Ceylon Today – one of the mainstream English newspapers in Sri Lanka, has come under heavy criticism following a poster campaign carried out by the company to promote its July 6th issue titled ‘Sri Lanka under Al-Qaeda threat’ bearing the image of a masked, black-clad terrorist wielding a gun.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Council (SLMC) in a letter to the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, Hana Ibrahim yesterday have expressed their concern and objection to the subject matter chosen to promote the newspaper, pointing out the content is lacking ‘sensitivity and concern to the recent anti-Muslim violence and the ongoing hate-campaigns against Muslims’ in the country.
SLMC Vice President Hilmy Ahamed in his letter has described the poster campaign as an ‘insensitive, unethical and opportunistic marketing technique’.
He has pointed out that such campaigns coupled with the provocative stories that have concurrently been published by certain other media institutions have contributed to fuelling unsubstantiated rumours of Islamic terrorists operating on Lankan soil, which is in turn systematically helping gain grounds for hate campaign against Muslims.
Ahamed has gone on to state that against the backdrop of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa denying the existence of such armed Islamic groups in Sri Lanka, it is of vital importance that the media refrains from sensationalising issues.
Furthermore, he has called upon Ibrahim to ensure that responsible and ethical business practises are adopted by Ceylon Today, that would not further endanger the social relations between Sinhala and Muslim communities that are presently in a fragile state.
We publish below the letter in full;
Ms Hana Ibrahim,
Chief Editor,
Ceylon Today,
101 Rosmead Place, Colombo 7.
Dear Ms. Ibrahim,
It is with much regret that we bring to your kind attention our strong objection to the insensitive, unethical and opportunistic marketing technique used by your newspaper of July 6th 2014 in the posters appearing in Colombo with the caption “SRI LANKA UNDER AL-QAEDA THREAT?”. You have shown no sensitivity or concern to the recent violence in the South of Sri Lanka or the ongoing hate campaign against Muslims, contributing to Buddhist extremist groups’ allegations that there are Muslim armed groups in the country.
The events in Aluthgama and Beruwela on the 15th and 16th of June have damaged the progress made in all spheres of life since the end of the war in 2009. Certain media institutions have continued to plant provocative stories of threats from International Islamic terrorists in fueling the campaign of hate towards the Muslim community. The presence or involvement of any international terrorist network was vehemently denied by the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in his interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper of July 1st 2014. He went on to confirm that they have found no evidence of the existence of such groups operating in Sri Lanka.
Your attempt to market your newspaper with captions and images of an international terrorist organization may create the impression in the minds of the wider public that such armed groups do really exist in the country.
We kindly urge you to be responsible and ethical in your business practice, and not to further endanger the fragile social relations between the Sinhala and Muslim communities.
I thank you for your kind consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Hilmy Ahamed
Vice President
Rajash / July 8, 2014
This is all the game of the regime. The regime tried to revive the LTTE but failed. So now they want to import Al Queda terrorism with the help of Pakistan. The strategy is to win over the West and instil fear in the Sinhala South.
What a clever way to do it , ask a Muslim editor to publish the story.
This regime wants perpetual terrorism in Sri Lanka to perpetuate their rule
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Amarasiri / July 8, 2014
“Ceylon Today – one of the mainstream English newspapers in Sri Lanka, has come under heavy criticism following a poster campaign carried out by the company to promote its July 6th issue titled ‘Sri Lanka under Al-Qaeda threat’ bearing the image of a masked, black-clad terrorist wielding a gun.”
Distractions by the Shills..But What are the facts of Aluthgama Sinhale Buddhist Terrorism?.
http://kafila.org/2014/07/07/information-on-aluthgama-fact-finding-by-a-womens-collective/
Information on Aluthgama – Fact Finding by a Women’s Collective
JULY 7, 2014
tags: aluthgama, Muslims, riots, sri lanka
by Ahilan Kadirgamar
A Fact Finding Report by a Women’s Collective on the Ethnic Riots in Aluthgama, Sri Lanka.
On the 15th of June 2014 ethnic riots took place in Aluthgama following a rally organized by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), a Buddhist fundamentalist organization. Even though the police and state officials had been informed of the potential of the rally to turn violent, no steps were taken to stop the same, instead a large number of police and Special Task Forces (STF) personnel were deployed in the area. In the aftermath of the violence that shocked the country, a women’s team visited Aluthgama and met with several survivors with the objective of documenting the events that took place. Below is their report. Considering the safety of the survivors their names, location and other identities are not recorded.
“Around 12 midnight on 15/06/2014 the Welipitiya Mosque administration made an announcement that a large group of thugs were coming to destroy the Mosque. Upon the announcement the men from the village brought their families, left the women inside the mosque for their safety, and stood outside the mosque to protect the mosque. Around 2000 persons arrived in a procession at that time chanting slogans saying ‘we will destroy the Dharga Town mosque’, ‘we will change Dharga Town into a Sinhala village’ and started pelting stones from all sides,” said a mother whose son was attacked in this incident. She stated that she has four sons, she has been separated from her husband since the birth of her youngest son, and has brought them up single handedly amidst various challenges. “My two unmarried sons aged 20 and 17 heard the announcement from the mosque and left to guard the mosque. A few minutes after they left home I heard gun shots and ran outside to look for my sons but I could not locate them. I ran back home and prayed for their safety. I could hear the firing of gun shots for about 2 hours.
