The flight of Rohingya people from Myanmar has captured the attention and concern of the international community of which Sri Lanka is a member. The vast majority of those fleeing Myanmar have sought refuge in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and neighboring countries. Only a handful has attempted to come to Sri Lanka. The plight of the Rohingyas has been evident for several years now, with its intensity at atrocities against men, women and children at unprecedented levels in the last few weeks. The National Peace Council is perturbed that the Sri Lankan government has issued instructions to the immigration authorities to deny permission to Rohingyas to enter Sri Lanka. We regret that they have been sent away without being considered as refugees.
The plight of entire communities of people who have lost their loved ones, homes and properties due to the conflict in Myanmar has a special resonance to us in Sri Lanka. Due to the ethnic conflict, terrorism and war that last over three decades, we lost over a million of our people who left the country to seek asylum in other parts of the world. The National Peace Council therefore urges the government to reconsider its decision to screen out Rohingyas to prevent them from entering Sri Lanka. We believe that just as other countries accepted asylum seekers from our country we need to reciprocate on the basis of humanitarian ideals which we have accepted as a country. Although Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the UN Convention of 1951 pertaining to the status of refugees, as a member country of the United Nations we believe it has an obligation to take on its share of international humanitarian responsibilities.
We also endorse the statement issued by the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, and Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, Rauff Hakeem, to share our concerns with the Government of Myanmar, urging an immediate end to violence against the Rohingya people, in the interest of peace and stability in the region; offer relief and rehabilitation assistance to the affected people through international agencies; issue a public statement demonstrating its clear interest in addressing the situation faced by the Rohingya people and ensuring peace and stability in the region; and call a debate or session in Parliament to explain the position of the Government of Sri Lanka urging for non-violence and peace building in Myanmar. Sri Lanka has enjoyed a long and mutually supportive relationship with Myanmar, including religious ties that bind us. Even as we proceed towards reconciliation within Sri Lanka after decades of our own war and conflict we have a duty to stand by the government of Myanmar and its people in their time of need. (By Governing Council – National Peace Council)
Sammy / September 25, 2017
Latest breaking news. Checkout! 300 Rohingya Muslim radicals abduct 100 Hindus in Rakhine, kill 92 of them and bury their bodies in a mass grave in a place called Yebawkya, Burma. The balance 8 female Hindus forcibly converted to Islam & taken to Bangladesh. Now, should we blindly provide shelter to these so called refugees?
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Vijith / September 25, 2017
These refugees are NOT the radicals. Just like not all Buddhists are like the BBS. These are women and children, and they need shelter. Every refugee should be screened and taken in. Stop acting like a drama queen.
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Sammy / September 27, 2017
Vijith, I have not stated that there are no genuine, innocent refugees amongst these Rohingyas and this is of real concern. They should be provided temporary, conditional accomodation. Yet, the countries providing shelter should be alive to any new threats they could pose and should work with the International community for their safe return. As to the drama part, stop being naive.
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Jmmy / September 26, 2017
Sammy can you give me your source please. I checked Irranwady a Burmese news site. There is no mention.
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Sammy / September 26, 2017
Jmmy, Google search using “Hindu Rohinghyas killed by militant muslim rohingyas”. Besides I saw one of the Hindu Rohingya women survivors, forcibly converted to Islam & now lodged in Bangladesh narrating with much emotion what had happened in a TV interview. This is not to condone the atrocities on innocent Rohingyas by the Burmese but atleast a little bit of the story from other side should be listened to. I came to know about this first on TV News and subsequent google check.
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Jmmy / September 27, 2017
“This is not to condone the atrocities on innocent Rohingyas by the Burmese but atleast a little bit of the story from other side should be listened to.”
I agree with this. But it is the Burmese military which is saying that. Assume that it is true upto now the Burmese military has not allowed an independent non partisan group to visit these areas and ascertain the ground realities. What about the large numbers of Rohingyas killed? The Burmese army is not saying anything about this. 480,000 Rohingyas have fled Burma to Bangladesh and large numbers have left previously. There has to be a reason right?
