Cannot allocate 6% for education – Keheliya

FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 2012

6% of GNP cannot be allocated for education in the country as demanded by university teachers says the Minister of Information and Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella adding that such an amount is allocated for education only by the most developed countries in the world. He said this at a press briefing held yesterday (30th) morning to inform cabinet decisions.

He said education from grade 1 to grade 13, university education as well as vocational training is given free in Sri Lanka. Developed countries such as the USA gives only school education free he pointed out.

When ‘Lankatruth’ inquired regarding this Vice-President of FUTA Ven. Dhambara Amila Thera said the Minister’s views regarding the USA which has the highest unemployment rate and is the most indebted nation in the world but has achieved a certain degree of development in industrialization could be that. However, we know Denmark has allocated 8.7% of its GNP for education, Maldives has allocated 8.7%, Norway – 7.3%, Sweden – 7.3%, Kenya – 6.7%, Netherlands – 5.9%, Israel – 5.9%, Malaysia – 5.8%, Brazil – 5.8%, Costa Rica – 6.3%, South Africa – 6.0%, People’s Republic of Korea – 5.0%, Swaziland (Which is at the bottom of eh poorest nations) – 7.1% and Ethiopia -4.0%. The Socialist Cuba has allocated 18% for the education of its children said Ven. Dhambara Amila Thera.

Sri Lanka, China seek to strengthen military ties

YAHOO! NEWS

Colombo, Aug 31 (IANS) Sri Lanka and China have sought to strengthen their military ties, the Sri Lankan defence ministry said Friday.

The remarks followed a meeting between Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie and Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, reported Xinhua.

During the meeting, Liang said the political trust between the two countries has deepened with the rapid expansion of exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Liang expressed the hope that the two sides would continue to work hard to maintain the close and friendly relations and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of non-traditional security. They would also work improve the ability to respond to crisises together, so as contribute to regional peace, stability and development.

Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka greatly appreciated the valued assistance and cooperation extended by China in times of need.

Liang arrived in Colombo Wednesday for an official goodwill visit at the invitation of the Sri Lankan defence ministry. It is also the first visit by a Chinese defence minister to the south Asian island country.

During the visit, Liang also had discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who thanked the government and the people of China for standing by Sri Lanka at times it was facing various challenges internationally and for extending cooperation in the fields of economy and culture.

Centrality of Compassion in Human Life and Society

October 14, 2010 - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speaks on the centrality of compassion in Maples Pavilion at Stanford University. He shares his thoughts on the necessity of friendship, altruism, family, selflessness, and religion, from the perspectives of such wide-ranging disciplines as education, social psychology and the neurosciences. 

Pahalagama Somarathana Sentencing Remarks: Penetration Of The Vagina Of A 9-Year-Old In The Presence Of The Buddha

By Colombo Telegraph - 
Pahalagama Somaratana with President Rajapaksa 

“The fourth and final occasion moved from your room to the shrine room.  You were dressed in your robes, you pushed her against a wall, you pulled her knickers down, you inserted your fingers into her vagina.  She felt excruciating pain.  You said if she told anybody, not only would her mother be very angry, but her father would die.  This crime, the fourth and final occasion, has been difficult for many to comprehend, the digital penetration of the vagina of a 9-year-old in the shrine room, in the presence of the Buddha.  A betrayal of your religion, betrayal of the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in this country, but above all, a betrayal of the breach of the trust placed in your by xxxxx xxxxxxxxx and others on her behalf, not least her parents, who were strong supporters of you at the time.” said Judge Matthews. 

Delivering the Sentencing Remarks of the Pahalagama Somarathana child abuse case he further said ”You pleaded not guilty.  Your mitigation is inevitably limited.  The conduct of your defence involved pointing the finger of blame at your fellow monks.  I make it clear that’s not an aggravating feature but it does nothing to assist your mitigation.  There has been, even now, a total absence of remorse, you preferring, if the author of the pre-sentence report is correct, to allow, if not encourage, your public to believe that this is all a terrible mistake.”

Chief Sanghanayaka Thera of Great Britain and chief incumbent of the Thames Buddhist Vihara, Parivenadhipathi of the Vidyaravinda Pirivena, Pahalagama, Gampaha and Chief Lekakhadhikari of the Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Pahalagama Somarathana has been convicted of four counts of indecent assault on a underage, sentenced to 7 years in prison Judge Matthews ruled on June 1, 2012.

