Veluppillai Thangavelu
The shooting of the two Jaffna University students is a tragedy just waiting to happen. During the last few years tension between the armed forces and the general public was on the rise. Reluctance of the armed forces to release occupied lands belonging to Tamil people and failure to dismantle the numerous army camps in built up areas even after the war ended 7 years ago led to friction and despair.
It is claimed the two students failed to stop at the check point when ordered to do so. That may or may not be true, but within hours the Police headquarters described the death of the two students aged 23 and 24 as a fatal motorcycle accident. Police claimed that the two students had hit a wall and died of serious injuries. This version turned out to be a total lie by the police after the autopsy revealed that at least one of them was killed due to a gunshot injury. Under Mahinda Rajapaksa’s dispensation the police would have been cleared of any wrong doing. Or even decorated for their bravery like the shooting of five students at Trincomalee by soldiers on January 2, 2006.
Because of the regime change, President Maithripala Sirisena intervened directly to stop Police covering up the murder of the two Jaffna university students. He gave orders to interdict the five Police officers involved in the shooting. He also gave orders information department to issue a fresh statement setting the record straight. “Five Police officers have been arrested and immediately interdicted,” the information department statement said contradicting Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara’s headquarters.
There was no immediate comment from the police chief following the presidential intervention to ensure justice to victims. Ironically, the shooting took place a day after Ms. Izsak-Ndiaye, UN Rapporteur and human rights expert, asked Colombo to demonstrate its commitment to protect minorities.
Most agree that even if the two students were drunk and they did not obey police orders to stop as alleged by the Police, the shooting is totally unwarranted and very high handed. Naturally, the killing of the students has evoked strong reaction from not only the students, but also from all sections of the Tamil community. There were peaceful demonstrations not only in the North even in Colombo. There is even an ill-advised call for a hartal which will only inconvenience the traders and the general public.
The situation would have got out of control, if not for the prompt and decisive intervention by President Sirisena himself by ordering the interdiction and arrest of all the 5 policemen involved.
Unfortunately, even after the regime change, the Sinhalese dominated armed forces consider the Tamils as second class citizens. We saw this during the clash between the Tamil and Sinhalese students at the Jaffna University last July, 2016. The army sided with the Sinhalese students by providing food and refreshments. A National army of a country are proud to serve the country by defending its borders, democracy and sovereignty. Regrettably, this is not the situation with the armed forces of Sri Lanka. The politicised members of the armed forces do not think they have to serve the country as a whole and not a selective group.
Human Rights activists and critics of the government have pointed out that a climate of impunity has prevailed for decades where the armed forces can kill Tamils and get away with it easily.
The shooting of 5 students on January 2, 2006 sitting in the Trincomalee beach to while away their time was a cold blooded murder. Immediately after the shooting President Rajapaksa promised donor co-chairs that abuse of power by security forces would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that perpetrators of the Trincomalee killings would face justice, irrespective of rank. But he or his government never went after the murderers, namely members of the army intelligence /Naval Special Forces.
The brutal assassination of 17 aid workers (16 Tamils and 1 Muslim) by Naval Special Forces on 4th August 2006 also remains inconclusive. Known as Muttur Massacre, the said aid workers were from the Action Contre La Faim, a Geneva based NGO.
On 19th November 2006, 5 students (4 Tamils and 1 Muslim) from the Thandikulam Agricultural College near Vavuniya were shot and killed by a police officer and an Army soldier. Earlier on that day, five Army soldiers including an officer were killed when suspected LTTE carders exploded an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a military truck carrying soldiers. According to media reports, security forces arrived in the area after the explosion, assaulted the college students and shot at some, killing five.
To deflect international criticism over its poor human rights record, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COC) in November, 2007 to investigate and inquire into 16 alleged serious violations of human rights. He also appointed an International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) vested with a wide mandate to observe all investigations and inquiries conducted by and on behalf of the COC inquiry. But the members terminated their observation role with effect from April 1, 2008 complaining lack of cooperation from the Attorney General Department. The IIGEP in its public statement dated March 8th 2008 stated, inter-alia that the proceedings of inquiry and investigation have fallen far short of the transparency and compliance with basic international norms and standards pertaining to investigations and inquiries.
The eight-member Commission headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Nissanka Udalagama had its mandate abruptly ended in 2009 after completing only seven of the cases including above mention Muttur Massacre and Trincomalee killings.
On June 16, 2009 President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved the COC that he appointed two years before to investigate human rights violations. This move was seen as another demonstration by the government of its contempt for legal and democratic rights and opposition to any probe of the abuses committed by its security forces and their associated paramilitaries.
It is a known fact that since the beginning of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 1983, successive governments have consistently failed to adequately investigate or prosecute those in the security forces responsible for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. In cases of enforced disappearances, torture, indiscriminate attacks, and targeted killings, successive Sri Lankan governments have consistently failed to hold accountable members of the police or military who commit serious crimes and punish those responsible.
Yahapalanaya government committed to good governance has not taken effective steps to investigate murders/disappearances that occurred during Rajapaksa’s rule. At best it is only tinkering with the whole judicial and criminal process.
President Sirisena mounted a scathing attack against the Bribery Commission, FCID and CID and Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at the ‘Sathviru Sanhinda’ programme held at the Sri Lanka Foundation on 12th October 2016.
By any standards, President Sirisena’s outburst against public officials was ill-advised and ill-timed. Castigating public officials who lack means, opportunity and power to reply was an act of cowardice. His speech reveals that the all powerful armed forces are untouchable even under the promised Yahapalanaya.
CIABOC had been heavily involved in prosecuting intelligence officers and other military staff for wartime fraud, mis-use of power and corruption under the previous regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
President Sirisena said he had informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Cabinet of Ministers at a special meeting that ‘if the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission act according to a political agenda’ then he would be compelled to take some tough decisions. He was in particular angry that former members of the armed forces have been arrested over allegations of bribery and enriching themselves at public expense.
The shooting of the 2 students has some connection with President Sirisena’s defence of the armed forces and the impression they are beyond the long arm of law. President Sirisena has destroyed his image as an honest and upright politician, an image he painstakingly built during the past 22 months in just under 5 minutes of his high pitched speech. According to Attorney-at-Law and Civil Society activist J.C. Weliamuna “the Military Intelligence has a huge vested interest. They did an outstanding job during the war but after that they helped consolidate a political party. State funds and the Military were used to consolidate the Rajapakse regime. Those people are still there, their heads were never rolled and they can mislead the government.”
J.C.Weliamuna observation cannot be dismissed out of hand since he played a major role in changing the government in January, 2015.
Though, the war ended on 18, 2009, the armed forces remain in tact and instead of working towards demilitarization, the military continues to keep between 150,000 – 200,000 troops in the predominantly Tamil dominated north. In fact out of 22 Divisions, 16 are stationed in the North, 2 in the East and balance 4 divisions in the rest of the 7 provinces. A Division consists of about 10,000 soldiers. The overwhelming military presence has created uneasiness and resentment among the Tamil population. Concentration of almost 73% of the army in the North is preventing or slowing down the return of lands to the rightful owners displaced during the war. The displaced Tamil IDPs continue to languish in welfare centres, in rented houses and make shift huts. The following is the ground situation according to statistics provided by Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice:
Solemn promises given by President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and Minister for Resettlement D.S. Swaminathan that such welfare centres will be closed within 6 months from January, 2016 and the affected people will be resettled in their ancestral lands failed to materialise. Later, the dead line was extended to August, 2016 but that too came and went. In September, 2016 President Sirisena assured that the land issues in the North will be settled within the next three months, and the government has set up a special task force to expedite the resettlement process in the North. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera says all lands will be released by early 2017!
