By Rajeewa Jayaweera –
Rajeewa Jayaweera
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has recently made a strongly worded statement related to Sri Lanka’s ‘national question’ in response to questions raised by a member of the Communist Party of India.
Reiterating India’s commitment to the protection of the rights of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, Swaraj has been quoted in the Indian media stating “The anguish with which the members have raised the issue (of crimes committed during the war of 2009), the government associates itself with the same pain.” She has further stated “Our aim is to protect the interests of Tamils in Sri Lanka. You can achieve this through two means: by either doing it forcefully or through persuasion with the friendly country.” Further elaborating, the Indian External Affairs Minister has stated “As Sri Lanka’s closest neighbor, India cannot remain untouched by the developments in that country. We hope that with the sagacity and political will of its people, Sri Lanka will achieve genuine reconciliation and development”.
Swaraj’s involvement in shaping Indian foreign policy has been in the wane since her choice for Foreign Secretary, Sujatha Singh, was made to retire to make way for incumbent Foreign Secretary Dr Subramanyam Jaishankar in January 2015, the handpicked choice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From then onwards, foreign policy direction has been from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) rather than from the External Affairs Ministry. The making of Indian foreign policy is currently well entrenched in the hands of the triumvirate of Prime Minister Modi, National Security Advisor Ajith Doval and Foreign Secretary Jaishankar. India rushed Defence Minister Arun Jaitly and Doval to Colombo in November 2014 in the wake of the visit by Chinese nuclear propelled submarine ‘Changzheng 1’ accompanied by PLA Navy escort warship ‘Chang Xing Dao’ to Colombo. This time around, twice hospitalized for suspected pneumonia and Kidney failure in April and November 2016, Swaraj’s broadside may be an effort by India to make its displeasure known, in the backdrop of the unfolding Hambantota Port project and visit to Sri Lanka by Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan. India obviously cannot be overjoyed of current developments related to the Hambantota Port project. 
Meanwhile, the India Foundation, an independent research center focused on the issues, challenges and opportunities of the Indian polity, in association with the state Government of Haryana and National Investigation Agency hosted the 3rd edition of the Counter Terrorism Conference CTC 2017 from March 14 – 16, 2017 in Delhi. The theme was ‘Terrorism in the Indian Ocean Region’. The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari, addressed the inaugural session and encouraged countries in the region to unite and fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to curb and eliminate the scourge of terrorism. He added that states sponsored terrorism must be isolated by the international community. The Vice President also stated “in recent years nothing has caused greater pain, disruption and inconvenience to societies, governments and individuals than the phenomenon of terrorism.” On D 3, Indian Foreign Secretary Jaishankar chaired Plenary IV session on ‘Cooperative Mechanisms for Countering Terror in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Other dignitaries present during the inaugural session were Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe (via skype), Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal Shri Bimlendra Nidhi, Union Minister for Railways Shri Suresh Parbhu, Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, and Minister of State for External Affairs Shri M.J. Akbar.
Besides Prime Minister Wickramasinghes’s participation, Tamil National Alliance Chief and Sri Lanka’s Leader of Opposition Rajavarothiam Sampanthan participated in the event. In his address, Sampanthan stated 150,000 Tamils lost their lives and fifty percent of the Tamil population had fled the country during the three decades old conflict. Sampanthan’s theme ‘Ballot vs Bullet’ supported LTTE terrorism on the basis of a “classic instance, in which the bullet filled the void created by the failure in the process of the ballot”. He thus justified his canoodling with LTTE terrorists and his stance of the LTTE being the sole representatives of Tamil people in Sri Lanka, which tune he changed after the LTTE was defeated on May 19, 2009. Sampanthan failed to address issues such as the number of Tamil (and other) lives that could have been saved had Operation Liberation (Operation Vedamarachchi) been permitted to be completed without Indian intervention. Neither was there any mention of the number of Tamils (both LTTE and civilians) killed by the LTTE and Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) during its presence in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka for three years. Sampanthan is also aware, most of Tamil political elite were killed not by members of Sri Lankan armed forces but by LTTE terrorists.
