By Silma Ahamed –
Silma Ahamed
The Government has inadvertently made Azath Salley a hero, or so some believe. No, the Government has not contributed to Azath turning a hero, he is one anyway.
The hate campaign against Muslims needs no elaboration. Azath Salley has only been warning Sri Lankans of dangerous consequences as a result of it. To arrest him on charges of inciting communal ill feeling is to insult the basic intelligence of all Sri Lankans.
Surely we Sri Lankans cannot forget so soon that Azath was a close associate of the ruling family. When did he fall into disfavor? Was it not when he vehemently opposed the destruction of an ancient Muslim shrine in Anuradhapura, and the campaign against the removal of the recently famous mosque in Dambulla? Was he not the one who openly condemned the racist ideology and hate campaign against minorities by extremist Sinhala groups? Was he not the one who spoke out for unity among all races and a common Sri Lankan identity? He is a true patriot, to fearlessly speak out in the face of not just losing favor with the Government, but also risking his personal security.
And now what is the Muslim community doing for him? Some feel that he was ‘asking for it’, that he ‘was shooting his mouth off’. Was he?? Is it wrong to speak your mind? He certainly wasn’t committing a crime. We are, by not defending him when he is wrongfully incarcerated. Muslims in Civil Society find excuses not to get involved, only because they fear for their own well being. It is the responsibility of Muslim individuals who wield influence in their respective fields to do whatever is possible for the release of Azath Salley. It it isn’t within our power to secure his release, we should at least voice our protest openly. It is also the responsibility of right minded Sri Lankans to support this cause, just like any other which stands for Democracy and Justice in the country. Or else, silence will only embolden the forces against Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka.
Yehiya / May 7, 2013
Not only Muslim all peace loving Sinhalese also hate the present regime. Today international media focus the Azzad sally matter & it will lead to CNN. Day by day motherland dignity comes down due to rude murders appointed by our votes. Today they beat the pirabakaran all the ways. Under his regime good governance for their communities. But today all lost. Inside home living ladies also focused.
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Imthiyaz Sultan / May 7, 2013
I will not be surprised Azad Sally would be released and appointed as a Minister under President MR regime. End of the day, it is current political style.
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Punchinilame / May 7, 2013
Is this the reason:
[edited out]
Could you please write instead of posting gossip web links – CT
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Upali Wijewardene / May 7, 2013
Rule of law MUST be established and No one should have the power to manipulate charges the way the Police are forced to do. GOD SHAVE the miracle of Asia
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Sharni Jayawardena / May 7, 2013
Simply stated. Silence is an inexcusable (and too often a selfish) stance to adopt in the face of injustice.
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DIASPORA DAS DEVADAS / May 8, 2013
Ms SharnibJayawardene, You said it all!!! Bravo. They say, and I am NOT quite certain about this matter, that ISLANDERS are always quite SELFISH personalities- eat, drink, sing, dance and go to bed at 10 PM!!!- what happens to your brother,sister, mother father, your countrymen is none of your business.
In Azath’s case he has a powerful senior Minister Fowzie as his uncle, quite conspicuous by his ABSOLUTE SILENCE.
But Azath has many friends among the Sinhalese and Tamils; MP Sumanthiran, Dr Wickremabahu Karunarathne, Mano Ganesan and several civil society members and legal luminaries; all very willing and READY FOR THE BATTLE WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE ‘BANANA REPUBLIC’ – OUR LANKA IS NOW A SILLY LANKA !!! A BIG JOKE IN TH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY !!! CERTAINLY THE ‘TEAR DROP’ OF ASIA. MY LANKA IS WEEPING !!!!
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Abdul Kareem / May 7, 2013
Sri Lanka is FINISHED? It will become A piece SHIT very soon among the Global community? What is this President doing? Even a nursery kid could understand whats going on in our country? this whole goons in the parliament pretends if if they don’t know anything just because their bellies are getting filled? Only GOD can save our country now? Whats happening with Asath Sally is a clear message that minorities in this country should keep quiet and be a slave of Sinhalase even if their fundamental rights are taken away? But under this menace regime its not only for minority? anyone who is a dissent will face its dire consequence? First The Chief of the Armed forces was illegally sent to jail, then the Chief Justice is tested and awaiting jail? Now Asath Sally? This country now ruled only by the needs whims and wishes of only two individuals? No constitution, No Law, No courts, No police, No law & order and No justice? what they think is the rule of the land? the judgment is decided at the Temple trees even before the arrest? GOD BLESS SRI LANKA?
