The OHCHR report on Sri Lanka released mid-last week had dropped all names of alleged persons, due to President Maithripala Sirisena’s name being one of the 20 odd names that were held to be responsible for alleged war crimes.
The Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that over 20 odd names of persons in commanding positions including that of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and acting Defense Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s name were mentioned in the report.
Sirisena was acting Defence Minister during the last few days of the war during which many of the crimes alleged to have happened had taken place.
The removal of names from the report was a compromise reached by both sides to prevent backlash locally and to ensure that Sirisena’s name is not included, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Meanwhile President Maithripala Sirisena contradicted the UNHRC boss Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein‘s version of withholding the names of War Crime perpetrators and Human Rights abusers when he spoke to media heads and editors at the President’s house last Friday.
President Sirisena said that his government managed to prevent publishing the names of alleged war criminals in the report of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka.”If Rasjapaksa were in power, names of perpetrators would have been made public” he said.
This is contradicting to what Hussein said when he released the report. He said on Wednesday; “We have not cited names because we were looking at broader patterns of organisation and planning which breach the threshold of … war crimes and crimes against humanity … It was apparent that organisation and planning [took place] in the commission of many of these crimes”.
Piranha / September 21, 2015
Ayyo Sirisena! You too were involved in committing war crimes against the tamils?
How are you going to compensate the tamils for these heinous acts you committed on them?
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Analyst / September 21, 2015
We all knew that the President was hiding under the skirts of others since he took over powers in January. Sometime during the war he was the acting defence Minister. Even though not fully involved he did have a hand in decision making with the chief culprits.
He was equally or less equally guilty as the others as who were fully involved in the so called “word Genocide” , he kept it under wraps pretending to be he was clean as white. He knew that he was on MARA’s so called black Files with which MARA was threatening everyone with.
Now all these cowards are SPINNING YARNS to escape.These so called cowards should man up and own their mistakes and face the music. ” FINITO” rather than carrying the burden for the rest of their lives.
Buddhism says liars and thieves are not TRUE BUDDHISTS.
Face the music and wipe away your sins. Is it worth being a Buddhist and carrying the burden of GUILT on your conscience is it worth living??
Over to you President as same as FONSEKA says he’s ready for the tribunal. You too should say you’re ready for the
tribunal. I am sure your hands are not soaked in Blood as the others.
Stop spinning forever. If you love your country face the music and brave up your self.
We all know whose hands are soaked in blood and NEED TO BE PUNISHED and steer the country with full commitment for the sake of the true Srilankans in this multi national nation. We trusted you and voted for you in desperation to prevent ULTIMATE DISASTER caused by the last Regime.
You need to be brave to put your Head down and put your hands up and say you’re ready for it .
This is what happens when you sleep with dogs with fleas you wake up with …..F……g Fleas too.
Good lesson for you Mr President.
Why not The President and the others face it and be a MAN OF CONSCIENCE,
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Lanka Watch / September 21, 2015
Analyst – As you suggested, Let the govt.face the music and finish it off as people are not going to face sanctions just
to protect some criminals, after all, this report is all about
killing of civilians in the war under the orders from civilian authority and not about the actual war where the army and the
ltte fought, following rules of war and that is why fld. Marshall Fonseka boldly agrees to comes forward to give evidence as he,
as commander of the combined forces ,certainly did not give orders to bombard civilians.
It is clear here that, at the intervention of the Govt.,the names
of the perpetrators, which includes some VVIPs whose names,people never expected to be in,are hidden by the UN. Countries like USA, India and China might try to twist the hands of SL govt, having this trump card in their hands,to get their likes done, if SL
Govt. does not work fast with an apology, compensation and an
amicable settlement of the Tamil problem.
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John / September 22, 2015
As you say I too don’t think his hands were blood soaked.
Perhaps he was acting defense minister only on paper, war was totally handled by Gota. from GoSL side
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JO-JO / September 22, 2015
This is command responsibility and applies to the defense minster and also to the acting minister at the time.
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Sinhala_Man / September 25, 2015
I’ve been a life-long “Pacifist”, but there have been some wars that were almost necessary. Examples are those against Hitler and Prabhkaran.
That terrible duo, Hitler and Prabhkaran, became leaders of their respective groups because of injustices done to the Germans and to the Sri Lankan Tamils. Those injustices constitute separate but important issues that must be dealt with separately.
That the Rajapaksas had little conscience about killing people has become clear from other alleged happenings as well – e.g. Wasim Thajudeen, Ekneligoda, etc.
As for Maithripala Sirisena, he was a very senior Minister who happened to be Acting Minister of Defence during the last week of the War, which had lasted 30 years. A tremendous momentum had been built up. We have seen or read nothing to suggest that Maithri is anything except a kindly (albeit shrewd and intelligent) person. Whatever is proved to have happened (and let’s have at least a thorough “Hybrid Investigation” in to what happened) was not because he willed it.
