15 October, 2024

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President Provides Leadership To Reconciliation & Needs To Gain Trust

By Jehan Perera

Jehan Perera

The government appears to be giving considerable attention to the national reconciliation process and issues arising from it. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is presently championing this process which was dormant for the past five years or more. The prospects for national reconciliation reached their height during the last period when he gave leadership to the government in 2015-18. The reconciliation process at that time had much wider participation than at present. As prime minister at that time, the president was able to have the entire parliament form itself into a constitutional committee which took on responsibility for different areas of constitutional reform. With regard to dealing with the aftermath of the war, late foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera, former president Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Consultation Task Force formed out of civil society took on a multiplicity of tasks.

By way of contrast, the reconciliation process at the present time is a narrower process led by the president with less consultation with other political and civil society actors. This is especially with regard to the issue that has got most prominence in recent times—the 13th Amendment and devolution of powers which is not only a national issue but also an international one as it was the outcome of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord which is in the nature of an international treaty. It is only the president who is standing up and making the case for it. Shortly after his election as president by parliament, the president pledged to resolve the protracted ethnic conflict and take the burden off the shoulders of future generations. He also said he would implement the 13th Amendment, which set up provincial councils as a means of inter-ethnic power sharing, and devolve powers in full measure as stated in the constitution. The president has been a lone voice in this regard. He has no political party with leaders who have popular support to back him.

The contrast could not be greater than with the peace process of the period 1995-2000 which was led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. She had the support of both her party and coalition partners. They stood together as one team and sought to take the message to the people. During that period, more and more people gave their assent to the devolution of powers and even the concept of federalism became more acceptable. However, President Kumaratunga could not succeed. The president and her government were opposed by a formidable array of opponents in which the LTTE, which was at the height of its military power and almost assassinated her, and the opposition political parties who burnt the draft constitution in parliament. On this occasion, however, there is no such formidable array of oppositional forces to confront President Wickremesinghe in his bid to reconcile the nation.

Clear Vision

The president addressed parliament this week to discuss issues pertaining to the implementation of the 13th Amendment. He said achieving this requires a consensus among all parliament members through comprehensive and open-minded deliberations. He also said that parliament needs to make the decisions as constitutional power is to enact laws and to amend them is vested in parliament. The strength of the president with regard to addressing the ethnic conflict is his clarity of vision in which he is able to see the problem from multiple angles. Therefore, the issues that he will be taking up extend beyond the 13th Amendment and the devolution of powers to a truth-seeking mechanism, release of LTTE prisoners and those alleged to have been associated in their activities and the establishment of the national land commission, among others. These are all necessary parts of both a political solution to the ethnic conflict as well as healing the wounds of the past.

At this time, it appears that the development of the core ideas of the president’s proposals are by the president and his core team of advisors. The process of development of the reconciliation plan has not been open or transparent one. The notion that the 13th Amendment can be implemented in full, but not the police powers, is not a position taken on by any political party or civil society organization. It seems to be the president’s own thinking and that of his team members who remain in the background. Similarly, the truth seeking mechanism with its unique structure of an interim secretariat, is also not an outcome of inclusive or transparent discussions with other stakeholders, be they the political parties, victims’ groups or human rights watchdog organisations.

In the draft legislation that has emerged, the truth seeking mechanism has been given a timeframe from 24 July 1983 to 18 May 2009. The beginning day is, curiously, the day after the anti-Tamil riots of Black July commenced. The end date is likewise curious. It is the date that the guns fell silent on the battlefields of war. The choice of these two dates will give rise to speculation as to why they were selected and what they leave out. This would be especially true of the end date which leaves out the enforced disappearances that took place for a considerable period of time after the guns fell silent on the battlefield, and during which time many LTTE cadres were surrendered by their families never to be seen again.

Not Consultations

In these circumstances, the proposals put forward by the government will need to be considered as proposals only, and not as final agreements to be enacted into law. They will need to be discussed, negotiated and amended. The president’s thinking that the 13th Amendment can be implemented in full as per the constitution, but without the grant of police powers could be like sitting between two stools. It will incur the concerns of the majority Sinhalese population and polity regarding the other areas of controversy, such as land powers, but would not appeal to the Tamil population and polity on the grounds that police powers are not being devolved. The concern that the devolution of police powers would give the chief ministers of the province the right to abuse the police is not correct. The provincial police will be under the total control of the central government and its agencies, such as the National Police Commission.

