By S. Sivathasan –
S. Sivathasan
Placed before the country is an economic vision spread across several sectors, crossing provincial boundaries and bridging ethnic divides. Reference to North and East in a bid to take them into the economic mainstream is a clarion call to the ‘left behinders’. It is significant it comes off the highest levels. The onus is now upon the Tamils to develop on the initiatives made open by the Prime Minister and to sail along.
Change in the Offing – Or so it Seems
“We will pay attention to the imbalance in development on a geographical basis”- PM. So runs the statement.
In Sri Lanka geography denotes ethnic colouration, it also connotes historical rigidities. Yet overshadowing them is the melting process which has been at play for nearly a century. When the census figures for that period are analysed, changes in topography – ethnic and religious – are seen. Migration and emigration induced them within the country and out. To this phenomenon, economic changes, political turmoil and ethnically defined transplants made their contribution. Time seems now for the economy to direct our destiny.
PM’s Exposition
“We plan to rebuild war affected areas in the North and the East – we have discussed with Japan the possibility of convening an aid summit in this regard in 2016”- PM.
No better strategy could have been thought of. One recalls a similar effort initiated in 2002 and set in motion in 2003, with the thrust coming from Ranil, who was Prime Minister then. It was a multi-billion Rupee programme which made a difference to the war affected in the North-East and in adjacent areas. Tamils have to show interest and define the parameters.
“The airport and the port must be developed” – PM
This statement is with reference to the nation.
When going into specifics for the North, into that programme may be incorporated Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour projects, both of which are lumbering along for a quarter century.
“We will encourage air connections that will connect the North and the East efficiently to the rest of the country” – PM.
Most important is the air connectivity from Palali to Trichi and Chennai for a two-way flow of passengers and international tourist traffic. Trade will follow tourism by air and sea.
“The greater metropolis between Negombo and Bentota will experience a high level of economic activity, powered by global and local businesses” – PM.
It is the hope of the Tamils that the Jaffna Megapolis envisaged as one among 5 cities will experience a similar level of activity. The Peninsula and Kilinochchi is the space to so develop, powered by the globally spread DIASPORA and global and local businesses.
“We will establish 11 business and technology development areas … also commence work on the information and agricultural zone”- PM.
The vast war devastated North, lowest in Provincial GDP at 4% is well qualified to merit them. Diaspora investment can never be lost sight of.
Recognizing the Inevitable
For decades on end we Tamils have seen the onward flow of many rivers. Demographic incursion into Amparai illustrates my point most convincingly. So with certain other Districts. The status quo ante cannot be reinstated is an incontestable realization. The rivers will not flow backwards because they cannot. So, taking the current position of where we are, we are constrained to take off from there. A case in point may be cited. Being quite modernistic, PM asserts “Our approach to the development of ICT… will cover areas such as software development, innovation centres, ICT and science knowledge hubs, digital infrastructural services and support investment”.
The above are the norms prescribed for the future. To move in tandem with the way the nation charts its course, the Economic Policy Statement provides a decade long frame. Coming as it does from the Prime Minister with the full imprimatur of the government, bearings may be taken by the Tamils about the educational parameters they have to go by. Prospects for wealth creation too have to be noted and acted upon. The direction proposed for the country is clear and the frame is likely to remain for no less than two terms. To get into the employment stream Tamils have to note the mention of “Tremendous opportunities within ICT”- PM.
How do opportunities manifest? Through employment. It should be realized that ICT is high end and training needs to be specialized. Higher proficiency in English would make those proficient more than equal. This is the way for the Tamil side to be considered on par. No number of Articles or Clauses in bold type in the Constitution can ensure idealized equality. The perspective is long term and the beginning point is now.
Land Tethers
For decade after decade Tamilian obsession has been with land as sure security. It was definitely an asset of last resort. It was a source of wealth and of employment. It has certainly worked for agriculturists in times past. But times have changed and what a developing economy in a knowledge society offers are different. The young among the Tamils sidelined for long have to seize the new openings. The Prime Minister has outlined the intended changes and the likely outcome. Hence the bold assertion “We will lay the groundwork to provide 01 million jobs within the next five years”. Never ever can even a fraction of this come off land.
In an earlier era land allotments came the facile way. For colonist selection, successive governments placed premium value on the fecund and the impecunious. The fossilized idea of two acres and a goat dutifully added was supposed to make life livable by the peasant. It never worked. Now agriculture itself has become un-remunerative. Land is treated as of value mainly for buildable purposes. Agriculture becomes attractive only when producer subsidies visit farming with consumer subsidies in tow. This is a conspicuous feature in OECD countries embracing one billion people. Industry and services enable the subsidy regime. It appears Ranil’s economic vision plans to engage less and less farmers on less and less land to produce more and more food with leverage from productivity. The only worthwhile and workable strategy. What do others do? Prepare for the 1 million jobs in fields that are planned to get diversified.
Timely Preparation
Selection for ICT will demand a stiff process in talent identification. Prior training in college at AL or higher standards by teachers appropriately qualified in all segments of ITC will have to produce the catchment in the North for selection by the South. This is in the short term and it is unavoidable. Public – Private – Partnership initiatives may have to produce ICT curriculum suited for the international market. May it be known that Silicon Valley has a good Sri Lankan presence in firms not to mention academic institutions.
In the North, trained teaching cadres in more than adequate supply, well equipped computer labs, and a flooding of PCs in homes are indispensable. In Jaffna, determined intervention with parental authority should diminish mobike presence. They have to be bartered for Personal Computers. Senior students have to go in for special advanced courses in English. In accomplishing this, NPC is duty bound to focus diligently and deliver. As for the people and the diaspora, commendable munificence has been shown in temple rebuilding. More funds are now needed for ICT to benefit by the government’s programmes.
