By Harsha Gunasena –
Harsha Gunasena
United Nations Human Rights Council adopted resolution 46/1 on 23 March 2021 against the wish of Sri Lanka, voting 22 countries in favor, 14 countries abstaining and 11 countries voting against out of the 47member council.
The result is interpreted by various parties in various ways. One popular way is the Western point of view where the entire force is placed on the human rights and the political ambitions of those western nations are ignored. Another way is the point of view of China or Russia where the interference of the domestic affairs of a country is denounced and it is hidden that taking that stance is a part of the political ambition of those countries. According to the point of view of the Sinhalese this is against Sri Lanka and against the victory of the armed forces of Sri Lanka. Tamils view this as a punishment to Sri Lanka and they feel that the punishment is not strong enough. Diplomatic point of view opines that if the country acted strategically this defeat could have been avoided.
This is the most serious resolution passed against Sri Lanka in international arena. In the resolution there were sixteen points in addition to the preamble. Out of these sixteen points the most serious point is the sixth one. It is as follows.
“Recognizes the importance of preserving and analysing evidence relating to violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability, and decides to strengthen in this regard the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in Member States, with competent jurisdiction”
As a result of this resolution the problem of Sri Lanka is taken out of Sri Lanka and there is no time frame applicable for the acts committed by Sri Lanka. Therefore, the actions taken place not only during the time of the war which was ended in May 2009 but also the actions taken place after that period could also be considered. The statements made by this government and the former government that they would not employ foreign judges in the investigations have become ineffective since the “relevant judicial and other proceedings” of the “gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka” will be “advocated” in the places “including in Member States, with competent jurisdiction”. We are facing the consequences of the false boastful stories uttered by our leaders without any action associated. Even now we are depending on such stories. The Minister of Foreign affairs of Sri Lanka told in the Parliament, that the resolution passed was illegal. We all should know that we are not a country like Israel which depends on its own power as well as the power of United States. China or Russia will not help us in the way US helping Israel in a do or die manner.
Irrespective of the different views expressed by many in this respect what would be the view of this question if the problem is observed in the point of view of Sri Lanka? For that we should go back to the origin of the problem.
The national problem which could have been easily solved was messed up by the politicians who held the power. Bandaranaike found an easy way to come to power by stirring the feeling of distrust of Sinhalese towards Tamils. Subsequently, the United National Party also followed suit by changing their policies. Peaceful requests and agitations of the Tamil people were ignored for a long period. There were pacts signed but later withdrawn unilaterally by the government leaders. Armed conflict was started as a result of this impasse. However, an armed conflict against a democratic state cannot be justified on the part of that democratic state. Looking back, it cannot be justified from the side of the armed group either provided they did not want a separate state. They would have engaged in a nonviolent political defiance movement. This methodology was started by Mahatma Gandhi and was theorized by Gene Sharp.
The zenith of the peace negotiations conducted from time to time came during the time of Ranil Wickremesinghe when he held the post of Prime Minister from 2001 to 2004. At the third round of peace negotiations held in Oslo, Norway between 2-5 December 2002 LTTE delegation led by Anton Balasingham agreed with the Sri Lankan Government delegation led by G.L. Peiris to explore a political solution founded on internal self-determination based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka. G.L. Peiris and the government considered this as a break through. This was discussed in subsequent meetings up to the sixth round and when the meetings were resumed after a period of lull, Anton Balasingham was removed and Thamilselvan was replaced with him as the leader. Thereafter, there were no discussions about internal self-determination and federal solution.
Ending this armed struggle with a separate state was a decision made by Prabhakaran on the part of the LTTE. Therefore, on the part of the government there was no other option than defeating it militarily. Hence both the decisions were taken by Prabhakaran not by Ranil Wickremesinghe or Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Prabhakaran believed that his intentions would be fulfilled and therefore there was no second plan. When Prabhakaran was defeated the Tamils in Sri Lanka could not even get the 13th amendment to the constitution implemented fully let alone a federal solution with internal self-determination. This happened with the assurances of the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the solution would include a second chamber in addition to the full implementation of the 13th amendment and with the continuous influences of India to implement 13th amendment fully.
There were news reports that the Sri Lankan army committed war crimes especially during the latter part of the armed struggle. Sri Lankan government refused these claims. These rejections were not credible since although initially the government said there were no civilian casualties but later the government acknowledged that there were certain number of casualties of the civilians. Therefore, there is no doubt that there should be an independent inquiry to investigate the truth of this.
On the part of the armed forces this allegation damages their credibility as a disciplined force. It is also a blackmark to their pride that they have defeated the most powerful non-governmental armed group at that time. (The most powerful non-governmental armed group and the government armed forces which defeated that organization were comprising of Sri Lankans) Not only that, the commander of the army who gave orders to the field commanders confirms that the army did not committed any war crime and he is ready to testify at any inquiry.
On the part of the Sinhalese this allegation is a disgrace. In the history they have followed a practice of arming the unarmed enemy if one wants to fight with him. They claim that in the battlefield the wounds of their soldiers were in the front and not in the back.
On the part of Tamils this is a grave injustice. If the unarmed civilians were killed at least they should know what happened let alone punishing the culprits.
On the part of the government of Sri Lanka there were precedence. The government filed a court case against the members of the armed forces who were accused of murdering Premavathi Manamperi. During the early parts of the Eelam war the Krishanti Kumaraswamy case was filed against the army officers.
Therefore, if there were any crimes committed, identifying the perpetrators is safeguarding the credibility of the entire army. The army deserves that since some of them sacrificed their lives and some of them became permanently disabled in this war. We have seen some of them carrying the Tamil civilians when they started to leave the LTTE controlled areas during the last stages of the war. Therefore, it is not appropriate to sacrifice the credibility and pride of the entire army in favour of few. It is not patriotism.
There were many favorable suggestions given to the then government. One was the South African model. At that time Cyril Ramaphosa who is the current president of South Africa visited Sri Lanka in this respect and the government abandoned that idea. When there was no domestic investigation, the Secretary General of United Nations appointed Darusman committee to investigate. The Government did not allow them to come to Sri Lanka so that the committee gave one-sided report without incorporating the response of the government. That was how the 40,000 figure perceived to be exaggerated came in. If the government does not start a domestic investigation to the satisfaction of all the stake holders the result of the process will be similar to the Darusman report.
Sri Lanka now is going through a path created as a result of causes and effects. It seems to be that a strong part of the present government likes to go ahead in this path. The seventh point in the Geneva resolution is entirely about the actions taken by this government. The eighth point is about the cremation of the covid affected bodies of the Muslims. Mahinda Rajapaksa, a seasoned politician opposed to this from the very beginning. Finally, he made a statement in the Parliament that the government will allow to bury such bodies. Even after the Prime Minister of Pakistan praised that stance, the government tried to give a different interpretation to that direct statement. This was an insult to the Prime Minister who was the political leader of that camp. Eventually it was dishonoring the country as well. Even during the sessions of Geneva, some sections of the government engaged in issuing certain statements which would cause to strengthen the resolution against Sri Lanka.
Therefore, it seems to be that this is the preferred agenda to promote Sinhala Ethnocentrism by a section of the government. This agenda will attract political and economic consequences to the country. Eventually it will take Sinhala ethnocentrism to a crisis. It has reached a point where Sinhala ethnocentrism can only be continued by increasing the political stupidity of the people. Therefore, this agenda is not patriotic or to the least not strategic. This is aimed to win the votes of the ethnocentric Sinhala Buddhists at the next election.