“When you said to XXXXX XXXXXXX that she mustn’t tell anyone because her father would die, she believed you, such was your power.  And she says in her victim impact statement that she felt as if everything in her life had changed.  She loved school, where she was already an outstanding pupil, but she was forced to spend substantial periods away.  Her parents who, I repeat, were great supporters of you, had no idea what had gone on.  Her (inaudible) doctors (inaudible) brought in a consultant paediatrician to see her.  Fortunately for her and indeed for you, that particular crisis period passed.  But as she got older and matured, she says – I’ve no reason to disbelieve her – that it affected her relationships with those closest to her, in particular her previous partner and her husband.  And if truth be known, the full extent of the impact of your behaviour on her will never be known.” the Judge further said.

Since almost all Sri Lankan media have been censored from covering this case of child sex abuse, Colombo Telegraph has been covering this child abuse case form the beginning. This is clearly a public interest issue. Firstly, this story is about the welfare of children; child abuse victims are usually not willing to come forward, but they did. Secondly, this case is based on historical allegations. It is worthwhile for the public to know how Courts deal with historical allegations. Thirdly, Somaratana was a religious leader, who breached the trust of his followers. Finally, this same monk Somaratana is running orphanages in Sri Lanka. There was a demand from Colombo Telegraph readers to publish the Sentencing Remarks made by the trial Judge namely His Honour Judge Matthews and we paid the relevant fees to the Official Court Reporters to the Crown Court and only today we managed to obtain the full transcript from the transcript writers.  We below produce the sentencing remarks made by the judge in full. Please be aware that the victim’s name is deleted by Colombo Telegraph. Official Court Reporters to the Crown Court says this transcript has been prepared without the assistance of case documents and therefore, all spellings are phonetic.

IN THE CROWN COURT-AT ISLEWORTH-Read More

Posted by Thavam 

WILL THE CHINESE DRAGON AND U.S. EAGLE CLASH ON SRI LANKA’S TURF? – Part 1

David Soysa

“Let the Chinese sleep, when she wakes the world will be sorry” – Napoleon

Ever since China woke up in 1949, with Mao Tse Tung declaring that the “new China with a big population and a great wealth of products could change everything,” the US is indeed sorry. The new un-expected tectonic force of the East has been sending waves of fear, envy and resentment across the globe. As Mao promised, the new leaders of China want to change the west dominated world order that enabled the Opium war and nine foreign nations to tromp through China for nearly two centuries.

Deng Xiaoping, famously advised his colleagues in 1991, to maintain good relations with the U.S while building up China’s strength. Henry Kissinger, a connoisseur of fine diplomacy, proposed that a U.S. Chinese confrontation must be avoided. A.L. Friedberg (in his book “A contest for supremacy China, America) criticize Kissinger’s proposal saying it “fails to take national interest into account”. By synthesizing the views of Chinese intellectuals, authors, think tanks and a few military officers, he reads these experts as saying “China should seek to “displace the U.S. as the dominant player from East Asia and perhaps from the region altogether”. To the new breed of intellectuals in Beijing, US is a declining weak power. They pair 9/11 with 9/14, the day that Lehman Brothers collapsed in Wall Street. Chinese President Hu Jing Tao and Jin Ping (who will be the new President at the end of 2012) emphasize that “China is not spoiling for a fight with US!

