By Tisaranee Gunasekara –
“We are totally unconcerned about the outcome of this election.” – SP Tamilchelvan, LTTE Political Head (on 2005 Presidential election)[i]
The Opposition needs Tamils. Tamils need the Opposition.
The Opposition cannot win without Tamil votes. Tamils will be stuck with Rajapaksa rule, if the Opposition fails to win.
The Rajapaksas do not need Tamil votes to win. They just need Tamils to abstain from voting.
The Rajapaksas understood this in 2005. That is why they did a deal with the LTTE to impose an election-boycott on Tamils.
So the Rajapaksa camp raising hell, about a rumoured alliance between the Opposition and the TNA, is logical and comprehensible. Typical of this frenzied reaction is an article by an organisation called ‘Sri Lankans Against Terrorism’ (and verbosely titled, ‘Shame on you CBK! Shame on your ancestors! Determined to fracture the nation!!! You belong in Paris!’), which castigates the former president for ‘wheeling and dealing’ with the TNA and the SLMC[ii].
But it is not only the Rajapaksas (and their Sinhala-Buddhist supremacist allies) who are terrified at the prospect of an Opposition-TNA alliance. A segment of Tamil polity is equally opposed to such an agreement. For instance, the Tamil Net, in an article titled, ‘Sampanthan suspected of a clandestine deal’, accuses the TNA leader of forming an alliance with the Opposition and argues, “The debated question within the TNA is whether it should support any of the presidential contesters of the genocidal state or to keep quiet leaving the choice of the next government to the conscience of the Sinhala nation…”[iii]
That was what the LTTE did in 2005, possibly after receiving a substantial bribe from the Rajapaksas – left the ‘choice of the next government to the conscience of the Sinhala nation’. And as M. Karunanidhi pointed out in 2009, Mahinda Rajapaksa won by 181,000 votes because the LTTE-imposed ban prevented 700,000 Tamils from voting. “What is the outcome today of that hasty decision?”[iv]
Self-Disenfranchisement
Tamils, by abstaining en masse, can allow Sinhalese (and Muslims) to choose the next president. But that President will then make decisions which affect the day-to-day lives and the future of every single Lankan Tamil living in Sri Lanka. Abstaining – or even spoiling the vote – will therefore become an act of self-disenfranchisement.
Tamils can stay away from the election. But they cannot prevent the election – and its outcome – from profoundly affecting their lives. Grand rhetoric apart, the real choice confronting Tamils is no different from the real choice confronting Sinhalese or Muslims – do they want a continuation of the status quo or do they want a change? Do they want to live under the Rajapaksas or not?
If Tamils want to help the Rajapaksas to gain a third term, they can either abstain from voting or spoil their vote. If they do not want the Rajapaksas to gain a third term, they can vote for any candidate other than Mahinda Rajapaksa or his proxies.
If Tamils boycott the elections, they will be doing in 2015 what they were forced by the LTTE to do in 2005 – help Mahinda Rajapaksa win.
Maithripala Sirisena is not very forthcoming about the ethnic problem and other Tamil issues. The country does not know, as yet, what sort of policies he will implement vis-à-vis the minorities.
But there is no doubt about what the Rajapaksas will do to the minorities, especially Tamils, if they win. They will continue to implement – faster, more comprehensively and with greater vigour – the policies they implemented in the last five years.
The de facto occupation of the North and the East will continue. The expropriation of private lands by security forces will continue. The militarization of the economy will continue. The building of Buddhist temples in areas without a single civilian Buddhist will continue. Demographic reengineering will continue. The building of cantonments will continue. The use of the PTA to crack down on dissent will continue. The prioritisation of massive physical infrastructure projects and the de-prioritisation of income and employment generation will continue. The disembowelling of the 13th Amendment will continue. Sabotaging the Northern Provincial Council will continue.
Is that what the Tamil hardliners who are advocating an election boycott want?
The current situation of the North is both alarming and pathetic. Poverty is extremely high – according to the Headcount Index, it is 28.8% in Vanni, 12.7% in Killinochchi, 20.1% in Mannar and 8.3% in Jaffna. Only Vavuniya. at 3.4%, has a poverty-ratio lower than the national average of 6.7%[v]. Unemployment is high as well. As Amantha Perera reports, “Economists blame a lopsided policy framework that has poured millions into large infrastructure development without paying adequate attention to revitalising local income generation….”[vi]
Brewing social issues compound the economic malaise. Drug addiction, especially amongst youth, including school children, is becoming a major problem. “….The young generation in Jaffna society is being addicted to drugs…. A cross section of the fishermen interviewed by the Sunday Times said gold is being smuggled out of Jaffna in exchange for cannabis from Kerala. The exchange is carried out mid-ocean.”[vii] Another problem with long-term consequences is addiction to alcohol. “More than 15,000 litres of alcohol are being consumed daily…. Drinking patterns in the province had totally changed: heavy drinking had become a trend among youth….”[viii]
This in a province, with a heavy military presence and a Navy-ringed coastline. One does not have to subscribe to conspiracy theories to surmise that the Rajapaksas will not mind a new generation too-stoned or too-drunk to worry about social, political and economic issues, be it in the North or the South.
The Rajapaksas are consciously and methodically emulating the Israeli practice of using state power to alter facts on the ground. If they win this election, their plan to change Northern (and Eastern) demographics will be speeded up, until the existing ethnic contiguity in the North is totally destroyed and devolution becomes a democratic impossibility. Who is to stop them, once they win, especially if they win without de-legitimising levels of violence and rigging thanks to a Tamil election-boycott? It will give the Diaspora hardliners something to yell about but the real price will have to be paid by ordinary Tamils who have to live in a Rajapaksa run Sri Lanka.
