Sri Lanka - News and Discussion

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 02 Dec 2010 18:42

^ Remember reading interview from him explaining his stand.

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 02 Dec 2010 19:28

Wikileaks: SUBJECT: SRI LANKA WAR-CRIMES ACCOUNTABILITY: THE TAMIL PERSPECTIVE

Friday, 15 January 2010, 12:23
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 000032
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB
EO 12958 DECL: 01/15/2020
TAGS PGOV, PREL, PREF, PHUM, PTER, EAID, MOPS, CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA WAR-CRIMES ACCOUNTABILITY: THE TAMIL
PERSPECTIVE
REF: A. 09 COLOMBO 1180 B. COLOMBO 8
COLOMBO 00000032 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D)

¶1. (S) SUMMARY: There have been a few tentative steps on accountability for crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lankan troops and civilian officials during the war with the LTTE. President Rajapaksa named a committee to make recommendations to him on the U.S. incidents report by April, and candidate Fonseka has discussed privately the formation of some form of “truth and reconciliation” commission. Otherwise, accountability has not been a high-profile issue -- including for Tamils in Sri Lanka. While Tamils have told us they would like to see some form of accountability, they have been pragmatic in what they can expect and have focused instead on securing greater rights and freedoms, resolving the IDP question, and improving economic prospects in the war-ravaged and former LTTE-occupied areas. Indeed, while they wanted to keep the issue alive for possible future action, Tamil politicians with whom we spoke in Colombo, Jaffna, and elsewhere said now was not time and that pushing hard on the issue would make them “vulnerable.” END SUMMARY.
ACCOUNTABILITY AS A POLITICAL ISSUE
-----------------------------------
¶2. (S) Accountability for alleged crimes committed by GSL troops and officials during the war is the most difficult issue on our bilateral agenda. (NOTE: Both the State Department Report to Congress on Incidents during the Conflict and the widely read report by the University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) also detailed many incidents of alleged crimes perpetrated by the LTTE. Most of the LTTE leadership was killed at the end of the war, leaving few to be held responsible for those crimes. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is holding thousands of mid- and lower-level ex-LTTE combatants for future rehabilitation and/or criminal prosecution. It is unclear whether any such prosecutions will meet international standards. END NOTE.) There have been some tentative steps on accountability on the GSL side. Soon after the appearance of the State Department report, President Rajapaksa announced the formation of an experts’ committee to examine the report and to provide him with recommendations on dealing with the allegations. At the end of the year, the president extended the deadline for the committee’s recommendations from December 31 until April. For his part, General Fonseka has spoken publicly of the need for a new deal with the Tamils and other minorities. Privately, his campaign manager told the Ambassador that Fonseka had ordered the opposition campaign to begin work planning a “truth and reconciliation” commission (ref .
¶3. (S) These tentative steps notwithstanding, accountability has not been a high-profile issue in the presidential election -- other than President Rajapaksa’s promises personally to stand up to any international power or body that would try to prosecute Sri Lankan war heroes. While regrettable, the lack of attention to accountability is not surprising. There are no examples we know of a regime undertaking wholesale investigations of its own troops or senior officials for war crimes while that regime or government remained in power. In Sri Lanka this is further complicated by the fact that responsibility for many of the alleged crimes rests with the country’s senior civilian and military leadership, including President Rajapaksa and his brothers and opposition candidate General Fonseka.
THE TAMIL PERSPECTIVE
---------------------
COLOMBO 00000032 002.2 OF 003
¶4. (S) For different reasons, of course, accountability also has not been a top priority for most Tamils in Sri Lanka. While Tamils have told us they would like to see some form of accountability, they have been pragmatic in what they can expect and have focused instead on securing greater rights and freedoms, resolving the IDP question, and improving economic prospects in the war-ravaged and former LTTE-occupied areas. Indeed, while they wanted to keep the issue alive for possible future action, Tamil leaders with whom we spoke in Colombo, Jaffna, and elsewhere said now was not time and that pushing hard on the issue would make them “vulnerable.”
