“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments. It is also sometimes colloquially used to doubt statistics used to prove an opponent’s point.
It was popularized in the United States by Mark Twain and others.
There are also three other kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and politics. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is telling lies but vehemently denies. However, the former US Ambassador at Large for War Crimes and Global Criminal Justice Stephen Rapp recalled during a webinar held on February 12, 2021, that then-defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had admitted to killing LTTE leaders after they surrendered to the military in May 2009 instead of putting them on trial.
The webinar on Sri Lanka: Quest for Justice, Rule of Law & Democratic Rights was Co-hosted by The Global Tamil Forum, Centre for Human Rights and Global Justice – New York University, Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice. and The Canadian Tamil Congress.
Participating in the discussion Stephen Rapp recalled that then Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had admitted to killing LTTE leaders who surrendered to the military in 2009 instead of putting them on trial.
Rapp said he remembered a conversation with the former Defence Secretary and now President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding LTTE leaders who surrendered to the army.
“I remember the defence secretary saying, “Oh, trials, trials, you know they go on so long and people get off”. And then he said, “I killed them, I killed them, I killed them,” Rapp recalled.
As expected, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Office on 15 February, 2021 strongly denied the claim by the former US Ambassador for War Crimes and Global Criminal Justice Stephen Rapp (2009-2015) that wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had admitted to killing LTTE leaders following their surrender to the Army in May 2009. Rapp claimed Rajapaksa had told him so when he met the latter in Colombo.
There was absolutely no basis for Rapp’s claim, the President’s Office said when The Island sought President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s response to the former Ambassador’s accusation. The President’s Office questioned the former US official’s motive to make such a statement seven years after leaving office.
At a press conference during the presidential election campaign, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was asked as to what happened to the LTTE cadres who surrendered to the army on May 18, 2009, including those who surrendered carrying white flags.
Gotabaya answered saying that he is not the commander on the field, but anyway, those who surrendered were handed over to the Ministry of Rehabilitation. He then wanted the time, date, venue and names of those who are missing after the surrender.
Despite the continued denial by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, there is solid evidence that hundreds of LTTE cadres who surrendered to the army at Vadduvakal on 18 May, 2009 between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm disappeared after they were taken away for a ‘short inquiry’.
The BBC London on 24 September 2010 quoted Ananthi’s evidence she gave before the LLRC. She said “My husband (Ezhilan) surrendered to the Sri Lankan army in front of my eyes on 18 May 2009 after the end of the war. I have not heard anything about him after that. Please help me find him.”
Ananthi Sasitharan told the commission that she witnessed her husband and hundreds of other cadres surrendering to the Sri Lankan army. She said that the rebels vacated the war zone with the civilian population and joined numerous top Tamil Tiger leaders who all ceased hostilities and gave themselves up at the same time.
BBC journalists were not allowed to attend the hearings but the BBC’s Tamil service spoke to Mrs Ananthi Sasitharan afterwards by telephone.
“An army official identified my husband. He was taken away and I was sent to the Vavuniya camp along with others. I have not heard anything about him since,” Mrs Ananthi Sasitharan said.
“They all surrendered under the leadership of one Father Francis Joseph [Roman Catholic] an English teacher. Nothing is known of his whereabouts either.”
Ananthi is not the only witness who saw her husband taken away. Mrs. R. Mironio, the wife of LTTE former Mannar commander Antony Rayappu said she has not heard from her husband or not told of the whereabouts of him after he surrendered in front of her in SLA controlled territory on 18 May 2009. The surrender was facilitated by Catholic Priest Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph, she said. The priest was also taken with her husband, but none have heard about them, she said.
On September 18 (Saturday) Mrs Ananthi Sasitharan was interviewed by BBC (Tamil Oosai) following her testimony before the LLRC. She told BBC (Tamil Oosai) that she and her three daughters witnessed her husband and hundreds of other LTTE members surrendering to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers on 18th May 2009, after the war has come to an end. “I have been trying to trace my husband and have not been successful to locate his whereabouts. I have no doubt that Sri Lanka’s president knows where my husband and others who surrendered are being held,” she told the BBC.
“If my husband has disappeared during the war, then there will be a reason to think that he may have been killed during the heat of the battle, but having seen him surrender after the fighting has stopped, there is absolutely no reason for me to believe that he is dead,” Ananthi told the BBC.
Ananthi told Human Rights Watch that she has had no news about her husband since.
I have searched in all the camps. I went to the Defence Ministry. I filed a complaint with the police in January 2010. But I have received no information about my husband. The police only told me that it would be difficult for them to find him since the area where he went missing is under military control. I want the government to tell me what happened to him. Whether he is dead or alive, I want an answer.
The following is a partial list of LTTE cadres who surrendered to the army on 18, 2009 and not seen thereafter. The list includes prominent leaders like Thangan – the deputy leader of the LTTE’s political wing – administrative head Provenance Indianan, Jaffna political leader Illamparithi and Lawrance Tilakar, who was at one time in charge of the LTTE international secretariat and later the TRO.
