By R. Sampanthan –
R. Sampanthan
My attention has been drawn to the interview said to have been given to the media by Mr. M. A. Sumanthiran, President’s Counsel, former Member of Parliament Jaffna District, and Spokesman for the Tamil National Alliance.
Mr. Sumanthiran has been frank and forthright in his answers to questions that have been asked with the deliberate purpose of promoting mischief and disunity amongst the people of this country particularly amongst the Tamil people with the ulterior purpose of sabotaging efforts to find a resolution to the National Question within the framework of a single united undivided and indivisible Sri Lanka.
Over the past 30 years after the signing of the Indo Sri Lanka agreement and the enactment of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution much work has been done by successive Presidents and Governments, under the leadership of President R. Premadasa, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Maithiripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe to bring about a resolution to the National Question based upon substantial consensus catering to the needs of a multiethnic, multilingual, multicultural pluralistic society all of which are matter of record.
The questions posed to Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran are intended to promote confusion amongst all people, both the Sinhala and Tamil people. The purpose of this interview is to disturb the ongoing process amongst all people both Sinhalese and Tamils. The people should not get confused and misled by such mischievous endeavors.
During the history of a long political struggle for equality and justice such as the Tamil political struggle which commenced in 1949 and has lasted over 70years various events have taken place. The Tamil struggle when it commenced was democratic, peaceful and non-violent. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commenced their armed struggle in the late 70s and early 80s, after a period of 30years since the commencement of the democratic peaceful and non – violent Tamil struggle.
If there had been a reasonable resolution to the Tamil Question in the first three decades, the LTTE would never have emerged on the scene. It was the failure of the majority leadership to implement pacts and agreements entered into with Tamil Leader Mr SJV Chelvanayakam who was committed to non-violence that resulted in the emergence of LTTE. Even during the time of the armed struggle which lasted till 2009, the peaceful Tamil political struggle continued and continuous up to date.
The people of this country need to look at how the future can be bright for all people, on the basis of justice equality. Mr Sumanthiran whose ultimate interest is in a just and acceptable resolution has answered questions from this perspective. He has also expressed his own views on some issues. There can be progress and prosperity in Sri Lanka and for all its people only if the National Question is resolved on the basis of permanent peace evolved through a resolution based on justice, equality, self-respect and dignity.
I would appeal to all the people in this country, the Sinhalese Tamils and all others not to be misled by such mischievous endeavors and to concentrate on the efforts to find a reasonable and acceptable resolution to the National Question based on a substantial consensus.
I would like to communicate to the Tamil people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces that our strength to achieve a reasonable and acceptable resolution lies in your being united behind such a position rather than giving expression to contradictory views on issues that are perhaps not strictly related at present to the resolution of the National Question.
The Tamil people have suffered immensely in several ways during the past several decades. The Tamil people were subjected to racial pogroms even before the emergence of the LTTE. A very substantial number of Tamil people have fled the country. Tamil people will inevitably remember with pain what happened to them, but this should not confuse their thinking in relation to the main issue.
It is only an acceptable political resolution to the National Question that can provide permanent peace and relief to the Tamil people and permanent peace and prosperity to the whole country and all its people.
It will be the duty of every citizen to strive unitedly to the achievement of this objective.
*R Sampanthan – Leader Tamil National Alliance
Mallaiyuran / May 16, 2020
“The questions posed to Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran are intended to promote confusion amongst all people, both the Sinhala and Tamil people. The purpose of this interview is to disturb the ongoing process amongst all people both Sinhalese and Tamils. The people should not get confused and misled by such mischievous endeavors.
………………………
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The people of this country need to look at how the future can be bright for all people, on the basis of justice equality. Mr Sumanthiran whose ultimate interest is in a just and acceptable resolution has answered questions from this perspective. “
So you thought Sampanthan Aiya going to say “Yes he (Sumanthiran) did a bad bad mistake”? I think it is a Sinhala proverb “Asking the thief’s mother of where about the thief is?”
/
old codger / May 16, 2020
This Chamuditha has turned into the worst kind of gutter journalist. Not that he was that much better when working for his Sirasa paymasters. Now, though, his Sinhala Buddhist fixations are clear. He even has the presumption to debate points of law with this senior lawyer! He doesn’t even have the decency to address his guest as “Mr.”. Is this the sort of aggressive Sinhala culture that is being promoted, unlike the smiley tourist brochures?
Kudos to Mr.Sumanthiran for keeping calm under extreme provocation by an idiot obsessed with his own importance. Personally, I am not a violent person, but in this instance I would have kicked the bugger in the b…s.
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
old codger
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How are you?
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“I am not a violent person, but in this instance I would have kicked the bugger in the b…s.”
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I am not sure you would find his b***s in the right place.
Usually when they start losing theirs then they resort to all sorts of mouth rages, road rages, bumb and one finger rages, self-abusive rage (being ashamed of oneself, feeling hopeless, unworthy, humiliated, intimidated by the presence of perceived enemy).
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This is another little islander’s attempt to impress his wife/partner/mistress or all of them in order to substitute his incompetent performance.
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Throughout the interview it appeared the man was in a rush to grab something from Sumanthiran. I don’t know what it was.
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By the way on the stupid Tamil side this interview is being blown out of all proportion. As usual the little Tamil man couldn’t stand any competent person.
The funniest part of this saga is that those (former?) militant groups who targeted VP and LTTE are now scathing at Sumanthiran for not defending both, in other words in their view not defending their (armed) struggle, and his failure to explain away the reason as to why the stupid Tamils took up arms.
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Somewhere in the early part of the interview Sumanthiran explained the reason for demanding to carve out a separate state. He explained in 1971-72 period the minorities were excluded from drafting the constitution. Those donkeys who spined the whole affair out of proportion either stupid and didn’t understand Sinhala or stupid and had “cunning” ideas/agenda.
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Take care.
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old codger / May 16, 2020
Native,
I understand this guy was newly hired by the channel. Maybe he’s trying to impress his paymasters with patriotic credentials.
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SJ / May 16, 2020
OC
“Is this the sort of aggressive Sinhala culture that is being promoted, unlike the smiley tourist brochures?”
You are justified to be annoyed by the rudeness of a motivated individual.
But, overall, the Sinhalese are far more polite.
Compare the frequency of greetings in Tamil and Sinhalese social communication.
Words like Ayubowan, Isthuthiya etc. are commonplace in Sinhala unlike in Tamil. Now Vanakkam is creeping in, but thanking is not part of the vocabulary of most Tamils.
The Sinhalese are traditionally a more warm and friendly people than us. But all that is bound to erode with growing communal venom and vicious elements taking centre stage.
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old codger / May 16, 2020
S.J
As individuals the Sinhalese I know are the soul of friendliness. I live in a heavily Sinhala Buddhist neighborhood .Herd mentality kicks in when they get together. It is difficult to find one thinking independently.
In Chamuditha’s case, an individual has taken on herd mentality.
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SJ / May 17, 2020
OC
Thanks.
But are other nationalities any freer of herd mentality?
To overcome the herd mentality, we need to learn to see problems from other viewpoints, even where we most disagree.
/
Mallaiyuran / May 16, 2020
????????
It is not comedy this time. But something serious venom! Same like you, all Siri Mao’s addiyars postulate the theory of prostitute is pleasant & preferable to female at home. You apparently downloaded that curtesy from your boss.
You don’t read what others write, but are you even reading yours? Why would Tamils like Ayubowan, or Isthuthiya? They don’t have a language? You Badiuddin PhD, who never learned proper Tamil in you young ages, just trying to show Vanakkam is the only greeting word available in Tamil. Leave aside those formal greeting like Vanakkam, Kalai Vanthanam, but your never heard, Vaannko Vannko. Eppadi sukam, Tholaivalaiyoo…….. A thousand used by village folks? I am not going into another thousand form Tamil Nadu folks use. That is showing your punditry in all other subjects you talk. What is the year you mean by “Now Vanakkam is creeping?” From when it started to creep, you man? You are blaming Tamils for not knowing Ayubowan, or Isthuthiya, then laughing Vanakkam creeping? Is there anything you write is meant Tamils in future benefit fit out of it and improve them? No really! You are trying to show in all you writings, that you are a smatie in being very nasty. You are so nakedly exposing your venomous mind by trying to beat the Mathalam on both sides. You dirty mind touched keyboard even smelling up to here to my screen through the wire.
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SJ / May 17, 2020
Now *******, you seem to be attracted to prostitutes!
Shame, not at your age!
Remember to wash your hand.
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Mallaiyuran / May 18, 2020
you seem to be attracted to prostitutes! Why not?; not your trade, no pimping? Only helping boss on his trade? Pimping hard to compared to your boss’s medicine trading?
Why, not so good in dreaming hallucinating like your boss badu? The send the Doc soon. Why didn’t sent the Doc yet; wiping with that the bottom for your cholera? Is that why you don’t have to wash your hands but advice other South Asians?
