Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne
We went to Mullativu last week, and it was my first visit to this place. As we turned from the A9 road all indications were that we are entering a miserable area. The road was under construction and we had to move slowly. Fortunately it not raining, or we could have faced greater difficulties. I saw roughly assembled houses here and there. They were not even mud houses but assembled structures with tin foil to serve as a roof. We could see people struggling to survive. The army was everywhere and their presence was always felt. Our purpose was to protest about the displacement of the people from the village of Thepapilau. Villagers who wanted to go back and who were settled are being pushed out to make way to provide around 2500 acres to the armed forces. This is not an isolated incident. Such things happen regularly and we wanted to use this incident to highlight the issue of land grabbing and displacement of Tamils from their villages.
We arrived at Oddusudan around 8 am. At Oddusudan, I saw a well constructed army camp with all facilities. It stood out sharply within the cluster of sheds and clumsy huts. It is difficult for anybody to believe that the government has carried out its promise of rehabilitation and reconstruction. We rested for a while and moved to Mullativu by 10 am. There were some displaced people from the village that was taken over and those who answered our call who were waiting for us. As expected, police trucks arrived with anti riot gear. I thought all that was redundant when one compares it with the deployment of the army. Army officers were there in a big way with a large contingent of plain clothed persons. About half an hour later, the main organizer of the event, TNPF leader Gajendran Ponnambalam arrived, and all those who wanted to participate gathered opposite the AGA’s office. More and more people came and by the time Mano Ganesan and TNA MPs arrived the crowd had swelled to around 500. At 12 pm, as we were getting ready to start our protest and demonstration, SSP Janaka Gunathilaka came and started a pleasant discussion with me about the time scale of our protest! I could see that he was also in a trap in balancing armed power with the civil force. I told him that we did not come to challenge the government agent but to present our case to the available civil agent of the government, and our non-violent protest will last till 2 pm. He concurred, thanked me, and went. I thought ‘this is not as bad as I expected.’ I came to realize how wrong I was only later!
Sudden intrusion
As soon as the TNA leaders came we started the protest with banners, placards and slogans. In the middle of our protest, suddenly from behind came a polythene bag filled with crude engine oil that landed on the ground before the protesters. Oil splashed around but no one was affected. Two plain clothed men who were suspected to be from the army ran away, and escaped, while no policemen dared to intervene. We continued unabated and finished the protest with a meeting addressed by all leaders who were present. Around 2 pm we dispersed for lunch which was arranged by TNPF. Just then, a dozen youth came to the place where we had the demonstration, and started shouting while displaying placards. Later I got to know that these placards had the message ‘Army will not leave Thepapilau,’ written in Tamil. Obviously that was a lame effort by the army to counter our successful protest.
Anyway this incident came as a ‘warning’ that the army will not let us go without more disruption. We therefore thought that we should travel together until we reached the A9 route. However, because of several organizational problems we could not carry out that plan, fully. The NSSP group left Mullativu in a van around 2.30 pm and we were moving slowly towards the A9 road. Mano went before us and Gajendran followed us in his vehicle. As the road was bad and still under construction we had to move slowly. On our way, we passed two military men on a parked motorcycle. As we passed them two men in plain clothes appeared from behind the bushes and started throwing stones at us. The first one hit the side mirror on the right hand side and the mirror broke into pieces. Fortunately a truck came towards us and covered us from a second attack. The two men ran away while the uniformed men watched. Obviously these uniformed men have come to give cover to the new military operation of their colleagues! We drove off as fast as we could, away from this terrible place.
A few minutes later, Gajendran informed us that they were also attacked and their windscreen was damaged. Even the police agreed that these attacks could have been done only by the army because there are no other terror units in that area which could engage in such activities. We should be grateful to the army of Rajapaksa for not resorting to shooting or abduction, and instead allowing us to get away with lesser attacks by crude oil and stones!
