Sri Lanka’s 30 Smallest Books!

1. The Code of Ethics for Lawyers in Sri Lanka

2. The Sri Lankan Book of Foreplay

3. Incorruptible Police Officers of Sri Lanka

4. How To Conduct Yourself In Public by Mervin Silva

5. The World Guide to Good Sri Lankan Beer

6. How To Make Your Relationships Last by Duminda Silva & Anarkali Akarsha

7. Safe Places to Travel in Sri Lanka

8. A Portrait of Integrity by Milinda Moragoda

9. Truth About The War by Brigadier Udaya Nanayakara

10. Contraception by Ellawala Medananda Thero

11. 100 Ways To Cook Beef by Ellawala Medananda Thero

12. The Wit and Wisdom of Mervin Silva An autobiography by Mervin Silva

13. My Wild Years by Ranil Wickramasinghe

14. Sri Lanka’s Most Popular Politicians

15. Career Opportunities for University Students in Sri Lanka

16. Slave Island - A Travel Guide

17. Collection of Motivational Speeches by Rathnasiri Wickramanayake

18. Everything Men Know about Women by Kolu

19. Guide to Etiquette by Mervin Silva

20. The Dambana Phone Directory

21. Great Women Drivers Of Sri Lanka


22. Beauty Secrets by Indrani Perera

23. How To Score A Test Century by Mutthia Muralitharan

24. Things I Love About Chinthana Mahinda by Chandrika Kumaranatunga

25. My Wonderful Life by D.B.Wijetunge

26. Things I Can’t Afford by Lalith Kothalawala

27. Things I Won't Do For Money by the 17 MPs who crossed over to the Government

28. Free And Fair Elections by Mahinda Rajapaksa

29. How To Win A War In Six Months by Gotabaya Rajapaksa

30. Solving Problems Through Dialogue by Vellupillai Prabahakaran

Operation Barbarossa and how not to count your chickens before their hatched !

Germany 1941
The victory music was chosen in advance. “You’ll hear that often in the near future,” Adolf Hitler boasted to dinner guests one night in 1941 after playing on the Gramophone a passage from Liszt’s Les preludes. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels was optimistic as well.

“The Fuhrer estimates that the operation will take four months,” he wrote in his diary. “I reckon on fewer.” At 5.30 on the morning of June 22, 1941, Goebbels had Les preludes played over the radio before announcing Germany’s surprise invasion of the Soviet Union that had begun two hours earlier. “A glorious, wonderful hour has struck, when a new empire is born,” he wrote in that day’s diary entry. “Our nation is making her way up into the light.”

The assault kicked off 129 years to the day Napoleon launched his Grande Armee toward Moscow, the Germans had amassed one of the largest strike forces ever: more than 3 million troops along a 1,600 km front, supported by 3,350 tanks, 2,000 aircraft and 7,200 artillery pieces. Stalin refused to act on clear evidence of the buildup. “You can’t believe everything Intelligence says,” he chided his top generals in mid-June.

Hitler erred as dramatically. He underestimated the Soviet Union’s resources, believing for example, that it had only 10.000 tanks, not the actual 24,000. More fatefully, Hitler’s racial delusions blinded him to the prowess of his foe. Slavs, he was convinced, were no match for Teutonic warriors, and the regime of “Jewish Bolshevism” could not withstand the coming blow. “You have only to kick in the door,” the Fuhrer explained to Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, the commander of Army Group South, “and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down.”

The fight to the death with the Soviets lasted not four months but four years – through the blood-drenched ordeals of Leningrad, Moscow, Stalingrad and Berlin with the ultimate defeat of the Germans.

Sri Lanka 1995
The Sri Lankan Governments 21,000 troops entered the Jaffna town. The Tamil capital had become a ghost town. Most of the roughly 10,000 fighters of the LTTE had melted away into the jungle. The majority Sinhalese expected the war to end with the fall of Jaffna. The LTTE relocated to the Wanni jungle and continued its fight for a separate state.

In a survey taken before the Tigers broke the truce in April 1995, only 16 percent of Sri Lankans said they believed in a military solution to the country’s civil war. A follow-up poll taken by the same group, Mitofsky International after the capture of Jaffna found that 67 percent favoured a military solution.

Sri Lanka 2008
The war did not end in 1995 as predicted by Government pundits. It has raged on for more than 13 years since the capture of Jaffna. Now the Government says it is on the verge of capturing the LTTE stronghold Killinochi and ending the war. Yes, the Government might capture Killinochi in the near future, and then the Tigers will revert to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics, basing themselves in the Wanni jungle. The well known dictum of ‘War being a continuation of politics by other means,’ is been practiced to the fullest by the present government as they are unable to find a solution to the economic woes of the gullible majority. The majority, once again have been hoodwinked by the ‘War Carrot’ that the government has dangled towards them.