Anyway what present did your boss brought you from Thailand when he came back? No Yellow, nor chocolate? Sad man
If EPDP OED had the meanings of metaphor & liturgical, you would have suffer by that wet dream. Anyway wake up now man; Dumas.
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Mallaiyuran / May 16, 2020
I didn’t write a lot earlier, not because my head was blank (sometimes it happens) on that time, but many serious people already feeling that Sumanthiran’s interview is an overblown issue in Tamil media. None of the politicians, including ITAK reps & MPs, did answer to people for their concerns but have attempted everything from their election view.
Sampanthan Aiya explaining that these are evil questions from a Racist so just to watch out the media. But Sampanthan Aiya, with his unitary (Ekkaya raj) political solution, is only asking to live with that evil culture but does not want to liberate him from that. Nikki Haley, before quit from UNHRC, said it was cesspool over there. But she cleaned her. If Sampanthan knows it is cesspool why wants he his kids to drench in that? For how long he wants to put up with this racist maneuvering & entrapping? When is it going to end in his opinion? After all, in 1917, 1918 Sir Pon Ramanathan had recognized it was there? It is now more than a century!
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Mallaiyuran / May 16, 2020
Well Sumanthiran had gone for the Interview. Then was that an dead end? There was no alternative but to surrender to entrapment questions? A serpent sought refuge with Karna to revenge Arjuna. Krishna went to Kunti and told to get a boon from Karna that if he lost the serpent arrow one time, he must concede his loss on that and should desist from using it again. In war Karna used once against Arjuna and lost. Serpent wanted to go back to revenge Arjuna. But Karna reminded the promise to Kunti and refused send it again and lost the war. Sumanthiran, one time, understanding the motive of the interview, said “I don’t like any more interpretation on that”. Why could not he use that serpent Astra as often as he needed and protect him? There was some binding Oath for that Racist Sinhala Media from Sumanthiran? One time a job searcher asked back an interviewer “If I say Taj Mahal in Agra, am I getting this job?” Is Sumanthiran or Sampanthan Aiya thinking that Sumanthiran being a nice kid to a rotten racist media is going change war mongering Aanduwa mind and restore the Tamils’ right? Come on guys, Pl give me break!
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
Old Codger, your statement “He even has the presumption to debate points of law with this senior lawyer” shows your ignorance. Are you saying that no one should debate points of medicine with a senior doctor. With internet, any clever person can make himself knowledgeable in any field. Have you ever seen Tim Sebastian in BBC hard talk, where he comes prepared in everything including law, when he interviews. Therefore a good interviewer has to know law when confronting lawyers. There is no point blaming Chamuditha, for the poor performance of Sumanthiran, who was tirelessly and shamelessly promoting himself and not the cause of Tamils. He foolishly thinks that by running down Tamils who sacrificed their lives for just cause, he can be the darling of Sinhalese. It is well known that Chamuditha has a Sinhala Buddhist racist agenda. He is behaving in the same manner as Mehdi Hassan of Al Jazeera who has an Islamic racist agenda. Both are using intimidatory tactics with raised voice, which is psychological method to cow down others. To counter such domineering, you have to raise your pitch. If you cannot do that, honourably keep away. Do not try to cover up and accept that Sumanthiran has let Tamils down.
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old codger / May 18, 2020
Dr. Gnana,
“With internet, any clever person can make himself knowledgeable in any field. “
I would love to see you carrying out brain operations or designing 5G transmitters with “knowledge from the internet”.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
Dear Old Codger, do not bring in absurd comparisons. No one can carry out brain operations or design 5G transmitters with knowledge from the internet. But they can gain learn how a brain operation is done or how a 5G transmitters are done. Please do not be a coward attacking others under pseudonym.
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old codger / May 19, 2020
Dr. Gnana,
I am not attacking you, just pointing out a wrong statement. I use a pseudonym because, unlike you, I live in SL.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 19, 2020
Old Codger, I understand if a person living in Sri Lanka using pseudonym to attack the government or armed forces. But this subject has nothing to do with them, and thus your use of pseudonym is not acceptable. This is the same with people living abroad, attacking others using pseudonym. It is common for Tamils to show one face to Tamils and another to Sinhalese. Despite my speaking out the truth about Sinhala atrocities against Tamils, I was elected president of three top associations in UK where majority of members are Sinhalese. In one of them I was contested by a well known Sinhalese, whom I defeated despite racist campaign.
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old codger / May 20, 2020
Dr.GS,
I am moved to tears by your ability to demonstrate your popularity among Sinhalese, and your steely determination to defend all your contradictory positions.
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Native Vedda / May 18, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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“Old Codger, your statement “He even has the presumption to debate points of law with this senior lawyer” shows your ignorance. “
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Only the person is sufficiently knowledgeable in the chosen subject of debate.
In my case I believe I am safe as long as I chose not to debate at all as I am not ready to claim that I am as clever as Donald Trump. Also if at all possible I would rather refrain from debating with Gota, Kamal, Shavendra, VP, Pottu Amman, …… You know I am bit thick however I am not that thick to pick an argument with those nice people.
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“for the poor performance of Sumanthiran”
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If you were put in his place how would you have performed to all those inquisitorial questioning?
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” who was tirelessly and shamelessly promoting himself and not the cause of Tamils. “
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Please explain.
Do you think your Tamils were dumb enough to elect him and has Sampanthar gone gaga to tolerate Sumanthiran? There are a few parliamentary debates available on youtube. You should visit those debates and let us know why he was shameless and promoting himself?
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If Sumanthiran is not good enough could you suggest any other names who could perform well given that your Thesiath Thalaivar (National Leader) bumped off a number of skilled (in their own field of expertise) people and scared off rest of others.
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For example you are skilled in your field (hope you are not internet trained physician) the cream of Tamil Society who has chosen to live away from this island, yet you are criticising the dump Sumanthiran for remaining where he was born and trying to contribute to the people he know best.
Why haven’t you replaced him?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
NV, Law is not like Medicine or Technology where if you do not know you cannot practice. Law can be interpreted by anyone as long as he is fluent in the language in which statutes are written. Remember late Felix Dias Bandaranaike under reforms in administration of justice permitted individuals to appear for themselves without a lawyer. It is because lawyers lobbied JR government purely because they would lose income that it was removed. Fact that late Dahanayake though not a lawyer appeared for a case himself and won it, proves that lawyers are not necessary.
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Native Vedda / May 19, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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“Law is not like Medicine or Technology where if you do not know you cannot practice. “
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If Sambandan asked you to draft an alternative constitution will you able to compile a set of legal documents that Sambandan would approve without proper legal training and academic knowledge and only with the support of internet research?
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I am not talking about Prabaharan’s legal system.
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old codger / May 19, 2020
Native,
You are treading on quicksand. Do you want to be buried in Lemuria?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 19, 2020
NV, do not under estimate me. Drawing up a constitution is not a big thing. I have been involved in drawing up constitution for associations. You take constitutions of other societies and clubs and try to replicate it. Similarly you take constitutions of other countries and draw up one. That may not be a perfect one, but could be taken as base and improved upon. For that matter no one in history has drawn up a constitution single handed. Even the great constitutional expert Dr. Colvin needed input from others to complete the 1972 constitution. You only need knowledge of English and intelligence, which I can demonstrate.
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Rajash / May 16, 2020
All Sinhala Politicians and the Sinhala racists have the “dead” tiger by the tail , not the “tiger by the tail” but the “dead tiger by the tail” and they don’t want to let go the dead tiger.
The Tiger is dead long live the tiger
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Native Vedda / May 19, 2020
Rajash
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Where are you hiding when the country needs you?
Are you hiding from Corona or Boris?
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By the way what is the dispute with Guardian?
The present Sri Lankan High Commissioner has convinced/threatened/mislead the Guardian to remove the Word Eelam (Sri Lanka) from its travel quiz section.
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What are you doing to teach those who believe they know history just because they work for Gota? Its not about Tamil/Sinhala competitive racism however its about a small group of people actively promoting ignorance, sort of legitimately.
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Sinhala_Man / May 16, 2020
I listened to it all. The questioning by Chamuditha was most provocative. Unacceptable to any unbiased observer. Perhaps Chamuditha felt that he had to adopt that aggressive tone to maintain credibility with the Sinhalese public.
.
We have seen Gota and others questioned by the International media – I mean in Hard Talk, etc. They were never so insulting.
.
The Sinhalese have to understand that they cannot treat the Tamils and the Muslims as footballs to kick around. Terrorism and armed rebellion was unacceptable; we cannot say the same of merely discussing Federalism and even Separatism. I fervently desire that we remain one country. I don’t think that outlawing talk to the contrary is the way we can win hearts and minds.
.
I couldn’t help but admire how Sumanthiran stood up to it all.
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old codger / May 16, 2020
SM,
Leaving aside politics, Chamuditha’s method of interviewing people is most uncouth. Is this supposed to be an example from a senior “journalist” to be passed on to the next generation?
No wonder children are appearing on social media threating each other in filth. And mind you, this inquisition appears to be taking place in Sumanthiran’s own house.
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SJ / May 16, 2020
OC
The BBC, I think, started TV chat shows with the David Frost Programme.