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AYMAN / May 7, 2013
AZATH SALLY’S MATERNAL UNCLES STATEMENT TO ARAB NEWS.
WHILE SINHALESE AND TAMILS ARE SPEAKING FOR AZATH SALLY, THIS IS IS WHAT UNCLE FOWZIE HAS TO SAY.
RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN
Tuesday 7 May 2013
Last Update 7 May 2013 1:36 am
Sri Lanka signed the annual Haj agreement with the Kingdom on Sunday, allowing Colombo to send 2,800 pilgrims.
Speaking to Arab News following the signing ceremony, Sri Lankan Minister for Urban Affairs Abdul Hameed Mohamed Fowzie, who held talks with Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar, explained that this year Sri Lanka was given the same quota of pilgrims as last year because of the ongoing development works in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
He said the island has more than 3 million Muslims and his ministry has so far received more than 7,000 applicants for the forthcoming Haj. He pointed out that Hajjar explained the difficulties faced by the Saudi authorities in accommodating a larger number of pilgrims because of the ongoing construction work at the holy sites.
The visiting minister said that he was told that the expansion work is under way to allow for 150,000 pilgrims to circumambulate the Kaaba at a time. “Currently 50,000 worshippers can circumambulate the Kaaba at a time,” he said.
Since the Sri Lankan government has been given a relatively small quota for Haj, pilgrims would be allowed to do Haj on a “first-come, first-served basis,” the minister said.
He said Colombo would like to see an increase in its quota of pilgrims in the coming years since Muslims on the island are now free to travel in and out of the country following the end of a long-running ethnic conflict.
“We have successfully eliminated the threat from the shores of Sri Lanka under the able leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,” Fowzie said.
He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his government for the services extended to the pilgrims every year.
“Muslims are well looked after by the Rajapaksa government. There are no restrictions imposed on the number of Haj pilgrims who wish to perform their religious duties,” the visiting minister explained. “We allow everyone who wishes to perform his lifetime obligation to Allah,” he said.
The minister said the Haj procedures are streamlined through a network of operators based in all parts of the island. “We have a separate department to handle Haj operations and the Saudi Embassy in Colombo cooperates with the government issuing Haj visas to pilgrims promptly.”
“Every year, the Lankan government blacklists operators who fail to comply with the Haj department requirements during the previous pilgrimage.”
Answering a question about the anti-Muslim campaign that has caused alarm among members of the Muslim community in the island, the minister said that through the conscious efforts of some Muslim politicians, the conflict has greatly simmered down. The country’s president has categorically declared before all Muslim foreign ambassadors that he would not allow minority interests to be threatened by any group with vested interests.
In March, the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed its concerns over the escalating ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka affecting the Muslim community and its businesses in the island.
Regarding the arrest of Muslim activist and former Deputy Mayor of Colombo Azath Salley, the minister said he had been arrested on complaints received by the criminal investigations department
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DODU / May 7, 2013
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/
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Point of View / May 7, 2013
He is a smooth operator. A snake under grass. His own sister must be rolling in her grave thinking of her son !
Shame on you scumbag.
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Maghribi / May 7, 2013
Point of view – Slander and disrespect to the dead and the living will come back to haunt you. People like you are a disgrace to humanity and peace in the country.
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Point of View / May 8, 2013
Thank you. I can live with that.
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DODU / May 7, 2013
This old man (NAKI) will sell his wife and children for money! There are some more in this list: Puutalam BOORUWA – Aswar, Ping Gona – Cader, Peduru Mttapa, Gona – Hakeem……
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Mahela / May 8, 2013
My mother used to talk about “Thambige Thoppiya” which everybody is aware of and Rajapakses are promoting further.
I think all the above are fit in for that.
