party or Mr Karthikeyan will dare to challenge Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan in courts, on this issue, this repudiation by the Private Sec is just political White Noise intended to confuse the gullible. Dr MS has given an inkling of the evidence he possesses, regarding why he called Nimalan Karthikeyan a LTTE mole. Non of the above will want that to become a court record. Read the following
Quote,
“I do not want to delve into the details of the meeting with the high ranking LTTE officials in Kilinochchi in this reply. But I still have the transcripts of that meeting which made me to suspect that Nimalan was a LTTE mole” unquote
There is more to all this than what meets the eye. As you say the money trail may reveal more.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Heretic / August 7, 2015
OTC,
“There is more to all this than what meets the eye. As you say the money trail may reveal more.”
How can we follow the money trail? If we contact the office of the CM to ask about this they are unlikely to provide the information.
CT has refused to give me your e-mail address. They have not replied to my questions regarding comments policy or how to publish an article.
/
Off the Cuff / August 7, 2015
Dear Heretic,
Just email your article to CT.
Re the money trail. The only way open to the public is to create public opinion. Request the information you want and copy it to the Governor.
They won’t release an email address that they have obtained confidentially. It is journalistic ethics.
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Heretic / August 8, 2015
OTC,
“They won’t release an email address that they have obtained confidentially. It is journalistic ethics.”
I understand this. However you wrote in connection of the solar still that we can mail you and get the address from CT. Did I misunderstand you?
Not replying at all questions about how to publish an article and questions about comments policy is not a very good sign. Never mind.
/
Off the Cuff / August 8, 2015
Dear Heretic,
Send your questions regarding the Solar to the following email. I know it is a risk but I was going to publish it in my articles anyway.
mninperera@gmail.com
I will be glad to help
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Heretic / August 8, 2015
OTC,
Thank you for the contact information.
I have decided that Jaffna is still not stable enough for me to publish articles with my name.
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Off the Cuff / August 9, 2015
Use a Pseudonym. Heretic will do just fine. CT has published articles with pseudonyms before. Here is an example.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sri-lankas-war-in-its-last-phase-where-wia-figures-defeat-the-gross-kia-estimates/
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Heretic / August 9, 2015
OTC,
Again the “direct reply” link is missing.
“Use a Pseudonym. Heretic will do just fine. CT has published articles with pseudonyms before.”
I asked about this twice but received no reply. A friend has been told that she should use her name and even provide a picture.
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Heretic / August 9, 2015
OTC,
Thank you for the contact address.
Just to let you know that I have not yet mailed you. When I mail you will need a code to access the mail. I will post the necessary code here on CT. This is the only way I can think about avoiding others claiming to be me. My assumption is that others cannot post comments as Heretic on CT.
Can you please confirm that you have read this comment.
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Mallaiyuran / August 8, 2015
Those cannot read and understand the English words can use proper dictionaries to get the meaning. CM’s secretary has clearly explained that there is no evidence of what Muttukumaru has said Karthikeyan.
There is no acquisitions pending on any court on the aforementioned person. There was not recorded verdict of proceedings against that person. Under legal maxims, anything else written to degrade his status is presumed to be defamatory. Sri Lankan courts have been called to dismiss even Vidiya’s rape – Murder case accepting at the court that the government has purposefully destroyed the evidence to have the case dismissed.
Within the accepted financial liability time, if NPC gains jurisdictional authority, the affected person would see chances to take legal action against the parties purposefully campaign to destroy his good name.
Those who thought the genocide-war crime accusations as dream has, now, lost their the sleep.Mutthukumaru’s [Edited out] At that time running to south for protection or looking for support from baboonic behavior plagued OTC, who has been slipping to see ICC as a witness on the zero casualty but 100, 0000 children killed war crime, may bring only Karuna’s end. After seeing only cheating as the reward for his dedicated traitor job, Karuna has turned back and offered to support to TNA. If Muttukumaru has ever learned a sentence from the books of wisdom, time to learn the next one; for quick earning depending on the south and smearing at TNA deserve an advice of, “Aarasani nammpi purasanai kaividaathai”. (Don’t trade the husband who belongs to you lifetime to sleep one night with the King)
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Rajash / August 7, 2015
Heretic “If I have understood correctly Mr K escorted the CM during recent foreign travel in the UK and USA. Who paid the expenses of Mr K and compensation for him? Who paid the expenses of the CM? Did they use NPC funds for their travel? “
140,000 Tamils perished in Nanthi Kadal…and we have not learnt any lessons.
We are bickering about who escorted CM CV and who paid for what?
is this what the highly qualified Phd holder is worried about
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Heretic / August 8, 2015
Rajash,
“We are bickering about who escorted CM CV and who paid for what? is this what the highly qualified Phd holder is worried about”
I have been asking the question about who paid for the traveling of the CM and Mr K. OTC apparently is also interested.
Going to the UK and USA costs money. In my opinion NPC money should not be used for this kind of traveling. If Diaspora or ITAK is paying we have the right to know about it. I do not believe that Mr K and the CM paid themselves.
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Rajash / August 8, 2015
I shouldnt have engaged with you. You seems to have low intelligence.
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IKnowYourGames / August 8, 2015
Do you in all honesty think the FETNA which invited CM to their Annual Gathering FETNA 2015 as Key note speaker used NPC funds?. You think we are that poor do you?. When you are unable to substantiate your original claims you think there is something in the funding. Unlike the third sector which lives off the money tax payers money while spruiking their magic solutions via research project etc we belong to organisation which relay on donors who support their work.
