By Hilmy Ahamed –
Hilmy Ahamed
President Maithripala Sirisena says that the Muslim IDPs have encroached and destroyed land belonging to the Wilpattu National Park (June 2015).
President Sirisena says Muslims have not cleared one inch of Wilpattu Land (December 2016)
President Sirisena orders the expansion of the forest reserve by taking over the land allocated to the Muslim IDPs of Musali South, Mannar (December 2016)
A minority of Buddhists and certain media organizations along with a few Environmentalists has succeeded in the SECOND ETHNIC CLEANSING of the Northern Muslims through the current Presidential order.
President Maithripala Sirisena in June 2015 claimed that the Muslims had encroached and cleared large tracts of land belonging to the Wilpattu National Park. He said he witnessed this when he took a helicopter tour of the Wilpattu and Musali areas in the Mannar District. Today, he says that the Muslims have not encroached even an inch in to the Wilpattu national reserve, but says that the lands allocated to the Muslims by the Government in 2013 are illegal and that all these areas have to be expanded as a reserve for the Wilpattu National Park.
Buddhist extremists led by certain monks and supported by some media institutions have been on a concerted effort to deprive the right of return of the Muslim internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the time land was allocated to them by the former regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa. They are also supported by some Environmentalists who are not sensitive to the rights of Muslim citizens of this country.
The Liberation Tigers of Thamil Eelam forcibly evicted the Muslims of the Northern province in 1990 in the worst ethnic cleansing ever, in the history of Sri Lanka. The unfortunate Muslims were given two hours notice to leave their homes in certain areas and the others were forced out with less than 24 hours notice. They were not allowed to take with them any valuables or documents. 100,000 Muslims were thus expelled, and they trekked to the South and were forced to live as refugees in different parts of the country during the next 25 years.
With the end of the war in 2009, the Government undertook the resettlement of 300,000 Tamils who were displaced by the 30-year war. The Muslims, who were expelled by the LTTE in 1990, were not resettled along with the Thamil IDPs. The Government had the policy of ‘last in first out’, where the Northern Task Force headed by presidential sibling and strongman Basil Rajapaksa undertook the huge task to resettle 300,000 refugees within a short period of 180 days. An impressive feat indeed by any standard and probably unmatched anywhere in the world. Yet, the Muslim IDPs from the 1990 eviction continued as a “FORGOTTEN PEOPLE” until 2013.
Rishard Bathiudeen, the then Minister of Resettlement could not resettle a single Muslim IDP of the 1990 eviction during the period 2009 to 2013. He too is an IDP who was forced to live in IDP camps in Puttalam when the LTTE evicted them in 1990.
It is unfortunate that the present President, who was elected by almost 98% of the Muslims and voting him to office, is betraying the IDPs of this community. Close to a million Muslim voters probably cast their vote for him. Please see attached map showing the voting pattern for Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015. Today, Buddhist extremists have misled him to target the Muslim community through various acts of racism. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa supported the Bodu Bala Sena from behind the scenes. President Sirisena supports them openly; giving them the same prominence as the most respected Mahanayakes and other religious leaders.
Why do the Government, Media, Buddhist extremists and some Environmentalists target the Muslim IDPs? Is this how an elected President governs a Democracy where all citizens have equal rights? To use his own words, he may not be among the living if he had lost the Presidential Elections in January 2015. Then does he not owe his life to the Muslims? Why is he conniving with extremists to take the life of the innocent IDPs of the Northern province?
The Northern IDP resettlement has been a controversial issue since 2009. The Government and international agencies prioritized the resettlement of the Tamils. During the same period, unknown to many, 2860 families were brought from Suriyawewa and Hambantota in the Southern Province and settled in the most recent colonization programme. They were provided over 5000 acres of virgin FOREST LAND, infrastructure including schools and hospitals were built, grants provided for their settlement, etc.
While these Environmentalists, Buddhist extremists and the President are protesting against the Muslim IDPs returning to their own lands for which they have title deeds dating back to over a hundred years and permits given by the Government, there has been organized colonization along the Wilpattu Reserve on the Welioya road by Sinhalese from Hambantota, Suriyawewa and families of armed forces personnel. The following are the available statistics for the Sinhala settlements:
Veratenna – 520 families, Bogaswewa 1- 500 families, Bogaswewa 2 -560 families, Namalgama – 470 families, Senaleenigama – 450 families, Nandamitragama -360 families
None of these settlers are from the area. These 2860 families settled in the Wilpattu area have been provided with three acres of land for each family compared to half an acre for each Muslim family in the lands they lived before the forced eviction. From where did the land for these new settlers come from? Large extents of virgin jungle and reservations had been cleared and handed over for the alien settlements, grants and allowances disbursed, and all other facilities including schooling have been provided by the State. Neither land kacheries were held nor deforestation undertaken with proper approvals. It is also alleged that the Army built the houses for these new settlers from Hambantota and elsewhere. Further, over 500 acres of land has been taken over by the Navy for cashew plantation.
