Sri Lanka’s National Identity, Official Language – National Anthem and the Sinhalese Majority
Posted on October 17th, 2013
Shenali D Waduge
Contrary to what is erroneously being promoted the Sinhela race did not descend from banished King Vijaya of India. The discovery of the Balangoda man depicts a rich civilization going back 38000 years. Undoubtedly what distinguishes the Sinhala people is their Sinhala language -” both people and language found nowhere else in the world except in Sri Lanka. Thus, they become a distinct community with a unique language, Sinhale culture and literature evolved and developed within Sri Lanka solidified further by Buddhism. It became the source and secret of unity through history which is why these key areas continue to be target for annihilation by Christian West and their local stooges. There are only 14.8million Sinhalese speaking Sinhale and thus both ethnic group and language must be protected. All other cultures and languages in Sri Lanka originated from other countries. It was the Sinhalese that built Sri Lanka-â„¢s civilization.
With close to 7000 languages the world over, Sinhalese is one of the world-â„¢s oldest living languages with a history over 2300 years with inscriptions in Brahmi script (linguistically diagnostic in Indo-Aryan Prakrit) dating from 600-500BC found in remnants of pottery in Anuradhapura. The Sinhala script has won international fame in 1909 for being one of the world-â„¢s most creative alphabets and is named one of the world-â„¢s 16 most current creative alphabets.
Etymology of Sri Lanka with King Ravana naming Lanka as the capital followed by Sinhalana (Pali) meaning -Ëœland of the lion people-â„¢, Ceilao given by Portuguese, Seilan, Helanka -ËœLanka of Helas-â„¢ -ËœHeladiva-â„¢ -” Island of Hela-â„¢s (natives), Serendip (derived from sihalan-dip -” island of sihala-â„¢s/Helas), -ËœTaproben-â„¢ to former Ceylon. Present -ËœSri-â„¢ comes from Sanskrit for -Ëœresplendent-â„¢ and Lanka -ËœIsland-â„¢.‚
Sealing the Sinhale language, culture and people has been the philosophy of Buddhism and its noble tenets. In ancient times the partnership of King-Bhikkus and Buddhist culture prevailed. Threats to Sinhela language came from South Indian Dravida invaders who not only destroyed places of learning and Buddhist establishments but attempted to also destroy the Sinhala writings by burning libraries of -Ëœola-â„¢ palm-leaf manuscripts by setting fire to them.
The Catholic/Christian Portuguese, Dutch and British took over from the Dravidians again targeting the Sinhalese Buddhists and the Sinhalese language. Had conversions not taken place the Sinhalese would have been all Buddhists no different to how Muslims are identified with Islam (ethnicity and religion one and the same). The foreign invaders however created a new ethno-religious group of Christians/Catholics from both Sinhalese and Tamils.
Once Britain controlled the entire country they inflicted the greatest damage to Sinhala Buddhist cultural heritage and Sinhala language. English was introduced to undermine Sinhala language and culture through their infamous divide and rule policy. This meant special privileges (in education and employment) were given to Tamil minorities and the Sinhalese and Tamils who adopted Christian faith. By 1870 the British ensured only 2 Buddhist schools prevailed in Sri Lanka (in Panadura and Dodanduwa) with close to 250 children. Children attending Christian schools numbered close to 80,000. Revenge against rebellions resulted in orders to destroy property belonging to Sinhala people, setting fire to their homes, gardens, killing cattle, and destroying their livelihood, reservoirs and irrigation works -” spilled water resulting in thousands of deaths from malaria. The British then took over millions of acres of land leaving the Sinhalese landless/homeless. The idea was obviously to kill the Sinhala population by starving them while those involved in the rebellion were beheaded and David Cameroon thinks he can come to Sri Lanka and demand answers to human rights violations. Britain has yet to account for 60,000 Sinhala deaths massacred by British troops in 1818 (leaders Veera Keppetipola, Veerapuran Appu and Veera Gongalegoda Banda). The Government of Sri Lanka cannot shy from bringing up these murders when Britain is borrowing figures given by Tiger remnants to quote during CHOGM.
