by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
While there has been no Aerial bombardment, sporadic artillery and heavy mortar fire has continued in the tiny strip of territory in the Karaithuraipatru AGA division in the Northern Mullaitheevu district on Wednesday April 29th 2009.
A tragic consequence of the shelling has been the incident where shells fell on the makeshift hospital in Mullivaaikkaal in the 10 sq Km area controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) resulting in the death of nine patients. Further injuries were inflicted on another fifteen patients admitted to hospital for treatment.
[in Mullivaaikkaal, Apr 29]
According to residents of the war zone described falsely as a “no-fire zone” there had been sporadic artillery and heavy mortar fire throughout Tuesday April 28th night.
The firing during night was intermittent and not very intensive. It had ceased by dawn and there was a comparative lull for many hours until the afternoon.
The “lull” enabled an ICRC chartered vessel to dock at Vellamullivaaikkaal with 30 metric tons of food and essential items.
An official ICRC team had also arrived on the ship for a brief fact-finding mission.
The ICRC officials had visited some of the civilian settlements and also the makeshift hospital and clinic. They had ascertained for themselves the prevailing conditions and obtained a first-hand assessment of needs and requirements.
The ICRC ship that came at about 6 .00 am set sail for Pulmoddai shortly after 12.00 noon.
Around 500 injured persons and related caregivers were taken to Pulmoddai on the ICRC ship on April 29th.
The artillery and mortar fire that had ceased during the time of the ICRC “visit” resumed in the afternoon shortly after 1.00 pm.
This shelling had gone on for about three hours until 4.00 pm.
Some of the shells fell on the makeshift hospital in Mullivaaikkaal, killing and injuring patients.
According to Dr. Varadarajan who was in charge of the Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital until displacement, nine of the patients at the hospital were killed in the shelling.
Further injuries were inflicted on another fifteen people who were undergoing treatment for injuries received earlier.
Dr. Varadarajan further said that 30 bodies of persons killed in the shelling were at the makeshift hospital housed in the premises of a school. Some were of those who died after admission while others were of those who had passed away prior to being brought to the hospital.
Another 160 persons with injuries sustained on Wednesday were also admitted.
Since a number of patients had been taken away on two successive days by the ICRC ship the number of patients had decreased considerably.
With the addition of Wednesday’s injured the numbers had swollen up again to more than 350 patients.
Dr. Varadarajan also said that official reports of the situation affecting the hospital had been sent to the Health Ministry.
Defence Affairs cabinet spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella stated the official position by saying that the Armed forces are not firing into the so called “no-fire zone”
Apart from those accounted for by hospital authorities it is learnt that some other bodies were disposed of by relatives and volunteers.
Several persons received first-aid for minor injuries caused by flying shrapnel.
Among those killed were ten persons at the dock engaged in transporting supplies unloaded from the ICRC ship.
On the battlefront the soldiers consolidated their hold on the Valaingarmadam and Irattaivaaikkaal areas.
According to Army sources the LTTE had conducted at least seven suicide attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday to prevent or dislodge the Army from established positions.
Apart from ramming an explosive-laden truck into a military position on Tuesday there had been three other attempts during the night of April 28th. Three black tigers on separate occasions had thrown themselves at military positions set up on the “bund cum trench” fortifications wrested from the LTTE earlier.
On Wednesday morning two black tigers on motor cycles had driven into military positions and exploded themselves.
Later an explosive-laden double cab had also been rammed into a detachment of soldiers.
Though some damage was done the suicide attacks had failed to make any impact on the military status quo said these sources.
There was also a fire fight at sea in broad daylight in the afternoon of Wednesday.
Apparently a flotilla of sea tiger boats had tried to penetrate the naval cordon that had been slightly relaxed in the aftermath of the ICRC ship’s journey.
Naval gunboats and other vessels had blocked the sea tigers resulting in heavy fighting.
Four explosive-laden sea tiger boats were rammed into some naval vessels at different times.
The LTTE claimed that one Dvora gunboat was extensively damaged and three other navy vessels had sustained damage.
The Navy claimed that six sea tiger boats including four suicide boats had been destroyed.
After the sea skirmish the sea tiger boats returned to the shore but an exchange of fire continued until late evening where Navy vessels fired from the sea and sea tigers fired back from positions on the beach.
This round of firing had also caused much harm to civilians the full details of which are yet to be revealed.
It is learnt that the area in and around Irattaipanaiaddy had been severely affected.
There is much anxiety and fear amidst civilians that the armed forces would mount an intensive ground-based operation to enter the war zone on the night of 29th or 30th.
While many civilians held against their will in the area by the LTTE would be happy to be rescued most were worried of the potential loss of life and limb that such an operation could result in.
Concerned sections of the International community are aware of the current humanitarian catastrophe and have urged both parties to usher in a temporary ceasefire as a “humanitarian pause”.
The intention was not to let the LTTE off the hook but only to gain some time and space where constructive negotiations could take place through which civilians could be evacuated without a military operation that could result in much bloodshed.
Both sides have adamantly refused with the LTTE insisting on a permanent ceasefire and the Government reiterating that the military operation would end only after Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed or captured and civilians in LTTE grasp liberated.
There is much speculation whether the LTTE supremo is indeed living in the besieged territory but military authorities are determined to act on the basis that he is indeed there.
Meanwhile civilians continue to suffer as the humanitarian catastrophe unfolds brutally.
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I can be reached on Email: dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com |
Really appreciate your bloggging regularly. The information is very impartaial and therefore valuable
Once again, Thank You Jeyaraj for a factual account of what’s happening. How refreshing to read a non – propagandistic version
Though its past midnight here in Syracuse I was keeping awake to read your post Mr. Jeyaraj I was not sure whether you would post one but I still waited. Yoiu have not disappointed me. Thank You David Jeyaraj
I still feel you are harsh on the Govt DBS. But let me tell you how happy I am to read a true account of events. Blatant lies of some websites both govt and LTTE disgust me
This is terrible what govt is doing now. Innocent civilians are in danger. The president is going to look like a Paraya to the world and veeraya to Sinhalayo
You are absolutely right DBS
I spoke to my brother for 2 minutes today. He told me what you’ve wrote here. He is worried about Army coming inside at night
For last 2 days your posts carries nothing but parts of summary of what Tamilnet says & what Defence.lk says.Looks like your also being carried away. hope you would not chop my comment
DBSJ RESPONDS: This is a comment that does not deserve posting let alone a response. Still I will make an exception. Aruna, I spend a lot of time and money to check facts independently. I doble check what appears on other sites too. I publish what I think is correct information after checking it to the best of my ability. If it tallies with other sites so be it. If it does not so be it. Just to satisfy the likes of you do I have to write something different to the truth? Do News agencies like Reuters,AFP and AP write different versions of the facts to prevent people like you make stupid charges? Dont worry I wont let myself be carried away . If at all I get carried away it is when I come across inane superficial comments like yours
Bala 6.