Certain words have irrationally become dirty ones to the Sinhalese: “Federal” is one, and it was suddenly decreed that “Bombay onions” be referred to as “B-onions” (now mostly understood to mean “Big Onions” – and that is the Sinhalese term as well – “b-loonu”). “Hybrid” had already crept in to the Sinhalese language owing to the automobile technology developed during the last decade. Some scholar of Linguistics ought to study this phenomenon in depth!) Let us not oppose International partnership in to an impartial investigation owing to allowing our emotions to be manipulated.
We have no better man than “Sira” to lead this country to Peace now!
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Walt / September 21, 2015
The new fascist president much backed as My3 arecunuts is in reality Mahinda 2nd sponsored/propped by baldie fascist in saffron. Aren’t they all the same?
The village [Edited out] is trying to muck around with a powerful prince who is above the Sri Lankan Muslims supporting the Nasser style. Top it his wife is from stock Anglo Saxon.
Backlash would be more house maids bodies would be delivered or stoppage all together that would cripple the economy. ME is never short of poor nations and their women.
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srilal / September 21, 2015
This is a catch 22 situation people , despite the real facts , USA now backing MY3 led government :thus , USA will take the initiative to rescue SL from being penalized ,as a result , most probably UN will allow SL to conduct a domestic inquiry under very strict conditions .taking every thing in to consideration , SL would go for a restorative justice system where few hard core criminals (soldiers) would go to jail while the top brass names getting published . as far as MR , GR and the top army commanders concern , they will have found guilty of serious crimes in two or three years time. none of the accused would be able to secure a diplomatic post or an entry visa to any of the western world . any way this is what i predict !
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Walt / September 21, 2015
“”USA will take the initiative to rescue SL from being penalized ,””
The world at large knows the 2500 year culture Boru kiyana marana Horu- Lying murdering thieves. Housemaid battalion supported by baldies from across the straits.
Your mentor Hindia would dilute it as before unless the Tamils do their best to keep the Hindians outside because they created the menace LTTE who are under investigation too. They have to sternly keep the sh*t sari out of the room.
sirisena has exposed himself as low down and if Trump wins which we expect you are in for a flogging. Over again if the Tamils miss that chance they get no chance but keep fighting among themselves and being propped into it by Sinhalese and Muslims.
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srilal / September 22, 2015
CH4 latest short film on Sri lanka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRWO97vKtAk
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Amarasiri / September 21, 2015
RE: Sirisena’s Name Was In UN War Crimes Report
“The OHCHR report on Sri Lanka released mid-last week had dropped all names of alleged persons, due to President Maithripala Sirisena’s name being one of the 20 odd names that were held to be responsible for alleged war crimes.”
“The Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that over 20 odd names of persons in commanding positions including that of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and acting Defense Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s name were mentioned in the report.”
But did Sirisena give orders to kill those surrendering, other than Gotabaya Rajapaksa?
Was it as a Victim or a perpetrator?
So, the perpetrators now need to thank Sirisena, for getting them off the hook.
Just Curious? Who were they?
1. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
2. Mahinda Rajapaksa
3. Velupillai Prabakaran?>>>
4. Karuna Amman???
5. – 20.?????
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BBS Rep / September 21, 2015
Yes, My3 was actg Defence Minister as such is connected to the chain of command under who the war crimes were committed. However did he have any say in operational matters. Who really called the shots. It is very well known that is it Gota who called the shots.
If there is a commission of enquiry, My3 must also be questioned at length. If there is no evidence to indict him let it be so. If not he must be tried as anyone else would be. After all what is the meaning of ‘Yahapalanaya’ if otherwise.
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Mohamed Naufar / September 21, 2015
Produce the UN report of those suspected war criminals who committed these serious crimes against humanity. Death penalty should be imposed again in Sri Lanka.
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salam / September 21, 2015
Obama admin set the pace- `head of state` – he won’t be questioned therefore he is squeaking.
Modi was never allowed into USA based on INGO evidence but once he became PM that went into history.Support for Iraq logistics and the veil ` unfair trading partner was withdrawn` this gave them the call center status which westerners dislike as their privacy is in the hands of Indians and their sub contracting small Asian nations.