Basil Rajapaksa, as the Head of the Task Force for Northern Resettlement started partial resettlement of the Muslim IDPs in 2013. Approximately 5000 families of the 25,000 IDP families were allowed to return to their own lands, or allocated land by the Divisional Secretariat of Musali in the Mannar District. The Muslims have title deeds dating back to 1906 and issued under the seal of King Edward. The President’s latest tryst with the racists will deprive these IDPs of resettling in their former homes. Where will these IDPs go? They have gone and cleared land that they lived in before their displacement in 1990. During their displacement of over 25 years, there has been jungle growth and these people have cleared those shrubs. This is shown by media using Drone cameras (filmed from 200 to 300 meters above ground) as jungles being cleared by the Muslim IDPs. These journalists know the truth, but they dance to the tune of their racist employers and extremist handlers.
The Government in 2012 declared most of the land as forestland just prior to the Provincial Council Elections for the Northern Province. They undertook this fearing that these lands will come under the jurisdiction of the Northern Provincial Council and that they will have the right to these lands if they didn’t belong to the Central Government, as all forest reserves come under the Central Government. It is alleged that even the Divisional Secretaries of these areas were not aware of this mapping until it was gazetted. This Cabinet decision has not been ratified by the Parliament; hence experts say it is not legally valid.
Environmental concerns have been cited for the current exercise of depriving the Muslim IDPs of their land. However, the Government has agreed to provide 15,000 acres to China to develop in Hambantota. Will they not cut down virgin forestland if the land is uninhabited as the Government claims? How many acres did the Government clear for the Suriyawewa cricket stadium and Mattala airport projects? If Development takes place for a country’s citizens, then shouldn’t all its citizens be treated justly and equally first? Don’t all citizens have a right to return to their home? It is not to say that environmental concerns should be ignored; the Environment certainly has to be protected. But courting Environment to mete injustice to a segment of Sri Lanka’s citizens is deplorable.
The Muslims voted Sirisena not because they trusted him, but were convinced that UNP Government under Ranil Wickremesinghe’s premiership will not be racist. Today, they have been proved wrong and it is up to the Prime Minister to convince President Sirisena that he is courting disaster with his ultra racist policies. Failure would mean another 20 years in Opposition for the United National Party. The winner would be the JVP because it is unlikely that the Muslims will ever trust the Rajapaksa clan.
Rajash / January 4, 2017
Wilpattu National Park should be preserved only for the breeding of animals in their natural habitation and abode.
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Karavan Rajash / January 5, 2017
Rajash,Slight correction to your excellent sentence.You really meant “Animals and Tamils ” right?Being a ‘good tamil’ why did you let down your race?
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Rajash / January 5, 2017
excellent sentence? Karavan Rajash : you mean excellent statement?
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Rajash / January 5, 2017
Thanks anyway for the compliment
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jim softy / January 5, 2017
Hilmy Ahmed is lieing. risharD Bathiuddin got money from a middele eastern govt and he did this settlement. rishad Bathiuddin neglected govt rule books, gazettes and cleared the wilpattu national parks. A buddhist monk did a graduate thesis on that and he talked that in a private TV Channel.
Who wants to for 26 years people would be IDPS.
This is muslims are liging to the whole world.
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Ajith / January 5, 2017
Hilmy Ahamed is talking about double standard of Sirisena but we all know the double standard of Muslims in the past seven decades under Westernised Sinhalese leadership. He compares the resettlement of displaced Muslims in 1990 with the resettlement of displaced Tamils by Sinhalese governments with the unconditional support of the Muslims. Muslims played a double game throughout the liberation struggle of Tamils. They lived among Tamils but they worked as informants for Sinhalese. Even during 1958, 1977 and 1983 ethnic violence they were with Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalists. Tamils and Sinhalese are the loosers in the conflict Muslims are the winners and real beneficiaries of this conflict.
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Amarasiri / January 5, 2017
Rajash
Why not settle them at Hambantota, where 15,000 acres are being given to the Chinese, to get out of the Hambantotata Harbor Fiasco.
What about Mattala Airport? The jungle was already destroyed, and it is curretly a white elephant, with roaming buffaloes.
Mattala Airport Truth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf22sNGCpQU
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Rajash / January 5, 2017
Amarasiri
thanks for the you tube link.
what a waste!