I don’t get it it…how do you speak to people in NFZ. Surely, they don’t have cellphones. Are telecommunication lines still open?
This is such a joke..Like George Master drawing government pension while working for the LTTE, LTTE is using government telecom facilities to fight their propaganda war.
Here is the undisputed and hard evidence of Shelling and damage.
http://www.innercitypress.com/UNOSAT19April09.pdf
The way things are shaping up and more things are leaking to the public from many sources,this war is indeed a proxy war of new kind.
Aruna
You are really something.
Apart from the fact that Tamilnet and DBSJ refer to the hospital being hit the details given are so different.
While TN exaggerates DBSJ gives a factual account as usual.
You are a disgrace to your fellow commentators by jumping in like a fool and insulting DBS
Mr. Jeyaraj
My suggestion is that you simply delete ridiculous comments by jokers like Aruna
if this writer have such credible information about civilian casualties surely he must have the terrorists casualties as well, since he seems to have remarkable ability to differentiate between civilians and terrorists from where he is writing.
Hey billie billie
I dont think DBS has details about terrorists as the tigers are freedom fighters not terrorists. But wait a minute! may be you mean state terrorists billy boy!wow!
Dear readers,
I heard the sound of Kafir flying in sky at 12 AM yesterday.I was thinking how the government Presidents Transparency to the World.I knew that I will see new reports today as usual.This is the way how to run a war without witness.All the world leaders can learn from our members the way to run a internal war.But the fortunate is who can punish them?The minority Tamils are really following a very bad period.They are being killed in the war zone.If they get back to the government controlled zone,they are being bombed by the government in the early hours in sleep.What a disgraceful Sinhalese community?I am a good Sinhalese character.If I was a Member of the Parliament today,I would have send all these culprits to the prison in minutes. All these culprits are uneducated even the President of Sri Lanka.He is responsible for all these.I beg the World leaders to bring all these culprits to the International courts.If there is no laws,make new laws instantly.Now our culprits call America,Britain,France,Canada as Terrorist governments helping to LTTE.But they are lying living begging money from these countries.What a shame?
Dear Jeyaraj,
Thanks for keeping the information flowing.
Just one doubt though.Are there independent reporters inside the NFZ.Asked this because you have uploade some pics taken inside Tiger territory.If yes,then these are the people who can tell the world on what exactly is happening out there.
Secondly,do you have any idea on whats the thought process in LTTE like now?What are they really hoping to achieve now by prolonging this war?Tigers are pressing for a ceasfire by applying pressure to IC through the diaspora.If by any means,we do have a ceasefire decalred by the Srilankan Government,what future steps do the Tiger’s have in mind?
Are they now willing for a solution within unified Srilanka or still hell bent on going for a separate nation?
I hope they are not asking for this ceasefire to rearm\regroup and the whole cycle is repeated again.Those innocent civilians out there have faced a lot and need a break definitely from all this
Mr. Exiled patriot ( hope not drawing Welfare check)
You are so disconnected from the reality.
How do you think the photos and clips from the Coastal village which does not have even the Electricity and clean water.
A $200-400 month with $20 per min. Sat phones. These have USB connection and data port which can connect to Satellites.
You don’t need any Government control and many countries and private companies own and any one can have it if they have $$$.
Mr.Jeyaraj,
Can you or any of the experts explain to me, how a ceasfire or a humanitarian pause will help civilians. As you said they are held against their will. Even with months of ceasfire LTTE won’t let them go. Ceasfire will only extend their sufferings. LTTE won’t stop firing from civillian areas.Anybody in right mind would know by now that constructive negotiations with LTTE doesn’t work. All I can think is that all those talk is only to save LTTE leadership and also only to extend the sufferings of Tamils.
Tamils all over the world protest against the GOSL, but do nothing to help those who escaped.
I am happy to see the escapee Tamil Civilians are beig fed by Sinhalese people.
Thanks DBS, most of your readers are supporter of bloody terrorists LTTE. Where the hell Tamil Expatriates who donated millions to TRO after the tsunami which eventually funded LTTE final war? Once the Prabakaran is captured, GOSL will publish all the records of fundraising.Then the fun will begin……..
I thinks this is a proxy WAR bieng fought by various parties. You can already see the west is trying to rescue the LTTE leaders, but they didn’t care when the people were killed during past 30 years, NGOs INGOs have not done a single thing to improve the lives of Tamill people in WAR zones but helped the LTTE to manufacture arms, so more people get killed, protesters in western countries do not have any problem LTTE holding and killing innocent civilians, etc.
Sinhalese and Tamils need to understand that and work together to develop this beautiful country rather than wasting valuble lives and billion of dollars.
I have always appreciated your articles but what you are writing since a couple of weeks is contarary what you have been writing before. Most of what you write seem to justify Prabakaran . I am not worried about the tamils who cant think beyond Prabakaran but the moderate tamils who make decisions taking on to accounts what you write. What is the mesage you want to convey to these with the title Shelling Continuous ? Dont you think this is provacative and incomplete and not the truth but half the truth? If LTTE attack the soldiers with heavy weapons using civilians as a shield , the soldiers who have families ,parents to look after have two options , pay with their lives or retaliate. Which one do you choose? I never expected you to suggest temperary pause or peace talk with LTTE. Instead the whole international community should have put pressure on Pra . Do you know why Pr is still holding people , he still belives somebody will rescue him at the last moment. Do you think LTTE will ease their grip on the human shield let them go? You must be joking: Why dont you have guts to tell the people Prabakaran is the main cause of these trapped civilians, why dont you tell the people civilians get injured or killed when armed forces open fire to retaliate the firing of LTTE, why dont you tell these moderate tamils Prabakaran have done nothing to the tamils in the north with the money pumped by the Tamils abroad. You have used about three fourth of your article talking about shelling ,telling the truth, but not the whole truth. I dont know how our modrate tamil brothers feel, we have had all these peace talks for about 30 years without any fruitful solution and Pr never wanted peace and never represented tamil people . What he has done for 30 years is what we are today. Mr Jayaraj I earnestly appeal not to write articles which can instill hatred in people . You express better when you write for reconciliation than informing people.
DBSJ RESPONDS: IF you have indeed been reading my articles in the past as you claim then you would not have the nerve to say why dont you have the guts to tell people Prabakaran is the cause of this situation. If you do understand what I have written here you will not dare to tell me that I am justifying Prabakaran. What you and a lot of other Sinhala commentators dont seem to understand are three things.
Firstly this is a short blog about the actual situation prevailing there. This is not a thesis discussing the pros and cons of the politico – military situation. This is only an attempt to describe the reality of the situation. The main point is that civilians are getting killed and injured. When I say this I am not bothered if it embarasses the Govt or the LTTE.
