I was working on my international relations homework when my significant other pointed out a comment by Janapathi on Indi's blog. The comment goes as follows:
“TRUST THEM OR NOT”
How do you know that three-wheel fellow is not a Tamil Terrorist? We have all reasons to suspect every single tamil living around us for our safety. Remember the former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupawahini Wasantha Raja? He is a Tamil Terrorist. The terrorists who represent LTTE in Oslo were practicing, registered lawyers here in Sri Lanka. If your boss is a tamil or your company is belongs to a tamil, you will not know whether the guy is a terrorist or not. You will not know whether he contribute part of his salary/profits to Tamil Terrorist network or not.. You will not know whether he is a spy or not..
If I were you, I will not take that taxi again.
I would rather walk or jammed in to one of our buses or hop around to find a Sri Lankan taxi. It’s fully worth the trouble.
In my sleep deprived state, my initial reaction was to flame the man. Who the fuck was he to call all of us all terrorists, I thought. Common sense, thankfully, took over and in the next half an hour, I wrote the following in response.
Dear Janapathi,
I am Tamil, not a terrorist.
I make a substantial salary for someone of my age, not a cent of which goes to the LTTE. When the A9 was opened, I didn’t travel to Jaffna to see my relatives because I refuse to allow a cent of my money going towards their ‘cause’ – it is not “our” cause.
I believe in harmony across all cultures, religions, castes, <insert idiotic social criterion here>. I do NOT believe in Eelam.
I weep every time brainwashed sheep (martyrs apparently) from the North go around blowing themselves up in the midst of large crowds. I wept when I saw pictures of those who were murdered last week.
I weep when a man, unable to support his family, joins the military and doesn't live to see his sacrifice rewarded. I weep every time a fellow Tamil comes to me and glorifies the acts of a psychotic barbarian; apparently he is ‘our leader' and is fighting for 'our rights'. I weep every time they call him and his band of maniacs 'the sole representative of the Tamil people'.
I weep every time I see comments like yours, but I weep more because I don't blame you – it is only natural to feel threatened and my initial anger at your comments is now replaced by empathy.
I weep because every time I feel empathetic to such comments, I am accused of turning my back on my own people. I weep every time a Tamil says such things, he is branded a traitor. I weep because such ‘traitors’ of greater substance than myself, such as the late great Lakshman Kadhirgamar, are murdered.
I see a soldier's face change when he finds that the young lad in front of him is a Tamil. I weep as I hear his silent thought, 'What if he is one of *them*?"
I weep because I am a Tamil. Not a terrorist. Like me there are others, Tamils not terrorists, who weep at the state of things in this country.
But I look around and I see the proverbial silver lining and I smile.
I smile because my two best friends – as Sinhalese and Buddhist as you can get – treat me like brothers they never had; not a potential terrorist.
I smile because it was a Sinhalese employee at my family’s establishment who willingly donated blood when my grandmother was gravely ill. I smile because we didn’t even ask him. I smile because my family’s establishment has employed people from all backgrounds, including Sinhalese from the south. I smile because they will be the first to tell you that we are Tamils. Not terrorists.
I smile because the love of my life – Sinhalese and Buddhist again – and I will prove people like you wrong. I smile because she was more offended by your comments than I am.
I smile because in us, and others like us, I see the very personification of Gandhi’s profound statement: “We must be the change we wish to see.”
That we are. That we will be.
67 Comments
June 20, 2006 at 4:38 am
First of all, I am almost ashamed to tell you that I do read (and have been reading) your blog since even before I left – and even while I was there and even now… I am, I admit, lazy and never leave a reply…. SO I decided to do that this time around.
Secondly, I am horrified, offended, and miserable at the thought that this (post on which you commented) is what our country has come to. I guess it is because of people like this one of my Sinhalese friends in the US who has a Tamil boyfriend chose not to come home this summer – to quote her exactly “I don’t want to go through that – especially not the way the country is right now”. It saddens me that someone who hasn’t seen her family, friends and home in four years chooses to still stay away – because she doesn’t want to face the scrutiny of a people who are scared and threatened and hence has lost sense of what is truly important.
June 20, 2006 at 4:42 am
Theena: hear, hear!!! You couldn’t have said it better – well done!!
It is unfortunate that we have people who see all Tamils as potential terrorists. I can see where they’re coming from in one sense, but where do you draw the line? If all Tamils = potential terrorists, do any Tamils = innocent? What happened to natural justice? Moreover, if there is initial doubt as to the innocence of Tamils, those who deny that there is a ‘racial divide’ in Sri Lanka – what do they have to say? For instance, how many politicians in the present parliament have the backbone to stand up and call the problem an ‘ethnic conflict,’ instead of a ‘national question?’
Theena, I hope that people like this take note of your comments. It is a voice that obviously needs to be heard. Good on you for writing such. Very rational, very empathetic. Couldn’t have been easy.
June 20, 2006 at 4:50 am
I am not the only one who call “Tamil Terrorists”. Let me explain the basis for this generalization.
1. It is LTTE Terrorists who call themselves represent all Tamils. No tamil that I know except the ex-TNA and anti-LTTE tamil political parties have openly denied that statement or issued a statement saying not to generalize.
2. It is BBC and International Media published news, for example, Sri Lankan Army bombing TAMIL bases. Why didn’t you write anything at that time?
Anyway, you can think whatever you wish to.
It is LTTE who is claiming that they represent you. It is Tamils living around you who fund Terrorism in Sri Lanka. It is Tamils around you who killed people like Mr. Lakshman Kadiragarmer. It is Tamils around you who bombed central bank, It is Tamils like the publisher of Tamilnet who lived around you in Colombo who started the LTTE media network.
They all say that they represent Tamils in Sri Lanka.
If ask, all these pro-LTTE and anti-LTTE tamil political parties do say clearly that they are discriminated by SINHALESE. Now isn’t that a generalization? At that time I was wondering exactly like you.. why Tamils in Sri Lanka say that they are discriminated?
When LTTE claim that they represent Tamils and the same LTTE is a wellknown Terrorist Organization, where do you stand in this definition? I wonder!
I know.. getting labeled as a Terrorists is not comfortable.. Similarly, getting labeled as a sinhala chauvinist also not so comfortable.
Janapathi
June 20, 2006 at 4:55 am
Damn good post. Hear hear! Kudos to you for having the will and courage to say the LTTE’s cause is not your own. There are too few who openly denounce the LTTE for fear of weakening their negotiating position, even if they don’t agree with them at heart.
June 20, 2006 at 5:03 am
I am a (indian) tamil muslim and it rouses my anger to hear people laugh when I say that.India being divided into states based on language we identify ourselves as such. Here, I find people find it strange that I say I am Tamil, muslim.To me that is strange,and I refuse to stop saying it just becos i’m here ,where tamils are not given their due.