Change your Plane engines to Rolls Royce engines which could accomodate Mattala Bird crisis and pay 3.5 Billion rupees for CHOGM with prince charles photo-op. Hope CHOGM meeting is conducted in native Sinhala language to acomodate 95% Deshapremi Sinhala only speaking Parliament members.Talk to Wimala and prof.Mervin and learn from them.
Wake up guys as next time it will be you.
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reeza / May 9, 2013
@mahela
Im sure your mother must have been more familiar with the Thambiyas other things than his mere Thoppiya. Wonderful woman she must be. And a son like you seems to deserve a mother like her. heh, heh….
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faluda / May 10, 2013
@ mahela
I hope your father isnt reading this.
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Mala Jayasuriya / May 7, 2013
Such honest sentiments.
We need to stick our heads out!
Have some self respect people!
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ONE / May 7, 2013
Muslims have always played the double in SL politics and have voted a warlord and called him king.
Now Rajaporkistan want to make SL like Saudi Arabia the land of AlCIAd with golf courses and taate motte pirith .
Patriotism and Religion are emotions there is nothing rational about both.
Learn to live as dogs under the warlord you voted- Apey Lankawe.
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Fred Jayasinghe / May 7, 2013
Thank you for being so forthright. It is an admirable trait — and so so rare.
Best wishes to you Mrs. Ahamed.
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Pam Rajasingham / May 7, 2013
As Tamils, we know only too well what can happen when we take too long to resist…. it is not going to be easy – but make your point. And get others to speak out as well. There are many non-Muslims who agree with you – Sinhala, Tamil and Burgher – and soon they will join you. I am convinced that this island will become a better place. But we have to act for that to happen.
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Fair N Square / May 7, 2013
Little drops of water makes the mighty ocean…
Little grains of sand makes a pleasant land….
For SL to be a pleasant land we the ” People” have to rise up just like the Arab Spring or even the Tinnaman Square. IF and until we rise up, there wont be ANY CHANGES. IF Gaddafi, Saddam, Hosni Mubarak can be sent to their deaths after ruling with IRON FISTS, these ruling elite are just flies to be swatted.. IT takes ONE person to start, or are we going to wait for the hero to come on horse back from a foreign land…?
IF we SL’s wont unite we will NOT be able to achieve anything..
A quote from Yoshitha Rajapaksas.. facebook… ” United we stand, divided we fall” now the price says it, so why not we unite for the sake of MOTHER LANKA…
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Fair N Square / May 7, 2013
‘ Prince… not price….
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DIASPORA DAS DEVADAS / May 8, 2013
FAIR AND SQUARE ; YOU SAID IT MAN!!!. YOU ARE ON THE SPOT!!
YES MAN WE CAN AND WE MUST!! AND IT IS NOW OR NEVER!!!
DIASPORA DAS DEVADAS
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DIASPORA DAS DEVADAS / May 8, 2013
Ms Pam; You are quite right. Again I repeat ISLANDERS are very fearful people- very selfish Only to themselves, eat well, drink well and sleep well – by 10 PM).
Unless we rally and forge our resources and fight racism, injustice,communualism and hate-mongering, we all will suffer and perhaps we may have to leave Mother Lanka as others have done!!!
We ONLY DIE ONCE!!!!
diaspora das devadas
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cornucopia / May 7, 2013
Could not agree more. Well said Silma!
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Maghribi / May 7, 2013
Minister Fowzie is a seasoned and well respected politician who knows to play politics with diplomatic strategy. He is a behind the scene mastermind who works with hard facts. He is the last of the titan who has served Lanka .
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mohamed fazly ilyas / May 7, 2013
Maghribi, ‘seasoned and well respected who knows to play politics with diplomatic stratergy’…..politics is to serve. a politician is best when his work serves well in the case pf humanity. Sit back and reflect on this politician and the rest of them muslim politicians on their feedback to the community.
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Maghribi / May 8, 2013
mohamed fazly ilyas – One should speak with first hand knowledge and wisdom or keep quite. Minister Fowzie is probably the last Sri Lankan leader who commands respect among the Islamic country leaders in Arabia. You or your people have no idea of his commitment to his country and people and the disrespect to a senior leader is shameful. The grievous pain of a self inflicting wound is to undermine our elders and the learned people. This is against the precept of Islamic values.