Because I am a Tamil you all will say I am biassed or emotional on account of my ethnicity. But when I am critical of the LTTE you all will say I am being objective and impartial in spite of my being a Tamil. Likewise the pro – tiger Tamils will say I am a traitor for criticising the LTTE and accuse me of being bought over by the Govt
If I were a Sinhalese and I wrote like this you all will say I am a traitor to the Sinhala race and accusem me of being on the LTTE payroll. Many Tamils will praise me for writing honestly despite being a Sinhalese.
The point once again is that I am simply writing an account of what I see as happening in the Wanni. The issue here is that civilians are getting killed. The Govt says there are no civilians getting killed. It says we are not firing into the no fire zone. It says we haqve a zero casualty civilian policy. It says we have ended combat operattions. It first said it had never fired artillery. Now it says we have stopped firing artillery. The simple but INCONVENIENT truth is that the govt is indeed firing artillery into the zone and civilians are getting injured and killed. That is all.
Secondly I am not taking this side or that side. I am only a journalist who regards his profession as a vocation. I believe in speaking truth to power regardless of the consequences. I have been critical of the LTTE for attacking civilians and for holding them against their will as human shields. When I wrote this some Tamils accused me of telling lies and called me a traitor and accused me of taking bribes from the govt and all that. But many Sinhalese were happy about me. Now when I expose the fact that civilians are getting killed and injured despite Govt denials many Sinhalese are getting aqnnoyed and angry and making all sorts of wild accusations.
Thirdly many of you want me to understand what is happening and not to write things that would hamper the war effort. You say it is all for a good cause because the govt is all out to wipe out the LTTE and eradicate terrorism.
Likewise Tamils used to advise me not to criticise the LTTE for its human rights violations because the tigers were also fighting for a good cause namely the liberation of the Tamil people.
What both sides want me to do is to suppress the truth so that the greater goal is achieved. The truth is INCONVENIENT to both sides.
But it is not my concern.
All that I am interested in is to stop innocent civilians getting killed and injured. All that I am interested is to prevent the powerful sections like the armed forces and tigers inflict harm on the powerless sections like civilians in the name of national security or national liberation. Unity of the Country or self – determination of the Tamil people. For these lofty concepts and abstract truths innocent civilians get exploited and crushed. I am supposed to shut up and keep mum until the great objectives are achieved.
No sir I will not keep mum. I will not shut up.
It is because the Tamil community kept its mouth shut instead of criticising the LTTE when they ought to have that the Tamil people are in this mess today.The excuse was the larger picture of freedom or Tamil liberation.
I see the same thing happening to Sinhala society today under the Rajapakse regime. Everyone is asked to be blind, deaf and dumb to human rights violations and suppression of media till the LTTE is vanquished. My frien Lasantha was killed and nothing is being done about it. Gotabhaya bursts into hysterical laughter when foreign journalists mention Lasantha. He also says reporting things that are considered to be detrimental to the armed forces is treason. This is the same rationale adopted by the LTTE. That’s why I was assaulted, my leg was broken, my paper was stopped and I was threatened and intimidated by anonymous calls and letters by tiger goons. I have no doubt the so – called Sinhala patriots will also resort to this very soon
But the crux of the matter is I will write what I think is right.
Now on these civilians. The very same govt that says the people are being held against their will by the LTTE has a moral duty to explore ways and means of getting the poor souls without shedding blood. How can you fire and kill and injure innocent people you yourself say are being held prisoners and you want to rescue?
Even the tiger cadres how many of them are young children conscripted brutally by the LTTE/ Then why dont you give them a chance to come out if possible?
The Army is on top now. The LTTE is boxed into a small patch and surrounded on all sides. Why the hell cant the Govt sit it out for a while by temporarily ceasing fire and letting the International community negotiate.
If it fails other options can be explored.
Are you guys saying that the LTTE is going to recoup and counter attack and beat the army simply because of a short “humanitarian pause”.?
Anyway I know there will not be an end to this argument and it is not my intention to keep on rolling the boulder upwards like Sisyphus. So lets end it here.
But one simple fact.
I will continue to write about civilians getting killed and injured depending upon the information I get. So that’s it buddy.
I don’t think that the Govt. has any intention to harm civilians. This is an miraculous movement in SL history, in which a brutal force who brought unbearable agony for its citizens for 3 decades is on the death bed. People outside SL have to acknowledge this fact.
I do not understand how a temporary ceasefire will help the civilians, since LTTE is adamant on abusing them.
So the only sensible thing to do is for world’s super powers to come forward and use their high tec military to release the civilians and capture Tiger leaders and take them to courts for the evil acts they’ve done.
Those who call for ceasefires should tell how it will work.
“The intention was not to let the LTTE off the hook but only to gain some time and space where constructive negotiations could take place through which civilians could be evacuated without a military operation that could result in much bloodshed.”
Oh my dear Mr.Jeyaraj, as a person who know LTTE very well, do you believe for one moment that this is practical? Will the LTTE agree to anything?
By the way the LTTE has herded these innocent people to bargain with their lives? Do you accept it?
Onthe otherhand, negotiations can happen even now as there seems to be enough communication channels with LTTE.
On the part of GOSL, I think they should ask India to station observers in front lines so they can be assured that heavy weapons are not used.
It is obvious that this issue is too politisized now that no body seems to be genuinely worried about the civilians taken hostage by LTTE. (which is a fact proven beyond doubt)
It would be a great service to SL citizens if you can suggest how each of the stake holders to the conflict should proceed from now on to bring lasting peace and satisfaction to all sensible citizens of this country.
(provided that Tigers won’t change their spots)
GOSL must be feeling emboldened by the overwhelming support it enjoys in the south and will not consider any ceasefires. (even if they do, no will the army after all these sacrifices) I only hope that MR will not be too proud and continue to do stupid things like barring Swedish FM.
DBSJ RESPONDS: Dear Harshe
I am emotionally drained after that long lengthy response to Vinnie Jayaweera. So I wont write at length right now. But just one thing. I agree with you that the LTTE is only trying to wriggle out by exploiting the civilian factor. As you know I’ve criticised the LTTE for holding them as hostages and as human shields and asked them to let my people go.
But what’s happening now is that the civilians are getting killed and injured daily and the govt pretends that they are not shelling or bombing. The International community wants a “pause” for them to try and negotiate a release. NObody wants a permanent ceasefire to let the LTTE off the hook.What’s lost if the IC is given that chance to negotiate and see? I cant see the LTTE getting out of the fix they are in because the army and navy has them boxed in. So what’s the harm in trying to see whether civilian lives can be saved?
My question is,
Are this writer’s journalistic skills been overcome by the emotions due to the fact the war against tigers is close to the ground zero and tamil civilians are suffering as a result of it?
God bless SriLanka!!!
comment 22,
our proffessions are masks that we wear.
true face is we are human
Dear Mr Jeyaraj,
Thanks once again for a detailed, factual account. It is high time all Sri Lankans dispose of their ad hominem arguments with regards to this war.
