Sri Lankan journalist at risk
I heard some very disturbing news last night. Dileesha Abeysundera, a Sri Lankan journalist and media rights activist, is in danger. Several unidentified people traveling in white vans tried to break into her compound in Colombo (Sri Lanka’s capital city) at 11:45 P.M. on Sept. 28. While they didn’t succeed and Dileesha wasn’t harmed, I’m very worried for her. The use of white vans was particularly chilling; they’ve been used in many abductions and enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka since 2006.
Dileesha had organized a meeting on Sept. 28 calling for the abolition of the Press Council Act, a law which restricts freedom of expression in Sri Lanka by prohibiting publication of materials relating to economic policy, government documents and other topics. The Sri Lankan government has repeatedly defended the Act. It’s thought that she was threatened that evening because of her work in organizing the meeting that day.
Over 14 media workers have been killed since 2006 with no one brought to justice in any of these cases. For more information on how freedom of expression has been under attack in Sri Lanka, please see our report, “Sri Lanka: Silencing dissent.”
Please write to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka and ask him to ensure Dileesha’s safety and to investigate the attempted intimidation of her. Please also ask him to investigate the attacks, including killings, of other Sri Lankan journalists and media workers. His address is: Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka; email: prsec@presidentsoffice.lk. Thanks for your consideration.
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Tags: Dileesha Abeysundera, disappearance, freedom of expression, journalist, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Press Council Act, Sri Lanka, white van
October 9th, 2009 at 9:56 am
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October 9th, 2009 at 11:00 am
In my opinion, the human rights and freedom of speech are sacred – and we have to be preserved!
Human rights abuses can never be condoned — and the right to freedom of speech and expression is not negotiable.
While reading Jim McDonald, article I keep remembering drawing room conversations of many Sri Lankans, who during the CBK and Ranil eras ,kept saying that Sri Lanka is not ready for a democracy and that it is a dictatorship that will lead us to prosperity.
To those same people who now complain of the Rajapakse regime – all I can say is – this is what a dictatorship looks like – and it ain’t pretty!
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October 9th, 2009 at 11:05 am
If Sri Lanka and its supporters want the world to believe in their story,.
a) why are they not allowing free media? why do they expel Journalists? why did they killed over 14 Journalists?
b) why are not they allowing all aid workers?
Journalist disappearances: Lanka ‘among worst’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2009/08/090830_rsf_disappearances.shtml
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October 9th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
according to Sri Lankan Govermant there is no more LTTE. so, my question is after defeating LTTE
* who is killing all these Journalists?
* who is abducting in white van?
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October 9th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
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October 9th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
34 journalists and media workers killed during Rajapaksa brothers regime
http://blog.amnestyusa.org/iar/two-hazards-for-sri-lankan-displaced-civilians/
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October 9th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Lets get this very clear.
If US kills journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If UK kills journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If SL kills journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If LTTE kills journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If US kills US journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If US kills Afghan journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If SL kills Tamil journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If SL kills Sinhalese journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If LTTE kills Tamil journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If LTTE kills Sinhalese journalist is it right? – it is not right.
If SL army does ethnic cleansing is it right? – it is not right.
If LTTE does ethnic cleansing is it right? – it is not right.
If Australia does ethnic cleansing is it right? – it is not right.
If US does ethnic cleansing is it right? – it is not right.
Can you kindly stop pointing to others when a finger is pointed against the SL government if you are not a paid agent of the government or not a part of the government? If you are a paid agent or a part of the government, keep pointing to others – we will just ignore you. If not, let us discuss the issue being pointed not deflect or divert people to issues caused by others.
I am concerned about the plight of the Tamils in your country now. If you can be constructive about what can be done, please let us know. Otherwise I am not in for any kind of debate, however fascinating it might sound to you.
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October 10th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Such crimes have long been endemic in Sri Lanka. The government & military junta is committed only to a law of impunity!!