Post-independence -” Rule under Local English educated converted elite
When Britain gave independence to Sri Lanka in 1948 the power was given not to the Sinhalese or Tamils but to English educated elite from both Sinhalese and Tamils – Majority were ready to continue British way of things sadly not interested to fight for and demand justice for the injustices of colonial rule. Thus Sinhala language received step motherly treatment by both government and urban elite. It was a result of the Catholic Action that formed the Buddhist revival through the Bauddha Jatika Balavagaya (BJB) by Mr. Mettananda exposing the mass media which led to the Buddhist Commission Report in 1956 relevant in the present context. ‚ The Press Commission Report of 1964, by Justice K.D. de Silva, referred to the work of Catholic Action in the media and its control of leading newspapers in the country. Catholic Action was behind the failed Catholic Army Officers
Coup in 1962 to overthrow the legitimately elected government of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Catholic Action also meant it influenced the urban elite through attire, western norms, western values, mannerisms and behaviour etc in a slow transformation technique to denationalize the masses and to create religious and communal tension placing one community against the other pointing fingers against Buddhist ‘majoritarianism’. Mass media dominated by non-Buddhists takes over to continue the denigration against the Buddhists. Emphasis on English and Western values while looking down upon own native culture, language has been part of an exercise meant to keep natives feeling inferior and thinking they do not measure upto the West unless they copy everything they say and do. We are yet to shirk ourselves from this mental brainwashing -” need is to decolonize our minds. This has always made Sinhalese Buddhists feel small and adapt the wrong western cultures thinking those to be the fad leading to the present wave of loss of values morally abundantly clear in the Columbian elite way of living.
Sinhala Only -” National Language
Before critics jump to the conclusion that the attempt is to deny English, which has become a form of defence for the guilty, what is being outlined is the need to preserve, protect and promote Sinhala language alongside English given its distinct value as an indigenous language and national language. When Sinhala language is taken away as is seen craftily taking place a key component of the national identity is removed.
Yet, calls for justice soon became a political ploy leading to declaring Sinhala Only when the demand was to address the injustices suffered by Sinhalese and Buddhists. It resulted in unmerited resentment towards the Buddhists and led to political cunning by Tamil politicians to be prompted by British influence to place their demands. What never gets mentioned is Tamil was never a medium used in administration by British to feel aggrieved and what realistically annoyed Tamil elite politicians all of whom were from high class/caste was in reality the Prevention of Social Disability Act which meant low caste Tamils could also attend school, sit amongst other high castes and obtain education, that had been denied to them. These Tamil politicos went as far as to write to authorities in the UK and make their objections. It was this Act and not the Sinhala Only Act that generated mass protests amongst the Tamil elite and proper investigation of police records will show that riots were also first instigated by Tamils though they have become masters of erroneous propaganda.
Sinhalese MUST be spoken by ALL Natives
In a world of 196 countries with more than 5000 ethnic groups speaking close to 7000 languages. Han Chinese is the largest ethnic group in the world comprising 11% of the total world population. 885million speak Mandarin Chinese while English is spoken by 322million. English is widely used in the international arena on account of the legacy of colonial rule and the manner the colonial powers came to vest control of post-colonial international trade, diplomacy and human rights. Yet, there are nations too proud to give second place to their national religions and diplomacy prevails through translators depicting the pride placed on their native tongue.
‚·‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ The Scottish comprise 9.6% of the UK population but Scottish Gaelic is not an official language of either the European Union or the United Kingdom.
‚·‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ In Turkey the Kurds comprise 20% of the population but Kurdish is not an official language in fact there was a time when speaking Kurdish was banned under Turkish law.
‚·‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ In Thailand the official language is Thai even spoken by ethnic Chinese who comprise 14% of the population.
‚·‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ In Singapore English is the working language, Mandarin is the mother tongue of the majority ethnic Chinese while national languages are Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil.
‚·‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ In India, the central official language is Hindi and English. Hindi is spoken by 38% of the population and no other language is spoken by more than 10% of the total population. Each Indian state has its own list of official languages. The 8th Schedule to the Indian constitution lists 22 languages the Indian Government has responsibility to develop. Tamil does not have national language status despite 65million Tamils living in one single state of Tamil Nadu where Tamil is the official language. But India insists on Sri Lanka making Tamil the official language when there are hardly 2million Tamils in Sri Lanka against 14.8million Sinhalese in a population of 20million.
The bogey of reconciliation and the fact that local stooges happy to act as cloned western liberalists, secularists and multiculturalists have come to inject the notion that political correctness translates to mean that to be -Ëœliked-â„¢ by the west, to be in -Ëœtheir good books-â„¢ is to slowly denationalize the Sinhalese national identity -” Sinhala language, place of Sinhalese Buddhist people and the place of Buddhism. Thus, the authorities have been fooled into believing that the entire country should learn Tamil when ideally what should be declared is that the entire country should first learn Sinhalese the language of the majority, the language on which the country was built.