 Part 1-Full Story»>

WILL THE CHINESE DRAGON AND U.S. EAGLE CLASH ON SRI LANKA’S TURF?– Part II

David Soysa-August 25, 2012

Gathering Storm 

U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta in his address to the annual “Shangrila Dialogue” in Singapore in June 2012, announced US decision to shift 60% of the US fleet from the West to Asia Pacific. A move prompted no doubt, by the increasing tension in the region. After visiting Vietnam thereafter, Panetta held talks in New Delhi with PM Manmohan Singh and the Defence Minister. Next stop was Kabul from where he issued a stern warning to Pakistan saying “US officials are reaching the limits of their patience”. Panetta’s explicit description of frustration, is due to the fall of Saigon (in April 1975) type spectre, staring at US military planners for US exit in 2014. If Pakistan refuses to open the only exit route from Kabul, a military confrontation between US and Pakistan appears to be inevitable. Fearing this, Chinese Foreign Minister visited Pakistan in June 2012, and assured Chinese intervention to defend Pakistan if attacked by US. Chinese senior officials also visited Kabul to sign a deal to extract oil and to give a face lift to the ancient Silk Route through Afghanistan. Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) has given observer status to Afghanistan. Hillary Clinton in July 2012 conferred on Afghanistan non NATO ally membership. Thus Hillary brought NATO base to South Asia. Hence when US leaves Afghanistan after destroying (and plundering even most valuable museum artifacts) China may enter to begin repair work. If Tibet under Chinese, is a headache for US and India, Afghanistan with a Chinese face lift may become a nightmare. That’s how China wins battles without a fight. US Defence Dept. Publications “America’s Security Role in a changing world’’ describing India’s development of nuclear weapons and delivery systems “raises the risks to the physical security of both nations nuclear weapons” and that additional tests might compromise US-India nuclear agreement. The report highlights the risk of a nuclear war either through accident or misperception in crisis (page 232). I wonder whether either Defence or Foreign Ministry has seen the report?

Part II-Full Story»>

Non-Aligned Movement Should Sanction War Criminals like Sri Lankan President

“We are urging NAM leaders not to protect him but to support UN Human Rights Council action on Sri Lankan President.” Mr.Thanikasalam Thayaparan. 

August 30, 2012: London —— 

/EINPresswire.com/ As the Non-Aligned Movement’s (NAM) leaders gather in Iran for their 16th Summit, Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) urged the NAM leaders not to protect perpetrators of genocide and war criminals like Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

Sri Lanka is in violation of Bandung Principles: namely, respect for the fundamental rights and for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations; respect for justice and international obligations; and recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations, among others. 

“NAM leaders should know that among them is a war criminal posing as a Statesman” said Mr. Thanikasalam Thayaparan, TGTE’s Minister for Political Affairs. 

It is important for NAM leaders to realize the gravity of the crimes the Sri Lankan President committed against the Tamil Nation in that island. 

According to a UN Panel over 40,000 Tamils were killed in five months due to deliberate and intense carpet bombing of areas designated by the government as “no-fire zones”, where Tamils assembled for safety. After the Sri Lankan Government’s military offensive, Bishop Rayappu noted that 146,679 people were still not accounted for in the region. The Sri Lankan Government also restricted food and medicine for Tamils, resulting in large numbers of people dying from starvation and many of the injured bleeding to death. 

In addition to the killings, thousands of Tamils have disappeared, Tamil women were sexually assaulted and raped, large numbers of Tamils are imprisoned without trial and abductions are continuing to this day. Tamils are singled out to face these abuses simply and solely on account of their Tamil nationality. Members of the Sri Lankan Security forces are almost exclusively from the Sinhalese Nation and the victims are all from the Tamil Nation. 

Due to the shear number of civilian killings by the Sri Lankan Security forces, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on accountability for these crimes and is about to review it in March 2013. The Sri Lankan President is desperately trying to stall the UN Human Rights Council actions and is using international meetings like this NAM conference to solicit support to protect him from the War Crimes Investigation. 

“We are urging NAM leaders not to protect him but to support UN Human Rights Council action on Sri Lankan President.” continued Thayaparan. 

TGTE also urged NAM leaders to ask Sri Lankan President about the UN Panel report that documented mass killings by his troops and the two documentaries in the “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” series produced by Channel 4 TV. Please remind him that mass killing of civilians is a war crime and a crime against humanity and refuse to protect him. If he claims innocence, then urge him to face international investigation to prove just that. 

Advocacy of Moral Politik in an amoral world has been the guiding light of the NAM. We call upon the NAM to contribute to an international investigation. 

“We also salute the NAM for championing the realization of the right to self-determination of Western Sahara. In the same vein we urge the NAM to support the Tamils struggle for the realization to that same right” continued Mr. Thayaparan. 

Given the ongoing structural genocide we are urging the International Community to establish an International Protection Mechanism. As part of that we urge the NAM to send a fact finding mission to the North Eastern part of the island of Sri Lanka. We urge the NAM to seize the Tamil National Question. 

“We urge the NAM not to allow the Sri Lankan President to use his appearance at the NAM to sanitize his barbaric international crimes. His is not just a war criminal, but a perpetrator of genocide” said Mr. Thayaparan. 