It is indeed ironic, most Indian leaders feel compelled to take up the issue of Sri Lanka’s ‘national problem’ involving the Tamil community. Yet, its leaders do not show any inclination towards resolving the ‘Kashmir problem’ in their own backyard which has been festering since 1947. The struggle for autonomy by Kashmiri separatists and efforts by India in containing the separatists has led to India stationing over 500,000 soldiers and para military forces in Jammu & Kashmir since 1987 which it describes as a ‘disturbed area’. J&K is perhaps the most militarized region in the world. It also introduced the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in 1990. AFSPA considered as ‘draconian’ by activists, protect members of security forces from prosecution for alleged Human Rights abuses and empower security forces to search, detain and use lethal force against any person acting against the law. The much-maligned Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in force in Sri Lanka till recently does not exempt members of Sri Lankan armed forces committing acts of Human Rights abuse from prosecution. In effect, India does not display towards its own Kashmiri population, half the concern it professes for Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. India’s moral bankruptcy was highlighted when it repeatedly voted against Sri Lanka during successive UNHRC resolutions in Geneva. At the same time, it has repeatedly rejected requests from international bodies to carry out fact finding missions on Human Rights abuse in Kashmir. Interference in the fight by Tamil people in Sri Lanka for self-determination yet ignoring the fight by people of Kashmir for self-determination in India’s own backyard is sheer duplicity. Should not what’s good for the Goose not be good for the Gander? Or, does having a 1.2 million man army besides almost another 1 million reserve troops and a nuclear arsenal exclude India from practicing what it preaches?
Sushma Swaraj refers to “crimes committed during the war of 2009”, but is silent on the crimes committed by all parties including IPKF until 2008. The 300,000 Tamil civilians used by LTTE as human shields and rescued by members of Sri Lanka Armed Forces in 2009 seem to have slipped Swaraj’s memory.
Despite India’s obsession with terrorism since the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, its involvement in the housing, nurturing, training and arming of LTTE terrorists from early 1980s need no elaboration. Nevertheless, India’s long involvement with LTTE terrorism did not even warrant mention at the recently concluded Counter Terrorism Conference in Delhi. In this backdrop, the call by President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari in his inaugural session for countries in the region to unite and fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to curb and eliminate the scourge of terrorism sounds hollow. Prior to state sponsored terrorism being isolated by the international community, it would be constructive for states who sponsored terrorism to share lessons learnt from their past misdeeds with terror groups, besides pledging non-recurrence.
Sri Lankan leaders need take note of Sushma Swaraj’s statement “You can achieve this through two means: by either doing it forcefully or through persuasion with the friendly country.“ In this day and age, no civilized nation makes such open threats, even to a small and hapless neighbor. It is a thinly veiled threat. If persuasion does not work, it will be done forcefully. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan leaders, in the midst of a severe financial crisis and no tangible assistance forthcoming from the west and India, have no choice but to turn to China. The Colombo and Hambantota Port Projects no doubt is the cause for considerable worry to India. Yet, threats of ‘forceful’ methods, certainly is not the way to wean Sri Lanka away from China.
justice / April 2, 2017
Sri Lanka has been trying “to do it forcefully” since the war ended by treating the northeast as “conquered territory” by enforcing a “military regime”, and the citizens as “prisoners”.
Lands and homes are forcibly taken away to “teach a lesson”.
Some jailed during the war under the PTA are still in prison without any trial.
Occasional arrests and “rehabilitation” – a process of intimidation and brainwashing – too, are practised. Students riding motorcycles are shot dead. Torture, and rape – disguised as ‘prostitution’ are rampant.
India is aware.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2017
Dear Rajiva Jayaweera,
You are living in a cuckoo land unable to grasp realities. India considers Srilanka as its vassal state, and sovereignty of Srilanka is directly linked to India’s security concerns. This you have to put up with unless you are able to tow Srilanka far away from India’s reach.
JR tried to challenge this by touting USA and was humiliated. Mahinda tried to challenge this by prostituting with China and was humiliated. Present regime promised India that they will wean Srilanka away from China and settle Tamil problem in a fair manner, but has so far failed to keep up the pledge. India knows the tricks that Srilanka is playing feigning helplessness in both fronts. Time and space will be given to Srilanka to achieve them, but for Srilanka to assume that they could continue to hoodwink India forever and this concession will go on for a long time is foolish. The statement by the foreign minister is a timely warning to Srilanka, and to expect the Indian stand will change by the mere change of personalities is crass stupid. The best way to keep India out is to settle Tamil problem in a fair manner. Tamils have come down to accept a united Srilanka, and to consider devolution of power under a unitary state provided the power is substantial and there will be no interference from the Sinhalese, but Sinhalese do not seem to move an inch from their entrenched position of nothing for Tamils.
