19 March, 2024

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Vijayakala Vilification

By Chamindra Weerawardhana –

Dr. Chamindra Weerawardhana

When writing about ethno-national politics in post-war Sri Lanka, this writer has constantly sought to highlight one point – that there is such a thing called Tamil nationalism. Tamil nationalism is a given, and whether some of us like it or not, it continues to exist and in some quarters thrive. A key component of reasonable steps towards reconciliation involves understanding and acknowledging the existence of stakeholders with colliding and opposed views. 

Sri Lankans who are Tamil nationalists have the right to espouse their Tamil nationalism. However, it falls upon them [in the very same way it falls upon Sinhalese nationalists], to ensure that their nationalist discourse and actions do not drift into vicious cycles of extremism. We Sri Lankans have for many decades suffered due to such chauvinistic excesses. In 2018, it is definitely time to sit back, adopt a ‘live and let live’ approach, and share the collective responsibility of challenging and containing drifts towards extremism at all levels of Sri Lankan sociopolitical life. 

Ms. Maheswaran: a controversial statement? 

Sadly, not many people seem to have understood the magnitude of this national necessity. The case of ex-minister The Hon. Vijayakala Maheswaran MP is a case in point. She happened to be a serving State Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka, an MP, and while holding political office, made what can be described as an extremely ill thought-out statement, in a politically charged speech at a public meeting – that the LTTE might need to be resuscitated in order to ensure the rights of women and girls in Northern Sri Lanka. 

The first question to ask is, under what circumstances was this comment made? 

Horrendous cases of sexual violence against women and girls? 

The immediate context in which Minister Maheswaran made this comment was an extremely pathetic incident [to quote from the ex-minister’s speech] — the case of a six-year old girl who was raped and murdered. Reports of girls and women facing high levels of sexual violence frequently come from the North and East. Tamilnet, for one, published this story a few days ago:

There have been next to no news reports on the above incident  in the Sri Lankan media. At this point, it is extremely important to highlight the issue at hand – violence against women and girls.  The fact that such violence has taken high proportions in post-war Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka is the reality that transpires through the ex-minister’s speech. As a woman, and as an elected representative, the ex-minister has every right, and the fullest obligation to raise this issue not only at a public meeting in Jaffna, but also in the legislature and at all possible instances of government. It also needs to be reiterated that this is an issue that gets very sparse attention, which is in itself deeply problematic. If sexual violence is rife in the ex-war zone, we can forget all hopes of even a semblance of reconciliation. 

State armed forces: a lingering scar? 

Throughout the war years, it is no secret that the state armed forces have been somewhat regularly accused of instances of sexual violence. From Krishanthy Kumarawamy to the controversies surrounding the immediate aftermath of the war in mid-2009 [not to mention sexual abuse allegations against Sri Lanka’s UN Peacekeeping contingent in Haiti], the armed forces have been accused of sexual violence. The forces and the government have vehemently rejected such allegations. This has resulted in a head-on collision, with Tamil nationalist militants across the world accusing the state armed forces, with the forces and the government robustly and systematically rejecting all such allegations. This situation results in something even more sinister – the effective watering down – if not total absence – of an upfront, sincere and open-minded dialogue on these accusations, and problems surrounding women’s rights and exploitation in the conduct of war,  and most importantly, on the role of gender justice as an absolutely primordial precondition for reconciliation. 

A gender justice discourse and policy deficit in the forces? 

What is woefully lacking is a robust policy within the armed forces to develop a dialogue on sexual violence. Such an initiative could also prove to be useful in enhancing gender equality across the forces, enabling female officials to access higher ranks, and strengthen a discourse on gender justice in the forces. The forces should leave no space to be accused of sexual violence against Tamil women and girls. Concrete policy, if thoughtfully implemented, will provide the forces with the ability of robustly countering bad publicity such as that of the above-mentioned Tamilnet article. 

Present-day sexual violence: even beyond a military-civilian paradigm? 

We certainly cannot claim that the armed forces are behind all acts of post-2009 sexual violence in the north and the east. As the heartbreaking case of the late Sivaloganathan Vithya showed, scars of an exploitative war, a highly repressive, patriarchal and misogynist caste system, socioeconomic disparities, have resulted in a culture of impunity, where everyday misogyny has transformed itself into murderous abuse and violations. The fact that violence against women has witnessed an unprecedented rise in post-war Tamil society in the North and East is a reality that Sri Lankan authorities and citizens must urgently take stock of. 

Gender justice in the ex-war zone? a big deficit? 

It is not unjustifiable to maintain that this issue is often categorically sidelined by the Sinhalese and Tamil political class. In other words, we have spent a decade after war’s end without having a much-needed dialogue about gender justice in the ex-warzone. 

The ex-minister’s statement, the LTTE and sexual violence 

It is in such a context of mass negligence that the ex-minister made her comment at a public meeting in Jaffna. The point she made was that if we were to put an end to repetitive violence against women, we may need to bring the LTTE back. The rationale behind this statement is worth attention. For all the absolutely violent atrocities it was known for, the LTTE was seldom accused of sexual violence. Its strict codes of conduct and social conservatisms were such that despite all the risks of living in under LTTE control (involving, for instance, the constant risk of violence, abductions, forcible child conscription, cold-blooded murder of Tamil people who did not toe its line and more), there is next to no evidence that the LTTE resorted to sexual violence during the war years. 