There is no issue in learning Tamil too but Sinhalese must be learnt by ALL first. What also needs to be reiterated is that Tamil language was given official language status through cunning. Tamil was never spoken in times of British rule, how then could Tamil politicians who learnt, studied and spoke in English feel aggrieved about the Sinhala Only declaration in 1956? How naƒ¯ve was Mr. S.W.R.D Bandaranaike to agree to Chelvanayagam-â„¢s proposal following these outbursts for the proposal was all about federalism and nothing to do with Tamil language. So our leaders not only fell for the federal trap but also the language trap as well when in 1987 India forced down the 13th amendment with Tamil being made official language. Now authorities are compelling even the police to learn Tamil and fine them for not doing so when we would like to know why minorities cannot be fined for not learning Sinhalese for that is the majority language spoken by over 74% of the populace. Does England require everyone to know Scottish and Welsh? Does France demand their people to learn any language other than French? If Tamils who seek greener pastures in the West have no issues in learning French, German and other foreign languages because unless they do so they cannot live in those countries, why is it an issue for them to learn Sinhalese? The authorities are doing injustice to the majority race by NOT declaring the need for all citizens to learn Sinhalese first for that would put a halt to all the issues and as an extension of compromise and goodwill certainly people can learn Tamil but Sinhalese must be given pride of place first.
National Anthem
Virtually every country has a unique identity -” it is what separates them from the wider world and gives them pride. The National Anthem is arguably one of the most important aspects of a country-â„¢s independent status. It is the umbrella under which the country can rally and be proud. It was no different to the -ËœApi Wenuwen Api-â„¢ song that united the nation when our proud soldiers fought to finish the world-â„¢s worst terrorist organization. The words echo still :
-¦ ¶» ¶§ ¶Å¡ ·Å ¶» · ¶¢ ·Å - ¶º ¶º ¶Å¡ ·Å ·â‚¬ ¶§ ·’ ¶± ·…,‚ ¶¸ ·Å¡ ¶¸ ·’ ¶± ·’ ·Æ’ ·…
– ¶… ¶´ ·’ ·â‚¬ ·â„¢ ¶± ·” ·â‚¬ ·â„¢ ¶± ·Å ¶… ¶´ ·’-,
Most national anthems revolve around the theme of war -” depicting the struggles of revolution and rebellion. In singing the national anthem the story of the nation is told over and over again to instill patriotism and nationalism in citizens which is why it is sung at all national events. It is a wonderful feeling when a short song can bring the whole country together. The key element of any national anthem is the nation. The nation comprises the people bound by language, culture or common heritage.
Unfortunately, we have many still in our midst who think the British as saviours and our native rebellions as traitors!
During the past few decades there is an attempt to take away national pride from native people to make them feel they do not belong for in doing so it becomes easier for destabalizing agents to carry out their role and facilitate natives to transfer their loyalties elsewhere. This is ample reason why the Government of Sri Lanka should not take a lack lustre attitude towards the key areas that continue to unite the nation and serves to protect them politically. Those throwing western-aligned ideas while sitting in office are out to not only destroy the nation but working towards removing the political leaders themselves and leaders are naƒ¯ve to think that currency can change the ultimate objective.
As an example of pride let us take the national anthem of America -” the Star-Spangled Banner written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key. The US plays the anthem at every opportunity. The U.S. Flag Code states:
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
The Anthems of France, Great Britain are also worthy of mention. The national anthem of France La Marseillaise is a symbol of triumph and liberty officially adopted in 1795. Great Britain-â„¢s national anthem is -ËœGod save the Queen-â„¢ -” adding a Christian touch. All 3 national anthems have strict ties to the military. La Marseillaise was a marching song for the army, God Save the Queen was to garner support for the king because of the military defeat at the hands of Bonnie Prince Charlie while the Star-Spangled Banner was written during a battle which America won expelling the British from America.
Whether there is a distinct relationship with national anthem and war what it intends to instill is patriotism but in Sri Lanka when the subject of national anthem, national language is given to people whose -Ëœpatriotism-â„¢ and -Ëœnationalism-â„¢ is questioned while they cohabitate with those attempting to destabilize and destroy Sri Lanka, is it a surprise we have proposals to change the national anthem, bring in hate speech legislature targeting the Buddhists only and other damaging directives which will emerge only after the damage has been done since the key leaders are choosing to ignore the warnings or careless for what is happening.
What makes Americans, French and the British proud of their national anthems is when they went to war they needed the support of not just troops but people back home -” it was a link that brought the nation together. When that same link prevailed during the final months of Sri Lanka-â„¢s war the world led by UN called it -Ëœtriumphalism-â„¢ yet we did not care for such labelling as we continue to do for if Americans, British and French can rally round their troops under their national anthem why can-â„¢t and why shouldnt we in Sri Lanka?
