As Colombo Telegraph exposed a few days ago, President Maithripala Sirisena’s amateur Governor appointee of the Northern Province Suren Rāghavan had made an attempt at making an ‘official visit’ to India without revealing the mandate of his visit, nor the list of people he intends to carry out ‘government negotiations with’.
Colombo Telegraph can today reveal all letters sent by his secretary to the Prime Minister’s office regarding the proposed unconstitutional visit to India.
Speaking to Colombo Telegraph on the condition of anonymity our Foreign Ministry source stated: “Governor acting entirely on his own steam had sent a request to go to India to negotiate the return of refugees from there. This clearly betrays his own personal aspiration to enter active politics”
“it appears that Rāghavan, ignorant of the powers not vested in him has attempted to use his political shortcuts to undermine the authority not just of the central government, but that of His Excellency the President,” another Foreign Ministry source said on Sunday.
A source at the Presidential Secretariat confirmed this attempt by Rāghavan stating “Rāghavan kept the President in the dark when seeking permission that he was venturing in to a serious violation of the constitution. However the President’s Secretary Udaya Seneviratne has taken prompt measures to update the President to avert a serious debacle”.
Strongly disputing Rāghavan’s claim our Foreign Ministry source stated “Governor Rāghavan is not awaiting President’s approval. That is a lie. The permission was granted by the President who was kept in the dark about Rāghavan’s actual intentions. Presidential Secretariat forwarded Rāghavan’s endorsed request to the Foreign Ministry which in turn was forwarded to the High Commission in India. Rāghavan is fully aware of this fact. We have also confirmed that Sri Lanka’s envoy to India, Ambassador Austin Fernando, a former Governor himself, has communicated his fact based, forth right observations on this matter in no uncertain terms, saving embarrassment to the President and the government”.
When questioned by Colombo Telegraph whether venturing in to state negotiations is a power vested in a Governor of a province, Rāghavan stated that “it is, according to the constitution I know. When questioned if foreign policy and refugee issues fell under the concurrent list between the provincial government and the central government, Raghavan replied “I’m not sure, I have to refer to the constitution”.
Under the 13th amendment, subjects falling separately under the provincial government and central government are spelt out whereas those subjects shared by the two entities are maintained in a concurrent list.
Commenting further on this debacle our source at the Presidential Secretariat opined: “it appears that the overconfident Governor about to venture in to a bipartisan negotiation with India was basically unaware or pretending to be unaware that he would be causing a serious violation of the constitution and foreign policy. Such ignorance or arrogance and overzealous attempts at abuse of power by the newly appointed Governors come at a heavy cost to the President and to the government”.
Estate Labourer / March 13, 2019
When all the laws in the country are being flouted by everyone from the top down, why create a big fuss about this issue? This is nothing compared to other transgressions and violations of basic laws. The president himself is the No. 1 culprit. Even the Supreme Court is not following the correct procedures.
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Don Stanley / March 14, 2019
Making a mountain out of a mole hill C T Editors?
In order to attack the President while supporting Bondscam Ranil who should have been impeached long ago by the Presidential Clown, this report is very poor show indeed this is very mischievous reporting.
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K.Anaga / March 14, 2019
When correct procedures are followed the outcome becomes flawed for the Government. The sitting judge referred is considered a man of principle and ‘How I Wander What He Is now’?
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Old codger / March 14, 2019
CT,
Strange. Did you get Rajeeva Jayaweera to write this?
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SJ / March 14, 2019
OC
I am surprised too.
Even more by the silence of the people who cheered Governor Ragavan, for what seemed to me was an avoidable indiscretion, despite whatever good intentions.
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Champa / March 14, 2019
I don’t think the President was not aware. I am sure he was fully aware and it could be him who entrusted Raghavan with this task.
However, this is completely going overboard by Raghavan. A Provincial Governor has no authority to conduct discussions with another country on national issues. This is a blatant violation of the Constitution. If he doesn’t know his duties, he is not suitable to hold that position.
There is a move to change the voters list in the North again, prior to next Presidential Election in favour of the candidate who will receive President’s support. That is what is all about this.
