Unlock the Camps in Sri Lanka!

Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the recent war in North Eastern Sri Lanka live now in camps and are being denied basic human rights. In response to this crisis we just launched the Unlock the Camps campaign, in which we urge the Sri Lankan government to allow freedom of movement and the installment of a civilian administration of the military run internment camps. We further call on the Government of India to monitor the aid pledged to the Sri Lankan government. As part of the Unlock the Camps campaign we have developed a Facebook Crisis Application, and produced a new Briefing Paper.

Two months after the end of the fighting, the Sri Lankan authorities are still not addressing properly the needs of the newly displaced. The camps are overcrowded and unsanitary. In addition, these are effectively detention camps. They are run by the military and the camp residents are prevented from leaving them; they are denied basic legal safeguards. The government’s claim that it needs to hold people to carry out screening is not a justifiable reason to detain civilians including entire families, the elderly and children, for an indefinite period.

Displaced people have even been prevented from talking to aid workers. With no independent monitors able to freely visit the camps, many people are unprotected and at risk from enforced disappearances, abductions, arbitrary arrest and sexual violence.

According to government figures, the fighting between the Sri Lankan army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) displaced over 409,000 people. At least 280,000 are displaced from areas previously under LTTE control. A dramatic influx of people fleeing the fighting and crossing to government controlled areas took place from March 2009. The displaced people, including at least 50,000 children, are being accommodated in 41 camps spread over four districts. The majority of the displaced are in Vavuniya District where Menik Farm is the biggest camp.

When United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited some of the camps in May, he said:

I have travelled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scene I have seen.

While some progress had been made on providing basic needs, much still needs to be done on the right to health, food, water, family reunion and access to relatives. We continue to urge the government of Sri Lanka:

  • to end restrictions on liberty and freedom of movement
  • to ensure that camps are of a truly civilian nature and administered by civilian authorities, rather than under military supervisions
  • give immediate and full access to national and international organizations and observers, including aid agencies, in order to monitor the situation and provide a safeguard against human rights violations.

Trapped in de-facto detention camps

The Sri Lankan government said on 21 May that the displaced will be resettled in 180 days. But very few have so far been allowed to return to their homes or to join friends or family elsewhere, and people remaining in the camps are not at liberty to leave camp premises. The Sri Lankan government must end its policy of forcibly confining people to camps, which amounts to arbitrary detention.  The Sri Lankan government must allow persons who require temporary shelter in these facilities to come and go freely.

With assistance and support from the international community and the involvement of displaced people themselves, the Sri Lankan government must set up clear benchmarks and timelines to ensure that displaced people can safely return home or find other durable solutions (such as relocation) as soon as possible.

AIUSA welcomes a lively and courteous discussion that follow our Community Guidelines. Comments are not pre-screened before they post but AIUSA reserves the right to remove any comments violating our guidelines.

605 thoughts on “Unlock the Camps in Sri Lanka!

  1. The biggest prison camp in the world? Sorry try the Native American "reservations" i.e concentration camps instead. Amnesty International, how about helping the most downtrodden subjugated people in the United States of Hypocrites instead????

  2. This is an absolute inappropriate comparison. The Sri Lankan government is violating the IDPs right to liberty, by not allowing them to leave and return to the camps; it is restricting their freedom of movement by not allowing them to choose where to live in the country. The IDP are detained without charge or trial, which violates Sri Lanka’s obligation under international law (which prohibits arbitrary detention).

  3. What right have we to complain about Sri Lanka? Look what we're doing in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine. We are the worst mass murderers in history. We murdered three and a half million Vietnamese and have done nothing about the effects of agent orange.

  4. It is time, that responsible countries of the world such as US, UK and EU, brought the law to srilanka. for the security of Asia, a perpetrator of genocide cannot be left to go scot free. Whether the US or Nazi-Germany killed 1000s or not is a different issue altogether and the guilty even there need to be punished.
    It is time Srilankans started to introspect and stop comparing the shame in our land to what others do elsewhere. Let us clean the mess at home first and not try to justify or sweep the skeletons of genocide inside the carpet of history, they will come back to haunt us all in future.
    Whats the answer do we srilankans give to the 50,000 tamil people [our fellow srilankans] killed in the north?
    How can our future generations face the world, with such a huge guilt in our hearts?

    The prevention of international media and NGOs visiting our IDP camps, is a blatant violation of international law and this is a sad period for Sri Lanka.

    Let not the world judge Sri Lanka as a nation of evil men. Let us rise to the occassion and punish the guilty of War Crimes, and call for a national reconciliation.

    If we dont accept our mistake at this crucial hour, then the future wont be ours in this border-less world.

  5. The biggest prison camp in the world? Sorry try the Native American “reservations” i.e concentration camps instead. Amnesty International, how about helping the most downtrodden subjugated people in the United States of Hypocrites instead????

  6. Well said Christoph. 300,000 people are locked up in a concentration camps without any media access or inadequate aids. Channel4 News managed to sneak in camera to couple of camps reported sexual abuses, where women and children are raped and dumped in to mass graves
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry6y0c_GcSU

    Right after this media reported the sexual abuses, the Channel4 news staffs were arrested & immediately deported from Sri-Lanka.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl0vjKI4fI4

    Sri-Lanka, which launched massive propaganda campaign to cover up the genocide in Sri-Lanka, formed a group called "MCNF", their main purpose to cover up the genocide. I wouldn't be surprised Sheridan Peterson is blogging from Sri-lanka with white washed name.

  7. This is an absolute inappropriate comparison. The Sri Lankan government is violating the IDPs right to liberty, by not allowing them to leave and return to the camps; it is restricting their freedom of movement by not allowing them to choose where to live in the country. The IDP are detained without charge or trial, which violates Sri Lanka’s obligation under international law (which prohibits arbitrary detention).

  8. What right have we to complain about Sri Lanka? Look what we’re doing in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine. We are the worst mass murderers in history. We murdered three and a half million Vietnamese and have done nothing about the effects of agent orange.

  9. Well said Christoph. 300,000 people are locked up in a concentration camps without any media access or inadequate aids. Channel4 News managed to sneak in camera to couple of camps reported sexual abuses, where women and children are raped and dumped in to mass graves
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry6y0c_GcSU

    Right after this media reported the sexual abuses, the Channel4 news staffs were arrested & immediately deported from Sri-Lanka.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl0vjKI4fI4

    Sri-Lanka, which launched massive propaganda campaign to cover up the genocide in Sri-Lanka, formed a group called "MCNF", their main purpose to cover up the genocide. I wouldn't be surprised Sheridan Peterson is blogging from Sri-lanka with white washed name.

  10. Well said Christoph. 300,000 people are locked up in a concentration camps without any media access or inadequate aids. Channel4 News managed to sneak in camera to couple of camps reported sexual abuses, where women and children are raped and dumped in to mass graves
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry6y0c_GcSU

    Right after this media reported the sexual abuses, the Channel4 news staffs were arrested & immediately deported from Sri-Lanka.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl0vjKI4fI4

    Sri-Lanka, which launched massive propaganda campaign to cover up the genocide in Sri-Lanka, formed a group called "MCNF", their main purpose to cover up the genocide. I wouldn't be surprised Sheridan Peterson is blogging from Sri-lanka with white washed name.

  11. It is time, that responsible countries of the world such as US, UK and EU, brought the law to srilanka. for the security of Asia, a perpetrator of genocide cannot be left to go scot free. Whether the US or Nazi-Germany killed 1000s or not is a different issue altogether and the guilty even there need to be punished.
    It is time Srilankans started to introspect and stop comparing the shame in our land to what others do elsewhere. Let us clean the mess at home first and not try to justify or sweep the skeletons of genocide inside the carpet of history, they will come back to haunt us all in future.
    Whats the answer do we srilankans give to the 50,000 tamil people [our fellow srilankans] killed in the north?
    How can our future generations face the world, with such a huge guilt in our hearts?

    The prevention of international media and NGOs visiting our IDP camps, is a blatant violation of international law and this is a sad period for Sri Lanka.

    Let not the world judge Sri Lanka as a nation of evil men. Let us rise to the occassion and punish the guilty of War Crimes, and call for a national reconciliation.

    If we dont accept our mistake at this crucial hour, then the future wont be ours in this border-less world.

  12. Sri Lankan Government told the world that it is fighting to release her citizen from forced encampment by the terrorists to freedom.
    Now GoSL is telling the world these are welfare camps !
    The barbed wires are may be for their protection, the starvation for their health,lack of water and sanitation to improve their stamina and so on !
    The International money should pour in on demand but no one should ask any question. What do the Big Brothers think about the rest of the world?

  13. I think all of us are forgetting the basics. Let's look at this situation from the SL governments angle.

    They just finished a war that has been a curse to the Island Nation. They want to ensure that it will not start again and they want to ensure that all elements that could start any such kind of activities are eliminated.

    Now, can we say that the above said approach is wrong given the unbearable suffocation the citizens of SL (immaterial of religion or race) had to face during the past 25-30 years ???

    It is a know fact that most of the people that were with the LTTE till their last moments were from the Maha Viru families. There were plenty of innocent people there as well, but a fare share were Maha Viru families – meaning they had their family members in the form of strong LTTE soldiers as Black tigers or cadre who died in war. It is also a know fact that many LTTE members escaped along with these people during the last stages and are hiding behind the innocent civilians.

    Anyone here think that the government would want to let any of these "Terrorists" let go free and start the whole menace again ??

    As much as we should sympathize the innocent civilian, we really need to look at it from a broader aspect of not letting this menace kick start again. The world should thank the SL government for stopping the training center for suicide bombers for world Terror organizations and also for putting a halt to one of the largest Drug trafficking & Arms smuggling organizations in the world. The list would go on to threatening lives of innocent people world over for money and money laundering.

    Anyone here want to help start such activity again ?? Do you think that it helps the cause of human civilization on planet earth ?

    As much as some innocent civilians are put at inconvenience, the government is taking a huge effort to provide for those who are in the camps. In the mean time, they are searching for all those who have any kind of ties with the LTTE and trying to rehabilitate them. We should not forget that the people here are even provided with food at the cost of the government. Education to students of all levels not forgetting that some are sitting for the A/L examination starting today. Vocational training etc – imagine the cost ?? I will not rule out the possibilities of some of the stronger figures being abducted and eliminated – I think things like that would happen in any war situation. Imagine USA getting hold of some of the leaders of Al Quaida !! (Bin Laden – they would showcase to the world – but others they will kill)

    Identified innocent civilians are sent to their homes and re-settled. The governments claim of uncleared areas for landmines is also absolutely true. Suspect the ton of explosives to be around and need to be cleared before innocent civilains are sent back.

    But is it wrong ??? Is it Right ??

    Most important – what is the other solution that would ensure LTTE will not spark again ??

    I think I personally would be with the SL government in this regard – it will be for the better of those generations to come in future, though it would be a little inconvenience for those who live now.

  14. There are over 41 well known camps but many unknown camps. Only one camp is DEMO camp. Even in the Demo camp, "Tamils abducted, abused, tortured, raped and killed everyday". Tamils are still kept in Mullaitivu, which is recently decleared as HIGH SECURITY ZONE. Jaffna is open prision, East is worst, Even in moothur, civilians are moved from camp to camp. Never allowed to go their home. Every single tamil become HOMELESS AT HOME.
    Tamil Camps http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/opinion/16iht-e
    The silent suffering of Sri Lanka's Tamils http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1799594

  15. The world talks of the past all the time and ignores the present and advises to look into the future!! These are traumatized lives behind barbed wire getting treated as criminals with the notion "Guilty until proven innocense". These people must feel such hurt physical/Psychological and emotional to make it worse they are not united with the remaining family I read. I am surprised
    such treatment is permitted by the Buddhism Sri Lanka practices.
    Please do what it takes to care for these people they are regular people got landed in inevitable situation. Once they get back to their homes they would
    feel half their problems are sorted for sure. How long does the mine clearing takes? Three months gone since war ended, realize the amount of bombs fell yet it should be possible to sort it out with international help help the people back in the area where they originally came from so that they would heal better.

  16. There are over 41 well known camps but many unknown camps. Only one camp is DEMO camp. Even in the Demo camp, "Tamils abducted, abused, tortured, raped and killed everyday". Tamils are still kept in Mullaitivu, which is recently decleared as HIGH SECURITY ZONE. Jaffna is open prision, East is worst, Even in moothur, civilians are moved from camp to camp. Never allowed to go their home. Every single tamil become HOMELESS AT HOME.
    Tamil Camps http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/opinion/16iht-e
    The silent suffering of Sri Lanka's Tamils http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1799594

  17. There are over 41 well known camps but many unknown camps. Only one camp is DEMO camp. Even in the Demo camp, "Tamils abducted, abused, tortured, raped and killed everyday". Tamils are still kept in Mullaitivu, which is recently decleared as HIGH SECURITY ZONE. Jaffna is open prision, East is worst, Even in moothur, civilians are moved from camp to camp. Never allowed to go their home. Every single tamil become HOMELESS AT HOME.
    Tamil Camps http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/opinion/16iht-e
    The silent suffering of Sri Lanka's Tamils http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1799594

  18. The tragedy of refugees in Sri Lanka, hidden from the eyes of the world
    by Nirmala Carvalho
    There is still no precise data on the number of people living in the centres. Colombo media do not speak of the plight of the internally displaced persons. An operator allowed into the Chettikulam camp states: “The Colombo government is only concerned with one thing: finding remaining members of the LTTE and killing them”.
    Mumbai (AsiaNews) – “Small children are suffering malnutrition and a lack of medicines. There are young girls who are pregnant, between 17 and 19 years of age, in need of care… the government has no capacity at all to handle this massive problem, no news so far has come out in the news papers in Sri Lanka, the rest of the nation is kept in dark regarding the situation of the refugees”.
    This is how a social worker recently describes the situation for the internally displaced persons (Idp) held in the refugee camp in Chettikulam 12 kilometres from Vavuniya to AsiaNews. He had visited the camp before (see AsiaNews 05/06/2009) and now he says: “some of our friends returned there yesterday and report that the situation is still serious”.
    Prasanna – a pseudonym to protect his anonymity – says that in Chettikulam there are more than 300 thousand people and added to that number, refugees who live in smaller camps dotted around the area of Mannar and Jaffna. But he adds that “there is still no data on the precise number of the refugees”.
    “No one speaks of the IDPs – says Prasanna – not a single photo is allowed out of the camp, no papers write anything about it, people do not know about the great tragedy is going on in their country”.
    The social worker appeals to the international community, “and in particular to the Indian government”, to show greater concern for the plight of the refugees. “The only interest of the Colombo government – says Prasanna – is to find more Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam members who are living in the camp and kill them”.
    UNHCR has taken satellite photos of the area occupied by the Chettikulam camp, “an immense area subdivided into different and separate zones”, the AsiaNews source explains. “The military brought us to one are and told us to help the people there. We have not been allowed to visit other zones. The area is so vast that it is impossible to estimate how many people are being held there”.

  19. Siva Ratnam,

    As I mentioned in my above post, I don't think it's got anything to do with any religious belief of any party nor any other motive apart from the GOSL wanting to negate the effects of LTTE to the minimum level possible. You just can't help it. One could say a little bit of suffering would lead to a much longer period of life with a free mind.

    We are talking about the possibility of Terrorists still hiding among these civilians who could actually be a worry for all the citizens of the country if set free. Many explosives are still un-found and them getting in to the hand of an uneducated terrorist will mean that there will be more bloodshed in this tiny Island don't you think?

    Better if we allow the government to do the cleansing and let the sincere people go back to their houses (after de-mining the areas of course) and live in peace for the rest of their lives ya? Otherwise, they will be back to squire one with no peace of mind in sight.

    At least they would suffer (not that they have already being for the past 25 years and no means justifiable) only for a few more months as oppose to another zillion years !

  20. 57,293 children held in Vavuniyaa SLA internment camps
    [TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 17:46 GMT]
    57,293 children from Vanni are presently detained in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) internment camps in Vavuniyaa, U. L. M. Haldeen, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Relief said to the media.
    1,034 children among the above are orphans or separated from their parents while there are 7,894 widows and 3,100 pregnant mothers in Vavuniyaa internment camps.
    There are 11,873 detainees injured in the war and 3,968 maimed persons held in the above camps.
    Meanwhile, there are 3,689 government officers among those detained, the Secretary said.

  21. It is a humanitarian issue and people need to live freely. I doubt if this is an attempt to make Sri Lanka a minority free country.

  22. Well said Christoph. 300,000 people are locked up in a concentration camps without any media access or inadequate aids. Channel4 News managed to sneak in camera to couple of camps reported sexual abuses, where women and children are raped and dumped in to mass graves

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry6y0c_GcSU

    Right after this media reported the sexual abuses, the Channel4 news staffs were arrested & immediately deported from Sri-Lanka.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl0vjKI4fI4

    Sri-Lanka, which launched massive propaganda campaign to cover up the genocide in Sri-Lanka, formed a group called “MCNF”, their main purpose to cover up the genocide. I wouldn’t be surprised Sheridan Peterson is blogging from Sri-lanka with white washed name.

  23. SL government has taken custody of around 280,000 people who were freed from LTTE clutches. As it is the resposiblility of the govt, its look after these people well and truly.There is no need to allow them to go free because if they are allowed they will be living under trees. There is no need to commuicate with them because there is nothing to communicate as the government has provided evrey thing that they need and has provided permenent shelters to them.

  24. I have lived in Sri Lanka for the past eight months, have talked with several observers of the IDP camps, and shall presume to say two things that may be useful to know:
    1. There's no question that these are detention camps, and several of the horror stories are likely true. Nobody is really happy with the situation, but the government is going to continue to carry out its own plans for gradually letting these displaced people out. Nearly everyone here really does believe — probably correctly — that the LTTE left large stashes of weapons hidden all around the country and that some currently undercover LTTEs will use them if they get a chance.
    2. The big problem facing all of us who support Amnesty's actions is that the Sri Lankan government and a large portion of the Sri Lankan people are deeply suspicious of all NGOs, virtually without exception. Pressure from Amnesty at this point will NOT accomplish its intended goal, because the Rajapaksa government is using this kind of pressure as one more way to show the Sri Lankan people how tough and determined the government here is. Sri Lankans, with few exceptions, are currently praising the government for pursuing its own course and tuning out the clamor from overseas. Even Rajapakasa's opponents are supporting him on this point.

  25. Cader

    We all know that for thousands of years, Sri Lankan Sinhalese have been living with minorities and in the most harmonious ways. Only time they had to fight it out was when there were invasions or forceful take overs. Assuming you are a Moor (through your name) you would know better as you guys have lived here for more than 1000 years without an issue with the Sinhalese (negating the minor ones that would occur in any scenario) – that is because your intentions from yesteryear's had been commercial and nothing else.

    As per Damian's opinion, yes the government is spending massive sums to ensure these people live a decent life in the camps, but, at the same time are responsible for their lives. However, as I mentioned before, apart from all the needs they have, they also are under threat from the remaining LTTE cadre who roam amongst them in side the camps. So there is an obvious requirement to curtail the communication and other activities. However, they are kept entertained to the best of the ability (as movies on giant screens, frequent visits from various artists) and also facilitated by means of food shelter and education.

    We all know that this is temporary as far as the innocent civilians are concerned. Their houses are been built at no cost to them to ensure they re-settle in a peaceful environment. Infra is developed etc. So you need to give the government some time to ensure only the peace loving public is re-settled and sent to livable conditions (as Damian rightly said, not under coconut trees)

    This guy Vanni from the looks of it is nuts. I don't think he reads any of the comments made here, but keep publishing links. People could speculate a lot of things that are happening inside the camps as no one sees it, but hard to imagine the soldiers who cared for these people would go raping and terrorizing them as mentioned by anti government sources.

  26. Just got an SMS message – May be you would get to read more details in tomorrows papers…

    It reads

    "More than 100 ex-child soldiers and 1187 displaced children sat for the advanced Level examination in Vavunia today"

    Don't we all need to commend the SL government for their efforts than sliging mud ?

    Would this have happened in any other country in this world ??

  27. Sri Lankan Government told the world that it is fighting to release her citizen from forced encampment by the terrorists to freedom.
    Now GoSL is telling the world these are welfare camps !
    The barbed wires are may be for their protection, the starvation for their health,lack of water and sanitation to improve their stamina and so on !
    The International money should pour in on demand but no one should ask any question. What do the Big Brothers think about the rest of the world?

  28. I think all of us are forgetting the basics. Let’s look at this situation from the SL governments angle.

    They just finished a war that has been a curse to the Island Nation. They want to ensure that it will not start again and they want to ensure that all elements that could start any such kind of activities are eliminated.

    Now, can we say that the above said approach is wrong given the unbearable suffocation the citizens of SL (immaterial of religion or race) had to face during the past 25-30 years ???

    It is a know fact that most of the people that were with the LTTE till their last moments were from the Maha Viru families. There were plenty of innocent people there as well, but a fare share were Maha Viru families – meaning they had their family members in the form of strong LTTE soldiers as Black tigers or cadre who died in war. It is also a know fact that many LTTE members escaped along with these people during the last stages and are hiding behind the innocent civilians.

    Anyone here think that the government would want to let any of these “Terrorists” let go free and start the whole menace again ??

    As much as we should sympathize the innocent civilian, we really need to look at it from a broader aspect of not letting this menace kick start again. The world should thank the SL government for stopping the training center for suicide bombers for world Terror organizations and also for putting a halt to one of the largest Drug trafficking & Arms smuggling organizations in the world. The list would go on to threatening lives of innocent people world over for money and money laundering.

    Anyone here want to help start such activity again ?? Do you think that it helps the cause of human civilization on planet earth ?

    As much as some innocent civilians are put at inconvenience, the government is taking a huge effort to provide for those who are in the camps. In the mean time, they are searching for all those who have any kind of ties with the LTTE and trying to rehabilitate them. We should not forget that the people here are even provided with food at the cost of the government. Education to students of all levels not forgetting that some are sitting for the A/L examination starting today. Vocational training etc – imagine the cost ?? I will not rule out the possibilities of some of the stronger figures being abducted and eliminated – I think things like that would happen in any war situation. Imagine USA getting hold of some of the leaders of Al Quaida !! (Bin Laden – they would showcase to the world – but others they will kill)

    Identified innocent civilians are sent to their homes and re-settled. The governments claim of uncleared areas for landmines is also absolutely true. Suspect the ton of explosives to be around and need to be cleared before innocent civilains are sent back.

    But is it wrong ??? Is it Right ??

    Most important – what is the other solution that would ensure LTTE will not spark again ??

    I think I personally would be with the SL government in this regard – it will be for the better of those generations to come in future, though it would be a little inconvenience for those who live now.

  29. The article is ill informed and biased. , Why should the government of Sri Lanka spend so much of money and effort to continue to keep the IDPs in camps? Children in these camps are provided with schooling. Health fclinics and even banks and shops are found in them.
    Anybody interested in the health situation could visit the WHO website http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Sri_Lanka_270709-SitR... – 306k, which gives a comprehensive report on the actual situation.
    The stark bias is clearly shown in referring to a statement made by Banki Moon on the condition of the last no fire zone in Mullaitivu, which he saw from a helicopter, as if it was made about the IDP camps in Vavunia.

    United Nations body named the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee), in a report titled A study on Forced Displacement, Freedom of Movement, Return and Relocation- April 2006 – April 2007, made a number of u recommendations on the conditions of relocation of people displaced by force. The IASC was chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers. Among the recommendations were the following conditions.
    Ensure that areas of return are safe, these include clearance of all mines and UXO; ensuring that return sites are not near military installations, high security zones…
    Ensure that basic infrastructure is in place to ensure a sustainable and dignified return. This includes provision/ restoration of basic shelter and housing reconstruction, food, water and sanitation, medical services, education facilities, public transport, places of worship and civil administration offices and access to viable livelihood activities.
    None of the signatories to the report quoted above have not stated that these conditions do not apply to the relocation of the IDPs referred to in the HRW report.

  30. The world talks of the past all the time and ignores the present and advises to look into the future!! These are traumatized lives behind barbed wire getting treated as criminals with the notion “Guilty until proven innocense”. These people must feel such hurt physical/Psychological and emotional to make it worse they are not united with the remaining family I read. I am surprised
    such treatment is permitted by the Buddhism Sri Lanka practices.
    Please do what it takes to care for these people they are regular people got landed in inevitable situation. Once they get back to their homes they would
    feel half their problems are sorted for sure. How long does the mine clearing takes? Three months gone since war ended, realize the amount of bombs fell yet it should be possible to sort it out with international help help the people back in the area where they originally came from so that they would heal better.

  31. There are over 41 well known camps but many unknown camps. Only one camp is DEMO camp. Even in the Demo camp, “Tamils abducted, abused, tortured, raped and killed everyday”. Tamils are still kept in Mullaitivu, which is recently decleared as HIGH SECURITY ZONE. Jaffna is open prision, East is worst, Even in moothur, civilians are moved from camp to camp. Never allowed to go their home. Every single tamil become HOMELESS AT HOME.
    Tamil Camps
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/opinion/16iht-edtamil.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
    The silent suffering of Sri Lanka’s Tamils
    http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1799594

  32. While the conditions in the camps are not even close to being perfect, it is still better than being forcibly recruited, severely taxed, having your children taken away at gunpoint to be trained as suicide cadres, starved, forced to buy aid packages that have been confiscated and ultimately being held hostage by the so called 'representatives' of the Tamil people!

    I believe the international community has a responsibility to provide as much funding and technical assistance to the Government in order to ensure these unfortunate people are re-settled ASAP.

    @ Vanni – Your unending stream of comments gives me the impression that you are too blinded by the propaganda machine of the 'Sole representative of the Tamil people'. On the other hand, you may even be a key cog in that machinery.

  33. The article is ill informed and biased. , Why should the government of Sri Lanka spend so much of money and effort to continue to keep the IDPs in camps? Children in these camps are provided with schooling. Health fclinics and even banks and shops are found in them.
    Anybody interested in the health situation could visit the WHO website http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Sri_Lanka_270709-SitR... – 306k, which gives a comprehensive report on the actual situation.
    The stark bias is clearly shown in referring to a statement made by Banki Moon on the condition of the last no fire zone in Mullaitivu, which he saw from a helicopter, as if it was made about the IDP camps in Vavunia.

    United Nations body named the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee), in a report titled A study on Forced Displacement, Freedom of Movement, Return and Relocation- April 2006 – April 2007, made a number of u recommendations on the conditions of relocation of people displaced by force. The IASC was chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers. Among the recommendations were the following conditions.
    Ensure that areas of return are safe, these include clearance of all mines and UXO; ensuring that return sites are not near military installations, high security zones…
    Ensure that basic infrastructure is in place to ensure a sustainable and dignified return. This includes provision/ restoration of basic shelter and housing reconstruction, food, water and sanitation, medical services, education facilities, public transport, places of worship and civil administration offices and access to viable livelihood activities.
    None of the signatories to the report quoted above have not stated that these conditions do not apply to the relocation of the IDPs referred to in the HRW report.

  34. The article is ill informed and biased. , Why should the government of Sri Lanka spend so much of money and effort to continue to keep the IDPs in camps? Children in these camps are provided with schooling. Health fclinics and even banks and shops are found in them.
    Anybody interested in the health situation could visit the WHO website http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Sri_Lanka_270709-SitR... – 306k, which gives a comprehensive report on the actual situation.
    The stark bias is clearly shown in referring to a statement made by Banki Moon on the condition of the last no fire zone in Mullaitivu, which he saw from a helicopter, as if it was made about the IDP camps in Vavunia.

    United Nations body named the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee), in a report titled A study on Forced Displacement, Freedom of Movement, Return and Relocation- April 2006 – April 2007, made a number of u recommendations on the conditions of relocation of people displaced by force. The IASC was chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers. Among the recommendations were the following conditions.
    Ensure that areas of return are safe, these include clearance of all mines and UXO; ensuring that return sites are not near military installations, high security zones…
    Ensure that basic infrastructure is in place to ensure a sustainable and dignified return. This includes provision/ restoration of basic shelter and housing reconstruction, food, water and sanitation, medical services, education facilities, public transport, places of worship and civil administration offices and access to viable livelihood activities.
    None of the signatories to the report quoted above have not stated that these conditions do not apply to the relocation of the IDPs referred to in the HRW report.

  35. The tragedy of refugees in Sri Lanka, hidden from the eyes of the world
    by Nirmala Carvalho
    There is still no precise data on the number of people living in the centres. Colombo media do not speak of the plight of the internally displaced persons. An operator allowed into the Chettikulam camp states: “The Colombo government is only concerned with one thing: finding remaining members of the LTTE and killing them”.
    Mumbai (AsiaNews) – “Small children are suffering malnutrition and a lack of medicines. There are young girls who are pregnant, between 17 and 19 years of age, in need of care… the government has no capacity at all to handle this massive problem, no news so far has come out in the news papers in Sri Lanka, the rest of the nation is kept in dark regarding the situation of the refugees”.
    This is how a social worker recently describes the situation for the internally displaced persons (Idp) held in the refugee camp in Chettikulam 12 kilometres from Vavuniya to AsiaNews. He had visited the camp before (see AsiaNews 05/06/2009) and now he says: “some of our friends returned there yesterday and report that the situation is still serious”.
    Prasanna – a pseudonym to protect his anonymity – says that in Chettikulam there are more than 300 thousand people and added to that number, refugees who live in smaller camps dotted around the area of Mannar and Jaffna. But he adds that “there is still no data on the precise number of the refugees”.
    “No one speaks of the IDPs – says Prasanna – not a single photo is allowed out of the camp, no papers write anything about it, people do not know about the great tragedy is going on in their country”.
    The social worker appeals to the international community, “and in particular to the Indian government”, to show greater concern for the plight of the refugees. “The only interest of the Colombo government – says Prasanna – is to find more Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam members who are living in the camp and kill them”.
    UNHCR has taken satellite photos of the area occupied by the Chettikulam camp, “an immense area subdivided into different and separate zones”, the AsiaNews source explains. “The military brought us to one are and told us to help the people there. We have not been allowed to visit other zones. The area is so vast that it is impossible to estimate how many people are being held there”.

  36. Siva Ratnam,

    As I mentioned in my above post, I don’t think it’s got anything to do with any religious belief of any party nor any other motive apart from the GOSL wanting to negate the effects of LTTE to the minimum level possible. You just can’t help it. One could say a little bit of suffering would lead to a much longer period of life with a free mind.

    We are talking about the possibility of Terrorists still hiding among these civilians who could actually be a worry for all the citizens of the country if set free. Many explosives are still un-found and them getting in to the hand of an uneducated terrorist will mean that there will be more bloodshed in this tiny Island don’t you think?

    Better if we allow the government to do the cleansing and let the sincere people go back to their houses (after de-mining the areas of course) and live in peace for the rest of their lives ya? Otherwise, they will be back to squire one with no peace of mind in sight.

    At least they would suffer (not that they have already being for the past 25 years and no means justifiable) only for a few more months as oppose to another zillion years !

  37. 57,293 children held in Vavuniyaa SLA internment camps
    [TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 17:46 GMT]
    57,293 children from Vanni are presently detained in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) internment camps in Vavuniyaa, U. L. M. Haldeen, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Relief said to the media.
    1,034 children among the above are orphans or separated from their parents while there are 7,894 widows and 3,100 pregnant mothers in Vavuniyaa internment camps.
    There are 11,873 detainees injured in the war and 3,968 maimed persons held in the above camps.
    Meanwhile, there are 3,689 government officers among those detained, the Secretary said.

  38. Sri-Lankan government kept insisting there are only 500 Tigers left in the last days of battle, now they have incarcerated the whole population (i.e: 300,000 civilians) as the suspects of Tigers. Now the government is claiming about 10,000 Tigers are hiding within the population. It clearly tells of the Sri-Lankan government's agenda

    As you can see from the majority of the Sinhalese who are justifying the concentration camps as "welfare camps" it only brings out the mindsets of the Sinahaleese (majority) towards the Tamil minority. The Sinhalese in Sri-Lanka infact support the ill treatment of the Tamils, as you can pretty much tell from some comments. I see very little differences between the Sihaleese in Sri-Lanka and Nazi in WWII and Hutus in Rwanda.

    pictures speak more than thousands words, visit: http://www.warwithoutwitness.com

    You could see tonnes of images where children and women are ravaged, tortured and dumped into the mass graves. This is what the Sinhala propagandist calls as "welfare centers"

    UN is inapt to do anything about the current crisis due the China, Russia & India's influence, only hope to save these thousand lives is for US or Britain to step in for the sake of humanity! Amnesty International should pressurize US and Britain to intervene!

  39. It is a humanitarian issue and people need to live freely. I doubt if this is an attempt to make Sri Lanka a minority free country.

  40. SL government has taken custody of around 280,000 people who were freed from LTTE clutches. As it is the resposiblility of the govt, its look after these people well and truly.There is no need to allow them to go free because if they are allowed they will be living under trees. There is no need to commuicate with them because there is nothing to communicate as the government has provided evrey thing that they need and has provided permenent shelters to them.

  41. Sri-Lankan government kept insisting there are only 500 Tigers left in the last days of battle, now they have incarcerated the whole population (i.e: 300,000 civilians) as the suspects of Tigers. Now the government is claiming about 10,000 Tigers are hiding within the population. It clearly tells of the Sri-Lankan government's agenda

    As you can see from the majority of the Sinhalese who are justifying the concentration camps as "welfare camps" it only brings out the mindsets of the Sinahaleese (majority) towards the Tamil minority. The Sinhalese in Sri-Lanka infact support the ill treatment of the Tamils, as you can pretty much tell from some comments. I see very little differences between the Sihaleese in Sri-Lanka and Nazi in WWII and Hutus in Rwanda.

    pictures speak more than thousands words, visit: http://www.warwithoutwitness.com

    You could see tonnes of images where children and women are ravaged, tortured and dumped into the mass graves. This is what the Sinhala propagandist calls as "welfare centers"

    UN is inapt to do anything about the current crisis due the China, Russia & India's influence, only hope to save these thousand lives is for US or Britain to step in for the sake of humanity! Amnesty International should pressurize US and Britain to intervene!

  42. Sri-Lankan government kept insisting there are only 500 Tigers left in the last days of battle, now they have incarcerated the whole population (i.e: 300,000 civilians) as the suspects of Tigers. Now the government is claiming about 10,000 Tigers are hiding within the population. It clearly tells of the Sri-Lankan government's agenda

    As you can see from the majority of the Sinhalese who are justifying the concentration camps as "welfare camps" it only brings out the mindsets of the Sinahaleese (majority) towards the Tamil minority. The Sinhalese in Sri-Lanka infact support the ill treatment of the Tamils, as you can pretty much tell from some comments. I see very little differences between the Sihaleese in Sri-Lanka and Nazi in WWII and Hutus in Rwanda.

    pictures speak more than thousands words, visit: http://www.warwithoutwitness.com

    You could see tonnes of images where children and women are ravaged, tortured and dumped into the mass graves. This is what the Sinhala propagandist calls as "welfare centers"

    UN is inapt to do anything about the current crisis due the China, Russia & India's influence, only hope to save these thousand lives is for US or Britain to step in for the sake of humanity! Amnesty International should pressurize US and Britain to intervene!

  43. I have lived in Sri Lanka for the past eight months, have talked with several observers of the IDP camps, and shall presume to say two things that may be useful to know:
    1. There’s no question that these are detention camps, and several of the horror stories are likely true. Nobody is really happy with the situation, but the government is going to continue to carry out its own plans for gradually letting these displaced people out. Nearly everyone here really does believe — probably correctly — that the LTTE left large stashes of weapons hidden all around the country and that some currently undercover LTTEs will use them if they get a chance.
    2. The big problem facing all of us who support Amnesty’s actions is that the Sri Lankan government and a large portion of the Sri Lankan people are deeply suspicious of all NGOs, virtually without exception. Pressure from Amnesty at this point will NOT accomplish its intended goal, because the Rajapaksa government is using this kind of pressure as one more way to show the Sri Lankan people how tough and determined the government here is. Sri Lankans, with few exceptions, are currently praising the government for pursuing its own course and tuning out the clamor from overseas. Even Rajapakasa’s opponents are supporting him on this point.

  44. Cader

    We all know that for thousands of years, Sri Lankan Sinhalese have been living with minorities and in the most harmonious ways. Only time they had to fight it out was when there were invasions or forceful take overs. Assuming you are a Moor (through your name) you would know better as you guys have lived here for more than 1000 years without an issue with the Sinhalese (negating the minor ones that would occur in any scenario) – that is because your intentions from yesteryear’s had been commercial and nothing else.

    As per Damian’s opinion, yes the government is spending massive sums to ensure these people live a decent life in the camps, but, at the same time are responsible for their lives. However, as I mentioned before, apart from all the needs they have, they also are under threat from the remaining LTTE cadre who roam amongst them in side the camps. So there is an obvious requirement to curtail the communication and other activities. However, they are kept entertained to the best of the ability (as movies on giant screens, frequent visits from various artists) and also facilitated by means of food shelter and education.

    We all know that this is temporary as far as the innocent civilians are concerned. Their houses are been built at no cost to them to ensure they re-settle in a peaceful environment. Infra is developed etc. So you need to give the government some time to ensure only the peace loving public is re-settled and sent to livable conditions (as Damian rightly said, not under coconut trees)

    This guy Vanni from the looks of it is nuts. I don’t think he reads any of the comments made here, but keep publishing links. People could speculate a lot of things that are happening inside the camps as no one sees it, but hard to imagine the soldiers who cared for these people would go raping and terrorizing them as mentioned by anti government sources.

  45. Just got an SMS message – May be you would get to read more details in tomorrows papers…

    It reads

    “More than 100 ex-child soldiers and 1187 displaced children sat for the advanced Level examination in Vavunia today”

    Don’t we all need to commend the SL government for their efforts than sliging mud ?

    Would this have happened in any other country in this world ??

  46. The worst prison camps are in Guantanamo Bay and in Pakistan (due to the air raids). Lets get them sorted out first before we preach to other nations. Amnesty just doesn't get it.

  47. Let the INNOCENT ppl go!, They didn't commit any crimes to be held like prisoners in the worst prison camp.

  48. Though I appreciate some points mention by the the Sri Lanka
    backing JayZ in his comments. Some are un believeable ie showing movies and entertaining the people captive! One has to be an idiot to believe such
    tales of Sri Lanka.
    The other point I saw above is..some of the tigers are in the camp and they are capable of working with the LTTE again. From what I hear/read LTTE is resorting to political means and not violence as they did in the past and these people may have been influenced by the members in the family. In that token US should be arresting whole of the Bin Laden family?? I know there are many of them. "All five fingers are not the same still sits in the same hand" every one is different and each person is an individual and should be treated accordingly.
    The other reason I feel they should be free is because I feel Govt of Sri Lanka keeps hold of anyone "who may become a supporter- pre emptive action" because they have witnessed the loss of beloved during the terrible ariel bombing….that is what I feel and that should not be justified.
    People act in different ways and keeping them behind such barbed wired camps is terrible for the ones inside and they must feel useless and hurt terribly especially after the bombing they dodged to be alive today.
    The only way to heal is to respect them as people who has been through trauma and organise therapy to get over the frustratiions instead of breeding further frsutrations.

    Surely one of the many organizations could organize it for them in order to get them released quickly with out causing further grief…

    Per Sugath Kulatunge above:
    "Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers."

  49. While the conditions in the camps are not even close to being perfect, it is still better than being forcibly recruited, severely taxed, having your children taken away at gunpoint to be trained as suicide cadres, starved, forced to buy aid packages that have been confiscated and ultimately being held hostage by the so called ‘representatives’ of the Tamil people!

    I believe the international community has a responsibility to provide as much funding and technical assistance to the Government in order to ensure these unfortunate people are re-settled ASAP.

    @ Vanni – Your unending stream of comments gives me the impression that you are too blinded by the propaganda machine of the ‘Sole representative of the Tamil people’. On the other hand, you may even be a key cog in that machinery.

  50. The article is ill informed and biased. , Why should the government of Sri Lanka spend so much of money and effort to continue to keep the IDPs in camps? Children in these camps are provided with schooling. Health fclinics and even banks and shops are found in them.
    Anybody interested in the health situation could visit the WHO website
    http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Sri_Lanka_270709-SitRep.pdf – 306k, which gives a comprehensive report on the actual situation.
    The stark bias is clearly shown in referring to a statement made by Banki Moon on the condition of the last no fire zone in Mullaitivu, which he saw from a helicopter, as if it was made about the IDP camps in Vavunia.