There are elements within all Sri Lankan communities that need to show a little respect and general human feeling right now – since portraying any kind of diplomacy may be unacceptable or even unbearable for certain people, at least this would show a little character.
From a Sinhalese perspective, maybe some in our community can try and understand that you can differentiate between supporting the eradication of terrorism and blindly trying to justify or deny all collateral damage. Of course I can say this from the saftey of the UK and I have the highest respect for those that have the courage to fight, risk and give their lives for their hope of the preservation of others (suicide bombers not included).
The majority of the Sinhalese people I know have the capacity to acknowledge what is right and wrong, albeit not that vocally but we are all guilty of that; I think only people like Mr Jeyaraj defy that but pay the price, heavily in some cases – we being the majority of the diaspora are too comfortable in our lives with our own problems. Obviously I can’t speak from a Tamil perspective – only what I hear from my Tamil friends and it seems both our communities are all polarised in our view anyway. I for one am very much internally polarised in my views.
With that, I have a question for everyone here – does anyone know of a legitimate channel to send food/clothing/money to the displaced suffering? Does it even exist? Are there any collection drives happening at any temples/churches in the UK?? If anyone knows please respond – I know its difficult, no one really wants to give out of fear that it will end up in the wrong hands.
Hiran
Dear Mr. Jeyaraj,
Your continued objective reporting is an example to all those other news outlets that report, without verifying, any garbage that they find. Unfortunately, the Tigers will not let the civilians go, as without them they would be destroyed in a day. I really think that the SL Army has been showing some restraint – if not, this last phase would not have lasted so long. You are one of the few Tamil voices I trust because you seem to have overcome ethnic bias, at least as regards the Tigers, maybe because you have experienced their brutality first hand. Thanks a thousand times for your even-handed reporting on this issue.
Best regards,
Ajit Alles
Bravo DBSJ! Keep speaking truth to power. From the bottom of my Sinhalese heart, what is happening to the Tamil civilians in the Free-Fire zone is a sickening disgrace against the most basic human values. The flagrant use of heavy weapons and the the even more flagrant lies has totally abolished any moral authority this government has
The modus operandi of this regime in every area of government should be stripped bare these atrocities Noone will ever trust this regime again, or give them the benefit of the doubt that they wouldn’t have the scruples to stoop to committing the most inhuman bloodthirsty acts against their own citizens Sinhalese Tamil or Muslim for short-term gain and then lie cynically about it.
Vinnie Jayaweera you are the epitome of Sinhala modaya fool. Half-baked nationalists of your ilk is why Sri Lanka’s once vibrant civil society and fragile democracy is dying a painful death.
DBJ,
The truth is that The Tigers have become the most feared guerilla outfit in the world with the help of foreign aid agencies and the Tamil diaspora who mistakenly believe Prabha is their saviour.
Besides,it is obvious that the civilian exodus from the tigerhold is evidence to show that they desired to free from the so called freedom fighter.
The tiger supremo needs to captured dead or alive to put an end to this problem once and for all. History has proved time and time again there is no likelihood of two mad Prabbhas surfacing for another 500 years atleast just as there is no Hitler around after his demise.
Good show DBS. Keep it up. I am not sucking up to you when I say this
To Hiran.
re donating, just give, give to any one of your choice. Don’t let your concern for money going down the drain effect your decision.
MSF has a a good program in SL right in the midst of the IDP holding centres in the North.
Bless you matey.
Cheers.
V.
DBS,
How do you know all this? Have you been there, or are you believeing the highly biased reports of Tamil terror-supporters. Please be a responsible writer.
DBSJ RESPONDS: No I went into a trance and all these things were revealed to me in a vision.
Thank you DBS for your continuing efforts in trying to tell us as much as possible what goes on the frontline.
For some truth hurts so the best they can do is throw in some `bon mots’ and be sarcastic. Such is life
Answer to #24. You can go to the website for Doctors Without Borders and contribute online. While there you specifically ask that the money be used in their work in Sri Lanka. They will provide you with a tax receipt also.
This question is for the Diaspora Tamils especially to those in Toronto. Where are you fundraising efforts? Don’t you think that you should be collecting money and cloths for the people who are now in the IDP camps? Don’t you think that this is a much better thing to do than to block roads in the city and get most of the Torontonians angry at you? You are very vocal about getting the GOSL to a cease fire, but you are entirely silent when it comes to do something for the people who have left with nothing.
comment-20-vinnie
visualise this scenario.
5 gunman in colombo have taken over a function held in a hotel with 1000 guests and are holding them hostage.
now you vinnie are in charge of this situation. what would you do
1. call the airforce to bomb the hotel
2. tell the army to send a few rounds of artillery.
3.deny everybody food and medicines.
4.if any hostages escapes imprison them in a camp.
5.entreat the rest of the world to condemn the terrorists and ask them to release the hostages.
here is what i would have done.
1.seal off the hotel completely so that the gunmen not escaping is foolproof..
2.keep snipers and marksmen ready at all points.
3.allow food and medicines in.
4.look at various options for a quick and decisive attack with highly trained commados.
5.analyse all the weak points of the gunman and moment an opportunity presemts let the operation begin.
.
Dear DBSJ,
As always, my sincere thanks for setting the light on what is happening to innocent civilians.
As “interllectuals” we can come up with many Reasons for this and argue, but no human being with heart can justify this.
From some of our Singala brothers’/sisters’ commnets here, It seems crystal clear that they are very happy to hear the news that thamils are being killed in hundreds and somedays thousands every day, but they do not want it to be published and blamed on the so called “security force” of Sri Lanka.
This is because they do not want the Mahintha Brothers directed “Operation Thamil Liberation” drama to be disturbed by the extreme pressure of IC.
My apologies for the error in the above quoted title. It should read like “Operation Thamil Dead body Liberation”.
In the past 60 years including this Mahintha Chinthanava era, whoever support thamils in this world are terrorist. Be it , USA, UK, EU, UN, HRW, AI, to name a few. Becasue whether we like it or not, the only motivation of any Sri Lankan government, since 1948, is to completely eradicate the thamil race from the nation and if at all possible from the world to aviod future challenges.
This is clearly can be seen from the recent heart wrenching scene in the area where an unborn baby in the womb of a thamil mother was hit by a penetrating
shall piece and killed.
One thing is very clear from the past 60 years of experience, That we thamil can never be able to live in harmony with sinhalese under a unitary state. The world has started to realize this now.
It is a known fact that many of us cannot differentiate facts from feelings. Facts do not change and always belongs to the past. One might call it present, but all ‘observations’ belong to the past.
Once we have gathered enough facts we tend to use those to predict the future. One problem is what we see as facts may be shrouded with our feelings. Other is the unpredictable nature of human behaviour, not allowing the observations to be ‘real facts’ that could be used for predicting the future.
Sorry for being philosophical or pseudo philosophical, but I felt looking at why we are doing what we are doing like this may help us to figure out what we could do.