About TGTE: 

Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) was created in the aftermath of the bloody end of Sri Lanka’s war; resulting tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed and sexually assaulted by the Sri Lankan security forces. UN documented war crimes and recommended an International Commission of Inquiry. 

Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) is a democratically elected government of the Tamil Diaspora of Sri Lanka. Its actions are non-violent, democratic and diplomatic. It held internationally supervised elections in twelve countries to elect Members of Parliament (MPs). These MPs drafted and ratified a Constitution and elected a Prime Minister, a 10 member Cabinet and a Speaker. 

For information contact: 
T. Thayaparan at (UK): + (44)771-155-8123. Email: t.thayaparan@tgte.org 

Web: www.tgte-us.org , www.en.naathamnews.com

Editor Harassed by Political Party

“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.”— Mahatma Gandhi

Virakesari Newspaper in Sri Lanka

 (MANCHESTER ) - In Sri Lanka there are few Tamil newspapers that have both local and international reputations. “Virakesari” is one of these and also one of the oldest newspapers in Sri Lanka. The news, articles and analyses it publishes, are taken seriously by diplomatic circles in Colombo and abroad.

This newspaper carries verified news items, balanced/neutral articles and analysis irrespective of race, language, religion, individuals, political parties and leaders.

Virakesari’s Sunday publication includes coverage on culture, religion and the political situation with analysis of factual realities. There are well reputed journalists with good qualifications and much experience. Some have received awards for their courageous journalism.

At least three reporters and contributors to this esteemed newspaper have been assassinated for writing facts and realities. The Editor of the Sunday edition Mr Vadivelu Thevaraj was followed by gunmen in the capital Colombo for publishing information on casualties of the war. International Media watch dogs published urgent appeals on the impending danger faced by Mr Thevaraj who has worked unstintingly in this field for nearly three decades.

Mr Thevaraj narrowly escaped those dangers and continued his ardent and honest task with respect and dignity.

Unfortunately he earned the jealousy of another journalist whose family publishes a Tamil regional newspaper in Jaffna. Three years ago this journalist (V) resigned from his job and became a grassroots politician overnight - joining the Tamil National Alliance – TNA.

In February 2009 this gentleman was abducted by unknown gunmen in Colombo. He was released in April 2009. It is worth noting that journalists abducted are never returned alive - other than this journalist-cum-grassroots politician!

To everyone’s surprise this gentleman even withdrew the fundamental rights case filed by his lawyers and he very often travels to Europe. This led to the diaspora Tamils being very suspicious of him. Some electronic media and newspapers alleged that he sides with Rajapaksa’s regime.

Due to the ambitions of this gentleman who seems to want to be the Chief Minister of North or East, the Federal party, (one of the original coalition parties of the TULF, and the TNA), started to function again. The Federal party took new shape, creating a separate identity. A few TNA MPs told us that since this gentleman joined the TNA, many new factions and divisions have cropped up within it, and Rajapaksa’s agenda has begun to become apparent.

During the impending Eastern Provincial Council elections, this gentleman was not given a chance to stand for election. But the Leaders of the Federal Party have agreed to help him become the Chief Editor of a well-reputed newspaper in Colombo.

Recently we learned from some media that this gentleman and some of his colleagues in the Federal party started to work hard against Mr Vadivelu Thevaraj, the editor of Virakesari’s Sunday edition. They even went to the extent of seeking the help of a diplomat to back their fabricated complaint.

When one analyses the ways and means they use to work tirelessly against Mr Thevaraj, it is obvious that the reason for this underhand action is to fulfil the ambition of the journalist-cum-grassroots politician.

For a long time, many local and foreign Tamil and Singhalese media have published harsh, insulting and rude news items about the Federal party and this grassroots politician. But neither he nor his colleagues took any action in response to those media and those editors.

The way these people are harassing Mr Thevaraj shows their obvious determination to remove him from the editor’s post. Is this an indirect method of recruiting people to Rajapaksa’s side? Some observers have said that there is no mystery. The agenda is obvious. One stone to achieve many targets.

If the Federal party, its members and the TNA do not understand the hidden task of this journalist-cum-grassroots politician, in due course Rajapaksa’s agenda will be implemented without any obstacles.