“Around 3 a.m. on 16th June, I was informed that my son was shot in the leg and was taken to the hospital. When I heard this I felt helpless and asked my second son to take me to see my injured son. However, he informed me that the Kalutara Nagoda general hospital refused to admit my son and therefore he had been taken to the Colombo hospital and that it would be difficult to take me to Colombo right now.” A couple of days later her son called and informed her that her second son’s leg needs to be cut off and that she needed to sign agreeing to the same. She said when her elder son was on his way to visit his injured brother he was also attacked by mobsters and the 2000 rupees he had was taken from him. He was stripped of his clothing. Narrating this she cried and said ‘I have brought up my children through such hardship and I cannot believe my 20 year old son has no leg. I don’t want to see him like this”.
A 36 year old man was killed in Welipitiya during the riot. His wife has three daughters aged 12, 4 and 2 months. The widow could not speak much other than repeating “our house was situated within the Sinhala village and I will not be able to return there.” She is currently living with her brother and has no financial support. She and her children are severely traumatized.
The team also met many whose houses and properties had been set on fire in this village. In one village the survivors had this to say: “We have been living in this village for the last 22 years. There are two Muslim households and both were burnt. As we heard about the riots, we decided to leave but were prevented by the mobs. Our Sinhala neighbors helped us escape. We subsequently heard that our house had been set on fire. When I went to see the house it had been burned to the ground and there was nothing we could recover. Amidst the 17 Sinhala houses in this village we could see only two houses had been burned- the Muslim houses. This proves someone in our neighborhood had given information or identified the Muslim houses to the mobsters.”
The team then went on to meet a woman whose husband was killed in the riots. However that woman was unable to speak due to shock and grief. Another woman who was with her and had also lost her husband stated that both their husbands were daily wage laborers and that now they no longer had any financial support. They both lived in rented houses. They refused to speak to anyone due to fear. “If we talk about these issues the CID arrives and takes people away in white vans. I explained the incidents to the police and they took my phone number. After they left my phone has been disconnected. I called the telephone company and asked them what happened. They said they would reconnect it but to date the phone line has not been fixed.”
When the riot started calls were made to 119 and 118 to the Aluthgama and Beruwela police. But their lines remained disconnected. They also said that it was only after rioting subsided and two lives were lost did the police and the military arrive. Many Muslim women also said at initial stages of the riot when the mobs tried to enter their house they fought back throwing stones, boiling water and chilly powder at them.
The team then visited Adhikarigoda and saw 17 houses that had been burned and a mosque that was damaged. The team spoke to an 80 year old woman whose house had been burned there. She said “when the mob arrived they told me to come outside. I was home alone and scared, so I ran out through the back door into the forest area. I called my daughter from my mobile phone from there and she told me to stay patiently where I was. I waited for two hours. I was scared and there were many insects in the forest. I didn’t think I would make it back alive. I stood there for two hours listening to them destroy my house and heard explosions as well.”
Thereafter the team met with an affected woman from Seenawatta, narrating the incidents she said “when the announcement was made by the mosque I was at a neighbor’s house and I went to my house to collect my documents and valuables. However when I went there my house was already on fire. There were military personnel standing nearby and I asked for their help to recover my documents. They told me ‘these are problems you all sought after and you all better sort them out.’ My son and I put out the fire and went to the mosque. I have helped my Sinhala neighbors often but they too participated in this attack on us. I saw it with my own eyes and it is painful.
“A day before the riots, many cardboard boxes were unloaded from several lorries in the garden of the adjoining the Buddhist temple. When I asked a Sinhala neighbor as to what was in the boxes she said it was for following day’s Pirith ceremony. However now we know that they were all full of weapons. There had been sharp knives, petrol bombs, clubs and axes used to attack us. Sinhala houses had been told a week before the procession to hoist Buddhist flags on their houses when the procession was taking place. This has been done to identify the Muslim houses. Many of the Muslim children from our villages study in Sinhala schools, however they are now afraid to return to their schools and their future is uncertain.”
Another woman stated that her husband had just returned from abroad and all her valuables such a watches, jewelry, lap-top computer and money had been taken away and bottles of arrack and cigarettes were found in the house after the riot.
A two months pregnant woman from the same village said “after hearing the announcement I left through my front entrance to get to the mosque. Then I saw attackers coming from every direction and when they saw me they started coming towards my house. I didn’t know what to do and began crying loudly. The Sinhala woman next door quickly got me into her house and called the mosque asking for help. Few men from the nearby mosque came and took me to safety. I just got married in that house and now I am pregnant without a place to live.”