    United Nations body named the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee), in a report titled A study on Forced Displacement, Freedom of Movement, Return and Relocation- April 2006 – April 2007, made a number of u recommendations on the conditions of relocation of people displaced by force. The IASC was chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers. Among the recommendations were the following conditions.
    Ensure that areas of return are safe, these include clearance of all mines and UXO; ensuring that return sites are not near military installations, high security zones…
    Ensure that basic infrastructure is in place to ensure a sustainable and dignified return. This includes provision/ restoration of basic shelter and housing reconstruction, food, water and sanitation, medical services, education facilities, public transport, places of worship and civil administration offices and access to viable livelihood activities.
    None of the signatories to the report quoted above have not stated that these conditions do not apply to the relocation of the IDPs referred to in the HRW report.

  51. Sri Lanka government is using this civilians as a human shield to protect themselves form rebel attack. International community should take not of this. All the time IC blamed on LTTE now it is Sri Lankan government who hold the civilians against their will. This is a human shield or what

  52. International community still haven't understand(?) the mentality of Srilankan Sinhala government. Only thing IC did, putting 300000 Tamils in IDP camps by helping Srilankan Sinhala government to distroy Tamils political/millitery representation, LTTE or Tamil Tigers. In Tamils mind, this is simply another holacaust, this time sponcered by IC for its geopolitical advantage.

  53. Hi Jay Z, as you know untill the Tamils political needs fullfill there would LTTE no matter whatever sinhala government do. Now Srilankan Sinhala government has only two choices one give political freedom for Tamils or wipe out all Tamils from Srilanka. As far I know of Sinhala governments choice is always the second one, since Indipendent. you could try to justify your pay masters acts, but it is not worth it. Tamils won't forgot this.

    During the JVP time in late 90s, Is Srilankan government put Sinhala civilians in IDP camps in order to separate JVP fighters from Sinhala civilians?? Then why Tamils have this kind of treatment??

  54. Sri-Lankan government kept insisting there are only 500 Tigers left in the last days of battle, now they have incarcerated the whole population (i.e: 300,000 civilians) as the suspects of Tigers. Now the government is claiming about 10,000 Tigers are hiding within the population. It clearly tells of the Sri-Lankan government’s agenda

    As you can see from the majority of the Sinhalese who are justifying the concentration camps as “welfare camps” it only brings out the mindsets of the Sinahaleese (majority) towards the Tamil minority. The Sinhalese in Sri-Lanka infact support the ill treatment of the Tamils, as you can pretty much tell from some comments. I see very little differences between the Sihaleese in Sri-Lanka and Nazi in WWII and Hutus in Rwanda.

    pictures speak more than thousands words, visit:
    http://www.warwithoutwitness.com

    You could see tonnes of images where children and women are ravaged, tortured and dumped into the mass graves. This is what the Sinhala propagandist calls as “welfare centers”

    UN is inapt to do anything about the current crisis due the China, Russia & India’s influence, only hope to save these thousand lives is for US or Britain to step in for the sake of humanity! Amnesty International should pressurize US and Britain to intervene!

  55. The worst prison camps are in Guantanamo Bay and in Pakistan (due to the air raids). Lets get them sorted out first before we preach to other nations. Amnesty just doesn’t get it.

  56. Let the INNOCENT ppl go!, They didn’t commit any crimes to be held like prisoners in the worst prison camp.

  57. Though I appreciate some points mention by the the Sri Lanka
    backing JayZ in his comments. Some are un believeable ie showing movies and entertaining the people captive! One has to be an idiot to believe such
    tales of Sri Lanka.
    The other point I saw above is..some of the tigers are in the camp and they are capable of working with the LTTE again. From what I hear/read LTTE is resorting to political means and not violence as they did in the past and these people may have been influenced by the members in the family. In that token US should be arresting whole of the Bin Laden family?? I know there are many of them. “All five fingers are not the same still sits in the same hand” every one is different and each person is an individual and should be treated accordingly.
    The other reason I feel they should be free is because I feel Govt of Sri Lanka keeps hold of anyone “who may become a supporter- pre emptive action” because they have witnessed the loss of beloved during the terrible ariel bombing….that is what I feel and that should not be justified.
    People act in different ways and keeping them behind such barbed wired camps is terrible for the ones inside and they must feel useless and hurt terribly especially after the bombing they dodged to be alive today.
    The only way to heal is to respect them as people who has been through trauma and organise therapy to get over the frustratiions instead of breeding further frsutrations.

    Surely one of the many organizations could organize it for them in order to get them released quickly with out causing further grief…

    Per Sugath Kulatunge above:
    “Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers.”

  58. It is such an irony, I read the President himself was a rebel in the jungles of the 90's say like if 9/11 happened in 1981 instead of 2001 he would have been a terrorist himself!!

    Now. It makes it easy for the President to show compassion through own experience to give some form of political solution instead of pleasing the extremist all the time. If Sri Lanka wants peace and excel in the world stage as a decent country, they ought to consider a solution soon. Tamils are natives of the north and they stay where thay belong. Getting shunted over the years through pogroms has hurt the country badly.

    Why aren't the Sinhalese people not seeing it?! atleast the ones living away from Sri Lanka! Now that they have become a threat as per the Govt puts it the right time to house where they belong. In my view only way for peace in Sri Lanka.

  59. Sri Lanka government is using this civilians as a human shield to protect themselves form rebel attack. International community should take not of this. All the time IC blamed on LTTE now it is Sri Lankan government who hold the civilians against their will. This is a human shield or what

  60. International community still haven’t understand(?) the mentality of Srilankan Sinhala government. Only thing IC did, putting 300000 Tamils in IDP camps by helping Srilankan Sinhala government to distroy Tamils political/millitery representation, LTTE or Tamil Tigers. In Tamils mind, this is simply another holacaust, this time sponcered by IC for its geopolitical advantage.

  61. Hi Jay Z, as you know untill the Tamils political needs fullfill there would LTTE no matter whatever sinhala government do. Now Srilankan Sinhala government has only two choices one give political freedom for Tamils or wipe out all Tamils from Srilanka. As far I know of Sinhala governments choice is always the second one, since Indipendent. you could try to justify your pay masters acts, but it is not worth it. Tamils won’t forgot this.

    During the JVP time in late 90s, Is Srilankan government put Sinhala civilians in IDP camps in order to separate JVP fighters from Sinhala civilians?? Then why Tamils have this kind of treatment??

  62. It is such an irony, I read the President himself was a rebel in the jungles of the 90’s say like if 9/11 happened in 1981 instead of 2001 he would have been a terrorist himself!!

    Now. It makes it easy for the President to show compassion through own experience to give some form of political solution instead of pleasing the extremist all the time. If Sri Lanka wants peace and excel in the world stage as a decent country, they ought to consider a solution soon. Tamils are natives of the north and they stay where thay belong. Getting shunted over the years through pogroms has hurt the country badly.

    Why aren’t the Sinhalese people not seeing it?! atleast the ones living away from Sri Lanka! Now that they have become a threat as per the Govt puts it the right time to house where they belong. In my view only way for peace in Sri Lanka.

  63. Paul Says: propaganda machine of the ‘Sole representative of the Tamil people’
    I don't understand about your understanding about Tamils being victim over 60 years under different GOSL governments. To tell the truth, no need to be part of any one. I have 0% connection to any of your thinking. I lost many of my friends and relative who has nothing to do with anything, they are innocent victim of State Terror, still suffering in the camps. Some of them vanished from earth with the whole family. Over 50,000 Tamils have been killed this year, UN, NGO's, ICRC, HRW, AMNESTY INTL…. all were watching like a movie. The people who escaped in the Genocide zone, are being killed the concentration camps. Yu want to see the propaganda, expensive mechanisms to lie
    Washington Lobbyists Cash In On War in Sri Lanka http://harpers.org/archive/2009/04/hbc-90004852
    Another sri lankan paid trip
    Boyle: Shuler’s strange Sri Lanka trip and $2.50 gas http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl

  64. Paul Says: propaganda machine of the ‘Sole representative of the Tamil people’
    I don't understand about your understanding about Tamils being victim over 60 years under different GOSL governments. To tell the truth, no need to be part of any one. I have 0% connection to any of your thinking. I lost many of my friends and relative who has nothing to do with anything, they are innocent victim of State Terror, still suffering in the camps. Some of them vanished from earth with the whole family. Over 50,000 Tamils have been killed this year, UN, NGO's, ICRC, HRW, AMNESTY INTL…. all were watching like a movie. The people who escaped in the Genocide zone, are being killed the concentration camps. Yu want to see the propaganda, expensive mechanisms to lie
    Washington Lobbyists Cash In On War in Sri Lanka http://harpers.org/archive/2009/04/hbc-90004852
    Another sri lankan paid trip
    Boyle: Shuler’s strange Sri Lanka trip and $2.50 gas http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl

  65. Paul Says: propaganda machine of the ‘Sole representative of the Tamil people’
    I don't understand about your understanding about Tamils being victim over 60 years under different GOSL governments. To tell the truth, no need to be part of any one. I have 0% connection to any of your thinking. I lost many of my friends and relative who has nothing to do with anything, they are innocent victim of State Terror, still suffering in the camps. Some of them vanished from earth with the whole family. Over 50,000 Tamils have been killed this year, UN, NGO's, ICRC, HRW, AMNESTY INTL…. all were watching like a movie. The people who escaped in the Genocide zone, are being killed the concentration camps. Yu want to see the propaganda, expensive mechanisms to lie
    Washington Lobbyists Cash In On War in Sri Lanka http://harpers.org/archive/2009/04/hbc-90004852
    Another sri lankan paid trip
    Boyle: Shuler’s strange Sri Lanka trip and $2.50 gas http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl

  66. While the Sinhala Buddhist extremists in Sri Lanka are celebrating their victory with flags and fire crackers, while the leaders of this country are dining in five star hotels, while the Sinhala youth in the capital city are singing and dancing in the night clubs, while the holy ones of the land are throwing flowers and perfumes at the feet of the Buddha statues, three hundred thousands Tamils are persecuted inside controversial Nazi style Barbed wired Concentration camps , that are operating just 150 miles away from the capital of Sri Lanka.

    The people in these camps once lived in their own homes. Farmers, fishermen, priests, doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, principals, teachers, civil officers and people from all walks life, who once lived happily, are now let to suffer in the torture chambers of Sri Lanka.

    Seeing innocents with hunger and sickness brings us back the memories of starving people in Ethiopia, but the difference in Sri Lanka is that these people are not confronted with a natural disaster. They have been forced into starvation, sickness and death deliberately so that the Sri Lankan masters can fulfil their racist agendas and hide the war crimes that were committed in the recent war against the Tamil rebels.

    Many of these people owned farms and lands, they had savings, they still have many relatives living in other parts of the country and overseas, who are willing and able to help. Sri Lankan authorities are not allowing anybody to rescue these people from these torture camps, instead they are coming up with all kind of excuses to stop any help reaching to the needy, so that they can continue with their hidden agendas.
    Dixon

  67. Mr. Siva R

    Yes – they do have entertainment in the camps too… It could be a joke, but it is sure to make the IDP's smile for even a while 🙂 !!!

    There is a difference between Bin Laden's family (the son who is married to a English woman) and a Maha Viru family who basically supported the LTTE and was living off the LTTE (as in a dole system). However, I totally trust that they could be changed by means of Rehab. However, there are LTTE cadres who hid behind the innocent civilians and escaped too – they should be found and rehabilitated or by all means brought to justice if they do not wish to change the terror attitude. Having a political view is different to making that view to create terror in a country – that attitude is what would be eliminated – not the view.

    Jitterman

    There is no war to hold anyone in front as a human shield – got your wires crossed I guess….

    Nathan

    A political solution was given in 87 along with India and another solution is on it's way. It is the LTTE that did not accept it while all other Tamil Parties (as PLOT, EPDP, EROS etc) accepted it. This clearly showed that the LTTE had a different agenda. If the political solution you are looking for is a separate land, that solution will never happen.

    Tamils will never ever be wiped out of SL as any other who are legal citizens of the country. The government has ministers representing all religious and ethnic groups and so it will be in the future too. The only requirement was to wipe out the LTTE which was a menace not only to SL but to the whole world and the government will continue doing so. (as in case of KP etc)

    The claim of a homeland / native land is a myth that was created by some in the recent times (70's) just to justify the cause of fight for a home land. If you really want an independent opinion, read the preface of Mr. R.L Spittel's "Vanished Trails – the Last of the Veddhas" which was written in 1904 (if I am right) prior to all these mess ups happened and during the British rule. That would show who actually should be treated as the owners of the country.

    We don't see the Cherokee Indians doing in the the USA. See the world have moved forward and all have become civilized (including the Veddha's) where as a few of you are trying to do is create a History that has already been made.

    Different War's are fought with different strategies – JVP was dealt with a different strategy. They are now a part of the democratic process right ? But their political views haven't changed – only the approach and attitude. The foolish Piribaharan should have done it long time ago and would have got more than the 13th amendment of the constitution.

    Bottom line, it is still not safe with a lorry with Bombs along with the LTTE terrorist who led the team was caught yesterday in Mannar. The SL government still has to find the left over LTTE cadres. Anyone who is willing to surrender would be rehabilitated and sent out to be decent citizens in the country enjoying all that life could offer. Others, get caught and be dealt with the judiciary.

    Ramanan – Don't act a toddler !!

  68. Vanni, I hear your pain and every Tamil could share the same pain with you but the Sinhala folks and the people who has never been to Vanni will never know. It is their ignorance not yours for sure. They are a self sufficient crowd always hospitable, curteous and very generous with even strangers. Every house had goats and cows and many children from what I remember and they never had a reason to leave Vanni when they are self sufficient with their own produce there never had a need. Such closed community got stampeded and bombed and now ended in these barbed wired camps "guilty until proven innocense". Today I read they shot two people in the camp, if one gets put behind barbed wire for no reason at all but they spokeTamil they surely would resent the forces and surely that must have been the cause. No idea why the world keep silent or rather still in shock! not seeing such a callus behaviour by any country on against it's own citizens UN is looking for the small prints in the Geneva conventions to pardon Sri Lanka hence the delay in acting to protect the 300,000 people behind barbed wire.

  69. Hi Vanni2, Thanks, Tamils are suffering over 60 years
    "shot two people in the camp", why?, families are seperated, different camps, If husband can't visit wife in the other camps, they try to go through the barbed wires, so shoot him…."humanitarian mission"?

  70. "Unlock camps, release Tamils" says 'Vanni'

    Fine, do that, let them just walk out and live on the road sides or in half destroyed homes, let them get blown up by all the anti-personnel mines laid by the LTTE and also let the Tamil kids blow themselves up by playing with unexploded ordinance yeah?

    Then the guys like 'Vanni' who live cushy lives under their western refugee status can scream and shout about how the Government is committing 'genocide' by letting these people out into uncleared areas!

    I guess the saying "None so blind as he who will not see" was written with certain people in mind.

  71. Dear Jay Z,
    You are running out of the boundaries. I have nothing about the Sinhalese or any other groups. You have just jumped into conclusion. This is because of the biased mindset.

  72. Paul Says: propaganda machine of the ‘Sole representative of the Tamil people’
    I don’t understand about your understanding about Tamils being victim over 60 years under different GOSL governments. To tell the truth, no need to be part of any one. I have 0% connection to any of your thinking. I lost many of my friends and relative who has nothing to do with anything, they are innocent victim of State Terror, still suffering in the camps. Some of them vanished from earth with the whole family. Over 50,000 Tamils have been killed this year, UN, NGO’s, ICRC, HRW, AMNESTY INTL…. all were watching like a movie. The people who escaped in the Genocide zone, are being killed the concentration camps. Yu want to see the propaganda, expensive mechanisms to lie
    Washington Lobbyists Cash In On War in Sri Lanka
    http://harpers.org/archive/2009/04/hbc-90004852
    Another sri lankan paid trip
    Boyle: Shuler’s strange Sri Lanka trip and $2.50 gas
    http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906080314

  73. While the Sinhala Buddhist extremists in Sri Lanka are celebrating their victory with flags and fire crackers, while the leaders of this country are dining in five star hotels, while the Sinhala youth in the capital city are singing and dancing in the night clubs, while the holy ones of the land are throwing flowers and perfumes at the feet of the Buddha statues, three hundred thousands Tamils are persecuted inside controversial Nazi style Barbed wired Concentration camps , that are operating just 150 miles away from the capital of Sri Lanka.

    The people in these camps once lived in their own homes. Farmers, fishermen, priests, doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, principals, teachers, civil officers and people from all walks life, who once lived happily, are now let to suffer in the torture chambers of Sri Lanka.

    Seeing innocents with hunger and sickness brings us back the memories of starving people in Ethiopia, but the difference in Sri Lanka is that these people are not confronted with a natural disaster. They have been forced into starvation, sickness and death deliberately so that the Sri Lankan masters can fulfil their racist agendas and hide the war crimes that were committed in the recent war against the Tamil rebels.

    Many of these people owned farms and lands, they had savings, they still have many relatives living in other parts of the country and overseas, who are willing and able to help. Sri Lankan authorities are not allowing anybody to rescue these people from these torture camps, instead they are coming up with all kind of excuses to stop any help reaching to the needy, so that they can continue with their hidden agendas.
    Dixon

  74. Mr. Siva R

    Yes – they do have entertainment in the camps too… It could be a joke, but it is sure to make the IDP’s smile for even a while 🙂 !!!

    There is a difference between Bin Laden’s family (the son who is married to a English woman) and a Maha Viru family who basically supported the LTTE and was living off the LTTE (as in a dole system). However, I totally trust that they could be changed by means of Rehab. However, there are LTTE cadres who hid behind the innocent civilians and escaped too – they should be found and rehabilitated or by all means brought to justice if they do not wish to change the terror attitude. Having a political view is different to making that view to create terror in a country – that attitude is what would be eliminated – not the view.

    Jitterman

    There is no war to hold anyone in front as a human shield – got your wires crossed I guess….

    Nathan

    A political solution was given in 87 along with India and another solution is on it’s way. It is the LTTE that did not accept it while all other Tamil Parties (as PLOT, EPDP, EROS etc) accepted it. This clearly showed that the LTTE had a different agenda. If the political solution you are looking for is a separate land, that solution will never happen.

    Tamils will never ever be wiped out of SL as any other who are legal citizens of the country. The government has ministers representing all religious and ethnic groups and so it will be in the future too. The only requirement was to wipe out the LTTE which was a menace not only to SL but to the whole world and the government will continue doing so. (as in case of KP etc)

    The claim of a homeland / native land is a myth that was created by some in the recent times (70’s) just to justify the cause of fight for a home land. If you really want an independent opinion, read the preface of Mr. R.L Spittel’s “Vanished Trails – the Last of the Veddhas” which was written in 1904 (if I am right) prior to all these mess ups happened and during the British rule. That would show who actually should be treated as the owners of the country.

    We don’t see the Cherokee Indians doing in the the USA. See the world have moved forward and all have become civilized (including the Veddha’s) where as a few of you are trying to do is create a History that has already been made.

    Different War’s are fought with different strategies – JVP was dealt with a different strategy. They are now a part of the democratic process right ? But their political views haven’t changed – only the approach and attitude. The foolish Piribaharan should have done it long time ago and would have got more than the 13th amendment of the constitution.

    Bottom line, it is still not safe with a lorry with Bombs along with the LTTE terrorist who led the team was caught yesterday in Mannar. The SL government still has to find the left over LTTE cadres. Anyone who is willing to surrender would be rehabilitated and sent out to be decent citizens in the country enjoying all that life could offer. Others, get caught and be dealt with the judiciary.

    Ramanan – Don’t act a toddler !!

  75. Vanni, I hear your pain and every Tamil could share the same pain with you but the Sinhala folks and the people who has never been to Vanni will never know. It is their ignorance not yours for sure. They are a self sufficient crowd always hospitable, curteous and very generous with even strangers. Every house had goats and cows and many children from what I remember and they never had a reason to leave Vanni when they are self sufficient with their own produce there never had a need. Such closed community got stampeded and bombed and now ended in these barbed wired camps “guilty until proven innocense”. Today I read they shot two people in the camp, if one gets put behind barbed wire for no reason at all but they spokeTamil they surely would resent the forces and surely that must have been the cause. No idea why the world keep silent or rather still in shock! not seeing such a callus behaviour by any country on against it’s own citizens UN is looking for the small prints in the Geneva conventions to pardon Sri Lanka hence the delay in acting to protect the 300,000 people behind barbed wire.

  76. Hi Vanni2, Thanks, Tamils are suffering over 60 years
    “shot two people in the camp”, why?, families are seperated, different camps, If husband can’t visit wife in the other camps, they try to go through the barbed wires, so shoot him….”humanitarian mission”?

  77. Cader Mahaththaya

    Of course I am within the boundaries of you mentioning that SL is trying to wipe out minorities – It def won't happen – and that is what I have explained above !!

    Paul

    Don't be alarmed about Vanni's comments. He sounds one of those who are living in Europe or Canada and quite displeased that the LTTE was wiped out. The whole world knows the history and Vanni person is just trying to create a new kind of history with this crazy mind set of a homeland. That concept came in to being only in the 1970's when Prabha and team wanted to justify his Terror moves.

    Though I have not been beyond Anuradhapura, I have heard what my Father, Uncles and Aunts have told of Vanni, Jaffna and People living there which included Singhales and Muslims before they were killed or chased out by the very people Vanni worships. The ordinary people in these areas are awesomely good and brilliant people with no requirement to fight for any cause. they lived in harmony with all other communities and we still have a load of friends who are from these areas and now in Colombo Living, Working, socializing and even having a drink with us. There was never an issue with them and they never had an issue. The whole thing was started by LTTE when they killed 8 army personals in 83 which lead to some hard core singhales burning down Tamils. But Majority did not support this and even the Tamils know this as they were taken care of by their Singhala friends.

    It is these low cast, uneducated, good for nothing, idiots who went on path of terror (as in case of most terrorists – A bunch of young Immature, uneducated set of fools led by a lunatic – ex. Bin Laden having uneducated idiots around him). They are the ones who are trying to show that there is an issue when there is nothing of that sort. Trying to make mountains out of mole hills. They did succeed with it through the LTTE, but no longer can they do it.

    The SL government will soon re-settle most of the innocent civilians. That is their No. 1 priority as we spend a load of money just to keep them going. Life will return to quite normal to many of these civilians. Only a very few will have to face the music of proper Law and order !

  78. “Unlock camps, release Tamils” says ‘Vanni’

    Fine, do that, let them just walk out and live on the road sides or in half destroyed homes, let them get blown up by all the anti-personnel mines laid by the LTTE and also let the Tamil kids blow themselves up by playing with unexploded ordinance yeah?

    Then the guys like ‘Vanni’ who live cushy lives under their western refugee status can scream and shout about how the Government is committing ‘genocide’ by letting these people out into uncleared areas!

    I guess the saying “None so blind as he who will not see” was written with certain people in mind.

  79. Dear Jay Z,
    You are running out of the boundaries. I have nothing about the Sinhalese or any other groups. You have just jumped into conclusion. This is because of the biased mindset.

  80. Uprooted from their own lands and houses is terrible for anyone by the Govt or the LTTE. Now that they are in camps the Govt says it is costly to maintain them for ever anyway might as well re-house them with the help of the aid agencies (with out restriction) in their native areas and surely the mones could be found for such a reaso. They would rather be in their own roofless camp than in the military run brutal roofless camps anytime for sure. Wouldn't you??
    The Govt restrictions on the aid agencies are unbelieveable if they cannot see what is required how could they fund raise for such efforts and naturally dry out with possible help. The downward spiral for all including the aid agencies and the destitute in camps.
    I find that hard to believe …these people are being held for their own safety!!

  81. Cader Mahaththaya

    Of course I am within the boundaries of you mentioning that SL is trying to wipe out minorities – It def won’t happen – and that is what I have explained above !!

    Paul

    Don’t be alarmed about Vanni’s comments. He sounds one of those who are living in Europe or Canada and quite displeased that the LTTE was wiped out. The whole world knows the history and Vanni person is just trying to create a new kind of history with this crazy mind set of a homeland. That concept came in to being only in the 1970’s when Prabha and team wanted to justify his Terror moves.

    Though I have not been beyond Anuradhapura, I have heard what my Father, Uncles and Aunts have told of Vanni, Jaffna and People living there which included Singhales and Muslims before they were killed or chased out by the very people Vanni worships. The ordinary people in these areas are awesomely good and brilliant people with no requirement to fight for any cause. they lived in harmony with all other communities and we still have a load of friends who are from these areas and now in Colombo Living, Working, socializing and even having a drink with us. There was never an issue with them and they never had an issue. The whole thing was started by LTTE when they killed 8 army personals in 83 which lead to some hard core singhales burning down Tamils. But Majority did not support this and even the Tamils know this as they were taken care of by their Singhala friends.

    It is these low cast, uneducated, good for nothing, idiots who went on path of terror (as in case of most terrorists – A bunch of young Immature, uneducated set of fools led by a lunatic – ex. Bin Laden having uneducated idiots around him). They are the ones who are trying to show that there is an issue when there is nothing of that sort. Trying to make mountains out of mole hills. They did succeed with it through the LTTE, but no longer can they do it.

    The SL government will soon re-settle most of the innocent civilians. That is their No. 1 priority as we spend a load of money just to keep them going. Life will return to quite normal to many of these civilians. Only a very few will have to face the music of proper Law and order !

  82. Alfonso, Isn't it a sad state of affairs for all of the citizens of Sri Lanka and more so for the Tamils.
    People are afraid of using their own name to speak the truth or make a constructive criticism. Don't you think that is the very reason for what Sri Lanka is facing!.
    The Sinhala Buddhist Govt did not stop the killing of innocent Tamils back in 1983, this time they labelled Tamils as terrorist and again killing Tamils themselves.
    These are people put under difficult circumstances mainly by the politicians playing Tamil depravation as their campaign slogan. ie SWRD
    There is always going to be similar incidents like what sparked the race riot in 1983. If that is the mentality of the extremist then Govt has to take steps to reform their backers and make a more constructive slogan to stamp out HATE instead of going after the already affected. Prime importance is rehabilitating Tamils affected through trauma. It is extremely important to teach the Sinhala supremacist/Buddhist extremist to behave themselves as human,not to cherish on Tamil death important at this juncture.

    Paul, If Sri Lanka wanted to they could have cleared the mines in no time with help from countries aided the war in the first place. Sri Lanka's priority seems to be screwed up in promoting Sri Lanka while they keep 300,000 Tamils captive. If they had cared enough they would have stopped the bombing before hurting civilians, and also let the humanitarians without restrictions in to the camps to treat the ones needing urgent medical attention. Hate can only breed futher hate, Tamils are natives of the north of Sri Lanka they are there to stay. None of the reasons will fly, for Sri Lanka to move them out of their native lands. Surely these people will be happy in their own land than anything fancy, Sri Lanka promises somewhere else.

  83. Uprooted from their own lands and houses is terrible for anyone by the Govt or the LTTE. Now that they are in camps the Govt says it is costly to maintain them for ever anyway might as well re-house them with the help of the aid agencies (with out restriction) in their native areas and surely the mones could be found for such a reaso. They would rather be in their own roofless camp than in the military run brutal roofless camps anytime for sure. Wouldn’t you??
    The Govt restrictions on the aid agencies are unbelieveable if they cannot see what is required how could they fund raise for such efforts and naturally dry out with possible help. The downward spiral for all including the aid agencies and the destitute in camps.
    I find that hard to believe …these people are being held for their own safety!!

  84. The demands requested by the Tamils are basic necessities and it is quite unfortunate that in the 21st century the Tamils are at a state where they have to protest in order to obtain basic needs of life. I feel that the leaders of the world have not lived up to their capacity in helping out with the issue. The Tamils can go so far as to protesting to pressure the government officials and leaders of the world; however, it is up to the officials and leaders to take actions. It is certainly not a time to play politics but a time to help out fellow humans.

  85. Alfonso, Isn’t it a sad state of affairs for all of the citizens of Sri Lanka and more so for the Tamils.
    People are afraid of using their own name to speak the truth or make a constructive criticism. Don’t you think that is the very reason for what Sri Lanka is facing!.
    The Sinhala Buddhist Govt did not stop the killing of innocent Tamils back in 1983, this time they labelled Tamils as terrorist and again killing Tamils themselves.
    These are people put under difficult circumstances mainly by the politicians playing Tamil depravation as their campaign slogan. ie SWRD
    There is always going to be similar incidents like what sparked the race riot in 1983. If that is the mentality of the extremist then Govt has to take steps to reform their backers and make a more constructive slogan to stamp out HATE instead of going after the already affected. Prime importance is rehabilitating Tamils affected through trauma. It is extremely important to teach the Sinhala supremacist/Buddhist extremist to behave themselves as human,not to cherish on Tamil death important at this juncture.

    Paul, If Sri Lanka wanted to they could have cleared the mines in no time with help from countries aided the war in the first place. Sri Lanka’s priority seems to be screwed up in promoting Sri Lanka while they keep 300,000 Tamils captive. If they had cared enough they would have stopped the bombing before hurting civilians, and also let the humanitarians without restrictions in to the camps to treat the ones needing urgent medical attention. Hate can only breed futher hate, Tamils are natives of the north of Sri Lanka they are there to stay. None of the reasons will fly, for Sri Lanka to move them out of their native lands. Surely these people will be happy in their own land than anything fancy, Sri Lanka promises somewhere else.

  86. The demands requested by the Tamils are basic necessities and it is quite unfortunate that in the 21st century the Tamils are at a state where they have to protest in order to obtain basic needs of life. I feel that the leaders of the world have not lived up to their capacity in helping out with the issue. The Tamils can go so far as to protesting to pressure the government officials and leaders of the world; however, it is up to the officials and leaders to take actions. It is certainly not a time to play politics but a time to help out fellow humans.

  87. The fact is that Sri Lanka is experiencing a genocide and that may be a difficult issue for the world to deal with as it may require taking side. Though what I find the Tamils are asking for is that the world handles the issue as a humanitarian crisis as bluntly the issue is a humanitarian crisis. Why does the world fail to react now; but later realize what had happend was preventable. Even for natural disasters there is effort made to prevent and survive from them. But a civil war is the acts of humans and if a humans can begin one the humans also carry the capacity to stop one.

  88. Art..there is an art of dealing with such a delicate situation right now. Why shouldn't you talk to the perpertrators at the same time. You never know what the out come could be. In my opinion boycott will hit the Tamils more because of the limited resources availabe, when the Diaspora boycotts the country gets poorer and the underdogs are the ones who would take the hit. Not Temple trees or the majority Sinhalese.
    A sad reality which ever option the diaspora takes, that is the very reason the concious world should intervene, we the diaspora should also pressurize for human rights and dignity for Tamils behind the barbed wire and anywhere in the country for that matter being displaced yet again!

  89. The fact is that Sri Lanka is experiencing a genocide and that may be a difficult issue for the world to deal with as it may require taking side. Though what I find the Tamils are asking for is that the world handles the issue as a humanitarian crisis as bluntly the issue is a humanitarian crisis. Why does the world fail to react now; but later realize what had happend was preventable. Even for natural disasters there is effort made to prevent and survive from them. But a civil war is the acts of humans and if a humans can begin one the humans also carry the capacity to stop one.

  90. Art..there is an art of dealing with such a delicate situation right now. Why shouldn’t you talk to the perpertrators at the same time. You never know what the out come could be. In my opinion boycott will hit the Tamils more because of the limited resources availabe, when the Diaspora boycotts the country gets poorer and the underdogs are the ones who would take the hit. Not Temple trees or the majority Sinhalese.
    A sad reality which ever option the diaspora takes, that is the very reason the concious world should intervene, we the diaspora should also pressurize for human rights and dignity for Tamils behind the barbed wire and anywhere in the country for that matter being displaced yet again!

  91. The so called welfare camps for the displaced vanni people is virtually an open- prison.
    This idea is the brain- work of the Rajapakse brothers to decimate the Tamils.
    The other motive is to attract foreign aid, in the name of the detainess in the camps, to fill the empty coffers of the SL governement.The international community should step in now at least to save the Tamils whose future in SL is at stake.

  92. The so called welfare camps for the displaced vanni people is virtually an open- prison.
    This idea is the brain- work of the Rajapakse brothers to decimate the Tamils.
    The other motive is to attract foreign aid, in the name of the detainess in the camps, to fill the empty coffers of the SL governement.The international community should step in now at least to save the Tamils whose future in SL is at stake.

  93. Well said Vanni Sri Lanka pensioner, President Rajapussy government is inhuman racists which is killing helpless innocent civilians in Lanka President in their thousands.. If the other vile racists want the truth about IDPs, free the media…. But now I don’t believe your silly, unproved lies you post. Fortunately some truth is coming out, thanks to brave people. 300 000 innocent civilians continue to languished in appalling conditions in Sri Lanka abysmal concentration camps . In addition catastrophic lack of toilets and other hygiene related issues, which are becoming life-threatening. Another a huge problem is Water….water queue were seen everywhere. Pregnant women, skeletal elderly men and small babies are standing listlessly under scorching sun with thousands of small buckets by their sides and knee deep in human waste. There was dirty water mixed with human waste matter running on both sides of the road where drains have been freshly dug. The camp worker saw a thirsty, malnourished child with big, brown eyes full of painful despair, scooping water from that filthy muddy drain and take it to their tent..this is shocking !! pure hell on earth.. “ Well, welcome to Sri Lanka “ welfare villages “ by exclusive invitation from Sri Lanka President Rajapussa, who said on 19 May, “….In the past several decades those (Tamils) people did not have the right to a meaningful life. They were denied the right to life, the right to freedom, the right to development. I shall give all of that to those people. I accept that responsibility”.. Do this 300 000 innocent civilians have the FREEDOM and a MEANINGFUL LIFE there? Is this kind of “joy of life, peace, amity and prosperity” is reserved for the oppressed minority?

  94. Gadin !

    I couldn't notice that you have described the whole situation as you have been to this place and seen what's happening with your own eyes. I sincerely hope that it is not that you have read some of the web sites belonging to the propaganda machines of the Terrorist LTTE diaspora.

    But, then I wondered as to how it could happen as they do not allow many out side parties to enter the camps. May be you are with the Government or UN and trying to paint the right picture to us.

    So sad to hear about the situation. It is people like you who would visit these places and educate us – the public about what you have seen – Just like the Amnesty guys. I wonder why the government does this to innocent people ? May be they are insane. I mean to carry out such brutal activities while the whole world watching…….. I wonder why the other governments and specially the UN are not taking adequate measures to right the situation. May be they are supporting the government – wonder why??

  95. Well said Vanni Sri Lanka pensioner, President Rajapussy government is inhuman racists which is killing helpless innocent civilians in Lanka President in their thousands.. If the other vile racists want the truth about IDPs, free the media…. But now I don’t believe your silly, unproved lies you post. Fortunately some truth is coming out, thanks to brave people. 300 000 innocent civilians continue to languished in appalling conditions in Sri Lanka abysmal concentration camps . In addition catastrophic lack of toilets and other hygiene related issues, which are becoming life-threatening. Another a huge problem is Water….water queue were seen everywhere. Pregnant women, skeletal elderly men and small babies are standing listlessly under scorching sun with thousands of small buckets by their sides and knee deep in human waste. There was dirty water mixed with human waste matter running on both sides of the road where drains have been freshly dug. The camp worker saw a thirsty, malnourished child with big, brown eyes full of painful despair, scooping water from that filthy muddy drain and take it to their tent..this is shocking !! pure hell on earth.. “ Well, welcome to Sri Lanka “ welfare villages “ by exclusive invitation from Sri Lanka President Rajapussa, who said on 19 May, “….In the past several decades those (Tamils) people did not have the right to a meaningful life. They were denied the right to life, the right to freedom, the right to development. I shall give all of that to those people. I accept that responsibility”.. Do this 300 000 innocent civilians have the FREEDOM and a MEANINGFUL LIFE there? Is this kind of “joy of life, peace, amity and prosperity” is reserved for the oppressed minority?

  96. Gadin !

    I couldn’t notice that you have described the whole situation as you have been to this place and seen what’s happening with your own eyes. I sincerely hope that it is not that you have read some of the web sites belonging to the propaganda machines of the Terrorist LTTE diaspora.

    But, then I wondered as to how it could happen as they do not allow many out side parties to enter the camps. May be you are with the Government or UN and trying to paint the right picture to us.

    So sad to hear about the situation. It is people like you who would visit these places and educate us – the public about what you have seen – Just like the Amnesty guys. I wonder why the government does this to innocent people ? May be they are insane. I mean to carry out such brutal activities while the whole world watching…….. I wonder why the other governments and specially the UN are not taking adequate measures to right the situation. May be they are supporting the government – wonder why??

  97. Thanks Jim,
    Tamils little scared to write to GOSL giving their personal info, GOSL activity is now on international level. This is just an info, but we will write to them. Thanks again

  98. Hi Jim!
    Thanks for the info. But as a citizen of Southern part of Sri Lanka i Know Thamils wil not ric their life to write to SLG.

    Maybe with false details we can write to them.

    Believe me, my friend SLG is very dangerous. they seems to very polite and hospitality but they are VERY DANGEROUS.

    Amnesty, US and other Eurpoean countries asking SL to stop killing Thanils. But SL didn't pay attention for that. so, I don't think by writing letters to SL that we can bring a change in SL.

  99. Thanks Jim,
    Tamils little scared to write to GOSL giving their personal info, GOSL activity is now on international level. This is just an info, but we will write to them. Thanks again

  100. This what England can do. Bla bla bla. UK can't do anything. Lady on this page sentenced fror 20 years. I heard Ban ki Moon on CNN telling to Birma releas this lady. That's it. only condemn wil not bring justice.

    The same thing with Thamils in SL.

    Brittish PM Golden Brown didnt take enough action to protect my people. But in the Colonial time they got all the helps from Thamils. Everybody used us. Norway is the Spion.
    http://dassk.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=c0764871f8f2

  101. This what England can do. Bla bla bla. UK can't do anything. Lady on this page sentenced fror 20 years. I heard Ban ki Moon on CNN telling to Birma releas this lady. That's it. only condemn wil not bring justice.

    The same thing with Thamils in SL.

    Brittish PM Golden Brown didnt take enough action to protect my people. But in the Colonial time they got all the helps from Thamils. Everybody used us. Norway is the Spion.
    http://dassk.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=c0764871f8f2

  102. This what England can do. Bla bla bla. UK can't do anything. Lady on this page sentenced fror 20 years. I heard Ban ki Moon on CNN telling to Birma releas this lady. That's it. only condemn wil not bring justice.

    The same thing with Thamils in SL.

    Brittish PM Golden Brown didnt take enough action to protect my people. But in the Colonial time they got all the helps from Thamils. Everybody used us. Norway is the Spion.
    http://dassk.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=c0764871f8f2

  103. Hi Jim!
    Thanks for the info. But as a citizen of Southern part of Sri Lanka i Know Thamils wil not ric their life to write to SLG.

    Maybe with false details we can write to them.

    Believe me, my friend SLG is very dangerous. they seems to very polite and hospitality but they are VERY DANGEROUS.

    Amnesty, US and other Eurpoean countries asking SL to stop killing Thanils. But SL didn’t pay attention for that. so, I don’t think by writing letters to SL that we can bring a change in SL.

  104. It is regrettable that the AI reporter Cristoph Koetti has so far not made any comment on the following accusation made by Sugath Kulatunga on 11 August.

    "The stark bias is clearly shown in referring to a statement made by Banki Moon on the condition of the last no fire zone in Mullaitivu, which he saw from a helicopter, as if it was made about the IDP camps in Vavunia."

    Readers expect a clarification to ensure the credibility of Amnesty International.

  105. The CNN print article which reports the interview with Ban Ki-moon (at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/s… has the following two paragraphs:

    "United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday visited refugee camps housing such victims. "I have traveled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen," he said.

    Ban requested that the United Nations be provided full access to the displacement camps in order to provide aid."

    The article has a link to a video of the interview. The video begins with the statement quoted above by the Secretary General, so you can't tell what question he's responding to. Clearly, the print article leads you to believe that he was talking about the conditions in the Menik Farm camp which he had visited that day, and not about the former war zone that he had flown over by helicopter. If anyone knows how to find a full transcript of the interview so we can see what question Ban was responding to when he made the "appalling scenes" statement, I'd appreciate it if you could share that information.

  106. The CNN print article which reports the interview with Ban Ki-moon (at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/s… has the following two paragraphs:

    "United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday visited refugee camps housing such victims. "I have traveled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen," he said.

    Ban requested that the United Nations be provided full access to the displacement camps in order to provide aid."