Arunachalam Kunabalasingham, president of the Valikamam North Rehabilitation and Resettlement Committee, a body representing IDPs, is critical of the government’s approach towards the displaced. A large number of the IDPs are from places such as Myladdy and there is a 12 km long coastline still under the control of the security forces. . “Without returning the Myliddy fishing harbour and providing free access to the coastline, the government will not be able to achieve much” he asserts.
Out of a total of 6381.5 acres of land occupied by the armed forces in Valikamam North, less than 2,000 acres have been released so far. The balance 4,381.5 acres continued to be occupied by the army. As a result people are still languishing in 32 IDP camps waiting re-settlement. According to data collected by DSs 1,158 families (4,238 persons) remain in these camps. They are located in Thellippalai, Uduvil, Sandilippai, Koppai, Nallur, Karaveddy and Point Pedro DS divisions; the majority of them belong to the socially dis-advantaged groups.
To rub salt to the wound while these unfortunate people rot in squalor and poverty, the army has built luxury restaurants, golf courses, health resorts, cantonments, swimming pools and even engaged in farming, fishing and dairy. The army is seen playing cricket in land owned by the IDPs this side of the high security fence put up by the army. And the army top brass says 1,000 acres out of the 4,381.5 acres will never be released for security reasons. The question is whose security? Certainly not the security of the people. Moreover statements like “not an inch more than the 500 acres will be released to the (Tamil) owners” is inflammatory and chauvinistic. It gives the impression the army is breathing over the neck of the government and they are not under civilian control.
During the war, Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed “the army is not waging war, but carrying out humanitarian operations to liberate the Tamil people from the clutches of the LTTE.” Now the LTTE has been defeated and people liberated, then what is the rationale for depriving the people of their lands citing security as a reason? Why have the liberators become the predators of Tamils? Why the Tamils en masse rejected Mahinda Rajapaksa at the polls, not once but many times?
Though there was a change of government the mind-set of the armed forces has not changed for the better. They consider the Tamils as a conquered people who have no equal rights. The victory parades held under Mahinda Rajapaksa reinforced such a mentality.
President Sirisena’s recent utterances are making the situation from bad to worse. Like his predecessor he too is opposed to foreign judges and investigators getting involved in the war crimes inquiry. He does not want members of the armed forces who violated the rules of war punished.
When asked to comment on the documentary “No Fire Zone” that claimed the Sri Lankan government targeted civilians during the civil war, President Sirisena told the BBC that he “doesn’t believe” war crimes allegations. This after co-sponsoring the US resolution adopted by the UNHRC on October 1, 2015. This volte- face may not sit well with US and other countries that supported the resolution.
Those who like to play hide and seek with the United Nations must read what Ms. Izsak-Ndiaye’s UN Rapporteur said after a 10 day tour of the Island. The special Rapporteur cited the failure of successive governments to address minority grievances and called on the National Unity Government to seize the momentum to protect minority rights, build trust and promote co-existence. Everyone who wants the country to prosper will welcome her observations. The special Rapporteur noted several broad challenges to minority rights in Sri Lanka, including:
(1) Inadequate minority participation in decision-making structures. To build trust in governance and transitional justice mechanisms and to foster shared ownership over these institutions, it is critical for minorities’ views to be included in decision-making processes.
(2) Inadequate minority representation in state institutions. For minorities to trust historically Sinhala-dominated state institutions there must be greater diversity in the government, provincial offices, law enforcement, armed forces, education sector, and health institutions. WAN welcomes the special reporter’s suggestion to employ community liaison officers to these state institutions as a first step to build trust.
(3) Inadequate institutional protection of minority rights. The Human Rights Commission and other institutions must be strengthened and allowed to act independently to protect minority communities. WAN welcomes the special reporter’s call for an Independent Commission on Minorities to specifically monitor laws and policies and encourage programming to promote equal rights. Victim and witness protection measures must also be strengthened to promote engagement with the courts and transitional justice mechanisms.
(4) Inadequate language access. Tamil and Muslim communities struggle with not being able to use Tamil in speaking to local authorities, judicial officers, police, Army, and hospital staff. This is a key concern as well for the transitional justice mechanisms; there must be sufficient Tamil-speaking staff to build trust and promote engagement.
(5) Inadequate demilitarization, release of detainees, progress in disappearance investigations, and land return. The government must show its commitment to minority rights by expediting the pace of demilitarization, releasing or charging the remaining security detainees, returning civilian land still held by the armed forces, and transferring civilian powers exercised by the military to civilian authorities. The government should also demonstrate progress in good faith by promptly investigating the disappearance cases currently pending before the courts.
The death of 2 University students by shooting would not have taken place if there was enough trust and understanding between the Tamil population and the Police.
There are only four leaders capable of lifting the country out of the political and economic quagmire it has sunk. They are President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan and ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike. These leaders must completely break with the sordid past and enact a progressive constitution that will prevent a repeat of the civil war that ended in 2009.
James / October 28, 2016
It has been the policy of successive Sinhala Buddhist governments to annihilate Tamils and Muslims. The Southerners want to make the island a Buddhist country. In their attempts to do so they have violated every Buddhist principle. Armed forces occupying North and East after 7 years following the war, grabbing civilian lands belonging to Tamils,building Buddha statues in North and East by the army, depriving the economy of minority citizens by involving army in agriculture and commerce in their occupied lands, Extrajudicial killings and intimidation by armed forces. Not to mention rape and abductions.
Srilankan authorities have never shown any signs of reconciliation. The government thinks they can hoodwink the International Community and the UN. Polarization between ethnic communities is at the peak. If there is no unity , the country will go downhill along with the minorities who are being subjugated.The initial step towards reconciliation has to come from the stronger and the major community and their leaders. Unfortunately the two major parties want to play the racial card to ascend to power
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Good student / October 29, 2016
James the Ignoramus,
Sri Lanka WAS a successful Sinhalese Buddhist country until South Indian Tamils started attacking us about 200 BC. It was attacked and plundered repeatedly because it was wealthy, the wealth created by the hardworking Sinhala Buddhists. The marauding, violent Tamils attacked our well built Sinhala Buddhist capital city of Anuradhapura for about 1200 years finally wiping it out a 1000 years ago. The Tamil thug who wiped it out was Raja Raja. Effectively he committed genocide on us.
Then when we rebuilt our capital city at Polonnaruwa the Tamil thugs were back in business and attacked us agian for about 350 years and wiped it out as well. WE DID NOT ATTACK THEM, THEY ATTACKED US. GET IT RIGHT James you dipstick.
It is after Polonnaruwa was destroyed by Tamil thugs (Kalinga Magha) that the Sinhalese capital ended up in Kandy.
Then in 1505 the good Portuguese Catholics attacked us (they attacked the Tamil and the Muslims as well).
We did not attack them they attacked us!!
When the Portuguese Catholics were persecuting everyone they gave “special persecution” to the Muslims because the good Muslims had invaded Portugal and Spain (about 700AD)and plundered and raped all the women there. That is why the Spanish look a little “brown” today.
