Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah
This article aims to show that Genocide allegations made against the Rajapaksa Government are well founded and there is a major cover-up on going that must be exposed. The Indian Government (UPA) must accede to the demands of the protesting students and support an essentially Indian call for an International Genocide Probe on Sri Lanka. The UPA must come clean and reveal its own involvement in the Eelam war.
The Indian government’s (UPA’s) stubborn resistance to bringing out a strong UNHRC resolution in the 22nd session has been most disappointing. It raises questions of complicity in the mass slaughter of Eelam Tamils that require the UPA to make a full disclosure of its involvement in the Eelam War. The Indian Students’ demand for an international genocide probe is reasonable and needs inquiry. The denial of allegations of the crime of genocide against Tamils is much like the ‘holocaust denial’ against the Jews. Why can’t the UPA support an essentially Indian call for an international probe on allegations of genocide?
Millions demanding for International Genocide Probe:
When millions of Indian students, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms Jayalalithaa, the DMK leader Mr. Karunanidhi , the CPI leader D. Rajah and one of BJP’s distinguished former Foreign Ministers, Yashwant Sinha are all demanding an international investigation for genocide, it blows the mind why the UPA is showing absolute dispassion and indifference, it’s an abomination. The recent “Ruckus” reported by The Hindu, headlined as, ‘Rajya Sabha rocked by Sri Lankan Tamil issue,” shows how emotive an issue it is.
International Investigation is Precursor for Genocide charge:
Although the emphasis should be on an ” independent international investigation,” that being the precursor to an ICC (International Criminal Court) referral for prosecution of possible genocide, an Indian call for one is perfectly appropriate, coming from India, home to more than 75 million Tamils who think that the heinous crimes committed in Sri Lanka constitute genocide.India’s so called friendship with the Rajapksa government shouldn’t come before the voice of its own people.
Mrs. Sonia’ Gandhi’s statement calling the crimes “unspeakable atrocities” is persuasive in demonstrating how important it is for UPA to take suitable action. Although Mrs. Gandhi’s notable omission in not calling for an international investigation does not gel with her description of the crimes committed especially when she should know that “a credible and independent investigation” would be impossible in a Sri Lankan domestic setting.
Tamils and TGTE insist it was Genocide and says there’s ‘Prima Facie’ case:
There is no doubt that the Tamils must insist on a genocide investigation: The TGTE (Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam) has raised the issue of the crime of Genocide as integral to any investigation. ICC Prosecutor V Akayesu has stated that Genocide intent can be inferred from the scale… of atrocities,” committed.
In addition its vitally important to consider other evidence; the highly lethal weapons including chemical weapons used; the Sri Lankan government’s shelling of civilian targets such as ‘no fire zones’ and hospitals as well as the denial of food and medicines; the premeditated act of asking the UN to leave and giving very limited access to the war zone for the International Red Cross to help the injured, count the dead and provide humanitarian assistance; preventing the international media from covering the war to ensure there were no witnesses to the crimes; the deliberate misrepresentation of facts and figures to the diplomatic corps and the media to prevent a security council meeting to stop the carnage, thereby dissuading the UN Secretary General from using his powers under article 99 to call for a special security council hearing.
These would and should constitute as indisputable evidence to show genocidal acts were committed with clear genocidal intent. Sri Lanka’s stand that it followed a policy of zero civilian casualties without a drop of blood shed has now been proved to be absolutely false.
Large scale atrocities
The casualty figures and how the “staggering” numbers (according to most human rights defenders) were arrived at, provide proof of the large scale massacre that took place. The Bishop of Mannar in his submissions to the LLRC reported that according to government records maintained “by Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladaris in the Tamil provinces,” there were 146,679 ‘missing persons and that this number was based on the population figure in the Vanni before and after the war.
One cannot disregard these numbers and trivialize the enormity of the slaughter that took place.
The ‘UN Panel of Experts’ set the death toll at 40,000. The ‘UN Internal Review Panel’ said it could be more than 70,000. The findings of these two eminent UN appointed panels would give a better understanding of the botched casualty figures that came out at the height of the war and later how the Sri Lankan government tried to hide them. The facts of who was responsible for the large scale civilian deaths that occurred and how the UN failed to point out that the killings were largely caused by the government are all revealed in the reports.
Findings of the Permanent People’s Tribunal:
TGTE’s Briefing paper on Genocide made the case why an investigation into Genocide should be carried out. It cited the findings of the Permanent People’s Tribunal which was held in Dublin from 14-16 January 2010 and that of the Panel of Experts:
In its finding the Permanent People’s Tribunal stated inter alia:
“There were numerous accusations that Sri Lankan security forces were guilty of violating the Geneva Conventions on warfare and of having committed gross war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly during the last five months of the war, between January and May 2009. The charges included the bombing of civilian habitations, hospitals, and government-proclaimed ‘safety zones’ or ‘no fire zones’ by security forces, causing innumerable deaths of civilians, doctors and aid workers. Additionally, the charges also included depriving the population of essential services such as food, water, and health facilities in war zones, and other grave crimes against humanity.” (DublinReport)
“In its work the Tribunal was reminded several times that this civil war was a ‘war without witnesses’ because the GoSL had prevented either national or international media coverage. In fact, some of the early victims were the many journalists that were murdered by unknown assassins, something which appeared to serve the agenda of the Government by silencing critical opinion” (Dublin Report) – strategic elimination of observation, control public reaction
“The atrocities carried out by the military relate particularly to civilians, and there is evidence of cluster munitions being dropped by warplanes. Some witnesses reported that white phosphorous was used in violation of international law. Several witnesses had seen burn marks on wounded civilians. Others believed that indications of napalm were apparent, and evidence of other incendiary devices has been confirmed by doctors who had cared for hundreds of Tamil civilians wounded in this manner” (Dublin Report)
The People’s Tribunal also said the crime of genocide should be added to the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity:
Although the charge of genocide was not included in the inquiry requested of the Tribunal, some of the organizations and persons that gave testimony insisted that it be recognized that genocide occurred, or may have occurred, against the Tamil population inSri Lanka. There was not enough evidence presented before the Tribunal to determine that the crime of genocide be added to the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
UN Panel of Experts Report seen as a prima facie case for Genocide by TGTE:
TGTE in its arguments further quoting sections of the UN Panel of Experts Report’s said, the report actually established a prima facie case for genocide: “Even though the Panel of Experts did not state that an act(s) of genocide were committed, the facts identified by the UNSG panel, clearly constitutes a prima facie case of genocide,” the briefing paper said, listing the types of serious violations the Panel identified:.
The Panel of Experts identified five serious types of violations committed by the Government of Sri Lanka directed at the Tamil People. These are:
(i) Widespread killing of civilians largely identified as Tamil (non-combatants) through widespread shelling,
(ii) Directed shelling of hospitals and protected humanitarian sites
(iii) Intentional denial of humanitarian assistance aimed at the Tamil populations,
(iv) Human rights and Humanitarian Law violations suffered by victims and survivors of the conflict, including the use of both IDPs upon non-combatants and violence directed at Tamil groups.
(v) Human rights violations outside the conflict zone, including actions directed against the media and other critics of the Government.
Other Reports Providing Proof:
Another report that emerged, after TGTE’s initial briefing paper, by Julian Vego interviewing UN workers in the field who were asked to leave by the Sri Lankan government, found “genocidal acts” were committed by the government. The UN Internal Review Report which also came later was in itself a scathing indictment on Sri Lanka’s conduct of the war. My extensive analysis of the Panel’s findings can found here
Higher Standard of proof for Genocide:
The higher standard of proof required for Genocide including how intention could be inferred is out there in the public domain by way of satellite images, authenticated graphic video clips of massacres, graves and executions, eye witness accounts and experts’ evidence. The OHCHR report and in particular the High Commissioner, Ms Navi Pillay’s clarion call for an independent and credible international investigation into international human rights and humanitarian law violations that took place in Sri Lanka needs to be heeded. And it is the Indian government’s duty to heed the people of Tamil Nadu and not shy away from the ‘G’ word.
Definition of Genocide
The international legal definition of the crime of genocide is found in Articles II and III of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide”
Article II describes two elements of the crime of genocide:
1) the mental element, meaning the “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such”, and
2) the physical element which includes five acts described in sections a, b, c, d and e. A crime must include both elements to be called “genocide.”
Article III described five punishable forms of the crime of genocide: genocide; conspiracy, incitement, attempt and complicity.
The heinous crimes committed, also known as ‘Mass Atrocity Crimes’ in legal terms that include war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide cannot be ignored and covered up.
Senior Political and Military Leaders wouldn’t be held accountable in a domestic setting:
The senior military and political leaders including Rajapaksa himself involved in these crimes would not be held accountable in any internal commission of inquiry appointed by the President. The leaked diplomatic cables sent by US ambassador Patricia Butenis cables suggest war crimes were committed by the Sri Lankan government and that there was, “little likelihood” of anyone being held accountable. In a cable dated 15 January 2010 on the subject of war crimes accountability, the US ambassador in Colombo Patricia A. Butenis implicated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in alleged war crimes committed in the final months of the Sri Lankan Civil War.[2][3] Butenis pointed out “that responsibility for many of the alleged [war] crimes rests with the country’s senior civilian and military leadership, including President Rajapaksa and his brothers (Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa) and opposition candidate General Fonseka.[4][5] Butenis stated that only “few tentative steps” had been taken on accountability and that there was little likelihood of anyone being held accountable for the war crimes, stating “There are no examples…of a regime undertaking wholesale investigations of its own troops or senior officials for war crimes while that regime or government remained in power”.(Wikipedia)
Structural Genocide continues:
As India seeks to protect the Rajapaksa government, the TGTE is also concerned with the structural genocide that’s ongoing in the highly militarized zone of the NorthEast of the island; one that’s intended to destroy the Tamil national identity and the demographic compositions of the Tamil people in their own historical habitats.