    The article has a link to a video of the interview. The video begins with the statement quoted above by the Secretary General, so you can't tell what question he's responding to. Clearly, the print article leads you to believe that he was talking about the conditions in the Menik Farm camp which he had visited that day, and not about the former war zone that he had flown over by helicopter. If anyone knows how to find a full transcript of the interview so we can see what question Ban was responding to when he made the "appalling scenes" statement, I'd appreciate it if you could share that information.

  107. The CNN print article which reports the interview with Ban Ki-moon (at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/s… has the following two paragraphs:

    "United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday visited refugee camps housing such victims. "I have traveled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen," he said.

    Ban requested that the United Nations be provided full access to the displacement camps in order to provide aid."

    The article has a link to a video of the interview. The video begins with the statement quoted above by the Secretary General, so you can't tell what question he's responding to. Clearly, the print article leads you to believe that he was talking about the conditions in the Menik Farm camp which he had visited that day, and not about the former war zone that he had flown over by helicopter. If anyone knows how to find a full transcript of the interview so we can see what question Ban was responding to when he made the "appalling scenes" statement, I'd appreciate it if you could share that information.

  108. It is a sad reality again. There are lots of good Bhudhists but the unfortunate reality bothers veryu much.
    The reality is, extrenist Buddhist in Sri Lanka practices a kind of religion not conducive for Tamil survival in Sri Lanka. That is why a former president SWRD was shot by a monk for non deliverance of promises for Buddhist Sri Lanka.
    Sadly this need to be addressed through popular religious leaders around the world as “people of the world for peace” re-think beliefs that are negetive for humanity. Recruiting monks at a young age before even teen age hits need to be addressed I believe. Lately I am seeing many religious rendezvous among religious Scholars & clerics ie Dalai Lama, Pope also discussions between multifaith scholars like Deepak Chopra, Islamic clerics, Christian ministers. Any religious belief when causes friction among people is the hardest to address, but by bringing multi faiths together to address all of the anomalies of the olden times is much needed in the present world otherwise killings will continue for ever. There has to be multifaith interations between scholars regularly for people of different faith to attend and listen. If a faith is causing grief in a country, it needs to be looked at by scholars of the same denomination in a VERY tactful manner with out causing further trauma.
    Who’s to tie the bell round the chosen Buddhists of Sri Lanka is a BIG question and that is the only way forward to avoid future trauma in Sri Lanka.

    I hear Bhudhist Monks advise the Govt of Sri Lanka. Any ideas on how Tamils
    could approach them, is some think worth considering!!
    There is a section I hear believes and interprets Mahavamsa religious writing
    in a way that is detrimental to the minority in Sri Lanka. Surely there are quiet believers think otherwise to such intensity and they need help address this within Bhuddhists themselves without getting over run by the “interpretation”. Any analysis to the controry has to come with in the Buddhists and could evolve if majority is willing for such an adventurous change to suit the reality.
    If not for that sect of Buddhists, such terrible situation for Tamils behind barbed wires would have surely be helped by now though the Govt.of Sri Lanka.
    Thanks Christoph for the opportunity to air feelings here..

  109. This what England can do. Bla bla bla. UK can’t do anything. Lady on this page sentenced fror 20 years. I heard Ban ki Moon on CNN telling to Birma releas this lady. That’s it. only condemn wil not bring justice.

    The same thing with Thamils in SL.

    Brittish PM Golden Brown didnt take enough action to protect my people. But in the Colonial time they got all the helps from Thamils. Everybody used us. Norway is the Spion.

    http://dassk.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=c0764871f8f2f04e7859cde395876abc&/topic,11111546.0.html

  110. It is regrettable that the AI reporter Cristoph Koetti has so far not made any comment on the following accusation made by Sugath Kulatunga on 11 August.

    “The stark bias is clearly shown in referring to a statement made by Banki Moon on the condition of the last no fire zone in Mullaitivu, which he saw from a helicopter, as if it was made about the IDP camps in Vavunia.”

    Readers expect a clarification to ensure the credibility of Amnesty International.

  111. The CNN print article which reports the interview with Ban Ki-moon (at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/sri.lanka.united.nations/index.html) has the following two paragraphs:

    “United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday visited refugee camps housing such victims. “I have traveled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen,” he said.

    Ban requested that the United Nations be provided full access to the displacement camps in order to provide aid.”

    The article has a link to a video of the interview. The video begins with the statement quoted above by the Secretary General, so you can’t tell what question he’s responding to. Clearly, the print article leads you to believe that he was talking about the conditions in the Menik Farm camp which he had visited that day, and not about the former war zone that he had flown over by helicopter. If anyone knows how to find a full transcript of the interview so we can see what question Ban was responding to when he made the “appalling scenes” statement, I’d appreciate it if you could share that information.

  112. It is a sad reality again. There are lots of good Bhudhists but the unfortunate reality bothers veryu much.
    The reality is, extrenist Buddhist in Sri Lanka practices a kind of religion not conducive for Tamil survival in Sri Lanka. That is why a former president SWRD was shot by a monk for non deliverance of promises for Buddhist Sri Lanka.
    Sadly this need to be addressed through popular religious leaders around the world as “people of the world for peace” re-think beliefs that are negetive for humanity. Recruiting monks at a young age before even teen age hits need to be addressed I believe. Lately I am seeing many religious rendezvous among religious Scholars & clerics ie Dalai Lama, Pope also discussions between multifaith scholars like Deepak Chopra, Islamic clerics, Christian ministers. Any religious belief when causes friction among people is the hardest to address, but by bringing multi faiths together to address all of the anomalies of the olden times is much needed in the present world otherwise killings will continue for ever. There has to be multifaith interations between scholars regularly for people of different faith to attend and listen. If a faith is causing grief in a country, it needs to be looked at by scholars of the same denomination in a VERY tactful manner with out causing further trauma.
    Who’s to tie the bell round the chosen Buddhists of Sri Lanka is a BIG question and that is the only way forward to avoid future trauma in Sri Lanka.

    I hear Bhudhist Monks advise the Govt of Sri Lanka. Any ideas on how Tamils
    could approach them, is some think worth considering!!
    There is a section I hear believes and interprets Mahavamsa religious writing
    in a way that is detrimental to the minority in Sri Lanka. Surely there are quiet believers think otherwise to such intensity and they need help address this within Bhuddhists themselves without getting over run by the “interpretation”. Any analysis to the controry has to come with in the Buddhists and could evolve if majority is willing for such an adventurous change to suit the reality.
    If not for that sect of Buddhists, such terrible situation for Tamils behind barbed wires would have surely be helped by now though the Govt.of Sri Lanka.
    Thanks Christoph for the opportunity to air feelings here..

  113. Reference what Jim McDonald Says:August 15th, 2009 at 11:40 am

    The following is an extract from another source on the CNN news item quoted by Jim.
    "LankaNewspapers.com
    Lankan News Replies

    `Appalling` propaganda
    Monday, 25 May 2009 – 11:41 AM SL Time

    That the international media are functioning as hired guns of some western governments, hell bent on giving this country a bad name for the crime of having demonstrated to the world that terrorism could be neutralised militarily, is evident from yesterday`s CNN report on UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon`s visit to Sri Lanka. Under a screaming headline on its website, Ban tells CNN: Sri Lanka sites for the displaced `appalling`, CNN tries to have the world believe that the UN Chief`s reported revulsion is at the conditions of the welfare centres for the displaced. One may have been baffled to read/ hear that comment, as Moon had said nothing of that sort either at his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa or at a subsequent media briefing.

    The obfuscating UN Chief, however, does not refer to any `sites` according to the original CNN video clip containing the relevant section of the interview, (the transcript of which we publish today). Instead, his reference is only to `scenes` by which he apparently means the scenes of the war zone, especially that of the final battle in Mullaitivu, he saw from an Air Force chopper. CNN report says, quoting Moon: `I have traveled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen,` Ban told CNN. `I sympathise fully with all of the displaced persons.` It is the juxtaposition of the sentence in which he sympathises with the displaced that creates the impression in one`s mind that the UN Chief is appalled by the conditions at the welfare centres. Subterfuge, eh?"

    Moon, we are afraid, is not articulate enough and when he says something he does not make sure he has said it. Thus, his statements oftentimes leave room for spin doctoring. The CNN report at issue is extremely damaging to Sri Lanka in the context of today`s Human Right Council special session. That may be why the western media are going hell for leather to cast Sri Lanka`s welfare centres for the displaced in a bad light. Now that their governments have egg on their face having failed to scuttle Sri Lanka`s war and save their pet terrorists, they are giving Sri Lanka a bad name to facilitate its `hanging` in typical Wild West style."

    I am happy that Jim has an open mind when he says that-
    "Quote"
    The article has a link to a video of the interview. The video begins with the statement quoted above by the Secretary General, so you can’t tell what question he’s responding to. Clearly, the print article leads you to believe that he was talking about the conditions in the Menik Farm camp which he had visited that day, and not about the former war zone that he had flown over by helicopter. If anyone knows how to find a full transcript of the interview so we can see what question Ban was responding to when he made the “appalling scenes” statement, I’d appreciate it if you could share that information." (Unquote)

    The AI Article referring to Ban Ki Moon's statement it is further distorted i.e.
    "When United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited some of the camps in May, he said:

    I have travelled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scene I have seen."

    CNN refers to Manik Farm only. AI spreads it to other Farms as well.
    The point is, it is unfair to build on an unconfirmed story to throw mud at small nations. This is in the least, poor journalism.

    Thanks Jim for your comments. You are very fair.

  114. In response to Vichara's comment, I note the article you cite appears to print the transcript of the CNN interview with the Secretary-General but the transcript wasn't included in your citation, nor was I able to easily find the transcript at lankanewspapers.com. If you could post the link to the transcript, I would appreciate it. Then, we could determine exactly what the Secretary-General was referring to in his comments.

  115. Reference what Jim McDonald Says:August 15th, 2009 at 11:40 am

    The following is an extract from another source on the CNN news item quoted by Jim.
    “LankaNewspapers.com
    Lankan News Replies

    `Appalling` propaganda
    Monday, 25 May 2009 – 11:41 AM SL Time

    That the international media are functioning as hired guns of some western governments, hell bent on giving this country a bad name for the crime of having demonstrated to the world that terrorism could be neutralised militarily, is evident from yesterday`s CNN report on UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon`s visit to Sri Lanka. Under a screaming headline on its website, Ban tells CNN: Sri Lanka sites for the displaced `appalling`, CNN tries to have the world believe that the UN Chief`s reported revulsion is at the conditions of the welfare centres for the displaced. One may have been baffled to read/ hear that comment, as Moon had said nothing of that sort either at his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa or at a subsequent media briefing.

    The obfuscating UN Chief, however, does not refer to any `sites` according to the original CNN video clip containing the relevant section of the interview, (the transcript of which we publish today). Instead, his reference is only to `scenes` by which he apparently means the scenes of the war zone, especially that of the final battle in Mullaitivu, he saw from an Air Force chopper. CNN report says, quoting Moon: `I have traveled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scenes I have seen,` Ban told CNN. `I sympathise fully with all of the displaced persons.` It is the juxtaposition of the sentence in which he sympathises with the displaced that creates the impression in one`s mind that the UN Chief is appalled by the conditions at the welfare centres. Subterfuge, eh?”

    Moon, we are afraid, is not articulate enough and when he says something he does not make sure he has said it. Thus, his statements oftentimes leave room for spin doctoring. The CNN report at issue is extremely damaging to Sri Lanka in the context of today`s Human Right Council special session. That may be why the western media are going hell for leather to cast Sri Lanka`s welfare centres for the displaced in a bad light. Now that their governments have egg on their face having failed to scuttle Sri Lanka`s war and save their pet terrorists, they are giving Sri Lanka a bad name to facilitate its `hanging` in typical Wild West style.”

    I am happy that Jim has an open mind when he says that-
    “Quote”
    The article has a link to a video of the interview. The video begins with the statement quoted above by the Secretary General, so you can’t tell what question he’s responding to. Clearly, the print article leads you to believe that he was talking about the conditions in the Menik Farm camp which he had visited that day, and not about the former war zone that he had flown over by helicopter. If anyone knows how to find a full transcript of the interview so we can see what question Ban was responding to when he made the “appalling scenes” statement, I’d appreciate it if you could share that information.” (Unquote)

    The AI Article referring to Ban Ki Moon’s statement it is further distorted i.e.
    “When United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited some of the camps in May, he said:

    I have travelled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scene I have seen.”

    CNN refers to Manik Farm only. AI spreads it to other Farms as well.
    The point is, it is unfair to build on an unconfirmed story to throw mud at small nations. This is in the least, poor journalism.

    Thanks Jim for your comments. You are very fair.

  116. In response to Vichara’s comment, I note the article you cite appears to print the transcript of the CNN interview with the Secretary-General but the transcript wasn’t included in your citation, nor was I able to easily find the transcript at lankanewspapers.com. If you could post the link to the transcript, I would appreciate it. Then, we could determine exactly what the Secretary-General was referring to in his comments.

  117. In response to Jim McDonald's comment of August 16th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    So far have not been able to locate the connected CNN transcript. If I find it I will be glad to indicate the location.

    Meanwhile I note that the BBC's UN correspondent Laura Trevelyan who was travelling with Mr Ban Ki Moon has in her report not quoted Moon on appalling conditions at Menik Farm. ref: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065594.stm

    Neither has Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN, who also covered the Moon's Tour, said anything of the sort Ref: http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip2may3srilanka http://innercitypress.blogspot.com/2009/05/un-sho… (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)

  118. In response to Jim McDonald's comment of August 16th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    So far have not been able to locate the connected CNN transcript. If I find it I will be glad to indicate the location.

    Meanwhile I note that the BBC's UN correspondent Laura Trevelyan who was travelling with Mr Ban Ki Moon has in her report not quoted Moon on appalling conditions at Menik Farm. ref: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065594.stm

    Neither has Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN, who also covered the Moon's Tour, said anything of the sort Ref: http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip2may3srilanka http://innercitypress.blogspot.com/2009/05/un-sho… (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)

  119. In response to Jim McDonald's comment of August 16th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    So far have not been able to locate the connected CNN transcript. If I find it I will be glad to indicate the location.

    Meanwhile I note that the BBC's UN correspondent Laura Trevelyan who was travelling with Mr Ban Ki Moon has in her report not quoted Moon on appalling conditions at Menik Farm. ref: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065594.stm

    Neither has Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN, who also covered the Moon's Tour, said anything of the sort Ref: http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip2may3srilanka http://innercitypress.blogspot.com/2009/05/un-sho… (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)

  120. In response to Vichara's most recent comment, I appreciate the offer to share the location of the transcript of the CNN interview with the Secretary-General, if it can be located. There's no denying that Secretary-General Ban made the "appalling scenes" statement – the video clip of the CNN interview proves that. There's also no denying that the CNN article about his statement indicates that it was made with respect to conditions in the Menik Farm camp that he had visited that day. The fact that contemporaneous articles from other news media, such as the BBC and Inner City Press, didn't mention the statement doesn't help to resolve the issue at hand – whether the statement was actually referring to the Menik Farm camp or to the former war zone. A review of statements made by the Secretary-General to the press (found at http://www.un.org/apps/news/select_offcuff.asp?Bo… didn't show any evidence, that I could find, one way or the other.

    At this point, the CNN print article is evidence for the "appalling scenes" statement having been made with reference to camp conditions. Those who wish to argue against that have the burden of providing evidence to prove their point. If we could conclusively determine what question was asked, that would help. Referring to non-CNN sources may not help prove anything since they may all be looking at the same video clip we are and trying to guess what question was asked. And the fact that the Secretary-General didn't make the "appalling scenes" statement to other media or on other occasions doesn't prove anything.

  121. In response to Vichara's most recent comment, I appreciate the offer to share the location of the transcript of the CNN interview with the Secretary-General, if it can be located. There's no denying that Secretary-General Ban made the "appalling scenes" statement – the video clip of the CNN interview proves that. There's also no denying that the CNN article about his statement indicates that it was made with respect to conditions in the Menik Farm camp that he had visited that day. The fact that contemporaneous articles from other news media, such as the BBC and Inner City Press, didn't mention the statement doesn't help to resolve the issue at hand – whether the statement was actually referring to the Menik Farm camp or to the former war zone. A review of statements made by the Secretary-General to the press (found at http://www.un.org/apps/news/select_offcuff.asp?Bo… didn't show any evidence, that I could find, one way or the other.

    At this point, the CNN print article is evidence for the "appalling scenes" statement having been made with reference to camp conditions. Those who wish to argue against that have the burden of providing evidence to prove their point. If we could conclusively determine what question was asked, that would help. Referring to non-CNN sources may not help prove anything since they may all be looking at the same video clip we are and trying to guess what question was asked. And the fact that the Secretary-General didn't make the "appalling scenes" statement to other media or on other occasions doesn't prove anything.

  122. In response to Vichara's most recent comment, I appreciate the offer to share the location of the transcript of the CNN interview with the Secretary-General, if it can be located. There's no denying that Secretary-General Ban made the "appalling scenes" statement – the video clip of the CNN interview proves that. There's also no denying that the CNN article about his statement indicates that it was made with respect to conditions in the Menik Farm camp that he had visited that day. The fact that contemporaneous articles from other news media, such as the BBC and Inner City Press, didn't mention the statement doesn't help to resolve the issue at hand – whether the statement was actually referring to the Menik Farm camp or to the former war zone. A review of statements made by the Secretary-General to the press (found at http://www.un.org/apps/news/select_offcuff.asp?Bo… didn't show any evidence, that I could find, one way or the other.

    At this point, the CNN print article is evidence for the "appalling scenes" statement having been made with reference to camp conditions. Those who wish to argue against that have the burden of providing evidence to prove their point. If we could conclusively determine what question was asked, that would help. Referring to non-CNN sources may not help prove anything since they may all be looking at the same video clip we are and trying to guess what question was asked. And the fact that the Secretary-General didn't make the "appalling scenes" statement to other media or on other occasions doesn't prove anything.

  123. In response to Jim McDonald’s comment of August 16th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    So far have not been able to locate the connected CNN transcript. If I find it I will be glad to indicate the location.

    Meanwhile I note that the BBC’s UN correspondent Laura Trevelyan who was travelling with Mr Ban Ki Moon has in her report not quoted Moon on appalling conditions at Menik Farm. ref:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065594.stm

    Neither has Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN, who also covered the Moon’s Tour, said anything of the sort Ref:
    http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip2may3srilanka
    http://innercitypress.blogspot.com/2009/05/un-shown-blown-out-land-devoid-of.html (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)

  124. Amnesty International was started to help people fight against injustices. Instead, it has continued to support terrorists (e.g. Catholic Tamil terrorists) against legitimate democratically-elected governments (like in Sri Lanka).

    Yet, at the same time it has covered up or camouflaged the real terrorism also committed by the Christian Western governments against non-Christian countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

    In Sri Lanka, the Catholic Tamil terrorists brutally tortured and murdered more than 85,000 Buddhist men, women and children – even swinging days-old babies by their legs and dashing their heads against tree-trunks. They also attacked Buddhist pilgrims – men, women and children and nuns, all carrying flowers to offer at the shrine of the Sacred Bo Tree (under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment) – killing 137 of them with machine guns in one morning.

    The Tamils were initially imported to Sri Lanka from their motherland, Tamil Nadu in south India, by the British imperial regime after 1815 to increase the size of the British army which wiped out more than 90,000 Buddhist Sinhela men and boys in a shoot-at-sight policy to subjugate the people; and to build roads to enable the army to swiftly move up and down the Island for the shootings.

    After ‘pacification’, more Tamils were imported to pack the civil, police and other services as quislings in the divide a-and-rule policy of the government and to work in their coffee and later tea plantations. At Independence, the British did not take back with them their Tamil employees but left them behind as a ticking time-bomb. In the meantime, because of the favouration by the British, the Tamils became the richest community in the Island – and demanded HALF the seats in the new parliament for their then 11% population!

    In 1983, many of these Tamils commenced a terrorism to seize more than one-third of the Island to set up a racist mono-ethnic Tamil state in the north of the Island for the country’s Tamils.

    In the meantime, nearly a million Tamils migrated to the West demanding “refugee” status, claiming that they were being “killed” by the Sinhelas, inverting the fact that it was the Tamils who committed genocide of more than 85,000 Sinhelas. Moreover, they concealed the fact that, if their claims were true, they had only to travel back to their own motherland, Tamil nadu in south India – which is just 22 miles across the Palk Strait from Sri Lanka – rather than travelling halfway across the world to the RICHEST Western countries! Gullible organisations like Amnesty International became ready and convenient tools for the Tamils to deceive the Western governments about these facts.

    Moreover, Amnesty International, while keeping totally silent about the West’s mass genocidal massacres in Iraq (850,000 civilians – and still counting – murdered in the West’s carpet-bombings there) and hundreds of thousands more in Afghanistan, has been inventing lies about non-existing civilian bombings in Sri Lanka because Amnesty International and most of the other so-called “human rights organisations” are Christian-dominated while Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. Above all, what right have the Western countries – who throughout more than five hundred years, attacked various countries around the world, committed genocidal massacres of many millions of local people to seize and occupy those countries as colonies to rob them of their wealth – to pontificate hypocritically about ‘human rights violations’ in other countries?.

    Michael Newhouse

  125. In response to Michael Newhouse's comment, I would make the following points:
    1. Amnesty International has never "supported" the LTTE. A review of our reports and public statements on Sri Lanka (available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/srilanka) would show that we have repeatedly over the years condemned human rights abuses by the LTTE.
    2. AI has not been silent about human rights violations being committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those interested should review the Iraq page, the Afghanistan page and the USA page at http://www.amnestyusa.org.
    3. Mr. Newhouse's description of Sri Lankan history and current events is not in accord with most of the histories and other accounts of Sri Lanka that I have read. Here is my understanding:
    a. Most Tamils are Hindu; there is a small Christian minority, of which about half are Catholic. The LTTE was not a religious organization; I have not seen any evidence that their membership was drawn from the Catholic minority.
    b. While Tamils were brought by the British to the island in the 19th century to work on plantations in the southern highlands, there was also a Tamil population in the north and east of the island that has been there for centuries. The so-called "Hill Tamil" or "Estate Tamil" population has for the most part not been involved in the conflict between the government and the LTTE.
    4. Amnesty International is impartial; we criticize human rights abuses by governments (and armed opposition groups) around the world, regardless of the ethnic or religious makeup of their populations or regimes. A review of our annual reports (available on our website) would demonstrate that.

    As may be apparent, I strongly disagree with Michael Newhouse's comment.

  126. In response to Michael Newhouse's comment, I would make the following points:
    1. Amnesty International has never "supported" the LTTE. A review of our reports and public statements on Sri Lanka (available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/srilanka) would show that we have repeatedly over the years condemned human rights abuses by the LTTE.
    2. AI has not been silent about human rights violations being committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those interested should review the Iraq page, the Afghanistan page and the USA page at http://www.amnestyusa.org.
    3. Mr. Newhouse's description of Sri Lankan history and current events is not in accord with most of the histories and other accounts of Sri Lanka that I have read. Here is my understanding:
    a. Most Tamils are Hindu; there is a small Christian minority, of which about half are Catholic. The LTTE was not a religious organization; I have not seen any evidence that their membership was drawn from the Catholic minority.
    b. While Tamils were brought by the British to the island in the 19th century to work on plantations in the southern highlands, there was also a Tamil population in the north and east of the island that has been there for centuries. The so-called "Hill Tamil" or "Estate Tamil" population has for the most part not been involved in the conflict between the government and the LTTE.
    4. Amnesty International is impartial; we criticize human rights abuses by governments (and armed opposition groups) around the world, regardless of the ethnic or religious makeup of their populations or regimes. A review of our annual reports (available on our website) would demonstrate that.

    As may be apparent, I strongly disagree with Michael Newhouse's comment.

  127. In response to Michael Newhouse's comment, I would make the following points:
    1. Amnesty International has never "supported" the LTTE. A review of our reports and public statements on Sri Lanka (available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/srilanka) would show that we have repeatedly over the years condemned human rights abuses by the LTTE.
    2. AI has not been silent about human rights violations being committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those interested should review the Iraq page, the Afghanistan page and the USA page at http://www.amnestyusa.org.
    3. Mr. Newhouse's description of Sri Lankan history and current events is not in accord with most of the histories and other accounts of Sri Lanka that I have read. Here is my understanding:
    a. Most Tamils are Hindu; there is a small Christian minority, of which about half are Catholic. The LTTE was not a religious organization; I have not seen any evidence that their membership was drawn from the Catholic minority.
    b. While Tamils were brought by the British to the island in the 19th century to work on plantations in the southern highlands, there was also a Tamil population in the north and east of the island that has been there for centuries. The so-called "Hill Tamil" or "Estate Tamil" population has for the most part not been involved in the conflict between the government and the LTTE.
    4. Amnesty International is impartial; we criticize human rights abuses by governments (and armed opposition groups) around the world, regardless of the ethnic or religious makeup of their populations or regimes. A review of our annual reports (available on our website) would demonstrate that.

    As may be apparent, I strongly disagree with Michael Newhouse's comment.

  128. Mmm. another name by Roshan (Michael Newhouse)
    Ane modaya!
    your statemant is 100% wrong.

    Sinhala history starts with Vijaya and 700 Rowdy friends who came by kallathony to Sri Lanka. at that time Kuweni the Thamil origin uncrowned Queen lived their in Sri Lanka with her people.

    Sinhala is mixed languge with Thmail and some european language.

    When portugees came to Sri Lanka to LOOT they bought Africans from Mozambique and Thamils (Kouravar and Parathavar Thamils )to Sri Lanka.

    When Brittish came to Sri Lanka they bought some Indian Thamils to work in Tea Estates.

    Thamils from North and East are Natives of Sri Lanka. They live before Illegal boat migrant Vijaya and 700 Rowdys.

    Kauravar are welknown as Karava. This Thamil Fishery tribe is spred all over Sri Lanka. in Moratuva Karava's became already Sinhala. 90% of Karava are Christians and all of them very fluent in both Sinhala and Thamil language.

    During the Colonial time that Colonial Terrorists attacked Hindu as wel Bhudist Priests and Temple and they build Church where already Hindu and Bhdist Temple stayed.

    Colonial Masters let people mix and out of that race mix came Kafri (Thamil and Sinhala calls – Kapiri )

    Kafri is mix of Mozambique Afro's, Sinhala and Thamil. And again Euro mixer.

    In Western world they call this people Creoels. It's meen too much blood mix.
    If you go to Aruba you wil see people with Afro hair Indian face and European skin colour. cauze after too much mix mariage people lost their ID and became Kafri or Creol. This is also a kind of Ethnic Cleansing.

    Ado Michael Newhouse (Roshan)
    Europe is not anymore Christian Country. That was some centuries ago. In Europe they don't mix Politic and religion together as you do it in Sri Lanka.

    There is no Thamil Christian Terrorists. Karava and Parava together with African Slaves bought to SL by Colonial Terrorists.

    In The Colonial time they raped hundreds of thousands Thamil and Sinhala women. They let us to work for them and they enjoyed the life and became rich.

    400 years ago Porugees, Netherlands or Brittish people have never seen and not known what is MANGO, BANANA, ANANAS. These Colonial Thieves came to Loot in Asia.

    Modaya!
    These Colonial masters Looted Sri Lanka for around 500years.

    LTTE didn't loot SInhalees. Thamils never Looted Sinhalees. We Thamils do not want to destroy SL. But you Bhudist Sinhala Govermant Killed Thamils.

    I have post many evidance above. pls check it again.

    You don't think by changing your name that you can hide your self. be a man. You are a Sinhalees and Y hiding. reveel your real name and living place.

    Remember.
    If Thamils are Terrorists i wil never support them. I support Them cauze they are discriminated and systamaticaly wiped off by Sinhala Bhudist Govermant.

    Sinhala People are kept fooled by Bhudist Monks and their Political Leaders.

    Roshan!
    Your leader Mahinda DON Rakjapase is a traitor. Do you know that?
    People who worked for Portugees Pirates are nominated by Don.
    Don is like Sir in English.
    Sinhalees who soled their country to Portugees Thievs became Don.
    This man has the same blood and He would do anything to protect himself.

    Soon after Brittish left the country they gave the power to Half Blood Sinhalees. Samuel Wesly Dadly Bandaranayake. John Kothalawa etc.. all of your leaders had (have) Sinhala Last name but they all Christians and fathered by Brittish.
    Brittish never gave the land in the hands of Sinhala Bhudists.

    Sri Lanka must share the power with Thamils. That's the only option.
    So, you don't try to turn the subjects as do always.

    I am sorry fou man. Be neutral. I am not against Sinhalees. LTTE was not against Sinhalees. When they attacked Airfoce they could easily put Bomps in Sinhala Villages as you Sinhala Army did. but they didn't do that.

    Bhudist monks are anti Christians.
    Sinhala Children are taken into Bhudist Temple to became Monks and they seperated from their Parents.
    around 50 thousands of monks are EATING FREELY and Living Luxury life by making Sinhalees fool.

    Try to bring a change in your country first.

    Suba Dhavasak malli

  129. In response to Vichara’s most recent comment, I appreciate the offer to share the location of the transcript of the CNN interview with the Secretary-General, if it can be located. There’s no denying that Secretary-General Ban made the “appalling scenes” statement – the video clip of the CNN interview proves that. There’s also no denying that the CNN article about his statement indicates that it was made with respect to conditions in the Menik Farm camp that he had visited that day. The fact that contemporaneous articles from other news media, such as the BBC and Inner City Press, didn’t mention the statement doesn’t help to resolve the issue at hand – whether the statement was actually referring to the Menik Farm camp or to the former war zone. A review of statements made by the Secretary-General to the press (found at http://www.un.org/apps/news/select_offcuff.asp?Body=Sri+Lanka) didn’t show any evidence, that I could find, one way or the other.

    At this point, the CNN print article is evidence for the “appalling scenes” statement having been made with reference to camp conditions. Those who wish to argue against that have the burden of providing evidence to prove their point. If we could conclusively determine what question was asked, that would help. Referring to non-CNN sources may not help prove anything since they may all be looking at the same video clip we are and trying to guess what question was asked. And the fact that the Secretary-General didn’t make the “appalling scenes” statement to other media or on other occasions doesn’t prove anything.

  130. Amnesty International was started to help people fight against injustices. Instead, it has continued to support terrorists (e.g. Catholic Tamil terrorists) against legitimate democratically-elected governments (like in Sri Lanka).

    Yet, at the same time it has covered up or camouflaged the real terrorism also committed by the Christian Western governments against non-Christian countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

    In Sri Lanka, the Catholic Tamil terrorists brutally tortured and murdered more than 85,000 Buddhist men, women and children – even swinging days-old babies by their legs and dashing their heads against tree-trunks. They also attacked Buddhist pilgrims – men, women and children and nuns, all carrying flowers to offer at the shrine of the Sacred Bo Tree (under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment) – killing 137 of them with machine guns in one morning.

    The Tamils were initially imported to Sri Lanka from their motherland, Tamil Nadu in south India, by the British imperial regime after 1815 to increase the size of the British army which wiped out more than 90,000 Buddhist Sinhela men and boys in a shoot-at-sight policy to subjugate the people; and to build roads to enable the army to swiftly move up and down the Island for the shootings.

    After ‘pacification’, more Tamils were imported to pack the civil, police and other services as quislings in the divide a-and-rule policy of the government and to work in their coffee and later tea plantations. At Independence, the British did not take back with them their Tamil employees but left them behind as a ticking time-bomb. In the meantime, because of the favouration by the British, the Tamils became the richest community in the Island – and demanded HALF the seats in the new parliament for their then 11% population!

    In 1983, many of these Tamils commenced a terrorism to seize more than one-third of the Island to set up a racist mono-ethnic Tamil state in the north of the Island for the country’s Tamils.

    In the meantime, nearly a million Tamils migrated to the West demanding “refugee” status, claiming that they were being “killed” by the Sinhelas, inverting the fact that it was the Tamils who committed genocide of more than 85,000 Sinhelas. Moreover, they concealed the fact that, if their claims were true, they had only to travel back to their own motherland, Tamil nadu in south India – which is just 22 miles across the Palk Strait from Sri Lanka – rather than travelling halfway across the world to the RICHEST Western countries! Gullible organisations like Amnesty International became ready and convenient tools for the Tamils to deceive the Western governments about these facts.

    Moreover, Amnesty International, while keeping totally silent about the West’s mass genocidal massacres in Iraq (850,000 civilians – and still counting – murdered in the West’s carpet-bombings there) and hundreds of thousands more in Afghanistan, has been inventing lies about non-existing civilian bombings in Sri Lanka because Amnesty International and most of the other so-called “human rights organisations” are Christian-dominated while Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. Above all, what right have the Western countries – who throughout more than five hundred years, attacked various countries around the world, committed genocidal massacres of many millions of local people to seize and occupy those countries as colonies to rob them of their wealth – to pontificate hypocritically about ‘human rights violations’ in other countries?.

    Michael Newhouse

  131. In response to Michael Newhouse’s comment, I would make the following points:
    1. Amnesty International has never “supported” the LTTE. A review of our reports and public statements on Sri Lanka (available at http://www.amnestyusa.org/srilanka) would show that we have repeatedly over the years condemned human rights abuses by the LTTE.
    2. AI has not been silent about human rights violations being committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those interested should review the Iraq page, the Afghanistan page and the USA page at http://www.amnestyusa.org.
    3. Mr. Newhouse’s description of Sri Lankan history and current events is not in accord with most of the histories and other accounts of Sri Lanka that I have read. Here is my understanding:
    a. Most Tamils are Hindu; there is a small Christian minority, of which about half are Catholic. The LTTE was not a religious organization; I have not seen any evidence that their membership was drawn from the Catholic minority.
    b. While Tamils were brought by the British to the island in the 19th century to work on plantations in the southern highlands, there was also a Tamil population in the north and east of the island that has been there for centuries. The so-called “Hill Tamil” or “Estate Tamil” population has for the most part not been involved in the conflict between the government and the LTTE.
    4. Amnesty International is impartial; we criticize human rights abuses by governments (and armed opposition groups) around the world, regardless of the ethnic or religious makeup of their populations or regimes. A review of our annual reports (available on our website) would demonstrate that.

    As may be apparent, I strongly disagree with Michael Newhouse’s comment.

  132. Mmm. another name by Roshan (Michael Newhouse)
    Ane modaya!
    your statemant is 100% wrong.

    Sinhala history starts with Vijaya and 700 Rowdy friends who came by kallathony to Sri Lanka. at that time Kuweni the Thamil origin uncrowned Queen lived their in Sri Lanka with her people.

    Sinhala is mixed languge with Thmail and some european language.

    When portugees came to Sri Lanka to LOOT they bought Africans from Mozambique and Thamils (Kouravar and Parathavar Thamils )to Sri Lanka.

    When Brittish came to Sri Lanka they bought some Indian Thamils to work in Tea Estates.

    Thamils from North and East are Natives of Sri Lanka. They live before Illegal boat migrant Vijaya and 700 Rowdys.

    Kauravar are welknown as Karava. This Thamil Fishery tribe is spred all over Sri Lanka. in Moratuva Karava’s became already Sinhala. 90% of Karava are Christians and all of them very fluent in both Sinhala and Thamil language.

    During the Colonial time that Colonial Terrorists attacked Hindu as wel Bhudist Priests and Temple and they build Church where already Hindu and Bhdist Temple stayed.

    Colonial Masters let people mix and out of that race mix came Kafri (Thamil and Sinhala calls – Kapiri )

    Kafri is mix of Mozambique Afro’s, Sinhala and Thamil. And again Euro mixer.

    In Western world they call this people Creoels. It’s meen too much blood mix.
    If you go to Aruba you wil see people with Afro hair Indian face and European skin colour. cauze after too much mix mariage people lost their ID and became Kafri or Creol. This is also a kind of Ethnic Cleansing.

    Ado Michael Newhouse (Roshan)
    Europe is not anymore Christian Country. That was some centuries ago. In Europe they don’t mix Politic and religion together as you do it in Sri Lanka.

    There is no Thamil Christian Terrorists. Karava and Parava together with African Slaves bought to SL by Colonial Terrorists.

    In The Colonial time they raped hundreds of thousands Thamil and Sinhala women. They let us to work for them and they enjoyed the life and became rich.

    400 years ago Porugees, Netherlands or Brittish people have never seen and not known what is MANGO, BANANA, ANANAS. These Colonial Thieves came to Loot in Asia.

    Modaya!
    These Colonial masters Looted Sri Lanka for around 500years.

    LTTE didn’t loot SInhalees. Thamils never Looted Sinhalees. We Thamils do not want to destroy SL. But you Bhudist Sinhala Govermant Killed Thamils.

    I have post many evidance above. pls check it again.

    You don’t think by changing your name that you can hide your self. be a man. You are a Sinhalees and Y hiding. reveel your real name and living place.

    Remember.
    If Thamils are Terrorists i wil never support them. I support Them cauze they are discriminated and systamaticaly wiped off by Sinhala Bhudist Govermant.

    Sinhala People are kept fooled by Bhudist Monks and their Political Leaders.

    Roshan!
    Your leader Mahinda DON Rakjapase is a traitor. Do you know that?
    People who worked for Portugees Pirates are nominated by Don.
    Don is like Sir in English.
    Sinhalees who soled their country to Portugees Thievs became Don.
    This man has the same blood and He would do anything to protect himself.

    Soon after Brittish left the country they gave the power to Half Blood Sinhalees. Samuel Wesly Dadly Bandaranayake. John Kothalawa etc.. all of your leaders had (have) Sinhala Last name but they all Christians and fathered by Brittish.
    Brittish never gave the land in the hands of Sinhala Bhudists.

    Sri Lanka must share the power with Thamils. That’s the only option.
    So, you don’t try to turn the subjects as do always.

    I am sorry fou man. Be neutral. I am not against Sinhalees. LTTE was not against Sinhalees. When they attacked Airfoce they could easily put Bomps in Sinhala Villages as you Sinhala Army did. but they didn’t do that.

    Bhudist monks are anti Christians.
    Sinhala Children are taken into Bhudist Temple to became Monks and they seperated from their Parents.
    around 50 thousands of monks are EATING FREELY and Living Luxury life by making Sinhalees fool.

    Try to bring a change in your country first.

    Suba Dhavasak malli

  133. Ref. Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch
    Sri Lanka: Floods Threaten Camp Detainees. 18 August.

    The current situation is reported in today's ISLAND News paper as follows.

    "Rain affected IDPs reduced to mere 500
    by Dinasena Rathugamage

    At the commencement of the North-East monsoonal rains last week, almost 21,000 IDPs in the Vavuniya Welfare Centres were badly affected but due to emergency relief operations carried by the authorities those affected have been reduced to a mere 500 at present, Vavuniya District Secretary Ms P. M. S. Charles said.

    Due to the sudden downpour last week some welfare centres got flooded but most of the affected have been shifted to new camps put up at higher elevations and they have been supplied with cooked meals, the District Secretary further said.

    IDPs at welfare centres at zone 4 were worst affected due to the flooding. Toilet pits were washed away due to the floods but a proper drainage system has been put in place now and the problem solved, she said.

    New drainage pipes are also being laid at other welfare centres to prevent flood waters seeping through,Charles said.

    Ms Charles also said that the monsoonal rains commenced much earlier this time around and the authorities were caught unawares. However, more action is now being taken to protect the IDPs from any future floods, she said. "

    It should be mentioned that the District Secretary Ms Charles is from the Tamil community.

    The photographs in Brad Adams piece shows two isolated pools of water, which is a common occurrence anywhere in the world. There is no evidence in the photographs that the tents were under flood water.

  134. Ref. Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch
    Sri Lanka: Floods Threaten Camp Detainees. 18 August.

    The current situation is reported in today’s ISLAND News paper as follows.

    “Rain affected IDPs reduced to mere 500
    by Dinasena Rathugamage

    At the commencement of the North-East monsoonal rains last week, almost 21,000 IDPs in the Vavuniya Welfare Centres were badly affected but due to emergency relief operations carried by the authorities those affected have been reduced to a mere 500 at present, Vavuniya District Secretary Ms P. M. S. Charles said.

    Due to the sudden downpour last week some welfare centres got flooded but most of the affected have been shifted to new camps put up at higher elevations and they have been supplied with cooked meals, the District Secretary further said.

    IDPs at welfare centres at zone 4 were worst affected due to the flooding. Toilet pits were washed away due to the floods but a proper drainage system has been put in place now and the problem solved, she said.

    New drainage pipes are also being laid at other welfare centres to prevent flood waters seeping through,Charles said.

    Ms Charles also said that the monsoonal rains commenced much earlier this time around and the authorities were caught unawares. However, more action is now being taken to protect the IDPs from any future floods, she said. ”

    It should be mentioned that the District Secretary Ms Charles is from the Tamil community.