The duty free shops are now selling bananas garlic and other groceries.
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Amarasiri / January 7, 2017
Rajash
” The duty free shops are now selling bananas garlic and other groceries.”
Imported duty free? At least people will buy these, but…
Wonder how competitive they are compared to the local shops, Kade, or the Pola selling locally produced bananas garlic and other groceries
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Amarasiri / January 4, 2017
Hilmy Ahamed
RE:The ‘Double Talk’ Of President Sirisena, A Betrayal Of The Muslim IDPs
“President Sirisena orders the expansion of the forest reserve by taking over the land allocated to the Muslim IDPs of Musali South, Mannar (December 2016)”
“A minority of Buddhists and certain media organizations along with a few Environmentalists has succeeded in the SECOND ETHNIC CLEANSING of the Northern Muslims through the current Presidential order.”
The Ethnic clensing started with the Ethnic Cleansing of Native Veddah Aethho by the Para-Sinhala, and Para- Tamils and other Paras. The Paras have damaged 80% of the Land of Native Veddah Aethho, including 5,000 acres for the Mattala airport white elephant.
Also press for the Muslim IDPs to be resettled in the original homes in the Northern Province.
Anyway, Sirisena is a Turncoat,Traitor Gona(Colloquial Sinhala) and Mala- Perethaya,not only for the Muslims, also to all those 6.2 million who voted for him.
Why did President Sirisena Transfer the DIG of FCID investigating the Crimes of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Cronies .. Why? To Cover Up … Rajapaksa and cronies to Turncoat, Traitor and Mala-Perethaya.
[Edited out]
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Amarasiri / January 5, 2017
Hilmy Ahamed
RE:The ‘Double Talk’ Of President Sirisena, A Betrayal Of The Muslim IDPs
Sirisena has earned many titles recently. Based on what is given below, he also has now earned the Title of Sevalaya*, The Sleaze*.
*Sleaze immoral, sordid, and corrupt behavior or material, especially in business or politics.
So, Sirisena’s recently earned titles are, Turncoat, Traitor, Gona, Mala-Perethaya and Sevalaya,
Support:
“President Maithripala Sirisena says that the Muslim IDPs have encroached and destroyed land belonging to the Wilpattu National Park (June 2015).”
“President Sirisena says Muslims have not cleared one inch of Wilpattu Land (December 2016)”
“President Sirisena orders the expansion of the forest reserve by taking over the land allocated to the Muslim IDPs of Musali South, Mannar (December 2016)”
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Sena / January 4, 2017
It is the duty of the government to treat all the citizens of the country equally. Its really sad that the president behaving in this manner. All are heartless for allowing fellow human beings to suffer for 25 years. These people don’t know the meaning of compassion, and such word is not in their dictionary else they would have given better care for these long suffering people.
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Concerned citizen / January 4, 2017
650,000 acres of forest was cleared for the Mahaweli project, at that time no one bothered because there were no mention of a Muslim benefiting out of it.
When the word Muslim is mentioned, they don’t even want to allow people to return to their original lands after 25 years, this president is a total spineless lost course who doesn’t know what does it take to be a leader, history teachers us that if you discriminate people because of race and color, you will perish, and no justice means no peace or prosperity.
The curse will bring in more droughts and more tsunamis and another 30 years of suffering. The majority is proving once again that they cannot co-exist with the other communities by providing them with the basic rights, this is a clear sign that this country will be branded as a failed state and rightly so.
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Mr. Urapola / January 4, 2017
Mr. Hilmly Ahamed,
Sirisena fooled you first and you voted him; then you tried to fool him by demanding favors for your community but failed miserably (he has now decided to expand the Wilpattu Sanctuary’s boundaries and stop illegal encroachment); you again tried through the UNP’s general secretary (a powerful Muslim minister) and got fooled again (this article is the result of that misfired act, as I hear). You forget the fact that Sirisena is a SLFP man and he is reasonable with all ethnic groups but when it came to elections he had no option but fool everyone including the Indians and the West’s neo-liberals. That’s an election-time political strategy; and even in the US it is a common occurrence.
However, the history shows that you don’t have to be overly ethnic-friendly to win presidential/general elections (e.g. recent US presidential election)!
Rajapaksa is/was a long time trustworthy friend of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. He was a sensitive man who sympathized with all ethnic communities who faced difficulties on a daily basis. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have decided to finish the war! He could have made a lot more money with an unfinished war rather than a post-war situation (if he had wanted to do so). We all know that it was the minority ethnic communities that benefitted the most due to ending of terrorism in SL, but they never appreciate it but instead tried to back-stab the man who did the job. (Your map shows it!)