For the negative environment or lukewarm responses putting the blame on drugs or talking about indiscipline among students helps nobody. They have to be contained and mended through social intercession. Principals have a courageous and sustained task in this. As for infrastructure (telecom and electricity) the central government has to correct the imbalances. Nothing happens on its own volition. Provincial and central institutions need coaxing to become alive to the requirements of students. Who but teachers, students and parents can have a shared responsibility. Their engagement is crucial in this long drawn out engagement. This work is nothing short of social engineering to rectify the disintegration process induced by war.
Foreign Direct Investment
The preparation written about earlier is crucial to every sphere of economic activity. Without it dialogue for foreign investment cannot be contemplated. Nor can foreign ventures be managed. When a talent pool is available, a hurdle is cleared.
“The cornerstone of our medium term economic strategy is to generate employment and increase income.…We have to encourage foreign investment and investment by individuals”. – PM
Tamils taking due cognizance of the physical infrastructure already built up have to develop human resources speedily in order to garner foreign investments. Making a good assessment of diaspora potential and their propensity to invest in the mother country, the government too has to make redoubled efforts.
Negative sentiments against FDI have all but disappeared. Globally, stock of FDI was US $ 7.2 Trillion in year 2000. The stock was US $ 26.038 Trillion in 2014.
In banking on FDI to deliver results the Prime Minister is doubly wise.
So he is in placing a massive trust in Tourism. Success in the North in tourism will flow from a smashing of negative sentiment.
Vibhushana / November 18, 2015
Well, one area that is growing fast is tourism. The number of tourists are growing incredibly fast.
So how does a region respond? You can have regions that specialize in certain things. For example you identify an area that manufacture certain gourmet cheeses, fruits and nuts.
Then you have cultural circuits, nature and scenic tours, regions that have restaurants specializing in seafood etc.
Once these niches are identified you print brochures and leave it at the airports and hotels where tourist gather.
Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be imbued. I think it needs to begin at educational institutions. The universities must produce graduates who can identify opportunities and create these industries.
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ramona therese fernando / November 19, 2015
Vibhushana,
You speak of “gourmet cheeses, fruits and nuts……cultural circuits, nature and scenic tours, regions that have restaurants specializing in seafood etc.”….What a laugh!….guess you are being satirical.
The guy is lamenting the possibility of your aforementioned livelihoods, and wants Gosl to implement ICT asap, and nothing but ICT (that will also include doctors, engineers, lawyers etc.),….and with no engaging country employment context, Gosl will be at their wits end in trying to incorporate job-creation for that highly intellectual certain 2.3 million….and when they fail, terrorism will ensue).
But it will be a good thing if 11,702,700 working age Lankans can work in healthy fresh air and sunshine…….Lavender’s blue dilly-diddley .. …..(isn’t that what idyllic earthly life all about?). The one million others that Gosl aspires for, can go to ICT et al.
Of the one million in ICT, over 50% will be Tamilians (due to the superior brains technique)….good thing. They will drive the country well to provide the subsidies to the rest of the 11,702,700 (subsidies actually being conditional clauses that will make their ICT positions thrive within a stable country, steeped in tradition, culture, idealism, and happiness indices). What a nice way to buffer Sri Lanka from the excesses of global capitalism, and stay true to the traditional Buddhist/Hindu form.
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Nirmala N / November 19, 2015
Vibhushana
Mahinda Chinthana is much more responsive to the economic ills of Sri Lanka. The Tamils should have responded in kind than ignoring it. If Mahinda was re-elected, by now, there would have been an international airport in Palaly and Kankesanthurai harbour entertaining international ships.
Mahinda’s failure was his astrologer. He is a boru man.
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justice / November 18, 2015
Until and unless the army quits the north and east, and civilian administration fully takes over like in all other provinces, no development would be possible.
The new regime said that the army would give up all businesses but this is not happening, as the army is “a law unto itself”, and no government has total control over it.
All this day dreaming is ridiculous.
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Eusense / November 18, 2015
justice,
If you are not involved in subversive, illegal or anti-Sri Lankan activities who cares whether the Army is there or not?
If I were you I would not expect the Army to leave until the GOSL and people of SL feel it is safe to do so. People like you demanding the Army leave make me suspicious after what we experienced during the past 30 or so years. You need to win the trust of SL citizens first. Has any Tamil politicians or writers like you have done anything close to that?
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Davidson Panabokke / November 19, 2015
Many of my Sinhala brethren have a strange (and and an utterly unacceptable) notion that Tamils, while being trampled by GoSL, have to prove that they would not seek separation! Even if they prove it they may not most probably remove the army from the North which began to be militarised by Mrs Bandaranaike in early 60s because she thought Tamils protesting non-violrntly in early 60s would choose armed rebellion in 25yrs’ time.
GoSL (and Sinhalese too) should know that its duty is to be fair to ALL citizens. Then Tamils are unlikely to choose separation if they are treated fairly by GoSL.
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Barathan / November 19, 2015
DP
Your call for fairness is worthy of appreciation.
Tamils in state service are less than one percent (-1%). This means income from state employment is not even 1% of the national amount. Not many may know this. This is just one example.
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Eusense / November 19, 2015
Barathan,
You need to be smarter than that. The reason for Tamils to be <1% (according to you and if that is true) in state services is due to their inability to speak, read and write Sinhalese. 85% of the SL population is Sinhalese so why on earth should the state hire people who don't have any skills to cater to the this population? Look at the smart and industrious Tamils who do well in society and other Tamils doing well in the south. They all learnt Sinhalese. It appears that people like you are not the solution but part of the problem. You and DP think separate country for the Tamils is the best solution!
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Barathan / November 19, 2015
EU
You are abysmally ignorant that Tamil is also an official language.
Your knowledge of population statistics is lamentably poor.
Yet brazenly you pour out your miserable rubbish.
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Eusense / November 20, 2015
barathan,
It would have been useful if you had shown what was “miserable rubbish”.
The problem with separatists terror supporters is that they say things like rubbish, irrational, incomprehensible, nonsense etc. etc. but never able to point out and explain what, how or why they are rubbish, irrational, incomprehensible, nonsense etc.!