A country-â„¢s national anthem does not require PR agents to promote it, no posters to campaign for it, the words themselves have power to attract and each word resonates a sense of pride and duty. Which is why we continue to wonder why Sri Lanka-â„¢s post-independence leaders have failed to come up with a program where its natives are proud of their nation and their people. It also questions why authorities have adopted a lethargic stand on not making mandatory for all natives especially children to know and sing the national anthem. Again the argument is if our people can take citizenship in foreign lands and proudly sing the national anthems of these foreign countries with pride why can they not sing Sri Lanka-â„¢s national anthem? How many of our politicians claiming to be leaders of the nation actually know the national anthem themselves and can sing it word for word? Inability to sing it denotes nothing other than the fact that they have no love or duty towards the nation and the same is said of any native who does not know or cannot sing the country-â„¢s national anthem. It is no different to why these same people refuse to hoist the national flag and pay no homage to the national flag. It is no coincidence that those who hate to sing the national anthem, hate to hoist the national flag are the very people out to destabilize the country and have no love for it.
Multiculturalism is good for created countries not those with civilizational existence
For countries that have been -Ëœcreated-â„¢ where the nation is built up by -Ëœimmigrants-â„¢ the duty to encapsulate their cultures and values can be accepted as a token of appreciation. However, in nations that have a rich civilizational link, a history and examples that show that the civilization was far superior to that which the West is trying to promote the idea of multiculturalism is not only unfair it is ethically wrong. Due place must always go to the indigenous natives and their culture and liberal notions that change to seasons should not play with civilizational cultures or history simply because they have no past of their own to be proud of.
We can take as an example how Canada was created. Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world. It has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada became a country in 1867 (just 145 years). But, Canada and the world forgets that there were native Aboriginal people who tried like other colonies to defend their territory and people from the French and British. The European rulers fought for the territory -” Britain and France ended 7 years war in 1763 with France surrendering. Britain and America fought for the 13 colonies in 1775 which led to American independence. The land left over by the British became British North America and that became Canada 100 years later. Today, no place is given to the former natives of Canada and Harper preaches human rights!
Similarly, since 1990 there is a trend to break up nations and create new countries -” 34 such countries have been created. The dissolution of the USSR and Yugoslavia contributed to these new independent states. From USSR dissolution in 1991 came the nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan (15). Dissolution of Yugoslavia created 5 independent countries -” Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992), Croatia (1991), Macedonia (1991), Serbia and Montenegro (1992) and Slovenia (1991).
Other countries created of late have been Namibia (independent from South Africa in 1990), Yemen (North and South Yemen merging in 1990), German (East and West merging in 1990), Marshall Islands 1991, Micronesia (previously Caroline Islands 1991 independent from USA), Czech Republic and Slovakia (1993), Eritrea (part of Ethiopia in 1993), Palau (administered by US 1994), East Timor (Timor-Leste -” independence from Portugal in 1975 and independent from Indonesia only in 2002), Montenegro (part of Serbia and Montenegro 2006), Serbia (2006), Kosovo (2008), South Sudan (2011).
What needs to be reiterated is that the Sri Lankan State cannot sit like humpty thinking it can do a balancing act. Do we go back to valuing our cultural heritage or do we remain copy cats of western values for in doing so we belong neither here nor there which is why we cannot take pride in our national identity. When we have a rich national heritage why would we want to go behind values that are not ours and cosmetically use our past simply to fool all and sundry?
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October 17th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
EXCELLENT!
But SL leaders have no backbone to do the RIGHT thing.
What unifies SL Tamils with LTTE, TN Tamils and diaspora Tamil terrorists? The Tamil language. See the problem?
I studied in Tamil until year 3 and then changed to Sinhala medium. If I could do it, any Tamil can.
October 17th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
I used to walk around independance square in Colombo 25 years ago with my three children. The place was not developed as it is today. But I felt proud as we had such a place, with our national flag flying. Few months ago I walked around it again. I see Sinhala children from distant places arriving in long white buses there and being unloaded at the back of the building. I never see them at the front; they are taken to the SLBC area. Instead I see students in foreign attire taken over the frontage. I have seen this many times. Perhaps we will see the DS statue and the national flag disappearing in the near future.