Working against an Editor is not the task and path of politicians. There is enough political work for any Tamil politician, without the underhand task of ‘hitting someone below the belt’ with selfish motives.

Be aware, the international media watch dogs and others are observing these developments.

News release from Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR/CTDH

Lies, Lies And More Lies As President Triumphs Over Lies

By Barbara Seneviratne - 

Barbara Seneviratne

Being suspicious of the outcome of the Provincial council elections the President insisted to appear in a live program “Janapathi   Janahamuwa” which was broadcasted by the national and private television stations for three long hours. He gave a very convincing speech as well as hopes to the people who are facing the upcoming election. He called upon all government officials to execute all projects and attend to repairs immediately while blaming them for corruption, rape and crimes. And all of a sudden he announces in an election rally in the Tamil and Muslim dominated eastern province that he is the President for all races saying “I am not the President for Sinhalese, not the President for Muslims, not the President for Tamils but the President for all Sri Lankans,”. Well if that is the case why is he so reluctant to implement the LLRC recommendations?  Why was he silent when mosques are being destroyed? Well he and his political goons must be thinking people of Sri Lanka are fools because any donkey can realize that these as usual are election gundoos (tricks) to swindle unsuspecting voters.

What puzzles the voters is why had the left leaders become a party to dupe the voters. These leftists of the communist party who are contesting this election separately claim they are doing so for several reasons.  Those they say are to educate the voters to avoid electing thugs and corrupt individuals and to enlighten the voters about socio economic crisis in the country and as well as collapse of the law and order.  But unfortunately whatever their intentions may be they too are partners of this corrupt government.

As another election gundoo (trick) the President requested the Indian government to expose the sacred Kapilawastu relics in Sri Lanka at this crucial stage.  Of course, this too is once again a very thoughtful cunning way to rob the voters so that the attention of the voter is drawn from the burning issues they are faced with. He thinks that by marketing Buddhism to the Sinhalese Buddhist people he can get the votes he is so desperately seeking.  All these years he was actually doing exactly this – marketing Buddhism to the gullible Sinhalese who think they have the sole right to dominate the minorities.

Well, this is not the first time or the first executive president who was a diabolic liar who duped the public with false promises. The first is J.R who they believed would give them 8 pounds of grain. Instead he changed the existing constitution expecting to carry on forever and created this mess. J.R introduced the Executive Presidency and also changed the UNP constitution likewise. But unfortunately with all his shrewdness he did not realize that Ranil unlike the late Lalith Atulathmudali or Gamini Dissanayake is not capable nor has he the credibility to manage both the country and the party.

Second is Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga who made an attempt to change the constitution acceptable by all, but failed due to the greed or shortsightedness of the UNP as well as her own party people. However, she stepped down to give way to the demands of the SLFP seniors to nominate Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pity she could have done a good job, if honesty prevailed with better advisers to guide her.

Thirdly is the current President who thanks to Srimavo Bandaranaike and of course to his late mother who taught him to be honest, decent and truthful and who requested Ms Bandaranaike to make him a member of the parliament.  But never in their wildest dreams had they expected him to swindle the people of the nation.

The general public had great hopes since he was coming from a respected family being a cousin of great politician George Rajapaksa. George Rajapaksa was an honest man with integrity.  He was never a greedy man but spent his own money to serve the people.

Besides, the President did do a good job during his tenure as the labour and fisheries minister. As the opposition leader he stood up for the workers demanding their rights and voiced his opinion over injustices. Hence, his nomination to be the candidate to the executive Presidency was hailed by majority.

After the victory over terrorists with the support of the Indian Government and the Sri Lankan armed forces the public expected not only peace and harmony but improved economic wellbeing as well. But within six years the people realized that they are being taken for a ride. It was not because of the war that the cost of living had gone up but due to the poor administration and corruption. That nepotism and impunity is the norm and that crimes against women, children and the ordinary people had increased alarmingly.  People are aware that these are perpetrated by the very politicians they elected.

The very man who said that he will not allow family dynasty created the biggest Dynasty. The country is aware but since a fear psychosis has being introduced by the State with help of thugs, like Mervyn Silva,Julampitiye Amare, Duminda etc. People are forced to grin like in the bill boards that carry the President’s picture.  He little realizes that people are fed up viewing his picture and mega cut outs. In fact Premadasa too did this same mistake during his regime by promoting a personality cult.