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Native Vedda / November 20, 2015
Nuisance
“85% of the SL population is Sinhalese so why on earth should the state hire people who don’t have any skills to cater to the this population?”
Good you have more stupid people than rest of the people put together.
What skill are we talking about? Of course crooks, thieves, drug smugglers, rapists, killers, war criminals, politicians, saffron-clad thugs, …… wife batterers, ….. need different kind of skills. You are satisfied Sinhalese are the only people who are trained in those skills for them to gainfully employed in the state sector.
Amazing people aren’t they?
Seriously what skill do you possess?
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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Rohane / November 20, 2015
Hi Eusense “It appears that people like you are not the solution but part of the problem”. Exactly it is! Because of people like you Eusense the problem will continue to exist. It is like; as long as your Nose do exist the cold will remain will not go Away. Would you chop your nose? I can see,You are just inside the well like that FROG. [Or in your own box] Communal minded. This attitude will not bring coexistence, but hatred and ill feelings- Phobia in you. SWRD had shown the way, telling the Tamils to demand for separation in 1956. Is that you too and similar minded people like you want? Then! Only time will tell when will this happen, may be in your life time. Every one are born free and they are equals in the eyes of God and for the UN. If you differ then why should you call Srilanka as Socialist Republic democratic state? If Only Sinhala Buddhist to live there, It should cut out the Words S&R call it as Island for Sinhala Buddhist. Is there no other ethnic groups in this Island? No other community should have the claim, to call it as their motherland? Thank God I am not a Srilankan. Who would feel comfortable living with foolish people like you. Ask your former President, he would be able to help you as to how to contact PR companies in the West to gain back your ‘State’s Dignity’ after people like you wilfully tarnish the country’s name. For being so foolish and you to have let down the country with all this sort of rubbish that you spin out. These PR companies are great they could white wash the stains caused by you, BSS& Ravanya, MR, Gota, and their Goons GLP.
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Eusense / November 20, 2015
rohane
What are you ranting about? Read again, there is no substance in what you wrote here! Take my post sentence by sentence and say why I am wrong. If not don’t waste you time.
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Eusense / November 19, 2015
Panabokke,
Are You saying Tamils are being trampled by the GOSL???
Could you describe what gov. does to Tamils to “trample” them compared to the Sinhalese? Also, give me a list of these trampling going on. Have you ever compared an average Sinhalese villager to a wealthy Tamil from Colombo or Kandy? Who is “trampled” here? Is there any difference between how a poor Sinhalese villager and a Tamil villager is treated by the GOSL or our society?
You sounds like a separatist. But as a citizen of Sri Lanka I do not want to separate my country. Specifically, because in the case of Tamils they are only 10% of the population. What is next? Separate the country for Muslims? Buddhists? Christians? Gays and Lesbians??? They all face some kind of “trampling”!
You need to grasp the fact that the way things are for Tamils to win the trust of citizens of SL, it will take a minimum of one generation. One reason why we had to go through 30 years of terror was the that our politician’s neglect to deploy the Army in the north early enough to nip the bud of terrorism. If that happened the total death count would be only a minuscule fraction of what we faced in 2008.
I am strong supporter of non-violent and negotiated settlements of problems. This is what the Tamils should do. Look at the Blacks of the US. They had no right to vote, education, own land etc. until the recent past. Did they resort to terrorism? Even today they are discriminated by the society. There is nothing more the US gov. can do. All non-discriminatory laws are in effect just like in Sri Lanka. But the society appears to be discriminatory and the blacks can use the legal system to fight back. But according to you Tamils in SL and Blacks in the US should fight for a separation? What a lame excuse! I will guarantee, that will never happen.
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CHANAKYAN / November 19, 2015
Eu
What a lot of irrational and incomprehensible nonsense has been spewed by you.
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Eusense / November 19, 2015
chankayan
Can you point out for me the “irrational and incomprehensible nonsense” in the post?
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Native Vedda / November 19, 2015
Nuisance
“Can you point out for me the “irrational and incomprehensible nonsense” in the post?”
However much you try you won’t be able to see it because you are sitting on your brain.
What is the difference between you and a knife?
/
Burning Issue / November 20, 2015
Euse,
How many dame times people of all colours tried their best to educate you? You unashamedly exhibit Chauvinism and call it Smart! Your attempt to assimilate the Tamils by crook and by nook will not work. You need to accommodate the Tamils by sharing power and allow them to exercise their language of choice. Your third grade gutter arrogance will not wash. You need to grow up fast!
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Eusense / November 20, 2015
bi,
None of the posters here are not “educating” me if you read them. Instead they use words like rubbish, irrational, incomprehensible, nonsense etc. etc. Read for your self and find out this. You sounds like some one who is looking for the truth. So why not educate me by responding to my posts sentence by sentence without personal attacks?
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Shrikharan / November 20, 2015
Eusense
“Even today they are discriminated by the society. There is nothing more the US gov. can do”
What race is President Obama?
Sorry to say you lack the ability to see both sides of the of the problem. For you troubles started with the birth of the LTTE and they are some lunatics who got together to fulfill a delusion. You refuse to see the Tamil perspective and simply dismiss it as a fancy tale. All these rightfully made many readers of the Colombo Telegraph to comment you are a racist.
We well understand being a Sinhalese we always give a margin and vice versa with Tamils. When I speak now I very well understand the fears each side sees. One cannot dismiss others views. One should be accommodative of each others fears. It is the refusal to accept basics which push Tamils into resorting armed struggle which you call ‘terrorism’.
Since you don’t know me in real life you may think I am a ‘terrorist’ and want to plunder the Sinhalese. Never so. I certainly will speak out, but I will not harm an innocent person whether he is Sinhala or Tamil. It was the long continued discrimination on the Tamils which led a peace loving and pious Tamils into violence.