What I can say to the Government of Sri Lanka, and the ‘Gullible Majority’ is, “Don’t count your chickens before their hatched!”

The ‘Silent Minority’ of which I am one, believes that the only way there will be peace in Sri Lanka, is only if extensive power is devolved to the people living in the North and East.

When the ‘Prevention of Terrorism Act’ is revoked, and there are no more ‘check points,’ and the armed forces are confined to their barracks with only the police handling the day to day law enforcement in the whole of Sri Lanka will be the day that we the ‘Silent Minority’ believe that the war has finally ended!

Until then, “God help us all!”

The Sick Man of Asia

Winston Churchill opposed granting independence to India. He had a very poor opinion of the Indians’ ability to manage their own affairs. In a speech to the House of Commons in 1946, he castigated the Labour government for relinquishing power and handing India over to Indian leaders. He said: “Power will go into the hands of rascals, rogues and freebooters. Not a bottle of water or a loaf of bread will escape taxation. Only the air will be free, and the blood of these hungry millions will be on the head of Attlee. These are men of straw of whom no trace will be found after a few years. They will fight among themselves, and India will be lost in political squabbles.”

In February Sri Lanka celebrated 60 years of independence. On July 25th it was 25 years since the anti-tamil riots of July 1983. We all know that the dominant Sinhala community was responsible for promoting a conflict which was completely avoidable. The ethnic conflict has extracted a heavy price on all Sri Lankans. Democracy has been completely subverted and the Island has been turned into an authoritarian state. The draconian ‘Prevention of Terrorism Act’ and other similar legislations, and many years of the country being under a State of Emergency has led to the exercise of arbitary powers by successive governments.

Today abductions, killings, intimidations, frisking of individuals, searches of houses, stoppages of traffic and roadblocks have become routine in the daily life of harassed citizens, mainly Tamil. Thousands of people, both civilian and uniformed, Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims have been killed and the number wounded and crippled is too large to be counted. Lakhs have been displaced and become homeless refugees in Sri Lanka and India.

Churchill’s gloomy prophecy of India seems to have come true in Sri Lanka. The current generation of Sinhala leaders have proved to be men of straw who spend their time squabbling with each other whether or not to devolve power to the minorities. The cost of living is sky high and corruption has become a part of life. The war is being stage managed by the government media, and Sri Lanka’s future looks dismal and grey.

There are only two possible ways in which things can be set right in Sri Lanka. One realistic, and the other pure fantasy. The realistic possibility is that extraterrestrials will land in a spaceship and set everything right. The fantasy is that the people themselves will find a solution to their problems.

Sri Lanka…A Land Like No Other!

Censorship is Obscene!

George Bernard Shaw once said, “Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.” One is also reminded of words of the 19th century poet Heinrich Heine who said, “Whenever books are burnt, men also, in the end are burnt.”

The Government of Sri Lanka today is only the latest in a long line of governments worldwide who have tried to snuff out unpalatable ideas and comments by abducting, intimidating, beating and killing its journalists. J.S.Tissainayagam is one of the many such journalists who has been imprisoned for over 160 days without being charged.

The first recorded victim of censorship was Socrates who, in 399 BC was forced to drink poison for ‘denying the gods and introducing new divinities.’ In China, in 213 BC, Emperor Shih Huang-Ti had all writing not pertaining to agriculture or medicine burnt. His target: Confucius’ thoughts. Present day China is no better.

During the last century, it was the communists who most systematically censored books and hounded their authors. Writers in every communist country from East Germany to Vietnam were forced into concentration camps. Boris Pasternak, Joseph Brodsky, Milan Kundera, Czeslaw Milosz and Alexander Solzhenitsyn were just a few. Hitler’s Germany burnt the books of Jewish authors and liberals, exterminating thousands in their notorious gas chambers and forcing others to flee. In Mahinda’s Sri Lanka, over 12 journalist’s, the majority of them tamils have been killed in the past 2 years. Many more journalist’s have been abducted, beaten and intimidated to keep them from writing the truth.
A few month’s back the Government blocked access to the Tamilnet, but what the Government does not understand is that with the advance of technology, censorship has become obsolete. The truth is only a click away. All you need to do to read the Tamilnet is to go online and click on this link http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=www.tamilnet.com
In today’s day and age it is no longer possible to stop the message or the truth getting out by killing or imprisoning the messenger.

If this sorry state of affaires continues, this country will be known the world over as, “The Autocratic, Dictatorial Oligarchy of Sri Lanka!"