As the International Crisis Group pointed out, “With the northern and eastern provinces still under tight military control, security forces could, as in last year’s provincial election, be used to restrict campaigning by opposition parties and intimidate Tamil and Muslims voters to reduce turnout.”[ix] Ensuring a low voter-turnout in the North and the East will be a key Rajapaksa aim. Therefore a Tamil election-boycott will be a dream-come-true for the Siblings.
The Opposition, despite the prominent presence of the JHU, has so far managed to avoid the racist-trap. But non-racism will not suffice to persuade Tamils to brave Rajapaksa-terror and vote. They too must be given a real stake in the Opposition-project. Like in 2005, this time too, the Rajapaksas and Tamil maximalists are working in tandem to persuade Tamils to disenfranchise themselves. The combined effect of the regime’s terror-tactics and Tamil maximalists’ siren-songs can be countervailed only by making ordinary Tamils stakeholders of the Maithripala-project.
[ii] http://srilankanagainstterrorism.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/shame-on-you-cbk-shame-on-your-ancestors-determined-to-fracture-the-nation-you-belong-in-paris/
[iv]http://www.globaltamilnews.net/GTMNEditorial/tabid/71/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/47015/language/en-US/LTTEs-2005-poll-boycott-call-hasty-Karunanidhi-.aspx
[vi] Ibid
Vibhushana / December 14, 2014
Tissaranee is some kind of Eurpopean entrail. Her close associates are likes of R.M.B. Senanayake who are Tamil Nazi all but name.
Be that it may, we only should criticize the message – not the person. Here she is doing the same as what LTTE did back in 2005. Whether its TNA, LTTE or Tissaranee seem to have developed a habbit of treating Tamils like cattle that are incapable of autonomous thinking.
They drive these Tamils pillar to post promising sun and the moon. Tamils always leave disheartented and demoralised when the delivery never arrive.
With all this scaremongering the Tamils have lost the meaning of how to be broad minded. I was looking for a youtube video that we can show Tamils how to be broad-minded but I could not find anything suitable.
Essentially, Tamils need help in to re-settling 100,000 Moslems and 20,000 Sinhala people who were driven out from Jaffna. Then you need to give up your primitive Hindoo caste system. You need to embrace multiculturalism and learn to co-habit. Then things will begin to turn around for you.
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Amarasiri / December 14, 2014
Tisaranee Gunasekara –
“The Opposition cannot win without Tamil votes. Tamils will be stuck with Rajapaksa rule, if the Opposition fails to win.”
“The Rajapaksas do not need Tamil votes to win. They just need Tamils to abstain from voting.”
“The Rajapaksas understood this in 2005. That is why they did a deal with the LTTE to impose an election-boycott on Tamils.”
There are fewer Tamil Madus, and Tamil Muttals around in 2014 than in 2005.
Given the Tamil Madus and their Fellow Sinhala Modayas, it is hard to say.
Let’s hope the Tamil Madus and Muttals get some Common Sense into them, and not lose the big picture..
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punchinilame / December 14, 2014
The Tamils are being tested over and over again. They have
experienced what a Rajapakse can do, in just 5 yrs.. The re-settling or 20k sinhalese and 10k muslims in NP is not the matter at issue.
In the betterment of democracy in SL, and thereby more peace
and Justice to the Tamils, one must hope that Tamil Politicians think twice before they put out any new ideas. The
long term goals of the TGTE will remain unchanged and not tied down to a PE of this kind.
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Ram / December 14, 2014
The Muslims ethnically cleansed from the NP are yet to be resettled in their previous homes. So are the Sinhala, 20000 or so who used to live and had businesses there. Sri Lanka does NOT need to emulate Israel in anyway, when the State land is being used for the benefit of all citizens. Any private land in State use must be returned to their owners WHENEVER and WHEREVER possible, or the owners adequately compensated at the market rate for their land. The canard of the OCCUPIED NP should not be tolerated as it is nothing but part of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lankan Security forces need OF NECESSITY to remain in the NP, more so than in any other part of the land and facilities for them (and their families) to do so must be built and maintained. This concept of ‘Tamil land’ must be buried with all haste, when it is but part of Sri Lanka.
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Praba from Grave / December 15, 2014
Ram(anayake)
What a load of rubbish. There is a Tamil Nation and a Sinhalese Nation which has continued for thousands of years and will continue to be so. All the new arrivals will be will be driven out.
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The Messenger / December 14, 2014
Ha, ha, ha – this is very funny…
Vibhushana is shedding crocodile tears for the Tamils.
Tisaranee’s message is spot on.
The Tamil votes are very crucial during the Presidential election. In 2005, Prabakaran boycotting the Tamil votes helped Mahinda Rajapakshe to win. The 2015 Presidential election looks very similar, it is the Tamil votes that can become the deciding factor. The Tamils need not vote for Mahinda Rajapakshe, even if they boycott the election, spoil their votes or vote for someone other than Maithripala, it is sufficient for Mahinda Rajapakshe to win.
The hardliners of the Tamil Diaspora seems to be very short sighted. Their agenda is different, they are not worried about the Tamil people living in the North & East. This is not the time for the TNA to give wrong or ambiguous message to the Tamils or misguide them. The only aim of the Tamils should be to find out who is the most evil, the dictator Mahinda – Gota – BBS or the moderate Maithripala – Ranil – CBK and the best way to get rid of the worst evil.