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Sammy / September 27, 2017
This is not just the Burmese army saying it. I have seen on TV (not Burmese) of Rohingya Hindu women forcibly converted & now in Bangladesh who have confirmed the incident of masacare of Hindus by some Rihingya militants and forcible conversions. It must be available online. No Burmese compulsion in this case. Anyway, the Burmese don’t care whether they are Hindus or Muslims.
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Al-faqurlah / September 27, 2017
It has been reported by Al Jazeera a Muslim controlled channel.
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Gong Aathal / September 28, 2017
So, any garbage you call it news with unverified propaganda of the Jewish backed Racist Buddhist criminals has to be believed????
Do not plat politics and racism on the poor victims of a Fascist system….it will definitely come back on you one day. You will be in this position and may that happen to you and your family…….
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Ceylonese / September 25, 2017
Despite what has been commented we are all human beings and must share our own humanity. Burmese are behaving like beasts.
By giving asylum to these persecuted people by allowing them to come to Srilanka, Srilankans can demonstrate that the Srilankans sure worth more than the dust under the feet of Her Excellency Angela Merkel.
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ABCD / September 25, 2017
@Champa
Most of your Sinhalese are of South Indian origin. Go look at your names like wadanambi, kandamby
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Jimsofty / September 25, 2017
There is no need to take Rohingys muslims. It is created by the CORRUPT ELEMENTS OF THE Western countries and which support both sides because that helps them to contain China. Read the following article
https://www.globalresearch.ca/oil-gas-and-geopolitics-us-hand-in-playing-the-rohingya-crisis-against-china/5610568. It is funded by Saudi Arabia. Victims are Shia muslims. the Leader of the Rohingya Salvation Army is a Pakisthani leader. China’s Oil supplies come through the south China sea and from Myanmar. SO, in order to contain China, these oil supplies needto be stopped. Another demand is Myanmar should become a strategic partner of the west. that is exactly the way that the Sri lanka has become.
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K.Pillai / September 25, 2017
The infamous Burmese Junta needed to distract the people while they, their sycophants, their army & police plundered plundered plundered. They looked for a scapegoat and found it in the Muslims. According to their census Burmese Muslims comprised 4% but observers put this to be around 20%.
Various groups of Burmese Muslims are:
Kamein, a government-recognized ethnic minority native to Rakhine state.
Indian-descended Muslim community of Rangoon.
Rohingyas, a minority Muslim ethnic group in Northern Rakhine State
Panthay, Burmese Chinese Muslims.
Muslims of Malay ancestry in Kawthaung.
Bamar Muslims (historically Zerbadi Muslims) are a community descended from inter-ethnic marriages between Indian Muslim males and Burmese females. They are the largest Muslim group in Myanmar and form more than half of the total Muslim population in the country. Culturally, Bamar Muslims are the same as the Bamar Buddhists including their lifestyle, clothing and language.
Except for the Rohingyas, the other Burmese Muslims had “connections of sort” So Rohingyas were treated like non-humans to satisfy the blood-thirst and sexual needs (mostly deviant) of the army & police.
The Rohingya refugees are a text book ethnic cleansing (as UN put it recently). The moral quality of the world is emerging in the reactions. India is for example openly exhibiting their low low low moral standing.
The desperation of Rohingyas is visible when some sought refuge in Sri Lanka. Here is a chance to show compassion.
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Sammy / September 25, 2017
The Indian & Bangladeshi concerns about these Rohingyas is based on intelligence Reports that they are being used by terrorists detrimental to their national security. Who are you pass negative judgement on a country concerned about its national security first? The most recent Report shows the brutal nature that Muslim rebels amongst these Rohingyas have massacared Hindus of Rakhine & converted a few.
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SJ / September 26, 2017
Sammy
Could you enlighten us on the Intelligence Reports to which you seem to have special access.
Where exactly did “these Rohingyas” massacare Hindus of Rakhine & converted a few.
I am sure that Suu Kyi will be thrilled to hear these tales.