Number 2 as a person who deals with the minister regarding an education project I came to know that the individual you are bashing here, actually works for FREE. Yes bloody volunteer who has costs NPC ZERO Rupees. Add to that some in the diaspora collected funds to top up the salary of an assistant they recruited yes a Tamil graduate, (not his relatives as the bashers would like to portray) who is working at the CM’s office because the base salary is not comparable to the private sector to attract people with relevant skills. And some more are trying to organize funds to organize accommodation for staff because they have no rooms for councillors etc to work from at the moment. Yet more lack equipment to carry out their work, conduct meetings and the like. To make matters worse despite many months of lobbying a channel to facilitate funding for NPC is yet to materialize as that was over ruled by the old governor while the new gov dragged its feet before moving slowly. And come election time nothing will move even an inch as usual. Such is the state of affairs. So enjoy the arm chair bashing.
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Heretic / August 8, 2015
IKNOWYOURGAMES,
Is your comment intended for me? Thank you for the reply but I find it very confusing.
I have not made any claims or bashed anybody. I have only asked who financed the traveling of the CM and Mr K and some more questions.
I have no idea of what FETNA is but I will find out.
Are you saying that FETNA financed the traveling of the CM and MR K to the UK and USA?
Are you saying that Mr K works for free for the NPC?
Are you saying that Diaspora tops up the salary of an employee at the CMs office?
Are you saying that Diaspora is collecting funds for NPC staff accommodation?
No need to repeat that NPC is short of funds. I understood it already.
“Do you in all honesty think the FETNA which invited CM to their Annual Gathering FETNA 2015 as Key note speaker used NPC funds?. You think we are that poor do you?. When you are unable to substantiate your original claims you think there is something in the funding. Unlike the third sector which lives off the money tax payers money while spruiking their magic solutions via research project etc we belong to organisation which relay on donors who support their work. Number 2 as a person who deals with the minister regarding an education project I came to know that the individual you are bashing here, actually works for FREE. Yes bloody volunteer who has costs NPC ZERO Rupees. Add to that some in the diaspora collected funds to top up the salary of an assistant they recruited yes a Tamil graduate, (not his relatives as the bashers would like to portray) who is working at the CM’s office because the base salary is not comparable to the private sector to attract people with relevant skills. And some more are trying to organize funds to organize accommodation for staff because they have no rooms for councillors etc to work from at the moment. Yet more lack equipment to carry out their work, conduct meetings and the like. To make matters worse despite many months of lobbying a channel to facilitate funding for NPC is yet to materialize as that was over ruled by the old governor while the new gov dragged its feet before moving slowly. And come election time nothing will move even an inch as usual. Such is the state of affairs. So enjoy the arm chair bashing.”
/
IKnowYourGames / August 9, 2015
Are you saying that Diaspora is collecting funds for NPC staff accommodation?
Not staff accommodation. They have no rooms etc to conduct meetings with the citizens who come with their grievences etc. The new building is limited in its capacity. Then citizens cannot be expected to travel from the far corners to Jaffna etc to meet so we in diaspora feel that cheaper communication mediums with webcam etc we can resolve these issues. Get citizens to go to a local office with such facilities so that they can connect with the relevant minister with the help of a councillor to address the issues concerning the citizen then and there. But even here we look at costs, internet availability and so on.
The above is just one challenge. There are many more. Electing is one thing. But setting up the institutions to operate is another thing. This is where there is a lack of understanding on the part of many
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Heretic / August 9, 2015
IKnowYourGames,
“The above is just one challenge. There are many more. Electing is one thing. But setting up the institutions to operate is another thing. This is where there is a lack of understanding on the part of many.”
Thank you for your reply. I agree with you about the problems faced by the NPC. Diaspora funding and help from Diaspora professionals is one solution.
Would you mind answering the rest of my questions?
Thank you for your informative comment.
/
GrowUpTamils / August 10, 2015
I am not at all surprised that people are working for free. You may find it hard to believe but that is the truth. Because due to all kinds of issues getting funding is a nightmare. Look at me. I dedicate a good part of my time on helping our ministers do their job better. Help in educational and economic ventures. Even though I have a young family, elderly parents, house/college debt, work of my own I still spent a hell of a lot of time doing things for my people. And if there were to be funding to even cover just part of my time I will do tons more to educate and develop graduates so that they are job ready, start a business or what ever.
Here this guy is bashing TRO. Yet I too during Tsunami dealt with this organisation to get the affected kids back to school providing them with educational equipment, addressed their medical needs by providing nutritional supplements (protein food etc). I worked with senior TRO people in LTTE areas to get work done. If that means building rapport we did. OperationUSA an American NGO worked with TRO and with the support of many Tamil professionals to address the massive needs of our people. Yet all what people can see is that we are some how feeding the LTTE front. Was there any other option there to get aid to these hapless people?. When elephants (LTTE/GoSL) fight it is the grass (People) that suffers. And some of you wish that the grass should have been subjected to more suffering because we hated one or more of the elephants!