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Tamil from the north / November 20, 2015
Nuisance the racist pariah has popped his head again. Shoo, go away mongrel.
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Eusense / November 20, 2015
tftn
wouldn’t it be nice if you rebuttal my post with your “facts” rather than personal attacks?
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Burning Issue / November 21, 2015
Euse,
Wouldn’t it be nice if you accept that you have been told, explained, and enumerated umpteen times about what the Tamil struggle is all about? I had a lengthy debate with you and at the end of it you said “good luck”. You had nothing else to say. Why then you shamelessly repeat the same thing over and over again.
Get it in your head, you cannot make the Tamils learn Sinhala by force! You cannot tell them what to do! You cannot tell them that they are smart if they learn Sinhala! You need to create conditions conducive for them to willingly learn. This is only possible by giving them space allowing them to feel at ease with their own language and culture. Now stop your abhorrent arrogence disposition that you austentatiously portray as if you do good for the Tamils.
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Eusense / November 22, 2015
bi,
Sorry, no body including you has not yet explained to me what Tamil struggle is all about. Please do so. Just give me the list. Like;
1………
2………
etc.
Tell me what SL law allow me to do that is not allowed you to do as a Tamil.
I have never forced anybody to learn Sinhalese. I say if there is a need to do so to improve their lives they should do so. You can have any impression on me regarding my attitude towards Tamils. But my attitude to all ethnicities including the Sinhalese is the same. If a Sinhalese is moving to Jaffna for a better life my first advice will be to learn Tamil. I am puzzled why you consider asking a Tamil to learn Sinhalese as an insult!
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Burning Issue / November 22, 2015
Euse,
Here it goes again……! The Tamils want to conduct their civil activities in Tamils; do you get that? They want to have autonomy to manage their own affairs; do you get that? They do not want you to tell them to learn Sinhala; do you get that? Above all they want to be Sri Lankans and at the same time want to keep their Tamil identity in every sense of the word; do you get that?
What the Tamils ask for is perfectly within the democratic framework and just. It is about time you abandon the idea of treating SL as a Sinhala Buddhist hegemonic country and start respecting the plural diversity and empower the Tamil community respectfully. I have said this umpteen times to you and you appear devoid of mental capacity to comprehend. You are like a broken vinal that is stuck in one track!
The gosl has accepted and along with nemorous world bodies have endorsed that what the Tamils ask for is reasonable and within democratic protocol. If you do not agree, it incumbent on you to have your beef with GOSL and leave the folks alone here. Do you now get it?
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Eusense / November 23, 2015
bi
Be specific. “Tamils want to conduct their civil activities in Tamils” What civil activities are those? What civil activities are not allowed to be conducted? Give the Sinhalese and the gov. a list of these. Give examples if you are serious.
“They want to have autonomy to manage their own affairs”
That is not going to happen. No country has given autonomy to a minority group to conduct their own affairs independent of that countries gov. In the US Hispanics are 25% of the population and speak Spanish. They are not given any kind of autonomy what so ever. Also do you think SL or any gov. is going to give autonomy to each minority. Why do you think Tamils are special and should be given autonomy after waging a terrorist war? Soon Muslims are going to be the main minority of SL. All over the world there are minorities in every country do they all get autonomy? That is not going to happen.
No body including my self is forcing Tamils to learn Sinhalese. What I say is 85% of the population speak, read and write Sinhalese. If they learn Sinhalese they can better their lives. That is similar to when Tamils move to Italy they learn Italian. Will you tell those Tamils not to learn Italian? People like you are a curse for all Tamils by making such inflammatory statements!
If Tamils want to be Sri Lankans they have to behave and show their allegiance to the country. Not suicide murdering SL citizens. Any Tamil who is not involved in terrorism against the country is a true Sri Lankan and will be treated as such.
What is your talk about disrespect to the Tamil community? Give me examples and specifics.
What are you trying to say by “Tamils ask for is reasonable and within democratic protocol.”. If you want to get things done you need to be clear, up front, and specific. Just blanket statements without descriptions appear to me that they are all empty. Specially when the laws of the country don’t discriminate any ethnic group.
I don’t think a single Sinhalese knows what the Tamils want as no Tamil leader has stated anything worthwhile to be considered. Tamils and Tamil leaders are making unnecessary fuss about terror suspects being held without prosecution and the Defense forces presence in the north. Tamils should seek legal assistance to solve these not satyagraha or hunger strikes. Both these issues are Tamil terrorism related and you should leave it alone for the gov. to make decisions. The more the Tamils press on these issues the more the gov. and the Sinhalese get paranoid of Tamil motives. Instead, try work on the future and more pressing issues that effect all Tamils.
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Burning Issue / November 23, 2015
Euse,
The time has come for you to fly a kite! The Tamils will get their autonomy and it will happen in our live time. Your chauvinistic stand stinks. Since 1948 you and your ilk have been systemically exercising majorityism at the expense of democracy. Things have now changed and you have nowhere to go.
If you think that the Tamils will never get autonomy why the hell you are here wasting your time? Go ahead and subjugate the Tamils and be happy! But you know that is not the case!
I have told you explicitly as to what the Tamils want and you have now moved the goalpost and asking specifics. Get real or go and fly a kite!
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Ajith / November 19, 2015
Eusense,
You as a Sinhala may not bother whether the Army is there or not because you are Sinhala and the Army is Sinhala. According to you you are not bothered about the safety of Tamils living with a strage Army which always a threat to the safety of Tamils. When Two policeman were shot dead you and your army and police burnt Jaffna library and shops and killed innocent civilians. You mentioned Tamils should win the trust of SL citizens. Who are these Srilankan citizen you are referring to? In your words, Tamils are not Srilankans? Unless this attitude change, there is no future for srilanka!
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Eusense / November 19, 2015
ajith,
Where did all this LTTE terrorism start? That is the reason I want the Army there. As I keep saying, if you are not involved in any anti-SL activities why bother? To be fair, how about you as a Tamil not bothering about the civilians in the south not being blown into pieces by suicide bombings if re-emergence of LTTE happens?