Frost had got pretty assertive and arrogant as the show gained popularity. When he interviewed Emil Savundra, not the most honest man on earth, he tried to prove that ES was a thief in what was trial by TV.
Frost (or his scriptwriters?) did not do the homework and Savundra turned tables on Frost by more aggressively but polite arguments that challenged Frost for evidence. It was a public humiliation for Frost.
*
The way to deal with aggressive media persons is to be on the attack. Politicians with no skeletons in the cupboard can make these characters look like fools.
I remember how two decades ago the late Kumar Ponnambalam in very polite Sinhala got the better of anchor persons who tried to corner him.
Many of our political chat show anchors look smart and speak impressively, but are poorly informed and are there to do what they are told.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
Old Codger, do not display your ignorance. This is the same intimidatory tone with raised voice, that Mehdi Hassan interviews people, for which no one has found fault with. It appears that you have not seen hard talk program by BBC, where Chandrika Kumaratunga came a cropper when cornered by Tim Sebastian. Do not blame the interviewer just because Sumanthiran failed due to his self promotion to please Sinhalese by running down Tamils who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause. Late Kumar Ponnambalam was another tireless self promoter, without substance.
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paragon / May 16, 2020
It must be remembered that sumanthiran is like walking on a robe when answering an interview in singala and at time under pressure he may have made some error.before issuing a statement to find fault with him and attacking him his own party former MPS who are from FEDERAL PARTY OR TELO 0R PLOT should have at least ask his point of view on this matter before attacking him as if has committed a murder.none of these former MPS heart to heart LOVE LTTE.TELO,PLOT,AND EPRLF,always worked against LTTE. now they are trying to become saints.some other federal party MPS do not like the popularity SUMANTHRAN is getting by attending singala media interviews.FURTHER MORE THESE GROUP OF FORMER MPS WANTS TO KEEP THIS LTTE ISSUES LIKE A PERMANENT WOUND WITH OUT GETTING IT HEALED ONLY TO CHEAT THE TAMILS ONLY COLLECT VOTES. HOW MANY OF THEM ARE READY EVEN TO START A PEACE FULL PROTEST AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OTHER THAN ISSUING ONLY STATEMENTS.They are all simply attacking SUMANTHIRN to show that they are big fighters for tamils rights more than SUMANTHIRAN and simply only collect more votes than him in the coming parliament election IF THAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 16, 2020
There is an allegation by a lady that when Sumanthiran goes to Geneva, he just sits in the audience and returns without taking part in discussions. Could those who have been to Geneva please verify this. If this is true, then there is nothing wrong in condemning him.
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SJ / May 17, 2020
GS
May we know which lady?
I doubt if anybody around here would have been witness to S’s silence.
Surf the Net, and you may catch something to your liking.
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Native Vedda / May 18, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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“There is an allegation by a lady that when Sumanthiran goes to Geneva, ……)
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Is it Ananthi Sasitharan who alleged so?
I am told she has been on her annual trip for a long time.
How many war criminals have been punished because of active intervention in Geneva?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
NV, this lady identifies herself as Nishanthi Selvaratnam. I do not know who she is or in which country she lives. You are correct that going to Geneva by Tamil activists is not going to get war criminals prosecuted. It is up to powerful countries like USA and UK to initiate it. For the last five years they did not do it because they did not want to rock the government which they got installed with difficulty. Now it is different with Rajapkses in power and if they tilt too much towards China, war crimes will be taken as a weapon to bring them down. There is news that one war criminal implicated in Rwanda massacre who was on the run for 30 years has been arrested in Paris. War crimes in Cambodia by Pol Pot is being investigated after 40 years. Similarly one day war criminals in Sri Lanka will be brought to justice.
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Native Vedda / May 18, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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“It is up to powerful countries like USA and UK to initiate it. “
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Why haven’t the powerful countries taken any initiative to bring the war criminals to book? I believe you are permanently well settled in the UK yet you have failed to move UK’s position from one of inaction to action.
Why?
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Sometimes when I listen, read, and watch the Tamil Diaspora behaving badly, it raises many questions. I myselves can’t believe my eyes and ears the Tamil Diaspora makes me believe as if the Tamils had won the war about 11 years ago as a consequence it is now the responsibility of Sambandan and Sumanthiran to get everything that is due to Tamils from the state, government, saffron brigade, Weerawansa, ….
Have I missed something?
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Please note your Sinhala brethren are no different to your Tamil brethren.
They kept celebrating LTTE’s military victories for years, ignoring/justifying/celebrating LTTE’s share of war crimes. We now see Sinhalese are still celebrating their victory. What is the difference between Sinhalese/Buddhists ignoring/justifying/celebrating and Tamils behaving similarly?
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Why is that Rudrakumar is unable to persuade USA to take action against war criminals? Why is it that Seeman, Vaiko, Nedumaran, Thirumavalavan …. are unable to convince Hindians to do the right thing?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
UK, USA or for that matter any country, act according to their self interest and not according to justice. I cannot do anything to force UK to act. Anyone who says that he has the clout to influence a country to do what he wants, he is a liar. Rudrakumaran or anyone have to behave within parameters drawn, and if they try to do anything outside it, they will end up behind bars. Despite his posturings Rudrakumaran could not file action in US courts to arrest Gotabhaya for war crimes whenever he visited USA, before he became president, because he is their agent to look after their interest in Sri Lanka. If Lasantha’s daughter had the courage to file action why not Rudrakumaran. However if he fails to deliver or plays double game accommodating China, then the situation may change. This is a reality that the gullible Tamils are failing to understand. The same thing is with Tamil politicians in India. But this will not go for long and at one stage they will put their foot down especially if China becomes dominant. One way for Sri Lanka to escape war crimes charges is to co-operate with them in granting the rights to Tamils in sharing land and power. This is what happened in East Timor and South Sudan where there was no war crimes inquiry. (CONTD)
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
(CONTD). Did you notice that not only Tamils but also Sinhalese are unable to do anything about UK policy. Despite several complains by Sinhalese, still LTTE flag is being flown openly. In the cutting the throat incident, it was the Military attache who was expelled from the country and subsequently found fault by the courts and not the LTTE members. They know their limitations and are behaving properly pursuing their political objective by peaceful protests which is perfectly legal. When the high commission protested about conservative manifesto saying about two state solution, they did not change it. Now I heard that High Commission had protested about LTTE members distributing food to heath staff in Northwick Park hospital, and were told off that it is considered humanitarian gesture. Again High Commission has written to Guardian news paper about Sri Lanka being called Ealam, were told that according to archaeological evidence it is so, and it will not be withdrawn. With eggs thrown on her face twice, naturally the shampoo has made new lady High Commissioner look beautiful. Find out about how I controlled Sinhala racists in UK when I was president of Festival of cricket in 2013.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / May 16, 2020
M.A.Sumanthiran is correct in what he says. I have witnessed every incident since 1977 as a lawyer appearing for suspected Tamil youths. At the very inception after the Peace Accord was signed, the LTTE has refused to corporate with India and joined hands with R.Premadasa. Before the Peace Accord was signed the LTTE disregarded the Thimpu Talks. Later at the Indian High Commission wanted all the Tamil militant organizations to stop all activities. But the LTTE began to decimate all other members of the Tamil Militant organizations, educated people, Parliamentarians, Professionals and government officers which are unacceptable. As Sampanthan said some work has been done under the 13th Amendment, other than allocation of adequate funds and Land and Police powers. Had the LTTE remained quiet, the Indian Government would certainly applied pressure on the Sri Lanka Government to implement the 13th Amendment. Instead the LTTE was misled by R.Premadasa to fight the IPKF. Instead of fighting the IPKF, why can’t the LTTE request the Indian Government to make the North-East Province as one of the State Territories of the Union of India. Even the other Tamil Organizations failed to assert this suggestion. These leaders of the Tamil Organizations should have been aware that India had a formidable task of strengthening the SAARC.
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Ajith / May 16, 2020
Mr Ayathuray Rajasingham,
You have the right to give your opinion similar to that Sumanthiran. But whether Sumanthiran is right or wrong you are right or wrong is to be decided by the people who elected him. He is representing the people and people will decide what they want. Why couldn’t Federal Party or Congress Party or any other political party couldn’t find a solution for first 30 years of independence. Why couldn’t they stop massacre of Tamil civilians in 1958, 1962, 1977 and 1983. Why did not India help to Federal party or Congress party or TULF to find the same solution similar to 13th amendment through political or democratic way by dialogue with their best neighbour? Why did India help to train, fund, arm Tamil youths in India instead of sending its military to North East? The fact is India had a secret agenda to use Tamil youths to achieve their objectives. That is why they allowed 35 youth groups to fight each other. It is because of LTTE, Indian Government signed an agreement with Srilanka with 13th amendment. 13th amendment can be removed from the constitution with another two third majority in Parliament. Whether you like it or not , 13th amendment is the outcome of LTTE and the UNHRC resolution is the outcome of LTTE.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / May 16, 2020
Ajith,
I have already answered your question. Vide :’ The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord and the 13th Amendment. Who is the winner?’ This was published in the Colombo Telegraph. The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord is binding on both India and Sri Lanka. It can be abrogated only by these two countries and not by 2/3rd majority in Parliament. If anyone wants to debate about the LTTE, let them write about it and I will give a prompt reply about their cruelty which made them as terrorists and not as freedom fighters. That is the reason why many countries have proscribed the LTTE. However, every one is sad when innocent Tamils were mercilessly massacred at Mullivaikal which cannot be accepted. If Sri Lankan is adamant in ignoring the 13th Amendment, I am sorry to mention that North-East Province will eventually be one of the State territories of the Union of India. This is inevitable because of the growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka coupled with the threat of Islamic terrorism in South Asia. Therefore, let us forgive one another and walk together for a better United Sri Lanka. This is the diplomacy Sumanthiran was expecting. When one reads the history of the unification of Germany and Italy, their architects Bismark and Cavun Cafoor acted diplomatically and never allowed rooms for emotion like the Tamil Parliamentaians.