In this age with the ready availability of social media/discussion forums etc people just sit behind and try to asses people based on the information publically available. They do not critically asses the degree of truth in the publicaly available information. Then they use half baked info to reinforce their own thinking. All of them consider themselves as expert mind readers. Many of them do not know the persons they are judging at a personal level to understand what make these individual dedicate their time for good causes. They do not have the inclination to find goodness in others. They do not know the context in which we do our work. They do not know how to analyse issues rationally. This is the sad reality in which I myself operate in. At times I really despise my own kind because of the crap I have to take from the opinion makers/arm chair judges/great wall builders etc. But the suffering I went through in my life when I was living there and the difference I am able to make in the lives of suffering keeps a lid on my frustration/sadness keeps me going. But even here a time will come I will just have to let people choose their own path to self destruction.
Our attitude to our fellow men who do good is largely abominable. We Tamils are forever looking for the black spots. Even the tiniest speck makes us very happy. We as a society are suffering a collective form of inferiority complex such that the flaws in others makes us bloody happy. Once a speck is found we are hell bent on tearing down everything no matter what goodness goes with that effort. No matter how terrible the alternatives may be we are just happy to tear down what we have. This affliction is not confined to Sri Lanka alone. It is global. Wherever Tamil diaspora is you will find this among them. Infighting, back biting, chest thumping, divisions at multiple levels – place of origin, caste/class, religion, multiple one man organisations, each with their own clans etc.
That is why Tamils who have succeeded or have made significant contributions to humanity have done so in an environment foreign to them. Be it Singapore, or here in Silicon Valley or other parts of west or Asia, they succeed under Chinese, Anglo or other non-Tamil environment because others see the good in us, the talent in us, help us correct our flaws so we could be better, tolerate our failures, praise our deeds, let us lead when they see potential and of course exploit in extreme cases. Trying to do the same is immensely harder for Tamils when they find themselves among their own kind. I know because I have tried many times.
That is why many youths are moving away from our communities marrying people from different nationalities to enrich their lives than becoming stuck in our little society of inferior minds. That is why even non-Tamils are careful with our lot because when things go wrong every one from Eric Solheim to Obama become the target of a generous dose of mudslinging devoid of any sense of rationality.
We believe that our education makes us superior. Yet that superiority complex is denting our mindset and is actually making us inferior. We are with our own mindset making ourselves extinct. You don’t need sinhalese to do that. If Darwin were to be alive today I would ask him to study the Tamils!. Then again Darwin might have gone bloody mad studying the Tamils and their mindset.
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Heretic / August 10, 2015
IKnowYourGames,
Would you mind answering the rest of my questions?
Thank you.
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Heretic / August 18, 2015
IKnowYourGames,
Would you mind answering the rest of my questions?
That foreign “top up” for one public servant working for the CM was rather interesting.
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Anpu / August 9, 2015
“I have no idea of what FETNA is”
FETNA website http://www.fetna.org/
http://www.fetna.org/index.php/about-us/introduction
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Off the Cuff / August 8, 2015
Dear Rajash,
Prabahakran the LTTE leader is a great hero said Hon Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran. Thus in the eyes of the Chief Minister (CM) The LTTE are Heroes and what the LTTE did was heroic.
CM’s private secretary states The Ho. Chief Minister condemns the defamatory and baseless allegations made against Mr. Karthikeyan, and unequivocally denies that Mr. Karthikeyan was ever a Tamil Tiger member in any capacity whatsoever.
Please explain why a relationship with / membership of the LTTE, is defamatory in the eyes of the Very people who hailed the LTTE as heroes?
You say “140,000 Tamils perished in Nanthi Kadal….”
Endless repetition of lies in the hope it will become a Truth …the Nazi Doctrine.
140,000 Dead!
The bodies must have been strewn all over the NFZ when Ban Ki Moon and the Times of London photographers and journos overflew it in that LOW LEVEL Air Force Helicopter tour on 23 morning, 72 hours after the war ended!!!
MR must have been an IDIOT to send Ban Ki Moon and AGGRESSIVELY CRITICAL foreign journos on a Low Level inspection flight less than 72 hours after the war ended with 140,000 bodies strewn everywhere !!!
Though MR has done foolish things he is not that type of Fool!
How many injured by war?
With a Dead to wounded ratio
At 1:1, 140,000
At 1:2, 280,000
At 1:3, 420,000
The dead by war, the dead by natural causes, the wounded by war and the uninjured, together with natural increase will add up to a record Tamil population explosion. They would not have been able to do anything other than making babies!!!
Where are the Injured?
UNSG Ban Ki Moon overflew the NFZ and the Times of London photographers accompanied him. This video was taken by the Times of London. The aggressive commentary by the Times, is of course not in keeping with the Expert analysis done by US experts commissioned by AI and HRW.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Uh8OTddEI
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They and Ban Ki Moon’s staff took photographs during that low level flight. These photographs and High Resolution Satellite imagery were analysed by American experts commissioned by Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The expert report by The Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is in the Public domain.
It found 3 grave sites
1. The Southernmost grave site
2. Grave site 3.6 kilometers northwest of the first
3. Grave site 8 kilometers northwest of the first.
1 and 2 have been identified as LTTE sites and 3 as Civilian graves.
The LTTE had to concentrate it’s cadres on the Southern end to prevent the Army from entering the NFZ. Hence the concentration of LTTE graves at this end is to be expected.
