Navatkuli Sinhala Village attacked on Saturday 10 August 2013 at 930 pm
Posted on August 11th, 2013
Chanaka Bandarage, Sri Lanka Support Group
It is regrettable to note that the Navatkuli Sinhala village (the Sinhalese settlement 6 km south of Jaffna) had been bombed on Saturday 10 August 2013.
Miraculously no one had been injured.
A bomb had been thrown at the Navatkuli Buddhist temple at about 930 pm, during which time the main priest (in his mid-eighties) and the 2nd monk had been inside the temple. They were spending their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”VasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ season inside the temple. A devotee (leader of the Navatkuli Sinhalese village) had just finished offering flowers to Lord Buddha in the Buddhist Shrine and had stepped out of the temple (about 5 minutes before the bomb blast).
The bomb had been thrown inside the temple from outside of the village.
Fortunately, the bomb had not landed inside the temple. It had bounced on an iron mesh and hit outside wall of the temple. The wall had been badly damaged.
After the bomb blast, due to shock, the elderly monk had developed diahoria. He has somewhat recovered now. Most of the other Sinhalese villagers are extremely shocked and they do not know what to do next.
There is an Army camp adjoining the Navatkuli Sinhala village; the bomber had managed to evade Army surveillance of the village.
Now the Buddhist temple and the villagers have been provided with security.
Recently the Electricity Board had disconnected the electricity connection to the village alleging it was not legal. Now the villagers live in dark (for the last two months). Due to this, there exists a major security risk for them in the night. When the bomb had blasted, the village had been in dark except for the few faintly lit kerosene lamps in the temple and peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sheds .
Due to lack of electricity, the villagers are even unable to charge their mobile phones. Without mobile phones, they have absolutely no contact with the outside world.
As they have no employment, the villagers are destitute. They have no source of income. They do not have money to pay for a new electricity connection.
Most of the times, the monks eat dana with rice and vegetables. Very seldom would they get to eat fresh fruits.
There are few toilets for the village, built by the villagers recently. The villagers live in ram shackled tin roofed sheds. In the night it is easy for someone to throw a bomb inside the sheds through gaps on walls, and flee. More children have come to live with the parents during these school holidays.
Villagers say it is normal for unknown people to throw stones into the village. Even just prior to bombing, stones have been thrown on the templeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s tin roof. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ On that occasion, the villagers had thought they were droppings from nearby coconut trees.
Soon after the war, about 3,000 displaced Northern Sinhalese returned to Navatkuli and surrounding areas, now only a very few are left there. All of them ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ returned to the South as there was no relief provided to them by the authorities, unlike to the Tamil UDIs.
Earlier in the year, Mr Suresh PremchandranƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ TNA MP had visited Navatkuli and stated to the Sinhalese villagers that they must leave the Navatkuli settlement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKfrUS–twIs
According to Navatkuli Sinhalese villagers, it could be Tamil separatists who have thrown the bomb at them but they have absolutely no clue as to who has actually done it. They believe it may have been an attempt to harm the Buddhist monks and the villagers who wereƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ inside the temple at the time.
Again, they do not know the exact person who threw the bomb. The culprits remain at large.
Later on Sunday (11 August), a second bomb was found by STF, hidden in a tin shed 4 or 5 meters behind the temple. This bomb had been de-fused.
If separatists are treating the Sinhalese this way when the Central Government is still in control of the North, what can one expect from TNA when TNA assumes the control of the North? (it is not alleged that TNA is behind the bombing).
There are a few Sinhalese settlements in the North. Most of them are Sinhalese who have been born and bred mostly in the North. Of the Navatkuli villagers, everyone speaks fluent Tamil and their ancestors have lived in Jaffna. Some were the famous Bakers of Jaffna who provided bread to the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”whole of JaffnaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, before the troubles began in the 70s (like the Nawatkuli Sinhalese group leaderƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s family).
It is estimated that in the 70s at least 100,000 Sinhalese lived in the North with about 24,000 in Jaffna. Today the number is miniscule and those Sinhalese who wish to return to their ancestral lands have not received any incentive.
Earlier in the year, there had been demonstrations in Tamilnadu about the Nawatkuli Sinhalese Village, where some Tamilnadu leaders have participated.
Some Muslims have managed to return to the North, especially to Mannar, but many are still stranded in the South, especially in places like Puttalam.
