28 March, 2024

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The Glorification Of The Inglorious

By Malinda Seneviratne –

Malinda Seneviratne

The High Commissioner of the UNHRC Navi Pillay came and went. She brought words with her, gathered some words during her visit, and generated some words before she left.  She is not done yet, since she has to ‘word’ sessions of the UNHRC in New York in a few days and in Geneva early next year.   Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris, in statements made in London and Colombo, has taken issue with some of these words.

All in all, Pillay has violated the principle of proportions, both in visit and in word.  That however was expected, was a ‘given’, and one that is par for the course from highly positioned civil servants in the UN system.  Selective myopic, impaired hearing, sporadic bouts of getting tongue tied and occasional attacks of the Numb-Finger Syndrome that stumps accusation are occupational hazards such employees are required to suffer.

She recalled by way of refuting claims she was partial to the LTTE that her only precious visit to Sri Lanka was to pay her last respects to Neelan Thiruchelvam who was murdered by the LTTE.  She even said ‘Those in the diaspora (sic) who continue to revere the memory of the LTTE must recognize that there should be no place for the glorification of such a ruthless organization’.  She did not include ‘glorifiers’ in Sri Lanka. That’s a glaring omission on her part and amounts to a glorification green light which elements in the TNA have pounced on, a go-ahead that arguably shaped the manifesto of that party.  Pity.

That was word.  What of ‘deed’?  Pillay wanted to lay a floral tribute ‘to the dead’ at Mullavaikkal.  Touching.  On the other hand, the political symbolism associated with a tribute at the spot where the terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran breathed his last squarely questions her stated antipathies to the LTTE, ruthlessness and terrorism. Whatever sentiments she had in 1999 appear to have changed by 2009 (going by statement made) and her 2013 words are mocked by her own deeds. She decried LTTE-glorification and at the same time desires to glorify.  Pity.

Pillay, as Peiris has correctly pointed out, glorifies an incurably flawed document (the Darusman Report).  Her inability to question the travesty of justice in classifying source and evidence therein, recall the same mechanism adopted by the USA with respect to non-existence weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and more recently regarding Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons.  More disturbingly, she appears blissfully unaware that this same report described the LTTE as a ‘disciplined’ organization.  Can anyone be faulted for asking if the lady a) really means what she said about the LTTE, b) really abhors glorification of the LTTE, and c) is a neutral actor in all this?

What does Pillay find most disturbing, though? ‘The harassment and intimidation of a number of human rights defenders,’ she said.  What is the evidence?  What she has been told and reports she has received.  Has she verified? She doesn’t say so.  Has she questioned credibility of source? Not to our knowledge.  It adds up to a single word: heresay.

But why is Pillay so keen to believe what she is told?  We can only surmise.  So here goes.

She’s put in more hours of conversing with these self-appointed pundits on all things related to Sri Lanka than she has with Government officials.  She’s read and seen documents and documentaries respectively based on ‘information’ provided by the same people.  Uncritically.  The errors of believing the unverified uttered by the unreliable accumulate and if an uncritical gaze casually grazes over all this, it is naturally to come to conclusions.

Those who told stories didn’t have anything to show to justify their whines.  They naturally had to conjure up something for the benefit of Pillay’s ears.  Ready-to-listen ears, one might add.  If she knew that some of the biggest names in the human rights and media rights business have hoodwinked donors and are so dependent on donor funds that they have to manufacture, distort and exaggerate in order to justify work and funds, she would take the lists offered and shake each one twice.  But if she insists on believing the written word and the said word uncritically, then the principle of equality imposes upon her the need to resist selectivity.  That would concede, in the very least, an understanding that things said need to be verified.