Whirlwind at war’s end? 

To people who lived under the LTTE’s stealth, the post-war scenario turned out to be a totally different kettle of fish. Circumstances of economic deprivation were such that high levels of sexual exploitation of women followed suit. Many vices including drugs flew in to the ex-war zone. This led to a culture of impunity at all levels. It has been amply reported in both Sinhalese and Tamil media that the ex-minister, who lamented sexual violence against women and girls was herself instrumental in providing protection to the main suspect of the brutal abuse and murder of Sivaloganathan Vithya. 

Why now? Vijayakala? 

Ms. Maheswaran’s speech therefore forces one to ask the inevitably ‘why now’ question. 

Having used her powers to protect a sex offender of a young school girl, what prompts her to make such a statement of solidarity now? Where does the sudden awakening, if any, come from? Or was it a cautiously calculated political statement, to put herself forward as a heroine of the cause of women and girls in a polity dominated by geriatric men of the TNA, who, within their own party and in terms of public policy, are totally oblivious to anything like gender justice? This statement gives Ms. Maheswaran an unprecedented level of publicity and international attention. It gives her an opportunity to present herself as a tireless advocate, if not the only political voice that openly stands for the rights of Tamil women and girls in post-war Sri Lanka. If this were her strategy, it works, and the evidence can be seen in the loud cheers her speech received. Very soon, we are quite likely to hear her being quoted verbatim at Tiger flag-carrying Tamil nationalist protests and events across the West. 

In this sense, one could even conclude that by this statement, Ms. Maheswaran has raised her political capital to a level much higher than occupying an obscure state minister position in the Joint Government.

A clear wake-up call? 

This incident is one that should serve as a wakeup call to the Government of Sri Lanka, to take gender justice provision in the north and east much more seriously. A strong action plan, with immediate, medium and long-term targets, advised and spearheaded by leading gender justice activists and experts, is the most advisable way ahead. If no action is taken, there is the clear risk of a rise of extremist sentiment, anguish against the Sri Lankan state, and fine waters in which politicos can have a free ride fishing away for political advantage, à la Vijayakala Maheswaran. 

Beyond vilifying Vijayakala: our collective responsibility? 

Calls to suspend Ms. Maheswaran from parliament and legal action are all arguments that risk preventing policymakers from seeing the bigger picture. What matters is a concerted set of concrete steps to contain and eradicate the circumstances of violence and exploitation that prompted Ms. Maheswaran to say what she said in the first place. An incessant vilification against Ms. Maheswaran only results in giving her a great deal of undue attention and publicity, and making her a heroine in the eyes of hardline, reactionary and militant brands of Tamil nationalism. It is therefore crucial that we all collectively strive to clearly distinguish between Vijayakala and the problem-proper. 

Instead, if Vijayakala and her words are to be understood as the sole problem at hand and if her vilification is to be our sole focus, we will be shooting ourselves in the proverbial foot. Big time. 

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Latest comments

  • 11
    11

    The question is what are the motives of this woman who protected a killer and rapist to shed crocodile tears now.. she may want to contest in the provincial council elections as a UNP proxy.. she has blood on her hands.

    • 6
      4

      The writer fails to mention the socalled Minister is or was in charge of Women’s & child affairs. Both of these idiots to say that the LTTE was a child friendly feminist movement is beyond a joke. I mean They the LTTE stole children from families at gun point, Trained them to be killers and be killed. Trained women suicide bombers to go and kill women and children. Yes we do see the Liberal movements of the LTTE..

      To say there was no violence at all from the LTTE controlled Regions? When did the LTTE practice Media freedom.????? They only published selected stories via Bias Tamil net of violence re the war and suppressed the crimes in its controlled region. Because the police force they had is for purely show, And when Tamils who talked of their violence were called traitor don’t talk bad things about the LTTE etc etc etc..

      DID Tamilnet report on the incident when a tamils raped and killed the school girl??? couple of years ago??? not a world complete blank cover. In that regard all media are guilty.

      This is just another joke to make political issues using tragic consequences.

      • 1
        2

        Jamal it was not only the LTTE but even the government supported para militaries were recruiting minors , more so than the LTTE and it is they who recruited Children forcibly and were still recruiting children by force m long after the LTTE had stopped the recruitment of minors. Most of the minors joining the LTTE joined them voluntarily due to members of their families being raped or killed brutally by the Sri Lankan armed forces, Sinhalese thugs or Muslim home guards in the east. The Sri Lankan army in the latter stages if the war too was recruiting under age minors from poor southern villages to fight the LTTE and many of them were deliberately used as gun fodder. There are photos of many under age boys recruited by the Sri Lankan armed forces and used in this manner. The so called Tamils raping are these Tamil paramilitaries who are under the control of the armed forces and do what they state and not ordinary citizens. Please research and post and do not be so biased. Remember Sri Lankan Muslims are also Tamils, just because your Hindu Tamil ancestors converted to Islam a few centuries ago , does mean you cease being a Tamil and become a Moor Arab or anything else that takes your fancy. Islam is a religion and not an ethnicity or race and followed by people belonging to many races and cultures. Sri Lankan Muslims like you may be called Moors but in reality Tamil by race/ethnicity and Muslim by religion. The word Moor here is used solely to describe your religion and not your origin or race. Many Sri Lankan Muslims are taking the word Moor literally and think they are of Arab or North African heritage. They are not.