(1) K.V. Balakumar and his son Sooriyatheepan
(2) V. Ilankumaran (alias Baby Subramanian) Head of the Thamil Eelam Education Department. His wife Vettrichchelvi and daughter Arivumathy.
(3) Yogaratnam Yogi in charge of ’Institute for Conflict Research’ in Vanni
(4) Poet Puthuvai Ratnadurai, Coordinator of LTTE Arts and Cultural Department
(5) K. Paappa, Coordinator LTTE Sports Department
(6) Rajah (Chempiyan) Assistant Coordinator LTTE Sports Department and his 3 children
(7) Ilanthirayan, LTTE Military spokesman
(8) Veerathevan, Coordinator LTTE Bank
(9) S. Thangan, Political Wing Deputy Chief
(10) Aruna, Thamil Eela Education Department
(11) S. Naren, Asst. Executive Head of TRO
(12) Kuddy, Head of the LTTE Transport Department
(12) Piriyan, Head of Administrative Service Department and his family
(13) V. Poovannan, Head of the Administrative Service Division of the LTTE
(14) Thangaiah, Administrative Service Department
(15) Malaravan, Administrative Service Department
(16) Pakirathan, Administrative Service Department
(17) Reha, Head of LTTE Medical Division
(18) Selvarajah, Commander Manal Aru Head Quarters
(19) Bhaskaran, Commander Manal Aru Head Quarters
(20) Major Lawrance
(21) Major Kumaran
(22) Prabha, Batticaloa District Commander
(24) Rupan, Coordinator of Supplies
(25) Babu, Coordinator of Jewellery Business
(26) Ilamparithy, Executive Head of Political Wing
(27) Elilan, Head of Trincomalee Political Wing
(28) Vijitharan, Executive Secretary, Political Wing
(29) Major Veeman
(30) Sakthy, Coordinator Forestry Division and his family
(31) E.Ravi, Charge of Houses
(32) Sanjai, Mulliyavalai Divisional Political Wing Coordinator
(33) Para Ratha, Coordinator Justice Department
(34) Kumaravel, Coordinator Air Force Security
(35) Chithrankan Malathy, Commander Manal Aru District
(36) Suhi, Commander
(37) Arunan, Major Sea Tigers
(38) Manoj – Medical Department
(39) Lawrance, Finance Department
(40) Lawrance Thilakar, Coordinator TRO Planning Department
(41) Karikalan, former Commander, Eastern Province
On the same day (May 18, 2009) B. Nadesan, Head of LTTE Political Wing and former LTTE Police Chief S. Pulithevan Head of LTTE Peace Secretariat and Col. Ramesh Head of LTTE Special Military Wing along with their families, some LTTE cadres and civilians surrendered to the 58 Division commanded by Shavendra Silva carrying White flags. The surrender was facilitated by none other than Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa. The intermediaries were Chandra Nehru, ex-MP and The Sunday Times (UK) reporter Marie Colvin. The surrenders were asked to hold the White flags high for the frontline soldiers to recognize them. But they were all shot to death and their bodies strewn all over the camp. The bullet-ridden bodies showed burnt marks which indicated they have been tortured before they were killed.
The ‘brave’ Sri Lankan Army after summarily executing the White flag surrenders issued a grotesque press release claiming “Head of LTTE Peace Secretariat S. PULIDEVAN, Head of LTTE Political Wing and former LTTE Police Chief P. NADESAN and Head of LTTE Special Military Wing RAMESH have been killed during Sunday’s clashes in the final battle for the liberation of the Tamil people, military intelligence confirmed a few minutes ago”.
Balachandran Prabhakaran 12-year-old the son of LTTE Chief was also killed after surrendering along with his bodyguards.
The army says they have a list of surrenders but is refusing to publish it. The list should reveal the names of LTTE cadres who surrendered and thereafter went missing.
The mothers and relatives of missing persons have been holding rallies and protest marches for the last 5 years. Two days ago, at Kilinochchi they took a massive procession carrying fire-pans on their head, a Hindu ritual in fulfillment of a vow.
The editor Sunday Leader Frederica Jansz was given an interview by Sarath Fonseka and it was published under the title “Gota Ordered Them to Be Shot” – General Sarath Fonseka” on December 13, 2009.
After the story broke, the government began to portray Sarath Fonseka’s allegation as an act of treachery. The story of the massacre was irrelevant. What mattered was that by speaking out Fonseka was betraying Gotabaya, the army and the country.
A classified US diplomatic cable under the name of Patricia A. Butenis, the US Ambassador to Colombo showed, the Presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka stood by the controversial “White Flag” story published by the Sunday Leader.
The cable written on December 14, 2009, by Ambassador Butenis and classified as “Confidential” recount the details of a lunch meeting she had with UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya and Sarath Fonseka on December 14, 2009.
