Claymore Kills “Kili Father” M.X. Karunaratnam at Ambaikulam
April 22nd, 2008
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
One more name was added last sunday to Sri Lanka’s growing list of Tamil Christian clergymen killed in the on going ethnic conflict.
The latest victim was the Catholic priest Rev.Fr Mariampillai Xavier Karunaratnam popularly known as “Kilifather” .He was killed in a claymore mine explosion on April 20th.
Fr. Karunaratnam had in recent times become well-known as a human rights activist. He was one of the founders of an organization known as the North-East secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR) and was its chairperson at the time of his death.
The NESOHR has focussed on the human rights violations perpetrated on Tamil civilians by members of the armed forces, Police, para-military outfits and state sanctioned assassination squads.
The NESOHR also records incidents of artillery shelling and aerial bombardment by the security forces and documents the quantum of injuries,deaths, destruction and displacement caused.
While being the livewire of the NESOHR Fr. Karunaratnam had also been running a meditation and counselling center in the Vavunikulam area.
This center has been providing counselling and psychological care to numerous Tamil civilians affected by the war.
“Kilifather”as he is popularly known was attached to the “our Lady of Good Health ” (Aarokkiyamaathaa) Church at the agrarian village of Vavunikulam.
[Rev.Fr Mariampillai Xavier Karunaratnam]
On Sunday April 20th the 57 year old Catholic clergyman had gone to Maankulam to help conduct the morning mass. Thereafter he proceeded to Mallaavi to attend a special memorial meeting .
The meeting was to commemorate former Tamil National Alliance MP Kittinan Sivanesan on the 45th day after his death.Sivanesan was killed in a claymore mine explosion in the Mannankulam area .
The specialist assassination unit of the armed forces known as Long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) was responsible for Sivanesan’s killing.
Officially the army denied both the killing and existence of the LRRP then.
Now there has been another victim.
Fr. Karunaratnam ’s white double - cab had developed engine trouble and broken down at Vannivilaankulam. It was then tied to another vehicle with a thick rope and towed along.
Fr. Karunaratnam sat in the driving seat of the double cab with his hands on the steering vehicle to help keep the towed vehicle steady.
Another Catholic layman helper was also in the vehicle proceeding along the Mallaavi - Vavunikulam road. Apparently Fr. Karunaratnam was keen on returning to Vavunikulam for lunch.
The two vehicles were at a point near the “Kulanthai Yesu” (child Jesus) chapel at Ambaikulam when the claymore explosion occurred at about 12. 20 - 25 pm.
The incident happened between Vavunikulam and Vannivilaankulam at Ambaikulam.
It was the towed vehicle at the rear and not the towing vehicle at front that was the target. The assassins who triggered off the claymore were very clear in their objective.
Both the clergyman and layman in the white double - cab were injured. Both were taken to Kilinochchi hospital but Fr. Karunaratnam was pronounced dead upon admission.
The layman helper who sustained serious injuries is receiving intensive care at Kilinochchi.
The mortal remains of Fr. M. X. Karunaratnam were brought to the St. Theresa’s Church, Kilinochchi, Sunday Apr 20th, around 6:30 p.m. [Pic: TamilNet]
The remains of Fr. Karunaratnam were taken to St. Theresa’s Church in Kilinochchi. Thousands of people both Christian and Hindu paid their respects.
Posters and black flags have also come up in some parts of Army - controlled Jaffna in respect of “Kilifather” and also in protest over the assassination.
Mariampillai Xavier Karunaratnam was killed just eight days after his 57th birthday.He was born on April 12th 1951.
Kilifather hailed from Karaveddy in the Vadamaratchy region of Jaffna peninsula.
His parents were teachers. He was one of seven children (four boys and three girls). Their house was near Vickneshwara College.
One of his younger brothers Fr. Gnanaratnam is also a Catholic priest.
Karunaratnam’s pet name in childhood was “kili” or parrot.The name stuck to him as an adult too.
He obtained his primary and secondary education at Vickeshwara - Karaveddy, Sacred Heart - Nelliaddy and St. Patrick’s in Jaffna.
