1 May, 2025

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Roots Of Armed Conflict: High Commissioner’s Misinterpretations  

By Laksiri Fernando –

Dr. Laksiri Fernando

Did or did not Sri Lanka face separatist terrorism from the LTTE and other sources? Why cannot the so-called High Commissioner for Human Rights accept this truth? Why instead the High Commissioner’s Report directly and indirectly try to justify that separatist terrorism? It appears that the words ‘terrorism’ and ‘separatism’ have been taboo to the High Commissioner. However, criticisms about ‘Buddhism,’ ‘Sinhala-Buddhist ethno-nationalism’ and ‘majoritarianism’ frequently appear in the Report. 

Armed Conflict or Ethnic Conflict? 

Among other excuses for separatism and terrorism the following appears in the Report:  

In Sri Lanka, armed conflict emerged against a backdrop of deepening discrimination against and the marginalization of the country’s minorities, particularly the Tamils.” 

What is the picture given? The ‘diagnosis’ here is that the ‘armed conflict’ emerged because or ‘against a backdrop’ of deepening discrimination and the marginalization of the Tamils.’ In justification of this ‘diagnosis,’ some others have quoted the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report. However, what the LLRC report said was the following. 

The Commission takes the view that the root cause of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka lies in the failure of successive Governments to address the genuine grievances of the Tamil people.” 

There is a difference. The High Commissioner was talking about ‘the armed conflict’ but the LLRC was talking about the ‘ethnic conflict.’ Are these the same? It also should be noted that the LLRC report qualifies the grievances as ‘genuine grievances.’ It is true that the LLRC report also refers to the armed conflict in a very generous manner and says the following because one of its mandates was Reconciliation. 

The country may not have been confronted with a violent separatist agenda, if the political consensus at the time of independence had been sustained and if policies had been implemented to build up and strengthen the confidence of the minorities around the system which had gained a reasonable measure of acceptance.” 

It should be noted the LLRC report’s open-ended qualification ‘the country may not have been confronted.’ It is not a diagnosis but an opinion/speculation. As a record of history, it also should be noted that the separatist agenda came soon after independence from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) in 1949. It is true that the citizenships acts came in 1948 depriving the hill country Tamils of their citizenship, but it is not from that community the separatist agenda emerged.

Are the Reasons Objective?  

In social science and political science analyses, there can be other reasons for ‘violent separatist agendas’ in the ideological sphere other than objective reasons. We should not quote passages just rhetorically without understanding the nuances. I never got the opportunity to go before the LLRC, because of travel, but I had the opportunity to meet some of the members later and their views were quite concerned, magnanimous, and fully committed to reconciliation and resolving the problems that all communities were facing. The LLRC report is one building block for possible reconciliation.  

What I would quote below is what the prominent British historian, Eric Hobsbawm, quoted and analyzed about the roots of this separatist ideology in his famous ‘Nations and Nationalism’ (latest edition, 2012, pp.6-7). I was reluctant to quote this before for the last several years for the sake of reconciliation but given the distortions and attempts by the High Commissioners (present and the last) to resurrect separatism and probably terrorism in Sri Lanka, it is timely that I quote and bring it to the notice of the public. First, his quote came from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), manifesto, “The Case for a Federal Constitution of Ceylon,” Colombo, 1951. 

“The Tamil-speaking people in Ceylon constitute a nation distinct from that of the Sinhalese by every fundamental test of nationhood, firstly that of a separate historical past in the island at least as ancient and as glorious as that of the Sinhalese, secondly by the fact of their being a linguistic entity different from that of the Sinhalese, with an unsurpassed classical heritage and a modern development of language which makes Tamil fully adequate for all present-day needs, and finally by reason of their territorial habitation of definite areas.”  

Unfortunately, SJV Chelvanayakam was the brain behind these concepts or principles. These are the concepts later developed into the Vaddukoddai Resolution (1976) and Thimphu Principles (1985). Hobsbawm said immediately after quoting the above passage that:  

The purpose of this passage is clear: it is to demand autonomy or independence for an area described as ‘over one third of the island’ of Sri Lanka, on grounds of Tamil nationalism. Nothing else about it as it seems. 

This was soon after independence and not later. Of course, the Tamil people have had so many grievances after independence and even before because of neglect of their areas and discrimination. These should have been negotiated on an objective and reasonable grounds by their true representatives. However, the federalist or separatist demands were based on a nationalist ideology, or ideologies of the political leaders. Hobsbawm considered these demands to be unreasonable and unrealistic. He was not a Sinhala nationalist. 

Hobsbawm’s Insight 

After expressing his dismay and unreasonable nature of the territorial demands of Tamil nationalism (too long to quote here) he said the following with reference to the 13th Amendment. 

In fact, in the negotiations which led to the end of the Sri Lankan civil war in 1987, the decision to do so was a straightforward political concession to the demands of the Tamil nationalists.” 

Hobsbawm’s book was first published in early 1990. He even thought that given the above concession, the war would end. Unfortunately, it did not. He said:

As we have already seen the ‘linguistic entity’ conceals the unquestionable fact that indigenous Tamils, immigrant Indians and Moors are – so far – a homogeneous population in no other than the philosophical sense, and, as we shall see, probably not even in this sense.” 

He went further and had a prophesy at the end of the analysis. 

As for the ‘separate historical past,’ the phrase is almost certainly anachronistic, question-begging or so vague as to be meaningless. It may, of course, be objected that patently propagandist manifestos should not be scrutinized as they were contributions to the social sciences, but the point is that almost any classification of some community as a ‘nation’ on the grounds of such purportedly objective criteria would be open to similar objections, unless the fact that it was a ‘nation’ could be established on other grounds.” 

It was to establish this ‘nation’ or ‘Eelam’ on other grounds that Prabhakaran fought through terrorism. But he and others failed. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights or others therefore, in my concerned opinion, should not directly or indirectly try to justify and resurrect it again.     

Latest comments

  • 21
    4

    You are now showing your true Chingkalla Buddhist Racist colours and out and out Sinhalese Buddhist hardliner and racist, strangely descended from recently Sinhalised , Portuguese era South Indian slave labour imports, now doing the anti Tamil dance. Disgrace to your so called education. Run away to Australia and from there preaching and supporting Chingkalla racist Fascism but like most Chingkallams in the west , demand equal opportunity and dignity for them and their families in their newly adopted western homeland, at the same time supporting and preaching genocide , marginalization and war crimes to be committed on the island’s Tamils.

    • 17
      3

      Laksiri, you are exposing your racist credentials by coming out with rubbish. Sri Lanka had to face separatist terrorism from LTTE because of racist terrorism of Sri Lanka on Tamils. Years of discrimination in education, employment and economy coupled with repeated state sponsored violence to destroy lives and properties of Tamils led to some youths to take up arms against state perpetrators for the safety and dignity of their people. Why cannot racists like you accept this truth. Why are you directly and indirectly trying to justify murder and ethnic cleansing carried out by successive governments. It appears that the words state terrorism and Sinhala racism are taboo to you. However you at liberty to attack Tamil struggle for justice and equality to live with dignity and safety. Be ashamed of yourself.

      • 3
        8

        Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
        Malabar Vellala Tamils were the most privileged community in Sri Lanka at the time Sinhale (Ceylon) gained Independence. They dominated the Administration of the country with a disproportionate share of jobs in the permanent and pensionable public service. In the Medical College, Engineering and Science Faculties in the university more than 60% were Vellala Tamils. No low caste Tamils from Yapanaya or Tamils from tea plantations in the University.
        Losing the privileged status of a small section of the Tamil community after Sinhale (Ceylon) became an Independent State should not be interpreted as marginalization and discrimination of ‘TAMILS’ by Sinhala majority.
        Sinhalayo who are the Native people in Sinhale were marginalized and discriminated by Brits and Vellala Tamils during British rule.
        —-
        “Years of discrimination in education, employment and economy coupled with repeated state sponsored violence to destroy lives and properties of Tamils led to some youths to take up arms against state perpetrators for the safety and dignity of their people.”

  • 19
    4

    Laksiri,
    Have you sold your conscience to Rajapaksas? Lasantha paid a price for bringing the truth about Rajapaksa corruption? What is the prize you got from Rajapaksa”s for now accusing UNHRC Commissioner?
    What you mean by separatist Terrorism?
    How do you differentiate Terrorism and Separative Terrorism?
    Is it LTTE or Sri Lanka separated people by Religion and Race?
    I am ashamed of you having a doctorate and supporting murder of Rajapaksas!

      • 4
        0

        Laksiri,
        Article does not change the human attitude.

    • 6
      0

      Laksiri,
      Have you sold your conscience to Rajapaksas”
      -Ajith

      My conscience is still with me Ajith.

      Then, probably, Royals too with him in Australia. (Ullam Kollai Paukuthea Killai Inpam Kanuthea- Heart is being stolen, but that is what a great robbery of happiness. )

  • 16
    3

    Come on, stop splitting hair.

    What did the successive governments since do to the Tamils?

