Bharat Rakshak

The students were seeking an independent international inquiry into the alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka and a referendum in the island nation for creating separate Tamil Eelam.

They have decided to return the Electors Photo Identity Cards to the authorities in the respective districts and boycott the Lok Sabha elections if their demands were not conceded.

chetak wrote:
Saar, have you read Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond Bin Laden and 9/11 by Syed Saleem Shahzad?? Copy available from the usual shady sources or it can be arranged easily. Shahzad is supposed to have been killed by the ISI because of his book.

Sanku wrote:

chetak wrote:{quote="Sanku"}

I propose we elect Rajapakshe as the PM of India. We can use the Sinhala cunning.
{/quote}

Saar, have you read Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond Bin Laden and 9/11 by Syed Saleem Shahzad?? Copy available from the usual shady sources or it can be arranged easily. Shahzad is supposed to have been killed by the ISI because of his book.

No Saar, I have not, but I didnt quite understand the allusion here. Please help.

Philip wrote:Chetak,do not blame "your stars,the fault lies within us..." (a poor quote from the Bard) If we have "lost" Sri lanka to the Chinese-and I do not believe that we have as yet,we have only ourselves to blame and not Lankan /Sinhalese cunning.

The Rajapakse regime first asked us to build Hambantota Port and help in the financing,we dithered and dallied.They then asked us to clear up the wreckage in Kankesanturai Port in the Jaffna Peninsula,in the aftermath of the war,we promised but have still not done the whole job,while the Chinese finisihed building the entire Hambantota Port and the Intl. airport too!! We promised to build a lakh+ houses for displaced Tamils in the north and several years on,have yet to build even a few paltry hundred! So don't blame the Lankans.Blame the asinine,myopic,pedestrian mandarins of the MEA and the splendid performing monkeys of FM that we've had under the MMS regime.This disgraced regime has been mroe concerned with entertaining Uncle Sam and performing "tricks" for him than looking after our own genuine interests in our very own backyard.

As I have often pointed out,there is not a SINGLE building pout up by India in the island,a lasting testimony to Indo-Lankan friendship,while the Chinese have gifted the Lankans ,like the massive Bandaranaike Intl. Conf. Hall for the Non-Aligned Conference years ago,extensions to the same,the Supreme Court buildings which look like Chinese pagodas,a spanking new lotus shaped cultural Centre right in the heart of Colombo,apart from the Hambantota Port,the new international airport and the Norocholai power Project.We claimed to love the Tamils in the island,esp. the plantation Tamils,but have we even set up a single hospital in the Hill Country for their welfare? Our diplomacy hs been pathetic in recent times-after the NDA regime,which had its finger on the pulse of events there.We now have JJ wanting the Indo-Lanka Katchativu treaty which Indira and Sirimavo signed torn up! Indian foreign policy now appears to be made in the neo-Eelam state of TN with its capital called Chennai.At this rate in a few years time,TN will have been renamed Eelam and wanting to secede!

Fortunately,this lame-duck govt. and its quack doctor-snake oil mendicant are on their way out.Hopefully,the people of India will vote in a strong and stable govt. that will set right the absurdities perpetrated by this horendous regime.

In June 2009, when Sri Lanka officially celebrated the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam after a bloody war that lasted 25 years, the victory parade, which included tanks, fighter jets and artillery pieces, made India sit up: most of the military hardware on display was of Chinese make. China had played a key role in making that victory possible, and the Mahinda Rajapaksa government made no attempts to hide its gratitude. India has since watched with increasing concern, and some helplessness, China's growing presence in the island nation which sits barely 31 km across the Palk Strait from the southern tip of India. The wave of protests in Tamil Nadu against the Sri Lanka government's alleged atrocities on Tamils and India's vote in favour of the US resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday is further working towards China's advantage.

The sentiment is not limited to the country's leaders, who obviously know that gains can be made by playing one country against the other; it now runs deep. An assessment report of a political analyst to a company with business interests in Sri Lanka, which Business Standard has accessed, points that Lankan society is now vehemently arguing that it should lean towards China - a "friendly nation" - and not rely on India, particularly on the economic front. The speculation that India played a key role in watering down the resolution hasn't allayed the disgruntled sections of Lankan society, the report says.