¶5. (S) The one prominent Tamil who has spoken publicly on the issue is Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, self-proclaimed presidential candidate, and Prabhakaran relative M.K. Sivajilingam. Breaking from both the TNA mainstream and the pro-government Tamil groups, he launched his campaign because he believed neither the government nor the opposition was adequately addressing Tamil issues. Sivajilingam has focused on creating a de-centralized federal structure in Sri Lanka with separate prime ministers for the Sinhalese and Tamils, but he also has spoken about accountability, demanding an international inquiry to get justice for the deaths and suffering of the Tamil people.
¶6. (S) Other Tamil politicians have not made public statements on accountability and are generally more pragmatic in their thinking. In our multiple recent discussions with TNA leader R. Sampanthan, he said he believed accountability was important and he welcomed the international community’s -- especially the diaspora’s -- interest in the issue. But Sampanthan was realistic about the dim prospects for any Sri Lankan government to take up the issue. Granting that governments in power do not investigate their own, Sampanthan nevertheless said it was important to the health of the nation to get the truth out. While he believed the Tamil community was “vulnerable” on the issue and said he would not discuss “war crimes” per se in parliament for fear of retaliation, Sampanthan would emphasize the importance of people knowing the truth about what happened during the war. We also have asked Sampanthan repeatedly for his ideas on an accountability mechanism that would be credible to Tamils and possible within the current political context, but he has not been able to provide such a model.
¶7. (S) Mano Ganesan, MP and leader of the ethnic Tamil Democratic People’s Front (DPF), is a Colombo-based Tamil who counts as supporters many of the well-educated, long-term Colombo and Western Province resident Tamils, and was an early supporter of Fonseka. The general made promises that convinced him that if Fonseka were to win, ethnic reconciliation issues would then be decided by parliament, not the Executive President. On accountability, Ganesan told us that while the issue was significant XXXXXXXXXXXX accountability was a divisive issue and the focus now had to be on uniting to rid the country of the Rajapaksas.
¶8. (S) TNA MP Pathmini Sithamparanathan told us in mid-December that the true story of what happened in the final weeks of the war would not go away and would come out eventually, but she also said now was not the time for war crimes-type investigations. Finally, on a recent trip to Jaffna, PolOff found that local politicians did not raise accountability for events at the end of the war as an issue of immediate concern, focusing instead on current bread-and-butter issues, such as IDP releases, concerns about Sinhala emigration to traditional Tamil regions, and
COLOMBO 00000032 003.2 OF 003
re-developing the local economy.
COMMENT
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¶9. (S) Accountability is clearly an issue of importance for the ultimate political and moral health of Sri Lankan society. There is an obvious split, however, between the Tamil diaspora and Tamils in Sri Lanka on how and when to address the issue. While we understand the former would like to see the issue as an immediate top-priority issue, most Tamils in Sri Lanka appear to think it is both unrealistic and counter-productive to push the issue too aggressively now. While Tamil leaders are very vocal and committed to national reconciliation and creating a political system more equitable to all ethnic communities, they believe themselves vulnerable to political or even physical attack if they raise the issue of accountability publicly, and common Tamils appear focused on more immediate economic and social concerns. A few have suggested to us that while they cannot address the issue, they would like to see the international community push it. Such an approach, however, would seem to play into the super-heated campaign rhetoric of Rajapaksa and his allies that there is an international conspiracy against Sri Lanka and its “war heroes.” BUTENIS

svenkat · Post by **svenkat** » 03 Dec 2010 20:30

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tv-an ... o/719807/0

Very disturbing news.If true,it will unleash a storm.Lanka has to punish the involved criminals in an exemplary way,for justice and reconciliation.This is assuming that the footage is true.

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 03 Dec 2010 20:52

extremely sad and tragic!

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 09 Dec 2010 16:47

India Commits USD 100 million for Sri Lankan Navy Enhancements

Rupesh · Post by **Rupesh** » 12 Dec 2010 17:34

Sri Lanka scraps Tamil version of its national anthem

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has scrapped the Tamil version of its national anthem at official and state functions, a move likely to further alienate the ethnic Tamils in the country.