On 15thJune 2014 the attacks by the BBS backed thugs against the Muslims of Aluthgama and Dharga Town also impacted Karunasenapura and Ambepitiya areas where many houses of the Muslims were burnt to ashes around 8.30 p.m. A woman from one of these villages recounting the incident and said “There were about 4 families in this village and in our house we had 16 people that day. Around 7.30 p.m. my brother got a call saying that there was tension in Dharga Town and they warned us to be careful. My brother was very worried and we decided that we should try and save our lives. So we left the CCTV camera on in our house and went to our relatives. My brother dropped us all off at our relative’s place and took my father and another brother. I called our neighbors and friends and told them about the warning we received. Around 8.30 p.m. I called my brother but couldn’t get through. Then I called a friend of my brother and he told me ‘your house is burning sister, you better pray’ I heard this and fainted. My brother’s wife is pregnant. I called a relative to ask what was happening. He said that they called the fire brigade and they have said that they would only come around 9.30 p.m. I called 119 and there was no answer. Everything has happened according to their plan. The next day my mother and I went to see our house. It was completely burned and there were people standing around and looking at it. The police came and chased us all away.”
The father of this woman said earlier on the 15/06/2014 there was a meeting held by the BBS in Aluthgama where ‘Aba-sarana’ was said to China Fort and Dharga Town. That means ‘this is the last day for these two towns.’ “When I heard this I got worried and I warned a few friends as well. I was prepared to go away. Then we got the news from Dharga Town. In a few minutes we saw about 200 armed men coming our way. Our youth had no weapons but still they resisted. I took everyone from my relative’s house and sent them to the Jamiya Nalimiya and left them there. Then I went to where the houses had been destroyed and I saw the STF standing there. I begged them to help stop this. They said troops were coming from Jaffna, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura and once they arrived they would put a stop to this. They said they have no authority to stop this. I called 119 and 999 but no response. I was distressed. We have video evidence of the attack and the attackers are people from this village and from the next village. We have informed the police but to date no arrests have taken place and I see them walking freely right in front of my eyes.
Before they began the attack they brought a Buddhist monk and kept him inside a house. I think they were planning to send him out if we retaliated. That way if the Buddhist monk was attacked, they would use that as a reason to escalate the violence. I have a gem cutting business and had 10 people working under me. I had gem cutting machines, computers and other machinery. I have lost assets worth of 80 lakhs.” While he was narrating this he began crying saying “who will compensate me for my losses?”
We met a young man (age 27) who had severe injuries to his arm. He has two daughters and was injured during the riot. His hand was cut below the wrist. “On 15/06/2014 I had just finished prayers at the Masjid and was standing outside with about 20 people. Around 300 people came to attack us and they had knives, axes and sticks. We shouted out ‘Allahu Akbar’ and attacked back. But we didn’t think we would get attacked like this. One of them tried to cut my head with a knife and I lifted my hand to prevent it and that’s how my hand was cut. If we hadn’t fought back they would have killed us and made through to the mosque, destroyed the mosque and then the China Fort. Once my hand was cut we went to the hospital but the doctor there said he cannot help us and told us to go elsewhere. So we went to Colombo. I can’t work for the next 6 months. My family has no protection. I am unable to take care of my children and my wife. I feel so helpless.”
A villager who came and met the team stated that a few days before the riots a monk had come in a vehicle and a Muslim auto driver was also in the same traffic block. There was an argument that turned into a fight. The monk then had torn his own cloths and gone to the police stating that a ‘sonavan’ had attacked him and injured him. The next day at the BBS meeting they have said “It is our country, Sinhala government, Sinhala army and everything is ours!” and it is only after that they went on procession, destroyed the mosque and burnt the Quran.
The fact finding team was able to find out the following during its mission:
Even though Muslims have been living in this area for over centuries they are unsure whether they can continue to live there. Some women that the team interviewed stated that even Sinhala women had attacked them. And that even though there are a few Sinhalese who did not participate in the attack that they were afraid to provide any support for the Muslims. The team was also made aware of earlier attacks on them especially in 1991. The team noted that most of the survivors when got emotional switched speaking from Tamil to Sinhala, which shows how much they are intertwined with the Sinhala community.
Observations
• The private dispute between a monk and a three wheeler driver seems to have been used to create the initial spark for these riots.
• Initially the announcement was made that a walking procession would be undertaken for which the Muslims were prepared. However there were many eyewitness accounts that the mobsters also came in vehicles from neighboring villages.
• Survivors’ narratives imply that the BBS was planning a procession and preparing for the riot days ahead specially stocking up knives, petrol bombs, clubs and axes in Temples and bringing in bus loads of attackers.
• State structures like the police, STF and government hospitals seem to be complicit in this attack: 119 numbers were disconnected, ill response of fire extinguish service, hospitals refused to treat patients, the police/STF refused to take action during the riot.
• Although the government denies involvement, people on the ground feel otherwise. The conduct of the police, STF and even government hospital doctors during the initial stages of the riots fortifies their belief.
• No one has been brought before court for shooting, physical and arson attacks, leave alone provoking the riot.
• There is heavy military presence like in the north and many Muslim men are afraid to go out thinking that they may get attacked again. Women and children are mainly restricted to their places of refuge and don’t want to go back.
• Businesses have reopened but there is apprehension in regard to what may happen next.
• Most children studied in Sinhala schools and are afraid to return to these schools.
• During the riot and after no measures were taken to help the community that was trapped in the mosque due to the curfew. Many survivors stated that there was no food even for pregnant women, children and breast feeding mothers. No basic necessities were provided for by the government.
Recommendations
• Psychosocial Support: Several people from the community suffer from severe trauma, especially women and children. Several survivors told the team that they could still hear the gun shots. So far no psychosocial and mental health support has been provided.
