Peace, Understanding and Unity in Diversity

There "is" hope for Peace in Sri Lanka - Article on: People to People connectivity in Peace Interaction

2009-04-19T23:05:00.002+05:30

"While South Asia celebrates a vibrant history of cultural pluralism and diversity, there is a tragic contradiction posed by conflicts triggered off on the basis of imagined racial lines."

" Heritage in the main is viewed as a source of people to people connectivity in conflict resolution. It seeks to understand the Pre Colonial heritage and question exclusiveness against inclusiveness; grassroots level peoples’ connectivity cutting across ethnic, language, religious and political divides juxtaposed to divisions imposed from above by Colonialism and later by local decision-makers. It looks at heritage as an idiom that expresses a common language of humanity where people reach out to each other for understanding, sharing and co-existence."

"Towards an alternative dialogue: heritage and conflict resolution
The cultural landscape of South Asia essentially represents a habitat of multi-cultural and varied biological identities. In contemporary South Asia we possess ethnic, language, religious and religio-cultural diversity providing its regional society with multiple identities."

"While Archaeology and history are subjects that are effectively used by all contending parties in conflicts where the past is subverted in creating imagined identities, conversely archaeology and heritage studies are perhaps the best avenues that could rectify the process of cultural plurality and demythifying all forms of parochialisms in a scientific manner and place alternative histories before the next generation for a better and rational understanding of the past. The mind set must be reoriented beyond the mono country and monoculture and be exposed to cross-regional and cross-cultural horizons."

"In order to further activate a dialogue with the past supporting conflict resolution, the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya took cognizance of this situation and structured its curriculum in training the next generation of archaeologists and heritage managers in the most professional manner in reading the past devoid of any inhibitions and parochialisms.....The aim of this program was to familiarize the young archaeologists on the common heritage south India and Sri Lanka shared and to negate the fallacy of considering south India as the ‘other’ region and Tamil speaking people as enemies due to activities of the LTTE. "

" In spite of recurring upheavals I am positively optimistic about the wisdom of the people in our region to rise above abysmal parochialisms and reach out to each other with sanity and understanding on cultural connectivity and our shared heritage as a point of convergence “beyond the bloody dances of death” (Bhan 2006:99). "

If you found this article as interesting and as inspirational as I did then please pass it on.

A truly Unified Sri Lanka need the work of us all

There is still much hope for a unified and diverse Sri Lanka - however it is not going to fall on the table - We all have to contribute to help CREATE IT and PROMOTE THIS.

I have noticed that there are presently many LTTE Diaspora overseas are waving LTTE flags and seemly don't really understand what who this organisation is who they are supporting, nor do they understand the situation in Sri Lanka. They are also posting inflammatory and ill-informed statements on internet discussion groups.

Sadly i do not think this activity will act to help "heal sri lanka" which is what I believe is needed.

Similarly many Ultra -Nationalist Sinhalese are not helping the situation (who also post inflammatory statements on the internet and egg-ing on further meaningless debate).

Now is the time for the moderate peaceful people to speak out. Now is the time for people who care about Sri Lanka not to just focus on what is going wrong - but to create more of what is going write. I believe this group is just one group that is http://srilankan-diaspora.org/

[excerpt]

"Vision:
Making peace is more difficult than making war. But a start has to be made somewhere. It is hoped that this dialogue will be one of many endevours leading to a road map for all communities in Sri Lanka to co-exit in a non-violent environment."

When i see something that makes sense - I like to promote it.

Again these are just my thoughts, hopes and aspiration for a Unified Peaceful Sri Lanka that i'd like to share with you. I would like to hear your positive view on this suggestion.

Take care and stay in touch.

Please share your thoughts either with me or my blog

It's time to start the process of unity in diversity!

God Bless
Theruwan Saranai
Om Shanti
Inshalla

Love and Peace

Bishan :)

There "is" hope for Peace in Sri Lanka - Article on: People to People connectivity in Peace Interaction

2009-04-19T23:05:00.000+05:30

I wanted to share an amazing article which is a transcript of a speech on "People to People connectivity and Peace interaction: redefining heritage for conflict resolution" by Sudharshan Seneviratne - an University of Peradeniya Scholar.

It was sent to me a few weeks back and I have now finally gotten around to finishing reading it. The persons ideas are very interesting and positive and I have included a few excerpts to give the gist of the article (otherwise you might be like me and not get around to reading it for ages). It was a speech delivered 2 years ago, but it's message is timeless.

I think it is very worthy to send this message at this point in time because I believe there really is hope for Sri Lanka to address the most important issues that have lead to this ethnic conflict in the first place - namely a lack of appreciation of how we are all connected no matter who we are.

I feel the contents of this article help - because it highlights that the solution is already written in our collective cultures and the history of Sri Lanka.

Here are just a few excepts from attached document (it is better that you read the whole thing rather than just this - i don't want to change the overall tone of the prose by presenting excepts, however hopefully this will catch your eye and wet your appetite to want to read more : -

"While South Asia celebrates a vibrant history of cultural pluralism and diversity, there is a tragic contradiction posed by conflicts triggered off on the basis of imagined racial lines."

" Heritage in the main is viewed as a source of people to people connectivity in conflict resolution. It seeks to understand the Pre Colonial heritage and question exclusiveness against inclusiveness; grassroots level peoples’ connectivity cutting across ethnic, language, religious and political divides juxtaposed to divisions imposed from above by Colonialism and later by local decision-makers. It looks at heritage as an idiom that expresses a common language of humanity where people reach out to each other for understanding, sharing and co-existence."

"Towards an alternative dialogue: heritage and conflict resolution
The cultural landscape of South Asia essentially represents a habitat of multi-cultural and varied biological identities. In contemporary South Asia we possess ethnic, language, religious and religio-cultural diversity providing its regional society with multiple identities."

"While Archaeology and history are subjects that are effectively used by all contending parties in conflicts where the past is subverted in creating imagined identities, conversely archaeology and heritage studies are perhaps the best avenues that could rectify the process of cultural plurality and demythifying all forms of parochialisms in a scientific manner and place alternative histories before the next generation for a better and rational understanding of the past. The mind set must be reoriented beyond the mono country and monoculture and be exposed to cross-regional and cross-cultural horizons."

"In order to further activate a dialogue with the past supporting conflict resolution, the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya took cognizance of this situation and structured its curriculum in training the next generation of archaeologists and heritage managers in the most professional manner in reading the past devoid of any inhibitions and parochialisms.....The aim of this program was to familiarize the young archaeologists on the common heritage south India and Sri Lanka shared and to negate the fallacy of considering south India as the ‘other’ region and Tamil speaking people as enemies due to activities of the LTTE. "

" In spite of recurring upheavals I am positively optimistic about the wisdom of the people in our region to rise above abysmal parochialisms and reach out to each other with sanity and understanding on cultural connectivity and our shared heritage as a point of convergence “beyond the bloody dances of death” (Bhan 2006:99). "

If you found this article as interesting and as inspirational as I did then please pass it on.

A truly Unified Sri Lanka need the work of us all

There is still much hope for a unified and diverse Sri Lanka - however it is not going to fall on the table - We all have to contribute to help CREATE IT and PROMOTE THIS.

I have noticed that there are presently many LTTE Diaspora overseas are waving LTTE flags and seemly don't really understand what who this organisation is who they are supporting, nor do they understand the situation in Sri Lanka. They are also posting inflammatory and ill-informed statements on internet discussion groups.

Sadly i do not think this activity will act to help "heal sri lanka" which is what I believe is needed.

Similarly many Ultra -Nationalist Sinhalese are not helping the situation (who also post inflammatory statements on the internet and egg-ing on further meaningless debate).

Now is the time for the moderate peaceful people to speak out. Now is the time for people who care about Sri Lanka not to just focus on what is going wrong - but to create more of what is going write. I believe this group is just one group that is http://srilankan-diaspora.org/

[excerpt]
"Vision:
Making peace is more difficult than making war. But a start has to be made somewhere. It is hoped that this dialogue will be one of many endevours leading to a road map for all communities in Sri Lanka to co-exit in a non-violent environment."

When i see something that makes sense - I like to promote it.

Again these are just my thoughts, hopes and aspiration for a Unified Peaceful Sri Lanka that i'd like to share with you. I would like to hear your positive view on this suggestion.

Take care and stay in touch.

Please share your thoughts either with me or my blog

It's time to start the process of unity in diversity!

God Bless
Theruwan Saranai
Om Shanti
Inshalla

Love and Peace

Bishan :)

A great step in the direction of "lasting Peace" in Sri Lanka

2009-04-12T04:25:00.000+05:30

Dear friends

Asia tribune has written an article about latest developments in Sri Lanka where the Sri Lankan Diaspora abroad have held talks in Colombo with officials - with resultant positive outcomes at this early stage (see below). I have supplied the link below, as well as the entire transcript at the end of the email. There is a call upon all who are willing to help to do so, with many suggestions of how included.

http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/16728

Also the link to the website called "The Sri Lankan Diaspora - dialogue for peace"

http://srilankan-diaspora.org/

Below i have also included excerpt from an interview with a Leader of the Tamil Diaspora - with a very insightful interview into one perspective of a Tamil Diaspora group

This interview and perspective illustrates that journey to peace is not going to be easy - but I believe with open communication and effort on both sides (as I believe is already starting to happen) it will be possible.

Please forward this email to spread these important articles which offer real hope of how peace and understanding can be spread with regards to Sri Lanka - as I believe these articles aim to do.

Peace in Sri Lanka
and Peace on Earth

love
Bishan

ps sorry to bombard you with emails in the last few days - I will not be sending more group emails for some time! (I just felt that this was an important one - if you are interested in the development in Sri Lanka the asia tribune article is important to read, and the sri lankan diaspora website is worth checking out!)

http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/

“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong”

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected”

(quotes by Mahatma Gandhi)

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"

(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Asia Tribune article - 11-4-09

Thousands of lives would have been saved if Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora were invited long time ago

Sat, 2009-04-11 05:11

By Henry Sathananthan from Australia

Twenty one of us went to Colombo to get help for our refugees (IDPs) in the North by invitation of the foreign minister, the Hon. Mr. Bogalagama. This was the first time a foreign minister invited the Tamil Diaspora for direct talks in a 2 day conference organized in Colombo, for which we are very thankful. The Government listened to us, one to one, each with diverse opinions and we initiated a constructive dialogue.

This should have been done a long time ago and would have saved thousands of lives. We opened the door for further negotiation for anyone who wants to go and we will facilitate this to the best of our ability.

The talks were cordial and various matters were discussed including the rehabilitation of the IDPs, devolution, discrimination of Tamils by successive governments, safety of the people in the war zone, resettlement, medical aid etc., focussing on the immediate future of the Tamils.

We also met four other ministers and their secretaries, including the Basil Rajapakse, who elaborated at length about the rehabilitation of the East, which was impressive. Dr.Tissa Vithana spoke to us about devolution which was most encouraging. We also met some Tamil politicians but not the TNA who were conspicuously absent, and asked them to help the people in the North. We believe that the TNA must go to their electorates and help the IDPs, which is their responsibility.

When I met the foreign minister in October 2008 in Melbourne with Dr.Nadesan, I requested him to open up the roads and allow our IDPs to go anywhere they like to settle, which he agreed to in Colombo among other concessions, which will be elaborated in our website in due course by other members of our team.

We represented ourselves as individuals members of the Diaspora and seek nothing in return. I represented my forefathers and my father, the late C.Arunachalam. We hardly knew each other before we met in Colombo.

Since our mission was primarily to help the IDPs, I undertook urgent medical needs for the IDPs and met the Secretary Health Ministry on 30th March 2009, in keeping with my expertise, which was agreed to at the conference. We will do our best to help these people who have nothing left, except maybe there homes or land.

The government has given them shelter, food and some medical aid and now it is our turn to help, irrespective of our political affiliations. The government cannot do this alone, since they have to look after, the soldiers, as well. The news this week has not been good. We have lost more innocent lives and a generation of youth on both sides in this conflict, our own children - a tragedy indeed! We may be able to stop this by further negotiation, if the Tamil Diaspora all over the world are willing to do so now.

Here are the stats:-

* 60,000 IDPs in government welfare camps – more coming day by day- many injured or maimed

* 60,000 or more trapped in 20 sq Km in the “safety zone” under LTTE control (Peace Council)

* 14 IDP camps in Vavuniya (see table attached) – one was visited by some of us

* 1 camp in Ambepussa – 39 youth who surrendered – we saw it and were impressed

Urgent needs from Health Ministry:-

* Anaesthetists

* Orthopaedics surgeons

* Psychologists

* Physiotherapists & Occupational therapists

* Drugs and bandages (drugs approved by Ministry – are cheaper in SL)

* Cheddikullam hospital – equipment and doctors – instruments cheaper in SL

* Upgrade Mannar and Vavuniya hospitals

* Nurses and Counsellors

* Tents for refugees and doctors in camps

Sri Lankan, Indian and French doctors are already there plus 14 NGOs - local and international

Doctors need to work at least 1 month – security, transport in SL and house? will be provided.

So I appeal to all doctors and paramedics in the Diaspora – Tamil, Sinhalese, Burgher, Muslim and also Australians. We have to work closely with the Health Ministry and Sri Lankan doctors

Other needs for IDPs. These will be addressed by other members of our group eventually

* Food and nutrition

* Beds and sheets

* Schools, teachers, books

* Computers and CDs, DVDs, PPTs

* Prostheses

• Toys

Yes we can :-

* Sponsor a student or orphan in a school

* Sponsor a family for rehabilitation

* Rehab a whole village – build homes

* Ask your relatives in SL to give a home to a family – anywhere in Sri Lanka

* Contribute funds to ICRC or camps, churches, temples or open your bank account in SL

I urge the Tamil Diaspora and all Sri Lankans to come forward in the darkest hour of our tormented history. Don’t take a back seat now, politics apart. The IDPs of all communities need your support, now or never. They have suffered long enough. They are our own people – not so fortunate as we all are. They have to be resettled and cannot live in camps for the rest of their lives. This is their hour of greatest need. Please visit http://srilankan-diaspora.org/ for images of refugees and other information

We lived as one not so long ago, remember our school and university days and the free education we had? Lets work together to help our motherland and our peoples.

Arunachalam Henry Sathananthan Professor, Monash Immunolgy & Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University

- ASian Tribune -

(excerpts from ) "The Sri Lankan Diaspora - dialogue for peace"

http://srilankan-diaspora.org/2009/04/bridge-the-trust-deficit-a-tamil-diaspora-leader-tells-president-rajapaksa/#more-36

Bridge the trust deficit, a Tamil diaspora leader tells President Rajapaksa

By K.T.Rajasingham

mathiandvathanan1img_assist_customCopenhagen, 06 April, (Asiantribune.com):

‘My eldest brother must pave the way for the Tamils living abroad to come back and work for Sri Lanka’, Mathi Kumaraturai (38), a leader of the Tamil Diaspora from Denmark, told the Asian Tribune, saying ‘For me Sri Lanka President is my eldest brother. He must remove the trust deficit that is responsible for the ethnic divide in the country’.....

Even in the conference in Colombo, Government leaders avoided the existence of an ethnic issue in the country. They very tactfully gave prominence to fight against terrorism and once the battle to defeat the terrorists is over then they will endeavor to bring about solutions to issues confronting the Tamil community. They just simply lectured to us.......

But I wish to point it out to the President of Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka that the Government without bringing a reasonable and acceptable solution to the issues affecting the Tamils, it will never get either my support or the support of the entire Tamil Community who are in Sri Lanka as well as from those like me living in foreign countries.......

No one should think that I am saying this with some ulterior motives. I just expressed, as a Tamil, the views of Tamils.....

We consider the President as an honest person. We observed that he wanted to solve the issues and win the hearts and minds of the people. Unfortunately he hasn’t got one right thinking Tamil man as his advisor to advice on the Tamils’ mentality......

It is unfortunate. All those surrounding him wanted to make him an uncrowned leader of Sinhalese, but they failed to advise him to be a Sri Lankan statesman. We are thankful to the President for making some portion of his address also in Tamil language in the last UN General Assembly......

I would not have addressed him as “Excellency”. Because as a President, I consider him as my “Elder Brother”. Therefore it is his bounden duty to treat the Tamils as his own brothers and sisters and win their minds and hearts.

He should understand that outside Sri Lanka there are thousands and thousands of Tamil who are professionals who can help him in building the country and also invest in the infrastructure of the country. These Tamil professionals are itching to come to Sri Lanka and build it with all the others. But it is the moral duty of the President, Government and the people of Sri Lanka to make these Tamils living abroad to feel that Sri Lank as their home."

Melbourne Riots

2009-04-06T23:40:00.000+05:30

Beyond the pain of this ongong conflict here in Sri Lanka, I have know that there has been tensions flaring between the Sinhalese and Tamils diasporas in places much more close to my other homes in Australia and New Zealand.

However it was with great saddness that there was a clash between a group of Sinhala and Tamil people peacefully protesting in Melbourne.

The google search for melbourne riots and Sri Lanka picked up

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/tamil-peace-march-attacked-sinhalese-melbourne#comment-337820 (1st hit)

http://sinhale.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/melbourne-tigers-become-violent-attack-people-and-damage-shops/ (3rd hit)

There are quite disparaging reports available on the internet as to who started the brawl, I have my suspicions based upon what I have read. However, who started the clash is not what matters the most to me (although it is of some significance), but rather it is the the discussion that follows by expatriats who have grown up as citizens of the same country - ie Australia.

I really think it is time for us to use our "intellect" and "compassion" to approach this terrible escalating situation of hatred.

I posted the following comment just now after reading some of the 21 comments written after the posting of the article (mine is the 22nd comment on the first link, but reproduced here for you). I really feel it is time for us to start expressing our views (with care). I would love to hear your responses to what I have said from all my friends and others who i don't know for that matter. Please speak your mind, but do so gently for everyones sake - i like dialogue, not destruction!

Start of comment

Bishan Rajapakse (not verified)

at 11:01 on April 6th, 2009

Dear friends

I am a Sri Lankan, Sinhalese person who was born in Sri Lanka but left there at age 6 months of age. I've lived most of my life in New Zealand during which time I had equal numbers of Sinhalese and Tamil friends - we all had amazing times growing up together but never really talked about the politics of Sri Lanka. Some of my Tamil friends were, and still are, the the closest friends I have, and the most amazing people I have met. Similarly some of my Sinhalese friends from NZ and Australia are the most amazing people in the world to me. And to add to this I am fortunate to have wonderful friends in Sri Lanka from all races - however the purpose of this post is not to talk about my blessings of having good friends - there is something important I want to communicate.

I returned to Sri Lanka 3 years ago, carrying my western background on my shoulders as I have been doing a PhD here which has taken me all around the island, from Anurahdapura, to Polonnaruwa, to Chillaw, to Kandy, to Galle, to Beruwalla and hopefully soon to Jaffna and Kilinnochi.

During this journey I have seen such cultural diversity and learned that the people of Sri Lanka are amazing in so many ways.

I have also learned Sinhalese during my time here and am currently learning Tamil. There are many problems with the Sri Lankan government such which are found in this region such as corruption and lack of accountability (however there is that also in countries such as western countries). Sri Lanka has witnessed terrible atrocities against the Tamil people for which I personally feel sorry for despite having no connect. However I also feel very sorry for the countless suicide bombings that have killed so many innocent people

I have one question, one statement, and one plea for the people in this forum

1 Question : Can you not see that we are all one race - the human race. Brothers and sisters? The sooner we realise this at every juncture - even when writing in forums like this the better. We all have mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. WE all have children in our communities. Children a beautiful gems of innocence - can you not see that it doesn't matter where they come from they are the same. When i treat a patient it doesn't matter to me if they Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim or Burgher - i know this is the case for the docotrs that I have worked with in Sri Lanka - How do I know because I have worked with them - not because i'm chanting someone elses mantra - are you? I know that direct experience is the closest to the truth that I can get.

1 Statement: The Sri Lankan government is "not" having a war on Tamil Civilians, and is not trying to wipe out a race. I believe there is discrimination against (all) minorities in this country, and that situation needs to be improved here (just as discrimination against minorites has to be addressed in all countries around the world) , however, Sri Lanka it is "not" trying to wipe out Tamils in this country as many people in this forum are stating.

This is simply not true

This war is terrible and I am not for it, and i never have been (because for me it means we just haven't explored enough other possibilites). However, not being for the war does not mean I support the blatant lie that the current war is targetting Tamil civilians. It is a war against the LTTE a bonified terrorist organisation - or even a Freedom fighter movement (entertaining alternative perspectives as I like to) that is continually trying to paralyse the running of the country with suicide bombings.

There is clear evidence that LTTE have been and are currently using the civilians as human shields often against the will of the very people they claim to support.

There is no comment about this, in this forum, from those who are so vehemently in favour of this group.

The LTTE is even shooting at their own civillians when they want to leave to government safety. I know this because the civillians from the northern province sometimes come to the Anuradhapura hospital for treatment.

And who are the LTTE soldiers on the battlefield? 12-16 year old girls who have been forcibly conscripted and trained as snipers. I met soldier who had just been discharged out of hospital two days ago after being shot by one such person, telling how they have to shoot because these children are sent to the front line with the orders to shoot. They were given the option of surrendering by they army but they are not permitted by the LTTE.

It is a terrible thing this war. Imagine the psychological scars off all people considered.

These soliders I met had no malice against the Tamil people. I have no direct experience with the LTTE cardres., but certainly I have heard many reports amongst Anuradhapura doctors about conversations with patients who had come from the wanni who were convinced that Sinhalese because they all want to kill them - and this is the doctrine of the LTTE.

Sri Lanka is not performing Genocide

In the last year I have lived and worked closely with people from all the racial and religious minorities in Kandy and Polonnaruwa. We all shared our stories, food, knowledge of cultural practices, we all worked as one. Where I work at the moment sinhalese doctors are trying to attend classes to learn Tamil in their spare time (and it is a government requirement for them to do so to progress to the next level. When travelleing in Wellawatte in Colombo right now the predominate language you hear spoken is Tamil - is this a country that is trying to wipe out a race - why would they want to? Tamils are part of the community and the cultural diversity that makes up Sri Lanka. The day before independance day (3rd Feb 2009) there was a Hindu festival down our street where the Hindu community (predominantly sri lankan tamils) where proudly parading down the street in full costume, with smiling onlookers of other ethinic and religious backgrounds - the way it should be - and the way it "is" - please open your eyes. I am not saying there are no tamil grievances - but this idea of genocide that or that sri lanka is against tamil people is completely wrong.

I challenge anyone who says otherwise to state what their "direct" experience of Sri Lanka right now in 2009 April is in relation to their view?

Are you living in Sri Lanka ?

I would love to meet you and have a cup of tea if you are, and hear your pain, which I know is real, but maybe this is what is needed - for all of us to hear each others pain and share our love and forgiveness (I am serious), rather than throw around liberal helpings of hatred.

And if you have not direct experience, "please" consider the "range of altenatives" to your strongly held belief that Sinhalese hate Tamils, and that Sri Lankan Goverment want to wipe them out. Try reading both the lanka defence website as well as Tamil net - also how about reading the Sri Lankan Government's peace website (http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/peace2005/Insidepage/SCOPPDaily_Report/SCOPP_report240309.asp) - I know many suppporters of the Sri Lankan government who still read Tamil net to know what is being said from a different perspective - I wonder if many LTTE supporters have actually read the Governemet of Sri Lanka's websites for a different perspective?

And finally - 1 Plea

Please, please, use "intellect" and "love" together and then we, together will find a way out of this mess.

The people caught in the conflict now are suffering and we can pool together to help them instead of slinging around our own versions of hatred.

I know of a gorup of academics from Peradeniya University who are organising Aid - for those people who are adamant that nobody in Sri Lanka cares about Tamils (which is not the case - as shown by the altruism of this particular group as just one example - all Sinhalese that, and endorsed by the university and government), why not put your compassion where your mouth is and help these people. Post on this blog your interest and I can organise the dissemination of more information about this mission that is headed to Vavuniya on Thursday.

To all my brothers and sisters whatever your background. Have courage to consider other possibilities to your own, and regardless, the courage to forgive and move forward.