Thus, Sri Lankan Airlines has cut its flights to Chennai by half, to 14, following the attacks on Sri Lankan tourists, including two monks. There are reports that Sri Lanka has decided to partially take over a strategic oil storage depot in Trincomalee from Indian Oil Corporation's Sri Lankan arm, Lanka IOC. India has denied the reports. A day before this news broke, Lanka IOC Chairman Makrand Nene had said that there was no competition from China "but we have no plans to expand in Sri Lanka at the moment."


* * *

Recent events show how close China and Sri Lanka have become. A few days ago, Rajapaksa inaugurated the country's second international airport, the $206-million Rajapaksa International Airport in Mattala built with money from China's Export-Import Bank. Some Chinese officials were present at the function. Some 40 km to the south is the China-funded $1 billion Hambantota Port. Why not India? "It's not that China is getting preference; it was always India first. We invited India first to build our ports, including the Hambantota port, but it rejected it saying it's not viable, so we invited China," Rajapaksa had said earlier. A senior official from the shipping industry in India says the port project "is really a great miss and India will regret it on all fronts, be it security or trade".

The Hambantota Port is located on a key shipping route which sees around 300 ships, mostly oil tankers, passing through every day. Ironically, when the deep-water port formally opened for international shipping in June last year, the first consignment it moved was 1,000 Hyundai cars from Chennai, outbound for Algeria. If you look at it from the commercial point of view, then the port is meant to provide docking and refuelling facilities to the thousands of ships that ferry oil and raw materials from Africa and the Persian Gulf to China every year. But, this also happens to be a geo-strategically convenient location. It is a crucial link in the "string of pearls" which China is building in the region through a network of ports to consolidate its economic and military influence in the Indian Ocean: Sittwe in Myanmar, Chittagong in Bangladesh, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Gwadar in Pakistan and Marao in the Maldives.

Chinese money is pouring into Sri Lanka. From 2007 to 2011, while India extended aid of $298.1 million to Sri Lanka, China gave $2.126 billion to become the largest foreign aid provider to the country. While Indian aid has been for "soft" purposes like healthcare and education, the Chinese have funded highly-visible infrastructure projects. As on today, reports say, China has pledged more than $3 billion for infrastructure development in Sri Lanka. Some industry watchers have expressed concern that China might even be getting contracts for mega projects by bypassing tender procedures.

Its engineers are building roads, railway lines, telecommunication links, dams, hospitals, expressways like the one between Colombo and Katunayake, stadiums, schools, hotels and power plants. Last year, Sri Lanka launched its first communications satellite with the help of China Great Wall Industry Corp, China's state-owned space technology firm. It has since signed a string of satellite deals with Sri Lanka. It's also helping build a space academy. Deals are being struck between the two countries to build telecommunication and information technology networks. The two have also pledged to improve their defence ties.

...........

RajeshA wrote:

SwamyG wrote: Like what ? So Hindus have to learn from Buddhists, great. I remember Shiv and others urging Hindus to learn from Sikhs. For a Hindutva forum, we do have a very low opinion on Hindus.

We have been warned against using the "D" word on this thread, but Buddhists and Sikhs are also Hindu. So says our Constitution and so says Hindutva!

chetak wrote:We foolishly helped in the extermination of the ltte and and without the ltte we have lost our leverage. It's too late to put any conditions now as our place at the lankan high table has been permanently taken over by the chinese.

It was because of the ltte that India retained it's influence and it was ONLY India that can and did help the sinhala to wipe out the ltte. Neither the pakis nor the chinese have the wherewithal to have supported the sinhala like the Indian Navy did.

Truly we are f(uked and far from home.

The PM is focused on some piddly panju pappi jhappi and rajmata concerned with the eyetalians and the vatican.
Interesting times.....

Stop calling Sri Lanka a "friendly nation," resolution moved by Jayalalithaa urges Centre

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday urged the Centre to move a resolution in the United Nations Security Council seeking various measures against Sri Lanka, including a referendum on creation of Eelam.

Considering the future of Sri Lankan Tamils, such a referendum should be held among Tamils living in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, says the resolution, which the House adopted unanimously through a voice vote after it was moved by Chief Minister Jayalalaithaa.

Sri Lanka has claimed India was always kept informed about the progress of the war against the LTTE. This was disclosed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, on Monday while addressing delegates participating in an international literary festival being held at Galle in the island nation.