61 yrs of self-rule (since independence from Britain in 1948) has but fuelled a pseudo-Buddhist dictatorship that has eliminated its Tamil population to second-class citizens.
Dharmeratnam Sivaram
Aiyathurai Nadesan
Mylvaganam Nimalrajan
make up a long list of Tamil writers killed by government death squads.
Why, even Lasantha Wickrematunge, a leading Sinhalese journalist was assassinated early this year. His crime, being a conscience of truth!
Tissainayagam also gave voice to the struggles of the oppressed, knowing the risks to his own life. As others before him, he too has paid a huge price!
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October 10th, 2009 at 6:11 am
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October 10th, 2009 at 7:39 am
So kindly stop interrogating me for God sake. If you would interrogate me – a random internet blogger – checking my stand on LTTE so much, I am concerned about how the SL army (which I can state confidently is several orders of magnitude concern-less about human rights than my current interrogator and is in fact ruthless and brutal) is treating the Tamil IDPs in the name of screening.
God save the Tamils in the land of Mango and MR!
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October 10th, 2009 at 7:43 am
He, as it transpired in his trial, assisted Mahinda Rajapaksa in the late 1980’s to translate documents regarding disappearances of the time, was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for writing a small article on similar matters.
The difference of treatment of Tissainayagam then and now explain quite a lot about the sinister politics in Sri Lanka.
In the late 1980s, Mahinda Rajapaksha cleverly used the popular anger against the existing government which caused over 30,000 disappearances and many other forms of violence.
There was also international condemnation of these matters. However, the manner in which this situation was handled by Rajapaksha in Sri Lanka was very different to similar issues of disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings handled in countries like Argentina and Chile.
In those countries, meticulous documentation was made and evidence preserved of the cases of the disappeared, and for many years to follow there were huge demands for the prosecution of offenders.
That struggle for justice made significant changes in these countries, which later brought about improvements which would make the happening of similar occurrences difficult.
Not so in Sri Lanka. Mahinda Rajapaksha did not fight for justice for the disappeared and their families. He never called for prosecution of those offenders.
Mahinda Rajapaksha promised officially to change the Executive Presidency and to bring about a more accountable government witch checks and balances against the Executive. This he failed to do and by now any possibility of him doing that does not exist.
The real political tragedy of Sri Lanka is that while everybody agrees that the system of Executive Presidency is creating one monster after another, who destroy all institutions and the foundations of all freedoms, there is no political will to abolish this system.
Such crimes have long been endemic in Sri Lanka. The government & military junta is committed only to a law of impunity!!
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October 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
When People talk about murdering Thamils in Sri Lanka, SL Govermant is unhappy about it.
When People talk about Murdering Journalist in Sri Lanka ALSO Sri Lanka Govermant is unhappy.
So, How can i make Sri Lanka happy?.
answer is SIMPLE.
Keep quiet. Yes, World and Thamils must keep Their mouth Shut. Then wil be SL Happy.
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October 10th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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October 10th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I said – “I am concerned about Tamils in your country. I reiterate it. Does not mean I am not concerned about other things in the world.” – Is that visible on your browser? I am sure it is, but not in the eyes of a paid SL Government agent. I do not fault you – even if you were not paid, there is lack of freedom in your country to raise any HR concerns about the treatment of Tamils – so you are enslaved to write what you write – it is fine.
I expressed concern about Dileesha and Lasantha – I dont know if they have converted to Tamils.
I think LTTE is irrelevant in the context of what SLA is doing *now*. I have already talked of my stand on LTTE in the context of HR abuse.
If you cannot weigh a person by his comments, but require his identification proof even in an anonymous internet world, it is because of a habitual nature within your country to strip bare a person, find his identity and distinguish and discriminate him/her based on his ethnicity, race, language and religion – I dont blame you – it is an involuntary racist reaction that got embedded within you without knowledge after years and years of discrimination in your country.
We have gone off topic and I am sure the editors are going to block us. From now on I am going to ignore your involuntary racist (or professional, if you are a paid government agent) comments and keep myself on the topic.
