Was Weliweriya manifestation planned as a springboard to the like of an Arab Spring ?
Posted on September 8th, 2013

ƒ”š‚ By Charles.S.Perera

When Ranil Wickramasinghe is reported to have saidƒ”š‚  with a certain assurance at the 67 anniversary celebration of UNP that, ƒ¢¢”š¬…”this would be the last anniversary the party would celebrate as the opposition. And ƒ¢¢”š¬…” predicted the party would celebrate its 68th anniversary under a UNP governmentƒ¢¢”š¬‚

It is time that these political effusions are given serious consideration.ƒ”š‚  Ranil Wickramasinghe’s statementƒ”š‚  has ƒ”š‚ a sinister objective if we would read carefully ƒ”š‚ what he is purported to have said after:

ƒ¢¢”š¬…” The UNP Leader noting that those who died in the Katunayake and Weliweriya incidents were innocent youngsters .A ƒ”š‚ Government should safeguard every citizen including youngsters without putting their lives at risk. ƒ¢¢”š¬‚.

Then he invites the youth to join the UNP, ƒ¢¢”š¬…” if they want to live in a free youth-friendly country.ƒ¢¢”š¬‚

He does not stop their but continues that, ƒ¢¢”š¬…”ƒ¢¢”š¬‚¦the UNP will take to the streets and protest against the government demanding a general election by the end of this year. ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ (ColomboPage 7.8.2013)

It is in the light of this statement of the Opposition Leader, that the Weliweriya incident should be looked into more closely. The lives of the ƒ¢¢”š¬…”youngstersƒ¢¢”š¬‚ were put in risk by those who invited them to be present at the manifestation.

In Egypt, and ƒ”š‚ Tunisia the beginning of unprecedentedƒ”š‚  manifestations ƒ”š‚ that resulted in ouster of Governments, and in Libya the murder of a political leader started with the rebel groups against the Governments in place, being ƒ”š‚ encouraged, supported, and used by the International Community, by arming them and training them for armed attacks againstƒ”š‚  theƒ”š‚  Armed Forces of the respective governments. ƒ”š‚ The International Community is continuing this same tactics with the Syrian rebels.

A government should be allowed to bring the rebels under control usingƒ”š‚  the government Armed forces, without the intervention or interference by the International Community. It is the intervention of the International Community that aggravates the situation ƒ”š‚ making it take a greater dimension.

Unfortunately ,the International Community would not intervene to act as ƒ¢¢”š¬…”mediatorsƒ¢¢”š¬‚ between the rebels andƒ”š‚  the Government with the aegis of the UN to get the parties to come to a political settlement. But instead theyƒ”š‚  make matters worse by helping the rebels ƒ”š‚ for an armed attack against the Armed Forces of the Government, with the aim ƒ”š‚ to oust the Government in place.

If ƒ”š‚ the International Community is ƒ”š‚ genuinely interested in the people of Syria and their human rights it should ƒ¢¢”š¬…”mediateƒ¢¢”š¬‚ between the rebels and the government ƒ”š‚ to findƒ”š‚  aƒ”š‚  political solution for the problems .

But the International Community acts differently, with the one intension of ƒ¢¢”š¬…”changing the regimeƒ¢¢”š¬‚ by helping the rebels fight against the Government. ƒ”š‚ Thereafter, ƒ”š‚ as in Syria, when ƒ”š‚ the situation gets beyond control,ƒ”š‚  the International Community led by France, USA and UK would claim that there had been ƒ”š‚ chemical attacks by governments against their people and that the International Community should intervene to save theƒ”š‚  people.

This is what happened in the case of Sadam Hussan’s Iraq, and likely to take place inƒ”š‚  Bashar Al-Assad’s Syria. The UN Inspectors in Syria areƒ”š‚  there to check whether Chemicals have been used in Syria, but not to investigate who used the Chemicals , was it the rebels backed by the International Community or the Government of Bashar Al-Assad ?

In Sri Lanka too a situations like those of the Middle East would be ƒ”š‚ most welcome for USA, France,UK, Canada, and the others of their fraternity for a military intervention ƒ”š‚ to ƒ¢¢”š¬…”change the regimeƒ¢¢”š¬‚, as it has been evident even to Navi Pillai that such a ƒ¢¢”š¬…”regime changeƒ¢¢”š¬‚ is only possible ifƒ”š‚  her International cohorts are made to understand that Sri Lanka is not democratic and on the way to be authoritarian.

In order to intervene inside Sri Lanka for a ƒ¢¢”š¬…” regime changeƒ¢¢”š¬‚ what a better occasion than a PC Election in the North with a most undemocratic political party in the history of Sri Lanka the TNA going pell-mell to give effect to its agenda of setting up a separate Tamil Eelam with the blessings of the UN , USA, Canada, Netherlands, France , India and UK.