        • 1
          1

          Are you seriously real ?? Or an alien to talk such rubbish ?

      • 2
        1

        Jamal

        you appear to be an unprincipled person with little intellectual ability, are you a muslim ? If you are then it explains why your comments are devoid of any merits. The whole world know that it is the LTTE which gave equal status to women in their ranks and also empowers women in all aspects of life to be equal to men in the territories they controlled.

        If you are a muslim then it is understandable why you are bad mouthing the LTTE, your people treat women only as lump of meat for sexual gratification and to use them as breeding machines. Your brain can’t see through the propaganda of your Sinhala masters, who have been crying foul about LTTE child soldiers while they bombed school play grounds with young children in school uniforms, if this is not shedding crocodile tears for Tamil children what else is.

        I think people like you must first understand there are millions of people around the world who do not attach the terrorist label to the LTTE.

    • 6
      2

      the writer is quoting Tamilnet that unbias truth teller who said LTTE leader is still alive when the pictures appeared to the word to see..

      So the writer is defending the minister who called for the LTTE that terrorized women and children around the nation and who controlled the population under its control using violence and used tamilnet to show sanitized images of smiling women holding guns, while ignored the tears pouring of the mothers whom the LTTE stole their children.

      If this minister and bogus writer are really concerned about the issue of sexual violence faced by all in every part of the nation. Then the said minister and writer should use good examples from around the world to highlight the issues, call the papers to discuss the taboo subject without shame. change the mindset of the the people. There are sexual violence equally in the south ignored.

      Instead a nobody writer wants to be somebody by defending a minister who uses a very bad and worse example.

      • 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/

      • 3
        3

        We would love to hear your analysis on the part played by the heavily armed Muslim home guards in eastern Sri Lanka. They were heavily armed by the STF and were responsible for the large scaled killing of thousands of eastern Tamil Hindus in the Amparai and TRincomalee district. Thousands of Tamil Hindus were brutally killed by them , their women raped , Hindu temples destroyed burnt by them and some now converted to Mosques. Many Tamil Hindu villages were ethnically cleansed and the population still being prevented from returning to their lands and village. I can give you lots of incidents. Moderator if this person about Tamils and LTTE I have every right to reply to his highly biased post. One cannot play the victim when your own people committed so much of atrocities and started this and are now hiding all this and playing the victim

  • 20
    3

    My analysis is slightly different. What Vijayakala uttered, she should not have. But deep in my heart I feel what she wanted to say was “under LTTE rule,the girls were safe and they are not now”, which is the truth, none of us can deny that. Its also true that while protecting the girls LTTE murdered or sent to be murdered many LTTE girls to the war and killed many outside the North in villages. At the end with the instigation of Ranil Vijayakala resigned. She could have refused and she would have been fired, but she bit the bullet and resigned and I am sure she is regretting her statement and I respect her for that. On the other hand if we see Mahinda Rajapakse who calls himself a SLFP member supports SLPP, the Group of 16 call themselves members of SLFP support SLPP and the President Sirisena as the leader of SLFP takes no action. At times I wonder is this because Vijayakala is a Women and a Tamil the action has been swift and in the case of the SLFP guys I mentioned above they are Men and Sinhalese no action is taken? What about Wigneswaran he openly supports LTTE, no action taken against him by the President. In fact Wigneswaran has the audacity to ask to stay as CM after the life of the PC is over. Lets take the Judiciary, they are very good in blocking cases , example the case of Gotabaya or delaying and postponing cases. No action taken by the Minister of Law and Order or Chief Justice. Look at the Pakistani Justice System. Can we learn something from them?With all their difficulties their judiciary is strong, our judges are running away from the benches refusing to hear cases or postponing the cases with lame excuses…. where are we heading?????

    • 9
      1

      But deep in my heart I feel what she wanted to say was “under LTTE rule,the girls were safe and they are not now”, which is the truth, none of us can deny that///

      Really? Jaffna was under SL forces since 1995. In all LTTE held areas, LTTE abducted girls to use as cadres or suicide bombers. Is that the safety you are talking about. I cannot imagine people who lived outside and observed what LTTE did can believe the nonsense that kerosene dealer says. People in LTTE held areas came to government controlled areas precisely to protect their children. And from whom? LTTE!
      After cease fire agreement signed in 2002, Tamils living in North and Wanni migrated to rest of the island as never before seen. Please read studies done on this subject. Why did the Tamils leave LTTE areas and even North which came under LTTE influence thanks to Ranil’s CFA? Why did Tamils opt to leave even after 2002?

      • 5
        3

        Sachoo,
        “Why did the Tamils leave LTTE areas and even North which came under LTTE “
        Even you can’t be that stupid. Where would YOU prefer to live, a place where your females may be safe, but there is indiscriminate aerial bombing, shortages of everything caused by the state, or a place where at least food is available, and migrate to Europe from there ?

        • 5
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          meenachchi

          “Even you can’t be that stupid.”

          Racist are stupid.

          sach is natural born bigot.

          • 3
            1

            yes every one who question Tamil chauvinism is a bigot. If any Sinhalese needs to be labelled a moderate they need to appease Tamil chauvinism…ryt?