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October 11th, 2009 at 1:13 am
October 10th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Thank you, dear friend, for a very informative post.
“Pointing out that “[d]eteriorating conditions, including a shortage of water since October 5, 2009, combined with the prospect of flooding during the imminent monsoon season, have led to rising tensions among camp residents and clashes with the military.”
Yes, the condition is deteriorating steadily. The skeletal frame of severely malnourished old man from the concentration camp in Sri Lanka speaks volumes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8297760.stm
Humanitarian Human
The human rights of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka are deteriorating further.
Recently a distressing apprehension has gripped the Tamil business community in Colombo and its suburbs after Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers called on them to register their assets with the local authorities.
The soldiers had called on the community with a printed form, in Sinhalese language only, which has to be filled with every miniature detail from the type of enterprise, to assets such as vehicles, etc, members of the family, relatives and employees.
The Tamil business community is perturbed over this new regulation since they have already registered themselves with the relevant police divisions.
It’s a dispirited sigh.
Why are singling out Tamil traders only?
A justifiable fear among the Tamils has risen as this act of targeting Tamil traders by SLA soldiers could be a measure to supply precise details to criminals to be used in abduction, extortion, robbery or worse ( preparing for the next Black July?).
Also, a bit worrying, this cruel and inhuman reshuffle of Tamils (like cattle) from one concentration camp to another.
It looks like; it will become a norm – rampant colonization, resettlement-but not to the native villages, ridiculous and un-ending “security clearances” even for 1 year old orphan baby and the sad and vile enslavement of all Tamils.
What do you think about the Islets of Jaffna Tragedy?
Because, the modus operandi of the Sinhalese Colonial Masters is cruelly unfolding right there.
In my opinion, this is the future for the NE Tamils, period!
http://www.tamilnet.com/search.html?string=islets+of+Jaffna
Can you look it over and give an input on this? Thanks
Mawatha Silva
Mango, please don’t tell fibs. I never supported any violence.
In fact, I abhor it .
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October 11th, 2009 at 1:19 am
http://www.tamilnational.com/human-rights/media-freedom.html
Threats to Media Freedom in Sri Lanka Increasing Dramatically, Says Amnesty International
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS10180+07-Feb-2008+PRN20080207
No free media in sri lanka
Mawatha Silva Says:
October 9th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Sri Lanka:
34 journalists and media workers killed during Rajapaksa brothers regime
APRIL 2004 – MARCH 2O09
2004
1. Aiyathurai A. Nadesan – Journalist / 31 May
2. Kandaswamy Aiyer Balanadaraj – Writer / 16 August
3. Lanka Jayasundera – Photo journalist/ 11 December
2005
4. Dharmaratnam Sivaram – Editor / 28 April
5. Kannamuttu Arsakumar – Media worker/ 29 June
6. Relangee Selvarajah – Journalist / 12 August
7. D. Selvaratnam – Media worker/ 29 August
8. Yogakumar Krishnapillai – Media Worker / 30 September
9. L. M. Faleel (Netpittimunai Faleel) – Writer / 02 December
10. K. Navaratnam – Media worker/ 22 December
2006
11. Subramaniam Suhirtharajan – Journalist / 24 January
12. S. T. Gananathan – Owner / 01 February
13. Bastian George Sagayathas – Media worker / 03 May
14. Rajaratnam Ranjith Kumar – Media worker / 03 May
15. Sampath Lakmal de Silva – Journalist / 02 July
16. Mariadasan Manojanraj – Media worker/ 01 August
17. Pathmanathan Vismananthan – Singer and musician / 02 August
18. Sathasivam Baskaran – Media worker / 15 August
19. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah – Media owner / 20 August
2007
20. S. Raveendran – Media worker / 12 February
21. Subramaniam Ramachandran – Media personnel / 15 February
22. Chandrabose Suthakar – Journalist / 16 April
23. Selvarasah Rajeevarman – Journalist / 29 April
24. Sahadevan Neelakshan – Journalist / 01 August
25. Anthonypillai Sherin Siththiranjan – Media worker/ 05 November
26. Vadivel Nimalarajah – Media worker/ 17 November
27. Isaivizhi Chempian (Subhajini) – Media worker/ 27 November
28. Suresh Limbiyo – Media worker/ 27 November
29. T. Tharmalingam – Media worker/ 27 November
2008
30. Paranirupesingham Devakumar – Journalist / 28 May
31. Rashmi Mohamad – Journalist / 06 October
2009
32. Lasanntha Wickrematunge – Editor / 08 January
33. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy – Journalist / 12 February
34. Sasi Mathan – Media worker/ 06 March
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October 11th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Yes, I have been following all that is happening with growing despair. MR is all set to rule the country for the next 8 years for sure. So there seems to no solution or respite in sight for the Tamils. I think one of the following has to happen:
1. MR has a sudden change of heart and starts working towards real peace and reconciliation with the Tamil community.
2. The utter violation of human rights in SL causes the international community to intervene really strongly in SL and ensure justice, peace and freedom for all sections of the society in SL.
3. MR loses the next presidential elections early next year and the new Prez is understanding of the concerns of the Tamils and works towards restoring peace, justice and development for the Tamils.
Now the probability of one of the above happening is equal to you finding a comet coming to hit your house when you look out of your window at the time of reading this blog post comment.
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October 11th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Ahhhh….
there is a solution. Do not despair, friend.
BOYCOTT SRI LANKA:
a. Sri Lanka Cricket – this is not an entertainment
b. Boycott Sri Lankan Airlines
c. Boycott Tourism
d. Food items that are imported by Sri Lankan Tamils
and packed in Britain
e. Garments made in Sri Lankan and sold in supermarkets
such as Marks and Spencer and footwear including Bata
f. Tea grown in Ceylon
Your efforts here are a big step. Of course, it will take time but we shall overcome !!:)
You are welcome to visit to my blog. Nanri
http://mawathasilva.blogspot.com/
How to post on my blog
———————————-
Below the “post a comment “window you will see “comment as: select profile”. Click on drop down menu and choose an “Anonymous” option.
By using “Anonymous” option from the drop down menu will not prohibit you to use your pen name, any links or any text in the comment itself.
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October 11th, 2009 at 5:44 am
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October 11th, 2009 at 5:51 am
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October 11th, 2009 at 6:03 am
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October 11th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Many Tamil students were doing hunger strike to compel the international community and governments to open their eyes and look at the atrocities that was happening to the innocent Tamil civilians.
One of the hunger–strike was Prarameswaran Subramaniam.
His whole family was wiped out by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces indiscriminate shelling.
His mother, his sisters, his brother and his nephew were butchered.
So, in your opinion, he has to die too?
For your delightful pleasure and entertainment??
How callous and pitiless you are.
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October 11th, 2009 at 8:55 am
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October 11th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I let the experts talk:
The UN figures until the end of April, which are based on death records, 2 per cent of deaths in January, the beginning of the final offensive, were caused by gunfire and more than 80 per cent by (Sri Lankan Armed Forces’) shelling.
Three independent defence analysts who examined photographs of (Sri Lankan) army and rebel firing positions taken over the no-fire zone (NFZ) confirmed that the range of the rebel weaponry and the narrowness of the zone make it unlikely that rebel munitions caused significant civilian casualties.
Charles Heyman, a former army officer and editor of the magazine Armed Forces of the UK, said. “It looks more likely that the firing position has been located by the Sri Lankan Army and it has then been targeted with air-burst and ground impact mortars.”
Mortars are an indiscriminate weapon employed usually to take out groups of fighters on an open battlefield. Use of imprecise weapons of this kind in densely populated civilian areas is a war crime under Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Convention — to which Sri Lanka is a signatory.
Mortars — the Sri Lankan Army has 81mm, 82mm and 120mm rockets — can detonate on the ground where the impact would be absorbed partially, or between 100ft and 200ft above the ground, causing a mass of shell fragments.