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Mallaiyuran / September 21, 2015
Tamils and many NGOs who are working on the matter know New King’s role in the war. He put the counter claim of having a file on Old King when old King claimed of the same. The full-fledged attempt to conceal the names was done on the not just the interest of Old King, it saved the New King’s face too. In fact whoever went through the white flag murder may not have been left to witness on the short inquiry held by the OISL commission. This might give the New King a victory feeling of having dodged OISL, but foolish Old King is the only one being caught. There are external, internal witnesses to this incident. The prime witness Mary Colin is no longer there. But, by the proper manner, America’s favors should be obtained and Ambassador Blake can be asked to tell what he knows about this surrendering. There are Red Cross official who tried to reach the spot. Nambiar has to be forced to witness under oath. Then only the truth can be brought out. Prince Zaied’s interest is to bring out some kind of report. Everybody knows his office is controlled by political maneuverings. His heroism will be measured by his ability to cut the political red tapes, not by the words he puts out. When he is faced extensive maneuverings by the Lankawe’s new Royal government to hide the truth to Sinhala Modayas, it is obvious he gave up on the names hoping if a real investigation take place the names will be coming back. But in contrast, the Lankawe’s government’s hope is, under the false name of Missing Persons Commission, the International Defense Lawyers like Desmond de Silva and others have been hired for Government’s owns internal inquiry and paid, so they will appear/consult for the criminals in UN. This is the game Mangala and New King playing. But at any cost the accused criminals like New King not should be allowed to escape with their hypocrisy. Once Old King, while he was already accused of murders, he tried to go out with files to get Premadasa into trouble. Now ,the New King while being accused of white flag murders oversight, claiming to have saved the Old King from the UN Electric Chairs not should be welcomed and entertained. He should be told to bring an honest inquiry to clear his name first. His name is not going to be cleaned by he is saving the co-criminal through the impunity culture. 1956, 1958, 1961, 1971, 1977, 1983 1989, 2007 and 2009 mass murders by the Lankawe goverments are telling Lankave Governments needs to be stopped attacking the civilian with the ICC iron dome. All the NGOs working on inquiry must work on ICC accord applied to Lankawe. This is like “Bala” half “brain” half for any deed. Just like the justice for Lankawe’s past is being sought, ensuring the safety of the future should be 50:50. That is the only action will stop the name earning habit of Lankawe leaders like New King within the Sinhala Modayas on the ugly claims like having saved the notorious international criminals from facing justice.
– one previous comment
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EW Golding / September 21, 2015
Sirisena’s reason for not disclosing names is absurd. It sounds as if hiding the names of suspected war criminals is a good thing and great achievement.
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Spring Koha / September 21, 2015
No No No…..MS is not the kind of man to put the amude on when the river is still seven miles away.
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Analyst / September 21, 2015
Now he finds himself with egg on his face, how long did you think you can hide your guilt President.
Are you so naive??
You are a fool not only hiding from the truth you’re trying you help hiding the Real murderers as well.
I don’t feel sorry for you too are shameless. For hiding the truth.
Time to raise your hand and face the charges it can’t be that bad as the others. Show your courage and help exposing the others too.
Then you’ll be an honoured person.
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Mallaiyuran / September 21, 2015
I feel sorry for the Lankawe people. They believed an extreme Nazi as their hero. It is unfortunate that they have been trained to like the like ones of Dutugemeu, Aanakarika Tharmapala, D.S, the father of the crook Nation and all the troubles, and the Old King. When the Rome was burning, the arrogant emperor who set the fire was playing violin. The Old King was enjoying his time at the beach and releasing his photos to the people who were worries about their hero and early waiting for the report. One should know how much tribute the New York Mayors are paying for the 3000 people died in the 9/11 out of 300 million. The Lala’s wild animal, without any human sense, releasing the photos on the eve before the release of the OISL report, to show their victory of have their names removed from the report. These beasts do not know how to celebrate a victory. I feel sorry for the Lankawe people to honor these wild animals as their heroes.
It is believed that in 2009, before the Indian election results were released, most of the war was finished. Then the civilian were taken care with the false accusation of human shield usage. ONCE THAT CARNAGE ALSO WAS COMING TO AN END, THE DEMON NO.1 HANDED OVER THE DEFENSE TO NO.3 AND WENT TO MIDDLE EAST (JORDAN). MOURNING VANNI CIVILIANS WERE BULLDOZED WITH THE COVER UP OF HUMAN SHIELD. STAGE WAS SET WITH A CLEAN JOB.
The demon No.1 came from Middle East and kissed the land of Lankawe to celebrate the victory. It is the same drama mentality that made this Lala’s wild animal to publish the vacation photos at the improper way at an improper time.
One who has simply travelled from the one subway station to another and witnessed the actual city in New York knows about the New York City. It is a never ending epic in every unit of time. The ride is a too big scene even a sage to reduce into an epic. In that one woman might kissing her child; one woman man might punish her child to cry. One man might give his chance for a pregnant to get in; one man might be blocking the door way from passengers getting in, to secure comfort travel for him and his girlfriend. A thief might be lurking around to pickpocket; a woman might be reading from the Sermon on the Mount “Take my yoke. My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. One might be sitting on one seat and open up and place the makeup organizer diy on another one starts to paint the face; Other might be politely stand up so the two elderly couple can sit next to each other and support each other during on the rough subway ride. A pan handler might be doing gymnastic s on the bars in the middle of the car; a lonely school kid might be sitting on a corner seat and doing his homework. That is only a tiny bit of the New York City. It is not just for me, even for Dickinson, to bring out the true nature and the culture of the city in English Language sentences will not be that easy. It was the landscape of New York like city was in the mind of poet Kannathasan when he wrote the song “annaanthu paarkinRa maaLigai katti athan aruginil Olai kudusai katti ponnaana ulagenRu peyarumittaal”. It is a place of contradictions and contrasts. The City is place where racism is not just alive and well, but to some extend it thrives too. But it is a city where about a 200 nationalities and races not living or surviving, they are peacefully thriving together while keeping the city as most famous city the world. The only magic that is keeping the city as magnificent city is the administrative marvels of the Americans. That is the path Washington and Lincoln opened for American by fighting their war. That is the path Jefferson and Kennedy guided American to follow. But in Lankave, the power hungry monsters DS and SWRD, without fighting a freedom war, fought win in themselves and guides the Lankan to go on this this way. It is for this OISL report the Old King fought his war.
