28 March, 2024

Blog

The Hidden Genocide Of Tamils In Sri Lanka

By Thambu Kanagasabai – 

Thambu Kanagasabai

Thambu Kanagasabai

There is much debate going on in various circles, Human Rights Organization, Politicians, and Lawyers including International community on the question of genocide.

It has therefore become an important question and issue to analyze and make an opinion as to its applicability and consequent culpability for Sri Lankan Governments.

GENOCIDE IS DEFINED IN THE UN GENOCIDE CONVENTION AS FOLLOWS;

Any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or part of a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as such

1)      Killing members of the group or

2)      Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group or

3)      Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part or

4)     Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group or

5)      Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

If one could study and analyze the acts of Sri Lankan government since 1956, one could clearly discern and discover the subtle, overt and covert measures, acts and  laws aiming and targeting the liquidations of Tamils in Eelam: who are the original inhabitants of Eelam as confirmed by foreign, local, Sinhalese and Tamil historians.

tamils-missing-3-630x350The “Mahavamsa” – a puranic fiction with stories woven around the Sinhalese kings commencing from Vijaya  a grandson of  a wild lion which lived with his grandmother in a cave of 16 years, an unimaginable story, serves as the base for the rulers and ruled alike to consider Sri  Lanka as belonging to Sinhalese. The chilling fact, assuming Vijayan’s story as true is Vijayan was neither a Sinhalese nor a Buddhist. He was a Naga Tamil who married the Tamil princess daughter of a Tamil Pandya king from South India.

Historical facts

Buddhism was introduced in Ceylon in BC 247 by Devanampiya Tissa – a Hindu Tamil king. Sinhalese language is a mixture of Pali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Elu and Prakrit which came into full form after AD6 .

Tamil kings were ruling Ceylon from BC 236. Saivaism was prevailing in Ceylon before BC 500, as evidenced by the Easwaram Temples built by Saiva merchants in all directions of Ceylon: North – Naguleswaram, South-Thondeeswaram, and Northwest – Ketheeswaram.  West Munneeswaram, East Koneswaram.

The history evidences that Ceylon was country belonging to Tamils being the descendants of the Nagas who were the ancient inhabitants. As such history is now being twisted and hidden to favour the Sinhalese whose identity was established with the introduction of Sinhala language only in AD 6.

The following facts, incidents, laws, schemes and programs carried out by the Sinhalese governments since 1956 fall within one or more provisions defining genocide. The following are external manifestations of the internal crafty designs of various Sinhalese governments deftly executed sometimes with some gullible and some traitorous Tamil politicians who held and are holding cabinet positions, with some betrayers serving the Rajapakse government.

Genocide is proved when any one of the listed six facts are or were  intentionally committed to destroy in whole or in part either a national group or ethnical group or racial group or religious group.

Under this category, Eelam Tamils are falling within the national group living in the North and East in the Sri Lankan nation.

The process of genocide was initiated in 1956 and has been progressing with an interruption during LTTE’s dominance in the North and East in the following ways of schemes, plans and laws.

1956 – Sinhala only act which demoted the Tamil language

1958 – Racial riots targeting the Tamils

1961 – Military crushing of Satyagraha campaign

1971 – Standardisation in education – Tamil students discriminated, denied admission to Universities

1972 – Republican constitution – Sinhalese language and Buddhism given ‘foremost place’ in the constitution.

1974 -Breaking down the International Tamil Research Conference public meeting in Jaffna

1977- State aided communal riots against Tamils

1981 – Burning down of The Jaffna public library

1983- Communal riots with state encouragement and assistance – Tamils were targeted all over the Island including their properties.

2008 – 2009 – May 18th – Killing and disappearances of about 146,679 Tamils in the North and East

Various massacres numbering 156 in the North and East were committed by the armed forces and paramilitary elements from 1983 – 1995 in selected spots and places.

Extra – Judicial killings of five Tamil student in Trinco and seventeen Tamil aid workers in the Eastern province.

Mass graves discovered in various places in the North and East. The current mass graves being discovered in Mannar.

Assassinations of activists, priests and Members of parliament commencing from 1984 with the killing of TR George Pararajasingam including the  latest killing of FR Mariampillai Sarathjeevan in 2009.

Killings of twelve Tamil women after raping them began from Krihanthi in 1996 with latest victims being Isaipriya and Santhakumari in 2009.Besides 75 cases of rape were reported.

Between 2006 – 2012, 31 men, 41 women, 3boys under age 18 were killed while they were in state custody.

Internal displacement of Tamils: Destruction of properties, militarisation of North and Estern provinces.

Serious bodily and mental harm inflicted by the States forces from 1983: including rape which is a component of genocide.

30,000 Tamils were disabled due to army shelling in 2009 and were experiencing and witnessing the shellings, bombardments, people falling dead with limbs and  parts of body scattered, fleeing in fear even walking on the bodies of dead and injured

State Sponsored Sinhalese Settlements in the North and East provinces which is continuing at hectic pace

Building of Vihares and Statutes of Buddha in Tamil areas where there are no worshipers and near Hindu temples to destroy the history and sacredness of those historical Hindu temples. About 1500 Temples and 500 churches have been destroyed so far.