This is a new Alphabet for the ‘Vocal Majority’ from the ‘Silent Minority’.

A is for Abductions that take place daily, usually blamed on aliens.


B is for Benz Bikkus who live in the lap of luxury.

C is for Censorship of TV programmes showing scenes of alcohol and tobacco.

D is for Doctor Delipihiya, patron saint of murder and mayhem.

E is for Elections which are neither free nor fair.

F is for Freedom of abduction, harassment and imprisonment under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.


G is for Gullible majority who have been hoodwinked since 1948.

H is for Human rights abuses that occur 465 days of the year.

I is for Independence also known as the ’60 Year Curse’. (We were better off under the British!)


J is for Jayasuriya, who will probably play until the 2043 World Cup or until he gets his EPF?


K is for Kassipu. (A bottle a day keeps the liver awake.)

L is for Lies, damned lies and statistics that the government media saturates us with each day.

M is for Mahinda chinthanaya. (Who needs the Bible, Koran and Tripitaka when we have the ‘chinthanaya.’

N is for Nepotism or favoritism to relatives. (Also check R)

O is for the 17 Patriotic Opposition MPs who crossed over to the government to save the country.


P is for Pillayan, who became Chief Minister of the East using the ‘Bullet’ to get the ‘Ballot.’


Q is for Question mark? When will the war end? When pigs fly or when hell freezes over?


R is for Rajapaksa poshanaya of Mahinda, Basil, Goatabaya and Chamal.

T is for Terrorism. Both the LTTE kind and the State sponsored kind.

U is for Underestimate. What the Government always does of the LTTE.

V is for Velupillai Prabahakaran who is very much alive and kicking.

W is for Wickramasinghe (Ranil). The greatest President that never governed Sri Lanka.


X is for Xenophobia or the island mentality. The dislike of all things foreign.

Y is for Yearning for yesterday. The national pastime of living in the past.

Z is for Zero casualties for the armed forces and 5,00,000 killed for the LTTE.

AIYOOO RAJAPAKSA

by our corr. Iqbal Athas Rajapaksa (in hiding, somewhere in Rajapaksapura,
Sri Rajapaksistan 20-08-2008)

Today there was total confusion in Sri Rajapaksistan (formerly Sri Lanka)
when thousands and thousands of people changed their name to "Rajapaksa"
to get appointed as a Member of Parliament or even to get a job.
"Aiyo! It is total confusion" said a man called Rajapaksa "Everyone is
changing their name to Rajapaksa! This is mad! The telephone directory is
now full of Rajapaksas. Even Abdul Gafoor of the Thambi Kade now goes by
the name of Abdul Gafoor Rajapaksa and the Thosai Kade is run by Nagalingam
Rajapaksa!"
Hospitals authorities were reporting that all new born babies are being
named Rajapaksa by their parents (also called Rajapaksa) and several
babies have now got mixed up.
Dr. Rajapaksa of the De Soyza Maternity Hospital said "Of the deliveries
this morning all except one baby were named Rajapaksa. One was named
Askapajar, which I believe is Rajapaksa spelt backwards. Even at this
moment, Midwife Rajapaksa is delivering a baby already named Rajapaksa by
its parents!"
Even the Police and the courts are having trouble with most victims and
offenders having the name of Rajapaksa said Police Inspector Rajapaksa of
the Pettah Police. A High Court trial (State v Rajapaksa, Rajapaksa and
Rajapaksa) came to a standstill today when the victim, the suspects, the
Advocates and even the Judge were called Rajapaksa. Even most of the
jurors were called Rajapakse.
Emerging reports indicate that the Mahanayaka Theros and the Bishops and
Archbishop have changed their name to Rajapaksa. Even Pope
Rajapaksa....(That'sh enough Rajapaksa! - Editor. Rajapaksa)


Announcements

Deaths
Rajapaksa, Raja. The death is announced of Raja Rajapaksa, beloved husband
of Rajani Rajapaksa, loving father of Rajapaksa (Bank of Rajapaksa),
Dr.Rajapaksa (Rajapaksapura Hospital) and Rajapaksa (MD Rajapaksa
Industries).
Loving grandfather of Rajapaksa and Rajapaksa. Cortege leaves residence at
4.30pm today to the Rajapaksa Crematorium

Births
Rajapaksa, Rajapaksa.
Mr and Mrs Rajapaksa of Battaramulla are pleased to announce the birth of
their baby son Rajapaksa Rajapaksa. Both mother and son are doing well.