Hitler was captured and murdered by Russians. This eased the pain of reversing his legacy for Germans. Now, that country is the model democracy for the world. That kind of easy path is not going to come to Lankawe people. The demon is going show his ugly skin to attract the faith of fools and perverts. Depart from him and cleaning them is going to be a skinning process for the ones attracted by him.
Lankawe people have to set up their minds to abandon the ill-heroes, drug peddlers, rapist, murders who were ruling the country from D.S.Senanayake to Old King to New King. They should call a criminal a Criminal, not “Mahata”. This will ease their pain of returning to pre 1948 eras.
From the time of D.S.Senenayake, we have seen there that no-one-single leader has appeared. Mother Lankawe has bear only mindless beasts for her proudness those on her time of the pain lying on the beach and sent out photos. It is really the time for Lanka to return back to British rule until it can reach the maturity to rule itself. Their yoke will be (and was) much easier on the shoulders of the Lankan. That is the solution open for now for Lankawe people.
A-comment posted earlier
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Analyst / September 21, 2015
@ Mallaiuran. Where the hell are you writing from feeling sorry for Lankawe people? Are you mocking Lankawe people?
I am Feeling sorry for you as a Lankan.
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sach / September 22, 2015
The only people who hero worshipped a nazi are LTTE maniacs in SL..Prabha was not only nazist but also imitated Hitler at one time. LOL..it is hilarious to read how Prabha practised Hitler’s salute…
but all these hero worshippers had to swallow their pride for the hitler when prabha hid behind women and children to save himself…He was scared to take the cyanide and kill himself, instead asked for mercy from SL army and …SL army put a bullet through the coward’s head…
And how shameful it sounds when you say LTTE leaders surrendered to army to save them selves…lol…
I think SLG should have let them surrender and use them to clean gutters in colombo
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vis8 / September 22, 2015
Aiyo Malli… Still hallucinating about eelam?……………Go build it in Tamil Nadu…. NEVER in Sri Lanka
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Native Vedda / September 25, 2015
vis8
“Aiyo Malli… Still hallucinating about eelam?……………Go build it in Tamil Nadu…. NEVER in Sri Lanka”
Good idea.
Please send all those descendants of Sinhala/Buddhist converts back to Tamil Nadu, their traditional homeland.
If they believe they are the descendants of Aryans they should dig a tunnel straight to Bihar and build a Aryan Sinhala/Buddhist Ghetto.
Will China help you? Ask the Chinese prostitutes on Colombo streets.
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John / September 21, 2015
OMG what a Tragicomedy
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Sensible citizen / September 21, 2015
It is a fact that the tone of the report has been altered to reflect the ground realities. Change in attitude and willingness to acknowledge that there was a problem is a first step. The readiness of the present government to explore a negotiated reconciliation once and for all helps the UNHRC’s goal. Both the UNHRC and the new government recognize that no body wins by pointing fingers. Everybody can win by a negotiated settlement that satisfy parties involved. However it is yet to be seen whether the intention are pure and actions are implementable without further delay. Accountability for crime committed and redress for victims needed to be resolved without delay. Any delay or compromise can be costly for Srilanka in the long run.
However the legal eye always soften the punishment when there is some remorse expressed and I hope the victims would take this into account
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Vetmahadeva / September 21, 2015
Sirisena’s Name Was In UN War Crimes Report
At the outset Maithripala Sirisena’s Name has to be there in the UN War Crimes Report, otherwise the report becomes a questionable one, (only) for the reasons the same persons had been ACTING as a defense minister scores time, particularly during that last few days of war that finished everything.
It is nobody’s secret that it is Mahinda Rajapaksha or Gotabaya Rajapaksha had the final say, constitutionally, as Defense Minister and as Secretary of Defense and for the latter being a trustworthy younger brother of Mahinda Rajapaksha enjoyed unabated “authorized highhandedness” and that was the style of rule throughout the lifespan of the family rule until 8th January 2015. The all important point here is
It is not new that Sinhalese Politics played hide&seek at Tamil Issues at crucial points since independence and this is just another one within them , but this time around the hide is for the escape responsibility over the heaps of corpse and the seek for fame and power again.
Hide and Seek their game, all who payed the game have to pay for it!
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Thiru / September 21, 2015
They were all in it together in the committing of the war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
This includes the instigators like Weerawansa and others, who advocated publicly the wholesale bombing of Tamil villages indiscriminately to wipe out the Tigers.
Instigators, and inciters of the armed forces to the genocide of Tutsies were punished in Rwanda in the trials afterwards.
UN should take action on all the culprits without discrimination.