The slightest error of a shooting or a killing in the North ƒ”š‚ followed by a manifestation organised by TNA will precipitate the hounds ofƒ”š‚  International Community to be unleashed against Sri Lanka.

The Stage has been set and UNP seems to be organising themselves to share the spoils. ƒ¢¢”š¬…”UNP MP Ajith P. Perera today demanded that the Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal step down from his post immediately, and accused the latter of leaving out data on malnutrition from Central Bank reports.ƒ¢¢”š¬‚

Sri Lanka must be infested with the CIA Agents and their local lackeys, and paid Sri Lankan traitors, along with the Agents of RAW in every corner in the North, and also in the South.ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka is at the moment sitting on a ƒ¢¢”š¬…” powder kegƒ¢¢”š¬‚.ƒ”š‚  The police , the army and the over enthusiastic politicians should tread cautiously on the politically strained paths of the North.

There are far too many contracts given to India what comes into the Island with those contracts one really does not know. The Government is walkingƒ”š‚  in unknown surroundings.ƒ”š‚  The locomotivesƒ”š‚  andƒ”š‚  other material bought from Indiaƒ”š‚  may carry ƒ¢¢”š¬…” high Tec spy gadgets ƒ¢¢”š¬…” installed in them.ƒ”š‚  The Government is unable to take wise decisions and the 13 Amendment would be the detonator that would activate the ƒ¢¢”š¬…”powder kegƒ¢¢”š¬‚ on which Sri Lanka is sitting.

Any attempt to remove the 13Amendment will nowƒ”š‚  be fodder for the TNA to raise a hue and cry to awaken the hounds of the International Community.

Weliweriya incident is still kept alive by the UNP . To what extent was UNP involved in the ƒ”š‚ Weliweriyaƒ¢¢”š¬…” incidentƒ¢¢”š¬‚ ?

How many were present for the manifestation at Weliweriya ?ƒ”š‚  It has been said that some former ƒ”š‚ workers ofƒ”š‚  the glove factory who are members of the JVP, had been among theƒ”š‚  manifesting crowd in Weliweriya.

Was the crowd unrulyƒ”š‚  and beyond the control of the Police ?ƒ”š‚  Why and Who called the Armed forces to intervene ? Who was the soldier who, opened fire ?ƒ”š‚  Who gave him the order to fire ?

The problem over which the people manifested in Weliweriya had been settled when the manifestation was going on. Was this fact brought to the knowledge of those manifesting out side the factory ? ƒ”š‚ If so how was it that the manifestation continued ?ƒ”š‚  Who instigate hem to continue the manifestation ?

Was there any possibility that:

(1) the sacked workers who were members of JVP, (2) the Police Officer who asked for Army Assistance, (3) the Soldier who fired the firstƒ”š‚  shot, (4) the military Officer who gave him the order,ƒ”š‚  had any contact with any outsider or outsiders before the manifestation in Weliwerya ?ƒ”š‚  Who organised the Manifestation ? ƒ”š‚ What was his or their ƒ”š‚ background ?

These are all important questions to ask, and should be investigated as quickly as possible without allowing precious time to lapse.

People must be kept informed of what is happeningƒ”š‚  with regard to the proposal of the removal of the 13A or certain provisions of it.ƒ”š‚  If the 13A was removed or ƒ”š‚ action has been taken to remove it immediately after the PC elections the TNA’s manisfesto would have perhaps been different.

Now even Wigneshwaran taking a taste in separatist politics shows signs of ƒ”š‚ his ambition to become the Chief Minister ƒ”š‚ more evident, come what may, declaring that Prabhakaran is his hero as well as the hero of the Tamil people.

They are all in breach of the Constitution. It is ƒ”š‚ a criminal ƒ”š‚ offence for which the perpetrators could be tried for high treason. The government has not even warned them against the diatribes in the North with a Manifesto which is openly in breach of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.ƒ”š‚  No one seems to have raised a word against the TNA.

The Government should be vigilant. There may be more ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Weliweriyasƒ¢¢”š¬‚ to come ?

 

28 Responses to “Was Weliweriya manifestation planned as a springboard to the like of an Arab Spring ?”

  1. Lorenzo Says:

    The answer is NO.

    In Weliweriya people ONLY asked for CLEAN WATER which is a BASIC human need and a right, not a revolution.

    “The slightest error of a shooting or a killing in the North followed by a manifestation organised by TNA will precipitate the hounds of International Community to be unleashed against Sri Lanka.”

    Now this is what will break all hell lose and this is EXACTLY what TNA is planning to do. This will be Arabic Spring in the north.

    IF the govt. shoots dead unarmed Sinhalese for asking for water and then shoots dead Tamil racists who try to harm Sinhalese in the north, then the govt. would have dug its own grave.

    KILLING should be SELECTIVELY used against THREATS to national security. Not against petty incidents.

