Comments on: Truth, more bitter than fiction for IDPs in Sri Lanka http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/ groundviews is an award winning Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:38:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: citizen http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5629 citizen Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:33:10 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5629 Lal, Firstly, the Sri Lankan diaspora also consists of a less vociferous, but intelligent and peace loving Tamils as well as Sinhalese. We need to do more to create a space for them to speak out freely - without fear of reprisal from their more -narrow ideologically driven members in both sides of the race divide. Secondly, there is no such thing as the International community and the United Nations needs to be strengthened and empowered to play a more vital and just role in the world - particularly in preventing conflicts, failing which to resolve them with, justice, fairness and sensitivity. It should not bend to the whims and fancies of powerful nations. However, I am as clueless as anyone on how this can be done in my lifetime. Thirdly, i wholeheartedly agree with you on your comments about the Sinhala community (if there is such). However, i do not agree that "there is no use of talking about this moderate[..] , peace loving general Sinhala population..." because i think they need to collectively reclaim their sovereign rights and play an active role in building a pruralistic and tolerant Sri Lanka. While the need for leadership cannot be discounted, it is important that all Sri Lankans assume responsibility for the fate of the country and contribute their best towards - not only the country but the whole world. Lal,
Firstly, the Sri Lankan diaspora also consists of a less vociferous, but intelligent and peace loving Tamils as well as Sinhalese. We need to do more to create a space for them to speak out freely – without fear of reprisal from their more -narrow ideologically driven members in both sides of the race divide.
Secondly, there is no such thing as the International community and the United Nations needs to be strengthened and empowered to play a more vital and just role in the world – particularly in preventing conflicts, failing which to resolve them with, justice, fairness and sensitivity. It should not bend to the whims and fancies of powerful nations. However, I am as clueless as anyone on how this can be done in my lifetime.
Thirdly, i wholeheartedly agree with you on your comments about the Sinhala community (if there is such). However, i do not agree that “there is no use of talking about this moderate[..] , peace loving general Sinhala population…” because i think they need to collectively reclaim their sovereign rights and play an active role in building a pruralistic and tolerant Sri Lanka.
While the need for leadership cannot be discounted, it is important that all Sri Lankans assume responsibility for the fate of the country and contribute their best towards – not only the country but the whole world.

]]> By: Lal http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5621 Lal Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:28:15 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5621 Firstly, the Tamil Diaspora is not concerned about the civilians stuck in the safe zone. They are concerned only about LTTE and Tamil Ealam .They would have easily pressurized Prabaharan to release the civilians. But they did not and will not. They live in the western luxuries and are enjoying their lives with their children. It should be a disgrace to the world Tamil community for the way some of the hooligans behave in the protests! But we Sinhalese should remember that we are responsible for creating this Tamil Diaspora. Secondly, International community and the United Nations should understand that telling the Sri Lankan regime to stop its attacks and go for a ceasefire does not make any sense. If the International community and UN are serious about this, they would and should have done something by now. The UN is another white elephant suited for diplomats to loaf around the world at the expense of others. Thirdly, Sinhalese people are very kind in nature, friendly and excellent in hospitality. But we need to look at the extremist elements in the Sinhala community. Murderous regime, which is dominated by these extreme elements, would do anything to reach their agendas through manipulation and pure slaughtering techniques. Where are the popular Sinhala peace activists these days? All are keeping silent or gone out, because of fear of death. Anyone open their mouth against these extremists will be branded as traitors and will be eliminated. So, there is no use of talking about this moderately thinking, peace loving general Sinhala population which is suppressed by the regime. Poor civilians have to pay the price for all these political dramas and for the war. We who supports (and also not opposes) this bloody war has the blood of our own people on our hands! The future of Sri Lanka depends on what kind of Sri Lankan leadership emerges from the remains of this bloodbath. The massive cost and destruction to Tamil society is evident and can been seen. But there has been huge cost to the Sinhala society as well, which is not seen and covered by the regime and the extremists in the name of patriotism. The large numbers of youth killed in the fighting and even larger numbers maimed. Because a large portion of the budget is diverted to the war and to the pockets of those in power is slowing down of social and economic development of our beautiful country. The worst destruction of all is the development of a value system in the society that can accept the cruel tragedy that is being played out on the little safe zone area in Mullaithievu as justifiable, if not inevitable… Firstly, the Tamil Diaspora is not concerned about the civilians stuck in the safe zone. They are concerned only about LTTE and Tamil Ealam .They would have easily pressurized Prabaharan to release the civilians. But they did not and will not. They live in the western luxuries and are enjoying their lives with their children. It should be a disgrace to the world Tamil community for the way some of the hooligans behave in the protests! But we Sinhalese should remember that we are responsible for creating this Tamil Diaspora.