The Mahinda – Gota – BBS has created a wrong image about the minorities (Muslims & Tamils) among the majority Sinhala-Buddhists. Maithripala signing a MOU with the Sinhala-Buddhist party JHU was a very clever move to break the majority votes. In 2010, the TNA (so called LTTE proxy) openly supporting Sarath Fonseka was also one of the reason for his loss. Signing MOUs with the minorities will be a very foolish move. There is a genuine reason for Maithripala Sirisena not approaching or signing any MOU with the minorities because the moment he does that, the BBS will shout at the top of their voice that Maithripala is going to give part of the country to Tamil and Muslim terrorists. (Remember what they said to Ranil, CBK, and even Dudly Senanayake when he signed the pact the Tamils – Dudlyge bade masala vade).
In the case of Muslims, the outcome is very clear. This time the Muslims are NOT going to listen to their political leaders. The Muslim congress decision is not required. Even if Hakeem or Badurdeen or Azwer or Mohamed Muzammil or anybody tell them to vote for Rajapakshe, they will not listen, the Muslim votes are ONLY for Maithripala. By creating the BBS, Mahinda & Gota have made a very big blunder. They will never get any Muslim votes.
However the Tamil votes are very important, it can even be the deciding factor. This is not the time for the TNA and the Tamil Diaspora to talk about what Maithripala has to offer the Tamils. This is the right time to get rid of the non-negotiable dictator, the most evil Mahinda – Gota – BBS and bring the moderate Maithripala – Ranil – CBK. It is time for the TNA and the Tamils to think and take a wise decision and provide unconditional support to the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
In 2010, the N&E Tamil voter turnout was very low but this time the TNA should make sure to persuade the Tamils so that there will be a maximum voter turnout in the N&E. Let’s first get rid of this evil devil and then in the general election you can negotiate with the new Maithripala – Ranil – CBK government. I hope the TNA and the Tamils will not rock the boat this time. Any kind of boycott will only favour the non-negotiable anti-Tamil Dictator Mahinda Rajapakshe and his evil genocidal brother Gota to suppress the minorities to the maximum.
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Javi. / December 14, 2014
Lovely analysis Tisaranee Gunasekera ,
This is the opportunity that one does not get in a dictatorship.
Folk are presently in a semi- dictatorship and one more term would establish that sooner than envisaged considering what is happening with the big 2 neighbours who are spiralling economically downwards.
At this crucial moment in time it is very important for all to cast the vote as it happened at Scotland. If you stay away it is like losing a lottery because you did not buy it.
Everyone has a gut feeling and that should guide them of which party they are voting- remember one does not vote the person but the party even in the west.
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Poomail / December 14, 2014
Come on, the first comment has to be a complement to Titsaranee for an excellent article. You cant deny her that.
So here it is.
Thank you once again Titsaranee, for an excellent analysis. Please don’t stop. [Edited out]
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Real Peace / December 14, 2014
The LTTE plundered many opportunities to find a political solution, hence, military action became inevitable against the LTTE. But this military operation should never have overstepped the law of the land and Geneva Convention. In naked violation of any law, over 40,000 innocent Tamil civilians were butchered, surrendered cadres were executed, hundreds Tamil women were sexually abused and hospitals were deliberately shelled and destroyed in the Vanni war by the Mahinda regime. Mahinda regime killed the highest number innocent Tamils than any other regime since the independence. Not a single person has been punished for these heinous crimes to date. The same alleged war criminal is now seeking the votes from the very people he massacred only 5 yrs ago.
The only option for the Tamil should be a ‘protest vote.’ Every eligible Tamil, on this occasion, vote for the Mahinda’s enemy Maithri. This is what those thousands of civilians who were butchered by Mahinda expect from every Tamil voter.
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Native Vedda / December 14, 2014
Vibhushana
“Essentially, Tamils need help in to re-settling 100,000 Moslems and 20,000 Sinhala people who were driven out from Jaffna.”
Whom did you hear these numbers from?
I suspect today its the Voice of Ramuuu that you heard in your head.
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Amarasiri / December 14, 2014
Tisaranee Gunasekara –
RE:Tamil Vote: Is it 2005, Again?
There have been a lot of Tamils in 2005 who were Madu, Muttals, Fools. Many of them arr gone.
Still in 2014 there are many Tamils who are Madu, Muttals, Fools.
They need to think short term, Get Rid of Mara.
Then they can figure out the long term.
#Lanka Story of the modern Hitler…creative and widely viewed video clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IKHJG5ztL68 … … … …
TG: Where is the Common Sense Phamplet?
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aratai / December 14, 2014
.
Suppose if Tamils voted for My3 and MaRa looses, what will the 100,000 GoRa’s militia men in uniforms in North will do?
:-)
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Thiru / December 14, 2014
Rajapakse and his regime has proved twice convincingly that they are devastating to Tamils.
Based on probability and the international condemnation of the conduct of the war by Rajapakses, Tamils may loose less by voting for Sirisena instead.
Sirisena might turn out to be not significantly better or even worse than the Mara junta, which has violated all civilized norms and committed crimes against humanity and genocide of Tamils, and has become a paraya regime in international opinion.
However, anything can happen in Sri Lanka especially with Mahinda and Gota at the helm – they might let loos unprecedented state terror if they lose the election.
With the Mahavamsa mind set well entrenched in the Sinhala psyche, not any positive change towards Tamils and Muslims may be expected.
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BbS Scum / December 14, 2014
You are supposed to have that special 1″ by 2’ft steel water pipe ready than talk from your rear.
or are you contemplating one in yours from your brotheren Tamil maximalists before the elections??
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Point of View / December 14, 2014
They will eat him alive ! You speak to any of them privately, they just hate him. First opportunity they get, they will be after him !!
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Native Vedda / December 14, 2014
aratai
“Suppose if Tamils voted for My3 and MaRa looses, what will the 100,000 GoRa’s militia men in uniforms in North will do?”