DBS as far as I have read, is sincere about what he write and I can distinguish the facts, feelings in his writings. This is exactly the reason that make me wait to read him. We all have to respect his feelings as we do respect our feelings.
In a way DB, you predicted right the way this war will unfold. At the moment, it appears that LTTE is following the same path ‘Saddam Hussain’ took, looking at the ‘statements’ coming from them. On the government forces side, it appears that their feelings of ‘untrust’ towards LTTE is clouding their judgement of ‘facts’.
One could term this as utter disregard for the people in the midst, or blatant political dictatorship. Some of them may be right, but I doubt that to some extent.
It sure should be a dilemma for the forces too.
Looking at how the feelings direct decisions, diaspora has much to do with the final outcome. As long as the demonstrations and outpouring of the emotions tend to favour ‘Eelam’ and the survival of LTTE, none of the international delegates would be able to present a credible case in the eyes of the key players on the ground.
dear readers,
this is democratic government so we wont allow anybody to
take arms. people holding arms illegally everybody should
killed. because innocent people should live without fear.
sinhalese people will never allow you to make eelam
rajya here.
if u r interested seperate estate please make it in tamil nadu.
you people destroy our economy , killed so many
civilians,you killed innocent farmers, children,players,
and pregnant ladies.
I dont think u will never get seperate state due to these
sins u did.
I hate tamil generation.
u shud vanish from this world
DBSJ RESPONDS: Your obnoxious comment is released in full so that your genocidal intent can be seen by all. I thought Nazism was dead
nihal perera ,
Your comment is racist and hate-filled and only serves to demonstrate the obvious; Mahinda’s political lifeline is racist nationalists such as yourself, who hold no shame in killing civilians as long as they are Tamils and Sinhalese dissidents.Tamils will survive and that is truly our revenge to the perpetrators, including their supporters, of this massacre. Whether Tamil Eelam will be formed is totally up to people like yourself, you can either offer a credible political solution and stop this unnecessary slaughter or continue with human rights abuses and allow a platform to unite all Tamils for the cause of a separate state.
(Comment 36) Nihal,
Some people think Tamils gave birth to LTTE.
We only raised Tigers.
Nihal,
if you want see the people who gave birth to LTTE, stand in front of a mirror.
please express your opinion, you are the great contributor for our liberation.
LTTE did not do any positive contribution to Tamils, but you are doing. pls continue
May all beings be happy!
Why would the Sri Lankan govt kill its own people by shelling?
(EDITED)
Fellow Lankans,
None of us choose to be born Tamil or Sinhala. We just happened to be born to either Tamil parents or Sinhala parents. If you think deep enough you will realise there are so many similarities in both….at the end of the day we all want the same things – safety, security, a good future for our kids, to practice our customs and live with our head held high in our own country.
I do sincerely mourn the plight of the non-combatants. I could have been one of them.. just like all of you reading this column could have been….I’m totally against the LTTE, just like I opposed the militancy of the JVP in the late 80s, but totally for Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese. In all the time I have been abroad and travelled round the world, I have never met a more generous and decent nationalities than us lot. It’s just a shame we can’t have peace in our own country and I fear for what we will leave for our kids. I don’t think the 3rd generation living abroad have any connection like we did in SL with the other communities. But it does not stop me from dreaming !!
I always dreamt a secular demoratic Sri lanka one day inspite of all the injustice done to the minorities, will be lead by progressive sections of all communities. Now,the first time in my life I am starting to believe independent North East is better of the evils. I am not alone and none of us LTTE supporters either.
I will also say this, Tamils or LTTE or any other Tamil groups never achieve independent state but hard line sinhalese will give it away on a plate by their behaviour and action which vindicate even LTTE. That is what is happening as we speak.
Thak you DBS, I am following your writtings from SL since1980′s
USA
There are good people like Kosala in this world and at the same time we do see people like Nihal Perera.
Hmm… what to say? People don’t understand this is the only life we all got. Let all live peacefully whether they are Tamils, Sinhala or Muslim. We have no right to kill anyone.
‘ “PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT THE MESSENGER”
Dbs is doing a tremendous job ,bringing news for us who are starved of unbiased reporting from the war front .unfortunately , It may be unpalatable for some . He cant do anything about it . can he ?
I am ashamed to be a Sri Lankan, particularly a Sinhalese
I’m ashamed to be Tamil. See the video below and see what Canada is doing to us because of association with the Tamil Tigers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nimcJGUqkjA
I’m embarrassed!
The reason for this humanitarian situation to arise is only because the LTTE withdrew pulling these people in against their will.
If the LTTE fought bravely and not like cowards innocent people wont die.
Why is thalaiver starving his people?
Dbsj
you are a fake and a retarded tamilnet wannabe . spewing out lies and editing other peoples comments to make it look like everybody agrees with you .
keeps posting lies for the stupid diaspora and see if it will get you anything . Some ltte goon will probably shoot your head off someday to think you . LMAO ..
DBSJ RESPONDS: So many people are posting here as “alis” that I dont know which Ali you are. It was only yesterday that I explained fully in a response to Sam Perera about my dilemma with people like you who do not have the guts to write under your own name. You have spewed venom here but I am allowing your post here in full only to show readers your low quality and query whether such vermin like you should be alllowed to pollute this site. By the way you accuse me of being a Tamilnet wannabe and then say some LTTE goon will shoot my head off. Contradictory ain’t it? Or may be you are planning to shoot me and pin it in a tiger goon? Naaa, Naaa , cowards like you are incapable of such acts. You all can only use false e- mails and false names to attack people in cowardly manner. Be Gone Satan!
Dear DBS,
I have been reading your articles for maybe over 12 years and maybe some of the accusations hurled at you are absolutely baseless.
By whats happening at present I am sorry to say as a Sinhalese there is no way the Tamils and the Sinhalese could live in future as true brothers and sisters. The govt had a good chance when the Tigers were truly down and out to negotiate a political solution which could last forever. Whats happening now is the govt is playing to the gallery and even antoganising the ic. Unfortunately MR thinks his best friends are China, Pakistan, Iran and Libya. God bless if he thinks thats the way forward to take SL.
As regards to Mr Nihal Perera I only hope you noneof the many NP’ s that I know of! You are a shocker!!! If all sinhalese start to have that attitude there will be no reconciliation and the only answer would be to give away the eelam and pack the tamils there. And do you realise that isn’t that what the Tiger want to create?? Such comments only help Tigers to brainwash innocent tamils to work through there goals!
Congratulations on your imprtial reports. As you say ,for many Sri Lankans, Tamil or Sinhalese the truth is “inconvenient”.
Judging by all the demonstations and counter demonstrations these past weeks, either in support of the Government or the LTTE, the rift seems to be getting wider. Though some privately admit to being angered at the plight of the innocents, they rarely make their feelings known in public.