Indeed, false propaganda about police powers is rife and the government would do well to launch a massive education programme prior to implementing the 13th Amendment in full. With regard to the truth seeking mechanism, the government has held two discussion sessions with the participation of 60 to 200 persons at a time. Apart from this it has also held informal discussions with small groups of civil society leaders. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has spent an hour or two at such meetings describing what the government plans to do and taking questions from the audience. These meetings cannot be described as consultations or negotiations, but would be more akin to debriefing sessions by government members about the progressive steps they are planning to take. But even this needs to be appreciated as no one apart from the president in the government or opposition appears willing to think about a solution to the ethnic conflict or propose a way to solve it.

It is therefore important that the president and government be given a chance to solve the National Problem that has defied the attempts of other government leaders to solve it, beginning with SWRD Bandaranaike and Dudley Senanayake. The current government should not rush through the process of consultations and negotiations and set up the new mechanisms. There needs to be more intense consultations to get things right. On the occasions that Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has engaged with civil society groups he has stated that the government wants to get things right this time. Getting it right means having in-depth consultations with the relevant parties, including the political parties, civil society and the academic community. In particular, it means getting the agreement of the elected representatives of the Tamil people who have been steadfast in their demand for justice and accountability. If the implementation of the constitution itself is a matter of politics and not of law, then the citizens would have no means to hold those who rule them accountable. The implementation of the 13th Amendment would be a key test in this regard that would help to build the confidence in government needed for national reconciliation to happen.

Latest comments

  • 4
    0

    The author makes a few assertions which are of interest. He stats that “ ……many LTTE cadres were surrendered by their families never to be seen again.” Now there was the famous Office of the Missing Persons established during the 2015 – 2019 period. If the family surrendered and those who were in the rehab centers could be tallied and the OMP could have easily traced as to what became of the missing. That office was led by an eminent President’s Counsel. Is the author indirectly saying that the OMP did not do a proper job? The whole purpose of establishing “Independent Commissions” in the constitution is to ward of the ill effects of politicization. In that context it is a quirk that the Chief Minister being an elected figure and political to have a say in the administration of the Police under whatever amendment of the constitution. The author seems to harp that everything of the “Tamil question” is solved with the “Full” implementation of the 13th amendment. If so, for God’s sake do it and finish with the question. I bet my bottom dollar even so, the author will have something to write on the subject.

  • 2
    1

    I do not much fancy 13A. However, I’ll welcome it any time.
    What is 13A?
    In Jehan’s words, ’13th Amendment and devolution of powers which is not only a national issue but also an international one as it was the outcome of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord which is in the nature of an international treaty’.
    Added to these, 13A is in the National Constitution.
    With so much for it why is 13A still being debated?
    Every Head of State, including Indian PM, sees it as a political tool!

    • 3
      3

      “It is only the president who is standing up and making the case for it.”
      Jehan, How often have you had to eat your own words. Yet, your hunger doesn’t seem to desert you. Why.

    • 4
      3

      ‘The notion that the 13th Amendment can be implemented in full, but not the police powers, is not a position taken on by any political party or civil society organization. It seems to be the president’s own thinking and that of his team members who remain in the background’.
      Jehan, You said this, not I.
      Then, why do you want me to believe that Ranil Wickremesinghe is for 13A.

  • 15
    2

    This man is writing stuff that avoids stark realities. He ignores the fact that ranil rajapakser is dragging the country down with him in all spheres of society. Yet, if this writer wants to convince us that ranil is sincere, either he is dreaming or is in the pay of whoever is throwing black money around, to try and win back the people’s confidence. He talks about national reconciliation as if anything has been done to show sincerity. He should instead write about the record of police brutality and partisan behaviour, rank corruption, the impunity with which the powerful break the laws, how major criminals remain free while poor people suffer and are harassed, the now 50% of the population malnourished, the one third of the country now below the poverty line etc. National reconciliation will only come when the people (Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim etc) are treated fairly by the state. In a state of oppression and autocratic fascism there is no prospect of reconciliation. Do consider these when writing again.

    • 11
      8

      Is this a peace council or a piece of gravy council ? This man JP is at every cocktail given by western embassies . A traitor and scoundrel

      • 2
        6

        deepthi desperado silva

        “This man JP is at every cocktail given by western embassies . “

        So were and are many of the leading politicians (including members of Rajapaksa family), Army top brass, Patriotic Businessmen, Academics, functionaries, Saffronistas or their b***s carriers, ………. and our own Sinhala speaking Demela Ravi Perera.