You know how ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa helped the Palestine people despite a lot of international pressure and obstacles, but the Muslim community, that is so slavish to their leadership, stabbed him in the back (as a block) at last presidential election; this showed once again their dirty but true traditional color! And I don’t think any SL leader would ever try to give any special favors to you, not any more. Simply put it, no politician in SL would try to help you by making any more U turns in this millennium! Please, therefore, try to live like a normal Sri Lankan and not like a specially privileged ethnic group with special laws!
As you say, if you want, you can turn to the JVP and see what happens! It sounds like you have not learnt a lesson from all your past foolish acts?
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Gobba / January 4, 2017
You conveniently forgot to mention in your article, that Mahinda who LOVED Muslims so much, he unleashed the BBS on them and did not even LIFT HIS LITTLE FINGER to stop what the BBS was doing against the Muslims !!!!!! Have you forgotten the GREASE YAKKAS, the kidnapping of Muslim businessman among others etc etc. This is what turned the Muslims against him.
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Ranjith / January 4, 2017
Hardcore Muslims are working hard in day and night like a machine to produce humans, as a result they are now over populated in a small stretch of land in North and East, scarcity of land is now become a barrier to their prouctivity,so they should be given at least forest land to settle which will boost them to go-ahead.
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Mohamed Fareed / January 6, 2017
Its sad that you are not capable of using god given tools to increase your population. Why not send your females to us. We can help with our efficient young men.
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aratai / January 4, 2017
Mr. Hilmy Ahamed,
Your argument that 300,000 Tamils were resettled but not the 100,000 Muslims may not work, why?
– Over 200,000 Tamils were killed before the leftover 300,000 were resettled, and not a single Muslim was killed during their so called ethnic cleansing.
.
What you should try is, ask the Sinhalese government for a favor for supporting Sinhalese when they were fighting Tamils.
:-)
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Noor Nizam / January 4, 2017
[Edited out] Comments should not exceed 300 words and external links are discouraged.Please read our Comments Policy for further details.
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sinhala_voice / January 4, 2017
Internally Displaced Muslims who are Tamils first language speakers ANYWAY should be resettled on areas where they were BEFORE 1990 eviction by the Tamtl Militia = LTTE.
Even , if the Sinhala people are not resettled due to OPPOSITION from the Tamils in the northern and eastern provinces….Tamils speaking Muslims should be able to be resettled in the Northern and Eastern province…..
NO Tamils and oppose this.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / January 4, 2017
”During the same period, unknown to many, 2860 families were brought from Suriyawewa and Hambantota in the Southern Province and settled in the most recent colonization programme. They were provided over 5000 acres of virgin FOREST LAND, infrastructure including schools and hospitals were built, grants provided for their settlement, etc.”
”The following are the available statistics for the Sinhala settlements:
Veratenna – 520 families, Bogaswewa 1- 500 families, Bogaswewa 2 -560 families, Namalgama – 470 families, Senaleenigama – 450 families, Nandamitragama -360 families”
I highlight the above to underscore the games that were played by the government amidst the tragedy post-war, to alter demography of the north.
Hilmy has also clearly given instances of President Sirisena’s propensity to talk from both sides of his mouth.
Further, while Hilmy has presented the problems affecting the Muslim IDPs, who were wrongly driven out of the north and their right of return, he has failed to mention that most of the displaced were resettled in other areas and had taken root, long before the end of the last war. Many who preferred to live in the north have returned. Others who do not want to return have claims on the property they left behind. These claims are legitimate and they have to be compensated.
However, there are Tamil accusations against how this unfortunate situation is being exploited by some Muslim politicians, especially Bathuddin in the Vanni. In the East too there are many complaints about encroachment of land by all communities. Ethnic politics is subtly and sometimes overtly at play in the north and east. It is also being encouraged by the government. All communties are jockeying to preserve or expand their enclaves . This is a Cold War of sorts that is on-going.
Biologically animals are territorial. They will fight to defend and expand their territory. Man is an animal too and has the same instincts. It is the territorial imperative. In the Human, these instincts are regulated by laws, procedures and processes, to lend a veneer of civilization to this imperative. However, when the government fails to uphold the law and, procedures and processes to play sinister games, the people too follow its example and enact the same on a smaller scale, using various tactics. There are offensive and defensive reactions that collide and create turmoil. We are in this midst of this process again. We as communities are insecure in fact or imagination and are trying to jockey to hold more real estate or defend what we traditionally considered ours. Bad governance is the root cause of this problem.