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mohamed fazly ilyas / May 8, 2013
Magribhi, sit back and reflect…then you will agree. i have not shown or written about any muslim politician.. it’s just your imagination.
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Maghribi / May 9, 2013
mohamed fazly ilyas – Response is as a result of years of personal reflection on this particular Humanitarian.
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Kamal Pethiyagoda / May 7, 2013
All communities have their share of selfish politicians who align themselves with this government simply to enjoy the privileges of power. This is not only confined to the Muslims. Let’s see what we can do at the next elections. Let’s change things. We need to hear more voices like this.
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Roy / May 7, 2013
Mr Salley is paying the price for talking the truth like so many others who went through similar scenarios . The President is playing a deadly game by creating defenseless people into terrorists. MR and the 40 BBS should be blamed for the consequences. So sad!!!
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J.Muthu / May 7, 2013
What you mean by patriot, Keep your mouth shut and let the sinhala budshit roaming the country like wild dogs. Thease saffron clad thugs and criminals must be brought to justice for their crime against other communities. Rajapakse thugs and his goons must be brought to justice when and where new goverment in srilanka, any one ready for that…I dont think so. Sinhala veerayas love blood and violence. If u look back the history….all very clear…sorry I am not a patriot but fighting free for my people…
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Preethi Jagoda / May 7, 2013
True. It’s time we stopped playing games. We have too much at stake, all of us. We need to catch each of our politicians by the scruff of the neck and hold them accountable. Easier said than done, I know, but if we don’t do something now the consequences will be disastrous.
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DIASPORA DAS DEVADAS / May 8, 2013
HI PREETHI, WELL SAID, CATCH ‘EM AND…………AND BASH THEM…PERHAPS THE MOMENTUM IS GATHERING NOW…………
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Uvaizur Rahman M.I. / May 7, 2013
Patriotism is Last resort of a Political Refugee.If you support the MR government you are respected as a Patriotic.If you are not supporting You will have to behind the bar.
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Piranha / May 8, 2013
Yes. Fowzie, Azwer, Bathiudeen, Hameed are all patriots. Their patriotism is at the expense of the Muslim people who put trust in them and elected them to look after their welfare. Their patriotism is the Rajapaksa brand of patriotism. Shameless arselickers is what I call them.
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Piyal; / May 8, 2013
You know how many countries were created out of former Yugoslavia – Serbia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Montenegro and Republic of Macedonia.
See it all happened because of the majority Serbs in Yugoslavia refused to give the rights of the other communities, they had to loose their own country and became the minority in all these countries but majority only in Serbia.
It’s very certain the JHU, BBS and this rogue regime taking mother Lanka to the same pathetic situation when they treat the minorities badly.
Wouldn’t think that the UN and the International Community sleeping but watching all these carefully, all these countries have their people on ground in Sri Lanka and they are reporting constantly.
One fine day they would say enough is enough and do what they did in former Yugoslavia in Sri Lanka as well.
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Amerasiri / May 8, 2013
Well Said.
It is racism and religious nationalism, based on MYTHS. In Sri Lanka it is the Monk Mahanama Myths.
Need to keep repeating because, the MYTH Followers and Racists will not accept even if presence with the Facts and Data. Even in America, after 470 years of Copernicus publication of the Motion of Heavenly Bodies, about 25%, STILL believe, the Sun goes around the Earth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_model
The astronomical predictions of Ptolemy’s geocentric model were used to prepare astrological charts for over 1500 years. The geocentric model held sway into the early modern age, but from the late 16th century onward was gradually superseded by the heliocentric model of Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler. However, the transition between these two theories met much resistance, not only from Christian theologians, who were reluctant to reject a theory that was in agreement with Bible passages (e.g. “Sun, stand you still upon Gibeon”, Joshua 10:12 – King James 2000 Bible), but also from those who saw geocentrism as an accepted consensus that could not be subverted by a new, unknown theory.
