http://thecarthaginiansolution.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/antony-loewenstein-–-master-of-doublethink/

or http://tinyurl.com/49372a5

A supporter of ‘Tamil Homelands’, arch hypocrite (free speech is OK but not for Sri Lanka), boycotter of SL garments, pro GSP+ suspension and SL cricket team boycotter etc.

If you have proof of SLTB influencing the GLF agenda, let’s see it. After all, anyone can make allegations about anything without having to show proof… a bit like how the typical SL politician behaves, no?

Have I ever claimed that the GLF is critical of the GoSL?

How does it go, David Blacker: “Better to keep your mouth shut……..

David Blacker
I would hesitate to lay a label on anyone, such as yourself, who claims that an agency such as the Tourist Promotion Board, appointed and controlled by the Rajapaksa government, would be free to participate in any event that is even mildly critical of the current regime. Even my naivete doesn’t encompass such a thought, though yours appears to. And that is a kind description of your comment.

As for your “assumption” that I’m part of the boycott, you obviously haven’t read my post very well.

The problem, Amaranath, is that the GLF is not a excavating tool, but a dinner plate; attempting to use it to dig holes is a bit stupid.

Don’t be er… pissu, Poona. The GLF isn’t affiliated to the GoSL. This has been made very clear to everyone:

1. The GoSL has NO say in the programme of the GLF, and never has, and never has attempted to have such a say.
2. The GoSL is a relatively recent sponsor.
3. The GoSL is one of many sponsors, which include the British Council, the Norwegian Embassy, and various other international entities.

All of the above has been completely ignored by you and other supporters of the boycott in favour of making claims of GLF affiliation with the GoSL, possible future control of the GLF by the GoSL, and other flights of fancy. You have not an ounce of evidence of any of it. The only thing you have is this extremely tenuous connection between the GLF and the SLTPB via its sponsorship fee. Under your reasoning, every single thing and event in SL is affiliated to the GoSL, and yet the one thing picked for boycott is the GLF; basically innocent bystanders who probably sympathise with your cause, or at least did until the boycott. Basically the JDS has attempted to bully the GLF with the help of the RSF and has failed miserably. You guys are now trying to defend the indefensible. You look frankly like a bunch of inept idiots.

Perhaps you should stick to cooking, MC 😀 How is “encouraging pluralism and free expression”, which certainly is a part of literature, the same as being “a centre for dissent and free speech”?

“I’m not 100% satisfied with our trip to Galle as I expected to speak to the whole crowd, at least for five minutes,” Sandhya Eknaligoda told the BBC. She didn’t get the chance to do that, but managed to give out some leaflets. – BBC Sinhala

“We believe this is not the right time for prominent international writers like you to give legitimacy to the Sri Lankan government’s suppression of free speech by attending a conference that does not in any way push for greater freedom of expression inside that country.” from the Joint Appeal by RSF/JDS

“Unidentified attackers in Sri Lanka have set fire to the offices of a website critical of the government.” BBC News, South Asia

I, Amarnath Sunderagama, a resident in Colombo, Sri Lanka, refrains from commenting on any of the above quotes, for fear of having to decide the UN award winning HR Activist that Ms. Sunila Abeysekera is, has taken the readers of GV, with its tacit consent, on a blind ride by calling the five year old “spade” a brand new “back-hoe” that could lift more and better, for democracy’s advantage.

Theruwan Saranai,
Amarnath Sunderagama