On the other hand, the Northern Provincial is now defunct and Governor Raghavan is someone who was handpicked by the President, not someone appointed by people. Therefore, he has no authority at all doing what he is doing. He is only a ceremonial Governor.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 15, 2019
Champa, there is no smoke without fire. Few days ago Sirisena summoned Raghavan for discussion. It is only after this that this particular move surfaced. To say that Sirisena did not have knowledge about this shows ones naivety. You say that person appointed by President and not elected by people is only a ceremonial governor. What were you doing all these years when Sinhala governors appointed to northern and eastern provinces did not remain in their ceremonial capacity but interfered with functioning of the provincial councils, even violating constitutional provisions.
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Champa / March 15, 2019
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
I said Raghavan is a ceremonial Governor because there is no Provincial Council. Without a Provincial Council, he has no authority to spend the money or engage in any activities.
President’s action to appoint Governors where there are no Provincial Councils is only politically motivated and therefore, an utter waste of public funds.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 16, 2019
Champa, this move to send Raghavan to India to woo Tamil refugees was initiated by Sirisena and not by Raghavan. This is not a sincere action but for getting Tamil support for his re-election and to hoodwink UNHCR that they are serious about resettling Tamils. Sirisena in his typical lying and backstabbing style is denying it, putting Raghavan and Ilancheliyan in trouble. I do not think Ilancheliyan would have asked Raghavan to include his name in the delegation. Even to include name of Ilancheliyan would have come from Sirisena as he is admired by Sinhalese. Governors have to continue their functions even if there is no provincial council. From 1990 to 2013 there was no Northern PC and from 1990 to 2008 there was no Eastern PC, but governors were appointed by government. When you did not find fault then, why are you doing it now.
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Champa / March 14, 2019
If Raghavan’s political delegation is comprised of a sitting Judge, it is a serious case.
Did the Chief Justice grant Judge Ilanchelian the necessary approval to be in Raghavan’s political delegation? If so, under what basis was the approval given?
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Mallaiyuran / March 14, 2019
This is not the first time Judge Ilanchelian is being used by Appe Aanduwa. He was used in Vidya’s case too. That was conducted without Jury. Judges can do anything based on the papers put on them. So all three judges convicted the people claimed as murderers. But it was navy the culprit. Aanduwa was successful in making Tamils to believe that police caught the real criminals by getting a capital punishment to the accused from Judge Ilanchelian.
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JD / March 14, 2019
President of the Sri lankan LAwyers society is representing a Drug Baron. So much for the conscience.
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Buruwa / March 14, 2019
This article is not even worth reading.
What Dr Suren Raghavan did was act as a intermediary. Any body would do that. he would talk to both governments and relevant parties, then leave his observation and space for a parley to relevant governments. What is wrong with that. Please be aware that I am a Sinhalese Buddhist and read many articles from Dr Rghavan. He has very good knowledge of Buddhism and the effect of it in national question.
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Buddhist / March 14, 2019
Maithree said he will not go out quite but create a stirr. Well he and his golayas are doing it. The latest is Presidents international “sawaris”, is this the reason why he wanted his quota of the budget increased?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 16, 2019
Buddhist you are quite correct. Sirisena said ” Mama yanawanam, rata vinasa kerala thamai yanne”. Now that Mahinda has decided to nominate Gotabaya as the candidate for election of president, Sirisena has no chance of getting a second term. Since his dream has been shattered, from now onward he is likely to create chaos in the country.
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Ameray / March 14, 2019
Yes, yes, this what the terrible repercussions of amerturistic misdeeds of Sirisena, by putting square pages in round holes – all misfits. It all owing to his greed for power, and he appointed all these boot lickers to ensure and work on his second term. In the recent budget, he got the largest fund allocation to the president’s office, in addition to the separate allocations to all three ministries under him. Where are all these monies are going but used by him to play hell and do dirty politics instead of putting it to good use for the people’s welfare. Sooner the better, if people chase out this no good misfit, and he wouldn’t dersevered to be fit to stay in that office even a moment.