    The photographs in Brad Adams piece shows two isolated pools of water, which is a common occurrence anywhere in the world. There is no evidence in the photographs that the tents were under flood water.

  135. The underlying reasons for the plight of Tamils and their suffering in general,is basically a hit below the belt for humanity. The state of affairs/treatmet the same irrespective of which ethnicity one belongs to. Changing the minds of the leaders and the hardliners to stop the most brutal treatment is not easy when the FAITH doesnot condemn it. Sri Lanka and it's majority Bhuddists evolved to their own detriment in hating Tamils and their right to excist in their own land is clearly reported in the article attached.

    http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/sri-lanka

    I am sharing this useful read with all concerned human beings in this forum watching the suffering and feeling helpless. If only such investigative/analytical articles are available to the good majority within the country! things would get sorted out in no time. I would have expected such suffering is not permissible under any faith.

  136. Hello Vichara!
    With all respect i am telling you. Do not try to make busines with Thamils in Vanni Camps.
    Sri Lanka is one of poorest country in world.
    Year salary of a Lankan estimatly 600 up to 1000 euro.
    There are many Sinhala Beggers from Katunayaka Airport (Gateway of SL) from all over ther country.
    Rajapakse try to get money from the World by showing Vanni Thamils in Camp.
    Do not make your self cheap man.
    These people are not animals. Let them go. People of Vanni never begged for foods.
    SLG has made them Poor, Handicaps.
    Amnesty please try to save these people.

  137. The underlying reasons for the plight of Tamils and their suffering in general,is basically a hit below the belt for humanity. The state of affairs/treatmet the same irrespective of which ethnicity one belongs to. Changing the minds of the leaders and the hardliners to stop the most brutal treatment is not easy when the FAITH doesnot condemn it. Sri Lanka and it's majority Bhuddists evolved to their own detriment in hating Tamils and their right to excist in their own land is clearly reported in the article attached.

    http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/sri-lanka

    I am sharing this useful read with all concerned human beings in this forum watching the suffering and feeling helpless. If only such investigative/analytical articles are available to the good majority within the country! things would get sorted out in no time. I would have expected such suffering is not permissible under any faith.

  138. The underlying reasons for the plight of Tamils and their suffering in general,is basically a hit below the belt for humanity. The state of affairs/treatmet the same irrespective of which ethnicity one belongs to. Changing the minds of the leaders and the hardliners to stop the most brutal treatment is not easy when the FAITH doesnot condemn it. Sri Lanka and it's majority Bhuddists evolved to their own detriment in hating Tamils and their right to excist in their own land is clearly reported in the article attached.

    http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/sri-lanka

    I am sharing this useful read with all concerned human beings in this forum watching the suffering and feeling helpless. If only such investigative/analytical articles are available to the good majority within the country! things would get sorted out in no time. I would have expected such suffering is not permissible under any faith.

  139. Hello Vichara!
    With all respect i am telling you. Do not try to make busines with Thamils in Vanni Camps.
    Sri Lanka is one of poorest country in world.
    Year salary of a Lankan estimatly 600 up to 1000 euro.
    There are many Sinhala Beggers from Katunayaka Airport (Gateway of SL) from all over ther country.
    Rajapakse try to get money from the World by showing Vanni Thamils in Camp.
    Do not make your self cheap man.
    These people are not animals. Let them go. People of Vanni never begged for foods.
    SLG has made them Poor, Handicaps.
    Amnesty please try to save these people.

  140. The underlying reasons for the plight of Tamils and their suffering in general,is basically a hit below the belt for humanity. The state of affairs/treatmet the same irrespective of which ethnicity one belongs to. Changing the minds of the leaders and the hardliners to stop the most brutal treatment is not easy when the FAITH doesnot condemn it. Sri Lanka and it’s majority Bhuddists evolved to their own detriment in hating Tamils and their right to excist in their own land is clearly reported in the article attached.

    http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/sri-lanka

    I am sharing this useful read with all concerned human beings in this forum watching the suffering and feeling helpless. If only such investigative/analytical articles are available to the good majority within the country! things would get sorted out in no time. I would have expected such suffering is not permissible under any faith.

  141. Karava Alfonso Says:
    August 18th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    In Sri Lanka there are no restrictions on changing race or religion. It is correct that over time Tamils became Sinhalised in the Sinhala majority ares and Sinhalese became Tamilised in the Tamil majority areas. The ancestry of many Sinhalese Kings and generals could be traced to South Indian communities.

    During the colonial times the Tamil community received favored treatment form the colonial masters. So if the Tamil Karawas became Sinhala Karawas they probably saw some strong advantage in making the change.

    We are all Sri Lankans. Let us live together in peace and harmony

  142. Vichara says:
    August 18th,2009 at 12:03pm

    I think it is useless to talk about Colonial time. cauze it is past. Portugees, Netherland or Brittish are not in the Power in SL now. But one thing we both Thamils and Sinhalees must understand that Colonial Masters used our Ethnicity to creat problems among the Comunity in SL and captured the Country and Ruled the Country for their BENEFIT.

    Vichara Says: We are all Srilankans. Let us live together in peace and harmony

    Dear Friend!

    How is this possible?
    1.Sinhala Bhudist Govermant beeing Killing Thamils systamatically.
    2.S.B.G. Changing Thamils Village names in to Sinhala. ex: Jayanathi Nagar became Ginthu Pitiya (This is only one ex. I can give you more)
    3. S.L.G. Told they have saved the Civilians from LTTE??? and we all know those Civilians Stamped on Their Forehead as Terrorists and kept in Camps.
    What is this for a Joke?
    4.How comes Udaippu Udappuwa?
    5. Why S.B.G. setting Sinhala Schools among Thamils?
    6. WITHOUT FIR NO SMOKE. LTTE is not just poped up for some reason.
    7.Why Karawa Sinhala Christian cannot become Presidant in SL?
    8.Why Muslim cannot become Presidant in SL?
    9.Why Sinhala Christian can't become Presidant in SL?
    10. Why Thamil can't become prsidant in SL?

    SRI LANKA IS A ONLY SINHALA BHUDIST STATE.

    PROBLEM IN SL IS BHUDIST MONKS AND SLG LEADERS

    Share the Power with Thamils and solved the Problems. Then we can live in Peace and Harmony

  143. Karava Alfonso Says:
    August 18th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    In Sri Lanka there are no restrictions on changing race or religion. It is correct that over time Tamils became Sinhalised in the Sinhala majority ares and Sinhalese became Tamilised in the Tamil majority areas. The ancestry of many Sinhalese Kings and generals could be traced to South Indian communities.

    During the colonial times the Tamil community received favored treatment form the colonial masters. So if the Tamil Karawas became Sinhala Karawas they probably saw some strong advantage in making the change.

    We are all Sri Lankans. Let us live together in peace and harmony

  144. Vichara says:
    August 18th,2009 at 12:03pm

    I think it is useless to talk about Colonial time. cauze it is past. Portugees, Netherland or Brittish are not in the Power in SL now. But one thing we both Thamils and Sinhalees must understand that Colonial Masters used our Ethnicity to creat problems among the Comunity in SL and captured the Country and Ruled the Country for their BENEFIT.

    Vichara Says: We are all Srilankans. Let us live together in peace and harmony

    Dear Friend!

    How is this possible?
    1.Sinhala Bhudist Govermant beeing Killing Thamils systamatically.
    2.S.B.G. Changing Thamils Village names in to Sinhala. ex: Jayanathi Nagar became Ginthu Pitiya (This is only one ex. I can give you more)
    3. S.L.G. Told they have saved the Civilians from LTTE??? and we all know those Civilians Stamped on Their Forehead as Terrorists and kept in Camps.
    What is this for a Joke?
    4.How comes Udaippu Udappuwa?
    5. Why S.B.G. setting Sinhala Schools among Thamils?
    6. WITHOUT FIR NO SMOKE. LTTE is not just poped up for some reason.
    7.Why Karawa Sinhala Christian cannot become Presidant in SL?
    8.Why Muslim cannot become Presidant in SL?
    9.Why Sinhala Christian can’t become Presidant in SL?
    10. Why Thamil can’t become prsidant in SL?

    SRI LANKA IS A ONLY SINHALA BHUDIST STATE.

    PROBLEM IN SL IS BHUDIST MONKS AND SLG LEADERS

    Share the Power with Thamils and solved the Problems. Then we can live in Peace and Harmony

  145. Ref. Alfonso Comment:
    August 18th,2009 at 12:03pm Author: Alfonso

    I resist from giving a long reply as it will be a deviation from the theme of this blog. But in brief:-

    1. There has not being systematic killing by the Government of any community in Sri Lanka. There has been mob violence up to 1983 where both Tamil and Sinhalese were victims. In 1983 the government was slow to take firm and immediate action to control the violence. The violence in the South was invariably provoked by violence in the North. For instance the worst incidence of violence in the South in 1983 was a consequence of the brutal killing of 13 soldiers in Jaffna. Although there has been continuing acts of genocide by the LTTE in the Sinhalese border villages and the Muslims in the East, and killing of innocent civilians in the South, not a single incidence of violence against Tamils, has occurred in the South after 1983. That is why over 50 percent of Ceylon Tamils prefer to live in the South.

    2. To quote the eminent Tamil historian Dr. Indrapalan “In an area of only about nine hundred square miles covered by this peninsula, there occur over a thousand Sinhalese place names which have survived in a Tamil garb. (page 270-273)” (Dr. Karthigesu Indrapala’s PhD thesis on Dravidian Settlements in Ceylon, University of London 1965.).

    3. There are Sinhala Schools in Tamil areas and Tamil Schools in Sinhalese areas. The law is that a child has to be educated in his or her mother tongue.

    4. One cannot expect Tamil political leaders to become national leaders when they are members of communal parties. The only moderate Tamil leaders who had a national perspective like Kadiragamar and Neelan Tiruchelvam were assassinated by the LTTE.

    Let us be more objective in looking at this complex and tragic problem.

  146. Ref. Alfonso Comment:
    August 18th,2009 at 12:03pm Author: Alfonso

    I resist from giving a long reply as it will be a deviation from the theme of this blog. But in brief:-

    1. There has not being systematic killing by the Government of any community in Sri Lanka. There has been mob violence up to 1983 where both Tamil and Sinhalese were victims. In 1983 the government was slow to take firm and immediate action to control the violence. The violence in the South was invariably provoked by violence in the North. For instance the worst incidence of violence in the South in 1983 was a consequence of the brutal killing of 13 soldiers in Jaffna. Although there has been continuing acts of genocide by the LTTE in the Sinhalese border villages and the Muslims in the East, and killing of innocent civilians in the South, not a single incidence of violence against Tamils, has occurred in the South after 1983. That is why over 50 percent of Ceylon Tamils prefer to live in the South.

    2. To quote the eminent Tamil historian Dr. Indrapalan “In an area of only about nine hundred square miles covered by this peninsula, there occur over a thousand Sinhalese place names which have survived in a Tamil garb. (page 270-273)” (Dr. Karthigesu Indrapala’s PhD thesis on Dravidian Settlements in Ceylon, University of London 1965.).

    3. There are Sinhala Schools in Tamil areas and Tamil Schools in Sinhalese areas. The law is that a child has to be educated in his or her mother tongue.

    4. One cannot expect Tamil political leaders to become national leaders when they are members of communal parties. The only moderate Tamil leaders who had a national perspective like Kadiragamar and Neelan Tiruchelvam were assassinated by the LTTE.

    Let us be more objective in looking at this complex and tragic problem.

  147. Ref. Alfonso Says: August 19th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    Dear Alfonso,
    When you cannot get away with your untruths and half truths, and when you have to face the truth you resort to obfuscation. Can you refute the facts in my note?
    You survive on myths and fiction.
    Meaning of Vichara is crtical examination.
    You sound like an immature Alfonso mango- very sour. Alfonso is the sweetest fruit when ripe.
    Let us stick to the problems of the IDPs which is of universal concern, not only yours. Do you want to send them to the minefields?

  148. Every time an incident happens in the North due to survival issues, Tamils in the rest of the country gets hit three fold. Mobs are readily available for use at a whistle!!. North & East had no mobs only had rebels. Now that they are wiped out, Sri Lanka shoul try & do what they need to do for those mobs in the south then only lasting peace would come.
    LTTE is a dedicated force it can always spring back up to cause further violence if the Govt doesnot come up with a solution to 61 years old poroblem.
    Vichara is kidding, he doesnot remember the riots of 56/58/77/83 !! and now in 2009 against the Tamils! the killings were unbelievably organized sadly, it goes to show a TAMIL HATE elements are either within the Govt or driving the Govt.

  149. Ref. Alfonso Says: August 19th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    Dear Alfonso,
    When you cannot get away with your untruths and half truths, and when you have to face the truth you resort to obfuscation. Can you refute the facts in my note?
    You survive on myths and fiction.
    Meaning of Vichara is crtical examination.
    You sound like an immature Alfonso mango- very sour. Alfonso is the sweetest fruit when ripe.
    Let us stick to the problems of the IDPs which is of universal concern, not only yours. Do you want to send them to the minefields?

  150. Every time an incident happens in the North due to survival issues, Tamils in the rest of the country gets hit three fold. Mobs are readily available for use at a whistle!!. North & East had no mobs only had rebels. Now that they are wiped out, Sri Lanka shoul try & do what they need to do for those mobs in the south then only lasting peace would come.
    LTTE is a dedicated force it can always spring back up to cause further violence if the Govt doesnot come up with a solution to 61 years old poroblem.
    Vichara is kidding, he doesnot remember the riots of 56/58/77/83 !! and now in 2009 against the Tamils! the killings were unbelievably organized sadly, it goes to show a TAMIL HATE elements are either within the Govt or driving the Govt.

  151. The Sinhalese friends should realize atleast now, what kind of importance Sri Lanka's regime shows to human life & suffering. The regime is pleasing the extremist mass looked up to the preachings from the violent Monks grew up thinking Tamils are evil!! and now refuse to condemn Tamil carnage. Surely the mentality is going to spread against other ethnicities watch out in the future and finally to the non-fanatic population of the Buddhist Sri Lanka.
    All the Sinhalese celebrating the victory now over Tamil thirst for peace/dignity/safety ought to realize, sticking with the norms and morals to practice the religion is very important at this juncture, work with righteous methods, not by the sword,bombs and now death threats against acadamics as per the above BBC report. The standards Sri Lanka sets for nomalcy is dangerously low irrespective of the ethnicity.
    Thanks for sharing the disgusting report on the reality, Sri Lanka's direction and it's attitude towards humanity.

  152. Everyone talks of LTTE as brutal?!! but listen to this
    they seem to be the most righteous in the struggle.
    Sadly used wrong methods and got labeled I am sure people in this forum must be able to understand the reasons after seeing the way the war got conducted.

    Thank you guys you both are the brave heros for Tamils, taking such risk to come out and admit, hope you donot get into trouble for it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im43-bLh28&fea

  153. Everyone talks of LTTE as brutal?!! but listen to this
    they seem to be the most righteous in the struggle.
    Sadly used wrong methods and got labeled I am sure people in this forum must be able to understand the reasons after seeing the way the war got conducted.

    Thank you guys you both are the brave heros for Tamils, taking such risk to come out and admit, hope you donot get into trouble for it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im43-bLh28&fea

  154. Everyone talks of LTTE as brutal?!! but listen to this
    they seem to be the most righteous in the struggle.
    Sadly used wrong methods and got labeled I am sure people in this forum must be able to understand the reasons after seeing the way the war got conducted.

    Thank you guys you both are the brave heros for Tamils, taking such risk to come out and admit, hope you donot get into trouble for it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im43-bLh28&fea

  155. The Sinhalese friends should realize atleast now, what kind of importance Sri Lanka’s regime shows to human life & suffering. The regime is pleasing the extremist mass looked up to the preachings from the violent Monks grew up thinking Tamils are evil!! and now refuse to condemn Tamil carnage. Surely the mentality is going to spread against other ethnicities watch out in the future and finally to the non-fanatic population of the Buddhist Sri Lanka.
    All the Sinhalese celebrating the victory now over Tamil thirst for peace/dignity/safety ought to realize, sticking with the norms and morals to practice the religion is very important at this juncture, work with righteous methods, not by the sword,bombs and now death threats against acadamics as per the above BBC report. The standards Sri Lanka sets for nomalcy is dangerously low irrespective of the ethnicity.
    Thanks for sharing the disgusting report on the reality, Sri Lanka’s direction and it’s attitude towards humanity.

  156. Everyone talks of LTTE as brutal?!! but listen to this
    they seem to be the most righteous in the struggle.
    Sadly used wrong methods and got labeled I am sure people in this forum must be able to understand the reasons after seeing the way the war got conducted.

    Thank you guys you both are the brave heros for Tamils, taking such risk to come out and admit, hope you donot get into trouble for it.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im43-bLh28&feature=related

  157. How can the 300,000 Tamils behind barbed wire trust such a brutal, callus, cavalier sinhala military to guard them from who? from the same?! Who should be behind barbed wire is clear in these pictures. Looking for comments from the Sinhala natinals here in this forum.

  158. How can the 300,000 Tamils behind barbed wire trust such a brutal, callus, cavalier sinhala military to guard them from who? from the same?! Who should be behind barbed wire is clear in these pictures. Looking for comments from the Sinhala natinals here in this forum.

  159. How Strange? The ministers of Sri Lanka doesnot seem to realize these noble men are an asset, should treasure them as jewels of Sri Lankan heritage makes anyone feel proud. What the rulers are doing is just the opposite instead. The actual embarrassment comes from the ministers of Sri Lanka making stories in an effort to justify their emabarrasing laws and actions while whole world condemns them.
    Sad reality of this paradize island tainted with so much blood/corruption/deception/offence the lovely people of Sri Lanka has been gagged and getting drawn through mud.
    The majority condemns within yet they have no power to control or lead Sri Lanka out of such miscery. Why Sri Lanka still doesnot realize it!. The day they do..country will do good otherwise I could see it going down the chute. All patriotic with stamina should preach this to the evil doers winning their political agenda the name of bringing harmony to the country It is such a waste.

  160. How Strange? The ministers of Sri Lanka doesnot seem to realize these noble men are an asset, should treasure them as jewels of Sri Lankan heritage makes anyone feel proud. What the rulers are doing is just the opposite instead. The actual embarrassment comes from the ministers of Sri Lanka making stories in an effort to justify their emabarrasing laws and actions while whole world condemns them.
    Sad reality of this paradize island tainted with so much blood/corruption/deception/offence the lovely people of Sri Lanka has been gagged and getting drawn through mud.
    The majority condemns within yet they have no power to control or lead Sri Lanka out of such miscery. Why Sri Lanka still doesnot realize it!. The day they do..country will do good otherwise I could see it going down the chute. All patriotic with stamina should preach this to the evil doers winning their political agenda the name of bringing harmony to the country It is such a waste.

  161. Strange behaviour of Sri Lanka with such short term vision and destructive mind for very minimal gain with maximum loss of reputation. The country is sadly drifting to be the worst looser of the century. Every thing going in favour of Sri Lanka is now against them. Today I read about a verdict of 20 years imprisonment for a journalist only for being honest about publishing his views!! Leading news papers carried the news, fab four brothers who is leading
    Sri Lanka is being driven by the blessings from the Bhuddist monks! They surely need futher advise and guidance from who ever they trust certainly not the other violators of the world.
    Sri Lanka turned brutal bringing down all human beliefs and standards that exists in the world. Funnyly enough they keep challenging and comparing the 18th century brutality yet acting in the 21st century still wants to keep up with the progression of the rest of the world.
    In such a small, so called Bhuddha loving country, there is no need for 18th century methods if they believe in humanity. Now the whole sinhala population getting on the military payroll to keep the economy going! Sad or Mad no idea! All of the brutal leaders need psychotherapy and people need help desperately to gain freedom from this evil oppressive forces.

  162. The violence is still being used to choke the voices of dissent in Sri Lanka. The editor of the Sunday Leader, a Sri Lankan editor, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on motorcycles as he drove to work. Following numerous encounters with the government, Lasantha Wickramatunga knew that his life might soon be cut short by those who wished to silence him, yet he pursued and exposed the truth regardless. His death is a great loss for the world of serious journalism. Such treatment of journalists, and those closest to them, has led to a paralysis of the media community in the Sri Lanka. Two trends were noted in a Human Rights Watch resolution on Sri Lanka: lack of press access and independent information flow in the country, assaults on and intimidation of journalists covering the Sri Lanka.

  163. Unbelieveable
    “Now the whole sinhala population is getting on the military payroll to keep the economy going! Sad or Mad no idea! All of the brutal leaders need psychotherapy and people need help desperately to gain freedom from these evil oppressive forces.”
    Well said Unbelieveable, you hit right on the target !! Sri Lanka is a failed terror state !!!!!!!

  164. Strange behaviour of Sri Lanka with such short term vision and destructive mind for very minimal gain with maximum loss of reputation. The country is sadly drifting to be the worst looser of the century. Every thing going in favour of Sri Lanka is now against them. Today I read about a verdict of 20 years imprisonment for a journalist only for being honest about publishing his views!! Leading news papers carried the news, fab four brothers who is leading
    Sri Lanka is being driven by the blessings from the Bhuddist monks! They surely need futher advise and guidance from who ever they trust certainly not the other violators of the world.
    Sri Lanka turned brutal bringing down all human beliefs and standards that exists in the world. Funnyly enough they keep challenging and comparing the 18th century brutality yet acting in the 21st century still wants to keep up with the progression of the rest of the world.
    In such a small, so called Bhuddha loving country, there is no need for 18th century methods if they believe in humanity. Now the whole sinhala population getting on the military payroll to keep the economy going! Sad or Mad no idea! All of the brutal leaders need psychotherapy and people need help desperately to gain freedom from this evil oppressive forces.

  165. The violence is still being used to choke the voices of dissent in Sri Lanka. The editor of the Sunday Leader, a Sri Lankan editor, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on motorcycles as he drove to work. Following numerous encounters with the government, Lasantha Wickramatunga knew that his life might soon be cut short by those who wished to silence him, yet he pursued and exposed the truth regardless. His death is a great loss for the world of serious journalism. Such treatment of journalists, and those closest to them, has led to a paralysis of the media community in the Sri Lanka. Two trends were noted in a Human Rights Watch resolution on Sri Lanka: lack of press access and independent information flow in the country, assaults on and intimidation of journalists covering the Sri Lanka.

  166. Unbelieveable
    “Now the whole sinhala population is getting on the military payroll to keep the economy going! Sad or Mad no idea! All of the brutal leaders need psychotherapy and people need help desperately to gain freedom from these evil oppressive forces.”
    Well said Unbelieveable, you hit right on the target !! Sri Lanka is a failed terror state !!!!!!!

  167. Sri Lanka's Terrorist Investigation Division arrested J.S. Tissainayagam, the editor of news web site OutreachSL, and today he was sentenced to 20 years in prison under anti-terrorism laws. The charges against Tissainayagam cite a magazine, North Eastern Monthly, which the journalist edited in 2006. Two charges relate to articles Tissainayagam wrote for the magazine. The Sri Lankan government said the articles incited communal disharmony, an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. J.S. Tissainayagam, a Sri Lankan Hindu Tamil, endured long detention, harsh charges and subsequent sentencing to 20 years in prison for publishing a magazine, which should not constitute an offence. This is the latest step by the Sri Lankan government to intimidate journalists. Sri Lankan Government Minister denied that Sri Lankan Hindu journalist had been jailed for criticizing the government. "Some of his publications were designed to embarrass the Sri Lankan government” Sri Lankan minister said

  168. Sri Lanka’s Terrorist Investigation Division arrested J.S. Tissainayagam, the editor of news web site OutreachSL, and today he was sentenced to 20 years in prison under anti-terrorism laws. The charges against Tissainayagam cite a magazine, North Eastern Monthly, which the journalist edited in 2006. Two charges relate to articles Tissainayagam wrote for the magazine. The Sri Lankan government said the articles incited communal disharmony, an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. J.S. Tissainayagam, a Sri Lankan Hindu Tamil, endured long detention, harsh charges and subsequent sentencing to 20 years in prison for publishing a magazine, which should not constitute an offence. This is the latest step by the Sri Lankan government to intimidate journalists. Sri Lankan Government Minister denied that Sri Lankan Hindu journalist had been jailed for criticizing the government. “Some of his publications were designed to embarrass the Sri Lankan government” Sri Lankan minister said

  169. If Mawatha Silva is really working to negate and deny inhumane behaviour of
    SL then he has "blood on his hands" that is exactly the terminology of Gotha.
    Karma is something Bhuddhists believe in yet they commit so much of sin trying to make Sri Lanka a Bhuddhist country.
    My experience, sharing with the "do gooders" here both my computers crashed
    on the link Vanni sent on Reuters – South Asia report on UN to probe execution. Take all precaustions! save your hard drives I need to replace both it seems like and both happened one after the other on the same page while reading.

  170. If Mawatha Silva is really working to negate and deny inhumane behaviour of
    SL then he has “blood on his hands” that is exactly the terminology of Gotha.
    Karma is something Bhuddhists believe in yet they commit so much of sin trying to make Sri Lanka a Bhuddhist country.
    My experience, sharing with the “do gooders” here both my computers crashed
    on the link Vanni sent on Reuters – South Asia report on UN to probe execution. Take all precaustions! save your hard drives I need to replace both it seems like and both happened one after the other on the same page while reading.

  171. These scenes, captured on video, allegedly show extra-judicial killings of Tamils by Sri Lankan troops earlier this year in the bitter and bloody endgame of the country’s civil war. The man is young, naked, bound and blindfolded; a corpse lying across his legs. A soldier approaches him in what appears to be Sri Lankan army uniform and shoots him at point-blank range, apparently amused at the death. “It’s like he jumped,” he says. After the murder the video, taken in daylight, pans out to show eight bound corpses, all shot in the head and all but one naked. Voices in the background speak Sinhalese; as the footage concludes, viewers see a ninth bound victim. The significance of this footage – particularly shocking for the seemingly casual way in which the killings were carried out – is even greater given the way that journalists and independent observers were prevented by the government from reaching the war zone. According to Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS), a multiethnic exile organization, the video was taken by a soldier with a cell phone in January 2009 at Kilinochchi. Sri Lankan soldier apparently took this footage, which was then smuggled out of the country by (JDS) activists. It may constitute the first hard evidence for those who believe war crimes were committed by Sri Lanka in the effort to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_

  172. Things are moving in the right direction : )
    United Nations, A video footage purportedly showing summary execution of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army is disturbing, a top Obama Administration official said. "These reports are very disturbing. They are of grave concern," US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said at a news briefing in response to a question on the video footage which was first aired by Channel 4 of Britain. http://www.ptinews.com/news/262600_Lankan-footage

  173. These scenes, captured on video, allegedly show extra-judicial killings of Tamils by Sri Lankan troops earlier this year in the bitter and bloody endgame of the country’s civil war. The man is young, naked, bound and blindfolded; a corpse lying across his legs. A soldier approaches him in what appears to be Sri Lankan army uniform and shoots him at point-blank range, apparently amused at the death. “It’s like he jumped,” he says. After the murder the video, taken in daylight, pans out to show eight bound corpses, all shot in the head and all but one naked. Voices in the background speak Sinhalese; as the footage concludes, viewers see a ninth bound victim. The significance of this footage – particularly shocking for the seemingly casual way in which the killings were carried out – is even greater given the way that journalists and independent observers were prevented by the government from reaching the war zone. According to Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS), a multiethnic exile organization, the video was taken by a soldier with a cell phone in January 2009 at Kilinochchi. Sri Lankan soldier apparently took this footage, which was then smuggled out of the country by (JDS) activists. It may constitute the first hard evidence for those who believe war crimes were committed by Sri Lanka in the effort to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_

  174. These scenes, captured on video, allegedly show extra-judicial killings of Tamils by Sri Lankan troops earlier this year in the bitter and bloody endgame of the country’s civil war. The man is young, naked, bound and blindfolded; a corpse lying across his legs. A soldier approaches him in what appears to be Sri Lankan army uniform and shoots him at point-blank range, apparently amused at the death. “It’s like he jumped,” he says. After the murder the video, taken in daylight, pans out to show eight bound corpses, all shot in the head and all but one naked. Voices in the background speak Sinhalese; as the footage concludes, viewers see a ninth bound victim. The significance of this footage – particularly shocking for the seemingly casual way in which the killings were carried out – is even greater given the way that journalists and independent observers were prevented by the government from reaching the war zone. According to Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS), a multiethnic exile organization, the video was taken by a soldier with a cell phone in January 2009 at Kilinochchi. Sri Lankan soldier apparently took this footage, which was then smuggled out of the country by (JDS) activists. It may constitute the first hard evidence for those who believe war crimes were committed by Sri Lanka in the effort to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_

  175. The responsibility is on the government of Sri Lanka to demonstrate that a video of this quality and this apparent authenticity is in fact a fake. It is certainly not getting UN anywhere to simply dismiss it out of hand. There is a clear onus on the Sri Lanka government to demonstrate the validity of their claim. Also you have to bear in mind that the Sri Lankan government imposed a comprehensive press and other blackout on the entire war area, so there were no immediate reports. There were very few reports from any other sources. Nonetheless, there has been a series of allegations about widespread killings in the last few months of the war. Those killings have led to a number of calls for the Sri Lankan Government to investigate, to permit an independent international investigation to take place. However, to this date, there has been no response.

  176. After reading all of you, I am beginning to doubt if this page is a valid page!!!
    Is it really by amnesty I wonder!

  177. Thanks for Vanni for links in your post
    ( Vanni Says: September 1st, 2009 at 9:51 pm )
    Especially the war criminals link !! I could not wait for the moment when all off those mass murders will be persecuted.. And this will happen sooner rather than later with people you, Vanni !! Will shall overcome !!!! : )

  178. Things are moving in the right direction : )
    United Nations, A video footage purportedly showing summary execution of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army is disturbing, a top Obama Administration official said. "These reports are very disturbing. They are of grave concern," US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said at a news briefing in response to a question on the video footage which was first aired by Channel 4 of Britain. http://www.ptinews.com/news/262600_Lankan-footage

  179. Things are moving in the right direction : )
    United Nations, A video footage purportedly showing summary execution of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army is disturbing, a top Obama Administration official said. "These reports are very disturbing. They are of grave concern," US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said at a news briefing in response to a question on the video footage which was first aired by Channel 4 of Britain. http://www.ptinews.com/news/262600_Lankan-footage

  180. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_
    The summary execution of prisoners is a violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and a war crime.
    This apparent atrocity makes nonsense of Sri Lanka President Mahinda claims of a clean war against the Tamil Tigers,” said Steve Crawshaw, UN director at Human Rights Watch."
    An international inquiry needs to get to the bottom of this and other war crimes committed during the past years fighting.
    Human Rights Watch has long criticized the government’s failure to carry out impartial investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the numerous human rights abuses committed by both sides during the conflict.
    There have been serious ongoing violations of human rights, and the backlog of cases of enforced disappearances and unlawful killings runs to the tens of thousands.
    Only a small number of cases have ended in prosecutions.
    Past efforts to address violations through the establishment of ad hoc mechanisms in Sri Lanka, such as presidential commissions of inquiry, have produced little information and few prosecutions.
    In interview with Time magazine, Sri Lanka prs Mahinda said that during the war, “[t]here was no violation of human rights. There were no civilian casualties.”
    Human Rights Watch said “International Community (IC) should stop relying on the president’s promises of domestic action and make it clear that an international commission is needed if the victims of Sri Lanka’s bloody war are to find justice.”

  181. A Sri Lankan Tamil journalist sentenced to 20 years in prison on has now been given an award for courageous and ethical journalism.
    JS Tissainayagam has been named the first recipient of the Peter Mackler Award by the Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders
    The world's largest organisation of journalists, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has condemned the judgement – which also sentences Mr Tissainayagam to hard labour while in prison – and described it as "disproportionate, brutal and inhumane".
    The Tamil journalist has already been in detention for a year-and-a-half and was one of a handful of journalists mentioned in May by US President Barack Obama, who called them "emblematic examples" of reporters jailed for their work.

  182. We recognize and appreciate the interest and enthusiasm that this topic has sparked among our readers. And we always encourage our commenters to partake in thoughtful debate that clearly and calmly presents their views.

    I want to take a moment to remind our readers that all comments must be directly related to the issue presented in the original blog post. We will not tolerate any off-topic posts, abusive comments or personal attacks on this blog. We also discourage posting links without explaining why that link is relevant to the full discussion. Comments should represent YOUR views, not simply link to other sources or copy content from other articles.

    Please refer to the Rules of Conduct section in our Terms of Use [http://www.amnestyusa.org/privacy-policy/terms-of-use/page.do?id=1041145] statement if you need further information. Please respect our community.

  183. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_
    The summary execution of prisoners is a violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and a war crime.
    This apparent atrocity makes nonsense of Sri Lanka President Mahinda claims of a clean war against the Tamil Tigers,” said Steve Crawshaw, UN director at Human Rights Watch."
    An international inquiry needs to get to the bottom of this and other war crimes committed during the past years fighting.
    Human Rights Watch has long criticized the government’s failure to carry out impartial investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the numerous human rights abuses committed by both sides during the conflict.
    There have been serious ongoing violations of human rights, and the backlog of cases of enforced disappearances and unlawful killings runs to the tens of thousands.
    Only a small number of cases have ended in prosecutions.
    Past efforts to address violations through the establishment of ad hoc mechanisms in Sri Lanka, such as presidential commissions of inquiry, have produced little information and few prosecutions.
    In interview with Time magazine, Sri Lanka prs Mahinda said that during the war, “[t]here was no violation of human rights. There were no civilian casualties.”
    Human Rights Watch said “International Community (IC) should stop relying on the president’s promises of domestic action and make it clear that an international commission is needed if the victims of Sri Lanka’s bloody war are to find justice.”

  184. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_
    The summary execution of prisoners is a violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and a war crime.
    This apparent atrocity makes nonsense of Sri Lanka President Mahinda claims of a clean war against the Tamil Tigers,” said Steve Crawshaw, UN director at Human Rights Watch."
    An international inquiry needs to get to the bottom of this and other war crimes committed during the past years fighting.
    Human Rights Watch has long criticized the government’s failure to carry out impartial investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the numerous human rights abuses committed by both sides during the conflict.
    There have been serious ongoing violations of human rights, and the backlog of cases of enforced disappearances and unlawful killings runs to the tens of thousands.
    Only a small number of cases have ended in prosecutions.
    Past efforts to address violations through the establishment of ad hoc mechanisms in Sri Lanka, such as presidential commissions of inquiry, have produced little information and few prosecutions.
    In interview with Time magazine, Sri Lanka prs Mahinda said that during the war, “[t]here was no violation of human rights. There were no civilian casualties.”
    Human Rights Watch said “International Community (IC) should stop relying on the president’s promises of domestic action and make it clear that an international commission is needed if the victims of Sri Lanka’s bloody war are to find justice.”

  185. We recognize and appreciate the interest and enthusiasm that this topic has sparked among our readers. And we always encourage our commenters to partake in thoughtful debate that clearly and calmly presents their views.

    I want to take a moment to remind our readers that all comments must be directly related to the issue presented in the original blog post. We will not tolerate any off-topic posts, abusive comments or personal attacks on this blog. We also discourage posting links without explaining why that link is relevant to the full discussion. Comments should represent YOUR views, not simply link to other sources or copy content from other articles.

    Please refer to the Rules of Conduct section in our Terms of Use [http://www.amnestyusa.org/privacy-policy/terms-of-use/page.do?id=1041145] statement if you need further information. Please respect our community.

  186. We recognize and appreciate the interest and enthusiasm that this topic has sparked among our readers. And we always encourage our commenters to partake in thoughtful debate that clearly and calmly presents their views.

    I want to take a moment to remind our readers that all comments must be directly related to the issue presented in the original blog post. We will not tolerate any off-topic posts, abusive comments or personal attacks on this blog. We also discourage posting links without explaining why that link is relevant to the full discussion. Comments should represent YOUR views, not simply link to other sources or copy content from other articles.

    Please refer to the Rules of Conduct section in our Terms of Use [http://www.amnestyusa.org/privacy-policy/terms-of-use/page.do?id=1041145] statement if you need further information. Please respect our community.

  187. Thanks, I am sure these people are driven inside the open prisons for their survival instict as a human.
    Sri Lanka (majority Govt) knows they have always been targeting Tamils for no reason, made the problem turn in to such a mess. These are very innocent Tamils among them are may be the "Tamils for self defence" acted in a way now getting targeted by the very same military bombed them in the first place. Just imagine yourself in their shoe all humans could be made to get terror instict by terrorism on themselves in their own native land.
    Such ridiculus method by Sri Lanka degrades human race and soon the world will be in open prison/refugee camp under the dictators/deceivers/oppressing brutes/mass destructors because a few blind, greedy capitalistic countries lost their ethical stand in putting leathal weapons in wrong hands!

  188. Hi moderator,
    Please remove the link posted on September 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm by me.

    Hi Dis-Service to Humanity say
    "sent on Reuters – South Asia report on UN to probe execution Take all precaustions! save your hard drives I need to replace both it seems like and both happened one after the other on the same page while reading."
    Which date link caused this damaged, I had same issue, could be different link. I recovered the data.

  189. These scenes, captured on video, allegedly show extra-judicial killings of Tamils by Sri Lankan troops earlier this year in the bitter and bloody endgame of the country’s civil war. The man is young, naked, bound and blindfolded; a corpse lying across his legs. A soldier approaches him in what appears to be Sri Lankan army uniform and shoots him at point-blank range, apparently amused at the death. “It’s like he jumped,” he says. After the murder the video, taken in daylight, pans out to show eight bound corpses, all shot in the head and all but one naked. Voices in the background speak Sinhalese; as the footage concludes, viewers see a ninth bound victim. The significance of this footage – particularly shocking for the seemingly casual way in which the killings were carried out – is even greater given the way that journalists and independent observers were prevented by the government from reaching the war zone. According to Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS), a multiethnic exile organization, the video was taken by a soldier with a cell phone in January 2009 at Kilinochchi. Sri Lankan soldier apparently took this footage, which was then smuggled out of the country by (JDS) activists. It may constitute the first hard evidence for those who believe war crimes were committed by Sri Lanka in the effort to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
    http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_pacific/execution%20video%20is%20this%20evidence%20of%20war%20crimes%20in%20sri%20lanka/3321087

  190. The responsibility is on the government of Sri Lanka to demonstrate that a video of this quality and this apparent authenticity is in fact a fake. It is certainly not getting UN anywhere to simply dismiss it out of hand. There is a clear onus on the Sri Lanka government to demonstrate the validity of their claim. Also you have to bear in mind that the Sri Lankan government imposed a comprehensive press and other blackout on the entire war area, so there were no immediate reports. There were very few reports from any other sources. Nonetheless, there has been a series of allegations about widespread killings in the last few months of the war. Those killings have led to a number of calls for the Sri Lankan Government to investigate, to permit an independent international investigation to take place. However, to this date, there has been no response.

  191. After reading all of you, I am beginning to doubt if this page is a valid page!!!
    Is it really by amnesty I wonder!

  192. Thanks for Vanni for links in your post
    ( Vanni Says: September 1st, 2009 at 9:51 pm )
    Especially the war criminals link !! I could not wait for the moment when all off those mass murders will be persecuted.. And this will happen sooner rather than later with people you, Vanni !! Will shall overcome !!!! : )

  193. I guess economic deprivation might make Sri Lanka think again on their strategy. All what they need to do is release the people from camp and stop giving such "cock & bull story" to convince the world inturn making themselves idiots of the century trying to fool others.
    Hopefully we would have some news on the release of Tamils from camp/prison.
    http://www.economist.com/world/international/disp

    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?

    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.”
    http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory….

  194. @Voice4voiceless – we only remove comments that violate our Terms of Use. If you at one point had a problem with this link, then we want to make people aware of it.

  195. Things are moving in the right direction : )
    United Nations, A video footage purportedly showing summary execution of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army is disturbing, a top Obama Administration official said. “These reports are very disturbing. They are of grave concern,” US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said at a news briefing in response to a question on the video footage which was first aired by Channel 4 of Britain.
    http://www.ptinews.com/news/262600_Lankan-footage-on-execution-of-Tamils-disturbing–Rice

  196. Dear moderator,
    Would you please remove my posts marked by ( Your comment is awaiting moderation)
    I noticed some bloggers are gone and in this situation, it’s a bit confusing to readers
    Thanks a lot

  197. A Sri Lankan Tamil journalist sentenced to 20 years in prison on has now been given an award for courageous and ethical journalism.
    JS Tissainayagam has been named the first recipient of the Peter Mackler Award by the Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders
    The world’s largest organisation of journalists, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has condemned the judgement – which also sentences Mr Tissainayagam to hard labour while in prison – and described it as “disproportionate, brutal and inhumane”.
    The Tamil journalist has already been in detention for a year-and-a-half and was one of a handful of journalists mentioned in May by US President Barack Obama, who called them “emblematic examples” of reporters jailed for their work.