When the Portuguese were attacking the Muslims in Sri Lanka our COMPASSIONATE SINHALA BUDDHIST KINGS Senarath and Rajasingha gave refuge to the Muslims IN KANDY AND EP. That is how the Muslims ended up in Kandy and the East. (Now the Muslims dominate the trade in the Island and are trying to be the majority with their very high birth rate slowly trying to destroy us and wait for it, the Tamils as well. Their long term miserable project). Tamils despise the Mulims. See all the anti Muslims comments by Tamil readers of CT.
When more recently Prabakaran attacked the Jaffna Muslims and gave them 24 hours to get out of Jaffna (Oct 1990)or be killed it is once again the Sinhalese Buddhist govt that came to their rescue and gave them refuge in Puttalam. You have also forgotten the Kattankudy and other massacres by the Tamils on Muslims in Eastern province.
Get you facts right before you open your big mouth James. You and other Tamil propagandists are like Hitler’s fascist propaganda chief Goebbels. So many Tamil kids are brainwashed by their parents, their teachers, their priests (Catholic [eg Fr Emmanuel] and Hindu), their Tamil politicians, the Tamil media and tamil journalists like Mr Thagavelu above who is simply no more than a monumental liar. It does EVERYONE harm.
Buddhist cultures are tolerant cultures. Its the violent and selfish minorities that abuse that tolerance. The Buddhists anywhere never invaded other countries like Christians and the Muslims have done. Its 2600 year old history is far more peaceful than the Christian, Muslim (or Hindu)cultures. Christianity and Islam always spread by violence. Check it up if you don’t believe me. Buddhism is a much deeper teaching. The Buddhists are said to have invented the number “zero” as now used in all mathematics, science and commerce!
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Nayakka Pandaram / October 29, 2016
The Arrogant Good student,
“Buddhist cultures are tolerant cultures. Its the violent and selfish minorities that abuse that tolerance. The Buddhists anywhere never invaded other countries like Christians and the Muslims have done”
Yes, that is why your COMPASSIONATE SINHALESE BUDDHIST chased out the Tamils the minorities – looting and burning the properties, raping the Tamil women and girls – periodically 1956, 1958, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983; and after that annually maneuvered the Smuggler Prabaharan into a warring warrior- so that by the name of war against terrorism did the genocide – dragging the war for 30 years!
Sathu, Sathu, Sathu, …………Sathu
By the way the last Kandian King Rajasingha was an Indian Tamil brought down by Pilimathalawa & Co for making a history….
Who imposed that atrocious claim that only Sinhalese have defend the Buddhism -Where as the Mahawamsa original in Pali says it is Island Dwellers…… It is a Sinhla Buddhist Chauvinist claim to suit their attitude to wipe out Tamils since 6th AD.
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Nayakka Pandaram / October 29, 2016
Correction Please
“Who imposed that atrocious claim that only Sinhalese have defend the Buddhism -Where as the Mahawamsa original in Pali says it is Island Dwellers…… It is a Sinhla Buddhist Chauvinist claim to suit their attitude to wipe out Tamils since 6th AD”
Please read as Follows
Who imposed that atrocious claim that only Sinhalese have TO defend the Buddhism -Where as the Mahawamsa original in Pali says it is Island Dwellers…… It is a Sinhla Buddhist Chauvinist claim to suit their attitude to wipe out Tamils since 6th AD.
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Arun Vincent / October 30, 2016
I was reading your reply with some interests because it was making sense but I almost choked when you ended that ‘The Buddhists are said to have invented the number “zero” as now used in all mathematics, science and commerce!’ omg! You are no doubt a ‘bad student’
Are you really serious? Buddhists where? The Buddhists who lived in Matara or in India.Do you know Buddhism is a philosophy and not a religion. Lord Buddha was born as a Hindu and died as a Hindu. You and I will not live to see that one day SaiBaba will be worshipped as God. Madame Teresa will replace the statues that appear in churches now and will be worshipped as God. This is what happened to Lord Buddha also. He never asked you people to worship him like this. He never expected that BBS or other nonsenses would be created to protect his philosophy.
To come back to your ‘zero’ matter, ok even if ‘zero’ was invented by Sri Lankan Buddhists 3000 yrs ago, so what? Does that mean anything to you. It means to me that they are still zero!
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Anpu / October 28, 2016
Than you Mr Thangavelu for this article.
“The shooting of the two Jaffna University students is a tragedy just waiting to happen.”
Nothing can compensate families of these two students.
We need the truth and the families must be helped financially by the govt. Thank to Mr Sampanthan and others who are pressing the govt.
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AVB / October 28, 2016
When / If elites like Thangavelu start giving up talking/dialogue and start ……?
Fools Fools Fools..
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 30, 2016
Anpu,
The following is yet the best investigative report on the death of the two undergraduates:
http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/49225
More facts will come to light in the future.
What appears urgent is the reform of the police, as a service. The police service yet operates on the basis that our colonial masters designed it. They were corrupt and brutal then and are yet so. The Police were designed to be a tool of the colonial masters and death with the poor and powerless with disdain. They were to be feared. They are yet so now. Remember we have one DIG in jail and another in remand. Both were involved in murder!
Whether Sinhala, Tamil or any other, most policemen-low or high ranking- are the same. The shameless and open manner in which traffic police take bribes., is a disgrace. They are fdrunk too, as tthe dusk sets .
The Tamil policemen in the north and east are no different or probably worse than their Sinhala counterparts.
Our male undergraduates and higher grade school goerrs – of all sorts, island wide- are also an indiscipline lot. They indulge in liqour and other nefarious activities. This is an island-wide scourge. I think it is worse in the post-war north.
Dr.RN
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Anpu / October 30, 2016
Thanks DR RN
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Non PhD / October 28, 2016
Dream on Mr.Thangavel. What can the 4 leaders do ? Do they have the blessings of triple gem ?
“Whether Mahinda Palanaya or Yaha Palanaya all the same”.This message was beautifully articulated by the Muslim Leader Azad Ali in the press briefing / interview.
It looks like Sri sena is happy now and believes he won’t go 6 feet under the ground even if Gotha becomes president.
Reason Srisena has now put SLFP interest and armed forces ibterest first before the country’s interest. It won’t be a surprise if Srisena use his presidential power and sabotage the new constitution.
Triple Gem will protect Srisena Raja pause make up.
Minorities will be lovers for ever
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malik / October 28, 2016
What Bloody Rubbish, A Outdated Graphic lifted from a conspiracy websit, and old copy and paste job.
FIRSTLY Lets face the facts. It was NOT the ARMY or military that shot these boy’s. It was the police. And this Incident was not a isolated incident relegated to Jaffna alone, If the copy and paste hack bothered to research you would see similar notorious incidents in other parts of the country.
Just last year the embilipitiya was the most notorious,
This is to do with BAD policing nothing else. SL police are the most hated in the nation.
How many gunshots deaths have occurred since 2009? by military action. NONE. FACTs.
These fools don’t give two dams about these two boys or any other person killed by police. The reform of police is needed. Now every pundit is heart broken and using the ethnic card, military etc etc etc the usual.
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umberto gui / October 29, 2016
Malik the shit head
You are talking, as usual, through your back side which has not been used regularly now by the armed forces. You want to put it into service it again, no doubt, your wish will be granted soon. So dumbo be patient.
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malik / October 29, 2016
@ umberto gui
YES TYPICAL EELAMIST, When TRUE AND REAL FACTS ARE STATED, to rubbish their propaganda, they resort to attacks, in my case verbal, in other people’s cases like the gang’s roaming physical. You have just confirmed All my points.
Thanks.