    Govt. should THANK and WORSHIP the Weliweriya people (5,000 protestors) for NOT taking the matter to Navi Pillai, UNHRC, etc. They are TRUE SL patriots. IF these 5,000 people and their families started wailing like Tamil women did, the govt. would be in deep shyt now.

    UriNePee attempt to do that FAILED because people did NOT support TREASON despite killing them.

    It is better to be grateful to these people for NOT siding with Pillai and UNHRC DESPITE killing civilians than REGRET such loyalty later.

    ANY such attack on Tamils (for WHATEVER REASON) will CERTAINLY end up at the UNHRC, Pillai, Endia, EU, USA, etc.

  2. AnuD Says:

    Weliweriya incidence was used to initiate a possible ARAB SPRING. They handed over it to a Youth Organization to handle and they brought students from some where else.

    I think, Govt’s intelligence service did not do their part properly and the govt got caught in it.

  3. Ananda-USA Says:

    Prevent Election abuse by REVOKING the candidacy of ALL Election candidates who do not Comply with Election Law … and removing their names from the VOTNG documents.

    Elections Commissioner declares:
    UPFA 90% compliant
    JVP 75% compliant
    UNP less than 50% compliant
    Smaller fly-by-night parties …. generally non-compliant.

    Just SHUT this DOOR to Election Abuse!

    ………………………
    Election Dept. laments over sleeping candidates

    By Sandun Jayawardana
    Nation.lk
    September 8, 2013

    The majority of candidates, who have failed to declare their assets and liabilities for the forthcoming Provincial Council elections, are from independent groups functioning as ‘proxies’ of recognized political parties, Elections Department officials and election monitors said.

    An official at the Department of Elections pointed out it had been an established practice of recognized political parties to put forward candidates from such groups as a political tactic. These ‘sleeping candidates’ would, in turn, campaign for some established candidate or be used to break up votes that would go to one party. “It’s a long-standing tactic and we can’t do much about it,” he added.

    Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) claimed that less than 50precent of candidates had declared their assets and liabilities, though the deadline to do so has now passed. The initial deadline elapsed on August 30. The Elections Commissioner subsequently declared a grace period of one week to candidates to submit their assets and liabilities declarations. This grace period came to an end yesterday (7).

    Election monitors meanwhile, commended the Elections Commissioner for his stern attitude towards candidates who fail to declare their assets and liabilities.
    TISL Senior Manager Shan Wijethunga said one notable aspect was that over 90precent of ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidates contesting the North Western and Central provincial council elections had submitted their assets and liabilities declarations. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has also been well in compliance, with over 75precent of its candidates submitting their declarations to the two provinces. The United National Party (UNP) by contrast, was lagging behind, not even 50% of candidates declaring their assets and liabilities, TISL claimed.

    People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi also said there was a positive trend of candidates from main political parties declaring their assets and liabilities, and appreciated the efforts of the Elections Commissioner in this regard.

    When contacted, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya reiterated his main task was to hold the provincial council elections successfully. However, he said legal action would be initiated after the elections against candidates who had failed to declare their assets and liabilities.

    Among other actions the Elections Commissioner can take is not to gazette the names of candidates who have not declared their assets and liabilities in the event they’re elected to the provincial councils. This would mean such candidates would not be able to take oaths as provincial councilors.

  4. Mr. Bernard Wijeyasingha Says:

    There are several issues brought up by this article. When it comes to Politicians deceit is part of their job. It is definitely not stated in their resume but by the nature of being a leader what is spoken in closed doors is re written for the public. This goes for any nation for in the end there is no such thing as a trustworthy Politician as there is no such thing as a trustworthy lawyer. “It is good for the nation” mentality goes a far way in stroking egos to making lies the truth an the truth a lie. Given that what the UNP Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe is no different than other politicians. For a person seeking to be a politician is also seeking power and by the very nature of power that person once a politician is open to corruption and more power he or she has the greater the chance for corrupt and deceitful acts.

    The treachery of the Tamil National Alliance is at least open for all to see. One already knows what they stand for and will do to gain it. In that way they are less of a threat than the UNP whose real agenda is actually unknown. One has to glean the facts from innuendos, comments, off handed remarks but no one knows what the members of the UNP are really discussing behind closed doors. That gives them an edge for unlike the Tamil National Alliance who boldly proclaims in her manifesto that she stands for a separate nation thereby leaving her open to accusations and even dismemberment by a judge of the government.

    A nation is most vulnerable when turmoil hits it. It can be an economic crisis but the worst is war of any kind and when that happens other nations invariably step in. India supported the Tamil Tigers till she realized that at the end it would be more prudent to support Colombo for the Tamil Tigers had lost. Pakistan and China supported Colombo not for any love for Sri Lanka but to keep India from gaining such a strategic win. When India annexed Sikkim she effectively encircled both Nepal and Bhutan on all three sides, but her biggest price would have been the formation of a Tamil nation carved out of Sri Lanka which would have given India an almost unfettered access to the entire Indian ocean.

