Monday, May 26, 2014

Last modified on: 5/21/2014 4:31:44 PM

LTTE "dead" resurfacing: Public Apology and Compensation due to Sri Lankan Forces

Shenali D Waduge
The case of Kathiravel Thayapararaja appearing from the 'dead' cannot be taken lightly. If not for his arrest by the Indian police the world would have continued to believe the University Teachers for Human Rights report, continued to accept the War without Witnesses report, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights report and continued to rely on the Australian Government Refugee Review Tribunal report compiled under Country Advice against Sri Lanka. These 4 entities declared that Sri Lankan Forces extra-judicially killed Kathiravel Thayapararaja on 15th September 2009 going so far as to even quote places of torture and place of hospitalization. This accusation of killing went on for 5 years with the name Kathiravel Thayapararaja quoted far and wide to showcase extra judicial killings by Sri Lankan security forces and form the basis for the 'human rights mafia' to descend on nations to ensure human rights prevail in these nations. Before that agenda can take off, UTHR(J) and others must make a public apology, in fact the legal department of the Sri Lankan Security forces must send a letter of demand seeking apology and compensation for tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka and its forces.
With the dead coming alive our next question is how many more dead are out there very much alive?
If not for the Dhanushkodi police in India, arresting the 2 boat loads of 'refugees' and Sri Lankan intelligence authorities quick to pick on the name and match the bonafides to the supposed dead, the world would have continued to believe in the lie cooked up by the University Teachers for Human Rights and the accusations reported by War without Witnesses as well as the countless other international humanitarian organizations quoting far and wide from these sources. None of these reports will ever be changed and their publications will continue to carry that Kathiravel Thayapararaja was in fact abducted, tortured and killed by Sri Lankan Security forces months following the LTTE defeat in September 2009.
The falsehood concocted by the UTHR (J) and quoted by international sources needs to be immediately addressed. There are too many examples of sweeping statements/reports taking place and being quoted internationally to ridicule and embarrass Sri Lanka's image and that of its forces. Witnesses are eventually untraceable, uncontactable or they become 'witnesseses' by virtue of heresay. But the damage has been done and irreversible as is the intent with which the reports were launched.
A crafty 'witness protection' system being introduced enables a cap on the identity when in reality no such person exists because the accusations are all concocted and the case of Kathiravel Thayapararaja is just one good example.
Our next and most important question is Kathiravel Thayapararaja was an employee of a US NGO, surely the NGO with connections to the US would have known that Thayapararaja was alive and not dead. The charade of his supposed 'death' was used by the same circle of people joining to make similar accusations against Sri Lanka on the human rights theme. Working for a US NGO with access to the US embassy on what grounds can Thayapararaja claim himself a victim.
When the same people are quoting the number of dead from 40,000 to 225,000 in the last stages of the war it warrants us to certainly wonder whether these 'dead' are alive and living on their shores with the knowledge of the foreign governments and certain foreign parliamentarians who have been mingling with the tigers over the years?
For parties that can concoct lies and use mainstream media to disseminate the lies far and wide we cannot expect any level of integrity or ethical practice so the next best option is for the legal department of the Sri Lankan Security forces to demand that the University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) make a public apology and seek damages for tarnishing the image of the security forces. Similarly both War without Witnesses, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights report and the Australian Government Refugee Review Tribunal must also be sent letters seeking apology and compensation as well.
The UNHRC and its head too must issue a statement that reports should not be published unless organizations can confirm a person is actually dead. This single example necessitates that the UNHRC produce the names of the 40,000 dead that even they are accusing as being killed by the Sri Lankan security forces or refrain from making accusations without knowing who the dead are or whether they are actually dead.
We are not willing to accept a simply 'sorry' and await another 'dead' man to resurface to raise the issue again.
It is just as well the public of Sri Lanka are not na‹ve to buy the lies that the bogus international human rights network promote with a larger agenda in place. Moreover, the local agents hired to compliment their lies are people who have no respect from the Sri Lankan public whatsoever and these local mouthpieces some of whom are repeatedly rejected politicians have no public respect either.
With LTTE resurfacing from the dead we now need to wonder how many more 'dead' may be alive and calls for the Sri Lankan Missions to wake up and demand from their host nations an inventory of all Sri Lankans domiciled overseas (whether as dual citizens, refugees, awaiting PR etc).