Now the national anthem--'Sri Lanka matha....' can only be rendered in the majority Sinhala language at official functions, the Sri Lankan cabinet decided.

The decision was taken at the last cabinet meeting headed by the President Mahinda Rajapksha, who pointed out that no country in the world uses the national anthem in other than one language, the 'Sunday Times' reported today.

"The move will mean that the current Tamil version will no longer be played at any official or state functions"

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 12 Dec 2010 17:58

no country in the world uses the national anthem in other than one language

Utter nonsense. A number of nations use multi-language anthems.

Anthems are symbols and by doing this the Lankan cabinet is saying that Tamils have no place in Lanka. This is the message that the rest of the world will read into this symbolic act. The Lankan cabinet seems intent on losing what little support they have in the international community.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Dec 2010 11:50

Tamil is one of the Official languages of Lanka as per Wiki at least. That being the case scraping the Tamil version of the language seems to be unconstitutional.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 13 Dec 2010 12:08

Did they take this decision by them self? Or they were talked into it? Slowly india is loosing hold on SL

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 14 Dec 2010 17:49

Well,we have only one version.No one complains.However,if there has been a multi-lingual anthem in the island for a long time,its removal is asinine PR.Many moons ago,JR Jayawardene tried to do something similarly stupid after the '83 riots.His stunt was an "oath" of loyalty to the state which every citizen had to take! Yet,the tri-lingual official forms that the GOSL uses and tri-lingual cabin announcements by the national airline go a long way in showing the world how the GOSL cares for all its citizens regardless of ethnic origin.Pres.Rajapakse would do well to let the existing anthem method remain if he wishes to retain the loyalty of not just his northern Tamils,as all (non-Eelam) Tamils in the island would feel slighted at this new directive.

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 15 Dec 2010 17:53

Tamil Maiyam, founded by Christian priest Jegath Gasper Raj, in which Kanimozhi is a director, was raided.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ra ... ed_1481596

For folks who dont recall, Jegath casper is the guy who returned from south africa to fight for tamils in sri lanka. And started yapping endlessly about HR violations this that and essentially became a "leading voice" overnight of the Tamil crisis in SL. As they say, follow the money and all the crooks shall be found, wonderful. More power to Radia-gate.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 16 Dec 2010 06:36

PM, Chidambaram and Karunanidhi on LTTE hit list

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pm-ch ... 101215.htm

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is almost on the verge of a wipe out, is trying to regroup and planning to launch spectacular strikes on high-profile targets like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ], Home Minister P Chidambaram [ Images ] and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi [ Images ].

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Dec 2010 11:20

Philip wrote:Well,we have only one version.No one complains.However,if there has been a multi-lingual anthem in the island for a long time,its removal is asinine PR.Many moons ago,JR Jayawardene tried to do something similarly stupid after the '83 riots.His stunt was an "oath" of loyalty to the state which every citizen had to take! Yet,the tri-lingual official forms that the GOSL uses and tri-lingual cabin announcements by the national airline go a long way in showing the world how the GOSL cares for all its citizens regardless of ethnic origin.Pres.Rajapakse would do well to let the existing anthem method remain if he wishes to retain the loyalty of not just his northern Tamils,as all (non-Eelam) Tamils in the island would feel slighted at this new directive.

All of Mahinda's actions until now reek of petty-minded vindictiveness. I doubt if the Sinhala's can come over their 'tit-for-tat'ism without some external inputs. The entire lankan problem started with Govi thuggery and abuse of Lankan minorities during the 40s and 50s which again exacerbated during 83. These people still are intent on continuing on the same path. It now seems the LTTE was all this while only 25% of the 'actual problem' except during the 'talks & war phase' when they were 50% of the problem.

Correct me if I am wrong but hasn't all the cases of genocide in Sri Lanka till date been mainly credited to the Sinhalas. Esp the instances before the war and after the war.

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Dec 2010 11:31

this so-called brother of the president. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa doesn't seem to be fighting the war just to win. There is the whole angle of 'settling of scores' and 'showing who is boss' lurking beneath the whole war to eliminate the world's most famous terrorist organization. They are teaching the 'demalas' a lesson and putting them in their place undercurrent to this whole lankan post-war affair which is very unfortunate.

