Archive for Jaffna
July 3, 2009 at 6:15 am · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, English, Human Rights, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Post-War | by Lionel Bopage
[Editors note: This is a detailed response to over 30 comments left on Sri Lanka: Is the war really over? and read over 2,500 times to date.]
Though several comments made on my article were not directly related to the topic, I wish to respond to some of the issues that have been raised.
The lop-sided comments about the JVP do neither take into account the context nor the causes for their insurrections. Political violence in Sri Lanka cannot be properly understood without recognizing its complex relationship with the socio-political establishment. When social groups vied for access to state power or when they demanded their just rights, the state used repressive and violent force against them. The political …
June 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Post-War, Trincomalee | by Tanuja Thurairajah
It is a much analysed fact that the Tamils of Sri Lanka under the guidance of its leadership have missed many historically defined opportunities, in laying the foundation towards creating a decent future for their political aspirations and self determination. The 50 – 50 representation in Parliament instead of a federal constitution, a claim that seemed rightfully unreasonable to the Sinhalese; the vote in favour of the Citizenship Act of 1948 that deprived the citizenship of the plantation Tamils which was instrumental in conceiving the impression of the Tamils as lacking moral conviction and as being egocentric; the Sinhalese Only law of 1956; the Referendum of December 1982 leading to the subsequent 1983 racial riots and the Indo-Lanka Accord …
May 25, 2009 at 6:18 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Dayan Jayatilleka
The degree of denial of Prabhakaran’s death within the expatriate Tamil consciousness is the best evidence of the pathology of Tamil ultra-nationalism. Rohana Wijeweera’s followers were fanatics, but when their leader was gone, they did not go into mass denial. The hardcore elements of the Tamil Diaspora really have to get their heads around it: Elvis has left the building. The Sun God has set, and his son won’t be rising either.
The Tigers were among the best known brands in the terrorist universe and by defeating them so completely and utterly Sri Lanka and its armed forces have made a contribution to regional and global security and stability. They have made an example of the Tigers …
May 23, 2009 at 10:13 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Foreign Relations, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Darini Rajasingham Senanayake
Spontaneous street parties broke out, fireworks crackled in the air and strangers offered flowers to soldiers to celebrate the news in Colombo – Asia’s Idi Amin was no more! One of the Indian subcontinent’s longest wars was at an end. The day before, street parties in New Delhi had celebrated the victory of the Congress Party in the elections that marked the maturing of Indian democracy and the fact that the Tamil Nadu electorate had a sophisticated view of the situation in Sri Lanka. It is, hence, to be hoped that India, the regional superpower, will play an effective role to ensure peace with justice for the minorities in Sri Lanka.
The victory of the Congress Party was a victory for …
May 22, 2009 at 4:15 pm · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Media, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Nazeeya Faarooq
A group of men are standing in an outdoor location. They are grinning and laughing and are triumphant but most importantly of all, they exude an air of victory. The camera pans out to reveal four or so neatly arranged bodies on the grass in front of them. The men pass a dog tag amongst themselves, they finger it, look closely at it and ask an unseen photographer to take photographs. There is an air of jubilation.
I have seen this sort of picture before. Old photographs of colonial masters in Asia and Africa holding rifles aloft, an air of triumph and victory on their faces, their trophies displayed before them. Often there are two native bearers, flanking the …
May 21, 2009 at 8:03 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Chatu
On the 19th of May 2009, the Sri Lankan president announced that the 27 year old civil war was finally over, that the LTTE as a military entity ceases to exist. This sparked feverish celebrations all over Sri Lanka last seen when Arjuna Ranatunage scored the winning run against Australia to win the World Cup in 96. The defeat of LTTE, the world’s 2nd most dangerous terrorist organisation, (which is well funded by the Tamil Diasporas) is by no means a simple task and should make any Sri Lankan extremely proud.
However, what are we celebrating? Defeating an entity we forced into existence? Are the reasons that forced a young Prabhakaran to assassinate the Mayor of Jaffna resolved? Is Sri …
May 20, 2009 at 12:41 pm · Categories: English, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Vasuki Nesiah
Yesterday we were given a body whose death left me strangely numb. While it was a man whose brutality I condemned, it was not a death that I could celebrate. It was not only that the event came to us bearing the stench of fresh blood from the camps and battlefields of the Vanni - but it was also all the talk that Prabaharan got what was ‘due’ and that this was ‘poetic justice’ for someone who lived by the sword to die by the sword.
Rather, the enormity of what Prabaharan had robbed us of is not susceptible to easy equations. Even in the last months there have been thousands killed through Prabaharan’s death dance with Rajapakse. Moreover, …
May 20, 2009 at 8:24 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Human Rights, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Trincomalee, Vavuniya | by Amali Wedagedara
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which claimed to be the sole representatives of Tamil people, one of the most feared and considered as one of the most ruthless terrorist organizations in the world is vanquished. LTTE guerillas who once considered them in an equal footing with the SLA are silenced with their first and second rung leaders all killed. One of the bloodiest civil wars ended with all the due recognition given to the political will and determination to engage devoid of dithering in the face of the pressure of the IC and courage of Sri Lankan armed forces. People are in a jubilant mood relieved to have got rid of fear and destruction of war. That …
May 19, 2009 at 8:38 am · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, English, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Trincomalee, Vavuniya | by Nalaka Gunawardene
The long and bloody Sri Lankan war is over, and not a moment too soon. I really want to believe it. The alternative is too depressing to consider.