What is the patriotic agenda the country should follow? Firstly, it should not be aimed at the next election or cheap publicity and should have a long-term vision. Secondly it should rally all the people of the country together. How can a person who thinks of only the people belongs to his ethnic group or religion, be a patriot? He is a selfish separatist. A real patriot thinks of all the people of the country. We need such patriots a plenty at this grave hour.
Thiru / April 2, 2021
Harsha Gunasena,
Country, state, patriotism are concepts in the minds of people – not physical reality like the island of Sri Lanka.
In the minds of Tamils for 73 years Sri Lanka the country ruled by majoritarian Sinhalese leaders, and the Sri Lankan state have been subjugating the Tamils, and their their lives, livelihood and their land is destroyed by the Sinhalese state, government, the armed forces and Sinhalese people from the South colonizing the traditional homeland of the Tamils.
How can any Tamil be expected to be patriotic against the Geneva resolution? In the minds of Tamil people at least they hope Geneva will bring at least minimal justice to Tamil people. It is illogical for Tamils to be “patriotic” to the Sri Lankan state/country when they are being destroyed by it.
Moreover, Tamils find that structural genocide of them is going on in the North-East even though the war was over 12 years ago.
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Native Vedda / April 2, 2021
Harsha Gunasena
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You typed:
“A real patriot thinks of all the people of the country. We need such patriots a plenty at this grave hour.”
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If you don’t treat your family well your neigbours and strangers will grope your women folks.
Here is an example:
Western Bengal’s MLA Gautam Das,of Trinamool Congress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsMzJMbcfIo&t=13s
Please listen.
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leelagemalli / April 2, 2021
My focus is to the sensitive readers only !.
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EJK – (Extra Judicial Killings)
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Philiphines s Duterte who voted in favour of Double-Pakshe s GOSL at recent UNHRC has hitherto guned down over 35000 drug-consumers/dealers across that country. In the same time, it is public secret that srilanka’s Drug Kin pin aka Nimal Lanza is obviously the hand picked representive of Rajapakshe dirty politcs. The kind of bitch’s sons being placed above will speed up sending the current regime go home sooner than later.
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Myanmar where our ARSENIC God aka Nalin De Silva is currently stuck is the other state which the world is now comparing with the brutal developments in double-pakshe’s current regime. In the days to come, Gota will have no other option than to fall back his usual „ modus operandi“ by empowering his underground millitary men that scored record high crimes during MaRa-Junta Regime No 1 from 2005-2015. Wimal Buruwanse’s reactions are not overlooked that current regime is already shortly before the its end.
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See what happened to srilanka- aka pearl of indian ocean- which was then called – the oldest democracy in Asia has now fallen to the hands high criminals that pushed to the list of all high crime states (Myanmar, Somalia, Belarus, Russia etc). So I think the future of this beautiful country, is darker than appeared tob e.
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nimal fernando / April 2, 2021
nimal nostradamus fernando / September 12, 2019 27 10
People who believe that Gota is going to solve all Lanka’s problem because he is capable of reading out a speech written for him by someone else are the same gullible who five years ago believed Yahapalanaya of Sirisena was going to solve all Lanka’s ills. – The politicians are the same. The people are the same. Nothing has changed. Nothing ever change. The cycle repeats every five years bringing in the same old new hope leading to disappointment. All what happens is, people just get older with the gullibility intact. Then they die and pass on their gullibility to their children. And them to their; on and on …………….. – Three months after Ranil became the PM in 2015, he went to Indonesia and away from the glare of the Lankan public, gave an interview to an Indonesian TV outfit. I wrote here then, don’t wait five years, make up your minds now, no one is going to be prosecuted for corruption or murder. People’s body language gives them away. He was making all the excuses not to catch anyone. – It’s a free world, support any candidate you want; that’s what people do. – But to believe that there is a single Lankan who can solve our problems is to be plain simple stupid. Plain gullible.
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nimal fernando / April 3, 2021
continued
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Just say I support Gota; he gave a good speech. Just say I support Ranil; he doesn’t steal for himself, not because he is moral or ethical but because he has inherited wealth. Just say I support Mahinda because he has charisma. Just say I like Sajith because he is Premadasa’a son …………… but for fully grown adults with many years of life experience to say anyone is going to solve Lanka’s problems deserves the Nobel Prize for Stupidity.
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To come to think of it, that’s the only prize many Lankans have a good chance of landing.
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If you don’t believe me let’s look back to what I said here 5 years from now.
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Plain and simple commonsense can be more accurate than Sumanadasa’s crystal ball.
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If one knows one’s own people and have no sentimental delusions …….. It’s a piece of cake!
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
nimal fernando
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Where you’ve been all these months/years?
Good to hear from you man.
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“But to believe that there is a single Lankan who can solve our problems is to be plain simple stupid. Plain gullible.”
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I don’t believe in one man’s holy war against the corrupt politicians, functionaries, …..
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So how do you begin to deal with it?
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Take care
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nimal fernando / April 3, 2021
“Where you’ve been all these months/years?”
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Growing and eating mangoes!
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“durian; it is the world’s second most delicious fruit after the Alfonso mango, both only slightly ahead of a glorious Jaffna pilapalam dripping with honey”
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Grow all that in Florida ……. but prefer Valencia Pride to Alfonso: try if you can find them.
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Hope all you guys are safe and well ……. I just had to take a break ……. can’t say I miss Lankan politics …….. but miss the banter and humour with you guys.
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“What Is The Patriotic Path Sri Lanka Should Take”
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Smart Patriotic ……. of course! ……… Have people already forgotten Smart Patriotism?
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Sinhala_Man / April 3, 2021
Is this really simple ‘n’, simple ‘f’ “nimal Fernando” returning to us?
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Your gravatar is different, but that is to be expected, owing to the current need to register.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-english-language/
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You are one of the few who had the decency to acknowledge when you were wrong – as there. But then, you were rarely wrong!
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So, welcome back , and stay with us!
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nimal fernando / April 3, 2021
SM,
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Good to see you hale and hearty …….. hope you and your family are safe.
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Dont see Old Codger …….. has he already been white-vanned?
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old codger / April 3, 2021
Present in one piece, thank you, Normal.
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old codger / April 3, 2021
Nimal
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leelagemalli / April 3, 2021
No dear if, OUR OC is still there. Warmly Welcome back to CT😎😎😎😎😎
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Ashan / April 3, 2021
Good point. Unfortunately we have been CURSED by one selfish leader after another, from ALL parties. They promise the moon, then when they are elected, they become selfish, unpatriotic, and greedy. They put themselves, their powers, and the party OVER the people who voted for them, and the country. We could not wait to get rid of the Rajapaksas, their corruption, and white vans, but because of Ranil/Sirisena’s incompetence and indifference, and a terrorist attack, which worked to his advantage, we are cursed once again with the Rajapaksa’s.
It is hard to be optimistic, as there are NO viable candidates on the horizon. There are NO good people who will run, win, and turn this country around. Until they realize that racism is not going to help us progress, it is unity that will be our strength, we have strive to succeed, and stop making our policies to placate the Buddhist clergy, we will NEVER succeed.
