By Donald Gnanakone –
Donald Gnanakone
London attorney Vasuki Murugathas unearths photos and short videos further raising war crimes issues in Sri Lanka.
In a dramatic and unexpected fashion a Tamil attorney in London, Vasuki Murugathas was able to discover some 24 photographs and 32 short videos taken via a mobile phone of a Sri Lanka army soldier based in the Vanni in the last days of the war. To be exact the dates when the videos and photos were taken was the 5th and 6th of April of 2009. One of her clients who for fear of the State Terrorist who are well known to resort to attacks on family and friends wishes to be anonymous for the present, although he would be willing to testify to international, independent investigators once his stay in London has been stabilized.
This client was working in an internet cafe where soldiers regularly visited to back up their phones , download videos, and requiring assistance with their mobile phones to enable them to email their prized photos of especially naked Tamil girls. The original content are safe with an attorney in London.
Some of the photographs clearly demonstrates a pattern of woeful consistency of the Sri Lankan army. All the female armed and unarmed combatants, and civilians are always stripped naked or their underwear and down to their knees and the bras are either missing or near their neck, exposing the breast of teenage girls or young women. Only a few men are stripped naked.
This pattern was also clear when the LTTE media TV announcer Issaipriya’s naked photographs were discovered and questions about rape and torture prior to the death came about. She was never an armed combatant but her hands were tied behind her back as per channel 4 video.
Tamils For Justice have 20 similar photographs from way back in 2006 after the Mavil Aru battle where all the female fighters were stripped naked prior to the photographs being taken. Such detailed photographs have yet to be published, and there is no way that the GOSL or the Presidential spokesman Bandula Jayasekera can claim that these photographs were manufactured by the LTTE propaganda, because there is irrevocable evidence that it originated from the high official of the MOD- Ministry of Defense, and also a subsequent confession, after an initial denial. These photographs will be published via a documentary on Sri Lanka about the last days of the battle in the Vanni in the near future.
When the attorney provided the photographs to the “Independent” in London there has been already two positive results. A father in Vanni who thought his son died during the battle, is overjoyed that his son was last seen alive in captivity on the 6th of April 2009, though handcuffed like animals to the bus seat inside the bus together with other teenagers, both males and females.
After 3 years this is the first time he had any news that his son could be returned home soon despite the fact the army and the MOD had denied the surrender or capture of his teenage son born in 1990. Why such denials by the army is worrisome for the human rights activist worldwide due to the suspicion whether this teenager could be one of the thousands of Tamils who were summarily executed or one of the 146,769 described as dead or missing when Bishop of Mannar Rajappu testified to the Silva Commission. (aka LLRC).
The father of this boy (right) contacted the London attorney and was interviewed on tape by a media consultants and there is on record in Tamil via YouTube
This boy was not a combatant but part of the medical unit of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. (LTTE). (Like doctors, nurses and technicians). It is rather surprising that the MOD had resorted to such serious violations of the Geneva Conventions on Prisoners of War, by not permitting the information of a unarmed non combatant POW to the ICRC, SLRC, UNHRC, UN, LLRC or their parents, which is a heartless act. Now that there is a name, face, date of birth, and other details the onus also shifts right on to the head of the MOD, Presidential sibling Gotabaya Rajapakse, the remaining army commanders in service and also Sri Lankan diplomat in the UN Maj. General Shavendra De Silva, whose photographs also appears in a short video of this soldier, among the 32 videos that are available.
The father of this boy contacted the London attorney and was interviewed on tape by a media consultants and there is on record in Tamil via YouTube* .
The English translation/transcripts would be published by the solicitors office.
The challenge for the GOSL is to now confirm that the this teenager (now 22 years) as well as all those other teenagers and youth in the photographs and video who were captured alive or with minor injuries on the 5th of April 2009, are still alive and not brutally murdered. If they are alive why they have not been released after the 3 years, after the so called rehabilitation which also included some song, dance, drama and other cultural training.
Haven’t they had enough drama in their life that they need to enter into some GOSL/Army sponsored therapeutic drama training, where some of the activities are supervised by the co-founder of the TGTE, KP?
The GOSL should take this matter seriously and expeditiously, as failing to do so would certainly constitute “War Crimes”, and murder of Tamil civilians and POW. Just gone missing would not be an internationally accepted answer when this matter is already a part of the UN and US investigation in addition to other Human Rights Organizations such as HRW, AI, and ICG. There is also command and responsibility issues where it possibly could go as high as the commander of the Army, General Fonseka, and Defense Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse notwithstanding that President Rajapakse is the Minister of Defense and Commander in Chief. Incidentally, the first two being US residents and citizens come fully under US jurisdictions and laws, and their is no necessity for the US State Dept., DHS, or DOJ to be dancing around UN and UNHRC regulations and delay tactics on war crimes and crimes against humanity violations. The serious question is do the US and the Tamils really want to take action or just only making empty threats for the past 3 years.