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Ranjith / September 21, 2015
Thiru, absolutely right. They all were in it. It was a joint operation, not only by the military and the Government, but also the entire Sinhala nation. The war was not just on LTTE, but over the entire Tamil community. The idea was to teach tamils an unforgettable lesson with maximum impact. And that is what they did. Even now this predator mentality hasn’t changed. Mahinda did it openly, Mythiri and Ranil are doing it in a professional way.
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Vetmahadeva / September 21, 2015
Ranjit You are absolutely correct
If not
Why Sinhala Nation didn’t arrest Veluppilai Prabaharan, when he was having dinner of hoppers at Amirthalingam’s house, immediately after gunning down Alfred Duraippah?
Mr. Srisena isn’t it hoppers, the political language yours!
Why Sinhala Nation didn’t apply a return ambush at Kadju Farm Murungan when Veluppilai Prabaharan ambushed a radio-car with few CID officers at the same farm, despite of its close vicinity to Thalldi Army Camp one of the biggest then?
Did Vadamarachchy Operation was brought to a halt at the behest of Indian threat, bull shit for who would always boast “Sinhalaya Sinhanya” but for General Kobbekaduwa and Brig. Wimalasundra group have manged to isolate the civilians from rest of the fighting groups including Veluppilai Prabaharan & LTTE. Thus it was not enough for the Sinhala Nation, Sinhala Buddhism which in turn strongly believes “Death is Eminent” for other than the Ruling Race, so, with that halt that their carefree educating continues, for that continuity hindrance group of General Kobbekaduwa and Brig. Wimalasundra were sacrificed through the Premadasa – LTTE connivance in the Islands.
Then comes Alambil Jungle just few kilo meters South East of Mullwaikal Nandhikadal, IPKF have manged again to trap the, Veluppilai Prabaharan <TE far, far away from the civilians hence the no, no from Sinhala Nation.
All these push the Sinhala Nation to seek notions to push the Tamil civilians towards LTTE,
Ostentatious Peace Talks proliferates with cosmopolitan decoration for deception, off tracking LTTE was put in check through ceasefire agreement (CFA) another hide and seek played here, thus ordinary Tamil civilians are made to Himalayan Trust on LTTE.
If not for these reasons
Why arms, ammunition and funding were provided to LTTE by President Premadasa when it was in complete depletion by the IPKF operation?
Connivance and Power struggle brought Mahinda Rajapaksa family brought themselves to power by no less means, the power greedy would do anything for power, Pumped money to Veluppilai Prabaharan who in turn declared Mahinda Rajapaksa a “pragmatic leader” a word translated by Anton Balasingahm to original.
And the rest well fitted into the notions of Sinhala Nation, became reasons unending deliberation of UN OHCHR and will not be allowed to end until war crime perpetrators are identified and dressed for dignity of man kind.
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Off The Wall / September 21, 2015
Yes of course…..the Palmyrah fruit fell down because the crow sat on it.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 21, 2015
Three questions:
1. For how long was MS actg. Defence Minister?
2. Why should MR and SF have been away from the island as the war was reaching its climax?
3. Was GR not the defacto Defence Ninister throughout his tenure ass the Dfence Secretary? He recently regretted winning the war!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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sam / September 21, 2015
“He recently regretted winning the war!”
So, he never regretted the power he held and thought it was for life?
Bush does not regret the stupid war.
Its just communist sinhala playing the national game hide and squeak.
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Amarasiri / September 21, 2015
RE: Sirisena’s Name Was In UN War Crimes Report
“The OHCHR report on Sri Lanka released mid-last week had dropped all names of alleged persons, due to President Maithripala Sirisena’s name being one of the 20 odd names that were held to be responsible for alleged war crimes.”
Zeid voiced alarm at ongoing threats against activists and prospective witnesses in Sri Lanka. The Council in March launched an inquiry into atrocities in the 26-year conflict between government forces and Tamil rebels that ended in 2009.
“I also deplore recent incitement and violence against the country’s Muslim and Christian communities” he said.
Did they drop George Bush, Dick Cheney, Tony Blair and others from the Iraq War Crimes list? For now, Sri Lankan Crimes by Sinhala “Buddhists” are on top of the List.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/iraq-war-crimes/
With American Help Iraq’s Cycle of Violence Spirals
The greater the corrupt government in Kabul and the more American troops sent, the more the Taliban prospered. A similar dynamic is at play in Iraq. Consequently, without a change in American policy the cycle of violence in Iraq will continue its ghastly spiral, and now ISIS, courtsey of USA
New UN Human Rights Chief Warns Of A ‘House Of Blood’ In Iraq And Syria
The new U.N. human rights chief urged world powers to protect women and minorities targeted by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, saying on Monday the fighters were trying to create a “house of blood”.
Jordan’s Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, the first Muslim to hold the position, called for the international community to focus on ending the “increasingly conjoined” conflict in the two countries, and abuses in other hotspots from Ukraine to Gaza.
Islamic State’s Sunni Muslim fighters have over-run large parts of Syria and Iraq since June, declaring a cross-border caliphate. The Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council last week agreed to send a team to investigate killings and other abuses carried out by the group on “an unimaginable scale”.
