Anti - Sri Lanka triumvirate of western powers, diaspora and NGOs continue war-crimes allegations
By Gomin Dayasri
The spectre of war crimes will haunt Sri Lanka until the triumvirate consisting of the Diaspora, anti-Sri Lanka NGO’s and the Western Powers abandon their relentless struggle to punish Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism which still continues to torment those countries which did not desire the LTTE to be vanquished.
These countries continue to be plagued by terrorism with which they have been grappling for years but yet has failed to comprehensively defeat notwithstanding the superior fire power possessed, sophisticated equipment at their disposal and the economic strength to combat terrorism.
They never expected Sri Lanka with its limited resources to defeat the LTTE of which they were supportive, because of its “master-sir” approach to the West and Sri Lanka’s geo-strategic placement in the Indian Ocean.
In addition to losing a distant ally in the LTTE there is the desire to discredit the military achievements of Sri Lanka which they are trying to emulate but continues to fail miserably which brings out the worse of the ‘green-eyed monster’ within them.
The anti-Sri Lanka NGO Fronts’ right to survive in Sri Lanka depends on a continuing war to enable them to wave the white flag of peace and the peace drums which brought them great financial support from the West. Now with peace achieved after a successful war effort being productive, the peace activists have lost their cause and with it the monetary dividend.
The Diasporas days of glory ended with the demise of Prabhakaran- to be in business they have to, at the least, discredit Sri Lanka’s war exercises- it is the way to be in money fame and influence.
These three imposters have successfully pressurized UN officials again to re agitate the call to investigate war crimes in Sri Lanka. They have found a strange ally in frustrated Sarath Fonseka with his recent utterances much to their comfort.
What is more intriguing is the conduct of Ban ki-Moon and Pillay falling prey to the overtures of the anti Sri Lanka front and wanting to offer a life line, to those who enthused terrorists, while also attempting to punish Sri Lanka for bringing security to a country which lived in agony for 30 years and for having comprehensively defeated brutal terrorism of the LTTE which had spilled into the international realm.
It is just days away from the unmanned drone aircrafts functioning from US bases in Pakistan which missed their targets and killed innocent civilians. The killing of by- standers by US forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan has become a common feature during the war against the Talibans. So is it in Iraq and in the Middle East during the last few weeks where a large number of civilian deaths are reported due to the firepower of the West and Israel.
Why is the UN concerned of Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka but silent on the events in Afghanistan Middle East and Pakistan?
Why does not the French and British Foreign Ministers make visits like they did to Sri Lanka, especially to Afghanistan and Iraq where their forces are stationed and make a plea as they did in Sri Lanka by insisting on access to Prabhakaran to start a dialogue with the terrorists elements?
Is Ban-ki Moon and Pillay wearing tinted glasses that they fail to see only Sri Lanka as the sole violator in South Asia of humanitarian laws?
Did not the UN see or hear of the atrocities in Rwanda and yet choose to look the other way but concentrate on Sri Lanka that did the civilized world a great service proving there is an answer to combat terrorism?
Is the UN that delivered hostile findings on child soldiers to the LTTE, anxious to discredit Sri Lanka for rehabilitating and delivering the captured children to their lawful custodians?
Was there a word of appreciation from the UN for eliminating the existence of child soldier image comprehensively, which has not happened in any other conflict area, but instead Ban Ki- Moon wants to appoint a panel to investigate Sri Lanka to probe war crimes?
Does not UN realize that the people of Sri Lanka are living in peace with security after 25 years and are they keen to give a fillip to those forces of terrorism to revive themselves?
Did not the UN continue to recognize the government of murderous Pol Pot regime of Cambodian while it remained in exile in the jungles of Thailand while a lawful government was functioning in Phom Phen after overthrowing the architects of the killing fields?
Did the UN inquire as to the human rights violations in Uzbekistan after British ambassador Murray reported gross violations in that country which led to his dismissal from the Foreign Service?
What action did the human rights activists in the UN take against the Pinochet regime in Chile or against Suharto administration in Indonesia for the mass murders that took place?