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Sammy / September 26, 2017
SJ do not be puerile. When Govts. concerned and in this case Indian and Bangladeshi, state that they have Intelligence Reports and therefore concerns of blindly accommodating Rohingyas amongst whom there are likely terrorist elements which could endanger National Security then they have the right to take appropriate action. Obviously no Govt. is going to place such Reports in the public domain. In this day and age, it does not take much effort to do online checks and I don’t have to spoon feed you. The mass graves were found in a place called Yebawkya, in Rakhine. I have also seen TV Reports on this and an emotional TV interview of one of the 8 women survivors forcibly converted and now in Bangladesh. This does not mean that I do not condemn the atrocities by the Burmese on innocent Rohingyas.
Your sarcasm only exposes your prejudice, foolishness and ignorance. I am sure you will not be thrilled to hear the truth.
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SJ / September 26, 2017
This tale about killing Hindus is from the Myanmar regime and is politically motivated.
Those who reported the claim like Japan Times (www.japantimes.co.jp) seem to have doubts about the credibility of the claim.
The Indian government accommodated all manner of terrorists when it suited it. Now there is a Hindutva regime hostile to accommodating Muslim refugees from a country which India is trying hard to get close to.
Bangladesh has accepted the Rohingya in large numbers.
National security is always a factor with any refugee population even in the liberal West, and all governments are alert to security risks.
*
I guess that you followed the Rohingya saga in the past several years. Their persecution was there all along and it escalated in the past several years. Whatever terrorism there is is a response to that in much the same way the Tamil militancy came about. They are supported by Saudi Arabia, the way various foreign interests supported Tamil militants.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2017
SJ
–
“Whatever terrorism there is is a response to that in much the same way the Tamil militancy came about.”
–
The Tamil militancy is the result of Federal Party’s cumulative failures. FP should have followed Maoism and Siri Maoism.
–
Siri Mao needed someone to carry her hand bag. Chelva was unable to carry it because he was not a very strong/healthy person.
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Sammy / September 27, 2017
Oh, so you take only those Reports that are convenientlysupportive of your position and it’s not just Japan Times that has reported. You also admit that there is terrorism amongst them, whatever the reason. This is being used by other terrorists groups & therefore of concern to other countries accomodating them. Bangladesh has only given them temporary shelter & eventually want them to return, as they too are concerned about the terrorists elements amongst them & they also have their economic reasons. India’s concerns are well placed because of the terrorism that they already face from across the border and not just about Hindutva regime. My position is, temporary accomodation should be provided to genuine refugees after proper screening & ensuring compliance with local laws & customs but eventually the International community should work together to ensure their safe return.
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Mary / September 27, 2017
Access to the area by journalists as well as human rights workers and aid workers is largely restricted and Reuters could not independently verify the report.
An ARSA spokesman said he believed Buddhist nationalists were trying to divide Hindus and Muslims were behind the “lies” that ARSA militants had killed the villagers.
“ARSA has internationally pledged not to target civilians and that remains unchanged no matter what,” the spokesman, who is based in a neighbouring country and identified himself only as Abdullah, told Reuters.
source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/25/myanmar-bodies-of-28-hindu-villagers-found-in-rakhine-army-claims
All these claims were made by the Burmese Army to divert attention. There is no verification on the news.
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SJ / September 25, 2017
When I saw the heading “Reconsider Decision To Screen Out Rohingya Asylum Seekers: NPC Tells Government” this morning, for a moment, I thought that it was a Northern Province Council resolution.
I was planning to compliment the NPC for adopting such an unselfish and humanitarian resolution.
What a disappointment!
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2017
SJ.
–
It would have been wrong if Northern Provincial Council adopted such resolution. I was ready to blame Federal Party.
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LittleisimonfromBerlin / September 26, 2017
Dear Native@
WIE GEHTE S DIR DENN SO ?
We are in need of sending an another PUNNAKKU parcel to Champa, Jimsofty and et al soon. This time mixed with dog droppings found in Berlin. That can help them for sure to see it right if not today in couple of days now.
