Comments on: To Win the War and Lose the Peace: Beyond Sri Lanka’s ‘War on Terror’

By: Arul

Arul — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:38:47 +0000

Anagarika what will the singhala buddhists do if the christians and the hindus " provoke you"? Revert to your animalistic past? Like emergency 58, or balack july 83.

By: Anagarika

Anagarika — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:54:48 +0000

The sri lankan army commander sarath fonseka stated that sri lanka belongs to the sinhala buddhists. The hindus and the christians must now try to live with the buddhists wihout provoking them.

By: Suren_Raghavan

Suren_Raghavan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:32:55 +0000

I believe every moderate Thamil has the legimate right to demand a proposal from the Sinhalas and their polity. As they govern the state. It would take only a politically insane individul to say there are no problems for Thamils in SL. 7 weeks ago my friend could not send a telegramin Thamil from Nuwaraeliya post office. This is the distric with the largest Thamil speaking population in the south.

Colombo's rehtoric was ''no solution before the end of LTTE''. (history shows that LTTE came to be because there was no solution) However as GoSL claims the end of LTTE, once again their committment to , Buddhism, Ahimsa, Pularity, Democracy and all other vertures will be tested. History is the best teacher in politics. What kind of Sri Lanka the Sinhalas will build? Who are the key architectects of that new state? Where/how will the Thamils, Muslim and ''other'' sons(and daughters) of Lanka will be placed?

These are more sober yet probing questions that everyone who rejoys over the capture of Mullaithevu should ponder upon.

By: Suren_Raghavan

Suren_Raghavan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:32:55 +0000

These are more sober yet probing questions that everyone who rejoys over the capture of Mullaithevu should ponder upon.

By: Arul

Arul — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:50:25 +0000

Sumana tries to twist history again. During the ceasefire the LTTE cam up with two proposals The ISGA and PTOMS. History records the singhalese response.The APRC recommendations of Tissa Vitharane was still born. The attitude of to the victor the spoils is why as tamils we have no alternative but to fight, either militarily or by other means to regain our independance from people with the mentality known as the mahavamsa mindset. This attitude exemplifies shows why sr lanka will win This war but not have real peace

By: sumana

sumana — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:30:52 +0000

now that tamil eelam doesnt have a homeland, you see (as in this site commets) lot of people asking for "proposals" and expecting the majority to put ideas. when the land border (1/3 of coastel belt) game was looked at no tamil party wanted proposals. so as the saying goes, "to the victor the sopils of war" hence please hold you breath and wait for the set of proposals….. at best the onus is on the tamil politicians, i bet the sanagrees, devanandas and karunas will fill the vacume and become democratically elected members in a unitary SL…

By: Ethirveerasingam

Ethirveerasingam — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:51:58 +0000

Darini
It is good to know your perspective of the conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhala peoples and those who fight on their behalf. I had the pleasure of meeting you at the SEED meeting when we discussed the methods education of Special Children – a project school of SEED and about their rehabilitation projects of the displaced Tamil families. Your compassion for the less fortunate and the victims of the war is commendable. I was fortunate to be a student of your father who taught me Mathematics in 1949/50. I met him in 1995 after 45 years and thanked him for the excellent teacher he is.

Those of us whose views have petrified through years of repeated tragic experience and repeating failed ways of recommended conflict resolutions have nothing new to propose. History tells us that "Might is Right." Democracy preaches that the majority will shall be done. Tamils in the North-East are trying to think and act otherwise and paying the price for it. I see no end to the misery visited on us. Nor do I see the beiginning of peace. I hope you and persons like you continue to express your perspectives and more importantly propose viable and just solutions based on your analysis.

By: Sam Thambipillai

Sam Thambipillai — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:03:27 +0000

Congratulations to

President Obama in his first 100 hours of presidency said " ….transparency and rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency". Adherence to rule of law for SL. both internally and internationally would mean; reinstating the ceasefire Agreement(CFA); Withdrawing its soldiers to 2002 CFA lines; Calling back Scandanavian monitors; Continuing with peace talks and facing War Crimes charges as envisaged for Israeli soldiers for their violatins in Gaza.

As a world leader and as a leader of a "Co-Chair country", President Obama has the responsibility to make SL adhere strictly to rule of law on Tamil matters. But Sri Lankan state is a "Wild stallion", needing taming with civilisation before it could comply with rule of law. The task is difficult but Barack Obama is capable.

By: Sam Thambipillai

Sam Thambipillai — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:02:18 +0000

Dr Martin Luther King Jr led the civil rights movement and SJV led a non violent "Satyagraha" movement. Tamils and African Americans became contemporaries in their struggle for freedom and dignity in the 1960s and shared a common history. Our fathers sang "We shall overcome" simultaneously in America and in the NE and were locked up inside prison during the same years. Satyagraha was always met by more brutal state violence. Yoke of oppression became heavier and rule of law was non existent on Tamil matters.