June 20, 2006 at 5:11 am
lame attemp janapathi, lame attempt…
Castedeus has already said what I want to say (in much better words because when I saw your comment on Indi’s blog my thoughts were, well let’s just say, not very nice). But let me also say this. If this is the kind of thinking you promote, then you will never survive, let alone in Sri Lanka but anywhere in the world.
And being labeled as a “Sinhala Chauvinist” is a choice YOU MADE CONCIOUSLY whereas being labeled as a terrorist is something many Tamils did not ask for. So if it is not so comfortable for you, (you poor chauvinist you), I’m afraid there’s no one to come and keep you company. Janapathi, your ‘basis’ sounds like a broken record.
June 20, 2006 at 5:18 am
“1. It is LTTE Terrorists who call themselves represent all Tamils. No tamil that I know except the ex-TNA and anti-LTTE tamil political parties have openly denied that statement or issued a statement saying not to generalize.”
You base your generalisation on an entire demographic based on the position taken by political parties and terrorist organization?. News flash: political parties comprise of idiots who appeal to idiots. Thus, you are taking the word of idiots seriously. I have a solution: get to know us by interacting with us, not by the word of some idiot politician.
2. “It is BBC and International Media published news, for example, Sri Lankan Army bombing TAMIL bases. Why didn’t you write anything at that time?”
If you can be more coherent with what it is you are trying to say, then I will respond to that. Right now my understanding of that statement is that BBC covered SL army’s bombing of LTTE bases, which should have prompted me to write something. I don’t know. Clarify your statement.
“It is LTTE who is claiming that they represent you.”
And I am, along with a surprising number of Tamils, telling you, they don’t. Please refer my earlier statement.
“It is Tamils living around you who fund Terrorism in Sri Lanka. It is Tamils around you who killed people like Mr. Lakshman Kadiragarmer.”
Did I say that they didn’t? Read my original response.
“When LTTE claim that they represent Tamils and the same LTTE is a wellknown Terrorist Organization, where do you stand in this definition? I wonder!”
I believe my original response answered this question. Do you ever read?
June 20, 2006 at 5:21 am
Well said, Theena.
More power to you for not hiding behind politically correct speech and for sharing your thoughts clearly on the subject. Very well said. More positive people like you are the key to peace in this country. Hope you managed to complete you paper amidst all this and hope your grandmother is better now.
June 20, 2006 at 5:27 am
Reading your comment at indi’s blog brought a tear to my eye. Despite that I was compelled to respond to this Janapathi idiot, which I did.
We need more Tamils like you to voice their thoughts and share their good experiences with all, in order to unite this country.
I am also a sinhalease buddhist but I’ve met so many tamils from Jaffna whom I’ve made freinds with and still keep in touch.
Some of my father’s best friends are tamils. We need to bring out that spirit of brotherliness more often and more vigourously.
Keep on posting!
And Janapathi, again, SHUT THE FUCK UP!
June 20, 2006 at 5:34 am
Very well said Theena. It puts into words a lot of the social harmony we observe on a daily basis in our everyday lives, but which some of us quickly tuck away in the face of increasing anti-tamil sentiment in the country. I am a Sinhalese-Buddhist. Some of my very best friends are Tamil. Not Terrorists. The same go for their fathers, who earn a hard living, and simply detest the people who are quick to assume that some of that money go into blood-stained LTTE coffers.
Again, just…well said. Much respect, and kudos on a well strung peice. It definitely resonated inside….a personal thought string
June 20, 2006 at 5:53 am
Theena,
It was an interesting read & it warmed my heart to hear after a long time, a Tamil say “LTTE is not my saviour.”
Tears aside I do very big BUTS…….
How come when a bomb goes off in cmb, there are no Tamil casualties?
How come when a bomb goes off, Tamil workers are at home on leave?
I have been told there is a network happening among the Tamils. They get the word of a bomb before-hand, so they get to stay away from the city & save themselves.
That got me thinking into how inhumane all Tamils are? Because if the situation was reversed, I know I will have to at least tell my closest Tamil friends,to stay away from the City on that particular day.
I am in no way attacking you. I am merely confused to hear a Tamil say openely that she doesn’t support the LTTE??
By the way if there are any typos etc they were kept deliberately for the nitpickers.
June 20, 2006 at 6:15 am
Janapathi, I can claim to represent you, I can claim to represent all Sri Lankans, I can claim to represent the terrorised citizens of Nicaragua or the families of Palestinians killed in Israeli fire. Hell, I can claim to represent the world! But that DOES NOT MEAN that I do represent them! We can claim whatever we like. It is up to others with the simplest powers of reason (not that you really need that to determine this) to determine who truly represents who and who doesn’t. I’m sure you will agree with me on this.
Thus, the LTTE can claim to represent anyone but that changes nothing in truth. If Prabhakaran wakes up tomorrow morning and issues a media release that he is waging a war against the State as he believes the status quo is incapable and thus he is a more capable representative, would you accept him as your representative? I would think not. How is this any different from the millions of Tamils that do not believe the LTTE represents their true interests?
You question the fact that Tamils have been marginalised. What is your take on the Sinhala Only policy (1956), the abrogation of the Banda-Chelva (1957) & Sena-Chelva (1965) Pacts? I’m sure you love the Constitution of 1972 so I won’t even go there. Revisit the colonial past and how nationalism against the British marginalised the Tamils. Refer xenophobic rhetoric by A.E. Goonasingha.
Janapathi, I’m sure you will see reason.
June 20, 2006 at 6:16 am
"How come when a bomb goes off in cmb, there are no Tamil casualties?"
Are you forensic expert or someone working with law enforcement? I need figures to back that statement up.
"How come when a bomb goes off, Tamil workers are at home on leave?"
I wouldn't know. This is the first time I heard of an entire demographic being absent from work prior to a terrorist attack.
"I have been told there is a network happening among the Tamils. They get the word of a bomb before-hand, so they get to stay away from the city & save themselves."
Conspiracy theories- you've gotta love 'em. Everyone I know, go to work with the same uncertainty that other citizens of Colombo experience. By the way, my dad was out near Slave Island when the Brigadier was attacked. If there is a "network", then my family and most Tamil people I know are not apart of it.
"That got me thinking into how inhumane all Tamils are?"
Your entire post has got me thinking on the power of rumours and conspiracies. Thank you.
"I am in no way attacking you. I am merely confused to hear a Tamil say openely that she doesn’t support the LTTE??"
I am in no way attacking you either. I am merely confused to hear such statements. Judging by the way you write, you sound an educated person – how such a person can so easily buy conspiracies whilst giving out statements such as 'No Tamils report to work before an attack' is baffling.
Also, Tina =girl/woman, Theena=boy/man.
June 20, 2006 at 6:33 am
Hi Theena,
Actually I am SORRY about how YOU felt about my post. Not the other bunch of hooters who picked on your post and tried to act so MODERATE.