Please be kind enough provide me the addresses of each.
Earlier we did it several times, however, we did not notice the changes, but we must not give up. These men are the headache to us in this torn island.
Thank you.
Little simon
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Champa / September 26, 2017
LittleisimonfromBerlin
You say “…We (punnakku eaters) are in need of sending an another PUNNAKKU parcel to Champa, Earlier we did it several times, however, we did not notice the changes…”
Yeah, you may try more, as normally people offer others what they eat.
But, I am telling you, not punnakku eaters like you and Keyboard Vedda (by own admission) but even your Lord Brahma can’t change me. It is people like me who change the world, not punnakku eaters like you.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2017
LittleisimonfromBerlin
–
“Please be kind enough provide me the addresses of each.”
–
Champa the patriotic practitioner of the oldest profession
C/O Wimala Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa
The Official Grant Pimp.
Parliament of Sri Lanka
Parliament Approach Rd,
Sri Jayawardenepura
Kotte,
Sri Lanka
–
I am sorry I do not have Jim Softy the Dimwit’s address. I suspect the one who now writes under the name is not the same Jim Softy as we knew him. The old dimwit was unable to construct a proper sentence the one who now uses his name is able to construct a paragraph without much difficulty.
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Champa / September 27, 2017
LittleisimonfromBerlin
–
“Please be kind enough provide me the addresses of Native Vedda.”
I am pleased to provide his address which is simple:
—
Native Vedda – the LTTE rump paid coolie
Nanthikadal Lagoon
Underground somewhere in Mullativu
Sri Lanka.
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LittleisimonfromBerlin / September 27, 2017
Champo-
NV has proved that he does not need any remedies but you CHAMPO… you have no other choice but to take it… please ask your lovely ones if they have been not made stupid, they can guide you better…
even those slycomers OR boat people COMING from Myanmar coming to lanka or any other destinations these days, would see it right but CHAMPA and Softies or th elike men would take it as that Azwer did. By the time, Azwer closed his eyes, the buggerwas not aware of what he had been doing for his communiteis. He licked the balls of Rajapakshe for selfish reasons as no others.
The kind of men would stay harboured to their sithuwili, thoughts as was the case with Azwer.
So would DJ and that Mahindapala end up their lives too.
Those racists, born racists, genetically modified racists and stupid racists and the like categories are among these men.
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Jmmy / September 26, 2017
“for despite all the bluster by ultra-nationalist monks, Sri Lanka currently hosts only 30 Rohingyas.
Three previous groups of Rohingyas who were rescued by the Navy in 2008, 2012 and 2013 have already been relocated to a third country. There are about 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers from different countries, including 30 from Myanmar, according to the UNHCR office in Colombo. That is a fraction compared to 136,605 Sri Lankan refugees and 8,634 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers in various countries in the world, mainly in India, according to the UNHCR’s 2012 figures”
By Ranga Jayasuriya – dbsjeyaraj.com
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Rohan Gunaratna / September 26, 2017
Jim Sothy Upali and Chimp,
In the last 18 months, Buddhist mobs have terrorized Muslims throughout Burma. More than 478 Muslims have been killed,massacred and mosques, homes and businesses have been burned, all while the authorities turned a blind eye. Today, almost 300,000 Rohingya are trapped in dirty refugee camps, living in bad tents, with not much food and not enough medicine. The police prevent them from coming and going as free people. Some refugees are killed under mysterious circumstances or simply disappear forever. Sometimes the bodies are dumped in unmarked graves. It is like a big outdoor jail. Many Rohingya people have tried to escape to other countries. Last month, 70 men, women and children drowned in an overloaded boat that should never have gone to the deep sea. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and others have condemned “human rights violations” against the Rohingya while HRW has called it ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
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Champa / September 26, 2017
Rohan
Rohingya Muslim militants attacked Myanmar Police and civilians with swords many times in the past. It was like Aava Group who attacked Police in the North and some sporadic sword and knife attacks on Army, Navy and civilians. Myanmar Police didn’t do anything to control the situation or arrest Muslim militants which eventually led to present refugee problem. —-
If our Police and STF didn’t take timely action to arrest Aava Group members, and some random culprits, we also could have seen a likely situation in the North. It is worth keeping in mind that LTTE was a group of mobs armed with stones and knives first, who developed to the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization. Therefore, any minor incidents of sword/kris attacks or gunshots in North/East should be addressed promptly.