It is obvious that the British Labour government is trying to woo Tamil voters in the forthcoming General Elections in UK and therefore has to placate the Tamil Diaspora living in the UK. Therefore, on their behalf, they are exerting pressure on the UN agencies to investigate Sri Lanka in an attempt to win over the Diaspora vote.
It appears just as much as the UN agencies do not act against US interests on human rights violations; on the contrary UN reacts rapidly when the British government lodges a complaint. Where are the level playing fields?
Are there not discernible differences amounting to discriminatory practices?
During the war there were allegations against the Forces for Human Rights violations in cases like the Mutur murder trial of 17 aid workers, deaths in Shencholai LTTE training camp which were inquired into and the findings of panel were that the Forces were not liable. These were sessions held in the presence of foreign observers and the findings were adverse to the LTTE.
Had the findings being against the Sri Lankan forces, what a price we would have had to pay?
Why then this sudden outburst from the UN Secretary General and Human Rights Commissioner?
It draws strength from a statement made by Sarath Fonseka that he is prepared to disclose facts before an international tribunal on events that took place in Sri Lanka. It would sound sweet to those desiring to find Sri Lankan forces culpable because for the first time in history, a Commander of a Military Force was volunteering to testify against its own Forces. They would have realized whereas there was no evidence forthcoming or the evidence so far presented proved to be unfavorable, a valuable source was emerging from the military to punish Sri Lanka.
Much of the blame that Sri Lanka has to face is due to the impotent Human Rights Commission-a virtual school for the deaf dumb and blind-which does not sufficiently pay attention to Human Rights complaints and has failed act effectively and win confidence.
It is important that there must be strong internal surveillance system, which would be a strong counter to foreign pressures. It is in the absence of an internal machinery to check human rights violations; it has become possible for alien bodies to attempt intervention into domestic affairs. It would be a threat to our national sovereignty if foreign busybodies are permitted to interfere in domestic procedures.
We have the unfortunate experience of watching the role played in Sri Lanka by the Scandinavian monitors when entrusted to monitor violations under the CFA and the IIGEPS in the Special Presidential Commission as observers to inquire into Human Rights violations. Whenever foreigner/inquirers have arrived on the scene as observers/inquirers in another country, they have exceeded their authority conferred, to give effect to their own agenda, which is detrimental to the host country.
It is for this reason India does not tolerate any human rights observers like Philip Alston to enter India and forbid NGO’s the right of access during the tsunami. Sri Lanka made the error of opening our gates that made many of them become willing tools and accessories of the LTTE. Sri Lanka paid dearly for this colossal blunder.
Today all political parties have extremely patriotic forces in their membership and in their silent support bases. Now is the time for these forces to rally around again as during the war and prevent any foreign interventions in the name of humanitarian exercises to enter this country to shame our security forces.
21 Comments
Well said Gomin, well said! Why not send this article to the attention of all UN member countries?
Please stop putting that womans face on every article (the one holding a banner). If she become s aface of Tamils, the world might think that we are all butt-ugly.
Sarath Fonseka is the biggest traitor that Sri Lanka has ever had. He is betraying his country to get back to the Rajapaksas for hurting his pride. What a low-life. I hope a military or a civilian tribunal will find him guilty of all charges and imprison him for life.
He was a brilliant soldier/commander for sure, but he would have not been able to lead the army to the complete victory over the LTTE without the courageous and patriotic leadership of the Rajapakesas, the brilliant leadership of the Navy and Air Force commanders, and the sacrifices of the common soldier, sailor and the air force man.
What a lousy egotistical man is SF. We don't want him to ever be the leader of the country, and nor do I want him to be set free to harm my country anymore.
I respected him for leading the army to victory, and didn't mind him running for presidency. After all we are a democracy, any Dick, Tom or Harriet who can spare Rs.50,000 can run for it. Who is there to stop them?
But, I lost all respect for SF when he opened his low-life mouth and brought the SL army, it's commanders and the whole of Sri Lanka to disrepute and open to various unfounded charges by the mad vultures based in the western countries.
In fact, now, I abhor the very personality of SF. He deserves to be in prison for life.
We don't need enemies from outside to attack SL. We have low life scum bags like SF doing that without a thought about the consequences.