Yes, some times the Army will have to take actions on suspicion. Those are the consequences of terrorism where the terrorists can’t be identified. This happens in the West too involving Muslims.
One thing I know is that the Tamils in the north are more safer and free now than when the terrorists were there. I am sure you know the horror stories of Tamil families with their young children.
Though I do not condone harm to any public property I feel the perpetrators should have known that every action will have a reaction, unfortunately in this case the Jaffna library.
The Sri Lankan citizens I was referring to was ALL Sri Lankan born who are not involved in terrorism irrespective of ethnicity or religion etc.
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Native Vedda / November 20, 2015
Nuisance
The army, police and politicians together burnt down Jaffna Library. Wasn’t it terrorism on the part of the state and its rulers? Why were they angry with books, ola manuscripts, etc to the extent they had to destroy them?
Why didn’t the state take any action against the arsonists on suspicion? In case if you are unaware of the incident or cannot remember due to your age, the library was set on fire on the 31st of May 1981.
Was it because LTTE cadres were hiding in the old ola manuscripts? Did army and police find field guns hidden among the books? Or was the Chief librarian an efficient killer or LTTE marksman?
Why are you sitting on your brain?
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XYZ / November 20, 2015
Eusense
” I feel the perpetrators should have known that every action will have a reaction,…”
It also applies to the your side as well, when the birth of the LTTE was due to the reaction of Racist Governments on the Tamils. Unless you start looking and accepting your side of the fault people like you will get no where. Remember Tamils prior to the 80’s were never known to be violent and known to be very pious people.
So you agree the reaction against the protesting students by the police, the students have to take the blame for disturbing the peace same way you placed blame on protesting Tamil satyagrahis in the 1950’s.
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Eusense / November 20, 2015
xyz
So, if you want to continue action/reaction cycle who will benefit by it? That is why you need to negotiate in good faith, which I have said million times. There is no sides it is one SL and we all need to get together and progress without separation.
Yes, protest at your own risk. Raise arms at your own risk. Invoke terrorism at your own risk. This is universal and does not apply only to Tamils or only to the Sinhalese. It also apply to ISIS too.
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Suresh / November 21, 2015
Eusense
If a group of people, especially confined mainly to a specific region are oppressed or deprived of their fundamental freedoms and as rightful citizens/natives of that specific land, are dissatisfied with their treatment, then they have a right to seek greater autonomy or even in extreme circumstances, a complete independence from what they feel is an oppressive state. That right to self-determination is a valid right and an excepted right in many international treaties.
From independence, for many years, the Tamils were at the receiving end. Whenever they had a peaceful protest against discrimination, the racist policemen and the Sinhala GOSL aided thugs attacked them and later burnt their shops and looted their belongings. In addition, there were anti-Tamil riots in 1956, 58, 77, 81 and 83 where the innocent Tamil civilians who were not involved in any type of politics were burnt alive by the so called brave Sinhala Lions.
The LTTE is the direct consequence of the Sinhala Buddhist racist GOSL policy to refuse to share the wealth/political power among its own people (minorities), and instead suppress the legitimate Tamil rights by violent means. It is the GOSL which created this terrorist monster (LTTE).
On the other hand, the Sri Lankan Armed forces were also a bunch of state sponsored Terrorists, brainwashed by the SinhalaBuddhist Racists. They were highly racist and most in disciplined non-Tamil speaking (Sinhala) armed forces, forcefully occupying the Tamil areas.
The enormous degree of immunity granted to them by the GOSL had led to harassment, illegal detention, torture, disappearances, extra judicial killings, and rape of innocent Tamils forcing more and more young Tamils to take up arms for a liberation struggle.
Do you think that these young Tamil Boys/Girls are biting the cyanide capsule or blowing themselves up just for FUN? What other options did they have in the above situation?
Now let’s put it the other way,
Will you be happy if an extremely racist, highly undisciplined, and non-Sinhala speaking group of soldiers armed to the teeth roam around in your village/home town/traditional native land and harass, detain, torture, rape and kill your people?
How long will it take for the Sinhalese youth (Lions) to take up arms to fight them? Or will they be just looking the other way when their brothers and sisters get tortured, raped and killed?
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punchinilame / November 18, 2015
Sometime ago a Writer gave a very clear description of how a electric rail-service connecting all the towns in a circular route would develop the whole
province in all its spheres was made. I hope the NPC will study it and seek
Foreign Aid via the State as the most vital piece of development that they could
ever think of.
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Kettikaran / November 18, 2015
Any serious effort to develop the Jaffna District should include
(1) Enhancing the capacity and quality to 21 century standards the KKS Port creating at least 10,000 new jobs
(2) -do- the Palaly airport with regional (Trichy, Chennai) and international stop-overs (UK, EU enroute Toronto) Widening of the airport to receive the larger modern places is important. Creating about 3,000 – 5,000 jobs
(3) Up-grading of the Jaffna University and all its Departments to international standards with links to the better known Universities in the USA and the UK
(4) Setting up of ICT in conjunction with leading Bangalore and other Indian facilities to produce an annual cadre of high-grade Computer scientists enhancing their chances in the Western IT job market
(5) Making available plentiful supplies of River and water facilities to the District aimed at boosting Agriculture and Animal husbandry ventures
(6) The setting up of modern garment-export and other industrial units in the Jaffna District to create 100 -200,000 jobs among students with GCE and above educational standards
If steps are taken to make the people of the North see for themselves the Colombo Sinhala-dominated government is serious in their welfare,
all other related political issues based on the premise the South is determined to keep the Tamil people economically down, can vanish. If this is done there is no reason to doubt Sri Lanka will move towards real unity, peace and reconciliation soon.
Kettikaran
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Eusense / November 19, 2015
Kettikaran,
Are these your demands or your wish list?