    D S Senanayake started colonizing the North and East with Sinhalese from the South so that Sinhalese being a big majority will change make Tamils minority everywhere in the island.

    He made the upcountry Tamils stateless.

    Then regular government sponsored pogroms were let loose on Tamils at least half a dozen times. In 2019 they let loose riots against Muslims too.

    Security forces aid and abetted Sinhalese rioters.

    Rioters, rapers and arsonists of Tamils properties are afforded impunity in the law.

    Security forces accused of serous international crimes and at the helm of the government now.

    Laksiri Fernando don’t think you are smart enough to fool the impartial observers with ample evidence outside.

    A very apt quote comes to my mind:

    When Robert Knox said “the Cingalese are a cunning lot who mistake the low-level cunning they possess to be a high level of Intelligence,” he was not wrong by far.

    • 7
      18

      T
      “When Robert Knox said “the Cingalese are …” he was not wrong by far.”
      You are citing a White racist’s overly generalized comment because it suits your prejudices. One can equally fish out matching comments about Tamils by non-Tamils. Will you approve of them too?
      *
      (BTW, this is not the first time that you cited Knox here to say the same thing. If your desire is to stir racial hatred join the bandwagon already on the roll here.)

      • 6
        0

        I do not like to stereotype a group behaviour based on anecdotal evidences.

        If Robert Knox is White racist, then how come a overly generalised comment about his own race (at that time the belief that Sinhalese being Aryan) on his own perception expressed an opinion on not-to-bee-seen side of Sinhalese?

        Did Robert Knox say similar comment about Tamils or for that matter any other ethnicities?

        • 1
          5

          KA
          Are you taking Knox for a balanced impartial person?
          Had he lived in caste-ridden Jaffna, he may have said worse about Tamils.

          • 2
            1

            it must read appreciable behaviour about Sinhalese

          • 2
            0

            SJ

            The comment below seem to have lost.

            In contrast, if R Knox said something appreciable about Sinhalese, what would your view about R Knox be?

            • 0
              3

              I generally do not accept judgmental pronouncements on any people.
              Observations of things and events are at best evidence that can say something. There are ways to cross-check.
              Quite a few of us seem to suffer a compulsion to seek endorsement by foreigners, desirably past colonial masters.

              • 2
                0

                ” Had he lived in caste-ridden Jaffna, he may have said worse about Tamils.”
                A judgemental statement from cesspool mouth vile person. At least Robert Knox was not kidnapped and brought to Ceylon by UOJ paramilitaries. He didn’t come Ceylon because he could not get Visa to settle in UK. So there is no reason to suspect his evaluations. Further, there is a Sinhala wise men word “Sinhala Modaya” . That type of words are common in all societies, but still worth to ask a Sinhala wise man why they say like that?
                Knox came to Ceylon to learn about Sinhalese. He just didn’t keep throwing up venomous filth like UOJ Saddampies. He did his own evaluation. His accepted, high capacity writing shows that he is not a paid Badijudeen Graduate. At the end, Sinhalese took British help to defeat a Tamil Royal family and made Kandy Accord with them to abolish Tamil Royal monarchs. Probably that is one of the reason Knox thought “Sinhalese think they are smart but they are fools”.

    • 5
      15

      Thiru,
      “D S Senanayake started colonizing the North and East with Sinhalese from the South”

      Dumbo, colonizing is done by foreigners. D.S. Senanayake did not have to colonize his country. He established settlement schemes to take Sinhalayo to their ancient Kingdoms destroyed by ‘Para’ Dravida invaders. He gave a chance to Tamils also but they did not come because they were scared of malaria. Even Sinhala people were made scared by N.M.Perera saying that there are malaria mosquitos of the size of coconuts. But brave Sinhalayo went and developed that area. Now these dumbos say it is their ‘Traditional Homeland’.
      Tamils who were brought to Yapanaya by Portuguese are occupying land belonged to Sinhalayo. Please vacate Sinhala land and return to your ancestral homeland.

      • 16
        2

        Mahindapala, first colonization by foreigners took place 2500 years ago when a bunch of 500 Bengali criminals landed and changed Dravidian civilization and Saivite culture. According to archaeological and genetic studies, original people are Veddhas (East, central and south east) and Dravidians in the rest of the country. First religion to be practiced is Saivaism. So it is Sinhalese who do not fall into these category, have to vacate Dravidian Saivite land and return to their ancestral homeland in Bangladesh or Pakistan.

        • 2
          8

          Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
          British colonized Sinhale. Malabar Vellala Tamils from Yapanaya who were illegal immigrants colonized Colombo during British rule.

  • 14
    2

    “US Justice Department documents noted that Sri Lanka hired Zuberi in 2014 to rehabilitate the country’s image in the United States, which had suffered because of allegations that its minority Tamil population had been persecuted.” Daily Mirror 23 February 2021. Zuberi is sentenced to 144 months in jail.

    Why does Sri Lanka want to rebuild its image if it is not true?

    • 5
      20

      T
      There are many people that have a bad image in the West– thanks to the media and certain influential interest groups.
      The Palestinians badly need a strong campaign.
      The GoSL has every right to protect its image when it is under attack.
      It is funny that objections come from quarters that whitewash the crimes of the LTTE.
      *
      Whether Sri Lanka is as clean as it wishes to be seen and whether the methods used to enhance its image are proper are valid issues.

        • 6
          0

          “I appreciate SJ. So you are hiding in a anti Tamils’ Munthanai. Is that all needed at this stage of your life, instead of being honest?

      • 5
        0

        Blah Blah Blah, ………..
        You write your comments, while not googling properly to save the IP’s Data quota.
        Read the resolution 30/1 OPs and tell what is there. If you couldn’t read, please let me know. In his first speech, Kumar said Tamils are open to investigate LTTE’s actions, so asked Aanduwa to come forward to investigate Paramilitary and Rapist Army. Please google properly instead of showing the bottomless cesspool stupidity.

    • 3
      12

      Thiru,
      “Why does Sri Lanka want to rebuild its image if it is not true?”
      —-
      Because Tamil Diaspora and Malabar Vellala Tamil politicians tarnished the image of Sri Lanka by spreading blatant lies among the International Community.
      Let me tell you one of my own experiences. At a seminar held in The Netherlands, the Tamil who made the presentation showed a photo of a Hindu devotee hanging from hooks and told this is the way Sri Lanka Army torture Tamils.

  • 18
    4

    CT

    Here we go again.
    Laksiri Fernando types:

    “It was to establish this ‘nation’ or ‘Eelam’ on other grounds that Prabhakaran fought through terrorism. “

    Is that why Prabaharan single handedly created situation in 1956, 1958, 1961, (1971), 1972, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1983, (1987-91), 30 years to 2009 and after, …………………… Perhaps 1883, 1915, 2014, .. 2018, 2019, too was created by Prabaharan, inspired by SJV Chelva’s concepts.

    • 0
      8

      NV
      Tamil separatism is the root cause of all this.
      .
      Though formally declared in 1976 Vadukkodai resolution oficially expressed their intent from colonial days.
      .
      Sinhalese have always been fearful of big Tamil Nadu involvement in the process
      .
      I don’t know much of what happened after Elara – Dutu Gemunu fight.

      Soma

      • 7
        0

        soman

        “I don’t know much of what happened after Elara – Dutu Gemunu fight.”

        Were you an eye witness to Elara – Dutu Gemunu fight?
        I salute you for your longevity

        “Sinhalese have always been fearful of big Tamil Nadu involvement in the process”

        Sinhala/Buddhists have been made to be fearful of anything and everything. Otherwise Sinhala/Buddhist racists cannot survive and thrive.
        That is normal and known as paranoia.

        What is paranoia?
        Paranoia is thinking and feeling like you are being threatened in some way, even if there is no evidence, or very little evidence, that you are. Paranoid thoughts can also be described as delusions. There are lots of different kinds of threat you might be scared and worried about.

        Paranoid thoughts could also be exaggerated suspicions. For example, someone made a nasty comment about you once, and you believe that they are directing a hate campaign against you.
        https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support

  • 13
    2

    I only want to comment about

    “what the prominent British historian, Eric Hobsbawm, quoted and analyzed about the roots of this separatist ideology in his famous ‘Nations and Nationalism’ (latest edition, 2012, pp.6-7). “

    British historians and archaeologist are and have been hell bent on erasing Eezham Tamil identity from the Island to project picture so that only Sinhalese are modern indigenous modern population in the Island and therefore have the right to form the one and only State in the Island.

    What British refer as minority is not only about numbers but also of specific connotation of minority being not being indigenous population. Assimilation is not genocide under this connotation and indeed it is progress. Where as if the minority is an indigenous population, then assimilation becomes genocide and therefore the minority need a separate political, economical, cultural, language, territory etc., which usually means separate or federal State. This is the basic idea of unitary State formation of British, i.e. there can only be one modern indigenous group within State’s territory.