What has always ailed Sri Lankan society is their attitude of staying silent when the rights of the “other” is being abused. If ordinary Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers worked together to exert pressure on the leaders to address the genuine concerns instead of being carried away by the herd mentality, we would not be experiencing the tragedy that has befallen our countrymen today.
It is indeed tragic that the protests and other similar expressions are supportive of the violence that is being perpetrated instead of demanding an end to the use of violence and for dignified and respectful treatment of our countrymen.
The government and ltte are trapped in their own slogans, government on finishing ltte, ltte on dying fighting rather than living on their knees.
Worth of a human life and suffering is at all time low.
Even in these discussions what we see is the scant regard for life and limb, but using the loss to boast our individual egos, either in sinhala or tamil nationalistic mindset.
But of course we are fortunate , we are neither the civilian who is lucky/unlucky enough to survive the day nor the soldier who have to brave another day of fighting.
May be the discussion should focus more on meaning of these senseless carnage…. what does the ltte trying to achieve by prolonging the war for another day ….or what does the government trying to achieve when it tries for a swift end of war……
To all singhalese, please respect DBS and other decent tamils as their our brother. I understand your frustration and hate due to lies and tiger propaganda. but try to understand their pain as they are seeing there own families being crushed by both side and getting killed and loosing limbs. now imagine if this is your own mother, father, brother sister, cousins, and neighbors? now how would you react if this was the JVP holding all those people hostage and army trying to destroy it after 30 without success. Every one pleases calm down. respect people like DBS who are moderate, we need to nourish them, cause we need them to solve the problem our motherland is in or if we have extremist like the ltte or the TNA there won’t be any hope.
dear tamils,
you took arms against innocent sinhalese. so we have to treat you same way write same way only. you destroy our country because of international requirements. they want our oil ,land,water and etc.
so they helped u to destroy our country. we live happily together. communial troubles are in common in india also.
we drink plane tea together, we smoke one cigerrete together. but after drinking half of the plane tea with our
arm forces you killed same people this is the way you behave. so first correct yourself and talk to government.
you cannot escape from karmaya. evem hindu religion beleive karmaya. even newton says every action got reaction. so if u select wrong path u shud die, us shud suffer and after death u shud go to hell. that cannot stop anybody. cross fire and accidents are common in a war.
arm forces duty is protect this country. we dont have another country to live. you make eelam in tamil nadu. dont destroy this small country. your ltte is suffering of blood thirsty.
if you take arms against people selected democratic government those people shud killed we cannot stay under
terrorist government. so civilian deaths also natural in a war.
you people dont have big problems in srilanka. pettah whole sale market controlling by you. most of the trade service controlling by you. you go to railway station station master is tamil. most of the big position in any institute is a tamil.
may be u have a language problem. for that u dont need
war. how do u live in uk,usa,canada and norway.
I repeatedly tell you , you killed our monks, pregnanat ladies,infants,players and school children using axe and knives. you killed tamils while they are having food.
all these things done purposely. what is army doing is
accident during war.
so u people shud suffer,die and shud go to hell
DBSJ RESPONDS: Your “comment” is released once again without any editing. Eagerly awaiting your next post.You are indeed a remarkable person. May the Triple Gem bless you and the Devas protect you. By the way I am sure your “GE” name would reveal your Dravidian ancestry
I am extremly sad to see this happen to innocent people
I pray to almighty every day to be with these people in this dark valley
Let us pray
Dear D.B.S. We agree that youcould not satisfy all. There are some thing we could not agree in your articles but we are not rejecting it in toto.
The GOSL will fight to win as any other govrnment.Whether U.S.A. or U.K.or any other Europian country or any other Asian Country will do the same thing.It was lsame in the past , same in the present and dsmr in the future.
LTTE also trying their same tacticks. We do not blame them.It is a real game . Let umpires to be impartial and one of the parties to win.
Then one will ask human rights. Let, same human right position allow to aplyin Iraq, Afganistan, and Vietnam. Those whio talk about H.R. let them habe their cry. But as the whole world allowed U.S.A. to invade Iraq let GOSL to use their wor machinry. Do not have double standards. What was practiced in Iraq and Afganistan should be practised inSri Lanka without anydouble standards.
Remember one thing. LTTE can use their brains and GOSL can use their brains. No Europian brains necessary for Sri Lankans whether they are Tamils or Sinhala or Sri Lanka Muslims. We all canmind our business without Europians. I could not understand why LTTE is trying to use Europian brains when Tamil brains are available amply. If they do not have brains SL Muslims and sinhalese could give their brain.
I have similar thoughts to comment #16.
Exactly how a ceasefire is going to help is a big unknown. BDS I know you believe that we should give it a try. We should indeed if we have not in the past.
Thinking neutrally, from the Government point of view, coming this far, and then abandoning the ‘finale’ of the war, may be seen as risking us going back another 30 years. I know a lot of people can argue merits and otherwise of each option. The million dollar question is what will happen if LTTE start demanding things during the ceasefire as they are masters of deception.
It is donkey’s belief that LTTE will let civilians go , civilians being the last defence they have. We also have to accept the fact, I believe, at least some civilians, whatever the number it is, are staying there willingly. How do we treat these civilians then? Are they enemy combatants as they may refuse to leave?. They are the diehard supporters of LTTE.
It is also 100% certain, again going by the history, one of the sure LTTE’s demands would be for the SL army to withdraw its forces from wanni before anything can happen. Well, what do we do in that case?. Is this anything new? We are talking about a wounded tiger here and an enemy with proven records beyond doubt.
Again what do we do? Civilian lives are precious and so they should be. However, keeping this mind, will the government give this opportunity away now?. It is so NEAR but yet so FAR. God help all of us. Will we say, ‘time will tell?
Is that really good enough?
DBSJ,
This blog is supposed to be for healthy discussions than blunt racism and mud sliding.
Seems to me some of the posting don’t deserved to be posted here. I guess, it defeats the purpose of this blog. Sinhala/Tamil voices should be equally treated as long as they don’t violate the accepted norms of what can be said in a public forum.
Most of the racist comments already appearing on the Sri Lankan Sinhala websites, Likewise, LTTE supporters’ views do appear on Pro LTTE websites.
Do we need to give another platform for them?
There wil not be peace as long as Prabakaran lives. He is not keen on peace as any delegation of power by the centre will have to be to a democratic body and not to a single individual. If this happens Prabakaran will lose the leadership to a democratically elected person and also the power on the purse.
Please have a thought on the poor civilains. They also suffered for last 30 years. If they are to have peace they need hosuing, employments, eductaion etc. So far what they were doing is suffering day to day and seeing their children taken away for fighting. Please have a heart of these souls and please ensure this war ends and Prabakaran’s grip is no more on the civilians.
Saving the tiger leadership will only continue the suffering of the civilains for another 30 years. Please think of civialins on the long term.
DBS Anna,
Please help!!! Can you write more articles like this so that IC will have sympathy?
