Responding to the passing of the draconian Online Safety Act in the Sri Lankan Parliament today, Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Regional Researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International said: “The passing of the Online Safety Act is a major blow to human rights in Sri Lanka. The Act is the newest weapon in the government’s arsenal of tools that could be used to undermine freedom of expression and suppress dissent. Authorities must immediately withdraw it and ensure respect for the human rights of everyone in the country.
“Many parts of the Act do not meet international human rights standards including overbroad provisions that would restrict the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression and privacy online, and vaguely worded, subjective offences such as ‘prohibited statements’ as determined and declared by a powerful ‘Online Safety Commission’. The rights to freedom of expression and privacy are guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Sri Lanka is a State party.
“As people grapple with and voice their concerns amid hardships during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and the impact of government’s austerity measures, this legislation will be ripe for misuse by authorities and will be used to further restrict civic space, and crackdown on critics and opposition. In a year of elections, with a long history of cracking down on protests, the Sri Lankan authorities must demonstrate the political will to uphold their international human rights obligations and commitments by guaranteeing and ensuring respect for human rights before, during and after elections.”
Background:
On 24 January, the Sri Lankan parliament voted to pass the Online Safety Act. The Online Safety Act provides broad powers to an ‘Online Safety Commission’ including deciding on what constitutes as “prohibited statements” and making recommendations to internet service providers to remove such content and disabling access for those deemed offenders. The Act also includes a prohibition on ‘communicating a false statement’ which poses a threat to national security, public health or public order or promotes feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of people or; voluntarily causes disturbance to any assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies.
The Bill has been criticised by many activists, civil society members, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) who said the bill will have ‘a chilling effect on freedom of expression.’
Ruchira / January 25, 2024
Ranil’s road to prosperity by the year 2048 is carved at the expense of freedom of expression. Only time will tell what other expenses the Sri Lankan citizens may have to incur, along the way. A menace that needs to be nipped in the bud.
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SJ / January 25, 2024
Denial of freedom of expression is only a means to an end, as much as gross abuse of that freedom by vested interests running the dominant media.
Freedom of expression is among the least concerns of the IMF which is well set on determining the course of the country for the decade to come, if we remain incapable of looking at options.
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Ruchira / January 27, 2024
“Denial of freedom of expression is only a means to an end, as much as gross abuse of that freedom by vested interests running the dominant media.”
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I thought both are means to the same end?
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“Freedom of expression is among the least concerns of the IMF which is well set on determining the course of the country for the decade to come, if we remain incapable of looking at options.”
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I agree, but what options does the country has when IMF is the all powerful authority of reestablishing the legitimacy of country’s financial status?
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As for local politics, NPP seems like the option.
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whywhy / January 25, 2024
Harsha De Silva , ” This will have a severe negative impact on expanding
e-commerce in Srilanka , to provide jobs to our youth and help our economy
which is in desperate need of growth . “
Eran Wickramaratne said he did not understand why the govt was in such a
hurry to pass it .
The Asian Internet Coalition of which Apple , Amazon , Google and Yahoo are
members , warned ” it could undermine the potential growth of Srilanka’s Digital
Economy ”
So , Ranil is not their man ? They don’t appreciate Ranil’s family visit to Queen
funeral at Taxpayer Money , Sending Our ‘ World Largest Warship ‘ to Red Sea
To Stand By ‘ World Weakest Powers ‘ The US and UK ?
Do Wolves Howl ?
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whywhy / January 25, 2024
Ranil is not right But He Is Not Alone ! Setting Madamulana and Ranil House
Ablaze , won’t go unpunished , according to the Real Culture and Traditions !
More Should Be Expected and some Blames Should Go To The JVP / NPP and
the SJB for Their Cowardice .
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SJ / January 25, 2024
SJB, cowardice?
The leaders knew exactly what they wanted.
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whywhy / January 27, 2024
S J ,
” The leaders knew exactly what they wanted . ” Exactly , Thank
you for wrapping it up in a New Package .
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nimal fernando / January 25, 2024
If past history is any guide ——> Just look at JR’s presidential system that Ranil helped to usher in ………. who benefitted the most?
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CBK, Mahinda, Sirisena, Gota ……. and the SLFP-side of politics have been in power ……. more than Ranil or the UNP! …….. And used the dictatorial powers in the constitution to screw Ranil and any person/persons foolish enough to align with Ranil.