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Ajith / May 16, 2020
Ayathurai,
You didn’t answer questions. Who came up with the proposal of Tamil Eelam? Is it TULF or LTTE? Who made the Vaddukoddai decision? It it LTTE or TULF? Who was behind the murder of Major Duraiappa? Is it TULF or LTTE?
LTTE may be cruel to cruel. LTTE was recognised by Tamil people, Srilankan government, International community. The 2002 peace accord was signed between LTTE and Srilanka which was sponsored by International community. UNHRC resolution was the product of LTTE, not by TNA. 13th amendment was already powerless and what did India do for it. India was behind the massacre of Tamils in Mullivaygal. You can deny it but that was the truth. Your suggestion to become part of India is worse than being slaves within Srilanka.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / May 17, 2020
Ajith,
Thanks for the reply. This issue is complex and it is political. If you look at the history of the unification of Germany and Italy, the militant organizations never got involved in the political affairs, other than Bismark and Cavun Caffoor who were the political leaders. For instance Garbaldi of the Red Army assisted Cavun Caffoor. The militant organizations knew their limits. The name Eelam was used by politicians for their political gains. When the TULF leader A.Amirthalingam was negotiating with Indra Gandhi, she had recognized A.Amirthalingam to propagate the cause of the Tamils to the international community. But what business or right has the LTTE to assassinate A.Amirthalingam later. Without realizing who really helped the Tamils just after the Vadamaradchy Operation, the LTTE assassinated Rajiv Gandhi which was unacceptable to the international community. The LTTE did the most ungrateful to India. Thereafter the scenario changed and even the international community decided to wipe out the LTTE. The first step was to proscribe the LTTE in many countries. Even the 2002 Peace Accord was a farce. The UNP with the assisstance of the international community misled the LTTE. Who will sign with the terrorist organization. 13th Amendment is still in force.
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Ajith / May 18, 2020
Ayathurai,
LTTE was banned in India in 1992.USA included LTTE in the foregin terrorist list in 1997. United Kingdom banned in 2001 and EU in 2006. They did not ban because of LTTE killed Rajib Gandhi because of Global Terrorism of Al-quida. Who murderd Rajiv Gandhi is debatable. Yes, India is powerful nation. There was an attempted murder Rajiv Gandhi by Srilanka as well. Still it is a doubtful question that whichTamil politician was behind the murder of Jaffna major Alfred Duraiappa?? You have not answered why cannot India directly handle Srilanka if they really interested in helping Tamils without training Tamil youths? Why India couldn’t stop the war before massacring the Tamils even after the end of war with LTTE?
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / May 19, 2020
Have the Tamils ever pleaded to do away with the LTTE or have they ever requested that North-East Province to be one of the Territories of the Union of India? Gaining independence is not mere requesting. There have to be blood shed like the Americans or Indians shedding blood for independence. Have the Tamils ever opposed the LTTE when Tamil Parliamentarians, Tamil Government Officers, Tamil professionals, law abiding Tamil citizens, etc. The Tamils were thrilled when the LTTE murdered these Tamils. I do not belong to any Tamil groups. But when the EPRLF formed the government in the North-East Province, the Tamils stood by the LTTE. The Tamils maintained silence when the LTTE provoked the IPKF. Just because of the threat from the LTTE, it does not mean that the Tamils should maintain silence. For instance, Suresh Premachandran who was in the EPRLF joined the TULF with the blessings of the LTTE. Likewise now Sidtharththan and several others are criticizing Sumanthiran when he said that LTTE’s behaviour was unacceptable. So how do you think that India would help the Tamils. India can feel sympathetic towards the Tamils only in spite of the fact that Rajiv Gandhi was killed.
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Sinhala_Man / May 18, 2020
Pardon me, Mr AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM, but this is the truth.
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I have never had any lessons in History per se, and I did a double take when I saw the name “Cavun Cafoor”. I googled the name, but there was no response or more accurately I was asked whether I meant “Kevin Kapoor.” No, I didn’t explore that!
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Is this the man you meant?
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camillo_Benso,_Count_of_Cavour
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I haven’t done much reading after starting on that “goose chase” – just asking! I had heard of Garibaldi, and got to the Wikipedia page above after taking a quick look at what is below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Garibaldi
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I then saw your second comment where you mention Garibaldi (spelling!).
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No problems with Bismark.
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Also, I applaud the content of your comment, and your attitude! Just drawing your attention before somebody else does so.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / May 18, 2020
Sinhala_Man,
In 1860 or 1850 when Victor Emmanuel was King of Italy Cavun Cafoor was the Chief Minister. At that time Italy was a fractured State. During the same period Prussia was on its way of becoming a powerful State. At that time Austria and France were obstacles to the unification of Germany & Italy. Bismark of Prussia utilized his diplomacy and led King Heizer William to defeat Austria & France and established Germany. Both Cavun Cavur & Bismark had pacts with each other. You have to read the European History. Garbaldi had a Red Army and hailed from Naples and was assisting Cavun Cavour. Everything is provided. It is about 50 years since I have studied European History and 40 years since I have studied International Affairs between the States.
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old codger / May 19, 2020
SM,
Some translation is needed, I think. “Cavun Cafoor” is Tamil for “Count Cavour”. No wonder you couldn’t find it on Google.
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Singar A. Velan / May 19, 2020
Old Codger: //“Cavun Cafoor” is Tamil for “Count Cavour”//
That’s wicked! Enjoyable though.
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Sinhala_Man / May 19, 2020
Not to worry Mr Rajasingham,
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I fully appreciate the thoughts you had expressed. Is the explanation to be found in Old Codger’s comment?
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Why not bring usage into line with what is now found in English on the Internet? It may be that we guys are overly concerned with English versions of names. I guess that I may have made similar queries for country names like – Espanol, Nippon and Helvetia.
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I’m not much bothered about European History; it’s more important to teach kids the history of our island n such a way that we don’t start getting mad with one another. OC wanted me to examine the History textbooks – not begun yet.
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Steady rain here, and erratic power supply. Excuses, excuses!
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / May 19, 2020
Sinhala_Man,
Thanks. You can read the European History written by Southgate. The Chapters is Unification of Germany and Unification of Italy. I do not know whether this book is available now.It is more than 50 years since this was a text book for us.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 16, 2020
You are correct about the behaviour of LTTE, but the fault lies solely on Prabaharan and a few yes men around him. Therefore to throw mud on bulk of the fighters especially those who laid their lives, is not acceptable. Tamil youths took to weapons because of no future, being discriminated in education and employment and calculated violence unleashed on them by successive governments. It is nothing wrong for one to point a gun back at someone who is pointing a gun at him. Prabaharan was fighting for himself and not for Tamil people, which even the educated people failed to understand. He fought IPKF to save himself and not for the benefit of Tamils. He had been infiltrated by CIA who used him to drive IPKF away and get rid of Rajiv Gandhi. He decided the policy and forced it on Tamils at gun point. When Rajiv Gandhi offered him Chief Minister post, he arrogantly said, I am already Prime minister of Eelam. When Indo-Lanka accord was signed, I was working in Jaffna and Tamil civil society appealed to him to accept it and improve on it, to which he refused. If Prabaharan did not fight IPKF, they would have never left. (CONTD)
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 16, 2020
(CONTD) Yes Indo Lanka accord is between two countries, where not only Sri Lanka parliament could unilaterally alter it, but also Sri Lanka supreme court can proclaim judgement on it. This is why I find fault with Sumanthiran, that when he rushes to court to defend wrong doings that affect Sinhalese, he does not show the same enthusiasm when constitutional provisions and international laws are blatantly violated which affect Tamils. Please remember that north and east can only be de-merged, if at a referendum majority in east vote for it. It says such referendum could be postponed by the president indefinitely, and until Mahinda all presidents adhered to it. Therefore cases against de-merger and non implementation of full powers to provincial councils are easy cases to win, which Sumanthiran does not want to take up for fear of antagonizing Sinhalese. You cannot say we are standing for undivided Sri Lanka, while at the same time not stating that we are also standing for undivided Tamil homeland. Can you compare Sumanthiran with Thavarasa, an honest and brave lawyer who is taking up cases of suffering Tamils.