Mahinda Rajapakse came to India often and tried to give the impression of being dharmic, while he was encouraging his genocidal brother back home.

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 28 Dec 2010 14:07

India, Sri Lanka to Conduct Joint Naval Exercises in 2011

Stan_Savljevic · Post by **Stan_Savljevic** » 02 Jan 2011 08:47

Sri Lanka erases colonial name, Ceylon
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12099596

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 10 Jan 2011 15:27

Wiki on the LTTE's negotiating tactics,always demanding "more'.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/8908-ltt ... sions.html

LTTE wanted more concessions Monday, 10 January 2011 05:35 1 2 3 4 5 ( 1 Vote )
A top secret diplomatic cable made public by Wikileaks reveals that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) left peace talks with Sri Lankan government in a tactical move to “get more concessions”.

Although the then United National Party (UNP) government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, had given more than enough concessions to the terror outfit, the Tigers had confessed to Japan that the terror group suspended peace talks with the motive of getting more concessions
.
This remark was made by none other than Tiger’s Chief Ideologue Anton Balasingham himself, who along with Tiger Supremo Vellupillai Prabhakaran met Japanese envoy Akashi and Japanese Ambassador Seiichiro Otsuka on May 7. Ambassador Otsuka provided US Ambassador Wills a readout of the Kilinochchi talks early May 8.

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/01/1 ... -arrested/
Lankans war in Cyprus!

Sri Lankans Arrested
Cyprus media have reported that the police in Cyprus have arrested nine Sri Lankans in connection with the violent clashes that took place on Thursday night in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Six were reportedly arrested on Friday afternoon, with a further three later on Friday night. All nine went to Nicosia district court and have been remanded in custody for six days.
Three people were hospitalized after the clashes, with two head injuries and one hand injury.
A police spokesperson has said that they did not plan to make any further arrests over the violence, which reportedly involved around 20 individuals.

However the causes of the incident are still under investigation.
Thursday’s clash in Ayios Dhometios involved 20 people, believed to be foreigners, wielding swords, bats and Molotov bombs, one of which was thrown into a house, causing it to erupt in flames. A car windshield was also smashed.
Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos has said, “Such behaviour will not be tolerated… Those who are being hosted on the soil of the Republic of Cyprus have a legal obligation to comply with the rules and the laws of the state that hosts them.”

Dharma · Post by **Dharma** » 13 Jan 2011 10:20

Chennai: An Indian fisherman was killed and another injured after the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire mid sea close to the Tamil Nadu coast.

The fishermen were from Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu.

The body of the fisherman is kept at the government hospital in Pudukottai.

More details are awaited.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/india ... fire-79000

I think its about time we put all the non sense of our bottleneck foreign policy behind us and use our navy to reciprocate in kind with interest..so to do let our so called friendly neighbor know that this non sense cannot go on forever..only if reactions are severe this sort of thing wont happen..do we need such coward allies who fire at unarmed indian fishermen?what if we did the same to them?is it acceptable?

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 13 Jan 2011 16:51

If you speak-as I did, to a senior officer of the CG,you will find that it is not all that simple-a case of an innocent fisherman being killed.Both before and after the end of the Eelam War,vast smuggling activities has been taking place between India and SL.These include drug running and other more serious kinds of activities then just the transportation of white goods and consumables like ciggies,booze,petrol,etc.This is apart from fishermen chasing lucrative marine catch across the maritime boundary and getting caught.When this occurs at night,it has previously been the case of shooting first and enquiring later.The threat from rogue LTTE elements (assassins) sneaking into SL has not ceased,as TN has now become the haven for neo-Eelamists using the patronage of pro-LTTE TN politicos.While the war had ended the neo-Eelamists are supposedly trying to kickstart their malevolent campaign though selctive terrorism and assassiantions are the easiest methods of keeping the Eelam flame alive.This is an ever present danger even though the LTTE was exterminated with extreme prejudice by the Rajapakse regime.