Protest against Land Grabbing of Northern Province _ Part 01
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtY0QAceWuM
Protest against Land Grabbing of Northern Province _ Part 02
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4771wWSZ4aU
Protest against Land Grabbing of Northern Province _ Part 03
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbVv9tIRuLM
psharmindra.samuel@gmail.com / September 29, 2012
Wickramabahu is a very couragious aand a bold political activist of the day
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Thalaiver / September 29, 2012
Tamil MPs moved around in their official vehicles provided by the govt.
Who pays Wickramabahu Karunarathne’s expenses. If he has a family who provide expenses to them ?
Does he spend every thing from his own pocket ?
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Pacha Epa / September 30, 2012
Thalaivar;
Why don’t you ask this SAME QUESTION of everyone of those in whose pay you are?
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bahu / September 30, 2012
from collections contributions for the party. for this particular event Gajendra Ponnambalam spend for us.
BAHU
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Amel / October 12, 2012
Here are parts of a letter I wrote to few sneotars, congressmen, H Clinton and ai and hrw, which is applicable to you also, Mr. GW. So, you want to investigate the so called war crimes in Sri Lanka. That’s very commendable, indeed. You are very brave in calling for this action. Let’s be really brave and call for war crimes committed against civilian Japanese by the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan by Harry Truman (D). You should call for investigating people influential in that decision along with Mr. Truman. If found guilty, charge them post posthumously. After all they used disproportionate force to end the war instead of dragging it on longer.I like to educate you about something about Sinhalese Sri Lankans though (instead of being conditioned by the ltte media mind meld/ media entertainment complex). Also, if there is any group that have been oppressed by another group it is the Sinhalese throughout history by many groups (mainly Tamils from India) by waves of invasion and occupation (I am using rhetoric that you love to use, so you would understand). But historically ignorant people like you would not know this. I realize that the Sinhalese don’t occupy a very high rung on the ladder of victim-hood and talking about their grievances won’t bring much political and journalistic value (in other words, all people are created equal, but talking about some peoples’ problems will earn the “most progressive badge” at the next progressive camp). Yet, they are arguably the most unique ethnic minority group in the South Asian region. Also, consider all the displaced Sinhalese, whose families were torn apart because of the ltte terror in Sri Lanka. I don’t want you to think that they should be given a higher rung on the ladder of victimhood though. The higher you go, less self reliant and more dependent the so called victim groups become and that never ends in a good way for the victim groups (except they seems to become votes for people like you). I have a feeling that the Japanese are very glad that they were not made into a victim group by the do gooders. Even though they probably should occupy the highest rung as they are the only people in the history of Mankind to have been nuked, twice.BTW, I find it interesting that the pro-ltte, but with life support from misguided people like you, groups always seem to link comments calling for this wild goose chase called war crimes. Also, who will be held accountable from the ltte side? May I suggest selective human rights lovers, terror enablers and misguide members of the Tamil Diaspora as the representatives/leaders of the ltte that should be investigated. They provid/ed money and support to terrorize Sri Lankans. As the fighting leadership is eliminated by the brave Sri Lankan military (how great it would be to have them as an ally in Afghanistan; tricky due to many geopolitical issues though) the leadership of the ltte really is the above mentioned entities. May be the SEC, who seems to be in an investigating mood, should check if these groups have any short orders on Sri Lankan stocks.To terrorism to prosper you need the physical terrorism in the form of violence and ideological terrorism. Also what is needed is a dissemination mechanism for the terror ideology. The liberal/progressive media and misguided/historically ignorant pseudo do gooders blinded by the victim-hood mentality perfect partners in the diffusion of terrorism.Furthermore, you are guiltyof war crimes because you believe in killing people if it’s fit your liberal orthodoxy and it’s done with consensus of the clown of an organization called the UN. What a dangerous, idea that is. I wonder how many civilians are killed in Libya by the UN mandated humanitarian military action that is undertaken to not prolong the suffering of Libyan people. Where are the numbers? You have blood on your hands, but you hide behind a humanitarian operation (wow, you do like the Sri Lankan way, what a dilemma for you). This proves that what you are interested in is not people or human right, but power, job security and your concern for human beings is only matched by your concern for an aborted fetus (which is the greatest potential human that is destroyed).Please note: I have to apologize profusely if you are prolife, but that irony is, I am sure is lost on you.To modify a line from a skit from Saturday Nite Live, “Jane, you ignorant slut” would be a insult to sluts, but here it goes: “Gordon you ignorant [Edited out]”.