    The same self interests are always there when foreign nations make best use of a nation when it is in war and by that when it is in its weakest position. For any nation in the 21st century who wished to avoid foreign entanglements would have to become a “hermit” nation where she has isolated herself from any foreign entity. That has never been Sri Lanka’s history for Sri Lanka has been on the world map since the time of ancient Egypt.

    This means that the leaders of Sri Lanka have to be that much more clever to use those vested interests of foreign entities to her advantage. As an example I just read that China is now making great strides in normalizing relations with India including massive investments into that nation. In my comment to that article in Asia Times I stated the following regarding the path China has taken to her advantage:

    “After reading this article and looking at the broader picture in which China is engaged it seems that Beijing is becoming the leader of nations. At one point her power was within her boundaries, then it included Pakistan and the rising “Asian Tigers”, after that it included Russia, then it included Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and even the Maldives and finally it now includes India. It is Beijing and not New Delhi that is expanding her influence. The US by her own folly has become a nation in debt to China at a rate of 10 Billion dollars per month that the US borrows from China selling empty bonds. In the Security Council China’s relationship with Russia has paid dividends and according to this article even the “containment policy” of Washington DC. is being “contained” by China. Without a shot being fired Beijing’s commercial influence now encompasses the Middle East to Africa and even to South America. A book should be written titled the rise of China and the fall of America.”

    It is not the size of China that has propelled her to this point. It is her leadership. Just as in Great Britain which is relatively a small nation who with good management skills and military power forged an empire where the sun never set. Tiny little Singapore at 127 square miles is another nation with expert management who is one of the four financial centers of the world, has the most number of Millionaires per capita and is about to overtake Switzerland another financial center of the world.

    Now that Sri Lanka has won that war it is time to join the big leagues and deal with any nation regardless of power or size according to the terms set by Colombo. In order to become a power to reckon Sri Lanka must make bold decisions both internally such as the validity of the Tamil National party as a legal political party even if that means the world will scold Sri Lanka and deal with the UN as the strategic power that Sri Lanka is. Do not let the UN officials dictate policies for Sri Lanka for non of the truly great powers allow the UN do decide anything in their nations.

    Finally Sri Lanka needs to exercise her “soft power” and that is the Buddhist Sanga which is the oldest Buddhist Sanga in the world and deserves the right to her traditional powers to engage Sri Lanka in a broader Buddhist world just as Great Britain has created the Commonwealth from the ashes of her empire. Between the powers of Colombo and the powers of Kandy Sri Lanka could easily emerge as a fore to reckon.

  5. callistus Says:

    The answer is yes. They tried through Weliweria. These villagers have been drinking this water without any reported illness, until 100 JVPers were thrown out for not reporting to work. It doesn’t require that much of a sophisticate brain to see that.

  6. Charles Says:

    Lorenzo,

    In Sri Lanka it may not be possible to have rebels as in Libya, Syria, Tunisia and Egypt. Only possibility would be to make use of manifestation like that of Weliweriya to incite the people to rebel by creating situations of anger against the Government, Army or Police.

    In Weliweriya it may have been the ordinary villagers who manifested demanding clean water. But there were elements that had prepared before hand to make that event take a different direction. Would ordinary people manifesting for their rights carry petrol bombs and throw them at the police and then at the army ? Some of the people manifesting had apparently left the place, and it was those who remained who became unruly.

    In Chile it was the housewives who started the manifestations that ended in the down fall Allende, In Iran it was one CIA agent who organised the downfall of Mosaddegh.

    Slightest error on the part of the Police or the Army in these situations could create the necessary environment for those acting behind the scene to make it a difficult situation beyond the control of the police or the army….

  7. Lorenzo Says:

    Charles,

    Yes. There were and are no doubt some political bankrupts trying to grab power. I agree. But the incident turned violent when the army charged at the civilians killing bystanders.

    The best slap on the face of REGIME CHANGE agents was when the govt. suspended the culprits from the army and created a new ministry.

    That regained faith and the NGO mafia is back in the rubbish bin.

    We should be grateful to the Weliweriya people for NOT taking the matter to Pillai and UN. It is NOT the right thing to do but this is what happens in SL. Now the NGO mafia had told Pillai those who spoke to her are targeted!! She has made a statement warning the govt. not to do so. Lies and lies.

    Weliweriya people NEVER did such things.

    I my view, we should appreciate that loyalty to the nation. This cannot be taken for granted any longer.

    My other worry is Weliweriya is an area good people who vote for nationalist parties. It is unthinkable to attack them. We NEED these people. Ultimately only these people will remain loyal to the govt.