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Ranil’s/UNP’s opponents have benefitted the most!
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To some people Ranil can look like Churchill …… and sound like Einstein …….. but he is an unimaginable moron. Just look what he has achieved in 40 years in politics! …….. If it doesn’t dawn on people that Ranil is going to end up with one mighty fuck-up they are even dumber than Ranil ! …….. (Watch the movie Dumb and Dumber)
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Some people can look very intelligent …… or at times even brilliant ……. while – in the end – being foolish.
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The lesson herein …….. constitutions/laws ……. should be written/enacted fairly for the benefit of all citizens: not for the benefit of one individual/group/party.
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nimal fernando / January 25, 2024
Burn down Ranil’s library of useless – to himself and others/country – Buddhist books and replace the entire collection with just one book ……… A Theory of Justice by John Rawls
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“everyone decides principles of justice from behind a veil of ignorance. This “veil” is one that essentially blinds people to all facts about themselves so they cannot tailor principles to their own advantage:
[N]o one knows his place in society, his class position or social status, race/ethnicity nor does anyone know his fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities, his intelligence, strength, and the like.
According to Rawls, ignorance of these details about oneself will lead to principles that are fair to all. If an individual does not know how he will end up in his own conceived society, he is likely not going to privilege any one class of people, but rather develop a scheme of justice that treats all fairly.”
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There are many intelligent/knowledgeable/experienced Ranil supporters who should be telling this to Ranil …….. not someone like me who has barely sighted even a blooming school
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Nathan / January 25, 2024
I copy here, a comment I had made under the article, Online Safety Bill Debate Is Illegal, “When freedom of Expression is curtailed every other freedom is stymied!”
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Captain Morgan / January 25, 2024
Whose brainchild is the Online Safety Act? Name that individual and I will take direct action against him!
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whywhy / January 27, 2024
C M ,
For the first time in our post independent history , we have someone
displaying his thuggish behaviour that he had been covering with
sheep’s clothing largely all his life . People are being indirectly forced
by this man and his gang to react so that he can find a way to deal with
the upcoming Election carnival .
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Ajith / January 25, 2024
There is no surprise that this bill was passed with the same members of parliament who were behind Rajapaksas. It is a well planned bill jointly planned by the dictator monsters Ranil , Rajapaksas and USA. US ambassador has now gone silent and enjoys the developments. However, the political enemies of this group have an opportunity to defeat this group if they can unite together in the forth coming president election with a common agenda of removing this group from the power.
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SJ / January 25, 2024
America bad guy?
Interesting!
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Naman / January 25, 2024
What does Julie Chung say about the bill? Why is she and British Ambassador keeping silent on this undemocratic bill that has been passed by ignorant parliamentarians.
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Ruchira / January 27, 2024
Probabbly because they approve it? When did anyone ever cared about people? They are just expendable elements of the society – Like pieces of a chess board, moved at the will of the player, sometimes sacrificing for his or her benefit.
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Douglas / January 25, 2024
It is reliably learned that Ranil W is making a frantic attempt to impress the International Community by way of visits to foreign countries on the pretext of attending “Conferences” where world Leaders attend and make statements that relate to the Economy, Environment, Social Order and many other Political Issues.
Once he tried to enter the UNO and get into a powerful position such as an “Under Secretary” and that failed.
He knows there is no chance of becoming the President on a popular vote. He now boasts of his success in reversing the economic downturn of S/L. Yet his “FAILURE” in that respect is well known and felt by the people. He is also aware that his political life will come to an end with the oncoming elections to be held this year.
This “Cunning Fox” will try all tricks but he doesn’t know that the world has changed. He is simply marking his time to see the END. That is for sure.
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Ruchira / January 25, 2024
Nothing to reliably learn, it’s obvious from the very onset.
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SJ / January 25, 2024
D
He needs to impress to get the next few tranches of the IMF loan.
I do not see anything exceptional in it.
When you are hooked by the IMF you have to follow orders.
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Ruchira / January 27, 2024
“He needs to impress to get the next few tranches of the IMF loan.”
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While looking for rogue investors that would buy his fairy tales.
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SJ / January 28, 2024
Rogue investors will come, regardless of anyone’s fairy tales.
Some are buying property in a big way already.
How do we deal with them?
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Ruchira / January 28, 2024
Rogues (leaders) attract rogues (investors).
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How do we deal with them?
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As a start by getting rid of rogue leaders (like Ranil).
