28 March, 2024

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Remembering Malati: Tamil Women Freedom Fighters – The Epitome Of Unparalleled Courage & Chivalry

By Usha S Sri-Skanda Rajah –

Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah

Yesterday was a solemn day. It was a day that ought to inspire all Tamil women and men – to take the ideals of our freedom fighters and continue the struggle for the emancipation and restoration of Tamil Eelam. We have to win back Tamil Eelamfor them who sacrificed everything for this sacred cause.

Yesterday, 10th October, we commemorated the 31st anniversary of the first woman martyr 2nd Lt Malati. It is in Malati’s honour and the many women martyrs after her, that the 10th of October was proclaimed Tamileela Pengal Eluchchi Naal – தமிழீழ பெண்கள் எழுச்சி நாள்– Tamil Eelam Women’s Day of Awakening – the awakening of and the rising up of Tamil women against not only tyranny but all forms of discrimination and oppression directed at women:

The statement that followed the proclamation speaks volumes: and I quote: “The people should remember the contributions of 2nd Lt. Malati and recognize the fundamental changes the Tamil liberation struggle has created in Tamil society in regard to the equality of women… The struggle has freed people from the shackles of superstitious customs, infused new blood and taken the society in new directions… “Liberation does not mean just freedom from foreign domination and tyranny, but also freedom from religious and gender discrimination and oppression of women.”

End quote. 

Tamil Women Freedom Fighters were far ahead of their time!

2nd Lt Malati was the first woman freedom fighter who gave her life for at the age of 20 on the 10th October 1987 in Kopay, Jaffna in a confrontation with the IPKF. She was not only the first woman but also the first to die defending the Tamil homeland – the Thamil Munn (Tamil Soil) against an Indian army that turned against us. 

Adele Balasingham in her “Women Fighters of Liberation Tigers” … writes

And I quote:

“The Indo- LTTE war broke out on the 10th October1987. On the very first day of the war, the LTTE women’s unit confronted the Indian troops at the strategic junction of Kopay, a village 5 kilometers from the Jaffna city. As a convoy of Indian troops advanced along the Navatkuli-Kopay Road the LTTE women fighters encamped at Kopay were prepared to confront a powerful force. 

The women fighters were near the Kopay junction in defensive positions when a convoy of Indian troops arrived in the black of night. Hundreds of troops jumped out of their vehicles and started to advance towards the women fighter’s positions. Heavy fighting broke out. Our women cadres fought hard, putting up fierce resistance against a formidable contingent with superior firepower. In that clash Malati died. Malati was the first women fighter to die in battle. Janani, a veteran of many battles, takes up the story of Malati’s death. 

“We were in our bunkers firing at the army. Hundreds of Indian troops had jumped out of their vehicles and were firing as they moved towards us. Motor shells were exploding everywhere. We knew the army was advancing quickly. Malati was shot in both legs. She couldn’t move and she was bleeding profusely. Realising that she was mortally wounded, she swallowed cyanide. A decision had been made to withdraw because we were heavily out-numbered. Myself and another girl went over to carry Malati. Malati refused to come with us. She begged us to leave her and asked us to withdraw. Nevertheless, we lifted Malati and carried her and when we arrived at a safe place she was dead.”

End quote.

Since then there have been countless Malatis who have given their lives for the cause of freedom, some who survived but suffer the scars of war – those women, who stood shoulder to shoulder with the men, second to no one and showed unbelievable and unparalleled courage and chivalry this world has ever witnessed. 

They are icons, their names will be engraved in gold in our history, they dared to go where others have feared and faltered and we salute them. 

Only way we can repay them, in a small way, is to carry the mantle – but also to help former women freedom fighters and wives, daughters and parents of freedom fighters – and also former men freedom fighters, many of whom still suffer the traumas of war, to rebuild their lives and stand on their feet– including families of those disappeared by the government of Sri Lanka and its agents – also to advocate to free those languishing in jails without charge. And although we the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam are essentially a political formation to win the restoration of an independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam – as individuals – each one of us, can come forward to be responsible for improving the lives of at least one of them.