What percentage of Sinhala Buddhists believe in the Monk Mahanama Myths, that has nothing to do with the teachings of Lord Buddha?
I ask a cab driver.
So are you a Buddhist?” I ask the driver.
“Yes, I am a Buddhist.”
“Oh, so you’re a Sinhala?”
“I am a Sinhala,” the driver says, and then shouts: “BUT I AM NOT A TERRORIST!”
But, the Budu Bala Sena cannot say that because, they fall under the definition of terrorist.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/terrorist
terrorist – a radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities
The Natives and Religions of Sri Lanka
Sinhala Buddhists Monk Mahanama and Tamil Hindus and Racism
1. A fraction of Sinhalese Buddhists now are racists. They were NOT racists to begin with. They were TAUGHT by Monk Mahanama to be racists with MYTHS written to Mahawamsa. This was perpetuated later on by other monks and other racists. In fact, DNA analysis of the so-called Sinhalese will show that they are not much different genetically from the Tamils of South India and Sri Lanka.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhalese_people
2. Sri Lanka was originally Animist, Hindu and Jain with Veddah, Yakka and Naga people. Even Vijaya and the other immigrants were either Jain or Hindu. Even Lord Buddha’s parents were Hindu.
3. Monk Mahanama and other monks used the kings, and the kings used the monks, to reinforce each other’s position and hegemony and promoted Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism. This has nothing to do with Buddhism. Like Arab Nationalism and Islam.
4. Buddhism and racism became rallying points for the monks and kings. This monk-king axis has nothing to do with achieving Nirvana and rebirth, which are all MYTHS.
Studies looking at the origin of the Sinhalese have been contradictory. Older studies suggest a predominantly Sri Lankan Tamil contribution followed by a significant Bengali contribution with no North Western Indian contribution,[42][43] while more modern studies point towards a predominantly Bengali contribution and a minor Tamil and North Western Indian (Gujarati & Punjabi) contribution.[44][45][46] Multiple studies have found no significant genetic difference between the Sinhalese and the three other major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka (Sri Lankan Tamil, Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Moor).[43][47][48][49][50][51]
It is debatable whether the Sri Lankan population have genetic links to Far East Asian populations however due to their close links to North East India, there is a likelihood of some traces of East Asian genes.[52]
Original Natives were Vedda, Naga and Yakka, who came from South India.
Veddahs were the First to arrive in Lanka, like the Australian Aborigines and the Native America Indians, After they left East Africa about 70,000 years ago, Yes, the Veddahs are the Original Natives.
Everybody else is an Illegal, Kallathonis.
That includes the Subsequent Migration of Dravidian (Tamil) Hindus and Dravidian Tamil Janins from South India.
That includes the Kalinga-Orissa-Bengali who were Hindus and Jains.
Later Dravidian Tamils.
Later Malayalees.
Later Buddhists.
Later Muslims, the ethnic stock is actually a mixture of Middle Eastern traders who were trading with Sri Lanka before the advent of Islam, called “Yonaka”, and these foreign traders who were mostly Middle Eastern converted to Islam, and got absorbed to both South India and Sri Lanka. So the gene pool of Sri Lanka Muslims contain Middle Easterners, South Indians, native Sinhala, and others. However, it is likely a large percentage of this pool is South Indian, but is not exclusively South Indian.
Later Portuguese
Later Dutch
Later Malays
Later English
Later Estate Tamils.
All these arrivals have one thing in common. Myths.
However, one good thing happened. The genes became diversified, and created a more healthy population, instead of too many birth defects due to inbreeding.
Myths of Rebirth, Nirvana, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory etc.
The monks, priests and mullahs exploited the people, in order for them to stay in power and have hegemony over the people.
In Sri Lanka, Monk Mahanama with his myths tat are being believed by many is the cause of the problem.
It is really sad, that Lanka did not stay Native Veddah all these years.
Religion is the Opium of the masses-Karl Marx. How true today.
Sri Lankan Muslims, and a host of other inhabitants in Lanka,Veddahs, Tamils, Yakkas, Nagas, Kalingas, Bengalis, Sinhala etc. originally came from East Africa between 70,000 and 100,000 years ago, as Homo Sapiens, through Arabia, yes Arabia.