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Sinhala_Man / May 18, 2020
Dear Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
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You are quite right to make that distinction between the coterie around Prabaharan and the LTTE youth who perished. I know that their motivations were those of “freedom fighters” – even when they were suicide bombers. There are some of us, Sinhalese, who try to sell that idea to our fellow Sinhalese.
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“Federalism” has become a hate word for the Sinhalese. In the interview (which I listened to about 24 hours ago, with no comments visible as yet) Sumanthiran has the courage to explain the word and say that the TNA stands for it.
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Can he realistically do more than he is?
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old codger has summed it up well (see above): “As individuals, the Sinhalese I know are the soul of friendliness. . . . Herd mentality kicks in when they get together.”
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To me, discussion of division is acceptable, but please don’t be blind to the fact that it will produce a backlash.
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Native Vedda / May 18, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
–
Please listen to this clip
Special Interview with M A Sumanthiran Member of Srilankan Parliament
24 Jan 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y9NcZ_Clak&feature=youtu.be
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
Thanks NV. This is exactly what I had been telling for several years long before Sumanthiran came into the scene. The chance of independence is virtually zero as not a single powerful country is prepared to support it. Therefore pitch on federalism or similar sharing of power and territory., which will be accepted by international community as fair. When Sinhalese refuse to grant it, then ask the international community to get it for us or in the alternative independence. This is why I blame Prabaharan for the sad position of Tamils today for spurning two chances in 1987 and 2002. This interview was held in Canada in Tamil. I have never heard Sumanthiran talking like this in Sri Lanka in an interview in English or in Sinhala. Now that UNP government has cheated Tamils why is he still behind them and not uttered a single word against them. This is why I say that Sumanthiran is not an honest person, who is looking after his self interest.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 19, 2020
Your statement “LTTE was misled by Premadasa to fight IPKF” shows ignorance. It was LTTE, which knew about Premadasa’s hatred towards India, wanted to make use of him to help drive out IPKF. Prabaharan did not fight IPKF for the benefit of Tamils, but to safeguard him as there was a strong possibility that he will be killed by IPKF. A close relative of mine was involved in the initial talks with Premadasa, and when he met me in my residence in Colombo, I warned him not to trust Premadasa, for which he replied that LTTE is well aware of that. After Thimpu talks, India under racist Bandhari who received diamond necklace form JR, started to pressurize Tamil groups and LTTE took their men and material and came to Sri Lanka. It is after this that they started attacking TELO, because TELO was instructed by RAW to get rid of other groups. Premadasa agreement with LTTE was facilitated by CIA. Sanmugam brothers who were catchers of Premadasa helped him in the sugar to arms shipment deal, for which they were later remanded, and to prevent them coming out with the truth, Premadasa got them released and bumped them off. Intention of Prabaharan was to get IPKF out and not about devolution or annexation to India. Later Premadasa double crossed LTTE by surrendering to India and paid the supreme penalty.
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SJ / May 19, 2020
GS
“Your (S ampanthan’s) statement “LTTE was misled by Premadasa to fight IPKF” shows ignorance. It was LTTE, which knew about Premadasa’s hatred towards India, wanted to make use of him to help drive out IPKF. Prabaharan did not fight IPKF for the benefit of Tamils, but to safeguard him as there was a strong possibility that he will be killed by IPKF.”
*
R Sampanthan was right to the extent that Premadasa actively supported and encouraged the LTTE to resist the IPKF.
But the explanations of RS and GS are both attempts to shield India.
The LTTE never trusted Indian rulers. They used MGR as a shield and MGR used them as well.
*
“racist Bandhari”– May we know what kind of racism was his?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 20, 2020
Read it correctly before commenting. That statement was written by Rasasingham and not Sampanthan. As for Bhandari’s racism, ask those who attended Thimpu conference, how Bhandari after receiving diamond necklace form JR, behaved with Tamil representatives of armed groups.
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Eagle Eye / May 16, 2020
A descendant of a K-tony from the East who is also an architect of Wadukkodei war against Native Sinhalayo that ended with a humiliating defeat is scratching the back of a descendant of a Malabar tobacco plantation worker in Yapanaya who is also an architect of the New Constitution with Federal features as an indirect way to get what they could not get by slaughtering Sinhalayo for three decades.
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
Eagle Brain Dead Blind Eye
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Who are these Native Sinhalayo?
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Eagle Eye / May 17, 2020
Did not realize that mentally retarded people have difficulty in understanding unless the same thing is repeated.
—
“Who are these Native Sinhalayo?”
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Burt / May 17, 2020
Most of their family name sounds like the illegitimate offspring of Portuguese.
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Eagle Eye / May 16, 2020
Mr. Sampanthan,
As a representative of a minority community you keep on raising questions. As native people of this country, majority Sinhalayo also have few questions to the minority community. Can you please provide answers to them.
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• What is it that the Sinhalayo are enjoying that the other communities are not enjoying because they are not Sinhala?
• What is it that the minorities do not enjoy because they are the minority which the majority enjoys because they are the majority?
• What is legally, constitutionally and legislatively given to the majority that is not given to the minorities”?
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I raised these questions several times in this forum but have not got satisfactory answers. We do not want to hear BS answers that are not related to the questions raised.
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Nathan / May 16, 2020
Eagle Eye, You are assuming too much of importance for yourself. Do not expect Hon. Sampanthan to have time for people like you.
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Take the answers from me.
____________________________
Q: What is it that the Sinhalayo are enjoying that the other communities are not enjoying because they are not Sinhala?
A: The temerity you have usurped for yourself.
Q: What is it that the minorities do not enjoy because they are the minority which the majority enjoys because they are the majority?
A: The right to maraud the minorities.
Q: What is legally, constitutionally and legislatively given to the majority that is not given to the minorities”?
A: Absolutely nothing. Except the prerogative to rob us of the same at your will.
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Eagle Eye / May 16, 2020
Nathan,
I raised those questions on behalf of Sinhalayo because guys like Sampanthan all the time talk about ‘National Question’, ‘Tamil Question’, ‘Ethnic Problem. If he has time to write and talk about these things he should find time to provide answers to those questions so that Sinhalayo can understand the true nature of the problems.
After a recent meeting with the Prime Minister, TNA politicians asked him to release political prisoners and solve problems in North and East. These are not bloody ‘National Questions’.
—
The answers that you have provided are sheer BS.
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SJ / May 16, 2020
EE
One can easily answer you.
The question is whether you will you take note and stop throwing the same questions all over again.
Look the percentage of minorities serving in various parts of the state sector.
Have you been to police stations in the N & E?
Tamil is supposedly an official language. How many state organizations provide important information in Tamil and enable speakers of Tamil to get things done in Tamil.
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Eagle Eye / May 16, 2020
SJ,
At the time British left, about 60% of State Sector jobs were held by Demalu. We had doctors, engineers, agriculturalists who could not communicate in Sinhala. Sinhalayo had to live with that. Certainly the situation has changed. 11% of the total population get around 11% of State Sector jobs. Nothing more.
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The communication problem between Sinhalayo and Demalu was created by racist Wellala politicians who told Demala people not to learn Sinhala. Racist Demala politicians asked Demala as an official language, so stupid Sinhala politicians gave it without seriously thinking about the problems that it creates. Opportunistic Marxist politicians also should be blamed for this mess.
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Now Sinhala people in the North and East are facing difficulties in getting service from Government offices because Demala Government Officers are discriminating Sinhalayo.
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SJ / May 17, 2020
EE
Did the Tamils get the jobs at the expense of educated Sinhalese?
Sinhalese interest in education and government jobs was slow to come.
You cannot keep repeating this lame excuse to defend blatant discrimination in every sector, continuing even after the Sinhalese overshot their fair share.
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Sinhala_Man / May 18, 2020
Very true, SJ. Tamil students worked much harder, even as late as when I was a kid.
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However, the coming of the change was inevitable.
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“Eagle Eye” why can’t you prevent yourself from saying “Demalu” when using English? This is unnecessary provocation.
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Eagle Eye / May 18, 2020
Sinhala-Man,
‘Demala’ is the term used by Sinhalayo to refer to Dravida invaders who invaded this country 52 times and massacred Sinhalayo. In Sinhala, ‘Demalu’ is the plural of ‘Demala’. Even the Census and Statistics Department use the word ‘Demala’ in their reports. Actually, in English version also they should use the term ‘Demala’ instead of ‘Tamil’. They should use the term used in Sinhala Reports in the English version.
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Before 1911, the term ‘Tamil’ was not used in Sinhale. British called the Dravidian slaves in Yapanaya ‘Malabar’. A guy named Ponnambalam Arunachalam involved in preparing the Census Report in 1911 changed the term ‘Malabar’ to ‘Ceylon Tamils’.