Furthermore, as per the photographs there are 2 Sinhala female soldiers who are clearly identified although the names are still under the process of verification, and one of them is also identified as the photographer. Another video in the possession of the attorney shows that she is building a new home in 2009, from the ill gotten loot in the Vanni from the hundreds of thousands of Tamil prisoners and dead civilians. All valuables and belongings were confiscated from the Tamil civilians. These soldiers are easily identifiable and traceable and the former army commander Fonseka can also provide the necessary assistance of the soldiers under his command either directly or through other officers.
There is also another lady from Europe who has identified one of the POW’s as her close relative. Further investigations and testimony is underway, and the whole process is to ensure that all are hopefully still alive, and would be released soon to their parents. That would also save the military officials and other higher up’s of war crimes accusations as far as these Tamil Youth are concerned.
*The father of this boy contacted the London attorney and was interviewed on tape by a media consultants and there is on record in Tamil via YouTube .
Davina / June 15, 2012
May God grant mercy over this land of ours. Its soil contains blood that did never have been spilt in such arrogant, ugly and ridiculing displays of hate. In whose hands was this ‘justice’ served? Indeed those who slay by the sword will die by it also… to think they cannot see it coming… THERE IS A GOD!
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Wuliangguobinjiu / February 19, 2013
God! The existance of god has never been the issue. Cant you see how some of the pricks live- cloak and dagger!
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GOD / June 16, 2012
Amen
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Mark Webber / June 16, 2012
Donald
As I indicated to you in many forums, you have blood on your hand on these carnages. You as one of the leading member of LTTE Die-Ass-Poo-Ra funded this futile war and made the megalith big monkey terra Velu Praba to run the war machine against SL Governments for last 30 odd years. You armed these young sons and daughters of the land and clad them with cyanide pills around their necks and forced them to the war fronts while your own effluent kids enjoying comfy life and educating for good future in western world.
Who sacrificed lives in this futile war? Not your own kids but poor farmers’ sons and daughters on the land whether they are Sinhalese or Tamils or whatever. Now do not point your finger at one party ie. Sri Lankan forces. Remember the other three fingers are pointing at you for injustices you contributed to our motherland.
DO not act like a saint man. If there is a tribunal of the war crime in Sri Lankan Terrorist issue, I would like to see you in the cage too for the contributions that you made over last 30 odd years. Undoubtedly you should be responsible as every Sri Lankan know your colours.
I hope CT editor should publish this comment.
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gamini / June 16, 2012
Mark, are your hands free of blood of these people killed? Like you said in a comment elsewhere, when you point a finger at others, there are three fingers pointing at you mate. So you are also guilty and have blood on your hands. Unless you have only one finger as the others have got blown off making hand bombs for the JVP like Victor Ivan’s.
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Mark Webber / June 16, 2012
Kamini
I am not sure you get the picture well here Kamini. I am not sure you have actively involving in collection of funds for blood sucking LTTE terrorists. [Edited out]
When it comes to me, I am pretty sure I have never done anything on the above lines. Can you tell me how could a poor man like me fund a war?
Dear Mark,
Please provide credible sources for your claim re the writer.
CT
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / June 23, 2012
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/
You should contact Donald for that information.
CT
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Mark Webber / June 16, 2012
Kamini
The second point about pointing fingers at others you indicated in your response.
If you do not know what to do with your finger(if you have one resulting setting up bombs in public places in SL), there is one hole left for you, Insert there as it is very reachable for you rather than pointing at SL forces.
People like you (LTTE terra supporters,) that is all you could do at this stage. You know which hole I mean? Heh
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gamini / June 18, 2012
It is not surprising unable to sustain an argument rationally, individuals as Mark Webber and Kapila Kahapola who advocates State Terrorism not only exhibits euphoria seeing the above pictures of massacre, but even resort to using filth in their defence. The State not only have massacred the above, but also scores of innocent civilians who have been critical have been killed after being abducted in white vans.
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Kapila Kahapola, UAE / June 16, 2012
Dear MW,
I Can Not Agree More with U & In Fact I was About to Write the Same & U’ve Put it Better Than How I’d have Put it Here !!! SALUTE !!!
Didn’t U Guys Notice Recently, This Freaking Donald Chap Pee on the Pants When Someone Accuse Him as Another War Criminal ??? This Freaking Chap Want the World to See Him as Next St. Peter !!!
In Fact I’d Say Poor Tamils in North & East of SL were Mostly Forced to Join pussy-tigers & One Must Remember that They Hardly had Any other Option. It was Cunning Souls Like this Very Chap, Who Helped pussy-tigers to Kill its Own People by Funding it for More than 3 Decades !!!