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K A Sumanasekera / March 14, 2019
Raghvan is trying to get the Refugees back into their Home Land.
.It is a meritorious deed which is better than giving Atapirikara to Malwatta or Gold Bullion to Tirimula.
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Can’t understand what all this fuss about it, especially after the Tamil Kingdom Party lead TNA has already got 85 thousand acres of Land released from the Government.
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Even if Raghvan brings 85 thousand refugees, they can have an acre each, although they may not have the “Deeds.”
Just imagine the Development which would result with that sort of mass migration ,especially if all those Funds promised by the West and the other supporters are pumped into it.
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Dr Ranil and Khema’s Boy ‘s New Budget is all about supercharging Lankawe’s Inhabitants Economic Development to be on Par with Hakka Chinese
In Light of that just imagine what a sea change it would be in the North,.
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Wonder whether Ragvan did run it past the TNA Heavy Abraham. because Abraham seems to be in charge there, after his mate ex SC Judge retired..
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I would have been delighted if Raghvan put that AVA Dude ( who did that interview with Derana Chatura) also on the delegation, because he seems to be a guy who Talk the Talk and Walk it too…when it comes to Refugees . War Widows and the other Oppressed in the Tamil Homeland..
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Naman / March 14, 2019
Governor’s idea is a good one…. that’s to bring back the Sri Lankan Tamils back to their home country. The question is has the Governor taken strps to find homes and livelihoods to those internally displaced war victims. The answer is NO.
Has he built houses for the extermally (in India) displaced prior to inviting them to SL?
The answer again will be NO.
So we the citizens of SL has to consider the travel to India is a ‘STUNT’
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Ajith / March 14, 2019
Naman,
Governor’s idea may be good or bad. I don’t know. I have seen some of the eye catching interviews he gave to the Tamil medias. He talked lots of Indian refugees, education status, water problem in the North, handing over of lands by military to people etc. However, we should understand that the country faces elections including Provincial elections this year. So, his appointment is temporary and President Srisena’s position is temporary. We should not come to an early assessment of a person until the election is over.
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Pon Kulendiren / March 14, 2019
ed After Varatharajah Perumal a puppet of India who was protected from LTTE leader , the present governor of NP ,Ragavan is another Indian puppet. Both have Indian links. I am of the view that before appointing Ragavan as governor Maitrei would have got the blessing from India as India has invested in Pallaly Airport and Housing projects in the North . Including Judge Ilanchelianis in the team strategy to side track former CM Wigneswaran Maitei know that the Judge is popular among Tamil and Singhalese masses. . Raghavan ( Keralite?) did not take any action to drive away the Army from the North and give back all the lands to the people. He over powers his powers and to stop violence . Sri Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu are living a happy life and looked after well. Until More rights are given to North and East the Tamil refugees should not return to Sri Lanka
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Rwkd / March 14, 2019
When our president violates the rules of the land left and right , his cronies think it comes as a privilege of holding office, brazenly violate the constitution without any compunction. Sri Lanka has so many politicians but we are deprived of any statesman.
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chiv / March 14, 2019
Lankan politicians will not allow one honest person to exist.What a shit hole.
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Ajith / March 14, 2019
This is Srilanka. Nothing happened based on the written constitution orwhat is wrtitten in the constitution. Top to Bottom in Srilankan politics are fraud, cheat, and fake. It is a well known fact that the current governor’s appointment to North and East are made by President Sirisena who violated both constitution and the judiciary only two three months before. Billions of brive exchanged by former President. Therefore we have no moral grounds to say that Raghawan and ILancheliyan violated the constitution and law against the will of the President. We all know how former President Rajapakse arranged a UK visit to former LTTE deputy leader and who massacred 600 policeman to travel with a dake diplomat passport. Unfortunately he has to face 9 months in prision for this crime but he was promoted to become a minister in this country. Even after all these violations and crimes both Srisena anD mahinda are the fovourites to become next president by the majority Sinhalese people.
In otherwords, majority of our people are in favour of violating the constitution and judiciary.