        • 1
          2

          Jaffna was under SL forces since 1995. But after CFA was signed which means after LTTE was allowed by the then Wickramasinghe gover to influence Jaffna and send their operatives in, people in Jaffna on mass migrated to other places in Sri Lanka.

          The LTTE abducted children to send to the war not because of shelling. If there was no LTTE there wont be shelling. According to Amnesty Internatinal and SLMM records LTTE recruited 3100 young children as LTTE cadres. That was when there was no war and hence no shelling.

    • 5
      1

      Tamils in general live in an imagined world where LTTE were good and treated them fine even if that is far from truth. Tamils LIKE TO BELIEVE that LTTE was good. That is their racist sentiment. Any news and information that troubles their mentality will be rejected by them with contempt.
      That is why Tamils have forgotten and try to forget about the Tamils who were murdered by the LTTE. That is why no Tamils talk about or even reminiscence Tamils who were burnt alive by the LTTE by the roads in Jaffna.
      Look at Tamils’ reaction towards the book written by Thamilini Jeyakumaran. What is their reaction? Don’t they dismiss it?

      Look at Tamil’s reaction to the movie that talks about intra Tamil killings? Why do they dismiss and ignore that? Because anything any information that questions Tamil’s perceived notion about LTTE is flatly rejected by them.

      This is a classic example for a overly nationalistic tribal society. It is high time we subject Tamils’ mentality and Tamil nationalism under careful study. Because there is something wrong in it.

      • 1
        0

        just as many think Mr and his gang are good

    • 3
      2

      And get an education on court system. Any idiot with common sense would understand Gota’s case will not go further. Because it is based on flimsy charges. I am sure you dont even know what that charge is

    • 1
      2

      Mahinda being an SLFP member and supporting SLPP is exactly like Vijeykala saying LTTE should be revived….nice

  • 11
    1

    Do not see any problem with what Vijayakalani has said. Reading the translation one must fit it within the context in which it was said. Definitely a statement of fact and why should she have to resign for stating the facts. This government has done nothing to reduce the sufferings of the Jaffna people, the army is still in full force, wherever one travels, the women and young girls are not safe from the sexual predators for which Sri Lanka has a notorious reputation, and every one was aware that when the LTTE ran the place there was a sense of discipline notwithstanding the savage and barbaric nature of their fight. The racist BBS thug monk has said far worse things which has been condone by the corrupt press and media in SL, but this statement from her has been completely blown up for political reasons. The crooked parliamentarians who have made statements like Baluwansa and the Rajapakse scoundrels who have robbed the country blind under the guise of patriotism will not be able to bluff the people as their crooked exploits have been exposed though regrettably the gutless RW and slimy MS have not taken any action against them. If only the same standard was applied against our MPs all of them should resign.

  • 7
    2

    Figurative language is not meant to be taken literally, it is an imaginative way of conveying something strongly felt. The best person to examine Vijayakala’s statement is an expert on language, like Ranil Wickremasinghe’s Kelaniya University wife.

    • 6
      3

      ernest macintyre
      There is nothing figurative with the words “LTTE” and “Prabhakaran.” There is nothing imaginative in the speech either. The words are plain and clear to all which was proved by Black Tiger events held in the North after Vijayakala’s speech in support of her . It shows the gravity of what she said.

      • 3
        3

        Champa,
        The days of “kotiya enawa” which scared the shit out of people will never come back.

        • 2
          2

          Steve
          Don’t tell us. Tell Vijayakala.
          She said that bringing “real Kotiya” is one of her priorities. This was not the first time. She said this twice before. But this was the first time Ranil took action.

  • 4
    0

    VP Mike Spence hates gays and LGBTQI people. Secretary of State Pompeo opposes Gay marriage. You will no longer get support from the US government. Sad reality. Soon US will ban gay marriage, overturn affirmative action and equality, overthrow civil rights. So all the US influences you saw during the previous regime will disappear. FACT of the case: TRAGIC case of a innocent Tamil kid raped and killed by a fellow Tamil. This has nothing to do with the Government or the LTTE. Break down of law and order because the Iron Fist of the LTTE is no more. More freedom and with that comes more violence, robbery and rape by drugged up fucked up Tamil youth getting money like candy on Halloween from their Canadian, US, German and French relative Tamils. High all the time like Sinhala youth in the south and enjoying the new found freedoms like watching porn openly and doing Heroin and weed. No more LTTE to crack down. This is not a Sinhala Tamil issue.

  • 2
    0

    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/

  • 2
    2

    A very well written, well argued and balanced statement by a woman writer who has also asked a very pertinent question. WHY NOW, VIJAYKALA???
    Clearly, the MP and State Minister for Child Affairs had only the fair sex in view, and with the current concentration and interest of some international NGOs on the abuse of women in some parts of the world, had an intent to capitalize on the focus on women and forgot the torture and psychological abuse of boys the LTTE when they abducted and recruited young male children for their cause and made them carry out heinous acts in the war against the Sinhala people. Many of these young people have been since “rehabilitated”…..their numbers amounting to thousands, and they are back in their villages, if not having managed to be at the mercy of “human traffickers” who have shipped them abroad under the globally corrupt immigration system that enabled Tamil refugees to be accepted into Western countries. Among those left behind in Sri Lanka are quite a few unemployed ex-cadres who may be among the young mendependent on Diaspora money to sustain themselves, and the idle life leads them to alcoholism and drug abuse, both of which must also result in misbehavior, and their inhuman past acts might still surface under these situations.
    People in the Jaffna Province have memories that are hard of erase of the fascist situation under which they lived for over 30years, and it is indeed sad that the West which supported the separatism, and those Tamils in the Diaspora in particular who are still supporting the separatist cause, perhaps through their own guilt for what they have permitted to be created, did not bargain for the damage left on an entire society, which still shows hatred against the Sinhala army as target for their hate, which they keep fanned, even though many people of the Jaffna region depend on the army to keep the peace.