What have/will the Tamils of the north contributed towards achieving this some day? Was it not Parabakaran who destroyed the future of a whole generation of Tamil youth by wasting their lives on a useless deadly terror war? The current politicians are opposing and conducting hartal against every activity of the gov.. Is that the way you think they will achieve these goals? If these goals are to succeed the GOSL will have to bring skilled workers from the south as we have lost a generation of educated and skilled workers in the north. Will you then say the gov. is making Sinhalese settlements in the north?
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Native Vedda / November 19, 2015
Nuisance
You are back.
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
― Albert Einstein
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
― Albert Einstein
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
― Albert Einstein
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
― Albert Einstein
“At least once a day, allow yourself the freedom to think and dream for yourself.”
― Albert Einstein
“One cannot alter a condition with the same mind set that created it in the first place.”
― Albert Einstein
“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.”
-Albert Einstein.
Nuisance
Did Albert have you in his mind observe you when he said all these gem?
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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Kettikaran / November 19, 2015
Let me make a long thing short to reader, our friend Eusense.
Prabakaran and the boys showed up, eventually, only because the Sinhala-dominated governments totally ignored to develop the Tamil majority areas. KKS Cement factory and the Paranthan Chemical factory, I believe, were at the behest of GGP when he was in DS’s Cabinet.
The current unrest and hartals are due to the Govt going back on its word to release the detainees – after both MRs and this regime agreeing to do so – in different phrases.
As to bringing Sinhala workers to the South to the North, I know this is in the Agenda and perhaps cannot be stopped. It will be as wise as Mrs. B sending her relative Gen. Udugama and his highly racially prejudiced army men in the early 1960s to a job that could have been easily – and effectively, done by the then multi-racial and efficient Police.
While you are entitled to your views – which are utterly unacceptable to the Tamil Nation, I am happy to note the Yahapalanya team has a more acceptable and practical approach on the cards – so far as we know. Naturally, these will not be to the likings of men like Weerawansa, Gammanpila, Dinesh G et al
who would rather let the country burn than sacrifice their racial-religious prejudices – their own raison d’etre, if you like.
Kettikaran
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Kuttayan / November 19, 2015
Kettikaran –
“KKS Cement factory and the Paranthan Chemical factory, I believe, were at the behest of GGP when he was in DS’s Cabinet.”
That was the gift GG Ponnambalm received for supporting Ceylon Citizenship Act ,depriving citizenship to the Upcountry Tamils (over half the Tamil population) who had lived in Ceylon for several generations.
Remember G.G. Ponnambalam who posed as the champion of the Tamils and minorities, voted in support of these discriminatory acts against fellow Tamils to enable him to continue in the cabinet.
Source – http://www.sangam.org/articles/view2/?uid=653
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tika / November 20, 2015
“Ceylon Citizenship Act “
Fascista!!
this was something like from the masters of the region who transported the so called senanayakas to the island initially. they were at bombay/goa until 1970 when their Estado Nuevo collapsed. (Portuguese/Spanish were corrupt to the core ; not that the Brits weren’t)
Just after WW2 it became a fashion for fascist leaning states to be anti-communist and get favoured by the USA.
(during WW2 Roosevelt and America pumped much resources to both Russia and China to defend themselves from attack by Troika Japan, Germany Italy- but the commies also created their one party rule dictatorship which upset USA)
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Vetmahadeva / November 19, 2015
Nuisance,
Can you name a similar comprehensive development package that have been proposed since 1958, before this particular proposal by GOSL that was opposed by Tamils.
This even a proposal only, but you must understand what is an objective of an development project or package before you comment or reply me.
I propose to second the proposal by Native Vedda that you are real Knife!
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Native Vedda / November 19, 2015
Kettikaran
You need to get authorisation from Hindians to develop Pallali and KKS since both belong to them.
Jaffna man/woman are too clever hence Americans and British should go to Jaffna and learn from them.
It is not only the government which deprive development but also the bureaucrats who think they need to control the North.
ICT is good however the future is in Nano Technology. The state should encourage invest in agriculture technology, food processing, being part of supply chain, ………… other areas. We can discuss these initiatives until the cows come home, however making it a reality is the billion dollar question.
You should spend some time writing a paper in this area and publish it here, in CT (so that we have fun).
I bet Nuisance, sachoo, Jimmy, Siva Sankaran (whatever it is), Somass, … could be relied upon for more fun.
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Kettikaran / November 19, 2015
Dear Native,
Some of our senior bureaucrats are far venomous and racial than the more extreme Sinhala extremist Ministers and senior politicians. I have had the misfortune of interacting with some of them over the years. The meetings were hardly enviable. After all it is bureaucrats like NQD, Nissanka W, Jinadasa, P. Udagama and the like who eventually were responsible for progressively dividing the two larger communities to the point of Civil War.
As to writing a Paper – thank you for the thought. But the material in The House today is not the type that has the patience or the grey matter to read serious writing. A recent Survey appears to reveal that some of them do not have even GCE (OL) while most have not gone beyond that watermark. With Legislators like that can a divided developing country reach development-economic goals – leave aside the more difficult task of building bridges between deeply strained communities.
Thank you for enriching the readership with some of Einstein’s
unforgettable two-liners. I enjoyed them tremendously.
Kettikaran
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Kuttayan / November 19, 2015
For Kettikaran,
Tamils = Jaffna
North and East = Jaffna
Srilanka = Jaffna
Grow up man and think little wider with open mind
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Native Vedda / November 19, 2015
Kuttayan
“Srilanka = Jaffna”
Which Sri Lanka are you referring to, the secular Sri Lanka or the Sinhala/Buddhists ghetto?
I am dying to know.
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Unreal / November 18, 2015
It was 50 years ago that the airport at Palali was declared unsuitable to be upgraded as the alternate to Katunayake to land international flights, based on the ‘poor’ quality of its soil. It was nearly 70 years ago that KKS cement factory was required to transport its limestone all the way to Galle, to deplete the growth of Tamil economy.