“A special bilateral committee was set up at the highest level, including then Senior Presidential Adviser Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to President Lalith Weeratunga and myself as Defence Secretary from the Sri Lankan side, and former National Security Adviser MK Narayanan, then Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and then Defence Secretary Vijay Singh on the Indian side. This troika had continuous discussions and ensured that any sensitive issues were dealt with as soon as they arose,” said Rajapaksa during his speech, a copy of which has been published in the Daily Mirror, a Sri Lankan newspaper.

He said India was always kept informed though it was India which once saved the LTTE from the verge of defeat. “Because of the political pressures in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Lankan situation has always been a very sensitive one in that country. In 1987, when the LTTE was on the brink of defeat during the Vadamarachchi Operation, India intervened and effectively forced the Government to stop its military campaign. In order to maintain the relationship with India and to prevent any such problem occurring this time around, the President went out of his way to keep New Delhi briefed on developments,” said Rajapaksa.

According to Rajapaksa, during the later stages of the Northern operation, the LTTE withdrew from its entrenched positions and retreated towards its strongholds on the Northeastern coast.

“As it withdrew, it took three hundred thousand civilians out of their homes to serve as its human shield. During the last stage of the war, the LTTE set up its artillery positions within civilian encampments and fought amidst the civilians, often dressed in civilian attire. This was a very challenging situation for the Armed Forces, which acted with great restraint and suffered considerable losses in their efforts to minimise civilian casualties. The use of heavy weaponry was curtailed and then stopped outright. The minimum amount of necessary force was used at all times to ensure that harm to civilians and civilian property was minimised. However, the LTTE had no compunctions about putting civilians deliberately in harm’s way, and its cadres mercilessly shot at all civilians who tried to escape into Government controlled areas,” said the Defence Secretary.

pankajs wrote:T.N. Assembly demands referendum on Eelam

Stop calling Sri Lanka a "friendly nation," resolution moved by Jayalalithaa urges Centre

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday urged the Centre to move a resolution in the United Nations Security Council seeking various measures against Sri Lanka, including a referendum on creation of Eelam.

Considering the future of Sri Lankan Tamils, such a referendum should be held among Tamils living in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, says the resolution, which the House adopted unanimously through a voice vote after it was moved by Chief Minister Jayalalaithaa.

Aditya_V wrote:JJ is teaching a lesson to INC and DMK for starting the TESO stuff, now its bomranging back on them and affecting business interests. They will think twice before supporting such gimmicks to gain popularity. She is saying she willing to destroy everything and they and thier businesses will suffer if they try this Teso type stick.

Not surprisingly, the response to the assembly resolution and the stand by the Dravidian parties on the issue, has been that of cynicism – particularly in the section of the media that has always spoken for Rajapaksa. However, the charges of political opportunism against the DMK and the AIADMK are certainly justified because they did practically nothing in 2009, when accounts of large-scale civilian deaths emerged from influential world capitals.

Philip wrote:There was a great show on HT yesterday,with a spl. report by IT editor Sandeep U,back from the island ,where the remnants of the war in former LTTE held territory have become major tourist attractions.Prabhakaran's multi-level underground bunker,etc.The anchorman was spinning the story that the GOSL was glorifying its victory,etc.

....Frankly,most victorious armies/govts. do display such artefacts in their war museums.We have also done the same.The problem with the Lankan ones were that Tamil was not used in the explanatory texts,only Sinhala and English.Normally,in all govt. notices and forms,all three languages are used.A freudian slip perhaps,or deliberate?

Javee wrote:Funny story

Philip wrote:……To deflect the anti-regime mood,the Muslims are now being targeted…

Philip wrote: …In recent times however,a campaign is being launched portraying Lankan Muslims (who are mostly interested in making money) by right-wing entities using "Buddhist" monks,whipping up communal hatred against the Muslims…….

Vipin_Upadhyay wrote:

nachiket wrote:I didn't know Deccan Chargers had been renamed to Hyderabad Sunrisers. Who the hell came up with "sunrisers" anyway?

Sunrisers is owned by Sun TV Group. The owner of SunTV group is Kalanidhi Maran, brother of Dayanidhi Maran.