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Kathiravel Thayapararaja was never killed: Accusers must exonerate Sri Lankan Forces

 
Last modified on: 5/26/2014 11:33:57 AM

Malay Manacles For LTTE

Nabbed by Special Branch's Counter-Terrorism Division (CTD)
LTTE propaganda materials and currencies from 24 nations seized
Malaysian Police arrested three men suspected to be members of the LTTE terrorist group in Selangor, Malaysia.
The suspects were nabbed at different locations in Klang and Petaling Jaya in a special operation conducted by the Special Branch's Counter-Terrorism Division (CTD) on May 15. Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar stated that the men, who hold UNHCR refugee cards, are suspected of attempting to revive LTTE activities, especially at international level.
He said the suspects, who came to Malaysia in 2004, were suspected of using this country as their base to spread the group's propaganda as well as to collect funds for their activities. "In the operation, police also found and seized LTTE propaganda materials, media equipment as well as foreign currencies from 24 nations equivalent to RM 20,176.53.
The suspects had been using UNHCR cards here to avoid from authorities' action. Police will continue to work together with the UNHCR office here to ensure that their identity cards are not exploited by terrorists to hide or conduct any terrorism act, whether against this nation or others," he said. The suspects are detained under the Immigration Act to facilitate investigations. - New Straits Times
Courtesy : Daily News

Fallen War Heroes Commemorated

The main War Hero Commemoration Ceremony was held at the War Hero Cenotaph in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (Parliament Green) under the patronage of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of Ranaviru family members today evening (19th May).
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest was warmly received by the Chairperson of Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA) Mrs. Padma Wettewa and accompanied to the venue. Hon. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Government Ministers, Parliamentarians, Provincial Ministers, Governors, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and foreign dignitaries were also graced the landmark event.
Delivering the welcome address RVSA Chairperson Mrs. Wettewa requested from general public to join this noble event by lighting an oil lamp in respective house premises to coincide the agenda.
The commemoration ceremony was inaugurated observing one minute silence in memory of fallen war heroes and followed religious observances, floral wreath-laying, lamp lightings and offering of customary military honours.
President Rajapaksa placed the initial floral wreath at the invitation of the RVSA Chairperson. Accordingly Prime Minister, Ministers, Governors, Secretary Defence, Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Forces Commanders, IGP and Mrs. Wettewa were also proceeded respectively to the War Hero cenotaph in succession and laid floral wreaths. Subsequently, spouses of assassinated ground commanders and service chiefs were accompanied to the cenotaph.
The rhythmic beat of the traditional Jaya Bera evinced the pride of the nation and the concluding symbolic reverberations of the Last Post depicted the heroic deeds of the fallen war heroes.
Family members and relatives paid tribute to the beloved War Heroes while laying floral wreaths and lighting oil lamps. Entire event saw a large gathering of war hero families and the President Rajapksa was also seen exchanging pleasantries with them during the session.
Provincial commemoration ceremonies had also been conducted similarly as announced by the RVSA. The month between 02nd May and 02nd June 2014 has been declared as the National War Hero Commemoration month and a series of events were also held to coincide with the War Hero Commemoration. Initially Ranaviru (War Hero) Flag was pinned onto His Excellency the President at the launching of this year's War Heroes Commemoration Month on 02nd May at the Temple Trees". In addition, all Sri Lankans celebrated the fifth anniversary of the victory in a grand parade in Matara yesterday.
Heads of State Agencies, Foreign Diplomats, VIPs, and large number distinguished invitees were also present at the event.
   
   
   

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Tri-Service Commanders Inspect ‘Victory Day Parade’ Rehearsals

[Updated :: 2014-05-12 12:09:00 Hours || Home]
 

Prior to the final few days before the fifth ‘Victory Day’ parade at Matara, Chief of Defence Staff, General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal, K.A Gunatilleke, Inspector General of the Police (IGP), N.K. Illangakoon and a few other senior officers of the tri-services Monday (12) morning, went to Matara to inspect preparations in regard to the ‘National Victory Day - 2014’ (May 18) parade, in rehearsal at Samudra Road, Matara.

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, taking a close look at every segment of the Army participation in the parade, instructed respective Commanding Officers to make a few adjustments to make the parade more smart and attractive.

National Victory Day’ parade, a fitting tribute to bravery of tri-service War Heroes and Security Forces, coincides with the ongoing national War Heroes month (Ranaviru Semarum Maasaya) and is dedicated to the eternal memory of all War Heroes of the Tri-services, Police and the Civil Defence Force, who tirelessly eliminated the ruthless terrorism that plagued this country for over 30 years and defended the territorial integrity, crushing the LTTE in May 2009.

The military parade, presented by troops of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Civil Defence Force, is held for the fifth successive year, marking the fifth anniversary of the victory against terrorism.