Appropriation of Lands belonging to Tamils in the North and East forcing the displacement of Tamil civilians making them landless wanderers. About 2500 acres have been confiscated by the Army so far.

Intention to commit the above acts of genocide to bring about the part and/ or whole destruction of Eelam Tamils group is evidenced by the statements of the past and present Sinhala leaders, starting from D.S Senanayake (1947-52) when he initiated the Sinhala colonization in the East predicting and blessing the Sinhales “as the last bastion of Sinhala”

The statement of president Rajapaksa on 19th may 2009 when he warned “TNA not to challenge the Sri Lankan state and if they are preparing to challenge Sinhalese society and their future generation they will have to visit the Nandikadal region” (Sunday Leader 24th May 2009)

The ongoing Acts of Genocide clearly demonstrate the Sri Lanka’s government determination to destroy the Eelam Tamil national group living in the North and East provinces. Part of the destruction of the Tamil group is sufficient to establish the crime of genocide provided “they live together or living in common with common ideals goals and aspirations” which are the Northern and Eastern provinces.

The deliberate killings and wounding which were directed at unarmed, non-combative civilians from 1958 to 2009, evidence the intention to destroy the Eelam Tamils group fulfills the requirements of the charge and commission of genocide. Partial destruction is enough for genocide. With 156 racial massacres of Tamils between 1956to 2009

In view of the above perilous situation facing the Eelam Tamils in the North and East in would be naïve for anyone to hope for peaceful life and existence in the North and East while living among and with army.

The irresistible and unavoidable solution for the Tamils to live with dignity, self-respect, human rights and freedoms while preserving their language and culture is nothing but self-rule based on self-determination under the provisions of UN Charter.

The process of genocide commenced in 1958 and it has been achieved successfully in May 2009 as evidenced by the above mentioned list of crimes and ethnic destroying acts committed by successive Sri Lankan governments.

The above acts cumulatively prove the intent of Sri Lankan Govts to destroy in whole or part of a national ethnical or racial group, the Eelam Tamils. The volume of evidence, oral, documentary and graphic is confirmatory of the crime of consciously planned genocide targeting the Tamils

The Acts and evidences are nothing but the external manifestations of the internal malafide intentions and motives to dissipate the political strength and power of Tamils through dismembering their identity language, history, culture and traditions and finally seeing off their gradual demise as racial group in Sri Lanka

The appeal made before by Karen Parker and Andy Higginbotton sums up the position of Tamils. “We call on all people of conscience, social movements and states around the world to speak out against the genocide and recognize the legitimacy of Eelam Tamils to national self-determination. The prevention of genocide and realization of national rights are inseparable in this case”

*Thambu Kanagasabai L.L.M (Lond) -Former Lecturer in Law, University Of Colombo

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 15
    30

    “2008 – 2009 – May 18th – Killing and disappearances of about 146,679 Tamils in the North and East”

    you must have put a massive effort to count the bodies of tamil terrorists. hope you enjoyed it as much as our brave forces crushed them.

    • 8
      14

      How your Diry outsider Sinhalese [Edited out] will expose Sinhalese are ancient Terrorist. The Vijaya [Edited out] ware licked out of India.

      • 11
        12

        prem, strongly suggest you to get back to school. your grammar and spelling are apalling.

        • 7
          10

          My comment is edited Colombo telegraph is very strict in deleting foul language. Than India Major news media.

        • 4
          7

          //prem, strongly suggest you to get back to school. your grammar and spelling are apalling. //

          what is ‘apalling’?

    • 9
      10

      nike boy

      “2008 – 2009 – May 18th – Killing and disappearances of about 146,679 Tamils in the North and East”

      “you must have put a massive effort to count the bodies of tamil terrorists.”

      I think he is relying on Sri Lankan media which reported 500 terrorists were being killed on a daily basis.

      “hope you enjoyed it as much as our brave forces crushed them.”

      Brave forces?

      Where were they hiding during Hindia bombarded this thrice blessed island with Chappathi flour. Were they hiding behind their women folks and VP’s big bump?

      Here is an excerpt from

      Indian Army back in medical garb, but is Delhi losing grip on Lanka?

      Exclusive
      By Gen. Ashok Mehta

      “What followed was a long period of India’s sulk diplomacy. In 2000 when the Tamil Tigers all but defeated the security forces after the fall of Elephant Pass, Sri Lanka requested for India’s help in evacuating the Jaffna garrison. This would have meant another expeditionary force interposed between the warring factions. Delhi offered financial assistance but declined any military involvement.”

      http://www.sundaytimes.lk/
      22 March 2009

      Hindians reminded Anton Balasingham that VP forgot the red line on the Elephant pass battle front. VP had to reel back from attacking Jaffna and the evacuation of Sinhala/Buddhist “brave” soldiers.