DBSJ RESPONDS: Thamby Praba! I am not writing these to gain IC sympathy. I am simply writing an account of what is happening there. I will continue to do provided I am able to get reliable and accurate information. For example yesterday I could not get through to the Wanni.Lets see.
As for the IC do you really think that they particularly the UN do not know what is happening there? It was the UN that “leaked” the document about 6000 civilian deaths and 13,000 injuries in three and a half months.
Also the international community does have a lot of sympathy for the Tamil plight but not for the LTTE.
Dear DBSJ please remove comments of “Nihal Perera” from this blog. Seriously it does not serve any purpose. I understand that you want to give voice to every opinion, but this should not be tolerated in any civilized society.
Thanks.
When the army operating in Mannar And Jaffna Bishops of Mannar and jaffna accused the army for everything and talk about civilian casualties.Dear reverends Where are you these days? I did not hear you talking a word about the people rescued by army and seems like do not want to help them in any ways.Please open your eyes now and help them through every possible means.Not a single Tamil organisation in Sri lanka or overseas so far have not given any help to thosen people other than CWC parliamatarians who donated some money.These poor Tamil people remembered that only Sinhala people help them.
thank you DBSJ for your articles – please continue your valuable work (regardless of the inane and racist comments by some ignorant fools)
i’m nominating NIHAL Perera for the LEADERSHIP for TAMIL STAT strugle.
DBS you are great. post his comments continusly without editing.
hihal pls continue to write. if you need money pls let us know.
I am happy that this site has visitors from nationalists, to extremists to those in the ever shrinking middle space.
DBS has always plead his case from the middle.
Our Srilanka belongs to all. Ours must be an inclusive, secular and pluralistic society.
For some of you who have a ” US against Them ” attitude is responding to DBS here are some facts.
1,. DBS was arrested by the JR Jayawardena administration under the PTA act for staying in the middle. He was released after the journalists local and foreighn piled the pressure on JR ( ordered released by JR at a press conference ).
2. LTTE thugs fighting for human rights broke his legs for not towing their extremists agenda.
3. The LTTE was planning to murder him giving people the heads-up of what’s to come by attacking DBS as a traitor to the Tamil cause in their fascist papers.
It was Kadirgarmar who sent a Diplomatic note to Axeworthy ( the then FM of Canada ) requesting protection at the highest level.
DBS feel free to edit or delete this a you may see fit.
Thanks for the insight you provide.
Cheers.
V.
To R Maran, comment #56 – I hear what your saying. My personal view is that Mr Jeyaraj does the right thing in displaying these types of commentary in full.
While they do, on the face of it portray hatred and insecurity, I think they also serve to expose and shame these type of people. Sometimes this fringe element of extremism/lunacy can serve to make more of the majority more centred in their thinking out of sheer common sense.
In a perverted way, we should all be thanking the Nihal Perera’s of this world for allowing the rest of us to realise we’ve evolved a little bit more.
Why we Tamils blame on all others except our ‘sole represetatives’ LTTE for this tragic situation of vanni sivilians? The main culprits are Pirapakaran and Pottu Amman hiding bedind the civilians. We Tamils must work hard to bring this culprits to book. Otherwise plight of our people never been met.
To Kosala, comment #41 – You’re right, rarely or never can you visit a Sri Lankan household without being force-fed short-eats and every other thing under the sun.
On a basic social level, I myself have been at functions where Burghers, Muslims, Tamils, Sinhalese have eaten, got drunk together and declared their undying love for each other. That made me proud to be a Sri Lankan.
And I don’t need to remind those of you in the UK who know, that groups such as the BNP and the ultra right-wing Combat 18, both of which I have come into contact with, will not care to differentiate whether you are Sinhalese or Tamil because to them you all look the same anyway.
On a light-hearted note and at the risk of sounding ultra-simplistic, there will always be the proponents of separatism among us but if you take one away from the other, it won’t be the same – deep down you know you’ll miss each other!!
what is happening in the other side.Screening process.?missing , disappearances,hidden prisons, several SEMMANI
Why do these journalists can get information regarding these?Even with international attention on the NFZ SL shell and bomb.I cant imagine what Such government is doing to our youngsters in the war areas.
Is there any journalist brave enough to bring the hidden terrors happening?.
If their is a mind there is a way.
A note about a quote:
“Theethum nanrum pirar thara Vaara”
actual meaning is not as it appears superficially.
I need not explain.Shakespeare did.
shakespear said” There is nothing either good or bad, thinking make it so”
Dear DBSJ,
It seems like you have very good contacts in Wanni to get messages up-to-date, as not all other Medias have the capability.
I like to ask you this question.
Since you are passing realistic message about the Tamils (specially from Wanni area) to the IC, can you not presurre Sri Lankan Government to allow International Media in the NFZ? can you not pressure the International Media to pressure on SL.
If both request denied, you should write a column on why the Sri Lanka is not allowing IC or Local Media in the NFZ.
Thank you,
Waren
comment 57-ian
your first para is certainly food for thought. i also wondered why he opposed the indo-lanka accord which was rammed down the throats of the sinhalese by rajiv.
but i also wonder whether he could not have allowed it and contested and won. after all he had decimated the TULF leadership and seemed to have not much opposition at that time. unless he smelled a rat that rajiv was out to get him anyway and plant an indian puppet.
the sinhalese hate prabha.the mere mention of his name is enough to send their bloodpressure shooting up. if what you say is true dont you think since they know his weak point is a devolution package why isnt there a clamour among the sinhalese to give a devolution package. is it because they feel they can have the cake and also eat it. kill prabha and not give devolution too. how nice it will be if all of us can have everything we want. instead of calling it earth we can call it paradise.
We all love to be safe and cared.
For your understanding, I will tell you a real story.
My mother was very happy when my sister born. She was the “world” to my father. They came home from hospital in a mid day. I was very happy and I still remember the day I mop whole home and clean entire garden when I was 9.
Bull shit! What this fellow is talking!!
If you are thinking on that way, I will tell you the story again.
My mother receives all the medical attention from the government hospital free of charge just like all other Sri Lankans. My father was alive at that time to take care of her. They had a home to come. They had other family members to give them a helping hand. (Of course, two complete hands and two complete legs per person without amputation) They knew that their children are safe.
The story ends here.
We all love to be safe and cared. There is no meaning of territorial gains, money and gold if your family is in danger. That is same for the “other one” too.
Some (people) will understand this very quickly. Some will take time to understand and some are not given any time to live, so they never understood.
in response to NP #52 – a lot of tamils ARE already in a living hell – being bombarded from air land and sea on one side by GOSL and held hostage, shot at and prevented from leaving by the LTTE on the other side. If that is not a living hell…I don’t know what is…thank you for your correct analysis on your last line of the comment…it’s just HOW you arrived at that analysis is totally wrong.