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Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Ashan,
“They promise the moon, then when they are elected, they become selfish, unpatriotic, and greedy. They put themselves, their powers, and the party OVER the people who voted for them, and the country.”
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All politicians are not the same. There are politicians who kept their promises. Mahinda Rajapakshe is one of them.
Terrorist campaign launched by Tamils to grab a part of Sinhale/Ceylon/Sri Lanka to create a separate State for the Tamils brought to Yapanaya by Portuguese and Dutch and slaughtered Sinhalayo using suicide bombers, claymore bombs, AK47s and chemical weapons for three decades was the biggest tragedy this country faced after Sinhalayo gained Independence. Several politicians tried to get rid of this menace but failed. Ranil even gave one third of the country to a terrorist to solve the problem but failed. Mahinda Rajapakshe promised to eliminate Tamil terrorists and he fulfilled that promise. He faced enormous pressure from some people who did not want to see elimination of LTTE but he did not bow down to those pressure groups. Because Mahinda Rajapakshe kept his promise and eliminated Tamil terrorism and restored peace Sinhalayo are eternally grateful to him.
Don’t forget that he liberated Tamils also from the clutches of LTTE.
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Nathan / April 3, 2021
If you are the same nimal fernando who used to be on CT I confess I missed you. (Your wife is a Medico.)
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I disagree with you. (The usual story between us!)
“‘to believe that there is a single Lankan who can solve our problems is to be plain simple stupid”, is not true.
The solution has to come from an individual endowed with leadership persona.
No two words about it.
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nimal fernando / April 3, 2021
Mr Nathan,
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I said “a single Lankan” …… the pivotal word here is “Lankan.” :))
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Can you name a single Lankan “endowed with leadership persona?”
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Perhaps Prabakaran had some of it ……. but he was basically an uneducated warlord with a warlord mentality.
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But sure, there were such individuals in other parts of the world: Lee Kuan Yu, Deng XI Ping, Pinochet, ……… – Pinochet was a brutal dictator, so was Fidel Castro (left-wing dictators get a easier ride than right-wing dictators) but go see and compare what Pinochet has achieved in Chile with “The Chicago Boys” to what Castro has done in Cuba.
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Deng XI Ping foresaw China’s future in the mid 80s ……. their professors were sitting in our freshman engineering and computer science lectures: they were super smart but left behind by Mao’s nonsense.
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People who make America great are not Trump’s idiots but the cream of the crop they attract from other countries (80 – 90 % of research in American universities is done by immigrants.)
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The frightening thing is, the Chinese don’t depend on immigrants ……. they have the capability/smarts do their own research. They lead research in the use of “Quantum entanglement” (for communications) that even spooked Einstein.
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Nathan / April 3, 2021
nimal fernando,
Nathan is my first name; Mr Nathan sounds distasteful.
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I am kind of a frog in the well! – of little interest in Lee Kuan, Deng XI, Pinochet, Castro. Let their Nations revere them. For me, – an old man -, Ceylon is my beloved country.
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Perhaps Prabakaran had some of it, – I agree.
.. he was basically an uneducated warlord, – with some reservation.
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We had enough men with the potential to make our country great; your mates ruined the chances.
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You have an opportunity to put Prabhakaran to shame; Would you take it up?
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Sinhala_Man / April 4, 2021
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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soma / April 3, 2021
NV
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I listened.
My question is why didn’t SL Tamils, Tamil Nadu or even Diaspora raise any protest against India remaining neutral in Geneva.
I expected a thundering uproar in unison to bring the sky down.
Not a hum.
And intensive lobying by TNA to get India play an active role in the days leading up to Geneva? Couldn’t see any.
Why? How?
What message India wants to convey to the International Community? Don’t get over excited – we know better?
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This guy is asking what the patriotc Sri Lankans should do.
Remain deaf. Wear a face mask.
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Soma
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soma / April 3, 2021
NV
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I listened.
My question is why didn’t SL Tamils, Tamil Nadu or even Diaspora raise any protest against India remaining neutral in Geneva.
I expected a thundering uproar in unison to bring the sky down.
Not a hum.
And intensive lobying by TNA to get India play an active role in the days leading up to Geneva? Couldn’t see any.
Why? How?
What message India wants to convey to the International Community? Don’t get over excited – we know better?
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This guy is asking what the patriotc Sri Lankans should do.
Remain deaf. Wear a face mask.
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Soma
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Eagle Eye / April 2, 2021
Thiru,
The area that Tamils claim as ‘Traditional Homeland’ is where first Sinhala Kingdoms Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa existed. These Kingdoms were destroyed by Dravida invaders forcing Sinhalayo to abandon those areas and move to safer areas. During colonial rule, Tamils brought from Hindusthan occupied land vacated by Sinhalayo in Yapanaya. At the time Sinhale/Ceylon gained Independence, a large majority of Tamils were confined to Yapanaya peninsula. Hardly any Tamils in the East. Tamils who came during colonial rule and occupied Sinhala land cannot claim North East is their ‘Traditional Homeland’.
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“Sinhalese people from the South colonizing the traditional homeland of the Tamils.”
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Tamil from the north / April 3, 2021
Oh man this idiot Eagle ‘visaran’ Eye again. I am getting a headache with Tamil this and Tamil that stories from this fool. When is this fool ever going to grow up?
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soma / April 3, 2021
Tamil f
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He is giving a headache to ALL Tamil racist donkeys on CT.
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Soma
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2021
The patriotic path that Sri Lanka should take after Geneva resolution in order to prevent destruction of the country and disgrace to Sinhalese :
1. Hand over all the wanted war criminals to international criminal court together with all material relating to commission of these crimes.
2. Agree to share land and power in a fair and effective manner with Tamils, which will ensure peace, equality, justice and dignity to Tamils.
Remember patriotism is the refuge of scoundrels.
There is news that UNESCO has refused to allow tanks to be built inside Sinharaja. Is this not blatant interference into internal matter. Where is this sovereignty and the right to decide what you want. Ask China to use veto power to over rule this order.
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Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
“Hand over all the wanted war criminals to international criminal court together with all material relating to commission of these crimes.”
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No problem. War crimes and crimes against humanity were committed by Tamil terrorists. Sri Lanka will be more than happy to hand over them to ICC. But Sri Lanka is not in a position to hand over Tamil terrorists who committed war crimes and hiding in foreign countries under new identities. It is the responsibility of the countries that helped them to hide in their countries.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2021
Mahindapala, if you go through the list of wanted war criminals issued by UN, you will find that all are members of SL armed forces and not one from LTTE. Unfortunately for war crimes deniers like you, those of LTTE who had committed war crimes have either been killed during war (acceptable) or killed after surrendering (extra-judicial). Are you going to dig their graves and send the dead bodies to ICC. Do not come out with crooked arguments to cover up war crimes committed by SL security forces. Let you and your fellow travelers be warned that if you do not hand over war criminals of SL armed forces, they will be forcibly removed and taken to court. On the other hand your veerayas could do nothing regarding any LTTE members abroad.
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Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
“Agree to share land and power in a fair and effective manner with Tamils, which will ensure peace, equality, justice and dignity to Tamils.”
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• There was no peace for Tamils under megalomaniac dictator Prabhakaran.
• There was no equality for Tamils under megalomaniac dictator Prabhakaran who looked down upon LTTE carders from the East.
