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Sri Lanka - what next after the battles?
Written by: Amjad Mohamed-Saleem
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
A displaced Tamil girl collects water at a refugee camp in Vavuniya, September 2008. REUTERS/Stringer
There's a sense of inevitability in Sri Lanka at the moment. Each day the SMS news alerts and newspapers tell a story of an advancing Sri Lankan army venturing ever closer to Kilinochchi, the 'capital' of the Tamil Tiger rebels' self-declared homeland. Each night journalists who are embedded with the army report from the front line, mainly for the government-run or pro-government TV stations. It's almost like seeing a race in slow motion. The countdown has everyone watching with bated breath, 15km! 10km! 5km! It has now become a question of when not if. For the man on the street, it is obvious. Strike up a conversation with anyone from a taxi driver to a grocery store keeper and the tone is the same, "Our boys are getting closer. We will win!!" For the humanitarian organisations involved especially those at the front line, the 'boys' maybe getting closer, but there is still the question of the civilians, who are the real victims, ending up in the middle of something they did not start or want a part of. The recent government request for agencies to vacate to safer areas was met with some reluctance. This is understandable considering the plight of the civilians who risk getting caught in cross fire - tens of thousands are stuck in the battle zone. But the agencies' reluctance to leave was met with the usual cynicism from certain parts of the media and certain political parties who accused the agencies of trying to create a "Kosovo scenario" - ie colluding with the Tigers to bring about an independent homeland. It is a tough situation and no one knows exactly what to say or not to say. People within the humanitarian community are reluctant to comment for fear of sounding anti-state. But agencies are genuinely concerned about how to ensure the welfare and future of those who end up displaced from their homes. And what is the next step when the guns go quiet? After 20 plus years of conflict and an even greater number of years of ethnic polarisation, the wounds go deep. There will be the task of resettling people back to their homelands - both those people (mainly Tamil) who have been uprooted as a result of the current fighting and others who have been displaced far longer, in some cases for 20 years or more. They include people living in refugee camps in Putallum (mainly from the Muslim community), in camps in the east (Sinhalese or Tamil) or across the water in India (Tamil). They have lived for the last two decades or so under difficult conditions, their children have gone to school, got married and had kids of their own. What about land rights or compensation? How do you create livelihoods and build infrastructure? But, above all, the real task ahead is to reconcile the community. The years have ensured that layers of mistrust have built up. How does one begin to go about sifting through these layers? The answer has to come from the people themselves. They will have to reach deep into themselves to come up with the answers to reconcile, to forgive and to move on. That change of heart has to come from a strong spiritual foundation. The faith community and leadership, therefore, have a major role to play here. Sri Lankans are a spiritual people - no matter whether they are Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim - and it is this spirituality this has ensured harmony throughout much of the island's history. But in recent times they have lost sight of this shared spirituality by over-emphasising their differences. The conflict has divided the communities along ethnic, religious and caste differences. The success of any solution will depend on building trust, removing suspicion and eradicating the fear that prevails. There are four things in my opinion that are essential for this to happen effectively:
- Intellectual empathy
- Rationality
- Spirituality
- Faith in oneself and others
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37 responses to “Sri Lanka - what next after the battles?”
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Amjad Mohamed-Saleem is a freelance writer and consultant on development issues. He was formerly the country director of Muslim Aid in Sri Lanka where he was involved in post tsunami and conflict reconstruction work from 2005 - 2009.
He also ran the Bangladesh operations from 2006 - 2008. Amjad considers himself a global citizen, having Sri Lankan parents, being born in Nigeria, educated in Ethiopia and residing in the UK.
19 Sep 2008 16:46:22 GMT
It is unlikely this will lead to peace. The war began because of discrimination, ethnic cleansing of Tamils to make way for lebensraum for Sinhalese colonization schemes in the Tamil homeland, lack of physical security or justice for Tamils etc. long before the Tamil rebellion began, and these things have all become much worse not better.
