Comments on: Sri Lanka: A country without citizens http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/ Groundviews is an award winning Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:35:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Kandyan http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-31252 The Kandyan Sat, 07 May 2011 09:18:43 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-31252 Monarchs don't live very long lad...look at Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe. Descending from Dutugemunu? who the hell? The Raja caste of the Sinhales died about 500 years ago hard to believe a Kshudra becoming king and to be anointed by a Jackson Anthony shows our new royal family very well. Sri lanka has no future. unless we accept ourselves for who we are, not who we aren't. Monarchs don’t live very long lad…look at Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe. Descending from Dutugemunu? who the hell? The Raja caste of the Sinhales died about 500 years ago hard to believe a Kshudra becoming king and to be anointed by a Jackson Anthony shows our new royal family very well. Sri lanka has no future. unless we accept ourselves for who we are, not who we aren’t.

]]> By: The Kandyan http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-31250 The Kandyan Sat, 07 May 2011 09:12:32 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-31250 Wow Civil and Constructive engagement? and Media's are asking for freedom of speech?? Damn! Hypocracy anyone?? well after what happened to Michael Jackson maybe I'm being too prejudiced...lol Wow Civil and Constructive engagement? and Media’s are asking for freedom of speech?? Damn! Hypocracy anyone?? well after what happened to Michael Jackson maybe I’m being too prejudiced…lol

]]> By: ItWillNeverEnd http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14394 ItWillNeverEnd Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:33:05 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14394 Any enemy of the government will be treated the same. Whether it be Prabhakaran or Fonseka, its all the same. You don't mess with the government. Our constitution makes our president equal to a king. You don't mess with a king. For the past 30 years the whole country was united and focused on defeating the LTTE. But now, we are starting to fight with each other. Do we really need a common enemy to keep ourselves united. Was it a mistake to destroy the LTTE ? Expect more [stuff] to go down. Any enemy of the government will be treated the same.
Whether it be Prabhakaran or Fonseka, its all the same.
You don’t mess with the government.
Our constitution makes our president equal to a king. You don’t mess with a king.
For the past 30 years the whole country was united and focused on defeating the LTTE.
But now, we are starting to fight with each other. Do we really need a common enemy to keep ourselves united.
Was it a mistake to destroy the LTTE ?
Expect more [stuff] to go down.

]]> By: Jaffna Tamil... http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14374 Jaffna Tamil... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:35:30 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14374 NoEalamInSL says....., ---Stop Political Harassments! Long Live Democracy! This is a begin of an end! --- That is what we Tamils have been saying for almost 52 year since 1958. I am glad you are waking up, Brother or Sister (as the case may be)..... But I am sure with your name, the irony is lost on you. As they say in the west, "aint Karma a bitch! NoEalamInSL says…..,
—Stop Political Harassments! Long Live Democracy! This is a begin of an end! —

That is what we Tamils have been saying for almost 52 year since 1958. I am glad you are waking up, Brother or Sister (as the case may be)…..

But I am sure with your name, the irony is lost on you.

As they say in the west, “aint Karma a bitch!

]]> By: NoEalamInSL http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14334 NoEalamInSL Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:41:04 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14334 Why Ground views is silent when a national leader was arrested? Sri Lanka has become a country without citizens! [Edited out] What ever crime he has comitted, he deserves respect as a human being. "According to eye witness over 100 military policemen led by Major General Sumith Manawadu had taken part in the arrest opperation. When General refused to cooperate he was dragged by his feet and was beaten up by soldiers. He was attending a meeting with three opposition party leaders, Rauf Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan and Somawansa Amarasinhe at the time of the arrest". JDS Release General Sarath Fonseka! Stop Political Harassments! Long Live Democracy! This is a begin of an end! Why Ground views is silent when a national leader was arrested?
Sri Lanka has become a country without citizens!

[Edited out]

What ever crime he has comitted, he deserves respect as a human being.