I’m telling you again. I can not help. I gave you my reasons. For me, when travel around Colombo, I have to look around and avoid certain places. If I tell you more on this, my Cousin was in that Dehiwala train that they bombed. He was in the unit that they kept one bomb. If he was suspicious, I am sure we could have saved many lives.
They make the bombs in Colombo. This 3-wheeler guy could have easily one of them. I ask YOU. How do you know if he is NOT one of them?
I think you, people like Mr. Kadiragarmer, Mr. Neelan Theruchelvam are very rear examples.
So don’t get upset anymore.
Janapathi
June 20, 2006 at 6:41 am
“Rear” examples huh? My advice is, go to a corner and kiss YOUR rear end. Might be of help. Janapathi is a perfect example for Sinhalese Extremist Mindfuck.
June 20, 2006 at 6:46 am
Thanks Sach..
You are welcome!
I said many times… Call me an Sinhalese Extremist .. I do not mind. Why don’t you learn how to express your views in a web readable format than hooting around?
So if we call for a referendum to see who is the representative of Tamil people living in Sri Lanka, what do you think? Who will win? Mahinda or Ranil..
June 20, 2006 at 6:59 am
[...] Theena Kumaragurunathan [...]
June 20, 2006 at 7:03 am
It appears to me that Janapathi’s views on Tamils are as extreme as can be. I find it rather depressing to see that he appears quite intelligent yet can hold views most people consider offensive. Just because the LTTE claims to represent all Tamils doesn’t mean that all Tamils are terrorists.
It really is that simple.
June 20, 2006 at 7:14 am
How do you differentiate a terrorist from a normal person? For example, finding next week that the guy lived next door was the suicide bomber, the three-wheeler indi went in used for another mission? How do you know?
All the past attacks they planned and executed in Colombo. Not in North of Sri Lanka.
June 20, 2006 at 7:25 am
Indi, if only you didn’t mention the tuk tuk ride. =)
June 20, 2006 at 7:26 am
Well Janapathi, you may find this concept a bit radical but what I try to do is judge individual people as I find them.
I find your views extreme, offensive and negative, but they are your views and you are entiteld to hold them. I would buy you a drink and chat happily if we ever met.
The thing I don’t do is to think that your views are the views of all Sinhala people or think that any Sinhalese will agree with you until they have proven otherwise.
June 20, 2006 at 7:36 am
Theena, I wish more people like you would take an active stand and denounce the LTTE as being the self proclaimed saviours of the Tamil people. While it is commendable that on this forum you have made a stand it would be better if you made your comments more public than this via a letter to the editor of a newspaper perhaps. You may be perhaps a small minute majority of people willing to take a stand but much more than that is needed. Up to now the only (major) voice of opposition we hear against the LTTE is that of the sinhalese who are often portrated as warmongering anti peace rabid chauvanistic sinhala nationalists, perhaps if there are more vociferous Tamils like you who could publicly proclaim that the LTTE is not representative of the Tamil people then the situation may be slightly different.
I used to have friends and acquainatnces who were tamils and we used to have our OGA meetings at one house where we used to ptay for peace in the country etc etc all the while her husband was a volounteer at EElam house. The sheer hypocracy of this made me baulk. Here we are praying for peace in the country while the lady of the house and her family were supporting the LTTE. Not only her most of the Tamils of that Group were of a similar mind frame. Some refused to stand when the national anthem of Sri Lanka was being played. But they would pray for peace and talk about the acts of violence etc etc. Sorry if I digressed but my point is that tamil people who are against the LTTE should do somthing about airing the fact that they do not want the LTTE to be their self appointed saviours, without just thinking about it.
OK I can understand that in Sri Lanka the situation is rather dicey. If Theena were to stand up and made a public announcement he/she may risk an LTTEr buming her/him off.
Now I am sure there are many more people like Theena who live in the UK for example.. But upto now not a single group of Tamils have come forward to even demonstrate of campaign against the LTTE. There is no restriction for them to organise a campaign here, unlike in Sri Lanka where the threat to them by LTTErs is far greater. When the London March against LTTE terrorism took place there were hardly any tamils that participated.
Even recently at the Refreshingly Sri Lankan event one was hardpressed to find tmails but the LTTE supporters were there handing out leaflets with grotesque pictures accusing the sinhala people of butchery.
Perhaps the confidence in people like Janapathi would be restored if people like Theena banded together and denounced terrorism even via newspaper coloumns rather than remain in complete silence.
June 20, 2006 at 7:55 am
Assuming that at least a large majority of these posts were submitted by non tamil writers it highlights that non tamils are quick to negate the comments made by janapathi who sounds a ranting and raving nationalist. However when Prabhakaran does worse things that write a post like janapathi, we hardly hear any tamils writing or even speaking against him! So I suppose I can see where Janapathi is coming from.
June 20, 2006 at 8:13 am
Janapathi, I have one more questions for you.
My birth certificate says I’m a Sinhala Buddhist. Now, if I were to marry my Tamil (and Hindu) boyfriend and take his last name as well, what does that make me in your book? A terrorist? A traitor? Or do I remain one of the ‘good’ ones?
June 20, 2006 at 8:17 am
Dear ‘Just another person,’
If you wish to base your beliefs on what you “have heard,” that is just another sad state of affairs. How about basing your beliefs and comments on what you have researched and informed opinion instead of baseless rumours? Is that not what education is about, surely???
How do you explain the killings of so many Tamils: Kadirgarmar, Thiruchelvam, Amirthalingham, Dhurraiappah, Yogeswaran, Thiranagama, Mahattaya, Sabaratnam and the rest of TELO, along with so many unnamed Tamils? Explain that. Or have you “heard” another fascinating story, like they committed suicide? You should take to writing novels: guaranteed best sellers… good luck!
June 20, 2006 at 8:19 am
To Rhythmic Diaspora
“Well Janapathi, you may find this concept a bit radical but what I try to do is judge individual people as I find them.
I find your views extreme, offensive and negative, but they are your views and you are entiteld to hold them. I would buy you a drink and chat happily if we ever met.
The thing I don’t do is to think that your views are the views of all Sinhala people or think that any Sinhalese will agree with you until they have proven otherwise. ”
This is what we want in Sri Lanka. People like you and me who can express totally different views and then can go for a pint of “Kitul Ra” in a truly sri lankan style and then dance on street like the way we do in our annual school cricket battles.
Not to go and bomb each other.
I do not mind people calling Janapathi extremists. Who cares right?
Like twos have said.. and I repeat.
Our Sri Lankans here are so MODERATE or they are WEB MODERATE.
They think they are safe and in a safe heaven. Well, I know a person who went to work thinking exactly like them on the day of the Central Bank bomb. Sadely, she did not return home till today.
She was my best friends mother. When the news came up, we were at IDM sitting next to each other.
I remember!