[Edited out]
Part of this comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/
In short:
• If you act with maturity and consideration for other users, you should have no problems.
• Don’t be unpleasant. Demonstrate and share the intelligence, wisdom and humour we know you possess.
• Take some responsibility for the quality of the conversations in which you’re participating. Help make this an intelligent place for discussion and it will be.
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Saroja / June 16, 2012
Salute to the soldiers who are willing to expose the all crimes of the war without witnesses. The community for justice, irrespective of ethnicity, should support any way and every way possible to safeguard the individuals who came forward to uphold justice and break away from the culture of impunity. These are the candidates for truth and reconciliation and bringing the culprits to the books for continuing with the genocide of the Tamils. No doubt the killings and rapes will continue if these men and women responsible for such mindset are continue to carry arms and force their way us. Until such system is available the government should not allow these soldiers out of camp. Unfortunately from top to bottom everyone in the state force is equally culpable of such crime if not definitively upholding the culture of impunity. This reason alone justifies the demand of Tamils to treat them as occupied force and to leave their land.
Why Tamils do not raise against the atrocities and focus on the campaign for justice much more including the host community?
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Kapila Kahapola, UAE / June 16, 2012
How Ever for a Change How About Dad of This Kid Start His Story by Saying How His Innocent Kid was Forcibly Kidnapped by pussy-tigers & how They Took Away His Loved Boy Against the will of Parents ???
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Mark Webber / June 16, 2012
Saroja
Although I feel for these countless young lives I am lost in comment.
What are you trying to say here?
I will modify one of my previous comments to refresh your selected memory
“What you are telling us now that LTTE monkey buggers in the clips went for fishing in dark green (army) uniform with their AK47 fishing rods and SL forces shot for these innocent kids for no reason. Wake up woman!!!!!!
Do you think people believe your fairy tales? It appears that you really think that readers are “Konde Bandapu Gamaralas. Go and get a job!!”
These kids are trained by your beloved mega-terra leader Fat Praba and his monkey commanders.
Remember SL forces were fighting a war against bold sucking terrorists and these kids are puppets and fauns of people like Donald Gnanakone et al (ie. LTTE Die-Ass-Poo-Ra).These people have funded the futile war.
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Thalaivar / June 16, 2012
If the other partner in this war was a powerful country that was well aligned with the west, Donald Ghanakohn should be in jail for life.
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mani / June 17, 2012
It sad that world did not understand. The Singhalease join the arm forces for raping Tamils both women and men and looting Tamil property. They are barbarians should be left in hell to die as Buddha said. There judgement day is not far!
The lamb that burn brightly will burn it self out very soon. Let us pray to Buddha to punish them and take them to hell. The heaven is for those who sacrifice there life for protecting the oppressed the soles of the peoples whose bodies are in this pictures and let the one who done this and ordered for this will rot in hell.
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Snowdon Asange / November 6, 2013
the LAMB which gets roasted tastes nicer… yumm yummm :P
lol @ soles?
Irrespective of who did it and for what..ALL those who gave orders to KILL should rot in hell…not just the army and the top officers.. Also Prabaharan,Karuna, Pillayan, Anton Balasingham, Adele, Rudrakumar, Daya Master, Thamilini and the foot soldiers….
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Punchinilame / June 17, 2012
The facts as presented may sound as fairy tales to GOSL as they must
prepare for Hauge sooner than later. Quar reling as to why the diaspora funded VP is of no use, as I think even the Sinhalese community would have done the same if they were placed in such dire situation?
The evidence will be stolen with all the means at GOSLs disposal, be it
in UK or elsewhere, as the first attempt to deny it (evidence).
The usual comments as to similar things happen in Iraq,Afgahnistan etc.
and it is OK too, does not hold water, as no such evidence has been
adduced as with the SL w-w-w and therefore has to be dealt with. The
blunt preliminary denial by any GOSL spokesman causes concern in all
such matters.
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Kana / June 17, 2012
What do you expect from the sons of Lion(Human flesh eaters). They are the living “Barberians” in this 21st century.When you see their comments, you can relize their mentality and the way they exposed the bodies of dead humans.Very soon they will relize their mistakes.
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chilling fields / June 17, 2012
For the barbaric minded war mongers TRUTH HURTS ALWAYS. We’ll wait and see .
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Rani / June 18, 2012
It is very important to realise there are nice people among both Tamils and Sinhalese. We are all citizens of Sri Lanka and everybody should be treated equally.
We dont have to dwell deep in to our past history and try to proove unwanted historical information.
Religion and language are man made differences and are secondary to love which we should have for all beings on this planet. Religion and language only add richness to culture. To kill for religion is mere madness.
Politicians are generally power hungry and we can’t blame them. Power is hard to abandon once we get the taste for it. It transforms people to stoop down to heinous acts in order to keep their power.