On the way they picked up many MYTHS of Religion, Race,beliefs etc, and these were promoted by those in power or in collision with those in power.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/35877.wss
The Genographic Project Confirms Humans Migrated Out of Africa through Arabia
New analytical method approaches the unstudied 99% of the human genome.
WASHINGTON, D.C., – 02 Nov 2011: Evolutionary history shows that human populations likely originated in Africa, and the Genographic Project, the most extensive survey of human population genetic data to date, suggests where they went next. A study by the Project finds that modern humans migrated out of Africa via a southern route through Arabia, rather than a northern route by way of Egypt. These findings will be highlighted today at a conference at the National Geographic Society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genographic_Project
There is a Table There that shows the gene diversity and original location of the genes.
SOUTHERN INDIAN GENE POOL:
Mediterranean 4%
Northern European; 2%
Southwest Asian” 58%
Southeast Asian 35%
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Citizen / May 9, 2013
Amerasiri,
Agreed. But the issue of migration od people from other places requires re-consideration. About 9,000 or 10,000 years ago, the Strait of Talaimannar was a landmass. Similarly the Strait between Siberia and Alaska was a land mass. The depth of both Straits is about 160 to 180 feet. Canadian history mentions that there is similarities between the Indians in Canada and Siberia. Similarly there is some similarity between the people of South India and Sri Lanka. Apparently there are similarities between the people of Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea with that of the people of India and Sri Lanka and even their customs remain the same. There should have been a land masse from those countries to India and Sri Lanka. The depth of the sea between these countries are also shallow, especially along the coast of Somalia. As such the people of South India and Sri Lanka would have frequestly visited because of the land mass in the Gulf of Mannar. Apparently the Sinhalese are from the State of Orissa who culture and behaviour are similar with the Sinhalese. Some historical records mention that Prince Vijaya while sailing was drifted along the eastern coast of India and eventually landed at Matotta. The veracity of the truth has yet to be determined. Indian history mentions of Nagas & Yakshas in the central region of India.
Muslims came much later – some as Arab traders while some from Afghanistan through invasion. Right from the inception the Afghans were a problem. Afghanistan was originally a Hindu Kush region where Sakuni & Duriyodhana were ruling according to Maha Bharatha, an epic that was composed about 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. After all, we are all human beings and promote mutual understandings.
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Mahela / May 8, 2013
I see the truth in your comment. But to a Tyrant bloodsucking Leech whose dreams are Family Dynasties, these are mere jokes.
Titanic did not go down only with it’s captain, but with over 1500 innocent passengers.
Sri Lanka’s Rajapakse Titanic in the making.
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Priyantha / May 8, 2013
Silma Ahamed,
The root cause of all your problems, unjust treatment and suppression is Rauf Hakeem! That bastard has led the whole Muslim community to the gallows of the Rajapakshas! Get rid of the joker as soon as possible and chose a leader like Azath Salley. Next withdraw from the regime and get united under the common opposition! Get the support of all the Arab countries to the common opposition to chase this rogue regime!
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Piyal; / May 8, 2013
Maghribi – Sure your brain is out of order, might be out of function. Man, Fowzie and all the other greedy, corrupt, shameless and power hungry Muslim politicians only brought our community to this sorry situation.
See what he said in Saudi – The President is protecting the minorities but their Balu Sena is doing their dirty works. See what he said about Sally, his own blood. They would sell their own mothers, sisters and daughters for their positions and perks.
All the Muslims are waiting for these maroons to come next time to their doors steps to teach them good lessons. They all are selling us. This got to stop and we have to put a full stop soon for their games with our lives.
Only Azath Sally and Mujeebur Rahman are our real heroes who had the real raw guts to stand up to Gota, Mara and their goons.
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Amerasiri / May 8, 2013
YES
We Must All Be Patriots, Not Just Azath Salley
1. Yes.
2. We must NOT be Racists
3. We must nor be religious fanatics and distort True Religion, like Budu Bala Sena and the Politics of hate, not promoted by Lord Buddha.
