Wednesday, September 20, 2017

NUTA Clowning Over Rohingya Mass Tragedy

Shyamon Jayasinghe
Did the Sri Lanka government ever chase away the entire Tamil population because of terrorist pockets within them? This is like giving chemotherapy”
logoA Sri Lanka organisation called, “National University Teachers Association, (NUTA)” under the hand of its spokesperson, Dr Channa Jayasumana, has circulated via internet a letter they are said to have handed over to Myanmar Ambassador in Colombo. The letter is addressed to “His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.” As an exercise in self-deception, readers should read the letter and I will bring up the poverty of the NUTA brief for all to see.
I am amused myself that I have had to critique an association of University Teachers. However, an overriding sense of humanity compels me to invade the precincts of academia.
My comments will follow the letter, which I reproduce as follows:
“13th September 2017  at Colombo
Mr. Htin Kyaw
His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Your Excellency,
National University Teachers Association (NUTA) Sri Lanka condemns international campaign against Myanmar Buddhists
Sri Lanka and Myanmar has been maintaining a close cultural, political and economic relationship over a millennium. Both are two of the last remaining Theravada Buddhist countries.
We are closely monitoring the situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar over the last couple of weeks. We understood that pro-western media are intentionally distributing fabricated news and incorrectly captioning pictures to purposely dis-inform the international community about Myanmar Buddhists. We are concerned that the majority Buddhist Myanmar is getting an unfair and biased media coverage.
Further we have noticed fake news posted on social media of events purporting to have occurred in Myanmar but actually happening in other places, which are now circulating via the internet. These intentionally fabricated news and photos are being used by international media, international human rights organizations, certain governments and anti Buddhist groups in an attempt to cause misunderstanding about Myanmar Buddhists.
Current situation in Rakhine is very much similar to the situation in late 1970s and early 1980s in northern part of the Sri Lanka where LTTE terrorists started their activities with the blessing of India, western governments and NGOs. Interestingly British are accountable for the unfolding tragedy in both countries through their divide and rule policies. 
As a responsible Association representing university academics in Sri Lanka, the National University Teachers’ Association unequivocally condemns attempt to ostracize the Myanmar government and Myanmar Buddhists. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in support of protecting Theravada Buddhism, sovereignty, territorial integrity and cultural identity of Myanmar.
May triple gem bless you,
On behalf of National University Teachers’ Association, Sri Lanka
Dr Channa Jayasumana
General Secretary” 

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