The will have to go back to their motherland Tamil Nadu whence their forefathers came as members of Vellaikkara Padei (mercenaries) with Kalinga Maha to plunder this island.
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ken Robert / December 14, 2014
Native
“Gota’ s forefathers came as merceneries with Kalinga Maha”
I thought kalinga Maha was a para demala who was against the honoured sihala buddhism of 2400 year old history.
How could gota and his revered compatriot vibushana not the native sons of the southern soil. According to Prof Senarat Paranavitha, Jaffna tamils were brought up as tobacco traders two centuries ago. He further elaborated that anaikottai was previously known as pissankottuva where all the biased historians are kept.
ken
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Native Vedda / December 14, 2014
ken Robert
Kalinga Maha was from present day Odisha (Orissa) who recruited about 20,000 mercenaries from South India largely from Vibushna’s ancestral homeland Tamil Nadu.
However some historian say Maha was a Demela. You know I do not care whether he was from Ohisha or Demela Nadu as far as I am concerned they were all Kallathonies.
I have this nagging question for many years. Did all those 20,000 mercenaries go back to their places of origin or did they stay put and impregnated Sinhala/Buddhists women. Do you we have any of their descendants commenting in this forum?
CT confirmed me yesterday that my e mail with an attachment had already been forwarded to you.
Did you receive my e mail from CT?
Happy Holidays.
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Ken Robert / December 15, 2014
Native and CT
Many thanks.I received the attachment. Thank you again for for providing a platform to study linguistics. This book is very extensive and technical. I will try to read in chunks.
On a further note, Prof Suseenthirarajah’s work on ‘Study on srilankan tamil linguistics and culture’ is made available by the courtesy of Noolaham Project. Very intetesting read. Over to native vedda and Dr RN.
Ken
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Native Vedda / December 15, 2014
Ken Robert
You are welcome.
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Mallaiyuran / December 14, 2014
If somebody hears this scary tactics and vote for Maithiri, in the real sense they have to vote for the King. There is no way the Sinhala Intellectual who has declared because of the desperate circumstances that he is a Sinhala Buddhist.
This Sinhala Intellectual who prefer him to call Sinhala Buddhist, has promised more military intervention in the North while no inquiry for the past. But, King agreeing to the international governments, has formed fake commission called Missing Persons Commission. So, this time everybody should vote for the one who appointed to the Missing Persons Commission, not to the one flatly refusing to any kind of inquiry. There an in active PSC still alive to resolve Tamils problems. Whether Tamils have faith on that or not, Maithiri flatly refused to talk that subjects. So The Tamils again can vote to the King. As they all are false, the truth of the word is different from, there is no word of promise at all. If Maitri going to do a miracle on the nest election that he will have wining after this election, then if the Tamils vote for Maithiri, nobody can put a objection. These Sinhala Intellectuals are trying to portray that they are cheating the Sinhala Buddhist by not openly promising anything to Tamils, but planning to give the entire Island for Tamils. The Sinhala Intellectual always cheat the Sinhala Buddhist, but in this case really whom they are cheating? It that the Tamils or Sinhala Buddhist?
If any time of his life, Maithiri accepts that there are problems to Tamils and he would solve them, on that election, without the truth and false of the promise we will have not objection the Tamil community considering to vote for Maithiri. It is the lie of the century that these Sinhala Interlectual saying that they don’t want to talk about the Tamils problems because they want to give the rights on the other election. How come the Sinhala Buddhists would not vote for these Sinhala Intellectuals when the next election comes and in that they say that they want to give rights to Tamils, then they would agree with that vote for them. Isn’t it the master paln of the deceit Queen and the cunning fox join with the unscrupulous “Rise Mill Muthlaali”?
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Park / December 14, 2014
At the end of the day Tamils in the North will vote for Maithripala Sirisena. Those who are requesting the Tamils not to vote are going to get a kick on their face when they see the results. There is no doubt about it. If TNA openly comes out and says at this stage that they are supporting Maithripala then Rajapakse will say that there is an agreement between TNA and Maithripala to divide the country. TNA may at the last moment come out openly for Maithri, even if TNA does not say so, Tamils will definitely vote for Maithripala. Only fear is what is the army going to do to stop it, what is Maithripala going to do to stop the army from stopping the Tamils coming out to the voting booths?
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Javi. / December 14, 2014
“Only fear is what is the army going to do to stop it, what is Maithripala going to do to stop the army from stopping the Tamils coming out to the voting booths? “
That is not for www public consumption. They have done it before and know what is good for them to get where they want.
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Jim softy / December 14, 2014
Vibhushan got it all wrong.
TG hates Rajapakses more than anything else in this world.
So, she does not want Tamils to repeat what they did in 2005 to make Mahinda Rajapakse the winner.
That is what her message is.
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Amarasiri / December 14, 2014
Tisaranee Gunasekara –
Tamil Vote: Is it 2005, Again?
Medamulana MaRa Hitler Last Days
Story of the modern Hitler…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IKHJG5ztL68
The Downfall (Der Untergang) in German ORIGINAL ENGLISH SUBTITLE, NOT A PARODY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YTePIi4arg
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Ranjan / December 14, 2014
I am from north and the sentiments here is far from what you have mentioned. Suppose my3 wins, what’s will be the fate of the military in n/e, what about the political prisoners held without any charges? What about the land grabbed by military? And finally what about the justice to the people who were killed in their thousands?
Tamils cannot just vote for the sake of good governance for the Sinhalese and expect nothing in return.