Hence the factors that led to the civil war are worse now not better. It is unlikely the Tamils are unlikely to accept peace with discrimination, peace with injustice, peace with disappearances, and peace with torture, murder and intimidation, which is what is being offered now, any more than they did the first time round. Human beings subjected to what the Tamils have simply have no other alternative.19 Sep 2008 18:16:44 GMT
i totally agree
21 Sep 2008 10:47:18 GMT
I totally agree with PMS's point. Tamil should get autonomy. Sinhalese cannot just force Tamils to their knee and clam that they have resolved the ethnic problem. Tamils should be treated as equal citizen.
21 Sep 2008 10:47:55 GMT
The Sinhala elites who have hoodwinked the Sinhala and Tamil people have a Tamil problem in hand and not a LTTE problem. LTTE was not there in 1948, so if the LTTE is defeated, theortical speaking or the Tamil political football disappears , then the Sinhala football will be in play. We will then see the fun.
21 Sep 2008 10:49:10 GMT
It was earlier a WAR between Government & LTTE. Now after the foreceful wihdrwal of International aid organisationsfrom wanni, the situation may change that the total population in the wanni may fight (do not know how)against the government having the only choice left for them.
21 Sep 2008 10:50:00 GMT
Yes, enriched with rich Buddhist culture which accommodate and tolerate other religions and culture in a greater scale, certainly there is a way ahead for coexistence. There are nearly 30% of the Tamils living, even at this tense moment, with Sinhalese in the south. After destroying the tamil terrorism, first of all the government has to embark on the war to cleanse the maniac and utterly false opinions created by some tamils. There are no proves to say that north of the Sri Lanka is a tamil homeland. Whole country including war torn north and east regions are adorned with icons of the nation which built the civilization in the Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese. There numerous temples, tanks and irrigation systems, stone inscriptions and inscriptions in golden leaves date back to millenia are still surviving in all the parts though at dilapidated state. Tamils can leave in the entire Sri Lanka, though there are some precautions followed to! avoid LTTE intrusions in capital Colombo at present. So this opportunity will be open to all even to the north and east, where there are large percentage of unused lands with agricultural potential exist. So when settling the people government should settle sinhalese people in those regions. Another point that must be noted is LTTE could not spread down the Janakapura a sinhalese settlement closer to the Mulathive and Killinochchi, the LTTE stronholds. So to avoid future terrorist actions, settlement of Sinhalese in Northeren and eastern regions of Sri Lanka is of utmost necessity.
21 Sep 2008 10:50:34 GMT
There will not be peace unless the Govt. accepts that there is discrimination and treats tamils as equals and as citizens of Sri Lanka. What is happening is GENOCIDE of the tamils. The real fact is that the bombing,shelling,multi barrel launchers are directed at civilians deliberately. The intention is to kill as many civilians as possible, so that the rest of the tamils will be meek. Tamils cannot hope to be treated equally now or in the future. Unless International community intervenes and put a halt to the genocide, Tamils will be eradicated from Sri Lanka!!
21 Sep 2008 10:50:54 GMT
if the Govt of srilanks or the srilankan forces or the singalease thinks that when they captuared klinochi or kill Prabakaran then the tamils problem is finished., or if the govt of srilanka or any other singalease leader think can organise other ex terrorist leader like Douglas ,karuna and Pillaiyan as tamil peoples leaders then that may be a great mistake. I think another 1000 prabakan will born and no more peace of living in this tiny island. the southern politicos must see what the tamils needs from south.
21 Sep 2008 10:51:14 GMT
Some of the international community and media do either don't know or do pretend not to know that the LTTE is a terrorist organization that doesn't represent the Tamils. Those who say that the LTTE represents the Tamils insult the Tamils. There is a number of anti-terrorist Tamil groups in Sri Lanka, and they are ones that represent us the Tamils. How can I accept the LTTE that killed my kin and siblings as my representative. The LTTE is my arch-enemy.
21 Sep 2008 10:51:43 GMT
So called Tamil liberation started in early as 1920's. In 1950's Ethinic cleansing started with chasing out Sinhalese living in Northern province. . (Read Sansoni commision report). Later in 1980's Muslims living in North given 45 hours to leave. But about 50% Tamils living in Sinhales predominated areas. So who is having ethnic or race problems ? Even Colombo Tamils distrust or naive about thier Northern brothers. Do the Tamils have sole right for Northern province ? Injustice was done to others by Northern Tamils. Wonder given Tamils have thier Homeland, how many wish to live there under LTTE maniacs ?