Karunaratnam entered priesthood later in life. He was a teacher and bank officer before that.
Xavier Karunaratnam was an ardent Tamil nationalist from his student days. He was involved with the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) youth wing “Ilaingar Peravai” and student wing “Maanavar Peravai”.
In the 1977 general elections Karunaratnam was actively involved with the TULF addressing many election meetings in the Udupiddy electorate.
His native place Karaveddy was in the Udupiddy electorate.
The 1977 elections was a watershed in Tamil politics as the TULF contested on a platform of secession and claimed that electoral success would be a mandate for Tamil Eelam.
The TULF won 18 of 19 Tamil electorates in the North-East.
The TULF victory in Udupiddy was historic.
It was the first time that a member of the so-called depressed castes contested and won a seat anywhere in the North-East. There had been Senators and appointed MP’s but no elected Parliamentarian until then.
S. Rasalingam a senior education dept official contested Udupiddy and won. People like Karunaratnam immeresd themselves in the campaign.
Karunaratnam was then teaching English at the Newton Tutorial College in Nelliaddy. He was a popular teacher and affectionately referred to as “Kilivaathi” then. “Vaathi” is short for “Vaathiyaar” meaning teacher.
After elections in 1977 some Tamil youths got employment in Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank. Karunaratnam also became a clerk at Bank of Ceylon and later went up to officer grade as asst. manager.
He continued teaching while being a bank officer. He used to ride a C-90 motor cycle then.
Karunaratnam also maintained his interest in politics though he refrained from going public as he was now a bank employee.
The late-seventies and early-eighties of the 20th century was a time when Tamil youth supporters of the TULF were becoming increasingly estranged from the TULF because of its perceived reluctance to push ahead with the Tamil Eelam mandate.
There were many incidents of friction between TULF seniors and youths then.
In one instance in the late seventies a meeting was held at the premises of Velupillai timber depot in Saamiyanarasaddy in Karaveddy. Both Udupiddy MP Rasalingam and TULF president M. Sivasithamparam participated.
Sivasithamparam , a former MP of Udupiddy and was called the Udupiddy Singam” (lion) . He had given up the electorate for Rasalingam and contested Nallur in 1977 where Sivasithamparam won the largest majority in the Country.
There was a heated argument between radical youths and TULF elders. At one point the friction turned into fisticuffs. TULF activist Anandavinayagam alias “Vannai Aanandan” was singled out for attack by the youths.
It was Karunaratnam who saved Vannai Anandan. With the beleagured Vannai Anandam on the pillion Karunaratnam took a cross-country route across fields and bylanes to Sonappu from where Vannai Anandan was dispatched safely to Jaffna town.
“kilivaathi”’s exploit in saving Vannai was spoken about widely then.
Karunaratnam had a spiritual streak in him. He was always concerned about serving the people.
It was in the mid eighties that Xavier Karunaratnam began feeling that he was being “called” by God. He responded to the call and abandoned his banking career.
He was ordained as a priest at the age of 38 in 1989. Kilivaathi now became known as Kilifather.
Fr. Karunaratnam’s Tamil nationalism remained.
Despite donning the cassock the clergyman fervently believed that Tamil Eelam was the only solution for the salvation of the Tamil nation.
Many Tamil nationalists of his calibre who believe in Tamil Eelam then take the step of supporting an armed struggle to achieve it. The next step would be that of supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
To those of this mindset and mood the tigers are the only ones continuing with the armed struggle to achieve Tamil Eelam.
This was Fr. Karunaratnam’s position also. His political belief was tempered by his priestly duties.
The LTTE ran a “de- facto” administration in Jaffna from 1990 to 1995-96. Many persons including some Catholic priests identified themselves openly with the tigers then.
Fr. Karunaratnam was one of these. In “kilifather”s case there was another reason for his closeness to the LTTE.
Since they were both from Karaveddy, the LTTE ideologue and political strategist Anton Stanislaus Balasingham was well - known to Karunaratnam. In fact some of Balasingham’s nephews were his close friends.