We have fears for the safetyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of Navatkuli residents. Next time, they may not be this fortunate.
The international community would not comment about the rights of these unfortunate people ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” usual residents of Jaffna who have returned to their native land after the war.
WE AGAIN ASK THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO HOLD THE NPC ELECTION THAT WILL GIVE POWER TO TNA (SEE OUR MEDIA RELEASE BELOW, DATED 8 AUGUST 2013). THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO ABOLISH ALL THE PROVINCIAL COUNCILS BY WAY OF A NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT MOTHER LANKA (AND THE SINHALESE LIVING IN THE NORTH).
Those who wish to assist Navatkuli residents, please contact:
srilankasupportgroup@bigpond.com
August 11th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
This is PATHETIC.
It is the duty of the govt. to look after them.
Bloody Tamil racists in Jaffna electricity board are following apartheid. What the hell the govt. is doing?
This act is equal to killing Alfred Duraiappa in 1975. Lets remember this date very well 10 August 2013. This is the third Black August by Tamils against Sinhalese and Muslims (1977, 1990, 2013).
Unless the criminals are punished or this act is retaliated, it will continue until the north becomes Tamil Nadu.
August 11th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Govt. should declare a state of EMERGENCY and cancel the elections.
August 11th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
After reading the article what is apparent is that those who attacked the Buddhist Vihara may also be working for the Tamil National Alliances since the TNA did ask the Singhalese to leave the village. The article also points out that the Buddhist Sanga has a greater role to play other than Buddhist rituals. The Buddhist Sanga should develop a system to help out these Buddhist people, by helping them in growing food, charity work, including added security from the Buddhist community.
All of the above mentioned proposes have successfully been done by the Sri Lankan Hindu Tamils who are better organized and do take care of their own. Their power extends outside of Sri Lanka into Tamil Nadu, New Delhi and the Tamil diaspora. If the Singhalese Buddhists are to triumph over such attacks they too have to be equally if not more organized. At least a system should be set up where grievances that the government takes too long to address are channeled to the Buddhist Sanga and by helping out the Buddhist people the Sanga then grows in power
There is a saying “never let a crisis go to waste” often used by politicians. This is the typical crisis where the Buddhist Sanga exercises her power vested in her by the faith to do greater civic work and by that gain the trust and support of the people.
August 11th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
HERE WE GO AGAIN.
SURESH PREMACHANDRAN, TNA MP, HAS TO BE CALLED TO TEMPLE TREES, AND QUESTIONED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, AS TO WHY HE ASKED THE SINHALESE VILLAGERS IN NAVATKULI TO LEAVE THE SETTLEMENT. HE HAS TO BE TOLD THAT ANY MISHAP TO A SINHALESE VILLAGER IN NAVATKULI, WOULD BE TANTAMONT TO STARTING ANOTHER WAR, AND SHOULD BE CAUTIONED RIGHT AWAY.
WE DO NOT WISH TO WITNESS DOLLAR, KENT FARM AND PADAVIYA SCENARIOS.
MAY WISE COUNSEL PREVAIL IN MR. PRESIDENT, EVEN AT THIS STAGE, TO HOLD A REFERENDUM, TO ABOLISH THE 13TH AND THE PROVINCIAL COUNCILS.
AT THIS STAGE I WISH TO REMIND HIS EXCELLENCY OF A FAMOUS SAYING, BY NAPOLEAN BONAPARTE, THAT ~~~” HE WHO SAVES A NATION, VIOLATES NO LAW ”
SO PLEASE TAKE COURAGE, MR. PRESIDENT, AND HOLD THE MUCH ANTICIPATED REFERENDUM. YOU VIOLATE NO LAW.
August 11th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
As a Sinhalese I am ashamed of this and I am sorry for the Buddhist priest who was sick, and everyone in shock. The writer of the article seems to have a good knowledge about the Nawakuli village. I watched the video. This is one of the comments posted by Tamil in Germany in ptremachandran;s video –
Tamilan Germany .