Today 10th October, the year two thousand and eighteen, I speak for many Tamil women, that we will live by the solemn oath we’ve taken in our own minds, that we will work to ensure that Tamil destiny will be in Tamil hands, that we will reinforce the promise we made to ourselves to vindicate the sacrifice of our women freedom fighters and men, engage, educate, persuade and convince the international community towards conducting a referendum, as we continue the struggle for justice and freedom, that we will not rest and do whatever it takes, even if we are no more, to bring the younger generation of Tamils to take over the struggle, until it is won.

This is our promise to our women and men freedom fighters.

Ithu Sathyam!

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Latest comments

  • 7
    2

    Stop arguing like small children, understand the hard facts.

    Mainly people from Sri Lanka and abroad are manuplating our people to do violent acts.
    Tamils boys and girls went to the level of dieing is not because they wanted, they were pushed to the limit and others used them.
    Who’s fault it is Sri Lankan Goverments fault, not protecting the people of Sri Lanka. If a Hindu, Christian, Buddhiest or Muslim does things to harm the stability of our country, the laws should take care of it.

    The Sri Lankan goverment wanted to uplift the living standards and employment for Buddhiest people since the majority people were not equality represented in positions and wealth.

    This is not only because tamils had higher propotion of good postions in Sri Lankan socity, the majority of rich people of Sri Lankans were afraid of a communist equalent political uprisal.

    The tamils who were poor and not previlaged surffered badly and they even had less operchunities to have a living like the previlage socity. The tamils who could pull strings or pay their way left to other countries to create a living. Who’s fault is this ? is it high cast Vellalars fault ? I would say it is Sri Lankan goverments fault. It didnt take care of its own citizens.

    Same also happened to Singelease youths, which brought JVP.

    The rich and bainy ones always survived.

    Our goverment has not taken responsibilities for actions like several other goverments. Lets join hands and develop our country without talking about the past.

    • 1
      4

      Chingkallam stop posting your lies and propaganda under a Thamizh name

      • 1
        1

        Adai Kaatu Pandi. Erumai maadu Thadiyan Piripaaharan Tamizar ku Shenghada kaanada?. Ennam pulleyel kolaseiya wendaumada? ?.
        Para peelam paradeshi Pandigal! !!!!

  • 3
    3

    Usha you confuse me. In Jeevan Hoole article you put comments demeaning we Tamils now you sing hosanna for us Tamils. Who are you really?

    • 3
      2

      Do not get confused Chingkalla woman. We all know that you are a Chingkallam and not Thamizh. You think we are dumb like you.

    • 2
      0

      always look at the logo of the comments to see whether it is Usha’s.Someone is using her name to send a comment to sinhala_man and he uncovered it.

  • 3
    2

    yes, i do not trust usha too. she comments about us tamils so badly

    • 3
      1

      There is no such name called Koneswaran amongst Thamizhs. Got caught out. I think you are the same Chingkallam who has posted the last three comments under pretend Thamizh identity. What a pathetic creature you are.

      • 4
        1

        I think people are confusing Usha Candappa, the Colombo Chetti lady who commented negatively about NE Tamils, with Ms. Sri-Skanda-Rajah who is known as a Tamil nationalist based in Canada for a long time.

  • 4
    1

    There are some personal attacks on Usha and Brian. International community has termed SL as the ‘Land of the disappeared’. Please get out of your state of denial. It is time to stop treating Tamil grievances as something that will go away.
    ‘The Guardian’ of 13 October 2018 had this.
    Sri Lanka, the land of the disappeared – a photo essay. Photographs by Moises Saman and essay by Tim Adams. Link
    https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/13/moises-saman-interview-sri-lanka-tamil-minority-aftermath-war
    Or directly guardian/world/Asia/SE Asia.

    • 0
      1

      Dear Mr K Pillai
      I do not think anyone here has ever disputed problems we had as a developing nation in-fact we are the victims of crimes too. Sorry I can not speak for those who make derogative remarks. I have always read your comments with interest and all others with due respect too. I will share the following as to the solutions offered for consideration or rather imposed on all of us by the politicians and the youth alike from North to South without any due consideration to other citizens view point who were all equal stake holders of their own destiny too. The ‘voiceless majority’ never told anyone at gun point what others should follow. Earlier I have defined 4 era for the convenience of discussions as it will show we all have fed each others ego and in the process lost a lot of blood/context of living and sadly led us to the state you described above ‘Land of the Disappeared’. Land of the Disappeared does not include the majority of the population who had paid their life and their children’s life defending the nation for a better day hence the generalisation of the armed forces too as evil does not wash well. The contrary or rather controversy here is the same gun trotting violent liberators be it from the north or the south have not acknowledged/accounted/put in record of all the hideous crimes they have committed in the name of whatever their causes have inavriably made the Nation Building an impossible scenario/task for any Head of State and to the ‘non believers of these causes’ who are the majority of our Nation. (please just look at the number of people voted under duress then and now for such causes analysing each and every campaign of non fatal discussions/intimidations and then the subsequent man date??)