      • 8
        14

        thanks for your garbage

        • 14
          5

          nike boy

          “thanks for your garbage”

          I didn’t know where to dump it, thanks for receiving it and I am sure I have dumped in the right place or on the right person.

          • 2
            3

            This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/

            • 4
              3

              i’ve got big concern over CT’s double standards on comment moderation. CT clearly favors pro-minority individuals.

              CT – get your act together for a unbiased journalism

    • 5
      10

      Joseph Rayappu’s count was 140,000. You have counted it upto the exact number.

      How did you that ?

      • 3
        4

        here’s how he did it.

        Rayappu has taken a count of all the pieces of dashed coconuts to arrive at the figure.

        • 3
          2

          thondamannar

          “Rayappu has taken a count of all the pieces of dashed coconuts to arrive at the figure.”

          I was told he used an abacus.

          If you were to do it how would you do it?

    • 10
      8

      146,000 Tamil deaths doesn’t make it “genocide”. How about the other 2,013,184 Tamils? They are still living in SL. Isn’t it? So it is not genocide.

      Genocide is what Tamils did to Muslims in Jaffna in 1990. Zero Muslims in Jaffna today. That is genocide.

      • 0
        5

        What is the root of Muslims in Sri Lanka? Read the history, Muslims natives are Middleeast. What relation Muslims in Sri Lanka please explain.

      • 4
        2

        Fathima

        There is a difference between driving out the traitors ( The Jaffna Muslims), Genocide inflicted on the Tamils and the Holocaust taking place in the Islamic State . Get your facts right before you open your smelly mouth .

  • 2
    2

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/

  • 5
    2

    The roots of Sinhalese from Tamils and the genocide of Tamils by the Sinhalese is nothing but killing each other within.

    We are trying to colonise / invade one another’s minds and we are still trying to tell each other what to do and what to think. Can we, as humanity, get our act together fast enough to be able to change our collective demeanour fast enough.

    Even Buddha and Jesus(pbuh)couldn’t change the minds of the people. It is a big challenge because it is very comforting to remain in the same narrative. It is very safe not to challenge the status quo around you. Human beings have within them the capacity both to make peace and to make war. Is it possible to find a solution to the conflicts?

    A lot of the time the conflicts that rage and continue in the world around resources, between men and women, among religions, those conflicts are fuelled by the negative in us which is encouraged when we demonise one another, when we do not see ourselves being able to share and have a common understanding. Overcome an understanding in this complex world to live by recognising each others deficiencies. However in a Democrazy people tend to repeat insanity by electing the Ruling Demons.

  • 3
    8

    Yes, I already know this History before reading this news after all I’am living in Madurai.

  • 8
    7

    What the writer is confirming by his definitions is the genocide of the Sinhalese since the Thirties by the British, the Tamil Congress and the LTTE.

  • 10
    6

    Thank You Mr Kanagasabai for your succinct article.

    The bitter truth is that several decades ago our Sinhalese politicians identified the inescapable truth that the road to ‘democratic’ power is through winning the hearts and minds and votes of the Sinhalese people (particularly the Sinhalese-Buddhists). After that, fait accompli, the rot set in.

    The curse of communal politics with its attendant violence has well and truly settled on our land and all the Gods of Lanka cannot destroy the evil of the men who perpetrate this curse.

  • 9
    22

    Tamils targetted and killed innocent Sinhalese. That’s genocide. Estate Tamils refused to return to the Tamil Homeland of Tamil Nadu. If life is bad for Tamils in Sri Lanka, they would have gone back to Tamil Nadu.The writer is ignorant of historical facts. Most Tamil in Sri Lankas are desendants of Tamils brought in as coolies to work for Dutch and British owned plantations. There is no historical facts for creation of Eealam. My advise to the writer of fiction and like minded fellows is there is room in Sri Lanka for those who wish to coexist peacefully with Sinhalese, but others should look for greener pastures elsewhere. Eelaam is bunk!

    • 12
      6

      1974 -Breaking down the International Tamil Research Conference public meeting in Jaffna. Why afraid of Expose of Sinhalese fake?

      1981 – Burning down of The Jaffna public library. The Library contains documents of the true History of Sri Lanka?

    • 8
      7

      lal loo

      “Most Tamil in Sri Lankas are desendants of Tamils brought in as coolies to work for Dutch and British owned plantations.”

      So are the descendants of kallathoni Sinhala/Buddhists. The Sinhala/Buddhists also trace their ancestry to Vijaya and his miscreants who practiced bestiality, incestuous relation and parricide.

      Other words for miscreants:

      criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, black hat, lawbreaker, evil-doer, convict, delinquent, sinner, transgressor, outlaw, trespasser, scoundrel, wretch, reprobate, rogue, rascal; malfeasant, misfeasor

      Incest

      interbreedings, Electral loves, Oedipal love

      Bestiality

      Sexual intercourse between a person and an animal.