US resolution facilitating ongoing Genocide and against Genocide Convention –Prof. Boyle:
Just at the time of writing, TamilNet has published, University of Illinois Professor, Francis Boyle’s response to the 3rd draft of the UNHRC resolution: “”By means of adopting this draft Resolution, the U.N. Human Rights Council and its Member States will thereby further whitewash and “bluewash” and facilitate and aid and abet the ongoing campaign of genocide by the GoSL against the Tamils in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention and in particular but not limited to their article 1 obligation “to prevent and to punish” genocide as well as their article 3(e) obligation that prohibits and criminalizes “complicity in genocide.”
Going back to recent history, the 1983 pogrom against Tamils orchestrated by the then Sinhala government, it self amounted to acts of genocide according to Lee Kuper in his book ‘Prevention of Genocide’ (1985). The TGTE’s is calling for an international field presence in the NorthEast as a form of ‘international protection mechanism’ against the destruction of the Tamil people as a nation of people in their traditional homeland of Tamil Eelam. Section III of the book ‘New Directions in Genocide Research edited by Adam Jones, analysed different cases of genocide which included genocide in North America, the Nazi Holocaust, the Armenian genocide and the Sri Lankan genocide.
BJP Yashwant Sinha’s Revelations on India’s Duplicity and Involvement:
The former BJP External Affairs Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha’s speech during the debate relating to the US sponsored resolution was not only most thorough, damning and revealing, it raises serious questions of complicity for which a full disclosure by UPA is in order. Mr. Sinha spoke of the policy of duplicity of the Indian government and referred to a former Defence correspondent Nithin Gokule’s illuminating book ‘Sri Lankafrom War to Peace’ which alleges “Indiawas the hidden hand behind Sri Lanka’s success (in the war).” It also exposes a channel of communication that was opened on President Rajapaksa’s advice. Indiaagreed to having “informal exchanges between a troika” formed on either side: http://www.youtube.com/embed/y1y412wIsUc
The troika composed of the National Security Advisor, the then Defence Secretary and the then Foreign Secretary on India’s side and the two brothers Gotabaya and Basil Rajapaksa and the Rajapaksa’s own Personal Secretary on the Sri Lankan side. “The Indian Navy destroyed the Sea Tigers and broke the back of the LTTE,” the author revealed, concluding that was what destroyed the LTTE.
The Government was speaking two languages one to Mr. Karunanidhi in Chennai and another to the Sri Lankan government, Mr. Sinha’ said explaining India’s shameless duplicity.
Mr. Sinha further went on to quote from a former Commander of the Indian Peace keeping Forces, Major General Ashok Mehta who in June 2009 made the allegation of Indian complicity: “we were complicit in the last phase of the offensive when a great number of civilians were killed. Having taken a decision to go along with the campaign, we went with it all the way and ignored what was happening on the ground,” he continued quoting from the book.
India must separate itself from the Rajapaksa brothers:
The Indian government must separate itself from the Rajapaska regime and should not be accused of complicity in the crimes, especially in view of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the defence Minister’s claim that unlike previous Eelam wars, this time he had kept the Indian government informed of their actions every step of the way which was the reason for their in victory. Gotabaya’s expose that India was briefed all the way was again recalled by Mr. Sinha: When explaining what was different from the Eelam war of 1987 (where India intervened to prevent the complete annihilation of the LLTE) Gotabaya on June 1st had said: “The primary problem in 1987 was that the relations between India and Sri Lanka was not managed very effectively but this time the President of Sri Lanka went out of his way to keep New Delhi briefed about all the new developments taking place in Sri Lanka (through the troika). The relations was managed through maintaining a clear communication line, at the very highest level; while other countries would mount pressure on us through diplomatic channels and economic means, only India would influence the military campaign,” he had said, Mr. Sinha reminded the Lok Sabha.
Mr. Sinha not only said India could have prevented the deaths that occurred, he also recalled the joint statement between India and Sri Lanka after the war: “not a word was mentioned about the …dreadful violations, about the atrocities committed against the Northern Tamils,” he said.
Referring to the book “Gota’s War”, Mr. Sinha said evidence showed, “despite the fact that we knew fully well what was happening in Sri Lanka, we not only kept quiet, we became complicit in the crimes against the Tamils.”
Is India engaged in a cover-up :
In view of Gotabaya’s statement it is critical for India not to be accused of complicity and to be identified with Sri Lanka in what Mr. Sinha referred to as the “butchering” of civilians”; rather it should distance it self from Sri Lanka and these allegations. If India fails to expose Sri Lanka’s crimes, India will be seen as being engaged in a massive cover-up which is as serious as the commission of the crime (see article 111 of the Genocide Convention). In fact there is a demand from the Indian people for full disclosure of India’s involvement in the war in terms of the assistance given to Sri Lanka including weapons, surveillance equipment, intelligence and personnel.
India’s foreign policy dictated by China factor, Rajapaksa using India’s “fear” to the max:
Further Mr. Yash want Sinha alluded to India’s (UPA’s) foreign policy based he said on “fear” and “helplessness” and not on “confidence”. The China factor dictated the way India’s foreign policy direction was headed and the Rajapaksa government has exploited the situation to its maximum advantage. India has shown it does not want to lose out to China, on its most favoured nation status in its dealings withSri Lanka and as its “strategic and trading partner,” that resulted in India competing with China forSri Lanka’s affections. In fact Manmohan Singh had shared this fear with Mr. Vaikho which is why Manmohan Singh has time again ignored Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s call for economic sanctions against Sri Lanka; an issue Mr. Sinha took up in the debate, which he said he himself suggested in April 2009: This showed India’s “helplessness” which he said, was not the way to make foreign policy.
Four key player’s crucial role in reversing India’s Sri Lanka policy:
In an article titled: Shivshankar Menon, Vijay Nambiar, MK Narayanan and Nirupama Menon Rao Played Crucial Role in Reversing India’s Time-tested Sri Lanka Policy, Sam Rajappa explains how Indian Sri Lanka policy changed from pro-Tamil to pro-Rajapaksa. He writes the “foundation” of that pro-Tamil policy “rested on the belief the Tamils inSri Lanka are the natural ally ofIndia while the Sinhalese are fair weather allies.”
In the article Sam Rajappa writes how the reversal happened and surmises that “India has much to answer for the atrocities Sri Lanka had committed.”: “The turnaround in India’s Sri Lanka policy was brought about by four civilian officers whose primary objective was to promote the sphere of influence of China in the Indian Ocean rim States and keep the USA out. The PMO played along with this group. The leader of this group is Shivshanker Menon who cut his teeth in the Indian Foreign Service as a junior officer in Beijing when he was bowled over by the Thoughts of Mao. He had two more postings in Beijing which helped the Chinese strengthen their ties with the Indian official. Vijay Nambiar, a 1967 batch IFS officer, is fluent in Chinese language and has worked in India’s diplomatic missions in Hong Kong and Beijingamong other palaces and developed close affinity with China. Nirupama Rao also had a stint as India’s ambassador to China before becoming external affairs secretary. The three, with former National Security Adviser MK Narayanan played a crucial role in reversing India’s time-tested Sri Lanka policy enunciated by Nehru and carried forward by Indira Gandhi.The foreign office trio and Narayanan, in the name of fighting international terrorism helped train and equip Sri Lankan armed forces to wipe out the LTTE and along with it the Tamil movement for autonomy.For the final push, Rajapaksa sought the help of Lt.-Gen. Satish Nambiar, a retired Indian Army officer. Vijay Nambiar, as adviser to the UN Secretary-General, had ensured the closing stages of the war was conducted without witnesses. India has much to answer for the atrocities Sri Lanka had committed.”
Stating the obvious Sam Rajappa explains the end result of that policy: “The Northern and theEasternProvinces, traditional homeland of the Tamils, have come under the virtual suzerainty ofChina.”
That Sri Lanka continues to blackmail India is evident by its reaction to India’s support for a US resolution. The AFP has reported from Colombo: “In seeming retaliation, Sri Lanka announced it would repossess part of a strategic oil storage depot from Indian Oil Corp. Ltd in the island nation’s northeastern port town of Trincomalee.”
Yashwant Sinha calls for impartial inquiry on Genocide:
Raising the plight of Tamils and the tragedy that occurred, he spoke of the, “triumphalism that became a state policy of Sri Lanka, one that still continues,” further listing some “points for action” that India must urge Sri Lanka to carry out: Of those, the call for an “absolutely impartial inquiry (with “outsiders involved”) into Genocide and other atrocities in the Eelam War” together with “withdrawal of the army from the Northern province,” stood out.
No Consensus on Parliamentary Resolution:
So far all signs point to the possibility that a resolution discussed in the Lok Sabha may not materialize: The latest reports from ‘The Hindu’ say the BJP is itself against passing a resolution that’s “country specific,” raising the issue of the Afzal resolution: “The BJP had pointed out earlier that if India had objected to the resolution passed on the Afzal Guru issue (in Pakistan), it would not be proper for it to pass one on Sri Lanka in Parliament.”
UPA Government’s ploy to Appease Mr. Karunanidhi:
The sudden mention of a possible resolution in the Indian parliament may be a ploy to get Mr. Karunanidhi back into the UPA government. One is still not sure if he has indeed left. What is most disconcerting in this drama that’s been played out on the world stage is the hypocrisy behind it. The UPA government which says it does not want to agree to an international investigation because it would infringe onSri Lanka’s sovereignty is now promising to pass a resolution on Sri Lankain parliament. How would that not count as an infringement is my question? It further illustrates my contention that it’s a tactic by UPA to appease their ally Mr. Karunanidhi and a charade played out by both to find some plausible means for him to return to the fold and to an otherwise weakened government. This same drama was enacted by UPA’s Minister, Chidambaram and Mr. Karunanidhi during the war at huge human cost.