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Native Vedda / October 29, 2016
malik
“And this Incident was not a isolated incident relegated to Jaffna alone, If the copy and paste hack bothered to research you would see similar notorious incidents in other parts of the country.”
You seem to be through with your with your information, I envy you. Could you let us have a detailed list of such island wide murders that have been committed by police say since 1948.
I am bit thick and I don’t understand many things.
If murders are being committed by police on a regular basis in other parts of the island or in USA does it justify further murders in all over this island?
“The reform of police is needed.”
Why hasn’t this been taken up seriously. Who is supposed to reform the police, the university teachers perhaps?
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malik / October 29, 2016
@ Native
You seem to be through with your with your information, I envy you. Could you let us have a detailed list of such island wide murders that have been committed by police say since 1948.
I am sure you would know since you spend every second by the computer and on this sight, no doubt browsing through many websites.
I am bit thick and I don’t understand many things
If murders are being committed by police on a regular basis in other parts of the island or in USA does it justify further murders in all over this island?
Since you have stated you are thick I will explain
Not regular basis, but there are such Incidents that took place in Jaffna in other parts, Since you read comment and not the article as you sais you are thick the context of the article is regarding the Ethnic and military of the north issue, This incident has neither to do with any as I have said it has happened in other parts of the nation
Reform the Police???
If The politicians and other’s Instead of jumping on such incidents and trying to make it a ethnic issue then yes it takes away from a united action plan in reforming and training the police and outlining guide lines.
USA does it justify further murders in all over this island?
As you are not only thick but seem to read into comments and imagine words that haven’t been written
could you please point out where I have mentioned the USA or justify further murders in all over this island? as you have put it????
How peoples imagination runs wild just like the guys who wrote this article. Still you clearly do not read the articles but comments
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Native Vedda / October 30, 2016
malik
Thank you for not enlightening me with your typing. Try again, you may be successful eventually.
“If The politicians and other’s Instead of jumping on such incidents and trying to make it a ethnic issue then yes it takes away from a united action plan in reforming and training the police and outlining guide lines.”
Well you have not only lost the point but the plot as well. The funtions of police was defined by the Brits in 1805. They left in 1948. Its been 68 years since the Brits left. Why haven’t the state and the government delayed reforming, training and outlining outlines?
“How peoples imagination runs wild just like the guys who wrote this article. Still you clearly do not read the articles but comments”
Have you been walking wide eyes shut, overlooking racially motivated atrocities committed by the police?
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jim softy / October 28, 2016
Is there a Drug/Marihuana Ring going behind these attacks ?
Now, 4 police officers attacked. IT looks they are trying to bully the police with Tribal rhetoric.
[ A sergeant and a police constable of Chunnakam police , Jaffna were cut with a sharp instrument on 23 rd noon , an officer of Jaffna police revealed.
Both of them were admitted to Jaffna Hospital , while the police constable had sustained more injuries, reports say.
The cops have faced this attack when they travelled on a motor bike towards the funeral house at Kandarodai , of the Jaffna University student who was allegedly murdered. The attack took place when they were waiting near a trade stall en route.
The police said , the police special officers do not wear official uniforms.
On the 22 nd (Saturday) , the senior DIG of North issuing a special directive instructing that the police groups unless they are armed should not go out of the police station, as well as in a group comprising two or less cops. However , these two cops have gone on a motor bike on official duty ]
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Ajith / October 28, 2016
Probably you are right about Drug/marihuana culture created by Sinhala Military/Police with the guidance of Gotapaya/Mahinda is behind this. Aava group is a creation of this Rajapakse regime. It is similiar to the Drug/Marijuana underworld thugs created in the South. None other than Mahinda/Gota regime is capable of doing such crimes in this island. Unless the people of Srilanka completely wipe out the Mahinda/Gota Fundamentalist regime Srilanka will become a nation of land for Druggists.
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Good student / October 29, 2016
Its Kerala/Ganja you idiot.
Jaffna has lots of anti social problems because their relatives abroad send them money and this has unfortunately made some Jaffna youth lazy and idle and turn to drugs etc.
“Satan finds some mischief still
for Idle hands to do” as the saying goes.
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Native Vedda / October 29, 2016
Good student with no or bad education
““Satan finds some mischief still for Idle hands to do” as the saying goes.”
Are you sugesting Gota should be gainfully employed?
How about Cargills Jaffna employing him as its security guard?
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Lone Wolf / October 29, 2016
Ajith,
“Probably you are right about Drug/marihuana culture created by Sinhala Military/Police with the guidance of Gotapaya/Mahinda is behind this.”
In addition to more cannabis than before there is an increasing problem of legal and illegal alcohol in the NP. Statistics show the increasing tax receipts from sale of alcohol in the NP.
Supply of ganja and alcohol is not enough. There must be demand and the demand is homegrown. Why is there an increasing demand for ganja and alcohol? Nobody is forcing the people to smoke ganja and drink.
What have the local authorities done to fight the menace of ganja and alcohol?
I know of several legal old and new wine stores and toddy taverns that are clearly too near a place of worship or school and should not have been allowed to open. Why are they not closed by the local authorities controlled by Tamil politicians and government servants?
Due to geography ganja and even heroin is smuggled in to the country from India and the access point is here in the North.
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Patriot / October 28, 2016
Dear Mr. Velupullai the four leaders you have mentioned in the last paragraph have dug themselves into a big hole with the CB Bond scam. This might be the end of the LTTE diaspora funded carnival in Sri Lanka.
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Kumar R. / October 28, 2016
Oh Patriot,
Do you mean Rajapaksa is the only leader who can lift the country out and save from the diaspora funded carnival?
How uncanny that your views are so, so tightly in-sync with that of the presently job-seeking Dayan DeSilva Jayathileke, the once proud political PhD?
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Shyamon Jayasinghe / October 28, 2016
The winning of the war is the beginning of problems
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Eusense / October 28, 2016
sj
Did you support terror war to continue?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 28, 2016
Thangavelu,
Can you please provide reliable references to the statistics used in your write-up?
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Anpu / October 28, 2016
He has already hiven the reference.
“
The following is the ground situation according to statistics provided by Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice”
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umberto gui / October 29, 2016
The shit head narendran can’t understand what is published.
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Anpu / October 28, 2016
Dr RN,
https://www.srilankacampaign.org/five-infographics-about-sri-lanka/
If you disagree with the figures pls write to them.
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Eusense / October 28, 2016
anpu
From where did that NGO get the statistics? Diaspora, asylum seekers, financial contributors or LTTE operatives??
/
Kumar R. / October 29, 2016
Eusense,
Thankfully not from the same source as “zero civilian casualty!”
/
Native Vedda / October 30, 2016
Kumar R.
Nuisance needs to regularly spit/vomit because of her old age. Please bear with her as she has lost all her bodily senses/functions and cannot find her spitoon (padikkam). Hence she spit/vomit in this forum.
/
Anpu / October 29, 2016
Nonsene,
Ask them
https://www.srilankacampaign.org/about-us/organizational-structure/
/
Anpu / October 29, 2016
nonsence
“Natalie Samarasinghe
Advisory Council Member
“What is – and isn’t – happening in Sri Lanka matters to us all. The bloodshed in 2009 and worrying developments since continue to challenge the global rallying cry of ‘never again’. The failure to investigate past and current abuses is preventing the country from moving forward; tempting others to adopt the ruthless ‘Sri Lanka model’; and undermining hard-won global standards. Sri Lanka is a test case for the international community. We failed in 2009. We must not fail again.””