BTW, what do you mean by ‘OUR COUNTRY’ – who is ‘OUR’ ? Everyone who is born (regardless of ethnic origin) in the island ‘owns’ the island, not just singhalese. How do you define a ‘singhalese’ person ? how many generations of ‘pure’ singhalese blood do you need ? If you go back 50-60 years, Sarath Fonseka would not be classified as a ‘singhalese’, go back 400 years, the Bandaranaikes (pandara=pandya nayakkars) would not be classified as ‘singhalese’. the land belongs to the people who live there – can’t you understand that point ?
mark,
i don’t know wheather nihal is able to get your point.
we should not upset with him. we have to be kind to this type of people.
A Humanitarian Pause is proposed to have the Civilians move to a safe area or move out and if those willing ( if any) to stay, needs to be fed.
The issues here are
1) Who is protecting the Civilians from Srilankan Army when Military Intelligence were abducting people from the Internment camps?
2) Who is watching the Surrendered Cadres without subjugation to Torture and killing?
3) If and when all the people leave, is Srilanka following Rules of engagement and Geneva convention towards rest of the LTTE?
4) Srilanka has already used THERMOBARIC, Sulfur and phosphorus bombs besides Cluster bombs ( which are all banned under Geneva Convention, who is supervising the Srilankan army what are they really using?
We have many unanswered but critical issues here and I am for the people to leave but I am not in favor of them going back to the GoSL hands.
UN should force to take the care of those people under its direct supervision.
This is what the UK,USA and other west has been telling.
Srilanka is doing a dirty war, and in the name of the war, GENOCIDE, because LTTE is not holding Sinhala People and GoSL doesn’t care and in fact wanted the ” COLLATERAL DAMAGE” to the maximum to subjugate the Tamils so that there won’t be any support base for the LTTE- This is the real and naked truth.
No one want to discuss this in the open forum. Not even the UN.
UN is playing a safe game, try to safe its face.
Had John Holmes released his own assessment long time ago and placed GoSL on UN security Council agenda (not under other issues), there is a possibility that more than 5000 people might have been saved.
You all need to look at here we are dealing with a UN member ( GoSL) who is bound to implement the Geneva convention Vs a Group that many countries are unwilling to deal with.
This Dirty war has gone to far to a point this is ” GENOCIDE”.
As I have quoted in some of my previous comments, there is more than likely GoSL will face war crime in Hague not by some interested parties but by its own ‘FRIENDS”
TO Nihal,
We didn’t start killing the Sinhala people. It was your Monks preached to kill the Tamils.
Starting from Mahavansa to Anakariga Tharmapala, they all preached the “SINHALA Buddhist Supremacy”, an equivalent of Nazi Germany and Ku Klux Kan ( KKK) in USA.
Speaking to some Tamil activist, they said, they them selves can go down to take the people out of the conflict zone if the UN to undertake the people under their care.
In the current “Concentration camps” the people are being herded and food parcels are being thrown like a bones thrown to the dogs, injured are not given adequate medical care and their wounds are rotting with Maggots, paralysed elderly are being left to shit and no one to care. The suffering are listless.
This is all because THEY ARE TAMILS.
Post note : IN USA, the southern most state called Texas and its Governor has told that “if Barack Obama’s Washington doesn’t stop being so oppressive, Texans might feel compelled to renounce their American citizenry and secede from the union”. April 20, 2009
To those who don’t know that every one under UN charter of rights have ” RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION”
This is what we are fighting and LTTE is part of the fight and now seems to cloud many as “THE FIGHT”
Since 1948 elite sinhalese rulers were influenced by people like NP#52, Now people like NP#52 are ruling the country.Not much difference.
LTTE is not a philosophy, it is a phenomen created by NP#52. Truth is, it is not going to go away as long as people like NP#52 rule SL. It will spread across SL unless progressive Sinhalese reject people like NP#52 and take over the country make it better for all children of SL.
SL is not ready to take minorities as equal partners but ready to share the land and resources with world powers for their own geopolitical game. Fatal trap and can not get out.
In a war there is no winner, all losers. People who support the war especially south , will soon find out.
DBSJ, many thanks for your articles. In regard to this topic, would you not agree that Tamilnet and the LTTE have perpetrated yet another blatant lie in trying to create pressure on the GOSL by the IC?
Interviewed by Aljazeera, Dr. Varadarajan when asked if he was told to make these allegations or pressured to do so, he replied stating that he was an independent observer!!! Needles to say, Aljazeera did not question as to why he would be allowed to be independent in an area when everyone else around him was not i.e. they cannot leave. Even assuming if the LTTE were not around when he was interviewed on satellite phone, would the good Dr have criticised the LTTE? Hardly likely.
The GOSL’s response to the photos published on Tamilnet as evidence against the shelling has been nothing short of brilliant and completely exposes the desperation of the LTTE. The alleged shelling of the hospital is clearly a blatant lie, which begs the question…how reliable are your sources now through which you describe various acts carried out by the government forces?
What is your opinion on this allegation and what do you think about the GOSL’s inspection of the photo where two dead bodies are shown lying next to each other following the shelling, but lo and behold, glass bottles and so on lie intact a few feet from them. I would love to hear your view on this DBS.
The Aljazeera article can be read here http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/05/20095313394696946.html
Many thanks
David,
Being taken the Oath of Hippocratic, a doctor with a good heart unlike many left the country and left the people are bound to safeguard all the patients.
The Oath says ( part of it)
” In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves”
read the last few words.
He is a super human deserve a Nobel Prize for Peace just staying in and serving the people in need.
ARE YOU IN THE CLAN OF CLOWNS WHO DENY THE FOOD, MEDICINE AND KILL THE TAMILS USING AERIAL BOMBS AND ARTILARY SHELLS?
about the picture on the Aljazeera, they did not apologize, they simply published what the GoSL said,
Here is a glimpse for the likable of you and your clans
Those “Military Experts” in Colombo who analysed and then posted in the Aljazeera literally thing that the all the people are fools.
Of course the Aljazeera has to publish what ever the Colombo is giving.
1) When Artillery shell hit, it all need one shrapnel to kill a person depends on whether the person is standing or sitting. The standing has more potential to die than the one on the ground (specially withing 10 feet)
2) Shrapnel is a piece of metal or ball get a speed of sound or even more that travel once the detonator explode the high explosive material. it is the Blood loss and in some cases, it pierce the heart, lung and brain cause the death.
3) As SLA has stated, there is not need of bottles in the lower level of this picture needs to be hit.
Look at the black board behind the picture,
Since the Shrapnel travel upwards from the point of impaction, the stuffs on the gourds and lower level tends remains the same except a shock wave that passes push the materials ( it create a vacuum and air move in)
This is the reason Military lay flat on the ground to avoid the shrapnel injuries.
http://www.tamilnet.com/pic.html?path=/img/publish/2009/05/02_05_09_hosp_03.jpg&width=1024&height=768&caption=The makeshift Intensive Care Unit (ICU) sustained damage in the attack. Two dead patients. The makeshift ICU has been setup inside a class room of the school building.