These economic manoeuvres highlight the step motherly treatment meted out to sabotage our economic liberation.
Now, you want us to believe that the mindset has changed?
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Barathan / November 18, 2015
Relentlessly write positively and change the mindset. Are you aware of the Rs 3 Billion plus Hospital Block in Jaffna put up by JAICA only recently? A first of this magnitude by Japan for the North. Japan too had changed her orientation.
Rajapakse government had finalised by 2012 a Rs 27 Billion water supply cum lagoon project for Jaffna. What steered it through? A changed mindset.Who derailed it? The Northerner.
What pulled out the trains and all the northern rails? segmented patriotism. What reinstated it a changed mindset.
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Unreal / November 19, 2015
Do you know why the northern rail road was dismantled? I don’t think you do.
If you know what made Japan change its orientation, you would not have made your comment.
If time has not made you learn, how can I?
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Eusense / November 19, 2015
Your name says it all!
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Sellam / November 18, 2015
For the past 70 years nothing happened to develop the North, only now many of our learned men are in the dreamland inclusive of our friend Sivathasan, No development will take place in the North until the Nationalist Sinhala government changes its attitude and which is not going to happen. The Tamil leaders too have to change and that too will never happen, for one thing the Tamils will never get together.
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CHANAKYAN / November 18, 2015
What a wisecrack. Pity there was no Sellam earlier for us to see a wiseacre more learned than the learned!
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 19, 2015
Will the Diaspora buy Batalanda’s Bullshit?.
They will certainly pretend, until all public land are handed over to the Vellalas, after the White Court finishes handing out prison terms to our brave soldiers.
Batalanda Ranil’s pathetic performance in Parliament trying to defend his buddy Kiriella’s tricks to hand over the Colombo Kandy expressway construction to their mates was pathetic .
WB promising this, ADB promising that and Private Investors putting money in between are all cock and bull.
It was proceeding quite smoothly under the previous Government.
Thy would have completed it the same way they did with the Southern Expressway and the greater Colombo Ring Road to connect Katunayaka expressway to the South.
China is the only country in the World which does real development work in Developing nations.
Even our mate Cameron is taking Chinese money to built their biggest Nuclear Reactor ever and the biggest in the World.
Chinese are building Train Lines and providing Super Fast Trains to even new member countries in the EU.
Diasporians who have the Dosh are not going to just invest unless their is a guaranteed return of 5 to 10 % more than what they can get in the West. even if Batalanada gives then land as collateral.
But our Colombo Elite who have been starved of Neo colonial rule from their beloved Ranil for 20 years, will believe what ever which comes out his mouth.
Don’t know about Megapolis, but Mega Police will be most probable if Batalanda’s White Court goes too hard on our Armed Forces. who liberated the country from Diaspora sponsored and financed Tamil Tiger Terrorists….
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Native Vedda / November 19, 2015
KASmaalam K.A Sumanasekera
“China is the only country in the World which does real development work in Developing nations.”
Your mother country UK too developed communication, railways, harbours, agriculture, banking sector, a bureaucracy, ……. ……. ……. ………….. etc in its former colonies. The act of kindness was not out of love for your inhabitants but to serve its metropolises.
Do you think whatever China does in developing countries is out of goodness of it heart? You need a lot of home work to do.
You can have a month break from CT, come back and tell us what you have discovered.
Here is the clue:
China is a peace loving peacefully rising middle kingdom.
China loves a piece from each of its neighbours, entire Africa, Prattal island, a piece from this island. How peaceful China is.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2015
China invest in staple economies like America, Germany, Britain etc. Buy their Bonds to fund their developments. Play the main job of risk taking of capital their economies. Take that profit and lends that cash to African, South Asian and other South American Modayas. For that loan money sends out used, dismantled machineries store damaged materials and prisoners as labour.
The chinese developments are not just used in Sri Lanka, even in many African, South American, Myanmar like countries, Gost are living. China is not exemption. There entire villages go not occupied after building. That is the case so far for the world largest Shopping Mall in China, the Mall of China.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2015
I read in a Tamil news a mini OSIL report has been released again by the visiting UN team for the disappeared persons in press conference they held in Colombo. Paranaga had sent CIDs to every witness houses to suppress their voices. Now every one of them in fear of Gobi’s end. You and your friend Batalanda Ranilthasan should read it. If accountability is not coming forth those who took pain will not be able the eat the food they make from the money they earn. Batalanda Ranilthasan is trying to cash on the flourishing new nepotism.
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Karaiyuran / November 20, 2015
Who is Paranaga? Who are Batalanda Ranilthasan and Batalanda Ranilthasan?
[Edited out]
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The Rogue Ayer / November 22, 2015
KAS,
“China is the only country in the World which does real development work in Developing nations.”
But there is no “free lunch”.
Honorable Ravi keeps repeating how we will receive unconditional money from the IMF and WB, how we don’t need any money and how we will never accept any conditions the IMF and WB might have.
Is it not obvious what he is worried about? The empty cash box and the future conditions he knows are coming or is he really ignorant?
If the conditions are not acceptable the only alternative is China exactly like MR did. China is not going to give soft loans to pay all our debts.
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Sengodan. M / November 19, 2015
For ICT development and more and better English, a start will have to be made at the school level soon. A main problem will be finding qualified teachers for same.
Sengodan. M
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BBS Rep / November 19, 2015
When the politicians in Colombo who have their snouts in the gravy train take their cut, when all the petty politicians jostle each other for their cut, when the military benignly take their cut and the police keep demanding protection money and get it, when the local thugs make unpleasant noises until his pockets are lined the decimated Japanese capital flow for the real development will flow only in stops and starts. Then the project capital investment will be revised and the aforesaid process will continue to take its toll – ad nauseum.
And the powers that be will clink their glasses and send their children to school overseas.
And the rural poor will tether the cows for the night.