Let's not hate each other. Let's Help each other out! It's much more pleasant that way!@

Peace on Earth

love

bishan

ps one more thing - to my friends from Sri Lanka who also feel the way I feel, please share you comments and make it clear that Sri Lanka "does" care about the Tamil people . Don't be put off by the comments of others. Don't fall into the trap of the hatred game. I liked your comments Deshi

pps also the language we use to communicate is very helpful, why not use "non violent communication" (http://www.cnvc.org/)

Bishan Rajapakse (not verified)

at 11:12 on April 6th, 2009

Pps. Speaking of considering alternatives to any peace of information - when i googled "Melbourne riots, sri lanka" this "now public" blog was the first hit, however 3 hits down was another report which gives quite a different perspective which I think ought to be considered by all who read this article - if nothing more than to gain quite a different perspective.

http://sinhale.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/melbourne-tigers-become-violent-attack-people-and-damage-shops/

take care

bishan

Images from "Sri Lanka and its long war"

2009-03-16T05:39:00.000+05:30

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/sri_lanka_and_its_long_war.html

This link is a worthwhile link to images of the conflict that a friend sent me today.

The comment I left on this blog was:-

Thank you for presenting these photos. They avoid being too political but show the harsh reality of this conflict. There terrible methods of the LTTE (depicted in 21 which many have commented on), as well as the sad, sad consequences of war for the civilians, shown in photos of the civilians who have escaped the LTTE. It also shows how brutal war is - the picture with the tank destroying what is in front of it. Does the end justify the means? This conflict is so difficult to pass judgment on - however the pictures bring to light the common humanity we have - it doesn't matter if you are tamil, sinhalese, muslim or other - we are are all human beigns - if we concentrate on this then it will will bring real peace - my prayer

Posted by Bishan Rajapakse March 15, 09 03:18 PM

M.I.A. and the Bogey of Genocide in Sri Lanka (part 3)

2009-03-16T03:30:00.000+05:30

mY reflections on MIA's interview:

I think that MIA is just expressing her views that she's fully entitled to. Regarding most of the facts regarding the conflict I believe she is either misinformed or aware of the incorrect information that she is providing for a political reason. The first of my posts (Part 1) was a transcript of an article published in the Sunday Leader by Dr Muttukrishna Sarvananthan which clearly outlines the error or lies in some of these statements. I feel Dr Muttukrishna gives a very balanced and factual account of some of the innacuracies of MIA's interview here.

With this post I would cover three themes that MIA talks about in her interview which have caused me to further delve into and reflect upon, and give my own commentry:-

1) the situation in Sri Lanka right now is dire
2) "Tamil equals Tamil civilians first, and the Tamil Tiger is a separate thing"
3) "I wanted to become a musician and help, like, some sort of change ....music was also used for social change"

1) the situation in Sri Lanka right now is dire

This is the truth from my perspective - but not for the reason that M.I.A. states.

There is no Genocide against the Sri Lankan Tamils (this is my opinion, but also the opinion of others).

However, for the group of civillians caught in the conflict (likely to be 100,000 - 150,000) the situation is dire, and has been dire for months. There is no nice way to dress this up - war is war, something that I am not in favour of (regardless of the situation see - www.warisaracket.com )

The reason the situation is dire is because of the war between the Government and the LTTE, ie the ongoing attacks and LTTE targeted shelling that is occuring. However, the dire situation is largely because the LTTE are using the civilians as human shields and will not let them cross over to government safe zones. In addition to this the LTTE have been opening fire on the very civilians they claim to represent (http://www.nowpublic.com/world/tamil-tigers-shoot-civilians-al-jazeera-english). I know this for a fact because I work in Anuradhpura and the Civilians who have been shot at are treated at Anuradhpura hospital. Often the care of these civilians necessitates the transfer of Army casualties to other centres. Clearly the Army would not be shooting at the very people who are then going to displaced their fellow soldiers in hospital beds. However the important fact is often glossed over by pro-ltte propaganda.

There have been many appeals made to the LTTE to release civilians they are using as shields such as this letter by V Anandasangaree the TULF (Tamil United Liberation Front) leader in the Sri Lankan government on March 14th ( http://tamilaffairs.com/news/the-last-chance-to-save-our-people )

The situation is dire also because of the huge number of IDPs (internally displaced persons)

The pro LTTE reports talks about the civilians being raped and murdered in the IDP camps as reasons for civilians not crossing to the goverment, yet what is shown on TV is army soldier looking after Civilians and giving them food etc. I do not believe that this is simply acting for the camera's

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/02/20092215405218943.html

I know from my contact with doctors who have been part of public health assesment teams that have visited such camps that the conditions of sanitation and health meet international standards presently. However they did mention the problem was that the residents couldn't move freely in and out of the camps (which has been covered by other media sources ). This is largely because of the risk of LTTE infilitration, but nevertheless a terrible situation.

Other reports say there is shortage of food and medicine, and I am currently trying to make donations of milk powder to help out with this shortage - so a situation of food shortage is a reality for at least part of the IDP population. However non governmental agencies are in operation to fill in the shortfall. This may not be as efficiently as one would hope for, but from the comments of one lady who is in charge of organising a charity mission to deliver food items to the Wanni - the response from the Sri Lankan communities in Colombo and elsewhere is very favourable. Her email (included below) shows what I have been observing for the last 3 years whilst living here that a large nubmer of SRI LANKANS CARE SINCERELY about the plight of Thamil citizens and the particularly the Thamil people currently caught in the crossfire or the IDP camps. This information is again contrary to the pro-LTTE propaganda which wants to create an image of Sri Lanka being a genocidal nation against the Thamil population)

excerpt from the email from a independant person organising a charity drop off of food to the civilians caught in the conflict :-

"Hi - Since this last mail to you, we have got approval from the government to ship this stuff out to the people in Mullaitivu. Please see attached the approval letter. Thank you to those of you who responded and brought in your contributions. The response was truly amazing. As you know we need quite a lot of milk powder so please continue to pass this on to your friends and their fiends because that is how we have managed to get so many contributions.

The revised list is as follows:

Lactogen – under 6 months
Cerelac 6 months – 1 year
Anchor + 1 – 3 years."

Large Number of IDPs

Because of the huge numbers of IDPs that have resulted from this conflict - the demand has outstripped the ability to provide. This is why there I believe there must be truth to many of the reports about the conditions of the IDPs.

The government is putting large resources into services that will ensure that these IDPs are looked after. Many cry that the government is doign this to hood wink the media - but as far as I can see - hoodwink or not they are "organising services", and rapidly doing so.

I was due to conduct a workshop in Padaviya Hospital (a provincial hospital at the northern boarder of the North Central Province) in a weeks time yet will probably have to cancel because the doctors and nurses are expected to be overwhelmed with the IDPs who are comming from the north to be treated starting tomorrow. They are transferring 400 IDPs to be treated at a time. So we have experienced a lag in service to what the demand was. This situation as terrible as is it is for the civillians has been manipulated by the LTTE propaganda movement to try and show that Sri Lankan government doesn't care about the Tamil Civilians which is not the case.

2) "Tamil equals Tamil civilians first, and the Tamil Tiger is a separate thing"

This is the second point that i have picked from MIA's interview which struck a chord with me. Living most of my life off the shores of Sri Lanka - I have always felt bad as to how Tamil Sri Lankans are constantly being with the Tamil Tigers (ie the LTTE) by default which is incorrect. I have always made it a point to correct non-Sri Lankan people when they just substitute the phrase "the Tamil Tigers" or "Tamils" (insinuating that they are referring to the Tamil Tigers) by telling them that they are two separate entities which may coincide in certain cases where Sri Lankan Tamils support the LTTE movement and their methods.

I was glad to see that MIA clearly expressed the same view.

When i first came to Sri Lankan in 2006 January, i was really interested in the the level of genuine support there was amongt the Thamil community for the LTTE. It is an increadible difficult thing to gauge, because there is support and non-support at so many different levels. For example one might align with the view that there are legitimate Tamil Grievances that the LTTE originally brought to the limelight with some vigour and they support the LTTe in this way, discounting the rest of what they stand for. They may support in the sense that one of their family members was a supporter or received some help, education or other support for a period of time. They may be fully aligned and active in all their causes, or perhaps (which is a situation I commonly come across) - they have been out of Sri Lanka for such a long time, after a very traumatic departure for terrible crimes against the Tamil Sri Lankans as a group committed by a minority of sinhala extremists (such as in the 1983 riots) that they clearly distrust the Sri Lankan government and will support the LTTE by default no matter what means they use to achive their objective of Eelam or a separate state.

I think question of how widespread and how firm the allegience of the Thamil Sri Lankans as a group is still a very important question (as I expressed recenty i a Ground views discussion on "Calling a spade a spade: Michael Roberts' 'moral relativism'") I was very frustrated with the way that sweeping statements about people allegiences are often made in disucssion forums where there is no firm evidence to back up their own strongly held beleifs. (I would like to make a point that anything i write here I am willing to be enlightened and educated to the contrary)

previous statement in Ground views discussion:-

“I am no admirer of the LTTE or of its ideological and military tactics, but I do not hesitate to recognise that it does represent a sizeable proportion of Tamil political spectrum and aspiration."

"bishan said,

March 7, 2009 @ 7:49 am

I have been reading these articles with interest. Thanks for all your viewpoints and perspectives.

There seems to be a simple difference of opinion her as to what the majority of the Tamil population feel with regards to the LTTE. Surely a more scientific answer to this question would be the best solution.

"but I do not hesitate to recognise that it does represent a sizeable proportion of Tamil political spectrum and aspiration."

Perhaps this is true, but please define "sizeable" and please let me know how you make this judgment? What is the sample you used to survey opinion of Sri Lankan Tamils? (please send a link to the study and methodology if it is available) Without a systematized well designed survey we are often left with "convenience sample" - ie people we move with, and not the people who we don't generally associate with - and we assume that this judgment is generalizable.

Agreed, that such a survey would be difficult to carry out, especially given that LTTE is a proscribed terrorist organisation in most countries and now Sri Lanka also. However, with a little ingenuity and if it were recognised to be important, I think a more scientific answer to the question of Tamils Sri Lankan's allegiance with the LTTE and or their views would be possible.

Otherwise the crux of this argument consists of largely speculation and opinion

thanks
bishan"

So again back to MIA - i think she clearly expressed her feeling that she did not like to be automatically associated with the LTTE

"So human beings around the world have to be taught to go Tamil equals Tamil civilians first, and the Tamil Tiger is a separate thing. And both of those groups are different. It's like a square and a circle."

This adds just a little bit more information to that important question of what do Sri Lankan Tamils think of the LTTE, or what does anybody think of the LTTE for that matter, as we are all affected by their activities (often negatively, with their associated extortion and crime) in any part of the world.

Just so there is no confusion this Aljezeera clip is a must see for any person who lives overseas and supports the LTTE. It illustrates the extortion that is going from the very people who they claim to be representing (LTTE terrorising UK Tamils Part 1-3)

3) "I wanted to become a musician and help, like, some sort of change ....music was also used for social change"

Finally, this is the element of the MIA interview really appeals to me - despite what she has incorrectly stated. All things said and done, i feel she is standing up for what she believes is correct, and is not afraid to express her views. There is great potential to be used for peace here.

I belive every post about the conflict in Sri Lanka should really end with a suggestions for peaceful solutions to this mess that we live in. Here i use the plural because I believe it will take more than just one solution to really make a difference.

I think music and the arts are key, and as MIA states - i think the music medium is powerful. I myself am a musician and have dreams of creating songs that will tie together our similarities rather than our differences in opinion.

Basicially we are all part of the human race, right? We live on the same planet - so we've got to share it.

It doesn't matter to me whehter you are Tamil or Sinhalese, Palastinean or Isreali, Afrikkaans or Black - we are all on bound by our desire for for peace and love, only we don't realise it.

MIA's message in the interview was political I feel, and many argue so is her music. This will naturally encourage a counter argument to be expressed

De Lon a westcoast rapper who is an ethnic Sinhalese Sri Lankan American makes this point is a "diss rap" of MIA's paper plane. Here he hightlights some very important facts about the LTTE atrocities ( M.I.A. Paper Planes Diss By DeLon - Nb there is some gruesome footage of LTTE suicide bombing in his video so please don't watch if you are not willing to see this)

I feel that De Lon has done well with this video, and I commend him for expressing his opinion musically, and effectively.

However, watching this video (as with MIA's original video) somehow did not make me happy, as there is still the bitter tast of conflict in the tune.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Delon and MIA could actually meet - have a meaningful dialog - and actually talk about peceived misconceptions and create a kick ass rap together about peace in the future - about how if we really put our hearts together, embrace compassion for humanity and "forgiveness of all sides", instead of hate of one another we can overcome this conflict ?? - now that would be something to really rave about?

True peace will only happen when we all fight for like it's the oxygen we need to breath.

I guess that's all from me

Peace out

M.I.A. and the Bogey of Genocide in Sri Lanka (part 2)

2009-03-16T02:58:00.000+05:30

I have included the relevant transcript from the interview for anyone who is interested with some of my comments following.

excerpt from the interview:

M.I.A.: This is a good luck baby for me, and all the events, the way it's been happening, the way I've been sort of seeing it, is that being the only Tamil in the Western media, I have a really great opportunity to sort of bring forward what's going on in Sri Lanka. Like my success, it just seems to parallel the situation in Sri Lanka -- the more successful I'm getting, the dire the situation in Sri Lanka's getting.

And there's a genocide going on, and it's kind of -- it's ironic that I am the only Tamil, and I've turned into the only voice for the Tamil people, the 20 percent minority in my country. And yeah, it's weird that I'm being given the opportunity.

Tavis: This platform.

M.I.A.: Yeah, a platform.

Tavis: Since you've been given the platform, take it for just a second. For those who may not be familiar with Sri Lanka and the Tamil people, tell me the top line of who the Tamil people are, what's happening in Sri Lanka, now that you have this platform to talk about it.

M.I.A.: Well, Sri Lanka is an island off the coast of India. There's two ethnicities there; one the Sinhalese, which is the majority and the government, and the minority, who are the Tamils. That's where I'm from. And my lifetime sort of began there, I spent 10 years, and I was there during when the war started and fled as a refugee to England.

And basically since I fled till now, it's -- there's been a systematic genocide which has quiet thing because no one knows where Sri Lanka is. And now it's just escalated to the point there's 350,000 people who are stuck in a battle zone and can't get out, and aid's banned and humanitarian organizations are banned, journalists are banned from telling the story.

It's just, like, one-sided, 100 percent, and I think it's just escalated because Obama was coming into power, because only under sort of Bush's presidency that you could get away with doing as much as that.

Tavis: When you say there's genocide happening there, what's your sense for why a story of genocide isn't being covered more in the media? Why don't we know more about this?

M.I.A.: You don't know more about it because due to the propaganda -- when you think Tamil, you automatically thing tiger, and that is completely disproportionate. So human beings around the world have to be taught to go Tamil equals Tamil civilians first, and the Tamil Tiger is a separate thing. And both of those groups are different. It's like a square and a circle.

And the thing is there's only 4,000 Tamil Tiger soldiers in Sri Lanka, and if you want, you could just sneeze and wipe them out in a day. They're not that sophisticated with their weaponry and stuff like that -- the Sri Lankan government, which is a million soldiers big, can handle that.

But using those people, we're managing to wipe out the whole Tamil population, the civilians, and that is why you don't hear about it, because the propaganda in the media, because if you're a terrorist organization, you don't have the right to speak, that is passed on to the Tamil civilians. The Tamil civilians don't have the right to speak or right to live, they don't have any liberties.

So that's been the key thing, that when you think al Qaeda, you're not thinking Afghanistan. That if you want to go and fight and kill al Qaeda, then you can, but you can't wipe out Afghanistan. And that's what's happening in Sri Lanka, and I think it's really important for America to understand that, because they set the precedent on how you fight terrorism around the world.

And it's really important that just that sort of throwaway comment, "Oh, Tamil, she must be a Tamil Tiger," actually, the repercussions of that is killing people back home.

Tavis: And offensive, I would assume.

M.I.A.: Yeah, definitely.

Tavis: I'm glad we had a chance to talk about that. I learn something on this show every day, so I thank you for indulging my questions about that. You mentioned -- we were talking about your country you mentioned that you sort of grew up there and you were there for at least 10 years. There were some other years when you weren't there, and I was reading about your background -- you've lived, like, a lot of places. How has that impacted your music, your sound, your style, the fact that you --

M.I.A.: Well, I've lived in India, too, and --

Tavis: Right. And London, and --

M.I.A.: Yeah. I've just always traveled because that's what you do when you're a refugee, and I think it's just impacted me because I'm not judgmental, and I like to hear things from the horse's mouth and I use my own brain to make judgments about what the truth is and what isn't, and I know it from my own experiences what that is.

And I think it's always been that's the thing about my music. Like, I wanted to become a musician and help, like, some sort of change, or stand up for what I believe in, or use music for what it's supposed to be for. And so it wasn't really about getting fame and success and becoming a celebrity and selling records, it was more about bringing together an opinion or a point of view of the other that doesn't usually get heard in the mainstream.

Tavis: You know there are a lot of artists who shy away from that; they don't want to bring their truth, whatever that is, into their music. They just want to entertain people.

M.I.A.: I know, but music was also used for social change. It's not a bad word. And I think we just kind of shy away from it because the pressure of being successful and the pressure of being sexy and standing up for nothing is just so big, you know what I mean? (Laughter.)

Tavis: Yeah, I like that.

M.I.A.: Yeah, so I think that is -- you have to be pretty tough to, like, fight that, and the fact that I kind of had the experiences that I had made me so tough and thick-skinned that it didn't matter what anyone put onto me, but it was more about the people that I was representing.

Tavis: Tell me about the song for which you were nominated for this Academy Award.

M.I.A.: It's kind of stirred up some emotions. I feel like people either love me or hate me, which is good, because that was the point of what I do. The point of M.I.A. is to be -- it's either to be loved or hated. At least you evoke that much of a strong opinion about music.

And "Paper Planes" I think is one of those songs that did that, and people couldn't work it out, and I think it was subversive for some people and it was too obvious for other people. Everyone constantly asks me what it's about, and like, "Are you a terrorist?" And it's like, "No," that has nothing to do with it.

And it could be about gun corporations selling guns and making billions of dollars, or it could be about immigrants coming over and being the scary other that's going to take everyone's jobs. And I kind of want to leave it ambiguous for my fans.

Tavis: Well, you picked the right soundtrack to be on.

M.I.A.: Yes.

M.I.A. and the Bogey of Genocide in Sri Lanka

2009-03-16T02:09:00.000+05:30

Mathangi (aka Maya) Arudpragasam is a hip hop artist who was recently interviewed on controversy over her statements about the Civil war in Sri Lanka on Tavis Smiley's Public Service Broadcasting (PBS)

Most of the interview was grossly factually incorrect and this has caused a big stir amongst many Sri Lankan's, many of which have been expressed succinctly by Dr Muttukrishna Sarvanathan a Fullbright Visiting Research Scholar who himself is a Sri Lankan Tamil from the north of Sri Lanka. He recently wrote an article published in the Sunday Leader, a local Sri Lankan news paper, which I have reproduced with permission below (http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090301/Issues-1.htm)

M.I.A. and the Bogey of Genocide in Sri Lanka
Muttukrishna Sarvananthan

I listened to the interview of Tavis Smiley of the Public Service Broadcasting (PBS) with Mathangi (aka Maya) Arudpragasam ; a hip-hop artist (stage name M.I.A. – Missing in Action) who has been nominated for Grammy and Oscar awards for 2009. Maya was born in Sri Lanka, so she claims, (though I cannot confirm this fact but give her the benefit of doubt) but lived most part of her life first in India and then in the UK and currently a British citizen, to the best of my knowledge. I don’t think she has visited Sri Lanka ever since her family migrated to India in the early-1980s (and later to the UK), to the best of my knowledge.

Most of what M.I.A. said about the civil war in Sri Lanka during the course of the aforementioned interview was misinformation at best, blatant lies at worse, either due to ignorance or deceit. “It is ironic that I am the only Tamil, turn out to be the only voice for the Tamil people in the western media” thundered M.I.A., a claim that smacks of self indulgence and echoes the claim of the LTTE that it is the sole representative of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka; a claim accepted by very few Tamils in Sri Lanka or in the diasporas.

“There is a genocide going on………systematic genocide since 1983…. Tamils being twenty percent of the population getting wiped out…. 350,000 stuck in the battle zone getting wiped out…. one-sided, one hundred percent…. there are 4,000 Tamil Tiger soldiers but the Sri Lankan government, a million soldiers big, wants to wipe out the whole Tamil population” claims the self-appointed spokesperson and saviour of the Tamils in Sri Lanka . I can forgive M.I.A. for her lack of understanding of the meaning of ‘genocide’ because she is not educated enough to understand such terms. I can refer her to an elaborate recent interview with Dr. Franklin Lamb by International Lawyers Without Borders . According to a statement issued by the United Nations on February 16, 2009, the LTTE is (ab)using Tamil civilians in the conflict zone as human shield and shooting and killing civilians attempting to flee the conflict zone. The UN also highlighted the fact that children under the age of fourteen are continued to be forcibly recruited by the LTTE to fight this futile war . Is not the sacrifice of the Tamil children for lost cause genocide of the next generation of the Tamil community?

When and how did M.I.A. count 350,000 Tamils in the battle zone? How did she know that there are one million soldiers in the Sri Lankan armed forces? As a person who has undertaken post-conflict needs assessment in the conflict zones in early 2003 and post-tsunami needs assessment in early 2005 for the UN (mostly in LTTE-controlled territories), I can authoritatively say that there are only about 100,000-150,000 people in the battle zone (i.e. LTTE-held area in the Vanni) as of mid-February 2009, which amounts to a mere 0.50 - 0.75 % of the total population of Sri Lanka (circa 20 million) . So, how on earth she claims that Tamils accounting for 20% of the population are being wiped out? Of course, unacceptable numbers of innocent Tamil civilians are being killed in the past few weeks by both sides of the war, which is certainly a cause for grave concern. To the best of my knowledge, there are only about 300,000 personnel in the police and three armed forces (army, air force and the navy) of Sri Lanka, and not a million as M.I.A. claims.

M.I.A. also claimed that there are “two ethnicities – majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils” in Sri Lanka, which is factually incorrect. There are, in fact, several ethnic communities living in Sri Lanka – Sinhalese, Tamils of North & East, Muslims (though bulk of them speak Tamil they prefer to be identified as a separate ethnicity), hill-country Tamils (migrants from Tamilnadu state in India during the British colonial rule), Malays, Burghers, Chinese, Veddahs (indigenous people), Sindhis, Bohras, Memons, etc.

The self-professed “only voice for the Tamils in the western media” left out some other “truths” of the civil war in Sri Lanka. Perhaps, because she has been traveling around the world as a “refugee” she has not been in touch with what was happening in her imagined homeland. Cannot she remember the truth that LTTE massacred hundreds of Muslim worshipers in two mosques in Eravur and Kattankudy in the Batticaloa district (Eastern Province) in 1990? Cannot she remember the truth that innocent Sinhalese villagers were hacked to death by machetes and swords by the LTTE throughout this nasty civil war in the Eastern and Northern Provinces? Could not she remember the truth that nearly 100,000 Muslims were evicted from their homes at gunpoint in the Northern Province by the LTTE in 1990? Muslims were given only seventy-two hours (in many cases only twenty-four hours) notice to vacate their historical habitats and were not allowed to take their furniture or consumer durables along with them. Was not the massacre at the mosques genocide? Was not the forcible eviction of Muslims from the North ethnic cleansing?

“Tamil civilians do not have the right to speak or right to think, right to live”, so goes celebrity untruths of M.I.A. who has not even visited Sri Lanka in the past twenty-five years or more to make this sweeping claim. I myself (a Tamil from Northern Sri Lanka) have been criticising the Sri Lankan Government on matters of economic policies, human rights violations by the security forces, corruption, transparency and accountability of public finances, etc, in public forums such as the media. Of course, I am fortunate to be still alive, but not many other critics of the government were, particularly media personnel, in the past three years. These excesses by the security forces are nowhere near a genocidal situation.

Whether M.I.A. wins the Grammy and/or the Oscar or not; certainly, M.I.A., an epitome of the art of deception by some impervious and insular Tamils among the diasporas, deserves a naattu patrallar (person affectionate to the country or patriot) award from the demon god of the Vanni. In any event, poor civilians caught up in this vicious civil war would have never heard of M.I.A. or hi-hop music, nor are they interested. This kind of celebrity untruths will boomerang on the worldwide Tamil community as liars of the first order. Even the actual truths will be construed as untruths or at least suspected by the international community. As an ethnic Tamil myself, on the one hand I am proud of M.I.A. being nominated for the Grammy and Oscar awards, on the other hand I am disgraced by her blatant lies on television on behalf of “all Tamils” in Sri Lanka (and beyond), whereas nobody has given her permission to represent all Tamils.