“After Fonseka arrived, the former general discussed his interview in the Sunday Leader newspaper on December 13, in which he had accused Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa of ordering at the end of the war the shooting of any LTTE leaders who might try to surrender under flags of truce.” she wrote to Washington.
The Ambassador further wrote “Fonseka claimed he did not know until two days later about the flurry of phone calls between Gotabhaya, the Norwegian Ambassador and the LTTE leadership regarding surrender and said he had been told details by journalists. Nevertheless, he said he took full responsibility for the actions of the men in uniform.” The Colombo Telegraph published the full cable.
At a press conference before the elections, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was asked as to what happened to the LTTE cadres who surrendered to the army on May 18, 2009, including those who surrendered carrying white flags. Gotabaya answered saying that he is not the commander on the field, but anyway, those who surrendered were handed over to the Ministry of Rehabilitation. He then wanted the time, date, venue and names of those who are missing after the surrender. This was a clumsy attempt to deflect the question. He as the Defence Secretary was directing all operations and giving orders to the field commanders over the head of Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.
At the UNHRC 46th sessions commencing tomorrow in Geneva, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will repeat all the lies and damn lies to the 47 member countries.
Lasantha Pethiyagoda / February 22, 2021
Everyone should believe Percy when he repeatedly asserted to the BBC journalist on TV that there were ZERO civilian casualties in the war. This is because SL is a land like no other and miracles happen. Or as Mr Gota says, ‘don’t panic..panik welaa bae..any news on dammika pannier?
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leelagemalli / February 22, 2021
Dear FRIENDS,
Is there any other nation with such good social indicators ( literacy rate 93%, child mortality lower and and) and but to follow Myanmar ? Former leaders sacrificed their everything for maintenance of democracy but to fall this low just because of power greedy alpha men born to Medamulan ?
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Let s get ready to rumble – the trophy nation’s buffaloe to be awarded to Nandasena Rajaakshes to having driven it to this levels.
:
See how his capabitlies are – it is not all its cracked up to be….
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Abasaranayi.. those who elected the criminals paving the way backward :
If srilanka is filled with MERCY cows, they well deserve this levels.
:
Nothing worst can happen to us.
Genuine CT commenters, please take good care of you, I will not support srilankens any more, I will take the side of Africans in the months to come. That would bring me lot more for inner happiness.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / February 22, 2021
I am sad that Dinesh Gunawardena who was two years junior to me at Royal, is stooping to this low level of telling lies and supporting murderers despite the education he received and the muti-ethnic upbringing in that great institution.
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GATAM / February 23, 2021
SL in unrepentant.
If there is war again, SL will do the very same.
This is the bitter truth.
Defeat for one = Victory for their enemies.
Defeat for Tamils = Victory for Sinhalese and Muslims
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RAVI PERERA / February 22, 2021
Veluppillai,
You have listed a list of terrorist leaders who are suppose to have surrendered to the Army. What happened to the cyanide capsule the brave tigers were suppose to take.
Those bastards got what they deserve.
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Mallaiyuran / February 22, 2021
Ado Summa Thanki Ravi Perera,
Read the essay before commenting on that, please. What the cyanide capsule has to do with the story that Communist Denesh is telling in UHHRC, today, for cancelling the Resolution 30/1? That is the topic Thanga is dealing here. Did you think you were pulling their Thalikodies when you arrested Pillaiyan or made deals with Karuna or robbed ship loads of money from Kumaran Pathmanathan? Where are their capsules? To look for the Cyanide Capsule on the neck of a surrendered, did you verified with Genocide Murderer King that wearing the capsule chain on the neck was a condition, with holding white flag? You are an idiot that long after the murderer confessing the crime, you think you can give some idea for your bosses for an excuse, that is all the surrendered committed suicide with Cyanide. Ok we accept that; but what took all this time to bring out the bodies those are poisoned with Cyanide? What was in your head, when you were answering to questions of surrendered, to think about Hara-kiri soldiers? (Know something, Cyanide was requirement for rebels who were expected to be captured by Rapist Army and secretly torched in the 4th floor. Many others, including their police, judicial, administration, media, education, healthcare…….. Legal system employees were not wearing it.)
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RAVI PERERA / February 23, 2021
As to why Karuna, Pilliyan and Pathmanathan did not take cycnaide, you should no better since they were your boys. There were many more who were suppose to have surrenedered like Elilian, For mer EROS leader. If the govt saw value in them they too would have been living today. The three names you mentioned above was able to help the government against the LTTE apart from that they are no different to the rest of the demalu. Thanks for letting me know I am an idiot. You have identified something professors of three countries could not identify in me.
Just accept you amn, you fellows have been defeated.
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Tamil from the north / February 22, 2021
Ravi Perehera, why didn’t Karuna and Pillayan take cyanide?