21 Sep 2008 10:52:07 GMT
Another slaughtering of Tamils are happening front of everyone's eyes, and the world does nothing about it?? UN agencies left the area where civilians caught in the conflict,only to pave the way for Sri-Lankan government to unleash the terror on them. If Iran did something like to its civilians, this will be making headlines everywhere. Sri-Lanka with the help of anti west countries such as Iran, China and India unleasing the terror on Tamils, and US and EU just sits and watch. I think it is about time Tamils all around the world raise up than waiting for World to provide us justice!
21 Sep 2008 10:52:25 GMT
Tamils have suffered for too long. Only genuine solutions can mend the differences and the gouverment lack credibilty. They will have to come forward with out any hidden agenda to achive any lasting peace.
21 Sep 2008 10:53:09 GMT
I agree with the author in that peace will come eventually when the main cause for war - the ltte - has been decimated. Despite the exaggerations and outright lies of the tamil diaspora who actually finance the ltte, more than half the tamil population of Sri Lanka prefer to intermingle with the Sinhalese and Muslims and live in government controlled areas, as opposed to their self-proclaimed 'sole representatives' - the ltte. This is enough proof that the people of Sri Lanka are not as divided as the ltte would like them to be.
Although the government is not perfect, it should be noted that there is no policy or mandate from the government of sri lanka to discriminate or ethnically cleanse the tamils of Sri Lanka. It is a shame that such lies are being spread in western countries, so as to abuse their refugee/asylum systems, in reality for economic migration. If one tries to analyze and find facts behind the diaspora's favorite catch-phrases such as 'discrimination', 'colonization', ethnic cleansing, genocide, etc, it is evident that these are but mere concoctions. (1) discrimination - while it is true that tamils are searched more often at checkpoints and such after a terrorist attack or suicide bomb in colombo, it is because the perpetrators of such crimes belong to the ltte which is mainly comprised of tamils. If there were no such crimes, then there wouldn't be a need for checkpoints and searches. Other economic hardships (not directly resulting from the war) are common to all ethnicities in Sri Lanka as is the case with all developing countries. (2) colonization - this is a mere joke, and a rascist one at that. While the sinhalese have no problem with tamils migrating to Colombo (now a tamil majority city), the ltte has a problem with sinhalese moving to tamil majority areas. In fact, the word colonization is totally inaccurate as one cannot colonize one's own country! (3) ethnic cleansing - if the Sri Lankan government were truly practicing ethnic cleansing of tamils, why would more than half of them prefer to live in government controlled areas? (4) genocide - It is in fact the ltte who has killed more tamils than all the forces of Sri Lanka put together. It is them who have and who are committing genocide against their own people who dare to stand up to them, starting from Alphread Durraiappah, through Neelan Tiruchelvam, to Lakshman Kadiragamar and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, and today using them as human shields against the offensives of the Sri Lankan forces.21 Sep 2008 10:53:29 GMT
A reconciliation is possible only on the basis of the acceptance of the existence of two Nations in the island State which is a historical fact. It is extremely unlikely that the 'other side' which is the numerically majoritarian Sinhala Nation will accept this easily. So the only possiblity is that the war which the Tamils call a war of National Liberation will continue in some form or other until reality dawns on the minds of the Sinhalas.
21 Sep 2008 10:53:43 GMT
Tamil people can't live like slaves under the Singhales. They have no other choice but to fight for their Freedom and get their own country where Tamils can live independently as free people.
21 Sep 2008 10:54:16 GMT
Amjad has expressed a beautiful thought. Fifty years of direct experience tells me that hoping for an environment that he so simply and beautifully express will not happen. If and when the war is over, a just solution will not gain the support of the majority - not even the implementation of the current constitution. International community is not interested in safe guarding the rights of the Tamils. They want the war to end in favour of the GoSL.