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chiv / March 14, 2019
I too question the motive behind this. Bringing back the refugees (especially from India) after many years with no rehab services what so ever may be another government manipulation to convince the international countries of reconciliation. This will in turn lead the rest/western countries, to follow the same path in sending back refugees. This makes the case stronger for Lanka and help in avoiding some of the current repercussions (war crimes). After the return of refugees world bodies will be under pressure to pursue cases further, , even though they are well aware of the sinister plans of Lankan government. It is obvious no one will be convinced by mere presence of the Governor , but definitely the judge can make a false impact on innocent victims and Indian /state government. This also explains why Raghavan was hand picked for the job.
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chiv / March 14, 2019
RETARDS, see today,s news. Government sending a group to India to bring back the despondent refugees, some after 30 years with neither hope,help or self worth. Where as a illegal boat was seized in down South, leaving to New Zealand consisting about 30 people, who were taken into custody. Which includes service personal (air force and army ) and surprise surprise a Pradeshasaba member (I am sure he was not too happy to leave his mother Lanka). Most if not all, are Sinhalese. Now who will be send in future , to get the rest who have already reached or soon will . People are in hurry to leave the shit hole and still you,ll have not given up on your bull shit ???? Sending Governor and sitting Judge. Who is next???? RETARDS.
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Good Sense / March 14, 2019
We had a Varatharaja Perumal in the then North East Provincial Council as the Chief Minister who made a unilateral declaration which is way outside the constitution. He and the entire council had to be kicked out and military governors took over. Now no elected PC for the Northern Province. The action of the Governor looks like something hidden is going on which is detrimental to the interests of the country. If the man is really interested in settling the refugee problem why does he not get the central government involved? Why does he want to do things on the sly and outside his own mandate? A sitting judge is also in the delegation. Is a judicial matter involved for sitting judges to be a part of the delegation? I think first and foremost, cancel the trip and initiate an inquiry to find the bottom of this.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 14, 2019
This is a hidden agenda, not to hold elections to Northern provincial council. President who is a backstabber, sanctioned it and now is distancing from it. Why government for the past 10 years not made any effort to bring these refugees back and resettle in their original places. This is because their lands have been appropriated by armed services and both Sinhalese and Muslims, in order to alter the demographic pattern.
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Champa / March 14, 2019
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
It is India’s turn to grant Indian Citizenship to those refugees.
We have given more than enough Sri Lankan citizenship to Indian refugees. It is time to balance this action.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 15, 2019
Champa do not distort the truth. Sri Lanka never granted citizenship to any Indian refugees. Tamil people of Indian origin were brought to work in plantation when India and Sri Lanka were part of a single British Empire. Therefore their entry into Sri Lanka is internal movement. At the time of Independence they had citizenship in the country and voting rights, having elected 07 members to the first parliament. Their citizenship and voting rights were taken away purely to satisfy Kandyan Sinhalese who lost at the election and did not want Tamils to represent their constituencies. It is this citizenship which was taken away from them by unfair means that was restored to them as per Sirimavo- Shasthri agreement. To call them refugees shows your racist bigotry. These people who shed their sweat and tears to develop the country were thrown out without any sense of gratitude. This eviction of one million Tamils is the worst case of ethnic cleansing surpassing the recent ethnic cleansing of Rohingyas from Burma.
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Champa / March 15, 2019
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
If Indian origin means not Indians, then what?
The Indian origin plantation workers were brought down by the British as Sinhalese, almost all of them who were wealthy landowners at the time of the invasion of British, were refused to work as labourers.
How could Indians going back to their original land be ethnic cleansing?
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Uthungan / March 15, 2019
Champs
Come when one day India gives citizenship to all the Lankans, that will be the day there would be rest and peace for all in the Island.
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Champa / March 14, 2019
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
Moreover, their identities and the authenticity of their documents should be established first. There is 100% chance for Indians to pose as Tamils in order to come to Sri Lanka.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 15, 2019
Champa as per geological, archaeological and genetic evidence Dravidians were present in Sri Lanka thousands of years before the evolution of the Sinhala ethnic group. Therefore any Dravidian in the world has the right to claim residency in Sri Lanka. As core genetic material of Sinhalese is Dravidian, how can you deny them.