At the time of writing ‘The Hindu’ reported that no consensus has so far been reached on the resolution: The “all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Wednesday evening to seek a consensus on the government’s draft resolution on Sri Lankan Tamils failed: if the text did not go far enough for the DMK and the AIADMK, the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal-United all said they were opposed to a country-specific resolution,” the paper reported.
It is no surprise that whilst the AIADMK and the DMK found the text not going far enough to include genocide and a call for an international investigation, the other parties were against UPA government’s move to appease its strong ally Mr. Karunanidhi with a promise of a resolution in the Indian parliament as a conciliatory gesture to woo it back.
Statements by John Kerry and Indian Ambassador – “Genocidal Double talk” – Professor Boyle:
Professor Boyle’s reaction to statements by US Secretary of State and by India’s Ambassador to the UN Dilip Sinha after the adoption of the US was reported by TamilNet: Professor Boyle called statements made by the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and by India’s ambassador to the U.N., Dilip Sinha, after the adoption of the US resolution on Sri Lanka in the Geneva sessions of the UNHCR, as “genocidal double-talk,” pointing out the “blatant hypocrisy” in praising a resolution that looked at Colombo to implement the recommendation of its local “truth” commission. While rights groups and Tamils demanded an “international” investigation into the killings in Mu’l’l’vaaykkaal, leaked U.S. State Department memos had earlier revealed US officials acknowledging the futility of local investigations when culpability for the war-crimes pointed at Sri Lanka’s President Rajapakse and his siblings.
UPA Government must not engage in a cover-up, a violation of the Genocide Convention. It must support an Indian call for an International Genocide Probe and come clean and reveal its involvement in the Eelam war:
Mr. Yashwant Sinha’s revelations onIndia’s involvement in the Eelam War can’t be ignored and require both an inquiry and debate in parliament. The UPA government has to come clean and reveal the full extent of its involvement in the Eelam War and answer allegations of complicity that has been laid at its feet.
The UPA should not refuse the demands of millions of Indians. The fact that the US sponsored resolution, vilely inadequate, has been passed should not mean the story ends there until the 24th UNHRC session and the 25th. What the UPA government must do is to support an essentially Indian call for an international genocide probe and make a statement to that effect to placate millions of Indians.
The higher standard of proof needed for genocide is there to be discovered; what’s needed is credible men and women in the houses of power around the world including in India and the UN to make that crucial call for an international investigation resulting in an ICC referral. Otherwise as Prof. Boyle said to ignore or “aid and abet” genocide would be a violation of article 1 of the Genocide Convention: obligation “to prevent and to punish” genocide as well as article 3(e) : obligation that prohibits and criminalizes “complicity in genocide.”
*Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah- Chair, TGTE Senate
Don Stanley / March 23, 2013
The UN and IC have given Mahinda Rajapaksa enough rope and time to hang himself with. And he has already hung himself – it remains only to see when the noose will tighten around his fat neck!
With the Balu Sena and his family MR is hanging himself as we speak and write. The wheel of justice turns slowly but surely and once regime change happens in Lanka, it will be war crimes trial and curtains for the Rajapakse family of criminal thieves of the national wealth, under the guise of Sinhala nationalism that is DESTROYING BUDDHISM IN LANKA!
All true Buddhists and the Mahanayakas should rise up against the ABUSE of Buddhism by the Rajapakse regime and its Balu sena, which has turned a non-violent religion into a Barbaric legitimation of violence for political gain and to cover up war crimes..
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Amaranth / March 23, 2013
Doubt about ropes given to MR by IC and UN. That rarely happens in post 9/11 world. They simply throw resolutions for compromise.
But what’s interesting is this write up by this so called TGTE Senate Chair, that tries to justify “genocide” in SL has no firm an d clear answer to the same issue raised in Kusal Perera’s article, posted a day earlier in CT.
Wonder if she would take the responsibility in doing so.
AS
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Don Stanley / March 23, 2013
I meant the United States of America and IC have given Mahinda Rajapaksa enough rope and time to hang himself with. And he has already hung himself – it remains only to see when the noose will tighten around his fat neck!
With the Balu Sena and his family MR is hanging himself as we speak and write. The wheel of justice turns slowly but surely and once regime change happens in Lanka, it will be war crimes trial and curtains for the Rajapakse family of criminal thieves of the national wealth, under the guise of Sinhala nationalism that is DESTROYING BUDDHISM IN LANKA!
All true Buddhists and the Mahanayakas should rise up against the ABUSE of Buddhism by the Rajapakse regime and its Balu sena, which has turned a non-violent religion into a Barbaric legitimation of violence for political gain and to cover up war crimes..
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Thangadurai sivakumaran / March 23, 2013
SEEMAN
The arrested persons all from Chennai are N Saravana Prakash, 29, from ayiram Vilakku, L Prabhakaran , 24, from Kothavalchavadi and M Srinivasan, 33, from Thiruvallikerni. They are all members of the Naam Thamizhar Katchi (We Tamil Party). The party is led by Sebastian Seemon who now calls himself Senthamizhan seeman. He is currently in Geneva, Switzerland to engage in anti-Sri Lanka lobbying.
Seeman a film director cum actor has been obnoxiously racist. He was detained in Tamil Nadu for many months for publicly threatening to kill Sinhalese in India as retaliation for Tamil Nadu fishermen being killed. He was deported from Canada some time ago for making racist remarks threatening the lives of Sinhala persons. Recently Seeman was denied entry to the USA and turned back at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York .Seeman’s movement has a leaping tiger as its symbol. His younger followers wear black tee –shirts with Prabhakaran’s portrait and describe themselves as “Karumpuligal” or black tigers. His party has thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil members from the global Tamil Diaspora. The membership fee is 100 US Dollars per year. In addition Seeman also gets hefty donations from tiger supporters abroad.
The attacks on two Buddhist priests from Sri Lanka within three days in Tamil Nadu has angered many. The deplorable attacks have been condemned – and rightly so – severely by responsible representatives of all communities in Sri Lanka The Govt has protested to the Indian Govt and also sought protection for Sri Lankans and Sri Lanka related Institutions in Tamil Nadu.
The attacks on the Buddhist priests cannot be viewed in isolation. They form part of an ongoing pattern of rowdy attacks by a racist rabble posing as Tamil nationalists. One of the earliest attacks was on Thirukumar Nadesan the well-known Sri Lankan businessman who is married to Nirupama Rajapaksa the MP from Hambantota and niece of Chamal, Mahinda, Gotabhaya and Basil Rajapaksa.
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Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
Thangadurai sivakumaran
Are Seeman and his Naam Thamizhar Katchi (We Tamil Party)supporters working for Gota and his state?
The activities of Seeman and his hooligans are aimed at enhancing Gota’s status as being the guardian of Sinhala/Buddhists and his spin as to the existence of LTTE which he continues to claim as an infinite threat to the state.
By doing what he is doing Seeman is a blessing in disguise (or is he?) for the state and his guardian Gota to tighten their grip on the people including Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims.
It seems Seeman being a stupid Tamil from Tamilnadu would do anything to prevent Justice being done to his fellow stupid Tamils in this island.
If anything he should have sent his supporters across the Palk strait and fought the Sinhala/Buddhist armed forces. He could have prevented loss of lives during and after the war.
It is not too late.
He could recruit million men, send them across Rama bridge and fight the cruel king Ravana. I am told Rama once won the war against Ravana the evil King of Lanka, with the support of his monkey brigade.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 23, 2013
Native Veddah,
In cricket, the pitch must be right to make the spin effective. The likes of Seeman, are not only spinning, but are also preparing the pitch for the GOSL to spin its doosras! It is bound to become a lethal game, unless wisdom prevails and sanity gains the upper hand.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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jansee / March 23, 2013
Dr Rajasingham:
As much as the SL regime created Prabhakaran, the Rajapakses have created scores of Seemans and others around the world. You cannot fault Seeman for the mistakes of the Rajapakses. Now the gloves are off. The Congress and the DMK were almost routed in the last state assembly elections by Seeman’s postures, and not without substance or justification. The Rajapakses lied and lied and lied and continue to lie to this day. Would you agree with me if I say that a lot of this hu ha would and could have been contained if only the cunning but stupid Rajapakses could have sat with the TNA and sorted out a viable solution, at least on what they have been promised? More revelations are going to surface in this age of science and technology and it is going to get worse but do you think the Rajapakses give a hoot? Finally, it looks like they have to be dragged by their collar to answer for their crimes.
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Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
jansee
“As much as the SL regime created Prabhakaran, the Rajapakses have created scores of Seemans and others around the world.”
You prove my point. The point being Tamils of Tamilnadu, Tamils of this island and their brethren the Sinhala/Buddhists are irredeemably stupid.
“You cannot fault Seeman for the mistakes of the Rajapakses.”
You are partly right.
You cannot fault Seeman for the mistakes of stupid Tamils in general and VP in particular.
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jansee / March 23, 2013
Native Vedda:
If you or your clan is that bright, it doesn’t seem to be translated into action. I am just wondering, if these are people are simply stupid as you claim, I haven’t seen the bright you fooling them to press home your point. May be you are still hunting in the jungles??
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 23, 2013
Jansen,
MR could have implemented unilateral solutions based on the APRC recommendations, if he was averse to talking to the TNA and / or if the TNA was averse to talking to him. He could have also appointed interim councils with high quality administrators and technocrats to manage the affairs in the north and east for five years after the war. He and his government have foolishly squandered an opportunity. I hope they can catch the bus even now. Seeman & co are a symptom of MR’s failures, on the political front.
Both the Sinhalese and Tamils are yet victims of stupid short sighted politicians.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
“high quality administrators and technocrats”
There are high quality administrators and technocrats and there are Sinhala/Buddhist administrators and technocrats.