• There was no justice and dignity for Tamils under megalomaniac dictator Prabhakaran. Anyone who opposed him faced summary execution. Tamils killed more Tamils than the number of Tamils killed during the military operation against LTTE.
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Rajapakshes ensured peace, equality, justice and dignity to all the Tamils in Sri Lanka irrespective of their caste, place of residences and time of arrival to Sinhale by eliminating LTTE Tamil terrorists but unfortunately Malabar Vellala Tamils in Yapanaya who oppress low caste Tamils (Dalit) do not ensure peace, equality, justice and dignity to them. That is why low caste Tamils in Yapanaya told the Sub-committee on Power Sharing of the Constitution Drafting Committee not to give land and police powers to NPC because they know the outcome.
Actually, UNHRC should pay attention to human rights violations committed by Malabar Vellala Tamils against their fellow Tamils.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2021
Mahindapala, there is no point of talking what Prabaharan did. Tamils are facing the same now under Sinhala rule. In fact Tamils say that not only they breathed an air of freedom, but also experienced rule of law when LTTE had their sway. Summary execution was carried out by SL armed forces, where I was medical witness to one that took place in Thondamanaru temple. There is statistical data collected by Human rights organisations like UTHR and NESOHR which shows that more Tamils were killed by Sinhala armed forces and goon squads. LTTE was non existence when murders of Tamils took place between 1956 and 1977. They were marginal when murders of Tamils took place between 1977 and 1983. Time has come to eliminate Sinhala terrorists and save Tamils.
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Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
Sinharaja has been declared as a ‘World Heritage’ by UNESCO. Therefore, Government of Sri Lanka has to obtain permission from UNESCO to do anything in Sinharaja. Dumbo, China can veto only at UNSC, not at UNESCO.
Use your brain before you use the keyboard.
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The purpose of building ponds in Sinharaja was to provide drinking water to thousands of families. It is a pity that UNESCO objected. What should be the priority; drinking water or a small area in Sinharaja? What happens if people get kidney problems after drinking water polluted with agro-chemicals? Will UNESCO take the responsibility?
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“There is news that UNESCO has refused to allow tanks to be built inside Sinharaja. Is this not blatant interference into internal matter. Where is this sovereignty and the right to decide what you want. Ask China to use veto power to over rule this order.”
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2021
Mahindapala, UNHRC is one arm of UN like UNESCO. UNHRC has found fault with SL for violating human rights in a similar manner how UNESCO has found fault with SL for violating heritage rights. If you can obey UNESCO without any protest why are you braying like donkeys at UNHRC. People in the area are saying that water from the tanks are to supply Chinese factories. Without barking like dogs, tuck your tails between your legs and do what you are told. Very soon your criminals will be frog marched to ICC.
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soma / April 3, 2021
Thiru
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What is ‘structural genocide’?
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Soma
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
soman
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“Thiru What is ‘structural genocide’?”
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I am happy you are beginning to ask intelligent questions.
You appear to be growing.
Keep it up.
If you stay tuned, you have a lot of potential to become a fully fledged member of liberal civilised society – human race. Definitely I will recommend/endorse your application.
Wish you all the best.
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soma / April 3, 2021
NV, what is ‘structural genocide’ anyway?
Saving a group of people from ‘structural suicide ‘?
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Soma
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Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Thiru,
“Moreover, Tamils find that structural genocide of them is going on in the North-East even though the war was over 12 years ago.”
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Who is carrying out structural genocide of Tamils in the North-East? Can’t be Sinhalayo. If Sinhalayo are carrying out structural genocide of Tamils in the North-East why a large number of Tamils from North East have moved to South after the war was over and live with Sinhalayo.
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
Eagle Blind Eye
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“Who is carrying out structural genocide of Tamils in the North-East? “
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What is structural Genocide?
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Jambu / April 2, 2021
The author has put forward an outdated narrative thus will not solve anything. He misses the newly discovered matters that will change course of world history. The petition here -> http://chng.it/nxPr9yDc outlines the actual issue and the way to solve the problem.
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Sugandh / April 2, 2021
Checked it out Jambu.
More of the desperate attempt often displayed here to detract from truth and reality. Such deception only brings more shame and embarrassment! Rajitha Wijayaratne is grossly misusing the change.org tool!
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Jambu / April 2, 2021
So be specific please! Which items are wrong and the reason are they wrong?
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old codger / April 2, 2021
“…..allegation damages their credibility as a disciplined force. It is also a blackmark to their pride that they have defeated the most powerful non-governmental armed group”
I am always surprised that the very same people who boast of not using kid gloves against Sinhalese youth in 1970 and 1989 can turn round and defend the ” honour” of the forces vis-a-vis Tamil youth.
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SJ / April 2, 2021
OC
Sadly, true.
Insurrection 1971 was crushed within days. But a good part of the killings were after the JVP was overcome. However, most of the JVP insurgents were rehabilitated subsequently. There was the occasional overdoing like getting too many to work on passion fruit plantations. (The Marketing Department had much trouble flgging passion fruit juice and jam. I did buy the ‘two bottles extra free’ from the local Co-op a few times.
Things got stable when they found a good market for the jam in Germany among others.
But 1988-89 was a two year nightmare where many a private was settled by labelling one’s enemy as a stalwart of the JVP or UNP. It was the first time a government used private armies to do its dirty work.
/
old codger / April 3, 2021
S.J,
“getting too many to work on passion fruit plantations. (The Marketing Department had much trouble flgging passion fruit juice and jam.”
You have solved one of my long-standing mysteries. As an MD employee many moons ago, I used to wonder where the thousands of rusty tins of passion fruit juice in the cold storage came from, to sit until dumped. We as employees got a lot more than 2 bottles free.
/
Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
old codger
–
“As an MD employee many moons ago, I used to wonder where the thousands of rusty tins of passion fruit juice in the cold storage came from, to sit until dumped. “
–
Thanks. Now I know how weeping widow’s economic policies worked. Being blinded by weeping widow’s authoritarian racist charm, SJ would not point his finger at her, her minions, ….
–
Lot of people still believe she as the first (un-elected) female prime minister had contributed to this island. She was a disaster.
–
What is happening in South India especially elections are around the corner. How rapidly is Hindutva’s Hindianisation of South taking place? Is Stalin prepared to physically face speeding trains as part of stopping his plans to halt the BJP express ploughing through the South?
–
Please let us have your views.
/
old codger / April 4, 2021
Native,
I don’t think Hindutva will go far in TN, if only because they removed the Brahmins long ago. It won’t work in Kerala either, because there are lots of Communists like SJ there.
/
Native Vedda / April 7, 2021
old codger
–
Thanks
–
“because there are lots of Communists like SJ there.”
–
He is not a communist.
I always thought he is a Maoist and a contrarian loner.
Remember Mao gave up on Maoism in 1949.
Sadly the defunct dogmatism was picked up by some Tamils and Sinhalese.
Have you ever had a decent rational conversation with them?
–
SJ was attracted/infatuated more by SiriMaoism than any particular ideology.
/
MyView / April 2, 2021
….. it should rally all the people of the country together…….
Sometimes cancers ( ethnic hatred) spread and should be checked soon. Hope not too late for us.
However this is exemplified by a story that the usual game is for the children go around chairs for the music and chairs being reduced one at a time till only one is left and the child who get that wins. Competition.