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Champa / March 15, 2019
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
Ha ha ha ha
Dravidians were here before Sinhalese?
Your Tamil Sangam literature talks about Chera Chozla, Pandya and Pallawa and all those were in South India.
Dravidians are a collection of several ethnic groups which comprised of Kannadi, Malayala, Telangu, Tulu and Tamil. They look the same and their culture is the same.
On the contrary, Sinhalese have a different unique language which has no connection to any other languages in the world. Moreover, Sinhalese are in no way genetically connected to Dravidians.
Dravidian country is South India not Sri Lanka.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 16, 2019
Champa the racist bigot, Urn burials which are hall marks of Dravidians have been found in several sites in northern and north-western Sri Lanka, the latest being at Ibbankatuwa near Kurunegala few years ago. Similarly potsherds have been found in northern parts of Sri Lanka similar to those found in Tamil Nadu, the last being at Nanaatan school playground last year. Two sites of very ancient civilization have been found in Mannar, one in Settikulam and other near Giants tank. All were found by chance and not by design. Archaeological department full of racists will never venture out to find something detrimental to Sinhalese, blowing out the entrenched Sinhala propaganda about Sri Lanka. These clearly shows that people of Dravidian stock similar to those who lived in Tamil Nadu lived in Sri Lanka. When two genetic studies on Sinhala people conducted by Sinhala scholars showed that core genetic material in Sinhalese is South Indian, on what basis are you denying that Sinhalese are in no way genetically connected to Dravidians. To say Sinhalese have a different unique language which has no connection to any other language in the world is crass stupidity. Sinhala language is full of Sanskrit and Tamil words and the script is borrowed from Malayalam. There are also words similar to those in Veddhas language and Divehi of Maldives. There is geological evidence that at one time Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu were contiguous land mass prior to sea upheaval which separated them. proving the Tamil belief that Sri Lanka was once a part of Tamil homeland of Kumarikandam. With so much evidence and fresh ones to support it likely to surface in the future, efforts by racists like you to deny the truth about the past about Sinhalese and Sri Lanka will only come to zero.
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justice / March 14, 2019
Sri Lanka Tamils in India went there due to various situations and some do not even wish to return.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Tamils_in_India
The Governor appears to be not even aware of this situation.
He appears to desire to achieve political mileage by this proposed visit, and has roped in the judge who probably could not disregard the Governor’s “invitation”.
The Governor should firstly improve the situation in the north by getting the military releasing all land illegally occupied by them, remove constraints on their lives, livelihoods and religious places – while ignoring the hundreds of Buddha statues and Buddhist temples erected after the war ended.
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Champa / March 14, 2019
justice
“….while ignoring the hundreds of Buddha statues and Buddhist temples erected after the war ended….” After war ended??? After war ended????
Man, how long you can say this? Maximum 9 months. After the next Presidential election, all destroyed Buddhist statues, pagodas and temples will be restored.
Only in Gurukanda Temple, 5 pagodas have been demolished during LTTE time. Even Naagadeepa is the same story.
Many actions will be taken to restore our ancient Sinhalese Buddhist heritage in North and East and all lands occupied through fake deeds which were previously belonged to Buddhist temples will also be recovered. Your comment makes my blood boil. Wait and see. Sinhalese Buddhists will reclaim their rightful place in North and East, soon.
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K.Pillai / March 14, 2019
Raghavan to negotiate repatriation of civil war refugees in India?
No way. Dummies can see through this – even RAW.
MS wants to tell UNHRC that India is not cooperating.
India says Show us how you will them with housing etc. and the prospect of getting them to stand on their feet. India hints at the corrugated iron oven they have on offer.
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By the way, a serving judge in Raghavan delegation must not be an issue. Serving personnel from Lankan Uniformed Services have been rewarded with Diplomatic postings…eg Brig Priyanka Fernando.
PS: Raghavan will be ‘Chopped……Chopped’ at some stage.