This Balasingham link enhanced his closeness to the LTTE further.
When the armed forces took Jaffna through “operation Riviresa” many people with perceived links to the LTTE were compelled to flee. This included some Catholic priests also.
While some went abroad others like “kilifather” re-located to the Wanni. He remained there till the 2002 ceasefire.
During his stay in the Wanni Fr. Karunaratnam remained close to the LTTE hierarchy through Balasingham.
Fr. Karunaratnam was made the head of the NGO consortium in the Wanni. He also functioned as a correspondent of the Catholic Church Radio service “Veritas” based in Manila.
After the ceasefire of 2002 Fr. Karunaratnam along with some others founded the NESOHR.
Among founding members were former TNA parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingham. Chandranehru Ariaratnam, current MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Lawyer K. Sivapalan, Ceylon teachers union official K. Mahasivam,S. Atchuthan ms. Sri Arulananthan,and Dr’s N. Malathy, S.Sriskandarajah and . Sivapalan.
The NESOHR was associated with the LTTE peace secretariat in the beginning.
Fr. Karunaratnam returned to Jaffna in 2002 after the LTTE moved in under the guise of doing politics. He moved to Pallai with tiger political commissar for Jaffna Ilamparithy when suspected tiger supporters were becoming targets.
In 2006 he re-located to the Wanni again.
The NESOHR has in recent times compiled records about human rights violations and atrocities against Tamil civilians by the armed forces. It does not concern itself with human rights violations perpetrated by the LTTE.
Fr. Karunaratnam in his capacity as a human rights activist has travelled to Europe and North America. Apart from attending Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva he has engaged in full scale lobbying.
He has also met with many diplomats, human rights activists, NGO personnel and media representatives.
In spite of these efforts and documentation the credibility of NESOHR and Fr. Karunaratnam in Human Rights circles is quite low.
Since the NESOHR opts to see only one side of the situation it is not perceived as trustworthy or reliable.
There was a time when the NESOHR openly stated that they were willing to co-operate with reputed Human Rights Organizations. But few were willing to accept that invitation.
Diplomats, media representatives and HR organizations were in touch with Fr. Karunaratnam and the NESOHR to get information.
However this was only used as one of many avenues to procure information. Neither Fr. Karunaratnam nor the NESOHR were regarded as reliable. They could not be quoted or cited in any report.
This was due to their blatant partiality towards the LTTE.
Attempts by well-wishers to make Fr. Karunaratnam recognize this harsh reality were unsuccessful.
Nevertheless it must be emphasised that Fr. Karunaratnam and the NESOHR must be commended for chronicling the human rights violations perpetrated by the state and state agencies against innocent Tamil civilians. These are largely unreported in the mainstream media and by reputed Human rights organizations.
Given the fact that the tigers control large areas of the Wanni it would be impractical to expect an organization or individual inside to document violations by the LTTE .
In a sense “impartial” conduct by the NESOHR would have been impossible in a tiger controlled region. The LTTE is notorious for trying to make all Tamils follow their line and their line alone.
An organization like the LTTE and its brainwashed acolytes are incapable of understanding the need for a free, credible media or independent human rights orgabizations.
In Fr. Karunaratnam’s case he was a firm believer in the cause for Tamil Eelam and a loyal supporter of the LTTE. Thus he was emotionally and intellectually prepared to toe the LTTE line.
There are many instances of him attempting to whitewash the LTTE of its human rights violations and even go to unexpected lengths in covering up.
This columnist does not wish to speak ill of the departed and will stop at this juncture.
However it must be ackowledged that Fr. Karunaratnam was one of those trying to persuade the LTTE to refrain from human rights violations.
He played an important role in getting the LTTE to return some conscripts. The LTTE decision not to recruit those under 17 years was also influenced to some extent by Fr. Karunaratnam.
Whatever progress made by the LTTE in this respect is now undone. With the armed forces closing in the LTTE is now engaged in full scale conscription including minors.