        ” A traitor and scoundrel”

        Not really.
        They are the ones who let foreigners to grope their mother, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, nieces, grand daughters, ….

        Please refer to old wikileaks pages:
        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=wikileaks

        • 6
          2

          Vedda you sound so angry and gross. ! did you see any European diplomat groping the mother of any one at a cocktail party ! Perhaps your mother was there … and told you later
          These chaps you mentioned may attend cocktails but they are not mouth pieces for embassies unlike you JP .
          By the way why don’t you leave this country and settle in India, after all they are doing well now and you this country so much

  • 2
    0

    In his own words; Native’s favorite cousin …….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0S0q6Dt0Oc

    • 7
      1

      It’s high time people see Jehan for who he is!

      The National Peace Council (ජාතික සාම මණ්ඩලය) of Jehan Perera has no interest in Peace!

      If peace comes, it’ll kill the goose that lays the golden eggs for Jehan and his clique of parasites.

      So, Jehan’s only interest is to drag the “Peace Process” as long as possible and milk it for all it’s worth ………..by writing this wishy-washy insipid bullshit.


      The only way to establish peace is to appeal to self-interest. If peace with the Tamils is attained the “defence budget” can be reduced by 95% or more (I think it’s the biggest expenditure in the budget after the pol’s perks) and the funds used for education, health-care, welfare-payments etc ……… that’s self-interest even “Sinhalese-Buddhists” will embrace ……. if spelled-out in a simple straight-forward manner they understand.

      That’s not an area Jehan and his eloquence will venture into ……. his only interest is in nourishing and protecting his goose.

      Try and find a honest man in Lanka!

      • 1
        0

        Nimal,
        “The only way to establish peace is to appeal to self-interest. If peace with the Tamils is attained the “defence budget” can be reduced by 95% or more (I think it’s the biggest expenditure in the budget after the pol’s perks) “
        No, no, you don’t get it. It is the “defence budget” that provides employment to 300,000 unemployables. All from the master race of course. So, it is in their interest not to upset the system. The pol’s perks are nowhere near the amount spent on these guys. After all, there are only a few hundred pols.

        • 0
          1

          OC,

          In other countries that actually fight wars – not internal civil wars with one’s own citizens – they don’t want Dad’s armies of old men. So, recruits are given inducements to get out of the forces by 40 and go out and take up other careers. The war is over, there is no need for a large “defence force.” Imaginative ways can be found to retire them off. And reduce the numbers.

          There are many who never even went anywhere near the frontlines now parading as heroes …….. I have gone to the frontlines soon after the war and spoken to the actual combatants ……. and they had a lot of respect/admiration for the LTTE. ……. What would that armchair critic/coward Native know about the courage of “Tamil” youth …… like most “Sinhalese,” the mere mention of the word “Tiger,” he’ll be soiling his chair! :)))

    • 2
      0

      nimal fernando

      Thanks I listened to his entire speech day before yesterday.
      I have not found any issues or objection to his speech however sometimes it appeared he was trying to sit on the fence.

      One important issue he completely failed to address is the need to apologise by all partys that used violence as the main mode of struggle. Apology (or saying sorry) is a main problem for Tamil/Sinhala speaking people.

      You must encourage your fellow members of Velupillai Parabaharan admiration society to prepare themselves to say sorry for what their (your) leader did between 1975 and 2009. Hope Sinhala_Man would do the same with JVP members and ………

      • 0
        0

        The word: “Sorry.” without a meaning or intention is just another word. ………. https://www.newsweek.com/sorry-isnt-just-another-word-105181

        Native,

        “You must encourage your fellow members of Velupillai Parabaharan admiration society to prepare themselves to say sorry for what their (your) leader did between 1975 and 2009.”


        Which came first, the egg or the chicken? …… Will your fellow “Sinhalese” apologize for all the atrocities committed on the “Tamils” that compelled them to resort to reply in kind? Of course, even in that, as usual, the “Tamils” did a better job! …….. Than the mind-blowing-ly incompetent “Sinhalese!” ……. Look at the way they are running the country: do you, in your right mind, think that they did a better job at conducting the war?