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Amarasiri / December 14, 2014
Tisaranee Gunasekara –
Medamulana MaRa Hitler Last Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IKHJG5ztL68
The Downfall (Der Untergang) in German ORIGINAL ENGLISH SUBTITLE, NOT A PARODY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YTePIi4arg
Der Untergang Medamulana MaRa Downfall part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG0IuSfZpp4&list=PLE97F23142F59538D
PS. TG Where is the Common Sense Phamplet? Just Do It!
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Thalaivar / December 14, 2014
Tamils are non entities in SL.
They have accepted defeat. Tamils have an incurable defeatist mentality. So they will mind their own business and not vote against MR.
MR will rule forever. After that BR and NR.
As it happens always, Tamils are doomed.
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Puthalvar / December 15, 2014
Appa
What rubbish are you talking about. MR is already plotting the way to the Hague.
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dcn / December 14, 2014
Tamils in the north did not vote in 2005 because V Pirapagaran feared Ranil who collaborated with the west and others to create a safety net would become President in addition other “santhosams” Ltte may have received for blocking voting.
Situation today is very different and Tamils in the north would take a better view and caste their vote S they did in 2010 elections in favour of Gen . Fonseka.
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Ram / December 14, 2014
Isn’t it true that this time BOTH RW and CBK have collaborated with the West. CBK is part of Clinton’s CGI, and by implication works for the Great Satan. The article in Asian Tribune by K T Rajasingham as regards money changing hands (to the TNA) must not be overlooked.
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Ambedkhar Reborn / December 14, 2014
One has to really appreciate Tissaranee ‘s sincereity and forthrightness in her message to the Tamils of NEmHere she as a true patriot speaks openly, not only for the good of minorities but also for the good of all the Sri Lankan citizens. So the opportunity the voting on the 8th of January provides mustn’t be missed and should be used wisely.
Hope the NE voters do not abstain from voting because of fear. Make it a free and fair elections by casting their votes. Also until 8th Jan they must bring any harassment or threats to the attention of their MPs and the international monitors based in the NE.
Are International monitors carrying foreign passports ( LEAVE ASIDE THE PREVILGED DUAL CITIZENS ) are allowed to be stationed in NE as early as possible and do their duties including sending daily reports to their head office in Colombo without any hinderence from the armed forces or their intelligence units?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 14, 2014
Tissaranee Gunasekera’s arguments are quite valid. The Tamils should vote as Sri Lankans. As Sri Lankans, all citizens will share the outcome of these elections. Better governance and less coruption will benefit all. We may not get a right about turn, after the elections, if the opposition wins, but we can at least expect something a little better. This little can be the firt step towards substantial change. Let the Tamils and their problems be an issue at these elections. The need for change in the country should be the ONLY issue.
Thanks, Tissarane, for your cogent arguments.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 14, 2014
A correction:
Let the Tamils and their problems be not issues at these elections.
Dr.RN
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georgethebushpig / December 14, 2014
Dear Dr. Narendran,
I beg to differ with your view that the issues of Tamils should not be the issues of this election. If it’s only change that we want then what change are we talking about?
If we are talking about reinstating checks and balances on the wielding of political power, reinstating the rule of law and eliminating corruption, aren’t these the very same issues at the heart of Tamil peoples’ grievances? Aren’t these the very same forces that systematically led to the disenfranchisement of Tamil people?
This is an opportune moment for the Tamil community to be making the links between its own core grievances and those of the rest of Sri Lanka. It is these links that will help put back the issues of Tamil people into the right perspective.
Regards
GTBP
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Pacs / December 14, 2014
The factors to decide on to whom to vote are same in 2005 and now. Remember it is not the politicians who vote but the people. People will decide not the politician. The Singhala voters do not like to hear or speak about Tamil issue and their leader toe in line with that. JR also did that to get the Singhala Vote. So the present Candidates are. Regardless What ever said by the Tamil politicians Tamil people will decide on what can be done on today’s circumstances. I do not believe Tamils will rely on any secret deals. Any promise must be open and There should be a reliable guarantee.
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Kaanja Karuvadu / December 14, 2014
Tissaranee,
Sorry, you have given too much credence to the ‘Tamil Net’ – a spineless organ that was strangulated with the demise of LTTE in May 2009. The web does not have an iota of influence on anyone except for making toxic comments for its basic survival.
Its readership is not like during its its fame and only few read now. Does Tamil Net have any influence on the political decision making of TNA or influence the Tamil voters. Gone are the days – they just an irritant source surviving on the fringes.
Patience on the part of the TNA is welcome. Whatever decision they make, it must not favour Mahinda directly or indirectly. I hope TNA will reflect statesmanship when it announces its decision.
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Javi. / December 16, 2014
Kitchi katchi,
Tamil Net opinion is franked old Marxist views- Putin himself is selling his last resources, diamonds platinum and the Russian Oligarchs in the west are smiling because its the memory of WW1 (BTW folk like Roman Abramovich owner Chelsea is a Jewish Russian and friend of Putin)
TN in the north: local `at sight news` which penetrates the best and gives references to history and publishes worldwide in the English language.
TG article is clearly an analysis and comparison. More folk do read Till Net because it’s a solid site (ground up) but do not necessarily follow their extreme Marxist ideals as in the features.
Now look at yourself the entrusted politician aren’t you doing exactly what you are asking the author to refrain from- you are in lieu promoting TNA- Tamil national army sort of?? (~
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Pacs / December 14, 2014
“The de facto occupation of the North and the East will continue. The expropriation of private lands by security forces will continue. The militarization of the economy will continue. The building of Buddhist temples in areas without a single civilian Buddhist will continue. Demographic reengineering will continue. The building of cantonments will continue. The use of the PTA to crack down on dissent will continue. The prioritisation of massive physical infrastructure projects and the de-prioritisation of income and employment generation will continue. The disembowelling of the 13th Amendment will continue. Sabotaging the Northern Provincial”
Tissarani, Do you think if a new president come in 2015 , he will not do the same thing to Tamils. The policy towards Tamils is some for the last 100 Years, may be for the Last 2400 years.