[The final paying of homage events were held in Kilinochchi, on Apr 22]
People like Fr. Karunaratnam may have been troubled by these developments but it would be unreasonable to expect them to protest strongly.
In recent times the tiger and pro - tiger media gave him much exposure. Wittingly or unwittingly he was being made a propagandist.
His pro-tiger leanings is no excuse to target and kill him. Whatever his politics his inalienable right to have those political beliefs cannot be denied.
It is also a fact that he was a devout priest concerned about the tragic plight of his afflicted people.
[The remains were taken in procession accompanied by percussion bands of Kilinochchi schools-pic TamilNet]
Many catholic priests like Fr. Mary Bastian. Fr. Wenceslaus, Fr. Chandra Fernando and Fr. Packiyaranjith have been killed. Others like Fr. Herbiet, Fr. Selvarajah and Fr. Jim Brown have gone missing. Now another Catholic priest is murdered.
Like Fr. Karunaratnam being killed by a landmine Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith was also a claymore victim last year. He was killed near Vellankulam junction in LTTE controlled Mannar region on Sep 26th last year.The LRRP also called deep penetration unit was blamed.
The circumstances of Fr. Karunaratnam’s killing demonstrates clearly that he was deliberately targeted.
There is also the fact that the attack occurred deep inside tiger territory.
The LTTE has accused the LRRP and has been predictably denied.
The fact that the LRRP could deliberately target someone deep inside LTTE territory does not augur well for the tigers.
Many LTTE civilian supporters inside the Wanni would be troubled and feel insecure .
Given the false propaganda done in the South by racist elements about all Tamil catholic priests being tiger agents several other priests may become victims.
With the armed forces planning to “invade” tiger areas of the Wanni soon the possibility of large scale human rights violations looms large.
Eliminating human rights activists like Fr. Karunaratnam may be seen as necessary to avoid or minimise those violations being highlighted worldwide.
Fr. Karunaratnam himself anticipated death at the hands of the LRRP after TNA parliamentarian Sivanesan was killed.
He told his sister living in Canada over the telephone that he would very likely meet with a similar fate.
The killing of “Kilifather” deserves widespread condemnation.It is an act of state terrorism!
Entry Filed under: transCurrents NewsFeatures
40 Comments Add your own
1. EEroppe Sinhaya | April 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Seems to be a LTTE carder wearing a priest cloths!!. If he support Terrorism there is no priesthood within him.
2. Surya | April 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Dear DBSJ
thank you again for well informed article about late Catholic Priest and NESOHR leader Fr. Karunaratnam. I feel sorry and sad for innocent lives lost but we have to remember that Sri Lanka is a playground for Western Powers. They use persons such as Fr. Karunaratnam to keep this problem draging on for longtime. The LTTE should take most of the responsibility for the this ‘tit for tat’ kind of killings. Do you think the LTTE ever stop their killing spree on their opponents and leaders?
Today Tamils in Sri Lanka can be extict race if we can’t find a solution soon. As a Tamil fleed from Jaffna around 15 years ago I couldn’t even imagine how low the life quality in Vanni and other Tamil areas in SL. Many free thinking Tamils here in the West want to end this endless sufferings of Tamils. But there are some elements amoung them want this problem continue so they can live in the West safely.
3. Ravi Silva | April 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
another state GOSL sponsored terrorist act against a tamil priest
4. LAVAN | April 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
We lost aanother powerful god
5. bk | April 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
The killing of “Kilifather” deserves widespread condemnation.It is an act of state terrorism!
But which state!
6. Thilee | April 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I could find an informed article only here. Go ahead !
Surya!
I am not beleiving the ‘tit for tat’. If you are beleiving that, you have to make sure both parties are terrorist. Also you can justify the people die in busses and public places are ‘tit for tat’. You do not have the choice.