    • 2
      5

      Oh really do and tell post these fairly tales at Lanka Lies and it will be well received by those racist extremist morons. There were hardly any crimes of these sorts in the North and East prior to the war and during the 30 years LTTE rule in these areas However after the defeat of the LTTE, when hundreds of thousands of Sinhalese troops were stationed in the Tamil areas in the north and east , out of nowhere all of a sudden large scale crimes like murder, rape, looting , drug abuse appear . What the Tamil people in the north and east all of a sudden decided to go berserk after the defeat of the LTTE and the arrival of the Sinhalese armed forces in their hundreds of thousands amongst them , decided to kill, rape , loot and take up to drugs to solace themselves? They must be really sad that the LTTE was defeated or so disgusted with the Sinhalese armed forces stationed amongst themselves , stealing everything from homes and lands, and building Viharas and erecting Budda statues everywhere, as a prelude to bring more Sinhalese , that they have decided to commit all these acts in desperation and despair. They are now desperate and in great despair but will never behave in this manner. Go and tell all these fairly tales to someone else. Everyone in the north and east know that these so called Tamil Paramilitary gangs largely consisting of so called rehabilitated ex LTTE are run and controlled by the occupying Sinhalese armed forces to terrorise the Tamil population. These captured so called Ex LTTE have no other choice but to obey these occupying Sinhalese armed forces or else a worse fate awaits them. These Sinhalese armed forces and police should be kicked out the north and east. They are racist to the core and are the cause of all the problems there.

  • 10
    5

    There was a Monk who wanted a Polician to be Hitler. What steps were taken legally to punish him?

  • 5
    0

    The easiest way to understand others pangs of sufferings is to simply ask ones self will you like to be in the same situation !?

    Any besides who’s fault it is , how will you respond if you are in the same situation .

  • 2
    0

    Dr. Weerawadhena has expressed her views in a lucid and balanced manner. What has motivated Vijayakala to make this sensational outbursts? She is a politician and wants to do politics for the rest of her life. Doing politics in Jaffna has its own special requirements. She has to resonate the feelings of the people if she has to survive in politics and get their votes. She must say things what the people want to hear. She did just this in her speech. At the same time it should be sensational enough to create controversy and publicity. Reference to LTTE and the need for it’s revival should be understood in this context. Does she really want the LTTE to be resurrected? I do not think so. Her eyes are fixed on the next general elections and her speech is aimed at increasing her vote Bank. In this venture she has succeeded immensely. Overnight she has gained enough publicity in Sri Lanka as well as abroad. She has already become the darling of the Tamil diaspora. Public image is very important for a politician. As far as the Jaffna voters are concerned
    she has become a politician who would speak fearlessly for them and fight for their day to day problems. What more she wants to ensure her victory at the next polls?
    She has achieved what she wanted by her speech.

    • 3
      3

      That is exactly the problem. She is resonating the sentiments of Tamils. There is a problem in Tamil sentiments which applauds lunatic and brutal terrorism. There is a something wrong in Tamil psych. The problem is Tamil chauvinism which is widespread in the Tamil society which is everyday fueled by Tamil media, Tamil propaganda from outside the country and tamil politician. I do not think a reader in Tamil media gets the opportunity to read any viewpoint of the other side or any opinion that is questions Tamil chauvinism.

      It was veteran Muslim journalist M.S.M.Ayub who mentioned in his piece in Daily Mirror that he recently read an editorial in a Tamil paper cautioning Tamil politicians against radicalizing the youth. While welcoming that editorial Ayub said such an editorial was a rare occurrence. One can understand how Tamil mindset is conditioned by very nationalistic Tamil media. The government, civil society ( not the Norwegian one) and any well wishers of the country should take note of this.

      • 2
        1

        Why generise the Tamils for a statement made by a Politician. The Monk who wanted a Politician to be Hitler got away Scott Free.

  • 4
    0

    Why no one is talking about low and unethical stunt Mr Raman Ramanayke did by publicizing *the telephone conversation had with MS Wijekala .

  • 6
    0

    The thunder & fire response over the Vijeyakala’s outburst is understandable. But corruption/nepotism/impunity has climbed to mega scale and is edging towards giga. The whimper is hardly audible!

  • 3
    0

    Astonishing the number of committees and enquiries being set up on this matter. The Government should set up a committee to find a solution to the root cause of this issue, which is the breakdown of Law & Order in the country. Vijayakala is in effect speaking for every women and girl in the country. Not only in the North , but in every part of the country women and young girls are not safe. Don’t waste time on enquiries, govern the country as a safe place for all to live.