October 17th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Sri Lanka authorities during the times of the Cold War had allowed Tamil illegal migrants to pour into Lanka during ltte reign of the N&E. Illegal migrants are not required to know the history or language of Sri Lanka. They come in search of something to do, even do acts of piracy, deal in illicit drugs or fight for Eelam. They really want to acquire land & wealth. They do not care for the history of a place or its language or religion. They basically have a pirate’s mentality – take what you can from others with killing or maiming if they must. This section of people together with the Tamil Separatism (from both Lanka & Tamil Nadu) enhances the bold and no care attitude.
An Oath of Allegiance has to be taken by one and all, and ‘Sri Lankanisation’ of all Tamil folk has to take place. Those who do not like this are free to leave or be deported.
The 6-A must be activated re any Separatism.
Sinhela must be the main language of the country with English as a link language. It is pointless to emphasize Tamil language too much as Tamil Nadu will not and has never given a single job to a Sri Lankan. Tamil is already an official language and people are allowed to learn any language they please in order to get jobs abroad etc.
October 17th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
This is a very important topic many avoid for the NGO created stigma associated with it. Sinhala must be the only official language of Sri Lanka. English and Tamil must only be national languages. Everyone must be fluent in Sinhala and there is no need for Sinhalese to learn Tamil unless they do it for a personal need.
A phased implementation of the language must be implanted starting in the Western Province. All local students in schools (including international schools) in the Western Province must learn Sinhala and acquire a level of reasonable proficiency. All schools aided by the government in the Western Province must make Sinhala compulsory for passing the GCE Ordinary Level exam.
Similar provisions should be in place for the Northern Province where Tamil language must be compulsorily learned by all students.
There is a widespread misconception that a person has a right to work in and addressed to in his language. There is no such right in any human rights charter. The only requirement is to allow individuals to practice and use their language. This can happen in homes, community centres and other avenues outside official and school systems. This is what happens in ‘super democracies’.
Uniqueness of the language is the only safeguard Sri Lanka has to retain its sovereignty and territorial integrity much like how the UK uses English or Malaysia uses Malay. Sinhala ‘imposition’ (as they call it) on Tamils must be seen as a good move that benefits all in the long run.
Another misconception is the allegation that the rift between communities started in 1956. This is not true as Tamil Elam concept was inaugurated in 1922 and many acts to strengthen it happened since 1918 to 1949. ITAK-launched agitation campaigns didn’t start in 1956. They started in 1957 following the passage of the Prevention of Social Disabilities Act. ‘Sinhala-only’ was used as an excuse to amass Tamil support against the Prevention of Social Disabilities Act which threatened Tamil Hindu caste structure upon which the Tamil society and the northern agrarian economy are based.
Interestingly the B-C Pact which is hailed as a solution by the NGOs, doesn’t contain anything to change the ‘Sinhala-only’ Act. It leaves out this issue completely and only concentrates on devolution of political power.
Putting the 13A to a referendum can remove Tamil as an official language among other beneficial effects.
October 18th, 2013 at 8:07 am
DILROOK !! Even if we talk the hind legs off a DONKEY, the invertibrates and imbeciles in Parliament, are now deaf and dumb, and they are also blind, they will not take the initiative to suggest s referendum.
Mervyn Silva the Cardboard Chandiya said he will definitely stop Animal slaughter in Munneswaram and all over Sri Lanka. Does anybody know where he is ? He can only discharge flatus.
Wimal Boruwansa talks the talk, but he cannot walk the walk. He is collecting moolah and building his Palace. No time for developing the Country. He fools the people all the time, with empty rhetoric. A Sri Lankan Deceptionist.
October 18th, 2013 at 11:40 am
To quote the article: “Threats to Sinhela language came from South Indian Dravida invaders who not only destroyed places of learning and Buddhist establishments but attempted to also destroy the Sinhala writings by burning libraries of ‘ola’ palm-leaf manuscripts by setting fire to them.” This brings me to a enigmatic problem.
Since ancient times the Sinhalese culture including its rulers engaged with South India, especially the Tamils. This relationship ranged from violent confrontations to alliances formed by marriage between Tamil and Sinhalese royalty to the steady two way trade between Sri Lanka and what is now Tamil Nadu.
Yet to date there is no evidence of any Sinhalese Buddhist settlements in Tamil Nadu which would be the normal and natural byproduct of such a vibrant and intense relationship. Either there were settlements that were systematically wiped out of Tamil Nadu or the Sinhalese Buddhists were chased back to Sri Lanka.
Yet on the other hand the Tamils have taken the full advantage of the tolerance of Buddhism to gain a place within Sri Lanka. This lopsided settlement that only favors the Hindu Tamils is a mystery that demands an answer. If there is any evidence that Sinhalese did settle in Tamil Nadu but were eventually eliminated or driven out then why should the Tamils in Sri Lanka continue to receive the hospitality of the Sinhalese nation of Sri Lanka?