Pillay made a mountain out of statements made by shady individuals with dubious agenda.  Pillay made a molehill on the post-conflict work of the Government.  Pillay forgot a word called ‘context’.  Pillay did not realize, obviously, that these omissions and commissions don’t do anything to dispel what she ought to understand are not unjustifiable concerns about the claimed impartiality of UN agencies and indeed her office.  The primary beneficiaries, given realities of political economy, are the biggest stakeholders of the regime, not the ordinary citizenry.  The legitimation edge vis-à-vis conferred by all this on the regime can and as history has shown, here and elsewhere, is likely to be abused, to the detriment of the citizens.

Navi Pillay must ask herself why no one is cheering her visit or her words, except those she has by omission, commission and confusion, shown partiality to her.

*Malinda Seneviratne is the Chief Editor of ‘The Nation’ and his articles can be found at www.malindawords.blogspot.com

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Latest comments

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    Darth Insidious at work again. Pillay specifically told the media that the allegations require credible investigations. The refusal to do so invites an inference. Similarly, the Darusman report is not a verdict of guilt. Only those blinded by their allegiances would deny that the evidence that has surfaced warrants impartial investigation. Surely Malinda cannot be so naive as to think that there has been or will be credible investigations! I find it hilarious that he is willing to construct his fabulous conspiracy theories about how health ministry officials are corrupt and clear milk powder but is unable to conceive the possibility of fault on the part of the military during the war. Even after weliweriya!

    I guess sometimes people get carried away with their own perceived cleverness that they don’t realize how hollow their words ring.
    S

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      @ Suleiman
      Mr.MoleLinda SeneviRotten is far from being naive. He just decided to sell his (ar)soul for a laptop, 30 pieces of silver and a few other perks. In return he has to glorify the inglorious RajaPox regime and vilify and castigate anyone and everyone who accuses his masters of bad governance and human rights abuses. He is only doing the job he was paid for noh? So let the poor chap do his job. :D

      • 0
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        Malinda, What are you trying to say pal?
        the bus has gone ha ha ha. Yours & Regime’s comedy is good for your galleries only. Pillay has her reports ready in any case, brought or gathered or generated. Just wait and see the fun now.
        So sorry to say that our days are numbered pai.
        Gota these days wetting his pants probably.

      • 0
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        Who said he gets paid. Probably gets something shoved up his behind and told by the perpetrator that ‘it was good for him’…… his own words in a previous article.

    • 0
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      Malinda, your arrogance is a hindrance to your progress and recognition as a journalist ..by the people that ought to..not the ones that mercenary-style contract you! You just do not seem to get it, do you!

    • 0
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      Malinda please read Kishali’s article on this website and SHUT UP!

      You are a pathetic liar, spinner and joker! Actually scum of the earth.

      • 0
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        Ah… calling a spade a spade!

  • 0
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    And please don’t say that the well meaning Sri Lankan government is unable to conduct the investigations as the identities of all the witnesses have not been provided our that no police complaint has been made!

    • 0
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      SULAIMAN;

      This Bloke MALINDA says;

      A very Funny and Thruthful stetsment like this.

      Reffering to Ms Pillay,

      “If she knew that some of the biggest names in the human rights and media rights business have hoodwinked donors and are so dependent on donor funds that they have to manufacture, distort and exaggerate in order to justify work and funds, she would take the lists offered and shake each one twice”.

      EVERYBODY In SRI LANKA KNOWS THAT,
      One of the biggest names in the human rights and media rights business done in Sri Lanka, who went to Genève in 19ies to have hoodwinked donors and,
      are so dependent on donor funds that they have manufactured, distorted and exaggerated in order to justify works and funds,
      And cheated the all the donors of TSUNAMI FUNDS for Billions of dollars of SO CALLED HELPING HAMBANTHOTA, With Their FAMILY CLAN,

      SHE [MRS PILLAY WOULD] Take few tablets to Commit Suicide, Because could not believe that,

  • 0
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    Malinda Seneviratne
    Did you also get a freeeeeeeeeeeeee laptop fro MR?