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chiv / March 15, 2019
Yesterday one shit head has argued in parliament the same, as suspected. Army participating in international missions makes them free of all alleged war crimes. . So refugees returning back to Lanka alone, is enough for reconciliation.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / March 15, 2019
GOI to answer to the world why the refugees were not given Indian citizenship a long time ago when even the killers who were trained in the TN camps got refugee status/nationality/citizenship 30 years ago around the world got married/made babies and living happily ever after.
It is a shame the empty lands and homes owned by the diaspora in Jaffna yet to be distributed to the needy/displaced people of Jaffna and to those who remained stateless in India for 40 years running??
It is shame no investigative journalists who care of human rights have documented and reported this to the world?
It is shame million vista were not made by the NPC to address this issue with GOI??
GOI does not need to worry about the lack go homes if all the above was done a long time ago by the ‘human right lovers’ demanding blood from GOS??
The TNA folly of not able to even address this land distribution issue/brining back the SL refugees to their home and land where they belongs tells you these folks have no such interest?? Just asking for something from GOSL does not have a halucunated mindset proven beyond reasonable doubt in this issue alone???
Made a living Tamil….Tamil….Tamil for 70 years and robbed all the Sri Lankan Tamils of all they had now they want to work on the GOSL means the beneficiaries are someone else from day one???? who that is what we need to know???
Thank you GOSL for the efforts to help the Tamils when the so called Tamil loving Diaspora and the Tamil elected offcials never ever have to do a think in their life to be accountable to anything.
Tamil Nadu gutter politics in action. The same fate awaits the Tamils in India too little do they know.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / March 16, 2019
I hope Governor Raghavan will succed in helping the our people to return home for good and lead a normal life as per the pre 1970 era before the FP/TULF misery landed on our people. I also hope GOSL deligations sent to several other asian countries to do the same too.
I personally know people after the war trapped in Thailand/Malaysia and refuse to return and some are prevented from returning too. This is even after the locals have given them flight tickets back home they do not want to return……..some may even have died trying to get to their destinations, some spent their lives in local jails from such a young age…variety of stories/facts so absurd a TULF folly.
We should be lovingly working on a case by case/one by one to preserve human dignity not harping on about war crimes/constitutional crisis……the problem is TNA has decided they will use these unfortunate mother Lankan children for further political bargaining a good example of crime against humanity.
GOSL should take over all the empty homes in Jaffna including my Family home and give it to the needy…………..Tamils/Muslims/Sinhalese does not matter whoever the Mother Lankan Children. Move the Indian Consulate out of Jaffna as not sure about the purpose…….GOI should spend this money on Sri Lankan needy as part of their compensation fund for all that was done by TN government…..A criminal intervention to train and arm another Nations children facilitated by TULF. A child molestation event under any human rights charter.
Remove constitutional discussions based on TNA needs, war crime investigations to include all the killings since 1970 by all the players, remove all the provincial councils, rationalise internal security, remove identity political parties.
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Joyce Muthukumaru / March 15, 2019
I never trust my3 stooges Raghawan and Illanchai. They are eelam king makers.
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Mano / March 16, 2019
Oh My God !
Are we having so many Jokers around us better than Charlie Chaplin and Mr.Beans?
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Usha S Sri Skanda Rajah / March 16, 2019
Judge Ilanchelian must go over this. He should be de frocked.
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Agnos / March 16, 2019
Hey, impostor, don’t think you can fool people with your alias. The real Usha has a dash in her name.
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Agnos / March 16, 2019
Raghavan might have made a mistake in terms of misunderstanding his constitutional powers, but in a country where grave abuses of the constitution happen all the time and where war criminals and the corrupt rule the day, I can’t understand CT’s excessive focus on this issue.
Raghavan used to write articles on CT, so may be the CT editor can reach out to him and give him sufficient opportunity to explain himself. But in country where many grave crimes have been committed and people are still waiting decades for justice, there should be a sense of proportion in how CT covers these issues.
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SJ / March 17, 2019
Agnos
My experience is that CT will do no such thing.
It has published many a story without even asking the affected party for comment.
I strongly agree with your suggestion.
Governor R should, however, be cautious to avoid being seen to act on impulse, as he is more closely watched and by many more than any other governor.
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