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RAVI PERERA / February 23, 2021
Tamil Perehera giya in 2009,
About Karuna and Pilliyan as to why they did not take the cyandie, you should ask the bosses who trained them. These two parayas are on Sinhala side for their own survival.
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wimal12 / February 23, 2021
Because they used there brain and defected to the enemy side if you followed the second world war German soldiers and Generals surrendered to the Allied forces.
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GATAM / February 23, 2021
Good question RP!
🤣
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Ajith / February 22, 2021
Mr. Veluppillai
Gotabaya Rajapakse, the former defence secretary did not lie to American Rep. Stephen Rapp. He recently told that he had two face to threaten Harin Fernando. Even a Buddhist Monk told it is a proof of admitting that Gota and his military killed their opponents.
Almost all the people in Sri Lanka including the extremist Buddhist Sinhala and international community including USA know well that Rajapaksa’s committed crimes against humanity and they have enough evidence to proof. It is also a fact that international community will not take any action against their crimes as long as their interest is fulfilled.
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Eagle Eye / February 22, 2021
Ajith,
If they had enough evidences what the hell those Dumbos did for 12 years without producing them . Even after 12 years Sooka has failed to come out with solid evidences. Demala cowards give fabricated evidences without revealing their identity.
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Rajapakshes did not commit crimes against humanity. War crimes, crimes against humanity and human rights violations were committed by Prabhakaran and LTTE Tamil terrorists. By defeating LTTE, Rajapakshes stopped war crimes, crimes against humanity and human rights violations committed by Tamil terrorists.
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“Rajapaksa’s committed crimes against humanity and they have enough evidence to proof.”
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GATAM / February 23, 2021
Ajit,
No point shooting the messenger. What RP said was true. What actually happened to the cyanide capsule? If they were heroes they would have bitten that with dignity. Well, well, well.
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Cicero / February 22, 2021
Truth is twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools. Unfortunately, good Sinhalese did not stand up against killings of Tamils in 1958 and later. Their own were killed in droves during the JVP uprisings. No one stood up. No Sinhalese mother spoke out. Now the Sinhalese mothers follow the example of the Tamil mothers. Why do the good Sinhalese people remain so silent. The world outside is changing. The movement for accountability will gather strength. Despite the untruths and the propaganda, those who killed will have to face the music. The law of karma is also there. How do these people sleep with the deaths of so many on their minds?If not Buddha’s karmic laws, the promise that the mills of God grind slow but they grind exceedingly small will come about. We have to await that day but events are unfolding towards that end. The fact that the LTTE killed innocent Sinhalese is true but it does condone a government killing so many of its innocent people.
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GATAM / February 22, 2021
Losing a war can be hard.
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MyView / February 22, 2021
It is not unusual to use examples to suit one’s argument’s cause.
……………Rajapaksa had admitted to killing LTTE leaders after they surrendered to the military in May 2009 instead of putting them on trial…………..
Well did USA/UK give anyone an equal chance at a trial to vindicate one self to Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and many others – and in foreign territory at that.
Did Saddam have WMD as claimed. Like LTTE, Osama had a “cause”.
To murder one is murder by the Law,
But to kill many, takes the glorious name of War.
Trading charges will never solve the problem nor bring forth any reconciliation.
Both contending parties will have their own “facts” from each side.
He who is without sin, cast the first stone.
An amorphous UNHCR of different countries will have their own spin but will whatever sanction, bend another nation, except by conquest and force like the Wars of the past. There are countries that will trade against embargoes and sanctions, because the world is itself of divided ideologies now. But reconciliation will come if only everyone is sincere and free of bias and keen to move on to the future and not leave any cause to create the same imbroglio.
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nk / February 22, 2021
Sri Lanka, whichever regime, will continue to repeat the lies because they have the need to project themselves as the patriotic saviours of the Sinhala nation, whether a resolution is passed or not.
But
what sort of justice do Tamil people expect from resolutions that do not even acknowledge the identity of the victims being Tamil?
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Eagle Eye / February 22, 2021
nk,
Sri Lanka does not have to tell lies. Sri Lanka’s job is to tell the truth and expose the lies bombarded by Tamil Diaspora and racist Malabar Vellala Tamil politicians to mislead the International Community so that member States can take a sensible decision.
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Demalu (Tamils after 1911) started the terrorist campaign targeting Sinhalayo and members of the Armed Forces. So how can Demalu be the victims ? In the resolutions they should clearly say Demalu who started the terrorist campaign are the culprits and Sinhalayo are the victims of Tamil terrorism.
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“what sort of justice do Tamil people expect from resolutions that do not even acknowledge the identity of the victims being Tamil?”
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Tamil from the north / February 22, 2021
Eagle ‘mutt’ Eye, the whole country opearates on lies. 1957/58 they killed Tamils, 1977 they killed Tamils, 1983 they killed Tamils, 1988/89 they massacred the rural Sinhalese, then 1990 onwards they massacred Tamils. Today they are lying, what do you expect from a failed state and the criminals who lead this country?