  • 0
    1

    Continued
    If you draw a loss of life vs time from say 1900 to 2000 (paying speacial attention to the era’s I defined with time lining of the national and the international events meaning what we had to manage as a Nation) will reveal the Tamil and the Sinhala youth never offered workable solutions because the adopted methodologies have silenced the majority. That is why the article above and its content (except the loss of this Childs life we did not take care) as well as the recent disputed movie Demons in Paradise does not bring justice to the Majority. The minority here is the ones talks about divisional politics and the retribution amongst themselves is what holding us all back from moving forward is what need to be discussed. One has to note this majority is a willing to accommodate all too to date is a very healthy sign. We can not have selective investigations but can have (1) Tamil crime on Tamils (2) Sinhala crime on Sinhala (3) Sinhala vs Tamil and then proceed to war crime investigation will be a meaningful and will lay a good bench mark for a healthier future. However if we are all for Peace and Reconciliation then it is this Minority vs Majority has to be clearly understood and not Tamil vs Sinhala is the point. If this is about land reforms/releasing innocents in the jail/armed forces giving land back to the people then this requires acceptable faces for the discussions but not the same TNA/TULF/PLOTE/TELO/EPRLF….JVP’s and other facist religious organisations……this is what is holding the entire to ransom…..just as an example if I care about Tamil rights then given a set of tried methods failed perhaps one should pave way to others to do their shaping of the future.

  • 0
    1

    Continued
    The history indeed is repeating itself in which we are collective losses perhaps excerpt some of us now have made home elsewhere. Just to further drive my message please look at South Africa/Malaysia and other countries where Tamils live did not resort to the same solutions as we have adopted perhaps they made better decisions to sail through the storm for a better weather and now the beneficiaries too. Discriminations comes in many forms including the language but how the life struggle is any better for those without the language problem is what one has to focus from now on will yield a better tomorrow. Once more no one in their right mind will ever justify any crime on anyone not it is about relativity but necessity is not to loose context. I wish all that energy and sacrifices were used by all the SJV politics to JVP politics were used in economical discussions we could have liberated our people of poverty a long time ago. Try to offer the same solutions to India and other nations that we were stuffed with then you will know what I am thinking. If we look back our history with language/race/religious/cast/class politics then one would know it is not the governments vs people it is our own DNA makeup that has created all kind of discriminations too. then to talk about cockyness/thuggery/rapes/stabbing/killing/miming which were all there in all the community from north to south…….this is what I mean when I feel we lost context but not as an demeaning remark on others opinions. I am born 1963 and brought up under Mr Thiagarajah’s household I certainly know to certain degree the social ills over and beyond the Sinhala Only act that required fixing/priority the most but we focused on an incorrect action list have led to the non sequential actions make it impossible to tackle issues in the interest of all.

  • 2
    1

    Brother Pandi Kutti, don’t jump to conclusion, I think we have an issue. I went through so many past comments one by one. They are by Usha Sri – Skandar – Rjah ( not Usha Candappa.) herself and noone else. I am positive Usha Sri – Skandar – Rjah has posted anti Tamil comments discreetly. I am postive not Chinkalagi woman as potrayed by you.

  • 2
    0

    It is strange and preposterous for someone to say Koneswaran is not a Tamil name. What about our holiest shrine – Koneswaran Tample? Sinhalayas trying to trap us

  • 0
    0

    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/

  • 1
    0

    Thamodaran Thampo, are you Balasubramaniam Thampo’s son (Bala Thampo’s)? I have been looking for him.

    • 1
      0

      Singaravelu

      Are you sure you are looking for Tampon or Thampo’s son? It appears you need loads of Tampons.

  • 1
    0

    No I’m Robin Thampo’s (film producer) son. Bala Thampo was my uncle.