Significantly the Civilian Grave site has not increased in size between May 6 and May 24
Vide the statement by the AAAS, quote The majority of the graves were present by May 6, with little change after that except in the southernmost graveyard. The southernmost site grew an estimated 28% between May 6 and May 10, and grew another 20% between May 10 and May 24. unquote
The AAAS report below has been edited for length
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(http://www.aaas.org/geotech/sri_lanka_2009)
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The Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) acquired and analyzed commercial high-resolution satellite imagery of the Civilian Safety Zone (CSZ) and surrounding environs in northeastern Sri Lanka …. Imagery analysis was initially requested by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International USA (AI-USA) on May 10, 2009.
The southernmost graveyard lies close to the IDP area reviewed above, and appears at some point between April 19 and May 6,…. Individual graves are visible and appear to cast distinct shadows in the May 6 satellite image, suggesting mounded burials. IDP shelters also appear in the immediate vicinity of the graves during the same period. Visual inspection of the imagery identified the appearance of 148 probable graves at this location between April 19 and May 6. However, given the size of the graves and quality of imagery, it is likely that not all graves present at that time are visible in the May 6 image due to blurring and effects of shadows. As this graveyard was quite regular and orderly in its layout, AAAS also estimated a count of individual graves based on an estimated width of fifteen burials per row. Using this method, 195 graves are estimated to be at this location as of May 6.
The latest image to cover this southernmost graveyard was acquired on May 24. When compared to previous imagery, it is clear that temporary structures have been cleared from the lot northwest of the original site …… In their place, a number of new burials appear to have been created. …….. an estimate of 70 additional graves is likely. This brings the total of the estimated burials at this southernmost graveyard to 342.
The second graveyard …. 3.6 kilometers northwest of the previously described location. The layout of graves was very similar to the previous site, consisting of evenly-spaced rows and columns. Its scale however, is far larger than the first, as illustrated in Figure Seven. First identified in imagery from May 6, this site consists of an estimated 960 graves on that date. Unlike the first site, this graveyard exhibits no signs of growth between May 6 and May 10, nor between May 10 and May 24. ….it was identified in media reporting as belonging to the LTTE. …..the similarities between this site and previous, southernmost graveyard may indicate a common origin.
The final graveyard analyzed by this study was located 4.3 kilometers northwest of the second graveyard, and almost 8 kilometers northwest of the first gravesite described above. Identified in media reports as being a burial ground for civilians, this location differed substantially from the others in its organization and size. Unlike the rigid pattern of the previous two sites, the layout of this area was much less regular…… apparent burial mounds were scattered throughout the area. These mounds were also less regular in their individual shapes than those at previous sites, which rendered their identification difficult in the available imagery. In total, 44 burials were identified at this site on May 6, with no changes observed between May 6, May 10, and May 24. Again, the irregularity of this site made counting of the graves very difficult, and many graves are undoubtedly not visible in the imagery.
In all three gravesites reviewed, a total of 1,346 likely graves are estimated to be in the imagery by May 24, 2009. The majority of the graves were present by May 6, with little change after that except in the southernmost graveyard. The southernmost site grew an estimated 28% between May 6 and May 10, and grew another 20% between May 10 and May 24.
IV.Conclusion
Based on satellite imagery obtained of the Civilian Safety Zone and surrounding environs, AAAS found evidence of artillery emplacements, destroyed permanent structures, graves, and shell impact craters. Additional information used in the AAAS analysis process included public statements from the Sri Lankan Army and LTTE, media reporting, and a set of photographs taken during a helicopter flight over the CSZ by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Analysis of the CSZ showed three gravesites with 1,346 burials between them. These graves grew in number between April and May 2009, and are corroborated by aerial photos taken by the UN after the conflict. The imagery also revealed numerous impact craters, some with ejecta patterns that helped determine the trajectory of shells. By extrapolating the azimuth trajectories, AAAS was able to determine the locations of probable mortar emplacements likely created by the Sri Lankan Army.
I hope someone who believes in the 140,000 dead canard will substantiate their position with FACTUAL and VERIFIABLE DATA.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Rajash / August 9, 2015
Dear OTC
Dont you understand taht in the eyes of the Sinhala people and politicians all Tamils are Tigers.
Even Dr Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, is a Tiger. CM CV is a Tiger.
Lakshman Kadirgamar was a Tiger thats why Lakshman Kadirgamars was murdered by an insider to prevent hime from becoming PM
OTC you are not going to achieve aything bu your long list of posting. All you do is write long paragraph after paragarphs utter garbege.
Keep your arguments short and to the point.
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Off the Cuff / August 9, 2015
Dear Rajash,
Thank you for your Very INTELLECTUAL REBUTTAL of the 140,000 dead canard.
When IDIOTS make claims they cannot support, the very first refuge is an attempt to trivialise the argument that they have no hope in hell to argue against.
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I did not think you were that kind of an IDIOT though, but we live and learn.
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I don’t know whether the CM, CV Wigneswaran is a Tiger but he has declared that he holds the Tiger leader in Very High Esteem, a Maha Veer or a Great Hero despite the fact that he knew that a REAL Mahavir, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, was assassinated by his hero Prabahkaran, the Terrorist Murderer who murdered MORE Tamils than anyone else.
It is plain luck that the CM Wig’s is alive today for if he lead any Tamil political party when Prabah, his hero was alive, instead of safely cocooned within the Sri Lanka Judiciary, The Hon Wigs would be 6 feet under the ground like Appapilai Amirthalingam is.
“Pirapakaran oru payangaravathiyalla. Avar Thamil Inathin Viduthalikkaaha Poaradiya oru Maha Veeran”
From the speech delivered by Hon Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran, in Valvettithurai (VVT), the native village of LTTE supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran and the cradle of armed Tamil militancy. The Hon CM delivered a thundering speech to an audience consisting mainly of people from VVT and neighbouring areas.