Most of the time Sinhala/Buddhist administrators and technocrats zealously enforce land grab and Sinhala/Buddhisisation than their rulers.
Sinhala/Buddhist administrators and technocrats are curse and not blessing.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 23, 2013
Jansee,
Apologies for misspelling your name. The word program had made an auto correction and I did not notice it.
Dr.RN
/
S.Thiagarajah / March 26, 2013
You are right Doctor,when you said stupid short sighted politicians.
My experience was sinhalese are very good friends,but it is the politicians who manipulate them to go against the Tamils.Tamil problem is always used in their politics to win elections by telling a heap of lies about tamils.Now the situation has changed completely and the Two Nation solution is the only solution for attaining peace in that region.The two nations also will balance the power struggle of India and China and East and West.Two nation solution only can prevent the genocide of Tamils.
/
Periyar E. V. Ramasamy / March 23, 2013
how very nice to blame everything on Rajapakses and the Sinhalese. Its time to take responsibility. Actually it was India and Raw that created Prabhakaran and many Like him, Plot, Eros, Telo etc etc along with MGR and Karuna.. and Racist Tamil fitly like seemen were created long before the Lankan issues. It was during the formation of the DMK.. when the Anti Hindu Movement took place.. But when stupid journalist from the west releases footage Unverified but may have a truth on TV first for the awards.. And have seen many like this and they move on to another Issue in another part of the world.. and those fools cant even tell the difference between a Indian and a Tamil let alone a sinhala and Tamil..cause more of these racist fools to come out. Remember when the USA soldiers Killed Afghan civilians in their homes even children.. They asked the so called free press not to broadcast images as it would in danger US troops and diplomats.. And which the free media did..if not will be in Limbo like julian asange. which means financial asset block and discredit. And all us soldiers a under post traumatic stress when Racist anti Muslim incidents like this happen. True are credible proof and photos then show the countries who are in the UNHCR and not the Media.. As there are many many Seemans who are even worst just waiting for a excuse.
/
jansee / March 24, 2013
Hello Periyar:
It is not nice blaming the Rajapakses but the previous successive regime, and your use of the mild word nice is overtly underscored. When thousands of refugees flee across the Palk straits into India, and particularly Tamilnadu, it certainly becomes India’s problem. When politicians say that to suppress Tamils equates to garnering more votes from the Sinhalese, that is the horrific sitaution faced by the Tamils. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist that this eventually leads to pent-up frustration and anger that could eventually lead to violence. Despite all the protestations, SL is probably the worst country on earth with a record of blatant lies in its platter and the ONLY way to “teach” it lessons is it to “push” it from the outside as many now realise as the only way to pinch its skin.
SL, for its folly and recalcitrant attitude, will be dragged through the mud. For what could have been internal problem and should have been handled in a pragmatic manner, the regimes acted in ways to attract international attention and involvement. It has proved, by its stupidity and actions, that it attracts unwarranted attention. Giving promises after promises and renegading them clearly shows that it cannot be trusted and respected. In short, it is a blatant and compulsive liar. I wonder how you are surprised about foreign involvement and the appearing of LTTE if agreements entered into are unceremoniously torn up UNILATERALLY. Just that the Rajapakses have perfected this art of duplicity and deceit and have taken to a totally new high. That what essentially is a simple domestic problem to be settled with the TNA but had allowed it to fester to the extent of now foreigners poking nose into the country shows how hollow is your reverence towards these Rajapakses. Instead of taking the country to new heights, they are dragging the country into the deep pit. Surely, you would want to save your skin or are you that patriot to sink into the deep pit with the Rajapakses? Or is it a matter of a confusion and ignorance between patriotism towards the country or towards the Rajapakses?
/
Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
“unless wisdom prevails and sanity gains the upper hand.”
I said this in the past and I would reiterate:
Tamils and wisdom don’t mix.
Sinhala/Buddhism and wisdom are mutually exclusive.
Both people are insane, the difference is wafer thin, however I assure you that over a short period of time both will catch up with each other.
/
Thangadurai sivakumaran / March 23, 2013
Native.. Read the whole article.
His party has thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil members from the global Tamil Diaspora. The membership fee is 100 US Dollars per year. In addition Seeman also gets hefty donations from tiger supporters abroad.
/
Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
Thangadurai sivakumaran
“The membership fee is 100 US Dollars per year.”
I won’t even buy a second hand car from Seeman & Company.
However if Tamils are that stupid to buy whatever Seeman is selling as you say now I am seriously thinking of selling second hand cars to the Tamils.
Could you let know the best place to open my new profitable venture.
/
JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / March 23, 2013
Native,
Seemon’s party’s
“The membership fee is 100 US Dollars per year.”.
Now seemon’s party is going to sell Second hand rebellion Reconditioned by Sri lankan Thamizar Diaspora.
But no body is willing to test the Rebellion’s Accelerator and break system,
I also Agree, Of their’s Bloody STUPIDITY.
/
Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA
Could you tell jansee what you have just stated in your comment.
/
S.Thiagarajah / March 26, 2013
Sont worry we will buy if it is in running condition.But you know we have to support him till we get our Tamil Kingdom back from you all and which was taken over by you all in 1940s.
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Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
Native Veda, We diaspora Tamils Will buy the “Luxury Car” for Seeman, I thought Native Vedda don’t drive car, by the way we Tamils drive luxury car all over the world, I drive a Lexus, What do drive Pal ? Morris Minor still….Ha…
/
Native Vedda / March 24, 2013
Waran Vaithilingam
“by the way we Tamils drive luxury car all over the world,”
Keep driving your luxury cars wherever you are. Don’t return to this island and don’t bring your cars.
In fact if you really care about your brethren (including your Sinhala siblings) please take them with you.
Your other clan family should be able arrange Kallathonies for your relatives to travel to anywhere in the world, unofficially of course.
“I drive a Lexus What do drive Pal”
So do millions.
/
JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / March 25, 2013
Very Nice to hear you drive a Lexus,
But Your TamIzar Brethrens in Sri lanka Do not have even a MAADU VANDILL to go to Hospital.
And You Boasting About LEXUS, AH>>>>>
And You BaXXXXds want a piggy back on Innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka to Get Your Day Dream.
EEEELAAAMMMM?????????????.
You Vultures Are Trying to Ride On them Even without a gunny SAAKKU.
Aren’t you.?
Mahinda Jarpassa And Your Sun god VP did cheating and looting of yours country men,and ALL SRI LANKANS too.
Both got in to Sri Lankan Roulette and V P GOT it.
Because He Cheated Your Tamizar Brethrens in a very bad, insulting way.
He deserve it, but put that innocent kid also in to a boiling pit.
THOSE SINS WILL FOLLOW YOU baxxxds, SON GOD AND MAHINDA JARAPASSA for thousands lives.
Because Those Who suffered are CURSING YOU ALL EVERY DAY.
THAT CURSE WILL HOUND YOU ALL.
You are ALL Alike , SAME AS K P, PILLAIYAN KARUNA, DOUGLAS, SIDDAHRTHAN, KARUNANIDHI… LIST GOES ON.
Who Thrive on Others Blood.
/
David Blacker / April 1, 2013
If you spit in Colombo, you’ll hit a Lexus, and if you miss you’ll hit a BMW. So you’re not saying much. The Morris Minors are in Jaffna.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / March 31, 2013
Hanuman is a northerner not Southerner Ravana Native.
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Puli / March 24, 2013
Seeman is real man, hero of the Tamils. Sinhalese regime will be wiped out soon for the genocide on Tamils…
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naan thamizhan / March 26, 2013
Thangadurai Sivakumaran
True the despicable attacks on Buddhist monks must be condemned. But does it justify your betrayal of the Tamilians inspite of having a perfect Tamil Hindu name. With traitors like you among them Tamilians need no enemies.
/
Piranha / March 23, 2013
India’s duplicity during Eelam War four is well known but to what extent it was involved is now slowly coming to light. It appears that the UPA government not only provided diplomatic cover for the Rajapaksa regime in deflecting criticism of its treatment of the civilians trapped in the war zone but also continued support of the military campaign despite knowing that the SL military was killing civilians indiscriminately and in large numbers.
All the attempts India has made in diluting international criticism against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC and other fora were an attempt to protect India’s hidden hand in the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians. The UPA government will fall or will be defeated in next year’s elections and then only the truth about India’s involvement with the Rajapaksa regime in the war against the Tamil people of Sri Lanka will come out.
It is heartening to know that the people of Tamil Nadu are finally providing the support the Tamils of Sri Lanka need in this time of their need when India is continuing to provide cover to the Rajapaksa regime in its attempts to destroy the Tamil people, their property and their way of life in The North and East of Sri Lanka.
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Candidly / March 23, 2013
I guess this lady has done her best with very little evidence to go on, but the comparison of the allegations against the Sri Lankan forces with the evidence of mass murder of millions of Jews is completely unfitting. In the case of the Jewish Holocaust there were millions of dead bodies, scores of vast extermination camps and huge gas chambers, hundreds of mass graves and thousands and thousands of surviving witnesses including the perpetrators, and vast lists if names of identifiable people who had been murdered.
In the case of the allegations against the Sri Lankan government, it is true that there are the casualties that would be expected in a high intensity war where one side was hiding behind their own people and using them as human shields (with plenty of witnesses to verify this). But no bodies beyond that, no witnesses of genocide, no mass graves, and no vast lists of names of missing people.
As for the evidence from the Darusman and Petrie reports there are only so-called “credible estimates” from unnamed people. Why did the authors of these reports not tell the public who these unnamed people are? How can estimates be credible if they come only from anonymous sources? The suspicion is that it is because the authors of the estimates do not, in fact, exist. There can be no plausible case for a genocide investigation until there is credible evidence from credible witnesses. Despite 4 years elapsing since the end of the war, nothing approaching credible evidence of genocide has emerged. Guesswork from disgruntled former UN and BBC employees and tricks with unreliable statistics does not provide prima facie evidence to justify any further investigation.