/
Anpu / October 29, 2016
Nonsense,
Natalie Samarasinghe is Executive Director of the United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK), where she has worked since 2006. She is the first woman to hold this role.
https://www.una.org.uk/natalie-samarasinghe
/
Dr.RN / October 29, 2016
Anpu,
Thanks.
Please note the date of the reference- ‘Five infographics about Sri Lanka
Mar 20, 2013′
It is outdated. Much water has flowed under the bridge since 2013.
Dr.RN
/
Anpu / October 29, 2016
DR RN,
As I requested ,pls write to them.
I knew the date. Facts are not out dated. I know there are improvements. But not much with regards to strength of armed forces in N&E, land grabbing, and other activities – farming, running restaurants, …. . I here Murukanndy temple is administered by army. When will they take over Nallur?
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 29, 2016
Anpu,
Re: Murihandy temple-I pass that way regularly by bus or car and have noticed anything unusual. I noticed the temple authorities a collecting money to build a Sivan Kovil. The next time AI stop there I will definitely inquire.
There is of course a esraurant with rooms to rent in the vicinity owned by a gentleman from Matale.
Large scale land grabbing is going on in the peninsula. It is case of Tamils robbing Tamils with help from the Kachcheri and politicians. Further, blatant land grabbing in also on-going in the vicinity of the Northern Provincial Council!
Dr.RN
/
Anpu / October 29, 2016
Dr RN,
http://blog.crisisgroup.org/asia/2014/03/25/the-forever-war-military-control-in-sri-lankas-north/
“Concerns over the large military presence in the north are compounded by the government’s continuing efforts to mislead domestic and international audiences. Even accounting for an element of exaggeration concerning its own development footprint, there is no doubt that the military continues to exercise a high degree of control over all aspects of people’s lives in the north. Reconciliation and lasting peace are made harder as a result.”
WOULD YOU CONSIDER THIS AS MUCH IMPROVEMENT????
By P.K.Balachandran. (04/07/2016)
“Lanka Fulfilled Only 11 % of Pledges to UNHRC and 20% of Pledges to LLRC”, Says Study
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has fulfilled only 11 percent of the pledges it had made to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in September 2015, and only 20 percent of the commitments it had made to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in 2011, according to a study by the Colombo-based think tank Verite Research.
Of the commitments made to the UNHRC, the report says: “Overall, the implementation is slow. Of the 36 commitments made in regard to Resolution 30/1, only four have been fully implemented. Progress in the implementation of a majority of commitments – 22 commitments – has been poor.”
In 61.1 percent of the cases, progress has been “poor”. In 25 percent of the cases there has been “partial progress”; and in 2.8 percent of the cases there has been “no progress”. The government has met its commitments in 11.1 percent of the cases.
In regard to the implementation of the pledges made to the LLRC, Verite Research says that only 20 percent of the commission’s 189 actionable recommendations have been implemented. There has been “partial implementation” in 57 percent of the cases, but progress has been “poor” in 22 percent of the cases.
Positives
Looking at the positives, the study notes that the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government has signed the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances. The cabinet has approved a proposal to set up an Office of Missing Persons and has also decided to issue Certificates of Absence to the families of missing persons.
The report on the Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reform has submitted its report and the Constitutional Assembly, which is to write a new constitution for the country, has set up sub committees, including one on power sharing.
The government had lifted the ban on 269 Tamil individuals and eight Tamil Diaspora organizations saying that their links to Tamil militancy were not established.
Negatives
On the negative side, the report observes that there has been no progress on the promise to substitute the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with a new anti-terror law which will be in line with international best practices. Arrests under the PTA took place only recently when a cache of weapons were found in Chavakachcheri in Jaffna district.
“There has been no review of convictions under PTA, including those secured on the basis of confessions and torture in custody,” the report says.
Verite Research quotes Prisons Minister D.M.Swaminathan to say that in March 2016, there were 158 PTA detainees in 11 prisons, out of whom 32 had been convicted.
It notes that government is yet to investigate the 2014 anti-Muslim riots in Aluthgama in which four people were killed. The riots, (instigated by the pro-government Bodu Bala Sena), had turned the Muslims en masse against the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the January 8 2015 Presidential election.
8,218 acres in North Still With Military.
Despite President Maithipala Sirisena’s promise to get the military to return all civilian lands it had taken over during the war years within six months of coming to power, 8,218 acres belonging to private citizens are still with the armed forces in the Tamil-majority Northern Province.
This is so even though the government owns 29,605 acres in that province, the report informs, the report says.
The India-inspired 13 Constitutional Amendment of 1987, had made it mandatory to form a National Land Commission to draft land policy. But the commission is yet to be established. The result – the Minister of Lands determines land policy “unconstitutionally.” In 2013, a census of deaths, injuries and damage to property during the conflict was conducted, but it is yet to be published, the report notes.
/
Kumar R. / October 29, 2016
Rajasingham,
While we await any response to your question, perhaps there is a question you could answer, a question about the startling recent exposure of some investment commitments that had taken place between Rajapaksa and the Saudi that could compromise the integrity of sacred lands in Sri Lanka.
There are recent reports that Saudi has bought rights to the land in the Siripada sacred area, negotiated by Rajapaksa brothers while they were in control.
I recollect your staunch support and appeal asking the diaspora to divert their “family and friends” remittances instead to the Rajapaksa regime for their development work. And, you did this, as you confessed, only following an invited trip as a delegate to meet with the Rajapaksa regime in Sri Lanka. However, you vehemently refused to reveal the objective of the delegation, any details of what the delegation discussed or who else took part in that.
You have further informed us through these columns that you were very aggressively pursuing Saudi involvement in development work in different parts of the island, including the Eastern region.
So, putting all that together, the natural question is whether your particular delegation may have had any role, even if only in the role of an introducer, intermediary or facilitator, that led to the Siri Pada land and investment deal between the Saudi and Rajapaksa clan?
Any chance you can at least be candid now on your role in that delegate trip where you met Mahinda? What exactly was the purpose of the delegation, what was the basis for your selection among the many thousands of diaspora, who else took part in the delegation, and what was discussed?
Of course I feel bad to dig up long-forgotten issues, but I am certain you will appreciate its relevance, given the new exposure on the Siri Pada deal that will likely raise much eye brows, if not more soon.
Hope you continue remain outspoken, not just on peripheral issues, but even in those close to home — yes, your own!
/
Kumar R. / October 30, 2016
Rajasingham,
How come you have lots of questions on everything, and answers on every field of anyone’s interest, but go absolutely mum when the questions relate to your own actions, responsibilities and any trace of conscience on your part on the possible consequences of your action and proclamations?
I am certain you would now find the easy way out as you always do — just slither away from here, and then resurface at the next convenient crack. What a mole-rat you have turned out to be! Is it a wonder someone called you a S–T HEAD?!
I have little doubt that you do not have the courage to integrity to play it straight on the “delegate” role of yours.
/
Lone Wolf / October 29, 2016
Dr RN,
“Can you please provide reliable references to the statistics used in your write-up?”
There is a source but the reliability is questionable. Anyway the data is from 2012 not October 2016. During the last years of Mahinda almost all the small bases in Jaffna were closed down. I don’t know where the soldiers went nor what happened in the Vanni.
/
Sinhala_voice / October 28, 2016
It is really sad to see two young people dead even if they were doing a wrong thing. I don’t understand why there are police with weapons. Is there something that the general public is not aware of. …..?……..???