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Richard Kaz / April 3, 2017
Although I agree with your criticism of this article, Sir and agree that Sri Lanka has little room to manoeuvre on foreign policy because of its close proximity to India, I do not trust the Indian establishment’s commitment to resolving the ‘national question’ to the satisfaction of Tamils. Although they truly want a resolution, it is more out of wanting a stable Sri Lanka that always remains within Indian sphere of influence rather than any sympathy for the Tamil people themselves. A lot of the strong statements by the Indian establishment are made often to appease the Tamil Nadu constituents. The Indian establishment will be quite happy with a resolution that is closer to the Sinhala position (little or no devolution) than the Tamil position (significant devolution).
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 4, 2017
I agree with you that Indian establishment has no commitment to settle the problem to the satisfaction of Tamils. I was told by a Sinhala friend 27 years ago that India will never allow Srilanka to prosper by not settling the Tamil problem as this is the only leverage they have to interfere into Srilanka’s internal affairs. India feels that if Tamil problem is solved in a fair manner, both Sinhalese and Tamils will get together and tell India to go to hell. Tamil Nadu factor is a bogus ploy adopted by India to interfere in Srilanka’s affairs and not with the genuine desire about Tamils. Sinhalese are foolishly playing into the hands of Indians by not coming to a fair agreement with Tamils. Time to time you will hear such rambling by Indian ministers.
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native / April 2, 2017
Rajeewa Jayaweera
“but is silent on the crimes committed by all parties including IPKF until 2008.”
What did the state do to bring the IPKF to books? The state has been suffering from 30 years of amnesia.
Mahinda as the Human Rights Campaigner visited Geneva in the late 1980’s to betray the Sri Lankan armed forces and rulers while completely forgotting about occupying IPKF and its share of atrocities. MR couldn’t remember simply because the victims were Demelas.
Did you take the trouble to remember and remind the Sri Lankan state and its rulers to lodge a complain about IPKF?
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Eagle Eye / April 2, 2017
Give Sri Lanka to Chinese on a 99 year lease. Then we will be able to live in peace without Hindian interventions. Chinese will convert this Paradise island in to a real paradise. Go and see how Tibet has prospered under Chinese rule. If Dalai Lama was there, still large majority of Tibetans could be living in dire poverty while Lamas live in luxury exploiting the ordinary folks. If we lived under Portuguese, Dutch and British bastards for 450 years, living under Chinese for 99 years is nothing.
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Richard Kaz / April 3, 2017
You really want to live under Chinese Authoritarianism?
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2017
Eagle Eye/Dr Clean/SLCitizen/50%/33.33%/25%/etc
“Give Sri Lanka to Chinese on a 99 year lease.”
This island was ruled by foreigners for a long time. Now we know how easy it was for them to capture and rule this island.
We would have had many Eagle Eye/Dr Clean/SLCitizen/50%/33.33%/25%/etc in the past who believes and prefer neo slavery Chinese slavery to freedom and democracy.
If you love the Chinese that much I suggest you migrate to China and get the Chinese geneticists to change your DNA. Everything is possible in China including head transplant.
I wish you well.
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K A Sumanasekera / April 2, 2017
Good on you Mr Rajeeva Jayaweera.
I am relieved at least a few intelligent, educated and influential people around to expose the Vellala schemers and their UNP mates .
And try to protect Srilanka from cunning Indians, who will dominate if Dr Batalanda Ranil is allowed to the things his way.
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Native Vedda / April 2, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
“I am relieved at least a few intelligent, educated and influential people around to expose the Vellala schemers and their UNP mates .”
There is no mention about 1971 JVP terrorism and counter terrorism of the state nor the rivers of blood, tyre pyres, …….1987 and 1990.
Vellala schemers propped up JVP terror in 1971 and between 1987 and 1990. Was Rohana Wijeweera a Vellala schemer?
Perhaps your mates and Rajeewa Jayaweera have been and are suffering from selective amnesia.
How can we help you?
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Observer / April 4, 2017
“I am relieved at least a few intelligent, educated and influential people like Rajeeva Jayaweera”
Weather it is a Sinhala elite educated in Royal/Ananda, Vishaka/Devi Balika, Peradeniya/Colombo, Oxford/Cambridge, Harvard/Yale, etc or the uneducated Sinhala village coconut plucker/toddy taper, Vatti amma, or trishaw driver, there is hardly any difference when it comes to habits, attitude, behavior, and thinking. They all have the same low mentality and narrow mindedness. Sometimes I feel that the coconut pluckers are much more intelligent than these so called ‘Educated’. It is their inherent nature.