As a learned person I have bit of advice for M.I.A. and the like members of Tamil diasporas around the world;

“It is preferable to tell the truth, small in its dimensions, than a large lie artfully embellished.” (Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, 1985, Guerrilla Warfare, Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp146)

Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi), hails from Point Pedro, Northern Sri Lanka, and is the Principal Researcher of the Point Pedro Institute of Development http://pointpedro.org and a Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington, DC, U.S.A.

references
Smiley, Tavis, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), January 28, 2009, New York, USA. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=tavi08s1ddeq6f6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sei-eEjy4g
Reiterated by Bruce Fein in The Boston Globe on February 15, 2009 http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/15/genocide_in_sri_lanka?s_campaign=8315
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/175370-Israel-s-Attack-on-Gaza-Legitimate-Self-Defense or-War-Crime-
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=76378
In 2004 there were 378,000 people living in LTTE-controlled territories in the North, almost 90% of which have been taken over by the Sri Lankan security forces in the past fourteen months of fighting. (See Sarvananthan, Muttukrishna, 2007, “In pursuit of a mythical state of Tamil Eelam: a rejoinder to Kristian Stokke, Third World Quarterly, 28 (6), September, p1187)

Is there Genocide in Sri Lanka?

2009-03-16T01:30:00.000+05:30

Whether there is Genocide against Sri Lankan Tamils is such an integral issue to this conflict I thought it was worth me highlighting my view on this topic again as a separate post even thought this was taken from an internet dialogue that I had.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide_definitions

To me the word genocide is one that depicts hatred by the inciting party, but in addition to this the list of definitions involve the concepts of "intent to destroy"

Wikepedia's definition is:

"Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide

For those who accuse Sri Lanka of Genocide - really believe that the Sri Lankan nation is trying to deliberately and systematically destroy the Tamil culture and ethnicity?

I am speaking honestly and asking you "honestly" do you think this is what the Sri Lankan nation is doing or wants?

It greatly disturbs me that people have been so deeply affected by their direct experiences, or perhaps just the information that has been given to them, that they believe this.

In short to those who are reading this and have not made up their mind - please don't - don't make up your mind always keep it open, as a closed mind lends itself to the violence that currently perils Sri Lanka and it people.

From my experience, as person who has been living and working in Sri Lanka for 3 years, in places as far south as Galle, and north as Anuradhapura, central as Kandy and East as Colombo and Puttulum, someone who has talked to associates of the UN, Human rights organisations, Diplomats from various countries and members of civil society, including journalists film makers, and most importantly, from someone who has a deep respect and compassion for ALL people in this country. I do not believe there is "Genocide" of the Tamil people either now or in the past (at least in Post independance past that is)

There HAVE been terrible atrocities of and violations of human rights that makes us all sick, both currently and during JVP times. There have been heinous riots targeting Tamils (carried out by minoritiy of sinhala extremists), such as in the black July Pogrom of 1983 - but no Genocide as the commonly claimed by LTTE supporters.

Even in 1983 when the Sri Lanka saw it's darkest day in modern times - do we think that there was a systematized drive to eradicate the Tamil people and remove all traces of their existance?

Who then were the poeple who protected those perpetrated and risked their own lives in the process? What of the MP's who spoke out against this (they were a minority but there was at least one Kandy MP who fought against the rights, and i have spoke to personally about this)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_July

Black July was a terrible event that occurred because of a minority of Sinhala thugs murderous actions after the LTTE's provocation of killing 12 Sinahalese Army soldiers in a time when killing wasn't as commonplace as it sadly is today. The lack of response by the government of the time, was appalling. But as Chaminda mentioned we are still all suffering for this.

I am sorry for this - for the suffering that occurred. We all are sorry for for what happened. The Sinhalese, and the whole of society. Perhaps not the perpetrators.

Only in Sri Lanka people are not good at saying sorry. It's not just Sri Lanka. When i lived in Australia in 2000 we walked across the Harbour bridge in protest for John Howard (the Then Prime Minster) not saying "sorry" for the treatment and annihilation of the "forgotten generations" of Australian Aboriginies,

http://www.unolympics.com/reconciliation/sorry.shtml

Anyway back to my original question - is there genocide in Sri Lanka?

If there was why does the government forces not just kill all the people in the No Fire zone.

There are no human rights groups, there are no reporters. Why don't they just "exterminate them" as is constantly being accused?

The reason is that these people are human beings like you or I ,and they DO NOT WANT TO KILL Tamil people.

I know first hand the effort that has gone into saving lives of casualties of war, in Wanni civilians, who have received intensive surgery after transfer to Anuradhapura from the north - Why would they put all this human resouce and opertating theatre time ( a limited resource) in to saving the lives of people they were categorically trying to kill?

It is clear to me that this drive to lead the publlic at large, particularly people who live out of Sri Lanka , who don't have the luxury of knowing that Sinhala, Muslim, Tamil, Christian, Buddhist, English, Australian Burgher people all breath the same air, often eat the same food, drink the same water.

"Genocide" of the Tamil race only exists in the minds of the LTTE supporters because the concept of genocide is so abhorrent that it justifies equally abhorent means of protests such as the terrorist strategies of child recruitment and suicide bombing that the LTTE uses commonly.

Anyone who uses this term - please think carefully before you accuse the Sri Lankan nation (your nation) of being "genocidal". It is alright to use the term if you actually believe that the nation is deliberately trying to destroy the Tamil people. But anyone with any experience in Sri Lanka knows, this would be akin to cutting of one's own leg - Wellawatte (suburb of Colombo where my parents grew up) alone is approx 60% Tamil.

Again - do you really think that that Sinhala people want to Kill the Tamil people.

All I can say is that from first hand information about 150 don't - ie thats about all the Sinalaese people I know.

Or - do you think there are a group of extremists who occassionally say things like "lets carpet bomb the north" (as vile as this statement is) because they are "idiots" who are unrepresentative of the population at large?

I think it is the latter not the former -and even this group of loud mouths, if you really pinned them down - don't want to Kill Tamil people a root desire -they just feel threatned by the LTTE - and the same goes in reverse.

Anyway sorry to go on - but I think these are important concepts.

Finally, i think it is important for many people to write there views down. As it stands there are some serious claims being made here, and only about 4 people contributing.

I think a lot of positivity about the future and current harmony that exist should be brought to light.

Just my views
Cheers
bish

A dialogue on the Situation in Sri Lanka

2009-03-16T01:02:00.000+05:30

Last month I spent many hours writing in a Facebook discussion thread my view on the current conflict. It was taken from some contacts of a friend of mine where the simple message was posted

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and right doing, there is a field.
I will meet you there."

Muhammad Jalal al-Din al-Balkhi al-'Rumi'
Muslim mystic and poet
Born 1207, Afghanistan

The resulting dialogue was between a group of individuals who were largely unknown to me, both Sinhala and Tamil Sri Lankans who I believe are in the 20-40 age group, living overseas and within.

Whilst the conversation that ensues in by no means any representation of view, i found the conversation painful, yet revealing, about some of the extremely disparate views that exist out there (including my own when compared with others perhaps). I found the temperament of some of the individuals who I was having discussion with "challenging" but I learned a lot from this person so I thank him for this - infact it was this person who inspired my poems "war of minds" and "helicopters in the sky" which were posted earlier in this blog.

There are many links within the conversation that are useful.

It is my strong belief (as you will see with my comments) that the TRO videos are largely, if not totally LTTE propoaganda (that is there to aid their methods of suicide bombing and child recruitment) but I think everything is worth viewing. Similarly some of the articles that have been linked are government propaganda to make the situation look better than it is (which is as one of my friends said to me recently - "dire").

I have asked permission from those in the conversation to reproduce their comments and there has been no objection so far (and a few have actively okayed) - i will remove the comments of those who do not which to be on my blog.

The whole dialogue is rather long but i figure is it is a webpage so you can quickly scroll through the sections that you don't read. And cut out and edit parts of this dialogue is like adulterating the beads of truth that intertwine this collection of comments and views of a few individuals from Jan 30th to March 5th 2009.

There are quite a number of similar dialogues in facebook groups and other more academic web based organisations (such as ground views) that I occassionally post in. However, I find that a lot of people don't actually read or partake in these discussions which is why i wanted to provide such exposure here on my blog (I feel people not partaking in these discussions is perfectly reasonable for, as you can see below, the discusions can be very insensitive, and disparate from what the contributing people seem to be arguing for - ie respect for human life, and obviously quite painful for many to read). Also what i find regarding online discussion regarding the Sri Lankan situation is that these groups, or at least the people writing their views, are limited to only a handful of individuals - often the ones who "shout the loudest", or think their views is the most important and corrrect (I hope i'm not too guilty of this... actually i'm very shy when it comes to posting and have only recently been trying to get over this).

What I would like is for everyone to contribute just a little piece of their own view - as then we'd get a much clearer picture of what is going on so as always - please post your comments - i for one am very interested in what you think (even if you think the opposite of me) - On that note I really do hope I have not offended anyone in this post - or any of my other posts. I really do with all my heart stand for a peaceful united world - if you think that my ideas are not conducive to this then please "tell me" for I shall not be able to bear the blame for something that I am ignorant of when actively seeking my faults yet getting no reply....

I hope this is of some value for you.

Beginning of Dialogue

Dushy Pillai

January 30 at 4:40pm

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and right doing, there is a field.
I will meet you there."

Muhammad Jalal al-Din al-Balkhi al-'Rumi'
Muslim mystic and poet
Born 1207, Afghanistan

Troop of Tigons

Troop of Tigons, League of Ligers - Advocates for solidarity and unity amongst Sri Lankans worldwide.

“Be the change you want to see in the world”
- Mahatma Ghandi

We have been conditioned to thi...

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

January 31 at 1:45am

thanks but no thanks,
i've never seen myself as being a "sri lankan"...

i'm a Tamil American from Tamil Eelam or Celyon.

y'all can have sri lanka and be sri lankan's - i will never be...

hope to see you at the protest tomorrow dushy...

STOP THE GENOCIDE...!!!

peace...

Ram Pillai

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January 31 at 2:11am

Arjun, I'm surprised and disappointed to see that you prefer the colonial term Ceylonese to Sri Lankan. Both sides are guilty of appalling human rights abuses, although no one can dispute that the Government is the root cause of the problems.

Neither side can win this war that is wiping out our people. Like it or not, a federal system is the only way forward. We can not achieve this if we go on having a them and us attitude.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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January 31 at 2:49am

I don't have a "them & us" attitude... i just believe in human rights and self determination...

well, it's a long story but names are important... Like Amparai or Kantalai... and many others have been changed on the maps to the sinhala Ampara & Kantale as they were colonized under state sponsored colonization of the east...

The name "sri lanka" was chosen in 1972 when the constitution was changed and Section 29 (2) was omitted in the new constitution... (see text of sect 29 (2) below)... the ratification of the constitution was illegal and so in my opinion so was the name (sri lanka)... and the omission of 29 (2), which is why a new constitution was written, broke the social covenant between the tamils & sinhalese, thus reverting the tamils to their precolonial status as a separate nation...

LTTE offered federalism in oslo... govt never responded... i'm all for federalism... i'm TamilAmerican afterall! FEDERALISM ROCKS... states rights etc... African Americans are about 12% of the US population... as are Tamils in SL... could a Tamil be elected president in SL... EVER? hahaha

Soulbury Constitution
Section 29 (2) No such law shall -

(a) prohibit or restrict the free exercise of any religion; or

(b) make persons of any community or religion liable to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of other communities or religions are not made liable; or

(c) confer on persons of any community or religion any privilege or advantage which is not conferred on persons of other communities or religions,

anyway, this is boring for all the others in this and so i shall stop... feel free to email me privately if you feel like continuing this...

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 2 at 12:54pm

" SL... could a Tamil be elected president in SL... EVER? hahah"

let me mention a TWO NAMES!! Neelan Tiruchelvam, Lakshman Kadiragama!! Two people who could easily have been elected to be prime minister if not president one day!!! They would have certainly had my vote!! but alas.....

On your note on the constitutional amendment! Yes that was a mistake we are all still paying for. But then again old folks made stupid mistakes all over the world. Think about it! when that amendment was made black people couldn’t travel the same bus with white folks in some parts of the US. Now the US has a black president representing all the peoples of America. Now when we too can let go of the past and step up to the challenges facing all the people of Sri Lanka, then may be we can do something. OR conversely we can harp back to past injustices, stick to colonial names and wallow in sorrow for what it could have been and sow further division!

Your choice brother Arujunan!

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 2 at 2:27pm

damit, i just typed out a long response and then bloody browser quit... can't be bothered/don't have enough time to do it again right now... maybe later "bro"

by the way "bro" it's arjunan not arujunan...

Dushy Pillai

February 2 at 3:07pm

Thank you all for your views. If you would like, please mail each other directly to continue as I'm not sure if everyone in this list wants to be involved in a long drawn out, animated, discussion.

I do think though, politics aside, let's just get the people safely out of the war zone, facilitated by the ICRC. That's got to be the priority right now and I think everyone agrees on this.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 2 at 3:41pm

shouldn't 'ave started it dushy if you didn't want a "conversation"... you put it out there...

and as far as your statement goes: "I think everyone agrees on this." that's a big assumption... i know i don't...

Canadian reporter Stephanie Nolan at the Border Checkpoint to the Vanni (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090123.wsrilanka0123/BNStory/International/)

"...these people stand on one side of the checkpoint, awaiting a long and unpleasant "security screening" by government soldiers hunting for any sign they have links with the Tigers. Those who pass muster — and most men 14 to 45 years old don't even bother to try — are waved through and taken to a refugee camp, where they will live behind thick coils of razor wire, forbidden to leave.

But no one here is talking about the other line in Vavuniya, the one five times as long — the line of people desperate to go back the other way. No one admits what it says about the chances for real peace in Sri Lanka that so many people see more hope for their families in a war zone than in the calm of the government-held side."

why should people have to move... i wouldn't want to go to govt controlled areas especially if i had (as most do) relatives in the LTTE... unless you've done a poll or something i'd have to assume that the people choose to be there... i mean can the LTTE, as "weak" as they are, fight off 150,000 SL Army, 3500 indian troops, AND at the same time keep 350,000 civilians from walking through the jungle if they really wanted to? c'mon...

why is everyone hell bent on making the IDPs come out...? why not just call for them to have the right to take refuge in an area they chose...

did the int'l community call for israel & hamas to allow the civillians in gaza to move to Israel "away from the fighting..."?

didn't the whole world instead ask israel for a ceasefire and to allow reporters, humanitarian organizations, and humanitarian assistance into Gaza...

why the different approaches to the situ in the Vanni...? is it antisemitism that makes the rules different of Israel when compared to SL?

it seems to me hypocritical for the international community to say that the LTTE are "forcing the civilians" to remain in the vanni... MOST of these people are relatives of the LTTE and/or are afraid that they will be tortured or disappeared (like in jaffna & the east) because the GOSL ASSUMES that they are "LTTE sympythizers"...

did you know that 40,000 civilians chose to displaced INTO the vanni in 2006-2008 because they felt safer there?

that 20 civilians chose to go there 2 weeks ago...?
i think we can all agree on this:
"gosl should stop attacks on hospitals & the "safe zone" they themselves identified and the GoSL should all humanitarian assistance & UN & iNGOs into the vanni to do needs assessments ON A PERMANENT BASIS... in essence just follow international humanitarian law...

watch this from TRO Vanni (editing & graphics by moi):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y0_e1fhKaM&feature=channel_page
globeandmail.com: Caught between the Tigers and the tanks
Source: www.theglobeandmail....
VAVUNIYA, Sri Lanka Every day, the women get up in the cool of early morning and walk a few kilometres north to the heavily fortified checkpoint that stands between them and their families. And ...
Share

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 3 at 1:41pm

Arjunan, sorry for misspelling your name earlier! No offence was intended.

The video you posted was truly disturbing and upsetting. Even though it was a TOR production produced specifically to target the Tamil Diaspora it nevertheless shows people undergoing immense suffering. The other side would argue that this is EXACTLY what the LTTE wanted to orchestrate. Restrict civilian movement and place artillery launching pads adjacent to refugee camps with the specific aim of drawing fire. You think the Wanni is full of camera ready TOR people in case this happens? Pragmatically why would the SLA expend USD1000 artillery shells to kill a few babies and old women? You nor I can never really know the real situation, can we?

But I do agree with you that the two sides should cooperate. I would rephrase your statement as such

"The LTTE and the GOSL should agree on safe zones and avoid any military activity within and in 1km radius of these areas.”

Anyway, I do not think that this debate is going to change your stance Arjunan! I have had similar debates for years with many in Colombo. They have exactly the same argument as you: but just replace the word “Tamil” with “Sinhala”. They still show videos of the LTTE massacre of 146 Buddhist pilgrims at the Sri Maha Bodhi temple in Anuradhapura or talk about the Kebithigollewa massacre, the Gonagala massacre etc and justify further animosity and war. I personally don’t think we can really solve anything in this manner.

P.S. the Palestinians are not allowed to enter Israel

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 3 at 2:43pm

are yo dyslexic... it's TRO... not TOR... anyway... if it's just propaganda why doesn't the Govt all the media & UN to go to vanni freely? what's to hide?

i reeaaaaaly want to rip you a new one... but i don't have the time and i'm going to "respect" dushy's wishes... for now... but when i have the time i'll be back...

peace out...

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 3 at 3:01pm

"i reeaaaaaly want to rip you a new one"!!!!@$

Yo!! I am out of this one......

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 3 at 3:21pm

haha

Suraj Thevasagayam

February 5 at 9:57pm

Ok guys....I only know Dushy and Arjunan...I don't even know who you are brother...but nevertheless...

I would like you to ask YOUR government to stop the war immediately and start PEACE negotiations right now to stop ANY lives (be it Tamil) from being taken away.

If you are talking about the LTTE bombing the bikkus or any Sinhalese persons...then I am sorry for the loss...But please take a moment and review the statistics of how many Tamils and Snghalese have been killed in this war in the past 25 years...and I mean civillians...not armed forces from both sides...the answer should stare at you even before you think !!! And if you don't see that... Oh well...guess you havent lived in Jaffna or any other city in Tamil Eelam...oh hang on..........I am guessing you lived in Colombo (where what you listen and hear is what the govt of SL preaches to you) or you live overseas.

So which is it BROTHER ?!??!?!?

I Lived in Jaffna when it was in the hands of the LTTE and we were safe until the Gove of SL started bombing and shelling the penninsula...the LTTE were the only ones to tell us how to minimise casualties when such events occured and to minimise injuries.

If you tll me thast thet LTTE were just trying to get us on their side... YOU BETTER THNK TWICE !!!

The Govt of SL had many chances...but they blew it...even in front of my eyes...a 13 year old. I was there when it all happened and I was there when the Indian Army came to help you guys (WOW...nothing different from right now is it...)

Anyway, all differences aside...human lives must be cherished...so please tell yor friends and family to pressurre the Govt of SL to stop the GENOCIDE of Tamilks right now and go to the negotiating table to avoid further Tamil lives lost !!! If you CARE for the TAMILS...that is !!!

Up to you...BROTHER...

Dushy Pillai

February 5 at 11:56pm

I'm not sure how hurling insult at each other is going to help anyone but if you must do it, DO IT ON YOUR OWN MAILING LIST. I'm getting complaints from others on the list.

Show some respect please.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 5 at 11:58pm

shouldn't have sent it out then, no?

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 5 at 11:59pm

http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=2120
False Gods
Source: www.tamilguardian.co...

Tamil News Site

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 6 at 12:04am

tell them they can just click delete without opening if they don't want to read 'em...

how's things with you anyway?
when's the wedding?
XXX

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 6 at 12:04am

Editorial Tamil Guardian 04 February 2009

The Co-Chairs have left the Tamil people’s fate in their hands.
In recent weeks the Sri Lankan military has begun massacring Tamil civilians in Vanni. Hundreds of people, including many children, have been killed or maimed in widespread and intense artillery and rocket bombardments. Hospitals, refugee camps and settlements have been targeted and hit hard. Having maintained a complete silence for months amid the killings, abductions, mass displacements and so on, the self-styled Co-Chairs of the 'peace process' (the US, EU, Japan and Norway) spoke up this week. If the Tamils had expected these custodians of international law, liberal norms, global justice, etc to condemn Sri Lanka's slaughter, they were quite mistaken. The underwriters of the 2002-2006 'peace' intervention instead told the LTTE to surrender its weapons and fall at President Mahinda Rajapakse's feet - so that the Tamils may be spared further suffering. This then is the simple choice the international community has left the Tamils: 'die on your feet or live on your knees'.

The Co-Chairs' statement is required reading for all Tamils. It is worth remembering these are the same international actors who swaggered up in 2001 to make liberal peace in Sri Lanka. To this end, they armed the Sri Lankan state (engaged in some 'security sector reform' along the way), revived the economy (in the Sinhala South), withheld aid from the Tamil northeast, and did their best to corner and weaken the LTTE. Because to them it is the LTTE, not six decades of Sinhala state chauvinism that is the problem. It is therefore worth remembering that the suffering heaped on the Tamil people in the past few years was prepared, funded, facilitated and encouraged by the international custodians of the 'peace process'.

On the one hand, the Co-Chairs statement this week - note that it was co-signed by the peace facilitator, Norway also - can be rightly seen as callous disregard for the suffering of the Tamil people. But it was ever thus, as those Tamils who refused to place their faith in international commitment to a just peace kept pointing out - even in the halcyon days (anyone remember the fuss about federalism?). It should be recalled that it was only aid to the Tamil areas that these donors made conditional on 'progress on the peace process', that international monitors point-blank refused to accept the military' continued occupation of tens of thousands of Tamil homes, schools and so on as breaches of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement, and how they dismissed out of hand entire the agitation for self-determination staged by the Tamil people.

On the other hand, the Co-Chairs statement can also be seen as the final collapse of the international liberal project in Sri Lanka. Faced with the unmasked vehemence of Sinhala nationalism, they have no challenge, only accommodation, to offer. In other words, for all their rhetoric about human rights, democracy, pluralism, and such, when faced with the implacable hostility to all this by the Sinhala people (remember Rajapakse is universally popular amongst them), the international custodians of global liberalism are now merely seeking ways to get along, to 'make peace', with Sinhala chauvinism. No talk of now of 'conflict transformation' or 'peace-building'- unless, of course, it is teaching the Tamils to speak Sinhala or funding the Sinhala colonization of Tamil and Muslim lands (it's still called "development")

The point is this. These international actors never had the stomach to take on the Sinhala state's chauvinism. Instead they long pretended it doesn't exist, even as the signs were all around. Now, when it's in their faces, they simply bow to its ferocity - and ask the Tamils to do the same. Once the LTTE surrenders to Dutugemenu, the Co-Chairs will apparently "ensure an inclusive dialogue to agree on a political settlement so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved." Well, we know how that’ll go.

The Co-Chairs have thus reduced the possibility of Tamils securing their rights - and their survival as a people - to the outcome of the battlefield. Having done all they can to stack the odds in favour of the Lion, they are leaving our future up to the Tiger. As we have argued before, it was Sinhala chauvinism that brought war to the island: armed struggle emerged as Tamil resistance. In that sense, the ferocity of the conflict is a test of two people's wills: the Sinhalese strive to crush the Tamils (and other minorities) and the Tamils, on the other hand, refuse to go quietly into the night. Therefore the crucial lesson for the Tamils is this: if we successfully stand firm against Sinhala hegemony, the international community will simply accept the outcome of the struggle. They have now lost all hope in a harmonious Sri Lanka - just as we did a long time ago.

Bishan Rajapakse

February 6 at 12:57am

Dushy Pillai wrote
January 30 at 4:40pm

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and right doing, there is a field.
I will meet you there."

Dear Dushy, thank you for including me in this thread, there is much work to do with all the hatred that exists between some members of the different ethnic and political groups. Let it be known that most of these discussion groups usually consists of a few highly charged individuals that do not represent the views of the majority

Arjunan, Surah and Chaminda. Thanks for your comments.

Systematically I will make my responses in a moment,

But first of all - Dushy I would like to thank you for your quote that i copied again abolve - what you have written is by far the most sensible piece of discussion.

Let us not live in the past but think of our futures together. Sri Lanka is a wonderful country with immense potential that we all love in some form or other - even those who post denying that they care for it, as they wouldn't othewise be so emotionally charged.

So what kind of country do we want? A country that is plagued by the wrongdoings of the past or even the present, or a country that is already working towards a constructive future?

I will definitely meet you in the Field and there will be many more people waiting there. Arjunan - i hope you find the forgiveness in yourself to join us there - for humanities sake. I know it's tough but the hatred will only make you ill

(true) Peace
bishan

Bishan Rajapakse

February 6 at 1:09am

Ajrunan

Thanks for the information about Section 20 (2) being ommitted in the new constitution of Sri Lanka, i wasn't aware of this.