Marriages
Rajapaksa and Rajapaksa.
The families of Rajapaksa Rajapaksa (of Rajapaksa Corporation) and
Rajapaksa
Rajapaksa (of the Rajapaksa Communications) are pleased to announce the
marriage of their daughter (or is it the son ?) to their son (or is it
daughter?) at the Rajapaksa Hotel......(That's enough Rajapaksas! - Ed)

Change of Name
I, Warnakulasuriya Muhandiramge Francis Fernando of Paiyagala will
henceforth be known as Rajapaksa Mudiyanselage Rajapaksa Rajapaksa.


I, Ranil Wickremasinghe of Cinnamon Watta C7 will henceforth be known as
Ranil Rajapaksasinghe

Release J. S. Tissainayagam!

Call for release of website editor accused of terrorism

Reporters Without Borders calls on the Sri Lankan government to release J. S. Tissainayagam, a Tamil journalist who has been held since March. A government minister has just said he is charged with terrorism on the basis of articles written in 2006 and his activities as the editor of a website."This respected journalist's illegal and unjust detention is being accompanied by grotesque charges that are a serious violation of the freedom of expression guaranteed in the Sri Lankan constitution," Reporters Without Borders said."How can the expression of a personal view, which is based on facts known to everyone and which does not call for violence, be an act of terrorism," the press freedom organisation said. "We urge the international community, including the European Union, to press for Tissainayagam's release."In a 12 August letter to Human Rights Watch, disaster management and human rights secretary Rajiva Wijesinha said that, after a long police investigation, Tissainayagam was now facing terrorism charges. But the only evidence he offered was a 2006 article in a magazine edited by Tissainayagam in which he spoke of an army offensive in a Tamil region that was being accompanied by a dramatic humanitarian crisis for the civilian population.The letter can be read on the Peace in Sri Lanka website (http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/).A contributor to the Sunday Times newspaper, Tissainayagam was arrested in Colombo on 7 March, just a few weeks after creating a news website called Outreachlk with funding from FLICT, an NGO supported by the German development agency GTZ. The authorities extended his detention for another three months on 6 June in order to continue their investigation.The police have apparently tried to establish that articles he wrote in 2006 supported Tamil Tiger terrorism. His case was referred to the attorney-general's office on 4 July. He is being held by the anti-terrorism police in Colombo, where his lawyer has never been allowed to talk to him in private.--Vincent BrosselAsia - Pacific DeskReporters Sans Frontières47 rue Vivienne75002 Paris33 1 44 83 84 7033 1 45 23 11 51 (fax)asia@rsf.orghttp://www.rsf.org/__._,_.___Messages in this top

www.rsf.org/

Stop War on Journalists!

Sinhala Buddhist Discrimination of the Minorities in Sri Lanka

Buddhists, Tamils and Muslims from time to time were oppressed by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. But does that now give the majority Buddhists the right to impose their religious and cultural values (not forgetting the "Sinhala Only" disaster of 1956) on the minorities!

1. Under the Solbury constitution all religions were given equal status, but in the 1972 Republican constitution this was changed and Buddhism was given the foremost place. It’s the same with the present constitution.

2. After 1956 people who worked in the public sector who’s mother tongue was Tamil or English, had to learn Sinhala in 2 years time if they wanted to get a promotion.

3. The sale of meat and liquor was banned every full moon day, while all film halls remained closed and after television came along only religious programmes were shown on this day.

4. Private Christian schools were nationalized in the 1960s.

5. Buddhists and non Buddhists were forced to have the Sinhala “Sri” on their vehicles when the Tamils protested over this, they were beaten up by Sinhala mobs.

6. The university entrance exam in the 1970s was standardized and Buddhist students where given preference over Hindu students.


These are just some of the things perpetrated by the majority on the minorities (not forgetting the holocaust of the Tamils in July1983).

In the Bible, Isaiah chapter 55 – verse 8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”

But what do some of our Buddhist clergy do? They appear regularly on tv and try to distort mainly the Christian and Islam religion. The often said thing by them is that all religions ban the eating of meat! THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE!

Meat consumption and the Bible
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Romans 14:3

Deuteronomy - chapter 14 vs 3-21 has this to say on what you can and cannot eat.
3: Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
4: These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
5: The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
6: And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
7: Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.
8: And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
9: These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
10: And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
11: Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
12: But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and ossifrage, and the ospray,
13: And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
14: And every raven after his kind,
15: And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
16: The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
17: And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
18: And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
19: And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.
20: But of all clean fowls ye may eat.
21: Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

Alcohol and the Bible
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus drank wine (Matthew 15:11; Luke 7:33-35) and approved of its moderate consumption (Matthew 15:11). On the other hand, he was critical of drunkenness (Luke 21:34, 12:42; Matthew 24:45-51).
The later writings of St. Paul deal with alcohol in detail and are important to traditional Christian doctrine on the subject. He considered wine to be a creation of God and therefore inherently good (1 Timothy 4:4), recommended its use for medicinal purposes (1 Timothy 5:23), condemned drunkenness (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 5:11, 6:10; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 13:3) and recommended abstinence for those who could not control their drinking.