June 20, 2006 at 8:19 am
Twos,
Think of this: any Tamil who opposes the LTTE publicly is killed. Refer the list of names I have given above. Is this not why they died? I hope that provides a line of thought for your queries as to why few (not no) Tamils speak out against the Tigers.
June 20, 2006 at 8:26 am
easiest way to recognize extremists of any political shade is their conscious or unconscious equating of tamils with ltte.
sinhala extremists who think defeating ltte means defeating tamils,
ltte who claim they are the sole voice of the tamils,
tamil extremists who think any criticism of ltte is criticism of themselves.
peaceniks who identify tamil interests with ltte interests, and justify appeasement of ltte on that ground, starting with recognizing ltte’s sole representative status
it also is a good indicator of bias in journalists and others who interchange words tigers with tamils frequently within news reports.etc.
opposite position, identification of all sinhalese as chauvinists ready to kill tamils at any moment (in spite of many examples to the contrary in the last 20 years)is also common with certain categories of same type of ppl. esp biased foreign journalists , ltte supporters in tamil diaspora, and it seems with the three wheel driver referred in indi’d post.
it is also the main basis of the current ltte strategy which aims to provoke a backlash by attacking military or civilians.
that these two assumptions are false for the vast majority of ppl is also why that strategy will fail.
June 20, 2006 at 8:37 am
I can not reply to each individual post here. It’s too many moderate bloggers in Sri Lanka vs 1 extremist blogger called Janapathi.
So let Janapathi ask a general question.
Apart from ex-TNA and EPDP group, name 10 Tamil Leaders who oppose LTTE and openly back the government.
Can you?
June 20, 2006 at 8:46 am
I am 23 and until recently have insulated myself from SL politics as much as possible. My response to your orignial post reflects this state of naivity. Therefore, pardon me for not being able to come up with 10 names. I will, instead, give you two: the late Lakshman Kadhirgamar and Dr Neelum Thiruchelvam. As far as I know, they were never innvolved with TNA or EPDP and were open proponents of the government.
Having said that, I ask of you again: why you do base your opinion of an entire people on their political parties? Using that as a gauge is silly at best.
June 20, 2006 at 8:50 am
Ok..the two greats are already dead.. now let’s name another 8 living with us today.. guys.. come on.. give me 8 names..
June 20, 2006 at 8:55 am
And again, you refuse to answer a question that I ask of you? Why is that – the political party or parties of a demographic – important for you in determining whether they are all terrorists?
Read for Christ’s sake.
June 20, 2006 at 10:18 am
Well, let me first say I didn’t read any of the comments posted by anyone else (I prefer to be a virgin (Not to be taken in a sexual sense) writer who does not get influenced by others).
One of my observations is that this guy weeps quite a lot. I guess it takes a big man to cry (as the over-used, often misunderstood saying goes). I’ve seen this guy, and I am bigger than him. Does that mean I have the freedom to laugh at him when he weeps? You must carry around a lot of handkercheifs around with you, or a big box of tissues, or like my friend (who, for reasons unknown to me, will remain anonymous), a roll of toilet paper, the latter of which is very useful in various situations.
Anyway, back to the subject, I agree with Theena in all he says, although I haven’t seen him weeping at any time due to any of the reasons he pointed out. Ok, ok… That’s the last time I’ll mention the weeping.
My girlfriend is a Tamil with mixed roots (parents from the North and the Hill country is all the detail I’ll give) and my parents are from the same school of thought as “Janapathi” (boos and hisses to be entered here for the theatrical production of this blog) and are vehemently opposed to my relationship. (Oh, I am a Sinhalese, by the way. I don’t think if I was, it would be much of a problem to my parents, unless we are some strange alien species and we should not mingle among this particular race of people) Well, enough about my boring life… What about that weeping? I was laughing my head off when I read how many things he wept about. “Ha Ha Haaaa!!”, I said, repeatedly. (Sorry, got a bit carried away there. Remind me to hit myself in the head for that)
I beleive that there should be a call to end the persecution of innocent Tamils in the country and start attacking those who despite having the authority to do things, don’t do anything about the terrorist problems in Sri Lanka. I am a firm beleiver that the US army being here and wiping out the psychos from the north would be a great idea.
Then we’ll all be
June 20, 2006 at 10:24 am
Oh, yeah, and he smiles a lot too, at the end. Maybe his way of balancing the scales. Bravo!
Oh, and he weeps more than he smiles
The count stands at
Weep – 13 times
Smile – 9 times
June 20, 2006 at 10:55 am
Janapathi, it’s simple really Tamil and terrorist are not interchangeble words. You sound paranoid my friend
June 20, 2006 at 1:37 pm
The LTTE is a Sri Lankan terrorist outfit. There is no such thing as a “Tamil” terrorist. My President (India) is a Tamil, so is the President of Singapore. So Janapathi, the next time you think of the terms “Tamil” and terrorists together, pause and think really hard again.
Also think how Tamils are living in peace in India, Malaysia, South Africa and Singapore as a minority but not in yout Buddhist nation? Have you done anything wrong?
It’s easy to spread hate, let’s work on love and respect. It’s tough but worth it.
June 20, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Grow up Ni!
June 20, 2006 at 3:53 pm
my point exactly mutiny!
June 20, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Discussion here much better than Indi’s blog discussion. I can see more peaceful talk (not peace talk) – may be Theenas Soft approach makes people calm down first. But still I see some people talk about intercourse and Janapathi’s mama. Those are the same people who is capable of mentions Theena’s mama and his father’s tribe IF found reason to do so.
I was in south when south had armed rebel. But I’m not one of them. But do I expect any one not to suspect me as one of them in that rebellion time? No I don’t. But I hope since I’m one of ‘good guys’ – they will treat me better. But real world is not like that.
Theena and Janapathis is both creation of the war – they are NOT creators of the war. I agree with Janapathi’s points as long as he stands in nonviolence point. Practically it is hard to suspect every Tamil person because we have so many around us… But if we do, it does not bring no harm – but good for everyone (again conditioning to nonviolence).
But flame Janapathi for peace & tribal harmony is like fucking for virginity.
I’m glade Theena had half an hour for himself before flame Janapathi. That half one hour draw an good line between violent Theena and intelligent Theena. I think most of us here need to use that half an hour in our life.
June 20, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Theena,
Do you know that your blog is / was on WordPress’s Top 10 Fastest Growing?
Castadeus,
Twos has a point about not many tamils openly rejecting the LTTE. One reason, as you mentioned is the fear of violence from the LTTE. But what about online? You don’t need to fear a reprisal on-line, do you?
What Theena just did is rare. Hence, the reaction. A lot of the time, even moderate Tamils have a hard time openly bringing themselves to denounce the LTTE.