English translation
Prabhakaran is not a terrorist. He is a great hero who fought for the freedom of the Tamil people.
Regarding your comment “OTC you are not going to achieve aything bu your long list of posting. All you do is write long paragraph after paragarphs utter garbege”
Oh it has a purpose and it has achieved a lot.
I have successfully “Shut Up” the garbage that you and others like you churn out. Anyone who has brains will wonder why you could not substantiate your initial claim of 140,000 dead at Nanthikadal
Of the 1346 graves that were identified ONLY 44 were of CIVILIANS
Where were the balance 138,654 dead bodies hidden, in less than 72 hours? Under a THIMBLE, an egg shell or a coconut shell?
140,000 Tamils dead at Nanthikadal you claimed, Ha ha ha haa!
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Mallaiyuran / August 9, 2015
Dear Rajash, Prabahakran the LTTE leader is a great hero said Hon Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran. Thus in the eyes of the Chief Minister (CM) The LTTE are Heroes and what the LTTE did was heroic. CM’s private secretary states The Ho. Chief Minister condemns the defamatory and baseless allegations made against Mr. Karthikeyan, and unequivocally denies that Mr. Karthikeyan was ever a Tamil Tiger member in any capacity whatsoever. Please explain why a relationship with / membership of the LTTE, is defamatory in the eyes of the Very people who hailed the LTTE as heroes?
Some times you act like you did not understand, but a lot of time you have no idea of the laws in Lankave. Right after the January election, many LTTE and non LTTE members thought the Emergency and POT acts are relaxed and went to Lankae to be punt in dark dungeons and toured. Some NGO were trying to rehabilitate Gobi wife by offering a help. Kandyan Sinhala Intellectual, There is need if one in Lankave to deny they ever participated with any Tamils activity. Any tamils if they are not involved with LTTE, denying the accusation of involvement to rob his home, money wife and children in no constitute denial of Pirapaharan’s leadership.
CV represents North. He reflected the council he represent. He is the mouth piece of Tamils. He speak for them, in common voice. If he does not say that, then the Tamil peoples’ clapping and hooraying, even when South Sinhala Intellectual leaders pronounce his name to show their hate on him, will go in vain. But an individual need not go into dark dungeon when Sinahala Intellectuals Frame cases. Going to dark dungeon voluntarily is not Piraparan type of freedom fight. At your level, it is hard to understand these. But unfortunately that is how Tamils are forced to live.
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Mallaiyuran / August 9, 2015
Army made a substantial mistake by declaring zero casualty, instead of taking everybody to the burial sites and excavating them and showing to how the LTTE has hidden its burial sites. Still no latae. Army should take the UNHRC officials, if have the forgot the locations, using the satellite photos and should start to dig and bring out the cases. This is how the 100,000 children killed by the army can be cleared.
“I hope someone who believes in the 140,000 dead canard will substantiate their position with FACTUAL and VERIFIABLE DATA. “
Came on Call the UNHRC and set up the project.
You need not to have our explanation. International expert will explain to you.
War was over some where in March. Lands were taken over by army that time. False propaganda was spread that they were fighting with LTTE. But they were killing civilians. Then Old King went to Middle east, to prepare for the Drama. New King killed the white flag surrenders. Those who climbed reading satellite image “who had which part during that time” is only reflecting the Old Royal government’s propaganda news.
We need the international pathological expert excavate the satellite images identified area, even if they are LTTE’s. No negotiation with the Sinhala Intellectuals’ governments. Period!
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Mallaiyuran / August 7, 2015
Trying to poke into CV’s judgments. CV’s judgments were challenged by the old Kings detectives. Day and night they read and memorised all cases he decided. Not one was revered. This is what you call Misjustments. That proved, probably there is no judge in Lankave have given judgments as straight as CV.
As long as his judgements are straight, he can follow even tantra. It is his private decision.
Here is story of a Buddhist Thantri.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNSC93mPs4I, Well, Sankaran venerate child molesters.
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Rohan / August 8, 2015
Don’t we have some complaints against Satya Sai Baba as well?
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Ajith / August 6, 2015
the so called Muthukrishna Sarvanthan must be a paid employee of Mahinda Rajapakse. He is using his freedom of speech to to spread lies to convince Buddhist Sinhalaese motives. His intenion is to create divisions among Tamil speaking Hindus,Islamists & Christians. Our people more matured and knowledgeable than this stupid.
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Off the Cuff / August 6, 2015
Are you sure that those divisions do not already exist?
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Tamil from the north / August 7, 2015
@Ajith, this dirty douchebag of a bugger Muthu Sarvananthan is at it again. He has popped his ugly head again after few years of sabbatical. This is what he does. He criticizes anything and everything good in people. Mr. Wigi at least is trying to do something for the people. He may not be perfect, but he is doing what he can. What can our dirty Muthu show for his good deeds? Only some rubbish he writes based on 100% speculations. He is a low life scumbag.
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rajash / August 6, 2015
I read Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan CT blog. I think he seems to be taking some personal Vendetta agaisnt CV.
For a man holding a Phd I must say I am bit diaapointed with Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan .
I mean what is he trying to achieve. He should have asked for a 121 with CV and discussed the matters
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kumaran / August 6, 2015
Thanks to people like CV, MR, Oosha etc , this problem will never go away. Just keep stirring the pot and your types, the UN, the diaspora etc will be assured of adequate funds to live a wealthy life-style for a few more generations. But remember, “blessed are the PEACEMAKERS for they shall be called sons of God” This applies to ALL Sri Lankans.
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My Secretary / August 7, 2015
A reply by CVW signed off as by his private secretary.
This man is ridiculous. So many FP people have been bemoaning the fact that they brought him into politics. He appears in a precent video where his political extremism comes out. He thinks he is a still a supreme court judge and refuses to talk to the very people who elected him (although he denies it here).
He is a disgrace to SJV Chelva and the secular FP imposing his private prayers on the public at every meeting. Until Muttukrishna’s article I did not realize that he worships a convicted rapist and appealed on behalf of his co-convicts. What a judge!
I have read up a lot since that article and see that we owe Muthhu S. a great favor for bringing this to light. After this ridiculous reply in the name of his secretary I am even more grateful to Muttukrishna S.
Next time I do not see how I can vote for him.
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K.A Sumanasekera / August 7, 2015
Thank God it wasn’t a letter of demand for at least for LKR 100 Million from our Think Tank, the CT.
Because the Big Ass Yhapalana ministers are firing those letters in all directions, demanding up to LKR 2000 Million from any one who points out even Pathalaya Gunfights among UNP Supporters.
In fact the Pathalaya bosses who did the “Okay Karaal” like Gunfight in Bloemendahal opposite St Benedict’s, have already taken protection Visas in the Mid East.
This is despite the Yahapalana IGP putting all his anti everything squad all around the Airport, following the shootout.
And the word is that a heavy yahapalana Minister stopped the Police even searching the Govt Flats in Colombo 13, where these alleged Gunmen took refuge.
Considering these developments in once the most clean city in the South East part of the Planet.our Vellala CM ‘s whinge about an article by Mr Sivathasan can’t be a big deal … Right
After all Mr Siva is also with the Vellalas trying to prop up the Yahapalanaya in these difficult times, so that the Vellala Chief of the ITAK Mr Sambabdan can get his Special Minister gig from Batalanada Ranil, and control the Vellala CM.in the NP Government.
A more pressing issue for the TNA now , I thought would the Vellala CM’ openly hanging out with the Ponna Party as well as giving a nudge and a wink to the “Crusaders”, which has delighted the Eelaam PM MR Rudrakumaran.in New Jersey..
But cheesed off the BTF , Surendran, Emmanuel . UNP London and the Vellalas in Colombo.
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saroja / August 7, 2015
Please elucidate Northern people why an expatriate from Australia manages CMs itinerary and agenda when he is abroad. How can an elected CM allow a student to advise on matters with which he has no hands-on experience Please do not experiment on us sufferings as your guinea pigs!
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whattheheck / August 7, 2015
Did you read it. The article said the individual concerned traveled with the CM and it si during that time he managed the diaries. Better to read the Sunday Times Article in full before commenting. Hope you feel better now that you are not a guinea pig!
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soma / August 7, 2015
This Vingeshwaran ******* has the most malicious heart. His “genocide” charge is deliberate, devilish scheme to drive a permanent wedge between future generations of Sinhalese and Tamils.
Soma
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Jim softy / August 7, 2015
The Centre for Policy Alternatives, a leading think tank in its March 2013 report stated
Is this the same think Tank who could present the Annual Expenses report to the public because it is so fraudulent ?
CPA is getting money from the west to do directed work for special interest groups.
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Ranil Wijeyesekera / August 7, 2015
Stetements are made by both sides before an election. Agitation i9n this matter is unnecessary. A Federal state has being proposed before with favourable responses by laeders. How ever the opposition allways disagreed for political gain. The system for federal government for a smaal country is absuard. Will Tamil nadu consent to federalise giving there minortities a place. Will they ensure fair governance.
If any devolution should be to the pradeshiya sabha reducung or ending the provincial councils that are a white elephant. The model has to reduce duplication. The span of control should be small. A centrl government will ensure productive planning and impementation. The contribution has to be from the gras roots. Mordern multi media and statistical methods must be used.
Minority exploitation by the provincal councils must stop. Disagreement will mean po0verty and social problems can not be redressed. PEACE MUST BE ENSURED>
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Dr.K.Sivam / August 7, 2015
What the Tamil community wants now:
1. Persons to be in step with them and not ride on their backs. The majority are frail and emaciated, and have lost the capacity to think. They are living only for the goal of acquiring clothing to cover their nakedness, food to appease hunger and roof over their heads.
2.To become better humans in an enabling environment.
3. Not leaders (?) to lead them, but for persons who will work with them to improve their lives and regain their long lost dignity.
4. Persons, who will help them work for themselves or others as individuals or a collective where they live.
5. Persons who will speak in words they understand and show them how simple things can be done to better their lives.
6. Fundamentals and ideas, when applied that will bear fruit at their earliest and be sustainable in the long term.
7. People simple like them but with the thinking capacity and skills to work alongside them and make them think and learn.
8. Not for those who claim to lead, but seek Pajeros, Prados, body guards, life- long pensions and mansions. They are not asking to dine in fancy restaurants with the high and the mighty. They ask only for good quality water to meet their needs and not whisky. They only want to be better than they are now.
9. Compassionate employers, who will pay them a living wage and help improve/ upgrade their skills.
Get off their backs. Enough is enough.