  8. Christie Says:

    Browsing through the Sinhala news papers in the West, one of them called “Sihanada” in Australia carries an one page diatribe by the Sinhala terrorists the JVP.

    The government was right in taking swift action. The deaths are regrettable but these terrorists living in the West with the Indian terrorist should keep out of the internal affairs of the island nation.

  9. Fran Diaz Says:

    Let’s look at the Story of Weliweriya from the start.

    (1) Rathupaswela Wells : How did these wells in Rathupaswela get contaminated at this point in time supposedly via the Glove Factory,when the glove factory has existed there for some 18 yrs ? We think if fresh wells are dug now (under Army protection) in this area, these wells will have clean water. That would be clear proof of deliberate well contamination (negative action prior to CHOGM ?)

    (2) Glove Factory & JVP employees : The Glove Factory has existed for some 18 yrs and provided employment for those in the area. It is supposed to be the 5th largest of its kind in the world and a good foreign exchange earner for Sri Lanka.

    How come over 100 JVP employees there suddenly became rowdy and got sacked ? Who inspired them to be rowdy suddenly, prior to UNHRC & CHOGM events ?

    (3) Weliweliya demonstrations : Why were demonstrations against the contaminated wells held at Weliweriya and not at Rathupaswela where the wells are located ?
    The first set of demos were peaceful and genuine. The government representatives had talks with the key people who had grievances and a successful conclusion and closure brought about.
    The second set of demonstrators AFTER the crowd had started dispersing, arrived in the DARK/DUSK when visibility was poor. The Police could not handle this crowd as they had started RIOTING. Their numbers were some 5,000 !! The IGP requested the Army for help. When the Army came in the RIOTERS THREW PETROL BOMBS & SAND FILLED BOTTLES. THEY TRIED TO WREST THE GUNS OFF THE ARMY SOLDIERS. Were these people peaceful demonstrators ? NO. They deserved to be handled with toughness, which the Army did. The Rioting ceased due to the Army tough handling of the event for which action we are very grateful to the Army. As we can see form the Petrol Bombs etc.he RIOTING had been well organised prior to the event. NO Human rights Laws under any Democracy in the world allows RIOTING. The Army and Police were correct to take strong action against RIOTERS. Only peaceful demos are allowed in Democracies.

    In my view, our Lanka Army would NEVER deliberately shoot civilians.

    Three persons died and many were injured. How did this come about ?
    One person died due to hits from MISSILES thrown by RIOTERS. Two people died of gun shot injuries. It is yet to be established how the guns went off. Were they guns carried by the RIOTERS or did guns go off when RIOTERS TRIED TO WREST GUNS OFF ARMY SOLDIERS ?
    The Magistrates & Police Reports are yet to be filed.

    WHO WERE THESE SOME 5,000 RIOTERS ? Did someone hire them ? Were they Army deserters ?

    That all this happened just prior to UNHRC head, Navi Pillai arrival, & the CHOGM event, raises many questions.

    * WATER as the issue :

    The polluted wells of Rathupaswela raises questions.
    WATER has been used as a weapon by the ltte in the past. Over 1,000 SL Army soldiers died of dehydration at Elephant Pass when the water was cut off by the ltte. This was during the CBK/Ranil era. Water was cut off by the ltte to thousands of farmers at Mavilaru (2008). The poisoned waters (supposedly due to too much fertiliser, insecticides etc) in the three Provinces adjacent to the Central Province have caused Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in many thousands of people there. I do not know how many thousands have died of CKD in the some 20 yr period it has existed. Water is the issue at present at Rathupaswela too.

    That clean, pipe borne water is made available to all citizens of Lanka is very important. Will the useless Jnt Opposition address this problem to the near useless UNHRC & the CHOGM, and get together with the so far useless PCs, and the other local and central government machinery to deliver clean pipe borne water to the citizens of Lanka. This may be only useful thing that the so far utterly useless Jnt Opposition ever does for Lanka.

    * All future public gatherings must be monitored carefully. Leaders of all demos must get prior permission from Police/Army and be held responsible for any negative events. Violent forces may HIJACK peaceful demonstrations/any situation, to bring riots to the entire country.
    A similar situation happened in 1983 where first Tamil Separatism & Tamil Caste Wars of the North led to government involvement in the North through the Army, the killing of 13 soldiers by the ltte and the Kanatte debacle. The funeral of 13 soldiers (bodies not sent to villages as customary – whose orders were those ? Indian TAMI Envoy J.N.Dixit was a sort of Vice Roy at that time) were HIJACKED into the Riots of 1983, with President JRJ muzzled from acting to stop these riots for three whole days. The end result was the massacre of poor low caste Tamils numbering some 200 plus, burning and looting of homes & shops. The end result : TAMIL EXODUS TO THE WEST & THE IMPOSITION OF THE 13-A (1987), and the downfall of the Sri Lankan nation.