      Parricide

      The killing of a parent or other near relative

      • 1
        2

        So still preaching this Propaganda, British brought this and that. How about Britian trained Sinhala militant (Kamal Gunaratne). At the KVM workshop to kill Tamil. Source Britain’s dirty war on the Tamil people (1979-2009)

  • 3
    12

    Thambu Kanagasabai can you write books about in Multilanguage about it The title of the book should be ‘fiction History of Sinhalise’. Or if any book already available give the book name so I can read it.

  • 4
    5

    Methinks some of the comments have gone arse-up with the chronology.

    There would have been no clamour for Eelam, and none of the mayhem that we endured over the last five decades, if the majority of the Sinhalese hadn’t fallen for the wiles of their leaders who took them down the path of communal politics. All the minorities wanted was to be treated with fairness and respect and be allowed to live with dignity.

    Even many Sinhalese are joining our exiled Tamil brethren to seek peace in foreign climes, fed up with the way this country is run.

    Sinhalese who claim genocide is being practised on them should check the meaning of the word with their translators.

  • 8
    9

    To be precisely what happened in 1957 and who started:

    Mariyakada, Maradana-Colombo
    Around 1.00 am one could hear commotion ”Kill the Tamils” and Tamils all walks of life butchered. For what crime?
    For Tamil men started to put vehicle number plates ‘Sri’ in Tamil in Jaffna Peninsula. Yes a big crime???
    3 murderous groups involved in that carnage
    1- Nawaloka Mudalali
    2- Daas Mudalali
    3- Premadasa later became the president of Sri Lanka.

    Who fuel the attacks on Tamils ? Of course, non-other than Bandaranayake. Did he take any action to stop the killing and looting of Tamils? Nope!!!
    Jayawardena and Premadasa continued the trend.

    Now what’s happening? Can they stop at least now? Nope!!!!

    Repeating the history lesson never learnt. Who are actors this time?
    BBS and MaRa regime and the victims are Muslims!!!

    It will be continued for another 30 years or more if we Sri Lankans unanimously change this Government or it will be too late for our Peace, our Harmony, our Economy, and our Future Generations….

  • 7
    6

    The author leaves out the important fact that the ethnic-minded Sinhala and other groups REJECTED the just Tamil demand for ‘equal’ representation in Parliament prior to independence. How utterly incomprehensible that 88% of the people thought they were NOT the equal of 12% the Tamils represented, and demanded a perverted version of democracy, of one man, one vote.

  • 6
    7

    The ‘Christian rabbi’ who originally came up with the fanciful figures for ‘Tamil genocide’ got his cue from the ‘theology’ he studied as a young man.

    http://www.fathersmanifesto.net/bethar.htm and http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=3015

  • 2
    2

    This debate about who killed whom and when and why – can go on till eternity.
    The slate must be ‘wiped clean’ and a fresh start made to live together in harmony.
    To achieve this, we need humane, just leaders who will sacrifice their greed for wealth and power.
    Are there any?

  • 7
    15

    Tamils are very greedy and go all over the western world to make money and then get married very happily to non-tamils. I really love that self -genocide.

    • 5
      1

      Jim Softy

      From your name it is obvious that you are either half cast yourself or have a complex and prefer a western name. So it is a bit rich coming from you about the Tamils preferring non Tamils. Just one correction and Tamils marrying non Tamils is not self Genocide and if that is correct then you lot have suffered the most as the Burghers of Sri Lanka are a cross between Sinhalese and European and very few Tamils inter married.
      The word you are looking for to describe self Genocide is ” Suicide “. Go back to school and learn.

  • 7
    5

    Thambu Kanagasabai,

    Thanks for exposing the bitter truth of what
    happened to the Tamils in the recent past. You have a good memory or your ancestors maintained a diary of events since stone age.Since this article contains all but the truth in detail, suggest you send copies to the Indian PM Mr.Narendra Modi as this concerns India too and the UN secretary general.some of the participants in this forum lack knowledge in their own country’s past history. They seem to have short memories and so soon forgot that Singhalese and Tamils were the early settlers of this country from India and had kings, as rulers on both sides. The Muslims followed from Arab countries as traders.This is actual history and some trying to rewrite it and that may be the whole purpose of burning the Jaffna Library, which had very old valuable books on history, is to hide the facts. The pre meditated plan to burn the library was from the educated Sinhala elite and not from ordinary cops. The word ‘Coolies’ was used by countries who followed apartheid and not used in civilised countries.

  • 3
    2

    Ha ha…..Nice “Historical Facts”. Those are not different from the “facts” from Sinhalese extremist groups in their nature. Sinhalese extremist groups say this land belonged to ruled by Sinhalese and now you are saying it is Tamils are the original owners of the land. It’s amazing that people who see all wrongs of Sinhalese extremists don’t see any wrong in this article.
    Anyway, what a way to achieve your noble concepts such as “racial and religious harmony”, re-conciliation etc. Congrds!

    • 3
      3

      Upul

      “Anyway, what a way to achieve your noble concepts such as “racial and religious harmony”, re-conciliation etc. Congrds!”

      The only way to achieve “your noble concepts such as “racial and religious harmony, re-conciliation etc” is to give our land back to the rightful owners, my people the Veddahs.