Oh! God be with us in this hour of need.
Old Yarlppanathan
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Agnos / August 7, 2015
Sarvananthan in his response to this, has come up with very weak arguments for his “LTTE mole” charge.
Let me remind readers that the TRO remained a recognized, legally registered charity in Sri Lanka well past the time it was banned in the US. Until the time it was banned in Sri Lanka, it was legitimate for people to be affiliated with it; whatever the rationale was for the GoSL not to impose a ban on TRO, the same applied to the UN as well as private individuals. In the wake of the tsunami, many governments coordinated relief efforts for the people in LTTE-held areas with the TRO directly, and this was considered both effective and legitimate. And the hope among all stakeholders probably was that such relief support would transform the LTTE and lead to a political solution.
That it turned out to be a misplaced hope is another matter entirely; Sarvananthan cannot take it upon himself the role of being the arbiter of what people could do with TRO during the period it remained open as a legitimate charity in Sri Lanka.
On that issue, the CM’s first response is effective and he doesn’t need to reply again.
That said, if I were still in SL, I would ask the CM to effectively explain some of his contradictions, and I will give him some of my views.
1. The CM should keep his religion private and avoid Sanskrit mantras and other excessive displays of religiosity in public. As an administrator, he should maintain a secular outlook in public. This is the modern democratic way, and the NPC cannot be an exception. Even though I am agnostic, my family is Hindu; my wife is a direct descendant of Mylvagana Pulavar, the author of Yarlpana Vaipava Malai. And my close relatives have been trustees of the Vallipuram temple for generations. But I would still strongly argue for secularism in public life in Jaffna.
The same applies to dealing with some “Swamis” against whom court judgments exist. The CM should give leadership to the goal of making the society more rational and informed, rather than be dictated by irrational elements who may appear powerful. It was fine for him to send some leniency petitions to his Indian contacts on behalf of some of his constituents, but he cannot be unmindful of serious court judgments against such Swamis and assume all of it was some sort of a conspiracy. Publicly associating his name with such characters is something a good CM should avoid.
2. The CM has said in interviews to foreign journalists just at the time he became the CM candidate that his in-law, Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, had no racist outlook and he had a cordial relationship with him. But at that time Nanayakkara was still part of the Rajapaksa regime, and since then had become even more tied to the racist campaign of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Although Nanayakkara was for years indeed known as a non-racist progressive, he has become an embarrassment to the CM, so the latter should find a way to explain this contradiction in a deft way, without leaving this question dangling.
3. To go with the above, CVW should handle any differences with the TNA leadership within the party; after all, it was Sampanthan who brought CVW into politics despite strong opposition from others like Prof. Sittampalam in Jaffna, and CVW should discuss all issues within his party, as well as with Sampanthan in person, rather than issue public statements that may be deemed to be in sync with the very people who took the Tamil people to Nanthikadal but have learned nothing from it.
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Heretic / August 8, 2015
Agnos,
“The CM should keep his religion private and avoid Sanskrit mantras and other excessive displays of religiosity in public. As an administrator, he should maintain a secular outlook in public. This is the modern democratic way, and the NPC cannot be an exception.”
I agree with you.
There is very little secular approach by the NPC and the rest of the public sector. The new administrative and cultural building built by the NPC that I know of have all been decorated with Hindu gods. I assume and hope that this is not done in the areas of NP with Muslim or Christian majority in, for instance, Mannar.
I do not know what the minorities think about using a library with Hindu sculpture, removing their footwear to enter and almost all the public functions with Hindu traditions. Why is tax money used in this way? I have seen the same in the South with Buddha statues.
“And my close relatives have been trustees of the Vallipuram temple for generations.”
Welcome to the “club”.
“Prof. Sittampalam in Jaffna”
I believe that he also is a trustee of a private kovil.
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Mallaiyuran / August 8, 2015
Some are points some are straying away. CV was criticised as that he was with the government. Now he is being criticized with LTTE. All and all his job at the NPC has not been challenged.
NPC has five(four) parties. He was installed through Federal Party. I am not sure if he was a long time Federal Party loyalist. In that sense, he can maintain his independence.
Set off him against Sampanthar is pointless. Sri Tharan never surrendered to Federal party’s absolute rules. He is a dedicated Federal Party Long time member. Mavai openly criticised Sampanthar when he raised the Sinhala Flag with Ranil on the stage. There was never ever any action taken on Mavai. In Fact, latter, he has been promoted to party president. Sampanthar has accepted that in a democratic organization like TNA member act together and act independently will exist.
Closed, not for open to debate, LTTE’s sacred, divine, sacramental goal is different. As a political and armed struggle movement, its individual actions for criticism is different. Attempting to call CV with the Brother Prince phrase, “ruthless terrorist” is not tolerable.
I have explained in these pages that Secular is not agnostic or atheistic. As long as he is not forming a Hindu NPC, other religions not complaining about their share, Nothing is forced on anybody or obligating anybody to receive services from NPC, his actions does not violate common sense laws (like standing in front of Nursery childrens as their teacher fully covered up so that they can see, feel or interact with their teacher),not attempting to preach with his office’s(council’s) meetings ….
Secular is not anti-religious like russian government. Secular is a government not dedicator for one religion.
