Not only Tamils but Muslims and Christians also live in fear
by Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne
Full Text of speech by Dr. Vickramabahu at a joint meeting on 7 January Hyde Park:
We are forced to come together by the actions of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Initially we were discussing the plunder made through petrol prices. Then came the cruel blow given to the Sirasa media. A crime that earth could not bear. It is an attack not only against the Sirasa establishment but also against people, a lost of precious wealth to the country.
It is an act to stop people listening to diverse opinions and news presentations. Sirasa has an ideology, so does Lake House. This choice marks the freedom of media. Clearly the government is responsible for this dastardly act. This government uses the slogan of war to carry out all kinds of heinous acts, abductions, disappearances, ransom taking, corruption, fraud and plunder. People are not aware how they plunder and rob them. Hence they were dancing in the streets celebrating government claimed conquest of Kilinochchi, forgetting huger and depravation. They are unaware why Tamils rebelled or the nature Tamil national problem. Poor were robed of every thing including their cloths. Still they were dancing holding lion flags, naked and in huger.
While the poor are fooled in this manner the rich had their parties in the five star hotels with roast beef and wine. While Tamils, citizens of this country, were living in fear and depravation, they were having bacchanals. In the past there were other repressions, especially against JVP insurgents. Sirimao killed JVP rebels and crushed the JVP rebellion. But she never asked people to dance in the streets or to have Heroic parties. Premadasa faced a rebellion in 88 and used armed violence to crush them. But he never asked people to dance in streets or to organize roast beef parties. But now this regime so callously has celebrations of repression and murder of Tamils. Can they ever solve this problem?
It is a barbaric society were not only Tamils but also Muslims and Christians live in fear. Muslim priests and Christian bishops are in street protesting. In the past there're instances where leaders were accused of communalism. Bandaranayke was accused of Sinhala chauvinism but he never personally made racist comments or encourage his cabinet ministers or high officials of the administration or the armed forces to come out with racist statements. Nor did JR or Premadasa behaved in this manner. But today it has degenerated into this uncivilized level. While poverty is spreading unabated barbaric racism is dominating the society. Time has come for us to get together and fight back.
9 Comments
well said we need actions or movement like people's power in the philippiens.
>> They are unaware why Tamils rebelled or the nature Tamil national problem.
We know how Mr. Wickramabahu addressed LTTE meetings in foregin countries.
>> Hence they were dancing in the streets celebrating government claimed conquest of Kilinochchi, forgetting huger and depravation.
Yes, people were happy that signs are that the LTTE is finally being beaten and can hope for peace! It was not against ALL tamils!
>> While the poor are fooled in this manner the rich had their parties in the five star hotels with roast beef and wine.
This is true!
>> While Tamils, citizens of this country, were living in fear and depravation,
You forgot the other poor ethnic groups who suffer! Why mention only tamils ?? But some tamils are in the same boat as the rich sinhalese or muslims!
>> Can they ever solve this problem?
I beleive yes! MR has said that power will be devolved and they ARE taking action of it. It MUST come after the LTTE is defeated. Otherwise MR will be a failure too!
>>It is a barbaric society were not only Tamils but also Muslims and Christians live in fear.
Please, Please, do NOT put ALL sinhalese in one pot and say that Sinhalese are racist but your are the only one not.
>> Muslim priests and Christian bishops are in street protesting.
Don't you think that this is great that they are allowed to protest? Great! That shows that the democracy is functioning in SL.
>> Bandaranayke was accused of Sinhala chauvinism but he never personally made racist comments
Swabhasha ??
>> Nor did JR or Premadasa behaved in this manner
JR: 1983 July!
Premadasa: I dont know!
>> But today it has degenerated into this uncivilized level.
Yes,true! I think it is this war that brought this on all of us. I remember the sixties and seventies were so calm and we have very nice and kind people in SL. Hopefully after the war a healing process will start.
>> While poverty is spreading unabated barbaric racism is dominating the society.