Your entry implied however that new constitution with the removal of

Soulbury Constitution
Section 29 (2) No such law shall -

(a) prohibit or restrict the free exercise of any religion; or

(b) make persons of any community or religion liable to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of other communities or religions are not made liable; or

(c) confer on persons of any community or religion any privilege or advantage which is not conferred on persons of other communities or religions,

was going to be discriminatory against minorities

However a simple google search will take you to the link for the current constitution of Sri Lanka

http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_03_Amd.htm

Under Chapter III - on fundamental rights you will find that the following

Right to equality.

12. (1) All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law.

(2) No citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any such grounds:

Provided that it shall be lawful to require a person to acquire within a reasonable time sufficient knowledge of any language as a qualification for any employment or office in the Public, Judicial or Local Government Service or in the service of any public corporation, where such knowledge is reasonably necessary for the discharge of the duties of such employment or office:

Provided further that it shall be lawful to require a person to have sufficient knowledge of any language as a qualification for any such employment of office where no function of that employment or office can be discharged otherwise than with a knowledge of that language.

(3) No person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex or any one such grounds, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of public worship of his own religion.

(4) Nothing in this Article shall prevent special provision being made, by law, subordinate legislation or executive action, for the advancement of women, children or disabled persons.

So basically - the current constitution is to protect religious and ethnic diversity.
The Constitution of Sri Lanka: Chapter III - Fundamental Rights
Source: www.priu.gov.lk
10. Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.

Bishan Rajapakse

February 6 at 1:29am

Chaminda Rajapakse

February 2 at 12:54pm
Reply
" SL... could a Tamil be elected president in SL... EVER? hahah"

let me mention a TWO NAMES!! Neelan Tiruchelvam, Lakshman Kadiragama!! Two people who could easily have been elected to be prime minister if not president one day!!!

Thanks for your point here Chaminda.

Lakshman Kadirigama was the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and a Tamil Person who believed in addressing the Tamil Cause through the mainstream democratic process. He clearly expressed his views that whilst he was a Tamil person who was for the Tamil people he would never comprimise his integrity to go along with immoral methods of getting a message accros such as using child recruitment, forced conscription, and child recruitement. He eloquently expressed this viewpoint in a BBC Hard talk interview.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/4373059.stm

He also was very high up in the order of the government at the time before he was assassinated by the LTTE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshman_Kadirgamar

Why would a group that claimed to be representative of the Tamil Cause kill someone like this? This question has never been adequately answered to me by people who support the LTTE movement.

One of my good friends who is a Tamil Expatriate said he had never heard of Lakshamn Kadirigama - this was somewhat understandable as he had left Sri Lanka as a chid. However, what was somewhat perturbing to me was to how one sided the information reaching people can be. This friend did know about the struggles of the LTTE but had no response to my question above because he did not know that Sri Lanka actually had a top level democratically elected politician in the government in power until he was killed by the LTTE who likes to portray, as well as create, a government that has limited representation of minorities, particularly Tamil minorities.

This is why i put the Wikipedia link for those who had not heard him.

Bless his soul. Bless also the souls of all those who have been killed in this terrible conflict.
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Hardtalk | After the tsunami
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Thirty thousand people died and one million were left homeless. Three months on, what is the state of affairs in a country already ravaged by the effects of thirty years of civil war?

Bishan Rajapakse

February 6 at 2:03am

Ram Pillai

January 31 at 2:11am
"a federal system is the only way forward. We can not achieve this if we go on having a them and us attitude"

Thanks for your view point Ram. I agree, some sort of democratic power sharing is the way forward.

The lack of decentralized power that currently exists doesn't only negatively impact on Tamil predominant areas, but all provinces in Sri Lanka.

Colombo is so developed compared to the more outstation regions. However development is occurring and with ongoing collective effort I believe this solution is possible.

With regards to the Tamil and Sinhala people (an other minorities) an "us and them" attitude is definitely not helpful.

This is why i never understand the dream of Eelam because when I have spoken to supporters of this concept they are very much into separatism, (ie a place where Sinhalese would not be welcome, as one friend argued, despite wanting to take over the East of Sri Lanka which is of mixed ethnicity).

I can understand well the concept of having a homeland, but a homeland to share with others. This is attitude for Government controlled Sri Lanka at present - the Tamil people are welcome by all Sri Lankans. This is not to say that discrimination doesn't exist - of course it does, especially seeing there is armed conflict that is going on in the north right now, which means that Tamils are sadly character profiled as terrorists in the south.

However, to illustrate my point - The night before independence day in our house in a suburb of Colombo there was a night time street parade of a local Hindu community (who would have been predominantly Sri Lankan Tamils, on their way to the local Kovil)

The group of 80-100 were dancing and playing instruments, riding on Floats and generally parading their culture "loud and proud", the way it should be, and evidently "is" in 2009. It was a joyous occasion, and it was done with the smiles of the onlooking neighborhood which were mixed races (but predominantly Sinhalese). I took a photo which showed a Buddihist temple in the background of the Hindu devotees on one side, and a Sri Lanka flag also flying loud and proud from the house of one the neighbours houses on the other.

That moment made me realise what i've always known about Sri Lanka - it is a country rich in diversity of culture and ethnicity and embracing of different cultures.

The problem we are all emotional people and we get caught up on the "us and them" attitudes which are only confusing us about our common human link, as well as being caught up in the past wrong doings (of all sides) rather than looking forward to the utopia we could create together - NOW!

(this story of the Hindu pilgrims parading was on 3.2.09 by the way, not 30 years ago. This is not the story that one would expect if one was to ride on the impressions of the facebook symbols that both Arjunan and Ram have for their profiles which leads me on to my next post about "genocide")

Ram Pillai

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February 6 at 2:15am

folks, please spend your energy into more useful pursuits such as lobbying your governments, the UN etc into stopping the massacre.
Sent via Facebook Mobile

Bishan Rajapakse

February 6 at 3:00am

Is there Genocide in Sri Lanka

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide_definitions

To me the word genocide is one that depicts hatred by the inciting party, but in addition to this the list of definitions involve the concepts of "intent to destroy"

Wikepedia's definition is:
"Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide

Arjunan and Ram - do you really believe that the Sri Lankan nation is trying to deliberately and systematically destroy the Tamil culture and ethnicity as both of your Facebook images would imply?

I am speaking honestly and asking you "honestly" do you think this is what the Sri Lankan nation is doing or wants?

And to help me interpret your answer - do either of you "currently" live in Sri Lanka. If so please lets meet for a coffee and talk about this (I am serious about this).

It greatly disturbs me that people have been so deeply affected by their direct experiences, or perhaps just the information that has been given to them, that they believe this.

In short to those who are reading this and have not made up their mind - please don't - don't make up your mind always keep it open, as a closed mind lends itself to the violence that currently perils Sri Lanka and it people.

From my experience, as person who has been living and working in Sri Lanka for 3 years, in places as far south as Galle, and north as Anuradhapura, central as Kandy and East as Colombo and Puttulum, someone who has talked to associates of the UN, Human rights organisations, Diplomats from various countries and members of civil society, including journalists film makers, and most importantly, from someone who has a deep respect and compassion for ALL people in this country. I do not believe there is "Genocide" of the Tamil people either now or in the past (at least in Post independance past that is)

There HAVE been terrible atrocities of and violations of human rights that makes us all sick, both currently and during JVP times. There have been heinous riots targeting Tamils (carried out by minoritiy of sinhala extremists), such as in the black July Pogrom of 1983 - but no Genocide as the commonly claimed by LTTE supporters.

Even in 1983 when the Sri Lanka saw it's darkest day in modern times - do we think that there was a systematized drive to eradicate the Tamil people and remove all traces of their existance?

Who then were the poeple who protected those perpetrated and risked their own lives in the process? What of the MP's who spoke out against this (they were a minority but there was at least one Kandy MP who fought against the rights, and i have spoke to personally about this)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_July

Black July was a terrible event that occurred because of a minority of Sinhala thugs murderous actions after the LTTE's provocation of killing 12 Sinahalese Army soldiers in a time when killing wasn't as commonplace as it sadly is today. The lack of response by the government of the time, was appalling. But as Chaminda mentioned we are still all suffering for this.

I am sorry for this - for the suffering that occurred. We all are sorry for for what happend. The Sinhalese, and the whole of society. Perhaps not the perpetrators.

Only in Sri Lanka people are not good at saying sorry. It's not just Sri Lanka. When i lived in Australia in 2000 we walked across the Harbour bridge in protest for John Howard (the Then Prime Minster) not saying "sorry" for the treatment and annihilation of the "forgotten generations" of Australian Aboriginies,

http://www.unolympics.com/reconciliation/sorry.shtml

Anyway back to my original question - is there genocide in Sri Lanka?

If there was why does the government forces not just kill all the people in the No Fire zone.

There are no human rights groups, there are no reporters. Why don't they just "exterminate them" as is constantly being accused?

The reason is that these people are human beings like you or I and they DO NOT WANT TO KILL Tamil people.

I know first hand the effort that has gone into saving lives of casualties of war, in Wanni civilians, who have received intensive surgery after transfer to Anuradhapura from the north - Why would they put all this human resouce and opertating theatre time ( a limited resource) in to saving the lives of people they were categorically trying to kill?

It is clear to me that this drive to lead the publlic at large, particularly people who live out of Sri Lanka , who don't have the luxury of knowing that Sinhala, Muslim, Tamil, Christian, Buddhist, English, Australian Burgher people all breath the same air, often eat the same food, drink the same water.

"Genocide" of the Tamil race only exists in the minds of the LTTE supporters because the concept of genocide is so abhorrent that it justifies equally abhorent means of protests such as the terrorist strategies of child recruitment and suicide bombing that the LTTE uses commonly.

Anyone who uses this term - please think carefully before you accuse the Sri Lankan nation (your nation) of being "genocidal". It is alright to use the term if you actually believe that the nation is deliberately trying to destroy the Tamil people. But anyone with any experience in Sri Lanka knows, this would be akin to cutting of one's own leg - Wellawatte (suburb of Colombo where my parents grew up) alone is approx 60% Tamil.

Again - do you really think that that Sinhala people want to Kill the Tamil people.

All I can say is that from first hand information about 150 don't - ie thats about all the Sinalaese people I know.

Or - do you think there are a group of extremists who occassionally say things like "lets carpet bomb the north" (as vile as this statement is) because they are "idiots" who are unrepresentative of the population at large?

I think it is the latter not the former -and even this group of loud mouths, if you really pinned them down - don't want to Kill Tamil people a root desire -they just feel threatned by the LTTE - and the same goes in reverse,

Anyway sorry to go on - but I think these are important concepts.

And similar to Arjunan - i feel like this is a discussion group so I make no apology for my contributions. People can always hit delete after all?

Finally, i think it is important for many people to write there views down. As it stands there are some serious claims being made here, and only about 4 people contributing.

I think a lot of positivity about the future and current harmony that exist should be brought to light.

Just my views
Cheers
bish

Genocide definitions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Source: en.wikipedia.org
This is a list of scholarly and international legal definitions of genocide,[1] a word coined by Raphael Lemkin in 1944.[2] While there are various definitions of the term, it should be noted that that ...

Bishan Rajapakse

February 6 at 3:36am

Regarding the video that you posted Arjunan

"watch this from TRO Vanni (editing & graphics by moi):"

I am curious as to how this video was filmed. Who took the film? It looks quite professionally done? (ie there is a lot of commotion and disturbing images but the camera man is focused on his job in an emotionless way )

Are there people with Video cameras in the Wanni safe zones? I thought this area was under strict government control?

What was the hospital that we saw in operation - who were the doctors?

I imagine you will know much about this video footage (given you edited it), perhaps you could share more details with the group.

Anyone is free to make their mind up, but my impression is that this looks like LTTE propoganda, and if this is the case I am cautious of the validity of it's content and the message it is sending - ie the government is targeting civilians -again "why woud the government forces do this? The only reason would be if they had evidence of military proceedings which was clearly absent form the video - so i am confused, and believe there is some foul play of information here. Again no proof but my impression - based on the following:-

The Tamil Relief Organisation has strong links with the LTTE - i think anyone who is watching the video link that Arjunan sent should also at least read this article on the TRO published in the Asia Tribune in 17-1-05. I know that a lot of people donated money to the TRO post Tsunami thinking that this money was going to help civilians but it was never accountable for projects (something that any responsible NGO would have been able to do - ie track their funds) and it was likely that their well intentioned money went to the purchase of arms leading to the kind of destruction that was depicted in the video.

http://www.asiantribune.com/oldsite/show_news.php?id=13051

Excerpts from Asia Tribune article:-

"In fact, Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation was hastily formed by the LTTE in the early part of 1986 in the Indian state of Tamilnadu as Velupillai Prabaharan’s Tamil Tigers needed a registered organisation to receive a massive assistance of thirty million in Indian rupees from the then Chief Minister of Tamilnadu the late M G Ramachandran.

Though TRO operatives try to camouflage the fact that it is in fact the relief and rehabilitation wing of LTTE, it has been identified as such in many countries besides Australia. According to media reports, a Special Canadian Senate Committee had identified TRO as a group raising money for guns and materials used by the Tamil Tigers.

TRO has undertaken many relief and rehabilitation projects in North East Sri Lanka and had been praised for its efficient and well-organised relief efforts in areas under LTTE control.

However, TRO has not openly declared how monies collected in Australia are sent to Sri Lanka despite allegations that funds collected from Australian Tamils end up for LTTE’s arms purchases. Monies from Australia could be sent legally to Sri Lanka only through the official Sri Lankan banking channel, that is, via the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

- Asian Tribune - "

One thing that goes with out saying that the video depicts, armed conflict is heinous - the sooner we all create peace the better. Peace starts in our minds and then spreads to the minds of others.

Peace out
Bishan

www.asiantribune.com
Source: www.asiantribune.com

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 6 at 4:18am

bishan,
i don't know where to start... but you're soooo misinformed about almost everything it would be a waste of my time to even engage with you at any level...

this statement shows me you know nothing about what is going on in the NorthEast:
"Are there people with Video cameras in the Wanni safe zones? I thought this area was under strict government control? "

FACTS:
1) the "safe zone" was unilaterally declared by the Govt on 22 jan 2009.
2) It is in the LTTE controlled area
3) the GoSL started shelling the area the next day and have shelled it everyday since resulting in over 800 killed and over 2000 injured
4) there are hundreds of video cameras and thousands of cameras in the vanni... and you know what? they also have TVs & radios...
5) if you don't believe what the tamils say is going on then why don't you tell your dad (mahinda) to let the UN/international NGOs and the MEDIA into the vanni...?

if you're this ignorant of these basic facts... well, it doesn't say much about your "expertise" on the rest of it...

i did have QUITE a good laugh reading some of it though...

watch these:
shelling of hospital (ICRC) confirmed this and was there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No4_KG96KtI

an interview with a nurse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT5CG_bZMdk

shelling in progress:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyfXwUlOCn0

more blown up people:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrXgxDKMO0k&feature=channel_page

you should see the videos that youtube won't let me put up...

anyway... i've had my fun... back to work... this was a nice break and it got the adrenaline flowing so i could finish a report & presentation...

hehehe

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 6 at 11:15am

by the way, i don't want to give anyone the impressing i read all that nonsense the bishan wrote... just scanned it...

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 6 at 3:18pm

Suraj!
I completely see where you are coming from and I do respect the fact that you lived in Jaffna and eperienced violence first hand and I was a lot more sheltered growing up in Kandy. I only had to contend with the sporadic suicide bombings and with the news of violence. Unlike the Tamils in the front line and the Sinhala in the `border` villages I led a relatively sheltered life. Nevertheless my home is stil Sri Lanka. Although I studied abroad and now work for the UN in Africa my home is Sri Lanka.

I am now on mission in a very rural part of Angola and cannot respond with justice to your well written message but i will do so next week.

Dushy Pillai

February 6 at 6:33pm

Very well, so here’s my two cents worth as well then.

We can argue til kingdom comes about who started it, who suffered most, is it genocide, is it not.. and send links to support our positions but at the end of the day it’s not going to make the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) stop the war or LTTE lay down their arms.

So question is, what is the way forward?

The immediate priority is to try and get the trapped civilians to safety; and for those who don’t want to leave (as pointed out by Arjunan), a safe zone that’s truly safe (as written by Chaminda). Both have their own advantages and disadvantages but I can’t see any other way as both GoSL and LTTE are both so deeply entrenched in their position.

But in the interim period, I see an opportunity. With GoSL no longer able to blame LTTE for everything, they must offer a just political solution to solve the causes that has started this conflict.

From what I understand, before the concept of Tamil Eelam (a separate state for Tamils in Sri Lanka) was envisaged by TULF (Tamils United Liberation Front – a democratically elected political party that had the overwhelming support of Tamils) in 1976, they had been lobbing the government by non-violence means for years with the following 6 issues:

1. Equal Status for the Tamil Language in the Constitution as Sinhala
2. Constitutional guarantees of full Citizenship to all Tamil speaking people who have made this country their home
3. State to be secular with equal Protection for all religions,
4. Provisions for the abolition of caste and untouchability,
5. provide valid Fundamental rights guaranteeing equality of persons and above all
6. a de centralized structure of Government in a democratic and Socialist Society.

The lobbying was ignored which lead to the Tamils wanting to secede from Sri Lanka. As things stand it is the 6th point that is yet to be adequately addressed. The rest of the points are corrected in paper with partial implementation.

The point is, the ball will soon be in the GoSL’s court, and how “magnanimous” they chose to be will decide if there’s going to be another 30 years of war or not, for I think with or without the LTTE there will be no peace without a just political solution.

Bish, has the GoSL given any details of post-war settlement? I don’t see any..

In the past 6 years or so, I’ve worked in Jaffna, Killinochchi, Trincomalee, Mullativu, Colombo, Galle, Matara and Hambantota. My personal experience is Tamils and Singhalese in Sri Lanka do not hate each other.

And I know there will be peace one day. Not cease fire but real peace. Just imagine it.

Can I ask you all to be please post responsibly and respectfully, some of the people on the list are only 13! The initial mail I sent out was for people join a FB group called “Troop of Tigons” which promotes constructive dialogue between Sri Lankan expatriates.

I apologies to people who did not want to be involved in this, and I encourage others to offer their perspectives/experience.

Dushy

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 7 at 5:16am

i love you

Bharath Pillai

February 7 at 9:01pm

I live in the UK and do not have any first hand experience of the situation in Sri Lanka, so rely on the media to provide information on which to form an opinion. The LTTE and the GoSL are both presenting their version of the truth, and independent media is reporting one story - that neither side wants there to be independent reporting.

The immediate issue that comes through from all sides is that there are a lot of civilians caught in the middle of a war, and these civilians are more concerned with the safety of themselves and the people around them rather than the political future of the island.

As we have seen in the media, one organisation which is there right now making a very real difference to the civilians is the Red Cross.The have also made it easy and quick to support the work they are doing either internationally or in Sri Lanka in particular. If you'd like to find our more or make a donation to support the work they are doing to protect innocent lives visit their website: http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/helpicrc

Your employer may have a donation-matching scheme so its worth finding out about this also.
Help the victims of war: make a donation to the ICRC today
Source: www.icrc.org
"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) relies on everyones commitment to the humanitarian cause and its underlying values. The strongest possible support from individuals, companies and foundations is essential if we are to meet the challenges we are currently facing. ...

Janaka Abeywardhana

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February 7 at 9:02pm

for fucks sake ppl, with all due respect can you have your conversation without spamming me please.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 7 at 10:50pm

you can just click delete without opening it... i don't think it's that much time outta your day janaka...

Bishan Rajapakse

February 24 at 1:36am

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/02/20092215405218943.html
Al Jazeera English - News
Source: english.aljazeera.ne...
Al Jazeera has been given first access by the Sri Lankan government to a camp in Vavuniya housing refugees from the ongoing war with Tamil Tiger separatists.

Bishan Rajapakse

February 24 at 1:38am

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/02/20092215405218943.html
Al Jazeera English - News
Source: english.aljazeera.ne...

Al Jazeera has been given first access by the Sri Lankan government to a camp in Vavuniya housing refugees from the ongoing war with Tamil Tiger separatists.
Share

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 1:48am

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDeDEFtzAU

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQhvQ8ypBy0

i'm in this for 2 seconds in part 2 at 7:21

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 1:49am

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDeDEFtzAU

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQhvQ8ypBy0

i'm in this for 2 seconds in part 2 at 7:21

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 1:58am

Dining with terrorists - Divided Island - 21 Feb 09 - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDeDEFtzAU

Dining with terrorists - Divided Island - 21 Feb 09 - Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQhvQ8ypBy0

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 2:48am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOkoDcIKdg
interview with a man in the vanni...

Bishan Rajapakse

February 24 at 3:08am

Thanks for the link the Aljazeera documentary - it provides an interesting perspective and I thought was somewhat balanced. I added my comments to the You Tube site.

Arjunan as I mentioned before with a previous link - the TRO has been strongly linked to the LTTE so do you not think this is like watching a lanka defence video?

The following video is a "sky news" article which shows that government was trying to stage a viewpoint for journalists - which this news group was well aware of. Despite this they present a view that Tamils from the North either want the LTTE to leave or talk peace "from the heart".

Worth watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxxux0Qanu0&feature=related

As Bharath has pointed it out - the urgency right now is with the civilians caught in the middle.

Tamils against Tamil Tiger Terrorism in Sri Lanka- Sky News
Source: www.youtube.com
[No LTTE= Peace in Sri Lanka. LTTE has been fighting in Sri Lanka for nearly 30 yeas. First person they killed was Tamil scholar Thureiraja in Jaffna. Due to Tamilnadu influence they took arms and fight ...]

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 3:33am

hahaha, these are EPDP quislings in Jaffna...
they represent no one...!!!

in 2004, 22 of the 23 Tamil electorates in the NE were won by the TNA... only Douglas and the EPDP fixed the election in Kyts (these are the people in the video - who would probably be disappeared if they didn't say these things - just like all those poor buggers in the Chemmani mass graves)

when there was relative peace during 2004 the TNA, running on a platform of the LTTE BEING THE SOLE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TAMIL PEOPLE.... WON 22 of 23 seats...

but y'all don't want to accept that

you sound like GW Bush and the US saying: "well Chavez (in Venezuela) and Hamas (in Gaza) won their democratic elections but we don't like them so we don't accept democracy if the people WE like aren't elected..."

jokers...

the TAMIL PEOPLE spoke when they voted in secret balloting (unlike the intimidation they are under when speaking in front of cameras) in 1977 and voted OVERWHELMINGLY for SEPARATION and then in 2004 the TAMIL PEOPLE spoke again and voted OVERWHELMINGLY (22 of 23 parliamentary seats in the NorthEast) for the LTTE to be their representatives...

but the GOSL, INDIA, US, and Pakistan don't like that... so this genocidal war... and then they will attempt to put the quisling puppets in power like they've done in the East...

it won't work... the struggle will continue...
guaranteed...!