One answer as to how to stop "innocents" from being killed is for joint patrolling by Indian and Lankan maritime forces.This must be done now as the war is over and the Indian navy or CG will not be fighting "Tamils", so that there is no doubt as to the truth of the incident.In an above report future joint exercises are to be carried out between both navies.This is welcome news and will go a long way in preventing the PLAN from gaining a foothold in the island.I suggest that this is accelerated and to begin with patrolling of the MB together to ease the minds of genune fisherfolk practising their ancient occupation.This is also required as the ferry services are about to restart between India and Lanka from Tuticorin and Rameswaram/Mannar.Nevertheless,India and Lanka have signed agreements with respect to fishing activities on both sides.These must be scrupulously maintained.Huge fines and confiscation of vessels can be a warning to would-be to gun-runners and dope peddlars.

arun · Post by **arun** » 13 Jan 2011 21:27

India summons Lanka High Commissioner over fisherman shooting incident

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 20 Jan 2011 17:33

With the denial from the Lankans that their navay was not involved,is smeone "stirring the pot"? The incident could very well be one committed by entities inimical to good Indo-Lankan relations or even the smugglng gangs that used to operate with impunity pre-Eelam war days.In recent times there have been a flurry of Indian service chiefs and high profile visitors to the island,belated visitors trying hard to increase Indian influence in the country after we allowed it to slip into Sino-Paki hands! How far the Lankan govt. has gone in selling the country for a fistful of dollars and the inoads the Chinese have made can be seen from this Lankan news report.

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/01/16/born-suckers/

It was announced recently that Shangri-la had been ‘sold’ 12 acres of land at Army Headquarters opposite Galle Face. Days later, last Thursday it was announced that Cabinet had approved the sale of another huge block of land, again at Galle Face to China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation to build a multifunctional complex comprising of a five star hotel and a shopping mall.
It is an open secret that the days when powerful countries fought wars to conquer other less powerful countries are long gone. Now the same goals are achieved through the use of economic firepower. The Chinese have already got a firm foothold in Hambantota through the port it is now building there. From this vantage point they can easily monitor the shipping traffic in the Indian Ocean – the veritable jewel in the Chinese’ ‘String of Pearls.’ What the Chinese lacked was a firm foothold in the commercial capital and now it seems the Government of Sri Lanka has given it too, on a platter.
State land does not belong to the Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa to dispose as they please. State lands belong to the people of Sri Lanka and it is held in trust on their behalf, by the government of the day. How does selling, for example, say the Timber Corporation differ from selling a part of Galle Face to the Chinese? How does this government define the word ‘privatisation’? When one of the most prime assets of the country such as a part of Galle Face or Army Headquarters is sold to a foreign government is that not privatisation of a key state asset?
One can just imagine the wailing cardboard ‘patriots’ such as the JHU and its Champika Ranawaka, Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva and such others would have resorted to had Ranil Wickremesinghe and his UNP decided to sell Army Headquarters to a foreign company to build a five star hotel. They would be screaming from the rooftops of a ‘threat to national security,’ ‘sovereignty has been surrendered for a few million dollars,’ ‘traitors of the nation’ etc. Today, their silence is deafening. So it was when the Casino Bill was introduced.
It will be intriguing should some selective activists like Vasudeva Nanayakkara, like he did in the case of the Insurance Corporation, initiate public interest litigation at least for the purpose of defining whether the two Galle Face deals are indeed instances of privatisation. Part two can then begin where part one ends.
It is also interesting that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga in an interview last week had said that 40% of every government deal was shrouded in corruption. When asked as to how she came about this figure she had replied it was through experience she had gathered as head of state for two consecutive terms. What it means in terms of the colossal projects undertaken by this regime, which incidentally consists of the very same ministers that served under her watch, we leave it to the imagination of readers.
It will be recalled that until last year the Galle Face area in its entirety was closed to the public of Sri Lanka for ‘security reasons.’ Should there be a security issue in the future will the seven star Shangri-la and the other Chinese five star hotel be told to pack up and leave due to security reasons? After all that was what the citizens of this country were told until a few months ago when they were denied access to even park a motorcycle in this area.
It won’t be long when some Indian company also demands a piece of Galle Face if one is to go by recent events. When that happens Sri Lankans who come from such far away places as Mahiyanganaya and even the city folk who have enjoyed this open space for centuries, will have no option but to jump right into the Indian Ocean while the high and mighty can wine and dine in Shangri-la style at Galle Face. To hell with national security etc. etc.
The bottom-line is this. A key part of Sri Lanka’s capital city has been sold outright to China – for USD 250 million – by a government that claims to be against privatisation. And the people of Sri Lanka? Well, they are cheering! What then, is the word that describes such a people?