MR dynasty in Srilanka will be
around
All of us could take a lesson from the weather.It pays no attention to Criticism.Let the world croak and shout for all they can, but we SriLankans will stand our grounds and will not back down. We have done noting wrong but destroyed the most ruthless terrorists in the world. Sudu Akka
Does Sri Lanka,as a sovereign country,have a right to unlawfully arrest,detain it's people,and/or torture it's own innocent citizen?? We the internationalist DEMAND justice! Ligers
What a load of rubbish from a known Sinhala nationlist.
Have you stopped to think why the west with their firepower and superior technology is yet to defeat terrorism comprehensively? Unlike the GoSL, the west, despite many accidental killings of civillians values human life. Not only do they value the lives of their own citizens but citizens of foreign countries too. Don't you think if the west want to defeat the Taliban they have the firepower to flatten the parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan where the Taliban is active? But they haven't. Why?
A good comparison with SL is the way the British handled the IRA. Did they kill thousands upon thousands of Northern Irish Catholics, their fellow UK citizens to defeat the IRA? Unlike SL, No.
Just like governments don't stand by idly when parents abuse their children, the IC is not going to standby idly and let states kill or abuse their own citizens.
Srilanka should ensure that the LTTE never raises its ugly head AGAIN. Photograph every activist who seeks sessionism and arrest them the minute they step into SriLanka. Have the same system as in US. Fingerprint everyone and photograph everyone who comes to the country. Monitor their families in the country as well. ADOPT A VERY HARDLINE APPROACH IF SRIlANKA IS TO REMAIN FREE FROM TERRORISM.
i want to thank to Gomin dayasiri . and if any one can foward this letter to U.N OR directly ban ki moon. Blind U N AND . N G O
GD is ranting. that is the first thought that comes to mind reading the article. In these countries terrorism still continues because the laws governing the fudamental rights of people, freedom of speech, free press and many more other statutes needed for good governance are not dead like in Sri Lanka. whatever news that GD may have read regarding Afghanistan and Iraq is because of the right to information. If it was a Rajapakshe led government in those countries what GD would have read in the news was that the war in these countries have zero casualties amongst the civillian population. Fortunately for GD these countries are covered by independent news media.
On the other points of his article I will like to comment but there are better things to do rather than commenting on his rantings.
There is no such thing as a triumvirat of Western Powers, NGOs and Whatnots. That is complete and paranoid BS - pardon my French! And it's certainly not about defeating a terrorist gang which could only grow as large as it did in Sri Lanka. It's about the way the LTTE was defeated. The world wants to know about that. And trust me - sooner or later it will. The constant denial of the fact that there have been (and still are) atrocities, killings, kidnappings with Tamils, journalists and opposition politicians involved will not hold forever. There is just too much clear evidence.
Sri Lanka must realize that while the country right now dances to the shrill tunes of the Rajapaksa-Clan, the world outside certainly does not. We watch in awe. And hope for those, who really want the best for their country.
Articles like this are only to show just how shrewd and corrupt some people are and how they choose to pretend to be blind to facts. And rather enjoy making up conspiracy stories Bollywood style.
Defeating terrorism is not a good excuse for counter terrorism, Gomin Dayasri. May be US and others use terror on others and over look human right violations with their allies. That doesn't make Sri Lankan miltary a saint..! You have to accept that there were war crimes and human violations in north and vanni (also by LTTE) and its a must that this should be investigated...
Don't start blaming others to hide your own mistakes.
Gomin Dayasri's article attempts to justify the government's approach of stone-walling any attempt to find out the truth of what has happened in Sri Lanka over the past 4 years. The problem is that such vociferous denial of allegations, without any sincere effort to investigate them gives the impression that there is something to hide.
What is even more dangerous about the anti-UN, anti-tamil diaspora and anti-western rhetoric of this type of article is that it misinforms Sri Lankan's in order to drive an essentially xenophobic agenda, which will in the long term, harm rather than help our country.
Quote 1:"Did not the UN see or hear of the atrocities in Rwanda and yet choose to look the other way but concentrate on Sri Lanka that did the civilized world a great service proving there is an answer to combat terrorism?"
The reality of the Rwandan situation is that, whilst there were failings of the UN in preventing the genocide, they did not look the other way. The UN and Rwandan's worked together to establish a process of national reconciliation, which included the establishment of the UN criminal tribunal for Rwanda: http://www.ictr.org/.