Though alcohol is banned in the Koran, consumption of meat isn’t

The Koran on the consumption of meat
"Lawful unto you (for food) are all four footed animals, with the exceptions named: but animals of the chase are forbidden while ye are in the Sacred Precincts or in pilgrim garb: for God doth command according to His Will and Plan".
(Sura 5, Verse 2)

In (Sur5 5, Verse 5) it is further written: "They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: Lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by God: Eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of God over it: and fear God: for God is swift in taking account."
That the animals were created for extensive use can be seen from
(Sura 16, Verse 5): "And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth (wool and fur), and numerous benefits (domestic and riding animals), and of their (meat) ye eat."
An additional clarification regarding the use of maritime animals follows in
(Sure 5, Verse 99) "Lawful to you is the pursuit of water-game and its use for food, for the benefit of your selves and those who travel"
and in (Sure 16, Verse 14): "It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh (fish) that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract there from ornaments (pearls and corals) to wear."
These quotations make it quite clear that from the Islamic point of view it is basically permitted to use both plants and animals for food, though on condition that they are well tolerated and healthful to men.

There are many non Christians and non Muslims who listen to these Buddhist priests and believe what they say. I hope the verses taken from the Bible and the Koran that are given above would set things straight.

Civilian massacres in Sri Lanka

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Civilian_massacres_in_Sri_Lanka

Lies, damned lies and more damned lies! (The funny side of government propaganda in Sri Lanka)

Breaking News and other Tall Stories brought to you by Mr.Daily Noise and Mrs.Roopa Vahini.
Their motto: "We Report What We Want - You Believe What You Like!"

Katubedda February 30th 2008. (11pm GMT)

2.5 liter Kassippu bottle found behind a transformer in Katubedda and safely consumed by 2 policemen. Informed sources said that there were no casualties, unless you take into account the 2 slightly tipsy police heroes who risked life, limb and liver consuming the kassippu! Further investigations are being conducted by a special police team.

Weli Oya August 41st 2008. (4am GMT)

Military Spokesman Brigadier Pachagoris Pinocchio told reporters that heavy fighting occurred in the Tamil Nadu region in the south east of Austria between government forces and the El Tee Tee Hoo. 25,000 El Tee Tee Hoo carders were reportedly killed in these confrontations. Two soldiers sustained slight injuries. One of them had a sprained ankle and the other broke his toenail when he stepped on an anti personal mine. Both soldiers were airlifted to China, where they received honorary Gold Medals for the heroics shown on the battle field by the Beijing Olympic Committee.

Mannar April 1st 2008. (27pm GMT)

Troops advanced 4500 miles into enemy territory and captured the North Pole, Government Spokesman Kehel Mala Rambutang told Chinese reporters with pony tails (konday bandapu cheennoo). He said that the armed forces embarked on this "Maanushika Meheuma" or "Humanitarian Operation" to save the penguins from the evil polar bears who claim to be the sole representatives of the penguins! Spokesman Kehel Mala Rambutang also said that air force jets bombed "The Voice of Polar Bears," a radio station belonging to the "Liberation Polar Bears of North Pole Eland."

Polonnaruwa August 34th 2008. (21pm GMT)

Military Spokesman Brigadier Pachagoris Pinocchio was amongst 13,500 deserters who accepted an amnesty and returned to the battle front. The Defence Ministry is clueless as to how 13,500 returned when only 12,000 had deserted. The deserters claim that they did not desert, but were abducted by Aliens who had appeared in Unidentified Four Weeled Objects (UFOs) which looked similar to white vans. Investigations are in progress to ascertain if the Unidentified Four Weeled Objects (UFOs) were from the Planet Japan or the Planet Korea.

Colombo August 39th 2008. (13am GMT)

Minister Moda Seal Var, 'Mad dog of the Nation,' who is infamous for his attacks on the press, the "Watch dogs of the Nation," was interviewed by SNN Reporter Christianne Amanpour me a cup of tea.

Christianne Amanpour me a cup of tea of SNN:
Seal Var Sir, were you responsible for biting a camera man and stealing his camera?

Minister Moda Seal Var: Woof…woof !

Christianne Amanpour me a cup of tea of SNN: President Chinthana Paksharajas pet names for you are 'Merv the Perv,' and 'Mental Merv,'….true or false?

Minister Moda Seal Var: Bow…wow…wow !

Christianne Amanpour me a cup of tea of SNN: Is your bark worse than your bite?

Minister Moda Seal Var: Arf…arf…arf !