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Candidly / March 23, 2013
In the last paragraph, second line, the phase should read ‘so-called “credible sources” who are not identified’, not ‘so-called “credible estimates” from unnamed people’.
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Piranha / March 23, 2013
” In the case of the Jewish Holocaust there were millions of dead bodies”
Well, well, well…
The SL military barred anybody from entering the eastern Vanni for over one year in order to get rid of the bodies of the thousands of civilians murdered by them and to eliminate other evidence of the massacres. The evidence is there in the trophy photos and videos your forces. They are all over the internet if you want to see them my friend.
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Miss Doom / March 23, 2013
Yes..as you state,the war was concluded without witnesses.
The dead bodies were obviously disposed of in the same way.
Credible investigations called for into war crimes must now be
conducted without further delay as there is a possibility and
and fear that the remaining witnesses -the family members of
the victims, and others including the members of the military
who took the war trophies ,the doctors who worked in the war
zone etc. who may come forward, may be ” removed” by the
interested parties.If this is not done this evidence will
also be lost.
The amount of evidence available and identities of living
witnesses must be protected. Urgent action is required.
Justice and accountability can only be served if action is
taken now.
/
Valluvan V / March 24, 2013
How do you know there is no mass graves? who did investigate the war crime? who did analyse the war crime area? Are you referring to SL military investigation report which states that SL military accomplished the mission successfully according to GOSL’s “zero casualty” plan. This regime takes their time to systematically destroy the evidences.
This is the worst genocide of 21st century which was carried out in a most inhuman manner. Can you go and talk to those survivors to see what has happened ( They all are still muted, fearing of torture and death) rather than listening to those cruel dictatorship regime.
Please don’t be inhuman to justify these brutalities. Be a honest human to stay with those innocent victims, they are victims just because of their birth as Tamils in this country.
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Puli / March 24, 2013
Only a court of justice can decide whether their a case to hear or not, so GoSL headed by Mahinda R Paksa must be arrested and charged at ICC so that he can proof himself against all allegation of genocide..
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S.Thiagarajah / March 26, 2013
It is certainly similar to that of Jews.You are only talking about the war.What about the riots.Like the great Hitler walking with people and destroying the houses and killings,here also Budhist priests and politicians walked with people pointing out the tamil houses.Again there are several mass graves all over North and East.In the case of Jews,everything came to light because the place was invaded and captured,but here,those who murdered are still in power.Then how to go and identify the graves and people who have seen these.That is why we are asking for an International Commission to investigate these.So no doubt this is similar to the case of Jews.
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Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah
Do you agree with two attacks on Sinhala tourists in Tamilnadu by your stupid brethren Tamilnadu Tamils?
Are Seeman, Vaiko, Nedumaran, …..flag waving LTTE rumps working for Gota and the state?
/
Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
We Tamils are not barbarians like Sinhala Thugs, Do you know those Idiots in Tamil Nadu was arrested by TN Police? How many Sinhala Thugs were arrested by your Government since 1948, 1975,1977, 1982 , Answer is not a single one, so Please… You sounds like you are still living in the Jungles are u still ? If you are not living in Jungles did you get your first TV during “1983 Riots” Pal?
/
Native Vedda / March 24, 2013
Waran Vaithilingam
“We Tamils are not barbarians like Sinhala Thugs,”
However you Tamils are stupid like your brethren Sinhalese stupids.
/
Puli / March 24, 2013
Raja Paksa must first be arrested and charged at ICJ. He can prove his innocence at a court of justice..
/
S.Thiagarajah / March 27, 2013
They were only attacks on sinhalese tourists, not murders as happening in Sri Lanka.Native Veda,do you like people being murdered or assaulted.A Tamil tourist from Quebec who came to Sri lanka was killed with a mammotty. No inquiry,nothing.Chief Judges are being dismissed at someones pleasure.
There is no law and order in Sri lanka.Any sinhalese can kill a Tamil and get away.
/
fred / March 23, 2013
Candidly,
You are spot on. Aren’t we tired of hearing phrases like ‘credible evidence,’ ‘an official who spoke only on the basis of anonymity’, of someone ‘who did not wish to give his second name for fear of reprisals’? Very convenient cop-outs!
The Darusman panel could not conceivably present a reliable report considering the manner in which it set about its task and considering that the members of the team did not visit the island and collect evidence at first hand. If the panellists were to be cross examined in a court of law, they would cut very sorry figures. The figures the panel has quoted are NOT substantiated – just something that someone or some people have conjured up.
If you are going to hold someone responsible for alleged wrong doing, you need to provide the necessary evidence, convincing evidence – from identified sources not some mythical sources.
/
Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 23, 2013
A lot of the panel’s “evidence” came from cookie cutter forms put out by the usual LTTE websites and submitted by the butt hurt LTTE diaspora. So no wonder they claim to have similar allegations from independent ‘witnesses’ – they all submitted the same template.
/
Native Vedda / March 23, 2013
Siva Sankaran Sarma Menon
You are very helpful in the Independent Credible investigation which satisfies International Communities.
You should demand your country’s RAW, IB and other similar institutions to submit all information related to War Crimes and Crimes Humanity which were perpetrated in this island by all parties to the conflict.
/
Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
Good point, Indeed with Srilanka , India must be investigated for its Genocide. So One Rope can be used for.
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Anpu / March 23, 2013
Please write instead of posting links – CT
/
Donald J Gnanakone / March 23, 2013
If only the LTTE did not install the Rajapakses into power in 2005 none of these massacres, war crimes, crimes against humanity would have taken place. The BJP’s former foreign minister has already called for an investigations on Genocide and India’s conflicted as well as complicit role should be investigated.
Already my friends from Malaysia has filed a petition in the Supreme Court in New Delhi calling for such investigations by CBI. More details would be provided in the next 2-3 days in an article format. This case would be interesting.
/
Mango / March 23, 2013
“Should’ve, Would’ve and Could’ve” has become the standard whine.
Can you tell us what your friends have done to help the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees still living in squalor and poverty in Tamil Nadu, almost 20 years after arriving there?
I guess it’s easier to file nonsensical claims in foreign courts which have no hope of success than get on with the hard work of doing something useful, no?
/
Donald J Gnanakone / March 24, 2013
@Mango… See what happens to the Delhi court case in the Supreme Courts. It is Indian courts but they are independent of the government and congress party.
As for the Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, There are 150,000 refugees who can only be given welfare by GOI and no one else. That includes the ICRC and the 101 international NGO’s who were willing to assist for the past 30 years.
Obviously you do not understand the ground situation in Tamil Nadu and just shooting your mouth as usual.
Despite the squalor that you have described the Tamil refugees refuse to return to Sri Lanka even after the civil war ended under tragic circumstances using chemical weapons. That is one of the reasons why the IC are per suing the war crimes investigation demands. The number of dead civilians exceeds 100,000 which they cannot continue to ignore any more. It is only a matter of time when there are more specific law suits that would be filed in the US, UK and possibly elsewhere.
Tamils have waited for justice all these years and are patient enough to wait for a few more. The war criminals will be hunted for the next few decades if need be. Tamils do have the resoluteness and strength to proceed further as demonstrated in the past few years.
If the legal action is non sensical both GOI and GOSL can ignore the legal cases in supreme courts and Federal courts…. For the time being they are shivering…..
/
Mango / March 24, 2013
Dear Donald,
The situation for the Tamil refugees stuck in Toilet Nadu’s even worse than you claim.
• The Indian govt doesn’t allow UNHCR access to the camps.
• India is NOT a signatory to the Int’l Convention for Refugees, so the plight of the Sri Lankan refugees in India is not brought to the scrutiny of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees
• Four NGOs have been working with the refugees since 2006 delivering 23 welfare schemes.
No mention of any help from diaspora groups who control the LTTE’s millions. Nothing. Are you telling me that the famously super-intelligent diaspora can’t find a way around these restrictions by bribing the easily bought Indian bureaucrats?
Why aren’t you guys protesting about India’s ban on UNHCR not being allowed to operate in India ?
http://www.irinnews.org/report/96233/SRI-LANKA-Refugees-in-India-reluctant-to-return
Since you’re intent on throwing more money at lawyers (like Bruce Fein) instead of helping these poor people, just send me the money.
p.s. I see that your Eelam Casualty Generator’s been working overtime to come up with a new figure of 100,000 dead. Why not make it 150,000 or 200,000?
/
Donald J Gnanakone / March 24, 2013
@Mango. Please read the testimony that Boshop Rajappu Joseph provided to the Silva commission. One liner may I quote that 146,000 Tamils have gone missing, disappeared and dead in the last year of the war. So I am not the one who cooked up the numbers. of course I said it to the UN and on international TV on Al Jazeera in 2009 and 2010 immediately after the war as 100,000 civilian dead, and 305,000 incarcerated in concentration camps.
I admit that I did not have the exact numbers at that time. And even now such numbers are unavailable and that was the reason there was a need for international and independent investigations. I did not demand immediate prosecution but just the investigations and that too I, or the Tamil leaders in the political parties or diaspora have never objected to the LTTE being included in the independent investigations. Not a Kangaroo court like the Silva Commission in Sri Lanka.
Many Tamils have woken up many years after the massacre and TGTE itself was formed year or two later. Many of them seek name and fame and have no real track record. They claim “covert lobbying”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mggkb_3uOvY
/
Mango / March 25, 2013
Dear Donald,
Can you tell me of anything being done for the SL Tamil refugees in TN by the rich, plump, self-satisfied diaspora? If you don’t know, just tell us – there’s no need to be embarrassed. Even you must be disgusted at the sight of leading lights of the Canadian Tamil Congress stuffing their faces with canapés while the people on whose behalf they claim to fight survive on $38 per month, per family.