“According to eye witness over 100 military policemen led by Major General Sumith Manawadu had taken part in the arrest opperation. When General refused to cooperate he was dragged by his feet and was beaten up by soldiers. He was attending a meeting with three opposition party leaders, Rauf Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan and Somawansa Amarasinhe at the time of the arrest”. JDS

Release General Sarath Fonseka!
Stop Political Harassments!
Long Live Democracy!

This is a begin of an end!

]]> By: Gayan http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14331 Gayan Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:44:11 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14331 You are right in one observation, Sri Lanka is no Iran, You cannot bring people to the street and let them die so you can fulfil your shatered dreams. Democracy has thought you a lesson. You should learn it the easy way. You are right in one observation, Sri Lanka is no Iran, You cannot bring people to the street and let them die so you can fulfil your shatered dreams. Democracy has thought you a lesson. You should learn it the easy way.

]]> By: Jaffna Tamil... http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14330 Jaffna Tamil... Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:21 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14330 Dihraj will not get it till his house is on fire... But even then it s doubtful..... Dihraj will not get it till his house is on fire… But even then it s doubtful…..

]]> By: Jaffna Tamil... http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14329 Jaffna Tamil... Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:36:54 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14329 As someone who has mixed feelings about Gen. Fonseka's arrest, not because I love Fonska more but because I love Rajapaskse less. The statement that " Those who forget their past are condemned to re live it" is never truer than today. When the Tamils were being humiliated, discriminated, hounded and murdered, the vast, vast majority Sinhalese, with the divine belief that Sri Lanka was for the Sinhalese didn't give a damn. In fact moist of them actively supported the Sinhalses governments actions. Now the Sinhalese are tuning against each other. JVP against the SLFP. The Sinha Regiment against the Gajaba Regiment, Rajapakse against Fonska and Amarawansa. Once on the slippery slide, one doesnt know where the skaters will end up! I have been talking to some Sinhalese friends who's brother in law was a close Fonseka confidant. They are very worried. He is expecting to be charged as well. Unless and until the Sinhalese accept that Tamils and Muslims have inherent rights that inherent and not to be given and taken by the Sinhalese Majority, the country is doomed. It's like the man who didnt help when his neighbor's house was on fire, because it was not his house. Now the wind is blowing flames across his yard...... Is there enough time for the man to help the neighbor and by doing so help himself as well? The Sinhalese people have the power to decide. But will they? As someone who has mixed feelings about Gen. Fonseka’s arrest, not because I love Fonska more but because I love Rajapaskse less.
The statement that ” Those who forget their past are condemned to re live it” is never truer than today.
When the Tamils were being humiliated, discriminated, hounded and murdered, the vast, vast majority Sinhalese, with the divine belief that Sri Lanka was for the Sinhalese didn’t give a damn. In fact moist of them actively supported the Sinhalses governments actions.

Now the Sinhalese are tuning against each other. JVP against the SLFP. The Sinha Regiment against the Gajaba Regiment, Rajapakse against Fonska and Amarawansa. Once on the slippery slide, one doesnt know where the skaters will end up!

I have been talking to some Sinhalese friends who’s brother in law was a close Fonseka confidant. They are very worried. He is expecting to be charged as well.

Unless and until the Sinhalese accept that Tamils and Muslims have inherent rights that inherent and not to be given and taken by the Sinhalese Majority, the country is doomed.

It’s like the man who didnt help when his neighbor’s house was on fire, because it was not his house. Now the wind is blowing flames across his yard……

Is there enough time for the man to help the neighbor and by doing so help himself as well?

The Sinhalese people have the power to decide. But will they?