There is another game (I heard in Japan) that similarly the chairs are reduced one by one till the last and at any time if ALL are not seated even on one top of the other or on the lap, everyone loses, or all win if they sit together. Co-operation.
May be theory but good example.
/
Ajith / April 2, 2021
Harsha Gunasena,
“What is the patriotic agenda the country should follow?
Firstly, it should not be aimed at the next election or cheap publicity and should have a long-term vision. Secondly it should rally all the people of the country together. How can a person who thinks of only the people belongs to his ethnic group or religion, be a patriot? He is a selfish separatist. A real patriot thinks of all the people of the country. We need such patriots a plenty at this grave hour.”
Who is going to listen your patriotic agenda the country should follow?
Even though Sri Lanka’s socio-economic indicators such as education is good, they are still an underdeveloped country morally, legally and humanely. There is no linear relationship between education level and the behaviour such as level violence, corruption, misuse of power, greediness etc.
The politics of Sri Lanka is always about a competition between two group of richest families gaining power in line with Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalist agenda and never about people or country.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 2, 2021
Therefore, this agenda is not patriotic or to the least not strategic. This is aimed to win the votes of the ethnocentric Sinhala Buddhists at the next election.
What is the patriotic agenda the country should follow? Firstly, it should not be aimed at the next election or cheap publicity and should have a long-term vision. Secondly it should rally all the people of the country together. How can a person who thinks of only the people belongs to his ethnic group or religion, be a patriot? He is a selfish separatist. A real patriot thinks of all the people of the country. We need such patriots a plenty at this grave hour.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 2, 2021
I wrote the Ever Given’s story on the other side. It is like a fire starting in series of line houses and owner refusing to put down. There, the neighbors will not mind owner’s authority over his house on that; they will put it down. The international bodies coming out of many countries’ especially Europeans’ right and wrong of past few centuries. The World, while recognizing individual communities’ special rights, the internal deterioration are no longer tolerated. Living as well frog with a 2500 years old story is not a solution for this behind-ness in civilization. How the learned going to enlighten the Buddhist Sinhalese with the message in the Resolution is the challenge needs to figured out urgently within the learned Sinhalese. The resolution is because the experienced world diplomats recognizing the internal problem, which is blindly setting up nations, as escape to crime committed internally. It is a fix for the internal problem, it is not another Separatist LTTE to launch a war with. In other world it not a problem the Royals needs to solve with Sinhala Buddhist’ internal voting. . This where “it is by Sinhalese for Sinhalese” has to prevail instead of “by Royals to the acolytes.
/
Ad / April 2, 2021
Sing Ba Ba Black Sheep…
/
Mallaiyuran / April 2, 2021
That is the Sinhala Buddhist racism.
Mu daughter went to pick a kitty. The charity organization said to her people like to take only color so their black ones are left behind. She promised and to take one of them and made preparation at home and another day went to pick up her choice. He refused leave mother though all his sibling were picked up. When he aw her, he ran to her mother & pretended to be drinking milk and watching what my daughter was doing there and if it is safe to go and play with her. So my daughter picked up the kitty and mother, she too black. April 8th will be International Cats Day. Unofficially the back cat owners celebrate the next day too as Black Cats Day because of the blind cruelty inflicted on them.
No long the Black Sheep is civilized English Language word. Rather, it is only in the dictionary of Sinhala Buddhists.
Sorry Ad, your terminology is not deeper than Marianna Trench, but lower than that. To be enlightened of that, take class in UOJ.
/
Naman / April 2, 2021
If one looks at the SL flag that is hanging behind the so called Patriotic Leader tells you that there is no place for the minorities. They some how hide the Orange and Green stripes with the Lion with sword pointing at the minorities being given prominence.
Why not we turn the Lion to face the Opposite direction. Then the sword will threaten the outsiders!. Being Patriotic means different things to our citizens.
—-Standing up to TRUTH; —treating the fellow citizen with respect;— Learning all 3 languages;— delivering Judgement not according to the will of the rulers;
—-Obeying the laws;—Security forces that functions unbiased;—Being uncorrupted and disciplined.
/
Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Naman,
You guys should be grateful to Sinhalayo for changing their National Flag to represent minorities. To my knowledge Sri Lanka is the only country that has given a place for minorities in the National Flag. Correct me if I am wrong.
/
Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Naman,
“Standing up to TRUTH; —treating the fellow citizen with respect;”
—
Sinhalayo respect fellow citizens with respect and have compromised in several fronts. If Sinhalayo do not treat Tamils with respect why more and more Tamils from North East move to south and live amongst Sinhalayo. Sinhalayo have allowed Tamils to colonize the South.
—-
Tell me whether Malabar Vellala Tamils treat fellow Tamils in Yapanaya who belong to low castes (Dalits) with respect?
/
old codger / April 4, 2021
Eagle,
“Sinhalayo do not treat Tamils with respect why more and more Tamils from North East move to south and live amongst Sinhalayo.”
Maybe you should investigate why all those innocent Sinhalayo damsels and aunties prefer to go live among those evil Muslims in Dubai?
/
KP / April 2, 2021
HG, I appreciate your noble intentions and optimism when you say: ”A real patriot thinks of all the people of the country. We need such patriots a plenty at this grave hour.”
~
But please put your hand on your heart and answer these questions honestly and in silence:
~
I agree a real patriot thinks of all the people, like Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela. Do you really think patriots such as MG and NM exist in Sri Lanka to lead the people? Do you honestly believe that the Sinhala Buddhists, the very people who wield real power in Sri Lanka by their sheer numerical numbers, have the mental capacity to build a one-nation Sri Lanka, when they are easily swayed by the unprincipled and unscrupulous politicians? Unfortunately, 73 years of wasted opportunities since independence says “No”. What makes you think it’s going to be any different at this “grave hour” as you put it?
~
I am sorry to say, as things stand, I don’t feel any fresh air of optimism for Sri Lanka blowing in my nostrils!
/
Nathan / April 2, 2021
… Peaceful requests and agitations of the Tamil people were ignored for a long period. There were pacts signed but later withdrawn unilaterally by the government leaders. Armed conflict was started as a result of this impasse.
The absolute truth. For this, I salute Harsha Gunasena.
/
Simon / April 2, 2021
A “Patriotic Solution” by way of consolidation of all communities is far, far away from any successful achievement under the present “Political Structure”. In “History” all the political parties that came to govern the country have unashamedly entered into varying types of “Deals” with “Minority” seat holders in the Parliament. But none of those “Deals” or “Promises” were honored. The worst was, the general population was not aware or made aware of any of those “Deals” resulting in “Gossip” columns “Dramatizing” to stir up suspicion, hatred, and accusations among the ethenic, religious groupings into “Separatist” ideologies. As at present, this “Division” (separatism) is being “Used” and “Abused” to grab power to Govern. It is all but nothing but to “GRAB” power to Govern that stretches from “Central” to “Territorial”. So what is the solution? We need, a “BRAND NEW “Political Movement” that can address “ISSUES” relating to “Economic”, “Political” and “Social” aspirations of all the “PEOPLE” as a “WHOLE” while “Respecting”, “Accepting” and “Honoring” the respective “Cultural”, “Religious” and “Human” value systems. In my mind NONE of the present major political parties “Divided” into groupings on ethnicity, communal, religious, territorial could qualify to do this. Let us think “AFRESH” and promote a “BRAND NEW” political movement of all PEOPLE.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 3, 2021
Simon,
Well said. Most comments are talking about “bell the cat”. You are talking about skinning the cat. We will wait to see what is happening. But one thing is clear; “Only mother can bear the child”.