As for Bishop Rayappu’s casualty figures, they’re (naturally) being disputed by GoSL because of the way he’s conflated various types of censuses. Not even AI or HRW buys the 100,000+ figure.
Read the whole thing here: http://groundviews.org/2012/12/26/post-mullivaaikkaal-governance-in-sri-lanka-towards-a-totalitarian-state/
As long as calls for investigations are lead by the usual suspects (i.e. the bitterly disappointed diaspora groups and their Western human rights proxies) no SL govt will ever give in to their demands.
p.s. my offer of providing ‘human rights’ and legal consultancy to you, still stands. You’ll be pleased to know that my fees are exorbitant, but not as bad as Bruce Fein and the rest of those jackals feeding on Sri Lanka’s casualties.
/
P.B / March 24, 2013
Hello why talk of Rajapaksa why not castigate India. . For funding Terrorism
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Native Vedda / March 24, 2013
P.B says:
“Hello why talk of Rajapaksa why not castigate India.”
For bribing VP for profitably rigging ballot in the Vanni area in 2005.
Premadasa and his armed forces for funding, collaborating, arming, giving sanctuary to LTTE terrorists between 1988 and 1991.
/
JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / March 25, 2013
they don’t have reply to those questioners.
Because initially, LTTE hierarchy did the mistake and see what is end result,
A GENOCIDE AND A MISMANAGING GOVERNANCE with a Dictator and family at the Helm .
/
Park / March 23, 2013
Tamil Nadu Tamils who are protesting and demanding international investigation are not a honest bunch. Even today Tamils in Sri Lanka are divided into two groups – Ceylon Tamils and Indian Tamils. The so called Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka are actually Citizens of Sri Lanka and most of them have never even seen the colour of India as they were born in Sri Lanka. If the Tamils in India are so worried about Tamils in Sri Lanka first of all they should protest and move the Indian Government to to act to motivate SL Govt to improve the standard of living and schooling of the Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka. Even today the Indian Tamils who are really citizens of Sri Lanka are living like cattle. This does not mean that I do not want the Indians requesting equal rights for all Tamils in Sri Lanaka. But the Indians should be honest in their approach.
Further, international inquiry is not the answer. It will create communal disharmony in SL. The answer is to accept the South African offer to SL Govt and get the advice of Rev. Desmond Tutu and set up a commission similar to “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” and process all allegations of both Govt and LTTE. Even the President who ordered the killings in South Africa was not punished but his own heart punished him. This process will not commit any communal disharmony. Even if very serious actors of crime in Sri Lanka has to be punished, after a token punishment period the President of SL can use his powers and pardon them. This would be the best solution.
In order to do the above a National Government has to be appointed and the Defense Secretary has to be moved to another ministry. Its time for the President of Sri Lanka to show leadership and create a lasting legacy for himself.
/
RAJA / March 24, 2013
Your comparison of Srilankan situation with South African situation is wrong. In South Africa, reconciliation started only after justice was meted out to South Africans in the form of ending of white rule and installing black rule. In srilanka not only no justice has yet been meted out to Tamils, but also atrocities by agents of state on Tamils is still continuing. How can reconciliation start when Tamils are sad and unhappy. Still several Tamils are in jails without any charge and several Tamils are missing with government giving no answer. Secondly it should be truth and reconciliation and not lies and reconciliation as what the majority of the Sinhalese want it to be. In South Africa this process started spontaneously and in Srilanka the government and the sinhalese have to be forced to set up a truth and reconciliation commisssion. Until and unless the Sinhalese decide on a genuine desire to settle the Tamil problem, there cannot be any reconciliation.
/
S.Thiagarajah / March 27, 2013
My dear Park,how can those involved in crimes investigate their own crimes.Do you allow a man who committed murder to investigate his act of killing.Never right.The other thing is when criminals hold inquiries,no one will come to give evidence through fear.Then there will be threats.People will be frightened to go and show mass graves.That is why an International probe is needed to include Rajapkase also like the case of Sadam Hussain and others.You are talking of disharmony,already people are divided into two Nations except for a handful like Karuna,KP,Douglass and others who are hired by the Government.So the best reconciliation is the TWO NATION solution.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / March 31, 2013
Fool Lanka has always been a part of India and governed from India untill 1948. Its only a matter of time before its taken back as a sinhala buddhist state of India. Andaman and Nicobar are governed by India and where are they like the Falklands and Gibralter.
Once annexed everyone goes under the rock
Bolo Hindustan Ki Jai.
/
saradiel / March 23, 2013
Ussa:
‘Quote” Millions demanding for International Genocide Probe:
Could U kindly tell Tami Naduans to mind their business closer to their homes and engage in a toilet contruction campaign.
“Quote” International Investigation is Precursor for Genocide charge:
There were no International people involved other than the diaspora. If you desire, can have a intel probe of diaspora funding the war.
“quote” Tamils and TGTE insist it was Genocide
We are aware of TGTE. BTW who are these Tamils? Name them.
“quote” Large scale atrocities
How many Martyrs & Saints were created by the Bishop of Mannay out of suicide cardres?
“Quote” Findings of the Permanent People’s Tribunal:
Was is about engaging forcibly recruited child soldiers & Rayappu figures to cover up border villagers attrocities comitted by LTTE look pale
“Quote” UN Panel of Experts Report
Which rogues support secured by Darusmann who compiled w/o visiting SL
According to Donald.G, LTTE wanted themselves or asked themselves to be massacred. For a feed back ask Donald.
SEEMAN… has a lucrative businees and only handles US $$$ these days.You want Seeman, then throw a wad US $ 100 bills.
/
Aney Apochchi! / March 25, 2013
Saradiel:
Changing your “call sign” hasn’t succeeded in hiding your identity. Same old racist rhetoric seeking a new overcoat, eh?
“B…r off,” would be the kindest thing that could be said to someone like you!
/
Gowda / March 23, 2013
Dear Usha aunty, Look at who are the one’s who are making the comments, all are SL agents! As far a Seeman is concerned, the article on Seeman is written by DUBIOUS JEYARAJ, a known stooge of the Sinhalese who lives in Toronto, do not forget that he has been a pro-LTTE writer in the past. As far a $100 donations to Seeman, please substantiate your argument as to how you paid or where you paid. The popularity of Seeman can be seen in the defeat of Congress in 2011 elections and the future one in 2014. Start speaking the truth and work out to replace this regime, initiate an independent International investigations, don’t keep pointing out at International thugs like US and India and fall prey to China and Russia, you’ll all end up in a colony ruled by the Chinese. Best wishes for that!!!
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P.B / March 23, 2013
Madam Usha there are so many ifs . IT WAS BAD THAT KARUNANIDI GAVE PRABHAKARAN MONEY TO GO TO LEBANON AND GET TRAINED. IT WAS WRONG FOR INDIRA GANDHI TO PROVIDE TRAINING . IT WAS WRONG FOR YOUR GOVT TO DROP DHALL AND FOOD IF, ALL THESE THINGS DID NOT HAPPEN THE LTTE WOULD HAVE MADE A PROTEST, LIKE WIJEWEERA AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS AND PROBABLY NO SUCH CIVILIAN CASUALTIES OR WAR CRIMES WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. DON’t you think?
It was good that Rajapksa and co and Fonsekas finished the war. But human rights violations in the north and the rest of the country are bad. Army should be respected for winning the war. But are we going to let them run riot?
Rajapaksa is running riot , because he finished the war. So are some soldiers, robbing abductions white vans, who does all this? Soldiers. Who committed war crimes?
Let the law prevail for all citizens
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punchinilame / March 23, 2013
“Rajapaksa sought the help of Lt.-Gen. Satish Nambiar, a retired Indian Army officer. Vijay Nambiar, as adviser to the UN Secretary-General, had ensured the closing stages of the war was conducted without witnesses.”
“Shivshankar Menon, Vijay Nambiar, MK Narayanan and Nirupama Menon Rao Played Crucial Role in Reversing India’s Time-tested Sri Lanka Policy ”
A long list of important players no doubt. Is it correct that this
Satish Nambiar was a paid Defence Advisor to MR during the war-without-witnesses, and gained inside connections as he is the son-in-law of UNSG??? All will be subjected to investigation during an impartial Inquiry I guess.
The latest addition is Politician-cum-Lawyer Subramaniam Swamy who stepped for probably payment in USD via SL Embassy in US? According
to Gota he will not be able to travel to Colombo again?
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punchinilame / March 23, 2013
A correction here: Satish NAMBIYAR is not the son-in-law of Bankimoon.
Satish is VIJAY Nambiyars brother – two Indians who worked hand-in-hand
to conclude the war – ie. UN and Indian ties.
The son-in-law of Bankimoon is Sithar Chartarjee – a UN Employee who
contributes to Newspapers on LTTE affairs. He was in the IPKF raid team
which went into Jaffna University using Helicopters in 1987 and escaped
being killed, as per news emanating from the “May 17” organisation.
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gamini / March 23, 2013
If one remembers how when India signed a Nuclear treaty with the US in 2008, the communist party was to pull out of the Congress govt. and would have resulted in an early election. Therefore a vote of confidence was taken to avert such an exercise and found that the Congress had the sufficient numbers although the Communists were to vote against. Later in Lok Sabah documents relating to the transfer of Millions of US dollars to the State Bank of India was circulated to show that the US had purchased some Communist members with massive payments. It was after that even Karunanidhi’s daughter came to Sri Lanka and issued a certification of satisfaction of the MR govt in handling the IDPs. I will not put past the US trying to do the same again now as an investigation definitely will reveal the involvement of the US and the Indian govt colluding with the MR govt to massacre all the surrenderees. It is about time in the name of HUMANITY all stand up against INJUSTICE and bring the perpetrators to book and not be swayed by money.
