Sri Lanka: Bloggers react to eviction of Tamils in Colombo
The Sri Lankan Blogosphere is reacting strongly to the recent move by the authorities to evacuate some Tamil people in Colombo. A lot of blogs have expressed anger and rage at the government's actions, while others have attempted to understand the reasons for this move. Another debate appears to if this is a form of ethnic cleansing or sheer ineptness on part of the government. From Kumar Rupesinghe
More than 300 Tamils who live in lodges in Colombo suburbs have been forcibly evacuated by the Sri Lankan Police, after a massive search operation in the Wellawatte, Kotahena, Pettah and Wattala areas in the morning of 7th June. According to news reports, 47 Tamils were forcefully taken from a single lodge located in Station Road in Wellawatte. Another lodge in the area reported 35 arrests by the Police.
A Janusis asks pertinent questions about why there was utter lack of diplomacy surrounding the events. The author further points out to what appears to upset the bloggers, and sums it up with the post title “Colombo being cleansed by the filthy?”.
It is such an obvious move of desperation that I wonder if we might have to conduct tuition classes in diplomacy for our politicians. It is like stubbing your toe on a rock and then kicking the rock because you are mad at it. No terrorist is going to base himself in such obvious locations for instance, and you can’t abuse bus loads of people solely because you might assume one of them is dangerous.
True Sri Lankan points out that while the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka has stayed the evictions, the government's powers may be unstoppable because of the Emergency regulations. The blogger highlights the fact that through the years of the conflict, no side has emerged as having defeated the other, and that peace can be established through a settlement, instead of violence. ..In Science We Trust says that it's all a part of Sri Lankan mentality, and that it may not be ethnic cleaning, but it is “just plain stupidity by a bunch of idiot policy makers”.
Lanka Libertarian opposes the government's move, but feels that the media (in this case a journalist from Reuters) has misrepresented the case by calling it ethnic cleansing.
this racist also quotes an (as in one) unnamed(!) analyst saying that eviction of 376 tamils without identification and without any reason to be in colombo, is equivalent to ethnic cleansing. nowhere does he mention the fact that hundreds of thousands of tamils live in colombo. and that only real case of ethnic cleansing in sri lanka was carried out by ltte terrorists in north where presently almost 100% of the population is tamil.
A Voice In Colombo feels that all parties involved may be over reacting. From the police who evicted the people from the lodges, to bloggers who oppose the evictions.
All these stupid acts by the police (and other parties involved) create gold mines for those who supporting the terrorist. They take this as a great opportunity to justify their support to the LTTE. Pro LTTE parliamentarians, the usual network of peacenik bloggers are jumping up in the air, in the rejoice of finding this great opportunity given by the government.
Lanka Whistle-Blower offers his apologies to the Tamil Community. According to the blogger, while security concerns are real and present, there are appropriate ways and means to tackle the same. Further, “However, rounding up of people like this based on the sole criteria of race marks a new low in this conflict that has marred post-independent Sri Lanka. “. Mahasen offers his views, “What do they do here? If they aren't working or learning, why are they in Colombo for months? How and on what do they spend their time?”. Words of Wisdom wonders if they'll target Tamils living permanently in Colombo next.
Ravana pinpoints the current situation in Sri Lanka and says “The root of Sri Lanka’s problems is disregard for human rights. For me, it really is that simple.”. An article at groundviews says that this act is the government's arrogance at its peak, and questions the need to possess a legitimate reason to stay in Colombo.
A Tamil is expected to possess a ‘legitimate reason’ to stay in Colombo, which may include attending university, doing a job etc. Otherwise he does not have any business to be in Colombo. Even those who can stay in Colombo are expected to possess sufficient reason to be on the streets. The question “Kohitha Yanne?” strikes at the rock bottom of our freedom and fundamental rights. It wont be acceptable to provide answers in the likes of “off to the beach side to get some fresh air” to this Kohithe Yanne question. That definitely can’t be a ‘good’ reason to be on the streets.
Scourge! highlights the importance of a compromise and points out that this war cannot be ended militarily. Indi.ca, in a post titled “Shame” expresses that war and conflict only strengthen the LTTE. The blogger further says
Prima facie, this is wrong. It is wrong for a government to abuse its citizens so. Strategically, this is foolhardy. It runs directly contrary to the goal of a united Sri Lanka and reconciliation. Consecutive governments ahave asked us to sacrifice human rights, press freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and freedom in general for this struggle.