In simple, the following is the gist of your comment:-
Minorities think that they rule the world and that they have a right to unleash violence against the Majority and that the Majority don’t have a right to defend themselves, therefore the world should take sides with the Minority no matter what they did!!!
I can give examples.
Eg: LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka , ISIS terrorism in the Middle East and sporadic terrorist attacks all over the world.
HRW didn’t call LTTE bomb blasts, suicide attacks, massacres of villagers or ISIS killings as carnage and crimes against humanity, right? That shows who are they for.
HRW is for minority who are against majority, preferably paramilitary, militants or terrorists and they (HRW) don’t recognize majority rights or the rights of sovereign countries.
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Thengai Srinivasan / September 26, 2017
Jimmy – Chimp- Champ
Every human has right to live. We all know, but still we see each other as a puppet of selfish rules named Religion. Selfish, because most of it was changed throughout historical periods, exactly to please the political or religious entities of the respective periods.
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Muruthattaya Somarama / September 26, 2017
Excellent comment by T. Srinivasan!
Rohingya Muslims are being ignored by the UN, International Human Rights, and by the other unlawful internationally recognized communities. Wondering why? The majority of Muslim countries have lost their conscience and they have neglected to shoulder the responsibilities. No one is ready to support Rohingya Muslims excluding Turkey. Muslim leaders even don’t know how defend their nation and what can one expect from those rulers? In fact, the one thing which they know is; how to marry to seven girls. The biggest example is the King of the Saudi Arabia. I am surprised how can he turn himself on silent mode in this critical situation. Such leaders have no right to stay in government. As we know, Pakistan is facing the International pressure for supporting the counter terrorism but this doesn’t mean that they should stay away from the Rohingya crisis. Everyone must respond to inhuman acts whether he is a Muslim or non-Muslim. The role of the UN & Human Rights is to protect the human rights and but they do everything opposite knowing that Muslim leaders are unstable, slow respondent & non cooperative to one another.
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Champa / September 26, 2017
Thengri Srinivasan
Your religion may be, but my religion, Buddhism have no selfish rules. Buddhism is something one should understand by one’s ownself.
Buddhism being exploited by some people for politics has nothing to do with the religion and there is no change in Lord’s Buddha’s teachings over the period as what Lord Buddha taught is universal law and values.
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Neesha Bitchwal / September 26, 2017
The world is not helping Rohingya because:
1) They are not bothered about these killings, as this issue doesn’t get actual media coverage as the local media doesn’t cover it for obvious reasons and international media doesn’t have access to the affected areas of Rakhine State , whatever known to the world is through someone sending the images or videos on the social media. Otherwise even you wouldn’t have known about this GENOCIDE.
2) World does not understand who Rohingya’s are, as you see most of the answers they think that they are illegal migrants!! But the reality is Rohingya are part of Rakhine State since the 8th century, these are the people who converted to Islam with the advent of Arab traders since 8th and 9th century A.D. Rohingya’s were part of Burmese government in mid of 20th century. But since the Burmese government has taken by the Army rule influenced by the extreme Budhist’s, as per reports in 1982 a rule was passed that declared the Muslims in Myanmar as illegal immigrants. Burma got independence in July 1947 from British.
3) Neighboring countries doesn’t want genocide ridden people of Rakhine State of Myanmar as they think it will impact their economy, no one thinks of it on humanitarian grounds. Some even went to thoughts that these refugees will be a threat to their nation and went to an extreme calling these people as terrorists.
Cont…
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Neesha Bitchwal / September 26, 2017
4) Everyone also should understand that this exodus and genocide will not stop without force, until a strong Military action is taken against Burma, but which nation can stand to take an action.