/
Simon / April 3, 2021
Mallaiyuran: Thanks. “Only mother can bear the child”. That “MOTHER” – all the “PEOPLE” of the country have to be “Impregnated” with what I said and that “CHILD” once born must be “NURIGHED” to grow to accomplish the desired “GOAL” of “UNITY”.
/
Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
Simon
–
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
–
Imagine
John Lennon
Produced by Phil Spector, Yoko Ono & John Lennon
Album Imagine
–
Simon are you too dreaming?
Good to dream.
/
Simon / April 3, 2021
NV: “I have a “Dream” to see the day “Black” and “White” sit together and have a meal”. Who said that? Didn’t that “DREAM” come TRUE?
/
Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
Simon
–
““I have a “Dream” to see the day “Black” and “White” sit together and have a meal”.
–
I didn’t, neither did Martin.
–
However Martin Luther King in a celebrated speech said the following:
–
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.
/
leelagemalli / April 6, 2021
Bro Simon,
.
Saddest reality is that Srilankens are decades away from realizing the basics. But they always try to compare it with that of Singapore. Overestimations/loads of self proclaimations and MEDIA mafia actitivies have ruined this country as of today.
:
Just look at they behaved in Mrs. World Strips New Beauty Pageant
https://www.newsweek.com/watch-mrs-world-strips-new-beauty-pageant-winner-crown-over-divorce-1581095
–
Look at our PISSU Colombage reacted in that Tim’s interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTgd-emN17Y
–
Look at the total ignorance of SL style experts regarding norms being held on food items being consumed in the country – with 70 or more dying by cancers in Apeksha hospital a day
–
We still attack NUREMBERGER TRIALS, but what srilanken have been contributing for such a long time is far from such trials ?
:
/
Lester / April 2, 2021
“Tamils view this as a punishment to Sri Lanka and they feel that the punishment is not strong enough.”
The problem with the Tamil mindset is that it’s focused exclusively on Tamils. Tamil law (Thesavalamai), exclusive Tamil lands, Tamil version of history (even pretending to be more indigenous than Veddas), Tamil language rights, etc. When brave Tamils like Neelan Tiruchelvam or Lakshman Kadirgamar took a more balanced approach and pushed for compromise with the majority, they were assassinated. These were people who had sufficient leverage to push for change at the highest levels. Now Tamils are left to negotiate with a hardliner Rajapakse regime, so of course they complain. But who’s fault is it? Who assassinated the intermediaries? The way forward for Tamils is to reject the Diaspora as well as entities like the TNA. Then reject all claims to separatism and join forces with a mainstream group like JVP.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 3, 2021
Lester,
.
I’m used to thinking of you as a hardline Sinhalese, but what you have written above is reasonable.
.
However, we Sinhalese cannot dictate to Tamils who their leaders should be. Neelan Tiruchelvam and Lakshman Kadirgamar were admirable people, and I agree with you, but let me point this out.
.
Kadirgamar was a Minister who was not elected. The reality is this. If he had contested as a UNP candidate in the Colombo District, he probably would have got quite enough votes. As an SLFP candidate, he would have failed. Think that out, seriously. When appointing him Prime Minister was mooted, that failed. Sinhalese fault! I think it correct to say that to many Tamils Kadirgamar was a traitor. This is a dilemma for us.
.
I’d like to see more citizens of all ethnicities supporting the NPP. It is important to note that by thus contesting elections, the one-time insurgents have joined with others who are refusing to take on JVP membership, and one such woman was appointed as their National List Member of Parliament.
.
Tamils must be left free to reject our suggestions!
/
Lester / April 3, 2021
Sinhala Man,
What makes Kadirgamar a traitor? Because he convinced many countries to ban the LTTE as a terror group? If this makes him a traitor, then it shows the Tamils were not ready to negotiate for anything less than a full separate state. It justifies the election of Mahinda as President, since one extreme can only be neutralized by another extreme. Who are the leaders of the Tamils? Most of the politicians who tried to negotiate were killed by the LTTE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_assassinated_by_the_Liberation_Tigers_of_Tamil_Eelam. Prabhakaran’s war machine was funded by the Diaspora using various tactics such as drug smuggling and extortion. Diaspora, LTTE, and TNA prevented any moderate Tamil voices from speaking out. Your friend Hoole was chased out of Jaffna. Tamils are free to choose their own leaders, however, their political aspirations should not be hijacked by Rudrakumaran and other Diaspora terror supporters.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 3, 2021
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
/
Nathan / April 4, 2021
Lester,
Who was Kadirgamar to Tamils? What was his achievement for Tamils?
.
That he was able to convince many countries to ban LTTE is not true. They would have banned LTTE out of their own conviction that LTTE was unwilling to give up the armed struggle. Were they thinking that the struggle itself was not in order.
.
With the type of leadership you elect, was it even possible for moderate Tamils to win our rights.
.
Douglas Devananda goes on promising Tamil electorate that full implementation of 13A is what he stands for. He has been a Minister in every MR administration. Has he managed to have 13A fully implemented?
/
Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
Lester
–
“The problem with the Tamil mindset is that it’s focused exclusively on Tamils. “
–
I too agree with you.
However the serious problem with Sinhala/Buddhists is that their mindset too is focused on Tamils.
–
“Tamil law (Thesavalamai), exclusive Tamil lands, Tamil version of history (even pretending to be more indigenous than Veddas), Tamil language rights, etc.”
–
You too are totally committed to everything Tamil in fact more than Tamils. Funnily enough It appears Tamils have forgotten LTTE & Prabaharan many moons ago. Despite the complete destruction of LTTE & VP 12 years ago the Sinhala/Buddhists like you, Kamal, Weerasekere, Shavendra, Gota, ……. and their fellow cowards are trying to get a lot of mileage out of the non existence entities.
–
What a pathetic lot you are.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 4, 2021
Dear NV,
.
Great observation:
.
However, the serious problem with Sinhala/Buddhists is that their mindset, too, is focused on Tamils.
.
.
And how many Sinhalayos have even looked at the Sinhala version of this article, by “Maha Kalu Sinhalaya”, Harsha?
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/harsha-gunasena-1-april-2021/
.
Only “leelagemalli” has commented. I acknowledge that, villager though I am, I find it easier to use this “alien language” than what is supposedly my Mother Tongue.
.
I have two granddaughters. My daughter turned up here in December 2018, and admitted them to Sinhalese Medium classes. It didn’t work. The elder kid, especially, rebelled. Main complaint: “Teachers in this country teach all the time; I want to learn.”
.
My daughter blamed neither School, Principal, nor Teachers. It’s the Parents, she said, who are so nastily competitive.
.
They’ve become Diaspora – in Malaysia. English is going to be first language; also, Malay and Chinese. The latter may prove very useful.
.
Sinhala? I despair. Lester and his ilk have robbed the kids of their heritage. There are two Sinhalese (non-English speaking) maids who come in, daily, for an hour each. The kids address them as “Aunties” and they are treated as equals.
/
Native Vedda / April 4, 2021
Sinhala_Man
–
Thanks for sharing your family details.
Please advise your daughter to give her children the opportunity to learn and be wise outside this little island . In this island people especially the young ones have no opportunity to learn and broaden their minds, have no opportunity to unleash their full potential.