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Funny thing is, the descendants of Dravida slaves brought to Yapanaya by Portuguese are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ and the descendants of Dravida slaves brought by British to tea plantations are called ‘Indian Tamils’.
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I use the official word but some ‘Para’ Demalu use terms like ‘Chinkalam’, ‘Chinkala’, ‘Ginkalam’ to refer to Sinhalayo. Did you tell them not to use such terms?
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Sinhala_Man / May 18, 2020
This is the year 2020, and it is necessary for us to rebuild a country in which people can live in harmony. Yes, I do often ask Tamils not to be unnecessarily provocative.
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However, I must necessarily start with “my own people”. Even when speaking Sinhalese I don’t ever use “Demala” with a half-open vowel, may be with a neutral vowel. It’s quite unnecessary for me to tell you this, since you know it. A lot depends on tone of voice, etc. Decent Sinhalese of an older generation didn’t use “Demala” at all, they used to say “Dravida manushshayek”, which to me sounded all wrong, but I never used to tell them so because the respect that they had for the Tamil man was so obvious.
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Nagananda Kodituwakku is younger than me, but when I heard him say, in Sinhala, that he was going North to meet “Dravida people” I checked with Rajan Hoole, and sent a message to Nagananda advising him to use “Demala” instead. Rajan told me that “Dravida” sounded odd to him, but readily accepted the explanation for Nagananda’s use. Rajan knows some Sinhalese, but not the nuances. Jeevan uses no Sinhalese whatsoever.
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Sinhala_Man / May 18, 2020
PART TWO
Eagle Eye,
.
Have you ever heard Rajan speak provocatively? Follow the best examples Please note that I’m avoiding all polemics and one-upmanship. I’m sure that my Sinhalese ancestry is as ancient as that of anybody else, but I know that genetically I must be mostly Dravidian. So, I avoid the term to distinguish between our two groups.
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Unless all Sinhalese (and all Tamils) start speaking to each other politely, the plight of our country will get ever worse.
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The power supply has become erratic because of the weather. Mercifully, it has been steady for the past few months. However, when these lockdowns are over, the economy is going to be in such a shambles that we will all be living pretty primitive lives again.
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I’m trying to ensure that we will not also be savages. I know that you will be surprised at the tone of this response, but you will understand me perfectly. I leave it to you to extrapolate from there.
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Panini Edirisinhe aka Sinhala_Man of Bandarawela, but of Southern Province ancestry
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Eagle Eye / May 16, 2020
Recently Mr. Sumandiram had met the PM Mahinda Rajapakshe and had told that they will support the Government if the Government come out with a new Constitution that devolve powers. Isn’t this another attempt by the ‘TAIL’ to wag the ‘DOG’?
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We do not know what the PM told but the answer to this question is very simple. Daliths who comprise the majority in the North (70%) have told the Constitution Drafting Committee on Power Sharing that they do not want the Government to devolve ‘Land’ and ‘Police’ powers to NPC. So the Government has to respect the wishes of the majority and not the wishes of a handful of people who want to control the majority Dalith Demala people.
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S. C. Pasqual / May 16, 2020
Whatever the deferences these are the people who must stay in politics.
Educated people who are willing to argue s point over logic.
Intelligent people who knows results of good deeds won’t materialize in fortnight.
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
S. C. Passqual
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“Whatever the deferences these are the people who must stay in politics.”
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You are the first one to strike them with stones, simply because you cannot refrain from throwing stones and mud at people you consider better than fellow members of your gang. The truth is you dumpasses cannot stand people with ideas, specialist knowledge and skills and who are willing to display their b***s in public.
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“Educated people who are willing to argue s point over logic.”
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Wise people do not need education to foresee issues, dangers, problems, …. and find solutions or to know right from wrong.
However this is the season for murderers, war criminals, fascists, rapists, land and sand horas, crooks, …..
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Today Shavendra Silva claimed to have won Corona.
Now it’s time he is bestowed with an honorary doctorate (DSc) for services to medicine. By the way don’t forget Kamal Gunaratne for a doctorate as well.
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S. C. Pasqual / May 17, 2020
Mr. Native Vedda
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I respect Mr. Sumanthiran in his true self.
He has delivered what is expected from him.
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And I wonder who really is throwing stones.
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Major General Shavendra Silva doesn’t need your commendations for a DSc.
He is a graduate from Harvard University – United States.
He is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College.
He holds an MSc. “Master of Philosophy in defence & Strategic Studies” from National Defence College – India.
He is trained and qualified in “psychological operations” by the United States Army.
He holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management.
He has successfully completed the “Senior Executives in National and International Security” program.
He is an instructor to the International Humanitarian Law Course.
And he is a qualified physical training instructor.
Apart from that he has also followed many training courses in France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherland and Pakistan.
.
What made you think that he needs your commendations..??
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S. C. Pasqual / May 17, 2020
Mr. Native Vedda,
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Do you need Major Gen (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne’s also..??
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
Shavendra Silva may have graduated from Harward University. What is the the use when as a war criminal he has been banned from entering United States.
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srikrish / May 16, 2020
It will be the duty of every citizen to strive unitedly to the achievement of this objective.
*R Sampanthan – Leader Tamil National Alliance .
These concluding words are inspiring and hope that these sentiments will not be forgotten in the heat of the forthcoming general election.
Mr Sampanthan,-rise up to the level of a national leader in the sense that whatever is proposed by you will be in the interest of the entire nation, not the result of parochial thinking.
When we are positive and proactive others will react in a similar manner.
Be honest and sincere in all our efforts. Let the forthcoming general election does not spoil such an atmosphere.
One cannot be intransigence, but ready to compromise in the national interest.
Sinhalese are also a great people with a glorious history behind them if we could not live in this country peacefully and with mutual respect, no other people in the whole world could do so.
Let bygone be bygone and not let the past bind us to a vicious cycle.
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
srikrish
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“Mr Sampanthan,-rise up to the level of a national leader in the sense that whatever is proposed by you will be in the interest of the entire nation, not the result of parochial thinking.”
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It appears you are still living in pre VP 2009 era.
If you look at Sam’s post VP2009 record, that may not be exemplary however worth noting. He had sailed his ship with a lot of skills that is rare among Tamil leaders.
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The position TNA took during Sirisena/Rajapaksa coup, old Sam played a crucial role and stood for democracy in national interest. What more could you demand?
National interest is simply not clan’s interest.
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“Sinhalese are also a great people with a glorious history behind them if we could not live in this country peacefully and with mutual respect, no other people in the whole world could do so.”
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Please clarify given last 100 years of history of this island leave alone 2500 years?
Sinhalese are great people
Buddhists are great people too.
But not the Aryan Sinhala/Buddhist fascist noisy minority.
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Eagle Eye / May 16, 2020
Native (Fake) Vedda,
“Sinhalese are great people
Buddhists are great people too.
But not the Aryan Sinhala/Buddhist fascist noisy minority.”
—
Sinhalayo can tell the same thing about Demalu. Large majority of Demala people like to live in harmony with Sinhalayo. Now more than 50% of Demalu from North live in Southern part of the country with Sinhalayo. The trouble makers are the opportunistic racist, fascist, separatist Wella Ala elite politicians who talk about a non-existing ‘National Question’.
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Native Vedda / May 18, 2020
Eagle Brain Dead Blind Eye
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“Sinhalayo can tell the same thing about Demalu. Large majority of Demala people like to live in harmony with Sinhalayo.”
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However the Sinhalayos don’t let them, 1958, 1977, 1983, …… 30 years to 2015, …. 31 May 1981, …………..
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rj1952 / May 16, 2020
as far as I am concerned that was the right move getting the Jaffna district mp to intervene as this 72-year young issues of the tamil’s not being treated as equal citizens has now reached its climax point.
=
the various yak governments on the election hustling tell of things they will do to resolve this entirely man-made curse but once they get into power they begin to have short memories and conveniently forget their sacred election platform commitments.?
=
so now with the gift of godfather China’s wonderful gift to the world the coronavirus Mr Sumanthiran being a highly respected lawyer is the correct luminary to consult coordinate with the rajapukas to obtain the release of all those being jailed for no rhyme or reason for the crimes they have committed have to be released with all the other 72-year-old shortcomings
/
Plato / May 16, 2020
There are two issues that begs an answer.
1] Was this interview of M.A.Sumanthiran P.C. covertly organised by the Rajapakse cabal [Ada Derana] to corner him?
R.Sampanthan, Leader of the TNA implies this without naming names.
2] Is MAS cracking up with the animosity shown by
a] Tamil Diaspora
b] Local Tamil groups
The chap who interviewed him adopted a very hard confrontational attitude which also would have rattled MAS..
Amusingly, the local onetime Tamil Militant groups [non-LTTE ] are literally stabbing him for making uncomplimentary remarks about the LTTE?!
If 1] is correct then it follows that MAS has been cornered by his detractors making use of the Tamil groups,who now demand his resignation.
The rise of MAS, in a comparatively short period of 10 years or so as a Politician and at the same time a sought after Lawyer has created jealousy within the rank and file and anger among the Sinhala Far-Right political Establishment.