  198. I guess economic deprivation might make Sri Lanka think again on their strategy. All what they need to do is release the people from camp and stop giving such "cock & bull story" to convince the world inturn making themselves idiots of the century trying to fool others.
    Hopefully we would have some news on the release of Tamils from camp/prison.
    http://www.economist.com/world/international/disp

    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?

    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.”
    http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory….

  199. I guess economic deprivation might make Sri Lanka think again on their strategy. All what they need to do is release the people from camp and stop giving such "cock & bull story" to convince the world inturn making themselves idiots of the century trying to fool others.
    Hopefully we would have some news on the release of Tamils from camp/prison.
    http://www.economist.com/world/international/disp

    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?

    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.”
    http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory….

  200. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_pacific/execution%20video%20is%20this%20evidence%20of%20war%20crimes%20in%20sri%20lanka/3321087
    The summary execution of prisoners is a violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and a war crime.
    This apparent atrocity makes nonsense of Sri Lanka President Mahinda claims of a clean war against the Tamil Tigers,” said Steve Crawshaw, UN director at Human Rights Watch.”
    An international inquiry needs to get to the bottom of this and other war crimes committed during the past years fighting.
    Human Rights Watch has long criticized the government’s failure to carry out impartial investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the numerous human rights abuses committed by both sides during the conflict.
    There have been serious ongoing violations of human rights, and the backlog of cases of enforced disappearances and unlawful killings runs to the tens of thousands.
    Only a small number of cases have ended in prosecutions.
    Past efforts to address violations through the establishment of ad hoc mechanisms in Sri Lanka, such as presidential commissions of inquiry, have produced little information and few prosecutions.
    In interview with Time magazine, Sri Lanka prs Mahinda said that during the war, “[t]here was no violation of human rights. There were no civilian casualties.”
    Human Rights Watch said “International Community (IC) should stop relying on the president’s promises of domestic action and make it clear that an international commission is needed if the victims of Sri Lanka’s bloody war are to find justice.”

  201. We recognize and appreciate the interest and enthusiasm that this topic has sparked among our readers. And we always encourage our commenters to partake in thoughtful debate that clearly and calmly presents their views.

    I want to take a moment to remind our readers that all comments must be directly related to the issue presented in the original blog post. We will not tolerate any off-topic posts, abusive comments or personal attacks on this blog. We also discourage posting links without explaining why that link is relevant to the full discussion. Comments should represent YOUR views, not simply link to other sources or copy content from other articles.

    Please refer to the Rules of Conduct section in our Terms of Use [http://www.amnestyusa.org/privacy-policy/terms-of-use/page.do?id=1041145] statement if you need further information. Please respect our community.

  202. Thanks, I am sure these people are driven inside the open prisons for their survival instict as a human.
    Sri Lanka (majority Govt) knows they have always been targeting Tamils for no reason, made the problem turn in to such a mess. These are very innocent Tamils among them are may be the “Tamils for self defence” acted in a way now getting targeted by the very same military bombed them in the first place. Just imagine yourself in their shoe all humans could be made to get terror instict by terrorism on themselves in their own native land.
    Such ridiculus method by Sri Lanka degrades human race and soon the world will be in open prison/refugee camp under the dictators/deceivers/oppressing brutes/mass destructors because a few blind, greedy capitalistic countries lost their ethical stand in putting leathal weapons in wrong hands!

  203. Hi moderator,
    Please remove the link posted on September 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm by me.

    Hi Dis-Service to Humanity say
    “sent on Reuters – South Asia report on UN to probe execution Take all precaustions! save your hard drives I need to replace both it seems like and both happened one after the other on the same page while reading.”
    Which date link caused this damaged, I had same issue, could be different link. I recovered the data.

  204. @Voice4voiceless – we only remove comments that violate our Terms of Use. If you at one point had a problem with this link, then we want to make people aware of it.

  205. Dear moderator,
    Would you please remove my posts marked by ( Your comment is awaiting moderation)
    I noticed some bloggers are gone and in this situation, it’s a bit confusing to readers
    Thanks a lot

  206. I guess economic deprivation might make Sri Lanka think again on their strategy. All what they need to do is release the people from camp and stop giving such “cock & bull story” to convince the world inturn making themselves idiots of the century trying to fool others.
    Hopefully we would have some news on the release of Tamils from camp/prison.

    http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14380281

    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?

    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.”

    http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14384352

  207. Money talks with good & evil Says:
    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?
    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.” http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory….

    Where it happend, I did't find the news.

  208. Money talks with good & evil Says:
    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?
    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.” http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory….

    Where it happend, I did't find the news.

  209. Money talks with good & evil Says:
    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?
    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.” http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory….

    Where it happend, I did't find the news.

  210. The failure of successive Sri Lankan governments to provide accountability for serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture and rape. The Sri Lankan government should initiate internal reforms and seek international assistance to prevent ongoing violations and ensure real accountability for past abuses. 300,000 Tamils remain interned without trial in so called "welfare centers" that are concentration camps in all but name. Contrary to international law there is no freedom of movement of the displaced and there is not enough water, food and sanitation. There have been reports saying that more than 1400 people are dying in the camps every week. As it is almost impossible for independent organizations or international press to enter the camps we do not know what is really happening there. The Sri Lankan government bears the entire responsibility for the atrocious situation in the camps. According to the Sri Lankan government the Tamil Tigers were completely defeated in the war and no longer exist. However the government's violence against the Tamil people continues. I believe that as long as the Sri Lankan government rejects the calls for access and fair treatment of the Tamils interned in the concentration camps, economic sanctions and an arms embargo should be imposed against Sri Lanka. The extensive and systematic human rights

  211. Money talks with good & evil Says:
    Heart goes out to the brave ment who still speak the truth in Sri Lanka that is under complete anarchy. By us blogging I felt we are doing a service. But the article below states 25 bloggers arrested!!! on what grounds I wonder. Any idea! Is it really possible?
    “The internet, long seen as a way of dodging dictators, can be dangerous. At least 25 bloggers have been arrested this year.”
    http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14384352

    Where it happend, I did’t find the news.

  212. The failure of successive Sri Lankan governments to provide accountability for serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture and rape. The Sri Lankan government should initiate internal reforms and seek international assistance to prevent ongoing violations and ensure real accountability for past abuses. 300,000 Tamils remain interned without trial in so called “welfare centers” that are concentration camps in all but name. Contrary to international law there is no freedom of movement of the displaced and there is not enough water, food and sanitation. There have been reports saying that more than 1400 people are dying in the camps every week. As it is almost impossible for independent organizations or international press to enter the camps we do not know what is really happening there. The Sri Lankan government bears the entire responsibility for the atrocious situation in the camps. According to the Sri Lankan government the Tamil Tigers were completely defeated in the war and no longer exist. However the government’s violence against the Tamil people continues. I believe that as long as the Sri Lankan government rejects the calls for access and fair treatment of the Tamils interned in the concentration camps, economic sanctions and an arms embargo should be imposed against Sri Lanka. The extensive and systematic human rights

  213. Under state terror 10000's of Tamils vanished from their earth, 300000 locked up in the concentration camps, similarly 100's of posting vanished overnight from this blog, is this locked for comments

  214. Return of 3,800 detained Tamils cancelled – TearFund
    [Wed, 02 Sep 2009, 02:29 GMT]
    TearFund, a Christian relief and development agency, this week renewed its call for hundreds of thousands of Tamils detained in Sri Lanka’s concentration camps to be allowed home. A scheduled return of 3,800 detained Tamils to a region being assisted by TearFund was cancelled two days ago – even after detainees had packed to return home, the agency said. TearFund also called for an international commission of inquiry into possible war crimes committed by both sides during the armed conflict in Sri Lanka after viewing Channel 4 video footage, allegedly showing Sri Lanka army soldiers executing Tamil men in January of this year.

  215. Only 93 elders allowed to leave Vavuniyaa camp
    [TamilNet, Thursday, 03 September 2009, 08:40 GMT]
    Only ninety-three elders were allowed to leave the ‘internment camps’ in Vavuniyaa Wednesday despite earlier announcement that five hundred elders would be allowed to leave. Of the ninety-three, forty-six elders were handed over to the All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) and the rest to the elders’ home run by the Vavuniyaa-Koayil Ku’lam Sivan Koayil.

  216. Nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians are being forcibly held by the government in camps near Jaffna and Vavuniya. Both towns are still surrounded by government checkpoints, and are largely inaccessible to nonresidents. Even residents of Jaffna city, for example, can’t leave and visit their relatives in another city without permission from Sri Lanka military. The whole north of the island, where minority Tamil live, is locked down

  217. Under state terror 10000’s of Tamils vanished from their earth, 300000 locked up in the concentration camps, similarly 100’s of posting vanished overnight from this blog, is this locked for comments

  218. Return of 3,800 detained Tamils cancelled – TearFund
    [Wed, 02 Sep 2009, 02:29 GMT]
    TearFund, a Christian relief and development agency, this week renewed its call for hundreds of thousands of Tamils detained in Sri Lanka’s concentration camps to be allowed home. A scheduled return of 3,800 detained Tamils to a region being assisted by TearFund was cancelled two days ago – even after detainees had packed to return home, the agency said. TearFund also called for an international commission of inquiry into possible war crimes committed by both sides during the armed conflict in Sri Lanka after viewing Channel 4 video footage, allegedly showing Sri Lanka army soldiers executing Tamil men in January of this year.

  219. Only 93 elders allowed to leave Vavuniyaa camp
    [TamilNet, Thursday, 03 September 2009, 08:40 GMT]
    Only ninety-three elders were allowed to leave the ‘internment camps’ in Vavuniyaa Wednesday despite earlier announcement that five hundred elders would be allowed to leave. Of the ninety-three, forty-six elders were handed over to the All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) and the rest to the elders’ home run by the Vavuniyaa-Koayil Ku’lam Sivan Koayil.

  220. Nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians are being forcibly held by the government in camps near Jaffna and Vavuniya. Both towns are still surrounded by government checkpoints, and are largely inaccessible to nonresidents. Even residents of Jaffna city, for example, can’t leave and visit their relatives in another city without permission from Sri Lanka military. The whole north of the island, where minority Tamil live, is locked down

  221. Sri Lanka is a small country that played high level politics for no reason but just for it's own destruction. Sri Lanka convinced their own Sinhalese people and the world when there was no brutal terrorist in the country but a political issue of the Monks running the country. The problem has always been the hate mongering Buddhist clergy hijacking the peaceful faith to turn it into a nightmare. Now Sri Lanka holds 300,000 tamils in barbed wired camps as hostage not only to terrorize the rest of the Tamil community but also the diaspora. The diaspora is stuck in the middle when international community is silent due to the rest of the world issues.
    Yes, it was an internal problem but now that Sri Lanka has brought it to the world stage, they have no option but to abide by the world standards and conventions, release the Tamils and face up to the consequences of a tribunal.

  222. Sri Lanka is a small country that played high level politics for no reason but just for it’s own destruction. Sri Lanka convinced their own Sinhalese people and the world when there was no brutal terrorist in the country but a political issue of the Monks running the country. The problem has always been the hate mongering Buddhist clergy hijacking the peaceful faith to turn it into a nightmare. Now Sri Lanka holds 300,000 tamils in barbed wired camps as hostage not only to terrorize the rest of the Tamil community but also the diaspora. The diaspora is stuck in the middle when international community is silent due to the rest of the world issues.
    Yes, it was an internal problem but now that Sri Lanka has brought it to the world stage, they have no option but to abide by the world standards and conventions, release the Tamils and face up to the consequences of a tribunal.

  223. A Four hundred babies born at Menik Farm every montha
    'Four hundred babies are born every month in IDP tents at Menik Farm, Vavuniya, and they are in need of considerable assistance and care', Sarvodaya leader Dr A.T. Ariyaratne said yesterday while making a commemorative address in honour of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, at the SEDEC centre, Colombo. http://news-lanka.blogspot.com/2009/09/four-hundr

  224. UNICEF concerned over impact of conflict on Lankan kids http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew
    UNICEF says it continues to be greatly concerned about children who have been impacted by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Ann Veneman, the head of UNICEF was quoted by ‘Alert Net’ as saying UNICEF is involved in providing protection for children at the Vavuniya IDP camps, especially those who have been separated from their families and are at risk of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

  225. Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC. Is that something that OCHA or the UN, which has some involvement in the camps, can speak to?
    As Sri Lanka Expels UNICEF Spokesman for Camp Comments, Ban Meeting Moot http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka

  226. A Four hundred babies born at Menik Farm every montha
    'Four hundred babies are born every month in IDP tents at Menik Farm, Vavuniya, and they are in need of considerable assistance and care', Sarvodaya leader Dr A.T. Ariyaratne said yesterday while making a commemorative address in honour of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, at the SEDEC centre, Colombo. http://news-lanka.blogspot.com/2009/09/four-hundr

  227. A Four hundred babies born at Menik Farm every montha
    'Four hundred babies are born every month in IDP tents at Menik Farm, Vavuniya, and they are in need of considerable assistance and care', Sarvodaya leader Dr A.T. Ariyaratne said yesterday while making a commemorative address in honour of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, at the SEDEC centre, Colombo. http://news-lanka.blogspot.com/2009/09/four-hundr

  228. UNICEF concerned over impact of conflict on Lankan kids http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew
    UNICEF says it continues to be greatly concerned about children who have been impacted by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Ann Veneman, the head of UNICEF was quoted by ‘Alert Net’ as saying UNICEF is involved in providing protection for children at the Vavuniya IDP camps, especially those who have been separated from their families and are at risk of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

  229. UNICEF concerned over impact of conflict on Lankan kids http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew
    UNICEF says it continues to be greatly concerned about children who have been impacted by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Ann Veneman, the head of UNICEF was quoted by ‘Alert Net’ as saying UNICEF is involved in providing protection for children at the Vavuniya IDP camps, especially those who have been separated from their families and are at risk of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

  230. Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC. Is that something that OCHA or the UN, which has some involvement in the camps, can speak to?
    As Sri Lanka Expels UNICEF Spokesman for Camp Comments, Ban Meeting Moot http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka

  231. Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC. Is that something that OCHA or the UN, which has some involvement in the camps, can speak to?
    As Sri Lanka Expels UNICEF Spokesman for Camp Comments, Ban Meeting Moot http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka

  232. Reborn Says: September 6th, 2009 at 1:11 am

    “Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC”
    http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka

    Dear Reborn,
    What happened to 10,000 Tamils ? Should we look for them in mass graves !?!?!?

  233. Reborn Says: September 6th, 2009 at 1:11 am

    “Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC”
    http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka

    Dear Reborn,
    What happened to 10,000 Tamils ? Should we look for them in mass graves !?!?!?

  234. Reborn Says: September 6th, 2009 at 1:11 am

    “Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC”
    http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka

    Dear Reborn,
    What happened to 10,000 Tamils ? Should we look for them in mass graves !?!?!?

  235. Top UN official expelled
    Tough Govt. action follows remarks about plight of children in IDP camps

    The Government has ordered a senior United Nation’s official to leave Sri Lanka within two weeks. James Elder, a senior official with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), held a visa until July next year to serve in Sri Lanka. He is the first UN official carrying a UN passport with diplomatic status to be asked to leave Sri Lanka. Two week’s time has been given after he appealed from an order to leave immediately. A UN official said no formal reason had been given for the move by the Sri Lankan government.
    http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090906/News/nws_01.html

  236. UNICEF concerned over impact of conflict on Lankan kids
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=60545
    UNICEF says it continues to be greatly concerned about children who have been impacted by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Ann Veneman, the head of UNICEF was quoted by ‘Alert Net’ as saying UNICEF is involved in providing protection for children at the Vavuniya IDP camps, especially those who have been separated from their families and are at risk of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

  237. Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC. Is that something that OCHA or the UN, which has some involvement in the camps, can speak to?
    As Sri Lanka Expels UNICEF Spokesman for Camp Comments, Ban Meeting Moot
    http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka090509.html

  238. Reborn Says: September 6th, 2009 at 1:11 am

    “Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about reports in Sri Lanka that in the [inaudible] IDP camps, that despite all counting, the governing agent of the [inaudible] district says that 10,000 people suddenly are not accounted for in the camps and only 2,000 are subject to visits from the ICRC”

    http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip7may6srilanka090509.html

    Dear Reborn,
    What happened to 10,000 Tamils ? Should we look for them in mass graves !?!?!?

  239. No wishful Thinking M.Silva,
    Powerful chemical are used to destroy the evident, wast talking mass graves.

    Sri Lanka’s concentration camps exemplify ethnic relations there.
    The point here is that Sri Lanka's actions towards the Tamils are not merely the result of weak state capacity, indifference, corruption or the peculiarities of a particular Sinhala leadership, but the consequences of the pursuit – the 'making real' – of a particular ordering of ethnic value inherent to Sinhala mytho-narrative. Amidst a logic that places the Sinhala – the 'rightful' inheritors of the island – at the top of a hierarchy of ethnicities, no amount of 'engagement', 'capacity-building' or otherwise cajoling the Sinhala state is going to produce any change in its conduct. If the international community is going to stand by its humanitarian and human rights norms, then it is going to have to confront the Sinhala state head on. The Tamil Diaspora, settled mainly in the liberal democracies of the West, must continue to engage with these states and the associated international organizations and agencies. Whilst the Sri Lankan state can murder, threaten and block access to Tamil voices in the island, it cannot silence their fellow Tamils overseas. In the coming months and years, the Sinhalese will make it clear why 'reconciliation' is impossible in Sri Lanka. But in the interim, the Diaspora must ensure that the West-led international community makes good on its claim to defend human rights and other liberal values. http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articlei

  240. The 10,000 Tamils missing from camps in Vanni may have been rehabilitated and included in the military of
    Sri Lanka. Monoethnic military has been criticisd all along, Any possibility?!
    An optimistic hunch Ban & the gang at UN is successfully tricking the media and Tamil diaspora could be…..just like to hope.

  241. Exposing the Deadly Truth in Sri Lanka
    The video is more than written evidence to prove and to bring the Sri Lankan State to justice for unleashing the ethnic cleansing, especially targeted upon the Tamils. The Sinhala soldiers who speak in the Sinhala language did everything possible as vultures in the background of the dead waiting to prey on the dead bodies. These images are nauseating, reflecting the extreme chauvinistic and morbid tendencies of the Sinhala chauvinism perpetuated on the Tamils. http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/09/exposing-the-de

    "James Elder has been UNICEF's voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable," she told AFP.
    UNICEF seeks clarification on visa cancellation for staffer http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

  242. No wishful Thinking M.Silva,
    Powerful chemical are used to destroy the evident, wast talking mass graves.

    Sri Lanka’s concentration camps exemplify ethnic relations there.
    The point here is that Sri Lanka's actions towards the Tamils are not merely the result of weak state capacity, indifference, corruption or the peculiarities of a particular Sinhala leadership, but the consequences of the pursuit – the 'making real' – of a particular ordering of ethnic value inherent to Sinhala mytho-narrative. Amidst a logic that places the Sinhala – the 'rightful' inheritors of the island – at the top of a hierarchy of ethnicities, no amount of 'engagement', 'capacity-building' or otherwise cajoling the Sinhala state is going to produce any change in its conduct. If the international community is going to stand by its humanitarian and human rights norms, then it is going to have to confront the Sinhala state head on. The Tamil Diaspora, settled mainly in the liberal democracies of the West, must continue to engage with these states and the associated international organizations and agencies. Whilst the Sri Lankan state can murder, threaten and block access to Tamil voices in the island, it cannot silence their fellow Tamils overseas. In the coming months and years, the Sinhalese will make it clear why 'reconciliation' is impossible in Sri Lanka. But in the interim, the Diaspora must ensure that the West-led international community makes good on its claim to defend human rights and other liberal values. http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articlei

  243. No wishful Thinking M.Silva,
    Powerful chemical are used to destroy the evident, wast talking mass graves.

    Sri Lanka’s concentration camps exemplify ethnic relations there.
    The point here is that Sri Lanka's actions towards the Tamils are not merely the result of weak state capacity, indifference, corruption or the peculiarities of a particular Sinhala leadership, but the consequences of the pursuit – the 'making real' – of a particular ordering of ethnic value inherent to Sinhala mytho-narrative. Amidst a logic that places the Sinhala – the 'rightful' inheritors of the island – at the top of a hierarchy of ethnicities, no amount of 'engagement', 'capacity-building' or otherwise cajoling the Sinhala state is going to produce any change in its conduct. If the international community is going to stand by its humanitarian and human rights norms, then it is going to have to confront the Sinhala state head on. The Tamil Diaspora, settled mainly in the liberal democracies of the West, must continue to engage with these states and the associated international organizations and agencies. Whilst the Sri Lankan state can murder, threaten and block access to Tamil voices in the island, it cannot silence their fellow Tamils overseas. In the coming months and years, the Sinhalese will make it clear why 'reconciliation' is impossible in Sri Lanka. But in the interim, the Diaspora must ensure that the West-led international community makes good on its claim to defend human rights and other liberal values. http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articlei

  244. Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said Saturday that there are 1034 unaccompanied children in the camps where internally displaced people are held in Vavuniyaa. “Of the 1034 children 250 were handed over to close relatives while the guardianship of 300 children is yet to be determined. Another 300 were handed over to three orphanages – two in Vavuniyaa and the other in Mannaar,” Mr. Jagath Wellawatte, NCPA Chairman, said.
    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork….

  245. Exposing the Deadly Truth in Sri Lanka
    The video is more than written evidence to prove and to bring the Sri Lankan State to justice for unleashing the ethnic cleansing, especially targeted upon the Tamils. The Sinhala soldiers who speak in the Sinhala language did everything possible as vultures in the background of the dead waiting to prey on the dead bodies. These images are nauseating, reflecting the extreme chauvinistic and morbid tendencies of the Sinhala chauvinism perpetuated on the Tamils. http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/09/exposing-the-de

    "James Elder has been UNICEF's voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable," she told AFP.
    UNICEF seeks clarification on visa cancellation for staffer http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

  246. Exposing the Deadly Truth in Sri Lanka
    The video is more than written evidence to prove and to bring the Sri Lankan State to justice for unleashing the ethnic cleansing, especially targeted upon the Tamils. The Sinhala soldiers who speak in the Sinhala language did everything possible as vultures in the background of the dead waiting to prey on the dead bodies. These images are nauseating, reflecting the extreme chauvinistic and morbid tendencies of the Sinhala chauvinism perpetuated on the Tamils. http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/09/exposing-the-de

    "James Elder has been UNICEF's voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable," she told AFP.
    UNICEF seeks clarification on visa cancellation for staffer http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

  247. Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said Saturday that there are 1034 unaccompanied children in the camps where internally displaced people are held in Vavuniyaa. “Of the 1034 children 250 were handed over to close relatives while the guardianship of 300 children is yet to be determined. Another 300 were handed over to three orphanages – two in Vavuniyaa and the other in Mannaar,” Mr. Jagath Wellawatte, NCPA Chairman, said.
    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork….

  248. Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said Saturday that there are 1034 unaccompanied children in the camps where internally displaced people are held in Vavuniyaa. “Of the 1034 children 250 were handed over to close relatives while the guardianship of 300 children is yet to be determined. Another 300 were handed over to three orphanages – two in Vavuniyaa and the other in Mannaar,” Mr. Jagath Wellawatte, NCPA Chairman, said.
    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork….

  249. I just read Mr/Ms Wishful Thinking comment
    (September 6th, 2009 at 10:34 p)
    …….and nearly fell off my chair??
    Mr. /Ms. Wishful Thinking post is just that wishful thinking …

    Dear Mr/Ms Reborn

    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork…..

    Those poor 1034 children are languishing in abysmal concentration camps in Sri Lanka ?????
    Shocking !!!!! Grown men have difficulty to cope there …..

    This fact illustrates that behind all that Sinha-Nazi bravado, revolting triumphalism and sick “ superiority complex” , little cowards are hiding…
    Yes, the Sri Lankan Army is an Army of repulsive cowards , who are afraid of little children..

  250. I just read Mr/Ms Wishful Thinking comment
    (September 6th, 2009 at 10:34 p)
    …….and nearly fell off my chair??
    Mr. /Ms. Wishful Thinking post is just that wishful thinking …

    Dear Mr/Ms Reborn

    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork…..

    Those poor 1034 children are languishing in abysmal concentration camps in Sri Lanka ?????
    Shocking !!!!! Grown men have difficulty to cope there …..

    This fact illustrates that behind all that Sinha-Nazi bravado, revolting triumphalism and sick “ superiority complex” , little cowards are hiding…
    Yes, the Sri Lankan Army is an Army of repulsive cowards , who are afraid of little children..

  251. I just read Mr/Ms Wishful Thinking comment
    (September 6th, 2009 at 10:34 p)
    …….and nearly fell off my chair??
    Mr. /Ms. Wishful Thinking post is just that wishful thinking …

    Dear Mr/Ms Reborn

    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork…..

    Those poor 1034 children are languishing in abysmal concentration camps in Sri Lanka ?????
    Shocking !!!!! Grown men have difficulty to cope there …..

    This fact illustrates that behind all that Sinha-Nazi bravado, revolting triumphalism and sick “ superiority complex” , little cowards are hiding…
    Yes, the Sri Lankan Army is an Army of repulsive cowards , who are afraid of little children..

  252. The 10,000 Tamils missing from camps in Vanni may have been rehabilitated and included in the military of
    Sri Lanka. Monoethnic military has been criticisd all along, Any possibility?!
    An optimistic hunch Ban & the gang at UN is successfully tricking the media and Tamil diaspora could be…..just like to hope.

  253. No wishful Thinking M.Silva,
    Powerful chemical are used to destroy the evident, wast talking mass graves.

    Sri Lanka’s concentration camps exemplify ethnic relations there.
    The point here is that Sri Lanka’s actions towards the Tamils are not merely the result of weak state capacity, indifference, corruption or the peculiarities of a particular Sinhala leadership, but the consequences of the pursuit – the ‘making real’ – of a particular ordering of ethnic value inherent to Sinhala mytho-narrative. Amidst a logic that places the Sinhala – the ‘rightful’ inheritors of the island – at the top of a hierarchy of ethnicities, no amount of ‘engagement’, ‘capacity-building’ or otherwise cajoling the Sinhala state is going to produce any change in its conduct. If the international community is going to stand by its humanitarian and human rights norms, then it is going to have to confront the Sinhala state head on. The Tamil Diaspora, settled mainly in the liberal democracies of the West, must continue to engage with these states and the associated international organizations and agencies. Whilst the Sri Lankan state can murder, threaten and block access to Tamil voices in the island, it cannot silence their fellow Tamils overseas. In the coming months and years, the Sinhalese will make it clear why ‘reconciliation’ is impossible in Sri Lanka. But in the interim, the Diaspora must ensure that the West-led international community makes good on its claim to defend human rights and other liberal values.
    http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=2381

  254. Exposing the Deadly Truth in Sri Lanka
    The video is more than written evidence to prove and to bring the Sri Lankan State to justice for unleashing the ethnic cleansing, especially targeted upon the Tamils. The Sinhala soldiers who speak in the Sinhala language did everything possible as vultures in the background of the dead waiting to prey on the dead bodies. These images are nauseating, reflecting the extreme chauvinistic and morbid tendencies of the Sinhala chauvinism perpetuated on the Tamils.
    http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/09/exposing-the-deadly-truth-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/

    “James Elder has been UNICEF’s voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable,” she told AFP.
    UNICEF seeks clarification on visa cancellation for staffer
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=60558

  255. Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said Saturday that there are 1034 unaccompanied children in the camps where internally displaced people are held in Vavuniyaa. “Of the 1034 children 250 were handed over to close relatives while the guardianship of 300 children is yet to be determined. Another 300 were handed over to three orphanages – two in Vavuniyaa and the other in Mannaar,” Mr. Jagath Wellawatte, NCPA Chairman, said.
    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA
    http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork.com/post/2009/09/06/1034-unaccompanied-children-in-Vavuniyaa-camps-NCPA.aspx

  256. Hello Reborn
    European Union (EU) is reviewing GSP+ for Sri Lanka. This GSP+ should not follow the same route as the IMF loan because favorable GSP+ will buy more barbed wire for the concentration camps, more weapons for blood thirsty Sri Lanka military, more money for "investors"-vultures for colonization of Tamil homelands.
    Dear Reborn, come to my blog to visit and say hello. Drop a link or two. You need to have google email to post on my blog

  257. I just read Mr/Ms Wishful Thinking comment
    (September 6th, 2009 at 10:34 p)
    …….and nearly fell off my chair??
    Mr. /Ms. Wishful Thinking post is just that wishful thinking …

    Dear Mr/Ms Reborn

    1034 unaccompanied children in Vavuniyaa camps – NCPA
    http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork.com/post/2009/09/06/1034-unaccompanied-children-in-Vavuniyaa-camps-NCPA.aspx.

    Those poor 1034 children are languishing in abysmal concentration camps in Sri Lanka ?????
    Shocking !!!!! Grown men have difficulty to cope there …..

    This fact illustrates that behind all that Sinha-Nazi bravado, revolting triumphalism and sick “ superiority complex” , little cowards are hiding…
    Yes, the Sri Lankan Army is an Army of repulsive cowards , who are afraid of little children..

  258. Hello Reborn
    European Union (EU) is reviewing GSP+ for Sri Lanka. This GSP+ should not follow the same route as the IMF loan because favorable GSP+ will buy more barbed wire for the concentration camps, more weapons for blood thirsty Sri Lanka military, more money for “investors”-vultures for colonization of Tamil homelands.
    Dear Reborn, come to my blog to visit and say hello. Drop a link or two. You need to have google email to post on my blog

  259. They are among the victims of Sri Lanka's civil war, living in camps funded by the UN.
    Now footage has come to light apparently showing how bad conditions are in the camps – patients on intravenous drips lying on mud floors, a man so weak he is unable to brush the flies from his face. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_

    Now that the war is over we are getting contradictory reports on the situation in Sri Lanka. Last month, Amnesty International criticized the Sri Lanka government for forcibly confining internally displaced people (I.D.P.s) in camps. Meanwhile, the Center for Policy Alternatives has presented a petition to the government saying that 300,000 civilians are being detained illegally. The former chief justice Sarath Silva fears that the continuing confinement of Tamils could cause a new war.
    Tamil refugees have described the camps as being part of a genocidal agenda. The government calls the camps “welfare centers.” Critics call them “concentration camps.” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/opinion/08iht-e

  260. Sri Lanka's government has been accused of killing thousands of its own civilian citizens, war crimes, rape, torture and inhuman treatment of hundreds of thousands of refugees from its war against the Tamil Tigers.
    Al Jazeera has conducted its own investigation into the conflict and spoken to Tamils who have suffered and aid workers who have remained silent until now, revealing testimonies that call into question the version of events Sri Lanka's government wants the world to believe. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/07/20

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. "Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun, and were bullied and ill treated with arrogance," he writes in a lengthy note that reached TamilNet this week. The note in Tamil was provided by the Norwegian Tamils Health Organisation (NTHO), urging TamilNet not to reveal the identity of the health worker for reasons of his security. http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=3

  261. Thanks Amnesty's HR work the link below is disturbing further.
    http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.h

    Reporting cannot be any more clearer inspite of all restrictions imposed by Sri Lanka. They keep tightening the resporting restrictions, soon we will not hear about what goes on for the Tamils. The diaspora Tamils experienced the milder version of the regime over the pogroms now in Sri Lanka inside and outside the camps Tamils are living in peril when the extreme elements in Sri Lanka believe Tamils donot belong in Sri Lanka their native land! just as the Sinhalese majority.
    If there is no guilt of any wrong doing why do they desperately need impunity, the journalist/aid agencies are barred, even UNHCR expected to leave with in a week. The regime keep comparing their actions with the times of world war, colonial times to justify their behaviour. Underlying reasons to promote tourism in the Bhuddist Sri Lanka! makes no sense. Especially when wants stay
    in the rat race along with rest of the leading world. Someone ought to preach the real Bhuddism to Sri Lanka
    and so that they would get their priorities right.

  262. They are among the victims of Sri Lanka's civil war, living in camps funded by the UN.
    Now footage has come to light apparently showing how bad conditions are in the camps – patients on intravenous drips lying on mud floors, a man so weak he is unable to brush the flies from his face. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_

    Now that the war is over we are getting contradictory reports on the situation in Sri Lanka. Last month, Amnesty International criticized the Sri Lanka government for forcibly confining internally displaced people (I.D.P.s) in camps. Meanwhile, the Center for Policy Alternatives has presented a petition to the government saying that 300,000 civilians are being detained illegally. The former chief justice Sarath Silva fears that the continuing confinement of Tamils could cause a new war.
    Tamil refugees have described the camps as being part of a genocidal agenda. The government calls the camps “welfare centers.” Critics call them “concentration camps.” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/opinion/08iht-e

  263. They are among the victims of Sri Lanka's civil war, living in camps funded by the UN.
    Now footage has come to light apparently showing how bad conditions are in the camps – patients on intravenous drips lying on mud floors, a man so weak he is unable to brush the flies from his face. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_

    Now that the war is over we are getting contradictory reports on the situation in Sri Lanka. Last month, Amnesty International criticized the Sri Lanka government for forcibly confining internally displaced people (I.D.P.s) in camps. Meanwhile, the Center for Policy Alternatives has presented a petition to the government saying that 300,000 civilians are being detained illegally. The former chief justice Sarath Silva fears that the continuing confinement of Tamils could cause a new war.
    Tamil refugees have described the camps as being part of a genocidal agenda. The government calls the camps “welfare centers.” Critics call them “concentration camps.” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/opinion/08iht-e

  264. Sri Lanka's government has been accused of killing thousands of its own civilian citizens, war crimes, rape, torture and inhuman treatment of hundreds of thousands of refugees from its war against the Tamil Tigers.
    Al Jazeera has conducted its own investigation into the conflict and spoken to Tamils who have suffered and aid workers who have remained silent until now, revealing testimonies that call into question the version of events Sri Lanka's government wants the world to believe. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/07/20

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. "Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun, and were bullied and ill treated with arrogance," he writes in a lengthy note that reached TamilNet this week. The note in Tamil was provided by the Norwegian Tamils Health Organisation (NTHO), urging TamilNet not to reveal the identity of the health worker for reasons of his security. http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=3

  265. Sri Lanka's government has been accused of killing thousands of its own civilian citizens, war crimes, rape, torture and inhuman treatment of hundreds of thousands of refugees from its war against the Tamil Tigers.
    Al Jazeera has conducted its own investigation into the conflict and spoken to Tamils who have suffered and aid workers who have remained silent until now, revealing testimonies that call into question the version of events Sri Lanka's government wants the world to believe. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/07/20

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. "Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun, and were bullied and ill treated with arrogance," he writes in a lengthy note that reached TamilNet this week. The note in Tamil was provided by the Norwegian Tamils Health Organisation (NTHO), urging TamilNet not to reveal the identity of the health worker for reasons of his security. http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=3

  266. Thanks Amnesty's HR work the link below is disturbing further.
    http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.h

    Reporting cannot be any more clearer inspite of all restrictions imposed by Sri Lanka. They keep tightening the resporting restrictions, soon we will not hear about what goes on for the Tamils. The diaspora Tamils experienced the milder version of the regime over the pogroms now in Sri Lanka inside and outside the camps Tamils are living in peril when the extreme elements in Sri Lanka believe Tamils donot belong in Sri Lanka their native land! just as the Sinhalese majority.
    If there is no guilt of any wrong doing why do they desperately need impunity, the journalist/aid agencies are barred, even UNHCR expected to leave with in a week. The regime keep comparing their actions with the times of world war, colonial times to justify their behaviour. Underlying reasons to promote tourism in the Bhuddist Sri Lanka! makes no sense. Especially when wants stay
    in the rat race along with rest of the leading world. Someone ought to preach the real Bhuddism to Sri Lanka
    and so that they would get their priorities right.

  267. Thanks Amnesty's HR work the link below is disturbing further.
    http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.h

    Reporting cannot be any more clearer inspite of all restrictions imposed by Sri Lanka. They keep tightening the resporting restrictions, soon we will not hear about what goes on for the Tamils. The diaspora Tamils experienced the milder version of the regime over the pogroms now in Sri Lanka inside and outside the camps Tamils are living in peril when the extreme elements in Sri Lanka believe Tamils donot belong in Sri Lanka their native land! just as the Sinhalese majority.
    If there is no guilt of any wrong doing why do they desperately need impunity, the journalist/aid agencies are barred, even UNHCR expected to leave with in a week. The regime keep comparing their actions with the times of world war, colonial times to justify their behaviour. Underlying reasons to promote tourism in the Bhuddist Sri Lanka! makes no sense. Especially when wants stay
    in the rat race along with rest of the leading world. Someone ought to preach the real Bhuddism to Sri Lanka
    and so that they would get their priorities right.

  268. Reference-Reborn Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 12:12 am

    An obvious double standard is demonstrated in following the statement alluded to the UN Resident Rep Weiss
    (WEISS: The clock is ticking, you know, and while it is considered acceptable under international norms and standards for a government to keep people in internment camps for the purposes of security, that's not an open cheque, that comes to an end at some stage, and as time goes on it gets less and less defensible that these people are being kept in camps)
    and the stand taken by UN agencies with regard to the relocation of Eastern Province IDPs.

    In a comprehensive report made by the United Nations body named the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee), titled (Conflict-Related Internal Displacement in Sri Lanka: A study on Forced Displacement, Freedom of Movement, Return and Relocation- April 2006 – April 2007), a number of unequivocal recommendations on the conditions of relocation of people displaced by force.
    In the introduction to the report it is stated, "The IASC in Sri Lanka is chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers.
    This study was commissioned by the IASC and prepared by a Taskforce comprised of members and invitees of the IASC Sri Lanka complemented by a number of civil society groups. The paper was adopted and presented by the IASC in Sri Lanka, July 2007."

    Amongst the recommendations to the Government of Sri Lanka, at pages 7 and 8 of the report more relevant to Mr Weiss's statement are the following are items 7, 8 and 9.

    "7. Make necessary preparations to ensure that areas of return are safe, these include clearance of all mines and UXO; ensuring that return sites are not near military installations, high security zones…
    8. Make necessary preparations to ensure that basic infrastructure is in place to ensure a sustainable and dignified return. This includes provision/ restoration of basic shelter and housing reconstruction, food, water and sanitation, medical services, education facilities, public transport, places of worship and civil administration offices and access to viable livelihood activities.
    9. Assist IDPs and returnees to replace lost personal identity documents, which would facilitate their freedom of movement and provide them greater protection."

    The UN is expected to issue a certificate that the land mines have been cleared and it is safe for IDPs to return.

    Mr. Weiss should state clearly whether the recommendations of the IASC report are not valid now. Could he also give instances/ locations where all clear certificates have been issued and IDPs have not been allowed to return to such locations.?
    Most Sri Lankans are disgusted with these double standards.

  269. They are among the victims of Sri Lanka’s civil war, living in camps funded by the UN.
    Now footage has come to light apparently showing how bad conditions are in the camps – patients on intravenous drips lying on mud floors, a man so weak he is unable to brush the flies from his face.
    http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_pacific/footage+reveals+sri+lanka+camp+conditions/3335367

    Now that the war is over we are getting contradictory reports on the situation in Sri Lanka. Last month, Amnesty International criticized the Sri Lanka government for forcibly confining internally displaced people (I.D.P.s) in camps. Meanwhile, the Center for Policy Alternatives has presented a petition to the government saying that 300,000 civilians are being detained illegally. The former chief justice Sarath Silva fears that the continuing confinement of Tamils could cause a new war.
    Tamil refugees have described the camps as being part of a genocidal agenda. The government calls the camps “welfare centers.” Critics call them “concentration camps.”
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/opinion/08iht-edcoleman.html?_r=2

  270. Sri Lanka’s government has been accused of killing thousands of its own civilian citizens, war crimes, rape, torture and inhuman treatment of hundreds of thousands of refugees from its war against the Tamil Tigers.
    Al Jazeera has conducted its own investigation into the conflict and spoken to Tamils who have suffered and aid workers who have remained silent until now, revealing testimonies that call into question the version of events Sri Lanka’s government wants the world to believe.
    http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/07/20097644539364658.html

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. “Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun, and were bullied and ill treated with arrogance,” he writes in a lengthy note that reached TamilNet this week. The note in Tamil was provided by the Norwegian Tamils Health Organisation (NTHO), urging TamilNet not to reveal the identity of the health worker for reasons of his security.
    http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=30180

  271. Thanks Amnesty’s HR work the link below is disturbing further.

    http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=112622663&m=112622646

    Reporting cannot be any more clearer inspite of all restrictions imposed by Sri Lanka. They keep tightening the resporting restrictions, soon we will not hear about what goes on for the Tamils. The diaspora Tamils experienced the milder version of the regime over the pogroms now in Sri Lanka inside and outside the camps Tamils are living in peril when the extreme elements in Sri Lanka believe Tamils donot belong in Sri Lanka their native land! just as the Sinhalese majority.
    If there is no guilt of any wrong doing why do they desperately need impunity, the journalist/aid agencies are barred, even UNHCR expected to leave with in a week. The regime keep comparing their actions with the times of world war, colonial times to justify their behaviour. Underlying reasons to promote tourism in the Bhuddist Sri Lanka! makes no sense. Especially when wants stay
    in the rat race along with rest of the leading world. Someone ought to preach the real Bhuddism to Sri Lanka
    and so that they would get their priorities right.