–
Here the competitors play the man rather than the ball.
The preachers peruse a carrier in politics rather than following their vocation.
The president keep crowing about his race that is Sinhala/Buddhist.
He visits Vihares two or three times a week perhaps in order to prove to electorate.
Nothing moves in this island apart from empty press statements from 5 or 6 dump ministers.
Kamal is sitting on hundreds of department and continues boast about how they killed off VP and annihilated LTTE, even 12 years after the end of war.
Shavendra seemed to have lost his mind, he does not know if he is coming or going.
Gota’s only remembers how he killed VP.
–
The way things are I can’t give you any good news.
Please advise your daughter and her family what would be the best option. Stay here and be doomed or leave and prosper.
/
Lester / April 4, 2021
Vedda,
“It appears Tamils have forgotten LTTE & Prabaharan many moons ago.”
What about this news headline from December 2020? “British police have reportedly ordered the removal of the Tamil Eelam national flag and a photograph of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran from a supermarket in Wembley, London.”
Canada Maveerar Naal, 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApgvH84rjVo
You can see them light candles for LTTE terrorists. Your heroes perished (physically) at Nanthikadal, but there is a strong attempt to revive their failed ideology.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 3, 2021
I have come to regard Harsha Gunasena as a totally honest and patriotic Sri Lankan. That he happens to be a speaker of Sinhala and a Buddhist, I have deduced from the internal evidence of what he has written, without overtly pedalling such causes. He wrote this article a little less than a year ago:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ratnajeevan-hoole-a-legend-of-our-times/
.
Amazing fact: Hoole did not know who this was. It was dangerous then, as now, to speak up for Hoole. Harsha is consistent, not so, some of those making comments.
.
How can the same person say this on April 20, 2020:
.
Quote: ‘Never ever trust TAMILS. Indian Proverb “If you see TAMIL and COBRA kill TAMIL first” How can Election Commission Independent?’ Unquote
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/are-we-an-independent-commission/
.
and say this
.
‘Hoole is an honourable person and Kadirgamer also. LTTE saluted to Kadirgamer. Hoole several times escaped thanks to the Sri Lanka government.’
.
on the next day?
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ratnajeevan-hoole-a-legend-of-our-times/
.
The writer calls himself “N. Perera” and the gravatar is the same.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 3, 2021
PART TWO
.
We must curb the excesses committed by our own people before we start criticising the lunatic fringe of the other side.
.
On this very page, Sugandh has checked on Jambu and exposed him. Ajith and Mallaiyuran have already quoted from the end of the main article words which indicate what Harsha recommends.
.
Let our obsession not be getting for our group all that we can, but establishing the TRUTH so that our future may not be the disaster that seems to await us. We are now forced to listen to the views of the world because our governments have imagined that they are clever enough to outfox all opposition.
.
We have to spread this message throughout the country. What each individual does will depend on that person’s circumstances. However, let us be sincere and consistent and not be like “Jambu” and “N. Perera” who have been exposed above.
/
soma / April 3, 2021
Sinhala_man
.
You are interested in
“establishing the TRUTH”.
.
It will be buried under the graveyard of “accountability”.
–
By the way how is your part time computer hacking operations going on? Success rate improving? You jumped into the game before reading ethical guidelines involved.
NEVER AFFIX WRONG IDENTITIES TO UNRELATED INDIVIDUALS.
–
Soma
/
Native Vedda / April 3, 2021
soman
–
“It will be buried under the graveyard of “accountability”.”
–
No, it is already buried under newly popping up Vihares, or perhaps immersed in concentrated Chinese chemicals.
–
Did you see the war criminals dropping victims bodies (tied to concrete slabs) in mid ocean?
/
old codger / April 3, 2021
S.M,
You are jumping to conclusions.
Jambu is an educated but deluded eccentric, consistent in his flogging of “Lord Buddha was a Sri Lankan” theories.
NP is neither educated nor consistent.
/
Eagle Eye / April 3, 2021
Sinhala_Man,
“We are now forced to listen to the views of the world because our governments have imagined that they are clever enough to outfox all opposition.”
—
Who started the terrorist campaign to slaughter Sinhalayo?
Who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity; e.g. using child soldiers, using civilians as a human shield, using suicide bombers to kill civilians?
Should Sri Lanka and its Armed Forces get humiliated and ridiculed in front of the International Community for eliminating LTTE, one of the world’s deadliest terrorist organization and restoring peace to all the people in this country.
Sri Lanka, Sinhalayo and our ‘Ranaviruwo’ have to go through this mockery not because our governments have imagined that they are clever enough to outfox all opposition but because Tamils started the terrorist campaign, ‘Jadapalana’ Government co-sponsored UNHRC Resolution accepting our ‘Ranaviruwo’ committed war crimes and hypocrisy of some members of the International Community.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2021
Mahindapala,
Who started the terrorist campaign to slaughter – It was SL government in July 1956 using goon squads to attack Tamil satyagrahis in Galle face and Tamils in Colombo and Amparai. The first act of ethnic cleansing took place at this time when Tamils living for centuries in Amparai were driven out.
Who committed crimes against humanity first – It was SL government in May 1958 using goon squads to burn alive Hindu priest in Panadura temple. Murder, rape and widespread ethnic cleansing also took place.
Who committed war crimes first – It was SL government in 1979 December when Tamils were arrested, killed and their dead bodies were exhibited in prominent places in Jaffna. By passing an act in 1982 to get rid of dead bodies in war zone without judicial review, SL government gave impunity to security forces.
Your illogical and skewed arguments will not carry weight in a civilized society.
/
GATAM / April 3, 2021
None of these works.
Just split the island into 3 mono ethnic nations equitably. Sinhala Only nation, Tamil Elam and Muslim Elam. And relocate people into their respective nation. All problems will be resolved.
We have proven beyond all doubt that we cannot live in one nation with dignity, equal rights and peace. Never!
/
Pandi Kutti / April 4, 2021
Still dreaming of a fake Arab Islamic Wahhabi Caliphate in the southern parts of the eastern province for for largely low caste converted Dravidian Thamizh Thulluika refugees from South India, who only arrived in the island and in the Eezham Thamizh east a few centuries ago? Will never happen Jaddam aka Pathima. Use your Burkha to wipe your tears
/
Pandi Kutti / April 4, 2021
Keep on dreaming Pathima /Jadam you will never achieve an Islamic homeland
/
Native Vedda / April 7, 2021
Pandi Kutti
–
“Keep on dreaming Pathima /Jadam you will never achieve an Islamic homeland”
–
What is Islamic Republic of Kattankudy then?
/
KA / April 3, 2021
Harsh G,
Whilst your overall outlook looks and sounds reasonable, you are not an exception to the racist-slanted rants.
Do not worry nothing will happen. I say this as a Tamil, and after reading the resolution text.
I have been saying here Hindia’s words are empty for Tamils, and indeed, it is not only empty and made the resolution less than comical, turning the resolution into sick joke onto and of Tamils.
All those hallucinating 13 pubic hairs (whose you can guess it, it would be disgusting to even think about) and Hindia sending military are being taken for a ride and in for a shock, a hallmark of Hindia, which Prabha & Pottu nailed it and Hindia could not stomach Prabha’s moves.