Tamilan Germany 6 months ago
SINGALA THEVADI GET OUT FROM OUR PLACE… WE WILL COME BACK AND KILL ALL OF THE SINGALA BASTED
so they are doing what they threatned. As a priority the government must give electricity to these poor people
August 12th, 2013 at 2:02 am
I am very sad to hear all these stories. I cannot believe such things are happenning in our soil after all those dark years we went through. This Govt is doing too much to Tamils after all what they did to our country and to it’s people. They will never appreciate what Sinhalese are doing to them. Those selfish Tamils will stand against us againg if we do not open our eyes and do things. We have to safeguard the Sinhalese and the Buddhist culture at any cost. The minority Tamils and Muslims were trying to create a scene to tarnish our Image among the International community. We must be alert and watchful. Our enemies want to see carnage and bloodshed like Al Qaida and Taliban doing in Afganistan and in Pakistan. Our Govt must be vigilant and strong to avoid another bloodshed in my Motherlanka.
Hindus and Muslims fight in Kashmir. Blacks have been harassed and killed in America. Muslims and Christians are fighting in Britain. Muslims and Muslims fighting in Eygipt. Muslims are burning mosques in Syria and Mali.Muslims killing Muslims in Iraq so what’s new if we have few incidents similar to those in our country? We should not allow Muslims to build Mosques in every 100 yards or every town or city like in Saudi Arabia. Those Madrassas were funded by Saudis and the Muslim countries and we should be careful of these places because these places can sometimes can create monsters to sabotage the progress of the country and the unity of the people. This time if any Tamil or Muslim create any mischief in my country have to think twise because we Sinhalese will never ever allow any minority to play with our country or it’s people. Our great Sinhala worriors will crush any organized group or individual if they attempt to disablized or start a bloodbath again. Our land is home for all Sri Lankans who loves PEACE not to Tamil or Muslim terrorists who is trying to play politics to make our enemies in the International community happy. Sinhalese be alert and unite for God’s sake.
August 12th, 2013 at 4:21 am
Susantha Wijesinghe’s comment is important. Even with the security forces this incident happened, what would it be without their presence in the area. LTTE are operating as TNA supporters.
August 12th, 2013 at 6:00 am
Agree with SW.
This is a CAREFULLY PLANNED act.
TNA is REBUILDING its armed wing.
August 12th, 2013 at 10:53 am
It is very important to have a strong presence of Singhalese in the North if we’re to defeat the bogus Eelam project. We must give our fullest support to those people living in the Navatkuli Sinhalese settlement. They’re the real heroes in a way! Please contribute as much as possible to the fund established to help them. Its web address has been given at the end of this article by Mr. Bandarage. I am going to contribute when I come to know the mode of payment. Please also spread the message island wide and overseas. Thanks!
August 12th, 2013 at 10:57 am
Lorenzo, I agree with you : Govt, should Cancel the NPC elections in the wake of this spate of acts of organized violence.
————
Also confiscate passports of any persons, TNA or otherwise, who encourage anarchy and breaks the Law of the land. Mr Premachandran, TNA MP, appears guilty of such action when he asks Sinhela villagers to leave the Navatkuli village.
August 12th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Killing PRABHA IS ONLY ENOUGH TO SAVE MAHINDA”S LIFE . TO save Sinhala urumaya Mahinda has to do a lot more
can we expect that from mahinda? will it be a dream only. if we just wait for him to do it it will never happen . Sinhala Buddhist s should force him to act
He was not a born hero .. Sinhalese made him a hero .He was wise enough to listen to the majority and come to power we have to push him hard
August 12th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
SURESH PREMACHANDRAN HAS TO BE QUESTIONED, PERIOD, BY EITHER ONE OF THE UNDERMENTIONED, AS TO WHY HE THREATENED THE SINHALA VILLAGERS TO LEAVE THE NAVATKULI SETTLEMENT.:-
1…HE The President
2…RANIL, Leader of the Opposition,
3…The Mahanayake of The Malwatte Chapter
4…The Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter
5…The Chief Justice of the Republic of Sri Lanka
6…Journalists of all Newspaper Media, vis-à-vis~~Lake House, The Island, Daily Mirror, Lanka Web, Lanka Puwath, etc
OR all of the above. Let us see who has the spunk to question this RASCIST.
His threat has to be taken seriously. If any Sinhala Human Being is touched by the Tamil Rascists, All aforesaid 1-6 are responsible for the event. The Army should be alerted to annihilate any Tamil Terrorist Murderer at sight.
HE WHO SAVED THE NATION, VIOLATES NO LAW.
August 12th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
After power sharing with Tamils, what happened to Jews in Gaza, West Bank will happen to Sinhalese in the north and east. ZERO.
At the same time what happened to Arabs OUTSIDE these 2 provinces will happen to Tamils. MULTIPLY.