Zeid, Jordan’s former U.N. ambassador and a Jordanian prince, described Islamic State in his maiden speech to the Council as “takfiris” – people who justify killing others by branding them as apostates.
“Do they believe they are acting courageously? Barbarically slaughtering captives? … They reveal only what a Takfiri state would look like, should this movement actually try to govern in the future, said Zeid who succeeds Navi Pillay in the Geneva hotseat.
“It would be a harsh, mean-spirited, house of blood, where no shade would be offered, nor shelter given, to any non-Takfiri in their midst,” Zeid added.
He called on Iraq’s new government and prime minister to consider joining the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure accountability for crimes committed there.
“In particular, dedicated efforts are urgently needed to protect religious and ethnic groups, children – who are at risk of forcible recruitment and sexual violence – and women, who have been the targets of severe restrictions,” Zeid said.
“ONLY ANNIHILATION”
The Council has an independent investigation into war crimes by all sides in Syria, where more than 190,000 documented killings have occurred during the conflict that began in March 2011, according to a report by Pillay last month.
“In the takfiri mind, as we have seen in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Kenya, Somalia, Mali, Libya, Syria and Iraq … there is no love of neighbor – only annihilation to those Muslims, Christians, Jews and others, altogether the rest of humanity, who believe differently to them,” Zeid said.
Zeid called for an end to Israel’s seven-year blockade of the Gaza Strip and said Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank deserved to lead a normal life free of illegal settlements and what he called excessive use of force.
“On this point, I also note that Israelis have a right to live free and secure from indiscriminate rocket fire,” he said, referring to rockets fired by militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
On Ukraine, he said “at least 3,000 people” have been killed since fighting began in April and called on the Kiev government, armed groups and neighboring states including Russia to protect civilians and ensure compliance with international law.
Italy’s envoy Maurizio Enrico Serra, speaking on behalf of the European Union (EU), condemned what it called “the aggression by Russian armed forces on Ukrainian soil in clear contravention of international law”.
Russia denies accusations by Kiev and the West that it has sent troops into eastern Ukraine to prop up a revolt by pro-Russian separatist rebels.
Zeid voiced alarm at ongoing threats against activists and prospective witnesses in Sri Lanka. The Council in March launched an inquiry into atrocities in the 26-year conflict between government forces and Tamil rebels that ended in 2009.
“I also deplore recent incitement and violence against the country’s Muslim and Christian communities” he said.
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Manel / September 21, 2015
They were all complicit in these horrendous crimes, human rights abuses, and murder of innocent civilians.
The question is, what will Sirisena do next? They were all war criminals, and should be held accountable for the deaths of thousands. They lied, blamed the international community, and accused the media for “doctoring” tapes, and made ridiculous statements that they did not kill a single civilians, blaming it all on the LTTE. This report has blamed both sides, but the most blame lies with the elected government, the way they waged this war, and the disregard they had for civilians lives. They ordered the troops to kill this way, and must face a court of law, and punished, if found guilty. Sirisena is a disappointment.
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Daham / September 21, 2015
Not only Sirisena’s Name should be in UN War Crimes Report, it should be included in the list of worst leaders in the world for the following reasons.
1) Using executive powers to force the UNP leader to agree to form a useless national government to please his corrupt SLFPers, thus ruining the expectations of the Sri Lankan people.
2) Spending valuable time in unnecessary activities such as carrying a rake on his shoulder to exhibit his foolishness to clean the beach.
3)promoting nepotism
4)becoming so proud and arrogant after becoming the president by chance.
5)Not keeping to his promises.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 21, 2015
In an interview for the Daily Mirror in January’ 2015, Maithripala Sirisena said,”A: “I was a person who was targeted by the LTTE on more than five occasions, the LTTE cadres who tried to kill me destroyed themselves without any sort of harm happening to me. The last attack was in Boralesgamuwa before that they planned an attack in Polonnaruwa which also failed. I was the Minister in Charge of Defence during the last two weeks of the war in which most of the leaders of the LTTE were killed with General Fonseka at the helm of the Army.
Prior to that I have acted as the Minister of Defence five times during the height of the war. I want to assure the people of this country that the country would not be divided, that there would be no war and that I would not permit a resurgence of the LTTE. We will build this country with all our hearts and our minds.
Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa keeps insisting that there are no patriots like them. This is the height of ridiculousness — the notion that they are the only patriots in this country. But the people have rejected them and we intend making this a blessed land in which people of all communities and creeds could live together in peace and harmony. We will ensure that this country is built on these foundations”.
Theoretically, he was the acting ‘Commander-in-Chief’. In fact, to what extent was he involved, although he accepts command responsibility for the perids he was acting. What does he know, especially about the last ten days of the war?
He owes the people an explanation.