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 22 Jan 2011 09:18

Ban's Sri Lanka war crimes panel stuck in New York

http://turtlebay.foreignpolicy.com/post ... n_new_york

negi · Post by **negi** » 25 Jan 2011 10:31

Another fisherman killed, SL navy denies hand

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 02 Feb 2011 15:29

‘Tamils in Lanka will be wiped out in 2 years’
http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu ... 44350.html

BJP to take SL Tamil issue to UN
http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu ... 43523.html

Sri Lankan President Sued Under Torture Law
http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/02/01/33783.htm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 03 Feb 2011 04:07

Gadkari lambasts DMK and Congress
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Gadkari-l ... 56100.aspx

Karunanidhi is betraying the people for his own and his family interests: Jayalalithaa
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/0 ... yalalithaa

Government accused as Sri Lankan news office is torched
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 00184.html

Launch war crimes probe against Rajapaksa: Amnesty asks US
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Launch-wa ... 52556.aspx

Global rights group flays Lanka
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Global-ri ... 54972.aspx

Choice of Sri Lankan envoy is questioned
http://www.smh.com.au/national/choice-o ... 1a18h.html

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 04 Feb 2011 03:55

Foreign Secretary's visit to Sri Lanka an eyewash: Gadkari
Special Correspondent
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tam ... 140689.ece

Sri Lanka: Terror campaign against Tamils reemerges
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/jan20 ... -j25.shtml

Regional powers such as India, china and other countries have clearly proved that they have failed to solve the issues in Srilanka though the elimination of LTTE and the war are over.

Sri Lankan guards shoot protesting prisoners
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/feb20 ... -f03.shtml

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 04 Feb 2011 14:12

There was one report saying that the northern Jaffna Tamils were resenting the intrusion into "their" waters by Indian fishermen.Now that the war is over,the Tamils of the Jaffna peninsula,renowned for their sefaring activities (remember the Sea Tigers?) are again flexing their muscles.It is not beyond speculation that some of the attacks may have been made by rival Lankan fishermen of the north.As said before,joint patrolling by both the SLN and IN/CG is required so that no doubt remains as to who is responsible for the fishermen's deaths.All Indian fishing vessels should also have RFIDs so that they can be tracked .Long-endurance UAVs patrolling the Palk Straits will be on immense help.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 05 Feb 2011 14:17

Sushma blames Centre for killing of fishermen
http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu ... 45245.html

Unleashing Demons Of Extremism
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/01/0 ... extremism/

Sri Lankan delegation meets Shahbaz Sharif
http://www.dawn.com/2011/01/13/sri-lank ... harif.html
Rajapakse using Pakistan and Chin ese Card to keep India off or warn India. India's policy towards Srilannka is totally wrong. If Srilankans are playing against our security and also against their minorities, India should stand to her policy that at all levels we need to take Indian security seriously at the level playing ground. Also if human rights are violated then it is essential to warn any nation as we are democratically and also regionally a nation which has right to speak. The policy advisors and also the strategic thinkers do have fear complexities of influence of Pakistan and China in Lanka. We need to develop counter strategies which would share interests of our own people as well as security of India.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 06 Feb 2011 05:30

Sri Lanka: Terror campaign against Tamils reemerges
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/jan20 ... -j25.shtml

Lankan opposition parties warn of Egypt-type protests
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Lankan-op ... 58950.aspx

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 07 Feb 2011 04:27

Three TN fishermen injured in mid-sea attack by Lanka Navy
http://www.sify.com/news/three-tn-fishe ... ccbea.html

Vaiko begins one-day hunger strike against fishermen attacks#
http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/06/vaik ... d0126.html

It is good to hear that SLA is popularlising Vaiko and keeping him engaged. Old Questions of public support for Tamil Eelam among Tamils in India will be on increase.