Quote 2: What action did the human rights activists in the UN take against the Pinochet regime in Chile or against Suharto administration in Indonesia for the mass murders that took place?
In the case of Chile, the UN didn't have to intervene because the democratically elected government that replaced the Pinochet regime established a "Truth Commission" without the need for external pressure. The result of the commission's report was to prompt the "reparations, education, legal reform, and taking steps to further clarify the fate of the disappeared". A discussion about the Chilean experience can be found at http://www.beyondintractability.org/case_studies/Chilean_Truth_Commission.jsp?nid=5221.
Quote 3:Why does not the French and British Foreign Ministers make visits like they did to Sri Lanka, especially to Afghanistan and Iraq where their forces are stationed and make a plea as they did in Sri Lanka by insisting on access to Prabhakaran to start a dialogue with the terrorists elements?
The above piece of rhetoric suggests that western powers are not interested in negotiated settlements when it comes to their own wars - but this is not the reality. Even the United States has considered negotiating with the Taliban - see: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/11/biden-us-likely-to-try-to-negotiate-with-taliban/.
The above quotes illustrate some of the ways in which Gomin Dayasri's article misinforms people. The purpose of this misinformation is to convince the reader to support the closing plea that Now is the time for these [patriotic] forces to rally around again as during the war and prevent any foreign interventions in the name of humanitarian exercises to enter this country to shame our security forces.
The way to prevent foreign intervention in Sri Lanka is for Sri Lankans to take responsibility and put forward a sincere proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Such a commission would allow all of Sri Lanka's communities to come together and learn the truth of what happened in our country in the last 30 years. Without such an exercise, Sri Lanka will remain polarised internally, with the memory of past injustices unresolved.
Great article Gomin.
Why delve into the past. Look at the present. There are no bombs. People from Jaffna to Matara travel freely. Business is flourishing. Elections are held frequently. There are ample media criticizing the Govt.
Democracy is all over. Any violations are perceptional and need not been tabled each time to the western agencies.
leave us alone - UN, Tamil Diaspora and NGO businessmen.
GD,
Ignorant people like yourself will never unite this country. Most of us tamils are not stupid. We know exactly what this war and the problems before it. We dont live in a land of fantasy like the rest of the island that gets all its news from the highly sensored media.
The LTTE are no angels. Infact if anyone understands the problems of the LTTE it is the tamils. But we know what the LTTE is and what the LTTE is not
But they are not cause of the violence in Sri Lanka. Your own racist GOSL was responsible for that in the 1950s.
The GOSL has easily brutalised, killed and intimidated far more people than the LTTE has ever done. A state terrorist vs a rebel terrorist. This is the reality.
The sinhalese talk so much about unity these days. Where the hell were you when tamil people were being killed in riots in the 1950s and onwards? I did not see any forceful and strong attempt by the Sinhalese public to safeguard the minority communities from the actions of the state sponsored thugs.
If you had done that, the LTTE may have never grown into a force.
To this day i hardly see any article speaking about this situation honestly.
It would be fitting to mention that the GOSL and some Sinhalese made a huge blunder in brutalising the tamil people for 2 decades. Which finally resulted in some of them creating a militant rebel group (LTTE). Which then ofcourse resulted in 20 plus years of war.
Ranting on and on about LTTE this LTTE that is for the ears of morons. Not intelligent people.
And Sri Lanka will NEVER be a sovereign state. It is completely owned and manipulated by outside forces. You have to be very simple in the head to talk about Sri Lanka standing on its own. No chance! Its absurd to think so.
Sarath Fonseka vs Mahinda is nothing but Western powers vs China/India. SF was put forward to fight against Mahinda by the American CIA. You think any of the SL leaders are independant? Dont make me laugh
Reading Counsel Gomin Dayasiri – ubiquitous in matters legal when the Rajapakse GoSL is in trouble - one is simultaneously reminded both of Sir Walter Scott ("Oh what a tangled web we weave – at first when we learn to deceive") and Cervantes’ The Man from Lamancha where that man producing much mirth - Don Quixote - goes after imaginary windmills convinced he is bringing down castles and enemy knights - who are simply not there.