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Ashan / February 22, 2021
The world will not be fooled. International laws dictate that when the enemy surrenders, or shows the white flag, you are expected to arrest them, and give them their rights, like any democratic nation must. Nandasena/Fonseka/Shavendra policies of killing unarmed combatants when they surrender, will be investigated, and they will be asked why Prabakharan’s little son, was killed while eating a biscuit. What immediate threat did he pose? These are the questions that these war criminals have been avoiding and dodging, which strongly signals their guilt.
According to the Rajapaksa’s, the UN, Human Rights Organizations, Courts of Justice, The US, The UK, the EU, Sri Lankan Human Rights Organizations, and Activists, are ALL lying, making false accusations, and OUT TO GET THEM. THE RAJAPAKSA’S ARE MAKING OUT LIKE THEY ARE THE VICTIMS HERE.
ONLY RAJAPAKSA SUPPORTERS KEEP JUSTIFYING THEIR CRIMES AND BELIEVING THEM. The world is wiser than that.
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Eagle Eye / February 22, 2021
Ashan,
Rajapakshes do not have to act like they are the victims because they were the victims of LTTE Tamil terrorism along with all the civilians in the country although their main target was Sinhala civilians and members of the Armed Forces. They killed civilians belong to all races and religions in this country.
After slaughtering Sinhalayo for three decades using suicide bombers, claymore bombs, multi-barrel guns and chemical weapons Demalu (Tamils after 1911) are trying to show to the International Community that they were the victims. Demalu will not be able to fool the International Community all the time with their blatant lies. At the end ‘Truth will Prevail’.
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“THE RAJAPAKSA’S ARE MAKING OUT LIKE THEY ARE THE VICTIMS HERE.”
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Mahila / February 28, 2021
EE, What is this new classification “Tamils after 1911”. what is the significance of 1911?
So am I to understand you are a Tamil before 1911?
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punchinilame / February 23, 2021
Ashan – “killing unarmed combatants when they surrender, will be investigated, and they will be asked why Prabakharan’s little son, was killed while eating a biscuit. “
Reading at this point it crossed my mind that all the killings of surrenders, white flag holders, and this 12 yr child were done by one
Division of the SL Army and temporarily buried in mass graves.
Records of the relevant Departments, now destroyed, will show
the importation of dismantled Inceranators from China in
Containers and erected well hidden within Army barracks, for
all human bones to be turned into ash. These acts were watched
and recorded by world bodies digitally from the skies & the
evidence will be made available at the correct time. How these
Inceranators were disposed of is known to metal traders.
Could this be imaginative when every other allegation against
“Heros” are denied?
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soma / February 22, 2021
What was the Cyanide capsule for?
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Soma
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Native Vedda / February 22, 2021
soman
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When they read comments like yours and sermons from VPs become intolerable Cyanide capsule would have relieved their pain.
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Tamil from the north / February 23, 2021
somoooo, take a cyanide capsule bite into one and then tell us later what it is for.
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whywhy / February 22, 2021
Lies and Damn Lies are the ” New , Truth and Damn Truth .” Part of
Evolution ! Part of Science ! Part of Politics ! And Part of Religion
becoming part of one’s lifestyle ! And it is a Global Language everybody
understands !
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Eagle Eye / February 22, 2021
I wonder whether there is any other country in this world except Sinhale (now Sri Lanka) where people who sought asylum turned against those who gave asylum, slaughtered them using suicide bombers, claymore bombs, multi-barrel guns and chemical weapons and pretend that they did not commit any crimes.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / February 22, 2021
Mahindapala, the only instance where people who sought asylum turning against those who gave asylum, slaughtering them using weapons, took place 2500 years ago when a bunch of 500 criminal kallathonies begged for mercy and later killed the natives and took over their land.
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Tamil from the north / February 23, 2021
Eagle ‘dumb ass’ Eye, who got asylum in SL? Your grand father? Stop all this nonsense, people are laughing at your stupidity.
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Mahila / February 28, 2021
I can’t think of any other country at this moment.
However there is one country definitely qualifies for that epitome over 2500 years ago. Kuveni Land – Kingdom of Tambapanni – (Now Sri Lanka, former Ceylon and Taprobane) a group of dissident men led by Prince Vijaya (present day Orissa) sought Asylum (having been earlier banished from the original abode for high treason against the King) and took upon themselves to Usurp power, Banished Kuveni and instead got 700 women consorts for each one of them from the Pandiya and Chola kingdoms of India, so that they rule the island thereafter and propagate a progeny of their own, discarding the indigenous original inhabitants of the land. This is a well-known old story. If we believe in our History (Mahawansa), though it was written in Prakrit and translated around 1910-11 to Sinhalese by an Indian scholar.