• Legal Support: The community requested for additional legal support and stated that to date only Muslim lawyers had come forward and that no support had been provided by lawyers from other communities. Many stated that they have evidence including video evidence that can be used if legal action is taken.
• Accountability: Law enforcement authorities should arrest and charge those who instigated and perpetrated violence forthwith in terms of the law and ensure fair trial through which justice could be meted out. A comprehensive and open inquiry by an independent commission that will look into reparation and justice. It should also identify and address the causes that led to the breakdown of law and order and the lapses in not being able to prevent violence and escalation to ensure non repetition.
• Reconciliation: Sinhalese and Muslims have been living together in this area for over centuries; however many Muslims now feel that they can no longer continue to live there. The Muslims are mostly Sinhala speakers in these areas. There is a breakdown of trust within the community and there is an urgent need to take active steps toward reconciliation in a hope to restore the community’s faith in each other.
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Amarasiri / July 8, 2014
Rajash and Anybody Else
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. posters are effective in spreading lies as well as the Truth.
But the Truth will not FADE away.
So Let us Put some truthful Posters.
The Sinhala , The Tamil , the Muslims are all Paras. Proof: Test their DNA. They all are Paras from South India.
They were all Paras, Paradeshisis, Foreigners Check their DNA… The position of Para-Sinhala and Para_Tamils, is similar to the position taken by the Catholic Church before the Copernican, Galileo and Kepler findings showed that the Church was wrong. What can you do?
The Vedda Tribe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f89NuukY32U
Please post Amarasiri’s poster on the Walls in the land of native Veddah. The Poster is given below. This is NOT copyrighted, print as many as you want, and post on walls, trees, T-shirts, Busses etc, including temples, Churches, mosques, Schools. Put footnote and say that the Earth goes around the Sun..
Not many para know that in the land of Native Veddha. What are the facts pertaining to Lanka? So, this is Amarasiri ‘s Poster, which Amarasiri wants on every wall in Lanka. Those Para who cannot live as Egalitarian members of society, in keeping with the Native Veddah culture and Ethics, are requested to leave for their Native Land, South India, as proved by DNA analysis of the Paras.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION of Sinhala and Tamil poster
PARA FOREIGNERS GO BACK TO SOUTH INDIA
PARA-SINHALA, PARA-TAMIL, PARA-MUSLIM, FOREIGNERS
TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR, GO BACK TO SOUTH INDIA
YOUR DNA IS PROOF
LANKA VEDDAH PEOPLES INHERITANCE LANKA PEACE.
PEACE FOR VEDDAH PEOPLE. GOOD ENVIRONMENT
******************************
PARA-SINHALA, PARA-TAMIL, PARA-MUSLIM, FOREIGNERS
GO BACK TO SOUTH INDIA
LANKA VEDDAH PEOPLES INHERITANCE
***************************
Lanka will be peaceful, and the Naive Veddah can live in an environmentally friendly manner. No more Para Wars. Pars, please Go, Go, Go…
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Thiru / July 8, 2014
“Ceylon Today” poster sums up what is Sri Lanka today: Institutionalized racism; government. state, the security forces, Buddhist hierarchy, intellectuals, and the MEDIA.
The combined Sinhalese-Buddhist dominated entities above brand Tamils, Muslims and whoever else who demand or fight for their their legitimate democratic rights as terrorists.
Then they gain the support of the international community including the West to attack these communities: In the past the gullible IC obliged the racist state and destroyed the Tamils fight for life, freedom and dignity.
Will the Muslims also be victims to these ruses of Sinhala Buddhist racism? Will the IC also remain on the side of racism?
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Thiru / July 8, 2014
Correction:
“Ceylon Today” poster sums up what is Sri Lanka today: Institutionalized racism of; the government, state, the security forces, Buddhist hierarchy, intellectuals, and the MEDIA.
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Don Stanely / July 8, 2014
Well done Hilmy! Ceylon today which is Tiran Alles rag news paper has been fanning the flames of ethno-religious conflict in Sri Lanka – giving GAG the BBS Balue Sena leaders headline stories and leading the Rajapakse regime’s CHAOS IN SRI LANKA project.
Recall that in Geneva Lalith Weeratunge, Jarapassa’s Secretary and Chaos specialist promised that there would be CHAOS in Sri Lanka if there is an international war crimes investigation into the doing of the corrupt and criminal Rajapaksa brothers military dictatorship.. Ceylon today is the self appointed promoter among the press of spreading the chaos via media and unethical journalism. Rather than investigating and revealing the facts of the case – (e.g. numbers of people killed, ethnicity/religion etc. ) Ceylon today runs behind BBS’ Gniyanasara or GAG and gives his hate speech and BORU headline coverage..
THe Daily Mirror is similarly a govt rag and rather than questioning the regimes attempts to SILENCE CIVIL SOCIETY and NGOs and Gota the goon’s attempt to BLOCK EDUCATION of the SINhala MODA masses – simply publishes the Defense Ministry’s hate speach against NGOs and Bullshipt that the NOGs are violating mandates to educate the people on the criminality of the regime, corruption and criminality of Politicians in the Miracle of Sinhala Buddhist Modayas!