Secondly, International community and the United Nations should understand that telling the Sri Lankan regime to stop its attacks and go for a ceasefire does not make any sense. If the International community and UN are serious about this, they would and should have done something by now. The UN is another white elephant suited for diplomats to loaf around the world at the expense of others.

Thirdly, Sinhalese people are very kind in nature, friendly and excellent in hospitality. But we need to look at the extremist elements in the Sinhala community. Murderous regime, which is dominated by these extreme elements, would do anything to reach their agendas through manipulation and pure slaughtering techniques. Where are the popular Sinhala peace activists these days? All are keeping silent or gone out, because of fear of death. Anyone open their mouth against these extremists will be branded as traitors and will be eliminated. So, there is no use of talking about this moderately thinking, peace loving general Sinhala population which is suppressed by the regime. Poor civilians have to pay the price for all these political dramas and for the war. We who supports (and also not opposes) this bloody war has the blood of our own people on our hands!

The future of Sri Lanka depends on what kind of Sri Lankan leadership emerges from the remains of this bloodbath. The massive cost and destruction to Tamil society is evident and can been seen. But there has been huge cost to the Sinhala society as well, which is not seen and covered by the regime and the extremists in the name of patriotism. The large numbers of youth killed in the fighting and even larger numbers maimed. Because a large portion of the budget is diverted to the war and to the pockets of those in power is slowing down of social and economic development of our beautiful country. The worst destruction of all is the development of a value system in the society that can accept the cruel tragedy that is being played out on the little safe zone area in Mullaithievu as justifiable, if not inevitable…

]]> By: citizen http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5617 citizen Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:52:11 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5617 stephanie, Most men and women in power in Sri Lanka don't care much for race (or even religion). They would really have little concern whether the civilians in the no-fire zone were Sinhalese or Tamil or Muslim. However, it is difficult to believe that the SLA would actually bomb and shell civilians in the no-fire zone - not merely because some of the officers at least are men of integrity and honour, but also because they are mindful of possible war-crimes allegations. Of course with no independent observers or media allowed in the battle zones, this is hard to verify either way - so instead of trying to shield the LTTE in the guise of speaking for the civilians, particularly the Tamil diaspora can do well to canvass international pressure on the government to be more transparent and accountable in carrying out the war - which their fairly claim is aimed at ending the suffering of all Sri Lankans by eradicating the LTTE. Coming back to you initial question, the only reason why the government would not hypothetically 'bomb' areas where a majority of Sinhalese live could only be because Sinhalese form a majority of the electorate, and they need the votes to get elected. The LTTE over the last 30 years have effectively disenfranchised the Tamil population in the north and deprived them of the leveraging power of their votes - and that is why they are more vulnerable to be victims today. Being a dictatorial regime, there is no incentive for the LTTE to empower Tamils and that is why it makes every sense to defeat them - first by disarming them and then by defeating their failed ideology. The government - good or bad as it may be - has all but disarmed them. However, the campaign to defeat their manic ideology must be spearheaded by intelligent and peace-loving Tamils and supported by all Sri Lankans. This includes defeating the ideologies of ultra-nationalist elements in the south which is the commission of intelligent moderates living in the south - mainly Sinhalese, but also Tamil and Muslims. stephanie,
Most men and women in power in Sri Lanka don’t care much for race (or even religion). They would really have little concern whether the civilians in the no-fire zone were Sinhalese or Tamil or Muslim.
However, it is difficult to believe that the SLA would actually bomb and shell civilians in the no-fire zone – not merely because some of the officers at least are men of integrity and honour, but also because they are mindful of possible war-crimes allegations. Of course with no independent observers or media allowed in the battle zones, this is hard to verify either way – so instead of trying to shield the LTTE in the guise of speaking for the civilians, particularly the Tamil diaspora can do well to canvass international pressure on the government to be more transparent and accountable in carrying out the war – which their fairly claim is aimed at ending the suffering of all Sri Lankans by eradicating the LTTE.
Coming back to you initial question, the only reason why the government would not hypothetically ‘bomb’ areas where a majority of Sinhalese live could only be because Sinhalese form a majority of the electorate, and they need the votes to get elected. The LTTE over the last 30 years have effectively disenfranchised the Tamil population in the north and deprived them of the leveraging power of their votes – and that is why they are more vulnerable to be victims today. Being a dictatorial regime, there is no incentive for the LTTE to empower Tamils and that is why it makes every sense to defeat them – first by disarming them and then by defeating their failed ideology. The government – good or bad as it may be – has all but disarmed them. However, the campaign to defeat their manic ideology must be spearheaded by intelligent and peace-loving Tamils and supported by all Sri Lankans. This includes defeating the ideologies of ultra-nationalist elements in the south which is the commission of intelligent moderates living in the south – mainly Sinhalese, but also Tamil and Muslims.