Christianne Amanpour me a cup of tea of SNN: Will you continue to terrorize the media in future?

Minister Moda Seal Var: Arf…arf…woof f$#k u grrrr… grrrrr…woof….c$#t….arf…arf…

Christianne Amanpour me a cup of tea of SNN: Thank you…thank you very much…that will be all sir!

Minister Mervin and goons attack Sirasa journalists and seize cameras

Aug 04, 2008

Minister Mervin Silva's goons assaulted the Sirasa media crew that had gone to report the ceremonial opening of the second phase of the Jeyaraj Fernandopullai Memorial flyover in Kelaniya and seized the two video cameras they had right inside the venue of the function.
As the cameramen were getting ready to record the declare opening of the bridge by Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, the Minister came there and ordered them to go away. Then the goons of the Minister came to the scene, assaulted the cameramen and seized their cameras.

While a Police Superintendent was observing the incident, at least the police security personnel who were there for his security did not come to the rescue of the journalists.

The two victims, Sampath Varuna and Provincial cameraman Saliya lodged complaints in Peliyagoda police station in this regard.

Minister Mervin Silva has not allowed the Sirasa Media Network to report the functions in Kelaniya since a long time. He threatened and chased away Sirasa journalists in several previous occasions as well.

Buddhist Supremacy In Sri Lanka

Thailand should not follow Sri Lanka’s lead in sanctifying a state religion.


Thailand is a warm, welcoming society. The people are friendly, dress is informal, temperatures are pleasant. Foreigners are welcome and can enjoy beautiful beaches, explore primitive countrysides, or climb challenging hills, and then retreat to first-world luxuries in Bangkok and Chiang-mai.


A Buddhist-majority society, Thailand leaves religious minorities alone. In theory, the government limits which groups can register and how many missionaries can enter, but in practice, reports the State Department: “Unregistered religious organizations operated freely, and the government’s practice of not recognizing any new religious faiths has not restricted the activities of unregistered religious groups,” or foreign missionaries.


The main limits are “laws prohibiting speech likely to insult Buddhism,” the State Department notes. Thai authorities don’t suffer national insults gladly: Foreigners have been imprisoned and deported for insulting the king, a revered figure.

Yet Bangkok’s policy of religious tolerance is coming under pressure. The forces of Buddhist nationalism have been active in the campaign over a new constitution, which culminates in a vote Sunday.

A military coup last Fall highlighted the authoritarian undercurrent in Thai politics. Supporters of the ousted government were targets of the military junta last year; next it could be minority religious faiths.

The Thai state has always been secular. The last constitution, suspended by the military, required the government to “patronize and protect Buddhism and other religions.” Christian and Muslim activities also were subsidized.

The replacement constitution may not be so ecumenical. The military has produced a more authoritarian document: The Senate would be appointed, for instance. More ominously, though the Constitution Drafting Assembly refused demands by Buddhist nationalists to make Buddhism Thailand’s official religion, they have been campaigning against the proposal as a result.

They claim their faith is at risk: “Buddhism is increasingly coming under threat,” contends Thongchai Kuasakul, who heads the Buddhists’ Network of Thailand. A Muslim insurgency in south Thailand, where Islamic fighters have targeted Buddhist monks and bombed Buddhist temples, fuels these fears.

The military originally dismissed the idea of turning Buddhism into a state religion, but a minuscule march in Bangkok — by just 4,000 people — apparently spooked the junta. The public mood has been shifting against the regime because of its mediocre economic performance and slow return to democracy. Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, moreover, are attempting to turn the Buddhist proposal to their advantage.

So army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, a Muslim who heads the ruling Council for National Security, responded that he wouldn’t block an amendment turning Buddhism into the state religion. “If a stipulation in the charter to this effect would lead to peace in the country,” he said, “then it would be better to include it.”

Although the drafting committee decided against doing so, the Thai people might reject the constitution, which would send the issue back to the military regime. Moreover, the Buddhist campaign is making Muslims and Christians nervous. In the end, religious repression initiated by Buddhists doesn’t look much different than repression initiated by Muslims, or communists, or anyone else.

Some Thai observers dismiss the controversy as without substance. There is, for instance, no Buddhist equivalent to Islamic law, says Ammar Siamwalla, a Muslim economist from Bangkok. “Our constitution is the least respected document in the country. It’s been torn up too many times [17 to be exact] to be so obsessive about.”

But even as a purely symbolic step, raising the status of Buddhism risks inflaming an ongoing Muslim insurgency in Thailand. “It’s going to make the situation in southern Thailand a hell of a lot worse,” argues Zachary Abuza, a terrorist specialist.