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Worry / December 15, 2014
Pacs
You are absolutely correct with regard to: “Do you think if a new president come in 2015, he will not do the same thing to Tamils. The policy towards Tamils is some for the last 100 Years, may be for the Last 2400 years.”
But make no mistake, voting for MS at least will give an opportunity to Tamil to start another fresh negotiation with opposition and reduce the speedy process of the NE gerrymandering of the political boundary of the lands, military occupation, language policy, religious changes, asylum towards Australia, etc.
have a good one
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Pacs / December 14, 2014
“will therefore become an act of self-disenfranchisement.”
enfranchisement is the one led the Tamils to minority status. Led to their subjugation . Led them to be oppressed. It gave the majority the licence to strip the tamils rights and humiliate and kill them. execute chronic and acute genocide. World look the other side and say sovereign state affairs.
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Abimanu / December 14, 2014
Tisaranee Gunasekara has quoted ‘TamilNet” as advocating a boycott by the Tamils in the forthcoming Presidency elections.
Who or what is TamilNet? –A website run by an individual who tells his opinion and comments but with grandiose references to as “a spokesman for alternatives politics said”, or, “a member of the Tamil Civil society said” etc., –but they are all his opinion and comments or perhaps that of a few unworthy Tamil hard-liners. It is NOT the opinion of the larger Tamil populace, particularly living in Sri Lanka. This Website with grandiose and lofty claim and distorted news led the Tamils to disaster during the LTTE days and continues its “service” to the same results even now in post-LTTE period. They do nothing but serve to sharpen and widen the ethnic divide and leave the Tamils to the position of “non-entities” in Sri Lanka.
Tisaranee’s following pointers on her article of her on the fate of the Tamils in the event of a re-election of Mahinda Rajapakse is what will really happen: —
“The de facto occupation of the North and the East will continue. The expropriation of private lands by security forces will continue. The militarization of the economy will continue. The building of Buddhist temples in areas without a single civilian Buddhist will continue. Demographic reengineering will continue. The building of cantonments will continue. The use of the PTA to crack down on dissent will continue. The prioritisation of massive physical infrastructure projects and the de-prioritisation of income and employment generation will continue. The disembowelling of the 13th Amendment will continue. Sabotaging the Northern Provincial Council will continue”.
—If the Tamils want them to continue by boycotting the elections advocated by some Tamil hardliners most of whom are sitting in the comfort of the citadels of the West, with their family members all emigrated, let them boycott the elections and be damned!
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Mallaiyuran / December 14, 2014
“Who or what is TamilNet? “
Who is this Sinhala Intellectual,Tisaranee Gunasekara? More importantly, who are you?. A Salve of Sinhala Intellectuals or the Sinhala Buddhist?
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Pacs / December 14, 2014
“suppose if Tamils voted for My3 and MaRa looses, what will the 100,000 GoRa’s militia men in uniforms in North will do? :-) “
That is 1 soldier for 7 civilian., = 1 soldier for 2 every able unarmed man in northern districts.
The Military is spread within the community like a laid fish net. Is it a democratic situation? can they vote safely and independently?.
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Afzal / December 14, 2014
The question of voting for MY3 is not only applicable to Northern Tamils, it is applicable to the whole nation. This is a a election which has paramount importance to post independence Sri Lanka. The result will define what will be our future.
We can opt for a Mugabe type Zimbawe or a True Democracy where waste and corruption is minimized a country prosperity will trickle through to masses by default. A country where peace, law and order will prevail.
We have to accept majority of our voters are not the best when it comes to electing their representatives. It is this fact which can still give MR a 3rd Term.
What ever the out come that is what Sri Lankans deserve. They don’t deserve any better. Lets wait and see whether we Sri Lankans are collectively smart or not.
This is an opportunity make false the popular saying about “Kawum” ! or be forever as Kawum eaters !
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Sengodan. M / December 14, 2014
Very good article. This is a good exposure of the real situation in the North. This article should be translated into Tamil and circulated among the Tamils of North and East.
One thing is certain. 2015 will never be the same as 2005. Tamils are an intelligent, cool headed people. They will take the correct decision at the correct time and cast their votes. Vast majority of them are certainly not going to boycott the election. At the same time, it is a fact that there is some apathy and why is that? The reason for that apathy is there is absolutely no offer of a solution to the National Question and not even the recognition of the existence of such a problem by the combined opposition. Very conveniently they say that they will look into that ‘later’. That ‘later’ has been coming from the days of the B-C pact!
Sengodan. M
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 14, 2014
Ms T now seems to barrack for the Dalits in the North instead of the Vellalas ,
She has also started reading TamilNet,, And it took a while for me to convince her.
The worst scenario for the North is continuation of the current situation accordding to Ms T.
That is if My Three get done..
And it is no Child Soldiers, plenty of Jobs which even Dalits won’t do, KFC for Vellala kids, and Airconditioned Cargills for their mums to do grocery shopping, Yarl Devi all the way to Wellagardens, and Super Luxury Coaches from Marine drive to Jaffna City..
Doesn’t look bad at all .. Does it ?.
On the other hand here is what the My Threes’ Middle Leg, the UNP leader said yesterday.
“When I form the Govt, I am going to arrest KP and hand him over to India first as he has a warrant issued by the Hindians”.
Imagine that coming from the UNP Leader who offered the late Prabkaran an ISGA for the whole of NE, while the LTTE was recruiting Child Soldiers left, right and centre by force from the Dalit families.