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mohamed fazly ilyas / March 23, 2013
Your expected hopes at UNHRC is a failure. Now you are instigating the Student unions of India to achieve you ends. Assuming the average age being 20 years of these students, many of them are treading on a subject and issue which was started well before they were born or were running around playing in their shorts and skirts.
I hope saner council will prevail with the Indian Authorities to arrest this woman for instigating violence and misleading innocent students and distrupting their future.
War is not field of roses and a terrorist cannot be matched by any yardstick. Those whom you are trying to protect and also find fault at. are equally guilty, as much as you who are seated and writing on half baked and biased reports.
Peace,Hope and Understanding will take us a long way in all speres of life.
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Mango / March 23, 2013
Mohamed,
Have no fear for Mrs Sri-Skanda-Rajah’s safety. She’s more than happy to encourage others to risk their lives and limbs for the cause. She remains a long way away from facing any of the dangers she advocates for others. :)
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Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
What do u thing Canada is like Srilanka Pal? for killing more than 50 of your own Social Activist? Oh my God you and your “Mahinda Chintana”, The more you defend Rajapaksha longer you will eat “Manchoka” with “Tea” , u guys are ready?
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Mango / March 24, 2013
Waran machang,
The Canadiana are rich and smart unlike the Sinhala modayas currently ruling Sri Lanka. Haven’t you heard that the sanctimonious Canadians are threatening the Palestinians with unspecified “consequences” if they bring a case against Israel at the International Criminal Court?
http://justiceinconflict.org/2013/03/13/canada-threatens-to-undermine-the-icc/
And the same super-smart Canadians are currently walking the moral high ground against Sri Lanka’s acknowledged abuses etc.
Ha ha ha ha… :) :) :)
Just don’t tell Gota about this or he’ll be lecturing the Canadians about double standards, no?
I feel sorry for the Palestinians who don’t have ethnic vote block in Canada.
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Citizen / March 23, 2013
Mohamed,
There is nothing wrong in what Mrs.Usha Sri-Skandarajah alleged. The passing of the Resolution was a stepping stone. She has analyzed every aspect regarding India’s stand. Furthermore, what happened during the final stages of the war was pure and simple Genocide, which should be exposed. Now with the Students’ strike (which might turn out to be All India Students’ strike), it appears that the UPA government is in difficulties. It won’t be a surprise that the IPKF might walk in Sri Lanka to ensure the existence of North-East Province once again.
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punchinilame / March 23, 2013
Mrs.S.S.Rajah is more aware of the implications of the Resolution just
adopted than us mere commentators. The 1987 Indo-Ceylon Agreement is
still alive and enforceable with the promised Plus.
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mohamed fazly ilyas / March 24, 2013
Genocide. What will they call the massacre of innocent citizens of Srilanka be it tamils, sinhalese, muslims, burghers and other who lost their lives, limbs and breadwinners during the thirty years of VP and LTTE of suicide bombs, massacre of sleeping and people at prayer, the massacre of religous personnel in mosque, temples and churches etc.
why not this lady annalyse these issue by digging up the archives ( which she has ready access like many of a her colleagues of same feather).Wonder if she could come up with an unbiased report on this issue as a responsible journalist with ethics.
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sosTamils / March 23, 2013
////If only the LTTE did not install the Rajapakses into power in 2005 none of these massacres, war crimes, crimes against humanity would have taken place.====Donald J Gnanakone ///
I appreciate your note above and see your feeling
BUT there is another side for this decision
1) what Mr Donald J Gnanakone does not understand is LTTE expected this and that is what they wanted to demonstrate that there is a clear intent of genocide.
2) what Donald J Gnanakone does not understand is LTTE wanted this to happen the Rajapakse is in power then onlly WEST will take the matter onboard to bring Genocide case which is definitely coming .
I believe LTTE has done a wonderful political calculation in setting up this political game did the job of “ black tigers” .
3) if it was UNP in power same thing would have happened BUT WITHOUT any investigation any UNP would have done the same thing without problem .
if you look at Cuba before Castro the US backed state was called ” model democracy “
Mr Donald J Gnanakone politics is not that straightforward as you think.
YOUR INTENTIONS MAY BE GOOD BUT THERE IS SOMETHING LACKING IN YOUR LOGIC
What happened is LTTE used all the cards won the game forever .
I strongly believe that having logical thinking, general knowledge and emotional quotients are key elements in decision making process
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Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
Donald Ganakone is in bed with Rani.W, No wonder why he would say this, VP in his Maveerar speech just after MR was elected , he said since MR is a practical and average man who hailed from the average Sinhalese family we Tamils would him some space and time. HE did too. Don’t you guys understands the world fell into VP’s trap, VP brought the Tamil Cause from Vatikottai – Jaffna to Geneva to Genocide to Vote for Self Determination.Trust me VP’s execution results is yet to come….Stay tuned… Now MR’s families and the top army commanders life is on the line, Who is Genius and Who is Jack Ass now, Think….Donald…Think…
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Donald J Gnanakone / March 24, 2013
@Waran. VP’s thoght process and listening to bad advise was terribly flawed. Don’t you try to justify the killings of 100,000 Tamil civilians and deaths of 10,000 LTTE’ers was part of the VP’s master plan as well as Rudrakumar’s.
Only morons like you will think and write like that.
I have lost many friends among the 110,000 and not prepared to deliberately sacrifice so many deaths, rapes, injuries, torture paid and suffering of the Tamils….
You idiots might, but not me.
o
I am the only one who had the courage of my conviction to expose the 2005 blunder, and criticize the LTTE then and also privately and sometime publicly criticize the Tamil leadership post May 2009.
I am not a coward like you or unknown SOS. who the F are they which even TGTE claims they don’t know…..
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eelakkalam / March 24, 2013
we should know what happen at the end of the war is genocide. even if u are with the government , you have to accept that at least crimes against humanity. if U don’t accept that u are not a human being. the picture express torture , sexual abuse, killing and so on published are given by the army. and we have to accept that published or the truth by the visual picture are more than millionth to one. so think about what happen in the mullivaykkal. all the world help Sri Lanka to finish the war. but Sri Lanka should have done better than these countries expected. but Sri Lanka had done the worst these countries expected. that is these countries are ashamed to help Sri Lanka. pirapaakarans did not create Rajapaksa or jewarderna. these Singalese government created pirapaakarans and Seamaans. there is nothing wrong with Pirapakarans and Seamaans. singalese people are ashamed with their leaders. they have to come out with truth and give free investigation of war crime by tamil people. let them decide wheather they are with srilanka or with eelam. that will help all the community of Srilanka. otherwise it will continue forever. donot underestimate tamilnaadu student’s protest. they burn themself for the wrights. so they will take the arm against sri lankan government, even india’s government support the sri lanka. u have no idea of tamil’s power, it is in the blood where they learn the from their literature.
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Vasi Thurai / March 24, 2013
Yes, its Genocide in Sri Lanka. The article is bringing the Sri Lankan Govs darkside to light. Well done Author.
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s.santhi / March 24, 2013
////If only the LTTE did not install the Rajapakses into power in 2005 none of these massacres, war crimes, crimes against humanity would have taken place.====Donald J Gnanakone ///
I appreciate your note above and see your feeling
BUT there is another side for this decision
1) what Mr Donald J Gnanakone does not understand is that LTTE expected war/”Mulivaikkaal” and through that is what they wanted to demonstrate is that there is a clear genocidal intent .
2) What Donald J Gnanakone does not understand is that LTTE wanted Mullivaaikkaal to happen while the Rajapakse is in power , then only WEST will take the matter on-board to bring Genocide case against Srilanka which is definitely coming .
I believe LTTE has done a wonderful political calculation in setting up this political game of bringing Mahinda in power and did the job of “ black tigers” .
3) if it was UNP in power same thing would have happened BUT WITHOUT any investigation. Any UNP would have done the same thing without problem .
if you look at Cuba before Castro the US backed state was called ” model democracy ”
Mr Donald J Gnanakone politics is not that straightforward as you think.
YOUR INTENTIONS MAY BE GOOD BUT THERE IS SOMETHING LACKING IN YOUR LOGIC
What happened is LTTE used all the cards won the game forever .
I strongly believe that having logical thinking, general knowledge and emotional quotients are key elements in decision making process
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Donald J Gnanakone / March 24, 2013
Another idiotic supporter and cheer leader of the LTTE advisers blunderous decision. Obviously whoever this SOS cowards are they have no idea of Sri Lankan politics. Fools still justify LTTE’s decision and blunder to boycott the 2005 elections like those @ TGTE….
How sad!!!!
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Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
Oh Please Ganakone, If you that good how come VP did not appoint you as Advisor. Do you understand that it was “MR Chintana” brought us to this far…Under Ranil.W we would be silently and extinguishing for next 10 years, U think Ranil.W’s victory would have been good. LTTE’s being boycotting the election from Day 1, When Mamanithar Kumar Ponnambalam contested , Lets give a chance to Mamanithar Kumar Ponnampalam that was the only (Was the fist Presidential election) other than that , LTTE never approved of Presidential Executive power. You Mr.Ganakone a freedom fighter must be free to think, Sorry Pal until you get off from Ranil’s bed, u aint going to think Straight. How ever I admired immensely your Interview with CNN where you said Killing of Muslims ask Karuna Aman in MR’s caucus. That was an excellent answer I thought that was a brilliant come back , any how I like you Donald. I love your ferocity, We heard you are calling some Tamils as “Paper Tigers” , Oh yeh, did you hear the social media and Arab Spring. I hope you are still not using typewriter, Let is agree to disagree the Ranil’s Tail hahahah.
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Donald J Gnanakone / March 24, 2013
@Waran I do not cross swords with peasants, idiots and cowards like you, SOS or anyone else. It is your senators and Prime minister who are notorious from jumping from bed to bed and not me.