Thai monk Mettanando Bhikkhu warns his nation against following Sri Lanka, where Buddhist nationalists formed a political party, joined the governing coalition, and worked against peace negotiations with Tamil guerrillas. The Sri Lankan constitution provides Buddhism with the “foremost place” in Sri Lankan society.

Although many forces are to blame for Sri Lanka’s descent into civil war, Buddhist nationalism has inflamed the conflict. After decolonization in 1948, the Buddhist Sinhalese majority enhanced its position at the expense of the largely Hindu Tamil minority. The U.S. Agency for International Development reported: “The notion of the Sri Lankan nation subscribed to by many Sinhalese — including most of Sri Lanka’s politically influential Buddhist monks — is based on a firmly-rooted belief in the primacy of the Sinhalese/Buddhist majority and its culture.”

Buddhism has a special place in Sri Lankan politics; officials pay fealty to Buddhist clerics after assuming power, and the military has incorporated Buddhist rituals into its ceremonies.

Religious liberty remains tenuous even in areas far away from military conflict. Buddhist mobs, sometimes led by monks, have frequently attacked Christians, their churches, and their ministers. The authorities have been reluctant to arrest those responsible. With the constitutional sanction of Buddhism as a state religion as its guide, the Sri Lankan supreme court has ruled that proselytizing is not a protected religious activity under the constitution. (The jurists refused to recognize a Catholic medical group which, it declared, had provided an improper “allurement,” health care, to procure a conversion.)

Some Buddhist nationalists want more. Three years ago extremist monks formed the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), or the Pure Sinhala National Heritage party, to promote Buddhist nationalism. The party has opposed negotiations to end the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict, which has cost tens of thousands of lives.

Although the JHU possesses only nine seats in the 225 member parliament, it provided important support for the 2005 election of the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapakse. The candidate agreed to an election program to revise the ceasefire and reject federalism as a basis for peace.

The JHU formally joined the government in January, boosting a narrow majority. The party’s influence likely ensures an even more bitter civil war. “Talk can come later,” says JHU’s parliamentary leader, about the peace process.

The JHU continues to press a constitutional amendment to institutionalize Buddhism, which has yet to come to a vote in parliament. The party also is pressing legislation that would ban “unethical” religious conversions. A similar bill has been approved by the Sri Lankan cabinet and was referred to a special parliamentary committee last year.

Thailand is not Sri Lanka. Adding a couple lines about Buddhism to the Thai constitution might have little practical impact. Sri Lanka, however, offers a dramatic warning: Buddhism and nationalism constitute a violent, combustible mix. Thailand’s military rulers should not toss aside their nation’s reputation for tolerance in pursuit of short-term political gain.

War will go on, but it won’t provide the solution

Internationally acclaimed astrologer who made spectacular political predictions says
the planetary change that took place last week will be in existence till September 12, 2009 and this period is going to be very crucial, an internationally acclaimed astrologer told Daily Mirror.

“The war in this country will go on since President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government is adamant to crush the Tigers militarily, but I must say that a military move is not going to solve this long-standing problem. Some day this problem will be solved only through negotiations and eventually through the devolution of power,” Galle-based Desha Shakthi award-winning astrologer S.T. S. Sumanadasa Abeygunawardana said.
Sumanadasa Abeygunawardana who had clinched so many awards and titles for his works has made accurate predictions, especially with regard to our political scenario and that has made him one of the most sought after professional astrologers not only in Sri Lanka but also in other countries.“An astrologer who makes political predictions is never going to be a popular figure. He will always be looked down by the losers, but I am glad to have cultivated a very good rapport with frontliners in all political parties.
It’s not easy to maintain such a relationship unless you are extremely impartial. Being a man from the South I have been associated with President Mahinda Rajapaksa for quite a long period. While many people had different views about the last Presidential election, I was sure that President Rajapaksa would emerge victorious and so I made the prediction.
Though there are some people in our profession who hesitate to make the right predictions largely due to pressure, I have never stooped to such levels and probably that’s why people from all walks of life, belonging to all colours come to me with a sense of confidence,” he said.
“You can never buy me. That’s for sure. When former President Chandrika Kumaratunga was in England in the early nineties, I predicted that she would soon become one of our powerful leaders. At the time of announcing the prediction there was no move at all by Ms. Kumaratunga to even contest the election. But that happened.
Though some people try to label me as a man closer to President Rajapaksa, it was I who first made the prediction that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would form a government in December 2001. When the whole country was confused as to who would be SLFP’s candidate for the last presidential election, I made it clear that it was going to be Mr. Rajapaksa.
I made all these political predictions on all elections through the country’s well-known astrological weeklies especially Ira Handa and Sampatha. I don’t only cater to politicians. There are top celebrities who come to me and even those living in other countries make social trips to Sri Lanka to obtain my services.
“As I said earlier President Rajapaksa will use his best to crush the Tigers but at the same time it will have a telling on the masses due to the rising defence budget. There will be little natural disasters like the tsunami in the country within the next few years, but the battlefront is going to be tough. The ultimate solution would someday emerge as a result of talks and devolution of power,” says the man whose prediction had never gone wrong in the past 12 years.
Sumanadsa Abeygunawardana is the only Sri Lankan astrologer to make a joint prediction on the Indian political situation in 1996.
“I predicted that the Congress party would lose and that the BJP would gain power. I told that A.B. Vajpayee would become Prime Minister but he would not last in the position for more than 14 days. Mr vajpayee reigned on the 13th day after he became Prime Minister. My stories were splashed in Indian newspapers too. I consider the recent award for excellence I received from India as a very prestigious one. I am extremely careful in my calculations and interpretations and that is the story behind my success. Today even the West believes in astrology and horoscopes. Even the British Royal family gives prominence to astrology.