It will be good to sink one of The SLA military boats by Indian Airforce or by an Indian Military ship if they are wandering in Indian waters. Then Lanka will know Indians mean business.

This also shows a clear weakness of Indian Naval force that even in the case of a war they cannot protect people from these shores.

There should be a clear satellite study of the Lankan Naval attack on Indian Fishermen, if they are attacked within Indian waters then Indian Naval force should be called for accountability of protecting her people unless this is done with the blessings of SMKrishna and Rahul or with Chinese guidance!

Perils of following fish
http://expressbuzz.com/magazine/perils- ... 44768.html

IF no response from Central GOvernment then TN Police should buy a gunship to protect her own fishermen from SLA. Possibly TN government should also ask for a figher jet for her police to protect her own fishermen and even warn them of these adversaries and also of crossing the international waters.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 Feb 2011 13:01

The problem is,if one reads the Ind.Exp. feature in full,that Indian fishermen cross over into Lankan waters to within a few miles offshore in pursuit of fish.This crossing over into Lankan waters is rampant.What does one expect the Lankan forces to do? This is because as the Indian fishermen interviewed by the paper have said,"the fish,prawns and crabs are all off the Lankan coastline".The absence of a proper fishing harbour demanded by the Indian fishermen further east up the coast from Rameswaram has also received scant attention from the state govt. Therefore,what one sees is a fight for fish between Indian and Lankan fishermen.With the Eelam war over and fishing resumed by the Jaffna/northern Lankan Tamils,which had been banned earlier while the war was on,the "war" between both fishing communities will only increase in intensity.

Unless a comprehensive fishing agreement between both countries takes place and as said before,RFIDs for fishing vessels-also required for anti-terrorism requirements,joint patrolling by the SLN and Indian CG,more such incidents will take place.One must recall decades ago the "cod wars" between Britain and Iceland which almost brought their forces to blows.

Here is one solution.It has been proven worldwide that through scuttling old ships on the ocean bed,new fishing grounds are created.Attempts should be made at various points along the TN coastline to create such fishing grounds so that TN fishermen do not have to cross over into Lankan waters and find fish closer to their home ports.Apart from this,a comprehensive conservation-cum-development plan for the entire gulf of Mannar should be carried out,so that sustainable maritime activities can be created for the local population.Remember the pearls of Mannar?

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 07 Feb 2011 14:45

Repeal Katchatheevu pact: D. Raja
http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/13/stories ... 681200.htm

Lanka navy attacks violating Katchatheevu pact
[Express Buzz, Thursday, 10 December 2009 09:03 No Comment]
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday said a number of clauses of the Katchatheevu agreement were being violated and the recent happenings are proving it again.
http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/2009/12 ... eevu-pact/

The argument with Lanka is simple. If Srilankan government wanted to honour Katchatheevu pact, then the fishermen problems are solved. It is only the SLA has to study what is in the accord and put into practice of the contents of the accord. If the Srilankan government says the Katchatheevu pact is no more valid then Katchatheevu automatically belongs to India which would no more be part of Srilanka. India needs a place for its army to face any challenges for her nuclear stations in the South India.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 Feb 2011 17:20

It is clear that the K'tivu pact isn't working in reality.A new agreement should be worked out.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 08 Feb 2011 16:08

Sri Lanka rules out involvement in Indian fishermen's killing
http://www.sify.com/news/sri-lanka-rule ... jjhab.html

so they arm Sinhalese fishermen to do this! or Navy comes without their uniform and do so they can decline these activities.

Lankan navy guys wanted a joint patrolling of Indian and Srilankan Navy that is why they kept on attacking Indian fishermen to make their point. Unless the ethnic hatredness is reduced and the way Rajapakse spreads it with Sinhala only policy is not going to make Lanka to survive from a long term perspective.