4. We must not be Myth Followers.
5. We must oppose arbitrary arrest and support rule of law, not distort law that only protects the things and goons.
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Amerasiri / May 8, 2013
Our support and hats off to you, for speaking out.
The current Budu Bala Sena Nazis supporting the current Third Reich in Lanka will only bring calamity and destruction.
What a shame, Sinhala Buddhists?
What a Shame, Sri Lanka.
A new set of Nazis in the making.
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suryagamage nilan / May 8, 2013
Muslim politics of serving the majority not matter who is killed and butchered in the process is having some difficulties I must admit but more subservience to the ruling ideology of chinatana, albeit muslim style might solve the problem.
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Rana / May 8, 2013
Silma, In Anuradhapura and dabulla there are no mosques. Those were prayer stations. Those small prayer stations later on convert to mosques. That’s their[muslims] intention. The problem arise why these small prayer stations erected in buddhist sacred areas or adjacent to buddhist sacred areas. There are so many other places to build mosques in any city in SL if the need arise. When we think about the religious conflict or hate speech now going on in SL, it’s responsibility lying completely on muslims. First of all muslims must respect buddhism and it’s sacred places,arch.sites etc..
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Imana / May 8, 2013
Respect should be earned, Rana.
Majority should be bigger in their heart. Every where there is a Bo tree, a statue of the Lord Buddha is erected. Even Lord Buddha will be embarrassed. Where is the reverence ?
A mosque is not a place of worship. It is only a prayer station, as you say – a place for people to pray. It can be a mud hut, under a tree or a multi storey building.
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rana / May 8, 2013
Imana, Majority were bigger in their heart and bigger in their tolerance. That’s why muslims can erect prayer station’s within Dambulla or Anuradhapura sacred area. That’s why late Ashroff bulldoze ancient ruins in Pothuvil and Deegavapi. That’s why he robbed almost 200 acres of land belongs to Muhudu maha vihara in Pothuvil and distribute it among his henchmen by giving “special permits” to build houses. That’s why late siri seelankara thero of muhudu maha viharaya assaulted and hospitalised more than a month.
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Imana / May 8, 2013
I have no regard for any of the Muslim politicians. Never voted for one and never will.
Our biggest problems are created by the politicians. Having said that, the majority can still make a difference. Politicians are only a handful.
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ahmad / May 8, 2013
Rana – just Sew the Muslims if that is the case! You have laws and constituation protecting Buddhism and holy sites. So please just SEW (if you don’t know what that means, it means going to courts) the muslims who are doing this to you and stop your hate speech.
That is the decent thing to do
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rana / May 8, 2013
Ah-mad,I don’t have sewing machine to sew.
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mohamed fazly ilyas / May 8, 2013
Silma, I have known azad to be a outspoken and vociferous person. However in the recent past he messed himself up with some wrong political moves and had to pay the price for his current plight. But, yet i am confident he will come out a wiser man.
I believe and am optimistic that someone will eventually come with a glass of water. From which hand he takes it and how he consumes it, will determine his future. I hope and wish the best for him.
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Ananda Perera / May 8, 2013
This is the problem, Fazly Ilyas. “The wrong political movies” that you mention are actually the right things to do. One can’t sit back doing nothing and enjoy the fruits of being a politician and die with a clear conscience.
I can only say, make more ‘wrong’ political moves people. JUST DO IT!
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mohamed fazly ilyas / May 8, 2013
the political moves i mentioned were switching parties and colors. I do admire his guts for speaking up while the others are at slumber.
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Nizam / May 8, 2013
Because of Azath the dirty mouths of Bodu Balu Sena were shut and they are now licking the back of Americans while enjoying the hospitality of Norwegian NGOs. Someday, almighty god will punish those Balu Rela including the so-called hero Gota the goat who is behind all these communal hate against Muslims, Hindus and Christians.
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Lester / May 9, 2013
I am curious, did Azath Salley speak out when the Taliban destroyed the Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan? Did any Muslim politician anywhere in the world speak out? Did any Muslim at all speak out? Now the Muslims are whining about this mosque in Dambulla. Mosques are alien to Sri Lanka anyway. Your Islamic heritage is safe in Mecca, and Israel (Dome of The Rock), which is ironic considering how quick you are to slander Jews.