  • 5
    2

    Ms. Skandarajah,

    You are insane to call the terrorists as Freedom fighters. With this statement, we can understand mind set of a few racists individuals and Vellalas. How many tamils that they have killed in cold blood for dissent including so called their own political leaders and tamil groups and Tamil intellectuals. How many unarmed innocent civillians that they have killed? Is this so called freedom fighting?
    This insane metality for non-existing issues with non – practical solutions managed to deceive the Tamil masses all along since 1933 to 2009 and no more.

  • 3
    2

    Nimal Tissa Wijethunga – one man’s hero is another man’s villain

    We are not Vellala, but Karawa

    • 1
      0

      Ms Skandarajah,
      If terrorists are your heros, my conclusion of your insane mentality is confirmed. Can you disprove any of the facts mentioned in my comment and the murderous action of so called freedom fighters?
      Please note that Tamil masses are totally against your vision of praising cold blooded murderers as Freedom fighters.
      Do not be a fool to believe in terrorist activities or Terrorism and be a Sri Lankan in the 1st place.
      Divisionary politics or attitude or point of view will never serve any purpose to you and the community that you believe in representing.

  • 2
    4

    I understand Sri Lankans whether Sinhalese or Tamil do not view the Indians in positive light. But I must say I have quite a few Indian friends and they are exclusively from the IPKF whom I met during their time in Sri Lanka.

    We still write to each other once in a while and keep in touch and I have promised them that I will visit them one last time in India before my time in this world is up.

    While they were in SL way back in the late 80s, we had the best of times. They were good boozers and bloody good singers of Hindi songs. They also liked our Baila music so much that some started learning the words from us. But above all they were also true soldiers with a penchant for Jaffna girls.

  • 2
    1

    MRS Usha.
    My full support for you eelamist to get your Eelam. But I have big doubt because The hindians and TamizarNaadu makal are not willing to division of their land for a selfish racists group.
    And Sri lankan Tamizhr are flatly refusing your ideas and inspirations. Because they have learned that very hard way and they have lost their faith on your bogus outfit. Many of my close friends have lost their loved ones and everything. As a Buddhist Sinhalese ( I am not a Sinhalese Buddhist), I have helped many of them to save their lives and scape from your Thalivaar noose and SLG’s persecutions as I have known that they are innocent. Now Most of them are living in Europe , Australia And Americas. Now at this moment I provide this information as I am in Kilinochchi, staying in a Tamizhar friend’s place. Now you can’t fool Sri Lankan thamizhars. Don’t try either. Let them mind their own businesses. They have so many problems and obligations to consider. Karaiyar, Nalaivar, Naturvar or Thattar we don’t mind as all human s.
    And please, please don’t send any Swiss kumars to Spoil Sri Lankan Tamizhr Society.

    • 0
      5

      Amare,

      While you are in Jaffna, you must visit the red light districts of Chundukuli and Vembadi. Highly recommended.

      • 3
        0

        Regie,

        Yep – while your wives, daughters, sisters and mothers are busy servicing Arabs, what choice do you have but to go hunting for any left-over trash you can find, nevermind where in the island!

        • 0
          2

          Kumar,

          Please don’t call them “left over trash”. Once you wash them well and get them to wear some nice cologne they are right up there with the best. Take plenty of cologne when you go up there to Jaffna.

          • 3
            0

            Oh Regie,

            The lenght you have to go to because you had to rent out your wifves, daughters, sisters and morthers to the Arabs!

            Did your womenfolk write back to you on how Arabs cover themselves in cologne when they get serviced?

          • 3
            0

            Regie,

            You just prove the point “one person’s trash is another’s treasure!” It is the best you can afford I suppose. Dust-bin dogs are limited in their choice!!

            • 0
              4

              Kumar,

              You are entitled to your opinion. But you are talking like this because you do not known how I successful I am.

              Do you live in Canada? If so we can perhaps meet up for a drink. And I can show you my prosperity. Your writing here tells me that you are an educated man. Unlike most of the rif-rafs here, to whom I don’t even bother to respond.

              • 3
                0

                Regie,

                Obviously money alone cannot buy what you need – you must then have some other dreadful handicap that limits your choices to dust-bin pleasures!

                I am far too selective in who I associate with – not chance!