The Tamils, with all the suffering that they have gone through the last fifty years, will not give up their right to self-determination and self-rule as a people, who ruled themselves before the colonial era. The majority of the Sinhala voters will not ever agree to it. Most Tamils consider the Sinhala state as colonizers of the Tamil Nation and its people in the North and East. I thank the "Stringer" for the photo of the girl carrying a bucket. Having worked with Tamil IDPs I understand her's and other's suffering. I also see in her the potential to win a medal in the London Olympics in 2012. "Hope Springs Eternal."21 Sep 2008 10:54:42 GMT
This is a very interesting article, because it is not actually based on a political openion, but on the ground situation.
Armed tamil movement has won many things that they would not have won by peaceful means. Two of the main victories are provincial council system and adding Tamil and English as official languages in the systmem. At that point, tamil leaders who had sense of reality stopped their armed struggle and joined the democratic path (ie. Douglas Devananda). However LTTE did not let the tamil people to celebrate that victory and live peacefully with the majority sinhalese people and continued its acts of terrorism to create a seperate state only for Tamils in north and east, where as majority of the tamils live in harmony with other communities in other areas. Sinhalese will never allow prabhakaran to be the Chief minister of North Province... so being the premier of Premier of Elam would be out of the question.21 Sep 2008 10:55:08 GMT
It suppose to be the land of the Buddha? Is it? Lack of visionary leadership since gaining independance was one of the, if not the, key roots of the problems. Sri Lanka is a proof of modern day anarchy and mayhem. Where a political system based on ethnic and religious divide that favours the majority and discriminates the minority, is there any hope of reconciliation? Is this is true spirit of buddhism that is entrenched in the country's constitution? Intellect capacity brings about rationality. Where is the intellect that it claims to exist? Spirituality brings about the core of human values? Where is the spirituality?
If a country that kills and maims its own citizen by treating them as aliens is not a failed state, then what is? Political opportunism, lack of political will and weak or corrupt leadership have polarised the communities to a level where healing will be extremely difficult. As a moderate Tamil who was subject to discrimination and state-sponsored violence still longing for peace with equality, respect and dignity shows there is still hope. It is the intellect capacity that makes one to think of rationality. If that rationality doesn't exist in the real world, where do I stand? Sri Lankan Tamils as a battered and bruised race in the world, what is next?21 Sep 2008 10:55:44 GMT
Mr.PCM,
You are talking about history. Well... if you really want to live in the past pls do so at your own will, but d not try to instill the negative attitude you posses on the others. Pls answer one simple question, How come 52% of the tamils live in Colombo, well mingled with the common sinhalese. How come we learn, work, Drink, and dine with tamil friends. Any ways the world will see very soon the begining of the best times for Sri Lanka, after the the elimination of the predator who has prayed on lives of SRI LANKANS irrespective of their race, cast or religion.21 Sep 2008 10:56:18 GMT
Dear PMS, The war did not begin because of discrimination by sinhalese. The seeds of war and rebellion was created by the upper cast tamils by the total and ruthless discrimination of the lower caste tamils for decades. The lower caste tamils are denied the basic human rights by the upper caste tamils. They are denied even a drink of water, banned to enter kovils(temples), denied to open shops or run any business, etc etc. The list goes on and on. That is beginning of this conflict. Of course the low caste tamils did not have the moral or physical strength to rise up against the so called Brahamins casts. But they found an easy and willing prey in the south.
The North and the East was ethnically clensed by the LTTE and not vice versa as claimed by PMS. The muslims in Jaffna was giveb 24 hours to leave and they are still languishing in make shift camps in Puttlam. Whom is PMS trying to fool ? If PMS claims of a tamil homeland, then all those tamils who colonized Kotahena and Wellwatta after 1960 must go back to their 'homeland'. The entire East was a thriving sinhala civilization for more than 2000 years. Recorded history and archeological evidence prove it. But since the sinhalese are not racists they never claim of any homeland. What Sri Lanka's problem is an economic problem and not an ethnic problem. But some tamil extremists try to portray it as an ethnic problem with the ulterior motive of creating a mono ethnic state in the North & East which the Chola invaders could not do 20 centuries ago. The sinhales are paying for being benevolant, accomadating and not being racist. If sinhalese were racist and discriminated against the tamils, this destructive war would not have been upon SriLanka today.21 Sep 2008 10:56:38 GMT
Amjad Mohamed-Saleem is day dreaming of reconciliation as many before him have. The problem in Sri Lanka is indeed the faith of âsomeâ of its people. Particularly that of the Sinhala Buddhists.