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Paisa Must Appah / July 8, 2014
@Rajash
“What a clever way to do it , ask a Muslim editor to publish the story”
And this Muslim editress (Vixen?) is also like the Muslim Ministers in the cabinet. All looking for petty handouts from the powers that be.Theyll do anything under the sun for personal gain. To hell with the community. WAASI PATTHATA HOYYA.
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Lapatiya / July 8, 2014
Actually there is nothing wrong with this poster Campaign by Colombo Today. Our Jathiye Aadambarakara Thatha and Bappa has empowered Gaanu 5 Bebadu Nanasara of BBS(Pvt) Ltd, Sinhala Rawaya of Champika Ranawaka, Rawana Balaya of Wimal Weerawansa, Divaina of Welagama, Lankadeepa of Wijewardana, Lakbima of Tilanga, Mawbima, Colombo Today etc. etc. to protect the National Security because our Intelligence services have no time for that kind of things as they are busy with protecting Adambarakara thatha, Grease Piya and their families. Also they have to make plans for next elections as well. Probably Bebadu Nanasara would have complained to Grease Piya that he can’t fight alone and he need a help other than Police and Intelligence and this poster campaign may be the result.
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Muhammed Fazl / July 8, 2014
I sent her Hanna a Facebook message and this is what I wrote…
“…Hi, just noticed that we share the same Birthday…. Anyways. I happened to come across your poster campaign and I believe it did not originate from a sound judgement on your part. I too write for the Colombo Telegraph occasionally… but I try not creating lies for the sake of sensationalism or to promote myself.
Assuming you have reservations for you own kind may be due to your personal experiences, I sure hope you will act righteously in the future. God bless…”
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Spring Koha / July 8, 2014
It’s not just the birthday; just remember that is the same moon that gives you both those all important messages that trigger your faiths.
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SameOldGame / July 8, 2014
All I can say is “shock and awe” sells newspapers as in many countries in the West. Ethics, journalistic integrity etc means nothing.
I wonder whether this newspaper with those images is actually doing the propaganda for some terror group based overseas by glorifying them. Sick journalism.
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Amarasiri / July 8, 2014
“Ceylon Today – one of the mainstream English newspapers in Sri Lanka, has come under heavy criticism following a poster campaign carried out by the company to promote its July 6th issue titled ‘Sri Lanka under Al-Qaeda threat’ bearing the image of a masked, black-clad terrorist wielding a gun.”
Since the BBS and Gotabaya Rajapaksa have been caught for Instigating the Violence against the Muslims, Now they are trying the Distraction Method.
Their shills Like Dayan Jayatillaka, Malinda Seneviratna , Jehan Perea and a host of others are trying to whitewash the BBS Terrorists and their supporters by hiding under the imagined Al Queda, after attacking the innocent Muslims. whom are they trying to fool?
The Sinhala Modayas ?
Public at Kurunegala throng to sign petition on right to information
MONDAY, 07 JULY 2014 19:44
http://www.lankatruth.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7235:public-at-kurunegala-throng-to-sign-petition-on-right-to-information-&catid=42:smartphones&Itemid=74
he event was organized by Action Committee for Media Freedom, an organization established with the participation of 10 media organizations, and Kurunegala media organizations collective and civil organizations collective.
The convener of the committee Saman Wagaarachchi expressing his thoughts at the event stated that public of Kurunegala was very much enthusiastic towards signing the competition. He further stated that the public response towards the petition was better at Kurunegala than the response received on 5th May at the initiation of the project in Colombo.
It is significant that large number of local journalists took measures to extend their support towards the programme. The organizers hope to collect1 million signatures for the petition. Kandy Programme will be on the 14th Monday in Kandy Town.
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Tamodaya / July 8, 2014
How about Muslim Modayas?
Rhymes well.
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Amarasiri / July 8, 2014
Tamodaya
Yes, Thee are Muslim Mondays. They are called Wahhabis and Tauheed. But since, they are a small fraction, and recent, their numbers are small. All they do is Pray all day long and they have no time for other Modays activities, except attacking Sufis.
On the other Hand, the Sinhala Buddhist Modays are too numerous, they do NOT go to the Temple and get drunk, and follow other drinking monks and commit crimes, kill innocent Muslims and destroy properties, while the Police looks on.
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I am no muslim / July 8, 2014
Muhammadan expansion by ‘taqiyya and kitman’ or holy hypocrisy is exposed. Those who want to know more about it just google those words.
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Lanka Liar / July 8, 2014
One Modaya know the other.
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Ajith / July 8, 2014
It is not surprise that the word “terror” is used as a weapon against those communities who speak other than Sinhala and whose religion is other than “Buddhism”. What they do is create such a suitable environment where non Buddhist communities cannot live peacefully like 1958, 1977 and 1983 massacres and put the blame on the victims as terrorists. Similarly now they created violence against muslims similar to 1983 and put the blame on the muslims as terrorists. They know that Muslims cannot suffer long and they will have to defend to protect them. Then this will be used as international terrorism threat and they can complete wipe out of Muslims.