    Initially, I thought the British just ignored Eezham Tamils’ history and archaeology. As one gets deeper into the subject, the clear picture of British attempts emerge of not only ignoring but also concealing and / or destroying Eezham Tamils’ history and archaeology by covering it as and under Sinhalese Buddhism’s history and archaeology.

    • 6
      0

      The British are still doing this . They thought the Sinhalese were brown Aryans , so deserved more than the Dravidian Tamils , just like most westerners thought about the North Indians. In reality most North Indians and Sinhalese are as much as Dravidian as the Tamils. The British first gave the death knoll to the Tamils by amalgamating the Tamil lands to the north and east with the Sinhalese lands down south in 1833 and making a the Tamils who were a 100% majority a minority in their own land and the Sinhalese who were only until then confined to the southern parts of the island the overall majority in the whole island. At least the Portuguese and the Dutch never did this, whatever atrocities they committed , during their reign the Tamil areas were a separate colony. In 1948 the British handed over power only to the Sinhalese majority with no adequate protection for the Tamils or any form of Federalism to protect their lands and heritage. This was a deliberate ploy . After this they have been overtly and covertly protecting this Sinhalese racist state . Even now they constantly water down the resolutions against Sri Lanka and protect the Sinhalese. We really need to see if we can sue the British for their part in the Eelam Tamil genocide.

    • 1
      10

      KA
      Where do your Eazam Tamils live today ?
      I am serious.

      Soma

      • 0
        0

        Soma,

        You have already answered your question in response to some other article.

        Your response goes like

        “NE Tamils would be disadvantaged if land powers are given to federal (I think you have used this word) units because land powers means each unit can control natural resources within and thus the unit where rivers are located can deny control/ deny river flow to NE”.

        At the least, I think you meant something very close this.

    • 1
      9

      KA,
      There was no Eezham Tamils’ history and archaeology in Sinhale for British to destroy. How come Demalu (Tamils after 1911) brought to Sinhale after 1505 by colonial rulers have a history or archeology in this country? Their history and archeology is in Dravida Nadu.
      Sinhalayo have a documented historical facts for a period of more than 2000 years and pre-historical archeological evidences for several thousands of years.

      “…the clear picture of British attempts emerge of not only ignoring but also concealing and / or destroying Eezham Tamils’ history and archaeology by covering it as and under Sinhalese Buddhism’s history and archaeology.”

  • 12
    3

    Why cannot the so-called High Commissioner for Human Rights accept this truth? Ms. Bracelet is a famous person who fought against her country’s oppressors, won and led her country. This amnesia person argued last time that Ms. Bachelet has no capacity to write a report so it might have been written by some one else. This man, at least for the shake of decency even, did not use her name one time in the entire essay. He is holding such a personal vengeance against an un-acquainted person, only because she upheld the opinion of UN & UNHRC that Lankawe is a War Crime country and it has to be investigated. This is the man complains that she did not use a word “terrorists”. Even a cobra cannot spew harsher venom than this man on a head of a world body. Escobar agents are cleaner than these cesspool professors.
    Its shamefully pathetic a man, who designated PhD for war criminal brothers is questing a world record holder on human rights, Ms Bachelet, basing from a one UK professor, whose book has not met criticism.

    • 1
      9

      Mallaiyuran,
      Who ever come to that place have to become a puppet. In a puppet show, you do not see the ‘Puppet Masters’. Like that, you do not see the ‘Puppet Masters’ who hold the strings in this puppet show. The puppet dance according to the way strings are pulled by ‘Puppet Masters’. That is the name of the game.
      —-

      “Bracelet is a famous person who fought against her country’s oppressors, won and led her country. “

      • 5
        0

        Eagle,
        It is Laksiri Fenando, who is tearing off the poor puppet. Why are you writing this to me? Is that because, in the the flourishing language of UOJ Saddampies, Laksiri Fernando’s stupidity is coming from a bottomless well. If you directly tell him he wouldn’t get it? Or is that your stupidity coming from Marianna Trench so it couldn’t not see Lankawe is hanging on Eastern giants’ noose, could not dance on it own?

  • 11
    3

    What expressed in HC’s report is not her personal opinion, but the work of many rapporteurs and ombudsmen who visited Lankawe and carried research on this matter from 2009. HC’s report (please note not her opinion as this biased racist’s interpretation) substantiated all (not one left behind) UNHRC’s past HCs, last UNSC who was in power in 2009 and the present UNSC. Beyond that, Priest Desmond, a Nobel Prize holder, threw his fame behind her report. UN prepared three investigation reports. All them had at least three international experts on these matters, came out with same conclusion on HC’s.

  • 11
    4

    The racist’s interpretation of LLRC is only story. No Tamil, No NGO, No International Body, No International Government has accepted the LLRC’s report. It is only “Lies Agreed Upon No.2”. But to take the face value of that report, it was asked to recommend solution to prevent the armed struggles not repeating. The response the commission offered is in hindsight of JVP, which was tried to sedate by Standardization by the government, but that governments effort did not work. Remember again, the commission was not asked to provide reason for the ethnic tensions in Lankawe. Commission’s response implied that “each armed struggle can have its own origination. LTTE’s is about Tamils’ ethic problem”. (JVP, LTTE &, Muslim extremists’ armed fights remain not investigated or solved by governments purposefully to use in future. The ugly Sinhala Intellectual who supports the government keeps carrying out their insincere interpretation of these massive incidents. They are hiding multiple pumpkins in one plate of rice, “Buddha’s virtuous-Dharma path”. The world has seen the naked king’s new cloth though Sinhala intellectuals keep vigorously denying and spewing venom to annihilate the critics.)

  • 6
    15

    Throughout history running into thousands of years this country was known as Sinhale because it is the Land of Sinhalayo who evolved in this country. Historians and archeologists have provided undisputable evidences to support this. All the others who live in Sinhale (now Sri Lanka) except Vedda Eththo are people migrated from other countries.
    Demalu (Tamils after 1911) from Hindusthan came to Sinhale from 3rd Century BC as invaders but they were chased away by Sinhala Kings. At the time Portuguese occupied Yapanaya, Sinhalayo were the majority and that area was under the King of Kandy but there were remnants of Dravida invaders.
    Dravida Demala population in Yapanaya increased in large numbers due to import of laborers from Hindusthan by Portuguese and Dutch to work in tobacco plantations and to do other work. Portuguese and Dutch records provide ample evidences for this.
    Demalu who were scared of malaria were mainly confined to Yapanaya peninsula until British dragged them and settled in the Eastern part of the country.
    First Sinhala Kingdoms Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which were destroyed by Dravida invaders forcing Sinhalayo to retreat to safer areas were in North East of the country.
    The claim of Demalu that North East is their ‘Traditional Homeland’ is utter rubbish!

  • 9
    4

    This article states clearly that Hobsbawm’s book was first published in early 1990. This book was based on very little source material as there was no Internet at the time. In fact, it can be seen that his observations have covered only a small part of the picture. In marked contrast, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has had access to a vastly greater store of information that covers the period from the 1990s to the present day. Therefore, her report is fully up-to-date and far more relevant to the situation prevailing today in Sri Lanka.

    There is a website known as http://www.forgottenbooks.com for books that no one reads now. Hobsbawm’s book is best sent to that repository in the form of an eBook.

    • 12
      3

      Addendum: Laksiri Fernando must have stumbled on this book while looking for supportive evidence. And like a drowning man clutching at a straw he has latched onto it.

    • 9
      3

      Eagle,
      “At the time Portuguese occupied Yapanaya, Sinhalayo were the majority and that area was under the King of Kandy but there were remnants of Dravida invaders.”
      Liar!! Robert Knox says that in 1670, even Anuradhapura was inhabited by Tamils.

      • 1
        6

        old codger,
        I quote from an article published in 1851 in an American Journal (The United States Magazine and Democratic Review) where there is an account on Ceylon.
        “Placed at the western entrance of the Bay of Bengal, Ceylon is separated by a narrow strait from the mainland of Hindostan. In size, it is nearly as large as Ireland; and it possesses a population of about a million and a half of souls, made up of various tribes of native Cingalese, Malabars, Mahometans, Coolies, Dutch and English, and their mongrel descendants.”
        Source: http://books.lakdiva.org/moa/cornell/1851_english_in_ceylon.html

        No mention about Tamils.

  • 7
    16

    ““The Tamil-speaking people in Ceylon constitute a nation distinct from that of the Sinhalese by every fundamental test of nationhood…”

    1951, that is 3 years after Independence. So Tamil politicians were asking for a separate country 32 years before Black July, before Prabhakaran was even born. Prabhakaran took this to a new level in the 80’s and 90’s by introducing terrorism. He was imitating the Palestinian resistance fighters at the time, who were experimenting with suicide bombs. The TULF politicians thought they had the Tamil militant groups (EPRLF/PLOTE, etc.) under control, but VP was too ambitious. The bottom line is that Tamils were never part of the mainstream political process, at least not in good faith. Any reasonable aspirations were hijacked by opportunists like 50-50 Ponnambalam, Vaddukodai Chelva, and Terror King Prabhakaran. Even today, moderate Tamils are outshadowed by the TNA, the former mouthpiece of the LTTE.