Keep thinking âhappy thoughtsâ Amjad, and may be President Rajapakse wonât arrest you and imprison you indefinitely for âunpatriotic conductâ like he has done with other independent journalists.21 Sep 2008 10:57:10 GMT
International observers of the conflict don't understand the root causes yet or choose to ignore it. The problem is that since 1948 the Sinhala masses in the south have been taught by the bhuddist monks and through lessons at school that they are the superior race on the island and the whole island belongs to the Sinhalese.This is based on a 2000 year old Mahavmasa fantasy. To them all others including the Tamils are guests on the island.
This hegemonic idealogical mindset makes it easy for Sinhala politician's to involve in ethnic outbidding during elections in the South. Each party tries to convince the Sinhala masses that they will do the worst for the Tamils. President Rajapakse was elected on such a mandate to kick the Norwegians out and restart the war. The Sinhalese still believe in a military victory over the Tamils. It will take at least 200 years and a lot of hard work to completely change this Sinhala hegemonic idealogical mindset which has been craftily nurtured by Sinhala politicians and hardline bhuddists monks. Does anyone in their right minds seriously expect Tamils to languish in serfdom and oppression on the island, unable to exercise their legitimate political aspirations in freedom until this supposed change in Sinhala ideological mindset. The unique Tamil political, economic, social, demographic and historical identity on the island which existed for hundreds of years as cohesive unit in the north and east is being systematically destroyed by the Sinhala state. What is going on in Sri Lanka currently is cultural and ethnic genocide. For the first 30 years Tamils struggled peacefully against Sinhala state aggression, discrimination and cultural, ethnic genocide. In 1977 Tamils decided enough was enough and voted overwhelmingly for RESTORATION of long lost SOVEREIGNTY of the Tamil homeland. For permanent peace the island has to revert to the two states that existed before the British unified them for administrative purposes in 1833. A true democrat will recognise and accept the DEMOCRATIC mandate of the Tamils in 1977 and 2004 and apply the Kosovo principle to the Tamils.21 Sep 2008 10:57:33 GMT
This war will not end. The boys will get closer, but will the tamil people stop funding the LTTE. Not when this government is in power. The notion that to bring peace the LTTE crushed first is nonsense. The diaspora will fund the LTTE and this will start over again.
But I agree with Amjad and all that he says needs to be done to bring the communities together. But it needs to be done now. Why do we have to wait till the LTTE is defeated?21 Sep 2008 10:58:01 GMT
The Author bases his premises on faith and spirituality, on non-violence and on 'forgive and forget' basis like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission based in S.Africa and S.America. This might be okay when the scale and type of adversity the people affected have had to endure is within healable bounds. Not so in Sri Lanka where the causes are deeply historical (post independence), violent with gross HR violations, protracted and above all, due to systemic political and administative failure of good governance by the state under a unitary system in which the majority takes all and not on the basis of equality at the citizen's level under conditions of impunity.
What the Author presents may have been possible if only the 2002 CFA was given a chance to work and built upon with the facilitation provided by Norway with Scandinavian Monitors. And look what happened. The elected PM was arbitarily sacked by an Executive President, the October 2005 elactions was won on the basis of a return to war to win votes and even at the latest Provincial Council elections in two districts the basis for winning votes by the present lot in power was "to kill every Tamil Tiger"! Where else in the world are elections won on such murderous cry? Not even Hitler, Stalin or Sadam Hussein have been credited with this demented politics. The results as things stand and likely to continue is a continuation under Sinhala military occupation in the noth and east with a contination of genocide and ethnic cleansing and state aided settlement schemes of Sinhala Buddhists in continuation of its past policies.The Indians notably saw through this web of political mangement and entered into the fray and signed the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement. But this Agreement has been rendered defunct legally and administratively by the present government. The question remains whether a total revolution of the minds of both sides is possible as a starting point? None can tell.21 Sep 2008 10:58:32 GMT
The guns will not silence until there is a fair solution which is acceptable to the Tamil minority as this is not just an ordinary minority within a united Sri Lanka. This community has the legitimate right to to decide their political status on this island trough democratic ways.