    Weliweriya Event appears to be meant for countrywide riots > Failed State > Regime Change & formation of Eelam.

    We must continue to look at this Event from every angle possible.

  10. Charles Says:

    Lorenzo and Fran -thank you both of you for your points of view.

    Though I would like to agree with Lorenzo, I cannot get rid of the idea that foreign enemies are lurking in side Sri Lanka. Weliweriya and Katunayake incidents surely had some backing by trouble makers imported from out side (CIA, RAW) inciting local traitors. (Ranil mentioned both this incidents during the UNP anniversary celebrations. He seems to have some inside knowledge)

    That is why police, army and the UPFA election campaigners should be more vigilant and cautious in the North during this election period.

    I agree with Fran

  11. SenaD Says:

    Charles, Fran and Lorenzo,

    Have you seen the article written by Dr L M K Tillekeratne, Former Director, Rubber Research Institute, in the Island on 28 August 2013?

    Link:
    http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=86763

    It raises the question: How could this particular factory make the well water in the area acidic, because the chemical process used by the factory is mainly an alkaline one?

    So, how the well water became acidic also needs to be answered. Whether some local group is creating situations using some valid grievances of the people to trigger riots entirely on their own or with the involvement of any foreign entity the result is the same.

    When the situation escalated to a public order issue where a major communication link was blocked authorities had to clear that block. However, the way they achieved it is very tragic.

    The tragedy that resulted must have been the aim of the people who organized the road blockade.

  12. Lorenzo Says:

    The balance sheet of Weliweriya.

    1. People are still WITHOUT pipe water.

    2. FRESH WATER is pumped OUT of Sinhala areas and send to Tamil areas in Colombo city.

    3. People AGAIN PROTEST – a Buddhist monk started a fast unto death. Govt. AGAIN promised clean drinking water to stop it. But the root cause remains UNRESOLVED.

    4. Innocent 3 civilians killed. 2 of them CHILDREN.

    5. When people ask for water, they become TERRORISTS!! But those who ask for a SEPERATE STATE, war crimes against govt. are NOT touched!!! Perfect conditions for regime change created by govt. – FRECH REVOLUTION STYLE. Eat cake if you can’t afford bread!

    6. Army is now separated from law and order with a NEW ministry SEPERATE from MoD.

    7. ALL army officers (4 of them) SUSPENDED for their role in Weliweriya.

    8. The politicians behind the incident escape all liability!!!

    9. With population growth, changes in climate, heavy fresh water use in hotels, industries, etc. MORE similar incidents will come up.

    10. When govt. MISUSES and OVERUSES regime change, it will become LESS evil.

    e.g. Shepard and the wolf story

    11. Ultimately the Sinhala people of Weliweriya, etc. decide WHEN (not IF) this govt. goes home. Tamils have already made up their mind. So are most Muslims. Govt. is digging its own grave in GAMPAHA district – the power BASTION of SLFP.

    12. RIOTERS were NOT shot in Grandpass as they attacked a Muslim prayer house, 3 houses and 3 more houses of Sinhalese. Selective use of force against RIOTERS within just days!

  13. Lorenzo Says:

    Charles,

    We may agree to disagree. With your VAST experience, I value your comments always.

    But at least now govt. should give these people PIPE WATER. Otherwise protests will come back again and again.

    Govt follows “eat cake if you can’t afford bread” attitude ONLY towards Sinhalese. Tamils can ask for DEVOLUTION, SEPERATE FEDERAL STATE, WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATION, etc., etc. and get away with REWARDS!!! Now even Basil talks about “SELF RULE”!!

    This is a clear pattern. I hope you see it too.

  14. aloy Says:

    Fran,
    “The second set of demonstrators AFTER the crowd had started dispersing, arrived in the DARK/DUSK when visibility was poor. The Police could not handle this crowd as they had started RIOTING.”
    Absolutely untrue!
    The shooting started in broad day light at Balummmahara. I was watching the unfolding drama over the TV in Colombo. What proof you have to confirm your statement?. You are coming out with this sort of nonsense even after I explained to you once in this site. Please remember innocent bystanders have been killed and when we write on serious issues like this we have to be careful.
    It appears that the ‘patrol bombs’ that were thrown at the army were actually clothes soaked in petrol, something manufactured at the spur of the moment at Weliveriya, later in the day
    BW,
    Your comment is very important and thought provoking. Why are we all languishing in other peoples lands?. That is because our leaders did not create the situation in our country for us to live and prosper. One person in Singapore could turn that place from a marshy fishing village to a world economic power for the benefit of her people. Why our leader cannot do the same. 12% of NASA’s scientists are from our country which means that our country is not without intelligent people. One prominent person here told me that there was a almost one hour long TV programme about Sri Lanka on CNN recently highlighting the potentials we have (and also how beautiful our women are) and the intellectual level of our people. Our state media should pick it and broadcast it in SL. Unfortunately our voters always select the wrong people to lead us. Perhaps the right persons did not come forward and they did not have a choice.
    Charles,
    Reading between the lines I see you are not writing about Weliveriya but about the perilous situation we are in.