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Then having sound economic policies, including trade and investment policies with no consessions for rogues. Put proper procedures in place with long term objectives that could essentially vet out rogues. Basically strengthen the policy frame work, rules, regulations and laws. Drive by policies not by personalities of various character who could ring their best buddies overseas and get investments when in trouble.
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For example sound, solid, reliable tax regimes instead of tax consessions.
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Simply put vote for NPP. ;)
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Ajith / January 25, 2024
I don’t think that this is an end to RW because our people never learn the reality and you can simply ignore the influence of powerful nations and cunning politicians like RW and Rajapaksas. Even it is possible they can plan and implement a massive bomb into a Buddhist temple and put the blame on JVP/NPP.
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SJ / January 27, 2024
I like your fiction, although it lacks style.
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Sinhala_Man / January 28, 2024
Dear Douglas,
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Thanks for that assessment of Ranil. As usual you’re spot on.
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A request to all “Tamils and Muslims”: don’t split hairs. Please accept that rather racist description for now.
It is very important that readers whose other language is Tamil, especially, should appreciate the steady support that we are giving you from our “Sinhala Side”. All that we want from you is that you don’t rock the boat – for now. In certain other areas you will have to wait with a bit of patience until after the Presidential Elections in September/October this year.
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ramona therese fernando / January 25, 2024
The lengths they will go to protect the money they forcibly stole from the people is unbelievable. It is the power of that stolen money that keeps despotic Ranil in place. But there is only so much they can use to buy off international investment and opinion. The power of natural justice will soon come down upon them. Something radical should happen soon.
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Naman / January 25, 2024
The Tamil speaking SL citizens had been waiting for the power of Natural Justice to be served on all the crooked Politicians and Sinhala Buddhist Fundamentalists {SBF (lay/clergy)}.
Aragalaya unfortunately targeted the President and NOT the Parliament where the Gang of Thieves are operating from. I can NOT see the light at the end of the very long long tunnel
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Mallaiyuran / January 25, 2024
Yes, I am an undecided, semi-religious person. There is a deceiving word that has been invented in the West and we all use it: “Secular” religion. Sadly, that is not any different version of any religions in practice by the advanced or/and backward countries. Though I believe in something, I very strongly oppose actions like opening Ram Temple solely for political propaganda, which many Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs see as a threat to their religious freedom. Many time Tamil Nadu TV commentators, they are more secular than their northern counter parts, questioned if India is being walked in path (religious extremism) copied from her radical-evil younger sister, Langkang.
Yesterday, in the Langkang Parliament a bill was passed which is a tsunami blast for the 50,000 years of Human civilization. As we recently saw, many of the recent destructive practices of Langkang of past few decades on democracy were being adopted in the world’s most famous parliament like America, Britain, India………Democratic World’s deafening silence on this and the secret blessing to the Langkang masses on this dispiriting, oppressive, dismal, mournful occasion as “be alone and enjoy fully your new gift” is an indication” that this act too has lot of chance to corrupt not the Langkang Lives, but to spread as pandemic and corrupt the democracy on the earth.
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Mallaiyuran / January 25, 2024
Langkang is a country rated as 174th out of 179 countries for the pressmen safety.
As the world is mixed with good and Evil, we do not bless anything happened as good or foretell all going to happen is for the shake good. Before the French revolution take place, in “A tale of Two Cities, Jacquis dipped his dirty finger in the spilled wine and wrote on the wall “Blood”.
Langkang saw three devastating uprisings, annual celebration of riots and pogroms and even government operated jihadi wars, three state heads’ untimely deaths.
Meliyarai Valiyar Varutha, Valiyarai Deivam Varuththum. (Tyrants hurt the helpless, it is God who punishes the tyrants.) If Evil thinks that by giving gold of his weight to Elumalaiyan he has washed his past and future sins, he is deceiving him and his followers.
Nevertheless, God had sent his message, (approval/disapproval) of this bill to the UNP-SLFP union, immediately after they passed this bill. They can take this as a premonition of what is about to come or blindly walk into the fire.
I am talking about Nishantha.
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Lester / January 25, 2024
This is a good bill. Young children should be protected from harmful content on the Internet. Also, separatists and others will find it more difficult to promote their message within the country.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2024
Will there be a future law that children should not go to temples where Sinhala Buddhist Blad Heads are in action or Blad Heads should not be present in places where children learn and play?