]]> By: franc http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14328 franc Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:19:29 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14328 This happens to many who vote and lose. Once you learn to accept the decision of the majority you will be ok. Be happy that there are more than 6 million ritght thinking citizens. Dont redicule your nationality. franc This happens to many who vote and lose. Once you learn to accept the decision of the majority you will be ok. Be happy that there are more than 6 million ritght thinking citizens. Dont redicule your nationality.
franc

]]> By: Panishkarsinghala http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14323 Panishkarsinghala Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:43:57 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14323 Today the Land of Buddha who refused denial a Visa to his Holiness the Dalai Lama, has arrested a Gentleman and Soldier. Hon General Sarath Fonseka, because he did not wish to give a plebiscite to a man who invited the Butcher of Burma to observe pirith at the Dalada Maligawa. THE BUTCHER OF BURMA IS INVITED TO A NATION WHERE HIS OWN MONKS REFUSE HIM BLESSINGS. IF A DESECRATOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS, VIOLATOR OF CIVIL LIBERTIES BE INVITED AND HIS hOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA NOT BEING INVITED TO OBSERVE AND WALK THE LAND OF HIS LORD BUDDHA, I BELIEVE THAT THIS LAND IS SLIDING INTO A QUAGMIRE OF DISASTER. MAY THE TRIPLE GEM BLESS THIS LAND THAT HAD SEEN TOO MANY THIEVES IN POWER. Today the Land of Buddha who refused denial a Visa to his Holiness the Dalai Lama, has arrested a Gentleman and Soldier. Hon General Sarath Fonseka, because he did not wish to give a plebiscite to a man who invited the Butcher of Burma to observe pirith at the Dalada Maligawa. THE BUTCHER OF BURMA IS INVITED TO A NATION WHERE HIS OWN MONKS REFUSE HIM BLESSINGS. IF A DESECRATOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS, VIOLATOR OF CIVIL LIBERTIES BE INVITED AND HIS hOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA NOT BEING INVITED TO OBSERVE AND WALK THE LAND OF HIS LORD BUDDHA, I BELIEVE THAT THIS LAND IS SLIDING INTO A QUAGMIRE OF DISASTER. MAY THE TRIPLE GEM BLESS THIS LAND THAT HAD SEEN TOO MANY THIEVES IN POWER.

]]> By: justitia http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14313 justitia Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:33:57 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14313 Lanka Truth reports that General Fonseka has been arrested by Military Police. We will wait to see how this citizen fares in the justice system. Lanka Truth reports that General Fonseka has been arrested by Military Police.
We will wait to see how this citizen fares in the justice system.

]]> By: Dhiraj http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14293 Dhiraj Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:49:43 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14293 "but there are so many contradictory, opposing groups within those camps that we appear doomed to be estranged forever." Really? IMO that description only applied to the clumsy coalition led by Sarath Fonseka. “but there are so many contradictory, opposing groups within those camps that we appear doomed to be estranged forever.”

Really? IMO that description only applied to the clumsy coalition led by Sarath Fonseka.