    • 12
      2

      Lester

      Whats wrong with stating “The Tamil-speaking people in Ceylon constitute a nation distinct from that of the Sinhalese by every fundamental test of nationhood…”

      Either Federal or Nationhood does not constitute a Separate state.
      When did you start messing up your head?

      By the way VP was not born but just materialized from nowhere and from nothing.

      • 4
        13

        Veddas have always had good relations with Sinhalese. Do you see Veddas creating a fake history and asking for a new country? The difference between Veddas and Tamils – Veddas are not corrupted by political or caste ideology. It is easy for them adapt to changing situations. As I have said many times, Tamils are inhibited by caste barriers, which are much more dangerous than Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism. Even though Prabhakaran broke through all the caste barriers (I will give him credit here) he became isolated at the end. His Brahmin comrades in TN never helped him. The Vellalars who ran away to the West used him for their own vengeance and let him take the axe at Nandikadal. What can we say at the end? Tamil society lacks cohesion. The only cohesion was caste, but this was so oppressive that it created a maniac like VP who used it against his own people.

      • 1
        7

        Vedda,

        Nationhood is very different from federalism. Nationhood is the same as “nation.” Nationhood is the ideology for a new nation. In 1948, there was only one nation. Why talk about nationhood if you don’t want a new nation?

      • 1
        8

        NV
        “Either Federal or Nationhood does not constitute a Separate state.
        When did you start messing up your head?”
        .
        Mister, when did you collectively decide to come down from Vadukkodai to Federal? What on earth are the reasons? Tired of another war?
        .
        You are going on the assumption
        ‘Sinhalaya modaya, kevum kanna yodhaya’
        .
        What I am telling my Sinhalese friends is whether to accept a separate state in the North East is a matter of your personal opinion which you have the right to hold as well to attempt to convince others.
        But don’t get fooled by this Federal subterfuge.
        In my case if I have to choose between Separation and Federal I would go for Separation. For it is only three months away from Federal, not worth the trouble. As I always say a Federal Sri Lanka will need huge military resources to keep it federal.
        Although Prabakaran is gone there are hundred Perumals under the bush ready with a UDI.
        .
        And also I keep telling my friends Sinhalese have only one Trump card. That is Tamils living outside NE (+50% of them) have no desire to go to a Tamil only enclave. They hate it .

        • 7
          1

          soman

          “Mister, when did you collectively decide to come down from Vadukkodai to Federal? What on earth are the reasons? Tired of another war?”

          Don’t put words into my mouth.
          The Federal idea was first discussed by Western Educated opportunist S W R D Pandara Nayaker in the the mid 1920s. Kandyans too demanded Federalism in the late 1920s. S J V Chelva Nayakar adapted it as part of his party name in late 1940s.

          The idea of Federalism among the Sinhala and Tamil elites (?) was not new.
          Read below:

          And where do nations come from?
          Interview – Prof Anthony D. Smith
          https://www.e-ir.info/2013/09/03/interview-anthony-d-smith/
          Excerpts
          …..
          ….
          Now we come to the question of what is a nation, and that’s much the most difficult question of all. For me, it’s a community; it’s a type of community that is based on the idea that people perceive a given territory as belonging to them, rightly or wrongly. So that’s the first characteristic: it’s a territorialized community. The second characteristic is that it’s a community of myth, memory, and symbol. This is what the members of a nation share in common, to a greater or lesser degree: myths, memories, symbols, traditions, which differ from those of other nations.

          • 7
            1

            soman

            “You are going on the assumption ‘Sinhalaya modaya, kevum kanna yodhaya’”

            I am not.
            It fits only the fascist tendency among Sinhala/Buddhists descendants of Kallathonies, for example you lot..
            Apart from these illiberal parochial racist lot Sinhalese and Buddhists are okay.

            “In my case if I have to choose between Separation and Federal I would go for Separation. “

            Go for it.
            I will be right behind you.
            As I have been telling you for a long time, your mates and you can have ten square miles for you to build your Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto.
            Wish you well.

            “I always say a Federal Sri Lanka will need huge military resources to keep it federal. Although Prabakaran is gone there are hundred Perumals under the bush ready with a UDI.”

            Now you are typing nonsense.
            It was both Hindia and VP prevented UDI, not the Sinhala/Buddhist racists.

            Please read:
            Sri Lanka is “Priority One” partner for India in the defence sphere, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sri-lanka-priority-one-partner-in-defence-india/article33954749.ece

            • 0
              4

              NV
              Sri Lanka is “Priority One” partner for India in the defence sphere, 
              .
              A funny unilateral declaration of cooperation meaning Sri Lanka will be the “Priority One” target in case of a conflict, meaning if you are not with us you are against us.
              .
              We are not going to fight for India
              We are not going to pinch India’s bloated ego either.
              .
              Message to Tamil political class:
              Be happy, we have got them encaged. Meantime keep flying kites at Galle Face Green. That ‘genocide’ thing you talk about, roll it and poke up your ***.

              Soma

          • 0
            6

            NV
            Your definition consolidates the belief among Sinhalese that Tamil speaking people in SL and those in Tamil Nadu are one nation.
            .
            Now, I am not trying to insult you , your opinion and my opinion are of less value in the face of the greater issue. What is TNA’s opinion that matters most.
            What does TNA wants to convey to us when they use the words Tamil Nation, Tamil People, Tamil Speaking People etc.?
            Is it Tamil speaking Hindu and Christian People in Jaffna?

            Soma

    • 11
      3

      Lester,
      You all forget that there was Jaffna Kingdom before Portuguese, Dutch or British in this country. There is no historical evidence of Sinhalese living in the North East. So, the Tamil Nation is nothing new to Sri Lanka. The Ceylon National Congress before independence was lead by Tamil politicians. Prabaharan did not introduce terrorism to Sri Lanka. It is Sri Lanka military introduced terrorism in Sri lanka in 1958 by burning the Tamil Civilians and violence against Tamil politicians by Sinhala terrorist politicians. Further, It is Rohana Wijeweera started armed Terrorism in 1970 against Racist Sinhala government. Suicide Bombing against a Terrorist Sinhala army. It is Sinhala army who raped girls, not LTTE. It is the President who ordered to shoot a 10 year boy within a prison. It is the same cruelty killed Lasantha.

      • 1
        9

        Ajith,
        Did you study history of Sinhale/Ceylon/Sri Lanka? If you did you will never make this statement. I suggest you study real history of Sinhale, not the history distorted by Malabar racist separatist Vellala Tamil politicians, before you act as an expert on history of Sinhale.
        —-
        “There is no historical evidence of Sinhalese living in the North East.”

        In 1958, it was Demalu that attacked Sinhalayo who lived in Yapanaya and ignited racial riots. When there were English letters in car number plates Demalu had no problem but when it was changed to a Sinhala letter it became a problem for racist Demalu and attacked Sinhalayo.

  • 11
    2

    Captain Morgan

    What are you suggesting?
    Are you suggesting the author is ill informed, ignorant, a war crime denier, loves Sinhala/Buddhists more than others, a racist, gone ga ga, …. or a lovable rogue.

  • 8
    2

    This guy used to write well with intellectual arguments.
    What happened o him?
    Has he sold his professionalism and decency to become a Rajapakse pariah?

      • 5
        1

        You are twisting your talks and HC’s talks. There is not even an iota of truth in that, that HC was trying to hard to rule Lankawe or loot or rape Lankawe. There is no excuse at all for your low grade attack on such a International figure. That is the natural contempt manners of all Sinhala Rear Admirable or Lemon Puff class intellectuals. UN SG’s expert panel asked LLRC allow them to come Lankawe or go to them. It is always Sinhala intellectual create chaos by refusing to cooperate. Earlier they blamed Ramanathan , Arunasalam, GG, SJV, Leader Piraphaharan. Now doing that for UN. Please don’t fool others that you and Appe Aanduwa passed so may anti Tamils bills and tore off many pacts only to make Leader Pirapaharan you house dog and make him to listen everything you dictated to him? You part of the team disturbed Sampanthar’s Secret Solution. Time will come for you all to pay for that!

      • 7
        0

        Laksiri Fernando,
        ‘I tried my best to assist a peaceful solution during 1995 and 2005, but to no avail’.
        Tell me: How were your efforts thwarted? Who failed you?
        .
        ‘I clearly supported the government’s effort to defeat LTTE terrorism during 2007 and 2009’.
        Tell me: Are Tamils better off that LTTE is no more there.
        .
        ‘It was necessary for peace’.
        Tell me: Where has the peace gone now?
        .
        ‘Then again I worked for reconciliation of the ethnic problem’.
        How honest.
        Tell me: What was the outcome of all your good work?
        .
        ‘…. criticizing the government and supporting a change the government in 2015.
        Tell me: Who and who helped in changing the Government in 2015.
        Tell me: Are Tamils better off today for enabling that change.
        .
        ‘The efforts of the West and the Office of HC are geared to destroy all possibilities of a solution’.
        Tell me, Which solution is getting destroyed by the West, or, By the Office of the High Commissioner.
        .
        ‘Motives are economic and colonial’.
        Tell me: What economic benefits motivate the West / the Office/High Commissioner? How would the West be affected economically if the situation gets resolved?
        .
        Don’t cook up ways to cover your mentality. You used to lament that the Sinhalese had started calling you a half- Tamil. Are they calling you a whole-Sinhalese now, – I am!