Rajeeva Jayaweera is one of the Best examples of this kind (so called ‘Educated’).
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old codger / April 2, 2017
Dear Mr. Jayaweera,
All states indulge in duplicity now and then. Sri Lanka styles itself as the repository of true Buddhism, but is unable to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama.
There is no point lamenting other people’s duplicity, therefore. States do not get up to mischief without reason.
One thing to be understood is that India will never allow an independent Tamil Eelam, because that would lead to India itself breaking up.
Is it not better to understand what their concerns are, (eg what on earth is stopping us cultivating the Tamilnadu leadership?) , swallow our misplaced pride, and adapt to survive. After all, we are next to Tamilnadu, not Hong Kong.
Like someone said, if you leave the door open, surely someone will grope your womenfolk.
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Native Vedda / April 2, 2017
old codger
“Like someone said, if you leave the door open, surely someone will grope your womenfolk.”
Actually if you don’t treat your family well strangers and neighbours will start groping your women folks, your wife, daughters, mother, mother in law, sisters, nieces, grandmas, granddaughters, maids, …..
After some time they start enjoying strangers’ company. They will ease out the man of the house.
I am not sure how well the men treat their women folks.
Any idea old codger?
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maalumiris / April 5, 2017
“strangers and neighbours will start groping your women folks, your wife, daughters, mother, mother in law, sisters, nieces, grandmas, granddaughters, maids, …..
After some time they start enjoying strangers’ company. They will ease out the man of the house.”
I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Clearly you are a person of many experiences., some of them quite sad.
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Das / April 2, 2017
China’s economy and Indian economy are different. one depends n relies on export and things r not too good in USA where as Indian economy is self reliant n da prediction is that by 2020 india will have a stronger economy. But it can go either way. You cannot trust india or USA or UK to resolve our problems. It’s important to find a just n reasonable solutions bearing in mind – whenever there is a problem Tamils r chased to Jaffna – 1950, 1980 , 1990 etc.So Tamils have to safeguard it, in da 50’s when Selva n crowd were beaten by thugs police were just watching it. JR said if I starve Tamils my Sinhalese Brothers will be happy n vote for me – these r history n no body can deny including POOMALAI n Indian ships entered Jaffna without permission n distributed. History repeats itself n both Sinhalese n Tamils have to understand da problems n find a reasonable n just a solution n otherwise da future is bleak.Also don’t forget many Sinhalese dare to sacrifice their lives to safeguard Tamils during racial riots.
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Real Siva Sankaran Sarma / April 3, 2017
Yes many Sinhalese did dare to sacrifice their lives to safe guard Tamils, just like many Germans did for the Jews during the Nazi era, however the vast overwhelming majority of the Sinhalese, like the vast overwhelming majority of Germans during the Nazi era, either turned a blind eye or actively or passively supported the Sinhalese racist politicians armed forces and police. Why do you thing all these racists get constantly elected? This is because most Sinhalese support these racists and their racist doctrine of killing and annihilating the island’s Tamil population. This Rajeewa is a very good example. Despite being higly educated, unable to reason and racist to the core. The story of most Sinhalese
We are not blind
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Richard / April 2, 2017
Dear rajeewa Jayaweera,
It is obvious your concern is for the anti Tamil policy of Sri Lanka. Likewise it is the concern of the international community, Sri Lanka not showing any sympathy for the Tamil victims suffering for the last 7 years after the end of the war. If you can extend your thinking outside of Sri Lanka will you be able to point to a Country that has not offered justice to victims of its own citizens. The rest of the world can easily see the intent of even the new good Government deliberately defying the international community. The topics you are writing about cannot distract India, or any other Country East or West from the scenes of Sri Lanka from 2009 to date. Sri Lanka was the envy of all neighboring Countries at the time of independence. Every Country in the region including India after independence worked hard to reach the standard of Ceylon then. Please learn what happened to Sri Lanka and what happened in other Countries for the last 70 years. Why is it today Sri Lanka needs to create enmity between China and India or between the West and the East? you will never learn?
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Mama Sinhalam / April 2, 2017
There are countries which can afford to be duplicitous. India and China are such countries. Sri Lanka simply is not. Mr Jayaweera thinks like a Mahawamsa man seeking equality. India has Kashmir. China has Tibet and Xinjiang. No point in saying that they violate human rights there. The US violates human rights in many parts of the world.