        Prabakaran’s work is not done …… still ongoing ……. he’s working from beyond the grave ……. letting the “Sinhalese” screw themselves …….. the bankruptcy is just the beginning, pilfering the EPF was next: the best is yet to come!



        When will you and your fellow “Sinhalese” thank Prabakaran for saving Lanka from partition? You talk like a big man, are you capable of acting like one? :))

  • 2
    9

    Jegan Perera,

    Well said!
    The speech made by President yesterday in Parliament is in the correct direction. With police powers and some minor improvements in some other areas it could be an excellent proposal.
    Be patient, and build up a consensus from all section of people as far as possible.
    Let us build up a united country!

    • 6
      2

      Man,

      How much are you paid? Looks like you’re even better paid than Jehan to write this crap!

      The people don’t want the president: he wasn’t elected by the people; he even lost his frigging seat!

      Let him hold an election and see how many votes he gets! :)))

      Unity, your ass!

  • 4
    1

    Clear Vision near to the election and blind after election history shows why the country was in bankrupt, unlimited activity, of whatever kind, must end in bankruptcy

  • 4
    1

    According to TNPF in the letter written to the president “13th Amendment is not a starting point, not a solution to the race problem” . The letter written in English can be found here https://tamilwin.com/article/13th-amendment-is-not-the-solution-to-race-problem-1691625492

  • 3
    2

    In the headline “but Needs To Gain Trust” would describe the situation better than “& Needs To Gain Trust”

    That is his problem Trust. Even Mr. Sampanthan wants to delay a response to Ranil’s speech yesterday. There is a lot that is good in what he said but we fear getting burnt backing him.

  • 8
    2

    Divide and rule has been at play since the time of the colonial masters and that was the weapon used by them to keep our people oppressed.
    Since they left, our leaders have been using the same tactic against us.
    The idea that RW is working on national reconciliation is the most important step toward a definite move in the direction of nation building.
    There can be no progress without racial, religious, and other forms of harmony.
    I can truly appreciate RW if what JP is saying is true, because the more the people get connected with each other, the less trickery the politicos will be able to play.
    The real question we have to ask is whether the Yellow 🟡 pets will be in agreement with RW on this?
    For, if the people are in harmony they too will lose their importance amongst the Sinhala Buddhists. We have to wait and see.

    • 1
      0

      HT,
      I could nt agree 👍 more.
      .
      May u the kind of real srilankens be bred in our motherland.
      .
      That is my wish!

  • 0
    9

    ‘even the concept of federalism became acceptable’…..no Jehan. No it did not. Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar (May God Rest His Soul) campaigned internationally waking everyone up to the fact that the LTTE/Diaspora would simply use federalism aka ETHNOFEDERALISM to secede.

    If you had lived in Lanka during the war years you would have known that majority of Lankans did NOT support federalism.

    Jesus man, do better!

    • 10
      0

      liger
      Do you know why wars get started in the first place?
      It is when a set of people are unhappy with the treatment they are getting.
      I can tell you one thing very clearly, all those who oppose federalism are doing so because subconsciously we fear that some sections will out grow us.
      We are not ready to help ourselves and grow and at the same time we want all others to stay underdeveloped. What a shame. The majority are behaving like scared little bitches!
      When are we going to change? When are we going to have the courage to compete with each other in a healthy way?
      Why can’t we think of the bigger picture and look at this as an opportunity for the country to grow, even if it is in some parts?
      I am quite concerned about the state of mind of most of our Sinhala Buddhist fellows.
      Why are we so afraid change? Buddha said the only thing constant is change.
      We need to let go of myths and look forward to a brighter future.

      • 4
        0

        HT.
        “We need to let go of myths and look forward to a brighter future”
        You cannot teach truth to juveniles. This paper Liger is one such. Lots of loud imprecations, like the typical village thug, but ask him for evidence and he runs away. Be careful, you’re next in line to be called a keyboard terrorist.
        “all those who oppose federalism are doing so because subconsciously we fear that some sections will out grow us.”
        I didn’t want to hurt even a paper Liger’s feelings, but you said it.