However, it is evident by the current state of affairs the country is moving towards a fascist regime. It is all so clear by his attitude of not taking seriously or merely turning a deaf ear to demands of the civil society. Some of the blatant examples are as follows.

The tax report which was handed over to the President in 2009 was completely ignored.

No action was taken on the findings of the COPE report.

Business mafia is supported to thrive fraudulently and the share market has been messed up.

He encourages the Health Minister to continue his corrupt deals knowing very well that the health sector is in a chaotic situation. This, alarming situation was created despite Sri Lanka one time being a role model to other Asian countries with regard to health indicators.

He and his political goons have messed up the education system completely depriving children and youth of their right to education.  Theses very politicians who received free education from grade one to university are now against it.

Demands of the farmers of the country are completely ignored. Farmers are deprived of basic facilities such as water and fertilizer and are unable to engage in farming and the country’s food security is at stake.

Racial and religious intolerance is created. When mosques and churches are attacked he turns a blind eye.

Workers EPF monies are busted and he being the Finance Minister pretends that he is unaware of these corrupt deals.

Judiciary is attacked and manipulated. Law and order is a dream in this country now.

My dear voters this is what we have reaped during these last six years.  Will there be a Sri Lanka for the future generation?

Hummingbird Stories

Daughter of Eelam

August 28, 2012

10 years on: because you died, we continue to live.

The war in Sri Lanka and the suffering of the Tamils is a sadness that no longer defines me, but one deeply rooted in my identity.

I live a privileged life in Australia. My family care about social justice and believe in living with integrity and compassion. My friends are interesting, intelligent and know how to have fun. My colleagues are brave and inspiring and want to make this world a better place. My puppy gives me endless joy.

I have nothing to complain about. And I am not complaining.

So when I say the past years have been the hardest, I say this with complete awareness that the challenges I have faced are nothing compared to the cruel, unforgiving and brutal injustices that rip apart countless communities, families and individuals all over the world. But our perception of experience is a by-product of our surroundings and so feelings of sadness, anxiety and confusion exist even in relative privilege.

My story starts in August 2002 when I went with my father back to the land in which I was born – Sri Lanka.

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers, also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE, had signed a ceasefire agreement a few months earlier. My father and many others were hopeful that this time there would be no return to war.

At the time my understanding of the Tamil struggle for freedom, dignity and a homeland was limited and clouded in ignorance. I had found growing up in the West with very traditional Tamil parents difficult and confusing. I wanted to be just like my ‘white’ friends who I felt had endless freedom, while my parents did everything they could to ensure their daughter learnt and practiced the conservative culture and traditions of their community in Northern Sri Lanka. I reacted by rejecting anything related to the identity enforced upon me.

My decision to accompany my father on that trip was my peace offering to him.

The three weeks I spent in the Vanni region, the area administered by the LTTE prior to their defeat in 2009, completely changed my life.

The human suffering that I saw in the community devastated by 19 years of war was heartbreaking. I met children who were blind, deaf and dumb because their mothers had been malnourished. I carried babies that had been abandoned under trees. I cried with parents who shared stories of how their sons and daughters had died fighting.  I heard of the rapes, torture and cold blooded executions committed by the Sri Lankan armed forces. I still remember everything as if it was yesterday.

In the years that followed, I went back to the Vanni four times. I asked endless questions of everyone I met, young and old, about the Tamil struggle and survival. My understanding of the sacrifices my people have had to make and the horrors they have had to endure continued to grow. I developed a very strong attachment to the land in which I was born and a deep respect for the courage of the people fighting for their dignity.

One thought that kept haunting me was that if I had not been fortunate enough to grow up in the West, the horror stories I was hearing would have been my own.  This created a sense of guilt that externalized through my actions.

How was I to reconcile my two worlds? One a world of endless opportunities and freedom in a country which is now my home, and the other of tremendous suffering and violence inflicted upon the community into which I was born and had to flee.

March 2006 was my last trip to Sri Lanka. The rumblings of war had started by then. My friends in the Vanni said it would be the ‘final war’. Some joked that they would not be there when I returned. I didn’t believe them. I never said a proper goodbye. I never said a proper thank you for sharing their lives, their dreams, their homes, food and laughter with me. I never said a proper thank you for the sacrifices they made for my freedom.