I think long term the policing matters in provinces MUST be done by locals from that district & province.
It is up to ALL ethnic groups to uphold the law and order, territorial integrity and unitary status of the state . It is not only up to Sinhalese ONLY.
If Tamil police person was manning this police check I’m afraid the outcome would have been different for these students. It is not racism that got these students killed. LACK OF TRUST. So we MUST Give more responsibility to these ethnic groups such that they look after their locality for the benefit of ALL citizens Not just Tamils.
THIS WHAT IS URGENTLY REQUIRED.
/
Eusense / October 28, 2016
sv
Do you know how many youth are killed by police on suspicion in the United States alone? Compare US (developed country) numbers to Sri Lankan (third world) numbers! Sri Lanka is a haven.
Do some research before bashing our country.
/
S Modaya / October 29, 2016
We are talking about Sri Lanka, not US you Imbecile.
/
Eusense / October 30, 2016
Modaya,
This statistic of SL is negligible to cry about. Police have to shoot more Tamils if it has to be significant.
By the way, who cares of what is happening in this 3rd world Sri lanka?
/
Sinhala_voice / October 29, 2016
So if America is doing it is it ok for police to kill citizens.
MY FRIEND POLICE ARE NOT THERE TO KILL PEOPLE.
NO MATTER WHAT ETHNIC GROUP THEY BELONG TO.
NO EXCUSES PLEASE!
/
Eusense / October 30, 2016
sv
It may be news to you. If the Police feel anyone is a threat to them or the country’s security they have every right to shoot! That is how you nip terrorism at the bud, specially in the north which was the main terror hub.
Do you know what exactly happened???
/
jim softy / October 28, 2016
Sinhala_voice:
that check point was manned by both the Tamils and Sinhala officers eventhough no one informa about it and now you want only Tamil police officers.
when Tamils alone man the check point, what would happen if a Low caste police offcer gun down a High caste motor bike rider ?
/
Sinhala_voice / October 29, 2016
Then the Sinhala officer will conduct the impartial investigation RATHER than getting the blame for everything that is not right with the Tamil society.
People must be given responsibility . It means delegation of authority not executive hand over as it is with 13th amendment.
This simple administrative delegation why are you so worried. If we try to run everything we will be blamed for everything.
/
Plato. / October 28, 2016
Fine Mr.Thangavelu.
The details that you have given,going by your former essays cannot be challenged
with respect to authenticity!
/
Thanga / October 29, 2016
I refer to Dr.Rajasingham comment to provide reliable references to the statistics used in your write-up?
There is an article written by a Correspondent that appeared in the Colombo Telegraph (https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/notes-on-the-military-presence-in-sri-lankas-northern-province/)dated July 12, 2012. It is a long but extremely useful article containing a wealth of information. It is worth reading and those who have time must read the full article. Here are some extracts pertaining to the armed forces:
Despite the lack of systematically supplied official information about the size and scale of the Sri Lankan military and its constituent units, information compiled from the statements of senior government and security officials, the websites of the armed forces themselves, media reports and other sources can enable us to draw some reasonable conclusions. In 2011, the defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, told an international defence seminar that the Sri Lanka Army alone had “over 2,00,000” personnel, having expanded by the end of 2009 from nine divisions to 20; 44 brigades to 71; and 149 battalions to 284.1 Indeed, shortly after the end of the war in 2009 but before he fell out with the regime, the then army commander Sarath Fonseka told a television channel that the Sri Lanka Army “is going to be 3,00,000 strong very soon”.2 However the clearest statement on the strength of the army comes, in fact, from the defence secretary himself. In 2010 he had this to say to the Indian Defence Review:
We tripled the strength of the Army from 1,00,000 to 3,00,000 in three years. In fact, in the 1980s the strength of the military (Army, Navy and Air Force) was 30,000. In 2005 when President Rajapaksa assumed charge the strength was 1,25,000. Between 2005 and 2009 the figure swelled to 4,50,000 out of which 3,00,000 is the strength of the Army.3
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, in his address to the defence seminar referred to above, had noted that the “navy and the air force were also expanded significantly”. In early 2009 the strength of the navy had already reached 48,000 (Fish 2009: 25) but it was still expanding and recruiting.4 At around the same time, the Sri Lankan Air Force was reported as having around 28,000 personnel but with plans to expand up to 35,000 (Warnes 2009: 77).
In addition to the tri-services, Sri Lanka also raised a Civil Defence Force with nearly 42,000 personnel,5 many of whom were active in the war and continue to be deployed in the north and at least 5,000 of whom were inducted into the army in the summer of 2009 (Shashikumar 2010: 16-30). And last but not the least the country has 85,128 police personnel;6 it is not clear whether this number includes the 8,000 or so personnel of the Special Task Force, which in July 2010 was brought under the direct control of the ministry of defence.7
Information collated from various sources (especially the army website and media reports) indicate that the Northern Province is home to the following 15 army divisions: the 21st, 53rd, 54th, 56th, 57th, 58th, 59th, 61st, 64th, 65th, 66th and 68th divisions stationed in the Vanni and the 51st, 52nd and 55th divisions stationed on the Jaffna peninsula and islands.8
In addition to these divisions there are also other army formations in the north. Of the eight or so task forces constituted during the war, at least three (2, 3, and 7) seem to be still operational and are stationed in the north. In addition, there are several other smaller army formations present in the north in the form of “independent” regimental and brigade units. Moreover, the Northern Province is also home to two large naval commands9 and at least two significant units/bases of the air force.10
The Global Fire Power.com web site (http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=sri-lanka) in a write up gives Sri Lanka’s total Active Frontline personnel at 162,000 and Active Reserve personnel at 98,200 totalling 260,200 during 2016.
Gamini Akmeemana writing in the Daily Mirror (26-04-2015) under the caption Now the war is over, where do they go? says army had roughly 200,000 active personnel and between 20,000-40,000 reservists and 18,000 national guardsmen, a total of 13 operational divisions and several elite infantry brigades. The total population now stands at 21, 866,445. He also gives for sake of comparison the military strength of Nigeria, Malaysia and Australia.
The break down of army divisions deployed in the covering North and East are as follows:
(1) Jaffna – 51,52,55 – 3
(2) Vanni – 21,54,56,61,62 – 5
(3) Kilinochchi – 57,65,66 – 3
(4) Mullaitheevu – 59,64,68 – 3
(5) Mankulam (Independent)- 53 – 1
(6) Paranthan(Independent)- 58 – 1
(7) Trincomalee – 22 – 1
(8) Batticaloa – 23 – 1
(9) Amparai – 24 – 1
(10) Elephant Pass – 54 Since disbanded
TOTAL 19
In addition there are 2 Task Forces in Kilinochchi (Task Force 3 and 7) and one (Task Force 2) in Mullaitheevu. There is a Special Task Force ( STF) unit deployed in Batticaloa. It is a secretive outfit consisting of elite special forces – part of the Sri Lanka Police Service specialising counter-terrorism (CT) and counter-insurgency operations.
In the South there are only 3 divisions (Kandy Divison 11), Hambantota (Division 12) and Colombo (Division 58) compared to 19 in the Northeast.
Army divisions are units consisting of anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers and their support staff. The types of divisions are infantry, airborne, armoured etc.