  • 6
    3

    This incident where Vijayakala’s speech was taken out of context and misinterpreted forcing her to resign has made her very famous/popular among the Tamil people who earlier hated her for trying to help the convicted rapist. The TNA Wigneswaran wing should take her immediately if they are clever enough.

  • 6
    6

    Mahinda group wants bloodbath again to come to power. They are trying to create fear among ordinary Sinhalese using LTTE fear. It is they who said LTTE leader is dead and its all other leaders dead and they liberated this country. They killed all members of Prabhaharan family including a 10 year old child. All those who surrendered were murdered. The main arm supplierand his wealth is with Mahinda family. Who really needs LTTE? It is Mahinda Family who gained from the war. They all became billionnaires.

    • 0
      1

      better than the muslim fear

  • 1
    1

    There is very little difference between LTTE and tamil nationalism, sinhala buddhist nationalism, ISIS or any of the different violently radical groups that rise up from time to time, except in their percentages in a country. In the west, they simply go round spraying bullets while in Sri Lanka it is the knife that is handy. The police must be allowed to do their job with authority as even now they are becoming free to bring law and order. Since there is internal warping in these radicals, the external discipline must be strong judgments/verdicts and not evil dictatorship of Hitler type.

  • 1
    0

    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/

  • 2
    2

    Vijayakala is a poor little baby. Leave her alone. When she said she wants Prabakaran back she didn’t mean that !! But when a bikkhu said something about Hitler he totally meant that. No need to understand the context there. Context only matters when vijayakala opens her mouth. Not a single article was written here against the Vijayakala’s statement. Instead a bunch of apologists lecture us why Tamils are victims. Not surprised a bit.

  • 3
    0

    Was this woman involved in trying to secure the release of that animal who raped and murdered Vidhya? If yes, then charge this woman and convict her, then throw her in prison with hard labour rest of her life.

  • 1
    0

    Problem with Vijayakala is that she’s so filthy rich everyone is scared not to criticise her

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    Sach brings up a very valid point. Jaffna was under SL government and SL police and army kept the crimes at bay since 1995/6 and not LTTE. So the former state ministers postulation is completely wrong. As I mentioned elsewhere the citizens whether Tamil, Muslim or Sinhala need to work with the police and the army and not against them or despise them and that is the only way law and order could be managed effectively.

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      wannihami

      “Sach brings up a very valid point. Jaffna was under SL government and SL police and army kept the crimes at bay since 1995/6 and not LTTE.”

      Where did you get the idea the perpetrators themselves keep crimes at bay?
      Seriously it shows how much of an bigoted ignorant you are. Please stop making sweeping statement when you haven’t got a clue about what was going on in North.

      Tell us who perpetrated the following massacres and who were found guilty and punished:
      Navaly church bombing – 9 July 1995 – Navaly – Jaffna District – 125 Civilians killed by Air Force.
      Nagerkovil school bombing – 22 September 1995 – Nagerkovil Jaffna District, 71 Innocent civilians killed by Air Force.

      “As I mentioned elsewhere the citizens whether Tamil, Muslim or Sinhala need to work with the police and the army and not against them or despise them and that is the only way law and order could be managed effectively.”

      It is other way round. Police and armed forces must be taught to respect human life and dignity. Training and arming godayas is a dumb idea. Facilitating/empowering them with impunity has made them believe they are beyond long arm of the law.

      Why don’t you teach the perpetrators to respect law, justice, HUMAN RIGHTS, learn compassion, ………. before they are brain washed into mad fascists, say like you, Gota, somass, Helass, shenali, ………………………………..?

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    Dr Chamindra Weerawardhana starts ~ “…that there is such a thing called Tamil nationalism………” . Nationalism is a luxury. Is there ‘nationalism’ in the Rohingya refugees?
    .
    Tamils have been treated ‘second class’ and been brutalised through pogroms because they spoke Tamil.. Every Tamil, particularly those living overseas have experienced violence, have kith and kin or close acquaintances in the same boat. Their views are expressions of the hurt but has nothing to with ‘nationalism. Their hurt is aggravated when they are labelled ‘LTTE sympathiser’. Successive GoSL have refused to address the grievances. Till 1983, the slogan was Tamils are Traitors, from 1983 – 2009 they were ‘terrorists’ and now ‘terrorist rump’.
    .
    Vijeyakala is not an angel – you have highlighted the Vidhya case – other involvees were the then Colombo University Dean of Law and his high ranking police post-graduate.
    But what was the Vijeyakala outburst for? “The Daily News” Editorial of 05July has sketchy details of State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s telephone conversation with State Minister Vijayakala. Ranjan pointed out that Vijeyakala had placed the UNP in a difficult position. The latter replied that if ever she made such a statement it was intended as a vote buying exercise.
    So allow the voters to decide.

    PS: Were the Police arrests and the unofficial declaration of the ‘state of emergency’ necessary?

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    Siva Sankaran Sarma and his bla bla bla….
     
    We do not need DNA studies to find out where Tamils in this island came from. So please get it into your head that it is pointless and stupid to deny that all Tamils are from Tamilnadu. Tamilnadu is where the Tamil language came into being out of the root south Dravidian language, going through all the stages of development throughout the centuries. It was after the Tamil language became the modern Tamil language which is dated to the 13th-14th century, that the permanent Tamil settlements came up here, otherwise you would not have been speaking Tamil. Simply put -everything that defines a human being as a Tamil, i.e the Tamil language and culture was produced in Tamilnadu centuries before it was brought here by Tamil settlers.
     