This is what happened in Sri Lanka like anywhere else in the world.
We Sri Lankans should learn to think the way Buddha has taught us to do
instead of erecting temples for him in Tamil ancestral lands.
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Mahesh Fernando from CA USA / June 18, 2012
The GOSL,its citizens, and security forces were subjected to 35+years of annihilation by LTTE consisting of Tamils. When tables turned the other way the opressed became violent and end result is destruction + revenge. This is a natural process. Some called this “collateral damage”, while others called this “war crimes”. Either both parties have to lick their wounds or compensate each other. A question arises here. Why should GOSL pay compensation or take responsibility for a war, which was started by LTTE?
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Patta Pal / June 18, 2012
I believe these pictures to be accurate, I wish the LTTE actrocities photos would be shown alongside to really balance the story, and I believe that sickening acts were performed both by the LTTE and SL Army during this brutal war. The war was not a traditional one that the Geneva Conventions were designed for. So let us not get too carried away with Hague and War Crimes as the biggest criminal who continued this war when they could have had peace are long dead, (aka Prabarakan)
Almost every village in Sri Lanka contains graves of Soldiers, Airman and Sea Man killed in battle or as a result of LTTE bombings. Anyone could have been blown up even myself.
If the SL govt. deny any of this on their part, let us just state boldly that BOTH sides were equally to blame, and as the SL Govt. was a legitimate army, they are held to a HIGHER standard than the LTTE.
In that respect they failed, as their recruits were not professionals, but young poor kids who only joined the Army as the option was hunger. So they were indulging in their sick fantasies just as much as ragging in SL universities indulge in the same.
There are thousands more of those mobile videos all around the country.
Let us get over this and try and to repair the damage. It is not a Tamil v Sinhala thing it is just one terrorist group against the SL forces, just as the JVP was and the heinous crimes were no different.
The Tamil people have no special rights in this, everyone suffered. It is what happens when the ones with the guns do not know how to use it to kill enemy, and just kill civilians.
Let us move on. Just damn the Rajapakses as murderers on a world forum if you want and go about assisting the living. The prisoners, the civilians, widows and the disabled. Nothing is done by the mighty LTTE Diaspora to help the victims. It is ironically the Sinhala based charities and the Govt. of Sri Lanka that is doing any of the help, with some assistance from overseas NGOs.
Please do something to help the victims, don’t just lay blame and talk to make you feel better.
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jay gunasekara. / June 18, 2012
THESE PICTURES ARE GRUESOME AND LOOK AUTHENTIC,THE HORRORS OF BATTLE OF PENT UP RAGE AND HATE. IT WILL BE GOOD TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND BE DEALT WITH RATHER THAN DENYING AND BURYING THE HEAD IN THE SAND.THE SAME KIND OF BRUTALITY WAS UNLEASHED ON THE JVP AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS SO MEEK AND COMPLIANT SUCCESSIVE GOVTS HAVE JUST RIDDEN ROUGH SHOD NOT GIVING A DAMN.
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Piranha / June 18, 2012
People who write comments on this article should remember Rajapaksa’s famous words:
“Our troops went to war with a gun in one hand and the human rights charter in the other”
The sad thing was probably none of them were able to read the human rights charter they were carrying. Killing your enemy in war is one thing but raping, exposing dead women’s bodies for pleasure and killing surrenderees, without an iota of doubt, are war crimes . People like Mark Webber’s comments are shameful and a slur on the decent and compassionate sinhala people who are slowly waking up and realising what atrocities were committed in the war by their soldiers on their behalf.
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An / June 18, 2012
There were hundreds of times in which journalits published photos of killed ones during the almost 30 year held war in SL. So ones who would try to collect those pictures to prove what they draft is correct – today, it is easily to do so. But lanken authorities need to go through many of the references to screen whether the pics belong to the most end of the war fights.
As RW pointed out in the held discussions with BBC and all other forums, he said, thre are no acceptable evidence yet – from any sides to prove that the channel 4 videos were meeting with accuracies: those videos were doctored and the responsible failed to prove them as genuine ones. And as he reiterated – without giving proper refe specifications, anyone on this world is capable of accussing anyone using the internet spread pics, manipualtive articles easily.
And the two young LTTE soldiers in the pics above – say nothing, even in Europe there are cases, if afro or asians wihtout have proper visa being treated in comparable manner. Be these two were filed soldiers or not is irrelevant. In a brutal war situation, lanken or any other army would not treat their rebells very human. This is common to irak, cosovo, Afgan or any other civil wars.
The thing is it is very easy to manipulate even convince masses today using pics spread on MEDIA. Pics should always be attached with refe specifications respective to them.