]]> By: kichchi http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5613 kichchi Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:15:17 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5613 rajivmw said, April 16, 2009 @ 12:53 pm Stephanie, The JVP’s insurgency was very different to the LTTE’s civil war. The former did not control vast swathes of territory and population, nor did they have a conventional military force anywhere near as sophisticated. Nor did they, for that matter, use tens of thousands of innocents as human shields. "rajivmw" has forgotten or too young to know that the JVP had Courts, had a control over the people and was in the process of controlling a territory. But then, Srimavo was too quick to obtain outside help and crush it. JVP came out in a big way and all of a sudden. They did have outside help but they could not plan out well before launching their struggle. LTTE on the other hand started in a small way and planned all the way and in the process fell out with the Regional Super Power. That is the difference. rajivmw said,

April 16, 2009 @ 12:53 pm

Stephanie,

The JVP’s insurgency was very different to the LTTE’s civil war. The former did not control vast swathes of territory and population, nor did they have a conventional military force anywhere near as sophisticated. Nor did they, for that matter, use tens of thousands of innocents as human shields.

“rajivmw” has forgotten or too young to know that the JVP had Courts, had a control over the people and was in the process of controlling a territory. But then, Srimavo was too quick to obtain outside help and crush it. JVP came out in a big way and all of a sudden. They did have outside help but they could not plan out well before launching their struggle. LTTE on the other hand started in a small way and planned all the way and in the process fell out with the Regional Super Power. That is the difference.

]]> By: bala http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5611 bala Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:04:19 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5611 stephanie - what are you saying, that GOSL should stop using the Arti guns while LTTE uses them? are u high on some thing? what kind of logic is this? shouldn;t the GOSL look at "greater good" like mentioned in US - greater good would be to eliminate the LTTE for safety of sinhal and tmails all.... the GOSL. controlled the JVP terror when they rose against democrasy. while the tmail community silently waited and supported when LTTE terror targeted thier own to satrt with... hence tamils brought this on temself by holding the tigers tail.... stephanie – what are you saying, that GOSL should stop using the Arti guns while LTTE uses them? are u high on some thing? what kind of logic is this? shouldn;t the GOSL look at “greater good” like mentioned in US – greater good would be to eliminate the LTTE for safety of sinhal and tmails all….

the GOSL. controlled the JVP terror when they rose against democrasy. while the tmail community silently waited and supported when LTTE terror targeted thier own to satrt with… hence tamils brought this on temself by holding the tigers tail….

]]> By: rajivmw http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5608 rajivmw Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:23:53 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5608 Stephanie, The JVP's insurgency was very different to the LTTE's civil war. The former did not control vast swathes of territory and population, nor did they have a conventional military force anywhere near as sophisticated. Nor did they, for that matter, use tens of thousands of innocents as human shields. So the government's responses to each cannot be compared as conveniently and childishly as you would like. As for the 'silent' south, there are in fact a great many people and organizations who doing their courageous best to ease the suffering of the war victims. But perhaps they've been drowned out by those noisy mobs in London and Oslo rallying to save the life and career of the (sun)godfather of suicide bombing. Or maybe you haven't noticed because you're too busy trying to score your middle school debating points here. Mental masturbation indeed. Stephanie,

The JVP’s insurgency was very different to the LTTE’s civil war. The former did not control vast swathes of territory and population, nor did they have a conventional military force anywhere near as sophisticated. Nor did they, for that matter, use tens of thousands of innocents as human shields. So the government’s responses to each cannot be compared as conveniently and childishly as you would like.

As for the ’silent’ south, there are in fact a great many people and organizations who doing their courageous best to ease the suffering of the war victims. But perhaps they’ve been drowned out by those noisy mobs in London and Oslo rallying to save the life and career of the (sun)godfather of suicide bombing.

Or maybe you haven’t noticed because you’re too busy trying to score your middle school debating points here. Mental masturbation indeed.