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 24 at 3:48am

Fail proof LTTE strategy to win elections to become the “sole representative™” of all Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

1. kill all alternative/moderate Tamil voices
2. kill all Tamil politicians not completely in agreement with Prabhakaran
3. develop a personality cult of the “sun god” through classic cult brainwashing practices
4. Ban all alternative sources of discourse,
5. ban any independent media in LTTE controlled areas
6. create de-facto state where Prabhakaran is the supreme and undisputed leader
7. Kill any dissent within the LTTE
8. cultivate deep hatred for all other ethnic groups
9. ethnically cleanse LTTE areas further preventing alternative voices
10. intercept all central (Colombo) government revenue and disperse as LTTE expenditure
11. claim sole representative status

Prominent Tamil Leaders Assassinated by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka

A T Duraiyappah SLFP Mayor for Jaffna
A Thiagarajah Ex ACTC MP for Vadokoddai who later joined the UNP
K T Pulendran UNP Organiser for Vavunia
A J Rajasooriar UNP Organiser in Jaffna
Mala Ramachandran UNP MMC for Baticaloa
Gnanachandiram Ex District Judge, Point Pedro and Government Agent, Mullativu
C E anandarajah Principal, St Jones College, Jaffna
B K Thambipillai President, Citizens Cimmittee
V Dharmalingam Ex TULF MP for Manipay and Father of D Siddharthan, Leader of PLOTE
Alakasunderam Ex TULF MP for Kopay
P Kirubakaran Primary Court Judge
Kathiramalai Sarvodaya Leader
Vignarajah Assistant Government Agent, Samanturai
Anthonimuttu Government Agent, Baticaloa
S S Jeganathan Assistant Government Agent, Baticaloa
Sinnadurai Assistant Government Agent, Trincomalee
M E Kandasamy Principal, Palugamam Maha Vidyalaya
S Siththamparanathan Principal, Vigneswara Vidyalaya, Trincomalee
S Wijayanadan Distric Secretary, Ceylon Communist Party
Velmurugu Master TULF Organiser and Citizens Committee Member, Kalmunai
Rev. Father Chandra Fernando President, Citizens Committee, Batticaloa
Rajjshankar President, Citizens Committee, Tennamarachchi
S Sambandamoorthy Ex TULF Chairman, District Development Council, Batticaloa
V M Panchalingam Government Agent, Jaffna
K Pulendran Assistant Government Agent, Kopay
A Amirthalingam TULF Leader and National List MP (see details)
V Yogeshwaran Ex TULF MP for Jaffna
Dr (Mrs) Rajini Thiranagama Lecturer in Anatomy at the Jaffna University and co-author of the "Broken Palmyrah" (21 Sptember 1989)
Ganeshalingam Ex EPRLF Provincial Minister for North and East
Sam Thambimuttu EPRLF MP
Mrs Thambimuttu Wife of EPRLF MP
V Yogasangari EPRLF MP in Madras
A Thangadurai TULF MP for Trincomalee
Mrs Sarojini Yogeshwaran TULF Mayoress for Jaffna
Pon Sivapalan TULF Mayor of Jaffna
Canagasabai Rajathurai EPDF Member for Jaffna
Veerahaththy Gunaratnam PLOTE member of the Pachchilaipalli Pradheshiya Sabha (PS) in Jaffna (5 May 1999)
Razick, Supremo of the EPRLF’s armed wing (30 May 1999)
Dr Neelan Thiruchelvam Leader of TULF (29 July 1999)
N. Manickathasan Vice President of PLOTE (Tamil Political party working with the Sri Lankan Government)
Kumar Ponnambalam President of All Ceylon Tamil Congress (5 Jan 2000) Refer to SPUR Media Release
Vadivelu Vijeyaratnam Point Pedro Urban Council Chairman (14 Jan 2000)
Anton Sivalingam EPDP's Municipal Council members in Jaffna (1 March 2000)
Kanapathipillai Navaratnarajah TELO member of Arayampathi, Batticaloa - on 7 June 2000
Rajan Sathiyamoorthy Tamil National Alliance parliamentary candidate Rajan Sathiyamoorthy was killed by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists on 30 March 2004.
Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar (Foreign Minister in Sri Lanka) 12 August 2005 - Read full details in Special Web Edition
Kethishwaran Loganathan (54) Deputy Secretary General of Sri Lanka Peace Secratariat, SCOOP (12 August 2006)
T Maheshwaran Former Minister shot dead on 01 January 2008 (New Years day)
Minister D M Dissanayake LTTE Tamil Tigers Assassinate Minister D M Dissanayake; 12 people Injured; Another Person killed (03 January 2008)
K Sivanesan Jaffna TNA MP K. Sivanesan killed in an accidental explosion of a LTTE Tamil Tiger Claymore mine in the LTTE held area (05 March 2008).
Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's Suicide Bomb Attack killing Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 12 civilians (06 April 2008)
Rev. Father M. X. Karunaratnam, Chairman of the North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR), a Catholic priest attached to the Jaffna diocese (20 April 2008)
Ms. Maheswary Velautham Attorney –at-law and advisor to the Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, Douglas Devananda shot dead by the LTTE Tamil Taiger terrorists on 13 May 2008 (Details in EPDP).

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 3:52am

ah, the boy genius knows how to cut and paste... where did you get that from defence.lk

douche bag

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 3:53am

Sorry, forgot the question mark after defence.lk

"ah, the boy genius knows how to cut and paste... where did you get that from defence.lk?"

that's better

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 4:03am

by the way "douche bag" is a term of endearment in California...

and chaminda i thought you said: "Yo!! I am out of this one...... "

what are you some kinda hip-hop or r&b gansta rappa...?

aiyo

Bishan Rajapakse

February 24 at 4:32am

Arjunan - You make a fair point about the 22 seats and the platform that the TNA was entering elections under in 2004.

However, you have got to wonder wonder how much choice electorate had vote when so many Tamil Leaders who would be in opposition to the LTTE have been killed (see Chaminda's list - the fact that it is cut and past shouldn't detract from the message dude!?.

Also the LTTE had a lot of control over the voting process even during the Peace times such as in the Nov 2005 presidential elections - as this report from the world Socialist Website states

"There is no doubt that the LTTE used thuggery and intimidation to enforce its boycott. In the week before the election, its front organisations openly threatened voters. The Makkal Paddai (People’s Army) pasted up posters declaring that those who voted would face “a fitting answer”. Two days before the poll, the pro-LTTE Tamil Eelam Student Committee issued a statement insisting that people stay indoors on election day."

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/nov2005/sril-n26.shtml
Behind the LTTE’s boycott of the Sri Lankan election
Source: www.wsws.org
[In the wake of the November 17 Sri Lankan presidential election, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been compelled to issue a statement denying that it organised a boycott of the poll. LTTE political wing leader S. ...]

Bishan Rajapakse

February 24 at 4:39am

So here's a question I'd like to get your opinion on Arjunan- If the LTTE really wanted peace and a political solution why did they then oppose them voting for Ranil who was offering more peace?

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 24 at 5:06am

Arjunan, No actually I got it from www.spur.asn.au

Not defence.lk (which i consider to be as credible as tamilnet.com)
www.spur.asn.au
Source: www.spur.asn.au

SPUR Australia - Society for Peace, Unity and human Rights in Sri Lanka.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 5:16am

haha, SPUR? SPUR? hahaha, that's actually worse than Tamilnet or the LTTE PS... and their editing is atrocious...

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 5:23am

well, bishan... from what i heard it was ranil, melinda and that other cat (can't remember his name) who in the week or two before the election (which they had in the bag) started mouthing off... "we created the split in the LTTE" "we put the LTTE in the international net" etc... you remember...? that sealed their fate i'd assume, and that's just from analyzing it from the "outside" - no special knowledge...

and also, the absence (aren't the SL Army in control of Jaffna? how did the LTTE prevent people from voting? weird) of the tamil vote showed what the sinhala people wanted, no?

it appears to be a close election with mahinda wining by a few percentage points... but if you take out the welewatte tamils, the muslims and the upcountry tamils the actual percentage of SINHALESE who voted for mahinda is approximately 75% - 75% of the majority (who are 75%) voting for the hardline, nationalism, in the end voting for WAR...

Janaka Abeywardhana

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February 24 at 5:27am

please ppl go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 5:30am

hahaha... you don't know how to delete without opening... luddite...

Janaka Abeywardhana

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February 24 at 5:33am

i dont want to be deleting at all. I use this thing such that i dont receive shitty msg that i have to delete every 3 min. so for th elast time can u start up a new thread with who ever is interested in you amazing debate and leave me out of it!!!!

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 5:37am

blah, blah, blah... call the CID or a white van... i ain't gonna stop anytime soon...

peas...

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 24 at 6:48am

Arjunan

Please try to act like a grown-up. I don’t know how old you are but you certainly act like an insolent child.

If you have a point or a counterpoint to make then do so. Only people who can not make a logical argument resort to name calling (douche bag etc) or to baseless defaming or pointless banter (i.e. haa haa etc). It only distracts from what you are trying to say. I am sure you have some very valid points to make but unfortunately your conversation style does not adequately convey your intelligence.

Please don’t take this the wrong way or resort to this with more inane repartee but try to engage with people at a more respectful level and we might all get somewhere.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 7:31am

Chaminda,
i am an insolent child
i can't make logical arguments
i have nothing to say
i have no valid points to make
i'm not trying to get anywhere...
cheers,

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 24 at 7:37am

this is all for a laugh... i don't really expect to change anyone's minds... in the end none of it matters... does it?

people will be blown to bits or put in concentration camps for 3 years and tortured and raped and disappeared or found in a lake or shot while at midnight mass and y'all will be just fine with it as long as "terrorism" is defeated...

good luck to you...

Chaminda Rajapakse

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February 28 at 8:38pm

No we will not all be “just fine with it as long as "terrorism" is defeated...”

My hope is that the defeat of separatist terrorism will awaken more of our Tamil brethren from their LTTE induced brain slumber. Likewise when the euphoric propaganda process slowly squeaks to a stop the Sinhala too will look around wonder where the promised terrorist free utopia went to!

Then starts the hard and interesting part! This is when we can start the fight to replace conservatives with democrats, generals with economists and soldiers with teachers and farmers.

We could never get there with the LTTE setting off bombs in busses!! With the demise of the LTTE we have a fighting chance!!

When I say WE I refer to those of us who have the means to influence. This is exactly why I think this group is trying to do.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 28 at 10:00pm

hahaha,
from angola?

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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February 28 at 10:18pm

and you won't get there as long as:
- jaffna is an open prison (govt's been in charge for 14 years and still no electricity 24 hours a day)
- paramilitaries are running around the east with weapons
- the east is being colonized by ex-soldiers and other sinhalese with GOSL support (state aided colonization)
- the Tamils are being bombed and shelled in the North
- Tamils are being kept in concentration camps in the North (for up to 3 or more years) against their will,
- and people are being disappeared and extrajudicailly killed...

what kind of "influence" do you have by the way...?
you part of THE rajapakse clan...?

Bishan Rajapakse

March 3 at 12:36am

There's a lot of 100% negativity here Arjunan - how about also engaging a "dialogue" focused on generating some solutions? I agree there are major problems here .

I admire your conviction for positive change (which i believe underlies your outward facade).

Chaminda I like you contributions - thanks

You are right - communication style is important - i think everyone who is contributing on any kind of forum like this should have a read of this

http://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Nonviolent-Communication

Arjunana - the thing is, by focusing on the things that are going wrong between opposing sides of a conflict we will only get so far. The much harder thing to do is work with the good things that opposing sides are doing - even in times of strife and darkness - so how about some dialogue that incorporates more positivity and potential solutions?

And by the way - when I say "dialogue" - I'm talking about having an interplay of ideas. This generally means considering ones a viewpoint that is different to your own - are you brave enough for this? I hope so (and actually believe so)

Janaka - i am really sorry to be spamming you dude - i put my facebook on an autofilter so the messages don't clog up my inbox, but if you haven't done something like this it must be a pain. Sorry.

Unfortunately this facebook doesn't seem have the ability to know people out of the thread - so Dushy do you mind sending out the email again if you think this dialogue is worth having (perhaps amongst the people who want to have it)

Cheers
Bishan
How to Practice Nonviolent Communication - wikiHow
Source: www.wikihow.com
wikiHow article about How to Practice Nonviolent Communication.

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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March 3 at 6:46am

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/peter_foster/blog/2009/03/02/sri_lankas_war_zone__an_insiders_testimony_

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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March 3 at 6:59am

by the way chaminda, i just noticed this... "let me mention a TWO NAMES!! Neelan Tiruchelvam, Lakshman Kadiragama!! Two people who could easily have been elected to be prime minister if not president one day!!! They would have certainly had my vote!!"

both neelan & lakshman were NATIONAL LIST MPs which means that there were not elected and did not represent any constituency... why? because NO Tamil in the Tamil Eelam would have ever voted for them...

YOU may want to choose our leaders... but that ain't how it works...

i may have brought this up before but y'all sound a lot like the US Govt under GW Bush... "we love democracy... but only if OUR guy or gal wins... Hamas may have been elected but we ain't gonna talk to 'em...same thing with that guy Chavez... he may be elected and loved by his people... but we ain't gonna deal with him..."

1977 the Tamil people voted for the TULF who ran on the platform of the 1976 Vaddukkodai Resolution (http://www.ltteps.org/?view=425&folder=10)

know what happened? they won with HUGE margins...

and then in 2004 the TNA ran on a platform of the LTTE being the sole reps and that the GOSL should work it out with them...

know what happened? they won 22 out of 23 seats...

still not good enough for you? you want us to follow the person YOU choose...

Bish, it is not us you need to dialogue with... it is yourself... the sinhala south must figure out what they want to offer the tamils...

how many all party conferences have their been? 5? 6? and this one hasn't even release anything after 3 years of debate... it must be an amazing one though if they've taken this long...

the next "talks" between the tamils and the sinhalese will be to negotiate the borders... "we'll give you a bit of amparai for a bit of puttalam..." hehehe... kidding... well, maybe not...

peace out...

Dushy Pillai

March 3 at 2:30pm

Dear all, ok so I've created a forum for all of you who still want to be involved in this discussion.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?gid=70616591824

Arj, I have some questions on the last comment you made which I've left in the forum.
D

Lanka dialogue
Constructive dialogue regarding the conflict in Lanka.

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and right doing, there is a field.
I will meet you there."

Muhammad Jalal al-Din al-Balkhi al-'Rumi'
Muslim my...

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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March 4 at 2:00am

thanks but i have no interest in being in a group with the title "Lanka Dialogue"

cheers...

Arjunan Ethirveerasingam

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March 5 at 5:07am

Please watch these videos i received from the Vanni and uploaded to youtube

Part ONE & TWO of an Interview with Doctor Varatharajah at the Mattallan Temporary Hospital in the "Safe Zone":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFlU4cIis6Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfBkmnOjqO0

This hospital has been shelled twice since this interview

Bishan Rajapakse

March 6 at 1:43am

Arjunan wrote :- thanks but i have no interest in being in a group with the title "Lanka Dialogue"

That's a shame man - what would you like to call the Dialogue site group then - we can run a parallel. The name really doesn't matter too much to me - but the concepts behind it has to be open and constructive "dialog" about the Sri Lanka situation such as you report in the video links

I had a look. This video depicts the wrath of war and IDP - the sooner we find a solution for this the better. The soon we have meaningful dialogue the faster ideas will come. The faster ideas will come the sooner the action that will benefit our society.

We are all responsible for our choices - if you really cared about those people in the video as you make out to I think you will join us in dialog.

take care
Bishan

Bishan Rajapakse

March 6 at 1:45am

For those who want to help i got this email yesterday :-

Items No. needed

Ladies Clothing
Kaftan 500
House coats (front open) 500
Undergarments (bras, panties & underskirts – medium sizes) 500

Men’s Clothing
Sarong 500
Shirts / T-shirts 500
Undergarments (medium & large) 500

Children’s Clothing (3-16 years) - URGENT
Dresses / skirt & blouse for girls 500
Shorts & shirts / t-shirts for boys 500

Baby’s Clothing
Baby dresses (small t-shirts, shorts, dresses) 500
Baby napkins 500

Slippers (sizes 6-9) 500

Food Items
Infant milk food (Lactogen 1+ & 2+) 100 packets
Infant food (cerelac) 50 packets
Samaposha 100 packets
Baby milk powder (for 1-3 year olds) 100 packets
Milk powder 200 packets
Adult Liquid food (soup, jelly, energy drinks) 100 each

Other Items
Washing powder (sachets – No large packs) 200
Shampoo sachets (No bottles) 500
Pillows & Pillow cases 500

Please hand over all your contributions to the FOCUS office by Friday, 6th March, the latest.

Also needed

1. ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE CLOTHES TO DISPLACED PERSONS IN VAVUNIYA - URGENT
2. VOLUNTEER TEAMS
3. LONG TERM ASSISTANCE TO SELECTED FAMILIES

For further details please contact Radhika on 0775 223067, Sumathy on 0714 893536 or the FOCUS office on 011 4943579.

Bishan Rajapakse

March 6 at 3:09am

Special Request - guys. I would really like to post the contents of this thread on my peace blog (ie cut and paste) and I would like to your permission for me to do so. I think everyone has posted things that they strongly believe in, and there are no contact details so I don't imagine you will have objections, but please let me know ASAP if you do as I can do a find and replace (ie replace your names with xxx or yyy or something like that).

My blog is pretty harmless - and to the best of my knowledge nobody has read since i started it over a year ago - certainly nobody has left any comments.

http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/

however I am getting a lot of emails from friends overseas about the current situation in Sri Lanka my thoughts etc - and I think this "dialogue" is pretty useful to share with others in terms of thoughts (and internet links) from a certain group of Sinhalese and Tamil individuals.

I guess I'm really only asking Dushy, Arjunan, Janaka, Chaminda and Ram

Cheers
Bishan :)

Helicopters in the sky

2009-03-06T03:03:00.000+05:30

The next is a Poem written whilst listening to helicopters bring back casualties of war to Anuradhapura hospital.
7-2-09

Helicopters in the sky

Helicopters in the sky - why do you haunt me so?
I know what you’re carrying and I want your sound just to go
I’m not talking about the people but the concepts behind your load
For, to me, you represent violence in “code”

I feel for your passengers, casualties of war
Maimed human being with wounds is what I saw
There are so many who believe things are worth fighting for
But would you believe the same if it were “your” child at that door

At the door of the hospital, or perhaps the jungle camp
These groups are brothers in disguise, only we don’t realise
They’ve been put on opposite sides by extremists for wars that cannot truly be won
From a different generations for mistakes that can be undone

Or can they be undone, can hearts be won?
Of course they can if we have a plan
Only a plan bathed in compassion and forgiveness will work
Not in deceit and revenge, these are attitudes we must shirk

You see we have the eutopia in our midst
The first step is to believe what is hidden
The caring of the human spirit for one another
We have to fight it in or to hate someone’s brother,.. or mother

So please I beg of you to let your anger cease
Only then there will be peace, at least
In one more persons mind, and the others minds too will shine
….It will be “Divine”

This is not a dream but a scream
A scream to wake up in the land of forgiveness and prosperity
There’s plenty of room for you and for me,
Can’t you seen?

I am not mad
It is you that is “sad”, and this is understandable
But it is time to let go of this hatred my dear friend
Or this war of minds will never end

Once you let go your true sentiments will show
The bad feelings will go
And most importantly the love for one another will flow
Don’t think twice, just let go.

This doesn’t mean forget those who have suffered
Fought hard and lost life what they believed
Been humiliated or threatened, or being thieved
But this is to make an effort to move on

Only then we can sing the same song
It won’t be wrong if we all feel we belong
And this whole conflict is about belonging indeed
This is why we have to “now” plant the seed

Of a beautiful existence we can all enjoy
If only with peace we do not toy
I ask you earnestly to be my friend
On this wish I will not bend

So take your time and think deep what I have said
And remember that many more will have read
These words, ideas and concepts
So let go my friend let go.

As the helicopters pass on by, the sound will subside
There is a twinkle in my eye, and a positive vibe
Because beyond the current dismay and strife that seems not to cease
I know the work of our collective minds will bring true and lasting “Peace”

War of Minds

2009-03-06T02:43:00.000+05:30

Saturday 7-2-09
12:06hrs

Hard to do AChE when you know what is going on up north. What discussions are currently happening on the Internet – ie hatred being dispersed from the minds of those who have been are being hurt by the conflict, and unable to process things to lead to peaceful states of mine (not an easy task by any means). 7-2-09

War of Minds

Not just for you but those around you
Because this feeling makes others react without blinking
Instead of looking deep inside our hearts and thinking
The feelings of brotherhood and sisterhood we should be linking

So to fight this war is what we all should do
And in the process we need rustle up a good “crew”
Of those who understand and care
And those with ideas they want to share.

This team needs to let our humanities enlight
And gleam in light of intelligence and what is right
Of the things that go unseen every day
The simple acts of caring that cross boundaries in every way

And what I feel is that Sri Lanka is a beautiful place
That runs at a beautiful pace that gives one space
There are smiles all around, and people who do not frown
Natural beauty clothes the country up and down

There is diversity in culture, religion, race and language
Most people just want to do their daily chores and live
The want enough money for an education to give
To their children and loved ones alike

War is not in the minds of these people
They are caring souls with caring stories to be told,
War is the minds of the extreme, who have embraced their own and other’s hatred
They are trying to even a score like some kind of game

This is a shame
If we only can see this Ludicrisity
It is not about who should cease the hatred first, who should begin
It about those who have the wisdom to just make a start and together we sing

The more down this path we go the better it will be
When one person starts with love there will be much more for us all to see
So to us all I please “Stop the anger”, stop the violence
And only then will we feel the silence

In our hearts and our minds, in even our souls
This is surely peace we want all want to hold
Once we let go of “hatred” the end of violence will follow
If we hang on to it, it can only make us hollow

An imperfect reflection of the current situation

2009-03-06T02:37:00.000+05:30

I have beeen meaning to update this blog for so long that I realise i'm just going to have to write something and be satisfied that what i write is not the sum total of my opinions as it is such dynamic process living here in Sri Lanka when new information and new challenges come to light almost hour by hour, continuously.

It has been very difficult living in Anuradhpura and trying to do projects when i am so deeply affected by this conflict for better or for worse. My two poems the "War of Minds" and "Helicopters in the sky" hopefully give some idea of what I am going through.

I feel there is a lot of misinformation about this conflict also, that acts only to fuel hatred and ongoing conflict further. Also I have my own guilt that I'm not doing more.

As a sinhalese person I am always questioning whether I am being biased towards my own race, even though I myself identify with the Human race first and foremost. Perhaps this doesn't matter as long as we have key role models who identify more strongly with their ethnicity?

Nevertheless I would like to offer a reflection from Independance this year - I have already posted and exceprt from the Presidents speech in a previous post - which I feel was positive.

Independance Day

I was in Colombo on Independance day this year. The night before I was fortunate enought to witness a street parade, like a mini Devali - where religious Hindu devotee's were standing on floats on the way to the Kovil (Hindu temple). These devotees were parading down the street, "loud and proud", some wearing costume others just as is, talking the entire street as the entire street happily and peacefully accomodated them, with smiling on lookers who, like us, came out to observe the festivities.

The scene made me think about what messages are being portrayed overseas about Sri Lanka and who there is Genocide against the Tamils. Just one event like this doesn't stand as proof of anything per say - but it just add to my already formed perception based on personal experience that the Sinhala people nor the Sri Lankan Government are performing Genocide against the Tamil people.

I know from working in Anuradhapura hospital that often receives victims from the conflict zone and the Tamil civillians get better treatment than average patients because of the fear of being perceived at racist. This is not a trait of a genocidal nation.

If you talk to any Sri Lankan they know that the Tamil people only enrich society - it is the LTTE that is their fear beause of the threat they pose. The concept of genocide only acts to serve the LTTE's means to thier cause (ie violence, child conscription and suicide bombing).

There is no genocide of Tamils by the goverment - this is LTTE Propaganda.

The concept of genocide ("Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group" Wikepedia defnition) is so abhorrent that such a label and concept is need by the LTTE to create a sense of hatred against the sinhalese people, in both the people of the North who's mind they have degree of control over, as well as the diaspora overseas who will keep funding this war from the LTTE perspective.

There is also government propaganda which i will talk about below, which also serves to keep the war going.

I do beleive and know that Tamil people in the North and East are really suffering to this I have no doubt. They are suffering because of the war. But the real questions are why is there war? and how do we stop the killing ?

Right now the LTTE have an opportunity to let the civillians go. The Sri Lankan government are making arragement to improve the conditions of the IDPs by strengthening the hospitals in the North Central Province allow referrals.

In addition to using the Tamil Civilians as human shields the LTTE have not been letting the civilians cross over to the goverment sides. They have even been shooting at civilians which caused the latest outcry by human rights groups.

Some of these shot victims came to Anuradhapura hospital and were treated here. The treatment of these civilians resulted in Amry casualites having to be transferred to other hospitals. There are all sorts of reports of the Army trying to harm civilians - why would they do this if these civilians would then displace their army colleagues ?

This is LTTE Propaganda.

Having said that - the goverment counter propaganda is also rife - they are under reporting the action toll of casualties in civilians and the army. The hospital sees about 700-900 army casualties per month.

War is a raquet (see warisaraquet.com ) - and it is a terrible thing. There is no doubt in my mind as a doctor and more importantly as a human being, and definitely as someone who ascribes to Buddhist philosophy which respect human life.

We the civilians and supporters of any side need to work together to save this current humanitarian crisis. For this we need to end the war - and to do this there need to be a concerted effort.

I believe the fastest and safest strategy is for the LTTE to surrender to the political mainstream with the back of an international broker. However, there is no trust of the LTTE by the Sri Lankan goverment - thus they will need to show committement by having their leader show their face.

Karuna and Pilliya (former high ranking officials in the LTTE who broke away) have now joined the political mainstream and Pilliyan is the Chief minister of the east. I am sure the Sri Lankan society would even go as far as to accept Prabakaran himself into the mainstream despite the long stream of humanitarian crimes, just as long as the LTTE ceased their militiary and terrorist activitites.

There is definitely corruption withing the govermental system here - but there is in any goverment. The key is to be able to control this element and accentuate the positive. I personallly have had a very good experience working with the provincial health department and know that there are many caring and efficient individuals within the goverment system.