In 2009, when the Sri Lankan Government unleashed a massacre on the Tamils in the Vanni, my father was one of the 400 000 or so people in the war zone. He miraculously survived.  More than 100 000 Tamils did not.

Three years on from the end of the war and ten years on from my trip back home, the shock, grief and guilt has subsided enough so that I am no longer overwhelmed by it. But the pain of the Tamils in Sri Lanka that I grew to love and admire, the murder of many loved ones, the near loss of my father and his continuing trauma has left very deep scars.

I am not an apologist for the felonies of the Tamil Tigers, however there is no ‘nice’ way to resist a government that indiscriminately shells hospitals, schools, churches and markets and that commits rape, torture and murder with the intention of genocide and support of the international community.

The resilience of the Tamils, their 28 year long resistance and the 64 years of ongoing ethnic persecution and brutality at the hands of the Government of Sri Lanka has become my inner core.

At a time when Tamils in Sri Lanka have been reduced to slavery and survival, and when geopolitics continues to take precedence over justice and freedom, the one thing that can’t be touched is my identity.

My name is that of an ancient Tamil script.  The Tamil language will never be forgotten.  The flag of Eelam (homeland) which I proudly stand under will always represent the sacrifices and courage of my people. My sadness will forever remind me of the responsibilities that I now carry in post war Sri Lanka to remember that there are people in this world that are oppressed, brutalised and forsaken. It is my privilege to be their voice.

And I will do this proudly as a daughter of Eelam and a sister to the Tamil resistance.

Commentary on the National Plan of Action to Implement the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission

22nd August 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has produced a commentary on the National Plan of Action to Implement the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) that welcomes the initiative by the Government to move forward on the LLRC, while pointing out gaps and problems which need to be rectified. 

 

With the formulation of the National Plan of Action to Implement the Recommendations of the LLRC (Action Plan), the Government has set out its plans for implementing some of the findings of the LLRC. The commentary examines the issues covered and the activities and processes identified in the Action Plan, and raises questions and concerns that need to be addressed if there is to be meaningful implementation of the LLRC recommendations. The commentary is accompanied by a detailed table looking at each of the recommendations that are meant to be acted upon under the Action Plan.

 

CPA has followed the LLRC process, made statements on the process and the Final Report, and proposed ways forward for implementing key recommendations of the LLRC. CPA continues in its endeavour to increase public debate and understanding of the LLRC findings and implications and to provide constructive criticism and suggestions, while continuing to engage in research and advocacy on wider processes relevant to justice, accountability, peace and reconciliation in post-war Sri Lanka. 

 

Read and download the commentary from here.

 

CPA has also produced a detailed table that examines each of the issues covered in the National Plan of Action to Implement the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (Action Plan) providing a summary of the proposed actions, responsible agencies, indicators, timeframes as well as our own comments, concerns and questions.

 

Read and download the complete table from here. 

Short Story: Celluloid Visions

By Koom Kankesan -August 31, 2012

Koom Kankesan

Rajapaksa was mad and he wasn’t going to take it any more. He was sick of all the people, his people, who questioned his government’s decisions. He was sick of the journalists who wagged their censorious fingers at him. He was sick of his own family who embarrassed him. Didn’t they know what he was trying to do out here? You try to do something great and nobody appreciates it. He was staying near the port in Hambantota for the weekend. The traffic in the port functioned beautifully and on a clear day, you could almost see straight to Madagascar.

He sat up in bed now, late at night, with the brand new 10G laptop and mobile internet stick, a small gift from the powers that be in China. He waslooking for Youtube clips of the Sri Lankan team at the London Olympics. What he found was footage of British Tamils protesting, waving their cursed red flag with the stupid face of their tiger on it. What, are the doughnut shops closed? Don’t you have anywhere to go? Rajapaksa thought irritably to himself. ‘What do we want? Justice! What do we want? Justice!’ chanted the Tamils again and again, reminding Rajapaksa of his futile time at the hotel in London. “This isn’t a Sai Baba bajan, you fools!”he muttered aloud, “think of something original to say!”

The large frame of his wife turned slowly and spoke with a croaking voice, “Go to sleep Mahinda, it’s late… put that thing away.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Miss Lanka ’73” muttered Rajapaksa and shook off her cloying arm.

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