According to a former Sri Lankan army officer, the Tamil Tigers did not possess air-burst mortars. Their heavy weaponry had a range of 7 to 27km, meaning that most of their fire would have fallen outside the zone.
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October 11th, 2009 at 9:25 am
On the topic of SL goods boycott, I think AI must advise the EU not to lose the only leverage that the world has right now – i.e. GSP+ and allow the Govt to scoot free after committing zillions of human rights violations. This is because there is already bleak news on this front and indications that EU will just merely warn SL and extend GSP+. Please read the report from Sunday Leader which is much more trustable than any SL sources. (There was a prior Reuters report too)
Read this from Sunday Leader that seems to indicate the SL would get its GSP. If this opportunity is missed, I dont see the world exerting any sort of “real pressure” on SL. I thought EU would be the single saviour of the poor Lankan Tamils. Reading these reports, it is quite likely that EU could discard the human rights violation and betray the Tamils. (Excerpt from Sunday Leader report below).
Jim: I would like to hear your thoughts. I know it does not seem in context, but all the happenings in SL are intertwined and it is getting difficult to comment on the right blog post.
Excerpt from the report:
———————————-
E.C. may not act on Panel’s report
The European Commission (E.C.) will not necessarily base their recommendations on the findings made by an expert panel on the G.S.P. + issue, a diplomat told The Sunday Leader on Monday.
Bernard Savage, E.C.’s Head of Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives however said that it would have had been made easier if the Government had cooperated with that panel on their investigations in connection with Sri Lanka’s eligibility to continue to enjoy the G.S.P. + concession. The Government did not work with that panel on the grounds that they did not want the military investigated on alleged war crimes.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20091011/BUSINESS.HTM
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October 11th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I do follow all the reporting in SL newspapers from your Daily Mirrors to the Sunday Leader/Sunday Times. Only Sunday Leader has any kind of unbiased reporting and rest are all mouthpieces of the government. Dileesha is again from Sunday Leader.
Secondly yes the opposition is doing its little best – Ranil Wickremasinghe, Mangala Samaraweera and Karu Jayasuriya (had an article in Island today) have been raising their voices for the IDP – but to no avail. Mangala invented the term FDP – forcibly detained persons that accurately captures the plight of the Tamil refugees. But all the voices of the opposition have been feeble, in part due to the Government’s extraordinary curb on freedom of expression. Of what use are these voices if the Government decides not to hear them.
[I think the above sums up that I do have a fair understanding of things that are happening in your country and I have met your bar for passing my comments on the topic. And your attempt this time at ostracizing me by describing me as an outsider being afar is one more failure.]
Anyways Mango, I fear for your safety too in SL (I am concerned about my friends even if they are not Tamils). So never go by your moral conscience and continue to act as a mouthpiece of the government, like you have been so far – We do understand the precarious position you are in.
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October 11th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Please don’t worry about the favorable GSP extension to Sri Lanka.
These rumors were spread by SL media. Let’s wait and see
Jim McDonald is a treasure trove of information about the human right abuses in Sri Lanka and a right person to enquire about everything.
You know in addition to boycotting the Sri Lankan products, tourism, tea, cricket, etc., you can also……..expose the human rights abuses there.
We should do something to help those who cannot help themselves.
Being proactive about this problem is the only way we will ever overcome it
Together, we can gather contact information of important people within the UN, UNICEF, Save the Children, the EU as well as other organizations and send petitions via email outlining our cause.
Collecting links, articles and pictures may strengthen our point, highlighting them the damage that is being done to 300,000 innocent civilians.
In order to cease the effects of the Sri Lankan Government on the freedom of the Tamil people, we need to band together to bring down those focused on oppressing these innocents.
With all of our voices united ( and a lot of emails to organizations , governments, celebrities and other people (VIPs) , we can help overcome the appalling conditions faced by these people and free them from the desperate life they suffer.