Oh well those are thoughts for today.

The emails that weren't sent

2009-03-06T02:35:00.000+05:30

I usually like to stay connected with my friends around the world with at least a group email every 3-6 months. My friends who have know me for some time will know that i'm pretty good with this. In the last 6 months I've sent nothing, despite desperately wanting to write and send out a message.

The reason has been two fold - I feel there is an insurmountable amount of PhD work to do and I'm always behind - ie Guilt for spending time on a creative piece of email work (my supervisors ar on my list after all - not that they would read this sort of stuff with much enthusiasm i'm sure!).

But the other reason is I like the emails to be a brief reflection of my life and thoughts, and no group email in current times could happen without a comment about the current political and war situation.

It has been so increadibly difficult to write about this because in a few paragraphs you cannot capture what is in my mind. Also the thoughts are so dynamic I become somewhat tongue-tied - or "dont-press-send on the computer-bound", if that makes sense. There have been two drafts just sitting on my computer of the last bit of my next group email which i will post below

From February 09

The conflict

And finally it’s been a really difficult time here in Sri Lanka regarding the situation of war and conflict. It doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong, what your perspective is, the bottom line is “conflict” is painful to all even those who are not directly involved with violence. If you look at it from a “human” perspective.

There is so much misinformation that is being brandied about regarding this conflict, which adds to the pain of all sides, which only adds to the pain. In my opinion there is no genocide going on in Sri Lanka – there is a terrible war in the north, and I for one want it to stop. The majority of the country peacefully coexists. There “is” a definite Tamil cause and we need to make the Tamils of Sri Lanka more feel valued and appreciated as equal members of society. However Terrorism will not pave the way for this. Nevertheless the end of the day all we can offer, (including what I offer) no matter how well researched we appear to be is our own perspectives, based on our own experiences and our version research.

There are too many thoughts and emotions that have gone on within me since coming back. A glimpse of this had hopefully been captured in article, prose and poetry in my Peace Blog. Please leave your feedback, either on the site or by email.

All this conflict has made doing research very challenging task – but I will continue to progress despite all this. This extra delay and challenge I cannot expect my supervisors nor Australian University to understand fully, although I’m sure they do to some degree – for they are not me, and unlike them I am a Sri Lankan ‘through and through’ whether I like it or not, and really there is nothing I’d like to see more than lasting peace in this beautiful country.

And from March 09

The conflict in Sri Lanka

There are too many things to say here and it would be wrong for me not to say anything as the conflict itself and the unfolding developments have consumed much of my mental and emotional energy since coming back this time.

The best thing is to read my blog which represents a myriad of my views at different stages.

The first thoughts must go to the Tamil civilians caught in the no fire zone of the government army and LTTE – they are currently suffering the most. My thoughts and prayers to them . Then it goes out to the rest of Sri Lanka – we are all suffering at the hands of this country no matter where we are – either directly or indirectly. Last Friday the lights were out in Colombo as the LTTE was dropping bombs in the city centre – one of my research assistants was only metres away from a building which was being bombed at the time – luckily he was okay.

One thing that is important to me is that people out there know there is a lot of false information being brandied about.

2009-03-06T02:30:00.000+05:30

Excerpt of Mahida Rajapakse Independance day speech - 4th February 2009

"Similarly, let us extend the cooperation of the entire nation to the people of the north and the east who suffered under the grip of separatist terror for many years, to once again step towards satisfaction and freedom in life.

Let us come forward both in word and deed to bestow upon them the kindness, friendship and prosperity they deserve.

This 61st anniversary of independence has given us the opportunity to realize the pride and dignity of our freedom. The time is now ready for the battle to raise Sri Lanka to the dignity of a country that is energetic, powerful, virtuous and wise. Let us as patriotic Sri Lankans achieve success in that battle too, without delay. Let us dedicate ourselves to bequeath this true freedom to our country.

Friends,

I respect the maxim that the motherland and ones own mother are comparable to paradise. At a time when our motherland is united under a single banner, I invite all parties to come together irrespective of ethnicity, community and party differences, giving the opportunity to all to do their duty by the motherland. What greater satisfaction can Mother Lanka have than all of us being the children of a single mother? I, therefore, appeal to you to join us to bring that great satisfaction to our motherland.

Let us look at all the children of our motherland - Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Malay and of all other communities, spread throughout our land, and living with no divisive thoughts among them. They look upon us with great expectations. They question us and hold us to task. They seek their future from us. They are the future of this land. May you have the strength and courage to take our country in a new direction on their behalf.

May you all receive the Blessings of the Noble Triple Gem."

I think the key elements in the conclusion of Mahinda's speech shown above are that he is describing in no uncertain terms that all communities are the future of the land, and that we must make an extra special effort to help rehabilitate the north and the east.

I guess the president can put the idea about this out there, but it is up to "us", the community, to empower these words of peace and unity.

Too much going on!

2009-02-03T09:21:00.001+05:30

It's a month since I posted my last entry and i feel the same vibrations of emotion throughout my body when I think about this conflict. This represent the fadt there has been so much going on here in Sri Lanka in the last month. Where does one begin to even describe?

I guess backwards is the way to go.

Firstly tomorrow is independance day and a public holiday.

There are 250,000 internally dispaced persons from the Wanni (LTTE controlled areas) who are being housed by the Sri Lankan Army in a safe zone. The LTTE is still preventing the excape of Tamil civilians from the areas that they still control using them as human shields.

On Saturday 3000 Tamil people took to the streets urging the LTTE to release Tamil Civilians.

I was heartened to see the following response in the comments

Its a healing time for the Jaffna tamils to come out and protest against the LTTE. I am sure every family in Jaffna would have lost a young man/woman to LTTE. There was a time before LTTE was born, Jaffna town was always filled with Singala tourists buses as Singalese from the South used to visit Jaffna. I sincerly hope that trend will restart again. Its one thing wiping out LTTE, but its very important to rebuild a positve relationship between tamils and singalese.Tamils in general are very innocent and open harted people until Prabakeran emerged and wiped out the culture of Tamils. Tamils have love and compassion. On the other hand Singalese people are also very sincere and great for party and entertainments. I HOPE THE TWO SIDES REALISE THEIR POSITIVE QUALITIES AND ENHANCE EACH OTHERS MORALS TO BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER IN FUTURE. They have to or else the doom and gloom in that beautiful Island will only remain as a violent society even if Prabakharan's is gone. Just look at Trinco and Batticalo. There is still a lot of violence there. All i can say to the readers is, forget the past and pray for true peace in future in a way we can all shake hands or hug each other without any barriers. Only every individual can achive that without depending on any leaders to guide us. We as individuals have that love within us.

Posted By: ##### Lingam

Reflections on the Capture of Kilinochchi

2009-01-03T14:13:00.000+05:30

3rd January 2009 - Dickwella, Sri Lanka

Whist I sit here at my laptop working on my PhD thesis, I couldn’t help but read the news reports of what was in most people's minds a very significant event in the political history of Sri Lanka and the ethnic conflict.

Yesterday the Sri Lankan defence forces captured Kilinochchi from LTTE terrority. I was not so interested in the strategic consequences of this, but more so in the way the news of this victory was delivered to the masses by our head of state, and his interpretations of this event. As I had alluded to in my previous blog entries over a month ago, I felt that the military defeat of the LTTE was very likely, however, the magnitude of consequence this had in leading to a lasting resolution of conflict in this country would be in part attributable to how this military defeat would be handled. Here I present some brief thoughts and my interpretations of this.

Journey to the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka - Jan 2nd 2009

As I was driving down in the deep south of Sri Lanka yesterday, I received a text message from Ada Derana (the news agency that sends text message news updates) stating that “troops captured Kilinochchi” and that President Mahinda Rajapakse will address the nation at 4pm. Unfortunately I was in the car (just passing Weligama at this point) and would not have been able to see the speech live, so I listed to the only radio station that I could tune into from this part of the country which was a Sinhala channel called “net FM”. I heard the entire speech, but still could not understand enough to really get the meaning.

However, at the end of the speech I felt happy, because I felt that the President was taking “Option 2” of the hypothetical options that I had laid down in my previous blog entry (on Nov 9th 2008 - http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/2008/11/very-inspiring-speech.html ).

The reason I came to this conclusion (despite not understanding fully the speech because of my lack of fluency in Sinhala) was that I detected a “reaching out to all people of this country” vibration in his speech. I also didn’t detect arrogance to the fact that the Army had take the most significant stronghold of the LTTE occupation, and I was also impressed by the fact that the President spoke some sentences in Tamil at the end of the speech, which is what I feel should be the case for all important speeches.

I have been led to believe that after the 1983 riots when President JR Jayawardene addressed the nation, the tone was very different, and the message to the Tamil people was very different. Today we are in a different time.

Now we are at the beginning of 2009 and many situations and attitudes have changed. I believe that the President’s speech and message to the Nation yesterday is a reflection of this.

Below are excerpts of the speech that I listened to in Sinhala yesterday. I will paraphrase the meaning that I took out of each of the salient messages in the speech:-

Speech By President Mahinda Rajapakse – 2/1/09

"Friends. Although the leader of the LTTE had said only a few days ago that the capture of Kilinochchi was only a dream of Mahinda Rajapaksa, in truth it was not my dream alone. It was the constant dream of all Sri

Lankans, whether Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim, who are opposed to separatism, racism, and terrorism, and have always, sought peace, freedom and democracy.”

Here I am pleased to feel there is the concern for the aspirations of all Sri Lankans and the main ethnicities in Sri Lanka.

“One must not belittle this victory as one that has been won by one community over another. It should not be interpreted as defeat of the North by the South. This is a victory for our entire nation and country.”

I am pleased that the President did not appear to try and turn this victory into a political banner against other parties in this speech. This would have been easy to do especially in the local political climate. The focus is on the victory for the “entire nation”, and not about “communities” over other “communities”

“Let us all be committed to build one Sri Lankan nation that stands with dignity and pride under a single flag. Let us pledge to be a single nation in an undivided country. Our collective commitment will undoubtedly rise above all obstacles and challenges that may lie ahead.

May you be blessed by the Noble Triple Gem

May you receive the blessings of all Deities.”

This last except speaks for itself – the message is a request from the head of state to build a multi religious multi-ethnic nation.

Of course, all this is “my interpretation” and the full English transcript speech transcript can be found on (http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090102_08 )

Peace in the future?

I believe peace is on our way. But there is a lot of work to be done by us all…

In no way should the sentiment of this blog entry “deny” the struggles, and suffering of so many in the past, this has never been my intention.

However, for us to realise the miracle, as it may seem, of “peace in Sri Lanka” we all have to all embrace “Peace in the Present” as the primary goal and put aside “past pain and loss”. This may seem “rich” coming from someone who hasn’t suffered directly in this conflict – but I am heartened find out that those who have also feel this way.

I will end this blog with a quote from a dear friend who is a Tamil Sri Lankan recently whilst enjoying a weekend with friends from different Sri Lankan backgrounds.

Her family had suffered immensely at the hands of this conflict, especially during the 1983 riots, like so many Sri Lankan Tamils, if not all at that time. However, despite this she has written the following (I’m sure she will not mind me sharing this with you – ie the world) :

“The situation in Eelam is so difficult however, today, people unite, in a feeling of solidarity it doesn’t matter whether you are Tamil, Sinhalese, Buddhist or not even Sri Lankan. What matters most is that everyone should have basic rights. Everyone, has the right to basic freedom, basic rights, the right to express yourself. Most Sri Lankans work hard, live hard, party hard, die hard whilst at the same time living in and at the epitome that defines being Sri Lankan. The red earth that bleeds the lives of so many of our country that have not lost and yet are unknown. We, today, in silence, acknowledge and respect the lives, spirits, and the earthly bound. We are but if not spirits of the Earth, bound by many ties that bind. We are, if anything, one, if not a created, most single, important part of the universe. Let us use our force, our strength, our ties that bind. We are after all, one single, universe. Sri lanka is the tie that binds. United we stand, together are one people, one universe, one race, one star that shoots and impact earth, together, we are the stars that bind.”

Let her words be an inspiration to us all.

Please send me your comments. Speak the Truth as it is for you – just as I have done. I will not be offended by opposing views – I believe if we all discuss our viewpoints compassionately, and with respect, then we can all learn more. Learning is the path to resolution of conflict.

I would love to hear and see thoughts posted from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. (To date nobody has posted a comment on this blog – why not be the first?)

Best wishes for the New Year
Love and Peace
Bishan ☺

Response to "Christmas in Sri Lanka 2008

2008-12-26T14:23:00.000+05:30

Dear Ruki

Merry Christmas
I'm glad you managed to to spend it with you family

Unfortunately i had to be here at work in Anuradhapura and could not be with my family.
It was interesting to note that even here in Anuradhapura, despite being a Sinhalese Buddhist majority town the Christmas lights were shinning bright, and and to my pleasant surprise I even saw a Sri Lankan Santa Clause dressed in red, prancing in the main street of Anuradhapura as I ate my Christmas kothu rotti.

I read you reflections with interest, but also with some difference. I found what you had written to be very thought and emotion provoking - which has led me to contribute to this forum. Forgive me if what I have to say is somewhat lengthy but I feel it to be important all the same.

Ruki wrote:
- There were prayers for the rulers and the military that they will soon bring about an end to the conflict with their ongoing military operations, which is on the verge of “victory”.

- But there were no prayers for a negotiated, just, political solution that will meet aspirations of all communities.

I share you sentiment in agreeing that it is very saddening that we are at war. Living here you cannot escape this awareness. In fact this conflict is heartbreaking for anyone who is aware, as I'm sure many readers here will agree.

However, to me, your writing omits the fact that there "are" prayers by many Sri Lankan's for a peaceful end to this conflict - i can vouch for at least one person (myself) but know of many many more who have this very prayer. What you report is the lack of guided prayer on these topics by the Minister of your service perhaps, rather than the prayer that exists in the mind of ordinary people - a much more difficult thing for one to profess to know. I challenge everyone who reads Ground views to write in if they have themselves had a prayer to the end of violence, or knows of others who feel this way - i'm sure it is many in number.

When I talk to the public about what they want it is most definitely "peace" and not "violence". I live amongst many casualties of war here in the North of the so called "South". However there is a strong belief that, amongst the people with whom I talk, that the LTTE will "not give up their armed fight" for a separate state at any cost, and that a ceasefire without commitment will only lead to re-arming and further violent conflict. This is the only reason why they support the government military stance.

Whilst living here it has saddened me to learn at close hands that the civilians in the LTTE controlled areas are "erroneously" led to believe that "the Sinhalese" want to wipe out the entire Tamil race. One trip down to the capital of Sri Lanka and it is plainly obvious that this is not the case, as Tamil will be the main language one can hear being expressed in many areas of Colombo, however, the people of the Wanni do not realise this until they become the fortunate few who are able to leave (only to find that they cannot return without being at risk of conscription to the LTTE).

We know about this misconception because patients who are casualties of war are often treated in Anuradhapura hospital and they express these erroneous and hurtful views to the doctors treating them, often fighting hard to save their lives. Of course these civilians themselves are not to blame, because under Prabakaran's LTTE regime this is what they are led to believe.

There was incident not too long ago (within the last 6 months) where a Tamil patient from the Wanni was transferred (which is a common occurrence) for treatment of a traumatic injury and despite several hours of surgery and intensive care they eventually succumbed for medical reasons. However, the family member that accompanied them from the Wanni was adamant that medical care was withheld and their relation was killed because they were a Tamil. The consultant spent a very long time trying to convince the bystander that this was not the case - despite being in a very busy hospital and having other pressures, for the very reason that it was important to them they they did not have this wrong view that the Sinhalese are trying to kill the Tamil people, however, this these efforts were sadly in vain as there was no changing this deep seated view that had likely been the result of much brainwashing.

PEACE CAN START AT A COMMUNITY LEVEL FOR ALL OF US

I am not claiming there are no hardships faced by Tamil people in Sri Lanka today (scrutiny at checkpoints, which in some cases is clear harassment, being just one example of a difficulties faced by Tamils living in Sri Lanka at present), after all I could never know what it is to be a Tamil person in Sri Lanka. At the same time I also know that there is very little positive light being given to the ethnic harmony that also exists despite this ongoing conflict, at least in my experience. I have had the pleasure of working alongside people of all ethnic minorities in this country since i arrived here 3 years ago, and even in Anuradhapura, which is so close to the conflict. For the last 2 years I have had Tamil co-workers who were all clearly treated with equality to the Sinhalese Majority and other Ethnic minorities, as one would expected (but perhaps may not realise).

I was privileged to be able to offer a Puja at the local Kovil with both Sinhalese and Tamil colleagues together in Anuradhapura only a few months back. Here the the Hindu priest told us that he has been offering puja's and serving the community for years, and certainly throughout this conflict. What was heartening for me to hear was that he had such a good relationship with the local "Harmaduruwo" (Buddhist Priest), where he said that if there was ever a need they could freely call upon one another. The greatest conflict he had received was pressure from other Hindu priests residing the North of Sri Lanka who criticised him for maintaining his support of a Hindu Temple in a Sinhala predominant area, despite not having any trouble from this community. This was saddening to hear as such pressure only encourages separation rather than unity, however, it was pleasant to see his courage in doing what he felt was right.

I would like to re-iterate for this forum that the Sinhalese "does not" want to "exterminate" the Tamil people as Tamil people in the Wanni have been led to believe in order to continue fighting this war for the LTTE. This ideology is not only erroneous, but it is extremely damaging to all communities.

In my personal experience of working in this region, the only real threat of physical harm that has come to both me and my Tamil colleagues was when the LTTE planted a bomb in the local Anuradhapura "pola" (community market) back in February this year, which was luckily defused before it caused any damage.

Don't get me wrong, as far as I'm concerned "any" form of war or physical violence is terrible and a real mess- and I have always been a proponent of non-violence as you know. Anyone working in the medical sphere knows that the human destruction of military or guerilla/terrorist warfare is terribly devastating. I also agree that more thought and action can be done to help those who are casualties of war.

RIGHTS OF CIVILIANS IN THE WANNI

However, if feel the current conflict in Sri Lanka should always be presented as function of the conflict between two sides. A lack of attention to the terrible conditions the civilians in LTTE controlled areas have to face because of the LTTE is unbalanced reporting and also unfair to these poor civilians who do not have the benefit of getting their message out in a forum like groundviews. Where is the reports of the plight of families who have to give up not one but two children to be LTTE cadres? Or those who cannot return (even medical officers) who are at fear of being forcibly conscripted. These people cannot voice their opinion for fear of their own lives and their families lives. However, I feel I never read much of these people's plight at these sort of forums, sadly.

Ruki wrote:

- There were no prayers or mention of hundreds of thousands of displaced, men, women and children, with inadequate shelter, food, medicine, education, water and sanitation.

- There were no prayers for children and adults conscripted as soldiers, their families.

I agree that there should be prayers for these people, and publicly so.

WRITING WHAT ONE FEELS

I think writing about the conflict is a very difficult thing and I commend you Ruki to have the courage to write what you "feel", and I do believe this the piece your wrote here is primarily about "feelings"

So in response I have shared some of my thoughts and "feelings".

My main criticism of "feeling-based" writing (including my own piece of writing here) is that what ends up being presented is a usually a one sided argument.

One sided arguments run the risk of further to deepen the divide between "us" and "them" (whichever side, or view, you support) instead of realising the beauty of the oneness that we are all bound by.

I believe the media, including "groundviews" has a very important role to play in generating peace, by being as balanced as possible. The provision of the website to make comment and provide feedback is commendable. Thank you to the organisers for creating this platform. However the balance is only as good as the diversity of contribution so I encourage all with differing opinions to present their view as I am weary of reading the same viewpoints over and over, and I am sure there are other who feel the same.

I thank you for your patients with my "reflections", and will leave you with the best Chirstmas prayer that I can think of to achieve decreasing the divide between "us" and "them" in favour or peace for all.

I pray that we don't project only "despair" in our current situation as this will only lead to more despair,
Instead I pray that we start look for the light in the current situation,
As "difficult" as it may be because of the scars that we bear, and because of how dark it may currently seem,
And I pray for us to build upon what we good we have, no matter how little it may seem.
We should not look to blame others, but look for solutions for ourselves
Including the simple acknowledgement of the goodwill that exists in our communities are this very moment in time
I assure you that this goodwill is there- we just need to nurture it further
Only then as community we can find and promote lasting peace in Sri Lanka

God Bless
Ishallah
Om Shanti
Theruwan Saranai

Merry Christmas
Bishan - 25/12/08

http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/

“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong”

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected”

(quotes by Mahatma Gandhi)

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamour of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Christmas in Sri Lanka 2008

2008-12-26T14:16:00.000+05:30

This post is a letter that I wrote to Ruki Fernando a human rights activist who posted an article on Ground views which was about his thought over Christmas this year. His writing was both thought and emotion provoking for me which lead me to write the subsequent article, which covers not just Christmas in Sri Lanka this year, but many thoughts I have about the conflict.

First I will present his article
My response will follow

Ruki wrote:-

Christmas 2008 in Sri Lanka- Ruki Fernando

December 25, 2008 at 5:33 pm

Its Christmas day. For a change, I was at home with my family.

Early morning, I went for Christmas Mass in my parish. Many years ago, I had been active in the church, as a student and teacher in the Sunday School, as an Alter Server and in the Young Christian Students Movement. But I had not gone to my parish for a long time, though I have been visiting and staying in churches all over Sri Lanka, especially in the war ravaged North. I thought I will go today, as it was Christmas, also because of my family.

Unlike most people, I didn’t go to the crib in the Church. But I did have images of Jesus being born in a cattle shed 2008 years ago. That Mary was compelled to give birth to Jesus away from her home, as she and Joseph were forced to leave her hometown, while she was pregnant, due to an order of the rulers of that time.

I sat quietly in the church and said a silent prayer for the baby that I saw few weeks ago in Menik Farm, Vavuniya. She would be 40 days today. She had no name when I visited her. A baby born as her parents fled the advancing Army in Vanni. A baby who is forced to live in a mosquito infested, muddy and murky camp, as her parents are not allowed to live with their relatives, but confined to a defacto prison by the military, even though they are not charged with any crime.

The Christmas Mass was taking longer than the usual Sunday service, many prayers and long preaching by the priest.

There were prayers for the rulers and the military that they will soon bring about an end to the conflict with their ongoing military operations, which is on the verge of “victory”.

But there were no prayers for a negotiated, just, political solution that will meet aspirations of all communities.

There was no mention of a call for ceasefire by the two Anglican Bishops and three Catholic Bishops.

There were no prayers or mention of hundreds of thousands of displaced, men, women and children, with inadequate shelter, food, medicine, education, water and sanitation.

There were no prayers for children and adults conscripted as soldiers, their families.

There were no prayers for families of disappeared, those killed.

No remembering churches that were shelled and bombed, as they offered shelter to people fleeing the war, and no prayers for priests killed and disappeared as they were helping the war affected.

No remembering those tortured, those being detained merely on suspicion in inhumane conditions, worse than conditions that some animals are kept.

I wondered whether I was living in the same country, whether I was part of “one Catholic Church”.

Amidst my frustration and gloom, some gave me hope and inspiration.

A Catholic sister told me a while ago that she and a priest had shared about the plight of the displaced in the North during a Christmas Mass and asked people for their prayers and donations. People had donated more than Rs. 50,000.

After the mass, I visited three journalists being detained, one of who had written about children being conscripted as child soldiers just before he was detained. I went with a diplomat attached to an embassy in Colombo; she brought chocolates, and stood patiently in the sun with me for close to an hour, while waiting to get in. I will remember the smiles of the people we met and chatted briefly.

I also remembered the wife of one of the journalists, with who I had been in close contact. What would Christmas mean to her? What Christmas greetings, what Christmas gift could I offer her? Will my usual greeting, “Happy Christmas” have any meaning to her?

I met some Catholic sisters who were coming from the prison as I was about to go in. Several other priests - Anglican, Methodist and Catholic – as well as some other friends, who had got my text message, also told me they will visit detainees in the coming days.

So this is Christmas in Sri Lanka, 2008 December.

I could not help reflecting that if Jesus was to be born in Sri Lanka, he would not be born in the Church I went for the Christmas Mass.

It is possible though that Jesus might be born in a Church in the battle zones in the North, that offers shelter to people fleeing bombing and shelling from the sky and around them. Or probably in the prison I visited. Or in the house of a family member of a disappeared. Or amongst the hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

Happy Christmas from Sri Lanka.