Dr.RN
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FAMOUS449 / September 21, 2015
If I may be asked to contribute my comments on this issue: I would say that all those responsible politicians in the previous government, no matter even if anyone of them is now represented in the current parliament, that’s to include the incumbent President of the country, HE Maithreepala Sirisena, as he was one of the responsible constituent members of the previous government as the Deputy Defence Minister of the last govt giving orders to kill all those terrorists fighting for their lives at the last minute of their survival with white flag being shown and waved indicating their wish and intention to surrender having to go unheeded and ignored by those military officers commanding the battle field in Mulli waikkal and Mooha Malai is nothing but A MATTER OF MORE SERIOUS ACTS OF VIOLATIONS OF THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS!!!
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thondammany / September 21, 2015
[Edited out] Please avoid typing all capitalized comments – CT
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baludeen / September 21, 2015
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Malcolm Marshal / September 21, 2015
Oh! Oh!!! Come on CT. Don’t destroy your
credibility by publishing hand crafted
stories as the absolute truth. You are
insulting yourself and your entire
readership.
If one were to believe your story (which
is absolute bunkum), the Government of
Sri Lanka had the cloud to get the OHCHR
report have the names removed. Why then
could’nt they have some of the bitter
recommendations altered.
This is not like the Avant Garde case being
suppressed in Sri Lanka. Here they are dealing
with high calibre people. Otherwise the
Government could easily have got the domestic
inquiry clause in without the one on hybrid courts
CT – Keep up the good work but do not swalling
fantasy stories that massage the truth very
heavily. It is neither good for you nor your
readership.
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Walt / September 21, 2015
When the prince took up the post his anglo saxon working wife informed him that he would be making enemy of his colleagues. He further said that he is quite prepared for it.
Sinhalese, Tamils Muslims cannot hoodwink class but the low price British traveler with weird stories.
The English have got bad logic, but very good tentacles in their brains for sensing danger and preserving life.
its your problem. If cricket was the only game in the west we and the writer of the article would be puking like you stupids in the island.
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Analyst / September 21, 2015
Stop hiding under the skirts you cowards . Man up put your hands up like Fonseka did and face the music.
Lord Buddha would have blessed you for owning up and try to clear your name and sins. It’s not worth living the rest of your lives with GUILTY CONSCIENCE.
Over to you so called war heroes hiding under the skirts. The victims need a closure so do a favour to yourselves and the victims. Go and face the tribunal. Then the Srilankans may have a soft spot for you all.
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 21, 2015
Is Sira digging his own grave by agreeing to Cameron , Harper,and US Hybrid Courts to try our Sinhala Buddhists?..?.
When I read Mangalan’s latest suck up to the West, I got the gut feeling that Batalanda Ranil is planning his next move which will be bigger than the demolition jog which was planned and executed in Singapore..
Mangalan said that his aim is to hand over the people who gave orders to kill Prabakran and his Sand Bags, not the foot soldiers who did it.
That way Armed Forces won’t make too much fuss.
And it gives Ranil time to change the guard going forward.
Batalanad’s aim is to cull the Sinhala Buddhists from the Armed Forces , Navy and the Airforce and bring in the Elite , Anglicans and the Vellalas as the commanders just like in the Sixties.
As the acting Defence minister at the last phase of the battle against Tamil Terrorists,President Sira would have been told what was going on at least, even if Sira didn’t give orders directly.
That means Sira will be part and parcel of the War Criminals bench in the Yahapalana Hybrid Court , presided by International Chief judge and a majority of the rest.
Will US pretending to be the impartial mediator offer Sira a deal to get out of it?.
Could it be peaceful exit from the Presidency , with full pension although prematurely, be part or the total deal.
And a full implementation of the 19 A in order to get Ranil the full executive PM gig, with total control.
And keep Rajapaksa brothers in the slammer until they reach a ripe old age without causing too much hassles for Batalanda.
If it eventuates, President Gamarala wouldn’t have many options because our Dalits wouldn’t have a bar of him..
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jansee / September 21, 2015
For all intents and purpose, those in the loop during the entire period of the last phase of the war was MR, GR and SF. Basil and Lalith Weeratunga together with GR had been the trio dealing with their Indian counterparts. Largely, it was the MR, GR and SF who remained as the team to handle and finish the war. The kingpin was GR. Sirisena’s position as acting defence minister would have not meant much or nothing. He was perceived as a loyal then and the Rajapakses may have believed that Sirisena would not ask any questions or take any decisions on his own as the acting defence minister.
There is no way the military commanders would have proceeded with the war, albeit with political undertones and vindictiveness, if the then President had not given the green light. He was also the supreme commander. So, if in the event the accusations of mass murder of civilians is proved, then MR’s head should roll first unless he can prove that GR dismissed any of his orders not to violate ground rules. Let them decide first whose head should be the one to pay for the crimes, if proven.
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Jayasingha / September 22, 2015
Sira as acting defense minister knew what was happening in the war zone during the last phase. He could not have been deaf and blind and would have been briefed by the men in charge. I am sure he would have inquired from the officers in the front on what was happening for his knowledge and to brief the President and the Army commander when they come back. If something relating to war crimes were happening he as the acting defense minister on the ground had the authority to take action by himself and also to brief the president and the army commander. Was this done?