Women’s and children’s safety is in jeopardy because of the Rapist security system and the bald heads.
Do you remember Vijayakala Maheswaran, the Yahapalanaya’s Minister of Women and Children affairs was dismissed for being exasperating that the women and children would be better protected if LTTE were there? So would you think LTTE coming back is better off for women children than enforcing a law, which is opposed by all other than the 108 parliamentarians, and which does not guarantee the safety of women and children.
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Lester / January 26, 2024
LTTE used Internet propaganda to brainwash people. What about Diaspora children going to “Maaveerar Naal” and lighting candles for terrorists, including suicide bombers. They also wore silly orange t-shirts showing a map of some fake state that didn’t exist. Of course this fake state (Peelam) “exists” on the Internet, just like Teletubbies and Harry Potter. But it is rather unfortunate that while tourists were visiting Sri Lanka and enjoying the local hospitality without any difficulty, young people with actual Sri Lankan passports only knew about fake atrocities and terrorists. A similar thing is happening with Islamic extremism. Several of those who participated in the Easter bombings were brainwashed through the Internet. It is up to the Sri Lankan government to keep people safe, even if it means restricting certain Internet content.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2024
Lester
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“They also wore silly orange t-shirts showing a map of some fake state that didn’t exist.”
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How about those thugs who also wear orange (saffron) garments and promote fake religion, Sinhala/Buddhism, …. believe they are immune from every law of the land.
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“Several of those who participated in the Easter bombings were brainwashed through the Internet.”
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How were the JVP terrorist motivated in the early 1970’s and between 1987 and 1991 when people never heard of internet?
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How did the rioters kill, maim, rob, destroy houses and business properties, …. without internet in 1915, 1958, 1961, 1977, 1983, …….. and….. the burning of Jaffna Library, ….. probably messaging through Talking Drums, Pigeon Posts, Smoke Signals, Marathon Runners, …….. ?
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2024
Lester
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“Also, separatists and others will find it more difficult to promote their message within the country.”
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Prabaharan or Wijeweera did not use internet to promote their messages within the country.
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The important issue at the moment is why doesn’t Lester pull his/her head from wherever it is now?
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2024
Lester
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“Also, separatists and others will find it more difficult to promote their message within the country.”
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Prabaharan or Wijeweera did not use internet to promote their messages within the country.
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The important issue at the moment is why doesn’t Lester pull his/her head from wherever it is now?
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“Young children should be protected from harmful content on the Internet.”
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First the children should be protected from religious and other Paedophiles also from poverty, starvation, ill-health, illiteracy, ignorance, child slavery …. then you can save them from separatists, ……..
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Please remind yourself, it was not the internet which recruited boys for LTTE however it was the Sri Lankan army that acted as LTTE’s recruiting sergeant.
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Lester / January 26, 2024
Vedda,
“it was not the internet which recruited boys for LTTE…”
You are right, LTTE went to the houses and forcibly conscripted them. While Diaspora sent their children to school in London and Paris. You blame it on monks, actually LTTE was fascist/Marxist, they had no religion other than worship of Sun-God Velu. “The name Prabhakaran means the Sun or Sooriyan. Later his sycophants and acolytes began calling him Sooriyathevan or Sun God.”
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Native Vedda / January 27, 2024
Lester
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“While Diaspora sent their children to school in London and Paris.”
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What a stupid typing.
Do you expect them to send their children to schools in Sri Lanka?
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Even the Throat slitting gesture fame Defence Attaché Brigadier Priyankara Fernando wanted his Children educated in the UK although he was asked to leave UK.
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Prabaharan was the creation of Sinhala/Buddhist politics, in which Saffron clad Stormtroopers, crooked political thugs, and fascist tendency played a key role. Premadasa and Mahinda supported him publicly, financially and politically too.
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Its time you rested a few days.
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Lester / January 27, 2024
Vedda,
Sinhala-Buddhists gave full citizenship to 1 million Indian Tamils who were brought here illegally by the British. GG Ponnambalam opposed citizenship for these people (Ceylon Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948). Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Tamils who lived in refugee camps in TN were not given citizenship or even residency after 20 years. There was no “genocide” in Sri Lanka. Between 1981 and 2011, the Tamil population in Sri Lanka increased by 20%. This is the definition of genocide: “In 1939, there were 16.6 million Jews worldwide, and a majority of them – 9.5 million, or 57 percent – lived in Europe. By 1945, Jewish population of Europe had shrunk to 3.8 million, or 35 percent of the world’s 11 million Jews.”