The on-going attempts nationally to grab territory, on a communal basis under various guises has to be recognized as a serious problem paving the way to communal disharmony and national divisiveness. Immediate remedial action is needed.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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soma / January 4, 2017
Dr.RN
“Biologically animals are territorial. They will fight to defend and expand their territory. Man is an animal too and has the same instincts. It is the territorial imperative. In the Human, these instincts are regulated by laws, procedures and processes, to lend a veneer of civilization to this imperative. However, when the government fails to uphold the law and, procedures and processes to play sinister games, the people too follow its example and enact the same on a smaller scale, using various tactics. There are offensive and defensive reactions that collide and create turmoil. We are in this midst of this process again. We as communities are insecure in fact or imagination and are trying to jockey to hold more real estate or defend what we traditionally considered ours. Bad governance is the root cause of this problem.”
This lucid piece I have copied for retention.
Sinhalese fear Muslim population explosion and Tamil Nadu territorial expansion.
Soma
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / January 4, 2017
Soma,
Have the Tamils and Muslims in independent and united Sri Lanka invaded areas where Sinhala dominated and colonized it imperial style? They have only exercised their right to live wherever they like to live in what they consider their country as well.
Dr.RN
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soma / January 4, 2017
Dr RN
“They have only exercised their right to live wherever they like to live in what they consider their country as well. “
This is precisely what I am trying to convey as well.
I am Worried that they will lose that right in case they establish separate enclaves for themselves.
Soma
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / January 4, 2017
Soma,
Please rest your fears. If anyone wants to move to the north as individuals, with their resources and without government or monk sponsorship, they will be welcome. It is their right, if they wish to move. We Tamils are a very hospitable people.
Dr.RN
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srinath.gunaratne / January 4, 2017
Well doctor, I can only laugh from the back side, spend your money and come! welcome and hospitable!
Government make a small village, ethnic cleansing!
I have the solution for this, How about sinhalese wealthy buy this land and start donating it to the poor sinhalese? will they still be welcomed by this hospitable tamils?
Tamil racism breeds, sinhalese racism. You are fighting a numbers game which you are bound to lose in the long term, Your VP only accelerated the inevitable.
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Native Vedda / January 5, 2017
srinath.gunaratnam
“Tamil racism breeds, sinhalese racism.”
Does riots in 1915, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1977, 1981, 1983, Aluthgama rings a bell.
What racism did the Sinhala/Buddhists experienced from Jaffna Library?
Find out the meaning of words like
chauvinism,
ethnocentrism,
jingoism,
prejudice,
bias,
bigotry,
intolerance,
parti pris,
one-sided,
blinkered,
subjective,
discriminatory,
racist,
jaundiced,
distorted,
warped,
twisted,
skewed,
……………………
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / January 5, 2017
Srinath Gunaratne,
15,000 acres of land are to be given on lease to the Chinese in Hambantota, while families from Suryawawe and Hambantota have been moved surreptitiously to the north!
Oh, the dirty games you play!
Laugh, though cynically, with your mouth, if you are capable of it! Even Hyena’s are believed to laugh/grin through the mouths!
Tamils and Sinhalese are not races, but ethnicities.
Dr.RN
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jansee / January 4, 2017
soma:
“I am Worried that they will lose that right in case they establish separate enclaves for themselves.”
I don’t know whether you put the donkey’s head before the tail or the tail before the head?? I wonder if a genius like you would care to explain.
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Rajash / January 4, 2017
Soma “Sinhalese fear Muslim population explosion and Tamil Nadu territorial expansion. “
Soma you have just confirmed the age old saying “Sinhalese the majority with a minority complex.”
You guys will never grow up not only that you guys will pump this delusion and minority complex to you generation and the next and the next …
Sinhalese will be always a minority in their own country
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srinath gunaratne / January 5, 2017
Rajash
You are absolutely right.we are minority,
Because most Sinhalese are stupid and blame other races for our problems, while we are divided on caste religion region and politics!
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aratai / January 6, 2017
srinath,
i’ll tell you a secret…… northern tamils prefer sinhalese over tamilnadu tamils, eastern tamils prefer sinhalese over northern tamils, upcountry tamils prefer sinhalese over north & east tamils, and all tamils prefer sinhalese over muslims.
this is just like a family issue… tamils and sinhalese just don’t know how to say sorry and get on with life.