  • 0
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    Malinda,
    “It’s only words. And words are all I have. To take your heart away. Talk in ever lasting words.”

    You used the “word” thirteen times and it baffles me you still don’t understand the “word”

    It comes as no surprise that you and Prof GLP have a common distinct tendency to confuse oneself time and time gain on the “words” therein said.

  • 0
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    Pillay wanted to lay a floral tribute ‘to the dead’ at Mullavaikkal.

    Pillai Wanted to throw flowers to the NanthiKaddal Lagoon ?

    Some christian Journalist with buddhist first name said that was a lie.

    • 0
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      “Floral tribute at Mullivaikal: Gross misrepresentation, says Pillay’s Office ”

      If you do not believe this you wont believe anything she says. After all Buddhist do not believe in Buddhism. Otherwise they will practice it.

      • 0
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        I should have said Sri Lankan Buddhist.

  • 0
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    You are damn right
    Pillay has violated the principle of proportions, both of what?
    That however was expected, was a ‘given’,
    There is nothing cheer about her visit and no one cheers
    Yes she came for investigation of violation several area and your master ran out the country through the back door to another country has long HR violation record
    You are fool your self and didn’t realize what you are writhing or what is your brain thinking
    I noticed you know three things
    LTTE and Prabakaran
    UN and Navil Pillai
    And
    How to bow your masters

  • 0
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    “Selective myopic, impaired hearing, sporadic bouts of getting tongue tied and occasional attacks of the Numb-Finger Syndrome that stumps accusation are occupational hazards such employees are required to suffer.”

    Sounds more like our lap top journos. Failing which a phone call, house break, white van or having your brain blown out.

  • 0
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    Leave aside the tamils issues.
    Even the opposition, muslim/catholic communities, and the other local population complaining issues against UPFA government to Navi Pillai.

    What’s wrong with them?
    Why they have to complain it to NAvi when UPFA leaders are in country in every bush?

    Is there anything for our UPFA leaders to be ashamed of?

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    Usual Rajapakse democrazy tactics getting escalated to UN as 1st hand information…..

    /* The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the government should promptly investigate the allegations.

    “It’s outrageous for a government that is hosting the UN human rights chief to have their security forces harass the people who met with her,” Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch said.
    “The Sri Lankan government should announce that ‘visits’ or other forms of harassment of those who spoke to the high commissioner will be punished. And the government should make sure they punish officials who’ve already done so.”

    When in Sri Lanka, Pillay held extensive meetings with people in the formerly embattled North and East of the country, as well as with government officials, politicians, and activists. The Centre for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, based in Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, reported being harassed by military personnel a few hours after its staff met with Pillay. */

  • 0
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    Bilinda, so puerile is the abstracts of your inglorious parody.

  • 0
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    Malinda – you say, “Navi Pillay must ask herself why no one is cheering her visit or her words, except those she has by omission, commission and confusion, shown partiality to her.”

    What a stupid statement – given the fact that we all know who you mean by “no one”!

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    Malinda;

    “Navi Pillay must ask the Sri Lankan PPRESIDENTE,

    why no one From the DARMISHTA GOVERNANCE embroiled With MAHINDA CHINTHANAYA was cheering her visit or her words,

    Why do you apologize to me?, if you have not done any wrong to your people and me,
    because your, so called Educated MPS, With DOCTERATES ARE REPRESENTING YOUR PEOPLE.

    Malinda, What a joke from a Harvard Educated JERNERLIST.

    And That Foreign Going PERIS is A OVERGROWN CHILD,
    DO NOT BELIEVE HIM.
    Your Bosses are Afraid of truth, man.

    Because They, the Governance knows, what a destruction they have done to the people of sri lanka and looting the masses of their wealth.

    AND YOU HAVE TAKEN THE CONTRACT FOR WHITEWASHING And WASHING DIRTY LINEN ALSO.

  • 0
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    Disgrace to journalists and journalism.

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