    As per Tamil literature and history, the Tamil country never extended beyond Cape Comorin, and this island according to Tamil literature itself is the island of the Sinhalese. Tamils never considered this island their home. Even in the mid 19th century Tamils claimed that their home was in Tamil Nadu, and that they had come here and settled from Tamilnadu. So trying to reject the true Tamil history and identity to make a case here in this island for a separate state will not ever give any results other than suffering to everyone. Also, It is totally irrelevant and uninteresting as to how many Tamils came here and got assimilated into the Sinhalese people. It doesn’t prove that there was a Tamil kingdom here, on the contrary it proves the complete opposite.

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      “Even in the mid 19th century Tamils claimed that their home was in Tamil Nadu”

      This fellow says he is a Sri Lankan yet he is unable to understand the difference between upcountry Tamils (claim their home was in Tamil Nadu) and native Eelam Tamils whose home was the island Eelam (today known as Sri Lanka).

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        Why were you living in the 19th century? Most probably it was your Karawa/Durawa /Salagama or Kandyan Radala ancestors. This why you know this very well. as this part of your family lore.

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      Only Blah Blah is you. Tamil is the oldest spoken classical language in the world and even the Indian Prime Minister Modi who is an ardent fan of Sanskrit has publicly stated this . Google and read as when I provide links it is being deleted. Sinhalese are largely descended from indigenous and immigrant Tamils from South India who converted to Buddhism or Catholicism. There is enough historical proof and DNA has proved this more than many times. You shouting and screeching here will not change this. Sinhalese language is a hybrid language largely made up of Tamil Pali or Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit Out of these three only Tamil belongs to island and the region, the other two to the plains of North India. So how can Sinhalese be truly indigenous? It evolved in the southern parts of the island when large number converted to Buddhism and started corrupting their local Tamil dialect with two languages , from the north Indian plains, closely associated with Buddhism , however to call it truly indigenous and the far older Tamil language it supplanted in these areas as alien a joke. It is like English speakers in Britain now stating, English is truly British and the older Celtic Welsh or Scottish Gaelic are not. Tamil is the most important component out of these three languages in the formation of Sinhalese. Take the Tamil element from Sinhalese and there will be no Sinhalese. Sinhalese grammar lexicon, syntax and alphabet is purely derived from Tamil. This is not what I state but Sinhalese historians and linguists. Please refer and read. Lastly there is enough and more historical and archeological evidence with regards to the ancient presence of Tamils and Tamil kingdoms. Even your Mahavmasa bible by trying to discredit the Hindu Tamils as outsiders , only confirms the ancient presence of the Tamils and Tamil kingdoms in the island. The king who converted to Buddhism is a Tamil Naga who is the son of King Mootha Sivan .

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      Punchi brain

      Are you talking through your rear end again. Tamil spoken in Northeast ( Eelam) is unique as it is not spoken anywhere else in the world except by the expatriate communities. For your enlightenment Tamils called the Islands south of cape coumarin Eelamandalam. Sinhalam also part of Elamandalam. Sinhalam comes from the pure Dravidian word Seehalam.

      I think some of what you say may apply to the Tamils of Indian origin who live in the central province of ceylon but not to Elavar.

      For your information Tamil is the oldest living language in the world ,it was not born in the 13-14 century, an information you have pulled out of your anus.

      Sinhalese are not the original people of Srilanka but Dravidians ( Tamils)

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    As per Tamil literature and history, the Tamil country never extended beyond Cape Comorin,

    Don’t go to read anything that is beyond your comprehension. Read Mahavamsa first. It was when Gemunu left his Palace; all he encountered were 32 Tamils Chieftain. Tricky part is Mahavamsa did not tell Gemunu to a Hindu Tamil.

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      Mallaiyuran this person is a die hard Sinhalese hardliner and racist . He knows the truth but will keep on coming up with silly arguments , thinking people will ultimately get tired and his fairy tale will prevail. Dutgumenu lived 2300 years ago and at that time there was no Sinhalese language or people. So how can he be a Sinhalese king when there was no Sinhalese language or people? His father’s name was king Kakkai Vanna Theesan , meaning the king or great man the colour of the crow in Tamil . .Most probably he was very dark proving he would have been a Naga and not some one of Aryan or North Indian royal descent. He was also called Kaavan Theesan which means in Tamil the great protector Like in Thirukural “Kaavalan Kaavan enin” So a Tamil Naga father has a Sinhalese Buddhist son? What sort of logic is this? Especially when there was no such people called Sinhalese or a Sinhalese language existing at that time. He was a Naga who had converted to Buddhism. This was a religious war for supremacy between the population that converted to Buddhism and the remaining Hindu population and ruling Hindu establishment. That these descendants of these Naga/Yakka Tamil converts to Buddhism later evolved as Sinhalese is another story but they were not at that time. This is the difference and these people do not want to acknowledge this.

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        The land bridge that joined Lanka from Demala Nadu was still fairly intact and the Demala people could just wade over. That is why there were so many Tamils in Dutu Gemunu times.
        .
        The problem started with, the land bridge disappearing, wading becoming impossible and swimming the only available option. Only Vasala Gothricas had the strength to swim such distances. These supermen could balance and carry heavy shit baskets on their heads without spilling even a drop had strong muscles and stamina. Wading over was a cake walk for them. They could do that in their Sarongs.
        .
        The problem was not the Vasalas per se. It was the Kallathonis, the Urine Bags who hung on to them and landed in the island. Known as the Saramas (meaning those who wear Sarongs), the Saramas were the problem then and they continue to be the problem now.