Unless Muslims and Tamils unite together the Buddhist fundamentalism will win in their aim of eliminating all other than Sinhala Buddhists
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Snowden Edward Asange / July 8, 2014
Wiping out Muslims from SL is ALL BUT A DREAM… yes GOAT-A may think that he can militarily defeat the Muslims, sadly he would meet his waterloo..and a bloodbath is what he would see… Unfortunately there wasn’t Tamils who would come to the help of SL Tamils, but trust me.. there would be COUNTRIES to come to assist Muslims in the event a fully fledged war is what GOATA is looking for.. let it be reminded it was a Muslim country namely Malaysia that gave him KP and 4 top guys yesterday.. Pakistani Pilots helped in Bombing the LTTE NOT the Tamils… Middle Eastern countries that give Employment to quite a lot of SL’s. Iran giving Fuel at cheap prices…likewise YES cry wolf in regard to AL Queda.. they may be here sooner than later… When a war starts Gandasara and thelikes of Thamodaya,Banda etc would have the sarong in one hand while their gantaara sway either way and run for dear life.. the way they were behind women’s sarees when the LTTE was at peak..
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Sumith / July 8, 2014
Snowden Edward,
Muslims won’t rage a war against BBS thugs. All Sri Lankans had learned lessons from 30 year war except Gota and his BBS pets.
Muslims would try to resolve these issue via discussion and putting pressure on MaRa and Gota.
I agree this might be the waterloo for GoTa. he lost all his creibilities to the point he got BBS to clear him and he himself did press interviews to distance from BBS.
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Amarasiri / July 8, 2014
Snowden Edward Asange
Remember, who is behind.
1. Norway, Israel and the Christian Fundamentalist West.
They want to kill 2 birds with one stone.
Buddhism and Islam.
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Fathima Fukushima / July 8, 2014
This is a Muslim-Muslim problem. Ahamed verses Ibrahim.
Like Shia-Sunni war.
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Snowden Edward Asange / July 8, 2014
well if u knew its a Muslim to Muslim thingy.. why is a half Japanese butting in? coz a Muslim effed ur ….. so ur Fathima, Muslim name comes into play?
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Rajash / July 8, 2014
This is Miracle of Asia where all minorities are given equal rights as the Majority
We have state sponsored Sinhala terrorism
We are reviving LTTE
Why leave the Muslims out.? So we invite Al Qaeda
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Selwyn / July 8, 2014
Another tactic to deviate from important current issues. Gratitude by recepient of Laptop/Loan from the State.
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Menik / July 8, 2014
Much ado about nothing. Al Qaeda in Sri Lanka eh? So this sounds more like ignorant Islamaphobes making the Muslims look evil. This is part of the propaganda to denigrate all Muslims, and turn Sinhalese people against them. This is a hate campaign backed by anti Sri Lankan elements, who want to see chaos and violence in this country, just like Myanmar.
TO date, no Temple has been attacked, no Sinhalese business has been burned, no Sinhalese family had to run away from their homes because of Muslim mobs, and no Sinhala person has been killed.
All this was done to the Muslims by Sinhala extremists.
So only if people are ignorant will they believe this BS, and be afraid of Al Qaeda. Shame on Ceylon Today for propagating this lie.
It is highly unlikely that Al Qaeda is interested in this Sinhala majority country. so the only terrorist Sri Lankans have to deal with right now, are the saffron robed violent kind, that has caused death and destruction on the lives and property of minorities.
These shameless tactics of frightening the Sinhalese people are part of this hate campaign against Muslims.
Sri Lankans be aware.
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Amarasiri / July 8, 2014
Sri Lanka Under Al-Qaeda Threat’; Muslims Condemn Ceylon Today’s Inflammatory Marketing Techniques
Sri Lanka Under Sinhala Buddist racism and Chuvanism Threat
Sri Lanka state gets into Terrorism Buisness
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Masood Jawad / July 8, 2014
Some readers have referred to Ceylon Today as a ‘national newspaper.’
How do they qualify to become that?
It is not a newspaper. It is a laundry
owned by political wheeler dealer Tiran
Alles and his stooge Thushara Gunaratne,
[Edited out] from Lankadeepa
years ago.
Anything and everything goes in this
newspaper. BTW Hana is not the Editor
of this rag sheet. She was moved out
after a battle with Thushara Gunaratne.
That is why we, the readers, are often
made to believe R.I.T. Alles (Tiran’s father)
and Tiran himself are national leaders of
the same stature as D.S. Senanayake and
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan. One is a bribe
taker and the other made his money by
doing business with the LTTE.
Recently CT readers were given a glimpse
when they had a link to a news conference
Tiran Alles gave. There he openly said that
he carried money from the Rajapaksas to the LTTE
and that was how they boycotted the 2005
Presidential elections enabling Rajapaksa to win.
Now wheeler dealer Tiran has become Rajapaksa’s
hit man. Together with Sirasa owner Kili Maharaja
they have won over Ranil Wickramasingha. He is
getting a lot of publicity. That also is a contract
given to Alles by Mahinda Rajapaksa. People do not
know these things.
Therefore Wickramasingha is going to become the UNP
presidential candidate. He will not win but will raise
some money which he and Mallick Samarawikrema can invest
in another luxury housing complex. This is how a man
who was known as Mr Clean became Mr Dirty. Ranil is only
playing to the tune of MR and people should not be misled.
/
alimankada pamankada / July 8, 2014
“One is a bribe taker and the other made his money by
doing business with the LTTE.”