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lanka / June 18, 2012
Piranha and others with similar sentiments who talk of human rights. Where were the human rights of those blown to bits by Suicide bombing LTTE terrorist morons for 26 years. Dead women’s bodies were not only exposed they were blown to pieces. The LTTE vermin terrorists clad in battle fatigues and their weapons supplied by supporters like you
were babes in the wood!!! SL armed forces had to eradicate this swine and it is unfortunate fact of war that co-lateral damage occurs and some civilians who supported them and others who were used as human shields also died. Hard luck, if Tamil terrorists and their supporters can’t handle war don’t try it. Crying foul now is pointless you should have done it 26 years ago. Just imagine the carnage if the LTTE terrorist maniac and his vermin had won the war! ! ! Where will the voices of the rampant Tamil Diaspora rump be? The extinction of the Sri lankan nation and a Eelam state run by despotic monster ! ! A majority ruled by a minority – Aparthied !!!!!
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Srilankan / June 18, 2012
Its time that justice prevails. All sides are responsible for this. The many Governments, the funders of the seperatist, and the seperatist. Finally its Srilanka and the “Srilankans” who have suffered. After all this 30 years of turmoil, still some safron clad extremist are again stirring the pots of “communalism” and this Governtment is a mere spectator. Brings those responsible to face Justice as Justice should prevail in “Srilanka for all Srilankans.
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genga / June 18, 2012
Please understand that no one trying to protect the LTTE and their past. The question is can a Government can they behave like this? That need to be addressed and stop blaming LTTE if you are bold enough address to the issues. Mark webber please do not bring disrepute to decent Singhala people who are shameful of what has taken place. war CRIMES need to be addressed and whoever responsible need to be punished. remember what happened to Charles Taylor time is not far to bring criminals to face justice. All must act on it all peace loving sri lankans
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / June 23, 2012
I think you are wrong, Genga. There seem to be quite a few people trying to protect the LTTE and their past. Photographs and videos are powerful propaganda tools. Why are we not being shown equally graphic photos of LTTE victims?
Also, these photos show rows of dead bodies that appear to be LTTE fighters (and possibly some civilians, too). The state of undress of the corpses has been explained, reasonably, as a protocol to defend the armed forces against the terrorist strategy of planting bombs on dead bodies. They do not show prima facie evidence of rape or necrophilia.
Donald Gnanakone paid for the American Jewish lawyer Bruce Fein to argue that the Tamils were subjected to “genocide” (before Fein defected to rival Tamil groups). A blind eye was turned, by Fein, Karen Parker and other lawyers employed by Tamil “diaspora”, to crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Tamil Tigers (and their overseas supporters). These crimes included attempted GENOCIDE. How else were they to achieve a mono-ethnic, monolingual state for Tamils – only by selectively targetting non-Tamils in the north and east of Sri Lanka for killing, plunder and terrorisation. This genocide was not just race based, but also included religious dimensions. As we all know, the Tamil Tigers also killed thousands of Tamils. Lets hear more about their crimes, Donald. You seem to have access to lots of pictures and videos.
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Donald J Gnanakone / June 23, 2012
Romesh S. You are totally wrong and barking at the wrong tree. If you say that LTTE has killed some Sinhala civilians during the 30 year civil war, you are entitled to complain to the Sinhala Buddhist President Percy Rajapakse, or the defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse, or attorney general’s dept. which is again under GR, or the Parliament -Speaker Chamal Rajapakse and so on. I am not here to do the dirty work of the Sinhala buggers who are simply lazy.
They can also complain to the Silva commission aka LLRC. Now after missing the bus there, you fellows want me to detail some thing LTTE had done, which you thing needs to be investigated or prosecuted? You are out of your damn mind if you think that I will do it.
You fellows also have KP, Karuna and Pillaiyan to complain about and ask the Police or LLRC to take action. What were you all doing all these bloody years.
Romesh, you also have got it all wrong, that Tamils For Justice hired Bruce Fein to complain about Genocide.. No in 2007, T4J was founded to lobby and canvass the USG and it’s agencies to investigate the human rights violations committed by the US citizens and residents, including the army commander who was surreptitiously trying to get a US passport via Green Card. T4J exposed it and other US citizens.
Romesh, your father Brian is one of those who sabotaged the project, which he has publicly admitted in writing with other Tamil diaspora leaders.
Romesh, I have question for you.. Can you tell me how the former President Chandrika and Sunethra is your aunties? You being a Seneviratne and your mother being a Samarakoddy, it is rather confusing not only for me, but many other Tamils.
I would suggest you should get your facts right before you write something. Would you be or other Sinhalese would be willing to file any complaint to anybody about the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the army, MOD, or the GOSL, although they have been complaining non stop about what the LTTE supposed to have done….
In fairness to your father, he is one of the few Sinhalese who complain about the HR violations, discrimination and war crimes for 30 years… that I know of. Fein and Parker are paid attorneys and they have to do what their clients ask them to do, and give good advise to them. Being hired by the Tamils, they are not there to please the desire of the Sinhalese.