The issue is whether Sri Lanka can do that and get away with it. Despite all the Mahawamsa greatness, they simply cannot do that. Human rights will be used to whip them into shape not because India or the US love human rights, but because that is the way politics is played. It will no longer be possible for the Mahawamsa men to seek refuge in stupid arguments like those of Jayaweera that India violates human rights in Kashmir too. The fact is that Sri Lanka violates human rights of Tamils and thereby opens itself up to scrutiny by the Big Brother in the neighbourhood. So, it is best to avoid such scrutiny. It is easy to do that. Just release those in custody who are not legally kept there and release the lands that the army has no right to occupy.
It is a mirage that China can help. China will soon get embroiled in the South China Sea to worry about Sri Lanka. The US and India already have an unspoken alliance. China will be checkmated.
So, don’t play the China card. It is not going to matter too much except sell the place to an unscrupulous state.
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linga / April 2, 2017
Eagle Eye,
Your comments on Chinese turning Tibet a paradise or Paradise like place to live brings to my mind the famous saying of the Vietnamese freedom fighter Ho Chi min who liberated Vietnam from French colonialism ( I hope I have spelt his name correctly)” I would rather sniff French shit for a few years rather than eat Chinese shit for a thousand years.” By the way the Vietnamese being the Chinese neighbours definitely have a better idea than you about Chinese oppression.
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linga / April 2, 2017
“You fools! Don’t you realize what it means if the Chinese remain? Don’t you remember your history? The last time the Chinese came, they stayed a thousand years. The French are foreigners. They are weak. Colonialism is dying. The white man is finished in Asia. But if the Chinese stay now, they will never go. As for me, I prefer to sniff French shit for five years than to eat Chinese shit for the rest of my life.”
― Hồ Chí Minh
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Eagle Eye / April 3, 2017
Ho Chi Minh was comparing French and Chinese whereas we are comparing Chinese and Indians. As far as Sinhalese are concerned we prefer to sniff Chinese shit for 99 years than to eat Indian shit for ever. India has been the number one enemy of Sri lanka in the past and that will remain unchanged. Chinese are gentlemen and they will leave after 99 years. If Indians come under ETCA, they will never leave because Sri Lanka is a paradise for them compared to their cesspit.
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Observer / April 4, 2017
Eagle Eye
If you analyse the Sinhala race, they are 100% Indians (30% North India and 70% South India). The word ‘Sinhala’ may have its origin in Sri Lanka but the Sinhala people and their Buddhist religion are all from India. If you check your DNA, you will definitely have 70% South Indian genes and 30% North Indian.
The well-known fact is throughout history from before the arrival of Vijay to almost until the independence in 1948, immigrants from India came to Sri Lanka in many different forms such as invasions, immigration, spread of religions, trade contacts and so on. The two major religions in Sri Lanka (Buddhism and Hinduism) practiced by Sinhalese and Tamils also originated from India. The two major languages, Tamil (Dravidian) and Sinhala (Indo-Aryan) also originated or partly originated from India, and from very early times the culture of Sri Lanka has been one imposed by successive waves of Indian cultural contacts. It is naïve to argue that the Sinhalese are natives because they have a unique language (no Sinhala Nadu in India) because even your own history book says you people are immigrants from India.
It is hilarious that these Sinhala racists either do not know or pretend not to know that they are either converts or hybrids, a highly mixed North-South Indian race.
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raja / April 2, 2017
You liar Jayaeeera. Count the Tamils killed by state and state sponsored thugs and murderers in army uniform from 1956 to now. It would be more than 100o times people killed by LTTE of all communities. You state terrorists bombed a school in session on Nagar kovil? Look at the Google Map. Somebody has recorded the AFP report.
Not only Sampanthan all the Tamils look upon LTTE as freedom fighters. You racist need not tell us who our Saviours are who our murderers are . We know it well
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2017
raja
“Not only Sampanthan all the Tamils look upon LTTE as freedom fighters.”
Oh please.
I see no difference between you and the bigoted Rajeewa Jayaweera.
The LTTE like their Sinhala/Buddhist counterparts the JVP targetted and committed terrorist acts, hurt unarmed civilians. Undoubtedly Rohana, Prabaharan and Gota etc, fit the title of psychopaths.
“You racist need not tell us who our Saviours are who our murderers are . We know it well”
Who are your saviours?