Ruki Fernando

A very inspiring speech

2008-11-10T01:27:00.000+05:30

I just finished watching Barack Obama’s acceptance speech. It was pretty amazing. The whole thing was amazing to be honest, how he ploughed on through it all, through the competitive primary elections with Hillary Clinton, and beyond the tough and rigorous battle of the main campaign. So many people doubted him due to his race, and his relative inexperience as a politician, but despite this he backed himself and, supported by his family and followers, he made it.

He has sent a very important message to the world. One man can make a difference and “you can” make it if you believe in yourself, and you can make a difference.

Barack Obama may not on the surface have achieved anything yet, in office that is to say, however, but if you look deeper he has already achieved something great by lifting the hopes of so many people not just in America but around the world – including myself. Amazing!

This has motivated me to write a letter to the editor of the Sri Lankan newspapers to see how this historic event can positively shape our outlook toward the situation here:-

Dear Sir / Madam

After watching the US elections I have become very inspired in what can be achieved within a nation. The message of Barack Obama has given me hope that anything can be achieved if you feel strongly enough about what you are trying to achieve. Obama’s acceptance speech was highly commendable and we can all learn from it. In particular it gives me hope in humanity that a world leader who poses so much personal power can put a Nation ahead of his own ego. As Barack Obama said in his speech:-

“But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.”

Whilst I was wholly impressed and inspired by the acceptance of victory by Obama, the winner in the political race, I was perhaps even more moved by the gravity of McCain’s concession speech which really sets up America as a nation to be the overall winner in time to come. Below are some poignant extracts from his concession speech:-

“This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.”

“Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.”
“I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.”

“Tonight - tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama - whether they supported me or Senator Obama.”

“I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.”

To me the words of McCain really pulled on the positive common goals that he shared with Obama without bickering about the differences they had. Even more valiant is the fact that he encouraged his supporters to have a positive outlook for the good of the nation despite the loss of the candidate they voted for and believed in.

I think the real challenges in life come not in dealing with success but in managing defeat, and the way that McCain dealt with his defeat was admirable. Despite a fierce battle having being fought, the stance of both men at the end of it, is focussed toward looking forward for the good of the nation, for the people and ideals that they are meant to be representing , and it sets the stage for the country to prosper.

Both these men, Barack Obama, and John McCain, had choices in how they interpreted the event of Obama winning the election, and in my opinion they both chose the high road – Obama by choosing to look at his victory not as an individual triumph against a fierce competitor, but rather as the success of an ideology that he represented through popular vote, and McCain by putting aside his personal loss for sake of the progress and prosperity of the nation.

These men could just as easily have chosen one of many available lower roads. Obama could have spoken of the dirty campaign tactics that McCain used in the election campaign, or McCain could have spoken how the American Public was robbed from a victory that was theirs, and urged his supporters to not to give up as they will be able to battle it out again in the next election. But they both chose the good of the country and the nation that they represented in the words that they used.

Sri Lanka

When I think of Sri Lanka I earnestly hope that we will learn from these very powerful examples of leadership that have fallen before us in this week.

Right now this country is fighting a bloody war. The government claims to be only a short distance from the military defeat of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), a terrorist organization that claims to represent the Tamil people of Sri Lanka but has been categorical in the elimination of any other Tamil groups. Both parties believe that they are fighting for “their people”.

In recent times the cycle of violence has escalated with increasing civilian targeted terrorist bombs in the South and aerial attacks by the forces in the North Despite this seemingly helpless situation, I believe there are still positives things that can be done right now despite this trail of destruction that has been put in front of us, such as examine our own hearts and mind in their capacity for creating an environment of real peace.

For example we could consider one potential future and examine how we would embrace lasting peace. Let us say the prediction of the government actually came true and there was a “military defeat of the LTTE” as what occurred in the East last year. Would this actually be “the eradication of terrorism” as the media puts it, and more importantly would this be synonymous with the end of conflict?

My thoughts are that it would not, and these more important things such as ending conflict is a much more complicated process which need the issues that lead to the terrorism in the first place to be addressed, such as the plight of the Tamil people.

My question is would the leaders here be able to have the strength of character and concern for the future well being of all citizens and people to tackle this situation in the most skilful manner.

Let us examine two potential scenarios of how political leaders and terrorist leaders might react upon a hypothetical defeat of the LTTE, fully acknowledging that a multitude of possibilities might occur. The purpose of this role-play is to consider what feelings of peace are created by different potential attitudes and messages that Sri Lankan political leaders could take.

Scenario 1

Would President Mahinda Rajapaksa state that they have now unified the country and terrorism has been eradicated. That the Tamil people can now rest assured that they will rebuild the North as they are already starting to in the East, and now we will live as a unified Sri Lanka, and go on to thank the military for their tireless efforts in defending the country?

Will Ranil Wickramesinghe continue to state that the government has bled the country’s economy in irresponsibly fight a war and mismanaging funds?

Would the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) leadership state that it is good riddance to terrorism and it should be never allowed to rear its ugly head again?

Will the JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya party) say that the sacred Buddhist way should never be allowed to be put in this much jeopardy again, and may the triple gem bless our new found terrorist free Lanka?

Will the message of the LTTE supporters whose voices will be free to be projected overseas continue with messages saying that the cause of the Tamil people will never be defeated despite a temporary military setback. Will they then claim the North is not really a free state but a Military state where the citizens continue to suffer problems with human rights, only now from a Sinhalese army rather than a Tamil speaking LTTE?

Will the TNA (Tamil National Alliance) walk out of parliament stating this country has been witness to gross genocide and military dictatorship and refuse to accept that northern state as now under democratic rule?

Will the conflict continue to rumble unresolved because there has been no real acknowledgement of the reason for the terrorism in the first place.
Will the dissatisfaction continue to prevail amongst the majority of Tamils for a feeling that their true plight of living as a minority has neither been acknowledged properly nor pledged to be corrected? Will they feel comfort in the knowledge that they live in a country where there is a lack of basic of human rights for anyone who is not connected with money or power? And in particular will they feel comforatable knowing that even though this lack of basic human rights, for those not “connected” , does not operate along racial lines , it will still somehow affect them more by being a minority and unless specific policy is introduced to protect them from this inevitable consequencde they will be subject to the tyranny of the majority.

Perhaps will we see something similar to what we have witnessed in USA a land where already they are starting to put dreams of action into place, such as with strategies for the energy crisis (see http://repoweramerica.org/)

Scenario 2

Imagine if we see President Mahinda Rajapakse start with a speech that addresses us in three languages “Ayubowan, Vannakam, and Greetings to you all” showing that the head of state represents a unified state. He then addresses the plight of all Sri Lankan people for all they have suffered, and in particular the Tamil people of the North who have suffered for years in ways that that many other parts of the island cannot understand, and will only come to realise in years to come, and perhaps never fully understand.

He then goes on to apologise for all the civilians who have suffered, whether it was because of terrorist bombs, and forced child recruitment, suicide bombing, evictions, at the hand of the LTTE, or for aerial attacks and military offensives at the hand of the government. Following this he thanks the military for their protection and sacrifices, but also offers thoughts for the terrorists who were fighting for what they believed was right because of a ideology that they were immersed in and not free to challenge.

He understands that LTTE supporters have had an intense distrust of the government because of this terrible military conflict over the past 25 years, but from this day onwards things will change. He vows to rebuild this trust. Without the confines of terrorist rule and with the freedom that democracy brings they will too taste the fruits of opportunity, and the protection of being an equal Sri Lankan citizen. The Tamil people will be embraced into society for the brothers and sisters that they are, and will be valued by the majority Sinhalese and other minorities for the rich cultural diversity that they provide to the diverse mix that makes Sri Lanka the strength that it is today. It can be even stronger tomorrow with this kind of collaboration of communities.

In addition to this, perhaps he will then go on to add more to his newly made pledge to rebuild trust by making the following statement to the Tamil people.

“We as a nation, and I as a individual, express my deepest sympathies to all the innocent civilians who have lost their lives in this terrible conflict. I am also sorry for all the armed personnel who have lost their lives doing what either they believed in or what they were ordered to do or forced to do.

I am also sorry for those innocent Tamil civilians who lost their lives in the thousands in 1983, and apologise for the state not stepping in to stop this immediately. This was a mistake which was inexcusable and it will never happen again in the new united Sri Lanka that we must all forge together from this day on.

I am sorry for the thousands of Muslim refugees who were forced to leave Jaffna with a day’s notice by the LTTE and continue to live in camps waiting to return to their homelands, I hope you will now be able to do this.

I am sorry to all the innocent Tamil civilians who have felt harassed by the increased scrutiny that they have undergone in recent time in suspicion for being LTTE terrorists. Again we will make steps that this will not happen in the future.

I send out my sympathies in recognition of your suffering.”

Perhaps then the President follows on by saying we must now start working together as a nation, beyond ethnic religious and language barriers, and makes amends to this by inciting a prayer in all the different languages and different religions by different religious leaders.

With regards to the north we must recognise our promises during the many years of negotiations to offer the Tamil people of the North their due respect and autonomy with a political solution that empowers them.

With regards to the other leaders:

Again given the hypothetical military defeat of the LTTE in the North, imagine if Velupillai Prabakaran would think of what could ultimately lead to the salvation of the people he claims to support and tells his supporters that they must now change tactics from the military path as a strategy as it will no longer bring peace to the Tamils of Sri Lanka or the North. Now that the territory was in the hands of the government and that they have pledged to grant due power and authority to the Tamil people, we must accept this and work within this system to fight for our rights.

“I fought until the end to deliver what I promised, but too many have died and we must now not think of this as defeat, but a victory for our people, because by struggling so hard the Tamil cause has gained so much recognition we will never experience a situation like in 1983, or 1977 or 1957 again. Because of my movement and your efforts we have created an awareness of the plight of the Tamils in this country and we have fought against this. Now we must work together peacefully and respect all that have died in the process. Never give up the struggle to maintain your rights as a minority, but please just as I now have to look at non military means of effecting change, you must do the same – it is the way forward for our future generations.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has apologised for the serious events against our people in the past and pledged to make this country a truly multicultural one where a Tamil person can feel a true sense of belonging whilst represented by government, and this will be backed up by legislation and constitution changes to embody these words. This has never been delivered to us in such sincerity before and we must embrace this new opportunity to make this new age of Sri Lanka an incredibly prosperous one for Tamils as well as all Sri Lankans.

I also apologize to all Sri Lankan citizens for the bloodshed and suffering that occured at the hands of my organisation, including child conscription, assasinations and civilian bombings. I was only doing what I felt the government had forced us to do. However, I now know that these methods were wrong and will face the consequences of my actions in the name of my people”

Imagine if the UNP opposition leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe, also chose the high road by saying that “I would like to congratulate Mahinda Rajapakse in his relentless journey to bring this country to peace in the best way he could manage. Now is not the time to bicker about different approaches we have had to achieving the same solution of peace. We now have a situation where there is no direct military conflict or war, and we have a chance to work together to create a prosperous Sri Lanka which is multi cultural, multi lingual and multi religious and we should use this to create the economic paradise that this country should already represent. This is where my skills lie and I will work together with Mr Mahinda Rajapakse in the months to come for the economic prosperity of the country and it’s people, to ensure that we make use of this crucial opportunity rather than fight about small matters.”

Also imagine if the JVP say that that in supporting the sovereignty of Sri Lanka we have to recognise the current military defeat of the LTTE as only the first step in preventing future terrorism by joining together and embracing the sentiments of President Rajapakse and the opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe by truly respecting all citizens of this country in the same way, and providing equal rights to all, the poor as well as the rich, and the minorities as well as the majority.

Will the JHU say they would like to like to commend the words of peace being spoken by President and other political leaders. They have great hope for peace in this country and that we must work had to respect diversity and equality just as the Buddhist doctrine encourages, to see things the way that they are.

“We must also try to ensure that no group should be disadvantaged and we must never again realise a situation where so many citizens of this country have been put in a position where they are routinely forced to break the first precept of Buddhism (thou shalt not kill another being) as they have been the case throughout the last 25 years of war. We must also in the true spirit of Buddhism completely put aside ego, and greed for power, in the name of what is right for the country.

Also we Buddhist monks should not maintain our membership with orthodox clergy and hold a position as a minister, for it entails power that is beyond what is humanly possible to resist clinging and craving and is not conducive to the Buddhist doctrine that we have ordained to practice. The fact that other religions also place people in positions of power for the maintenance of the religion is of no consequence. However it is very important that the Buddhist virtues in this country are safeguarded so we will entrust in lay representatives. I will lead the way but announcing my “disrobing” from the Sangha in order to continue on the JHU as a true politician who is in close association with the Sangha but no longer a direct affiliate. I do this in honour of the Sangha, Dhamma and of course the Buddha.”

Imagine if the TNA offer their condolences for all Sri Lankans who have lost life in the recent battles of the north and all Tamils civilian who they primarily represent, followed by a vision for the future. Will they pledge their co-operation with the government in trying to rebuild Jaffna and the entire North as well as be key players in the power sharing that will ensure in this region?

Does all this sound like a situation where we can have peace not just in name but a lasting and enduring peace, supported by all Sri Lankans not just on this island but Sri Lankans abroad who have been responsible for so much funding of this war as well.

Does the notion of lasting peace in Sri Lanka, or one step further even, a multi cultural, muti lingual, multi religious and economically prosperous Sri Lanka sound too incredible a dream to believe? Well look it this way – what about a black man being the president of the USA; a country that was the leader of slavery only a few centuries prior and where institutional segregation thrived as late as in the 1960s.

When I suggested to some Sri Lankan citizens, like myself, the notion that the political leaders of Sri Lanka could co-operate, at least verbally, for the good of the nation at a pivotal and crucial time such as after a military defeat of the LTTE, just as the American leaders did after a crucial election just recently, the response was “this will never happen in Sri Lanka”.

When we look at the two scenarios that have been presented above it does look somewhat incredible for the second option to come true. The phrase “The Audacity of Hope”, the title of Barack Obama’s book, comes to mind.

Leaders of Sri Lanka – why not collaborate for the goal of Peace?

Perhaps at this point in time the leaders I mentioned will not be able to come together in the name of improving the country because it means conceding the ideals that they have been representing wholeheartedly during the time of war.

But at the same time we can ask “why not now”? What reasons would there be for President Rajapaksa not to use a military defeat of the LTTE in the North as a good opportunity to apologise for the atrocities of the 1983 riots and also a chance to pledge specifically to make an effort that a unified state would mean that Tamils are ensured to have equal rights?

In considering why the leader don’t just collaborate to achieve peace for the peole that they represent another reason is that the voting public would make it too difficult to do. For example if President Rajapaksa made an apology to the Tamil people for the riots of 1983, as suggested in the hypothetical example, and a majority of voter felt that this was not appropriate then this good gesture of the President will actually threaten his existence. Only if the public create a climate of positivity for this kind of statement will it be possible. Similarly if Mr Prabakaran sent out a strong message to their supporters that they were going to give up their armes and enter into the democratic political mainstream, they may suffer a lack of support if they didn’t agree with this move, because they have been promised more, such as a separate state with two thirds of the island’s coastline at the very least, and if this was the case his support would be cut.

If we, the public, care to look more closely at the political leaders we may notice that their choices also are often not as clear-cut as we think. They are really in the hot seats that we the public put them in.

If we, the public, demand “peace” and allow deviation from the previous party line, then we will give the current leaders more freedom to make more skilful choices of sustainable Peace. If we, the public, have a narrow minded, short-sighted viewpoint then these same leaders will be forced to stick with the status quo for fear of loosing power and we will miss out on innovative new strategies to bring Peace to our country.

Thus when we look at peace in Sri Lanka, we must realise the choice is not just in the hands of the politicians, but the choice is also ours. When we look in the mirror in the morning and ask “why there is still conflict in this country?” –we are usually quick to blame political leaders, military, terrorists. However, in reality we are also to blame, just as a famous quote by Martin Luther King describes it:

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamour of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

Yes we can change ourselves and our views, but why do we so often not choose to do so?

Also considering the analogy of facing the mirror in the morning and asking the question , “how are we ever going to solve this problem and find lasting peace for our beautiful multicultural island and see it and the people within it prosper?” the flip side is also true. The answer is usually right there starring back at us, and hopefully smiling too.

The only things we need to achieve peace, at least in “our” hearts is that we have to 1) want it, 2) we have to believe it is possible to achieve, and 3) we have to understand that “everyone” needs to contribute in some way, even if it is only in an ideological way.

Let’s make Peace in Sri Lanka a reality, we can get there if we all want it enough and are willing to work together and believe it is possible.

Bishan Rajapakse

Figure 1
These pictures are taken within the last 6 month where a group of Sinhalese Buddhists went to offer a Puja with Tamil Hindus in one of our Ancient cities only kilometres from the conflict. Within the last 6 month period prior to this there had been multiple terrorist attacks on civilians. To the north of here there was military offensives. The Hindu priest tells us that 90% of the people who come there are Sinhalese – there is no problem at a community level. He also goes on to say that the Buddhist monk from across the road has always been a great support to him.

This alone shows that Peace is already in the hearts and minds of Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka. This movement of co-operation and understanding only needs to be strengthened. It is possible, it can happen, and it “will happen” – will you be behind the movement or simply critical of it?

(i won't put the pictures of the people faces because I haven't asked for permission to post their photos on the internet, but hopefully the temple and fruit display the moment adequately)

To Blog or Not to Blog

2008-11-10T01:24:00.000+05:30

Thank you for being patient with reading my previous article about reflections on Barack Obama gaining the US presidency and what implications this could have for Peace in Sri Lanka. It was a collection of my views at that point in time. I probably will not send the article as a letter to the editor like I stated in the article as it was too long, and perhaps I was slightly "chicken", and i'd have to read the papers daily to look at what reaction, or lack of reaction it would cause. Instead I have published it here on my Peace blog.

I apologise if I have offended with my words or ideas, but I would love the idea to improve my ideas by getting your feedback and knowing your response to what I have said. This has not been easy to write and for me it has taken a lot of courage –I as the same of you, please lend me your thoughts and feedback. This is the only way to progress as individuals and as a society. Action, contemplation, and education re-action.

Even though this is a blog that nobody in particular reads, I have realised that I am very self-conscious and sensitive about what I write here. This is reflected in the fact that I haven’t posted and entry since March 2008 and now it is November 2008. Despite the lack of entry there has been so much that I have wanted to write and post here in the last 6 months.

Why not write more in this blog?

I guess there are several reasons for my self-conscious and sensitivity in writing this blog. One reason is my current busy schedule and horrible addiction to perfectionism regarding what I write (even though it may not show in the quality of the writing). However, it goes much further and deeper than that. One of the things that holds me back from posting things like this is that “Peace” in “Sri Lanka” is a very hot topic, that is also emotionally charged topic.

Also it's a topic where you know people are going disagree with your viewpoint, or certain aspects of your viewpoint, and the people disagreeing may be very close to you - friends or even family. This is particularly difficult because we love our family and friends, even if we don’t always share their ideas or stances on issues. However, we also “believe” what we “believe” and if we don’t express it we will never be able to challenge what we think to be write and believe to be wrong.

The other thing is that sometimes I worry about expressing views on a public forum. At the beginning of the year I held a candle for peace outside Fort railway station along with other peace supporters. I even gave my comments for a private TV station about how I believed in the concepts of piece and non violence. However since them people who have seen this item have suspected that I am a terrorist supporter which is not the case.

Finally it is very difficult to know “all” the facts necessary to hold an absolutely accurate viewpoint. Even if all the facts were known the direction in which we viewed these facts could completely change their message and meaning.

So really what is left then – will we ever really know the truth? The truths behind the conflict is what I’ve been striving to find for 2 and a half years since coming back to Sri Lanka, and before that on and off for my entire adult life. However the more I know about the situation, the less I feel I know.

But strangely the more I know about the situation, the more I care about it, and the more I realise that the truths of the past are nowhere nearly as important as the ways we handle the present moment. Right now it is November 10th 2008 – Peace is really within our grasp. The sooner we realise this in ourselves by letting go of our fears, prejudices and anger, the sooner we will see actual peace in the communities we love and cherish.

2008 can see peace in Sri Lanka if we all want it badly enough. Do you want it badly? Then believe it is possible and let it “truly” exist at least in your heart. It may not come easily, but with practice it can.

God bless, Theruwan Sarani, Om Shanthi, Ishallah, Shalom
Or plain old “let’s hope”
:)

2008-03-20T09:58:00.000+05:30

Hi Everybody!

I just signed an urgent petition calling on the Chinese government to respect human rights in Tibet and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This is really important, and I thought you might want to take action

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/22.php

After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans are sending out a global cry for change. But violence is spreading across Tibet and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now considering a choice between increasing brutality or dialogue, that could determine the future of Tibet and China.

We can affect this historic choice. China does care about its international reputation. Its economy is totally dependent on "Made in China" exports that we all buy, and it is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China that is a respected world power.

President Hu needs to hear that 'Brand China' and the Olympics can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention. Click below to join me and sign a petition to President Hu calling for restraint in Tibet and dialogue with the Dalai Lama -- and tell absolutely everyone you can right away. The petition is organized by Avaaz, and they are urgently aiming to reach 1 million signatures to deliver directly to Chinese officials:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/98.php/?CLICK_TF_TRACK

Thank you so much for your help!
Avaaz.org

I think this a very good cause. I have also transcribed a recent speech by the Dalai lama describing his vision for world peace in the future which I also strongly support. Have a look!
(see below in this blog at http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-vision-of-compassionate-future.html)

Cheers
Bishan :)

I can't sleep

2008-02-04T00:13:00.000+05:30

I've been very quiet on my Peace Blog which was meant to be an ongoing account and archive of what peace activities are happening here in Sri Lanka, an ongoing dialog of positive ideas, and a platform to have non-partisan discussion for a better future. Unfortunately I got too bogged down with my academic work.

However, today was a very very sad day for me which really drove home the reality of what it means to be at war. There are a lot of conflicting emotions to deal with. Since Saturday there have been 3 bombs set off by the LTTE that have resulted in the death of 31 people and the injury of more than 150 people.

Saturday 2nd Feb - A public bus going from Kandy to Anuradhapura was blown up in Dambulla, killing 20 and injuring over 50 people (people who were on a pilgrimage).

Sunday 3rd Feb - A grenade thrown into the Dehiwala Zoo injured 4 people

Sunday 3rd Feb - A bomb set off on a train in Fort, Colombo's main railways station killed 11 people and injured over 100 people.

These are all civilian deaths. These are all a result of the LTTE terrorist activities.

In addition to these highlighted deaths there are the deaths that are occurring in the North of this beautiful island everyday, due to a military offensive against the LTTE, and the similar retaliations. Basically it's war up there. There are many casualties occurring, the exact numbers of which are not know.

The casualties included the LTTE fighters and SL army soldiers, but also the inevitable loss of civilians caught in the crossfire. This latter group can be considerable as the LTTE often use human shields or recruit children for fighting which means that these kids are victims to both LTTE conscription, as well victims to the artillery of the SL Army because they are now "the enemy". It's very sad.

WAR = KILLING

KILLING = suffering (for the family and friends of the victims)

What do we all want?

--- PEACE -----

I just wrote that because I feel it is easy to forget these simple logical conclusions and words of truth. The current climate is that "war is a solution", not just here in Sri Lanka, but in the entire world. You don't have to look far to find war, or advocacy of violence being a completely normal way to solve a problem. Why is this I wonder? Do we have no faith in the wisdome of some of these great leaders that existed in the past, and what they stood for? Look what they managed to achieve without resorting to violence.

“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong”

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected”

(quotes by Mahatma Gandhi)

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"

(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

People who advocate war and violence

I wonder what the people who advocate war in Sri Lanka, or in the rest of the world for that matter, really think when they consider the above statements? Whether they be LTTE supporters, or Sri Lankan army supporters - it doesn't matter - do they really believe taking someone's life is going to improve the world they live in, or even their little part of the world?

I also really wonder - would they be so keen for war if it were their own children on the frontline of the battlefield in the north? If you are and advocate of this war - would you want your own kith and kin on the frontline to be fighting it for you? Please think about that question properly before you answer it ?

My answer is a simple. No

And if this is the case, then I think they should stop hostilities and force a seize fire immediately.

Unless I am personally willing to jump to front line of a military offensive - how can I advocate somebody else to send their children to do my dirty work for me? Sound crazy ? Actually it makes sense, but sadly not a mainstream view point.

There's all sorts of much more sensible view points like " you don't understand, that's not how the world works", "you can't trust them, tho only way to be sure is to kill them and elliminate them " etc etc.

Is there any thought for the countless number of family members or friends who will still be left alive with grievances - no this is never thought about in the simple "kill and exterminate" model, because people who use this model operate on the basis of Kill now, and we can deal with those problems later, rather than let's not kill so we don't have to deal with those problems among other problems.