                • 0
                  5

                  A Sinhalese lion offering a hand of friendship to a tamil is a rare occurrence. You should not let it go. If you do, then don’t let put your cry baby stuff that you are being discriminated and that we don’t like you fellas this and that.

                  • 4
                    0

                    Regie,

                    Let me assure you that not even many Sinhalese would want to associate with low-lives that harbour sentiments such as yours that you so p[roudly share in these columns! See Amere’s response to you. Seems your own Sinhala family has abandoned you as well, that you need to scrape the bottom of dust-bins to fullfill your desires, as you admit, with or without cologne.

                    As for my association, low lives are unreservedly tabooed.

                    • 0
                      5

                      Ok, then don’t poke your mouth in my discussions. They are meant for Sinhalese patriots who are racially aware of the impending threat from minorities in Sri Lanka.

                      They are not meant for those with a toilet bucket in their hands.

                    • 3
                      0

                      Regie,

                      When you decide to make comments in public, you’d better be man enough to handle responses to your comments. Well if you were man enough, I guess your spuses will not be servicing Arabs.

                      As for the toilet bucket reference, you should be so lucky if she is only handling that end of the bargain – and not mopping up from the front end of the Arabs too!

                  • 2
                    0

                    Retarded …………………………. Shameless Perera

                    “A Sinhalese lion offering a hand of friendship to a tamil is a rare occurrence. “
                    -.
                    In this island a lion is caged in the zoo, and no one is that stupid enough to get into the cage and shake hands with a beast.

      • 2
        0

        Retarded …………………

        “While you are in Jaffna, you must visit the red light districts of Chundukuli and Vembadi.”

        Are you inviting unsuspecting CT readers to use your services?
        Why is the police reluctant to charge you for Solicitation of Prostitution?
        Try find a honest days job even if it meant spit polishing Field Marshal’s boots.

      • 1
        0

        Sorry to inform you that I am not your type or a visitor.
        Even when I was in Singapore, India, Dubai, Oman, Indonesia, Qatar,Saudi Arabia, I never thought of that . Enjoy yourself.

  • 2
    0

    K. Pillai has said, “There are some personal attacks on Usha and Brian.”
    .
    Very true. So be a little more careful when writing articles which say the same thing over and over again. There’s nothing really wrong with Usha’s article, but three or four of us, some Tamils, have said, that they don’t have the time to read all that she writes. The same may be true of the comments that I make! You supply oxygen to the likes of “Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera” who is disowned by us all.
    .
    I have made many comments here:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/jvp-councillor-samantha-widyarathna-seeks-unhrc-intervention-to-secure-compensation-over-uva-wellassa-rebellion-in-1818/
    .
    None of them is of great importance. It’s just that somebody has to ensure that diversionary strategies are exposed for what they are.

  • 3
    0

    “she swallowed cyanide. A decision had been made to withdraw because we were heavily out-numbered”

    Ms. Usha,

    Imagine poor Lt Malati comes back and learns that her ruthless leader didn’t have the courage to do what he taught her to do – swallow cyanide.
    Will she feel that she was exploited? Or, misused, betrayed?

  • 0
    0

    Ms Skandarajah,
    If terrorists are your heros, my conclusion of your insane mentality is confirmed. Can you disprove any of the facts mentioned in my comment and the murderous action of so called freedom fighters?
    Please note that Tamil masses are totally against your vision of praising cold blooded murderers as Freedom fighters.
    Do not be a fool to believe in terrorist activities or Terrorism and be a Sri Lankan in the 1st place.
    Divisionary politics or attitude or point of view will never serve any purpose to you and the community that you believe in representing.

  • 0
    0

    In place of all the Sri Lankan’s Crime against Sri Lankans investigations we can move forward by understanding the following

    Speech by our PM at Balliol recently has more relevance to the majority of us in SL and all our children’s future too >>> perhaps we should include Chinese and Hindi to the list of languages in my earlier list we should master in addition to Sinhala/Tamil and English at schools?