Are the Dalits in Killinochchi going to hand over KP who is looking after the war orphans now, to please the Vellalas in Kurunduwatta and their new allies Diaspora in London ?…
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TwoFeetTiger / December 14, 2014
Tamils won’t vote for anyone for sure. Tamils know the racists strategic masters who is behind MY3 drama. IC is now fully aware about the inhuman/racist attitude/mindset of those brainless Sinhalese living in south. Most of these sinhala racists need mass brain transplant surgery to acknowledge the real facts. IC should bring some rehabilitation programs to rehabilitate the evil Sinhala Army & the idiots living in south. Untill then enjoy King’s ( Your beloved Duttagaimunu. But this koddagaimunu himself & his ancestors are the servants ‘lickers’ of British raja since the start) rule.
Keep dreaming Sinhala speaking ‘Demela Modayo’ :P
Cheers
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chatura / December 14, 2014
Time is running out for the SRILANKAN tamils to show up.
Maithreepala can’t openly promise anything specificaly to Tamils as he will be branded a traitor by the UPFA.
Tamil leadership should know better, they should grab the good governence as their motto and go openly in support of Maithreepala if they don’t want to keep living in the hell Rajapaksa’s built for them.
I’m sure people in the South will understand and appreciate if Tamils come out now without trying to bargain their pound of flesh like Hakeem & Co and join the fight for the democracy of THEIR motherland.
This will be our last poortunity and last fight, if Rajapaksa win this election, even god will not be able to help Srilankans.
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Javi. / December 15, 2014
chiki te ta tell me whats wron!
The proof of a pudding is its edibility.
Await the outcome but don’t shun the police, poll, people.
when you go polling carry some bananas kolikuttu, abul and feed any monkey on the way 2 legged tiger python zebra with underwear.
Ay, que bien! (Very good)
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EDWIN RODRIGO / December 14, 2014
This contest should be seen as one between two systems, that of Executive Presidency and normal Parliamentary Democracy and not a fight between MR and MS. As in all human affairs both have their advantages and disadvantages. The challenge for us is to select the least bad out of two bad choices. Having seen the ills of the existing system, personally, I prefer parliamentary democracy. I respect President Rajapaksa for the good things he has done but I cannot close my eyes to the bad things. MR himself should be seen as a victim of the present system, which makes devils out of angels. It is every Sri Lankan’s duty to vote this time according to their conscience. Let us remember that “Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.” (James Bovard)
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S,Sivathasan / December 14, 2014
To Boycott Addicted Tamils
When will this addiction depart from us?
Even from opium, China emancipated herself!
Is boycott stupidity more potent than a narcotic?
Tisaranee argues most fervently, so astutely, very vehemently and with stunning eloquence.
Why?
So that Tamils do not throw away their precious 1,100,000 pearls of great price into the abominable BOYCOTT STY.
If we cannot agree when Tamils implore; should we not respond at least when a Sinhalese pleads?
Can we logically argue that a part can progress when the whole is damned?
Can we convince a single individual that if Maithree is made to lose, Mahinda can be forced to deliver?
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Taraki / December 14, 2014
‘Tamils will be stuck with Rajapaksa rule, if the Opposition fails to win’
The Sri Lankan Tamils may not want this but the diaspora do.
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Javi. / December 14, 2014
Arre Pato…patu kelu/listen to the sing song clearly.
wishful thinking they denied happy nations filled…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htiOs8t6iyk
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Dr NAS / December 14, 2014
This election is all about a fight between forces of corruptuon and freedom:
MR is a the most corrupted leaders of all time
What Tamils could get from him
Killings, rape, torture, forceful invasion of Tamil lands, cultural invasion or elimination of Tamil identity from North and East
They experienced this from last 10 years of MR rule
Will Tamils make same mistake again not voting or not supporting MS
Tamils have learned lessons
You do fall into pits twice
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Asaipillai / December 14, 2014
Dear TG
Neither MR or MS have not even mentioned anything about Tamils- period! Not a zilch! Both are mortally scared they would become ealamists! Nothing about 13+ or any other. So why or how can the Tamils even think about voting. If MS is a statesman (certainly not MR) he should cross the divide and shake the hand of the Tamils. But he will not.
Tamils are a proud nation. They must be treated as equals. When neither MR or MS dare not woo their votes like they are doing in the south no Tamils worth his salt would enter a polling booth.
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Piranha / December 14, 2014
I believe that regardless of whatever decision theTNA makes the Tamils will vote for the opposition candidate.
The tamils have experienced death, destruction, plunder of their lands and possessions, the loss of their basic human rights and freedoms under the atrocious Rajapaksa brothers and therefore they are not foolish not to cast their votes or spoil their votes this time. They will en mass vote for My3. I am very certain about this. The Rajapaksas know this and they will try and prevent the Tamils from voting. That will be the biggest problem for them.
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Mallaiyuran / December 14, 2014
“Tamils can stay away from the election. But they cannot prevent the election – and its outcome – from profoundly affecting their lives.” This is the repetition of JR’s “if you want war I will give you war” by a Sinhala Intellectual. They are stressing that the Tamils have no right what so ever to determine their fate. Tamils are subordinates. They, unequivocally and clearly telling that the Sinhala Intellectuals (Sinhala Masters- like her- listen to her and do what she is telling) are the one determine the Tamils’ fate. “Just take it. You cannot leave it.” is what her mentality. Is that what the Tamils want to continue? Don’t they want an International Inquiry to change their fate?