PS
Saviour – a person who saves someone or something from danger or difficulty
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K.Pillai / April 2, 2017
The Rajeewa article is HLD Mahindapala-phobic less use of the magic word Vellala.
Amnesia is far more common than we think. Remember the Duminda amnesia which at one time was rated “Mother of Amnesia”. Rajeewa has forgotten it because his amnesia is still a baby.
Of course Sushma has amnesia. She has forgotten what the infamous Lankan problem is about. At the recent UNHRC meeting India could not make up her mind and so “went along with general consensus”.
The victims never forgot the suffering. Prior to the arrival of IPKF Eelam was subjected to indiscriminate bombing and shelling. IPKF was garlanded on arrival as “God Ram” sent. They were in for the “Mother of disappointments”. Jayaweera, do you remember who dislodged IPKF?
The Nanthikadal victims will never forget the May 2009 massacre. Jayaweera’s suggestion that “The 300,000 Tamil civilians used by LTTE as human shields and rescued by members of Sri Lanka Armed Forces……… ” is most insensitive – matches the GR claim that not a single civilian was killed”. The killing stopped when a twelve year old was captured, given some tidbits till the blood-thirsty “Shoot him” order came from a gloating Colombo.
Rajeewa Jayaweera moans about the human rights violation in Kashmir implying “Others do it why not we?”. What about the pogroms of 1958, 1977 and the mother of pogroms of 1983?
Probably Rajeewa cannot recall the humiliation Lankans was subjected to at the CHOGM 1983.
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Hela / April 3, 2017
“You can achieve this through two means: by either doing it forcefully or through persuasion with the friendly country.“
India continues with it’s failed policies while China continues to advance it’s interests through smarter means. India thought it could wrest control via regime change in SL. The fact that India is compelled to issue veiled threats confirms that it’s regime change project in SL has failed to yield expected results while China has adapted to the changing circumstances fairly successfully.
All the while SL is just drifting along the pull-push forces of geopolitical hegemons with no strategic thinking. So much for the much hailed brains of yahapalana junta…….
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dallas turner / April 3, 2017
I THINK THE SL GOVERNMENT SHOULD AGREE WITH THE INVESTIGATION ON THE FOLLOWING TERMS
START THE INQUIRY FROM 1980 WHEN INDIA BECAME THE FIRST SPONSOR OF TERROR IN THE WORLD.
INVESTIGATE EVERY COUNTRY,EVERY PERSON WHO WAS INVOLVED AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAR WITH ANY MEANS INCLUDING FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY..THIS SHOULD INCLUDE ALL INDIANS,WESTERNERS,AND ALL WESTERN POLITICIANS WHO SUPPORTED THE WAR BY LOBBYING AND SUPPORTING THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AGAINST A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY.SINCE INDIA WERE THE SPONSORS THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE LOSSES SL SUFFERED IN THE LAST 30 YRS.LIKE SAUDI ARABIA HAS TO APY FOR 911
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW THE UN IS GOING TO RESPOND.IF NOT SL SHOULD TAKE THEM ALL TO COURT AND SL SHOULD RECEIVE 300 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH THEY LOST !!!!.GET SOME GOOD INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS.PAY THEM 10% OF 300 BILLION WHEN THEY WIN
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2017
dallas turner
“I THINK THE SL GOVERNMENT SHOULD AGREE WITH THE INVESTIGATION ON THE FOLLOWING TERMS START THE INQUIRY FROM 1980 WHEN INDIA BECAME THE FIRST SPONSOR OF TERROR IN THE WORLD.”
You are talking bull.
Terrorism didn’t start in 1980 and war crimes were committed in 1971. Any investigation should start from 1971.
Hindia was not the first sponsor of terror in the world. There have been many other countries – please refer to world history.
“INVESTIGATE EVERY COUNTRY,EVERY PERSON WHO WAS INVOLVED AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAR WITH ANY MEANS INCLUDING FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY..THIS SHOULD INCLUDE ALL”
Of course why don’t we start the investigation within the island.
Lets start with Premadasa’s army commanders and Mahinda’s wheeler
dealers.
“GET SOME GOOD INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS.PAY THEM 10% OF 300 BILLION WHEN THEY WIN”
You should speak to Basil Rajapaksa who would be very much interested.
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old codger / April 3, 2017
NV,
Don’t give poor Dallas such a hard time.Maybe the poor kid was born in 1980.Maybe he writes English, but can’t read it. That’s why he knows only so much history.Not his fault, is it?