Aadhavan says on my blog:
“I don’t know whether the LTTE represents me.Does Mahinds represent you? the government only engages the LTTE in negotiations on peace and resolving the ethnic conflict.i.e – the problem of the Tamils and their intraction with the state which is predominantly influenced by Sinhalese. So by default, my interests are left to be represented by the LTTE.”
http://ravana.wordpress.com/2006/06/15/give-the-sinhalese-a-fcking-break/
June 21, 2006 at 12:34 am
If Tamils are not terrorists who are these TNA people.. We know they are not LTTE? where they stand in your definitions.. I can not believe why you guys can not understand who is who?
Explain..
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Source: Colombo Page
June 20, Colombo: Parliamentary sessions were adjourned this morning as a heated argument broke out between JVP and TNA parliamentarians over the one minute of silence to express condolences to the families of the Kebithigollewa victims.
JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa made a special statement in Parliament in condemnation of the massacre in Kebithigollewa and requested MPs to observe a one-minute silence. All MPs agreed and observed the silence, but TNA MPs Eelavendran and Gajendran claimed that it was unfair to observe a one-minute silence only for Sinhalese victims.
All the TNA MPs then entered the lobby and started to protest, causing the government and JVP MPs to also enter the lobby. A heated argument went on for nearly thirty minutes.
Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara subsequently decided to postpone sessions for 15 minutes.
June 21, 2006 at 12:46 am
Hi all,
Unfortunately no one manage to list down 10 living tamil leaders in south with us who oppose LTTE openly.
Instead, most of them showed the lack of facts by typing the 4 letter word to cover themselves in a shameful manner.
I already list the incident that took place in our parliament yesterday. Now please allow me to express more facts to defend my stand on this. From here onwards, if any comments without facts or a logical argument will be ignored.
Let me start..
TNA is not LTTE.
LTTE is ALL TAMIL
TNA is ALL TAMIL
LTTE is a terrorist group
TNA support LTTE
Any tamil person is free to support TNA
Now can you say TNA is not terrorists? If TNA is part of a terrorist group, then what about the TNA members?
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TRO is not LTTE.
TRO is a registered NGO
LTTE is ALL TAMIL
TRO is ALL TAMIL
LTTE is a terrorist group
TRO fund LTTE
Any tamil person can fund TRO.
Now can you say TRO is not terrorists? If TRO is part of a terrorist network then what about the people who sent funds to them?
All logical constructive comments will be answered.
June 21, 2006 at 1:35 am
Ravana,
We would only be fooling ourselves if we genuinely believed that Sri Lankan blogosphere was truly representative of its wider demographics. This is true for the minority of bloggers. Try count the number of them on Kottu.org and compare this with the wider population.
Sri Lanka is a developing country with more than half the population not able to even communicate in the English language, let alone know how to use a computer. For those that do know how to use computers, how many of those are actually into blogging? Think: plantation Tamils, northeast Tamils, older generation, younger generation who have not even heard of the term ‘blog’ – and oh yes, I know quite a few of them. Blogging is part of a new/emerging culture of alternate media voices. It potentially creates a cyborg, which I believe, is a healthy way to transgress the social inhibitions within conservative or repressive polities.
As great as blogs are and as much as I fervently hope that this is a way forward, we should take caution not to get ahead of ourselves.
June 21, 2006 at 7:42 am
Yup. I’m a Tamil too and I feel exactly the same as you do.
Couldnt have said it better bro !
June 21, 2006 at 8:43 am
So you are a male? Oops Sorry for the gender mix-up. The Language one is used to can play tricks on one’s mind sometimes.
Once, when I was visiting SL there was a major bomb blast. There was a hospital in the town I stayed with two Tamil Dr’s working. Both of them didn’t turn up for work on that particular day, one even had an operation scheduled for that day. The reason they gave the next day was- one was sick & the other had to go to the parent teacher meeting?? Before anyone come roaring at me, I have to mention this is one story among many.
I was also told — the first thing the Sinhala teachers (in schools) do is check if the Tamil teachers are absent, on any given day.
If you haven’t heard of these stories then all I can say is may be you have lived/are living a sheltered life. Lucky you!
About Tamil casualties – Without asking me for proof, why don’t you do some research on your own? There has to be a place in SL where you have access to victims’ names. Surely they are available to the public if requested?
On of the posters said the reason for the Tamils to be silent is due to fear of reprisal by the LTTE. I can understand that. But then why don’t we see those Tamils in the anonymity of the net (forums)?
Castedeus———
Enlighten me as to how I can make those informed decisions? Where do I go for my research? Tamil Net? SPUR?
Where exactly does one find unbiased articles? From my experience it’s which party spoke to which journalist first.
Your second paragraph is too childish to warrant an answer by me.
June 21, 2006 at 9:34 am
Dear ‘Just another person,’
I have done a fair amount of research, thank you. Since it is apparent that you’re not someone who has lived in Sri Lanka for very long, I wonder who is living a ’sheltered life,’ as you so elequently put it. Still on the subject of research however, if you truly believe that you can research these matters off Tamilnet or SPURH or for that matter merely from journalists who have spoken to politicians, I’m afraid you will really have to look a lot further than that. Try academics as opposed to depending on reported speach from mainstream journalists. Try reading some scholarly work on the subject and perhaps forge an informed opinion, as opposed to depending on heresay.
You refer to my second paragraph and comment that it is ‘too childish’ to warrent a response. I am amused that you side-step precisely that section but speak of victims’ names in the line before that. Of course I would assume that you did not realise that the list of names I have provided in that ‘childish’ paragraph consists entirely of TAMIL victims of the LTTE? Go pick up a book!
June 21, 2006 at 9:37 am
‘Just another person,’
With regard to your question as to why you do not see those Tamils in the anonymity of net forums, refer my prior comments on cyber culture and Sri Lanka…. may provide some food for thought.
June 21, 2006 at 9:49 am
Castadeus – Spare me the lecture on demography. Despite your asserion that not enough Tamils will be represented here on the blogosphere, I believe that there would be larger than proportional representation of Tamils who have access to the internet. This is because of the large Tamil diaspora who have similar levels of internet access as the countries that they live in, and also their Tamil friends and relatives in Sri Lanka who place greater emphasis on internet access because they want to keep in touch with them.
I think more people should be educated about blogs even among internet users, as most people don’t know what they are, even at office. My project for the month is telling people about kottu.
Just another person – I know only one person that died in the Central Bank bomb blast and he was a Tamil gentleman married to a Sinhalese. His son was in my class. Also, in the Wilpattu landmine explosion a few weeks ago, there was a Tamil couple killed. I have never heard this theory of yours before, but it echoes a similar story about Jews that went around via email forwards after 9/11. Are you sure about your information?
June 21, 2006 at 11:12 am
I’m going to stick my neck out.
I have just made a post about this on my blog. Here it is,
Many of you might be wondering why I have Thema’s blog on our links section. The simple answer is that I was very moved by her post; “Tamil. Not a Terrorist.”