There is no doubt that the armed forces continue to exert a high degree of control over all aspects of people’s lives in the North. There is mutual distrust between the armed forces and Tamil civilians. Thus reconciliation and lasting peace are made harder by their menacing presence.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 29, 2016
Thangavelu,
“Gemini Akmeemana writing in the Daily Mirror (26-04-2015) under the caption Now the war is over, where do they go? says army had roughly 200,000 active personnel and between 20,000-40,000 reservists and 18,000 national guardsmen, a total of 13 operational divisions and several elite infantry brigades. The total population now stands at 21, 866,445. He also gives for sake of comparison the military strength of Nigeria, Malaysia and Australia.”
The Sri Lankan armed forces are distributed all over the island. North and east may have higher concentrations, but they are not very visible. This is so in the rest of the island too.
I travelled through Kurunegala, Dambulla, Habarana, Minneriya,. Polonnaruwa , Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Horawapatana, Manal Aru/Welioya, Mullaithivu, Paranthan, Jaffna, Poonaryn, Mannar, Nochchiagama, Puttalam, chilaw, from Colombo and back , two weeks back. I saw army camps everywhere- big and small. In the South and hill country , the same is true.
This dispersion of the armed forces is in response to the JVP and LTTE insurrections. Whether this is disproportionate in terms of the threats, is beyond me to judge.
I am only presenting facts as they are and am not discussing the rights and wrongs of this militarization.
Dr.RN
/
Anpu / October 29, 2016
Dr RN,
I address you as DR. Don’t you think you should address Mr Thangavelu
/
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran / October 29, 2016
Anpu,
I have been called a ‘Shit Head’ by an ‘honorable’ commentator in this link and many others have named me worse before. I have addressed the writer as ‘Mr’ before, but did not do so deliberately this time. I am glad you noticed this.
I am sure he has not visited Sri Lanka after the war and is imagiinig things. His information is quite outdated. He writes well, but not accurately. If he quotes somebody or some link, on matters connected to the war , it has to be accurate and contemporary.
I saw Puthukudiyirppu during my recent travels and found it to be the shiniest and quite well planned town in Sri Lanka. The people seem to be back on track in a normal life. This is a fact that does not detract in way what unfolded there during the war.
A man of his age and experience should write to calm things, and not stir a Wiitches brew here from distant Canada.
Incidentally, Theepavali is being celebrated quite enthusiastically in Jaffna and from what I am told in Batticaloa. The death of the two undergraduates by police mis-action, has not thrown a damp towel on the shopping spree and fire crackers! Would this fact be reported as such.
Dr.RN
Dr.Rn
/
Anpu / October 30, 2016
Dr RN,
Thanks
This report is produced in Oct 2016
https://assets.gfbv.ch/downloads/bericht_jaffnafinal_low.pdf
Topics covered
1> GENERAL HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN SRI LANKA S. 8
1.1. New government – critical human rights situation remains S. 8
1.2. Oppression of Minorities S. 9
2> OBJECTIVE AND METHOD OF THE REPORT S. 12
2.1. Reviewing Jaffna peninsula S. 12
2.2. Human Rights Framework S. 14
3> FOCUS JAFFNA PENINSULA S. 16
3.1. Tourism Development in Jaffna S. 16
3.2. Lack of prospects for Jaffna youth S. 18
3.3. Threats to traditional fishing in Jaffna S. 18
4> MILITARIZATION JAFFNA S. 20
4.1. Military Presence S. 20
4.2. Military Occupation of Land S. 21
• Palaly Cantonment (former High Security Zone) S. 22
• Military Occupation of cement factory in Kankesanthurai S. 22
4.3. Military Involvement in Commercial Activities S. 24
• Military-run businesses in Jaffna S. 24
4.4. Vulnerable Women in Highly-Militarized Areas S. 26
4.5. Surveillance of the population and civil society S. 27
• Surveillance on the Jaffna peninsula S. 28
5> DISPLACED BY WAR S. 30
5.1. IDPs Jaffna District S. 30
5.2. IDP Camps visited by the researchers S. 31
5.3. Standard of living in IDP Camps S. 32
• Access to basic facilities (water, electricity, health) S. 33
• Living conditions S. 34
• Livelihood S. 35
5.4. Situation of female inhabitants in IDP Camps S. 37
• Issues affecting women S. 38
5.5. Discrimination of IDP Camps Inhabitants S. 39
• Discrimination of Inhabitants S. 39
/
Eusense / October 30, 2016
anpu
Everybody and anybody could write all kinds of reports according to their views and liking. But the country will go forward whether the separatist Tamils like you like it or not. Tamils have all the rights the Sinhalese have they need to learn Sinhalese move south and improve their lives rather than listening to Tamil diaspora who are enjoying life in the west.
Just don’t waste your time!
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 30, 2016
Anpu,
Thanks.
My point is that much has changed since the war and much needs to change. Harping on the past will not help us move forward to resolving our problems.
Many of the problems you cite are outdated, false or exaggerations. Yes, there is a heavy intelligence services presence in the north and east. But this has to be guessed through keen observation. I will not find fault with this considering the nature and scale of the war and how it ended. the LTTE had its own network of spies, functioning under Pottu Amman. Many of these spies are working for the armed forces now!
Why isn’t any one raising questions about how the Northern Provincial Council and its Chief Minister are functioning? This a contemporary issue of critical importantance.
Anpu, you and I have complemented each other and cross swords many a time on this forum and others. We are both interested in the welfare of the Tamils, though our approaches are different. I invite you to visoit Sri Lanka as my guest. I will take you around to see, hear and feel on many matters that are our common interest.
I am sure you will change your opinion on many matters, that cannot be only subjects for verbal arguments and counter arguments. I hope you will accept. I do not know who you really are yet, but invite you, only subject to only knowing who you are, through whatever means available. I am sure CT will provide details of how to conact me, at your request.
Dr.RN
/
Anpu / October 30, 2016
DR RN,
Thanks.
“Harping on the past will not help us move forward to resolving our problems”
This is not harping on the past.
“Many of the problems you cite are outdated” I do not think so.
“Lanka Fulfilled Only 11 % of Pledges to UNHRC and 20% of Pledges to LLRC”, according to a study by the Colombo-based think tank Verite Research.
Is this reputable organisation harping on the past?
“Anpu, you and I have complemented each other and cross swords many a time on this forum and others. We are both interested in the welfare of the Tamils, though our approaches are different. I invite you to visoit Sri Lanka as my guest. “
Many thanks for this.
“I am sure CT will provide details of how to conact me”
I have your email address and I did email you (between 2015 summer and 2016 summer – cant remember the exact date). But failed to get a reply. May be my email with a picture ended in the spam folder.
“Northern Provincial Council and its Chief Minister are functioning? “
Really I do not know. Mr Thangavelu also believe it is not functioning well. TNA needs to act on that. If it is true – I would blame TNA for this.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 30, 2016
Anpu,
Please contact me again. I do not remember receiving a previous e-mail.
Dr.RN
/
Anpu / October 30, 2016
Dr RN
Hon Sumanthiran in Parliament on 22nd October 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhO_xW06oc&sns=em
Geneva Resolution & The TNA By M.A. Sumanthiran –
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/geneva-resolution-the-tna/
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 30, 2016
Anpu,
‘
Here is a lreport that says more land will handed back to civilians tomorrow by the Oresident in cement factory area of Palali. According to the army already 7000+ acres have been handed over to civilians.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/10/30/news/army-returns-more-land-north
These are ground fact. Though belated, such moves should be welcomed.