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October 11th, 2009 at 10:56 am
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October 11th, 2009 at 11:47 am
The EU has a choice. If it doesn’t extend GSP+, even more Sri Lankans including the Tamil civilians from the Vanni who need to rebuild their lives and homes will be prevented to gaining a decent life.
To the Diaspora Eelamists and their NGO supporters, is this good news or bad news? What do you think, Mawatham?
Should the destitute Tamil civilians, about whose well being you care for, be punished even more by being unemployed and living an even more miserable existence?
The EU GSP+ is more complicated than alluded to by the usual suspects.
http://www.island.lk/2009/09/27/politics1.html
The key para is as follows:
“…Another reason given in the EU report as to why, Sri Lanka is in violation of the ICCPR is because Islamic personal law is in force in Sri Lanka in relation to the Muslim population. The EU has taken exception to the fact that under Muslim personal law, there is no minimum age of marriage, polygamy is recognized, men could divorce without giving a reason or compensation whereas women had to prove fault, and that Muslim women could not be appointed as family court judges or registrars of marriage. Muslims in Sri Lanka, jealously guard their rights in terms of regulating family life, and regard it as essential to maintain their identity as Muslims.”
Even better is this:
“…An interesting point that this raises, is that no Islamic country will ever be able to qualify for GSP+ because they follow Islamic family law. The WTO would not like a GSP scheme which excludes whole nations on grounds of cultural incompatibility.”
Perhaps we’d better alert Al-Quaeda that Eelamists in the West are preventing Muslims in SL from having a decent life?
SL will find it extremely tough without GSP+, but contrary to the fervent hopes of Eelamists & their allies, will survive.
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October 11th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Well said. Why dont you go and say this to your SL Prez and tell him – “There is nothing to fear – we are legally okay. Let any international committee inquiry happen and I trust you that SL army has nothing to fear!”. You could even vouch to be the attorney for SLA.
And let me know once you have stated the above to the Prez and I have no doubts we all here would need to start getting concerned about your safety.
Either you are extremely naive or you assume your readers to be so in this case
The reason for the detention of so many people is that they are all unfortunate witnesses to the most gory and inhuman war crimes committed on earth in the 21st century and SL government is afraid of what these people would tell the world. But little does it realize that holding them (and/or indulging in structured or monsoon genocide) on is no less a crime that is now getting into the same grave proportions of HR violations committed by SLA towards the end of the conflict.
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October 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
The Prez has already said he’s willing to face any tribunal as long as the Western bloc politicians who’ve been accused of even larger ‘crimes’ go ahead of him. Let’s also get the Western bloc countries, who by supporting the LTTE, allowed a 30+ year reign of terror to run unchecked until May 2009. What do you think is most likely to happen?
If as you say, the IDPs are being held because they witnessed HR abuses, why bother releasing them back to re-start new lives? Surely, it would be more logical to kill them all ?
You might want to re-think your allegations.
The only naive people are the HR maniacs and LTTE diaspora who think that the LTTE could have been crushed without civilian casualties. The latter (LTTE diaspora) didn’t want the LTTE crushed, but wanted it to survive to create a little fascistic enclave.
Finally, there’s been a little election for the Southern Provinces. How many elections were held in the now defunct, ex-facto state of Eelam?
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October 11th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
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October 11th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
If as you allege, the IDPs are being held because they witnessed HR abuses, why bother releasing them back to re-start new lives? Surely, it would be more logical to kill them all ?
You might want to re-think your allegations.
Okay, Agreed mine could be just an allegation and we all hope and pray that it is not true – and the only way to refute the allegation is to unlock the camps and show us no genocide of any sorts is happening. There are happenings in the camp that are making people severely doubt genocide happening silently inside these camps. These include the firing of “escaping” civilians and who knows as I said before, the genocide could be inflicted by the monsoons and the government just waiting for it.
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October 12th, 2009 at 3:19 am
Genocide??
There is plenty of blame and plenty of shame to go around regarding the many needless civilian deaths in the recent conflict in Sri Lanka.