    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-four-quadrants-western-world-china-islamic-world-asia/

    The Chinese plan is real and we should demand the best as a collective Nation from India and China and we can only do this if we are united. The following is critical to understand the reality such we cut the cost and move forward collectively avoiding any further misuse of our children’s future by these regional powers.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bk5jppEN1o
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw6SLjeywtI
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2mUa8VavDc

    Love to see an article on 70 years of our fisheries stock management in our great seas by Sri Lanka – what do we know as to who did what in our seas and continue to do so at their will? I think the entire population can be employed just in the industry alone whiles we take care of her pollution levels? tourism in diving/sailing/corals /fishing could solve more problems? Marine Biology/Marine engineering and all other educational topics related to sea / expertise for our future survival/mastery??.

    • 1
      0

      Dear T. Venugopal,
      .
      Thanks for the links to the three Youtubes. Yes, I see your point. The Chinese as Colonial Masters may well be more exploitative than the Europeans. Even if this represents Western anti-Chinese propaganda, we’ve got to study the hard facts – and learn from them, before it’s too late.
      .
      The Chinese have had a set back in the Maldives; but what is My3 Sirisena now trying to do, accusing India of all sorts of things.

      • 0
        0

        Dear Sir

        When this detail was leaked from a cabinet meeting the state of affairs in our nation is already clear. Then the way Sri Lankan press reacted to this with derogative comments then it is clear we are lost as a Nation to start with?? This should remain beyond party politics and anyone who doe not take this matter with upmost concern not worthy of being a SL Citizen nor a well-wisher of our Nation?
        With regard to this and all other ungovernable situations presented since independence we can call for an Intentional summit in SL named “we want to be left be alone”. We can present a graph showing from 1900 to 2018 ‘time vs violent death’ in SL with all the politics/policies/mutinies/riots/uprisings/liberation struggles/normal crimes with International Geo Politic time lined and inserted on the graph will show a well deserved justification for all the developing countries dilemmas. The problem with us is we did not understand how we are being man handled by everyone else in the world for their personal needs? The Indian and Chinese situation should not be allowed to be translated into Tamil vs Sinhala issues is all I know as a starter. They have ample boarders amongst themselves between China and India to sort out their differences at their own expense but SL is not their playground nor with our children’s life??? It is wort contemplating we ask both the countries to compensate for most of the misery by loan cancellations etc?

      • 0
        0

        Dear Sir

        I do not consider China as Colonial Masters but as a country to look upto for achievements. China has deliverd lot of good projects however much they are on their own terms naturally comes with the package. This is a position of strength. If we are an united Nation of people with patriotism as a centre theme then we can negotiate better terms with China and she will deliver the same to us too.

        India helped SL under Indra Gandhi to quell the 1971 JVP rebellion. This was to do with the geo political nature at that time and one should be grateful too. Then they have delivered PLOTE/LTTE/TELO………..etc……then had their men on the ground too and then their part in the final war realities and the blunders to date. In addition PC’s and the current constitutional assembly when the country need is a functioning payment to deliver justice to all. We are indeed buggered.

        The west yet to have a consistent policy with SL except to reap the benefit of the ‘Land of the Disappeared’ benefiting for their economy and future master planning. They could have asked all the settlers in their shores to return to SL to do the Nation building insted the next phase of the rot at the UN with the help from our neighbours who equally played the part in the final phase of the war?? is for any fool to see this foley…….how globule one can get as we have become?? then we blame the SL soldiers for all that went wrong?? further graving any possibility of reconciliation amongst the next generation of SL children who has nothing to do with the past and others deeds?.

      • 0
        0

        Continued

        One has to wait and see what is being offered as a genuine help celebrating the principles of Gandhi and all other morals attached to International law as a trustworthy neighbour only time can tell.

        We as SL’s can always spent the rest of our life bickering just about anything without any facts or with facts suite us yet do not have to deliver anything……….this comes at the expense of children like Malati and the Armed Forces also fellow SL children mostly of the same age group fought for the same the Nations dignity. Yet one is ok and the other is not based on what is ok for me…..but never about the other person who may well be equally deserving the same justice and made the same sacrifices. Devils advocacy indeed. Why are we now continuing the same old further graving the future of SL children who has nothing to do with our past and all the bad deeds?? I think time for CT to ensure the writers and the commenters alike are fully identified with their real names/nationality and passport numbers otherwise we are doomed via the media spreding not so conducive and harmonious message and the required discussions for the peace building needs.