John F Kennedy, aware of Tamil struggle, sent a message to Colombo Plan Exhibition in Ceylon stating that he hoped Ceylon would "solve its problems and develop". He was surely hinting of a Federal constitution as found in America. Ceylon never solved its Tamil problem and was in retardation since then. Prophesy and words of wisdom are for believers, not for the foolish and the defiant!

By: Sam Thambipillai

Sam Thambipillai — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:00:58 +0000

Realising the need for education in emancipation, Jaffna College was established in 1860s, by learned missionaries, as the first University College of its kind in the region. As the president of America, Abraham Lincoln, wrote a letter to the Board Of Directors, wishing them success. America thus helped the missionaries "under the shadow of its wings" to extricate slavery in caste system.

Most of the leaders in the country studied in schools and Jaffna College run by American Mission. SJV Chelvanayakam, fondly called as SJV, was mentored in a similar manner to become an outstanding Queen's Counsel lawyer, law maker and director of the Board of Directors of Jaffna College. Having inherited the golden values of justice, equality and freedom; cherished by Abraham Lincoln, SJV became the political leader of the people of NE from 1950s till his death in 1977.

By: Sam Thambipillai

Sam Thambipillai — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:58:16 +0000

Congratulations to Barrack Obama and the people of America for the great inauguration event on the 20th January. It was excellent. The Tamils of North East(NE) of Sri Lanka(SL) have exceptional reasons to be proud about the presidency of Barack Obama, inspite of the agony of the present state genocide on them.

Two graet leaders of America; Abraham Lincoln and Dr Martin Luther King Jr, who influenced the potential and great values of President Obama, were the same leaders who influenced the potential and great values and political vision of our past Tamil leaders from the NE. The sap was from the same plant, the branches were different!

Abraham Lincoln was the father of emancipation from slavery in America. At the same time of emancipation, Christian missionaries from America were working under "American Mission" in the region of NE of SL and South India, where there was a cruel caste system equalling to slavery. There was an urgent need for a "City on a hill", and president Abraham Lincoln became that "City".

By: Arul

Arul — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:39:52 +0000

Wijepala, what is stopping the all powerful singhala junta, from putting forward a proposal, so that we blood thirsty tamils and singhalese from overseas can stop being distant spectators. Besides it is the singhalese who elect the governments , that have come to power on a platform of singhala supremacy. I dont recall hearing one politician from any major political party refuting sarath fonseka's statement that the island belongs to the singhalese and all minorities have to accept what is given by the singhala majority. You cant whitewash your history.

By: Kichchi

Kichchi — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:51:31 +0000

A portion of another article is given below.

“There will be for the next couple of years bombs coming up — they will be able to do it, but they won’t control areas,” says Mr. Hulugalle, the defense spokesman. “It’s very difficult to crush it 100 per cent, we accept that. The war will be over, but terrorism will be there.”
As a result, he says, the government will be obliged to maintain its vast network of checkpoints and other “security measures” loathed by the Tamil population, which include sealing off prime land, restricting civilian movement and barring fishermen from going to sea.
The new phase of the conflict could be just as grim as the last, in its effects on the civilian population and on the prospects for development in Sri Lanka.
“As the government congratulates itself on its glorious military victories, the old proverb applies: They have won the battle, but they haven’t won the war,” says one Western diplomat.

By: Kuruvelu

Kuruvelu — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:42:45 +0000

Agreeing with most of the comments made and in complying with the grievances expressed in them that a political solution is essential I give below a set of suggestions that can be evolved into a proposal.

In Sri Lanka, the trouble started due to discrimination and injustice and continues due to bribery and corruption. These may be the reasons for troubles in other countries too.

Current wars have to be ended and new wars have to be prevented. To achieve this goal the present system of Democratic Governance has to be changed to one that is really democratic in its true sense.

In the present democratic system it is only those – who possess the power to attract people through speech, have enough money and muscle power – can join the ruling class to suppress or convert all others as their subjects and is thus a fertile ground for "corruption" in various forms to thrive.

In my opinion "Corruption" includes any kind of waste, neglect and every form of malpractice, dishonesty, abuse, misuse, unreasonable exercise of power, failure or refusal to exercise power, anything and everything left undone which results in the right of the people being denied or impaired.

Without a "just society" in existence much talked about "terrorism" cannot be eradicated. For the creation of a "just society" there should be "good governance" in the country. For the creation of "good governance" in the country "corruption" in ALL its forms must be eradicated. And to eradicate "corruption" the present democratic system of governance, where full power to make final decisions ultimately rests in the hands of one person, must be changed.

So the only way to salvage a country is to change the present system of governance to one that is truly democratic where the final decision-making power will NOT be in the hands of ONE person BUT shared by as many people as possible and thus restricting any individual to rush into hasty decisions that might lead to trouble everywhere.