      • 0
        2

        Human Touch, Old Codger, Leelagepissa
        There are quite a few reasons for wars to get started; in Lanka, war began because the ruling class during colonialism kept agitating for a separate state post-colonialism, followed by ethno-terrorists receiving funding from ltte-diaspora. Just thought id bring you up to speed.
        Last I checked houses, roads and schools were built post-war, yet diaspora and their local cuckolds paid good money to ensure that agitations kept going on. What a shame – we could have outgrown everyone! Stop being such scared little bitches! When are you going to change? Colombo is quite developed – not sure why you don’t want to extend that to the north (probably because that would see the return of the Sinhalese and Moors who were pushed out by your ltte). As it is we are competing to ensure the island doesn’t get split apart by terrorists – so many better ways to spend time but you insist on fanning the flames of separatism (like Sampanthan today)
        Its not federalism you and the ltte-diaspora want. Its ethnofederalism. BIG difference. As I have stated before, that WILL lead to secession and that will destroy the island. There was a professor a few years ago who said that federalism should be based on ancient Ruhunu, Maya and Raja Rata delineations but since that would not give the secessionist-Tamils a majority,

        • 0
          2

          it sadly didn’t pan out. Ceding an ethnostate will not lead to a ‘brighter future’.
          Buddha never spoke about lying down and being run over by terrorists/colonizers. Also Dhamma is actually a constant. Just fyi.
          There is NOTHING wrong with a non-Buddhist as president; how I miss Lakshman! Every leader of Lanka has to ensure that just because there is ‘foremost place for Buddhism’ that other faiths don’t take it as Buddhists trying to oppress minorities. A lazy and over-played trope.
          So how much do yall get paid by diaspora? Is the money really that good?

          • 1
            0

            Paper Liger,
            “There is NOTHING wrong with a non-Buddhist as president; how I miss Lakshman! Every leader of Lanka has to ensure that just because there is ‘foremost place for Buddhism’ that other faiths don’t take it as Buddhists trying to oppress minorities”
            So, what you are saying is, because there is “foremost place for Buddhism “, the rest must roll over and play dead. And at the same time you claim that non-Sinhala-Buddhists are absolutely equal .
            If even a Sinhala Christian can never become President, how the devil can you claim equal treatment? And you have the gall to ask what the problem is?
            “Ceding an ethnostate will not lead to a ‘brighter future’.”
            Maybe not. But leaving its development to people who can develop it instead of a particular master race WILL bring a brighter future. That’s what you’re afraid of.
            As for your obsession with separatism, in case you don’t know, separatism is different from terrorism. Terrorism is using violence against unarmed civilians, such as bombing hospitals and burning people on tyres. You know who did that.

            • 0
              1

              No old boy, – I was saying that all other faiths must be respected and no follower of other faiths should feel that they are ‘oppressed’ just because of that line in the constitution. How do you think non-Muslims in the UAE deal with the primacy of Islam? Do you think we feel that we have to ‘roll over and play dead’? There is plenty of interfaith harmony on account of people like you not being around to agitate and induce people of the non-majority faiths into a hissy fit. Not all lands need to be conquered for Christ (or Buddha), my dear.

              Who said a Christian cant become president? People don’t vote for non-Buddhists because they don’t feel that they’d be willing to stay away from excessive proselytization. That still doesn’t mean a non-Buddhist couldn’t run and be elected by the voting populace.

              On your ‘Maybe not’ re: Ceding an ethnostate will not lead to a ‘brighter future’.
              Thanks for confirming my point. End of story re: why Lankans will not allow for secession to occur through terrorism or any other ‘-ism’. And again, its really unfortunate that you and the diaspora wont let development occur by funding secessionism. You insist on being the ‘master race’ and disallow Lankans to work together to rebuild post-war. Man that salary of yours must be juicy!

              • 0
                2

                You insist on being the ‘master race’ and disallow Lankans to work together to rebuild post-war. Man that salary of yours must be juicy!

              • 1
                0

                Paper Liger,
                “How do you think non-Muslims in the UAE deal with the primacy of Islam? “
                Perhaps you don’t know that
                1 ALL UAE citizens are Muslims. The non-Muslims are immigrants
                2 The UAE is not a democracy.
                3. SL Tamils are not immigrants
                That will quash your inane red herring. So Dubai is where you rant from? Don’t try to teach me about the Middle East.
                “Who said a Christian cant become president? People don’t vote for non-Buddhists because they don’t feel that they’d be willing to stay away from excessive proselytization”
                The Mahanayakas have said so several times. Don’t pretend that you don’t know.
                Oh please, stop using that cliché “Thanks for confirming my point.”. It is so juvenile.
                “Man that salary of yours must be juicy”
                Is that your best argument? No wonder you’re afraid Tamils will get ahead of you if you let them.