  15. Fran Diaz Says:

    Aloy,

    Kindly listen to one of the Senior Police DIG’s talk of the Weliweriya incident. Put the words “Weliweriya unrest worsened due to certain violant group – Senior DIG” in the Google search box and the video will come up.

  16. Lorenzo Says:

    Fran,

    At the same time please listen to the PEOPLE and the clergy as well for a BALANCED view.

    There are MANY MANY youtube clips.

    The DIG and EACH person are equal. No one is more “equal” than the others.

  17. Fran Diaz Says:

    Lorenzo,

    I saw some of the videos you refer to. I am certain their is pain felt by the simple villagers, both over the spoilt well water as well as loss of life of 3 young people.

    On the other hand, I am sick of the BIAS & GAMES from some People who work on poor people to make them go against their own country. They even bribe others to go against their country.

    A lot of poor people will do anything for some money. Also, in the minds of some ill informed folk, the GoSL &/or the Army is to be blamed for ALL their problems. I defend this government and the armed forces not because I get any personal gain from that, but because I think this present government in spite of some corrupt elements, has done more good for the majority of people of this country (irrespective of ethnicity or religion) than any other government in our near history.

    Lorenzo, for the sake of freedom and truth & justice, 63 MILLION died in WW II. WW II started in the Christian west. Could that event have been avoided ? What went wrong ? We still don’t really know, except that certain countries failed to govern themselves properly with good values of ethics and morality, whilst balancing themselves with fairly shared material needs plus birth control. Each of us is responsible for the collective. Each of us is responsible for our own wellbeing as well.

    That three people died at Weliweriya is sad indeed. Such incidents must never happen. It is up to future demonstrators and their leaders NEVER to RIOT again. Sri Lanka has ‘come of age’ now and will NOT tolerate any RIOTING. All RIOTERS will be dealt with firmly and RIOTS put down pronto. The 1983 type Rioting will NEVER be tolerated here. That is a promise we must make to the future generations of Lanka.

    May ALL be well and happy – that is our constant prayer for this whole world so full of Ignorance of their real SELF, the Godhead within. We are all bound together in the common lot of life for mankind – birth, life, joys/sorrows, pain/illness and ultimate death, and striving for Union with God/Truth/Allah, our true goal in life.

    Don’t mean sound preachy, and am sorry if it sounds that way ….

  18. Fran Diaz Says:

    read as : there is pain ….

  19. Fran Diaz Says:

    Lorenzo,

    Re clean WATER, the real problem :

    The Weliweriya incident goes to show that the existing LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES (TWO STRUCTURES) THAT SHOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THE WATER PROBLEM, ARE NOT WORKING, DID NOT DELIVER TO THE PEOPLE THEIR LEGITIMATE NEEDS.

    We think this is due to TWO Local govt. structures existing side by side, and neither doing the work of the People. The second Local govt structure are the USELESS PCs, imposed under Duress by the Indian govt. on Sri Lanka during JRJ’s time. India gained such power over Lanka due to the 1983 Riots ! Having witnessed the 1983 Riots and seen the killing/damage done to the country, I am against all Rioting. I detest Rioting. As we can see, GoSL is still being wagged by the 13-A which was brought about the 1983 Rioting.

    India manages very well with one system of Local Govt., the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), the equivalent of the SLAS in Lanka. They do not have PCs interfering with the IAS ! The confusion in local administrative structures has been created by the India made 13-A, to destabilise Lanka ?

    Sri Lanka govt. is made so busy meeting with foreign VIPs over the so called ‘Tamil Problem” that GoSL is made slow to take on the real problems of the People who vote them into power.

    Sri Lanka certainly has a WATER PROBLEM. This was never there in the old days. Why now ? The ltte and their sympathisers always used Water as a Weapon. All that must be investigated.

    Generally speaking, at the bottom of all skullduggery, there is Money.

    But, we are all in agreement that clean, pipe borne water a MUST for the entire country. Here we all have common ground for action.

  20. SenaD Says:

    It is quite possible as this article points out that some local group, entirely on their own or with the involvement of a foreign entity, has hijacked the very valid protests made by the people in the area.

    An article written by Dr L M K Tillekeratne, Former Director, Rubber Research Institute, in the Island on 28 August 2013 says that this particular factory that makes rubber gloves could not make the well-water in the area acidic, because the chemical process used by the factory is mainly an alkaline one.

    If what that article says is correct, how the well-water became acidic is not yet established either.

    When the situation escalated to a public order situation involving thousands of people, where a major communication link was being blocked authorities had to clear that block.

    However, the way they could achieve it is very tragic.