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / June 23, 2012
Donald, I am not “saying that the LTTE has killed some Sinhala civilians”. I am stressing that it is common knowledge that the LTTE killed people (including children and babies) that they regarded as “Sinhalese” and “Moslem” AND ALSO KILLED THOUSANDS OF TAMIL CIVILIANS. Everyone knows this, including yourself.
I think you are wrong to focus on some wrongdoers more than others, based on the race of the perpetrators. Justice should be impartial. You are also wrong to think that I identify myself as Sinhala more than Tamil. I hold my grandfather Winslow Alagaratnam in high regard, and he was Tamil. I hold my grandmother Daisy Alagaratnam who gained a mathematics degree in India in the 1920s in high regard, as well. I am much closer to my mother, who identifies herself as Tamil, than to my father, who identifies himself as Sinhalese. I am not fluent in Sinhalese or Tamil – unlike my maternal grandparents who could speak both languages.
Most of the extended family that I have met were once sympathetic to the Tigers, some strongly so. I myself was largely unaware of the magnitude and gravity of the LTTE’s crimes until I researched the matter over the internet and by watching my father’s DVDs carefully and critically. The photographs and videos you are sharing with the world are disturbing. As a doctor, I am concerned about the effects of watching such images, for people of all ages but especially children, who are avid users of the internet.
To the Colombo Telegraph: I think the Colombo Telegraph should show restraint in publishing pictures that Donald Gnanakone himself refers to as “porn”. He calls it “Sinhala pornography” which is insulting to all Singhalese people. If fact it sounds, to me, like racial vilification.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / February 19, 2013
Donald: The last Sept 2012 Brian’s son a bounty hunter-
@Wuliangguobinji, DONT , paste blog links here, write what you want – CT
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Wuliangguobinjiu / February 19, 2013
Hey Donald: The last was Brian’s son a bounty hunter- Subsequently, I found his name on a GOSL web site called ltteagents on wordpress looking for terrorist suspects and he was giving them information in the contact-us section. he says- I have information regarding LTTE activities in the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand and Australia. I have also identified a few inaccuracies and several omissions from your list. I can provide further details regarding some who are named as LTTE agents. It is important to differentiate, though, between agents and supporters.
Thats the short and sweet version of the missing you person CT :)
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Ponniah Mahalingam / June 23, 2012
I’m still not exactly sure why the LTTE diaspora barbarians are frothing and snarling over footage of dead and captured terrorists. Desperation, I suppose.
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Leon / June 24, 2012
Romesh
If there are photographs of the atrocities committed by the Tigers, then publish them. Unfortunately those whom could have been charged were shot dead even when they came with white flags as suggested by Kohona and Nambiar.The SL Govt still has Karuna, who incidentally massacred 600 or 700 hundred policemen, and Pillayan. The Govt should charge these two individuals and let the truth come out.
A responsible Govt is held to higher standards rather than a banned Tiger organisation.
This matter as to who committed more atrocities can only be investigated
by an independent international organisation but the Govt covers itself with a fig leaf by claiming sovereignty, which is an out of date concept
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / June 24, 2012
Leon, there are many photographs and videos as well as other documentary evidence detailing the crimes and atrocities committed by the LTTE. These are already published on the internet. It’s just a matter of looking for them.
I agree that Karuna and Pillayan should be held accountable for any crimes they committed during the war. So should any member of the armed forces responsible for war crimes or crimes against humanity. But so should the overseas sponsors of the Tamil Tigers. I have a particular disdain for people who supported murder, suicide and terrorism in Sri Lanka from the safety of foreign lands.
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crazyoldmansl / November 5, 2013
I think I share your disdain not just for the monkeys abroad but for the baboons right here who support 1. The subversion of the rule of law. 2. The generation of impunity. 3. The refusal to punish all those who engage in violence against Hindus, Muslims and Christians and any other minorities. 4. The subversion of democracy and the consequent solution of political issues by the use of state armed force. 5. The opposition to and rejection of the doctrine of human rights.
As you can see the outcome will affect anyone regardless of who their grandmothers or grandfathers happen to be.
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Snowdon Asange / November 6, 2013
YEP… punish those who were involved in crime and not the parents, siblings….or even the communities… Collective punishment is a violation of human rights…
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Donald Gnanakone / June 25, 2012
It is hypocrisy to now come and say, Romesh has disdain to the those who supported murder and terrorism.. He conveniently forgets state and Sinhala terrorism which began under his grand father Philip Seniviratne’s first or second cousin – S W R D Bandaranayake. The 1958 race riots.
In that case 14 Million Sinhalese who supported State Terrorism, bombings, shelling, Killings, torture, rape and burning Tamils alive should be held responsible.