                • 1
                  0

                  Little paper Liger,
                  If you want to argue on behalf of your tribe, at least be less pathetic.
                  1 You started off saying that the minorities shouldn’t grumble because they are treated equally.
                  2. Now you’re trying to justify unequal treatment because it happens in UAE.
                  3 You said minorities can do business anywhere in the country.
                  4. When I proved they can’t, you ran away.
                  What exactly is the point I am supposed to be confirming?

              • 0
                0

                Liger,
                “Who said a Christian can’t become president?”
                When there is a write to enforce No Non – Govigama Buddhist to be appointed, Governor could be appointed by ‘SUPREME BODY’!?
                How could anyone aspire to be HE President and Head of State (HoS) and Head of Government (HoG), being a Non- Buddhist Govigama!!! That’s asinine thinking and ‘DAY DREAMING’!!!??? The ‘SUPREME’ is incapable of thinking, because of NOT Praying enough & Preaching Enough!!

              • 0
                0

                Liger,
                “I was saying that all OTHER FAITHS MUST BE RESPECTED AND NO FOLLOWER OF OTHER FAITHS SHOULD FEEL THAT THEY ARE ‘OPPRESSED’ just because of that LINE IN THE CONSTITUTION”
                Who is doing any oppression – Not those benefitting from that line, but the opposite is TRUE!?
                Are you reading the Document in English, Sinhala, or Tamil!!???
                Sounds more like ANTIQUITY GREEK Pre Byzantine Empire!!??????????
                God help this poor soul to discern!!!???

            • 1
              0

              OC,
              Probably, the understanding of the word ‘SUPREMACY’ not understood by him!!! He believes the constitutional draughtsman has used SUPERFLOUS WORDS to pamper the uninitiated to believe, that they are getting a “CAKE WITH ICING, when in FACT IT ISN’T!!!!???
              Not certainly Colvin R De Silva, would have tolerated such Tom Buffoonery!!!

        • 1
          0

          Paper Liger,
          “war began because the ruling class during colonialism kept agitating for a separate state post-colonialism, followed by ethno-terrorists receiving funding from ltte-diaspora. Just thought id bring you up to speed.”
          So, can you name this “colonial ruling class”? You mean the Sinhala Karawe who became mine owners, like the Kotelawalas? Or the tavern renters like the Senanayakas? Or even one Bandaranaike who wanted three federal States? Perhaps you mean JR, who wanted to join India? Just to bring you up to speed.
          If you know nothing about history, don’t try to invent it. Worse, don’t try to cover your ignorance with clichés like “ethno-terrorism-“, “diaspora”, etc.

          • 0
            2

            And you think that violence via suicide bombers and child soldiers is somehow acceptable? Remember, Lankans did not support or fund bombing hospitals or burning people on tyres. It is a known fact that you and the diaspora would send money so the ltte could blow up buses and send children to their doom. Come on old boy, do better to understand Lankan history.

            All those families you mentioned weren’t clamoring for an ethno-state following colonialism. Ethno-terrorists and their diaspora supporters were; so my point still stands. And remember, ethnofederalism is not something Lankans will ever support. You should see what Rauf Hakeem has said re: North and East. Keep up would you?

            • 1
              0

              Paper Liger,
              “And you think that violence via suicide bombers and child soldiers is somehow acceptable? “
              No, it isn’t, and neither is murdering whole villages because one soldier stepped on a landmine, or shooting five boys in Trinco to teach them a lesson or even raping a schoolgirl and her mother. All documented instances of terrorism for which no one was punished.
              “Lankans did not support or fund bombing hospitals or burning people on tyres.”
              Of course they did. Even the Mahavamsa says that Tamils aren’t human, quite explicitly. I know you have never read it, despite your rants about “history “. Don’t you dare ask me for the page number.🤣🤣

            • 0
              0

              Liger,
              “Come on old boy, do better to UNDERSTAND LANKAN HISTORY.”

              History of the “Manufactured Type”, of which the “BOTTOM FALLS OFF, EMPTYING THE CONTENTS”, as in the case of someone trying and ascends the SQUATTING PAN – THRONE!!
              The acronym fo such happening is ‘BS’!!!???