That is one of the reason, in the pretext of destroying LTTE, Hindia gleefully joined as primary partner with Sinhalese in massacring thousands and genocide of Tamils. It is a different subject, so I leave it there.
Read the resolution, UNHRC or UN cannot do a thing without concurrence of Sori Sinhala State. This is the reality of the resolution.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 3, 2021
Do not worry about what the resolution could do. This hammering will go on till Sri Lanka gets rid of China from its shores, during which Tamils may not gain anything, but Sinhalese are going to suffer. Already some Sinhalese are begging western nations not to enforce economic embargo. Tamils have to pit West and India against Sri Lanka and get the benefits. This is a repeat of history as in 1987. India has now internationalized 13th amendment and has got a mandate from countries to implement it. It will be used to bring SL down to its knees. Without rushing to conclusions, let us see what will happen if SL refuses to allow UN team to enter and collect evidence of war crimes of SL security forces. UN or UNHCR cannot do anything without Sri Lanka cooperating, but can do nothing if individual countries act to isolate Sri Lanka economically and politically to a pariah status.
/
Lasantha Pethiyagoda / April 3, 2021
Patriotism is only for the masses to be fooled, while the rapacious political parasites ravage an economy (usually of the Third World). The United States has not ratified the authority of the ICC or ICJ to commit and charge or indeed take any punitive action against members of their military who have been deeply complicit in crimes against humanity in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, including state terror against the countries in Indochina during that war, to mention just a few examples. Israel, another state deeply complicit in ongoing genocide is free to expand at will, and to exterminate any Palestinians who might stand in their way. It also practices genocide in an ongoing, blatant manner. The UNHRC is toothless to stand up for those poor people. However, as Sri Lanka is a puny little minnow in comparison, the UN bodies see fit to dictate terms. Sri Lanka lacks a credible justice system; it is unreliable and heavily partial to governments in power. No justice can ever be served by settling “domestic issues” through internal mechanisms. However, independent arbiters (retired judges) from neutral states in Africa and Asia in a UN body should take the state to task for its gross transgressions in human rights from all rebellions from the 1971 uprising, 1989-90 uprising and indeed the 27 year civil war where both parties committed atrocities.
/
soma / April 3, 2021
You forgot to add IPKF.
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Soma
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srikrish / April 3, 2021
Harsha Gunasena,
What Is The Patriotic Path Sri Lanka Should Take After The Geneva Resolution?
I have problem with the title of your excellent article. The heading gives the impression that Sri Lanka will have to take certain steps solely to escape from the effects of Geneva resolution.
After escaping from Geneva, what?
There is historical precedence to this pessimism .
Mr Bandaranaike entered into Bandaranaike- Chevanayakam Pact in order to prevent the expected massive civil disobedient Campaign planned by Federal party.
The last sentence in the 1957 Bandaranaike Chelvanayakam Pact enunciate in the Preamble or Part A of the written and signed document clearly reveals the Machiavellian Objective of SWRD Bandaranaike in entering the pact.
That last sentence is reproduced below;
“In view of these conclusions, the Federal party stated that they were withdrawing their proposed Satyagraha.”
Once the crisis is averted, Bandaranaike went back on the agreement.
Why did Dudley Senanayake enter into Dudley Cheva pact in 1965?
On benevolent grounds?
It was the price paid to get the support of Federal party to form the government after his party failed to win majority in the 1965 General Election.
Once the government is stabilized, Dudley Senanaike conveniently went back on his agreement.
If this is the behavior of outstanding statements of Sri Lanka had ever produced, who is a lesser mortal like Gotabaya?
Were the Tamils destined to be betrayed again and again?
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Pandi Kutti / April 3, 2021
Kottapey, had visited the northern Vavuniya district which is 85% Thamizh/Thamizh speaking but instead of visiting a Thamizh speaking village, that actually represents the district and the north, only visited a Chingkalla settler village. Speaks volume with regards to this persons nasty evil vindictive nature and his attitude to the island’s Thamizh. He is only playing to the Chingkallams and in this one move, is openly showing and defying to the world that he his only ruling for the Chingkallams and is there for them only. What a mean, racist petty minded creature, and a mean petty, vicious racist government. Deliberately going to the north that is 95% or more Thamizh but only goes and visits a Chingkalla settler village to prove something to the world, India, the UN and the Thamizh, that he does not care. These are the sort of leaders that the Chingkallams elect, as most of them are also mean,vindictive, jealous, racist and petty minded. People elect leaders, that they think reflect their views and what they want and he reflects the majority Chingkalla way of thinking.
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Anpu / April 3, 2021
Thank you Harsha.
Spot on “What is the patriotic agenda the country should follow? Firstly, it should not be aimed at the next election or cheap publicity and should have a long-term vision. Secondly it should rally all the people of the country together. How can a person who thinks of only the people belongs to his ethnic group or religion, be a patriot? He is a selfish separatist. A real patriot thinks of all the people of the country. We need such patriots a plenty at this grave hour.”
We would not be here if Banda-Chelva act was implemented. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandaranaike%E2%80%93Chelvanayakam_Pact
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Buddhist1 / April 4, 2021
What is Patriotism? Patriotism is an act of the citizens to be loyal to the nation. In Sri Lanka who are the citizens? Its the Sinhalese and Tamil Speaking people. One may ask me what about Muslims, well Muslim/Islam relates to a religion and historically Muslims mostly spoke Tamil and some spoke Sinhalese. So Muslim/Islam is not a citizen group in the sense of ethnic composition.
So when we expect the nation to be patriotic we are referring to both the Sinhalese and Tamils. In order for each of these groups to be Patriotic, both groups should first respect each other. In order to do that the Government must take action.
A good suggestion is there in the recent Easter Attack Presidential Commission’s report. The suggestion that all schools should have all three streams of studies (Sinhala/Tamil/English) and all students should be taught all religions (may be both languages). This must be the beginning.
Even after this report the Rajapakse/SLPP Government has not made any comment about it. Why? I feel even Rajapakses and the SLPP MPs themselves are not Patriotic, they are being RACISTS. First they have to reform themselves before they think of reforming the nation. It should start from the top.
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Rajash / April 4, 2021
“What Is The Patriotic Path Sri Lanka Should Take After The Geneva Resolution?“
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You mean despite Geneva , before Geneva, all the time?
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Black Lankan / April 6, 2021
Dr Gnana, dont reply to HLD alias Blind Eagle. Not worth. He is a robot primed to do this job of just repeating the same BS. But if you want, like me , just scold the guy. I am sure he is dementic. He will soon take over the post of Colombage. His capability warants that job.
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leelagemalli / April 6, 2021
Dear BL,
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I am telling them the same for such a long time. Eagle Eye may be passing his last days. The kind of ultra racists would never see it right – and the consequences are seen today in totally fallen nation/country. Those who made hopes that situation would be much better after war is no longer there – has to see other theories.
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He does not seem to know what he is repeating. Vellala caste, Demala, sinhalayo etc are his favourite terms. The bugger does not come back to us with any constructive arguments. Yes his is pathological. Let s pray for his last days. Yes, did you notic Colombage became speechless in that Tim’s interview ? He had not answer when questioning as to why the brutal govt in power held muslim srilankens in a lurch regarding the last repsects. And also, questioned, what a country that child murderers are blessed with presidential pardons….. I really dont know where the kind of men were awarded with academic titles ?
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