Jaffna Tamils discriminated against each other way before 1948. Velu was created from this, that’s why he executed TULF leadership and other intellectuals. LTTE created a dictatorship with zero resistance. Hoole was chased out of Jaffna. In Canada, pro-LTTE broke the legs of journalist Jeyaraj. Lampost execution, suicide attack, killing 600 policemen, killing monks, killing heads of state, killing Muslims in mosque. Rajapakse saved Tamils from this fascist enterprise. I nominate him and Shavendra for “Nobel Peace Prize.”
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Ruchira / January 27, 2024
Lester – I don’t know about Nobel prices for Mahinda and Shavendra, but I was told here on CT elsewhere in comments made under a different post, that the minority community in Sri Lanka shrank from one third to current one fourth, based on the statistics from the first ever census in the country done in 1881. Any truth in that? What are the demographic changes in proportions of total population of the three main communities between pre- and post-war periods, do you know?
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Lester / January 28, 2024
Ruchira,
Since this question of demographics has been extensively debated on CT, I refer you to https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/facts-and-fallacies-of-muslim-population-in-sri-lanka/. Note that the author makes numerous logical errors, such as claiming it would take Muslims 200 years to catch up to Sinhalese, demographically, even though the Muslim population increased by 78% in around 100 years.
“minority community in Sri Lanka shrank from one third to current one fourth, based on the statistics from the first ever census in the country done in 1881. “
You will see in Table 1 that the non-Indian Tamil population in 1911 was 528K, in 1981 it was around 1.9M and in 2011 it was around 2.3M.
Note that I am not against any group having as many children as they wish. It is a personal choice. At the same time, land and other resources are limited. If the standard of living also remains stagnant or decreases, e.g. substantial levels of poverty, one can forecast Malthusian effects. The government should be aware of these implications and take adequate measures to promote (not necessarily enforce) birth control.
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Ruchira / January 28, 2024
Lester – Thanks. That’s a rather lengthy article. Will go through it leleisurely.
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SJ / January 27, 2024
“Sinhala-Buddhists gave full citizenship to 1 million Indian Tamils who were brought here illegally by the British.”
NO. They were brought in legally and at times with the expressed wish of Sinhalese leaders.
It deprived more than haf of them of their rights and drove them to India, and after much struggle yielded.
Even today the Hill Country Tamils lack some important rights that other citizens have.
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“GG Ponnambalam opposed citizenship for these people (Ceylon Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948).”
He did not oppose citizenship. He collaborated with DSS in some ways to the detriment of the HCT.
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People can do without crocodile tears for them from racists.
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Lester / January 27, 2024
Kandy was INDEPENDENT for 400 years. Indian Tamils were only brought to the Hill Country after Kandy fell. Sinhalese were never lackeys of the British. Working on the plantations was essentially slave labor, that’s why the British recruited from the lowest castes in India.
“According to a history of the Planters’ Association, the first planter that attempted to recruit labourers in India was Lt. Col. Henry C. Bird in 1844. It was in fact illegal; it was not till 1847 that this stream of immigration was legalised by the Indian Government with the proviso that Ceylon was not used as a springboard to transport immigrants elsewhere.”
“The labourers usually travelled in gangs and were not always protected from exploitation by those who ran the 186 Int. J. Sociol. Anthropol.
sailing vessels; or against some of the local populace (CO 54/235; 1847). Also, they were certainly no protection from cholera and small pox which occasionally scourged immigrant and resident alike in the hill country.
(3) The planter treated their labourers with “disgraceful injustice and cruelty” (William, 1888) sick labourers were turned out of the estates; discipline was exceedingly arbitrary and cruel.”
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Lester / January 27, 2024
“He did not oppose citizenship.”
He voted against the bill the first time, but supported it the second time after joining D. S. Senanayake’s government. Voting in favor of the bill indicates opposition. Ponnambalam was an opportunist. He pushed for 50-50 knowing that the majority would never agree to it and a civil war would eventually break out. According to HLD Mahindapala,
“Besides, the climate was right for Ponnambalam to sow his seeds of racism. By the time he came on the political scene Jaffna Vellala leadership could no longer hold Jaffna together, under their Hindu casteist ideology. Equally significant is the fact that the turbaned Tamil aristocracy were either ageing or dying. The last of old guard, Sir. Ponnambalam Ramanathan, died in 1930. The gateway was open for Ponnambalam to fill the leadership gap. Influenced more by Nazi racism, Ponnambalam, filled the leadership and the ideological gaps with racism.”
