Comments on: Accountability and a Political Solution: A Response to Ram Manikkalingam https://groundviews.org/2016/02/14/accountability-and-a-political-solution-a-response-to-ram-manikkalingam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=accountability-and-a-political-solution-a-response-to-ram-manikkalingam Journalism for Citizens Fri, 01 Apr 2016 06:21:43 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.1 By: shan777 https://groundviews.org/2016/02/14/accountability-and-a-political-solution-a-response-to-ram-manikkalingam/#comment-60613 Thu, 18 Feb 2016 07:02:00 +0000 http://groundviews.org/?p=19004#comment-60613 Mr. Manikkalingam’s ideas are more practical. The Sinhalese would not object to devolution of power as long as it is not seen as a threat or a hidden attempt to devide the country. Mr Ankatell on the other hand attempts to polarise the Sinhalese and Tamils with his “transitional justice ‘” which is nothing but punishing Sri Lanka for ending a 26 year war which will make the Sinhalese more hardened. But his method is preferred by the human rights industry who are making a living out of Sri Lanka with no love for the country.

]]> By: Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka https://groundviews.org/2016/02/14/accountability-and-a-political-solution-a-response-to-ram-manikkalingam/#comment-60611 Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:03:00 +0000 http://groundviews.org/?p=19004#comment-60611 Not only is Manikkalingam far better credentialed to understand politics than his critic, his experience of the horrors of the 1980s make him aware, as his critic is not, of the folly of rushing into minefields that angels fear to tread.

]]> By: Observer12389 https://groundviews.org/2016/02/14/accountability-and-a-political-solution-a-response-to-ram-manikkalingam/#comment-60603 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 19:14:00 +0000 http://groundviews.org/?p=19004#comment-60603 I read Mr Manikkalingam’s article. And must say I agree with Mr Anketell. For three reasons:

i) Justice delayed is justice denied. The further along we get the more the voices that call for accountability to be pursued with less vigour. What that means in practise is that fewer cases will be pursued and some criminals that would have been tried getting away. Patently unfair to victims.

ii) Relegating accountability sends a clear message on impunity to Sri Lankans, Asians and the world over. If you have mob support you have a chance to carry out mass crimes and get away with it. To exchange it for a political solution is the ultimate Faustian pact (deal with the devil). That concession now will haunt generations to come as Sri Lanka’s new foundations will be built on sand.

iii) The problem Sri Lankans face has been the same for 70 year. Virulent Buddhist Sinhala nationalist – quite violent and very unrepentant. If you don’t deal with it now (and it really is the best opportunity given the world’s attention on the matter) you never will.

]]> By: Mark Salter https://groundviews.org/2016/02/14/accountability-and-a-political-solution-a-response-to-ram-manikkalingam/#comment-60602 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 17:03:00 +0000 http://groundviews.org/?p=19004#comment-60602 Kudos to Niran Anketell for another excellent piece on transitional justice strategies for Sri Lanka! Here’s hoping the political leadership listens to your sane, timely appeal for proactive messaging and policy-making with regard to the roadmap they envisage for accountability – and indeed, reconciliation – mechanisms in the coming period, and beyond. Mark Salter

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