Where the hell can we put them in jail?
That is a double edged Sword Ramesh, be careful what you wish for.
Also remember Karma is a bitch.
Once again, there is no mechanism for what you are wishing and dreaming for. Tamil diaspora has no problems to deal with the law in the countries they reside. Why not you try it and see in Australia and will have mud over your face and the GOSL’s face.
They are absolute liars and cheaters for decades with NO Credibility.
By the way Salem News have published your questions and doubts in their latest article. Your father Brian won’t be happy, that you in the family is being quoted and not him. Too bad for him.
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / June 25, 2012
Why are you exuding such venom, Donald? I was not even born in 1958, and do not carry responsibility for the actions of S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, just because he was a cousin of my father’s father! My other grandfather, Winslow Alagaratnam was, as you know, a respected Tamil public servant, and head of the Irrigation Department under D.S.Senanayake. I am proud of my mother’s father, but I cannot take credit for his achievements or blame for his failings, either. I can follow his example, though, and Winslow Alagaratnam regarded himself as a Ceylonese first and a Tamil second. He did not see the Singhalese and superior or inferior to Tamils. I do think he had more faith in “development” as prescribed by the UN and IMF than has turned out to be justified, and think he was prone, like many of his class, to look down on “villagers” regardless of whether they were Tamil or Singhalese.
I cannot take responsibility for my grandparents or my parents, neither their virtues nor their vices, but I can learn from their actions and the effects of these actions as I have observed them. That, in my view is what karma is about – cause and effect. I’m not sure why you say that “Karma is a bitch”. I don’t think truth is a two-edged sword, either, unless you have something to hide.
I doubt if you understand what I am wishing and dreaming for, Donald. I wish for many things, some possible and some less possible. But if you are talking about my dream of a united Sri Lanka populated by people who are friendly with each other and speak each others languages and dialects, I am quite sure that this is more than a possibility – it is increasingly becoming the present day reality. If you are talking about my dream of a just world – you’re right, the mechanism for what I am wishing and dreaming for does not yet exist. We can all contribute to creating that mechanism, though.
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Punchi Banda / January 25, 2013
Hi, Long time no see, Where had you been all the months ?
What do you think about the impeachment against CJ Dr. Bandraranyake ?
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Wuliangguobinjiu / February 19, 2013
He was in bed with an army site looking for Tamils and their money. Why does he not send his Tamil mother to the army?
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MANO / June 25, 2012
It is the mistake of LTTE NOT TO SHOW THE SINHALESE MAJORITY WHAT THE REAL TERRORISM IS! THEN THEY WILL KNOW WHAT THE TAMILS PAIN AND MIGHT HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND! REMEMBER THAT SINGAPORE IS CREATED ON THIS TYPE OF BLOOD BATH FOR A FEW SINHALESE WE LOST MORE THAN 300,000 OF OUR KITH AND KIN. LTTE STAYED ON THE PATH OF DHARMA! SINHALESE ONLY UNDERSTAND ATTACK LIKE THAT HAPPENS IN AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN AND IRAQ. BUT BE WARNED THE NEW MOVEMENTS OF TAMILS SPRANG UP OUT OF YOUR CONTINUES OPERATION WILL NOT BE A FORGIVING ONE ! THE THRONE CAN BE ONLY REMOVED BY ANOTHER THRONE. IF YOU GIVE PAIN! YOU WILL EVENTUALLY GET A GREATER PAIN.
IF KARMA IS TRUE THAT IS WHAT THE MAJORITY IS GOING TO GET! UNLESS THEY CHANGE AND REPENT FOR THEIR SINS IN THE PAST AND DO THE RIGHT!
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walter fernando / June 25, 2012
All the comments are hitting here and there.
The Sinhala Buddhists defending their positions
the minority Tamils their positions.
THE REAL CIVIL WAR STARTED AFTER 1983.
THE TAMILS KILLED 13 SOLDIERS AND A PART OF THE SINHALA BUDDHISTS SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN POWER WENT TO TOWN.
THE RESULTS ARE WELL KNOWN. tAMILS WERE THRUST INTO THEIR OWN CARS AND ALIGHTED. EVEN THE COWS OWNED BY THE TAMILS WERE INHUMANELY SLAUGHTERED.
THE HOUSES AND SHOPS WERE LOOTED NOT TO PROTECT SRI LANKAN SINHALA BUDDHIST CULTURE, BUT TO ENRICH THEMSELVES.
FOR ONE WHOLE WEEK THERE WAS NO GOVERNMENT.
THE SINHALA BUDDHISTS AND SOME OF THE TAMILS AND MUSLIMS WHO ELECTED THIS GOVERNMENT OF JAYAWARDENA AND PREMADASA SHOULD HIDE IN SHAME.
COMMUNITIES RIOTING IS ONE THING THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING IS ANOTHER THING.