“People can do without crocodile tears for them from racists.”
Racism is an easy excuse for those with weak minds. In 1938, low IQ Periyar called the Brahmins ‘mosquitos’, ‘bugs’ and ‘Jews’. Who is controlling international finance, technology, and Western foreign policy today?
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SJ / January 28, 2024
” but supported it the second time “
The same bill a second time?
Check your facts.
GGP was a cunning, certainly not as stupid as you suggest.
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SJ / January 28, 2024
“Kandy was INDEPENDENT for 400 years. “
How independent was it? Needing Dutch and Portuguese permission for trade transactions?
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Think of the state of the economy without the plantation worker, for decades even after independence?
With passage of time, Sinhala politicians wanted them here because they could not afford their luxury living without them.
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Lester / January 28, 2024
As a result of the “Crown Lands (Encroachments) Ordinance, No. 12 of 1840”, the Kandyan peasants were rendered landless, e.g. they had to give up their land involuntarily. According to this Ordinance, “all forest, waste, unoccupied or uncultivated land was to be presumed to be the property of the Crown until the contrary is proved’.” The British then turned this land into coffee plantations, but could not find the labor. This is when they started bringing in hundreds of thousands of Indian Tamils. In 1870, there was some disease which wiped out the coffee, so they started growing tea instead.
It should be noted, the Kandyans were neither stupid nor lazy. They were growing coffee well before the British invasions. What the British did is increase the size of the plantations and then bring in cheap labor to maximize production, essentially gaining a monopoly over the whole industry
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Lester / January 28, 2024
“Think of the state of the economy without the plantation worker, for decades even after independence?”
Do you have the economic data to back this up? What percentage of GDP are tea exports and how does it compare to contributions from tourism and foreign remittances, over a 20 or 30 year interval?
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Ruchira / January 28, 2024
This is a rather illumination discussion.
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old codger / January 28, 2024
Lester,
“What percentage of GDP are tea exports and how does it compare to contributions from tourism and foreign remittances, over a 20 or 30 year interval?”
What ignorance, even for you!
Plantation crops were practically 100% of export earnings, even well into the 50’s. You do have this skill for presenting lies dressed up as facts to buttress your arguments.
https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/publications/otherpub/25th_anniversary_review_of_the_economy_of_sri_lanka.pdf
Tea exports are still only second to remittances, because, unlike garments, imported inputs are minimal.
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Lester / January 28, 2024
Old Codger,
“Plantation crops were practically 100% of export earnings”
So Sri Lanka did not export rubber, cinnamon, etc.? Very interesting. Wanni economics 101?
“Tea exports are still only second to remittances…”
Tea exports are Less than 5% of the total GDP? So the politicians are no longer relying on tea revenue to finance their luxury lifestyles? Shocking. Why don’t you post exact figures, if you know how to do that.
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Naman / January 26, 2024
There would not have been armed struggle if the GoSL in 50’s 60’s 70’s had a negotiated settlement with the minorities. If we had 5 Federal States like in Australia we would have become a prosperous and peaceful country.
5Federal States are N&E; Central; Western; southern; North Central
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Lester / January 27, 2024
You must be one of those who think Velu is a genius because Sri Lanka went bankrupt in 2022. A hollow victory, since the country is no longer bankrupt. But Velu’s biggest mistake was not losing the war. Had he won the war, any “new country” would resemble something like North Korea, given the trade and other economic sanctions (LTTE was banned in 33 countries). Velu’s biggest mistake was isolating the Muslims. Demographically, the Muslim population is growing at a rate faster than the Sinhalese & Tamils combined. Any fool can see, Muslims will be in the majority in the North and East. Official figures indicate an increase in Muslim population as a percentage of the total population from 7.4 % (1981 census) to 9.5% (2011 census) – meaning total Muslim population has increased by 78% during these thirty years. Don’t worry about federalism, when Muslims are a majority in the North and East, the only law will be sharia.
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SJ / January 27, 2024
” If we had 5 Federal States like in Australia”?
What will an Australian style federal system offer?
May we check with the indigenous popualtion?
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Ruchira / January 27, 2024
That’s a classic one. Should remember to use it in the future! 😆
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