The Tamil National question needs to be resolved through Dialogue with all sides of the Sinhala political leaders.
My gut feeling is that this is what he sought to convey; But there was a slip between the cup and the lip and it is now a storm in a Tea-cup!
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
Plato
–
“My gut feeling is that this is what he sought to convey; But there was a slip between the cup and the lip and it is now a storm in a Tea-cup!”
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Please tell us what you consider to be the slip.
I missed it.
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By the way I am not a fan of MAS.
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
Plato
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Please tell us what you consider to be the slip.
I must have missed it.
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Ajith / May 16, 2020
“Over the past 30 years after the signing of the Indo Sri Lanka agreement and the enactment of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution much work has been done by successive Presidents and Governments, under the leadership of President R. Premadasa, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Maithiripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe to bring about a resolution to the National Question based upon substantial consensus catering to the needs of a multiethnic, multilingual, multicultural pluralistic society all of which are matter of record.”
Dear Sampanthan Iyya and Sumanthiran Iyya,
What you are saying is all these Sinhala leaders have much work to find a national question based upon substantial consensus catering to the needs of a multilingual, multicultural pluralistic society. So, what you and Sumanthiran looking from the media. Is there any more problem you and Sumanthiran has to be solved by Mahinda Rajapakse. Why did both campaigned against Mahinda in the presidential election. It is now clear from the above “quote” that all the national problems are solved by previous Sinhala leaders from Premadasa to Ranil/Mahinda. So you have nothing to say go to Tamil voters now and your chapter is now over. Don’t go back to Tamils for votes. I am sure you will get some ministerial posts under Mahinda government.
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kali / May 16, 2020
Sampanthan
Mr. Sumanthiran has been frank about promoting mischief and disunity amongst the people of this country with the ulterior purpose of sabotaging efforts to find a resolution to the National Question.
*** With all due respect you are playing a game with the future of Tamils Language, Heritage and Historical sites such as Nallur and the other two famous Temples which have stood the test of times.
This Government under Gotha and MR is the most Racists of Governments Sri Lanka has ever had. All they want is time to Colonise beyond recall and Tamil Land will become like Jerusalem and it will be too late. What we need is Land & Police Powers and the only Nation that can deliver is India.
You are Prisoner of your Circumstances with a House in Colombo 7 and Gotha has threatened with eviction if you dont Comply. I have heard disturbing news that Sinhalese are buying and taking over Tamil Land at exorbitant Prices to build Buddhist Temples and finally Downgrade Nallur and if you dont do something to stop the Rot you will go down in History as the destroyer of Nallur. The whole thing of granting licences to build Buddhist temples started during Rhagavans time as Governor. I have taken this issue with Mr. Balakrishnan the Indian Consul and let us see what history has in store for us.
Never forget Gotha is the Pardoner of a Convicted Killer.
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Native Vedda / May 16, 2020
kali
–
“Mr. Sumanthiran has been frank about promoting mischief and disunity amongst the people of this country with the ulterior purpose of sabotaging efforts to find a resolution to the National Question.”
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The Tamil stupids do not need Sumanthiran to promote disunity among the people, they themselves doing it splendidly since 1949. There were times people didn’t know whether they were going to live or die as the island had been divided by degree of madness on both sides. Those who lead both sides became mader and mader until Hindians put a full stop to it.
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Does it matter whether Tamil or Sinhalese rule the people given the choice both sides could only produce psychopaths as their leaders.
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One is gone the other is being elected as president.
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chiv / May 16, 2020
Whats new in Sorry Lanka guys ???? Wonder why we are in such pathetic state after 70 years ??? In Lanka, for a change when a guy decides to speak out his mind this is exactly happens. Say to such MCQ /question , If Sumanthiran answered A , then SB would have called for his blood, if he answered B then all those jealous Tamil politicians would demand he being kicked out and called a traitor, If answer is C then the whole Sinhalese and Muslims would have been very unhappy if answer was D , which is all of the above , then the whole country would have gone nuts. This is Lanka in nutshell for you. Even I thought it was funny when PLOT, TELO, Karuna ???? (among all , very funny), CVW, other discarded politicians calling him a traitor. Did Douglas, the expert give his opinion ??If he did I missed it. Some of their argument is like “a doctor to understand the pain of his patient he too should have that pain, if not he is not qualified to treat the patient”. Good gracious I am not a politician and my patients have not yet demanded such things yet.
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chiv / May 16, 2020
Guys I am no expert to say what he said is right or wrong. (first of all there is no right or wrong in politics, it is difference in opinion and Tamil community itself is still divided on this matter). But he claims what was translated and presented by the Lankan media is a distorted version of what he actually said. Knowing Lankan media and what I hear about the person who interviewed him, I tend to believe it is possible. As right minded people , should give an opportunity to clarify his statement. When a community is not willing to do that, (to one of their own politician), it says a lot about the community too. To me it is clear even a single misrepresented word can make a huge difference in our infamous history, filled with nothing but animosity between communities. Few months ago he mentioned about the forced evacuation of Muslims out of North, which he thought was unjustified (I have heard that from some LTTE leaders too, on hindsight), which in turn brought out some howling from discarded Tamil politicians.
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SJ / May 16, 2020
“first of all there is no right or wrong in politics”
This not original stuff, but readily usable to justify any evil.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
“he mentioned about the forced evacuation of Muslims out of north, which he thought was unjustified”. For that matter, forced evacuation of anyone committed by anyone is unjustified. Why Sumanthiran who talks about what LTTE did, is silent about forced evacuation of Tamils by Sinhalese and Muslims. This is where Sumanthiran is not uniform in his views. They used to say Tamil senior officers punish Tamil juniors more harshly than Sinhalese juniors just to show them that they are fair. This is the same strategy Sumanthiran is adopting in running down Tamils to please Sinhalese.
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Native Vedda / May 18, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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“Why Sumanthiran who talks about what LTTE did, is silent about forced evacuation of Tamils by Sinhalese and Muslims.”
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Is there a reason for you/Tamil Diaspora to silence Sumanthiran for openly accepting a fact that has been denied by many Tamils for years? If you want the Tamils to move on in their life they should make an attempt to own up LTTE’s share of war crimes, apologise for it and carry on with what is necessary for their mental and economic development.
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By the way in 2008, when Gota attempted to ethnically cleanse Tamils from Colombo Sumanthiran was part of the legal team that successfully reversed Gota’s illegal inhuman decree while the Diaspora was flying the horrible LTTE flag and cheerfully chanting “our Leader Prabahran”.
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Please tell us what Sam/Suma should have done and what should they do and how to achieve it?
I have been forced to watch many home made meaningless Video clips by a few very stupid Tamils as well as Sinhalese which help us to measure their collective stupidity.
Are you tempted to release any such clips or do intent to make in the future? Pleae let us have the link if and when you produce yours.
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SJ / May 16, 2020
C
“Few months ago he mentioned about the forced evacuation of Muslims out of North, which he thought was unjustified (I have heard that from some LTTE leaders too, on hindsight), which in turn brought out some howling from discarded Tamil politicians.”
It was a some years ago.
Sumanthiran commendably was the first important Tamil leader to publicly apologize to the Muslims.
The howling was not just from discarded Tamil politicians. It is hard for many Tamils to come to terms with the fact that they did wrong by the Muslims.
The sense of guilt had driven many to even worse anti-Muslim attitudes.
Take a head count on these pages.
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Nathan / May 17, 2020
SJ,
What happened to Muslims has to be looked at in perspective.
.
LTTE took on Tamils who were not supportive of their stance, first.
LTTE murdered Tamils who were bent on sabotaging their plans, first.
________________________________________
The attitude of Muslims towards the legitimacy of Tamil struggle has to be considered as well, when speaking of ‘worse anti-Muslim attitudes’.
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SJ / May 17, 2020
N
Thank you for saving me the trouble to further stress my point.
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Nathan / May 18, 2020
SJ, Which part of my response did you find difficult to understand!
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SJ / May 19, 2020
N
Keep cool. I did not complain about your English.
*
It is the point made in my statement below that you are unwilling to understand.
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Nathan / May 21, 2020
SJ, LTTE was the creation of our times. You who refuse to see how LTTE came about is accusing me of ‘unwilling to understand.’ Isn’t that the height of absurdity. Throwing around words doesn’t cut it!
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SJ / May 17, 2020
C
Here is one head to count.