]]> By: Crazy eyes http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14292 Crazy eyes Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:47:14 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14292 machang I whole heartedly agree with most of whats being said. Being a first time voter myself (leaving out the stupid provincials that is) I felt that bit of empowerment when I cast my ballot. However getting to the point that This country has no people many other subliminal often ignored issues hits the head. Ive thought long and hard about em through college and uni. How come these guys are so ignorant.? was the summing up of it. And ive consoled myself with the "islanders" attitude. At least that was the only logical reasoning that made sense. That we lankans live for the day- period. However with maturity ive come to realise that its a genetical disorder. no kidding. the race to be more exact the sinhala race is screwed. And when that comes together with the Bullshit sinhala Buddhist nationalism it jus takes the whole dimension to a different level. And please im NO TAMIL and NO RACIST. you need to understand the underlying factors behnd the thinking. How easliy these people have been fooled through out history. To this day unknowingly they have been governed by the more "superior caste or class of People" . Im ot here to argue its merits or demerits but jus the pure fact that these guys have been so ignorant. From DS to SWRD to Jhon to Dudley To JR to Sirimavo to Chandrika its been the elite who have governed them. And the commoner seems oblivious to the fact or jus doesnt care. And the rationality Plausibiltiy ability to think to think beyod what is, all our factors thats sadly missed this race. And i have no hope for it to get any better. You might wanna check out this comedian george carlin his part six in "back in town" jus explains why the people and not the politicians are the ones that are fucked. Now if this sounds like mere rambling my apoligies. Bored to the core at work and thought il ad my two cents to a "non intellectual"s post (at least im thinking your young enough not to qualify..;) cheers man machang I whole heartedly agree with most of whats being said. Being a first time voter myself (leaving out the stupid provincials that is) I felt that bit of empowerment when I cast my ballot.
However getting to the point that This country has no people many other subliminal often ignored issues hits the head. Ive thought long and hard about em through college and uni. How come these guys are so ignorant.? was the summing up of it. And ive consoled myself with the “islanders” attitude. At least that was the only logical reasoning that made sense. That we lankans live for the day- period. However with maturity ive come to realise that its a genetical disorder. no kidding. the race to be more exact the sinhala race is screwed. And when that comes together with the Bullshit sinhala Buddhist nationalism it jus takes the whole dimension to a different level.
And please im NO TAMIL and NO RACIST. you need to understand the underlying factors behnd the thinking. How easliy these people have been fooled through out history. To this day unknowingly they have been governed by the more “superior caste or class of People” . Im ot here to argue its merits or demerits but jus the pure fact that these guys have been so ignorant. From DS to SWRD to Jhon to Dudley To JR to Sirimavo to Chandrika its been the elite who have governed them. And the commoner seems oblivious to the fact or jus doesnt care.

And the rationality Plausibiltiy ability to think to think beyod what is, all our factors thats sadly missed this race. And i have no hope for it to get any better.
You might wanna check out this comedian george carlin his part six in “back in town” jus explains why the people and not the politicians are the ones that are fucked.

Now if this sounds like mere rambling my apoligies. Bored to the core at work and thought il ad my two cents to a “non intellectual”s post (at least im thinking your young enough not to qualify..;)

cheers man

]]> By: magerata http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14289 magerata Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:43:39 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14289 "when I cast my vote, I felt oddly powerful" I think that summed all up, Gypsy. I too watched the election from beginning to the end and until I saw that Mahinda has won. (I did not even vote but my interest was no less.) Yet I think there were enough citizens who voted, perhaps not the way way you imagined or wanted, but they did. Iranians may have protested there results, so did many Americans when Bush won Florida in 2004, although it was not violent as in Iran. I am glad there were no violent protests in Sri Lanka. You are protesting the very same with your writing but respect the vote of non-citizens as you mentioned them. You will have a chance again to vote again and even to ask for many if you care. But a country without citizens, what are you? Even the real Gypsies are citizens of some country nowadays, from eastern Europe to South East Asia. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and more importantly for casting your vote. “when I cast my vote, I felt oddly powerful” I think that summed all up, Gypsy. I too watched the election from beginning to the end and until I saw that Mahinda has won. (I did not even vote but my interest was no less.)
Yet I think there were enough citizens who voted, perhaps not the way way you imagined or wanted, but they did.
Iranians may have protested there results, so did many Americans when Bush won Florida in 2004, although it was not violent as in Iran. I am glad there were no violent protests in Sri Lanka.
You are protesting the very same with your writing but respect the vote of non-citizens as you mentioned them. You will have a chance again to vote again and even to ask for many if you care.
But a country without citizens, what are you? Even the real Gypsies are citizens of some country nowadays, from eastern Europe to South East Asia.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and more importantly for casting your vote.

]]> By: niranjan http://groundviews.org/2010/02/08/sri-lanka-a-country-without-citizens/#comment-14288 niranjan Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:11:36 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2701#comment-14288 Gypsi Bohemia, Interesting article. Rationality is a huge problem in this country. Differences of opinion are not tolerated. Racism is all over the place. I blame the public and the education system as much as I blame the politicians. Gypsi Bohemia,

Interesting article. Rationality is a huge problem in this country. Differences of opinion are not tolerated. Racism is all over the place. I blame the public and the education system as much as I blame the politicians.

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