The longer answer is that I have always been interested in Sri Lanka. Right from my childhood days, when my grandmother would narrate the Ramayana each night before bed. What got be really hooked on however was the 1987 IPKF (India lost 2,000 soldiers) and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
Pre-1983, Sri Lanka had everything going for it, it was one of the fastest growing economies in the region and it’s potential as a tourist and shipping hub was immense. I’m not going to go into the details of why civil war broke and who is the blame. There is fault on the part of every side involved (including India’s role).
But lesions can be learned.
The Singhalese have to realise that the only chance they have to winning against the LTTE is by winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Tamils. You need to work together for a Sri Lankan identity regardless of ethnicity. Singapore is a good example.
The Tamils have to understand that terrorism can’t solve anything. The LTTE is a terror organisation. Anyone who supports the LTTE is not human. Have the courage to stand-up against them; they have given you nothing but a bad reputation and a lot of children without fathers and mothers.
June 21, 2006 at 3:40 pm
[...] Many of you might be wondering why I have Thema’s blog on our links section. The simple answer is that I was very moved by her post; “Tamil. Not a Terrorist.” [...]
June 22, 2006 at 4:27 am
Ravana, I agree with you on the need to create awareness on blogging and to encourage wider participation. Totally with you on that. Proportional representation: I’m not so sure yet but will be convinced, once we bloggers join hands to take this new culture to the people.
I will keep this short as I’m still in mourning over the passing of Peace:( May the force be with you.
June 22, 2006 at 5:07 am
I believe that blogging and bloggers have the potential to be very influential voices in society. You have to, however, put it in context; in a country like ours, where net access is so low and computer literacy is relatively low, blogs might not be taken seriously in the short-medium term. In the US, it was dismissed as another tool for geeks so you can imagine the reaction in SL.
Castedeus, I shall join thee in thy mournig for Peace.
RIP Peace.
June 22, 2006 at 5:15 am
Castedeus,
Firstly, are you Theena’s mouthpiece or are you his guardian angle?
You are quoting me addressing Theena & in doing so, you sound offended??
You sound like a person so up himself/herself , a Mr Knowitall. You are jumping at me to attack every sentence I wrote but did not/cannot provide any links or books I might want to read to find the truth . Why is that?
Yet with all that, you couldn’t see what I meant about your second paragraph So I’ll spell it out to you. All those Tamils you mentioned were public figures openly opposing the Tigers.So was that a valid account on your part? I was referring to the ordinary every day Tamils. By the way where did that post of yours vanish to?
““Try reading some scholarly work on the subject & perhaps forge an informed opinion””
Name one such source! You say you have done a fair amount of research, so share some with me then.
I came here to see the other side of the story, & looks like I am getting hammered by yet another tiger in disguise.
“”With regard to your question as to why you do not see those Tamils in the anonymity of the forums refer my prior comments on cyber culture & Sri Lanka””
Does SL Tamils live only in SL?
This shows your immaturity. I know this much. In SL internet is not cheap, so unless you are rich or have access to the net from workplace you have limited exposure.
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Ravana,
If I was sure abt the info I posted, then I would’ve stomped my feet & shouted this is the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth.
I am confused to many aspects of what’s happening in Lanka. The LTTE voice on the net is far louder than any Sinhala voice. And the ‘rumours’ I wrote in earlier posts, were not divulged by housewives, but by ppl of standing.
June 22, 2006 at 5:34 am
“Name one such source! You say you have done a fair amount of research, so share some with me then.”
“Reaping the Whirlwind” by Professor K M De Silva. Published by Penguin, available in Amazon. ISBN: 0-14-027065-5.
I am currently reading this. Not sure if you have, not sure if you are bothered really, but its by an eminent scholar – not a politician, thank fuck. I don’t get into political debates with most people when the sources they cite begin with the sentence, “I heard from this man…..”
More often than not, this man is nothing more than a pawn in the game of fear mongering. We have them on both sides; the sooner we tell them to go fuck themselves with Jehan Mubarak’s under-utlized bat, the better.
“And the ‘rumours’ I wrote in earlier posts, were not divulged by housewives, but by ppl of standing.”
Then you will do your argument a great deal of good by telling us who these “ppl of standing” are. You asked Castedeus for a source, and I pointed you towards a person of great learning and “standing” as you put it so eloquently.
Now its your turn.
Oh and Castedeus is not my guardian angel.
June 22, 2006 at 7:01 am
Hi fellow bloggers, (Pls. excuse any typos etc,….. I’m @ work)
Hat’s off 2 u guys on some constructive dialogue on a very touchy issue…… specially THEENA! and the the regulars castedeus, etc. i feel JANAPATHI and the “JUST ANOTHER PERSON” who seem to be educated and whom i think we could have a constructive chat in the end are SOOOOOO….. BLIND AND CHOOOOOSE 2 ACT DUMB….. and refuse 2 accept the fact that there r tamils who r not terrorists and give the LAMEST EXCUSES like bringing in POLITICS AND RUMORS into the picture….. guys i’m not analysing each & every word u guys say BUT 4 GOD’S SAKE dont fall for what POLITICIANS AND RUMORS and DONT JUDGE PEOPLE based on those……i’m not a tamil but i’m always mistaken for one i’m an aitheist, i dont belive in religion, race, etc…… we are human beings FIRST ……….. sinhalese, tamils, muslims, christians ETC. , sri lankan, american, african, asians ETC, …………ALL HAVE A BRAIN, LIMBS, HEART, THE SAME RED BLOOLD THAT RUN IN ALL OUR BODIES……. nobody is PERFECT people make MISTAKES…… both tamils and sinhalese…. and all others!!!!!! JANAPATHI i think what u have is a PHOBIA of TAMILS which i hope DONT DEVELOP INTO AN EXTREAM CASE OF PHOBIA. like the PHANATIC IN THE NORTH WHO HAS AN EXTREAM PHOBIA OF SINHALESE PEOPLE that’s the only explanation that i can figure out………….
Blogg on dudes & dudeds……..TC.
June 22, 2006 at 8:49 pm
Dear ‘Just another person,’
Firstly I think I will duly apologise for my aggression. After all, yours is an opinion and you have every right to have it. From what you say about wanting to see another side of the story but getting hammered instead, I get what you’re saying and I apologise again. Ok you wanted sources. Nira Wickremasinghe’s Oxford Phd thesis published as a book titled “Ethnic Politics in Colonial Sri Lanka” is a piece of work I would recommend to get an idea of the very early beginnings of the ethnic divide. Sinha Ratnatunga’s “Politics of Terrorism: The Sri Lanka Experience” should give you a look at proliferation of the ethnic divide (linguistic marginalisation etc) of the post independence era. J.N. Dixit (former Indian High Commissioner in SL) wrote a book called Assignment Colombo. It offers an outside (Indian) view of the internal politics that impeded the peace process. N.R. Narayan Swamy’s “Inside An Illusive Mind” is a gripping read if you wanted a perspective of the LTTE and the megalomania of Prabhakaran. It also relates how the Tigers were armed by the Sri Lankan state so as to combat the IPKF. Rohan Gunaratna has written a series of books on the Sri Lankan conflict, from a terrorist perspective and Indian intervention. Neil Devotta has written a fair amount on linguistic marginalisation – some of his work is online. Try ‘google’ it out. Political commentators include Jayadeva Uyangoda, who contributes to http://www.focuslanka.org and Jehan Perera, who is also a columnist for the Island. Of course, you will form you rown opinions from these works that may differ markedly from mine., Additionally, Theena has provided you with a source.