  21. Fran Diaz Says:

    Lorenzo,

    One more, please.

    We wish that some local concerned groups would get some NEW wells dug at Rathupaswela to see if those have clean or polluted water. This is the real test. The new wells ought to be under STF guard, during and after digging to ensure they are not tampered with.

    If the new wells have clean water, then dig more new wells. If the water is polluted, then that means the entire water table of that area is polluted.

    As SenaD says, the well waters are acidic whilst the glove factory effluent is alkaline. So that clears the glove factory of polluting the wells, doesn’t it ?

  22. SenaD Says:

    Fran,

    Bore holes could be made to get samples of water rather than dig proper sized wells that are normally built for everyday use.

    They could do a proper study to get to the bottom of all this before getting the factory moved.

    If the water samples from bore holes (at different depths) were to be found non acidic, it would point to foul play behind it all.

    Not withstanding all that getting potable water to the people is essential.

  23. Fran Diaz Says:

    SenaD,

    I guess some water is being made available to the people of that area through bowsers. What a pity that they suffer due to lack of their well water.

    Yes, I agree with you that boreholes should be made and that water tested. That would be a test worth doing.

  24. Lorenzo Says:

    Fran,

    “Re clean WATER, the real problem :

    The Weliweriya incident goes to show that the existing LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES (TWO STRUCTURES) THAT SHOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THE WATER PROBLEM, ARE NOT WORKING, DID NOT DELIVER TO THE PEOPLE THEIR LEGITIMATE NEEDS.”

    Now you are talking.

    GOOD you watched those video clips. I can see your HARDLINE position changing towards the TRUTH even the govt. has accepted.

    The RIOTERS include 4 army officers who have been punished. But STRANGELY just a few days later when there was an ACTUAL RIOT in Grandpass, NO ONE was SHOT!! Weliweriya incident is NOT AT ALL SIMILAR to 1983. But the Grandpass incident was another 1983. Yet no action like in 1983.

    The problem is CLEAN DRINKING WATER. The factory may or may not be part of the problem. The problem may be inherent to the area. Whatever the reason is people NEED CLEAN DRINKING WATER AS OTHER PEOPLE GET, not temporary solutions.

  25. Fran Diaz Says:

    Lorenzo,

    We had to settle first things first. I wanted to clear the armed forces & police of blame, and get the picture out, what the motive for the Weliweriya Riots were, because I know where the Jnt Opposition of the country is headed prior to UNHRC visitor and the CHOGM events.

    I am highly aware of the need for Clean Water. The need for Clean Water is a topic I picked up long BEFORE the Weliweriya event. That was because of the poisoned waters of three Provinces adjacent to the Central Province, leading to CKD, where thousands have died and thousands more are suffering and that has gone on for some 20 yrs. I have written many, many times to this website on that topic, as you may have noticed, and made suggestions on how to handle the problem.

    The Weliweriya needs for clean water are small compared to the massive tragedy re Water at the three Provinces.
    Besides, I ‘smelt a rat’ in the manner of the Weliweriya event, and wanted to expose that to the public. You, on the contrary, accepted the Weliweriya incident at face value. Were you there in Sri Lanka during the 1983 Riots, Lorenzo ? Because if you were there to witness the 1983 Riots, then you would have thought the way I did and seen the Weliweriya event as I did. I am an old person, Lorenzo, and my old eyes have seen much to lament over.

    I reacted because you virtually accused the Army of deliberately ‘going into riots’ too and shooting at civilians. You kept saying that the Army and the Rioters both Rioted. No, that was not the case at all. I watched the videos carefully. Some of it from the civilian side is exaggerated to say the least. One person deliberately fell in view for camera purposes too. My companions who were watching the video said the same thing. I felt the cameras were rolling to capture key images to discredit the Army & Police and the GoSL. In fact, one news item on the web claimed that at least 6 people were dead ! Such was the NEED for RIOTS to prove what a Failed State Lanka is !

    I don’t think the scale of what happened at Weliweriya (not just the water issue, but the glove factory being accused plus the 100 plus JVP being sacked), is equal to the mosque attack. But he timing was for UNHRC visitor/CHOGM and Failed State.

    I am glad you watched the Snr DIG talking and hope you understood what he was saying.

    Cheers ! the world rolls on with the ‘games’ …… this time not in Lanka, we hope.

  26. Fran Diaz Says:

    For Sri Lanka, with friends such as we have, who needs enemies !
    Poor Sri Lanka. The only surfeit we have are people who are disloyal to this Nation that gives so much.

  27. Lorenzo Says:

    Fran,

    NOT TRUE. Govt. action of SUSPENDING them tells it all.

    Lets agree to disagree. This is not going anywhere.

  28. Fran Diaz Says:

    Lorenzo,

    Govt. is doing a number of unusual things for political expediency. That is apparent to us all.

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