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Native Vedda / September 30, 2012
Thalaiver
asks a tricky question:
“Who pays Wickramabahu Karunarathne’s expenses”
I believe it was Vickramabahu Karunaratne who responded to you below.
I have millions of similar questions for the ruling clan and the state apparatchiks/parasites for which I seem to get no responses.
Why?
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / September 30, 2012
[Edited out] Thalaiver;
[Edited out]
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/
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W.A Sugahtadasa / September 30, 2012
All our country men land acquired by British Colonial rulears in 1832 Land Acqisqtion Act or Ordiance.Since counrty major land ownres are STATE.North and East land ownership come under such act by Colonial masters.Dr Bahu has no knowledge of History Colonial Ceylon,because your are Eniggering Teacher.Your poor knowledge Celyon History,you have to read your ‘GURUs’ book of Ceyoln Under the Brirish Occupation By Dr Colvi R.De Silva.
There are army camps in North and East to resist against terrorism extermisim and seperatism,is timely need until danger of insurgente remove form North and East and protected democracy for TAMIL PEOPLES RIGHTS AND PEACEFUL LIVING.
We should to KEEP our BLIND OR allow so-called terrorist take agian TAMIL PEOPLE TO TAKE ANOTHER RIDE 30 YEARS.This is not AN ERA FOR SOCILAISM,we are heading for bourgesios Democarcy Revoluation or Reform of political economical and social path of changes.Many classes are engage with changes incuding Ethanic Tamil and Muslians and majority of are Rural poor of country side.workers in cities, as well as youth Students and petty-bourgisios incuding Teaches, Dons and Docotors and certain white colloers are deamaned for RADICL SOCIAL CHANGES in path of Democarcy.
Your mission and vision is to guide whole package of democartic basic programe.Not confined to section of politics.This politics of yours we called Trostakism of EXTREISM OF ANARCHISM.Is not Marxism at all.
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Pacha Epa / October 1, 2012
W.A Sugahtadasa:
WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?
The moderator needs to remove this kind of incomprehensible gibberish from this website. NO ONE can understand what this person is trying to say. He doesn’t even appear to be able to spell his own name!
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Native Vedda / October 1, 2012
Pacha Epa says:
“The moderator needs to remove this kind of incomprehensible gibberish from this website.”
If that is what you want, non of the comments merit publication. You should advise Colombo Telegraph to close down comments forum altogether.
We comment here out of sheer frustration and take it out on all and sundry.
Please bear with all incomprehensible gibberish.
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Pacha Epa / October 2, 2012
Native Vedda:
I am not saying that we need classic English, only that what is put down is COMPREHENSIBLE. Is that too much to ask, for God’s sake?
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Leon D'Tigre / October 3, 2012
You stupid Sugahtadasa, go to school and learn English before you waste valuable space here with your stupid opinion which you yourself, I am sure, cannot understand.
We have no time for idiots like you, so please refrain from posting any comments in the future!
LEON D’TIGRE
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / October 3, 2012
W.A Sugahtadasa
HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
in the basket you two Thalaiver and Sugahtadasa.
YANNE KOHEDA MALLE POL
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / October 3, 2012
IF YOU ARE A REAL CHINGOLEESSHE.
PLS READ THE ARTICALE,
” SRI LANKA’S ECONOMY: CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD”
BY MR, DR W.A. Wijewardena with colombo telegraph.
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Native Vedda / October 2, 2012
Pacha Epa
I will keep your comment in my mind when I write here.