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Disgust / May 10, 2013
Lester, for that matter, how many other srilankan or world leaders spoke on the ‘Bamiyan’ issue? the response for it was like the release of gas when one opens a bottle of Soda.
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Lester / May 11, 2013
How many Islamic shrines have been destroyed in Buddhist countries?
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Alan / May 12, 2013
@ Lester, Do you know that under TALIBAN rule there were no statues destroyed in Afghanistan. The statues were destroyed when the American forces start ruling the Afghanistan.think twice…or more….
Why are you comparing the Afghanistan issues with Sri lankan muslims? So you are going to say only who has muslim names are terrorist and others are pure human beings in the world? Do you really know who creates the problem in the world currently? Are you living on the earth?
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KR / May 9, 2013
The same can be said about the majority of the Sinhalese. They prefer to remain silent, when atrocities are committed against others.
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Lester / May 11, 2013
Sinhalese do not consider themselves part of any ummah . They are not given billions of dollars a year by the House of Saud, like your Sunni brothers in Syria, to kill infidels.
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M.Sivananthan / May 9, 2013
Can anyone shows anything about “patriotism” in Islam?
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S. Ahamed / May 9, 2013
Islam is clear on being patriotic/loyal to one’s country,as in all other guidance to live righteously. The Holy Quran states “..obey those who are in authority over you..”, and the Holy Prophet advocated that “Obedience to the law of the land is a part of faith”.
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meezan ali / May 9, 2013
S.Ahamed,very true. I remember, when we were kids, our parents used to always instill this in our minds sayng that the Holy Prophet advocated that “Obedience to the law of the land is a part of faith”. Thanks for reminding me.
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Disgust / May 10, 2013
S.Ahamed, does it imply anywhere to say … blindly…?
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S. Ahamed / May 11, 2013
No. Following the laws of the land has nothing to do with following them blindly. Popular opinion and people’s movements can change laws too.
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M.Sivananthan / May 11, 2013
But Muslims bomb in Boston. How are you justify it? Three Muslim guys had a plan to blowup VIA train in Canada. One of them from Tunisia suggested a “Chemical warfare” to kill more than 100,000.
Are you suggesting they have no idea of Quran or follow Quran?
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S. Ahamed / May 11, 2013
Name one religion where some of its followers haven’t or don’t abuse their faith in the name of it. The Religion or Philosophy is not at fault when some are misguided.
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Sam / May 10, 2013
The real people of Sri Lanka are the Vedhas but all the rest come from some where else.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / May 11, 2013
In Sri Lanka the word “Patriotism” is misinterpreted for the advantage of the Govt. (the political entity) in power which expects the people to be patriotic to its political thinking, even whether it is disastrous. But when anyone in the interest of the nation and the people, as a patriot of the nation and people, criticizes the politics of the group in power he becomes a “traitor”. What a fallacy?
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Nayef bin Talal / May 11, 2013
A fallacy indeed. What an interpretation of the term “Patriotism”. And no less, coming from someone who has the audacity to use the pen-name Lankan-Muslim but embellished with the added “UK” for effect. Confusion enough to confuse Confucious. It seems the whole world is a stage, like Shakespeare once moaned.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / May 11, 2013
Is “Nayef..so and so” your true name? I have the liberty to use any pen-name that I wish, and I respect your liberty to do the same. So do not infringe into my liberty. Yes “It seems the whole world is a stage, like Shakespeare once moaned.” and undoubtedly Sri Lanka is becoming a stage full of insane political actors on whose performance the whole world keeps laughing.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / May 11, 2013
And, what I missed. That is to let you know that the meaning of the word ‘patriotism’ is the adverb of the word ‘patriot’ the meaning of which is as given in the Oxford Dictionary ‘a person who vigorously supports his country and is prepared to defend it’. In that context all what Azath Salley did was confronting the actions that were causing serious threats to peace and harmony in the country. So naturally is becomes a ‘patriot’ and those who oppose him and harassed him are the true ‘traitor’.
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