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Kuviyam / May 16, 2020
Tamil English or Singhal media should have a journalist who does not focus on printing hatred among ethnic communities., There is a question of journalistic ethics, It does not matter to what ethnic group the journalist or reporter belongs to. The Reporter interviewed in Singhala a Tamil politician should know that Sumanthiran is fluent in all three languages and successful lawyers who appeared in successful y cases and also MP. Knowing all these facts ournalist would knot have tried to corner hin or set fire to communal hatred in the country. That is nota good journalism It is clear that the journalist’s intention was to increase communal hatred and bring a rift in TNA. He had a hidden agenda
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Ajith / May 16, 2020
Kuviyam,
It is not a secret that particular Sinhala journalist wanted to create division among Tamil politics. A very well educated lawyer who was very successful in defending the Ranil government when Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapakse carried out a political coup in 2018. Both Sampanthan and Sumanthiran rightly defended Ranil government and decided to support Sajith in the presidential election against Mahinda Rajapakse. In 2010 Presidential election, both Sumanthiran and Sampanthan asked Tamils to vote former Military commander Sarath Fonseka. So, Sinhalese people realised that they should elect a candidate who is against to TNA lead by Sumanthiran and Sampanthan. That is why President Gotabaya was elected with a huge majority. Sumanthiran’s argument that we have to get goodwill from Sinhalese, they have to tell them that they didn’t support LTTE or armed struggle. In reality, Sinhalese become more against to Tamils because Tamils always support UNP, not SLFP or SLPP. So the stand Sumanthiran and Sampanthan created more endemism by Sinhala because of their alliance with UNP. During the period of previous government, UNP did not even a single political prisoner. The question is ; Is it right to have an anti-SLFP policy by TNA?
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Buddhist1 / May 16, 2020
In a country where “Politicians” and “Honesty” are miles apart and cannot be used describing the person, its refreshing to see politicians like Sampanthan and Sumanthiran coming out in the open and speaking their mind. We see politicians usually speak of things which would at the end bring personal benefit to them. However, Sampanthan and Sumanthiran are not scared to speak their mind, knowing very well that they will be attacked both by the racist Tamils and Sinhalese alike. Let us all learn what honesty is from these two politicians.
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P.Rajeswaran / May 17, 2020
When you observe attentively the interview with a clear and unbiased mind, you will understand the motive and the underlying objective with a hidden agenda on which it had been constructed and displayed. The questions put by the interviewer looked rather pre-arranged, in quick confused order and exhibiting his excited state of mind set. There was not even a tinge of smile nor a courteous look on his face right through. Mr.Sumanthiran maintained his cool while answering his questions politely and passively. It was obvious from the way the interview steered through was to elicit somehow a classic clue out of Mr.Sumanthiran , expand it to explosive size and to explode it with a sinister motive to stir the extremist forces in the South and also to disturb the N-E electorates. But Mr.Sumanthiran maintained his composure and answered every question with rationale. The question of Federalism was raised with an irritable and instigating tone to which he explained in explicit and absolute terms the federal government structure quoting many countries where that system of governance proved a great success. His calculated language together with the choice of words from Sinhala vocabulary too stood for him in good stead.
It is sad that lynx eyed bankrupt politicians from the North have been waiting for the fall of a thread from the well knit fabric, catch hold of it to vilify Mr.Sumanthiran at this time. His presence in parliament during this crucial period is essential and an asset. His debating skill, courageous rebuttals to vociferous anti-elements in parliament and his dealings together with Mr.Sampanthan are worthy of mention.
Thank you
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GATAM / May 17, 2020
Don’t get sidetracked and fall into the Rajapaksha racism trap again.
Sumanthiran lost his credibility among many of his admirers not by what happened at this interview but because he went to Mahinda’s sham parliament.
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Sugandh / May 17, 2020
I believe Sumanthiran’s admirers saw clearly what he did along with Sampanthan and Mavai Senathiraja (representing all of TNA) in attending the meeting. These senior TNA representatives took it as an opportunity to (once again) bring up the most pressing issues of the people that they represent in their electoral regions to the current PM. After all, MR is likely to continue on as the PM after the general election.
————————
That meeting was otherwise useless for anyone who attended it.
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Plato / May 17, 2020
Native.
You are sharper than me in detecting the slip;
I used the term in a literary sense;
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / May 17, 2020
Dear Sir
I think adequate clarity has been provided by Mr Sumanthiran PROTECTING HIS HUMAN right to be heard by the constituents correctly? The important think to note is he is getting some of the same medicine his party historically given to their opponents and he is lucky he is in a secure environment he will not be killed for this etc..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HZ6dhii8hw
However the TNA separating themselves from LTTE is a far fetched idea for us all who know our history very well. The losers (people voted out by the people of Jaffna in 1970 elections) SJV/Amir/GG Ponns got together and formed TULF (FP/ITAK/ITC) and the methodology they adopted ever since (hate speeches/killing spree/intimidation/Suthenthiran daily paper writings in a country they themselves claimed to say no freedom of expression and oppressed???) and sold our Children to Tamil Nadu and Indian agendas will never be rewritten………..the Government should put this party on trial for all the killings in Jaffna since 1970 and ban the TNA. Mr Sumanthiran who believe in freedom of expression should form a National party that can offer National Economic solutions if he has the expertise to do so as he has nothing to do with the past blunders of the ITAK/FP/TULF.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 18, 2020
First of all SJV won his seat Kankesanthurai in 1970, and resigned the seat in protest of the new constitution, re-contested and won it again. Yes losers Amir/GGP/ Siva got together to form TULF, but similarly winners Thiagarajah/ Arulampalam/ Martin deserted their voters to join SLFP, to fulfill selfish needs. While in 1977 election those who formed TULF were accepted by People and scums who joined SLFP were kicked out.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / May 18, 2020
Hello GS
Thank you for the correction regards to SJV respect.
Little rational on leaving and joining parties …..Tamil Congress is not federal party nor a Separatists party historically but a vehicle to serve Tamil people as an elected representative (this itself is a new thing as serving means many other things in na democratic country you may not agree to this definition however it is everyone’s right to define and act nothing to do with ones expectations). When the leader loose the election and eventually join hands with Separatist platform it is not the candidates who defected the party but the party defected them. were are several MP’s who did that for many reasons and one of them of them is delivering economical development for the people of North.
With regard to fact checking on personal gains/scums etc……I will leave you with one statement for your process……..following the election loss a lorry loan of children (many of them I studies with are my friends too) all ferried in around my home and driven around shouting…….we do not want education/electricity/schools/water supply/laboratories/jobs/development buy want self rule for Tamils……I also what happened to those children as most of them joined various groups trained in India and killed fellow children and adults in the process…….we are where we are today having lost thousands of fellow Sri Lankans to this FP/TULD/TNA folly. All those killings yet to be brought to the books…..only one of them is my Father. Take care and have a good day.
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Kuviyam / May 17, 2020
Are we having a second GG to play with legal expressions? One difference is Sumanthiram is not a minister but fluent in all three languages Common thing is both are lawyers from Colombo. The accusation by Tamil politicians that Sumnathiran is from Colombo is utter rubbish as GG, SJV lived in Colombo but contested in North Sumnathirnas decision with the approval of Sampanthan tp go with wind looks more realistic. If can get Political prisoners released then that will be thumbs up for TNA. EPDP has put spoke into it
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 20, 2020
From where did you hear that “Sumanthiran’s decision with approval of Sampanthan to go with wind etc”. I was told at the TNA meeting to decide to attend or not the meeting summoned by Mahinda, Sumanthiran opposed it and because several others wanted to attend, decision was made to go, and Sumanthiran reluctantly agreed to it. Now you are praising Sumanthiran without knowing what happened. As for release of prisoners, Keheliya Rambukwela and Nimal Siripala Silva have denied that they will be released. Your attempt to cover up inability of TNA by placing blame on EPDP is not correct.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / May 17, 2020
The one and only National question left to us all is to ‘take back control’ from this TNA folly and put them all on trail for their crimes against Sri Lankans.
Since the LTTE is no more and the vacuum is filled by the TNA again where even the TNA leadership started telling the new generation they had nothing to do with the violence?? By allowing the TNA to be in place GOSL is allowing the Tamils to suffer more in the shadow of this Mafia.
A graph should be drawn showing every Sri Lankan life lost due to race related events 1900-1977 and 1977-2009. This will show the FP/ITAK/TULF/TNA folly and their so called mandate in 1977 elections and the Tamil Nadu foreign sponsored terrorism.
It will be a good start if Mr Sampanthan can show one of his interviews/articles written and the funerals he attended of those ITAK/TULF/TNA opponents killed since 1970 be it politicians or the Tamil civilians to demonstrate to the world what a democratic leadership we have and the respective components parties in the TNA too?? The one and only National question left to be answered for the compliance of Law of the land and human dignity???
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Plato / May 19, 2020
Native.
Perhaps many detractors of Sumanthiran had missed out his appearance in the Supreme Court as Junior to K.Kanageesvaran P.C. in the demerger case.
A bench of 5 Judges of the Supreme court with CJ Sarath Silva ruled that the merger of the North-East provinces was invalid. This was argued in Sept 2006 and the petitioners were by no means permanent residents of the Eastern Province. The objection by Sumanthiran and his senior was disallowed on this issue. Thus it was a flawed judgement as pointed out by Sampanthan in Parliament subsequently.
Sumanthirans position that he handled only CIVIL cases is correct.
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Native Vedda / May 19, 2020
Plato
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Thanks.
I am aware of the case not because I was interested in Sumanthiran but because the two card carrying racists namely Somawansa/Weerawansa and Champika were behind this case though the real driving force was Mahinda and his backers.
/