          • 1
            0

            old codger

            Liar sounds like our good old Sinhala Speaking Demela, Ravi (Perumal) Prera. I am reluctant to use Demela as it will affront to Diana Gamage and make her very angry. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO4TvF-a6oY).
            By the way she encourages 24 hour society, legalising drugs, …… any chance of declaring this island a free country (free sex), …. enabling state to supply free condoms under every tree, bush, dilapidated building, ….. ?

            Yet Liar believes the status of this island being Sinhala/Buddhists should not be changed.

            Is Liar being gainfully employed?

            • 1
              0

              NV,
              SPLENDID PIECE and Rendition par excellence!!!???

            • 0
              0

              NV,
              Did she include Sex Toys too!!!???
              What other surprises; Not surprises would sprout out of her Pocket!??
              She is splendid!!!???
              Nothing better could have happened to this country and SJB!!??
              Wish she wins here appeal w/o hitch!!!???
              What for the Telling!!!???

            • 1
              0

              Native,
              This paper Liger apparently works in Dubai . Perhaps his Tamil supervisor gives him a hard time. There used to be another guy called Leonard (not LJ) of the same description.

              • 1
                0

                old codger

                “Perhaps his Tamil supervisor gives him a hard time.”

                I can understand why, perhaps he must be sitting on his head while working.

    • 6
      0

      Liger aka number one example for a Sinhala_ racist@

      If you didn’t agree with it then, you should agree now basta.
      Federalism is not division of land into parts. if anyone born to that soil, they are all the same. May Liger or the like men be blessed with more wisdom. !!!!!

      There should not be kind of difference when being treated them as citizens.Plantation tamil srilankens should be treated equally. Why should minorities be treated with a different spoon ? If all migrating Ukranians and syrians would be rejected from Europe, how would they have been feeling ?

      You the learnt men should have to act exemplary to others. Then only can stupid dominated srilanka hold you as examples. Like for example, who gave the publicity to DHAMMIKA paniya (just a mixture made by a mental patient) at COVID crisis, it was the POHOTTUWA stupid politicians (Wimal buruwanse, Jayasumana the dog and more of them) Regardless of the educational levels, people lined up to collect their rations not caring where it came from etc. Later only became it clear, that a schizophant concocted it as a syrup and message was wrongly passed to the public.

      • 4
        0

        cont.

        So long you guys behave like human-beasts, how can we ever think of a change for our good ? Why should masses be in misery because of you ?

        . Our Sinhalese-Buddhist racists (majority) do not think twice before rejecting anything. They become eternal pingonas by sadu-sadhu effect. Their psyche should be changed drastically, if we really want to have a better srilanka for our youth.

        Whenever you act like extreme racists, we non-racist Sinhalese campaign for a Tamil leader to be the president in the future. Now you will attack us calling NGO’s and Tamil Diaspora could be behind us. The fact is our people’s psyche should changed with a paradigm shift. Afterthat we can talk about making srilanka a singapore.

    • 2
      0

      Liar

      “Lakshman Kadirgamar (May God Rest His Soul) campaigned internationally waking everyone up to the fact that the LTTE/Diaspora would simply use federalism aka ETHNOFEDERALISM to secede.”

      Did you know along with Prof G L Pieris and Dr Neelan Thiruchelvam Lakshman Kadirgamar was also a co-author of draft constitution a copy of which was published by ICES titled SRI LANKA: THE DEVOLUTION DEBATE . (https://www.noolaham.net/project/37/3695/3695.pdf)

      Please refer to page 128
      IX Under Framework Relating to Devolution
      9.1 The Constitution will provide:

      (a) that the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be united and sovereign. It shall be a union of regions.

      (b) That the territory of the republic will consist of regions …..

      (c) …….
      ….

      ….
      Please refer to page 134
      Para 5
      ….
      Wherein the territories constituting the nation shall form one indissoluble union, the units whereof will be characterized by such boundaries and limitations on their powers and authority as maybe prescribed;

      The proposals mention union of regions.

  • 4
    1

    Jehan.

    ………The government appears to be giving considerable attention to the national reconciliation process and issues arising from it……Your opening line!
    The Archaelogy Dept; The Government Gazette etc etc are the instruments at various sites in Jaffna for a breakthrough in National Reconciliation eh?
    Jehan. President Ranil Rajapakse has mastered the art of Rocking the cradle and pinching the Baby……….