October 18th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
TIME IS NOW for us to make our politicians embark on THREE main issues & solve them.
FISRT to ammend or reject 13 th amendment in any form. This can be done through a referandum.
SECOND. Abolish all Provincial councils.. replacing them with divisional units which are more representative of People.
THIRD…..Declare by Presidential decree…THAT SRI LANKA is SINHALA BUDDHIST NATION. Other minorties, races & faiths surely can live & adjust to be TRUE CITIZENS of Lanka.
I know we can say these, time & again BUT nothing will happen if we do not INSIST upon our politicians do the RIGHT thing.
COLOMBO district MUST be rid of Tamils, Muslims & the undesirables. IT brings so much distraction when our own CITY cannot be inhabited by the MAJORITY RACE. New Businesses SHOULD not be allowed in the proximity of large residential areas.
If that was already the law, the DIPPED rubber products / drinking water dsaster, would not have happened. Before allowing any operation to start in the vicinity of the CITY, GOVT must conduct an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT study & bribery should NOT be the main criteria in granting a pemit to operate a business.
Many problems of today are caused by illegal immigration from India & Tamils & Muslims who occupy the central parts of the city. Give incentives to relocate to suburban areas so that busineses & industry can flour without hindrance.
As usual talking out loud …HOPING someday these things will happen….~ J
October 18th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
We are under the impression that the Glove Factory byproducts are not the cause of well contamination.
A few bore wells may prove that the water in Rathupaswela is clear.
Water as a weapon has been used by the ltte in the past.
October 18th, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Jayasiri said,
“COLOMBO district MUST be rid of Tamils, Muslims & the undesirables. ”
It hurts me to hear ANYONE say such a hateful thing at LankaWeb. ALL citizens of Sri Lanka have an inalienable right to live in any part of Sri Lanka, as the majority Sinhala people would like to be able to do in the Northern Province and Jaffna.
What we are fighting against is the demand for a Racist Apartheid Tamils-Only state of Eelam in Sri Lanka; not to transform Sri Lanka into a Racist Apartheid Sinhala-Only state.
What we are advocating is a land in which all forms of communal considerations are rejected and outlawed in the treatment of citizens, and the rights they enjoy under the laws of the land.
It is only by adopting such a MORALLY and ETHICALLY DEFENSIBLE stand on Equal Rights for ALL Sri Lankans, irrespective of their race, religion, language, caste, sex or wealth, that we can convince the external world that we are committed to fundamental democratic and human rights, and thereby succeed in defending our Motherland against those who want to destroy it, and replace it a patchwork of Communal Bantustans.
In such a country, every citizen has an inalienable right to live wherever he pleases within the entire territory of Sri Lanka.
What we are fighting for is for the inalienable right of non-Tamils to live in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, without any barriers that exclude them from doing so, such as the Thesavalamai Laws of Jaffna. That is demand that is eminently defensible in the eyes of the world, that trumps the pretextual excuses of preserving “cultural uniqueness” and “diversity” advanced by the racist separatists. Such a “diversity” argument, for example, would not be allowed in the USA for creating a State for the “exclusive use” of one Community.
But to do that, we cannot at the same time adopt your demand to expel all minorities from the Colombo District. Such a move would not only be Morally Reprehensible but also a CRIME under International and Sri Lankan Law.
In Sri Lanka, where the majority follows the steps of the Lord Buddha, I am confident that such a HATEFUL IDEA would be rejected outright.
October 18th, 2013 at 9:35 pm
Ananda,
I don’t think that is what he said and meant.
What he meant was to HELP TAMILS AND MUSLIMS in Colombo SHED their Tamilness, and Arabicness (GHETTOT MENTALITY) and become true SLs (Sinhalese) by identity.
They can REMAIN in Colombo and REMAIN loyal to their language and religion. BUT assuming a SINHALA IDENTITY is a MUST.
e.g. 300,000 Tamils live in England. They DON’T live like Tamils in Tamil Nadu. They have assumed the English identity. AFTER THAT and SUBJECT TO THAT they live like Tamils. No problem for anyone.
This is what he meant.
But in SL Tamils and Arabs live like in Tamil Nadu and Saudi Arabia. Particularly in Colombo.
Colombo 2, 11, 12, 9, 10, 14 is an Arabic GHETTOES.
Colombo 4, 15, 6, 13, 8 ARE Tamil GHETTOES.
We must BUST these GHETTOES.