And the frustrated Japanese will pack up his bags and head elsewhere.
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Mallaiyuran / November 19, 2015
Chandrikathasan wrote SWRD made a bloodless revolution. Now he is asking the latest to stay awake to capture the Ranil Mahata’s mirage. It has to be sole in the birth to go for these frauds.
Has ever Charikathasan wrote about the release of the political prisoners? Had he written about Paris Murders? Has he wrote a sentence anywhere about the woman going to be stone throned in Saudi Arabia. Did he wrote about the flood emergency in the North – East and water flowing over all the flood gates? It is really something defect in his gene with his so poor knowledge of economics just writing blah blah to how to supplicate a his Sinhala Intellectual Masters.
There is nothing left not criticised about diaspora by Chandrikathasan. His left and right governments has proscribed 14 diaspora organisation and 350 peoples violating a UN law. Then they hired this guy to advise the diaspora. They gave 2000 dual citizenships. To whom? Can this person explain that? Does this guy knows how many diaspora people were arrested when they came home? He is openly saying that Tamils should give up their claim on the land. Does he have a courage to tell that his new master Ranil Mahata.
What happened was, Old Royal Brother Prince melted the swindled Thalikokies and collected 40 metric tons of gold. Because of election was approaching, in a hurry they sold it to Japan for dried fish price. Ranil Mahata went to Japan to claim it back. Japan kicked him out. Now this guy is fooling the North-East Tamils thinking worse than the Sinhala Intellectuals. These guys are taking about the Chinese developments. Nobody know how China put the hands on the state computers and plucked out the Port City Land. Isn’t that is why Yahapalanaya government could not reverse the deals.
All what Chandrikathasan understanding is his mistress is gone forever so he want to become Ranilthasan.
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Karaiyuran / November 19, 2015
Dei Puna Mallaiyuran,
Why do you need everyone to write about Paris Murders for you to read? Can you idiot write something about it?
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Mallaiyuran / November 20, 2015
“Dei Puna Mallaiyuran, Why do you need everyone to write about Paris Murders for you to read? “
Hey Machchan, it is not for me to read. It is for you.
I know a person like you who can learn a language by only letters, it will be too hard to grasp. It is only just to get out you from your hideout and show out yourself. Where are you holed up? Did you hear about Abdelhamid Abaaoud. If you are in the shadow of New Royals, they may keep you some more time, before dispose.
If it were your Language you would not have had the heart to abuse like that. Would you?
Stay with us. Keep up you good job too.
We need Karunkuranku like you to explain and demonstrate what we have been talking about you all.
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Karaiyuran / November 20, 2015
[Edited out]
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Kuttayan / November 21, 2015
[Edited out]
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soma / November 19, 2015
We can further break this down to
-how Hindu Tamils can respond
-how Christian Tamils can respond
-how Muslim Tamils can respond
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Native Vedda / November 19, 2015
somass
“We can further break this down to -how Hindu Tamils can respond -how Christian Tamils can respond -how Muslim Tamils can respond”
And how Sinhala/Buddhist state, rulers and bureaucrats can stonewall.
And how you refuse to see beyond your nose.
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Vetmahadeva / November 19, 2015
Every proposed Economic Development Projects, be extended to North and East most war devastated area. It is also important that most fertile soil area of Valigamam north be released to the actual owners as part of meaningful reparation, Constricting defense system occupying areas would lead to livelihood to enhancement for the locals, and would contribute to National growth, – this factor has to be well understood by the authorities unlike in the past era before the war. The government shall shed off its shoddy thinking of that era as as well as after the war on the pretext of defense compromise risk, persisting of which would only push to continue the hate against the Government of Sri Lanka for only south oriented development projects.
Let that war devastated people stand on their feet with dignity so that they will give impetus to embrace and lift the nation on to a true progress path.
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alex / November 19, 2015
More promises from the land of broken promises. If all the promises from 1947 onwards had been delivered we would have had the net wealth of Switzerland by now. Sadly they have a genuine multi-ethnic state of many nations, and Sri Lanka does not. Judging by the foot dragging since that incredibly positive speech at the UN by Samaweera, it looks like not much is changing.
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D.Nimal / November 21, 2015
Tamil comprador political class is that it does matter whom they are ,which they belongs to what ever political parties, they are backward, feudalistic and pro-proxies forces by their born character to be serves for the Western Powers by origin of their political blood in nature.
Majority and most political leaders of past and current that Tamil political class of TNA, TULF, LTTE and other of few in numbers that they are NOT THAT REPRESTATTIVE of Tamils in any part of an Island.
What ever their roots Tamil leaders and Tamil political class is/was anti-Sinhalese and anti-establishments, anti- Democratic &
Pro-Western and lackeys of USA, UK and Indian big bourgeoisies.
All in all Tamil reactionaries of their nature of political-economy-social policies that base on surrender that National political-economy sovereignty to US and Indian vital interest in Indian Ocean.
The key issues of Tamil political class is that political aim is nothing else that Eealm or separated Tamil state in major part in Island ; and their political game plan has been extended to be exterminated Sinhalese race from Island of Sri lanka, which laid foundation Greater Tamil Regime in World Map by backing from US and UNO agencies.
The Tamil Exile Government, LTTE Diaspora of Tamils North Council CM Wignisnerasim and Majority TNA leaders want partition of Island for Tamil and Non-Tamil regimes.
To achievement this political strategy that Tamils has been used leaders of UNP-Ranil..W..,CBK and MS regime for their tools or agents win Eelam regime by bargain of Land and police powers.
Now Tamil political class want re-divided and revitalized whole economy come under the Foreign powers led by US led Multi-Nationals managements .
This will help of Tamil control Singhoporean model of Economy and its Tamil domination managing in Colombo center political power of UNP leadership of Raniil W….of UNP. Man like Ranil.W…
The visionless leader like UNP Ranil W… is political manipulated since 2015 January 9th.
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