        • 1
          8

          Nathan
          Tell me: Are Tamils better off that LTTE is no more there.
          When did you travel last to Sri Lanka?

          Soma

      • 9
        0

        Laksiri Fernando (Author)

        “At present, the efforts of the West and the Office/High Commissioner are geared to destroy all possibilities of a solution, punishing the country and the people and perhaps to bring back a conflict again.”


        Do you really know what exactly the clan and their backers have been up to since 2005?

        You are another Sinhala/Buddhist war monger and a war crime denier who proposed a D Sc honorary doctorate for Gota who was not only heavily involved in the war against people and LTTE between 2005 and 2009 and beyond also involved in the disappearance of people and JVP between 1987 and 1991.

        Only a sadist psychopath could propose DSc for another sadist psychopath. You used to write with a liberal touch. I really thought you were a liberal. Later on perhaps after 2010 you couldn’t hide your own true self, an authentic Sinhala/Buddhist racist.

        If you are a true fully fledged card carrying Sinhala/Buddhist racist, I have no qualms about it, its fine with me. On the other hand ordinary people can’t stand when you pretend to be a person with intellectual honesty and learning.

        Its not too late to find your place in this little island’s history.

      • 6
        1

        Asian Tribune ? – ha ha
        It was necessary for peace. – where is peace?
        ====
        you say and I quote
        “…. but given the distortions and attempts by the High Commissioners (present and the last) to resurrect separatism and probably terrorism in Sri Lanka, ….”
        ===========
        you are at the behest of the Rajapaksa’s laying the foundation for terrorism in Sri Lanka and to blame the “commission£”…perhaps Karuna and Pillaiyan are already at work.
        ======
        The world now knows how the Sri Lanka Sinhala politicians work.
        They will kill innocent people /they will kill the economy sell the country as along as their bank balance is growing. The Rajapaksa’s eat the meat and throw the bones at you guys to run around them wagging your tail like a obedient dog.
        ======
        You need to look at the Sri Lankan situation within a broader international context.
        ======
        I have not seen anything in your article within a broader international context….but with a narrow Rajapaksa context.
        ==========

      • 7
        1

        Laksiri Fernando –

        “You need to look at the Sri Lankan situation within a broader international context.”
        ========
        indeed
        I mean they are borrowing in billions from China
        and paying guys like you in millions in an international bank that’s international context for you

        hope you didnt sign for a performance related pay! as this is a pathetic article.

        basically they are selling the country to pay carpet beggars like you t

        in fact the future generation of Sri Lanka is paying you in USD to write this piece of crap!

      • 2
        7

        ” Motives are economic and colonial. You need to look at the Sri Lankan situation within a broader international context.”

        Exactly. Look at they are doing to Syria and Iraq. Those countries asked the USA to leave but it stays there anyway to plunder the oil. Many of these Western countries prefer a divided Sri Lanka so that they can pick a proxy to fight against China. This is their game.

      • 7
        2

        Laksiri,
        “I clearly supported the government’s effort to defeat LTTE terrorism during 2007 and 2009 was necessary for peace.”

        You are behaving (May be a real Fundamentalist) like an opportunistic Sinhala racist. I am not sure whether you are a citizen of Sri Lanka or a citizen of Australian. When you say peace what do you mean by Peace. What did you contribute to find a political solution since 2009 and 2015? Asian tribune is a publication funded by Rajapaksa regime. Do you think writing to Asian tribune will bring peace and find a political solution? Was it a successful regime from 2009 to 2015? From 2015 you pretend to support (not trial) the change of government but worked closely with the Gotabaya regime to make it a failure. That is the fact.
        Can you explain what possibilities to find a solution came after 2019? Do you mean the militarisation of democratic institutions, removal of burial rights of the Muslims, release of military criminals, colonization of North East by Sinhalese, and removal of 13th amendment and provincial councils, and 20th amendment to become a military dictatorship? You are a real Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalist.

    • 1
      9

      Rajash,
      For Demalu, truth is a bitter pill to swallow!

      • 6
        1

        Eagle Eye – you cant figure out what is truth and what is lie.

    • 8
      0

      Rajash

      “This guy used to write well with intellectual arguments.
      What happened o him?”

      Have you seen “Dr Strangelove”? Peter Seller brilliantly plays a Nazi Scientist brought to US who works for US Defense establishment. Dr Strangelove couldn’t hide his loyalty to his original masters. Watch Peter’s Nazi arm salute which pops out when Dr Strangelove is over excited when he discusses his ideas:
      https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4luvm4
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddWNMSUbcGI

      • 8
        0

        Rajash

        We have a number of “Dr Strangeloves” among ourselves.
        The only limiting factor is lack of wherewithal.

        If properly mislead 6.9 million would have supported the use of mass gas chambers, Sri Lanka’s all weather friends would have found no qualm supplying necessary tools and technology (non interference in domestic affairs), many who claimed to be liberal intellectuals would rush to justify such large scale human sacrifices in the name of …… whatever reason, …… the princes of darkness would rush to Geneva with history presentations, ….. by the way Colombo Uni would jump to reward the chief executioner with all kinds of honours.

        Saffron clad Sanga would honour them with all kinds of titles of which the people are not familiar with.

        • 6
          0

          Thanks for the link Native Vedda. I have also seen the movie.

          It’s inevitable but a shame that even moderate Sinhala Intellectuals are consumed by the Rajapaksa racism.

          As you say all the Generals and Admirals are sporting badges on their uniform pinned by no other than Gota.

          ,,,and these guys think they have achieved the pinnacle of their life

  • 3
    16

    One of the biggest lies that led to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka is discrimination against the Tamils.
    During British rule, a small section of the Tamil community called Malabar Vellala Tamils who belong to high caste received special treatment by British under their infamous ‘Divide and Rule’ policy and held a disproportionate share of jobs in the permanent, pensionable, public service wielding administrative power at the highest level. They were the most privileged community in Sri Lanka at the time Sinhale (Ceylon) gained Independence.
    As a result of certain measures taken by Sinhalayo as an Independent Nation, this privileged group lost some of the privileges they enjoyed under British rule. So, this group started making hue and cry saying that ‘Tamils are marginalized and discriminated by majority Sinhalayo’ to get the support from the International Community to their demand for a separate State.
    Those measures had no major impact on rest of the Tamils (low caste Tamils in Yapanaya, Tamils in Tirikunamale, Madakalapuwa and tea plantations). In fact, certain measures benefited non-Vellala Tamils. For example, standardization had a negative effect on Vellala Tamils in Yapanaya but benefitted Tamils in other areas. More Tamils from other areas managed to enter university thanks to standardization.

  • 10
    2

    Laksiri Fernando,
    Look at, ‘their views were quite concerned, magnanimous, and fully committed to reconciliation and resolving the problems’.
    You are telling that reconciliation was an essential part of ‘resolving the problems’. Reconciliation’ of what?
    .
    Look again. ‘It is not from that community the separatist agenda emerged’.
    What is that supposed to mean. Are you telling that had the request come from that community, it would have been acceptable to you.

    What a cheeky logic!

      • 7
        1

        Have you read many’s comments, locally & from IC that the accountability is the start for reconciliation?
        After the war, Old King said that he will use Tamils to destroy Tamils and there won’t be any minorities in Lankawe. Did you asked him never to speak double meaning words after that? Do you think a reconciliation would be needed now if the IC has not get involved? Please just don’t cover one lie with anther nine lies.
        Thank you

      • 6
        2

        What do you mean by you went to SJV’s funeral after writing page after that “It is that separatist (SJV) created the problem”. You are insiting that you are a Tamil PhD and forcefully interpreting that the “Tamil Arasu” means “Tamil Nadu”. Lankawe Supreme Court ruled Internal Self Determination or Federalism is not Separation. Have to accepted that or still in your contempt of court? Don’t you think it is right to put you in for 19 years like Gnanam? Them what else left left to talk with you about reconciliation?

      • 7
        1

        Laksiri Fernando,
        ‘I am open to different views but not to violence or terrorism’.
        When did the threat of destruction of lives and property start.
        By whom, and why? Was political differences the reason behind it.
        Has there been a single act of violence or terror from any Tamil since 2009? What made you change your stance?
        Is UNHRC trying to promote violence in the country?
        .
        Political differences is a way of life in Democracy. It is not necessary to bury them. Reconciliation is about truth and accountability.
        .
        It is you who brought up the citizenships act that deprived the hill country Tamils of their rights. We are all Tamils, hill or no hill.