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romani / April 3, 2017
Mr. Dallas,
Sajit Premadasa’s father gave weapons to the LTTE. Should he be investigated too?
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Estate Labourer / April 3, 2017
Mr. R.J.,
You make the following observation:
“The 300,000 Tamil civilians used by LTTE as human shields and rescued by members of Sri Lanka Armed Forces in 2009 seem to have slipped Swaraj’s memory.”
At that time the GOSL vehemently maintained there were only about 100,000 civilians trapped in the conflict zones and sent food, medicine and other supplies for only those 100,000 persons.
According your statement it becomes clear that the Government deliberately starved 200,000 Tamil civilians and withheld from them essential supplies.
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Iqbal an Indian muslim / April 3, 2017
Eagle Eye
Let us do a reality check about your statement. You seemed to be living in a illusory world when you compare India to a cesspit, particularly when India has now become the fastest growing Major economy of the world surpassing China.
Sniffing of Shit, In today’s world Sinhalese women sniff everyone’s Shit as they work as Toilet cleaners all over the world, the dignified name for them is Sinhala housemaids. You will find millions of them in the middle east, Fareast, Europe and all over the world. Sinhala boys are genrally catering for the forigen Phidophiles aka Tourists in the beach resorts of Srilanka also sniffing and at timnes eating their shit. You seemed to have a false sense of pride of your race/ Nation nevertheless you are willing to be a slave of the Chinese for 99 years.
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Dallas Turner / April 4, 2017
Actually the training started in 1970
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Dallas Turner / April 4, 2017
IQBAL AN INDIAN MUSLIM
I agree with the statement that India is now a serious economy.In the 60’s and 70’s SL was the up there.India is now in that position at the expense of SL.They can only bully small countries,They should have messed with China and Pakistan
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old codger / April 4, 2017
Dear Dallas,
“They should have messed with China and Pakistan”
So you really were born in 1980! You don’t know who messed with Pakistan and created Bangladesh in 1971, in spite of US and Chinese threats?
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SJ / April 4, 2017
“…in spite of US and Chinese threats?”
Can you be specific?
Unhappiness, yes. Threats, I knew of none.
There was an Indo-Soviet defence agreement in place around the time.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 5, 2017
I think you are unaware of what both Chinese and USA did during the Bangladesh liberation war. As a show of strength, China massed its troops along Indo-China border and America sent its seventh fleet to Bay of Bengal. To support India, USSR massed its troops along Russia-China border. Despite all these game play, India was not deterred and went ahead to defeat Pakistan. Incidentally Srilanka under Sirimavo rule allowed Pakistani planes carrying troops from West to East Pakistan to re-fuel in Colombo.
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SJ / April 5, 2017
This much for China amassing troops anywhere:
On December 10, Nixon instructed Kissinger to ask the Chinese to move some troops toward the Indian frontier. ‘Threaten to move forces or move them, Henry, that’s what they must do now.’ China feared any action on India might attract Soviet aggression. At this, US assured China that any action taken by Soviet Union will be countered by US to protect China.
Pakistani army had somehow maintained their position and resisted Indian advancement. They believed China is preparing to open the Northern front which will slow down or completely stop the Indian advancement. In fact, the myth of Chinese activity was also communicated to Pakistan’s army to boost their moral, to keep their will to fight and hope alive. Lieutenant General A A K Niazi, the Pakistani army commander in Dhaka, was informed: “NEFA front has been activated by Chinese, although the Indians, for obvious reasons, have not announced it.” But Beijing never did.
[Source: http://www.theworldreporter.com/2011/10/1971-india-pakistan-war-role-of-russia.html%5D
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SJ / April 5, 2017
The role of US
According to the State Department historian, ‘When the fighting developed, the Nixon administration tilted toward Pakistan. The tilt involved the dispatch of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal to try to intimidate the Indian government. It also involved encouraging China to make military moves to achieve the same end, and an assurance to China that if China menaced India and the Soviet Union moved against China in support of India, the United States would protect China from the Soviet Union. China chose not to menace India, and the crisis on the subcontinent ended without a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.’
[Source: http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/26claude.htm%5D
Although the US intended to threaten India, Chinese reluctance and the Indo-Soviet agreement made it retreat, mainly to avert a US-Soviet confrontation.
Tamil nationalist fairy tales are interesting, but of little value to understand the world.
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SJ / April 5, 2017
The role of Ceylon
East Pakistan was part of Pakistan until after the war of 1971.