Now you know that there is a precedent.
.
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Mahila / February 28, 2021
I can’t think of any other country at this moment.
However there is one country definitely qualifies for that epitome over 2500 years ago. Kuveni Land – Kingdom of Tambapanni – (Now Sri Lanka, former Ceylon and Taprobane) a group of dissident men led by Prince Vijaya (present day Orissa) sought asylum and took upon themselves to Usurp power, Banished Kuveni and instead got 700 women consorts for each one of them from the Pandiya and Chola kingdoms of India, so that they rule the island thereafter and propagate a progeny of their own, discarding the indigenous original inhabitants of the land. This is a well-known old story. If we believe in our History (Mahawansa), though it was written in Prakrit and translated around 1910-11 to Sinhalese by an Indian scholar.
Now you know that there is a precedent.
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Eratne / February 22, 2021
There is always a doubt about these allegations. Anybody can make a list and say those are the names of surrendered persons. Some names may be bogus; some may had been killed in fighting; some may be living here/abroad under different names (proved fact); some may had been killed by the LTTE itself when trying to escape during the battle; some may had been got killed by the LTTE even before the final battle started (like Mahattaya and others). Therefore, security forces should not be blamed for all those so-called disappearances. And the other thing is all those were persons who were involved in killing thousands of innocent civilians during several decades before 2009.
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Dayan / February 23, 2021
@Eratne – You are making assumptions here and factually incorrect. Govt position so far there is no white-flag case and all the people surrendered rehabilitated and reintegrated to the society in all other instances. In that case,
1. Some names are bogus not valid – If this is accepted, then we accept there is an assisted surrender in fact happen. Therefore, govt responsible to release the list of people actually surrender. But, there is no such list published to date.
2. Either killed in fighting or living abroad under different names (proved fact) – Can you point to your documented proof for us to refer. I haven’t came across such documents. Even more, there are close family members directly hand over the people to army and eye witness the whole episode ready to give statement if there is an impartial inquiry without intermediate. Therefore, just leave those peoples sorrow un heard is inhuman.
3. On top GR claimed zero casualty of innocents during the war. This is 100% false statement as there is no such war took place anywhere in this world with zero casualty except coups. He himself is a proof for a blatant lie to the world. If there is no intent but people do killed in cross-fire is an acceptable position.
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Jeeves / February 22, 2021
The government should establish to the world and the country how the North-East can not stop thanking it for the great humanitarian operation.
they should have a referendum in this regard in the North-East and if Tamil parties should hinder it then alternatively should win a landslide victory in an election there. it will clear the name of the ranaviruvos and enable them to provide the same service all over the world wherever the UN needs them.
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Buddhist1 / February 22, 2021
The tug of war between SL Govt and the Non Majority has to stop. Continuing with this drama only facilitates the Rogues, Murderers and Rapists to be elected over and over again. Its not the soldiers or the civilians who were affected on both sides get the benefit from this tug of war. The way out of this tug of war is simple.
All the Govt has to do is to appoint a Truth and Reconciliation Commission which should be chaired by members who are elected and agreed by all political parties. If even one political party opposes the appointment of any one member to chair the commission then that member should not be allowed to sit. Alternatively if no mutual agreement in the appointment of the members is achieved, the entire Supreme Court Bench must sit in judgement. There should be no selection of judges allowed to the Govt.
There is no case or situation that is more important than resolving this issue. The lessons learnt should also be incorporated in the new constitution. We do not need foreign Judges to sit in judgement, the local Judges are adequate but access should be given to foreign organization to observe the procedure.
This Truth and Reconciliation Commission should investigate both LTTE and SL Govt (armed forces/police).
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MyView / February 22, 2021
Leaving aside the main issues discussed all round and leaving aside the UNHCR resolution aside, I find it amusing that UK is at the forefront of a human rights issue when not very far back but in the recent past (1968-74), their brutal treatment of the people of Chagos was censured by the UN General assembly.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has labelled the British and Americans “hypocrites” and “champions of double talk” for the way they have behaved over the Chagos Islands.Between 1968 and 1974, the UK forcibly removed thousands of Chagossians from their homelands and sent them more than 1,600km (1,000 miles) away to Mauritius and the Seychelles, where they faced extreme poverty and discrimination.
In an advisory opinion in February 2019 the ICJ said that the archipelago should be handed over to Mauritius in order to complete its “decolonisation”.Then three months later, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Chagos Islands being returned – with 116 states backing the move and only six against.
But the UK did not act describing the ICJ ruling as an “advisory opinion, not a judgement.
So how can the British talk of human rights.
More…
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54598084
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Ashan / February 23, 2021
The definition of Whataboutery:
what·a·bout-er·y
/ˌ(h)wədəˈboudərē/
noun: whataboutery; plural noun: whatabouteries
the technique or practice of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counteraccusation or raising a different issue.
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MyView / February 23, 2021
Dear Ashan.