        India can start mending bridges by taking care of their fishermen never fish in SL waters and also ensure they work hand in hand with SL to keep the seas clean. If the NPC can do this with the Indian Consulate in Jaffna then both are dysfunctional entities indeed wasting both countries tax payers money. With the future chinese sea fright traffic to be rerouted and the SL becoming a hub for Indian trade via the sea we need to focus on teaching our people how to deal with pollution and accidents (oil tanker) in the future specially with the oil and gas industry to come soon. We are focus on the wrong discussions like bridge to India and Tamil and Sinhala non sense when our priorities for survivals are entirely different????

  • 0
    0

    The first of all divide and conquor during the colonial time is not what we need to focus anymore. We need to understand how we got divided by our own prejudices/ignorance/lack of education (I do not mean University Certificates) over and beyond the obvious blunders by our own leaderships from all segments of our society and their lack of knowledge itself on administration/vision/mission were all got exploited by the geo political masters is what we need to understand urgently. Sri Lanka is for Sri Lankans and all other Nations are welcome to do trade/exchange of culture/even to empower their own children regionally and internationally in our space too we shall accommodate as a progressive Nation. We need to stop the rot now with our divisive politics and join hands with all the elected officials (irrespective of the party politics) to complement the development projects/plans. Honourable Presidents Development initiatives can not be put on hold by anyone anywhere in the Country as no such mandate were ever given to based on their mandates/manifestos they probably did not explain explicitly to the voting public a very tramatised public one may add indeed having endured this miserable war . In parallel surly but steadily we shall address all other outstanding issues/grievances we have collectively done to each other as bad and evil deeds since Independence as we have proven beyond reasonable doubt we are indeed good at revenge/retribution but pathetically incapable to see the doom day scenarios literally making us irrelevant to the place of birth itself and the planet earth itself.

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    As we are an Island we have a substatial sea defence responsibility / fishiries development in shallow and deep sea (our seas not far from the shore see depths of 2000m)/sea based tourism as we have several islands too up north/offshore industry related to oil and gas to come too then should not we invest in ship/all kind of boats/trawler building and maritime defence vessel building/luxury boat building for the future national and international markets?? We need agricultural and small industry self reliance initiatives retaining culture and heritage identity with all her diversity? Should we then be exporting the coconuts/sesame seeds and oils making it expensive for the locals population and damaging their health with all other substitutes imported?? Analytical labs through out the island for medical and non medical analysis such as water and soil and all the imported goods fit for consumption by the locals and the respective technological know how to be the centre of such technology/service industry for the region/skilled labour for the construction industry (we should invite all our folks who left to foreign countries to come back and man up this development scope and enjoy life with their families?) and million more issues to be addressed?? we do not have time for revenge and retribution as what we need to deliver are all very different scopes?? compulsory service for all in the armed forces will solve all the issues of divisions??? A reflective police service will go even longer distance?? Please please do not remember our Child Malati for all the wrong reasons as she need to be remembered for where we failed from the day of inception as a Nation?? Most of the politicians never worked together as they were hell bent on dividing the country since inception and have just achieved that with the dire consequences we know today?

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    The point here is now is the time for the nation to heal by taking stock of all what has happened since Independence and the sacrifices every family from North to South and East to West has made for the past 70 years. it is also time we demonstrate we understand the religious teachings/cultural diversities/Law and Order of the Nation. Then to light the candle for every Mother Lankan life lost in the process of learning then we are worthy of living otherwise the journey is going nowhere. Basically we have all terrorised each other to get this far (not just on the grounds of religion and language alone) but also in the name of case/class/race and many more then take this pain as a shock tratement we did this for ourself ….focus on the Nation Building activity with lessons learned should make us a better people worthy of a much more dignified life than we had in the past.

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    Start electing parties with no names of religion/language/race and various liberation symbols is important to help the next generation of our children not to have this prejudices subliminally enshrined in their minds….ensure never to vote for anyone who undermine there opponents but only make there case as to what they have to offer to you and to all others too. A President/PM/MP/Minister/PC/LG/Municipality candidate who want to serve all can not undermine opposition candidates nor their voters.