‘Just another,’ I will not vent any longer as it is up to us general citizens to take this nation forward and nothing will be achieved by disparaging others. I think you would find this stuff to be compelling reading. If anyone has anything else, I suggest we put it out. Guess its the best way to get to know the different angles to this conflict. Its always better to get to know from books and such sources than to believe what x, y and z tells us.
I’m amused that you think that I am yet another Tiger in disguise, when you have no clue as to my ethnicity. But that’s ok, I don’t hold it against you. Look, let’s just communicate and share sides of the story so we can all learn from one another. And I didn’t remove any post of mine from anywhere so I’m a bit lost on that, sorry. With regard to blogging, I had commented previously on here to the effect that blogging is not exactly what we can call a ubiquitous culture as yet. But I hope it gets there. Theena and I have never met, ‘Just another.’ Generally, the way I suspect anyway, participants in forums such as this support each other if at all, on ideals.
No hard feelings buddy. After all, we’re all in mourning together over the passing of Peace!:(
June 23, 2006 at 3:12 am
Thank you, poetlost & castedeus for the info.I have already googled them to find what will appeal to me.
Sorry if I called you a tiger in disguise castedeus, I am not that much of a blogger but I am a massive forum hopper. All you see is tigers ,cubs & the disguised (by that I mean tigers pretending to be Sinhalese & calling for the Sinhalese to ge-together & kill Tamils etc) And I am tired of fighting & all the bullshit that is happening in forums.
I knew all Tamils can’t be LTTE supportes as the tigers in forums claim. But when moderate Tamils are silent, (even in the anonymity of the net) ppl like myself detached from the vibe of the Country do get confused, even tho intelligence says otherwise. Then the rumours become more acceptable against your better judgement.
So when I read Theena’s poem it just took me in a different path albeit still confused. Hence all those questions at the begining.
I must admit I didn’t pay that much attention to SL politics until now.
Now I can’t seem to get enough.
June 23, 2006 at 6:29 am
Good on you, ‘Just another’ and you’re most welcome. Yes I must admit, Sri Lankan politics is rather addictive, is it not?
June 23, 2006 at 1:06 pm
“So when I read Theena’s poem it just took me in a different path albeit still confused. Hence all those questions at the begining.”
Oh my…it wasn’t a poem, good sir :d
June 27, 2006 at 3:49 am
I see you guys are discussing this issue pretty vigorously. well let me just say that tamils didnt just wake up one day and decided to bomb the crap out of Sinhalese people. I have been in the war zone my self and seen the worst, most of these people who decided to join the LTTE had lost someone close to them, and I know those who still support the LTTE for the same reason. Being a tamil my self I can understand those who still support and those who oppose the organization. I do some what agree with theena on the fact that LTTE is an organization who has lost its cause and have put their survival as their priority. I my self support the idea of a united Lanka, but as long as extrimisim exists on either side I repeat “EITHER” side there will be no resolution to this conflict. both sides will need to compromise to come to an agreement. as for the every tamil being a terrorist, its an utterly immature and a generalized accusation.
July 1, 2006 at 6:42 am
July 16, 2006 at 11:04 am
Hey..i am sinhala n Buddhist but i have many tamil friends.Although my father is a senior Sri Lankan Army officer.We dont treat any tamil as terrorist unless they act as terrorists. So dont worry,just because someone stupid wrote dat artical abt every tamil is a tiger. As long as people like you exists every tamil will not be treated as a terrorist.
July 31, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Hello Theena, with all due respect i would like to add something for your idea. LTTE is labled as a terrorist group because of their foolosh attacks on innocent civilians. What ever said and done in the past, will you agree with me that the LTTE had their chances always and still they do, but do they at least give it a chance NOO … how many civilians are killed last couple of months? and becuase of the generocity of sinhala people and his excelency the president they permited Daya master to be admited and treated in colombo (which is questionable because i dont think LTTE doesnt have well equiped facilities in Jaffna to treat him- so i think this was a scam to force people in the south to start a riot and get the attention of the world, either stupidity or intelligence of sinhala people Thank god nothing happened), but did LTTE even care about that No they killed couple of soldiers and civilians during Daya masters visit. LTTE even agreed to release one of our Police officer who were arrested during performing his duty in Wanni after we treated Daya Master.
I am 24 years old and the war in Sri Lanka was born at the same time, how many governments offered peace to LTTE, but give me one single example that LTTE honoured, showed their true participation and dedication in peace talks NEVER. I know you can understand that in a accepted govenment there should be one court system and one defence structure but LTTE perform another law in Northern part of the country. Don’t misunderstand that Mr. Prabhakaran wants the freedom for tamils, because he will be not hesiate to kill each and every Tamil person in order to achieve his selfish goals. That is why he recruit child soldiers while his children study abroad? so if this is not TERRORISM what is this??? Please dont misunderstand this as racism because according to my knowledge Tamils have equal rights and may be more than that in every field (check the percentage of doctors, engineers and other professionals by the race ) so with all due respect Theena i appriciate if you can consider your comment. Anotherthing
Theena, i m sorry i could not include the most valuable part of all. We do not call Tamils are terrorists we only call LTTE are terrorists. It is unavoidable that people badmouth tamils that is because all the tamils are not terrorists but all the terrorists are tamils. It is like all the Arabs and even Asians are well checked in other countries. I have experienced these situations i am a student in USA, everytime i travel domesticaly i am called away from the line and well checked that is becuase they think we are also terrorists thats all..we do look alike … we have nothing to do thats the law and it s for the protection of all. In sri lanka its for your own protection …because when a bomb blast it doesnt recognise only sinhalese and kill them.
October 12, 2006 at 11:55 pm
The most important thing is to start the dialogue. Yes this is a great post – sorry to see it had to happen as a result of the eternal Tamil racist Janapathi.
Theena – you kind find common ground with anyone if you are half human. Jesus was able to find common ground with Judas after all, hence he forgave him. So should we all. All Tamil’s from Sri Lanka have very close Sinhalese friends not to mention relatives! As I have said before, I would sooner shoot someone who was Sinhalese as shoot myself.
However, we have to realise that long before the ltte Sri Lanka (back then it was Celyon) had a problem. It was a racial, ethnic and religous problem.