No wonder they have Sangakkara as Captain in their team, all the while opposing Sri Lankan players participation in Chennai held matches supposedly showing solidarity for "tamil" cause
Also proves my point that members of this "Tamil" family are bigger scums than Manio family we otherwise know as "Gandhi"

n a superficial analysis, India has a fast growing economy; currently ranked 9th in the world in terms of the GDP and tipped to become the third largest. On the face of it, one may argue it is beneficial to enhance trade ties with India. However, upon closer examination it becomes obvious closer economic ties with India leads to the total destruction of the Lankan economy.When CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) with India came up, a large number of Lankan businessmen protested against it for very good reasons. Their fears are justified. India can produce many goods Sri Lanka produces at a cheaper cost. Cost of land, labour, finance (capital) and entrepreneurship are cheaper in India than Lanka. In short, all factors of production are cheaper in India than Sri Lanka. This cost advantage can wipe out all these homogeneous industries in Sri Lanka leading to vast unemployment, larger trade deficit and social unrest. Before jumping into closer ties with India, the modus operandi of Indian traders in Lanka must be analysed. The conduct of Indian traders and investors in Sri Lanka is based on exploitation at present and hence it cannot achieve any good outcome.
Economics of Senseless Exploitation
Take for instance the operations of the Indian Oil Company operating through its local subsidiary – Lanka Indian Oil Company. They provide 35% of petroleum needs of the country. Is it any beneficial to Sri Lanka? The answer is no. What if LIOC were not operating in the island? Would the sales of petroleum products fall by 35%? Absolutely not. Instead of LIOC, local entrepreneurs and Ceypetco will fill this vacuum. At present all the profits earned by LIOC leaves the island; highest paid employees of LIOC are Indians. This is an economic disaster. Sri Lankans have proven for decades they could profitably manage petroleum distribution, retaining all the profits in the island and employing only Sri Lankans. Thanks to the invasion of LIOC, local entrepreneurs are deprived of one of the most lucrative business opportunities.
Consider the data about tourist arrivals. 42% of tourists are Indians. But that does not say bulk of tourism revenue comes from Indian tourists. On the contrary, Indian tourists are thrifty spenders and contribute to a very small percentage of net tourism earnings. They also travel in Indian airlines depriving Sri Lanka any gain from their largest expense during their tour. A large number of Indian tourists come for short term employment. Their net contribution to the Sri Lankan economy is in the negative! nother cataclysm of Indian tourists is that while some low spending Indian tourists occupy hotel rooms and tourist destinations, it deprives high spending European tourists. Local tour operators and hotels know this fact very well.
Indian economic growth is supported by such exploitative operations. At the moment, the Indian economy grows at the expense of Sri Lankan economy (among other factors) and the economic prosperity and employment of Sri Lankans.Allowing Indian investments into the country where there is a technological enhancement is good. However, within five to ten years Sri Lankans must master that technology and earn profit for themselves. Otherwise by definition the country gains nothing from the importation of such new technology.

Jhujar wrote:Closer Economic Ties with India is an Economic Disaster
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2013 ... -disaster/

Consider the data about tourist arrivals. 42% of tourists are Indians. But that does not say bulk of tourism revenue comes from Indian tourists. On the contrary, Indian tourists are thrifty spenders and contribute to a very small percentage of net tourism earnings. They also travel in Indian airlines depriving Sri Lanka any gain from their largest expense during their tour. A large number of Indian tourists come for short term employment. Their net contribution to the Sri Lankan economy is in the negative! nother cataclysm of Indian tourists is that while some low spending Indian tourists occupy hotel rooms and tourist destinations, it deprives high spending European tourists. Local tour operators and hotels know this fact very well.

‘RSS at the service of Sri Lankan Tamils’: RSS Kshetra Karyavah Rajendran at CHENNAI

“RSS is silently doing its service in the affected North and East provinces of Sri Lanka. Total and detailed survey has been taken in 50 villages and rehabilitation work for 25 villages has been completed. Whatever the family in affected villages asks for is met with concern. For example, people there asked us for PVC pipes, cycles, roof sheets, cows, cattle, farming equipments etc. Service is done in the affected provinces of Mullai Theevu, Mannar, Yazhpaanam, and Vavuniya. Whatever the family requires, it is provided by us. Through Sewa International funds are collected and ‘Sewa International Lanka’ has been set up for helping these affected people there”.