Dr.RN
/
Ashok Thangavelu / October 29, 2016
It really does not matter what the southern politicians do to please Tamil demands they will always ask for more and go behind westerners who are so gullible and swollow all the lies.Taking population statistics majority of the Tamils live amount Sinhalese in the south.Can you name one right that is not given to you by the Sinhala govt that is given to Sinhalese people.On the other hand Jaffna minority Tamils prevent intergration of all people claiming the North as Tamil Home land and want Jaffna for Tamils.Tamil politicians are more loyal to Tamil Nadu and will do everything possible to destroy unify of This great Buddist land.please let younger generation first learn to love the mother land and learn to live in a unified society.After all it is the Majotity Tax money collected from the southerners that is paying all bills of the Northern people .Police is there to impose the laws of the land and the Army is to protect all people from another Eelam uprising.It is the Sihala people who laid the fir lives and gave their blood to save this land from all Foriegn invasions.While Tamils lick their ass to better them selves specially Velllala caste. You have abselutely no evidence based claims to call Norht as Tamil Home land.It was created by the British who followed device and rule policy.
/
Real Siva Sankaran Sarma / October 29, 2016
You are no Ashok Thangavelu but some Sinhalese extremist, who is posting a lot of lies and misinformation under this fake pseudo Tamil identity. I have seen your posts on various Indian news sites. All full of lies and distorted history regarding the island’s Tamils and their history. Just like what Jenali does. You cunningly think that posting all these lies under a Tamil identity makes many uninformed largely gullible Indian population think, that since a Tamil is posting all this. It should be the truth. I have seen many Sinhalese hardliners posting their racist garbage under Tamil/Muslim identities at various sites. Local and international. There is one even posting under my identity
/
justice / October 29, 2016
The difference is what the army DOES in the northeast, as compared to what they do in the south.
In the south, they DO NOT take over farms, lands, homes and coastal strips inhabited by fishermen, erect hundreds of Buddha statues in places where there are no Buddhists, or are sparsely populated.
They do not interfere in social, religious and family functions.
They do not run businesses like hotels,farms and vegetable markets.
They do not have intelligence personnel spying on what people do.
They do not establish primary schools and appoint unqualified army personnel as teachers, and compel parents to send their children.
They do not recruit young females by intimidation, into the army, form a special regiment, and some time later make them “invisible”.
They do not go into universities and befriend students.
They do not prey on females.
They DARE NOT do all this in the south.
/
shankar / October 29, 2016
justice
if what you say is true,why is sampanthan still supporting the government?Why can’t he say to sirisena,either decide whether you want the army’s support or the tamil people’s support?You can’ have the support of both if what you say is true.Either you are wrong or sampanthan is a traitor to the tamils.
/
justice / October 30, 2016
shanker,
Sirisena is unable to order the armed forces and police to behave as servants and protectors of the people – as is the case in democracies.
He needs the support of the armed forces to win the next election.
Not only Sampanthan but all politicians know this.
If you don’t know, you are in wonderland.
/
shankar / October 30, 2016
justice
can you elaborate on that.Me being a western cookie is unable to understand why a leader of a country needs the support of the armed forces to win a election.i thought it was the people who vote most,not army.
This goof is unable to or does not want to do the necessary reforms and hard decisions that people like lee kuan Yew or mahathir did to transform their countries.because he is a weak leader without a backbone he has to rely of the support of special interest groups like army and monks, to prop himself up in power,because he is unable to get the support of the people who can’t see any improvement in their daily lives since jan 2015.
Anyway,you seem to have missed the point i was making.How come his problems of lack of leadrship becomes the tamils problem?
sampanthan can always tell him to go directly to the tamil people to get their votes,not through him,if indeed what you say is true and the army is behaving like a occupying force in tamils areas and doing things which it does not do in areas of their sinhala brethren.The tamils in those areas then can decide whether to vote for this government or not.
sampu with all his experience in politics does not understand that putting all his eggs in a political solution basket is another letdown for tamils as usual,because it has to be passed with a referendum.I think needs to be passed with two thirds so you can say goodbye to anything worthwile to tamils from chauvinistic sinhalese,while ranil and sirisena strings along that old fool sampanthan and his immature young advisor and second in command sumanthiran.
only a political solution without a referendum will work in the long term.just imagine if nehru had to go for a referendum to give devolution for the states and give up pakistan and bangladesh and make indian constitution secular.Would india be in one piece today?Would it have been governable if pakistan was still part of india?
Leaders have to make the right decisions for the people,with long term views taking precedence over short term.People will only think short term,because that is their maximum capacity to think for most of them.
i’am afraid sampanthan is going on the traditional ride that tamils have gone on.the merry go round and back to the same place as before.
In the meantime if what you say is true the occupying army is pell mell working fast to consolidate themselves in tamil areas while ranil/sira are stringing along sam towards a failed referendum.
However unlike in brexit sira won’t resign like cameron when the referendum he holds fails,because eastern culture is different from western,and even if the country comes to ground level,nobody resigns.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / October 30, 2016
Justice,
Ask the State Organization that was managing ( I remember) pepper growing lands in Dambulla, who took over their lands for a tourism related project, overnight?
Ask the Sinhala villagers in Panama, who took over their lands?
I am sure there are many such instances all over the island!
Dr.RN
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K.Chevvez / October 29, 2016
Dear Sri Lankans,
I think there is an attempt to derail a solution that is being worked out jointly by all major parties in Sri Lanka.
There are bad apples in both side.
The so called “Eluha Tamil” is driven behind the scene by those intend on creating racial riots to defeat any attempt to resolve the political issues.
There are hardcore racial elements and opportunistic Sinhalese politicians utilizing every opportunity to start a racial pogrom so that they can derail the attempt to resolve issues in Sri Lanka.
All you need is about 100 people in either side to start the genocide all over again.
I think, it is largely in the hands of the Sinhalese masses to decide weather Sri Lanka takes a path of peace and prosperity and resolve the matters within reasonably short period or goes back to protracted unsettled and pathetic state for very long time to come.
It is also my opinion that Tamils have overwhelmingly voted to choose a path of rights, peace and prosperity while Sinhalese masses and leaders are in limbo, unable to decide weather or not to progress towards a better future.
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Lone Wolf / October 30, 2016
Thangavelu,
“Inadequate language access. Tamil and Muslim communities struggle with not being able to use Tamil in speaking to local authorities, judicial officers, police, Army, and hospital staff.”
I believe that here in NP almost all of the above except members of the security forces are Tamils. If there were large numbers of others here that would show in the population statistics. They would also need schools.
According to Sunday Observer there are 206 Tamil recruits at the “police college”. The number of Muslims is not provided but the “head” of the school is a Muslim. The size of the batch is unknown.
“It was refreshing to see that the present batch undergoing training has 206 Tamil recruits drawn from the North and East.”
http://sundayobserver.lk/2016/10/30/features/police-training-college-kalutara-springboard-sentinels-law-and-order
It would be interesting to receive statistics on how many members of the police force are Tamils and Muslims in all of Sri Lanka and especially in the minority areas of the country.
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Eusense / October 31, 2016
The lesson to learn here is whether you are a Tamil or a Sinhalese obey law enforcement. If you think you have been subjected to injustice use the legal system to fight. If you try to run (because of criminal activity) or think you are above the law there is a good chance of serious consequences like what happened here.
It is the responsibility of Tamil leaders to convey this message to residents of the North. But not to organize hartal, strikes, civil disobedience etc. etc. to promote their political agendas. As I always say most ethnic riots in the past were due to irresponsible actives of Tamil leaders.
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