  272. Reference-Reborn Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 12:12 am

    An obvious double standard is demonstrated in following the statement alluded to the UN Resident Rep Weiss
    (WEISS: The clock is ticking, you know, and while it is considered acceptable under international norms and standards for a government to keep people in internment camps for the purposes of security, that’s not an open cheque, that comes to an end at some stage, and as time goes on it gets less and less defensible that these people are being kept in camps)
    and the stand taken by UN agencies with regard to the relocation of Eastern Province IDPs.

    In a comprehensive report made by the United Nations body named the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee), titled (Conflict-Related Internal Displacement in Sri Lanka: A study on Forced Displacement, Freedom of Movement, Return and Relocation- April 2006 – April 2007), a number of unequivocal recommendations on the conditions of relocation of people displaced by force.
    In the introduction to the report it is stated, “The IASC in Sri Lanka is chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and comprises the Executive Heads of the following organizations: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, WHO, IOM, OHCHR, CHA, FCE, Sarvodaya, Sewa Lanka, Oxfam, NRC, CARE, World Vision, ACF, ZOA, Solidar, Save the Children, Merlin. In addition the ICRC, IFRC, World Bank and ECHO attend as observers.
    This study was commissioned by the IASC and prepared by a Taskforce comprised of members and invitees of the IASC Sri Lanka complemented by a number of civil society groups. The paper was adopted and presented by the IASC in Sri Lanka, July 2007.”

    Amongst the recommendations to the Government of Sri Lanka, at pages 7 and 8 of the report more relevant to Mr Weiss’s statement are the following are items 7, 8 and 9.

    “7. Make necessary preparations to ensure that areas of return are safe, these include clearance of all mines and UXO; ensuring that return sites are not near military installations, high security zones…
    8. Make necessary preparations to ensure that basic infrastructure is in place to ensure a sustainable and dignified return. This includes provision/ restoration of basic shelter and housing reconstruction, food, water and sanitation, medical services, education facilities, public transport, places of worship and civil administration offices and access to viable livelihood activities.
    9. Assist IDPs and returnees to replace lost personal identity documents, which would facilitate their freedom of movement and provide them greater protection.”

    The UN is expected to issue a certificate that the land mines have been cleared and it is safe for IDPs to return.

    Mr. Weiss should state clearly whether the recommendations of the IASC report are not valid now. Could he also give instances/ locations where all clear certificates have been issued and IDPs have not been allowed to return to such locations.?
    Most Sri Lankans are disgusted with these double standards.

  273. Below is eyewitness account of inhuman treatment of nearly 280 000 innocent Hindu civilians in concentration camps.
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&art

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. "Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun.

    Colombo particularly targeted hospitals and makeshift hospitals. When people moved away from Ki'linochchi, its hospital started functioning in the school building at Udaiyaar-kaddu. More than two thousand shells were fired on this building by the SLA.

    Ki’linochchi to Tharmapuram, Vaddakkachchi, Visuvamadu, Udaiyaar-kaddu, Puthukkudiyiruppu – until reaching Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal, at an average 50 civilians were killed every day in Sri Lankan attacks. 8000 were already killed before herded into Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal.

    Medical work decimated and workers were shaken at the death of patients, nurses and workers.

    When there were more than 300,000 people, Colombo sent food for only 30,000.

    Important medicines such as anaesthetic drugs were not sent. Life-saving surgery without anaesthesia was a cursing ordeal for the patients as well as doctors.

    Mothers and children standing in queue to receive infant milk food were targeted in the SL shell attacks. Without seeing no one could visualize the sorrow of the child that lost the mother and the mother who lost the child.

    SLA shell attacks, guided by spy craft were targeted on queues for gruel also. Despite casualties the queue would form again.

    While even gruel was scarce to people, lands they cultivated were harvested by the SLA.

    At one stage, the LTTE leadership ordered food meant for combatants to be shared with civilians. The fighters fought only with gruel food and to the last LTTE served gruel to people.

    Around 1000 waterholes were dug and several hundreds of toilets were made for civilians at the initiative of the LTTE. Water often mixed with sand was collected in shell-halves and was filtered by cloth.

    There were no epidemics.

    Pregnant mothers and infants bearing shell fragments came to makeshift hospitals.

    These hospitals functioned 24 hours and wailing was always heard around them.

    Many dead bodies couldn’t be buried in certain situations of SL attacks and hungry dogs dragged them.

    Every time moving patents to ICRC vessel there will be targeted shelling from the SLA. A few hundreds taken for ICRC treatment died. How that happened was not known and whom to ask.

    Even in emaciated conditions people donated blood for treatment and some of them later died of their own injuries.

    More than a thousand people were killed on the day when the SLA entered into Maaththa’lan and Pokka’nai (20th April).

    On May 15th and 16th the SLA entered and rampaged the pocket of land crowded with nearly a hundred thousand people.

    I had to pass through at least around 300 bodies when I came out. Some were alive but couldn’t walk. I helped a few who could walk. Some held my feet when I tried to go away. What could I do?

    There is a long list of people who were eliminated and disappeared after capture by the SLA. The army-controlled area was a place where murders took place in front of one’s eyes.

    In Mullaiththeevu, a hundred thousand people made to stand in rows would all of a sudden be ordered to squat by the SL army. The soldiers would make sadistic laugh at seeing the melee of people falling on each other in the exercise.

    Long poles were used to beat the people and to threaten them.

    Old and young stood under hot sun for a long time, immensely suffering from thirst.

    Mullaiththeevu to Vavuniyaa was scenery of disaster.

    There were 20 to 25 people in a tent in the internment camp at Cheddiku’lam. Food was sometimes thrown from a vehicle.

    Everyday in the internment camp around 30 people died.

    It was a place of epidemics.

    Thousands suffered of Chicken Pox, hundreds had brain fever, many elders died and some committed suicide.

    The bribe to SL army for a person to come out was several hundred thousands of rupees.

    In the last days of the war over 18,000 killed, more than 5,000 lost limbs, more than 7,000 seriously injured and several thousands suffered minor injuries. Several thousands suffer mental illnesses. More than a hundred medical workers- doctors, nurses and volunteers perished.

    Knowledge and exercise of precaution reduced casualty. No one died of any epidemic under LTTE control.

    Several thousands of Sinhala youth of the SLA, from poor families, regrettably laid down their life in the war.

    The sadistic lust of Mahinda Rajapaksa is very astonishing – inflicting pain on ordinary civilians in every possible way, and then projecting that as forms of his soothing operation to the outside world.

    The world may forget, but Tamils will never forget the true face of the civilisation of 21st century, the world has shown to them, writes the medical worker in his notes.

  274. Below is eyewitness account of inhuman treatment of nearly 280 000 innocent Hindu civilians in concentration camps.
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&art

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. "Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun.

    Colombo particularly targeted hospitals and makeshift hospitals. When people moved away from Ki'linochchi, its hospital started functioning in the school building at Udaiyaar-kaddu. More than two thousand shells were fired on this building by the SLA.

    Ki’linochchi to Tharmapuram, Vaddakkachchi, Visuvamadu, Udaiyaar-kaddu, Puthukkudiyiruppu – until reaching Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal, at an average 50 civilians were killed every day in Sri Lankan attacks. 8000 were already killed before herded into Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal.

    Medical work decimated and workers were shaken at the death of patients, nurses and workers.

    When there were more than 300,000 people, Colombo sent food for only 30,000.

    Important medicines such as anaesthetic drugs were not sent. Life-saving surgery without anaesthesia was a cursing ordeal for the patients as well as doctors.

    Mothers and children standing in queue to receive infant milk food were targeted in the SL shell attacks. Without seeing no one could visualize the sorrow of the child that lost the mother and the mother who lost the child.

    SLA shell attacks, guided by spy craft were targeted on queues for gruel also. Despite casualties the queue would form again.

    While even gruel was scarce to people, lands they cultivated were harvested by the SLA.

    At one stage, the LTTE leadership ordered food meant for combatants to be shared with civilians. The fighters fought only with gruel food and to the last LTTE served gruel to people.

    Around 1000 waterholes were dug and several hundreds of toilets were made for civilians at the initiative of the LTTE. Water often mixed with sand was collected in shell-halves and was filtered by cloth.

    There were no epidemics.

    Pregnant mothers and infants bearing shell fragments came to makeshift hospitals.

    These hospitals functioned 24 hours and wailing was always heard around them.

    Many dead bodies couldn’t be buried in certain situations of SL attacks and hungry dogs dragged them.

    Every time moving patents to ICRC vessel there will be targeted shelling from the SLA. A few hundreds taken for ICRC treatment died. How that happened was not known and whom to ask.

    Even in emaciated conditions people donated blood for treatment and some of them later died of their own injuries.

    More than a thousand people were killed on the day when the SLA entered into Maaththa’lan and Pokka’nai (20th April).

    On May 15th and 16th the SLA entered and rampaged the pocket of land crowded with nearly a hundred thousand people.

    I had to pass through at least around 300 bodies when I came out. Some were alive but couldn’t walk. I helped a few who could walk. Some held my feet when I tried to go away. What could I do?

    There is a long list of people who were eliminated and disappeared after capture by the SLA. The army-controlled area was a place where murders took place in front of one’s eyes.

    In Mullaiththeevu, a hundred thousand people made to stand in rows would all of a sudden be ordered to squat by the SL army. The soldiers would make sadistic laugh at seeing the melee of people falling on each other in the exercise.

    Long poles were used to beat the people and to threaten them.

    Old and young stood under hot sun for a long time, immensely suffering from thirst.

    Mullaiththeevu to Vavuniyaa was scenery of disaster.

    There were 20 to 25 people in a tent in the internment camp at Cheddiku’lam. Food was sometimes thrown from a vehicle.

    Everyday in the internment camp around 30 people died.

    It was a place of epidemics.

    Thousands suffered of Chicken Pox, hundreds had brain fever, many elders died and some committed suicide.

    The bribe to SL army for a person to come out was several hundred thousands of rupees.

    In the last days of the war over 18,000 killed, more than 5,000 lost limbs, more than 7,000 seriously injured and several thousands suffered minor injuries. Several thousands suffer mental illnesses. More than a hundred medical workers- doctors, nurses and volunteers perished.

    Knowledge and exercise of precaution reduced casualty. No one died of any epidemic under LTTE control.

    Several thousands of Sinhala youth of the SLA, from poor families, regrettably laid down their life in the war.

    The sadistic lust of Mahinda Rajapaksa is very astonishing – inflicting pain on ordinary civilians in every possible way, and then projecting that as forms of his soothing operation to the outside world.

    The world may forget, but Tamils will never forget the true face of the civilisation of 21st century, the world has shown to them, writes the medical worker in his notes.

  275. Below is eyewitness account of inhuman treatment of nearly 280 000 innocent Hindu civilians in concentration camps.
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&art

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. "Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun.

    Colombo particularly targeted hospitals and makeshift hospitals. When people moved away from Ki'linochchi, its hospital started functioning in the school building at Udaiyaar-kaddu. More than two thousand shells were fired on this building by the SLA.

    Ki’linochchi to Tharmapuram, Vaddakkachchi, Visuvamadu, Udaiyaar-kaddu, Puthukkudiyiruppu – until reaching Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal, at an average 50 civilians were killed every day in Sri Lankan attacks. 8000 were already killed before herded into Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal.

    Medical work decimated and workers were shaken at the death of patients, nurses and workers.

    When there were more than 300,000 people, Colombo sent food for only 30,000.

    Important medicines such as anaesthetic drugs were not sent. Life-saving surgery without anaesthesia was a cursing ordeal for the patients as well as doctors.

    Mothers and children standing in queue to receive infant milk food were targeted in the SL shell attacks. Without seeing no one could visualize the sorrow of the child that lost the mother and the mother who lost the child.

    SLA shell attacks, guided by spy craft were targeted on queues for gruel also. Despite casualties the queue would form again.

    While even gruel was scarce to people, lands they cultivated were harvested by the SLA.

    At one stage, the LTTE leadership ordered food meant for combatants to be shared with civilians. The fighters fought only with gruel food and to the last LTTE served gruel to people.

    Around 1000 waterholes were dug and several hundreds of toilets were made for civilians at the initiative of the LTTE. Water often mixed with sand was collected in shell-halves and was filtered by cloth.

    There were no epidemics.

    Pregnant mothers and infants bearing shell fragments came to makeshift hospitals.

    These hospitals functioned 24 hours and wailing was always heard around them.

    Many dead bodies couldn’t be buried in certain situations of SL attacks and hungry dogs dragged them.

    Every time moving patents to ICRC vessel there will be targeted shelling from the SLA. A few hundreds taken for ICRC treatment died. How that happened was not known and whom to ask.

    Even in emaciated conditions people donated blood for treatment and some of them later died of their own injuries.

    More than a thousand people were killed on the day when the SLA entered into Maaththa’lan and Pokka’nai (20th April).

    On May 15th and 16th the SLA entered and rampaged the pocket of land crowded with nearly a hundred thousand people.

    I had to pass through at least around 300 bodies when I came out. Some were alive but couldn’t walk. I helped a few who could walk. Some held my feet when I tried to go away. What could I do?

    There is a long list of people who were eliminated and disappeared after capture by the SLA. The army-controlled area was a place where murders took place in front of one’s eyes.

    In Mullaiththeevu, a hundred thousand people made to stand in rows would all of a sudden be ordered to squat by the SL army. The soldiers would make sadistic laugh at seeing the melee of people falling on each other in the exercise.

    Long poles were used to beat the people and to threaten them.

    Old and young stood under hot sun for a long time, immensely suffering from thirst.

    Mullaiththeevu to Vavuniyaa was scenery of disaster.

    There were 20 to 25 people in a tent in the internment camp at Cheddiku’lam. Food was sometimes thrown from a vehicle.

    Everyday in the internment camp around 30 people died.

    It was a place of epidemics.

    Thousands suffered of Chicken Pox, hundreds had brain fever, many elders died and some committed suicide.

    The bribe to SL army for a person to come out was several hundred thousands of rupees.

    In the last days of the war over 18,000 killed, more than 5,000 lost limbs, more than 7,000 seriously injured and several thousands suffered minor injuries. Several thousands suffer mental illnesses. More than a hundred medical workers- doctors, nurses and volunteers perished.

    Knowledge and exercise of precaution reduced casualty. No one died of any epidemic under LTTE control.

    Several thousands of Sinhala youth of the SLA, from poor families, regrettably laid down their life in the war.

    The sadistic lust of Mahinda Rajapaksa is very astonishing – inflicting pain on ordinary civilians in every possible way, and then projecting that as forms of his soothing operation to the outside world.

    The world may forget, but Tamils will never forget the true face of the civilisation of 21st century, the world has shown to them, writes the medical worker in his notes.

  276. Reference -Alfonso Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:43 am

    The picture of the old person lying on the bare floor appears to be another fake. How is that in a number shots in the video before the shot on the man on the floor and shots after that show very clearly women and children sleeping or seated on clean and comfortable looking sheets. How is that only this man on a drip was deprived of a sheet or a mat?
    It is another failed fake.

  277. Reference -Alfonso Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:35 am

    Northern Thamils are entitled to the same rights as the Eastern Province not to get blasted by land mines.

    Why don't you or the AI ask Mr. Weiss the extent of land in the Vanni where the UNDP has certified that it is safe for the IDPs to be relocated.

  278. Reference-Mawatha Silva Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:59 am

    If you wish to get and independent view of the events during the last days of battle in the no fire zone in Mullaitivu the best source are the Special Reports of the University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna). Following are a few relevant extracts from these reports, which refutes the horror stories that the Sri Lanka Army 'massacred' Tamil Civilians.

    1. Our examination of events suggests that by normal military standards, the soldiers in close encounters behaved exemplarily towards civilians.

    2.According to those who later escaped, a number of LTTE cadres began committing suicide by exploding grenades in their possession. There was a kind of anarchy. Some cadres were going to bunkers where civilians were sheltering, asking “So you want to run away to the Army do you?”, and then opening fire at them.

    3. The civilians said that the Army took many casualties, but refrained from harming the civilians, and in fact physically helped them to get across. At the beginning of the operation the Army had used some shells which resulted in some civilian casualties. However, the IDPs are uniformly emphatic that the Army shelled only in reply to the militants’ mortar and gun fire from among the civilians.
    4. Some reliable witnesses and other IDPs who were present when the Army entered are certain that a large number, perhaps the majority, of those killed in the NFZ during the last 12 hours were killed by LTTE shelling. Shells were falling into them and from the direction they are certain that they were fired by the LTTE.

    5. We know that on the May 14th and May 17th night, the LTTE was to a large extent responsible for civilian deaths.

    Mr. Silva's statement that "around 1000 waterholes were dug and several hundreds of toilets were made for civilians at the initiative of the LTTE." the question has to be asked whether these critical facilities were adequate for the 300,000 strong population.

  279. To – Vichara Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Yes I wish to get and independent view of the events during the last days of battle in the no fire zone in Mullaitivu. However the best source for me is Truly Independent Media: CNN, SKY, BBC, etc., which are not allowed at present time

    **********************
    Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa appear to be building permanent Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camp to house many of the 300,000 rnnocent Tamil civilians from the last phase of the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels, despite promising to resettle 80 per cent of them by the end of the year.

    Aid workers have told that permanent buildings are being erected at The Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camp site where the UN says that 300,000 of the refugees are being held after the Tigers’ defeat in May.

    The Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa originally proposed holding the innocent Tamil civilian in “welfare villages” for up to three years to check that they were not Tigers, and to clear their villages of mines.

    After donor nations protested and Tamil MPs and activists compared the barbed wire enclosures to concentration camps, the Government promised to resettle 80 per cent of the refugees by the end of this year. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Defence Secretary, who is also the President’s brother, renewed the promise last week.

    Aid workers said that Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa meant to hold refugees for much longer.

  280. Below is eyewitness account of inhuman treatment of nearly 280 000 innocent Hindu civilians in concentration camps.

    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=30180

    The advancing Sri Lanka Army massacred civilians by paving their bunkers with tanks, by throwing explosives inside the bunkers and by shooting the injured, says a medical worker who came out of Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal during the last days of the war, became incarcerated in a camp and now escaped the island. “Around a hundred thousand captured civilians herded to Mullaiththeevu were kept in rows within barbed wires, most of the time without water or food under the hot sun.

    Colombo particularly targeted hospitals and makeshift hospitals. When people moved away from Ki’linochchi, its hospital started functioning in the school building at Udaiyaar-kaddu. More than two thousand shells were fired on this building by the SLA.

    Ki’linochchi to Tharmapuram, Vaddakkachchi, Visuvamadu, Udaiyaar-kaddu, Puthukkudiyiruppu – until reaching Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal, at an average 50 civilians were killed every day in Sri Lankan attacks. 8000 were already killed before herded into Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal.

    Medical work decimated and workers were shaken at the death of patients, nurses and workers.

    When there were more than 300,000 people, Colombo sent food for only 30,000.

    Important medicines such as anaesthetic drugs were not sent. Life-saving surgery without anaesthesia was a cursing ordeal for the patients as well as doctors.

    Mothers and children standing in queue to receive infant milk food were targeted in the SL shell attacks. Without seeing no one could visualize the sorrow of the child that lost the mother and the mother who lost the child.

    SLA shell attacks, guided by spy craft were targeted on queues for gruel also. Despite casualties the queue would form again.

    While even gruel was scarce to people, lands they cultivated were harvested by the SLA.

    At one stage, the LTTE leadership ordered food meant for combatants to be shared with civilians. The fighters fought only with gruel food and to the last LTTE served gruel to people.

    Around 1000 waterholes were dug and several hundreds of toilets were made for civilians at the initiative of the LTTE. Water often mixed with sand was collected in shell-halves and was filtered by cloth.

    There were no epidemics.

    Pregnant mothers and infants bearing shell fragments came to makeshift hospitals.

    These hospitals functioned 24 hours and wailing was always heard around them.

    Many dead bodies couldn’t be buried in certain situations of SL attacks and hungry dogs dragged them.

    Every time moving patents to ICRC vessel there will be targeted shelling from the SLA. A few hundreds taken for ICRC treatment died. How that happened was not known and whom to ask.

    Even in emaciated conditions people donated blood for treatment and some of them later died of their own injuries.

    More than a thousand people were killed on the day when the SLA entered into Maaththa’lan and Pokka’nai (20th April).

    On May 15th and 16th the SLA entered and rampaged the pocket of land crowded with nearly a hundred thousand people.

    I had to pass through at least around 300 bodies when I came out. Some were alive but couldn’t walk. I helped a few who could walk. Some held my feet when I tried to go away. What could I do?

    There is a long list of people who were eliminated and disappeared after capture by the SLA. The army-controlled area was a place where murders took place in front of one’s eyes.

    In Mullaiththeevu, a hundred thousand people made to stand in rows would all of a sudden be ordered to squat by the SL army. The soldiers would make sadistic laugh at seeing the melee of people falling on each other in the exercise.

    Long poles were used to beat the people and to threaten them.

    Old and young stood under hot sun for a long time, immensely suffering from thirst.

    Mullaiththeevu to Vavuniyaa was scenery of disaster.

    There were 20 to 25 people in a tent in the internment camp at Cheddiku’lam. Food was sometimes thrown from a vehicle.

    Everyday in the internment camp around 30 people died.

    It was a place of epidemics.

    Thousands suffered of Chicken Pox, hundreds had brain fever, many elders died and some committed suicide.

    The bribe to SL army for a person to come out was several hundred thousands of rupees.

    In the last days of the war over 18,000 killed, more than 5,000 lost limbs, more than 7,000 seriously injured and several thousands suffered minor injuries. Several thousands suffer mental illnesses. More than a hundred medical workers- doctors, nurses and volunteers perished.

    Knowledge and exercise of precaution reduced casualty. No one died of any epidemic under LTTE control.

    Several thousands of Sinhala youth of the SLA, from poor families, regrettably laid down their life in the war.

    The sadistic lust of Mahinda Rajapaksa is very astonishing – inflicting pain on ordinary civilians in every possible way, and then projecting that as forms of his soothing operation to the outside world.

    The world may forget, but Tamils will never forget the true face of the civilisation of 21st century, the world has shown to them, writes the medical worker in his notes.

  281. Reference -Alfonso Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:43 am

    The picture of the old person lying on the bare floor appears to be another fake. How is that in a number shots in the video before the shot on the man on the floor and shots after that show very clearly women and children sleeping or seated on clean and comfortable looking sheets. How is that only this man on a drip was deprived of a sheet or a mat?
    It is another failed fake.

  282. Reference -Alfonso Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:35 am

    Northern Thamils are entitled to the same rights as the Eastern Province not to get blasted by land mines.

    Why don’t you or the AI ask Mr. Weiss the extent of land in the Vanni where the UNDP has certified that it is safe for the IDPs to be relocated.

  283. Reference-Mawatha Silva Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:59 am

    If you wish to get and independent view of the events during the last days of battle in the no fire zone in Mullaitivu the best source are the Special Reports of the University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna). Following are a few relevant extracts from these reports, which refutes the horror stories that the Sri Lanka Army ‘massacred’ Tamil Civilians.

    1. Our examination of events suggests that by normal military standards, the soldiers in close encounters behaved exemplarily towards civilians.

    2.According to those who later escaped, a number of LTTE cadres began committing suicide by exploding grenades in their possession. There was a kind of anarchy. Some cadres were going to bunkers where civilians were sheltering, asking “So you want to run away to the Army do you?”, and then opening fire at them.

    3. The civilians said that the Army took many casualties, but refrained from harming the civilians, and in fact physically helped them to get across. At the beginning of the operation the Army had used some shells which resulted in some civilian casualties. However, the IDPs are uniformly emphatic that the Army shelled only in reply to the militants’ mortar and gun fire from among the civilians.
    4. Some reliable witnesses and other IDPs who were present when the Army entered are certain that a large number, perhaps the majority, of those killed in the NFZ during the last 12 hours were killed by LTTE shelling. Shells were falling into them and from the direction they are certain that they were fired by the LTTE.

    5. We know that on the May 14th and May 17th night, the LTTE was to a large extent responsible for civilian deaths.

    Mr. Silva’s statement that “around 1000 waterholes were dug and several hundreds of toilets were made for civilians at the initiative of the LTTE.” the question has to be asked whether these critical facilities were adequate for the 300,000 strong population.

  284. To – Vichara Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Yes I wish to get and independent view of the events during the last days of battle in the no fire zone in Mullaitivu. However the best source for me is Truly Independent Media: CNN, SKY, BBC, etc., which are not allowed at present time

    **********************
    Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa appear to be building permanent Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camp to house many of the 300,000 rnnocent Tamil civilians from the last phase of the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels, despite promising to resettle 80 per cent of them by the end of the year.

    Aid workers have told that permanent buildings are being erected at The Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camp site where the UN says that 300,000 of the refugees are being held after the Tigers’ defeat in May.

    The Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa originally proposed holding the innocent Tamil civilian in “welfare villages” for up to three years to check that they were not Tigers, and to clear their villages of mines.

    After donor nations protested and Tamil MPs and activists compared the barbed wire enclosures to concentration camps, the Government promised to resettle 80 per cent of the refugees by the end of this year. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Defence Secretary, who is also the President’s brother, renewed the promise last week.

    Aid workers said that Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa meant to hold refugees for much longer.

  285. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said it was extremely 'concerned and disappointed' with the Sri Lankan government's decision to expel the organisation's chief of communications in Sri Lanka, James Elder.
    Unicef slams Sri Lanka's decision to expel official http://www.indiaenews.com/asia/20090908/219495.ht

    Journalists rarely set out to become like the proverbial canary in a coal mine. But in certain places, at certain times, they can’t help themselves. If they insist on doing their jobs and a government doesn’t like what they publish, they may be thrown in prison or killed by an assassin who goes unpunished. And usually, where reporters and editors are treated this way, a greater humanitarian catastrophe is at hand.
    Sri Lanka: Free journalist, protect human rights http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opini

  286. The United Nations has voiced disappointment at Sri Lanka’s decision to expel a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) staff member from the island nation, saying the Government should be supporting the agency’s efforts to advocate on behalf of children.
    Expulsion of UNICEF staff member in Sri Lanka brings dismay from UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=3197

    From January to May 15, when they were arrested, the doctors communicated from the war zone almost daily, sending reports of casualties and photographs that often showed dead bodies, shallow bunkers and malnourished children. "These are people who performed absolutely heroically in the last few weeks and months, and deserve every praise and care," said U.N. Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes. For now, four of the five doctors are free on bail. Whether or not they will ever be free to testify to what really happened in the Vanni remains unknown.
    Doctors at center of human rights row http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090904/sr

  287. Praising the Sri Lankan regime for slaughtering thousands of innocents and letting the Tamils to languish in the concentration camps is another example that we have become real hypocrites and jokers who have bigger mouths, smaller brains and corrupt souls. Playing cricket with a country that is flowing with the blood of the innocent men, women and children, shows that we no longer have any moral principles to guide our lives. We are now even quite comfortable to sit and have tea with a Hannibal while his hands are still stained with the blood and his room is filled with the stink of rotting human flesh.

  288. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said it was extremely 'concerned and disappointed' with the Sri Lankan government's decision to expel the organisation's chief of communications in Sri Lanka, James Elder.
    Unicef slams Sri Lanka's decision to expel official http://www.indiaenews.com/asia/20090908/219495.ht

    Journalists rarely set out to become like the proverbial canary in a coal mine. But in certain places, at certain times, they can’t help themselves. If they insist on doing their jobs and a government doesn’t like what they publish, they may be thrown in prison or killed by an assassin who goes unpunished. And usually, where reporters and editors are treated this way, a greater humanitarian catastrophe is at hand.
    Sri Lanka: Free journalist, protect human rights http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opini

  289. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said it was extremely 'concerned and disappointed' with the Sri Lankan government's decision to expel the organisation's chief of communications in Sri Lanka, James Elder.
    Unicef slams Sri Lanka's decision to expel official http://www.indiaenews.com/asia/20090908/219495.ht

    Journalists rarely set out to become like the proverbial canary in a coal mine. But in certain places, at certain times, they can’t help themselves. If they insist on doing their jobs and a government doesn’t like what they publish, they may be thrown in prison or killed by an assassin who goes unpunished. And usually, where reporters and editors are treated this way, a greater humanitarian catastrophe is at hand.
    Sri Lanka: Free journalist, protect human rights http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opini

  290. The United Nations has voiced disappointment at Sri Lanka’s decision to expel a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) staff member from the island nation, saying the Government should be supporting the agency’s efforts to advocate on behalf of children.
    Expulsion of UNICEF staff member in Sri Lanka brings dismay from UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=3197

    From January to May 15, when they were arrested, the doctors communicated from the war zone almost daily, sending reports of casualties and photographs that often showed dead bodies, shallow bunkers and malnourished children. "These are people who performed absolutely heroically in the last few weeks and months, and deserve every praise and care," said U.N. Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes. For now, four of the five doctors are free on bail. Whether or not they will ever be free to testify to what really happened in the Vanni remains unknown.
    Doctors at center of human rights row http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090904/sr

  291. The United Nations has voiced disappointment at Sri Lanka’s decision to expel a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) staff member from the island nation, saying the Government should be supporting the agency’s efforts to advocate on behalf of children.
    Expulsion of UNICEF staff member in Sri Lanka brings dismay from UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=3197

    From January to May 15, when they were arrested, the doctors communicated from the war zone almost daily, sending reports of casualties and photographs that often showed dead bodies, shallow bunkers and malnourished children. "These are people who performed absolutely heroically in the last few weeks and months, and deserve every praise and care," said U.N. Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes. For now, four of the five doctors are free on bail. Whether or not they will ever be free to testify to what really happened in the Vanni remains unknown.
    Doctors at center of human rights row http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090904/sr

  292. Ref.Author: Mawatha Silva
    Comment: To – Vichara Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    If Mr. Silva considers that the international media is more independent than the UTHR which is a group of Tamil intellectuals who have been severe critics of the government of Sri Lanka over more than a decade, one cannot carry on an intelligent dialogue with him. For example they have urged for an independent investigation on the events in the last weeks of the battle. Unlike the international media, UTHR has grass root level contacts with the Tamil community in the Vanni.
    Mr. Silva is requested to read the UTHR Special Report 32 before any further comments.
    Both Silva and Alfonso are in the habit of avoiding serious comments and resorting to inane replies.

  293. Praising the Sri Lankan regime for slaughtering thousands of innocents and letting the Tamils to languish in the concentration camps is another example that we have become real hypocrites and jokers who have bigger mouths, smaller brains and corrupt souls. Playing cricket with a country that is flowing with the blood of the innocent men, women and children, shows that we no longer have any moral principles to guide our lives. We are now even quite comfortable to sit and have tea with a Hannibal while his hands are still stained with the blood and his room is filled with the stink of rotting human flesh.

  294. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) said it was extremely ‘concerned and disappointed’ with the Sri Lankan government’s decision to expel the organisation’s chief of communications in Sri Lanka, James Elder.
    Unicef slams Sri Lanka’s decision to expel official
    http://www.indiaenews.com/asia/20090908/219495.htm

    Journalists rarely set out to become like the proverbial canary in a coal mine. But in certain places, at certain times, they can’t help themselves. If they insist on doing their jobs and a government doesn’t like what they publish, they may be thrown in prison or killed by an assassin who goes unpunished. And usually, where reporters and editors are treated this way, a greater humanitarian catastrophe is at hand.
    Sri Lanka: Free journalist, protect human rights
    http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/09/07/sri_lanka_free_journalist_protect_human_rights/

  295. The United Nations has voiced disappointment at Sri Lanka’s decision to expel a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) staff member from the island nation, saying the Government should be supporting the agency’s efforts to advocate on behalf of children.
    Expulsion of UNICEF staff member in Sri Lanka brings dismay from UN
    http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31974&Cr=sri+lanka&Cr1=

    From January to May 15, when they were arrested, the doctors communicated from the war zone almost daily, sending reports of casualties and photographs that often showed dead bodies, shallow bunkers and malnourished children. “These are people who performed absolutely heroically in the last few weeks and months, and deserve every praise and care,” said U.N. Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes. For now, four of the five doctors are free on bail. Whether or not they will ever be free to testify to what really happened in the Vanni remains unknown.
    Doctors at center of human rights row
    http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090904/sri-lanka-doctors

  296. Ref.Author: Mawatha Silva
    Comment: To – Vichara Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    If Mr. Silva considers that the international media is more independent than the UTHR which is a group of Tamil intellectuals who have been severe critics of the government of Sri Lanka over more than a decade, one cannot carry on an intelligent dialogue with him. For example they have urged for an independent investigation on the events in the last weeks of the battle. Unlike the international media, UTHR has grass root level contacts with the Tamil community in the Vanni.
    Mr. Silva is requested to read the UTHR Special Report 32 before any further comments.
    Both Silva and Alfonso are in the habit of avoiding serious comments and resorting to inane replies.

  297. Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    "Both Silva and Alfonso are in the habit of avoiding serious comments and resorting to inane replies."
    **********************
    "….. to inane replies." ??????? Are you , Mr. Vichara, referring to your illustrious post (September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm ) which shamelessly propagates baseless and insidious lies.

    This is an usual ploy to discredit the opponent. We all should stand up for our rights and argue our case based on facts and merits.

    "If you cannot play the ball, play the man" a tactic failed in the past and doomed to fail in the future.
    ************************
    Another Channel-4 broadcast shows inhuman conditions in Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camps
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  298. Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    "Both Silva and Alfonso are in the habit of avoiding serious comments and resorting to inane replies."
    **********************
    "….. to inane replies." ??????? Are you , Mr. Vichara, referring to your illustrious post (September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm ) which shamelessly propagates baseless and insidious lies.

    This is an usual ploy to discredit the opponent. We all should stand up for our rights and argue our case based on facts and merits.

    "If you cannot play the ball, play the man" a tactic failed in the past and doomed to fail in the future.
    ************************
    Another Channel-4 broadcast shows inhuman conditions in Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camps
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  299. Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    "Both Silva and Alfonso are in the habit of avoiding serious comments and resorting to inane replies."
    **********************
    "….. to inane replies." ??????? Are you , Mr. Vichara, referring to your illustrious post (September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm ) which shamelessly propagates baseless and insidious lies.

    This is an usual ploy to discredit the opponent. We all should stand up for our rights and argue our case based on facts and merits.

    "If you cannot play the ball, play the man" a tactic failed in the past and doomed to fail in the future.
    ************************
    Another Channel-4 broadcast shows inhuman conditions in Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camps
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  300. Ref. Author: Mawatha Silva
    Comment:Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    May I quote a paragraph from the Special Report 32 of the UTHR, on the IDP camps to show that they are strongly independent.

    "For the nearly 300 000 people held in internment like camps, the end of the war has not brought about the respite they deserve. They continue to suffer in squalid conditions of camps made not to last more than a few weeks. Living conditions including families packed into tents and the deteriorating hygienic conditions from the lack of proper sewage to garbage disposal are leading to further disease and suffering. These displaced peoples who had suffered much under the LTTE do not deserve to be held in these conditions. The Government in restricting people the choice of movement out of the camps is responsible for their suffering. While the screening should be much quicker, there is no justification for detaining those who are clearly not combatants. "

    If your comments are to be taken seriously, I urge you two gentlemen to read the publications of the UTHR.
    You guys are brain washed or there is an obvious lack of them.

  301. Sharing this discussion link below, I came across an editorial/opinion published by Boston Globe, it is a heart healthy discussion for sure for ALL CONCERNED.
    A few comments by Varathan is heart felt and his efforts should intrigue every Tamil/Sinhala mind alike for peace and prosperity for Tamils and Sinhalese alike
    either together or apart. Analytical, enough to justify that the only solution that is left for Tamils by default, by the Sri Lanka Govt is separation or self determination. I am dropping the comment here not to bring disharmony among the bloggers but only because I believe 300,000 people issue is not just humanitarian but a political one.
    A country that aspire and perspire to thrive, in every way possible to make Sri Lanka a Buddhist country that has more Monks and Soldiers than civilians still unable to take care of the basic need of these Tamil citizens behind barbed wire. If not for the JHU type Monks the Buddhist will not let this situation continue for so long. It has been 8 months since these people got displaced. Every true Buddha lover would want to show mercy if not for the politics. The difference between LTTE & TAMILS is the same as with decent SINHALESE and BUDDHIST hardliners. But the irony is LTTE a listed resistance
    Group had a CAUSE where as the Buddhist hardliners has an agenda with scriptural
    Support for Tamil blood instead!! I sincerely believe there are many who try there level best to rise above the politics to see to the humanitarian need they are the ones now getting intimidated for their acts of "humanism". Sri Lanka sees them as traitors as their
    Political agenda is gets shaken.
    http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opini

    Please air it here so that everyone understands enough without making brash statements and suggestions with little knowledge of the true magnitude of the 61years long issue.
    Sri Lanka has to make the correct move for a perfect solution for progression, what they
    Have done so far is not at all convincing. Tamils and Sinhalese love their country equally and Tamils are looking for a decent solution that assured their dignity/safety not just for today or tomorrow but for ever. Even IF JHU (Buddhist hardliners) ever gets in to power to rule the country!!! Tamils are NOT AT ALL safe in the hands of the extremist Sinhalese Buddhist, no good critiquing LTTE for now, they are no longer everyone admits it including Sri Lanka Govt.

    The people in the camp resorted to the decision to go with LTTE only as a survival instinct of a human being. Anyone when put in such risky situation caught between the devil and the deep blue sea would have chosen the same route. Once the 300,000 Tamils behind barbed wires are settled in the area where they came from, they will be free to choose their destiny without any intimidation. Surely they will choose a passive life style but I am not sure about the Sinhala/Bhuddhist only Sri Lanka believers the JHU type.

    They are the stirrers of this conflict, instigated race hate, the politicians allowed it to escalate to this extent. A shameful act by the Monks, they should take the responsibility to bring an eternal peace to the country through a political solution, not through force, intimidation or terror methods for sure. It applies anywhere when there is legitimate unrest through real grievances.
    In Sri Lanka's case even more so, both Sinhalese/Tamil cultures are strong and nothing would change it, people get more and more cultural when they are traumatized. The only method they use to heal themselves in a country where community life brings the therapy when no professional help available to them to heal such brutality.
    Which ever way, a negotiated solution should come from the Govt, to satisfy the Tamils concern or else Sri Lankan should resort to surgically removing the sentiments they have for Sri Lanka while it goes to the dogs…with all kind of violations in such a small country with all it’s good people making it the most notorious Island of horror.
    Thanks to Amnesty for giving the opportunity comment here and thank you for all the help towards humanity.

  302. Reference-Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am

    “ If your comments are to be taken seriously, I urge you two gentlemen to read the publications of the UTHR. You guys are brain washed or there is an obvious lack of them. “

    **************************

    Your assiduous comments, address to me with a such contempt, are leading me to believe ………that you are seeking to keep information in the realm of contest-ability, through the cynical technique of rebuttal. Such vile retorts do not warrant my slightest attention.

    **************************

    Sri Lanka government commission investigating the massacre of 17 NGO workers (Muttur massacre) has, without sufficient basis, ruled out the involvement of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

    It unfairly and dangerously denounced local human rights organizations participating in the commission.

    And government authorities improperly pressured the families of the murdered aid workers to demand that France obtain for them greater compensation from Action Contre La Faim (ACF).

    The Sri Lankan government's gross mishandling of the investigation into the execution-style slaying of 17 aid workers in the northeastern town of Mutur three years ago demonstrates the need for an international commission of inquiry.

    Government actions in the case – for which no one has been convicted – raised further concerns about an already deeply troubling investigation, Human Rights Watch said.

    "For three years since the ACF massacre, the Rajapaksa government has put on an elaborate song and dance to bedazzle the international community into believing justice is being done," said James Ross, legal and policy director at Human Rights Watch.