      • 8
        1

        Even I went for his funeral in 1977.
        ahhh you are so sweet

      • 7
        2

        Please do not post rubbish Chingkalla racist. You cannot reconcile with brainwashed racists , who are only intent in committing structural genocide, ethnic cleansing and destroying you as a people. The Eezham Thamizjh are an ancient nation in the island with their own territory , why do we need to reconcile with racist Chingkallams like you?

      • 6
        1

        Laksiri Fernando (Author) ” I am open to different views but not to violence or terrorism. This was my stand on the LTTE and the JVP.”
        =====
        you are ok with state violence unprovoked stare violence on its own citizens since independence periodically every few years culminating in 1983 leading to Tamil youths Taking up arms and 2009 orgy of state violence. Which is still going on against the Tamils??
        =====================

      • 6
        1

        Laksiri Fernando,
        “This was my stand on the LTTE and the JVP”.
        I comment on this separately for a reason.
        .
        Only a novice will want to compare LTTE and JVP. LTTE took to arms to fend off state terrorism; LTTE took arms for a political ideology.

        • 5
          0

          CORRECTION: JVP took arms for a political ideology.
          (Regret the mistype.)

          • 2
            0

            Nathan,
            .
            The mistype was quite obvious, but it is of something so fundamental that it is good that you corrected it.
            .
            I don’t personally know Professor Laksiri Fernando at all – no contact details. Whatever views I have been exchanging have been on this forum, and we have not been insulting one another in any ad hominem way.
            .
            Now, this morning, 10.00 am, I see that there are 107 comments on this article, and that Laksiri has actually replied the two linked comments that I made yesterday. I also find that there is yet another article by him, according to the ‘Archives’ the last to be posted:
            .
            https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/allow-assist-cooperate-with-developing-countries-to-resolve-problems/
            .
            The exchanges on the Laksiri articles seem at first sight to have acquired a “Sinhala vs Tamil” stand off. Totally misleading and unfortunate, since I feel that none of us wanted armed rebellion. In these circumstances, I don’t know what to say! Thus this innocuous comment.
            .
            This article by Kumar David may have come on almost simultaneously with Laksiri’s.
            .
            https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/is-gota-a-totem-trumped-or-a-trope/
            .
            As Kumar says, none of these makes any sense. Let me post this and hope the position becomes clearer.

            • 2
              0

              Dear Sinhala_Man,
              I am looking at your, ‘none of us wanted armed rebellion’.
              I do understand where you are coming from. Hence, this response of mine.
              .

              You may have worded it, unintentionally. Hence, my qualified clarification.
              .
              Politics was taboo to the Jaffna man. His only participation was in exercising his franchise. Politics was never a subject of our conversation, until 1956.
              .
              Then things changed.
              .
              The armed rebellion was by our youth. It was their last resort. Did the Jaffna man urge the youth to take to arms. No. Did the Jaffna man, discourage them. No. (By the time he came to know about it, it had had a clandestine growth.)
              .
              The youth movement drew support amongst Tamils only when the majority community failed to adequately address their grievances.
              .

          • 0
            1

            N
            In 1971 the JVP had an ideology of sorts.
            in 1988-89 it was plain communalism driving the JVP to overturn the Indo-Lanka accord.
            The SLFP objection was to what became 13A as well as to blatant Indian infringement on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty (a matter in which the JVP showed no interest).
            *
            If that was ideology, then the JVP ideology was no different from the JVP of KMP Rajaratne of the 1950s-60s.
            *
            Indiscriminate killing had been a shared feature of the JVP & LTTE, and of course the state.

      • 7
        1

        LF,
        Did you factor in the long history of state-run terror, the origins of which predates any armed rebellion by decade or more, and the well documented state backed pogroms into your opinions that you have been churning out lately?

        Is state run terror merely a matter of political difference?

        Do you acknowledge that the state committed heinous crimes against its citizens on numerous occasions systematically and deliberately? Have you been a supporter of state run terror and the violence thereof but only oppose the violence and terrorism of LTTE and JVP?

        Does your interpretation of “genuine grievances” of the Tamils exclude the lack of accountability for the violent and criminal acts of intimidation, oppression, and genocidal events during the timeframe covered by the LLRC report?

        Is it difficult to fathom that the ethnic conflict comprised of an armed conflict during a particular timeframe within the span of the ethnic conflict?

        Ethnic conflicts often give rise to civil wars? Did the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka give birth to a civil war or were the armed liberation movements terrorist outfits since their inception and in their entirety?

      • 6
        0

        Laksiri,
        What is your stand on current state terrorism under Rajapaksa regime? Be open!

  • 3
    0

    Dear Laksiri,
    .
    I don’t understand why you have suddenly decided to write seven articles within the space of four weeks, starting with this:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-bleak-future-for-humanity/
    .
    All the other articles, including the one where you described how amateur painting is bringing you solace in your abode in Australia, have got bogged down in efforts to torpedo the efforts made by Michel Bachelet to get our Sri Lankan ethnic conflict investigated. You appear to be moving the goalposts.

    • 4
      0

      Continuing
      .
      People like me who live in Sri Lanka know how difficult it is to get anything inquired into. Owing to your articles, I’ve done a lot of background reading. Today, it’s been about Hobsbawm
      .
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Hobsbawm
      .
      All that and much more. Thanks for stimulating all that reading, but now it’s time for investigation. I’ve given it a good deal of thought; the only problem that I encountered was having to focus carefully on what Michelle Bachelet was saying in English; it’s fluent, but obviously,when she orates it must be in Spanish.
      .
      https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/sri-lanka-at-the-un-rights-council-another-test-for-india-7203407/
      .
      There’s no point in my writing at great length. After all, what we want is not meting out punishment, but a proper investigation. It may be that the more that all this discussed the better, but what you’ve written is a muddle. That’s my view, and having said that I shall stop.

      • 2
        7

        Dear S_M

        “-After all, what we want is not meting out punishment, but a proper investigation”
        Is it the same as UN Lady’s ACCOUNTABILITY?
        As I understand she is even prescribing punishment EVEN BEFORE INVESTIGATION!
        Am I right or my understanding English is poor. You are a maestro in English Language.
        .
        Soma

      • 4
        0

        Laksiri,
        Usually health deteriorate when you get angry or distress but it is surprise health improved after that report. She is a good doctor.

        • 1
          1

          A
          Not many here can be in good health.

      • 2
        0

        I’m glad that you’re enjoying your painting.
        .
        I fear that almost all of those who have responded have understood your perspectives, but do not share them.
        .
        To respond to Soma’s query: “accountability” means taking responsibility. That means that you don’t continue to enjoy the fruit yielded by your crimes. Even if there is no punishment, these Rajapaksas must quit the prominent positions they are in. That must follow investigation.
        .
        There’s no point splitting hairs with you; I feel that you understand what I’m saying; you’re just playing with words.

  • 2
    6

    There are some Sinhalese historians that even the Tamils will accept as impartial and authoritative, Professors KM de Silva and CR de Silva for example.
    A Tamil kingdom did exist from the 13th century to about 1619 but except during the brief heyday of its power seldom controlled anything more than the Jaffna peninsula and some adjacent regions on the coast….Set against a history of 2500 years the kingdom covered a very brief period. Its status varied dramatically, sometimes being a satellite of S Indian states, sometimes subject to the Kings of Kotte. It never wielded power over the Eastern province. There is little or no evidence to support the claim at Vaddukodai of an unbroken national consciousness or a tradition of independent statehood.
    .
    Prof Jeyaratnam Wilson says that Chelvanayagam’s policy was ‘a little now and more later’. He regarded the agreements he arrives at with SWRD and Dudley as interim arrangements. As early as 1958 he had decided that the Sinhala leaders were ‘not big enough to rule Tamils’.

    • 7
      2

      Stop lying . Pretending to be reasonable but full of Sinhalese racist venom and deliberately misinterpreting history, to suit his racist Sinhalese Buddhist Fascist ideology. All three kingdoms arose around the same time. Kandy, Kotte and Jaffna. The former two nominally Sinhalese but largely ruled by monarchs of Tamil origin. The Kingdom of Kandy was a monarchy on the island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century. Initially a client kingdom of the Kingdom of Kotte, Kandy gradually established itself as an independent force during the tumultuous 16th and 17th centuries, allying at various times with the Jaffna Kingdom, the Madurai Nayak dynasty of South India, Sitawaka Kingdom, and the Dutch colonizers to ensure its survival.
      This is the kingdom of Jaffna , that in reality is older than the kingdom of Kandy
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffna_Kingdom

      • 7
        2

        At its height it controlled the northern parts of the island up to modern Chilaw/Negombo and Puttalam . When the Portuguese arrived Jaffna kingdom proper was what is basically the modern northern province and most of current Trincomallee district. South of Trincomallee the Tamil Vanniar or Vannimai chiefs were paying tribute to the king of Jaffna and were not part of the Kandyan kingdom. It was only after the fall of the kingdom of Jaffna that these Tamil chiefs south of Trincomallee requested the loose protection of the Tamil Sinhalese king of Kandy. These eastern Tamils considered the king of Kandy as a Tamil and a Hindu as they really were. However soon the Portuguese captured most of the eastern province too and merged it with the Tamil northern province . So did the Dutch. These two provinces were considered the homeland of the Tamil. and was a separate colony from the coastal Sinhalese areas which was under their control

      • 0
        7

        Sharma you racist Tamil liar, are you aware that the Kandyan Kingdom stretched as far East as Trincomalee? I tell you, if an international court convicted some military people of murder, if the Government sentenced them to death and carried out the sentence, if the special status of Buddhism was removed from the constitution, if all occupied land was returned to their rightful owners in the North, if……..the Tamils, and especially the diaspora, would still be complaining about something. That is all they live for.