Most comments don’t make sense especially when they are made by stupid Sinhalese and stupid Tamils.
Therefore why bother editing them out.
Let them type whatever they think right as long they are not explicitly vulgar.
It is up to us to make sense out of all these senseless comments.
Do you think reading and typing comments on these forums and elsewhere has an educational value to all of us?
I think not.
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Priyantha jayasundra / October 3, 2012
VICKRAMABAHU you [Edited out] you should be shamefull to you whole generation!!!(if he got one)
You shouldn’t be Sinhalese wiped out your sinhalese name? And get a terrorise name like anything you like pice of shit.
get a life.you big time fucked up you don’t have no future political carrier at all,you are not a politician anyway!!! My dog have a better life than you.vickramabahu you brainless maniac! I’m just wondering how come this idiot(vickramabahu)
Got DR title this shitface don’t deserve that at all!! One fine day if you ever come to my face I’ll let my dog to ate you live
And the best part is taht I can Watch my dog tearing part by part your shitface.SOUTHERN SINHALESE !!!!!!!!
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / October 3, 2012
Priyantha jayasundra –
ARE You a Sinhalese. and / or a Buddhist.
Please tell every body ,How you became a Sinhalese and [if you are a] BUDDHIST.
We have never heard of a race called SOUTHERN SINHALESE.
We are not sure about that because, We SINHELYO [ our culture and race] Are not partial to anybody and especially Followers of buddhism.
this Dr Vickramabahu Karunaratne got his rights to tell his side of story to anybody.
That is his ideas, what he got learned and his philosophy.
nobody can deny that.
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kumar / October 3, 2012
pacha epa.arnt you a fool.if you think it is not.THEN WHY COMMENT.
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Raja / October 3, 2012
Why did not Vikremabahu Karunaratne fight for the rights of the Sinhalese and Muslims, whose land was grabbed by the LTTE to settle Tamils from South India over a period of three decades? Why wont this disgraceful man not ask the Mahavir Families of the LTTE to hand back thes properties they forcibly took over from the Muslims? Why is he now so passionately spreading falsehoods that Tamil land is being grabbed? I think we all know why!
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Tissa Jayasinghe / October 3, 2012
Last July I was travelling in North and East. All I saw was development and peace. Tamils are provided with all facilities to come up on their own with no fear of their children being taken away. It is sad to read the views of Dr.Wicks.Fortunately no one takes him seriously.
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ronney / October 3, 2012
why you did not go to Ratnapura side how many people live below that standard you experience in North so many other people who does not have even tin roof as u describe here so do not try to be champion only for tamils or so called northern people who never satisfy with anything
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Andreas / October 3, 2012
This is similar to how they the journalists from outside world how they then described the use of barbedwire to partition those IDP camps immediately after the war end. As one who grew up in SL,is very clear that barbed wire is being used to partition in lands in developing countries. If they had enough funds they could have built stable cement walls instead.
Ronney, You are spot on saying that some villagers in rural south areas, they dont have even tents to live their lives.Ones who pass articles today sometimes with good intentions are not basically focusing on the facts of the countries.
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Lihin / October 3, 2012
Where was this good intentioned Dr.W. Karunaratne when ltte was involved in ethnic cleansing in the east.
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Native Vedda / October 3, 2012
Lihin
“Where was this good intentioned Dr.W. Karunaratne when ltte was involved in ethnic cleansing in the east.”
He took MR to Geneva to attend Human Rights conferences because MR was supposed to be championing human rights in the International Forums.
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Appu / October 13, 2012
Correction:Those individuals were *appointed oustide the mandate* the UN Secy General has been granted under the UN Charter, and the Panel’s only task was to advise the Secy General, not the member states or the public. The panel members were NOT UN employees. Nor the panel mandate to investigate alleged accusations. The Darusman report was NEITHER accepted by the UN General Assembly NOR by the member states. As such, it is a gross misrepresentation to call it a “UN Report”
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