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Douglas / August 8, 2015
Dear Private Secretary to the NP – CM
I expected a lot from your CM when he assumed duties in that position. But unfortunately and quite contrary to our expectations he failed and failed miserably in the discharge of his responsibilities. We know it, you know it and lately the “International Community” came to know of it and issued a sort of a “warning” to confine to his duties as the CM. He being a retired Supreme Court Judge and entering politics, what a huge expectation we had and did he live up to what was expected of him? NO. He was more and more getting involved and engulfed in a game of “dirty politics”. We thought, he would be that “BRIDGE” to connect the South, North, East and West. He had the WILL and the KNOW HOW to do that; but he failed and rather chose the path of “DIRTY POLITICS” and joined the Band Wagon of the rest of the politicians of the country. and let us down so badly. I do not wish to elaborate on that any further, but his conscious will tell him how wrong he was and is today. To make a long story short, I thought we were gifted with another replacement to Late Mr. Rajan Kadiragamar. How wrong we were to think like that?
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Heretic / August 9, 2015
“Private Secretary to the Chief Minister”
Should not the Private Secretary have provided us his/her name instead of just the title?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / August 11, 2015
I like the contours of the development envisaged for the Jaffna peninsula by the CM (CVW) at a recent meeting with a World Bank team. This coincides with what I dream would happen in Jaffna. I thank the see CM for doing so. Now the task is start the process fill in the details, subject it to wide consultations & public debate and thereafter implement it. He has also specifically pinpointed the problems. A good beginning. I hope it will progress well as well.
“Our desire is to have Agro based development. We wish to engage in small medium level industries. We don’t want to plan for large scale industries and to alter the Agro based back ground, said Justice C.V. Wigneswaran to the World Bank Representatives who met him day before yesterday regarding the development of Metropolitan type town planning. Ming Sang, a high level official from the World Bank said that instruction had been received from World Bank to extend the Metropolitan scheme which being implemented now in Kandy and Galle to north also.
Elaborating on his ideas, the CM said here that, The northern Province is completely different from other Provinces. You should note that, the people who live in North and Eastern Provinces do have a different Language, religions and cultures.
You could observe that, geologically, the Northern Province is different. There are no rivers in the North nor waterfalls. We have to draw our water from wells and tanks. We are also different historically. We are a people with 2,000 years long history. Now Northern Province is affected by the war.
First our areas should be brought to their natural routine stage. Kandy and Galle are developed towns. You should realize that, as far as we are concerned, we are an un-developed area, excluded by the Central Government.
Our desire is to have agro based development. We wish to engage in small medium level industries. We don’t want to plan for large scale industries and to alter the Agro based back ground.
Further, sectors like Tourist sector should be developed in a way appropriate to our culture and environment.Skyscrapers and other mega structures are not appropriate to our environment.
More the 150,000 of our people are living in south India. When they are called back the population will increase. Politically the Northern and Eastern Provinces had demonstrated their uniqueness from the independence. When we are evaluated together with other Provinces our uniqueness was affected.
The 13 amendment was passed only for the North and East. But its uniqueness was eliminated by them by establishing Provincial Councils all over the country. The minimum amount of powers granted under 13 also was grabbed back by through the Central Government authorities like Mahaweli Development Authority and Urban Development Authority. We see this also in the same vein. I think that the Central Government is undertaking activities autocratically, without consulting us regarding the development for us. We cannot accept this position. Facilities should be provided to us to undertake our development, he had said.(Tamil Diplomat)” (as reported in eyesrilanka.com on 11/08/2015).
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Heretic / August 11, 2015
Dr RN,
Thank you for this information.
“Our desire is to have agro based development. We wish to engage in small medium level industries.”
I agree and don’t really see any other alternatives. There is nothing here in addition to agriculture and tourism. Unless we count the large “living on remittances” as a sector.
In my opinion the main problems are:
What can we offer for the tourists?
Is there enough water and are there enough workers for agriculture?
None of the youngsters I know dream about working in the tourist or agriculture sectors of Jaffna.
Do any parents in Jaffna want their child to become a farmer?
My experience is that the youngsters dream about going abroad, marrying a man going abroad or finding a government job in Jaffna.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / August 12, 2015
Dear Heretic,
The concerns you have expressed are absolutely correct.
If we unwilling to work and do what needs to be done, let us bring those from the rest of Sri Lanka to do the work.
We cannot behave like dogs in the mangers any longer. Our parochial political attitudes cannot be permitted to hamper development and economic renaissance.
If sections of the Tamil Diaspora object, they should be told to send back their progeny to serve, as the US Peace Corps of old did in the past.
Further, the provincial department has to pull up its socks and set about earning its keep. Better agricultural and irrigation techniques, new crops and marketing strategies have to be introduced fast, Value addition of agricultural products including those from the Palmyra palm have to urgent priorities. What is the Palmyra Research Institute doing? I was surprised to se no new innovations in terms of palmyra products being displaced at the recent exhibition held at Sangiliyan Park (Old Kittu park) in Nallur a few weeks back
The traders in fruits and vegetables are making unconscionable profits on the back of the farmers. I sent 10kg of Murunga from my garden for sale at the Chavakachcheri market. The traders who were retailing Murunga at Rs. 120/Kg, were willing to purchase what was being delivered to them at only Rs 60/kg and further discounted the value of 1 Kg . Their profit was over 100%!
How can the farmers earn a living, if this situation continues?
The NPC and the government has to revitalize the cooperative system of old and the marketing department to offer a better deal to the farmers.
This is why I have been demanding visible and tangible action in place of empty words and emotive slogans.
Dr.RN
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