Military intervention by India was unlawful. (I will not go into what Indian troops did in what became Bangladesh after Pakistani forces succumbed. People in Jaffna in 1987-89 had a taste of it, but what happened in Bangladesh was worse.)
Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) did the right thing in allowing, on formal request, military aircraft of a country to refuel on its way from one part of the country to another. That was legal and proper, considering the friendly relations between the countries concerned.
Although India resented it at the time, it did not hold it against the Government of Ceylon, which did nothing explicitly hostile towards India; and later India went out of its way to please Ceylon to grant Kachchativu (the merits of which agreement I question now as then) to what became Sri Lanka after 1972. Sri Lanka returned the ‘favour’ by keeping mum on India’s brazen annexation of Sikkim.
It is the pathetic Ceylon Tamil nationalists (the FP especially)— who were counting on India ‘to do a Bangladesh’ in the North and East of the island —who kept on (and still keep on) wailing about Ceylon’s betrayal of India which offered military help to the regime during the April 1971 insurrection.
Dr GS may remember how Mr A Amirthalngam was dubbed “Eelaththu Mujibur”— later to be less popularly renamed “Eelththu Arafat” after Mujibur lost the faith of his people and was cruelly killed by the coup leaders of Bangladesh.
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dinesh patel / April 5, 2017
your emotions are trailing a lost humour.
You read fairy tail like the hypothesis doctor.
All that massing was after the 8th day. I was there in the center and at air base and know it well- it was air power that beat Pakistan- India has nothing new by way of planes after that- 1972.But is the second largest buyer of ammunition in the world after Saudi.
Go read the man Henry Kissinger and his memories of Indira Gandhi. He is the man who who threatened Indira and India with nuke if she did not withdraw going into Pakistan west and withdrawing completely from east. It takes 7 days for 7th fleet to arrive at India from Japan its base.
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SJ / April 5, 2017
Dinesh Patel
Could you kindly give me an accessible source of your claim that “Henry Kissinger threatened Indira and India with nuke if she did not withdraw…”
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dall / April 5, 2017
i dont know what war book you are reading.Most of the war was lost by pakistan cos of loss of support in bangladesh.India got into the war in early december and by then Pak surrenderd since they did not expect to fight at 2 ends.But the fact is India was a state sponsor of terror(pioneer) helped destroy SL,and the guy who comments as Indian muslim is not an Indian muslim . The Indian muslims dont use this kind of language.It looks like since they dont have toilets,shit is flowing out of his mouth
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dinesh patel / April 5, 2017
Lanka can only survive by being the Pet of Indian system for always- drink Indian seepage and survive.
As per Nehru’s design low caste Lanka created its own funeral
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SJ / April 5, 2017
dp
Thanks and no thanks you for your kind offer.
If you want a buyer, offer it to the morons who still have faith in India.
I believe that this country has far better options than being India’s client.
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dinesh patel / April 5, 2017
Thanks to FS Dr Jaishanker Both USA and China see India in a positive way.
The first time in the history of India of India the Sec of External Affairs and Sec of National Security think almost alike- Brahmins of caliber as such the Hindutave governance can afford to relax-
Hindustan Times- Modi & Jaishanker did a regime change at Nepal and China did not mind.
Indian’s Largest imports from China 15.5%,of $400 billion and also India does back office work for American goods made in China and sold by India.
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backlash / April 6, 2017
Rajeev Jayaweera’s fears and prejudices about India needs to be acknowledged. He is not a particular well-wisher of India but he is
more concerned with Sri Lanka’s good. This is conceded. The fact is there is a degree of duplicity in almost all countries suffering an adversarial relationship with another. One is reminded of the celebrated exclamation of Mexican President Porfirio Diaz “Poor Mexico. So far away from God and so close to the USA” Sri Lanka finds itself in a similar plight.
The option is not to give reasons to India to feel unsafe about us. The present Chinese equation creates situations for SL to err. We have to be extra careful. One way out is to settle the National Question and make the Tamils to feel, if not equal partners, at least not as unequal outsiders. It seems to me the Sinhala political spectrum, excluding the Rajapakse family and the hordes of thieves with them, are ready to arrive at a workable formulae. The problem is the other power bloc – the Mahanayakas. It is influential men in Sinhala civil life who should work to create the necessary openings for a break-through with the priests who have a historical anti-Tamil bias.
Let us not blame India for all our ills. Let us remember India has come to our assistance many a time. It is time we showed some backbone and originality.
Backlash
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