Of course, there is no independent verification – it has been a war without witnesses for the past many months, with no journalists or humanitarian workers allowed access. We know that history is written by victors, not losers. I am willing to take a leap of faith if that’s what we need to usher in the long-elusive peace.
As we stand on the threshold of peace, I am overwhelmed with memories of our collective tragedy. I hope we can once again resume our long suspended dreams for a better today and tomorrow.
I …
May 18, 2009 at 5:42 pm · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Trincomalee, Vavuniya | by groundviews
From the Ministry of Defence website:
LTTE defeated; Sri Lanka liberated from terror
Sri Lankan armed force have militarily defeated the LTTE and freed the nation from three decades of terror, Army Chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka announced.
Meanwhile, defence sources on the battlefront said all top LTTE leaders were believed to be killed during their abortive attempt to flee from advancing troops this morning (May 18). According to the sources, troops have found a burnt body suspected to be of LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran. However, the sources said that positive identification is yet to be made.
Also, unconfirmed sources revealed that LTTE’s intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman and Sea Tiger wing leader Soosai were killed in today’s …
May 11, 2009 at 6:40 am · Categories: Batticaloa, Colombo, English, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Trincomalee, Vavuniya | by Citizen
We are reading about war crimes and ethnic cleansing on an unimaginable scale. I wonder when these artillery shells will stop raining upon our people and whether there will be justice for the victims.
May 7, 2009 at 7:21 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Human Rights, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by groundviews
Vikalpa Video asked the spokesperson of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Nishantha Warnasinghe for his opinion on whether the LTTE was really finished and the war over in Sri Lanka. This video was viewed over 4,000 times in less than 24 hours after it was uploaded to Vikalpa’s YouTube Channel.
Nishantha’s opinion in Sinhala:
Transcript in English:
Right now we are seeing the end of the humanitarian operations initiated by the Sri Lankan Army. After Puthumathalan is completely freed, I believe they intend to finish off the LTTE leaders. After that, I believe that in the near future, we can create the …
May 3, 2009 at 12:14 am · Categories: Constitutional Reform, English, Human Rights, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Vavuniya | by Sanjana
“I would accept 50,000 dead to finish the LTTE. That’s what it comes down to. And I would, to end that war.”
This is a verbatim excerpt from an email I got today from a prominent blogger in Sri Lanka. Truth be told, we have all heard this argument of late - sometimes in hushed whispers, at other times a loud and bold statement of patriotism. Some see merit in it, suggesting that since the LTTE is inextricably entwined with the civilian population, only a scorched earth policy can guarantee remaining cadres in the Vanni will be eliminated.
Others are outraged by the idea, and point to sickening videos of injured and dismembered children, the LTTE’s use of thermobaric weapons, and …
April 26, 2009 at 12:55 am · Categories: Constitutional Reform, English, Human Rights, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Jaffna, Media, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Sanjana
I recently interviewed Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council. Jehan is also a columnist for the Daily Mirror and the Lanka Monthly Digest in Colombo. He holds a Doctor of Law degree from Harvard Law School and a BA in economics from Harvard College.
Based on his significant experience as a civil society activist, I asked Jehan whether NGOs in particular had fostered any appreciable difference in the quality of governance in Sri Lanka. Jehan stated that after a quarter century of working in civil society, he was acutely aware how little impact it had in shaping the …
April 25, 2009 at 12:28 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Human Rights, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Politics, Vavuniya | by groundviews
For anyone concerned with the plight of innocent civilians, the reports from the North are depressing. The latest ‘avalanche (!?) is yet to be fully screened, searched, scrubbed and bleached for any LTTE connections and corralled into what the Government calls ‘welfare centers’. As to what awaits these men, women and children, thereafter and for how long is not clear at this point in time. But every one agrees that it is going to be a tough and miserable time for them.
As usual, despite knowing that there is going to be a large number of people displaced, in fact demanding such a displacement for a long time, the Government is woefully and recklessly underprepared to receive and take care of …
April 24, 2009 at 8:52 am · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict, Vavuniya | by Global Citizen
For over three decades, we have bombed and shot each other, split our tears and shed them only for ‘our own’, split our joys and celebrated as ‘their’ mothers, wives and children cried. This war will not end when the last shot if fired.
Let us not wait till the last shot is fired. Let us not wait for tomorrow… for the ‘war’ to ‘end’ to realise that we are but branches of the same family tree. Those who would have been our friends, and relatives if only we had not let murderous guns separate us, lie without shelter, unclothed, maimed, bloody and hopeless. They need us now.
So even while those on many shores protest and shout slogans, …
April 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm · Categories: Colombo, English, Jaffna, Media, Peace and Conflict, Politics | by Darini Rajasingham Senanayake
On 24 April 2005 Dharmaratnam Sivaram, (‘Taraki’) editorial board member of the website Tamilnet, was found shot dead from gunshot wounds to the head several hours after four unidentified persons had abducted him from a restaurant opposite a Police station on Colombo’s Galle Road. His murder, which followed weeks of threats, is as yet “unsolved.”
Four years after his death, it is instructive to revisit his politics and draw lessons from a life lived amidst violence. Mark Whitaker’s Learning Politics from Sivaram: The Life and Death of a Revolutionary Tamil Journalist (Pluto Press, 2006) is an extended and moving act of mourning and meditation for Sivaram, and arguably the …
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