5) Last but not the least, Muslim nations are not doing whatever they can to help the Burmese. I see Turkey and Iran together willing to contribute. Bangladesh having Half million of these refugees, Saudi Arabia also having almost half million of Burmese refugees, Pakistan having a quarter million refugees. The goal of these Muslim nations should not be taking these refugees forever instead try their best to earn Burmese Muslims their homeland by whatever means without further loss of lives.
Let’s forget their religion and treat them as fellow human beings while helping these Rohingiya from Rakhine State of Myanmar Burma.
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sbarrkum / September 26, 2017
Neesha Bitchwal,
>The goal of these Muslim nations should not be taking these
>refugees forever instead try their best to earn Burmese Muslims
>their homeland by whatever means without further loss of lives.
I completely agree.
A coalition of the righteous, which should include Saudi Arabia, the US, maybe even Israel should bomb the living daylights out of Myanmar.
At the same time eliminate Yemen too, who are being supported by apostate Iran.
The Libyans, Iraqis were taught a lesson. Just as much as Gaddafi and Saddam, Aung Sung Ki and the military junta should be eliminated.
Then Myanmar will be like Heaven on Earth, just like Libya and Iraq
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Real Siva Sankaran Sharma / September 26, 2017
This is an interesting article in the Melbourne Age Regarding Myanmar. Reminds me of Sri Lanka
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/dont-believe-the-travel-brochures-myanmar-is-deeply-racist-and-bigoted-20170925-gyo23u.html
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jehan / September 27, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Percy / September 27, 2017
NO BLOODY ROHINGYAS FOR SRI LANKA -WHY SRI LANKA -WHY NOT PAKISTAN
OR BANGLDESH ??
It will be a massive blunder if SL govt takes in these people.In 50 years they will want an effing separate state!
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jmmy / September 28, 2017
Percy,
Since the late 1970s Rohingya have fled to the following countries as at 19th Sept 2017.
Saudi Arabia 200,000
UAE 10,000
Pakistan 350,000
Bangladesh 890,000
India 40,000
Thailand 5000
Malaysia 150,000
Indonesia 1,000
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Native Vedda / September 28, 2017
jmmy
–
Could you cite your source (not tomato ketchup).
Come on Saudi Arabia 200,000??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!
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Percy / September 28, 2017
Jimmy
You seem to have provided falsified figures.According to all published sources including Wikipaedia the total number of Rohingyas in Myanmar have been between 1 million and 1.3 million. According to your figures over 1.7 million have fled Myanmar !! Your figures are false and unsubstantiated and its is nothing but a shameless attempt at deception.
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Jmmy / September 28, 2017
Percy
Check this out http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/rohingya-muslims-170831065142812.html
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Native Vedda / September 28, 2017
Jmmy
–
Thanks for the source.
–
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Jmmy / September 29, 2017
You are welcome.
Liked the tomato ketchup. Good One.
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Jmmy / September 28, 2017
Hey Percy,
If you don’t get the link I posted search “Myanmar Who are the Rohingya _ Rohingya _ Al Jazeera”.
I have not falsified nor used deception.
Deception and falsification are for liars, ultranationalist, chauvinist and racist who hide behind various lies to propagate their agenda.
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Percy / September 28, 2017
Jimmy
I went into your Al Jazeera source which confirms my statement that the total number Rohingyas in Myanmar is about 1 million? Nowhere does your own source confirm the highly deceptive figures you posted. You are right however when you say that deception and falsification are for liars! The problem with people of your mentality is that you are uncomfortable with the truth and resort to deception when exposed. You have been well and truly exposed.
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Jmmy / September 28, 2017
Percy
I wonder whether you have read the entire piece. In your hurry to expose my deception you would have missed out the map titled “following Myanmar’s Fleeing Rohingya”.
Please re-check. I am comfortable with the truth. I don’t have to resort to deception. Lies and deception cannot be hidden for too long. It always comes out.
/