Hope I am not over-reacting.
If your comment about Whataboutery refers to mine, it seems that my exposing the hypocrisy of UK, has touched a raw nerve, but no real rebuttal of facts of my submission has been made. So Whataboutery applied here??
My comment was that UK has created ‘refugees’ as recently as 1968-74 and is not the country to spearhead a charge to the “refugee council”. Any other country has a moral right, but not with blood on their own hands. Of course if you go further back, all colonial countries rode roughshod trampling human rights but may not be relevant in these ‘enlightened’ times.
I have specifically said……….”Leaving aside the main issues discussed all round and leaving aside the UNHCR resolution aside” …..and so have not commented on the merits or demerits of the Resolution, but only exposed the hypocrisy of UK sponsoring this current exercise. That has a direct bearing on the rectitude of the one pleading the cause, and is not beating about the bush.
In case I have made a mistake in referring to your comment, and taken it out of context, then “a thousand apologies”.
Cheers.
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MyView / February 23, 2021
He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / February 23, 2021
Nothing will come out of this UN Session , as Britain the former colonial power and the main cause of all these issues that the Eelam Tamils are facing , has as usual sided with the Sinhalese , who are their favourites and deliberately watered down all the resolutions and order to hide what is happening to the Tamil people in the island. Mark my words India , will also side the Sinhalese and vote in their favour or abstain, despite all the kicks and betrayals from the Sinhalese. They like Britain will side with any anti Tamil.
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Tony / February 23, 2021
Sri Lankans should not be sorry for defending their motherland from terrorist invaders. Since it was LTTE terrorists who started the illegal and criminal war, they have no right to complain of its outcomes.
Losers weepers!
Anyway it’s been 12 years since the war was ended, and Tamils should have cried it out by now.
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Pandi Kutti / February 23, 2021
Antonio/Tony/Tonino, the racist Chingkalla kurangu with a Portuguese name . The biggest terrorist in the island are not the LTTE but Chingkalla Sri Lankan government and armed forces now accused of war crimes and genocide . You are just screeching here as you angry at being caught out. You should go to Geneva attend the UNHCR sessions and give support to your rabid anti Thamizh black prince or Prince of Darkness.
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Mallaiyuran / February 23, 2021
Let me put together the few points i read or heard in the news from various people that match my opinion too:
Tamils, who are the affected party, are reasonably looking for justice for the past 12 years. HC of UNHRC has produced a report which is advocating justice for Tamils. Almost all INGOs involved in Human rights and 20 eminent persons agreed with that statement and recommended the implementation of it to UNHRC. UN SG who initiated the process in 2009 as very first man, has said the HC’s statement needs to be implemented. Though there are countries still with the mentality of old USSR and oppose this statement only because they fear this is a Western Production, Lankawe unlikely to have full support to move anything at UNHRC. Lankawe’s past 12 years history of cheating is also on the record in UNHRC. Tamils have favorable Core Countries and the first three out of them are known for their Economic & democratic political culture and upholding the human right concepts for centuries. On this favorable background, still the proposed draft has no teeth to provide a justice for Tamils. The only part mentioned in the Draft from HC’s report is universal Jurisdiction & preserving the evidences. So Tamils are frustrated. So, anything and everything accusing the Core are coming from their mouths and getting prominence in Tamil Media.
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Mallaiyuran / February 23, 2021
Tamils, as UNHRC obligated to follow freedom of expression, have a right to revel their opinion, but not the anger. So the categories of Tamils, suffering by wearisomeness, are attacking the Core countries. Tamils can oppose the core countries’ daft because it is about them, but they cannot attack the core countries because this deed can only be done the core countries. Until the desired result is achieved, repeatedly, educating and informing them with facts is the only way to do it. Tamil (Local and diaspora world) Media has to undertake this responsibly of guiding the Tamils on a unified way with sustained effort. Tamil Media has to promote the united path of the political process, instead of promoting their own independent idea. Repeating: Tamils have only one way that is having this process of international investigation completed. It is not just for Tamils, there are all indication that even Sinhalese and Muslims can have their rights back only by having this investigation completed. So the reasonable Sinhalese and Muslims must be convinced by Tamils, that their dawn is possible only by they support Core Countries. Core Countries needs everybody’s support. If the investigation fails, the country is doomed like Myanmar. It is going to be worse than Myanmar because those voters 80% voted for democratic president but Lankaweyans voted 80% for the NeoHitler.
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Mallaiyuran / February 23, 2021
“Save the mass from Nazi NeoHitler Family; Save the Land from Communist China and!
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Champa / February 23, 2021
Hoooooooooooooo 41!!!!
Finally, 40,000, which came down to 360 a few days ago, has now come down to 41. What a “remarkable progress”!
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Champa / February 23, 2021
Ha ha ha! This article made me laugh. Yes, lies, lies and damn lies, Thangavelu.