The disturbing delay of the APRC is a big blunder and will lead to nowhere. If the LTTE is defeated this does not mean that the civil distrust or root causes which created this Tamil militancy will be resolved, as the political aspiration of the Tamil people will not change. It is laughable that a majority political system is deciding what should be good for the oppressed minority within that majority system rule. The Sri Lankan government should commence peace talks with the Tamil speaking political parties on neutral grounds. If a military victory becomes feasible then the political process should have been in an advanced stage, which it currently is not, and therefore will ultimately fail. The humanitarian aid agencies have done very little to highlight the legitimate grievances of the Tamil community.21 Sep 2008 10:58:51 GMT
War on Terror started by the Bush Administration resulted in banning all the outfits with a broad brush without a deep understanding of different circumstances and background. 25 years of peaceful protests by Tamils against Sinhala Only Act and ethnic cleansing by the ethnically dominated successive governments prompted the Tamil resistance to gain strength and overwhelming support of Tamils. Defeating Tamil Tigers will result in the Sinhalese government imposing its hegemonic rules over the minorities under the existing Unitary State. During the long history of the struggle no genuine proposals were ever tabled by any government.
21 Sep 2008 10:59:15 GMT
I don't think peace will prevail after Srilankan forces (Sinhalease Army) take over tamil area. Majority sinhalease people are not concerned with any solution to tamil national issue. No sinhalease/National news paper publishing suffering of tamil people facing ariel bombardment, food shortage, torture, kidnapping etc. Sinhala leaders never offer any honourable solution (minimum is separate state within united srilanka - north/ease). Divide between sinhala & tamil is wide. Of course ethnic amicable of Colombo based sinhala/tamil people are by and large good but it cannot be compared to the whole srilanka. Definitely srilankan military/political heads will enjoy the fruits of this victory. But it will not last. Ethnic division was started in 1956 (only sinhala act). Only the thing to happen is Two separate nation. Now the question is only time. It will take 5 months/5years may be 50 years.
PANCHATCHARAM21 Sep 2008 11:00:19 GMT
Writter may have been misled by SMS alerts, so called embedded journalist who really armt men and talk on the streets. War is far from over. It has only started. Unlike the Sri Lankan State LTTE only representative of Sri Lankan Tamils know there strengths and weaknesses. Numbers is theior weakness. They withdrew upto a point where they can defend the territory they are holding in a conventional war. Now the real war has started. Current Sri Lanak sinhala Leadership has taken the conflict which is almost making a separate state is the only solution. War will end only when either separate state is formed or current govenrment loses war and then the power or all the Tamils in Sri Lanka die either in the cross fire or in direct fighting. Time will prove that this writter to be wrong and myslef correct
21 Sep 2008 19:18:10 GMT
It is a well known fact that very few Sri Lankan Tamils are supporting the LTTE whilst a majority are forced to handover money to LTTE thugs or the mafia spread across the world. Many innocent Tamils are threatened on a daily basis to extort money especially the ones who are living outside SriLanka by threatening to harm their kith and kin living in SriLanka, hence no option but to part with their hard earned money. It is quite evident that LTTE has no control over the Tamil population where they are holding hostage a mere 175,000 as human shields when a majority of Tamils numbering almost two million are living peacefully in the rest of the country. They are harmed mostly by the LTTE when any Tamil opposed to them are brutally gunned down in broad daylight whilst many have succumbed to bus bombs planted to kill innocent civilians. It is also a well know fact that LTTE use child soldiers (all of them are Tamil Citizens) and force the rest to build bunkers in exchange of food!!! Believe me, Tamils have had enough of this nonsense, although a minority of them living in luxurious surroundings in the City of Colombo or elsewhere in the world do sympathizes with the LTTE not because they care for the Tamils, but simply because they cannot accept a peaceful solution and are inhibited with racist and hateful feelings well propagated by LTTE itself.