  • 2
    2

    The basic reason the President is unable to make any headway in the sphere of reconciliation is because he wants to solve all the tricky problems associated with it simultaneously instead of tackling and disposing of them one by one. For a start, he could focus his attention on releasing all the political prisoners in his capacity as president without wasting time by consulting every Tom, Dick and Harry. He can do it in one day as all he has to do is put his signature on a document. It is not such an elaborate, complicated and time-consuming process as some people try to make out. Because where is a will, there is a way!
    If he cannot solve this simple problem, you can bet your ass he will never, ever be able to get the 13th Amendment implemented. It seems to me that the president is just marking time as he wants to keep his chair warm for as long as possible.

  • 2
    1

    Dr Jehan Perera
    Is president working hard? Has he got a just govt?
    The President will have to work hard to establish a just government. 08 AUG, 2022 | https://www.virakesari.lk/article/132317

  • 2
    0

    LP
    You are RIGHT in what you say about the author of the above article. Just talking about reconciliation or appointing various commissions is not going to bring ethnic reconciliation. All of the law abiding citizens of SL, want the rule of law applied equally to everyone. Those who brought economic downturn should be brought to justice. Tamils as well as Singhalese would like to see the lawful/peaceful protests aren’t violently suppressed by security forces of the GoSL. Provincial Councils are NOT the solution for resolution to ethnic conflict. I don’t want Møre crooked politicians to fill up the councils! We need only one autonomous area for North and East or Federal state for SL

  • 1
    1

    It is too early to assess whether RW is very serious or not about implementing 13 th amendment. Rather than he depends on current parliament, he should have asked the People in a referendum or to implement the outcome of his all party proposals that was prepared during 2015-2019. but he didn’t want to do both.WE can come to various conclusions based on the past behaviour of RW. Ranil is considered as a fox who cannot be reliable.
    We all know that Rajapaksas can be brought under justice for the crimes they committed over the period including economic crisis. he can threaten Rajapaksas by taking all the cases that was withdrawn during the Gota’s presidency. I am sure that majority of Sinhalese also welcomed if RW did that. It could be also possible that RW wants to redirect the attention of the people on 13th amendment instead of the increased cost of living and negative impact of the IMF loan.

    • 3
      0

      Very good morning from Amsterdam for this weekend. light showers block me from my usual cyling trip to the woods.
      While getting ready to leave the hotel room, I thought of leaving some thoughts to you.
      .
      Dear readers, the mafia boss (aka Mahinda nation’s footman) and his fake forces are still cunningly keeping various clean forces under their umbrella.
      Brainwashing mechanisms are still powerful in grassroot levels.
      .
      The existence of Rajapakse politics and giving political power to illegitimate sons is his motive. The man is totally sick nevertheless to remain in politcs until his difficult last breath.Tripoli man and the like would have some in the more common with the buggers. What we should read correctly is none other than Mara, the main problem of social decline. Impunity against the bugger should not be continued if we really want a future for our youth.
      .
      The biggest obstacle to non-implementation of 13A was vagrants (Vimal Weerawansa), thugs (SB fundamentalists, dogs), criminals of various natures (Madhumadhava Aravinda and Dr. Nalin de Silva), criminals, radicals (Gevindu K) and their hate feelings. . . ., the rogue monk. . , extremists of various nature (fake Professor Jayasumana) and media fraudsters (Dilith Jayaweera and Hiru TV Force) etc.

      tbc

      • 1
        0

        cont.
        This must be made clear to all again and again, otherwise we will blame many for their biases that do not stand up against permanent solutions to the long-standing ethnic problem. I still believe that there are some sections that focus too much on the permanent solution, which is the biggest obstacle. I may sound naïve, but I still believe that there are more people like me in that society.

        You must know so as Vanatmulla garbage dump will remain as before, various kind of dire problems of whole lot of people remain as unturned. . People are innocient t and helpless and if a revolution does not eliminate vicious forces forever with a speed of tsunami, the existence of brutal politics led by Mahinda Rajapaksa forces will continue for a long time.
        Hoodwinking politics of Rajapakshes are like a tree totally infected by a cancer as leaves can no longer be formed.

        This is the alarming situation before the people yet today. People’s thoughts will not be realistic because their struggle in life does not allow them to think about anything other than existence. Is the JVP-led NPP doing the right thing? To me they are far from reality. .. The darkness of men is deeper than all else. Everything in Sri Lanka is more complicated than we expat-srilanken are forced to think

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