    Instead, the government used the atrocity to threaten local rights groups, intimidate the victims' families, and score political points against the French government."

  303. Ref.Author: Mawatha Silva
    Comment:
    Reference-Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
    Contesting and rebuttal of accusations is a fundamental tenet of natural justice. Have you not heard of Audi Altarem Partem- hear the other side. It is by this process that the truth can be revealed.

    Alfonso is making use of his poetic license.

  304. Sharing this discussion link below, I came across an editorial/opinion published by Boston Globe, it is a heart healthy discussion for sure for ALL CONCERNED.
    A few comments by Varathan is heart felt and his efforts should intrigue every Tamil/Sinhala mind alike for peace and prosperity for Tamils and Sinhalese alike
    either together or apart. Analytical, enough to justify that the only solution that is left for Tamils by default, by the Sri Lanka Govt is separation or self determination. I am dropping the comment here not to bring disharmony among the bloggers but only because I believe 300,000 people issue is not just humanitarian but a political one.
    A country that aspire and perspire to thrive, in every way possible to make Sri Lanka a Buddhist country that has more Monks and Soldiers than civilians still unable to take care of the basic need of these Tamil citizens behind barbed wire. If not for the JHU type Monks the Buddhist will not let this situation continue for so long. It has been 8 months since these people got displaced. Every true Buddha lover would want to show mercy if not for the politics. The difference between LTTE & TAMILS is the same as with decent SINHALESE and BUDDHIST hardliners. But the irony is LTTE a listed resistance
    Group had a CAUSE where as the Buddhist hardliners has an agenda with scriptural
    Support for Tamil blood instead!! I sincerely believe there are many who try there level best to rise above the politics to see to the humanitarian need they are the ones now getting intimidated for their acts of "humanism". Sri Lanka sees them as traitors as their
    Political agenda is gets shaken.
    http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opini

    Please air it here so that everyone understands enough without making brash statements and suggestions with little knowledge of the true magnitude of the 61years long issue.
    Sri Lanka has to make the correct move for a perfect solution for progression, what they
    Have done so far is not at all convincing. Tamils and Sinhalese love their country equally and Tamils are looking for a decent solution that assured their dignity/safety not just for today or tomorrow but for ever. Even IF JHU (Buddhist hardliners) ever gets in to power to rule the country!!! Tamils are NOT AT ALL safe in the hands of the extremist Sinhalese Buddhist, no good critiquing LTTE for now, they are no longer everyone admits it including Sri Lanka Govt.

    The people in the camp resorted to the decision to go with LTTE only as a survival instinct of a human being. Anyone when put in such risky situation caught between the devil and the deep blue sea would have chosen the same route. Once the 300,000 Tamils behind barbed wires are settled in the area where they came from, they will be free to choose their destiny without any intimidation. Surely they will choose a passive life style but I am not sure about the Sinhala/Bhuddhist only Sri Lanka believers the JHU type.

    They are the stirrers of this conflict, instigated race hate, the politicians allowed it to escalate to this extent. A shameful act by the Monks, they should take the responsibility to bring an eternal peace to the country through a political solution, not through force, intimidation or terror methods for sure. It applies anywhere when there is legitimate unrest through real grievances.
    In Sri Lanka's case even more so, both Sinhalese/Tamil cultures are strong and nothing would change it, people get more and more cultural when they are traumatized. The only method they use to heal themselves in a country where community life brings the therapy when no professional help available to them to heal such brutality.
    Which ever way, a negotiated solution should come from the Govt, to satisfy the Tamils concern or else Sri Lankan should resort to surgically removing the sentiments they have for Sri Lanka while it goes to the dogs…with all kind of violations in such a small country with all it’s good people making it the most notorious Island of horror.
    Thanks to Amnesty for giving the opportunity comment here and thank you for all the help towards humanity.

  305. Sharing this discussion link below, I came across an editorial/opinion published by Boston Globe, it is a heart healthy discussion for sure for ALL CONCERNED.
    A few comments by Varathan is heart felt and his efforts should intrigue every Tamil/Sinhala mind alike for peace and prosperity for Tamils and Sinhalese alike
    either together or apart. Analytical, enough to justify that the only solution that is left for Tamils by default, by the Sri Lanka Govt is separation or self determination. I am dropping the comment here not to bring disharmony among the bloggers but only because I believe 300,000 people issue is not just humanitarian but a political one.
    A country that aspire and perspire to thrive, in every way possible to make Sri Lanka a Buddhist country that has more Monks and Soldiers than civilians still unable to take care of the basic need of these Tamil citizens behind barbed wire. If not for the JHU type Monks the Buddhist will not let this situation continue for so long. It has been 8 months since these people got displaced. Every true Buddha lover would want to show mercy if not for the politics. The difference between LTTE & TAMILS is the same as with decent SINHALESE and BUDDHIST hardliners. But the irony is LTTE a listed resistance
    Group had a CAUSE where as the Buddhist hardliners has an agenda with scriptural
    Support for Tamil blood instead!! I sincerely believe there are many who try there level best to rise above the politics to see to the humanitarian need they are the ones now getting intimidated for their acts of "humanism". Sri Lanka sees them as traitors as their
    Political agenda is gets shaken.
    http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opini

    Please air it here so that everyone understands enough without making brash statements and suggestions with little knowledge of the true magnitude of the 61years long issue.
    Sri Lanka has to make the correct move for a perfect solution for progression, what they
    Have done so far is not at all convincing. Tamils and Sinhalese love their country equally and Tamils are looking for a decent solution that assured their dignity/safety not just for today or tomorrow but for ever. Even IF JHU (Buddhist hardliners) ever gets in to power to rule the country!!! Tamils are NOT AT ALL safe in the hands of the extremist Sinhalese Buddhist, no good critiquing LTTE for now, they are no longer everyone admits it including Sri Lanka Govt.

    The people in the camp resorted to the decision to go with LTTE only as a survival instinct of a human being. Anyone when put in such risky situation caught between the devil and the deep blue sea would have chosen the same route. Once the 300,000 Tamils behind barbed wires are settled in the area where they came from, they will be free to choose their destiny without any intimidation. Surely they will choose a passive life style but I am not sure about the Sinhala/Bhuddhist only Sri Lanka believers the JHU type.

    They are the stirrers of this conflict, instigated race hate, the politicians allowed it to escalate to this extent. A shameful act by the Monks, they should take the responsibility to bring an eternal peace to the country through a political solution, not through force, intimidation or terror methods for sure. It applies anywhere when there is legitimate unrest through real grievances.
    In Sri Lanka's case even more so, both Sinhalese/Tamil cultures are strong and nothing would change it, people get more and more cultural when they are traumatized. The only method they use to heal themselves in a country where community life brings the therapy when no professional help available to them to heal such brutality.
    Which ever way, a negotiated solution should come from the Govt, to satisfy the Tamils concern or else Sri Lankan should resort to surgically removing the sentiments they have for Sri Lanka while it goes to the dogs…with all kind of violations in such a small country with all it’s good people making it the most notorious Island of horror.
    Thanks to Amnesty for giving the opportunity comment here and thank you for all the help towards humanity.

  306. Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    “Both Silva and Alfonso are in the habit of avoiding serious comments and resorting to inane replies.”
    **********************
    “….. to inane replies.” ??????? Are you , Mr. Vichara, referring to your illustrious post (September 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm ) which shamelessly propagates baseless and insidious lies.

    This is an usual ploy to discredit the opponent. We all should stand up for our rights and argue our case based on facts and merits.

    “If you cannot play the ball, play the man” a tactic failed in the past and doomed to fail in the future.
    ************************
    Another Channel-4 broadcast shows inhuman conditions in Sri Lanka Guantanamo-like concentration camps

    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=30188

  307. Ref. Author: Mawatha Silva
    Comment:Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    May I quote a paragraph from the Special Report 32 of the UTHR, on the IDP camps to show that they are strongly independent.

    “For the nearly 300 000 people held in internment like camps, the end of the war has not brought about the respite they deserve. They continue to suffer in squalid conditions of camps made not to last more than a few weeks. Living conditions including families packed into tents and the deteriorating hygienic conditions from the lack of proper sewage to garbage disposal are leading to further disease and suffering. These displaced peoples who had suffered much under the LTTE do not deserve to be held in these conditions. The Government in restricting people the choice of movement out of the camps is responsible for their suffering. While the screening should be much quicker, there is no justification for detaining those who are clearly not combatants. ”

    If your comments are to be taken seriously, I urge you two gentlemen to read the publications of the UTHR.
    You guys are brain washed or there is an obvious lack of them.

  308. Reference-Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am

    “ If your comments are to be taken seriously, I urge you two gentlemen to read the publications of the UTHR. You guys are brain washed or there is an obvious lack of them. “

    **************************

    Your assiduous comments, address to me with a such contempt, are leading me to believe ………that you are seeking to keep information in the realm of contest-ability, through the cynical technique of rebuttal. Such vile retorts do not warrant my slightest attention.

    **************************

    Sri Lanka government commission investigating the massacre of 17 NGO workers (Muttur massacre) has, without sufficient basis, ruled out the involvement of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

    It unfairly and dangerously denounced local human rights organizations participating in the commission.

    And government authorities improperly pressured the families of the murdered aid workers to demand that France obtain for them greater compensation from Action Contre La Faim (ACF).

    The Sri Lankan government’s gross mishandling of the investigation into the execution-style slaying of 17 aid workers in the northeastern town of Mutur three years ago demonstrates the need for an international commission of inquiry.

    Government actions in the case – for which no one has been convicted – raised further concerns about an already deeply troubling investigation, Human Rights Watch said.

    “For three years since the ACF massacre, the Rajapaksa government has put on an elaborate song and dance to bedazzle the international community into believing justice is being done,” said James Ross, legal and policy director at Human Rights Watch.

    Instead, the government used the atrocity to threaten local rights groups, intimidate the victims’ families, and score political points against the French government.”

  309. Ref.Author: Mawatha Silva
    Comment:
    Reference-Vichara Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
    Contesting and rebuttal of accusations is a fundamental tenet of natural justice. Have you not heard of Audi Altarem Partem- hear the other side. It is by this process that the truth can be revealed.

    Alfonso is making use of his poetic license.

  310. Sharing this discussion link below, I came across an editorial/opinion published by Boston Globe, it is a heart healthy discussion for sure for ALL CONCERNED.
    A few comments by Varathan is heart felt and his efforts should intrigue every Tamil/Sinhala mind alike for peace and prosperity for Tamils and Sinhalese alike
    either together or apart. Analytical, enough to justify that the only solution that is left for Tamils by default, by the Sri Lanka Govt is separation or self determination. I am dropping the comment here not to bring disharmony among the bloggers but only because I believe 300,000 people issue is not just humanitarian but a political one.
    A country that aspire and perspire to thrive, in every way possible to make Sri Lanka a Buddhist country that has more Monks and Soldiers than civilians still unable to take care of the basic need of these Tamil citizens behind barbed wire. If not for the JHU type Monks the Buddhist will not let this situation continue for so long. It has been 8 months since these people got displaced. Every true Buddha lover would want to show mercy if not for the politics. The difference between LTTE & TAMILS is the same as with decent SINHALESE and BUDDHIST hardliners. But the irony is LTTE a listed resistance
    Group had a CAUSE where as the Buddhist hardliners has an agenda with scriptural
    Support for Tamil blood instead!! I sincerely believe there are many who try there level best to rise above the politics to see to the humanitarian need they are the ones now getting intimidated for their acts of “humanism”. Sri Lanka sees them as traitors as their
    Political agenda is gets shaken.

    http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/09/07/sri_lanka_free_journalist_protect_human_rights/?comments=all&plckCurrentPage=5

    Please air it here so that everyone understands enough without making brash statements and suggestions with little knowledge of the true magnitude of the 61years long issue.
    Sri Lanka has to make the correct move for a perfect solution for progression, what they
    Have done so far is not at all convincing. Tamils and Sinhalese love their country equally and Tamils are looking for a decent solution that assured their dignity/safety not just for today or tomorrow but for ever. Even IF JHU (Buddhist hardliners) ever gets in to power to rule the country!!! Tamils are NOT AT ALL safe in the hands of the extremist Sinhalese Buddhist, no good critiquing LTTE for now, they are no longer everyone admits it including Sri Lanka Govt.

    The people in the camp resorted to the decision to go with LTTE only as a survival instinct of a human being. Anyone when put in such risky situation caught between the devil and the deep blue sea would have chosen the same route. Once the 300,000 Tamils behind barbed wires are settled in the area where they came from, they will be free to choose their destiny without any intimidation. Surely they will choose a passive life style but I am not sure about the Sinhala/Bhuddhist only Sri Lanka believers the JHU type.

    They are the stirrers of this conflict, instigated race hate, the politicians allowed it to escalate to this extent. A shameful act by the Monks, they should take the responsibility to bring an eternal peace to the country through a political solution, not through force, intimidation or terror methods for sure. It applies anywhere when there is legitimate unrest through real grievances.
    In Sri Lanka’s case even more so, both Sinhalese/Tamil cultures are strong and nothing would change it, people get more and more cultural when they are traumatized. The only method they use to heal themselves in a country where community life brings the therapy when no professional help available to them to heal such brutality.
    Which ever way, a negotiated solution should come from the Govt, to satisfy the Tamils concern or else Sri Lankan should resort to surgically removing the sentiments they have for Sri Lanka while it goes to the dogs…with all kind of violations in such a small country with all it’s good people making it the most notorious Island of horror.
    Thanks to Amnesty for giving the opportunity comment here and thank you for all the help towards humanity.

  311. Hi SRatnam!
    I apriciate people like you with good English knowledge and Understanding of the Ethnic problem should post comments. It is shame many educated Thamils do not come forward to write on NET.

    Thanks Ratnam

  312. Reference-my comment
    September 9th, 2009 at 11:30 am

    A light note about Sri Lankan Government greed related to massacre of 17 NGO workers, also known as the Muttur massacre, which took place in Trincomalee.

    17employees of the French NGO Action Against Hunger (Action Contre la Faim, or ACF) were shot at close range by Sri Lankan soldiers. As you can guess it, the massacre was immediately blamed on LTTE. However the bullet, which riddled the dead NGO bodies were issued to Sri Lankan Military. Also, there was an eye witness to Muttur massacre

    Recently, Sri Lanka’s “human rights “panel has cleared the army of killing. As you see there is no justice for the slaughtered. To further aggravate the pain and suffering of the bereaved, Sri Lankan government has given them letters to sign seeking more money from Action Against Hunger.

    The authorities deny the letters exist, but the BBC has seen copies of them.

    The relatives of murdered aid workers say they do not want to press for more compensation and sign the government’s letters. “Money will not help us – we cannot get our relatives back anyway “ one family member of the victims said.

    The letters were handed to the victims’ families on 19 July at a government administration office in the eastern town of Trincomalee. They were due to be signed and handed back by Saturday 25 July.

    One letter was addressed to the French ambassador in Sri Lanka: “We the heirs of the deceased are aware of the interest France and the French government has taken in human rights aspects especially in the… commission of inquiry into the killing in Muttur of 17 aid workers.. Therefore we trust that the French government will take necessary steps to oversee the payment of due compensation to the kinsmen/ women of the deceased. “

    A second to the country’s attorney general: “We agree with the findings of the commission that the deaths were caused by the LTTE and the compensation as determined must be paid by ACF,” it said.

    A third letter seen COMMENDED Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa for investigating the killings!!!!!!! “We are extremely grateful to Your Excellency for appointing a commission of inquiry and ensuring that justice prevailed,” the letter said.

    Rajiva Wijesinghe, secretary to the ministry of human rights and disaster management, denied any knowledge of such letters being issued to BBC Sinhala. He added that the compensation paid by ACF “for their own wrongdoing” was inadequate and that ACF had done a “very bad thing.”

    The Sri Lanka government of M. Rajapakse sinks to the lowest level……….nauseating abhorrence!!!!

  313. Hi SRatnam!
    I apriciate people like you with good English knowledge and Understanding of the Ethnic problem should post comments. It is shame many educated Thamils do not come forward to write on NET.

    Thanks Ratnam

  314. Reference-my comment
    September 9th, 2009 at 11:30 am

    A light note about Sri Lankan Government greed related to massacre of 17 NGO workers, also known as the Muttur massacre, which took place in Trincomalee.

    17employees of the French NGO Action Against Hunger (Action Contre la Faim, or ACF) were shot at close range by Sri Lankan soldiers. As you can guess it, the massacre was immediately blamed on LTTE. However the bullet, which riddled the dead NGO bodies were issued to Sri Lankan Military. Also, there was an eye witness to Muttur massacre

    Recently, Sri Lanka’s “human rights “panel has cleared the army of killing. As you see there is no justice for the slaughtered. To further aggravate the pain and suffering of the bereaved, Sri Lankan government has given them letters to sign seeking more money from Action Against Hunger.

    The authorities deny the letters exist, but the BBC has seen copies of them.

    The relatives of murdered aid workers say they do not want to press for more compensation and sign the government’s letters. “Money will not help us – we cannot get our relatives back anyway “ one family member of the victims said.

    The letters were handed to the victims’ families on 19 July at a government administration office in the eastern town of Trincomalee. They were due to be signed and handed back by Saturday 25 July.

    One letter was addressed to the French ambassador in Sri Lanka: “We the heirs of the deceased are aware of the interest France and the French government has taken in human rights aspects especially in the… commission of inquiry into the killing in Muttur of 17 aid workers.. Therefore we trust that the French government will take necessary steps to oversee the payment of due compensation to the kinsmen/ women of the deceased. “

    A second to the country’s attorney general: “We agree with the findings of the commission that the deaths were caused by the LTTE and the compensation as determined must be paid by ACF,” it said.

    A third letter seen COMMENDED Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa for investigating the killings!!!!!!! “We are extremely grateful to Your Excellency for appointing a commission of inquiry and ensuring that justice prevailed,” the letter said.

    Rajiva Wijesinghe, secretary to the ministry of human rights and disaster management, denied any knowledge of such letters being issued to BBC Sinhala. He added that the compensation paid by ACF “for their own wrongdoing” was inadequate and that ACF had done a “very bad thing.”

    The Sri Lanka government of M. Rajapakse sinks to the lowest level……….nauseating abhorrence!!!!

  315. Reference-voice4voiceless
    September 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Hello voice4voiceless!

    Thanks a lot for your useful links.
    I don’t leave home without them : )

    I’m extremely concerned over the human rights abuses of the minority Tamils.

    Certainly, the deceitful and manipulative behaviors of the Sri Lankan government in so many years do nothing to ameliorate my concerns.

    In fact, I believe we are witnessing a full scale act of genocide which has been implemented by the Sri Lankan government against their
    Tamil minority.

    Why else would they keep independent observers out of their country?

    As usual in such cases the world’s governments are content to do absolutely nothing to save anyone.

    Each and every one of us, Sri Lankans, should be deeply ashamed of this because, like it or not, Sri Lankan government represent us. We
    elect them; therefore, we are directly responsible for the policies they choose to pursue

    *************************

    Good news: Palitha Kohona, a ruthless war criminal and suave mouthpiece, in the extreme has been denied a UK visa.
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

    Now if the EU, US and Japan would follow suit with the members of the brutal Rajapakse regime and they would be forced to go on shopping trips and sample the delights of Iran, Russia Burma and Libya : ) ……. somehow I can't see them rushing out ….. to visit their new-found friends. That would really hurt !!!!

  316. Reference-voice4voiceless
    September 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Hello voice4voiceless!

    Thanks a lot for your useful links.
    I don’t leave home without them : )

    I’m extremely concerned over the human rights abuses of the minority Tamils.

    Certainly, the deceitful and manipulative behaviors of the Sri Lankan government in so many years do nothing to ameliorate my concerns.

    In fact, I believe we are witnessing a full scale act of genocide which has been implemented by the Sri Lankan government against their
    Tamil minority.

    Why else would they keep independent observers out of their country?

    As usual in such cases the world’s governments are content to do absolutely nothing to save anyone.

    Each and every one of us, Sri Lankans, should be deeply ashamed of this because, like it or not, Sri Lankan government represent us. We
    elect them; therefore, we are directly responsible for the policies they choose to pursue

    *************************

    Good news: Palitha Kohona, a ruthless war criminal and suave mouthpiece, in the extreme has been denied a UK visa.
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

    Now if the EU, US and Japan would follow suit with the members of the brutal Rajapakse regime and they would be forced to go on shopping trips and sample the delights of Iran, Russia Burma and Libya : ) ……. somehow I can't see them rushing out ….. to visit their new-found friends. That would really hurt !!!!

  317. Reference-voice4voiceless
    September 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Hello voice4voiceless!

    Thanks a lot for your useful links.
    I don’t leave home without them : )

    I’m extremely concerned over the human rights abuses of the minority Tamils.

    Certainly, the deceitful and manipulative behaviors of the Sri Lankan government in so many years do nothing to ameliorate my concerns.

    In fact, I believe we are witnessing a full scale act of genocide which has been implemented by the Sri Lankan government against their
    Tamil minority.

    Why else would they keep independent observers out of their country?

    As usual in such cases the world’s governments are content to do absolutely nothing to save anyone.

    Each and every one of us, Sri Lankans, should be deeply ashamed of this because, like it or not, Sri Lankan government represent us. We
    elect them; therefore, we are directly responsible for the policies they choose to pursue

    *************************

    Good news: Palitha Kohona, a ruthless war criminal and suave mouthpiece, in the extreme has been denied a UK visa.
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

    Now if the EU, US and Japan would follow suit with the members of the brutal Rajapakse regime and they would be forced to go on shopping trips and sample the delights of Iran, Russia Burma and Libya : ) ……. somehow I can't see them rushing out ….. to visit their new-found friends. That would really hurt !!!!

  318. Another very good news !!!
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/10/sri-l

    The trade concession, known as GSP Plus, depends on compliance with human rights standards – and a damning 130-page review handed to the Sri Lankan government last month makes it clear that the EU should withdraw preferential treatment for the Indian Ocean nation.

    The report includes allegations that the government backed Tamil paramilitary groups who were involved in "child abductions, torture and killings of civilians".

    It also draws attention to the plight of nearly 300,000 Tamil refugees who are still being held in government camps, to which the media and aid organizations have restricted access. The report describes the situation where internally displaced persons have no freedom of movement as "unacknowledged detention".

  319. Another very good news !!!
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/10/sri-l

    The trade concession, known as GSP Plus, depends on compliance with human rights standards – and a damning 130-page review handed to the Sri Lankan government last month makes it clear that the EU should withdraw preferential treatment for the Indian Ocean nation.

    The report includes allegations that the government backed Tamil paramilitary groups who were involved in "child abductions, torture and killings of civilians".

    It also draws attention to the plight of nearly 300,000 Tamil refugees who are still being held in government camps, to which the media and aid organizations have restricted access. The report describes the situation where internally displaced persons have no freedom of movement as "unacknowledged detention".

  320. Another very good news !!!
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/10/sri-l

    The trade concession, known as GSP Plus, depends on compliance with human rights standards – and a damning 130-page review handed to the Sri Lankan government last month makes it clear that the EU should withdraw preferential treatment for the Indian Ocean nation.

    The report includes allegations that the government backed Tamil paramilitary groups who were involved in "child abductions, torture and killings of civilians".

    It also draws attention to the plight of nearly 300,000 Tamil refugees who are still being held in government camps, to which the media and aid organizations have restricted access. The report describes the situation where internally displaced persons have no freedom of movement as "unacknowledged detention".

  321. Reference-voice4voiceless
    September 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Hello voice4voiceless!

    Thanks a lot for your useful links.
    I don’t leave home without them : )

    I’m extremely concerned over the human rights abuses of the minority Tamils.

    Certainly, the deceitful and manipulative behaviors of the Sri Lankan government in so many years do nothing to ameliorate my concerns.

    In fact, I believe we are witnessing a full scale act of genocide which has been implemented by the Sri Lankan government against their
    Tamil minority.

    Why else would they keep independent observers out of their country?

    As usual in such cases the world’s governments are content to do absolutely nothing to save anyone.

    Each and every one of us, Sri Lankans, should be deeply ashamed of this because, like it or not, Sri Lankan government represent us. We
    elect them; therefore, we are directly responsible for the policies they choose to pursue

    *************************

    Good news: Palitha Kohona, a ruthless war criminal and suave mouthpiece, in the extreme has been denied a UK visa.

    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=61046

    Now if the EU, US and Japan would follow suit with the members of the brutal Rajapakse regime and they would be forced to go on shopping trips and sample the delights of Iran, Russia Burma and Libya : ) ……. somehow I can’t see them rushing out ….. to visit their new-found friends. That would really hurt !!!!

  322. Another very good news !!!

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/10/sri-lanka-eu-trade-cut

    The trade concession, known as GSP Plus, depends on compliance with human rights standards – and a damning 130-page review handed to the Sri Lankan government last month makes it clear that the EU should withdraw preferential treatment for the Indian Ocean nation.

    The report includes allegations that the government backed Tamil paramilitary groups who were involved in “child abductions, torture and killings of civilians”.

    It also draws attention to the plight of nearly 300,000 Tamil refugees who are still being held in government camps, to which the media and aid organizations have restricted access. The report describes the situation where internally displaced persons have no freedom of movement as “unacknowledged detention”.

  323. Do you guys know that more than 15,000 landmines were found on either side of one of the main roads leading to Weli Oya was de-mined and shown to the public yesterday ? Do you still feel that it would be better for the people go to their houses and live with lost legs than at least live like this for a short period in these camps ?

  324. I strongly feel that the character Alfonso is a LTTE person who has different agendas. He never seems to answer any question, but try to promote terror acts and also create sympathy.

    I also notice he has written filth in Tamil – not acceptable !

    Why divide a beautiful country when all can live in peace ??

  325. Reference-Reborn Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    What a good post Reborn!

    Your illustrious comments here illuminate my whole day : )

    **************************

    Reference-Troy Bazooka
    September 11th, 2009 at 1:53 am

    I also notice Alfonso has written a “sweet music to my ears” in Tamil !!!
    The sweet music is “kaapalla, beepalla, jollikerapalla”

    BTW – shall I call you “Troy Bazooka” or “Vichara” ?

  326. Another reason to keep the 300 000 innocent civilians in Sri Lankan concentration camps.

    Sri Lankan government shamelessly fleeces kith and kin of IDPs. Family members and kinsfolk of IDPs in the internment camps had remitted 100 million rupees in the past two months, according to I.D. Weerasena, Deputy General Manager of Bank of Ceylon. In the past four to five months, 500 million rupees had been deposited by the IDPs, said Mr. Weerasena, whose state-controlled bank had opened banking units with online and ATM facilities in the internment camps and deals with 21,000 new account holders.

    While it is the responsibility of the state and the international community that badly wanted the civilians to end up in the internment camps to look after them well, the Colombo government keeping them in sub-human ways has started looking at them as ducks laying golden eggs, said a social worker in Vavuniyaa.

    As state receives foreign exchange through Diaspora remittances and through foreign aid meant for the IDPs, the local money reaches the IDPs is fleeced from them in various ways from business of the southerners to bribery of the military.

    The “kind “Sri Lanka Government which let the elderly over 60 years go ? Not until each and every one of them paid exuberant fee.

    And the businesses set up inside the concentration camps by Sri Lankan military (don’t forget: bribe, bribe, bribe) are charging astronomical prices for rotten vegetables.

  327. Troy Bazooka Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 1:50 am

    Thanks Troy for bringing some sanity to this blog and pointing out the danger of land mines. Alfonso and Silva are not bothered about such problems. In fact when a few IDPs are blasted with land mines they will cry genocide. Are they aware that in Cambodia and Bosnia they are still clearing land mines. It is reported that in Kuwait land mine casualties were more than the casualties suffered in the Kuwait war by the Western forces.

  328. There is a valid point concerning the IDPs as the source of golden eggs.

    By any standards, 300,000 people held within a clearly defined area would be a salesman's dream: a captive market (excuse the pun) that will buy anything – because they have nothing!

    The inmates are not allowed mobile phones. But, can hire one from a number of "approved" middlemen. The same applies to food items and other amenities.

    Any request to leave the camps will be rejected summarily; but an exorbitant payment to one of the government-sponsored proxies will guarantee release and transfer to the Airport. The system works like a well-oiled machine that would put American Express Platinum Concierge service to shame.

    Holding the IDPs captive is a cover for an ingenious moneymaking plan run by these vultures. No surprise then that the Rajapaksa Brothers will try to milk the maximum potential from these wretched people!

  329. Do you guys know that more than 15,000 landmines were found on either side of one of the main roads leading to Weli Oya was de-mined and shown to the public yesterday ? Do you still feel that it would be better for the people go to their houses and live with lost legs than at least live like this for a short period in these camps ?

  330. I strongly feel that the character Alfonso is a LTTE person who has different agendas. He never seems to answer any question, but try to promote terror acts and also create sympathy.

    I also notice he has written filth in Tamil – not acceptable !

    Why divide a beautiful country when all can live in peace ??

  331. Reference-Reborn Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 12:45 am

    What a good post Reborn!

    Your illustrious comments here illuminate my whole day : )

    **************************

    Reference-Troy Bazooka
    September 11th, 2009 at 1:53 am

    I also notice Alfonso has written a “sweet music to my ears” in Tamil !!!
    The sweet music is “kaapalla, beepalla, jollikerapalla”

    BTW – shall I call you “Troy Bazooka” or “Vichara” ?

  332. Another reason to keep the 300 000 innocent civilians in Sri Lankan concentration camps.

    Sri Lankan government shamelessly fleeces kith and kin of IDPs. Family members and kinsfolk of IDPs in the internment camps had remitted 100 million rupees in the past two months, according to I.D. Weerasena, Deputy General Manager of Bank of Ceylon. In the past four to five months, 500 million rupees had been deposited by the IDPs, said Mr. Weerasena, whose state-controlled bank had opened banking units with online and ATM facilities in the internment camps and deals with 21,000 new account holders.

    While it is the responsibility of the state and the international community that badly wanted the civilians to end up in the internment camps to look after them well, the Colombo government keeping them in sub-human ways has started looking at them as ducks laying golden eggs, said a social worker in Vavuniyaa.

    As state receives foreign exchange through Diaspora remittances and through foreign aid meant for the IDPs, the local money reaches the IDPs is fleeced from them in various ways from business of the southerners to bribery of the military.

    The “kind “Sri Lanka Government which let the elderly over 60 years go ? Not until each and every one of them paid exuberant fee.

    And the businesses set up inside the concentration camps by Sri Lankan military (don’t forget: bribe, bribe, bribe) are charging astronomical prices for rotten vegetables.

  333. Troy Bazooka Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 1:50 am

    Thanks Troy for bringing some sanity to this blog and pointing out the danger of land mines. Alfonso and Silva are not bothered about such problems. In fact when a few IDPs are blasted with land mines they will cry genocide. Are they aware that in Cambodia and Bosnia they are still clearing land mines. It is reported that in Kuwait land mine casualties were more than the casualties suffered in the Kuwait war by the Western forces.

  334. There is a valid point concerning the IDPs as the source of golden eggs.

    By any standards, 300,000 people held within a clearly defined area would be a salesman’s dream: a captive market (excuse the pun) that will buy anything – because they have nothing!

    The inmates are not allowed mobile phones. But, can hire one from a number of “approved” middlemen. The same applies to food items and other amenities.

    Any request to leave the camps will be rejected summarily; but an exorbitant payment to one of the government-sponsored proxies will guarantee release and transfer to the Airport. The system works like a well-oiled machine that would put American Express Platinum Concierge service to shame.

    Holding the IDPs captive is a cover for an ingenious moneymaking plan run by these vultures. No surprise then that the Rajapaksa Brothers will try to milk the maximum potential from these wretched people!

  335. LOL (laughing out louder). I almost fel from my Chair when i read the comment of Troy Bazooka.
    Troy Bazooka says! ( 11 sep 2009 at 1:46am)
    I strongly feel that the character Alfonso is a LTTE person who has different agendas.

    Here is my answer : Yo Troy! you are free to feel about anyone about anything. remmember this "A TERRORIST WIL ALWAYS THINK ABOUT OTHER PERSON ALSO SAME AS HIM"

    Troy Bazooka says : He (Alfonso) never seems to answer any question

    My answer : Who are you to ask me question? ( I decide whether i give answer. by giving answers to Sinhala Modayas, I don't want to make them WISE)

    Troy Bazooka says: Alfonso try to promote terror acts and also create sympathy.

    My answer: according to Sinhala Bhdist Govermant Mr. David Miliband, UNICEF spokesman, Mr. Boyle, Amnesty, UNO, UNHCR, Red Cros etc etc…, also Terrorists. It means whoever speaks the truth is a TERRORIST. I speak the TRUTH and anywhere in any Place i am ready to come and speak the TRUTH. So, Troy calling me a Terrorist because i speak the TRUTH.

    Troy Bazooka says: Why divide a beautiful country?

    My answer: Thamils are not CRAZY to ask for a Thamil Eelam. You Bloody Bhudist Sinhalees has created this situation. latest example is Vanni Genocide.

    Thamils have no equal rights in Sri Lanka.
    Thamils must intergrate to become Sinhalees.
    1/3 of Sinhalees are Karawa, Rodya, Careas and Parava Thamils.

    Remember why Sinhalees call "Keri Demala"?
    Careas is a Thamil Tribe who came with Portugees. from on then Thamils been named by Sinhalees like
    * Keri (Careas) Demalaya
    * Keri Vesige Putha ( Putha means Son in Sinhla)

    it is the same SAKKILI DEMALAYA

    Remember when men fight on Colombo street use to say this "mang niyama kara" (Kara – Karawa – Karayar)

    slowly but surely Sinhala Govermant want to Sinhalayse the Thamils.

    Most of Sinhalees are innocent. But Sinhala Bhudist Monks and Bhdist Govermant are the dangerous Terrorists.

    In Iran – Mullah Regime is the Problem

    In SL – Bhudist Monks regime is the Problem

  336. Please refrain from the personal attacks. This is not a space for attacking each other, it is for open and considerate dialogue on the issue of finding resolution to the crisis in Sri Lanka. If you cannot contribute constructive comments, then please do not post.

  337. LOL (laughing out louder). I almost fel from my Chair when i read the comment of Troy Bazooka.
    Troy Bazooka says! ( 11 sep 2009 at 1:46am)
    I strongly feel that the character Alfonso is a LTTE person who has different agendas.

    Here is my answer : Yo Troy! you are free to feel about anyone about anything. remmember this “A TERRORIST WIL ALWAYS THINK ABOUT OTHER PERSON ALSO SAME AS HIM”

    Troy Bazooka says : He (Alfonso) never seems to answer any question

    My answer : Who are you to ask me question? ( I decide whether i give answer. by giving answers to Sinhala Modayas, I don’t want to make them WISE)

    Troy Bazooka says: Alfonso try to promote terror acts and also create sympathy.

    My answer: according to Sinhala Bhdist Govermant Mr. David Miliband, UNICEF spokesman, Mr. Boyle, Amnesty, UNO, UNHCR, Red Cros etc etc…, also Terrorists. It means whoever speaks the truth is a TERRORIST. I speak the TRUTH and anywhere in any Place i am ready to come and speak the TRUTH. So, Troy calling me a Terrorist because i speak the TRUTH.

    Troy Bazooka says: Why divide a beautiful country?

    My answer: Thamils are not CRAZY to ask for a Thamil Eelam. You Bloody Bhudist Sinhalees has created this situation. latest example is Vanni Genocide.

    Thamils have no equal rights in Sri Lanka.
    Thamils must intergrate to become Sinhalees.
    1/3 of Sinhalees are Karawa, Rodya, Careas and Parava Thamils.

    Remember why Sinhalees call “Keri Demala”?
    Careas is a Thamil Tribe who came with Portugees. from on then Thamils been named by Sinhalees like
    * Keri (Careas) Demalaya
    * Keri Vesige Putha ( Putha means Son in Sinhla)

    it is the same SAKKILI DEMALAYA

    Remember when men fight on Colombo street use to say this “mang niyama kara” (Kara – Karawa – Karayar)

    slowly but surely Sinhala Govermant want to Sinhalayse the Thamils.

    Most of Sinhalees are innocent. But Sinhala Bhudist Monks and Bhdist Govermant are the dangerous Terrorists.

    In Iran – Mullah Regime is the Problem

    In SL – Bhudist Monks regime is the Problem

  338. I read they are builing a tour spot in the waters near Wilpathu area for the middle easterners with pots of gold, Westerners and for the diaspora retirees. That would be a waste with out peaceful solutions.
    That spot is ideal for all of the monastries around Sri Lanka should move to this little island spot including Buddhist Monk recruitment/training centers. May be they donot need barbed wire potection because there is water surrounding the area. Tamils have been going through slow screening to figure if they are inclined to be or have been involved in LTTE. The same way every Monk has to go through such screening to figure how much of the scripture "Mahavamsa" they believe in. Move them to the mainland according to their belief or retain them behind. This method figures If they will strike again through politicians of Sri Lanka or allow them to live with peace/dignity. If these Monks have killer instinct towards Tamils, they should remain and have a 'holiday for life' in this tour spot. Surely they are better off living away from the rest of the good Bhuddhist so that Sri Lanka could step forward. These monks are sure to cause further trauma even IF the reconciliation is ever possible for the country. The evil is out of balance!

  339. As the editors said, please don't engage in personal attacks. I've never seen how they help in coming up with a solution; they just provoke counterattacks. I would be interested to hearing how people think the U.S. and the rest of the international community might most effectively persuade the Sri Lankan government to unlock the camps and allow the displaced civilians to leave if they wish. In my opinion, that's what we should be talking about here.

  340. Please refrain from the personal attacks. This is not a space for attacking each other, it is for open and considerate dialogue on the issue of finding resolution to the crisis in Sri Lanka. If you cannot contribute constructive comments, then please do not post.

  341. The issues are pretty confusing and the underlying reason never got addressed over the 61 years due to being respectful to fellow human and the faith they practice.
    The diplomatic means did not work all these time why?
    I wonder. Former Priminister JR Jayawardene told a leading UK newspaper "if we starve the Tamils the majority will be happy" Mahinda Rajapakse is not saying it but doing just that.

    Every religion says the same in the end, none disregards another faith. It's belivers misinterpret but in Sri Lanka's case the scripture insights hate for Tamils,that need to be addressed for sure. Buddha was a Hindu and the preachings are similar to the Hindu Philosophy but
    somehow this got into their scripture and hate mongerers exploit it for political advantage. Otherwise surely the Buddhist Monks themselves would have done what it takes to release the Tamils because politicians of Sri lanka get guidance from the clergy and Amnesty need get involved. Only a Section of Monks are following the scripture by word to word I read that there is division among them too. I guess previous comment was about that.

  342. I read they are builing a tour spot in the waters near Wilpathu area for the middle easterners with pots of gold, Westerners and for the diaspora retirees. That would be a waste with out peaceful solutions.
    That spot is ideal for all of the monastries around Sri Lanka should move to this little island spot including Buddhist Monk recruitment/training centers. May be they donot need barbed wire potection because there is water surrounding the area. Tamils have been going through slow screening to figure if they are inclined to be or have been involved in LTTE. The same way every Monk has to go through such screening to figure how much of the scripture “Mahavamsa” they believe in. Move them to the mainland according to their belief or retain them behind. This method figures If they will strike again through politicians of Sri Lanka or allow them to live with peace/dignity. If these Monks have killer instinct towards Tamils, they should remain and have a ‘holiday for life’ in this tour spot. Surely they are better off living away from the rest of the good Bhuddhist so that Sri Lanka could step forward. These monks are sure to cause further trauma even IF the reconciliation is ever possible for the country. The evil is out of balance!

  343. As the editors said, please don’t engage in personal attacks. I’ve never seen how they help in coming up with a solution; they just provoke counterattacks. I would be interested to hearing how people think the U.S. and the rest of the international community might most effectively persuade the Sri Lankan government to unlock the camps and allow the displaced civilians to leave if they wish. In my opinion, that’s what we should be talking about here.

  344. The issues are pretty confusing and the underlying reason never got addressed over the 61 years due to being respectful to fellow human and the faith they practice.
    The diplomatic means did not work all these time why?
    I wonder. Former Priminister JR Jayawardene told a leading UK newspaper “if we starve the Tamils the majority will be happy” Mahinda Rajapakse is not saying it but doing just that.

    Every religion says the same in the end, none disregards another faith. It’s belivers misinterpret but in Sri Lanka’s case the scripture insights hate for Tamils,that need to be addressed for sure. Buddha was a Hindu and the preachings are similar to the Hindu Philosophy but
    somehow this got into their scripture and hate mongerers exploit it for political advantage. Otherwise surely the Buddhist Monks themselves would have done what it takes to release the Tamils because politicians of Sri lanka get guidance from the clergy and Amnesty need get involved. Only a Section of Monks are following the scripture by word to word I read that there is division among them too. I guess previous comment was about that.