The GoSL have an immense part in the tragedy for they are surely guilty of reckless and in some cases deliberate malice.
Have you heard about General Fonseka?
I wonder how a man of his considerable military accomplishments can end up as a third tier bureaucrat in an all but meaningless ministry?
I am sure this has nothing to do with his discreet inquiries into the dealings of his former defense minister regarding military purchases and real-estate negotiations with the Chinese.
None what so ever.
Of course, if that was the case no journalist in Sri Lanka would dare to investigate the story for fear of death.
So much for winning the war and freeing the country at the expense of so many innocent lives
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October 12th, 2009 at 8:40 am
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October 12th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
You said – “Country is freed” – that is the biggest paradox! The Tamils are still locked in camps and how can you claim the country is freed? Or are you saying that the tamils are not part of your country? Or are you saying that they are slaves in your country? Or are you saying that you have again achieved this “freedom at the cost of slavery of innocent civilian lives” ?
Mr.Mango, I admit my mistake – I said you might be an involuntary racist. I was wrong. I am sorry. I dont think it is involuntary.
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October 12th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Humi,
I listed those ‘genocides’ to precisely make the point that by people like you alleging ‘genocide’ where none exists, you simply demean and negate the traumas of the victims of real genocide. The AI editors should ensure that my comment remains on the blog so we can all see the type of propaganda campaign being waged against SL, trying to emerge from a long nightmare of LTTE terrorism.
The IDP camp people are indeed citizens of SL. Would you like them live in minefields and in ruined building to satisfy your cry of ‘open the camps’. I think you forget that the SL govt has a duty to all its’ citizens to ensure that security concerns remain paramount. This doesn’t mean that I and most other Sri Lankans want our fellow citizens to remain in these IDP camps one day longer than necessary.
But I grant you this. Freedom from the LTTE has been bought at the cost of the loss on innocent lives, from all sections of SL society. Please explain how else this ‘freedom’ could have been arrived at without the loss of innocent civilian lives?
Please don’t use the totally discredited argument of ‘negotiations with the LTTE’. I credit you with more intelligence and knowledge of the Eelam Wars.
Talking of tasteful concepts, I’m still waiting to hear of your views on the other IDP crisis. You know the one caused by the LTTE? I hope you and your HR friends are doing all you can for those people, too. Or aren’t they important enough to register on your HR radar? As a person desperately concerned with HR in SL, surely you must have opinion about them, too?
I’d also like to see evidence of my ‘racism’. Just saying it doesn’t make it so!
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October 12th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
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October 12th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
What is an essence of the Sinhalese racism.
Many Srilankan would like to cleanse the island of Tamils, and goes to the extent of calling all.
I cannot understand what gives the sinhalese such racist hatred for Tamils, except that this is the reason for the pogroms, genocide and expulsions.
If anyone is in any doubt that there is racist hatred against Tamils by sinhalese, one only needs to read any Sri Lanka newspaper or other media and see the filthy ilk the sinhalese community, armed forces, politicians and budhhist monks are full of.
QED.
There is no hatred on the part of Tamils for the sinhalese, only fear and dread of what the sinhalese have done to the Tamils consistently over the past 60 years.
Why do the sinhalese behave in this murderous manner against the Tamils?
The answer is that this is what they learn with their mothers’ milk that their race has to annihilate the Tamils.
Nothing can change that, the only solution is for Tamil Homelands, or for the sinhalese to be neutered.
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October 12th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
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October 12th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
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October 12th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
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October 15th, 2009 at 6:25 am
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October 17th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Now JVP will realize about the media freedom in sri lanka, journalism has no ethnicity, but sin hella state & its ally’s journalist never exposed crime against (Tamils) Humanity
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=30462
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October 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 am
Comments for this post have been turned off. Please see our most recent entries on this issue: http://blog.amnestyusa.org/tag/sri-lanka/
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October 23rd, 2009 at 11:51 am
[...] here: Sri Lankan journalist at risk | Human Rights Now – Amnesty … Share and [...]
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