08 Oct 2008 15:50:04 GMT
Most of the comments are talking about discriminating Tamils, hence one cannot be sure as to how this is so, it not the Tamils who cannot go to all part of Sri Lanka, itâs the Sinhalese, Muslims only. Tamils are living in all part of the island without any issue. Also, one needs to understand & really define the discrimination that Tamils are been faced with i.e. Are they not given social rights? Are they not provided with jobs for their qualifications? Are they been banded from visiting any where & everywhere? Are they been denied education? etc
One needs to really understand whatâs missing for the Tamil community Some of the people commenting on the net seem to commenting with assumption that the war will never end & that Tamil people are been forcefully brought under the control of Sinhalese, this is not at all correct under any circumstances. Tamils, Muslims, burgers & Sinhalese are working hand in hand in schools / offices & even in any sport so one must really think if Tamils are really been discriminated. Finally, the current issue of terrorism has come to existence due to irrational, narrow minded thinking & the selfish agenda of handful of people. The innocent can be made an illusionist easier than a rational thinker.29 Oct 2008 16:54:20 GMT
the war in srilanka is not only years old, but has deep roots dating back to the mahabarata and the B.C.s.The only solution to the problem in srilanka would be granting the tamil people a separate state.Also allegations that the LTTE are terrorists are absurd,baseless and outrageous,especially by the EU and the US as the LTTE have never at any one time launched an assault on any foreign soil,against any other government other than Srilanka.And it is evident that the LTTE are not a bloodthirsty lot like other terrorist groups, but are fighting for a noble cause which all other nations of the world and the USA included participated, FREEDOM. The LTTE are only a few decades late, nevertheless the US and the EU need to reconsider their stand on the LTTE,similar to the way the US reconsidered its stand on South Korea.
04 Nov 2008 17:29:36 GMT
This is the right time for the Tamils all over the world to REJECT the leadership of LTTE- the so called superemo Mr. Velupillai, and ask for amnesty and rehabilitation for his mis-led innocent cadres, in-order to save their innocent lives atleast, and WIN the hearts and minds of peace loving world leaders and general public.
06 Nov 2008 16:38:00 GMT
The LTTE have no reason to ask for amnesty and from whom??The corrupt and mismanaged Sri Lanka government??The Sri Lankan government should emerge from the shell and ask for amnesty from the World for their Genocidal deeds and discrimination.The American people have proved that there is no place for any whatsoever discrimination by electing Barack Obama,and Sri Lanka should follow suit and embrace CHANGE,if they want to be in the todays world.
07 Dec 2008 22:05:40 GMT
Once again LTTE has proved that it hasnt voluntarily opted for a military option and are still willing to talk,and ofcourse for a separate tamil land. The support from south india has indeed come at a right time,though it seems that their voice is not loud enough.The Indian government should label the groups such as the one that carried out the recent attacts in mumbai as terrorist for staging the attacks on the Indian soil an not the LTTE who have never attacked on the Indian soil.India should set the example by removing the terrorist tag of LTTE and accepting them as the represtentatives of the Tamils.
25 Jan 2009 15:32:21 GMT
This is getting scarier,of course we knew who was responsible for all the assassinations,but it did come as a surprise that there would come a dead finger to point. Now what does everybody say??They are saying everything that can be said,but with hands in the pocket.Will anyone ever tie the bell to the cats neck??
27 Jan 2009 15:09:55 GMT
Can we put the past behind? How the future will be? I agree with Danil���also to create livelihood in northeast wish least few people will survive?!
07 Feb 2009 21:21:07 GMT
I hate to say this but the future doesnt look bright to me.what initially caused the LTTE to be formed??After the govt.rectifies the cause then maybe we might see a different picture than the one we are used to seeing.A friend of mine who is an Indian asked me that 'the news is that there is a big war in Sri lanka and that people are dying' but he said that when he was watching the India Sri lanka cricket there was not even a sign of war,infact there were a lot of caucasian tourists, so whats happening??I told him that its not like in India and pakistan where terrorists spill innocent foreigners and citizens blood, for some extremist beliefs but its a war against combatants by one side and a war against democracy and ethnicity by the other side.