]]> By: stephanie http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5606 stephanie Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:19:59 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5606 haha..., pavum for you java... can't answer the question and so you run away... the silence in the 'south' is deafening... the anonymous blogging on these SL site notwithstanding - which reach less than 1% of the SL population and are really meant for the western, liberal audience (that funds sanjana & CPA), the Tamil diaspora and the expat sinhala elite... your mental masturbation doesn't count as dissent MLK said, "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends..." the tamils will remember... haha…, pavum for you java…
can’t answer the question and so you run away…

the silence in the ’south’ is deafening… the anonymous blogging on these SL site notwithstanding – which reach less than 1% of the SL population and are really meant for the western, liberal audience (that funds sanjana & CPA), the Tamil diaspora and the expat sinhala elite… your mental masturbation doesn’t count as dissent

MLK said, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends…”

the tamils will remember…

]]> By: Java Jones http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5603 Java Jones Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:03:37 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5603 Stephanie - If you read some of the posts I did on the government's attitude and actions with regard to their policies regarding the ethnic conflict you will probably realize that I am more sympathetic to the victims of their harassment and idiotic policies than I am to them. Also, your lumping all folk who live in Colombo as 'Colombites' and implying that all of them are 'cowards' and are supporting the GOSL in its treatment of IDPs, just reflects your biased and ludicrous views. I don't live in Colombo, although I have in the past, so what does that make me - an ex-Colombite? I find your reasoning and 'argument' to be puerile and have no time to engage is such bullshit, so give it a break and go find someone else of your mentality to have your childish discourse with. You are welcome to your views - banal as they are. I don't have more time to waste on you. Stephanie – If you read some of the posts I did on the government’s attitude and actions with regard to their policies regarding the ethnic conflict you will probably realize that I am more sympathetic to the victims of their harassment and idiotic policies than I am to them. Also, your lumping all folk who live in Colombo as ‘Colombites’ and implying that all of them are ‘cowards’ and are supporting the GOSL in its treatment of IDPs, just reflects your biased and ludicrous views. I don’t live in Colombo, although I have in the past, so what does that make me – an ex-Colombite?

I find your reasoning and ‘argument’ to be puerile and have no time to engage is such bullshit, so give it a break and go find someone else of your mentality to have your childish discourse with. You are welcome to your views – banal as they are. I don’t have more time to waste on you.

]]> By: stephanie http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5602 stephanie Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:28:44 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5602 no they wouldn't - they'd have better means ;) now please don't be a coward (whoops, sorry, i forgot you're a colomboite - it's part and parcel of who you are) and answer the question... when the govt (UNP) went after the JVP they DID NOT heard the people into a narrow strip of land and bomb and shell them. they instead used death squads that targeted INDIVIDUALS and SECTIONS of society... please name one instance that where heavy weapons and aerial bombardment were used against the JVP and the collateral damage was in the thousands. no they wouldn’t – they’d have better means ;)

now please don’t be a coward (whoops, sorry, i forgot you’re a colomboite – it’s part and parcel of who you are) and answer the question…

when the govt (UNP) went after the JVP they DID NOT heard the people into a narrow strip of land and bomb and shell them. they instead used death squads that targeted INDIVIDUALS and SECTIONS of society…

please name one instance that where heavy weapons and aerial bombardment were used against the JVP and the collateral damage was in the thousands.

]]> By: Java Jones http://www.groundviews.org/2009/04/11/truth-more-bitter-than-fiction-for-idps-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comment-5595 Java Jones Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:38:05 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1184#comment-5595 Stephanie - No, it's not a cop out. I find it difficult to answer questions out of context and without substance to base my answer on. However, it may be appropriate to reflect on what the GOSL did to the Sinhala youth who were allegedly involved in the JVP happenings in '87. That was a 'slaughter' too! Here's a question of the same type for you: Reverse the roles and do you think the LTTE would shell & bomb them…? answer the question… YES or NO? you know the answer and the rest of us know it too… why not just admit it… answer the question can you? Stephanie – No, it’s not a cop out. I find it difficult to answer questions out of context and without substance to base my answer on. However, it may be appropriate to reflect on what the GOSL did to the Sinhala youth who were allegedly involved in the JVP happenings in ‘87. That was a ’slaughter’ too!

Here’s a question of the same type for you:

Reverse the roles and do you think the LTTE would shell & bomb them…?

answer the question…

YES or NO?

you know the answer and the rest of us know it too…

why not just admit it…

answer the question

can you?

]]>