First part is true, the second is not!
>> Time has come for us to get together and fight back.
You are the wrong person to call for this for your bias towards the LTTE.
Dr. Wickramabahu is unpatriotic with highly a distorted world view and an outdated political ideology, which seems to a blend of misguided, obsolete communist principals picked up along the way of his decades old bankrupt "political career".
Patriotic Lankan
Revelling and debauchery of barbaric racism, not to mention the cowardice of bombing and shelling of Tamils of whom over half million have been repeatedly displaced losing relatives, limbs and possession time and again, all funded courtesy of international community.
Yashushi Akashi gatecrashed into Killinochchi and tried to coerce the LTTE leader into accepting his formula for solution to the civil strife in Sri Lanka, which would have been basically a sell-out to the Sinhala racist regime throwing away all the hardship Tamils went through for decades. When Akashi failed to do so he got very angry and unleashed his venom by funding a war to the tune of billions of dollars. The results are there for the international community to see. Unless Akashi is blind, he too would be able to see. The international community would still only make statements against the cowardly acts of aerial bombardment and shelling by deadly MBRLs, by the Sri Lankan security forces. The people have undergone no end of suffering yet the international community have done nothing to stop bombing and shelling of Tamil civilian population.
This government even celebrates and has street parties of its cowardice with funding from international community. In between celebrations the government even kills Sinhalese who could take a stand against its nefarious activities. The international community as usual will make statements and continue fund the goverment's cowardly activities.
With the death of people's champion like Lasantha Wickrematunga, Sri Lanka has entered a medieval age and are unlikely to return to modern world in a hurry. This government should stop blaming military intelligence, paramilitaries, and thugs who are well represented in government and simply resign if it cannot take responsibility for the murders and attrocities that goes on around the country.
Take care of yourself!
rajapakshe is a true hero , if u dont like lanka , go to a foreign country
Gayan Kodikara,
Dr Bahu's political ideology may be somewhat outdated / or is it, but I don't think idea of Marx is out of the window. Only the free market capitalist CEOs are jumping out of the window as the banks and investment banks around the globe are being injected with state funds.
So all in all, cant count the politicians on the left as fully outdated..sorry Gayan..so what they say pay attention to what they say about Sri Lanka
Marlene Pereira
Ratmalana
Dr. Karunaratne,
You have said enough. It is time to cool down. If you want to express your feelings and ideas, keep it for a future day. Sri Lanka is going through a bad period, so bad that there is zero tolerance for dissent. The silent majority of us do not want to hear another brutal murder. Speak up and write down when it is safe to do so.
Posted by Bala
These are ominous times indeed for Sri Lanka. For the Tamils, particularly in Mullaitivu, especially after the signals from the international community led by US, in connection with Gaza, and also in the aftermath of the killing of Lasantha, this is a time to fear for their lives. What is clear is that, for a while to come, morals, ethics justice, high ideals etc. are to be put to the backburner. Global capitalism is to reign the day. The ones with power will not be moved even if a thousand innocents are killed in 3 weeks of ruthless, mindless bombing. That signal even empowers a president with guaranteed impunity to kill an editor.
Right now the soldiers are taking a break. The direct fighting has stopped. But the ceaseless bombing from all sides has intensified in the 40 sq km of Mullaitivu now home to half a million Tamils. A stream of pictures coming out in dribs and drabs of injured civilians corralled inside this area catches no ones attention. Some may no doubt view this as the best time to finish off the Tamils in the guise of LTTE – (a plan hatched long ago?). It has been assured that there will be no witnesses to record the massacre – just like Lasantha’s and many, many others’ tales of horror.
But will that be the end of the story? Surely not!
3.Front with good principles,vision,inclusion of many parties are very very essential to take SL into a new path!Dr.VK has the ability and will to take the nation into harmony,justice,equality,freedom,as well as respect to HR!
All minorities and good Sinhalese will support him!!!