  • 4
    4

    Genocide also combines Crimes against humanity. Prohibition of owning lands or homes by individuals and making them inhabitable comes under the preview of “Crimes against humanity”. Freedom of movement by the Tamils is completely curtailed by the presence of huge armed forces. The TNA would take up these matters with the UN investigative team. Nearly 30,000 to 40,000 people have been displaced and not allowed to resettle in their own lands in Vali-North by the Army and those lands are utilised for recreation, hotels and other businesses by the Army. The Army has to leave from the private lands and owners resettled. Continued Street protests has to be carried out by the people led by the Tamil leaders. This doesn’t seem to happen.
    It is a real shame and disgusting to view a photo where Mr.Mavai Senathirajah is almost kneeling down before Rajapaksa and Sambanthan shaking hands with Rajapaksa immediately after the Budget Speech.What does that photo shows?. They will come out with an explanation but not acceptable by the people.

  • 2
    4

    Enjoyed the piece.

    But why does this history of Tamil genocide start only in 1956?

    What about the citizenship Act which the majority of Tamils (with the exception of SJV Chelvanayagam and his few followers at the time) voted for and and joined the Sinhalese in depriving upcountry Tamils of their rights as Ceylonese? Do Ceylon Tamils worry only about their own genocide? The upcountry Tamils numbered slightly more than the so-called Ceylon Tamils then and today the majority have been eliminated as a people of Ceylon.

    Late in the 19th Century the Tamil Leader Ramanathan claimed that the Muslims are not a separate community and must call themselves Tamils, although they felt they were a distinct community. Is there any similarity between that and the BBS and General Fonseka saying that Tamils are welcome in Sri Lanka only if they become Sinhalese?

    We are all interested only in our own rights, it seems, as one writer commented a few days ago in these columns.

  • 2
    1

    Thambu starts his article with a scholarly approach by listing the 5 facets of genocide. But can anyone of them be done in hiding or un-noticed? Unfortunately his article has a lot of assertions and operates on the premise of an existence of an Eelam.

    It is reasonably correct to take it for granted that many rulers in ancient Sri Lanka had origins from the Indian Sub-continent. In trying to say that they are all of “Tamil” origin leads to the question who is a Tamil? (In the article itself it refers to Pandya Tamil, Naga Tamil etc. We now have Jaffna Tamil, Trinco Tamil, Batticaloa Tamil, Upcountry Tamil, Wellawatte Tamil, Malaysian Tamil, Singapore Tamil and even Scarborough Tamil.) Some have gone to the extent of establishing that the word Tamil is the Anglicized form of “Damila” or “Demala” and that word is used in many Asian countries to mean an Alien. This is going too far and why take the trouble to identify ethnicity in this supposedly enlightened 21st century? I am not trying to run away from History but we live now in the present and penetrating forensics do not serve any real purpose.

    It is far better to identify ways and means as to how a society consisting of different beings with different backgrounds to act together bound by common decency, while retaining the individual identity. Love, kindness and mutual respect should be the watch words.

  • 3
    5

    Thambu,

    I thought it is generally accepted that the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka were Veddas, not Tamils. You have asserted that the Nagas were Tamils. Were the Yakshas and other indigenous tribes also “Tamil?” I think not, though I agree that there is evidence of Tamil Hindu temples that pre-date the legendary arrival of Vijaya.

    Also, if the Mahavamsa can be relied upon, the early Sinhalese kingdom imported 1000 families of the 18 guilds along with the 700 maidens and Vijaya’s bride from the Panda Kingdom. They were all Tamils. In other words I agree that there were Tamils in Sri Lanka before there were Sinhalese, but they arrived there in boats and ships from India unlike the truly indigenous Veddas who arrived in Sri Lanka by foot when Sri Lanka was still joined to India more than 30,000 years ago.

    • 6
      3

      Romesh

      The original inhabitants of Srilanka were veddahs is proven by virtue of genetic, archeological, mythological evidence. There is evidence to say Nagas practiced Brahmanism and their influence could be seen from the shores of kashmiri rivers to land of Khmers in Cambodia.

      I think it is reasonable to say that pre mahavamsa period was enriched by a civilisation that maintained close relations to tamil culture and language. Although, equating Nagas to tamils could be counter productive to the first argument. This is because the culture and language of people varies upon the ruler of their land from time to time.

      “Tamils arrived there in boats and ships from India unlike the truly indigenous Veddas who arrived in Sri Lanka by foot when Sri Lanka was still joined to India more than 30,000 years ago”

      I think this is a classic “Kallathoni concept”. The period between 30,000 years and arrival of buddhism, there were multiple totemic tribes, lived in Srilanka and they could have had close connections with south India in both directions. Infact , There is evidence to say that coins and pottery and various items were exchanged between south India and Srilanka

      please read DR upload on
      http://ratnawalli.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Prof.-Osmund-Bopearachchi-New-Archaeological-Evidence-on-Cultural-and-Commercial-Relationships-between-Ancient-Sri-Lanka-and-Tamil-Nadu.pdf

      I would recommend you read on the book penned by Dr Anton Sebastian. It is titled as ‘Illustrated history of Srilanka’ published by Vijitha Yapa Publications. This should dispel a lot of myths on ‘sinhala buddhism’.