57 comments
“the only real case of ethnic cleansing in sri lanka was carried out by ltte terrorists in north where presently almost 100% of the population is tamil.” No singhalese want to live up in the north with the tamils because of the war and the poor conditions up thier. This is the reason why there are so many tamils in Colombo seeking refuge from the war, being discriminated and paying rents to the sinhalese owners. The tamils who live in Colombo are the lucky ones who can atlease make something out of themselves. There are so many tamil people unable to feed thier children and get adequte drinking water for daily use. The government of sri lanka should adobt a federal system to solve thier ethnic clashes.
The credibility of Sri Lanka as a democratic Country is long gone. What we have is a dictatorship. Where is the civil rights! First evict all NE Tamils and blame it on LTTE. What’s next evict all Indian origine Tamils from Colombo to upcountry and then the Muslims where are you going to send them or them we go into real divisions send all the Kandians to kandy and the rest to down south. This government does not know what it is doing. Why can’t they realise that war will not solve this issue except build bank balances of this government ministers. Who wants to negotiate with this government even a tree wheel driver will not come for peace with MR. I watch his speech on Aljeseera TV he has no idea what he is talking every this he says is contradicted with another contradiction. There is no integrity here!
I am preying for all these Tamils who have lost everything taken refuge in Colombo to educate their children or find a way to get out on the country. Do you know how much rent they have to pay for a room in Colombo as the landlord will charge them what ever they like from this vulnerable people. On one side the LTTE, Karuna are harassing them and then the SL arm forces and police. Especially if you have a son or daughter in this situation what will you do. Put your self in this situation feel the pain.
MR I see you running around temple and the way you are conducting the state affairs I am assumed of you I am thinking of converting from Buddhism to may be become a Muslim, and shamed of all those Buddhist monks side with this joker should give up the noble priesthood.
My advise is if you can find a nice Migration Agent and get out of the country ASAP
Whats wrong is evicting people from the lodges when they hang aroound there with no purpose. (these ppl happen to be tamils is a different matter)……..it was a bold step to put the secuirity first……….well done the govt…………
WHY IS THE GOSL DOING THIS?? BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE SIMPLY FEDUP OF THE HIDE AND SEEK GAMES PLAYED BY THE LTTE. THE LTTE SEND AGENTS OR SPY’S AND PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM TO COLOMBO TO ATTACK GOVT AND CIVILIAN TARGETS. THE GOSL IS A DEMOCRATIC GOVT, AND HAS THE DUTY TO PROTECT IS PEOPLE FROM THE BLOOD THIRSTY BARBARIC LTTE TERRORISTS. SO RIGHTFULLY, THE GOSL NEEDS TO EVICT ALL LTTE SYMPATHIZERS & SUPPORTERS WHETHER THEY ARE TAMIL, SINGHALA, MUSLIM, OR UNP LTTE SYMPATHIZERS LIKE RANIL WICKRAMASINGHE.
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE HAT’S OFF TO YOU SIR…FOR HAVING BALLS OF STEEL AND THE COURAGE TO STAY ON COURSE AND PUT AN END TO THE 30-YEARS OF MISERY AND SUFFERING ENDURED BY SRI LANKANS OF ALL ETHNIC GROUPS. THE SINGHALA, TAMIL, AND MUSLIM PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE LTTE TERRORISTS AND INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENTS OF THE PAST. IF YOU WISH FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN SRI LANKA THEN THE GOSL IS DOING THE RIGHT THING….FIGHTING TO WIN THIS WAR IN THE DUE COURSE OF TIME, AND THEN ADDRESS THE GRIEVANCES OF THE TAMIL PEOPLE. IF YOU WANT CHAOS AND DISTRUCTION, THEN ELECT THE UNP GOVT, AND KEEP SUPPORTING THE RUTHLESS LTTE TERRORIST OUTFIT.