‘US concern over Lanka war crimes not frivolous’
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/% ... 46060.html

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 09 Feb 2011 14:27

Published on Feb 05, 2011
Lankan opposition parties warn of Egypt-type protests: AFP

Sri Lanka's main opposition parties on Saturday warned the government that it will carryout agitations similar to those sweeping the Arab world as they planed a major protest against the detention of former army chief Sarath Fonseka. The United National Party (UNP) of former premier Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the attack against its MPs and supporters on Friday was a clear sign that the government was not willing to allow democratic dissent.
It warned of major protests, similar to those sweeping across the Arab world, unless the government stopped "suppression of dissent".

"The protests sweeping across the Arab world is a result of long years of suppression and we want to remind the government that people here too will resort to similar action," UNP deputy Karu Jayasuriya said.

The main opposition parties are planning to stage a demonstration in the capital on Tuesday to mark one year of Fonseka's arrest, just two weeks after he failed to unseat Mahinda Rajapakse at the January 26 presidential polls.

Fonseka, the war hero credited with crushing the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009, is serving a 30-month jail term after his conviction by a military court martial in September in 2010.

UNP leader Jayasuriya narrowly escaped the attack by alleged government supporters when they tried to stage a night vigil outside the country's main prison demanding the release of the common opposition presidential candidate Fonseka.

Several vehicles of opposition members were smashed and nearly a dozen, including UNP MP's were wounded when government supporters attacked them with sticks and clubs on Friday night as the country marked its 63rd anniversary of independence from Britain, police said.

The leftist JVP, or the People's Liberation Front said that it condemned the attack against the UNP-led protest in favour of Fonseka and said that the government was clearly bent on suppressing its political opponents.

The JVP claimed the government had locked up the top military commander but were cosying up to Kumaran Pathmanathan, the international leader of the Tamil Tigers and the main arms procurer of the former rebels.

Pathmanathan is officially in military custody after government forces reportedly "arrested" him at a south Asian city in 2010.

However, he is known to be travelling with military escorts to the country's north for "political work" in support of the government.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 17 Feb 2011 14:25

“India plotting against Sri Lanka” Says Sri Lanka Leader
http://truthdive.com/2011/02/16/india-p ... eader.html

Sri Lanka: Government must account for disappearances of missing human rights activist
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=19241

BJP laughs at PM -DMK protests Tamil Fisherman arrest in Srilanka
http://truthdive.com/2011/02/16/bjp-lau ... lanka.html

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 17 Feb 2011 15:29

112 Indian fishermen remanded to judicial custody

India takes "serious view" of fishermen detention, says Manmohan

24 more Indian fishermen apprehended in Sri Lanka

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 17 Feb 2011 15:35

What is the reason for Indian Navy's inaction?
Polical lethargy with elections round the corner ? Apathy towards citizens ?

As a regional power it is not time to make a statement about this nagging problem? Shouldnt they nip it in the bud?

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 18 Feb 2011 16:20

The Tamil Diaspora and the Future of the Tamil Struggle
http://groundviews.org/2011/02/18/the-t ... -struggle/

Sri Lanka: Terror campaign against Tamils reemerges
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/jan20 ... -j25.shtml

Military Intelligence Head must answer extra judicial killings
http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2011/02 ... nswer.html

Call up Rajapaksa, warn him: Jayalalithaa to PM
http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu ... 49127.html

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 23 Feb 2011 15:29

Something fishy in Indo-Lanka ties
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Something ... 65438.aspx

Sri Lanka: Minority Tamil Parliamentarians lament of forced registration of residents in Jaffna and K’Nochchi
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/0 ... ents-jaffn

Sri Lanka War Crimes Filing with ICC Names UN Nambiar Along With Kohona
http://www.innercitypress.com/icc1nambiar022111.html

India fishing for trouble in Sri Lanka
By Sudha Ramachandran
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/MB23Df04.html

41 British MPs want probe on war crimes charges
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110220/News/nws_06.html