First of all, terrorist organizations are NOT ENTITLED to the protection of the United Nations’ (Geneva) Conventions.
Barbaric LTTE terrorists, who did not obey Geneva Conventions, attacked villages full of unarmed civilians, slaughtered innocent children, young samaneras, pregnant women, civilians full of busses, trains and office buildings, and tortured and murdered captured policemen committing BLATANT WAR CRIMES for three decades.
It is therefore hilarious to see this LTTE rump paid Velupillai Thangavelu seeking the protection of Geneva Convention for LTTE terrorists who did not operate under the international rule of war.
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Champa / February 23, 2021
I can easily rebut accusations hurled at the Sri Lankan Army. I am lazy, but let me take them one by one.
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It is important to recall that the last phase of the war against LTTE started with Sri Lankan Army’s “humanitarian mission” to secure Mavil Aru-River which was blocked by terrorists and thereby denied water supply to over 15,000 villagers.
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First of all, I want to place on record that even though Sri Lanka’s WAR AGAINST LTTE TERRORISTS does NOT come under the “category of an international or non-international armed conflict” under Geneva Conventions, and therefore not abide by laws therein, the Sri Lankan Army followed all international humanitarian laws and international human rights laws during the war, as follows:-
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1) Before and during the last phase of the war against LTTE terrorists, the Sri Lankan Army correctly followed the international human rights laws by offering terrorists ample time and opportunity to surrender, before directly attacking them.
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2) The large number of civilian and LTTE cadre “survivors” during and after the war is a clear proof that the Sri Lankan Army has duly followed Article 40 of Additional Protocol I and Article 4 of Additional Protocol II to the 1949 Geneva Convention which prohibits any order be declared that there shall be no survivors.
Contd’…..
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Champa / February 23, 2021
3) Although Sri Lanka is not a party to the Rome Statute, the Sri Lankan Army followed provisions stipulated in Article 8 in the Statute that are applicable to surrendered combatants by taking an unprecedented humanitarian measure to rehabilitate and release over 8,000 LTTE terrorists who surrendered at their own discretion.
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4) As per Articles 51 & 57 of Additional Protocol I to the 1949 Geneva Convention, in the conduct of military operations against LTTE terrorists, the Sri Lankan Army took all precautions to spare civilians by constantly warning them in advance of attacks and directing them to no-fire-zones where they were safe. And, as per Article 54, all due care and measures were taken to ensure continuous supply of food stuff, water and medicine to civilians during and after the war.
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5) The Sri Lankan Army further followed Article 10 of the Additional Protocol I by providing medical care and attention to all wounded and sick civilians & terrorists equally. The Sri Lankan Army even donated blood to save the lives of wounded and sick civilians & terrorists which was an extraordinary, noble humanitarian act.
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6) Ananthi mentioned in Thangavelu’s article is a textbook example of victims being treated by the Sri Lankan Army with compassion, dignity and respect as per international humanitarian laws and international human rights laws.
Contd’…..
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Champa / February 23, 2021
7) The Sri Lankan Army respected and followed Protocol I, II, III, IV & V of the UNCCCW and refrained from using landmines, booby traps, incendiary devices, laser or explosive weapons in the war.
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8) The Sri Lankan Army never committed perfidy which is prohibited by the 1949 Geneva Convention as well as the international humanitarian law.
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9) Over 350,000 civilians including elders, women and children, who were brutally used as a human shield by terrorists, were rescued amidst heavy fighting and provided shelter, food and medicine by the Sri Lanka Army. Furthermore, child soldiers and civilians who participated in hostilities against their will were reconciled with their families.
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10) It is evident that the Sri Lankan Army’s legitimate target to defeat LTTE terrorists to ensure safety and security of civilians was entwined with humanity, compassion and empathy.
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Mallaiyuran / February 23, 2021
Champawati,
You are playing senile comic like you cannot read understand simple English. So far the established fact by Sinhala Jury Only Investigation, the LLRC, did not have answers for the 150,000 people that the government records indicated missing. It is you had the records that 425,000(List prepared from local governments’ living people records) were there. You produced the number of only 275,000 (Not list) returned. (Further you never explained that you allowed UN to take food only for 80,000 but you said 275,000 came out of that area.) So a simple arithmetic question was asked in LLRC where were missing, but LLRC did not answer. There was Never.. ….. Never….. Never ……Never any rebels surrendered other than the White Flag murder. Only village boys who came with parents were separated as per the advice of EPDP and PLOT. This is illegal because they were minors and dependent on parents for living. This was accepted by Rapist Army Senior officials in many cases (including Ananthi’s) & in many instances in the northern courts. Rapist Army repeatedly told in courts that have no lists of surrendering & rehabilitating. So the missing people are involuntarily kidnapped in front of relatives or friends. Not even in one occasion Rapist Army honored the stories you are creating as 12,000 rebels surrendered and you rehabilitated.
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