    • 7
      1

      Svenson

      Are you sure you are familiar with or have specialist knowledge 2500 years of this island’s history?

      If you are not, then please chose to ignore my comment.

      • 0
        6

        Yes I am familiar with it. So should you be.

        • 6
          0

          Svenson

          “Yes I am familiar with it. So should you be.”

          Great.
          Please let me know the meaning of
          Riyana and yodun.

  • 9
    2

    Lester

    “Veddas have always had good relations with Sinhalese. Do you see Veddas creating a fake history and asking for a new country? “

    Veddah Chief’s challenge of deforestation will be supported in Court of Appeal on Friday Published 2 weeks ago on 2021/02/16 – https://island.lk/veddah-chiefs-challenge-of-deforestation-will-be-supported-in-court-of-appeal-on-friday/

    Veddah Chief to file lawsuit
    Joining the ranks of environmentalists protesting the rapid rate of environmental devastation in Sri Lanka, Veddah Chief Wanaspathi Wannilaeththo said he will take legal action if the massive destruction in the forest reserve of Galwalayaya, ….
    https://ceylontoday.lk/news/veddah-chief-to-file-lawsuit

    Encroachment Pushing Veddhas to the Brink
    https://ceylontoday.lk/news/encroachment-pushing-veddhas-to-the-brink

    Veddah Leader files petition against cultivation project in Mahiyanganaya
    https://ceylontoday.lk/news/veddah-leader-files-petition-against-cultivation-project-in-mahiyanganaya

    Unheard Cries of the Children of the Forest
    https://ceylontoday.lk/news/unheard-cries-of-the-children-of-the-forest


    Lester
    Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt – Mark Twain

    However, please keep typing if voices in your head continue to demand it.

    • 0
      8

      Vedda,

      You have to try harder. There are 4 ethnic minorities on the island: Burgher, Tamil, Muslim, and Veddah. Out of these 4, only the Tamils had serious difficulties with the majority Sinhalese. What are the reasons? Explain why the Burghers did not fight for a Burgerlam. As I said, it has very little to do with Sinhala Buddhism. India underwent a similar transition when the Dravidians, including Tamils, agitated against Hindi and Sanskrit.

      • 5
        0

        Professor Lester, the Burghers were not slaughtered or discriminated against and killed in 1957/58/77/83. Also they were not arrested or their homes burnt to the ground by thugs from the majority community. Muslim is a religion, it is not an ethnic group, they are Tamils as well. Go and see what your fat bald headed thugs who call themselves monks are doing to the Muslims in SL. Have you been in a cave or something for the past 70 years or are you bloody blind?

        By the way Veddahs are the true owners of this nation, neither you nor me is a rightful owner of this country.

      • 3
        0

        There are only two ethnicities in the island. Sinhalese and Tamils. Muslim is not an ethnicity, it is a religious identity. 99% of the Muslims in Sri Lanka are ethnic Tamils. Ethnic Tamil Muslims in Sri Lanka are called Moors and this term Moor only denotes to their religious identity and not to their ethnicity or origin. A little bit of Arab amongst a few hundred families, does not make them Arab or Moor or the rest of the community Arab or Moor too. They are all still Tamils. The Burghers now will not amount to even 10000 as a community and are not worth mentioning. More than 90% of them have fled to Australia, Canada and the UK to escape Sinhalese racism. They were the first people to flee the island on a large scale. Yes the Sinhalese deliberately target, marginalize and want to destroy the native indigenous Eelam Tamils. as they are they only people other than the Sinhalese who have an ancient history in the island, infact for

        • 3
          0

          Infact far older than the Sinhalese history and have owned and ruled 40% to 1/3 of the land. Even many of the so called Sinhalese kings dynasties and aristocracy are of Tamil origin and had close relationship with the local and South Indian Tamils. No other community can challenge the Sinhalese in the way the Eelam Tamil can for the ownership of the island. The Indian origin Tamils, the Muslim Tamil or Moor as you love to call them, the Malay, the Burgher. All fairly recent immigrants to the island. This is why the Sinhalese want to destroy and commit structural genocide on the native Eelam Tamils, so that once they are destroyed, there is no one else to challenge them that the island is a Sinhalese Buddhist Fascist land. The Eelam Tamils with their ancient history and their Saivite religion that has far older history than Buddhism can do it , therefore kill, ethnically cleanse and marginalize them. Commit structural genocide on them and steal their lands for Sinhalese colonization, destroy all the ancient Hindu temples in the NE and falesely claim them as Buddhist, using fake history . You know all this racist, may have been even in the planning committee. Will not be surprised.

      • 2
        1

        L
        The Burghers left the country at the first opportunity after 1956.
        Have you checked with any Muslim?
        *
        Imposing Hindi was an issue for all people outside the ‘Cow Belt’.
        The mistake was the Tamils were happy with English continuing indefinitely as the Link Language. That hurt Tamil far more than Hindi could ever hurt Tamil.
        The problem with Sanskrit goes beyond language; it had much to do with Brahmin domination and Hidutva.
        De-sanskritization happens in many languages. It happened in Sinhala too as seen in Munidasa Cumaratunge.
        Kannada and Bengali feelings on language are much stronger than that of Tamils. One cannot complete schooling in Karnataka without learning Kannada as a subject.
        In Tamilnadu one can go right up to university and beyond without knowing a word of Tamil. (The Sinhalese also appear to be on that route.)

      • 3
        0

        Lester

        “only the Tamils had serious difficulties with the majority Sinhalese.”

        You may be right however the Sinhala/Buddhists have serious conflict with all of them and with Sinhalese and Buddhists as well.

        In 1883 Saffron thugs first started it in Kottehena and the public racist Annagarika Homeless Dharmapala extended it throughout the island, the idea of hatred was being franchised to local saffron thugs and greedy politicaians.

        “As I said, it has very little to do with Sinhala Buddhism.”

        If you were born and bred in a cesspool all your life it would be hard for you appreciate clean environment, or good things.

        Thought of the day:
        Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom
        -Bodhidharma

      • 2
        0

        Lester

        By the way most Burghers started leaving this island after mid 1950s.


        Thought of the day:
        Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom
        -Bodhidharma

  • 4
    2

    Laksiri, is desperate to defend his twisted facts. Note, how many times he had to use the word EVEN in his last comment. “I was negotiating a peaceful solution between 1995 and 2005. I wonder what happened after ??? you gave up or take a U turn. Laksiri, for that matter people say MR was onetime “human rights activist” knocking doors in Geneva.(now shutting doors on Geneva). By any chance “did you and Rusiri attend same tuition classes for free loading, sorry freelancing.

  • 5
    3

    Prof Know It All aka SJ, White racist do not discriminate between Cingalese, Tamil or other non whites. And you are not Nelson Mandela either, so stop picking on others. I understand, such nuances are difficult to understand for genius like a you. (its like requesting Evil to write a comment without using such words Demalu, Vellala)

    • 3
      2

      C
      As a man of colour living among Whites, some of them utter racists and fascists, you seem to have got it right.
      But racists are good at playing one against the other.
      *
      I would not like to be in NM’s shoes. Sadly he ultimately sold out to the Whites and Imperialism to the ruin of his great reputation as a Black liberation fighter. (Read Patrik Bond before letting your BP go out of range.)

  • 6
    3

    There are no racial differences among Sinhalese, Tamils and the people of South India. But, around 6th century AD, the Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka imagined a mass Aryan migration during protohistoric times, which they thought was the basis for the formation of the Sinhala-Buddhist society. This myth created in response to the then prevailing situation is unfortunately still the foundation for the authoritative history of the Island, conditioning the minds of the people. In reality, there were no objective evidences for an Aryan migration. The ethnic structure in Sri Lanka is quite South Indian with close affinities to Tamil Nadu and Kerala( Histori ancient Tamil lands) . Sinhala and Tamil cultures derived from a common stem. Hence, the definition of ethnic differences seriously needs a fresh interpretation in the Sri Lankan context.