A cold hard fact stares us in the face. So long as Sri Lanka is ruled by ruthless people who wish to propogate racial, ethnic and religous violence, hatred and institutionalised racism between Tamils and Sinhalese – there will NEVER be peace in Sri Lanaka, just as there was NEVER peace in Ceylon.
Splitting hairs about the definition of Terrorism will not solve the problem. Going to the root of the problem and dealing with it, will.
So the next time you vote, if you are Sinhalese, vote to remove anyone and everyone who is Sinhalese who has plays this evil game with all our lives.
If you are Sinhalese, and you believe that Tamils should NOT be systematically isolated, starved, killed, deprived of the right to freely practice their religon, speak their language and persecuted to extinction, then DO NOT VOTE for ANY of the parties that exist currently.
Form your own party. Start your own movement. Find the middle ground. If as some above are saying that this is the Sinhalese majority – prove it.
The worst thing we can do is spend all eternity going round and round in circles blaming the ltte for everything that has ever gone wrong in Sri Lanaka.
I’ll take only one comment as an example of how futile it is to do so.
Vajira Caldera – I can fully see your perspective. No child on earth should have to have been born into a country at war. It is such a crime against humanity. But Vajira, if you feel sorry for yourself, spare a thought for the Tamil terrorist child born in the middle of a refugee camp whose mother pretends that the father of her child has run off to join the tigers and abandoned her but in actuall fact she was gang-rapped by Sinhalese army soldiers 9 months ago. For her child to have any chance of survival she has to lie about the following.
1. That she has lost her virginity – why because us Sri Lankans would shun her on the spot, we wouldn’t care whose bloody fault it was.
2. She has to deny she got rapped because she might end up with a bullet in her hear, after she got rapped again!
3. She has to hide her pregnancy for months before finally she cannot pretend anymore and then she has to go crying for mercy from her “elders” and beg for their help.
4. She has to decieve her child and never tell it that it’s father was Sinhalese.
Now stop and think why a Tamil woman, supposedly pregnant, was able to walk right into the Sri Lankan army head-quarters and blow herself up. Then stop and ask yourself why she did it? Was it because the ltte who were getting banned left righ and centre all over the planet, shortly after the London bombing wanted more good publicity? Or was it because she was not going to live that lie and she hated the people who perpetrated a henious crime on her and her un-born child. Fiction or fact? I guess one day, these women will tell us how many of their children are half Sinhalese, or as Tamils call them Sinhala parangi.
To think that “war” between Tamils and Sinhalese only started 24 years ago is to deny the history of both Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka and previously Ceylon. You say you don’t call all Tamils terrorists but hey, let me tell you, the rest of the planet does
. Let me tell you, people who know nothing about our country, call Sri Lankan Tamils “terrorist tigers”. Don’t forget the whole “Tiger” thing. That’s their nickname for all of us. So we don’t need to complain about Sinhalese people labelling us. For non-Sri Lankan
’s it’s a joke.
As for getting checked at the airport – well i have some very funny stories to tell you about that one. Funny but sad to.
And that my friends is the state of affairs of our beautiful country, our ancient and hugely diverse culture and our very existence as a race, in Sri Lanka as it was in Ceylon.
The real question is – we know how to kill and racially discriminate against each other but can we please stop behaving like animanls and live togther in peace? With all so called devotion to this God that God and the other God?
I think we can – we just need your generation Vajira to find the right focus and political clout to do so. Start now, there is no time to waste.
Vajira – you say you don’t hate Tamils. Prove, save them.
January 2, 2009 at 10:51 am
This is the first tyme i took a quick look at this website n i couldn’t stop reading it because of stupid comments lyke janapathi made.Buddy, ur not taking a look at whats going on in sri lanka, because mostly ur taking a look at what has happened in your life and the people who are closest to you.That’s called being selfish.Instead, of labelling us terrorists maybe you should go to sri lanka and stay there for a day. If you can make it through one day, which i no u won’t, then you’ll witness all the actual problems a tamil has to face on a daily basis. All you guys can do is talk,why? because you don’t live there.We get it all easy out here. Janapathi dun’t run ur mouth if you don’t know the real facts and because your in love with your sinhalese friends. I’m not saying for you to love us,Tamils off. The least you can do is stop calling us terrorists, because i believe in EELAM. All the tamils are my brothers and sisters, we’re all one big family. I know one day the same people who’ve been calling us terrorists,can look down and walk away in shame. One of these days, our tamil family were going to live in peace and actually walk out of our house knowing that we wouldn’t lose our life because of Sinhalese army who don’t know how much a life means. Till then, all tamils here were trying to get our voice heard in any way possible. That this is all genocide. People like janapathi, just shut the fuck up aight. You don’t know the meaning of family till you lose one, and everyday knowing that your people are getting raped and killed. Naa men you don’t know!!!You’ll never know…..L.T.T.E are our freedom fighters….
February 20, 2009 at 4:55 am
This is an excellent post. Pity I did not read it before it was nominated for the top 100 posts.I would vote it as one of the top 10.
March 3, 2009 at 11:53 pm
i quote Janapathi –
“They all say that they represent Tamils in Sri Lanka. ”
Who is the “they”? Just because the LTTE call themselves the representatives of the Tamils in the country, it does not mean WE accept them as such! We can fend for themselves thank you very much! Don’t go by what ‘they’ say…ask US. I think Theena repeated this in his second post…but then again, janapathi is holding on to his very narrow minded point of view. Janapathi…admit it…you hate Tamils….and you know what? We really dont care, coz we aint narrow minded like you!
I would also like to ask people to refrain from comparing politicians. Sri Lankan politics is a slime pool…junk and nothing else. so taking politicians and their acts as examples is pointless. Look at the society…talk to a few sensible Tamils. If they declare Eelam and say its compulsory for all Tamils to go live there, you think we will follow? Majority of us will stay put where we belong and that is Sri Lanka. You seem to be doing more research on the terrorists rather than lay men!
I wish to say that ( as stated by a fellow commenter) all are at fault…everyone made mistakes. Let us not forget who started the riots ( not the party, but the people) …and let us not forget that the terrorists became aggressive due to this. However, just coz the Sinhalese brutally killed Tamils and carried out acts of violence, it does not mean that we travel around thinking to ourselves ‘This man next to me is a Sinhalese…will he crack my skull now?’. Never been the case has it. This is why THEY (ltte) are TERRORISTS and WE ( Tamils) are quite human.
Face it…LTTE are TERRORISTS . They may be ‘Tamil – speaking’, but they do not represent us. WE are Tamils…non terrorists. Look, this is a laugh…take it from us man….we are telling you, we aint terrorists. WE didnt kill Kadirgamar or Thiruchelvam…the TERRORISTS did. They are different from us.
Let me tell you this, if all Tamils were terrorists, there would not be a translation of the national anthem in Tamil. If all Tamils were terrorists, people will not be singing this Tamil translation…face it, people DO!
And if All Tamils were terrorists you would not be getting all these counter-comments.