      • 2
        1

        Hi Ken,

        Thanks for the comment. I’m not sure what you mean by “Kallathoni concept”. I am not denying the close links and cultural exchange between South India and Sri Lanka since ancient times (including in prehistorical times).

    • 2
      4

      Questions

      Breaking down the International Tamil Research Conference public meeting in Jaffna

      State aided communal riots against Tamils

      Burning down of The Jaffna public library

      Don’t be so smart. There is proof of Similitary in Granite rock in Sri Lanka Stuba and Temple in Madurai why they need ship to travel Sri Lnak is just near Rameswaram.

    • 4
      1

      I wish to make some observations on Dr. Romesh Seneviratne’s comments.

      The presently much-hyped Mahawansa was unknown to the Sinhalese until the arrival of Col. Henry Olcott (around the late 19th century) and the research done by him, his friends where the Christian Don David Hewavitharne – later a.k.a. Anagarika Dharmapala played a junior role. The latter was to function in a secretarial capacity to Olcott until he (DDH) chose to literally plunge the knife into Olcott – when the time was ripe. The Sinhalese apparently came to know of this mostly fictional work – whose author wrote “history” of events 500 years prior to his time. It is not surprising the present Ven. Sobitha Thero and other Sinhala nationalists want to add a few addendums to the Mahavamsa – clearly in an effort to make it more “Sinhala Buddhist”

      It is a fact the North of Sri Lanka was linked to the Southern tip of India by land until about 9,000 years ago – something upon which respected archeologists and historians Drs. Shiran Deraniyagala, Sudharshan Seneviratne and others do not dispute. Much inter-travelling, co-habitation etc., could have occurred during those epochal centuries of two people hailing “from a common gene pool”

      Kettikaran

  • 4
    9

    Romesh,

    “agree that there is evidence of Tamil Hindu temples that pre-date the legendary arrival of Vijaya. “

    Couldn’t the Hindu temples have been that of Nagas, and the other tribe.

    “In other words I agree that there were Tamils in Sri Lanka before there were Sinhalese”

    As a person who reads your comments carefully and with a lot of interest, i would be very appreciative if you can elaborate on the above.

    Hasn’t the sinhala race evolved from the hela tribes?

    Look forward to your answer

    • 5
      5

      Ravi Perera

      Sinhala speaking Demela

      “Hasn’t the sinhala race evolved from the hela tribes?”

      No

      Give us the evidence.

      Just as the Tamils you too are the descendants of kallathonie North/South India.

      As with any Kallathonies North/South Indians assimilated the local tribes of which there were numerous into two warring land grabbing stupid tribes, namely the Tamils and Sinhala/Buddhists.

      All genetic studies so far published confirm Sinhala/Tamil affinity with your stupid Tamil Nadu brethren.

      You should consider going back to Tamil Nadu and claim rightful ownership your land.

      Jail Lallitha has plenty of it.

      • 0
        0

        Native Vedda,

        What is the meaning of Kallathoni. Kalla- Hora (in Sinhala) Thoni- Boatuwa( In Sinhala). So, Vijaya came in hora boatu to Srilanka. Then, Who is Kallathoni?

    • 2
      2

      Hi Ravi,

      Thanks for the comment. In reference to my claim that Tamils had built temples in Sri Lanka before the Sinhalese refers to the Mahavamsa claim that the founder of the Sinhalese race was Vijaya around 500 BC. I am aware that there is evidence that Anuradhapura was founded as early as 800 BC – some 300 years before Vijaya. So who founded Anuradhapura? Was it the Hela tribes who later assimilated with the thousands who accompanied Vijaya according to the Mahavamsa?

      I don’t know enough about the theory of the Hela tribes (you may be able to inform me) – I have read that there were four tribes – the Yakshas, Rakshasas, Nagas and Devas who were known as the Hela People who lived in Sri Lanka before the “invasion” of Vijaya. These have been described by supporters of this theory as “worshippers” of “demons” (Yakshas and Rakshasas), “gods” (Devas) and “serpents” (Nagas). This theory is being promoted by some Sinhalese nationalists who are looking at Ravana as a great Sinhalese (Rakshasa) king who tried to defend Lanka against the Brahmanic invaders led by King Rama.

      I have a different interpretation of who the Yakshas, Rakshasas and Nagas were, noting that these are, in my understanding, Sanskrit words. Though “Yakshas” and “Rakshasas” were translated by Christian (and Buddhist) scholars as “demons” and “devils” this is an example of common religious demonization. There are many evidences of Yaksha culture in Sri Lanka (“devil-dancing for example). I think this culture is truly indigenous and pre-dates Tamil settlements in Sri Lanka. I am not convinced that the “Yaksha tribe” is any different to the “Rakshasa tribe”.