REMEMBER…..IT IS NOT THE SINGHALA PEOPLE THAT CREATED ETHNIC BOUNDARIES AND DISCRIMINATION AMONG THE TAMILS. THE SINGHALESE AND TAMILS HAVE CO-EXISTED FOR CENTURIES PEACEFULLY. BUT THANKS TO THE BRITISH RULE DURING THE COLONIAL TIMES THAT GAVE ONE ETHNIC GROUP MORE POWER OVER THE OTHER. TODAY’S ETHNIC DIVIDE REFLECTS THE GLORIOUS WORK OF THE WHITE BRITISH MAN. LIKE HOW THEY HAVE CAUSED HAVOC IN MOST COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, SRI LANKA IS NO EXCEPTION. WHERE IS THE BRITISH MAN IN HELPING SRI LANKA UNDO THE MESS THAT IT CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE??? WHY DON’T ALL YOU TAMILS AND SINGHALESE LIVING IN ENGLAND REBEL AGAINST THE BRITISH GOVT AND SHOW YOUR ANIMOSITY??? WHY ARE YOU CHASTISING THE GOSL FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING????
IF ALL YOU SO CALLED “SRI LANKANS” (SINGHALESE & TAMIL) HAVE ANY OUNCE OF PATRIOTISM, YOU WILL SUPPORT THE GOSL’S EFFORTS IN ERADICATING LTTE TERRORISM AND BRINGING PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO SRI LANKA.
EELAM IS ONLY A PIPE DREAM FOR FEW FAITHFULS OF PRABAKARAN…IT WILL NEVER BE REALIZED…THE WHOLE WORLD IS AGAINST IT….SO WHY SUPPORT A TERRORIST GROUP THAT HAS AN AGENDA THAT WILL NEVER MATERIALIZE.
PLEASE….PUT AN END TO THIS, BY SUPPORTING THE GOSL’S EFFORTS AND PUSH FOR A FEDERAL SOLUTION INSTEAD OF DIVIDING A COUNTRY THAT IS BARELY VISIBLE ON THE WORLD MAP….
YES;YES;YES
The Tamils want to eat the whole cake, enjoying the liberal democracy and safety among the Sinhalese in Colombo, but dare not to assist any terror activities of their Eelamist heroes. Like it or not this action was long overdue, if separatism is so fine to Tamils why come to Colombo at all? If Tamils want to live in Colombo among us then help us find the cowards who kill innocent civilians.
When it comes to terrorism, human rights, freedom of speech etc. etc. to Sri Lanka, it is ridicules how it is viewed and acted upon by the so-called international communities and more importantly some traitors within the country itself.
Evicting someone without a clear justification is wrong and should never be allowed to happen. However, as someone asked in this forum: can any strange Singhalese, Muslims or Tamils for that matter can travel to the areas that are alleged to be under the control of LTTE? Will anyone dire to do that?
Why is this hypocritical stance?
Sri Lanka – the ‘Resplendant Isle’ – Is it really?
As a Tamil educated in one of the countrys top schools my view I hope is not biased but of commonsense.
Where various communities live together there will always be a level of discrimination. This is human nature and we need to accept that. It is therefor not a reason for asking for a separate state or a reason to live apart. It is a reason for the the more learned and wise leaders to preach and practice restraint and moderation with compassion and dignity.
The separation of SriLanka is wrong and not for the long term good of Srilankans be they Singhalese, Tamil, Malay, Moor, Burgher or of any other racial mix.
The Govt by its current action is behaving like the Tigers. It is morally, politically wrong to force people to move areas. Are they working towards becoming a terrorist regime?
Am I going to be ashamed to say that I am a Srilankan?
We all need to stand together, pray to our various gods that Srilanka will be the Resplendant Isle and not another Darfur, Iraq or Plastine.
I am a lonely voice but implore all parties to stop this madness.
We need to work towards making Srilanka the Resplendant Isle.
truesrilankan
jayawewa indeed!
the tamils have been livng with Sinhalese very happily . How come the Sinhalese cannot do the same in the North without being murdered , or intimidated . People who ar e opposed to this movement of the tamils like Nimalka Fernando . Paiksothy saravanamuttu Wicrambahu,Kumar Rupeseinghe . should give a gurantee that there will be no threats, abductions or expolosions withing the city of Colombo. the gov has to take steps to safeguard 6,000 innocent civilians from extinction. the recent overhaul of explosives at Kurunegala is a real threat to Colombo. GET Real. This is to safeguard the innocent civilians be it tamils Muslims or Sinhalese .If there is a massacre the above mentioned people and Ranil wicramasinghe should be held responsible .
Many commentators here shave stated that Tamils should go back to the North and East and live there.
There is no problem with that, let the GOSL
(a) pull back all the armed forces from the North and East.
(b)Dismantle the HSZ
(c)give back the properties focefully occupied by the armed forces to the rightful owners
Then the Tamils will go back to their homeland.