That is also why you contested the TGTE elections under Rudrakumar’s sarong slate sucking ……., and then could not take the heat and resigned. Ha ha ha.. What a bloody freaking coward.
The CFA was signed by VP and UNP and that was not on idiots and alcoholics advise you moron. Let Rudrakumar dare speak up and not you freaking monkeys.
The problems with LTTE advisers and theoreticians/philosophers is alcohol and “beds”/money, as well envy, jealousy and lack of self respect. I have never craved for positions, name, fame and attention like some MP’s and senators who are good at “sucking …… like you and your friends. Put the cap on if it fits and pass it around.
Here is the brilliance of Tamil lobbying of the TGTE, Tamils for Obama and TAG. lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mggkb_3uOvY
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Jeyam / March 24, 2013
Donald,
You will be eating a lot of crows my friend, so try to minimize the number of crows you will have to swallow soon. Also just to satisfy your ego and personal grudges don’t sacrifice the Tamil cause.
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Waran Vaithilingam / March 24, 2013
Please correct ” Let is” not “Let is” Can u also please place some punctuation marks, Please CT.y the way you are doing a good job. Like you guts…Keep going…even the non-tamils in canada read you guys, keep the same ideals, you will be No #1 in lanka soon.!
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Puli / March 24, 2013
Even a baby knows this is genocide, no need further elaboration, if GoSL and Raja Paksa and his regime think they are innocent of any crime, be ready to be charged and or offer yourself at ICJ to proof yourself…
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S.Thiagarajah / March 25, 2013
Usha you have brought out the truth of Genocide and of India and there blind Indian foreign policy due to Shiva Shankar Menon,Nambiar ,Narayan and others.Indians have been associating with sinhalese all these years,still they don’t seem to understand them.Even if Indian Govt. support the killings of all the Tamils,India will never get the support of Sri lanka.Sri Lanka will always be on the side of China.If India can support the independence of Tamil Ealam,it will balance the power struggle of India and China and also West and East.
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maha / March 25, 2013
Why still not letting AI, ICG, HRW and many others into North & East what is it that the SL govt fears, dont the sinhalese think along these lines, unless there is the G word – genocide that needs covering up and hushing up. UPA govt would not repent anytime soon.
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Canaga / March 25, 2013
India,s involvement was obvious from the start of the ‘Genocide’they gave all the information to SL where to drop the bombs. Prior to that the arms ships of LTTE were also bombed and all arms were lost prior to the war. Karunanidhi went to Delhi during the wAR AND RETURNED EMPTY HANDED – WHAT IS HE CRYING FOR NOW?
As long as Sonia is in charge – nothing will change to helpthe Tamils of SL. Besides, SHiv SHanker Menon – Troika and others will not change India’s attitude, towards the SL Tamils.
I had also seen in person their fight against LTTE in SL, I went on a holidy for five days and got stuck for six weeks unable to get out of SL. I saw the attrociuous coommitted then. Once Indra Gandhi was gone – that bis the end of help for us from Indi – othis is my view.
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Dr C P Thiagarajah / March 25, 2013
The Sinhalese have sowed the wind of genocide that they were planning for a long time since 1948 and therefore should be prepared for a world wind.
Sinhala genocide of Tamils in May 2009 had fully informed the world of really what happened to the the Tamils of Vanni. The BBC Chanel 4 Video “Killing fields of Sri-Lanka” by Callum Macray helped in disseminating the horror news.
Vaiko and Seeman outreached the Tamils of South India. This created a Tamil feeling among the Tamils in South India. The next Chief Minister will be a Tamil and not Telungar or Kannadar or Malayalese. The Eelam Tamils will thereafter be getting a full backing from India.
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Vichara / March 27, 2013
1. The writer admits that the Dublin Tribunal admitted that “There was not enough evidence presented before the Tribunal to determine that the crime of genocide be added to the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
This shows that the so called evidence is progressively fabricated.
2.”Botched casualty figures”
In what has been called a War without witnesses, through out the war there was one source of information which cannot be called biased towards SL Govt is the TamilNet. The TamilNet boasted of having their reporters even in the battle grounds. It was known as the voice of the Tigers. This writer downloaded every edition of Tamilnet from its Archives from 1 January 2008 to 15th of May 2009. It was found that Tamilnet reports only 198 civilian deaths throughout the country in the whole of 2008. The civilian deaths reported in 2009 are January 1168, February 878, March 1512, April 1172 and May up to the 15th of May 2669, making a total of 7597. Even if cases of double counting is taking into account the total does not amount to 9000.
(According to the report of Muralidharan Reddy of Frontline –Volume 26, Issue 12, June 06-19 2009.”The exodus of the last batch of civilians started on May 12/13 and perhaps by the night of May 15 there were no civilians left in the 1.5-square-kilometre area the Tigers were boxed into.”
The number of ‘civilian’ deaths was under 10,000 is confirmed in the next report of Tamilnet dated 20 May 2009 (at the end of the war) i.e.[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 May 2009, 04:20 GMT]
“Noting that the slow genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka accelerated to more than 10,000 killed in the last few months, far exceeding the horrors of Srebrenica, Professor Boyle in conversation with Los Angeles KPFK radio host, Michael Slate, Tuesday, accused Sri Lanka Government of bulldozing and destroying evidence of massacres in the Safety Zone while preventing access to the Red Cross and UN agencies.”
The figure of deaths mentioned by Boyle can be taken as the maximum that the Tamilnet could muster. It must be remembered that Professor Francis Boyle has be been a long time and active supporter of the Eelam project. As the legal adviser to the LTTE Diaspora he would have been privy to inside information of the actual situation in the war front. It is on record that the LTTE leaders were in constant communication with their international supporters through satellite phones. The date of the statement i.e. 20th May 2009 is also significant. He may not have had the time to inflate the figure which he did later in a few months to go up to 50,000. Even the figure of 10,000 could be considered an overstatement.
In the context of this most vicious accusation the comments of the UTHR Jaffna in their Special Report Non 32 are very relevant. UTHR is an independent body and is a strong critic of the government.
University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna); Special Report No. 32, Date of Release: 10th June 2009
“…., the civilian casualties after 19th April need careful research. Speaking of averages is meaningless and of a hidden massacre is misleading. Such an expression immediately puts the government forces in mind. We know that on the May 14th and May 17th night, the LTTE was to a large extent responsible for civilian deaths. When an organization fell apart in that manner, one section joined the civilians and escaped, another section feeling abandoned by the leadership and facing certain death from a Government that did not want to accept surrender, lost its balance and was angry with the others seeking to protect their life. We also pointed out that in giving casualty figures, the distinction between civilians, conscripts and cadres has not been clearly made.”
It is estimated that around 6200 persons of the Sri Lanka Defense Forces were killed in the war since August 2009. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8062922.stm 22 May 2009 19:45 UK. Therefore it can be concluded that with much more fire power the Defense forces would have caused many more LTTE deaths, particularly of the untrained cadres of the LTTE, which the Moon panel describes as “cannon fodder’.
The number of deaths can also be inferred from the number of grave sites. This can gleaned from the technical report by AAAS Science and Human Rights Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) which was commissioned by the Human Rights Watch and the Amnesty International in the month of May 2009, immediately after the end of the war. The report which also covers the use of artillery is accessible on the following website. http://shr.aaas.org/geotech/srilanka/srilanka.shtml’
To derive this information, AAAS analyzed multiple high- resolution satellite images of the NFZ collected by publicly accessible commercial satellites. Scenes collected from different commercial satellites from May 9, 2005 (prior to the current period of conflict), March 23, 2009, April 19, May 6 and May 10, 2009, prior to and after reportedly intense fighting in the NFZ. Finally, a scene on May 24 was analyzed to determine post-conflict conditions. A set of photographs taken during a helicopter over flight of the NFZ by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on May 22 was also used to aid imagery analysis.
It is reported that three apparent gravesites were visible within the Civilian Safety Zone, one in the southern area and two in the northern and when reviewed, a total of 1,346 likely graves are estimated to be in the imagery by May 24, 2009.
None of the reports of neither the Tamilnet nor the Moon panels mention LTTE deaths. In arriving at an honest estimate of civilian deaths caused by the SLA it is essential that firstly a clear definition of a civilian be established. An LTTE cadre in civilian dress is not a civilian. Any person engaged in the offence or defense of a military action is considered a combatant. It is also well known that LTTE cadres changed into civilian clothes when they intermingled with civilians to carry out attacks on the SLA or in order to avoid identification. The 11,000 odd LTTE cadres which surrendered with civilians to the Army in the final stages of the war were not in LTTE uniform.
How is that the parties which produce these fictitious figures do not produce the names and reference to an official source such as the electoral register,of these missing persons?.
They will not do that as their lies will be exposed. They believe that bigger the lie the probability of it being believed is higher.
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brian Senewiratne / March 30, 2013
Dear Usha
As one of your strongest supporters (which you richly deserve), permit me to comment on your ref to the ICC.
There is a problem here (which I face too). It is a legal problem.
You cannot take a country to the ICC unless:
1.the Security Council takes up the issue and votes for a prosecutor. That will not happen because China will block it
or
2 Sri Lanks ratifies the Rome Statute when pressure can be allplied to appoint a prosecutor. SL will not tatify the Rome Statute – that for sure
or
3 Even of a Prosecutor is appointed he/she will have to be bold enough with the help of the UN Sec Gen to initiate a tribunal. none of this is likely to happen.
I am pretty sure that this applies to countries ie that you can’t just drag them to the ICC. Whether it also applies to individuals in that country is the question. I am, as you know, a medical guy with no training in international law. Ihe reason why i am raising this here and not in a direct email to you, is that there could well be enough people with the necessary legal knowledge to answer this.
regards
Brian Senwiratne
Australia
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