  345. Ref. Jim McDonald Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    The best that the US and the international community can do to expedite the relocation of the IDPs is to help the demining in their former villages. It is reported that in the clearing of a road of 30 kilometer in the North, the Sri Lanka Army cleared 26,000 landmines. That is only in on the sides of the road.

    Ref.Peace Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    The following statement is a deliberate falsehood to incite anti Buddhist sentiments.
    "in Sri Lanka’s case the scripture insights hate for Tamils,that need to be addressed for sure. Buddha was a Hindu and the preachings are similar to the Hindu Philosophy but somehow this got into their scripture and hate mongerers exploit it for political advantage"

    Could "Peace" give a single example of Buddhist scripture containing hatred towards any living being. Buddhism is a religion of compassion and kindness. It lays down that hatred cannot be countenanced with hate. It is only through love that hatred can be vanquished.(Dammapada).
    Buddhism preaches equality. Buddha stated that it is through action and not through birth that one becomes a low caste or upper caste.

    "Peace' is bound to quote a solitary statement in Mahavamsa made by a monk to pacify a dying king. Mahavamsa is not Buddhist scripture.

  346. Dr Palitha Kohona, former Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has recently assumed duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York.

    Yesterday, the British High Commission in Colombo rejected a visa for this Sri Lankan top diplomat to enter the UK.
    Why? Palitha Kohona is quoted as one of the actors who can be charged for war crimes. In my opinion, he is a war criminal who is responsible for the cold-blooded killings of the surrendered LTTE political leadership.

    Also, Palitha is often talking foolishly and opt for” bravado “ without knowing the consequences to his actions.

    Here are the callous and coldhearted remarks said by him regarding the future of minority Tamils. “ If you look at the history of war crimes there isn’t one instance where a winner of a war has been tried before a Tribunal. They have always been set up for losers.” said Sri Lanka top diplomat.

    Palitha Kohona also negated any political solutions to the Tamil national question. “There is this thinking that all our problems can be solved by applying a political solution. I fail to see the logic behind this,” he said.

  347. Ref. Jim McDonald Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    The best that the US and the international community can do to expedite the relocation of the IDPs is to help the demining in their former villages. It is reported that in the clearing of a road of 30 kilometer in the North, the Sri Lanka Army cleared 26,000 landmines. That is only in on the sides of the road.

    Ref.Peace Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    The following statement is a deliberate falsehood to incite anti Buddhist sentiments.
    “in Sri Lanka’s case the scripture insights hate for Tamils,that need to be addressed for sure. Buddha was a Hindu and the preachings are similar to the Hindu Philosophy but somehow this got into their scripture and hate mongerers exploit it for political advantage”

    Could “Peace” give a single example of Buddhist scripture containing hatred towards any living being. Buddhism is a religion of compassion and kindness. It lays down that hatred cannot be countenanced with hate. It is only through love that hatred can be vanquished.(Dammapada).
    Buddhism preaches equality. Buddha stated that it is through action and not through birth that one becomes a low caste or upper caste.

    “Peace’ is bound to quote a solitary statement in Mahavamsa made by a monk to pacify a dying king. Mahavamsa is not Buddhist scripture.

  348. Dr Palitha Kohona, former Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has recently assumed duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York.

    Yesterday, the British High Commission in Colombo rejected a visa for this Sri Lankan top diplomat to enter the UK.
    Why? Palitha Kohona is quoted as one of the actors who can be charged for war crimes. In my opinion, he is a war criminal who is responsible for the cold-blooded killings of the surrendered LTTE political leadership.

    Also, Palitha is often talking foolishly and opt for” bravado “ without knowing the consequences to his actions.

    Here are the callous and coldhearted remarks said by him regarding the future of minority Tamils. “ If you look at the history of war crimes there isn’t one instance where a winner of a war has been tried before a Tribunal. They have always been set up for losers.” said Sri Lanka top diplomat.

    Palitha Kohona also negated any political solutions to the Tamil national question. “There is this thinking that all our problems can be solved by applying a political solution. I fail to see the logic behind this,” he said.

  349. In response to Vichara's comment, I agree that demining is extremely important, but why should civilians not be allowed to leave the camps if they have somewhere else to stay, outside their home villages and other mined areas?

  350. Vichara, I read this paper someone posted in this forum in an effort to understand WHY BUDDHIST permit this behaviour by their elected politicians.
    Please read Policy studies 40 by Neil DeVotta
    "Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka published by East-West Center Washington.
    The paper was posted in here but now I am unable to copy and paste the link!
    Now there are 300,000 lives behind barbed wires what are these monks doing about it. They have such influence nationwide almost out number the able politicians of Sri Lanka yet not being human in stop all of the violations we read about. Sri Lanka Govt is driven by the Monks from the back seat in my opinion the study paper proves it coming from the study angle I feel is the reason for inhumane treatment inflicted on Tamils.

    I quote a sample para from the above study paper:

    "….nineteenth and twentieth century Buddhist nationalists deftly used the Duthagamani myth to institute Sinhalese Buddhist domination. According to Walpola Rahula, "The entire Sinhalese race was united under the banner of the young Gamini[i.e. Duthagamani]. This was the biginning of nationalism among the Sinhalese…A non-Bhuddhist was not regarded as a human being. Evidently all Sinhalese without exception were Bhuddhists" (Rahla 1956: 79). Rahula is no doubt influenced by the Duthagamani myth in dehumanizing non-Buddhists.

    The paper also discusses just quoting a further para:

    " Together with the Vijaya myth, it introduces the bases for the Sinhalese Buddhist belief that Lord Bhuddha designated the island of Sri Lanka as a repository for Theravada Bhuddhism. It claims the Sinhalese were the first humans to inhabit the island (as those who predated the Sinhalese were subhuman) and are thus the true "Sons of the Soil." Additionally, it institutes the belief that the island's kings were beholden to protect and foster Buddhism. All of these legacies have had ramifications for the trajectory of political Bhuddhism and Sinhalese Bhudhist nationalism.

    It is a 50 page study a worth while read for all, surely you could find it on the net somewhere. It was posted in here by someone and Amnesty seems to have purged the earlier discussions here in the forum.
    Thanks for the opprtunity to share..

  351. In response to Vichara’s comment, I agree that demining is extremely important, but why should civilians not be allowed to leave the camps if they have somewhere else to stay, outside their home villages and other mined areas?

  352. Vichara, I read this paper someone posted in this forum in an effort to understand WHY BUDDHIST permit this behaviour by their elected politicians.
    Please read Policy studies 40 by Neil DeVotta
    “Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka published by East-West Center Washington.
    The paper was posted in here but now I am unable to copy and paste the link!
    Now there are 300,000 lives behind barbed wires what are these monks doing about it. They have such influence nationwide almost out number the able politicians of Sri Lanka yet not being human in stop all of the violations we read about. Sri Lanka Govt is driven by the Monks from the back seat in my opinion the study paper proves it coming from the study angle I feel is the reason for inhumane treatment inflicted on Tamils.

    I quote a sample para from the above study paper:

    “….nineteenth and twentieth century Buddhist nationalists deftly used the Duthagamani myth to institute Sinhalese Buddhist domination. According to Walpola Rahula, “The entire Sinhalese race was united under the banner of the young Gamini[i.e. Duthagamani]. This was the biginning of nationalism among the Sinhalese…A non-Bhuddhist was not regarded as a human being. Evidently all Sinhalese without exception were Bhuddhists” (Rahla 1956: 79). Rahula is no doubt influenced by the Duthagamani myth in dehumanizing non-Buddhists.

    The paper also discusses just quoting a further para:

    ” Together with the Vijaya myth, it introduces the bases for the Sinhalese Buddhist belief that Lord Bhuddha designated the island of Sri Lanka as a repository for Theravada Bhuddhism. It claims the Sinhalese were the first humans to inhabit the island (as those who predated the Sinhalese were subhuman) and are thus the true “Sons of the Soil.” Additionally, it institutes the belief that the island’s kings were beholden to protect and foster Buddhism. All of these legacies have had ramifications for the trajectory of political Bhuddhism and Sinhalese Bhudhist nationalism.

    It is a 50 page study a worth while read for all, surely you could find it on the net somewhere. It was posted in here by someone and Amnesty seems to have purged the earlier discussions here in the forum.
    Thanks for the opprtunity to share..

  353. Imf plan to review next installment of Genocide bonuous to sri lanka, EU GSP PLUS also in risk, so Sri lanka try to show that the some hostage Tamils are being released, actually 100,s of Tamils have been transferred to different camps, some in batticola camps, others jaffna camps.
    Rulers of Sri Lanka are continuing to vomit out worms of lies to justify their atrocities against innocent lives.
    One billion rupees paid as salaries to the 22 advisors of President. http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b34OXH4a33T

  354. Mawatha Silva Says:
    "September 12th, 2009 at 2:40 am
    Dr Palitha Kohona, former Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has recently assumed duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York.
    Yesterday, the British High Commission in Colombo rejected a visa for this Sri Lankan top diplomat to enter the UK.
    Why? Palitha Kohona is quoted as one of the actors who can be charged for war crimes. In my opinion, he is a war criminal who is responsible for the cold-blooded killings of the surrendered LTTE political leadership. "

    Foreign Minister Palitha Kohona said: ‘Victorious soldiers could have raped every single woman’ (july-3-2009)

    Britain refuses visa for Kohona http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

  355. Imf plan to review next installment of Genocide bonuous to sri lanka, EU GSP PLUS also in risk, so Sri lanka try to show that the some hostage Tamils are being released, actually 100,s of Tamils have been transferred to different camps, some in batticola camps, others jaffna camps.
    Rulers of Sri Lanka are continuing to vomit out worms of lies to justify their atrocities against innocent lives.
    One billion rupees paid as salaries to the 22 advisors of President. http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b34OXH4a33T

  356. Imf plan to review next installment of Genocide bonuous to sri lanka, EU GSP PLUS also in risk, so Sri lanka try to show that the some hostage Tamils are being released, actually 100,s of Tamils have been transferred to different camps, some in batticola camps, others jaffna camps.
    Rulers of Sri Lanka are continuing to vomit out worms of lies to justify their atrocities against innocent lives.
    One billion rupees paid as salaries to the 22 advisors of President. http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b34OXH4a33T

  357. United Nations Calls for Faster Resettlement of War Refugees in Sri Lanka http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-11-voa14.c

    UN who is supposed to be a guardian of the oppressed and vulnerable, remained as a silent spectator while thousands were perishing in the sandy beaches of Sri Lanka.
    No wonder why the UN acted the way it acted during the Sri Lankan war. Staff members in the UN were simply dancing according to the different set of tunes that were played by various parties to the war.

  358. No country is willing to rescue the dying people in Sri Lanka. What is happening to the Tamils in Sri Lanka is not a fairy tale, not a film but it is a real story. They are real people. Cruelty against them is real. Deaths of the thousands are real and the ignorance and arrogance of the mankind are also real.
    Sri Lanka has now become a football ground for many countries and the rulers of this land are delighted to entertain the players. Every time a ball is kicked, it kills the innocents and the pitch gets flooded with the blood. Players don’t care about how many are dying because it is part of their evil game.

  359. Mawatha Silva Says:
    "September 12th, 2009 at 2:40 am
    Dr Palitha Kohona, former Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has recently assumed duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York.
    Yesterday, the British High Commission in Colombo rejected a visa for this Sri Lankan top diplomat to enter the UK.
    Why? Palitha Kohona is quoted as one of the actors who can be charged for war crimes. In my opinion, he is a war criminal who is responsible for the cold-blooded killings of the surrendered LTTE political leadership. "

    Foreign Minister Palitha Kohona said: ‘Victorious soldiers could have raped every single woman’ (july-3-2009)

    Britain refuses visa for Kohona http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

  360. Mawatha Silva Says:
    "September 12th, 2009 at 2:40 am
    Dr Palitha Kohona, former Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has recently assumed duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York.
    Yesterday, the British High Commission in Colombo rejected a visa for this Sri Lankan top diplomat to enter the UK.
    Why? Palitha Kohona is quoted as one of the actors who can be charged for war crimes. In my opinion, he is a war criminal who is responsible for the cold-blooded killings of the surrendered LTTE political leadership. "

    Foreign Minister Palitha Kohona said: ‘Victorious soldiers could have raped every single woman’ (july-3-2009)

    Britain refuses visa for Kohona http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNew

  361. By kavi

    Only in Sri Lanka.
    *Block media, aid workers and tell the world nothing happened.
    *Expel diplomats, detain/ kill/ intimidate journalist and tell the world your hands are clear.
    *Up propaganda against CNN, Channel 4, BBC and tell the world they are all just fake (never try to prove).
    *Blame AI, HRW, UN and tell the world that all are tiger funded.
    *Show anger against Norway, and EU and tell the world that they are white tigers (do not forget to wear tiger uniform to Hillary, Miliband, Solheim etc.).

    Do not forget to tell the world Sri Lanka is best place for business and tourism and STRICTLY believe it.

  362. United Nations Calls for Faster Resettlement of War Refugees in Sri Lanka http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-11-voa14.c

    UN who is supposed to be a guardian of the oppressed and vulnerable, remained as a silent spectator while thousands were perishing in the sandy beaches of Sri Lanka.
    No wonder why the UN acted the way it acted during the Sri Lankan war. Staff members in the UN were simply dancing according to the different set of tunes that were played by various parties to the war.

  363. United Nations Calls for Faster Resettlement of War Refugees in Sri Lanka http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-11-voa14.c

    UN who is supposed to be a guardian of the oppressed and vulnerable, remained as a silent spectator while thousands were perishing in the sandy beaches of Sri Lanka.
    No wonder why the UN acted the way it acted during the Sri Lankan war. Staff members in the UN were simply dancing according to the different set of tunes that were played by various parties to the war.

  364. Imf plan to review next installment of Genocide bonuous to sri lanka, EU GSP PLUS also in risk, so Sri lanka try to show that the some hostage Tamils are being released, actually 100,s of Tamils have been transferred to different camps, some in batticola camps, others jaffna camps.
    Rulers of Sri Lanka are continuing to vomit out worms of lies to justify their atrocities against innocent lives.
    One billion rupees paid as salaries to the 22 advisors of President.
    http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b34OXH4a33T5ASe4d4YOo6ca0ac4BP34d35TmA3e0dU0MmIce03cYdJ0cc3vlYAde

  365. No country is willing to rescue the dying people in Sri Lanka. What is happening to the Tamils in Sri Lanka is not a fairy tale, not a film but it is a real story. They are real people. Cruelty against them is real. Deaths of the thousands are real and the ignorance and arrogance of the mankind are also real.
    Sri Lanka has now become a football ground for many countries and the rulers of this land are delighted to entertain the players. Every time a ball is kicked, it kills the innocents and the pitch gets flooded with the blood. Players don’t care about how many are dying because it is part of their evil game.

  366. Mawatha Silva Says:
    “September 12th, 2009 at 2:40 am
    Dr Palitha Kohona, former Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has recently assumed duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York.
    Yesterday, the British High Commission in Colombo rejected a visa for this Sri Lankan top diplomat to enter the UK.
    Why? Palitha Kohona is quoted as one of the actors who can be charged for war crimes. In my opinion, he is a war criminal who is responsible for the cold-blooded killings of the surrendered LTTE political leadership. ”

    Foreign Minister Palitha Kohona said: ‘Victorious soldiers could have raped every single woman’ (july-3-2009)

    Britain refuses visa for Kohona
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=61046

  367. By kavi

    Only in Sri Lanka.
    *Block media, aid workers and tell the world nothing happened.
    *Expel diplomats, detain/ kill/ intimidate journalist and tell the world your hands are clear.
    *Up propaganda against CNN, Channel 4, BBC and tell the world they are all just fake (never try to prove).
    *Blame AI, HRW, UN and tell the world that all are tiger funded.
    *Show anger against Norway, and EU and tell the world that they are white tigers (do not forget to wear tiger uniform to Hillary, Miliband, Solheim etc.).

    Do not forget to tell the world Sri Lanka is best place for business and tourism and STRICTLY believe it.

  368. United Nations Calls for Faster Resettlement of War Refugees in Sri Lanka
    http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-11-voa14.cfm

    UN who is supposed to be a guardian of the oppressed and vulnerable, remained as a silent spectator while thousands were perishing in the sandy beaches of Sri Lanka.
    No wonder why the UN acted the way it acted during the Sri Lankan war. Staff members in the UN were simply dancing according to the different set of tunes that were played by various parties to the war.

  369. I'd be interested to hear whether others think the facilities in the internment camps should be improved, with more permanent floors and structures for instance, given that the monsoon rains will be coming soon. The flash floods in mid-August showed what effect the rains have on the current tents. Or would that just encourage the Sri Lankan government to keep the civilians trapped there longer? But shouldn't we assume that even if the government were to allow the civilians today to leave the camps, some of the civilians might stay for lack of any alternative?

  370. Monks of War
    in 1983 july i have seen Bhudist monks went on street and beeting Thamils in Colombo.
    Thamils who lives in Europe, Canada and elswhere when suspect that Monks preaching the hatrens in Pansala, Pls go to Police and make a complain about that preticular Temple and the Monk.
    It is banned to preach the hatrens in Pansala.
    In London, Bonn (Germany), Toronto, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Zurich (Swiss) also in Italy these Hate Preaching Sinhala Fanatic Bhudist Monks are active.
    Europe should take leagal action against these Skin Head Hela Bhikus.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYb2ohuAziA&fe

  371. Monks of War
    in 1983 july i have seen Bhudist monks went on street and beeting Thamils in Colombo.
    Thamils who lives in Europe, Canada and elswhere when suspect that Monks preaching the hatrens in Pansala, Pls go to Police and make a complain about that preticular Temple and the Monk.
    It is banned to preach the hatrens in Pansala.
    In London, Bonn (Germany), Toronto, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Zurich (Swiss) also in Italy these Hate Preaching Sinhala Fanatic Bhudist Monks are active.
    Europe should take leagal action against these Skin Head Hela Bhikus.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYb2ohuAziA&fe

  372. Monks of War
    in 1983 july i have seen Bhudist monks went on street and beeting Thamils in Colombo.
    Thamils who lives in Europe, Canada and elswhere when suspect that Monks preaching the hatrens in Pansala, Pls go to Police and make a complain about that preticular Temple and the Monk.
    It is banned to preach the hatrens in Pansala.
    In London, Bonn (Germany), Toronto, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Zurich (Swiss) also in Italy these Hate Preaching Sinhala Fanatic Bhudist Monks are active.
    Europe should take leagal action against these Skin Head Hela Bhikus.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYb2ohuAziA&fe

  373. Peace Says:
    September 12th, 2009 at 11:50 am

    ‘Peace’ should realize that there cannot be peace when at every turn dissension is created by resorting to untruths and half truths. Your attempt to bring Buddhism into this debate is very tragic. I did anticipate that as an escape route Mahavamsa would be brought into the arguement. Sinhalese have no hangover on Mahavamsa. A leading Sinhalese historian has described it as "permeated by a strong religious bias, and encrusted with miracle and invention".'
    Mahavamsa came into prominence when according to the British historian Dr. Jane Russell, Tamils found it very irksome that the Sinhalese possessed a written history known as the Mahavamsa extending back to some 25 centuries. Mahvamsa bashing has continued from that time.
    Mahavamsa had no bias against the Tamil King Elara, who was described as a “just’ king, while the Sinhalese Prince Gamini was called Duttagamini, meaning the “evil’ Gamini. Mahavamsa does not show any antipathy to non-Sinhalese and records a number of instances when Pandyan princesses were brought to the country as consorts to the Kings. It also records the Dravidian and Kalinga lineage of a number of Sinhalese monarchs.
    Mahavamsa is written in the Pali language, and I have not come across a Sinhalese trranslation.
    With regard to the statement that the Mahavamsa institutes the belief that the island’s kings were beholden to protect and foster Buddhism, it must be stated that the nexus between the religion and the state was there then, and continues to be there now, other than in a few so called secular states. The Queen of England is the head of the Chuch of England. The King of Norway has to be a Baptist. There is no difference between the State, the law and the faith in Islamic States. The British accepted this nexus in the Kandyan convention ceding the country to the British.
    The point that I was trying to make is that Buddhist scriptures as absolutely devoid of hate towards any living being. It has only compassion, Metta and Karuna.
    Sabbe Sattha Bhavantu Sukhithaththa.

    As the Blog is on the problems of the IDPs let us try to stay on that subject.

  374. Talking to SL is not usefull. They wil not listen to the World. Pls understand the REAL Problem.
    * Giving Thamils in Vanni 2nd hand clothes
    * Giving some medicines
    * Photogrhing the Vanni Thamils to make a NEWS

    Oh, People these wil not help These Thamils.

    World must hurryup to HELP Thamils.

    Bhudist Monks are the DANGEROUS People in Sri Lanka
    http://www.countercurrents.org/grosso300607.htm

  375. The Mahavamsa with all its historical importance, enormity and glory, should be only treated as the oldest and longest MYTHICAL chronicle, a historical poem written by great CREATIVE AUTHORS.

    The wild fantasies of `Lion Ancestry` and the myths about the origin of the Sinhala race as pre-destined, true custodians of the island of Sri Lanka and guardians of Buddhism – should be put to rest among the other mythical fairy tales.

    This needs courage and wisdom from grass root level, as it takes a lot to stand against the racist agenda and the divisive nationalistic culture driven by bigoted Sinhala political leadership at the top.

  376. Talking to SL is not usefull. They wil not listen to the World. Pls understand the REAL Problem.
    * Giving Thamils in Vanni 2nd hand clothes
    * Giving some medicines
    * Photogrhing the Vanni Thamils to make a NEWS

    Oh, People these wil not help These Thamils.

    World must hurryup to HELP Thamils.

    Bhudist Monks are the DANGEROUS People in Sri Lanka
    http://www.countercurrents.org/grosso300607.htm

  377. Talking to SL is not usefull. They wil not listen to the World. Pls understand the REAL Problem.
    * Giving Thamils in Vanni 2nd hand clothes
    * Giving some medicines
    * Photogrhing the Vanni Thamils to make a NEWS

    Oh, People these wil not help These Thamils.

    World must hurryup to HELP Thamils.

    Bhudist Monks are the DANGEROUS People in Sri Lanka
    http://www.countercurrents.org/grosso300607.htm

  378. I’d be interested to hear whether others think the facilities in the internment camps should be improved, with more permanent floors and structures for instance, given that the monsoon rains will be coming soon. The flash floods in mid-August showed what effect the rains have on the current tents. Or would that just encourage the Sri Lankan government to keep the civilians trapped there longer? But shouldn’t we assume that even if the government were to allow the civilians today to leave the camps, some of the civilians might stay for lack of any alternative?

  379. Monks of War
    in 1983 july i have seen Bhudist monks went on street and beeting Thamils in Colombo.
    Thamils who lives in Europe, Canada and elswhere when suspect that Monks preaching the hatrens in Pansala, Pls go to Police and make a complain about that preticular Temple and the Monk.
    It is banned to preach the hatrens in Pansala.
    In London, Bonn (Germany), Toronto, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Zurich (Swiss) also in Italy these Hate Preaching Sinhala Fanatic Bhudist Monks are active.
    Europe should take leagal action against these Skin Head Hela Bhikus.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYb2ohuAziA&feature=channel

  380. Peace Says:
    September 12th, 2009 at 11:50 am

    ‘Peace’ should realize that there cannot be peace when at every turn dissension is created by resorting to untruths and half truths. Your attempt to bring Buddhism into this debate is very tragic. I did anticipate that as an escape route Mahavamsa would be brought into the arguement. Sinhalese have no hangover on Mahavamsa. A leading Sinhalese historian has described it as “permeated by a strong religious bias, and encrusted with miracle and invention”.’
    Mahavamsa came into prominence when according to the British historian Dr. Jane Russell, Tamils found it very irksome that the Sinhalese possessed a written history known as the Mahavamsa extending back to some 25 centuries. Mahvamsa bashing has continued from that time.
    Mahavamsa had no bias against the Tamil King Elara, who was described as a “just’ king, while the Sinhalese Prince Gamini was called Duttagamini, meaning the “evil’ Gamini. Mahavamsa does not show any antipathy to non-Sinhalese and records a number of instances when Pandyan princesses were brought to the country as consorts to the Kings. It also records the Dravidian and Kalinga lineage of a number of Sinhalese monarchs.
    Mahavamsa is written in the Pali language, and I have not come across a Sinhalese trranslation.
    With regard to the statement that the Mahavamsa institutes the belief that the island’s kings were beholden to protect and foster Buddhism, it must be stated that the nexus between the religion and the state was there then, and continues to be there now, other than in a few so called secular states. The Queen of England is the head of the Chuch of England. The King of Norway has to be a Baptist. There is no difference between the State, the law and the faith in Islamic States. The British accepted this nexus in the Kandyan convention ceding the country to the British.
    The point that I was trying to make is that Buddhist scriptures as absolutely devoid of hate towards any living being. It has only compassion, Metta and Karuna.
    Sabbe Sattha Bhavantu Sukhithaththa.

    As the Blog is on the problems of the IDPs let us try to stay on that subject.

  381. The Mahavamsa with all its historical importance, enormity and glory, should be only treated as the oldest and longest MYTHICAL chronicle, a historical poem written by great CREATIVE AUTHORS.

    The wild fantasies of `Lion Ancestry` and the myths about the origin of the Sinhala race as pre-destined, true custodians of the island of Sri Lanka and guardians of Buddhism – should be put to rest among the other mythical fairy tales.

    This needs courage and wisdom from grass root level, as it takes a lot to stand against the racist agenda and the divisive nationalistic culture driven by bigoted Sinhala political leadership at the top.

  382. Talking to SL is not usefull. They wil not listen to the World. Pls understand the REAL Problem.
    * Giving Thamils in Vanni 2nd hand clothes
    * Giving some medicines
    * Photogrhing the Vanni Thamils to make a NEWS

    Oh, People these wil not help These Thamils.

    World must hurryup to HELP Thamils.

    Bhudist Monks are the DANGEROUS People in Sri Lanka

    http://www.countercurrents.org/grosso300607.htm

  383. Cataloguing emerging stories of families destroyed by war and separated through internment in Sri Lanka's fortified camps, UK Guardian's Sunday story describes feeble attempts by the Government of Sri Lanka to resettle refugees criticized as "chaotic and underfunded." Malnutrition-related complications have resulted in increased deaths, the paper notes, and adds that doctors in Vavuniyaa have warned of "impending disaster if conditions do not improve." Humanitarian workers recently allowed in to Menik Farm had criticized "persistent water shortage," and described precarious health, inhumane conditions as "heavy rain sent rivers of sewage cascading through tents and tin sheds," the paper said.

    Rivers of sewege cascade through tents in Menik farm – Guardian http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  384. "I traced my other children to Manik Farm," the 42-year-old said. "Because I lived in LTTE territory and all my possessions are lost I have no record to say my children are mine. Their mother is dead. How do I get them out?"

    "I was left on the road with just the clothes I had carried from that prison," said Elizabeth Sarvanamuttu, who was "returned" to Trincomalee. "That is all I had with me. I was only saved because a local family adopted me. I am 68 and look, I had to be adopted like a baby."

    "The problem is that the camp lies on a flood-prone area. We'll have malaria, sewage and dengue fever. It will be very bad unless [people] are moved." http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/13/tamil

  385. Cataloguing emerging stories of families destroyed by war and separated through internment in Sri Lanka's fortified camps, UK Guardian's Sunday story describes feeble attempts by the Government of Sri Lanka to resettle refugees criticized as "chaotic and underfunded." Malnutrition-related complications have resulted in increased deaths, the paper notes, and adds that doctors in Vavuniyaa have warned of "impending disaster if conditions do not improve." Humanitarian workers recently allowed in to Menik Farm had criticized "persistent water shortage," and described precarious health, inhumane conditions as "heavy rain sent rivers of sewage cascading through tents and tin sheds," the paper said.

    Rivers of sewege cascade through tents in Menik farm – Guardian http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  386. Cataloguing emerging stories of families destroyed by war and separated through internment in Sri Lanka's fortified camps, UK Guardian's Sunday story describes feeble attempts by the Government of Sri Lanka to resettle refugees criticized as "chaotic and underfunded." Malnutrition-related complications have resulted in increased deaths, the paper notes, and adds that doctors in Vavuniyaa have warned of "impending disaster if conditions do not improve." Humanitarian workers recently allowed in to Menik Farm had criticized "persistent water shortage," and described precarious health, inhumane conditions as "heavy rain sent rivers of sewage cascading through tents and tin sheds," the paper said.

    Rivers of sewege cascade through tents in Menik farm – Guardian http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  387. Mawatha Silva Says:
    September 13th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    As I quoted Dr.Jane Russel earlier, Mahavamsa bashing is a ruse adopted by Tamils to cover up a lack of a recorded history of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. Sinhalese are not excited by what is contained in Mahavamsa. It is only today that it is widely reported in the Sri Lanka media the archeological finding of an agrarian settlement in Anuradhapura predating Vijaya of Mahavamsa by 300 years. There is also a legend that a prince of the Yaksha tribe, Pandukabhaya vanquished the Vijaya descendants and became the King. Many Sinhalese like to believe that he is the first Sinhalese king.
    Mahavamsa was not an obstacle to even the acceptance of aliens as rulers. The last kingdom of the Sinhalese, the kingdom of Kandy, was ruled by four Dravidian kings of the Vaduga Nayakkar clan from 1739 to 1815, up to the time the kingdom was ceded to the Windsor clan of the British.

    The practice of Buddhism in Sri Lanka has been influenced by Hinduism. Attached to most Buddhist temples are Hindu Kovils. Many Sinhalese Buddhists pay homage to Hindu gods like God Kataragama.
    The communal problem started with the attempt by Tamil politicians to, as Soulbury Commission describes, to make the majority a minority.

  388. "I traced my other children to Manik Farm," the 42-year-old said. "Because I lived in LTTE territory and all my possessions are lost I have no record to say my children are mine. Their mother is dead. How do I get them out?"

    "I was left on the road with just the clothes I had carried from that prison," said Elizabeth Sarvanamuttu, who was "returned" to Trincomalee. "That is all I had with me. I was only saved because a local family adopted me. I am 68 and look, I had to be adopted like a baby."

    "The problem is that the camp lies on a flood-prone area. We'll have malaria, sewage and dengue fever. It will be very bad unless [people] are moved." http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/13/tamil

  389. "I traced my other children to Manik Farm," the 42-year-old said. "Because I lived in LTTE territory and all my possessions are lost I have no record to say my children are mine. Their mother is dead. How do I get them out?"

    "I was left on the road with just the clothes I had carried from that prison," said Elizabeth Sarvanamuttu, who was "returned" to Trincomalee. "That is all I had with me. I was only saved because a local family adopted me. I am 68 and look, I had to be adopted like a baby."

    "The problem is that the camp lies on a flood-prone area. We'll have malaria, sewage and dengue fever. It will be very bad unless [people] are moved." http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/13/tamil

  390. Reborn Says:
    September 14th, 2009 at 12:22 am

    Without sensationalizing a sad and difficult situation in the IDP camps, Reborn, Alfonso, Silva and even AI should refer to the regular Situation Reports issued by the OCHA of Sri Lanka. The last report No 22 is available on the Web.

  391. Mahavamsa is deeply racist.

    Where all those levels of hmaithriya of the compassion and human concern for fellow human beings?

    Let’s examine the Sri Lanka, as “supremely buddhist nation” and capture its’ ethno-religious-political landscape.

    A history of peaceful cohabitation marred by suspicions, tensions, bloodletting.

    Buddhism is the most peaceful religion where the teachings condone loving kindness and cohabitation with all living beings.

    However, Sri Lanka Buddhist Government is ruthlessly oppressing the Tamils ( 300 000 innocent civilians imprisoned ).

    Why these apparent contradictions between religion and practice are accepted and no one speaks or comments on these ?

  392. The comments here are getting funnier by the day.

    Instead of talking about the camps, some people are trying to make it look as if the Sri Lankan public is all out to kill the Tamils living here.

    Now I need to ask just one question – If the GOSL is deliberately locking the tamils in the camps, around 300,000 of them, Why does the government not do the same to millions of Tamils living out side ??

    We still work, talk and play with this million living out side. Alfonso guy has his own agenda of disgracing Singhales and the GOSL. I don't see any other reason.

    Alfonso – the names Sakkili or what ever you call them originated from your own Tamil language and not from Singhlala Language. So if you see it as an insult, you should blam your selves and not others.

    As Vichara rightly says, The singhales tend to believe that the proper Singhla kingdom started after Pandukabhaya and Wijaya only brought in a culture. The civilizations in this country run in to thousands of years before that and again do not tell us that they were Tamils – If they were, they definitely would have kept their identity. There is no way a set of a few hundreds with Wijaya could come and change a country full of at least several hundred thousand over night or a few years – think for your self before talking crap – if you repeat such stupid argument, I would like to invite you to come and take medication at the good government hospital in Mulleriyawa.

    As for the camps (talking in line with the subject in hand which the moderators tend to not understand as well and block users who talk in line with topic)

    It was mentioned even today that the government had fast tracked the project of re-settling them in cleared areas. That means those who are from uncleared areas will have to move in to their areas later and remain with others in cleared areas till then.

  393. http://warwithoutwitness.com/index.php?option=com

    Institutionalized racism determines the fate of minorities especially Tamils, in this case rape, torture and murder of a little girl.

    Another example, among many, is sufficed to sum up the attitudes of the Sri Lankan army and judiciary which are overwhelmingly made of mono ethnic composition (Sinhalese Majority).

    In Bindunuweewa detention camp 28 Tamil suspects were hacked to death by villagers in front of Sri Lankan army.

    When the case against the perpetrators of the murders and their accomplices went up to the court, a rare occurrence in itself, the judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence without any retrial or recourse to justice.

  394. Cataloguing emerging stories of families destroyed by war and separated through internment in Sri Lanka’s fortified camps, UK Guardian’s Sunday story describes feeble attempts by the Government of Sri Lanka to resettle refugees criticized as “chaotic and underfunded.” Malnutrition-related complications have resulted in increased deaths, the paper notes, and adds that doctors in Vavuniyaa have warned of “impending disaster if conditions do not improve.” Humanitarian workers recently allowed in to Menik Farm had criticized “persistent water shortage,” and described precarious health, inhumane conditions as “heavy rain sent rivers of sewage cascading through tents and tin sheds,” the paper said.

    Rivers of sewege cascade through tents in Menik farm – Guardian
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=30225

  395. http://warwithoutwitness.com/index.php?option=com

    Institutionalized racism determines the fate of minorities especially Tamils, in this case rape, torture and murder of a little girl.

    Another example, among many, is sufficed to sum up the attitudes of the Sri Lankan army and judiciary which are overwhelmingly made of mono ethnic composition (Sinhalese Majority).

    In Bindunuweewa detention camp 28 Tamil suspects were hacked to death by villagers in front of Sri Lankan army.

    When the case against the perpetrators of the murders and their accomplices went up to the court, a rare occurrence in itself, the judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence without any retrial or recourse to justice.

  396. http://warwithoutwitness.com/index.php?option=com

    Institutionalized racism determines the fate of minorities especially Tamils, in this case rape, torture and murder of a little girl.

    Another example, among many, is sufficed to sum up the attitudes of the Sri Lankan army and judiciary which are overwhelmingly made of mono ethnic composition (Sinhalese Majority).

    In Bindunuweewa detention camp 28 Tamil suspects were hacked to death by villagers in front of Sri Lankan army.

    When the case against the perpetrators of the murders and their accomplices went up to the court, a rare occurrence in itself, the judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence without any retrial or recourse to justice.

  397. Mawatha Silva Says:
    September 13th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    As I quoted Dr.Jane Russel earlier, Mahavamsa bashing is a ruse adopted by Tamils to cover up a lack of a recorded history of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. Sinhalese are not excited by what is contained in Mahavamsa. It is only today that it is widely reported in the Sri Lanka media the archeological finding of an agrarian settlement in Anuradhapura predating Vijaya of Mahavamsa by 300 years. There is also a legend that a prince of the Yaksha tribe, Pandukabhaya vanquished the Vijaya descendants and became the King. Many Sinhalese like to believe that he is the first Sinhalese king.
    Mahavamsa was not an obstacle to even the acceptance of aliens as rulers. The last kingdom of the Sinhalese, the kingdom of Kandy, was ruled by four Dravidian kings of the Vaduga Nayakkar clan from 1739 to 1815, up to the time the kingdom was ceded to the Windsor clan of the British.

    The practice of Buddhism in Sri Lanka has been influenced by Hinduism. Attached to most Buddhist temples are Hindu Kovils. Many Sinhalese Buddhists pay homage to Hindu gods like God Kataragama.
    The communal problem started with the attempt by Tamil politicians to, as Soulbury Commission describes, to make the majority a minority.

  398. “I traced my other children to Manik Farm,” the 42-year-old said. “Because I lived in LTTE territory and all my possessions are lost I have no record to say my children are mine. Their mother is dead. How do I get them out?”

    “I was left on the road with just the clothes I had carried from that prison,” said Elizabeth Sarvanamuttu, who was “returned” to Trincomalee. “That is all I had with me. I was only saved because a local family adopted me. I am 68 and look, I had to be adopted like a baby.”

    “The problem is that the camp lies on a flood-prone area. We’ll have malaria, sewage and dengue fever. It will be very bad unless [people] are moved.”
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/13/tamils-camps-sri-lanka

  399. Reborn Says:
    September 14th, 2009 at 12:22 am

    Without sensationalizing a sad and difficult situation in the IDP camps, Reborn, Alfonso, Silva and even AI should refer to the regular Situation Reports issued by the OCHA of Sri Lanka. The last report No 22 is available on the Web.

  400. Mahavamsa is deeply racist.

    Where all those levels of hmaithriya of the compassion and human concern for fellow human beings?

    Let’s examine the Sri Lanka, as “supremely buddhist nation” and capture its’ ethno-religious-political landscape.

    A history of peaceful cohabitation marred by suspicions, tensions, bloodletting.

    Buddhism is the most peaceful religion where the teachings condone loving kindness and cohabitation with all living beings.

    However, Sri Lanka Buddhist Government is ruthlessly oppressing the Tamils ( 300 000 innocent civilians imprisoned ).

    Why these apparent contradictions between religion and practice are accepted and no one speaks or comments on these ?

  401. The comments here are getting funnier by the day.

    Instead of talking about the camps, some people are trying to make it look as if the Sri Lankan public is all out to kill the Tamils living here.

    Now I need to ask just one question – If the GOSL is deliberately locking the tamils in the camps, around 300,000 of them, Why does the government not do the same to millions of Tamils living out side ??

    We still work, talk and play with this million living out side. Alfonso guy has his own agenda of disgracing Singhales and the GOSL. I don’t see any other reason.

    Alfonso – the names Sakkili or what ever you call them originated from your own Tamil language and not from Singhlala Language. So if you see it as an insult, you should blam your selves and not others.

    As Vichara rightly says, The singhales tend to believe that the proper Singhla kingdom started after Pandukabhaya and Wijaya only brought in a culture. The civilizations in this country run in to thousands of years before that and again do not tell us that they were Tamils – If they were, they definitely would have kept their identity. There is no way a set of a few hundreds with Wijaya could come and change a country full of at least several hundred thousand over night or a few years – think for your self before talking crap – if you repeat such stupid argument, I would like to invite you to come and take medication at the good government hospital in Mulleriyawa.

    As for the camps (talking in line with the subject in hand which the moderators tend to not understand as well and block users who talk in line with topic)

    It was mentioned even today that the government had fast tracked the project of re-settling them in cleared areas. That means those who are from uncleared areas will have to move in to their areas later and remain with others in cleared areas till then.

  402. http://warwithoutwitness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=245:on-22nd-june-2009-13-year-old-tamil-girl-mohan-mathuniska-raped-and-killed-in-amparai-sri-lanka&catid=39:by-war-without-witness&Itemid=62

    Institutionalized racism determines the fate of minorities especially Tamils, in this case rape, torture and murder of a little girl.

    Another example, among many, is sufficed to sum up the attitudes of the Sri Lankan army and judiciary which are overwhelmingly made of mono ethnic composition (Sinhalese Majority).

    In Bindunuweewa detention camp 28 Tamil suspects were hacked to death by villagers in front of Sri Lankan army.

    When the case against the perpetrators of the murders and their accomplices went up to the court, a rare occurrence in itself, the judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence without any retrial or recourse to justice.

Comments are closed.