7. navaln | April 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
DBS ,thanks for the detailed article,I came to know the Rev. in 2004 when we were involved in some privately funded humanitarian work in Navanthurai which once was a thriving fishing hamlet along Jaffna lagoon.Rev,Father was the Parish priest of Navanthurai and gave us very valuable advice as to how we should maximise the efficiency of our limited resources,he was a practical man and was a genuine friend of the poor,from the outset he told us the aim of the charity should be to help the needy to help themselves,in other words he wanted us to involve in the project the poor who would ultimately benefit from it,this approach proved very successful benefitting many and giving the unfortunate, once proud lagoon fisher folks a pride in what they have put together with our finacial assistance.Rev.Father was an outspoken champion of human rights who cherished being in the midst of his people.Surely his legacy will linger on,may his soul rest in peace.
8. Karthi | April 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
If any person in SL support tamil and take human rights…. he will be killed…
thets the bottom line
9. godaya | April 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
another great work by DPU. Terrorist is a terrorist…does not matter weather he is a priest or a soldier. Osama bin Laden is also a mullah ( Muslim priest). That does not stop him being a terrorist.
And what kind of Human Right this man was talking about…..he was part of a murderous gang, who has no sense on Human Rights. I cannot understand why this man is called a Human Rights activist. This clergyman was acting in the propaganda Human rights arm of the LTTE. Look at the members of this Human Rights arm ;
Among founding members were former TNA parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingham. Chandranehru Ariaratnam, current MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Lawyer K. Sivapalan, Ceylon teachers union official K. Mahasivam,S. Atchuthan ms. Sri Arulananthan,and Drs N. Malathy, S.Sriskandarajah and . Sivapalan.
What a joke…..
10. Sanity | April 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
DBS,
Thanks for this informative article on father Karunaratnam. I personally think this was one as payback for minister fernandopullie assassination. I feel sorry for all innocent lives lost, but all LTTE sympathizers should realize that the game has changed. Rajapakse government will not take it on the chin, but will retaliate. This means for every political and civilian assassination there will be retaliation. Again I think loss of innocent lives is tragic, but this is the only language LTTE would understand. I am sure father Karunaratnam felt strongly about LTTE and its cause but he should have realized their methods are unacceptable and the fate so many had suffered under LTTE had befallen on him. Hope this would be and eye opener for all LTTE sympathizers like TNA parliamentarians and the rest. Its high time Tamils disassociate their legitimate grievances from that of LTTE and isolate LTTE.
.
11. invicible92 | April 23rd, 2008 at 1:13 am
As expected GOSL denied involvement. GOSL is no better than LTTE when it comes to human right violations. No one in the south is impartial in reporting human rights violations against tamils by SLA. They always white wash everything what GOSL does. This country will remain divided as long as this opportunistic politicians on both side engage in divided and rule policy.
12. sinhala | April 23rd, 2008 at 2:08 am
“The killing of ?gKilifather?h deserves widespread condemnation.It is an act of state terrorism”
- It is a discredit and blame on our troops , also Army while unequivocally condemning the brutal murder
13. Karupiah | April 23rd, 2008 at 2:15 am
He is an insult to the church, he has done nothing to advance the cause of tamil civilians he has used the chruch to his own devious means and now has died a violent death probably by the same thugs and murderes he tried so hard to golrify.
He wore a cloth but make no mistake he was not a man of peace, he was at best a acomplice of a ruthless terror group but most likely a willing participant in the violent repression of civilians and the ongoing propagation of hate.
Instead of true men of peace in the elk of Fr Desmond Tutu, Sri lanka is cursed by these vile hate mongers who take up the cloth for all the wrong reasons.
14. David Blacker | April 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 am
While Father Karunaratnam certainly is a civilian, and therefore his killing must be condemned, he chose his own path. NESHOR, according to Amnesty International, was set up by the LTTE in 2004, and is a funded part of the latter’s aparatus. As a RC priest, Karunaratnam, need not have placed himself in the LTTE’s employment — indeed he should not have — even if he wished to work for human rights. The Roman Catholic church itself is in the field of human rights.
15. Harsha | April 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 am
DBS,
Are you confident that Fr.Karunaratnam was targetted by LRRP to the same extent that you were confident that MP Sivanesan was targetted by LRRP? Could there be some other group operating in this area? Can you rule out the possibility of LTTE (or some faction within it) doing this to obtain some propaganda advantage (adding to Madhu debacle)?