      The term “Naga” means cobra rather than serpent in Sanskrit (serpent is ‘sarpa’) and the term has been used to denote many tribes in South Asia and South-East Asia that have venerated cobras. These included tribes for which the cobra was the totem animal.

      I think it is important to recognise the difference between what people call themselves and what they are called by their enemies. If the term “Yaksha” and “Rakshasa” truly mean “demon” or “devil” in Sanskrit it is likely to reflect demonization of the indigenous enemies of Vijaya and Rama respectively in the corresponding quasi-historical accounts (the Mahawamsa and Ramayana).

      • 3
        2

        Hi Romesh,

        Thanks for your detailed reply.

        According to Mahavamsa, Prince Vijaya and his entourage merged with tribes of Lanka at the time called Hela or Elu(Yakkha and Naga peoples). In the following centuries there was substantial immigration mainly from Eastern India.

        Given the above scenario,as well as there are no sinhala people in large numbers in any other country (except the recent migrants to west) Isn’t it logical to interpret that the Sinhalese race has evolved from the Hela tribes over the centuries.
        Sinhala being a unique language and a unique culture (Though there are similarities with other south asian cultures) has its birth to this island. To say Vijaya started the sinhala race would not be very correct in my opinion. What we must understand is whether it is Mahavansa, Koran or the Bible, we can not accept every thing that is mentioned in these documents. What is written in these historic documents should be looked at logically while applying common sense.

        Also, the Hindu religion being much older than Buddhism there is every likely hood the Hela tribes may have been practicing the Hindu religion.In this context, the ancient Hindu temples can not be given as evidence of ancient Tamil presence. This is my opinion by the way, would love to hear from you.

        • 1
          1

          “ancient Hindu temples can not be given as evidence of ancient Tamil presence”

          No. It is possible that the current tamil speaking demalas and the the sinhala speaking demalas could have spoken an ancient language which was neither tamil or sinhalese.

          In fact earliest, attested evidence of tamil scripts is approximately 150 BC old which post dates the sinhala brahmi scripts found in srilanka. In addition, scholars in Indo European languages believe that sinhala is more related to Indo European languages, than dravidian languages. ( Prof Gair, Norman, Richard Salamon as well as local experts such as Prof Karunathilake, and K N O Dharmadasa.)

          http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=51972

          However, My two cents worth opinion is that both tamil, and sinhalese languages could have ancient dravidian origin. The evidence for similarities is very apparent in Phonological, syntaxial (SOV in tamil & Sinhalese as opposed to SVO in English), Lexical (loan words) as well as epigraphical aspects of both languages.

          Pro Witzel, loathed by most of Indian critics, eloquently argues the relationship between in Origin and development of language in
          South Asia comparing Phylogeny versus epigenetics.

          http://bishop.hul.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/8554510/WeitzelM_Origin%20Development.pdf?sequence=1

          I note that recently, a relationship was noted between the austrlasian languages in Australia and Tamil indicating the antiquity of dravidian languages. (pg 31 of the above article).

          One could counter my argument by stating that there are many unique words in sinhala ( eg Oluva) and sinhala language’s closeness to Indo European and vedda languages, therefore sinhala could not have originated from dravidian languages.

  • 3
    6

    Thnabu,

    “Tamils in Eelam: who are the original inhabitants of Eelam as confirmed by foreign, local, Sinhalese and Tamil historians.”

    Would be great if you can list some names of these historians. If so can these findings be used as evidence to be used at the UN.

    • 6
      2

      Ravi,

      What is the point we have given you lot of references and we have no evidence to show that you have read them.

  • 5
    6

    Ravi Perera

    Sinhala speaking Demela

    Good to hear from you.

    I also have access to all sorts of evidence that confirms the arrival of Tamil/Sinhala kallathonies from North/South India.

    We can also use these evidence to evict all descendants of Kallathonies from India. That include you as well.

  • 4
    3

    Couldn’t the Hindu temples in Srilanka have been that of Nagas, and the other tribe?

    ‘Samantapasadika’ a Pali commentary by buddhaghosa describes the religious practices of ancient Srilankans were of a form of hinduism. pg 34 A complete Illustrated history of Srilanka, by Anton Sebastian.

    However,it is interesting to note that the classical tamil literatures do not dwell on the tamilian influence on Srilanka.( The evolution of an ethnic Identity, K Indrapala) except perhaps Silapathikaram mentioning Nagapattinam aka yapa pattuna.

    In addition presence of Hindu war lord skanda’s temple in kataragama aka kathirkamam, antiquity of eswarams (ketheeswaram, Koneswaram, munneswaram and temple in galle) are irrefutable evidence that hinduism was established in Srilanka prior to the arrival of Buddhism.

    Nagas may have been the ancestors of both sinhalese and tamils, and I think that tamils have a unique connection with Nagas is a counterintuitive proposition given the close genetic, linguistic and cultural connections between sri lankan tamils and Sinhalese.