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Barus / September 21, 2015
What a farse to play with the minds of the people! Dear President, you are no more a People’s President but you are a President of the Sinhala Racists. You have not represented or protected the minorities.
But remember you are sitting in that chair of yours ONLY because of the minorities.
Be fair and bring your former cohorts of criminals to book. Or else, after 5 years you will be brought down and be faced with the same ignominy that MR is facing today.
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Sylvia Haik / September 21, 2015
This looks increasingly like a made up story fed by the Rajapakse acolytes.There’s no author name but all the impressions are that the UN reports published the names of among others, Gotabhaya and Mahinda Rajapakse. But we owe a credit to Maithripala and Samaraweera for getting the report to delete all the names as it would have been devastating to our nation as rightly or wrongly, it is our elite that may have been those involved. Until convicted those names are of no interest to anybody. It’s like a man accused of rape. Even if found innocent, the stigma soes not go away.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / September 21, 2015
“He said on Wednesday; “We have not cited names because we were looking at broader patterns of organisation and planning “
So Ra’s Al Ghul or whatever his name is has also been exposed as a liar :D Quelle surprise! :D
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sam / September 22, 2015
your difficulty is that the Prince is born to rule and no goddam subject is there to tell him what is justice.As much as you never tell an Anglo Saxon off.- King Solomon comes from his vicinity not hindian ambude.
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Ranjith / September 21, 2015
When Channel 4 brought out the first videos of Sinhala village “ela Kollo’s” lining up blindfolded naked Tamil men in paddy fields and shot them on back of their heads with AK 47s (one of them said, “oo thakka wagay”) , and same sinhala ela kollo’s gang raped Tamil women and killed them by banging their heads against tractor trailers (“ohki thama hontha kantha, mata thava parath …hithanava, thava pana thiyanava wagay machchang, haiyyeng gahapang oluvatta”), all “Mini Maruwa” Mahinda and “White van – Gothaya” said was, we did not kill a single Tamil civilian. It was a war with “Zero – civilian causality !!!!!(really ???). One of the murderers went even further to claim that his Sinhala village Kollos fought LTTE with a gun on right hand and UN human rights regulations in left hand. They claimed all these videos were fake and made by LTTE fighters at the last stages of the war.
What these barbaric – gang raping – murderers going to say now ??? Are they going to say it was Indian Jawans doing all these naughty work and shouting in loud country Sinhala ???
Ashamed to be called as a Sinhalese.
WE ethnically cleansed Tamils, we massacred Muslims, we killed our own Sinhala brothers and Sisters. As a nation, we call ourselves Sinhalese, and are proud to tell the world that we carried out a systematic genocide war of 21st century on a community who shares this country, call Tamils, with the help of the world. Hurrah !!!!!
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sach / September 22, 2015
LOL…tamil …calling urself sinhala now?
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / September 24, 2015
This is quite a common past time for We Thamizh. Role playing as Sinhalams and posting these fantastical wet dreams here :D
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Ranjith / September 21, 2015
Sinhala village Kollos at work, watch and enjoy !!!!!
http://www.channel4.com/news/sri-lanka-execution-video-evidence-of-war-crimes
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Ranjith / September 21, 2015
Here was another instance where I was so proud to be called a Sinhalese, I want all Sinhala nationalists to read this and have satisfaction !!!!!
Krishanthi Kumaraswami’s death is particularly infamous. Kumaraswami was an eighteen year old Tamil student who was arrested while passing through a Sri Lankan Army checkpoint in 1996. Her mother, younger brother, and a neighbor went to the checkpoint that afternoon to find her, refusing to leave until she returned safely with them. The soldiers killed all three of them. An hour later, they gang raped Krishanthi and buried her body. Reflecting the importance of this event within the Tamil community, a Tamil schoolteacher Padmini Ganesan, told the Washington Post……..
Isaipriya…you call her a terrorist, a fighter..what ever. But, when she surrendered what did our Village kollos do ? She was gang raped by the Budhdha worshipping, Sinhala speaking, village kollos. I really wonder, when they raped her, whether they thought about their sisters and mothers??? It would have given them more satisfaction I believe !!!!! Even after murdering her ( death by multiple gang rapes), one of the village Kollos having sex on the dead body of her. Fantastic !!!!!Even animals would not dare doing this new-sexual intercourse with dead ones !!!!! Only in Sinhala Srilanka. Bravo !! I am so proud now !!!!!
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Ram / September 22, 2015
Required reading, the new book, ” Call me Dave ” about David Cameron, the guy who pranced around Sri Lanka last year.
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Native Vedda / September 22, 2015
Ramuuuuuuuuuuuu
“Required reading, the new book, ” Call me Dave ” about David Cameron, the guy who pranced around Sri Lanka last year.”
The author would not meet Mohammed Wasim Thajudeen’s fate.
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Piranha / September 22, 2015
Sirisena’s culpability depends on how much control he had as defence minister during the last stages of the war. Gota and Mahinda were the men making the orders it seems. Even Fonseca was not privy to what Gota’s orders were. Hope leaks of the full report will surface soon.I
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