“S. Rasalingam a senior education dept official contested Udupiddy and won.” Is this the same gentleman whose articles could be found in federalidea.com?
http://federalidea.com/focus/?s=s.rasalingam&searchbutton=Go%21
16. lion | April 23rd, 2008 at 5:10 am
lavan ,
another powerfull god .
LTTE cader in plain cloths; should be killed
17. Paul | April 23rd, 2008 at 5:54 am
Thanks for the well informed article DBSJ
LTTE showed their ruthless to the world by forcing priest of Madu Church to withdraw from the church. Reason for such an order is earlier LTTE carders have launched attacks from the Madu Church area towards the Sri Lankan armed forces and priests and civilians of Madu have protest against LTTE for this action. Rev.Father was an outspoken champion of human rights also oppose LTTE Action .LTTE does not care about anybody, Surely this was an dastardly act of the Tigers ,Rev Fr.Rayaappu Joseph will be next ?????
18. Max | April 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 am
He should have worn the tiger outfit not robes. Wolf in sheep skin.
19. jj | April 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Well done Mr.DBS. Please try to express everything without hidding
20. Sudalaimaadan. | April 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
It is a pride for Catholic parents for their Son/sons to be ordained as a Priest.Unlike Buddhism only handfull out of those who enter the Seminary are ordained as a Priests.
I think for a Catholic Priest to have link with the L.T.T.E. there is no reason.
Besides by ‘flirting with the L.T.T.E.’ the entire Thamil Catholic priests are being labelled as pro L.T.T.E.
21. Ruwani | April 23rd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Mr Jeyaraj,
You have accused the DPU without even giving reasons behind your accusation.
When Sivanesan was killed you accused the DPU, but that’s fine, because you mentioned the possibilities why it could be a DPU attack. And your reasoning was very acceptable even for Southern Sinhalese Girl like me.
22. Ranjith | April 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
It is interesting even before blood dried
2. Sutya managed to turn the whole discussion into one off persuading Tamils to stop supporting LTTE.
Not a word of codemnation to SL Govt state terrorist.
But full of his crocadile tears for tamils.
All Sinhala racist pretending to be concerned about tamils are good at this. What a logic. What a hypocrasy!
23. Elallan | April 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
DBS,
I am awaiting your article on the latest Muhamale debacle that the State terrorists have faced. I look forward to seeing your take on the Muhamale debacle that the Sinhala terrorists have faced. God Bless our father. May he rest in peace and see the Independent Tamil Eelam that he longed for.
24. V Siva | April 23rd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Tamils will put an end to terror of Sinhalas and GOSL. The intl community knows that Sinhala hooligans and the GOSL are committing war crimes.
It won’t be too late for them to take these crimiinals to the War Crimes Court.
A Well respected father Karunaratnam was killed as a result of state terrorism.
25. V. Singh | April 24th, 2008 at 7:07 am
As an educated Sinhalese I am appalled at this state sponsored terrorism. The attitude of an “eye for an eye” will only bring more misery to our beloved nation. I abhore and despise this right-wing Natioanlistic, Visonless Rajapakse regime who is tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka. In the same vein I urge all tamil intellectuals to condemn the violent and intransigent ways of the LTTE. We only have hope for this war-torn country if the the moderate elements within both Sinhalese and Tamils can rise up!
26. N2 | April 24th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Whatever the leanings of Fr. Karunaratnam (whether toward the LTTE or not), this GOSL/DPU targetted killing has also shown the world that the GOSL is not interested in proper political discussions and fair solutions.
Fr. Karunaratnam always put his points across very clearly and sharply ,and this was not liked. But how can there be any honest political discussions if articulate persons are killed?
27. Rajapakse Analyst | April 24th, 2008 at 11:02 am
All this is done for the simple but abominable purpose of covering up the truth that is obvious to every unbiased observer ( the emperor has no clothes).
28. aj | April 24th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I find it sad to see that so many people in this forum insult the father in his death (a man fundamentally of god and secondly a messenger of the people regading human rights) based on his political opinion and political association.