ALL OF YOU DO NOT REALIZE THAT RIOTING STARTED IN THIS COUNTRY LONG BEFORE THE LTTE WAS BORN.
BANDARANAIKE CAME WITH HIS SINHALA ONLY IN 1956. THE RIOTS STARTED IN 1958. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN 1958.
i WILL GIVE YOU ONE DOCUMENTED STORY OF HOW TWO IRRIGATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS WERE DRAWN OUT OF TWO CARS COMING DOWN FROM MINNERIYA AT ELHARA.
THEY WERE ASKED TO RECITE THE GAHATHA BY A MOB AND SINCE THEY WERE CHRISTIANS THEY WERE NOT FLUENT, THEY WERE SHOT AND THEIR BODIES BURNT.
tHE GRIEVIENCE IS THAT DURING A COURT TRIAL AFTER A FEW YEARS THE GUILTY WAS PARDONED AT THE REQUEST OF C P DE SILA WHO WAS THE MINISTER.
THEIR BONES WERE RECOVERED AND NOW BURIED IN KANATTE, BORELLA IN THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL GROUND.
PLEASE SEE THE REALITY IN THIS COUNTRY.
THIS COUNTRY WILL NEVER EVER CHANGE ITS BARBARIC UNCIVILIZED THINKING.
THERE ARE EDUCATED HONOURABLE SINHALA BUDDHISTS BUT THEY SMALL IN NUMBERS THEIR VOICES ARE DROWNED AND THREATNED, THEY ARE TOO RESPECTABLE TO INTO THIS FRAY.
THE ROGUES AMONG THE TAMILS AND MUSLIMS ARE ALSO TO BE BLAMED.
REMEMBER THIS COUNTRY WAS HANDED TO THE SINHALA BUDDHIST BY DEMOCRATIC MEANS IN 1948. THE ROGUES OF THE MINORITIES JOINED THE MAJORITY SINHALA BUDDHISTS AND PLUNDERED THIS COUNTRY.
FINALLY THE COUNTRY THAT HAS LOST.NOT THE SINHALA, TAMIL OR MUSLIMS
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Velayuthan / August 28, 2012
I must admit, this whole Genocide theory began when the LTTE and the Tamil Diaspora realized that they were losing the war. The grand plans of airports and various posts in the Civil Administration of the so called dreamland were vanishing.
Members of the diaspora who lapped up a multitude of apartments which mushroomed in Wellawatte did not know what do to do with then if the LTTE lost the war. Their investments sank.
Then comes the genocide theory.
The most ruthless terrorist organization in the world was defeated convincingly. Let’s bite the bullet Donald. As I was told, you were one of the collectors for the LTTE in the USA. If this is the case, you may be quite a rich guy, because you would have lined your pockets too.
You just use the money you have collected to pay off Channel 4 and other media organization. Leave the Govt of Sri Lanka to handled its own problems and us peace loving Tamils. Enough is enough.
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Snowdon Asange / November 6, 2013
well said… you seem to be one Tamil , who can think “outside the box”.. The Apartments owned by the LTTE diaspora have sunk in value since 209… Most are trying to sell even at a loss… but a few takers… I know of a guy who built an Apartment complex in Colpetty under the BOI project… now wanting to sell off the property at a loss..
Those who were entrusted to collect on behalf of the LTTE are super rich now… they have no place to remit the money but help themselves to luxury… These people did not have representatives as foot soldiers on ground while the WAR was going on… They were happily seated in air conditioned/ or Heat conditioned comfort in the west and ranting…. Did they NOT know… the money they sent was used to buy cyanide capsules to be worn around the neck of innocent little kids.. who were brain washed? while their kids went to top schools and lived in Luxury…
Now the Diaspora are a lil worried that their Bogus claims of Asylum could be revoked… ( Yes most ACQUIRED citizenship…NOT by birth, hence their citizenship could be revoked) and DEPORTED back home… Further MOST of em PAID human Smugglers to go to foreign countries… just like the BOAT people going to Australia…
SO to keep their status, they have to let their Governments know that SL is still not safe….
True SL has a lousy leadership who plunder the NATIONAL WEALTH, BUT BEING DIVIDED… THEY ARE THE WINNERS… all COMMUNITIES SHOULD BAND TOGETHER, FORGIVE AND FORGET… MOVE ON… FOR THE BETTERMENT OF US, THE SRI-lANKANS AND OUR GENERATIONS TO COME…
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dammika / January 25, 2013
ah…my play ground………
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M Fernando / February 19, 2013
This is more complete if you all can add the killing (by chopping like vegitables) of buddhist monks and the chopping of Aranthalawa and of course the thousands of Tamil brothers and sisters(victims of LTTE).
Most of Tamils did not want this, they were pushed by few extreamists.
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