October 19th, 2013 at 8:07 am
We agree with Lorenzo. The day Ghettos are no more is a signal that minority/majority divide is gone forever. We wonder if the TNA will like that ? What on earth will TNA leaders do – they will be jobless !!!!!
October 19th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Lorenzo,
If, as you say, what he meant was to “HELP TAMILS AND MUSLIMS in Colombo SHED their Tamilness, and Arabicness (GHETTO MENTALITY) and become true SLs (Sinhalese) by identity”, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with him, and WITHDRAW my criticism.
However, his WRITTEN words seemed to say otherwise, and to me didn’t convey your interpretation of what he said. He can clarify that himself. If he meant what you said he meant, I profusely apologize to him and say Mea Culpa … Mea Maxima Culpa.
Irrespective of what he said, but did not mean, the underlying GIST of my opposition to demonizing people on the basis of their BIRTH that cannot alter, unrelated to their WORDS and their DEEDS that they have full control of, stands.
We are fighting the Racism and Communal behavior that underlies and drives the Eelam project.
We MUST not … we DARE not … adopt similar traits ourselves even to pay the Eelamists back in their poisonous COIN, for it will corrode us from within and undermine the strength of our own principled stand.
October 19th, 2013 at 11:13 am
This is a HUGE step forward for Sri Lanka, for nanotechnology will be the wave of the next 50 years creating processes and products hitherto deemed impossible!
Nanotechnology manipulates matter on an atomic and molecular scale to produce materials and devices with properties and functional capabilities that are currently unavailable in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production. While economic benefits of nanotechnology are great, nanotechnology products can pose health and environmental issues that Sri Lanka must be equipped to evaluate and protect itself against.
Bravo … Sri Lanka!
……………….
Sri Lanka’s first nanotechnology research center and nanoscience park to be opened on 21st
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Oct 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka ‘s first Nanotechnology research center and Nanoscience park will be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 21.
Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) together with the Ministry of Technology and Research laid the foundation in June 2012 for the commencement of construction of the park which is named as Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (NCE).
Sri Lanka’s first nanotechnology park is set up in a 50 acre land in Pitipana, Homagama in Colombo district. The park is established with the government and private sector participation.
The Nanotechnology Park aims to create opportunities for all businesses to develop new products through a collaborative innovation process, taking them from research through development toward commercialization.
The foundation for this framework is the Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (NCE), which marks the first phase of the development of the Park.
The Ministry of Technology and Research of Sri Lanka made initiatives to launch the nanoscience project together with industrial sector in early 2008.
The Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (Pvt) Ltd. was established in April 2008 as a private Company under the Companies Act. It has been engaged in developing applications for nanotechnology through research and development since August 2009 with private sector partners.
October 19th, 2013 at 11:31 am
Why is the GOSL dragging its feet on banning COMMUNAL & SEPARATIST parties?
Political parties with SEPARATIST labels such as “Eelam” and COMMUNAL labels such as “Tamil”, “Sinhala”, “Muslim” should be BANNED and OUTLAWED!
For example: TNA, ITAK, EPRLF, TELO, PLOTE, TULF, EPDP, SLMC and possibly the JHU should be banned as being either SEPARATIST or COMMUNAL!
Until this is done, and the GOSL POLICY against TREASONOUS SEPARATISM and Discriminatory COMMUNAL practices is CLEARLY SPELLED OUT and ENFORCED under the Law …. we will NEVER BE ABLE to make Sri Lanka TRULY SECURE and UNIFY its people.
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KP alleges TNA hardliners trying to cause chaos: Chava PS resolution to rebuild LTTE cemeteries
By Shamindra Ferdinando
October 18, 2013
Velupillai Prabhakaran’s successor, Selvarasa Pathmanathan, aka KP, yesterday said that hardliners in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would try to cause new issues to derail the ongoing reconciliation process.
The Kilinochchi-based Pathmanathan was responding to the TNA-run Chavakachcheri Pradeshiya Sabha passing a resolution to request the newly elected Northern Provincial Council to rebuild LTTE cemeteries in districts coming under its purview.
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) is the dominant constituent in the five-party TNA comprising the EPRLF, the TELO, the PLOTE and the TULF. They contested the first Northern Provincial Council polls on the ITAK ticket.
Pathmanathan alleged that hardliners were making an obvious attempt to provoke the government. The one-time chief LTTE procurer of arms, ammunition and equipment, KP told The Island that ITAK hardliners and those pro-LTTE Diaspora groups would make it extremely difficult for moderates to function. The resolution passed by the Chavakachcheri PS was meant to trigger an angry reaction from the military, Pathmanathan said, urging the government to be extremely cautious. The cemetery issue could be a rallying point for both northerners and easterners, he warned.