To make a country truly democratic, the powers of the Parliament (the decision making supreme body of a country) should be split and separated and each of the separated powers must be handled by different groups of persons selected and elected by the people for the purpose of administering EACH SET OF POWERS or duties as the case may be so that no single group has the full power. All the groups together will make the whole. The country is not divided but the powers of parliament are divided/separated. The World would become united. The people would have sustainable peace, prosperity and a pleasant for everyone is guaranteed.

Different groups have to be elected for such purposes as administration, fiscal management, planning, implementing, policy and law making, auditing and for any other function that may be deemed necessary.

The group that is entrusted with the power to make laws and regulations shall not be given the duty/power of implementing/administering the laws and regulations.

Particular care should be taken to see that all powers are NOT CONCENTRATED in one place and that they do not overlap and there must not be a secret budget to be handled by a single person.

All transactions should be transparent including Diplomacy which has to be diplomatically transparent.

One set of powers dealing with the development of the country should be given to the set of representatives at the village level. The people of each and every village must be empowered to determine their way of life (lifestyle). The life-style of a village, its lands and resources shall not be disturbed by external forces.

All plans of development of a village that remotely/indirectly affects the village must have the concurrence of the people of that village concerned.

It has to be ensured that people are treated equitably regardless of their gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origins, age, disability, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs and affiliations, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or other inappropriate distinction;

The decision-making powers with regard to each and every set of powers must be spread through-out the country.

With such system in practice discrimination, injustice, bribery and corruption, the four pillars of an Evil society might become history.

When the above four pillars of Evil are eradicated, the people would be living under a system that would guarantee sustainable peace, prosperity and a pleasant living to everyone in any country.

A more detailed set of suggestions can be had on request from .

Comments on the above views are solicited from everyone with a view to prevent future wars and end current wars.

By: Bard

Bard — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:10:35 +0000

The “Gloss” of war as you mentioned is blinding our foresight. Many social problems would begin showing itself during the post war era even if the North is liberated. People will see the emergence of politically backed armed group just as we see in the East which will act as a pawn to the Sri Lankan government in managing Northern and Eastern affairs.

We see the politicians crossing over their allegiance from party to party when their interests are not met. This happening to the government backed gun lords of the North and East could prove disastrous. It will make them resort to rising against the very government that strengthened them or to squeeze the unarmed innocent civilians living in their control to achieve their goals. The thousands of youth who took up arms to sustain the army will have a tough time laying down the gun in place of a mammoty for agriculture or pen for higher education.

War is a terrible cycle and not taking the needed political actions to accommodate all parties unconditionally will only make this cycle exponential in its adverse effects on the society!

By: Bard

Bard — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:09:40 +0000

“It would require a political solution that ensures power-sharing with the minorities in the north and east. Otherwise the LTTE would very likely regroup and return to fight another day”

With this I agree totally. LTTE was not the founding father of armed conflict in Sri Lanka; this honour is held by the JVP. The eradication of the JVP’s armed wing by the Sri Lankan military was supported by a genuine political package which enabled them to step into main stream politics and lay down arms and pick up banners and placards to be used in their protests.

By: wijayapala

wijayapala — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:40:44 +0000

Dear Arul,

The battle will not continue as long as the most bloodthirsty elements (i.e. the Sinhala and Tamil expatriates like yourself who don't bear the cost of the war) continue to keep their distance from Sri Lanka and play the role of distant spectator.

By: ksiva

ksiva — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:25:19 +0000

In december 2008, Eric Solheim stated in the Nobel Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari's party that LTTE was the one with a proposal. I search the link on the web. If I get I will post here.

I will be happy if you would not make any sweeping statement like what you made here in the future.

Hope you / the moderator would allow this comment

Also, please correct the typo, 1908 to 1980 in the text.
Thank you.

By: KSiva

KSiva — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:24:04 +0000

/However, the LTTE has failed to grasp the opportunity to negotiate peace for the war wary and depleted population that it seeks to ‘liberate’. /

Ms. Rajasingham,
Thank you for the article. I confess;.this column is much more balanced than what I expected from a Rajasingham.
However one factual error in your above statement.
Whatever the blunders of LTTE are, blaming LTTE for not grasping the opportunity for peace in the last peace process is NOT correct. Sri lankan government has to take the responsibility for the breaking down of the process. As the matter of fact, GOSL is the one gained.

By: arul

arul — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:50:30 +0000

There are a few statements in this articles that cannot go unchallenged. The writer claims that violence began in the 80's,glossing over the repeated anti tamil pogroms. If the singhalese claim they are fighting to rescue the tamils from terrorism, they should take this battle to its logical conclusion, and hold a referendum to see what the majority of tamils want. Unfortunately the 60 year experience of the tamil people is one of betrayal. Initially by the singhalese, followed now by the indians, japan the US and the EU. All talk of maximum devolution is disappearing. They all stand ready to supply arms and aid to help the singhala state in its enterprise.So the singhalese are not going to come up with any political solution. What we the tamil people have to brace ourselves for is some thing simillar to what the israelis are trying in the westbank. A patchwork of settlements to try and destroy the tamil homeland. So the battle will continue in a different form.