Just like the Lankan Royal on the other side, and not to simply match it but to go beyond it and beat it, this Sinhala Intellectual is ready to do say shameless thing. She is crying and crying more than Srimavo cried in 1960. Chandrika is the one conducted 1995. It is fresh in every Tamils mind. There are three professors came out with this SI CC. Soon, they will come back and confess themselves that they were wrong. But, what happened is not the “rise” mill Muthalaali, who saw there is no more space to rise under the Royal government, has come out with this plot. Sinhala intellectuals have put him a Modi costume, but he is claiming that he is Sinhala Buddhist. If this Modi look like actor wants to be a real Modi can he divorce his wife and rescind his properties and become an honest Celibacy? Otherwise, if he honestly ready to serve the Sinhala community, will he dress like a Sinhalese gentle man?
I do not have time to go deep into the movie called “Common Candidate” produced by Ranil and directed CBK and the Rise Mill owner MGR acting as Modi. I just want to see the some of the deceits attempted by this another deceit queen.
One time GG’s camp accused Selva sleeping with Sinhala leaders. Kathiravelpillai answered ” Ponni too slept with them, but Selva brought two children named “Banda-Selva and Dudley – Selva pacts. Selva thought the relationship was true. But the Sinhala husband cheated. Ponni was only prostitute, so she just sleeps with the Sinhalese”. It was that time. But, now the woman Sampanthi was hanging on the door step of Maithiri. But, the Madame Mistress of the house told this woman “I can schedule a date for you. He already has many women to sleep. Please get out of the house.” So the woman Sampathi, in the metaphor of the seasoned politician Kathiravelpillai, has tightened her sari that had gone loose in the dream of sleep and returned back home. Don’t look for child called Maithiri-Sampanthi. Maithri who sleeps with a range of women, from Brahminical JHU to Saklila JVP, has rejected the Tamil woman Sampanthi, not because of the policy differences, but because her relationship to him, a cousin for marriage relationship, but she is a the daughter of a rival relative. Maithiri will sleep with all women and on the hundredth and one morning he will push all these women out of his house. But Sampathi wants a long term marriage. This is not in line with bachelor Maithiri.
It would have been honest and proud if Maithri has told “all kind of criminal will be investigated” and lose the election, if that what will happen as per the Sinhala intellectuals twisting. But, he ruled out any inquiry, irrelevant of whether the military was right or wrong. But, he has promised that the Sinhala intellectuals’ legacy, that is rewarding to destroy Tamils property in North, East and the Middle, will be upheld. He has promised that the Military will be horned as soon he comes to power. If the Military has to be horned and Tamils has to accept that and vote for him what is this Sinhala Intellectual is struggling to explain by not voting the Ranil the Fox, in 2005, Tamils lost? Isn’t she arguing Tamils won in 2005 by getting an honorable Military that will be respected after the 2015 election? If she thinks Tamils were right in fighting and military (whether with right or wrong methods) and crushed them, then why the Tamils have to vote for the person who is promising to honor the Military after the election? “You are say you may lose if the Tamils not vote for you. If the Tamils vote for you, are ready to share the benefits between the both. Are thinking by using scare techniques and keep the benefits always for you? You cheated with the signed pact. Now you are telling to believe you when you are promising more atrocities to Tamils by honoring the army after the election. What do want the Tamils is to believe? For sure, with your honored army, you will conduct another Mullivaikaal?”
This Sinhala Intellectual is bringing Karunadhi here. Basically what she is reminding is Pirapaharan refused to allow vote for Ranil and had him destroyed by King, but Karunanhidi took to Sonia and had him destroyed by Sonia. He was caught by Sonia in many cases which she masterminded. He could not leave UPF like D.M.Jeyaratne. The end is, he does not have one seat in Indian parliament. Now that fools’ preaching-s are the one Tamils have to follow. Sinhala Intellectuals are one called this man as political clown. Sonia refused to ask the Royal Government about it. He was responsible for the murder on heroes like Muttukumaru and he refused to TN Tamils have a funeral for Muttukumaru. Without having proper understanding of Tamil Nadu and Indian politics, this half-baked Sinhala Intellectual brought here Karunanidhi. If she had told that Kuruna was against of not voting for Ranil, Tamils may stop for second and listen to that. But, if she is bring Karunanidhi, “Orraikkoothan paattuku Raddai Thaalpaal.” (Double slamming of the door).
She is trying to tell that the oppression those started in 1948 will continue. Maithiri yet to have to say if any one of them, for Tamils, will not continue if he come to power. But to the contrary, he has stressed that the military oppression will continue or will be doubled and no internal or international inquiry on Military and the leaders will take. Here she goes “The de facto occupation of the North and the East will continue. The expropriation of private lands by security forces will continue. The militarization of the economy will continue. The building of Buddhist temples in areas without a single civilian Buddhist will continue. Demographic reengineering will continue. The building of cantonments will continue. The use of the PTA to crack down on dissent will continue. The prioritisation of massive physical infrastructure projects and the de-prioritisation of income and employment generation will continue. The disembowelling of the 13th Amendment will continue. Sabotaging the Northern Provincial Council will continue.” what she purposely avoided here to say is that the “INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY ON WAR CRIMES ALSO WILL CONTINUE”.
Nowadays, most of the crime in Jaffna is conducted by the Sinhala criminals who are travelling from south. That should go down as soon as the “Yarl Devi” is regulated or stopped. Nowhere from any borders are the drugs going to Jaffna other than them are delivered by Sinhala Ministers’ henchmen. Northern Province established a record of consecutively receiving prize for “best crime free province” from the time the prize was established until the standardization was brought in. So the Jaffna lost its pride with the standardization. Not by Royal army.
This article is what the exact classical example of “Crocodile tears” of a Sinhala Intellectual. This Sinhala Intellectual, without any shame, is trying to fetch fire from the burning house of the Tamils for her smoking need. (Eriyira veedilai neruppu edukkra)!
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