Malaysia handed over KP to Sri Lanka in early August 2009, in accordance with an understanding reached between the two countries.
Pathmanathan said: “We have to realise that the pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora and various other interested parties including the Canadians and the British push Sri Lanka on the human rights front for different reasons. Those wanting to secure political asylum in the West propagate the lie that the post-war Sri Lanka is not safe and people forcibly sent back experienced severe difficulties at the hands of security authorities. Fortunately, the strong stand taken by Australia against illegal immigrants helped to expose those spreading lies.”
KP declined to comment on speculation that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to skip the Colombo CHOGM . The LTTEer said that he would reserve his comments until New Delhi officially announced its decision.
Pathmanathan said that Western powers had ignored the fact that Tamil speaking children had never been safe until the eradication of the LTTE in May 2009. “They are also silent on the rehabilitation and release of over 11,000 combatants since the conclusion of the war. How many would have perished if the LTTE retained a conventional military capability.”
With the support of Diaspora and well wishers, Pathmanathan now runs three orphanages-two in Mullaitivu and one in Kilinochchi, where three hundred children are accommodated.
October 19th, 2013 at 11:41 am
Tiger Nominated Agents of the TNA are DESPERATE to get the Army out of the North and East so they can REVIVE their terrorist activities and gun running again.
The ARMY should not budge ONE INCH from the North & East … instead the Army PRESENCE should be increased TENFOLD settling Armed Forces Personnel PERMANENTLY in those areas.
This NATION belongs to the Armed Forces TOO; they have every right to be stationed anywhere necessary to defend it.
They are NOT ALIENS, but citizens of Sri Lanka with and INALIENABLE RIGHT to be ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE in Sri Lanka, pre-textual accusations NOTWITHSTANDING!
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Sri Lanka military strongly rejects allegations of sexual violence in North
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Oct 19, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Military has strongly denied the allegations made by a right group that its troops are responsible for insecurity experienced by the women in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya speaking to media Friday said there have been repeated attempts to pin incidents of sexual violence on minority women in the North on the troops while in majority of these cases perpetrators are of Tamil ethnicity.
“In a majority of cases, the perpetrators had been close relatives or neighbors of the victim and had been of Tamil ethnicity,” the spokesman told media.
The spokesman vehemently denied a recent report released by the London-based Minority Rights Group (MRG) that the militarization of the north and east from 2009 has contributed to continued insecurity for minority women.
The MRG recently released a report titled “Living with insecurity: Marginalization and sexual violence against women in north and east Sri Lanka”. In its report the group says that Tamil and Muslim women in the North and East of Sri Lanka are increasingly marginalized and face chronic insecurity due to presence of security forces and government actions.
The report alleged the Sri Lankan government of “actively contributing to insecurity and rights violations through the pervasive militarization of the north and east, with negative consequences for the safety and freedom of minority women.”
Brigadier Wanigasooriya said the right groups and other interested parties are repeatedly trying to draw a non-existent correlation between the security forces presence in the North and insecurity of women in the region.
According to the military spokesman a study of incidents of sexual offences occurred in the North between January 2007 and May 2012 had shown that during the conflict period from January 2007 – May 2009, seven security forces personnel were involved in five incidents of sexual violence.
The figures were out of a total of 125 persons accused in 119 incidents reported in the entire Northern Province. The ethnicity of the victims of these cases was 4 Sinhalese and 1 Tamil. In the post conflict period (May 2009 – May 2012) ten Security Forces personnel were reported as being involved in six incidents of sexual violence in the North. This is out of a total of 307 persons accused in 256 incidents for the entire Northern Province. The ethnicity of the victims is 2 Tamil, 1 Muslim and 3 Sinhalese.
Brigadier Wanigasooriya pointed out that the Security Forces personnel were involved only in 11 incidents out of a total of 375 during the whole period from January 2007 to May 2012. As a percentage, the total accused is 5.6 percent in the conflict period and 3.3 percent in the post conflict period clearly showing a decline after the war.
“The decline clearly demonstrates that the allegation that the presence of the security forces in the North contributes to the insecurity of women and girls is a myth”, Brigadier Wanigasooriya was quoted.
he Spokesman further noted that the government has taken legal action in all the cases the Security Forces personnel have been involved and those implicated have been discharged or punished.
He further said that the Sri Lankan military does not condone such actions by its troops against women and any perpetrators will be strictly punished if proven guilty.