Truth is never stranger than fiction. And they have the gumption to think they are national leaders. What a joke!
/
Marwan / July 8, 2014
Now that the seeds of hatred has been planted in the hearts and minds of the general populace, these ‘nasty’ media editors now try to capitalize on it for their earthly gains. They refuse to think that these types of false propaganda to sensationalize non-existent and imaginary situations, could promote further unrest through unwarranted fear psychosis and respond through retaliatory attacks. They fail to realize these hoaxes could only further undermine the precarious co-existence presently in existence between those affected communities.
As is always the case, the simmering embers of racial hatred and contempt towards minorities are continuously stoked and fanned to keep the feud alive, whilst responsible authorities take no meaningful steps to curb this trend. The next thing you know is that the perpetrators could justify their hate campaign by referring to these falsified and misleading posters and declare, ‘See, we told the world this was coming, and we have now been proved right, lets go after them’. Where are the Gammanpilas and Champikas who thrive in these sewers of human misery.
/
Diogenes / July 8, 2014
I do`t see any reason for the Sri Lankan muslims to be so panicky about this poster. It doesn`t mean that all muslims are involved in that movement. If you take it that way , all the Tamils in Sri Lanka also might protest when the government shows its fear of a ghost of the LTTE! This poster suggests only of a possibility for which we really should be thankful to the editor of the newspaper. If the muslims can`t understand that simple fact they are either fools or they want the government to recognize them as a sacred lot and treat them above all the other citizens of the country. Sri Lankan muslims should realize that they are citizens of Sri Lanka and not of Saudi Arabia.
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Snowden Edward Asange / July 8, 2014
BUT Duh !! the Secretary of DEFENSE (who knows more about security and related events than an idiot-in-chief or is it editor in chief?) said at an interview way b4 this publication.. that there was NO threat as such tho the Indians had warned… well now THAT BBS is on the Rampage looting, killing and destroying Muslims… the RED CARPET is already laid for the arrival of NOT just Al Queda, but many other extremist forces…even the Tamils may join forces with Muslims…. after all Muslims and Tamils have to defend themselves when the GOVT is not doing its duty. rightly… So dont think IF a war starts between the GOATA clan and the Muslims it will be a cake walk.. IT will be a Bloodier and a longer war that will drain more finance, resources and LIVES from the SL coffers..
Enjoy the ride !!!!!
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Diogenes / July 8, 2014
I don`t see any reason for the Sri Lankan muslims to be so panicky about this poster. It doesn`t mean that all muslims are involved in that movement. If you take it that way , all the Tamils in Sri Lanka also might protest when the government shows its fear of a ghost of the LTTE! This poster suggests only of a possibility for which we really should be thankful to the editor of the newspaper. If the muslims can`t understand that simple fact they are either fools or they want the government to recognize them as a sacred lot and treat them above all the other citizens of the country. Sri Lankan muslims should realize that they are citizens of Sri Lanka and not of Saudi Arabia.
/
I am no muslim / July 8, 2014
Thowheed ideology or Islamic fundamentalism is clearly taking root in Sri Lanka since the end of the war. Just open your eyes and you can see it with your own eyes:
Billas or women with hijab is a common sight. Tactic to force ‘billa’ in all Buddhist schools just begun. The Governor of Western Province have introduced a new ‘pinkama’ (meritorious) called ‘gawa gathanaya’ (crude killing of cows) to Buddhist government servants. Together, 10% Muslims have forced 90% non- MUslims to eat Halal.
Imagine what the would do when they are 15%. Muslims will demand the 7th century cult law called ‘sharia’ be implemented for Muslims.
/
Sumith / July 8, 2014
another BBS modaya talking after got drunk. -:)
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Sunny / July 8, 2014
The only billas that we have seen so far are wearing saffron robes. No other billas have incited violence, speak badly of other religions, insult minorities, set fire to their homes, shops, and attack the places where they worship. So check your facts, and stop writing like a modaya.
/
Dr.Goebells / July 8, 2014
Editor Ceylon Today
Please understand that certain subjects are taboo , and are never to be discussed .
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ela kolla / July 8, 2014
search all muslim houses and screaming huts and take actions appropriately
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paul / July 8, 2014
They attack the government for false propaganda but soon they will see the reality of Al Qaeda and Islamic fundamentalism. Then it will be too late and they will say that BBS started it. Meanwhile the LTTE Tamils joyfully add fuel to the flames. Its not just Ceylon Today, many responsible papers such as Colombo Telegraph, Sri Lanka Guardian, Asian Mirror etc have reported on these matters. Don’t say you were not warned.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/wikileaks-muslim-militancy-in-sri-lanka-four-groups-based-in-colombo-former-us-intelligence-officer/
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/wikileaks-a-growing-wahhabi-presence-in-eastern-province-muslim-leaders/
http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2014/07/will-america-conduct-extraordinary.html
http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/1548-taliban-now-in-sri-lanka-interpol-confirms/1548-taliban-now-in-sri-lanka-interpol-confirms
http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/30910
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Ram / July 8, 2014
However have you got away with putting in all those links ?