Anyway my feelings are clear to me. We should immediately stop all violence - re-evaluate the mistaken idea that a military solution to a problem is the correct path to take.

People who advocate war and violence (who themselves live outside Sri Lanka)

If you are living outside Sri Lanka and sitting in an armchair watching CNN or BBC or Al Jezeera - and your advocating or supporting this violence - whether you support the LTTE or the Governments of Sri Lanka or any group that promotes killing or violence - then why don't you come here and start catching the public buses which are being blown up in increasing frequency in the current situation.

Or again, answer the question "are you willing to send your own children on the frontline of the battlefield in the north?". (I pose it in this manner because the majority of people who want this violence somehow are poeple who are old enough to have children, and the children seem to follow what lead thier parents take)

I was due to travel through Dambulla tomorrow, past the very place where Saturday's bomb exploded. My cousin caught a bus from colombo fort railway station where the train exploded, but luckily hours before.

I don't want to be caught up in the next bomb.

Is the loss of even one life- too much? There has to be another way.
There is another way, and if we can't see it - well we just have to look harder.

Pro Peace does not equal Pro LTTE

"Being pro peace does not make you Pro LTTE", I am against "any group" that uses force and violence, and Sadly the LTTE is an incredibly violent group.

In addition to killing many innocent civilians, such as on occasions like today, they have also killed many many Tamil politicians and peacemakers alike. If they are really for a the cause of the Tamils of Sri Lanka they would not behave like this. Also if any group is going to justly represent the Tamil people they should be able tolerate debate within the organisation. Sadly in the LTTE there has very little tolerance of any alternative opinion. This fact is often not know by people unfamiliar with Sri Lanka's conflict and often overlooked by LTTE supporters because of their distrust of the Government is so high.

(the interview : http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2006/nomoretears/special_uthr.html )

This interview with the University Teachers for human rights (Jaffna), and independant Human rights watchdog elucidates this phenomenon well in thier monitoring of LTTE activities over the years, particullarly in the way they killed Dr. Rajani Thiranagama (an LTTE supporter who worked with them and then disagreed with their methods), to send a message that no alternative opinion would be tolerated.

Pro Peace does not equal "Anti-government"

I maintain that it still makes sense to work within the framework of democracy, is supporting the government. However, if the government uses force and violence as their primary means of achieving things, then I cannot support the elements within that want this. I will not limit myself to being "anti-government" as some chose. Being "Anti" anything closes off the door to the opposing side of any argument, and forces one to disengage. In the same way I am not Anit LTTE, despite the killings and past action - I am against those elements who have chosen a violent an inhumane path, or continue to do so.

Whilst the current government is carrying out a military offensive, this doesn't mean that everybody who is within the government agrees with this. The news papers may be black and white, but the minds of many of the people whose ideas get written about are i'm sure a little more to do with "shades of grey". There is plenty of unvoiced opinion in favor of a more peaceful, non violent solution. This is why, a climate of one should be with the government 100%, otherwise you are against them is not the way forward for meaningful dialog and understanding in my opinion.

This is why I hold the government in a position of hope, unlike so many other citizens who are disillusioned by their current military stance. There has to be a way to reach out to the leaders of this country to feel confident that there is another way. If the entire population of Sri Lanka wanted peace by immediate cessation of violence, then the government would have to do this, or atleast it would given them the confidence to do so. Unfortunately this is not the case, but it is just to simple to blame the state without looking at our actions or lack of actions as being party to this tradegy.

I say, even if the current strategy of a "military solution" was carried out, and the LTTE was killed (along with countless civilians - which is what it would amount to). What would be the fall out afterwards - does the advocate of military tactics think of this?

No matter what happens we are going to have to deal with the consequence of so many loved ones having died, but the sooner this happens the less people who have died in an already far too high toll, and thus the better for us all.

Many people who question peace, often say "what is the point always appealing to the government to stop hostilities. Why don't the supporter of LTTE do the same form the LTTE" As mentioned before the very nature of the LTTE organisation is such that it doesn't tolerate descent or core differences opinion. We live in a democracy and we have the power to empower our rights as citizens that this state represents. Whilst people in Sri Lanka do experience problems with freedom of speech, and there are problems, I believe people sing this song far to loud. Since being here I have read many articles about on topics such as "Sinhala Buddhist Chauvinism" where they are publishing articles highly critical of some lines of thinking (which were quite valid opinions) but were published in national newspapers all the same.

When I went on a peace vigil on 31st of December last year (whilst there was an intense military offensive in the north). We had the message of "stop the violence and killing in 2008", and we were treated with respect and dignity by citizens passing by, the local police and military vehicles had passed by without any problem. Whilst mainstream journalism has had issues with freedom of speech, other mediums such as this one (blogging) goes without interference, after all I am expressing my views right now and this is some testament to the country in which I am living. I have read many similar such posting from many Sri Lankan citizens. (Having said this I do know that Tamil. net in blocked in Sri Lanka)

My point that should not be missed is that despite the problems we face here, we do not live in a "dicatorial state", unless we chose to feel that we do. The reality is that democracy of every country is flawed at some level - a recent talk that I went to by the American author, Gore Vidal - illustrated the flaws in US democracy quite nicely.

We can all realise the freedom that we do have and use it to our full potential constructively. We just need to have more constructive diaolog. This is another reason why i set up this blog - so please excercise your rights leave a comment for me and others to read if you so desire.

The real victims - the people who are most important not to forget

The poor people who are innocent victims in this conflict. The families of the people killed in todays bombs. The families of the Soldiers who are also killed . The families of the LTTE who often didn't have any choice but to let their family member join in the fighting, especially in the case of child soldiers. These Tamil civilians in the North who live amongst the LTTE, who are subject to Army and Airoforce attacks on one side, and LTTE forced child conscription on the other side.

These people are all the real victims.

(these are just pictures of regular people I have taken over the last two years, from markets in Wellawatte, Villages in the south, and hospitals in the north central province - with permission. They are not actual victims but represent potential victims - as we all do. Interestingly Tamils, Sinhalese, and Muslims are represented in these three pictures - which is quite fitting because all are victims of this conflict - it affects the entire Sri Lankan population)

Who is responsible for violence?

These are the people instructing the people that fighting is the only way. The heads of the LTTE. Also the heads of state in this government, all the way down to "you" or "I", who have the ability to voice our opinions (unlike the people of the Wanni) but choose not to. We choose not to partly out of fear, but partly because we do not know how to voice our opinions in a effective way (again, why not try leaving a comment)

Why can we not find a better way?
Not tomorrow but today.

How many more deaths do we need to experience?
How close to home does it have to be before we give up the game of violence? Surely the whole world would be a better place if we just gave up violence?

Why do Pro Peace people never protest against LTTE bombings?

I've been asked several times by people who are against Pro Peace movements, saying "you are always jumping up and down whenever the government wants to try an eliminate terrorism in for the safety of the country, but why is it that nobody protests against the LTTE when they set off a bomb?"

I've been looking at my own responses as person who is pro peace -in how I view todays bombs

1) When the LTTE sets off a bomb such as in the Fort Railway station (where the Peace Vigil I took part in on Dec 31st was held) - it really destablises society. Right now I don't feel safe to go the streets. Nor do I think it will be wise to organise a group of people to stand out side fort Railway station with placard saying "LTTE" please stop killing civilians" because the reality is they are now targeting civilians, and a group of people protesting their actions might then be prime targets.

2) I also know that part of the reason the LTTE is targeting civilians is that they are desperate and they are using whatever means are available.

The reality is that in War there are no rules that people follow, especially in terrorist warfare. We can say "the LTTE really shouldn't target civilians", "this is a cowardly and inhumane act" (which it is). I "am" saying this. However, the reality is this is the LTTE do, whether we like it or not.

Therefore, when the government runs offensive military operations in the North, then given the tactics of the LTTE, they know that we will expect to see such bombing that occurred today in the south. Thus they know that their actions will result in civilian death, and are willing to tolerate it.

More force and aggression doesn't lead to less violence, on the contrary, it leads to more.

Anyone who is Truly for "Peace" is against "all killings" no matter who is responsible. Peace is non partisan (see Thich Nhat Hanh video in previous post). I agree that you can twist this by only calling peace when one type of killing occurs - this is certainly not the case in my experience of actually meeting with people who are for peace.

It scares me that society can sometimes actually be "against" peace

(I ask the question are these Buddhist monks or Christian priests really interested in overthrowing the government? Am interested in overthrowing the government - not at all. They just want peace. I just want peace. We all just want PEACE.

I guess the debate comes in peoples belief of how peace will come about - a "War for peace", or perhaps "Peace for Peace" - which one would you invest your money in? I know which one I would )

KILLING = SUFFERING , it's the simple formula. You don't need a degree to figure this one out.

The ultimate hope is that by showing the way of non-violence a peaceful solution can be achieved.

Time to sleep

Anyway, i'm tired, and I have a long PhD proposal to write, that's way overdue. It's hard to explain to supervisors who are in Australia that some of my lack of progress is about caring about the world that I living too much to just "get on with it". Also the belief that I can make a difference, no matter how small it may be, with positive ideas, also seems to hamper progress on the work front - nevertheless I am happy with my choices.

Happy 60th Independance Sri Lanka - let's make it worth something, I know we can, despite the odds.

Here's hoping that Sri Lanka moves toward the amazing country that it could be - one that respects unity in diversity, peace and understanding. I believe it can be, and when we think, talk and discuss, we are making positive steps in the right direction. To work with these "shades of grey" rather than to choose either "black or white" is the challenge that awaits us and could help us create the rainbow of our future.

Tonight please spare a thought for all the innocent victims of this senseless violence.
( I really mean "senseless" - violence never make sense when you really look at it - if you can give me a logical reason why violence does make sense please let me know)

Finally I would like to post the Dalai Lama's recent words on a his vision of a Compassionate Future (next post)

May all you all being be well, and truly find peace in this lifetime
B :)

Please read the Dalai Lama's message - it is beautiful piece of work and truely inspirational - i've copied the section that I think is relevant to my current discussion below

"But the genuine practice of nonviolence is still at an experimental stage. If this experiment succeeds, it can open the way to a far more peaceful world. We need to embrace a more realistic approach to dealing with human conflicts, an approach that is in tune with a new reality of heavy interdependence in which the old concepts of "we" and "they" are no longer relevant. The very idea of total victory for one's own side and the total defeat of one's enemy is untenable. In violent conflicts, the innocent are often the first casualties, as the war in Iraq and Sudan's Darfur crisis [ed note - "or the Sri Lankan conflict"] painfully remind us. Today, the only viable solution to human conflicts will come through dialogue and reconciliation based on the spirit of compromise."

My dream is that we have an end to human conflict. This dream is achievable if enough people believe it.

Standing fo peace is "not" Crazy.
B :)

Dalia Lama - My vision of a compassionate future

2008-02-03T02:14:00.000+05:30

MY VISION OF A COMPASSIONATE FUTURE
By The Dalai Lama
Sunday, October 21, 2007; B01

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/
AR2007101701140.html

Brute force can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom. The thousands of people who marched in the cities of Eastern Europe in recent decades, the unwavering determination of the people in my homeland of Tibet and the recent demonstrations in Burma are powerful reminders of this truth. Freedom is the very source of creativity and human development. It is not enough, as communist systems assumed, to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. If we have these things but lack the precious air of liberty to sustain our deeper nature, we remain only half human.

In the past, oppressed peoples often resorted to violence in their struggle to be free. But visionaries such as Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. have shown us that successful changes can be brought about nonviolently. I believe that, at the basic human
level, most of us wish to be peaceful. Deep down, we desire constructive, fruitful growth and dislike destruction.

Many people today agree that we need to reduce violence in our society. If we are truly serious about this, we must deal with the roots of violence, particularly those that exist within each of us. We need to embrace "inner disarmament," reducing our own emotions of suspicion, hatred and hostility toward our brothers and sisters.

Furthermore, we must reexamine how we relate to the very question ofthe use of violence in today's profoundly interconnected world. One may sometimes feel that one can solve a problem quickly with force, but such success is often achieved at the expense of the rights and welfare of others. One problem may have been solved, but the seed of another is planted, thus opening a new chapter in a cycle of violence and counter-violence.

From the Velvet Revolution in the former Czechoslovakia to the popular pro-democracy movement in the Philippines, the world has seen how a nonviolent approach can lead to positive political changes. But the genuine practice of nonviolence is still at an experimental stage. If this experiment succeeds, it can open the way to a far more peaceful world. We need to embrace a more realistic approach to dealing with human conflicts, an approach that is in tune with a new reality of heavy interdependence in which the old concepts of "we" and "they" are
no longer relevant. The very idea of total victory for one's own side and the total defeat of one's enemy is untenable. In violent conflicts, the innocent are often the first casualties, as the war in
Iraq and Sudan's Darfur crisis painfully remind us. Today, the only viable solution to human conflicts will come through dialogue and reconciliation based on the spirit of compromise.

Many of the problems we confront today are our own creation. I believe that one of the root causes of these manmade problems is the inability of humans to control their agitated minds and hearts -- an area in which the teachings of the world's great religions have much to offer.

A scientist from Chile once told me that it is inappropriate for a scientist to be attached to his particular field of study, because that would undermine his objectivity. I am a Buddhist practitioner, but if I mix up my devotion for Buddhism with an attachment to it, my
mind will be biased toward it. A biased mind never sees the complete picture, and any action that results will not be in tune with reality. If religious practitioners can heed this scientist's advice and refrain from being attached to their own faith traditions, it could
prevent the growth of fundamentalism. It also could enable such followers to genuinely respect faith traditions other than their own. I often say that while one can adhere to the principle of "one truth, one religion" at the level of one's personal faith, we should embrace at the same time the principle of "many truths, many religions" in the context of wider society. I see no contradiction between these two.

I do not mean to suggest that religion is indispensable to a sound ethical way of life, or for that matter to genuine happiness. In the end, whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever, what matters is that one be a good, kind and warmhearted person. A deep sense of caring for
others, based on a profound sense of interconnection, is the essence of the teachings of all great religions of the world. In my travels, I always consider my foremost mission to be the promotion of basic human qualities of goodness -- the need for and appreciation of the value of
love, our natural capacity for compassion and the need for genuine fellow feeling. No matter how new the face or how different the dress and behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people.

When I first saw a photograph of Earth taken from outer space, it powerfully brought home to me how small and fragile the planet is and how petty our squabbles are. Amid our perceived differences, we tend to forget how the world's different religions, ideologies and
political systems were meant to serve humans, not destroy them. When I traveled to the former Soviet Union in the late 1970s, I encountered widespread paranoia, even among ordinary people who feared that theWest hated them so much that it was ready to invade their country. Of course, I knew this was mere projection.

Today, more than ever, we need to make this fundamental recognition of the basic oneness of humanity the foundation of our perspective on the world and its challenges. From the dangerous rate of global warming to the widening gap between rich and poor, from the rise of global terrorism to regional conflicts, we need a fundamental shift in our
attitudes and our consciousness -- a wider, more holistic outlook.

As a society, we need to shift our basic attitude about how we educate our younger generation. Something is fundamentally lacking in our modern education when it comes to educating the human heart. As people begin to explore this important question, it is my hope that we will
be able to redress the current imbalance between the development of our brains and the development of our hearts.

To promote greater compassion, we must pay special attention to the role of women. Given that mothers carry the fetus for months within their own bodies, from a biological point of view women in general may possess greater sensitivity of heart and capacity for empathy. My
first teacher of love and compassion was my own mother, who provided me with maximum love. I do not mean to reinforce in any way the traditional view that a woman's place is confined to the home. I believe that the time has come for women to take more active roles in
all domains of human society, in an age in which education and the capacities of the mind, not physical strength, define leadership. This could help create a more equitable and compassionate society.

In general, I feel optimistic about the future. As late as the 1950s and '60s, people believed that war was an inevitable condition of mankind and that conflicts must be solved through the use of force. Today, despite ongoing conflicts and the threat of terrorism, most people are genuinely concerned about world peace, far less interested in propounding ideology and far more committed to coexistence.

The rapid changes in our attitude toward the Earth are also a source of hope. Until recently, we thoughtlessly consumed its resources as if there were no end to them. Now not only individuals but also governments are seeking a new ecological order. I often joke that the moon and stars look beautiful, but if any of us tried to live on them, we would be miserable. This blue planet of ours is the most delightful habitat we know. Its life is our life, its future our future. Now
Mother Nature is telling us to cooperate. In the face of such global problems as the greenhouse effect and the deterioration of the ozonelayer, individual organizations and single nations are helpless. Our mother is teaching us a lesson in universal responsibility.

The 20th century became a century of bloodshed; despite its faltering start, the 21st century could become one of dialogue, one in which compassion, the seed of nonviolence, will be able to flourish. But good wishes are not enough. We must seriously address the urgent question of the proliferation of weapons and make worldwide efforts toward greater external disarmament.

Large human movements spring from individual human initiatives. If you feel that you cannot have much of an effect, the next person may also become discouraged, and a great opportunity will have been lost. On the other hand, each of us can inspire others simply by working to develop our own altruistic motivations -- and engaging the world with a compassion-tempered heart and mind.

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet.
Since 1959, he has been living in Dharamsala, in northern India, the
seat of the Tibetan government in exile.

(c) 2007 The Washington Post Company

________

Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly,
kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably,
Live with gratitude and peace in your heart.

by Cat Gilliam

Peace Every step - Thich Nhat Hanh

2008-02-02T12:52:00.000+05:30

This is a documentary about the thoughts of a Peace activist by the name of Thich Nat Hanh. I did not know who this person was before I watched this You Tube video, but now I think he is an amazing person, with an amazing message. Please watch it if you are interested - it'll be worth the curiosity.

Basically, he grew up duing the Vietnam war and conflict and later used Buddhist principles to try and resolve conflict in the past, present and future.

B :)

2008-01-24T01:41:00.000+05:30

The Peace Vigil went ahead as planned and it was a sucessful turn out. Here are some pictures from the event on December 31st. Unfortunately in the two days following the vigil there was an assasination of a Tamil MP as well as LTTE bombs set off in Colombo. The government has also disolved the CFA and there has been a huge escalation in violence over the first 23 days of this month with daily reports of casualites on all sides. Nevertheless I belive there was a purpose of the vigil, and future vigils - this will be explained in my next post.

Peace Vigil, Colombo - 31s Dec 2007 - (email)

2007-12-30T16:45:00.000+05:30

Hi there!

I wanted to send out a New Years wish with a difference this year. I want it to be a greeting and wish for the New Year, as well as an appeal for your support, at least conceptually, in a venture for a peaceful 2008.

I have decided to see in the New Year by attending a Vigil for Peace in Colombo, Sri Lanka, starting at Fort Railway Station at 8pm on Dec 31st (see the forwarded at the bottom of this email). This has been organised by a group of community members interested in peace, who belong to no particularly group, and are trying to be as multi-ethnic, multi-religious as possible (this appeal has gone out – and is going out to as many different people from different backgrounds as possible, and please send it out to others who may be interested, sorry for the delay in sending this out, the Peace Vigil is a recent development and it has taken me a while to write this email).

If you are in Colombo I invite you to join me. If you are not able to then I appeal to you to share in the sentiment of Peace in Sri Lanka –that is, to believe this dream is possible, I believe there is true benefit in positive thought and positive energy.

That is why I am asking as many people as possible and everybody in my circle of friends to spare such positive thoughts for 2008. (I’m a big believer in the “secret” of the universe, if that means anything to you, and I am putting this wish for peace out to the universe and asking for your help in doing so).

Perhaps participating in a peace vigil many not change anything in practical terms – sadly, the world seems to be a place where violence and killing is widespread, and in trying to change this but not succeeding, people have consequently become cynical. But to me, perhaps a credit to either my naivety or just simple optimism, I always feel the world is a place of hope, where things can change if “enough” people want it to.

I am therefore sending this email to my friends who I have contact with by email, and also as a reply to the group who originally sent out the invitation to participate in the Peace Vigil – thanks for your courage in organising this event.

(I have purposely put all the email addresses in the “blind carbon copy” so as not to release my friends’ email addresses. If you have any comments you can either reply to me directly, or post your response on my peace blog - http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/ to share with all people who receive this email –the contents of this email is also posted on the blog)

The persistence of suffering because of conflict is one of the many factors that led me to return to Sri Lanka to live, as I always wanted to try and increase my understanding of issues in Sri Lanka enabling me to try and do something to help the situation - and I am determined to follow a path of Peace.

Appeal to my friends and family

The next paragraph is written from the heart because my life is too short to project falsehoods, bear with me ☺

To my family, and my friends, I would like your mental support this new years eve. I know “you” know my intentions are pure, and you are my greatest support in life. Peace is my life, and I want to live it. Please take the time to watch the video by the Vietnamese monk that I have attached at the end of this – I have found it recently and it is interesting.

I believe that peace talks need not only happen at the hands of political leaders, they can occur in the home of every family, after all, family is the core of society.

I believe the conflict in Sri Lanka affects everyone who cares about this country and its people. Whilst I have not been the victim of direct personal suffering, I have spoken to many who have been affected to varying degrees. My heart goes out to all who have suffered and are currently suffering. The hurt runs deep for many people.

I believe a non-partisan approach (ie not taking sides) is necessary for understanding and peace – we are all unified in humanity after all, Seeing the situation from another persons view point is difficult, especially when emotions are strong. However, I believe it's important and it is possible to do this.

My New years message is simple:

I've had enough of divisions and lack of understanding.

I want peace and unity in diversity in Sri Lanka - I believe it can happen, and it must come from the people first.

I don't believe this will be a painless process as there is already a lot of pain, anger and hatred in the air.

I believe that love can, and will, conquer all - if we only use this sometimes unfamiliar friend.

In 2008 why don't we use the message of all religions for the spirit that they were intended? Love, kindness and peace.

So join with me, at least in spirit in supporting peace in Sri Lanka.
In my mind, you are part of my core group that I can appeal to on this issue. I wish to appeal to a much larger personal group in the future.

Remember, this is only a step in a long process that needs to happen so think twice before condemning a good intention.

This is my New Years Dreams and wish for all of us....

To realise the dream of peace, understanding and unity in diversity

and hopefully a united Sri Lanka

Best wishes for the New Year
love
Bishan :)

Finally anyone interested in Peace should read the following, which I find very inspirational (Thich Nhat Hanh - Peace is every Step), and also check out the links to the two YouTube video. Also if you have any comments on the message in this email please post them on my peace blog:-

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY

Here’s to a brighter future for all of us in 2008.

“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong”
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected”
(quotes by Mahatma Gandhi)

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"
(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

On 28/12/2007, at 6:49 PM, Angelica Chandrasekeran wrote:
Hi all,

We hope you have enjoyed Christmas and looking forward to the New Year.

Some of us met on December 21 to reflect on Christmas in Jaffna, and again on Christmas Day, for solidarity fast for peace. It was then that we thought of organizing some activity for peace on the night of December 31st.

We have pleasure in inviting you to join us in a Vigil for Peace, on the night of the 31st December 2007, from pm8 to midnight.

The venue, which will be a public place in Colombo, will be finalized and communicated to you in the coming days. (now finalized – Fort Railway station, Colombo)

We will organize an inter-religious prayer at midnight to usher in the New Year and to strengthen our commitment to a just peace in Sri Lanka in 2008. A Fellowship meal will follow.

We hope you will join us. Remember to bring along some friends, as well as some food and drink to share!

If there is any poem, reading or reflection you would like to share, please bring it along.

Please share this mail with as many people as you can so they could join us if they like.

Regards,
Ainslie, Angelica, Cristobel, Nimalka, Ruki, Sunila and Fr. Tissa Balasuriya

For more details, please contact:
Angelica: angelica_chandre@yahoo.com
Nimalka: nimalka_fernando@yahoo.com
Sunila: sunilasj2006@yahoo.com

(these are also some interesting blogs that I’ve come across recently)

http://voxpop-ha.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/humanityashore/250228956/

Peace, Understanding and Unity in Diversity

2007-12-30T16:18:00.000+05:30

This blog has been an idea that I have had for a long time. Today is it's inception day because I cannot wait for the perfect blog to be designed. I would like to have a site for positive and inspirational ideas from my friends, family and contacts to archived for all the world to see.

I hope for this site to be a multi media site with images, sound and video - pulling on idealolgical, religions, ethinic and artistic diversity that I believe can help us to realise the love that exist around us.

I am planning to start the new year (2008) by attending a Vigil for Peace in Colombo, Sri Lanka. My first post on this blog will be a group email I have sent out to all my contacts. I would like to hear your comments online. Posting on line will allow everying to see and learn about your ideas. If you do not feel comfortable, you can always email me personally.

May all being be well and happy on Earth

Bishan
Dec 30th 2007