GD’s brief is to convince the majority in the country enemies are at work 24 x 7 against the lillywhite regime. And so he tells us of the excesses of “the triumvirate” – nasty chaps for sure. What is at issue is not the “punishment” this triumvirate is planning for Sri Lanka for finishing the LTTE. Rather the punishment GD’s patrons – the Rajapakse Bros – have inflicted on GD's once Super-Sinhala Buddhist hero – Gen. Sarath Fonseka – now virtually behind bars for the same victory.
Since a Tamil flavour is necessary as enema for this to pass through the Sinhala psyche, he faithfully attacks South Africa’s Navanetham Pillay – who is as Tamil as I am as Parker as the pen I write with….India (and Thailand) did not allow NGOs to come to their countries after the Tsunami because they had the wherewithal to provide the resources to set right the damage to their people. They did not want to beg for aid from the West, NGOs or donors…
Sinhala supremacist twins SLG and Nalin de Silva will contradict his statement “the (Tamil) diaspora's days have ended” with the death of VP. To them, Bogollogama and many others in the regime, it is just beginning – as that mega event in the precincts of the British Parliament recently established. …
India, by the way, does not refuse any worthwhile international body coming into check their HR records. Media persons by the thousands show up almost daily from all parts of the globe in that vast country where reporting is free and unfettered – except in very rare exceptions.
Journos function without fear and favour in that country Galbraith called “the world’s largest functioning anarchy” and wherever Independent Panels of Inquiry are formed there, the assault on justice that Devanesan Nesiah was forced to suffer in a Panel here recently – where pseudo-nationalists forced the regime to remove the Commissioner from his appointed function. In the name of justice Lankan style, of course.
By all accounts, although it may fatten the purse strings of some lawyers, this piece is one more feeble attempt to protect a regime and system under global scrutiny and condemnation that has weakened and brought into disrepute a once respected legal culture.
ISS
As far as the Muttur case goes, you want to see what the foreign observers opined about the fiasco of the government investigation.
And let's not talk about the massive intimidation of hostile witnesses in these and other cases.
Gomin Dayasiri,
You have got your facts wrong regarding sencholi bombing and murder of 17 aid workers by the government forces the commanding officers will be brought to justice it is only the begining remember pinoche ? You can shout from the top of your tallest building in fort the armed forces who were responsible for massacres will be brought to justice forget European and North American education for their children. They should try Indian or Chinese or Iranian universties
Nathen
The problem with ISS is he puts all his eggs in one basket. He and the diaspora were right behind VP and the LTTE for 30 years.No negotiations no compromises but only independent Nation of Tamil Eelaam with all the bells and whistles.
Immediately after the demise of VP, he backed phoney Fonny to the hilt assuming and praying that Fonny will deliver the mini Eelaam through the back door deal Ranil stitched up with Sampathan.
Now he is exhilarated thinking that Milliband and his mates are going to send a Western coalition of the willing to deliver his dream of the Tamil homeland of the North East.simply because Milliband managed to hire a room in the parliament building for diaspora talk fest.
The days of British Raj dictating to the sovereign nations in Asia are gone. Milliband would not be facing an election for another five yeras if he get a second chance. Bunkee has buckleys of re election after what he did to Iraq and now Afganistan.
There are countries like China and . Russia who are facing the same bullying like Srilanka from these Western mobs.The friendships , China and Russia have fostered will hold Srilanka in good stead at least for another seven years and that is ample time to for Srlankans to achieve prosperity that they were denied for the last six decades.
Mutur murder trial of 17 aid workers,deaths in Shencholai LTTE training camp which were inquired into and the findings of panel were that the Forces were not liable.
A self confessed Xenophobe and a Racialist is trying to be economical with truth!
It took a lot of exception from me to comment on the rantings of an otherwise eminent legal prodigy! It is sickening to the core to note an exceptional talent languishing in the dirt of communal vitriol. What a waste.
Look at the absurdity of the argument:
... ... western powers ... ... to punish Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism ... ... to losing a distant ally in the LTTE.
Can we still blame the politicians - who draw their strength of conviction from such scums - or what.