  • 4
    2

    pre mahavamsa interactions between Srilanka and south India

    There is accumulating evidence to say that there was cross cultural, linguistic archaeological, numismatic communication between Srilanka.

    a. Sinhala or Prakrit brahmi and tamil brahmi were closely connected to each other in comparison to north Indian mauryan brahmi.

    b. ancient coinage produced in srilanka was found in South India.

    c. Pearl fishing was well established in the shores of Manthai in Mannar as well as port city of Korkai in south India. This was a seasonal activity and apparently divers from either side of the shore go to the other side to plunge in to the sea to pick the pearls.

    d. Buddhism, in contrary to Mahavamsa could have came via the south Indian port cities. Buddhism flourished in Indian Port cities, tamil merchant Seethlai chathanoor was a famous buddhist tamil merchant praised for his epic literature manimekalai, and of course main buddhist monks who propagated buddhism in srilanka, Buddhaghosa, Buddhadatta and Dhammapala were of dravidian origin, the latter two were tamil according to Prof K Indrapala ( evolution of ethnic identity pg 190)

    e. Similarity of Pot sherds in archeological sites in Srilanka and South India.

    However, One could not deny that ancient Srilanka owns a unique cultural, linguistic, archaeological, numismatic identity different from that of South India. We , current generation of Srilankans should not forget the bravery of the people of Rohana against mighty Chola empire. They deserve more important place, than for example, Nandimithra from the forces of dutthagamani.

  • 1
    2

    Anpu,

    “What is the point we have given you lot of references and we have no evidence to show that you have read them. “

    Can you convince the UN/ international community with the evidence you guys are talking about. If so you have nothing to worry Eelam is around the corner

    • 2
      3

      Ravi,
      UN is corrupt. UN failed with regards to Sri Lanka. You must have read the report on that.
      We are working on convincing the international community. The day will come. We are not dreaming Ravi.
      When the Sinhalese BUDHISTs behave like this what would you expect from others?

    • 4
      2

      Ravi,
      It took 5 years for UN to accept war crime in Sri Lanka.
      It will take few more years to accept Tamil Genocide.
      “The United Nations had a pretty clear idea of what was happening in the killing fields of Sri Lanka during the bloody climax of civil war. Yet it suppressed or diluted that information, utterly failing in its core mission of protecting civilians.”

      “Wrote Charles Petrie, head of the internal review panel of experts, established belatedly by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: “The UN’s failure to adequately respond to events like those that occurred in Sri Lanka should not happen again. When confronted by similar situations, the UN must be able to meet a much higher standard in fulfilling its protection and humanitarian responsibilities.””

      http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/11/04/how_the_united_nations_failed_sri_lanka_dimanno.html

  • 1
    2

    Vedda,

    Thanks for yet another entertaining article

    • 3
      2

      Ravi Perera

      Sinhala spaking Demela

      “Thanks for yet another entertaining article”

      Not at all, any time.

      It was merely a comment and not an article.

      I suggest you visit an optician. This advice is given to you free of charge.

  • 2
    6

    Other than for Tamil coolies that were brought by British, other tamils are there because of the close proximity to tamilnadu. So, those Tamils should have been sinhalized or else should have gone back and settled in Tamilnadu.

    Now Tamils are Dutch-brought malalaylis and kallathonis.

    Who knows Thambu’s parents should have been kallathonis.

  • 2
    2

    This is the type of distorted reports the Tamil Separatist supporters dish out to a very receptive Western media and politicians, who are hell bent on obtaining favours from these wealthy Tamil diaspora by satisfying their desire to destroy Sri Lanka’s progress and its historical unitary status.
    If one applies Mr Kanagasabey’s arguments on genocide, it was the Tamil separatists and LTTE terrorists who targeted the Sinhalese and Muslims for elimination from the region they wanted to carve out a new Tamil state. In all probability, the label for committing genocide fits very well with the LTTE terrorists and Tamil separatists operating within and outside Sri Lanka.
    This is what the UNHCR should investigate, but I feel they wont.

  • 3
    2

    How many Tamils have the LTTE eliminated in this great GENOCIDE exercise?

    • 4
      2

      commando695

      “How many Tamils have the LTTE eliminated in this great GENOCIDE exercise?”

      It is a good question.

      From the beginning VP was working for the Sinhala/Buddhist establishment. All LTTE killings of Tamils were carried out in the interest of Sinhala/Buddhists and weaken the Tamil/Sinhala resolve to structurally change Sri Lanka for the better.

      • 3
        3

        Native Vedda

        Only the traitors we call Ettapans. Some innocent ones got caught which is unfortunate and for that you should bear the responsibility because made the struggle necessary. Don’t be too clever.

        • 0
          0

          Praba, please stay in the grave.

    • 3
      2

      commando695
      “…The LTTE did not come into being or grow into a world-class terror outfit in a vacuum. Without the Sinhala Only, the Tiger may have remained unborn. Without the Black July, the Tiger may not have grown exponentially. If the B-C Pact and the D-C Pact did not miscarry (thanks to the midwifery of Sinhala extremism), the LTTE, even if it was born, would have remained a fringe group. ” http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/10/30/oppressed-north-lawless-south/

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.