    • 6
      3

      Archaeological evidences reveal that the first people of Jaffna belonged to the megalithic culture, which is undoubtedly a South Indian phenomenon of Iron Age. Emerging in around 500 BC, the first settlers had a multifaceted subsistence of incipient farming, lagoon exploitation and cattle herding. They communicated in a language that can be termed proto-Dravidian, were non-Buddhists practicing a folk religion similar to that of the Chankam Tamil country and on the whole, were of a common stock of the protohistoric South India. Tamil and Pali literatures of the early centuries of the Christian era mention them as Naakas and their land as Naaka Naadu or Naaga deepa

      • 6
        4

        The Kingdom of Jaffna – Direct Predecessor to the Concept of Tamil Homeland

        The kingdom of Jaffna is the direct predecessor to the present day concept of Tamil homeland. The kingdom was Tamil-Saivite and its demographical extensions were well illustrated in the Jaffna-centric historiographical literatures which arose in these times. The demography according to these literatures cover a territory from Kutiraimalai in the west coast (Puttalam district) to Verukal in the eastern coast (eastern province) encompassing more or less the present northern and eastern provinces. The kingdom was dominated by clans and feudal chieftains who had migrated from the various parts of South India, especially from Tamilnadu. On many occasions, new settlements were created by them. The kingdom was partially agrarian and partially mercantile. A kingdom exclusively for the Tamil homeland became thus possible only when there were no big powers in southern Sri Lanka and in the Tamil South India. The political reality when the Portuguese came to Sri Lanka was that there were three kingdoms i.e., the Kingdom of Kotte, Kandy and Jaffna

        • 6
          4

          Tamil Settlements in the Vanni Districts, Eastern Province and in the Northwest: 10th-16th century AD

          The Chola empire and the subsequent developments had a great impact on the demography of Vanni, East and Northwest. Especially the East was in the limelight under the Cholas, probably due to their activities in the Bay of Bengal. Tamil inscriptions of this and subsequent periods are found concentrated in the East upto Tirukkoyil in the down south. Mass migrations of clans were a common phenomenon in the Vijayanagar South India, and their impact was felt in Sri Lanka too. Vanni, East and the Northwest have their own literary records narrating the settlements that arose in this period. The settlers ranged from agriculturists to traders, artisans, mercenaries and fisher folk. The indirect impact of the Vijayanagar empire prevented the political advent of Islam. But, since the early centuries of this millennium, Muslim settlements came up in the coastal areas known for maritime trade contacts. In the Tamil homeland now they are a considerable population in Mannar, Mattakkalappu, Jaffna city and Puttalam in the Northwest (which was part of the Tamil homeland till recent decades). The language of the Muslims in Sri Lanka whether in the Tamil homeland or in the rest of Sri Lanka is Tamil.

          • 5
            3

            They either migrated from the Coromandel coast and the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mannar, Malabar etc., or were natives converted to Islam
            Muslim settlements came up in the coastal areas known for maritime trade contacts. In the Tamil homeland now they are a considerable population in Mannar, Mattakkalappu, Jaffna city and Puttalam in the Northwest (which was part of the Tamil homeland till recent decades). The language of the Muslims in Sri Lanka whether in the Tamil homeland or in the rest of Sri Lanka is Tamil. They either migrated from the Coromandel coast and the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mannar, Malabar etc., or were natives converted to Islam

            • 0
              7

              Sharma and other Tamil racist liars, here is the source for what I wrote
              SJV Chelvanayagam and the Crisis of Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism – AJ Wilson page 128. I suppose he was a racist Sinhala Buddhist too.

              • 4
                0

                Svenson, AJ Wilson a Sinhala Buddhist? Is that what you said above?

                • 2
                  1

                  TftN
                  You got him wrong. He was being sarcastic.

              • 3
                0

                Pray what do all the other pages state? Sinhalese are very fond of taking one or two pages out of an entire chapter or book and then quoting them out of context, to support their racist myths. Even the devil can quote scriptures. Lots of religious fanatics and extremists also do this. Take a few verses and quote them out of context to support their fanatical/extremist views. This is what you are doing.

                • 0
                  1

                  ” Sinhalese are very fond of taking one or two pages out of an entire chapter or book and then quoting them out of context”
                  *
                  They take a leaf out of your book I guess.

  • 3
    1

    Learning is one thing. Becoming learned is another thing. London Mapillai was not a phenomenon of Tamils, but Sinhalese too. That time we looked at them and hated their elite behaviors. We too were shallow to hate them and resisted the cultural change they brought in. Unscrupulous, dishonest politicians like SWRD- JR copycat Indian Mahatma Gandhi and burned their suite to please us for vote. So we missed to understand the Western civilization’s growth path. While India, Pakistan (East West), Maldives all had their economic, religious, education, racial problems, Ceylon didn’t. ITAK didn’t do even 1/3 of fights DMK did in Tamil Nadu. There were many problems, Naxalites, Shiv Sena, China communists, internal wars, external wars……But those counties are registering amazing growth but Lankawe’s average growth so far is only 2.2%. Time for Sinhala Leaned people to ask a legitimate question, “why in the Colonial times waves and waves of different races flocked to Ceylon seeking jobs, but in the last 30 years, more than 10% of the population has left the country as refugees or slave and indentured workers. We hated when London Mapillaies retuned with professionally trained, independent minded with secular culture, but are we happy with the indentured workers retuning with a new religious extremist culture and trained in crime?

  • 2
    2

    Learned Sinhala Gentlemen should get up from the deep slumber, shake their heads, look up at the morning sun and look down at bridge and realize the water ran underneath, while they had fallen in the dream of Sinhala Buddhism. It is pointless to insist that Buddha flied to Lankawe and taught these to them, 2500 years ago. Are the learned Sinhala Gentlemen want to remain as Pannadaies and sell the country to preserve a non-existed Sinhala Buddhism, which was created by a Christian Priest, Dharmapala? Be a swan, don’t be Pannadai. It is said when a swan is given water with Milk, it drinks the milk and leave the water behind. But when the toddy is poured over a Pannadai, it loses toddy but keep the dead bugs for it. They should willingly accept, it is Western World introduced the contemporary Democratic politics, Science, and Economic thinking.

    It is time for learned Sinhala Gentlemen to contribute their share to UNHRC. They should remember that they are not representing poor JVP girls who could not hire lawyers. But their honest feeling should be driving them to save the Sinhala Nation and Tamil Nation. Don’t count the Australian, ill will pundits Laksiri like destructive forces. Sinhalese should take confidence in International Organizations’ integrity to reverse the trend of Lankawe sinking in Cesspool politics.

  • 1
    0

    Comments are all from TWO factions. Truths and facts should be accepted by both sides. We need to define what is a DEMOCRATIC country? Need to define what is terrorism? I have always what seems to happen in so many countries, state suppression/ Terrorism is the mother of all forms of Liberation Fronts.
    So, we have been busy infighting in the country leading to Foreign countries interest in SL. This infighting has prevented economic progress of the country. Huge funds are being taken up by the defence. The money that can be utilized on Education,Health and infra structures such as Transport system ;sewerage systems; Housing; new industries; agriculture etc. The worst form of Terrorism is the corruption by the politicians on either sides. Corrupted are escaping the prisons.

  • 3
    0

    Did or did not Sri Lanka face separatist terrorism from the LTTE and other sources? Why cannot the so-called High Commissioner for Human Rights accept this truth? Why instead the High Commissioner’s Report directly and indirectly try to justify that separatist terrorism?
    I have not found a single word in her report supporting LTTE. LTTE was defeated in 2009 and it is now 2021. There was not a single bullet from LTTE since May 2009. After 12 years what is the point in talking about LTTE Terrorism which was completely wiped out in the country. Her report is about what happened to the people during the war and specially what happened after the end of war including the surrendered LTTE persons, and the promises made to find the ethnic problem, democratic rights of the people and institutions etc. Can you give the details of the progress or attempt made by you now?
    “It appears that the words ‘terrorism’ and ‘separatism’ have been taboo to the High Commissioner. However, criticisms about ‘Buddhism,’ ‘Sinhala-Buddhist ethno-nationalism’ and ‘majoritarianism’ frequently appear in the Report.”
    Yes it is you said that there is no LTTE terrorism in this country and now you want High commissioner to report that for. Why do you want to talk about terrorism now instead of talking about Peace.

  • 0
    0

    Laksiri Fernando:
    Did you factor in the long history of state-run terror and persecution, the origins of which predates any armed rebellion by decade or more, and the well documented state backed pogroms into your opinions that you have been churning out lately?

    Is state run terror merely a matter of “political difference”?

    Do you acknowledge that the state committed heinous crimes against its citizens on numerous occasions systematically and deliberately? Have you been a supporter of state run terror and the violence thereof but only oppose the violence and terrorism of LTTE and JVP?

    Does your interpretation of “genuine grievances” of the Tamils exclude the lack of accountability for the violent and criminal acts of intimidation, oppression, and genocidal events during the timeframe covered by the LLRC report?

    Is it difficult to fathom that the “ethnic conflict” comprised of an “armed conflict” during a particular timeframe within the span of the ethnic conflict?

    Ethnic conflicts often give rise to civil wars? Did the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka give birth to a civil war or were the armed liberation movements terrorist outfits since their inception and in their entirety?

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