Is this not a true indicator of the persecution that is sri lanka?
29. Haha | April 24th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
As an average educated Tamil I would say I do agree with V.Singh, comment no. 25
30. nandasena | April 24th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Until the Sinhala people accepts t at the cause of all the problem in Sri Lanka is due to the intransigence of the sinhalese governments since independence, and make some amendments, no body can save Sri Lanka.
Please do not blame LTTE. LTTE was born after the violence unleashed by the SINHALA TERRORIST against the innocent civilians with the active participation of the state apparatus. Sinhalese may have CONVENIENTLY forgotten the pogroms against the Tamil civilians in Sri Lankan towns and villages in 1956, 1958, 1977, 1983 and many more which happened periodically!!
But the people who suffered in the hands of the hooligans cannot forget. They cannot forget their loved ones who were killed in cold blood in front of them, while the Police and the armed forces turned a blind eye or in some instance actively participated. To add insult to injury some “saffron clad terrorist” also encouraged or participated in the pogrom.
Please remember Sinhalese are not destroying the Tamils only. In the process they are destroying themselves. They are creating a future generation with a violent culture. The future generation is being poisoned with wrong information to suit their agenda.
31. R.Goonetilake | April 25th, 2008 at 2:37 am
There’s not a single day passes by in Sri lanka without a murder, bloodshed killings etc.
Such is the curse that we have the family of the president running the country. I am sure, Mahinda Percy Rajapakhe will be the first inumbent president to lose re-election.
Northern War Front taught a good lesson why Peace Talks are the only wat out for Sri lanka. Any leader who takes the war path cannot be doing any good to Sri Lanka.
War is a necessity for the survival of Rajapakshe and SLFP.DUMB SRI LANKANS KILLING PRIESTS AND IN PLACES OF WORSHIP ONLY HEAPING MORE CURSE ON THEM
32. David Blacker | April 25th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Well, as a Christian, I think that a man of God should not align himself with mass murderers and do their bidding. If he chooses to do so, he runs the same risk as other functionaries, be they on the LTTE side or the GoSL.
However, everyone here is assuming that this was a targeted killing by the GoSL.
33. Gayan | April 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
What im unable to understand is how come LRRP attack a target nearly 25 KM from SLA last FDL and return safly?.Did the LTTE let LRRP to sneak back 25KM unharmed?.How come the LRRP bypass all LTTE defenses and possible military (LTTE) targets and attack least important target both militaraly and politicaly..?If LRRP can attack targets that far from their FDL’s how come they cannot target the LTTE leadership just few KM away from Ambaikulam and hundreds of LTTE carders/targets well within Ambaikulam from Vauniya/Weli Oya/Mannar frontlines.
Is the LTTE downplaying/hiding its casualties from LRRP attacks ?or does LRRP only getting extreamly lucky with only non military/political targets in arears where its next to impossible to penetrate.? OR who is really behind this killing?
34. Surya | April 25th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Thanks #6 (Thilee) & # 22 (Ranjith) for comments about my view of this article. But I do not agree with you what you try to tell me.
I wonder do you ever think a while about the situation Tamils in Sri Lanka? I put most of the blame on the LTTE for this meaningless killings and pathetic situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka. As you know nearly 50% of the SL Tamils living outside of Sri Lanka and more will follow the suit. I feel sad for innocent lives such as Fr. Karunaratnam(Kilifather) lost. But he should understand that to be close to a organization such as the LTTE does not makes life easier.
On a long prospective we had a historical choice in 1987 when India came to Sri Lanka. But LTTE’s foolishness and madness made India left SL in 1989. After that we Tamils left with no gurantee for our lives in SL. Today we been killed and abused worse than ever before.
Think a second that do we ever have a chance to curve out own country? We think the West will come resque us without thinking of ground realities. Today nothing will happen in Sri Lanka without India’s consensus. But the LTTE trust on the West more than on India and it’s not any good for Tamils in Sri Lanka. Unless current LTTE leaders eliminated and change it path totally Tamils have no end in things suffering tunnel.