/
Mike / July 8, 2014
Amarasiri
Bro watch out for the white van
/
Harry Hatton / July 8, 2014
But you can say things like marauding Buddhist, murdering Buddhist priests, Para sinhala, MR rogue, Ranil poof etc etc without any evidence to back these slanders !
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Marwan / July 8, 2014
That poster should have screamed not only Al Qaeda, but also ‘Al-Shabab, Boko Haram and Taliban all vying to be the first to put their foot into SL through its backdoor neighbor, in support of besieged Muslims brothers’. Now that might have made it truly sensational, wouldn’t it? A nice full frontal ‘in your face’, bold lie, implicating even our friendly neighborhood countries as well, worth reading.
May be the Editor dreamed up a ploy to get the attention of the American military intelligence, to focus their eyes and ears on Sri Lankan and watch for any ‘cell’ activities,
This nutty Editor may also like the sight of pre-emptive drone strikes on suspected ‘cells’ (Muslim occupied homes and identified clusters of Muslim villages, their businesses and places of religious worship) in order to ‘flush out’ wholesale, those imaginary terrorists. An ethnic cleansing of sorts.
After Muslims in SL are ‘finished off’, whose next? Any group considered a threat to their very existence, which has an unbroken 2500 years of continuous Sinhala Buddhist rule. But is this their final frontier, I sometimes wonder. These saffron robed thugs, by their arrogance and false sense of insecurity are truly digging mass graves to bury their own. We Muslims play no part in their own destruction. Even Dalai Lama recognizes that fact, while our own ‘Great Nayakes’ are sleeping on the job.
/
Medamulana Muththa / July 8, 2014
Ceylon Today by that [Edited out] Tiran Shameless Alles is a rag and like all other mainstream media houses in the country is involved in other businesses and they try to manupulate as much as the situation to get brownie points from the Govt and get tenders and all that.
/
Tamil from the north / July 9, 2014
If they arrive in Colombo, please do us all a favor and show them where the pakses live. Then send them to see Douglas, Karuna, Pillayan and a few others.
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Kiafiya Addar / July 9, 2014
The Truth of Beruwela & Aluthgama
============================
For years there has been friction among the Sinhalese Buddhists and Muslims ,mainly concentrated in Galle ,Beruwela and Aluthgama.
However Darga Town ,Aluthgama has always been a Muslim stronghold and many past events of attacks by the area thugs were successfully everted by the Muslim youths of the area , until the latest military styled well planned attacked was launched with the full open support of the Police and the armed forces ,the youth were in a no match situation ,however when attempts were made to set the mosque a blaze the youth stood the ground and fought back and when the gang was loosing the battle is when the forces arrived in a private vehicle in civilian clothes and shot and killed the three youths in cold blood .as soon as this happened the vehicle quietly rolled over forward toward the gang and asked them to vacate the premises immediately which was done .
How the entire operation was orchestrated, a female masseur was approached to get the first ignition started ,she visited the shop with her child and one of the staff friendly patted the boys head as a common custom in Sri Lanka ,this was enough for the accomplice in crime to ignite the flame, she made a hue and cry ,the accusation was her little son has been molested by the owner’s brother ,while the patting was done by a sales staff and not the owner’s brother.
The aim was to first eliminate one of the leading Muslim business in town ,was done with complete success .
So who were the real players behind the entire scene ? a good question ,very much like in Colombo incidents Sinhalese Buddhist Businessman with the support of the villagers ,it is time that we stop buying this lovey-dovey often parroted phrase of the cunning Sinhalese Buddhist of Oh we were living in complete harmony as one family ,this is the cover up of their integral jealousy and venom they have been harboring against the Muslims for years.
The entire operation was well coordinated by the Villagers and the ones who carried it out were ex forces and some men who are trained by the forces at the regional BBS Buddhist Police training college in Galle .
The men who were involved in the attack even knew most of the Muslim residents by name even the females by name.
These are the same men who were involved in the atrocities against the LTTE civilians and the rape and murder of the female cadres at the end of the war.
The frequent question is where was the BBS during the war? Of cause it was Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary- Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara who was [Edited out]
What is sad here is the amount of trust the innocent Muslims had been having towards their Sinhalese neighbors, it was a bit different from black July where even Sinhalese Buddhist women sat on parapet walls like basket women and pointing out Tamil homes, this time it was more sophisticated and well planned , they maintained a fake good relation with their Muslim neighbors and worked discreetly with the BBS.
The booty was shared by the neighbors too.
Muslims must wake up and unite and trust no one.
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Sarath Manawadu / July 15, 2014
Who says Ceylon Today is a national newspaper?
Even Bill Gates has said that it is a mosquito
repellant. They can save the ink and sell it to
the nadars. Give the paper to the army teams
that are visiting homes. They can wipe floors
with that and prevent mosquitoes. Als give part
of the newsprint to the anti malaria campaign.
Thank god their hamburger campaign did not succeed.
Otherwise they would have been wrapped up in
mosquito repellant paper.
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Abdul Wahid / August 4, 2014
Ms.Hana Ibrahim can’t you find a better way to sell your paper?Where is AlQaeda.where it is based.who leads?who is funding? who are the local contacts? Prove all these in details and with facts.you will never ?. you are worst than enemy of Islam .You should know what is the punishment for MUNAFEEKS, Fear ALMIGHTY ALLAH and the last day.
/