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    The candidate is a qualified man with some economical background/track record in public service and fully understand the job scope for which they are gathering votes/want to be elected then they have to represent all their constituents/electorates/Nation irrespective of their party politics. Basically party politics is all about serving the Nation and her subjects full stop during there tenor. Basically do not allow intimidation/bullying/physical threats/name calling (Traitors were the name used for those who did not tread the lines of certain party politics in Jaffna then) persuade you otherwise. If any party allowed such events they are not worthy too serve the Nation and please look for alternative parties and candidates. I say this with personal experience since 1970 elections to 1981 Development Council Elections in Jaffna as to what really took place is for another day.

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    This is where we show how brave we are and not in battle fronts thorough proxy wars then we save many more Child Malati’s in the future. I asked so many foreign Tamils around the world in Tamil Nadu/Malaysia/South Africa etc and the SL Tamils and there children in the west why they nor there children replaced Malati in the front line and am still waiting for an answer?? Essence here is not good for you most likely is also not so good for others too……….yes we could have saved Malati indeed if applied some common sense could have gone a long way to save lot more life’s too. Please do not make the same mistake again is the lesson learned and spend every ounce of knowledge/wealth/writing ability we have towards making the life better for all Mother Lankan children irrespective of Race/Religion/Language/Cast/Class we all need to eratdicate then there will be no more Malati’s committing sue-side on behalf of us all but look forward to a beautiful life for themselves just as we all strive for our own children?

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      Thanks again, T. Venugopal,
      .
      You’ve made a string of telling comments.
      .
      I hope you won’t mind being a bit pedantic in asking that you space them out a bit – just let a full-stop take the place of a line. That’s what I’ve just done.
      .
      Usha, please poder on what your fellow-Tamil has just told you.

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        Thank you for the kind corrections and appreciated.

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    The same request applies to other Nations too who have used our projudices for their advantages making use of our children for their proxy wars. Do not do it again please as we do not do that to your children to solve your problems and is illegal in the International convention too as this falls under Foreign State Sponsored terrorism. The history we make today is what matters for a better tomorrow and any other history we refer for lessons learned only be it 10 000 years or 2500 years or 70 years or 10 years?? The developed nations we lookup to have more chequered history than we do is also another lessons for us to remember as they have all overcome even worse cenarios to get there too where we would not even apply some of antics as we apply in SL when we talk about ‘justice and fairness’ too but somehow it is ok for us to live there?? Hence the expectation we all have from the Tamil Forum referenced in this article will deliver justice to all the Tamils speaking and the non Tamil speaking masses in the respective Country they live is naturally expected? retaining the sovereignty of the respective country too?? We need to be consistent throughout as Justice can not have double standards?? To demonstate the same the article should read the Tamil forum works for empowering all the woman and children in Sri Lanka in the name of Child Malati??? and is a promise???

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    As long as Tamil political leaders and some racist individuals talk about Tamil Homeland, Elam, Separate state, and praising cold blooded murderers of LTTE Terrorist, the majority will never ever come together with them. Instead, we will come together with Tamil masses to move forward as Sri Lanka Nation leaving behind so called racist tamil political leaders and some racist tamil individuals in order them to go to dust bin of the history.

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      Nimal Tissass Wijethunga

      Apart from LTTE killing 21 Million people, Rajive, ……….. your agreement with Channa Masala that the state found solution to its “Tamil Problem” at Mullivaaikkal, there won’t be any Tamil Separate State in Sri Lanka, ……………… what else do you have to say?

      “Instead, we will come together with Tamil masses to move forward as Sri Lanka Nation leaving behind so called racist tamil political leaders and some racist tamil individuals in order them to go to dust bin of the history.”

      Could you explain what you mean exactly by “Sri Lanka Nation”.
      Alright what are you going to do with the Sinhala/Buddhist noisy mutant homeland minority? Are you going to commit suicide?

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    Native Veddah alias Angoda Veddah alias Kala Veddah,

    Please provide your facts or comments against my comments rather than asking unrelated questions as my comments are very clear to any person with sane minded unlike person ith insane mind as same as you.

    Once again in simple terms that there are no Tamil Problems or Ethnic problem in Sri Lanka as all the problems are economic in nature and common to everybody living in Sri Lanka.

    LTTE Terrorists tried to settle issues by armed struggle that they believe existing in Sri Lanka and settled the matter on the banks of Nanthikadal lagoon on 19th May 2009 after getting annihilation by Armed forces of Sri Lanka.

    Over to you Native alias Angoda alias Kala veddah

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