35. Sanity | April 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
V.Singh,
Could you please explain what the Sri Lankan government should do? You can accuse the Rajapakse regime of been nationalistic, but what do you expect a legitimate government elected by the people to protect its citizens do in facing this terrorism. Please don’t tell me that they need to negotiate with the LTTE. Successive governments have tried, but failed because of LTTE. If you analyze the collapse of the last ceasefire you would realize it was the LTTE that violated it the most and took advantage of it. Any government that comes to power has to fight the LTTE and eliminate it and then offer a reasonable solution that will satisfy the rest of the Tamil population. When fighting a terrorist outfit like LTTE one has to employ unconventional methods including targeting LTTE sympathizers like Father Karunaratnam. Sadly this is the only language terrorist understand. This is what Israelis do, and USA does when fighting terrorism. This is the same method the Sri Lankan government used when eliminating the JVP. All LTTE sympathizers should choose between government and the LTTE, and if they choose to support LTTE they would become targets even if it violates international rules. Sadly terrorists do not follow law, therefore legitimate government have to adopt as well. I honestly believe that in order to find a solution to this issue LTTE and all their sympathizers should be eliminated.(I make a big distinction between Tamils VS LTTE). I argue all Tamils who want to live in a united Sri Lanka to rise up against LTTE. If not do not support LTTE. If you do support LTTE like the TNA parliamentarians, every time LTTE kills innocent people you might be targeted as well.
36. N | April 25th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Sanity, you think like a child and believe all the garbage presented by the government. Is the armed rebellion of the LTTE counter-productive? Yes. Is the government any different from the LTTE? No. Sri Lankan governments are the reason for the continuation of this war. Instead constantly talking about eliminating the LTTE, why don’t you tell your government to offer moderate tamils a solution that is credible instead of the ancient 13th amendment that is being shoved down the throats of starving Tamil. This conflict is solvable but people like you blind yourself to the viewpoint of others. The Sri Lankan government has continuously failed tamils and yet these types of governments are continuously elected from the majority. People give the LTTE too much credit, for it is a simple side-effect of a history of discrimination. The LTTe is a response to the actions of successive Sri Lankan governments, if you want Tamils to abandon the LTTE then offer them a real solution instead of justifying human rights abuses because these justifications make you no different from the LTTE.
37. N2 | April 26th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Re #32. David Blacker
If one aligns oneself with God and speaks the truth, that too is risky in this world.
Best Christian example: Jesus who got himself crucified.
38. Jaya | April 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I do not know whether the LRRP or any other grp. carried out this attack. But, for me, killing is a killing no matter what, and I would see no reason to justify it. On the other hand, Father Karunarathnam also should have known that associating himself with a terrorist grp. like the LTTE is similar to asking for death.
This vicious cycle of revenge and bloodbath, which SL is today will continue until both grps realize that, what they are actually doing is destroying their own people and their own country. Moderates need to raise their voice in opposition of this hatred and brutality against each other and urge the two groups to stop all of this and reach a political consensus for the sake of (at least) our future generations. Also, there is much that the expatriates could do to end all this turmoil than simply supporting the LTTE or WAR while leading comfortable lives in their respective countries.
39. Rajapakse Analyst | April 26th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
you will always have an audience. Keep up the good work.
40. Sanity | April 27th, 2008 at 1:42 am
V.Singh,
What would you consider a good solution. Yes I agree that the Sri Lankan government should give a reasonalbe solution acceptable to moderate tamils. I am also frustrated that the APC cannot come to agreement on a solution. this should be done concurrently while trying to eliminate LTTE. Remember LTTE will not accept a solution other than ELLAM. I also beleive a final solution should not have a merged north and east. There is no basis for a merger. A final solution should give wide powers to the provinces to enable them to run thier own affiars. In any event LTTE and its sympthizers should be elimintaed, becasue until then this issue cannot be solved. Please don’t think I follow the government bliendly, I just applaud them for trying to eliminate LTTE against all odds from the international community and also within.
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