:-)
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Noor Nizam / January 4, 2017
It is only through political unity that we can regain our dignity and rights, Insha Allah.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Community and its POLITICIANS should stand before a “MIRROR” and ask the question WHY? The “Yahapala Government” has no consideration to the Muslim Community issues or the “MUSLIM FACTOR” at all. It is clear that he “Yahapalana Government” is NOT going listen to the Muslims since bringing President Maithripala Sirisena and the Yahapalana government to power with nearly 800,000 votes plus the tamil votes. As a result of our hypocrisy, Muslims in Sri Lanka do NOT have a POLITICAL VOICE.The Yahapalana government has forgotten that it was the minority Muslim votes and the Tamil votes and a very small fraction of the Sinhala votes the tipped the balance for the “Hansaya” to win the Presidential Elections in 2015. The en-block Muslim votes and Tamil votes to the Muslim candidates and the Tamil candidates made the Yahapalana government to get their majority in parliament in the 2015 general elections.
IT IS TIME UP THAT A NEW POLITICAL FORCE, HONEST AND SINCERE THAT WILL PRODUCE “CLEAN’ AND DILIGENT MUSLIM POLITICIANS TO DEFEND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY POLITICALLY AND OTHERWISE, ESPECIALLY FROM AMONG THE YOUTH HAS TO EMERGE WITHIN THE SRI LANKA MUSLIM COMMUNITY TO FACE NEW ELECTIONS IN THE COMING FUTURE. It is by only expressing and showing our political strength unitedly that we can gain our position as equals in the country. We can support any political party or ideology, but emerging as a “NEW POLITICAL FORCE”, we will stand to gain what we are loosing, INSHA ALLAH. Lobbying to vote the JVP against the Yahapalana government in any future elections as Mr. Himy Ahamed is suggesting will be the worst disaster to our community.
Noor Nizam, Convener – “The Muslim Voice”.
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Fathima / January 4, 2017
So what are you suggesting, Noor Nizam? Spell it out! Are you asking the Muslims to vote for Mahinda?
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Fazeel Hussain / January 6, 2017
This man was a known Mahinda stooge who betrayed the Muslim community. He and hilmi have constant battles in Muslim fora. Hilmi played an important role by getting Paisa Mustapa, risad and many other politicians to support sirisena. Hilmi is a friend of ranil and ravi (biggest rouge) karunaratne. Nisam is trying to get muslims to support mahinda again. This will never happen. This man has to be brought to the dehiwala mosque and flogged for betraying muslims.
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Mallaiyuran / January 4, 2017
[Edited out] Comments should not exceed 300 words and external links are discouraged.Please read our Comments Policy for further details.
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Mallaiyuran / January 4, 2017
Hilmi is showing his ultra-racist face by attacking Tamils.
Hilmi issued threat to the government. Nobody in government was bothered about his JVP. Now he is attacking Tamils. Old King attacked Muslims to win in the last the election, but lost. But Hilmi thinks he will win.
Anura Kumara has not yet become like Ranil, New King, Old King level to take in Hakeem, Rishard,, …In that case if Anura Kumara accepts the offers from current Muslim Parties, then it is one spreading mud oneself. If Muslim mass votes to JVP and Anura reject Hakeem, Rishard….within the same afternoon of forming government, they will topple it.
War produced 300,000 Tamil refugees were settled very quickly is total lie. He is distorting the NGOs and IC numbers. Still about 30,000 out there not properly settled. Many in temporary arrangements like in relatives houses. About 120,000 houses are shortage to for the people to resettle. When LTTE politely evacuated Muslims they went to South and many are settled and doing very well. But the richest community Tamils has become poorest after leaving South in 1958, 1977, & 1983, while the poorest Muslim community has become the richest only after leaving north and moving to South.
Athulathmudali who used Muslims, used his government to help them too. I left South 100 times in worse condition than Rishard left north. I did not have even north to go, unlike Rishard. Like me 1 Million Tamils restarted from scratches in unknown lands. Still 1 lakh is in Tamil Nadu in camps. No Muslims died in North. But 300,000- 500,000 Tamils died in South and North. It is a dirty game Hilmi playing by comparing Tamils with Muslims.
Hilmi exaggerates to plug more out of government. That time LTTE number was 25,000 Muslims evacuated from North. Latest number is more than 24,800 resettled there already. He is looking for free houses. Those who are destroying the Wilpattu are not evacuated Muslims. That was why BBS opposed it. BBS style may not be accepted but those who do not have houses cannot occupy government’s reserved forest lands just because Hilmi can write efficient lies about Tamils settlement.
The recent resentment of Muslim writers and parties’ leaders are not about refugees but about the bad news of minority problems may get settled. That may render them worthless for corrupted Sinhala governments. They want stall constitutional change. That is shame on them
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Tariq Rasheed / January 6, 2017
F U Mallaiyrun. LTTE politely evacuated the Muslims… Why the F… did they apologize if they politely evacuated. What a load of bullshit from a cow dung loaded brain
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TA / January 4, 2017
So called Environmentalist led by a Buddhist Monk and a Media Outlet headed by a close relation of a convicted murderer and Drug Lord, more concerned about trees and animals than Human Beings who were driven from their homes by the Terrorist.