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          May be your ancestor also wondered over from Tamil Nadu. Now you wandering in the Arabian Gulf. Keep on wandering and wondering.

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            Keep on wandering and wondering and collecting bundles of dollars. Thanks. That is another 100 green backs in my NRFC account. As Bush said during the Gulf War, ‘Keep them coming’ Pandi Kutti.

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          Kallathoni is a Tamil word used by the native Tamils of Eelam for illegal immigrants who just waded over from Demala Nadu. Almost 80% of the Kallathonis who just waded over from Demala Nadu got converted into Sinhala-Buddhists and Sinhala-Christians. That is how the Sinhala population became a majority and that is why the native Vedda population and the native Tamil population became a minority.

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      Mallaiyuran

      The Mahavamsa reveals several facts that we sometimes ignore thinking that it is biased.

      During the war, Dutugemunu had to conquer not just one Tamil king (Elara) but 32 Tamil Chieftains around the Anuradhapura principality alone. Dutugemunu killing sixty thousand Tamils (as per Mahavamsa) proves that a huge number of Tamils had been living in and around the Anuradapura kingdom. This proves that there was a Tamil settlement in and around the kingdom even at that period. King Dutugemunu’s military defeat of the Northern Kingdom of Anuradapura lasted only a few years until the Tamil kings Pulahatha and others took over which means they must have had enough Tamil support from the masses.

      To make it even stronger, the Mahavamsa further says about Dutugemunu’s father King Kavantissa who warns Dutugemunu not to invade (Rajarata) the land of the Demelas. He also says, Rohana the region on this side of the river (Southern territory) has enough land. In other words, even at that time the Northern part of the country was referred to as the ‘land of the Demelas’. The Mahavamsa calls the Hindu kings of Anuradapura as Damila Kings but it does not call the other (Buddhist) kings as Sinhala Kings. Even Dutugemunu was Never known as a Sinhala king. Another thing that the Mahavamsa reveals is that, before going to war with Ellala, Dutugemunu goes to the Hindu temple at Katharagama and worships God Murugan instead of going to a Buddhist temple and pay homage to Buddha.

      This Punchi something should first read the Mahavamsa before trying to read Tamil literature.

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    Dosthara Mahattayo, what really happened is this.
    .
    As the main land receded, the break occurred at a point where there were Sinhalese in the South and the dark skinned in the North. One day, they found that the Southernmost Tamil family (hereinafter referred to as the Party of the first part) had dropped in to the crevice and died. An inquisitive crowd gathered and started asking questions, from the Northernmost Sinhala family (hereinafter referred to as the Party of the second part), some asking, who were they?, what happened to them and so on – you know, the usual unnecessary and stupid questions. The Party of the second part) confused and thinking that the question was, What happened to them, replied ”Dennama Mala” (Both are dead) thinking that the question was ‘what happened to them”. Those people who were asking ‘who they were’ thought that the Party of the second part was replying them, took the reply to be ‘Dennama Mala’. This got modified finally as ‘Demala’ and as Thamil in the Northern part, which naturally came to be called Thamil Nadu, the word Thamil becoming Tamil finally in order to get some respectability in the eyes of the British.
    .
    But for Edwin, Demala is still a Demala.

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      They say just because someone is “grown-up” by chronological age doesn’t mean they are “grown-up” mentally. Age is no guarantee of maturity and this comment by Edwin Rodrigo is a very good example.
      It is hilarious (Bertie Samuel type) but sad to see how some people like Edwin’s mindset is formed (dirty racist), also very immatured even though he says he is quite old.
      I am glad that many ignore him knowing very well that what he writes is not worth reading.

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        For whom Edwin’s comments are written: Rod Nethi Silva, if you think that my comments are for an enlightened group of professionals, you got another think coming. Nor are they for the consumption of paid fulltime commentators like Malle Urine, RSS, Dosthara, Kalavedda, Champa et al. or for UNP paid Sam canine group, about whom I could not care less. It is only for my boss, who happens to be an Arab.

        As I have told many times before, he considers the Tamils to be his worst enemies since the Kattankudy Mosque massacre, where 145 Muslims were gunned down by the highly democratic and freedom loving LTTE. My boss, as the Arabs do, read the number as 541 and of course, I did not try to correct him. He immediately appointed me as the official commentator for CT and other forums. That is the only work I do. At an age in the late sixties, I cannot do much more.

        I get paid US$ 100 or more for each comment in addition to my salary + perks. My NRFC account gets filled thanks to you stupid commentators. That is how I serve my motherland. The stupider your comments are, the more $s I get. Can anyone think of a better arrangement? I don’t think so.

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    Very interesting?

    British should have taken back their Indian Colonial Parasites back to Britain with them or returned them to India.

    Then there would not be any problems like the abduction, rape and killing of Asifa in Indian occupies Kashmir.

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    VijayaKala became an overnight Hero among the Tamils. She should resign permanently from UNP and join the TNA. There is no hope for the UNP in the future.

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