President wants to expand the boundaries of Wilpattu to disposses an already dispossesed people. What a shame. Talk about about Compassion? Yahapalana?
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Suneth / January 4, 2017
Amusing to see the political twist on an environmental issue
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jamXboree / January 4, 2017
Amusing to see you cant see whats right in front of you. Keep hiding behind that screen.
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A W Abdulkany / January 4, 2017
I do not understand why the successive governments discriminate the Muslims of this country. They are rightful citizen of this country. They come to power promising sun and moon and starts and once their installed in power, the kick the very ladder through which they climbed. Give the Muslims their rightful place in the country. Do not betray them; we have been a good citizen of this country for over 1000 years. We have not stabbed back and we are not traitors of this country. We are partners in the progress of this country. Be grateful. Any country, which does not treat its minority community will not prosper.
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srinath gunaratne / January 4, 2017
It may be old Muslim settlements,
For minute, don’t you think that these settlements are bad for the environment when the park?
Instead clearing the forests, why not settle in some alternate land?
There are no traditional home lands for anyone?
How attentive Bulky is, President decides a day ago, here comes the Libbey train!
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2017
srinath gunaratnam
“Instead clearing the forests, why not settle in some alternate land?”
You have a sensible but a hypocritical position on land settlement. What are you going to do about state sponsored new settlements propping up since 1940s in North East and other massive colonisation projects elsewhere?
When will you protest against these colonies which continuously destroying forest and environment. You won’t. Isn’t it part of your arrogant agenda?
“There are no traditional home lands for anyone?”
There is no Sinhala/Buddhist country either.
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John / January 4, 2017
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2017
John boy
Brilliant
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John / January 4, 2017
Vadda mullah,
It was brilliant,you know what the comment was.
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Moahamed Saleem / January 6, 2017
Srinath, where would you find land. The 3850 from Hambantota was settled clearing over 5000 acres of Jungle land. Why nobody talks about it. Why doesn’t the environmentalist and media take drone cameras to show these settlements. All these years they were saying the Muslims invaded and cleared the Wilpattu park. Now the bloody man who said he saw the Muslims destroying the Wilpattu reserve is saying not one inch has been encroached. Then why is he not giving the Muslims their own land. The idea is to take this over and resettle Sinhalese later to create a buffer from the north tamils in the North. How disgraceful deceit by the sinhala rulers
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Arun / January 4, 2017
Bravo…good job keep it-up,should expose all double standards of racists.no justice no peace.
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ekelbroom / January 4, 2017
This is the second article within a period of just 8 days published in CT that Brother Ahamed has referred indirectly to the fact that the Muslim voters are faced with a Hobson’s Choice at future state elections.
Is this meant to be a ‘warning’ to the Yahapalanaya Government that their Muslim support base is fast eroding ?
Or, is it a gentle reminder to the Muslim Community that there is a third political option ?
Unfortunately, he has dismissed somewhat airily the possibility that Muslims would ever-again vote for the “Rajapakse Clan”. Unfortunate because he seems to have already forgotten how the Tamil Voters in the recent past have forgotten/forgiven the UNP which caused far more devastation in 1983 to their community than what the Rajapakse Government did to the Muslim Community indirectly in 2014. Unfortunate, because he is insinuating that Muslim Voters will forgive/ forget the horrendous violence, mayhem and murder unleashed by the JVP against all Sri Lankans in the late 1980’s. So, it is inevitable that there will be a drift of Muslim Voters towards the ‘Rajapakse Clan’ – a trickle which may well turn into a flood as memories begin to fade and the Muslims begin to realize and accept the fact that Corruption is a price that all citizens have to pay for electing any group of politicians to office. Unfortunate because he does not consider the possibility that the resurgence of anti-Muslim sentiment may be a ploy on the part of the Yahapalanaya Government to keep reminding the Muslims of the events that transpired during the period 2012 – 2014. The recent trading of body-blows by the BBS and MR is a classic strategic move in this regard.
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ranjith (sprrw) / January 4, 2017
No issue. All displaced persons should be resettled. That should not be a free license to minister concern to destroy environment and get land for his or her relatives or family members.
.
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Mahajan / January 4, 2017
Sad you make this a Racial issue when it is an envrionmental catastrophi. Sirisena will be saving all life when these illegal settlements are removed for sure, including muslims.
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Silma / January 4, 2017
We Muslims don’t ask for special privileges as some mistakenly think we do. We’re citizens of Sri Lanka, and need to be served with the same spoon as for other Sri Lankans- that’s it. All we want is justice, equality and the rule of law without favoring one community over another. The IDPs, no matter which ethnicity they belong to, should have the right to return to their homes. If not, they should be settled in alternative land with infrastructure. The Environment also needs to be protected. If these basic rights aren’t met, we shall naturally look for political alternatives.
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Protect vilpattu / January 4, 2017
Until the day people realize that protecting environment is more important than promoting their race or religion, dumbos like this writer will have platforms like this one to justify their not so logical opinions like this article. Shame.. shame.. shame..
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jamXboree / January 4, 2017
I take no issue to your esteem of wildlife over that of humans. However, would you, in the same vein, sit back and critique if this was the plight of your family?
Thats right. You wouldnt.
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John / January 4, 2017
Muslims are business community, so they should not be in the jungle. Mannar is the closest to India, they use this place for drug smuggling and other illegals activities. That was why during Sirimawo’s time many army camps were setup.
This so called Muslim (Marakkala kallathonis) internally displaced persons are recent immigrants who escaped poverty and draught in the 60s. Some Muslims politicians and lawyers help them to get fraudulent Sri Lankan birth certificates.
The said minister who aldgley threw stones at the magistrate, now owns 5000 acres of the area, shared thé loot euthanasie his family members.
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2017
Johnny boy
the arrested development
There is a list of drug dealers and smugglers. Could you confirm if they are/were Muslims:
Jayakody Arachchige Ruwan Perera alias Olcott
Duminda
Kimbula-Ela Guna
Thel Baala
Gampola Vidanelage Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda
Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne’s office
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John / January 4, 2017
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John / January 4, 2017
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John / January 4, 2017
Non native
Kudu Noor, Nauffer, Mamasmi, Anamalu mohammad, underworld in Maradana,underworld in Kandy, etc.
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Native Vedda / January 5, 2017
Johnny Boy
Thanks for your list however, I am aware of the names. You didn’t get my point, did you?
Here is a news item
Powerful Minister in gold smuggling racket
January 3, 2017, 10:14 pm
island.lk
Please find out who this Minister is.
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Concern citizen / January 4, 2017
Protecting vilpatu
Are you blind or just plain stupid, the government is deforestating the whole country settling the Sinhalese all over but no body bothers.
The environment get affected only when the Muslims are re-settled, what kind of hypocrisy is this, are you people all going mad!!
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John / January 4, 2017
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John / January 4, 2017
There are 4 million Muslims in the sl. Although official records show that that Muslims population of sl is less than 1 million. The government must recount the Muslims, check their ancestry and who gave them the sl birth certificates, they abuse the Sri Lanka’s free education, free health care, and other free stuff.
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jamXboree / January 4, 2017
Only person abused by this piece of fiction is you. Good for you. Keep slapping yourself.
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2017
John boy arrested development
“There are 4 million Muslims in the sl. Although official records show that that Muslims population of sl is less than 1 million.”
It is confusing, isn’t it?
There is a simple solution to solve your humungous problem. Why don’t you consider Bronco Branding each and every Muslim on their forehead with numbers starting from M1, M2 …… to M4,000,000.
The state will not miss anyone whom you think outside the census count.
Similarly, you can count S1, S2 …. to S15,000,000, T1, T2, ….. to T3,000,000 ………………….. and SB1, SB2, ……..
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Rajash / January 4, 2017
“Bronco Branding each and every Muslim on their forehead….”
Native – that explains why the muslin men force their women to wear hijab :)
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Native Vedda / January 5, 2017
Rajash
“Native – that explains why the muslin men force their women to wear hijab “
The Muslims are aware of the likes of Jonny boys.
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dingiri / January 4, 2017
[Edited out]
@ dingiri
Comments should not exceed 300 words. Please read our Comments Policy for further details.
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dingiri / January 4, 2017
There are three reasons why the Moslems evicted from Mannar cannot be returned to their former homes.
1. The military has taken over large areas in Mannar denying some people from returning to their homes.
2. Tamil people have moved into the lands vacated by the Moslems. Such as the fishing harbour that is now being fought over with Moslems trying to evict Tamils who are the current occupants.
3. The Moslem population increasing at twice the rate of the Sinhalese and Tamil populations which are also increasing (The refugee population could well have doubled in the last 30 years). All these new people have to be given land to live in and where better to give take it from than our last remaining protected forests which belong to no one in particular?
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Jehan / January 5, 2017
Gnanasaraya not in jail for aluthgama,
No justice in this moda palanaya government.
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true / January 5, 2017
[Edited out]
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