“My father D.S. Abeygunawardana was the head of the Morawak Korale Gam Sabhawa and he closely associated with political leaders like the late Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kothelawela and J.R. Jayawardene. I have two daughters.
The eldest studies astrology and is due to follow an intensive course in India. My younger daughter is also leaving abroad for higher studies. I always believe that whatever gift we possess to serve the people is a blessing and we should never exploit it,” concluded Mr. Abeygunawardana.

Contact details of Sumanadasa Abeygunawardana –
No. 6, Kachchiwatte Road, Magalle, Galle
Phone: 09122 24044
Emailsumithabey@slt.lk

Website:www.janase tha.com

Terrorist, Guerrilla, Freedom Fighter: What’s the Difference?

Do terrorists see themselves as terrorists?

No. The French revolutionaries who coined the term "terrorist" in the 1790s thought it had positive connotations, but today, it’s hard to find anyone who wants to be known as a terrorist. Instead, individuals and organizations branded as terrorists tend to prefer calling themselves "freedom fighters," "urban guerrillas," or "holy warriors," among other things. For instance, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (a.k.a. Carlos the Jackal), the mastermind of numerous terrorist attacks in the 1970s and 1980s, described himself in 1994 as a revolutionary and "above all a family man." In seeking to be fair, media organizations sometimes shy away from using "terrorist" and "terrorism" in news reports since all parties involved do not accept the same terms—hence, the old saw that "one person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter."


Can terrorism be clearly defined?

Even though most people think they can recognize terrorism when they see it, experts have had difficulty coming up with an ironclad definition. The State Department defines terrorism as "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience." In another useful attempt to produce a definition, Paul Pillar, a former deputy chief of the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, argues that there are four key elements of terrorism:

• It is premeditated—planned in advance, rather than an impulsive act of rage.
• It is designed to change the existing political order. It is not merely criminal, like the violence that groups such as the mafia use to get money.
• It is aimed at civilians—not at military targets or combat-ready troops.
• It is carried out by subnational groups—not by the army of a country.

What is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter?

It’s tough to say, according to experts—largely because they are overlapping categories. Terrorism is a tactic, and "freedom fighting" describes a motivation, so a person or group could be engaged in both at the same time. Experts say whether one calls a particular group "terrorists" or "freedom fighters" often largely depends on whether one thinks the group’s ends justify its violent means—which, in turn, depends on one’s politics. For example, Palestinian suicide bombers are described as terrorists in Israel and the United States, but many Arabs and Muslims and some Europeans view their attacks as a legitimate part of the struggle for Palestinian national liberation.

What is the difference between a terrorist and a guerrilla?

Here again, it’s hard to draw a clear line, experts say. Like terrorists, guerrillas are politically motivated, violent groups that aren’t organized like conventional armies. But unlike terrorists, guerrillas tend to organize in larger groups, seize and hold territory, and send openly armed units to attack opposing military forces.
Another key distinction is terrorists’ deliberate targeting of civilians. Guerrillas typically focus their unconventional warfare on military or government targets. Still, some guerrilla groups use tactics such as kidnapping, assassination, and bombing to frighten civilians as part of their campaigns to overthrow governments or seek power—although guerrillas often use such terrorist tactics early in a rebellion and then move on to other tactics.

Can a group be both guerrilla and terrorist?

Yes, experts say. Some groups could be considered both guerrilla and terrorist, depending on which targets they’re attacking. For instance, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah won significant Western sympathy for its attacks on Israeli troops occupying a self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon, but Hezbollah associates also garnered widespread Western condemnation for their suicide bombings, kidnappings, and hijackings. Colombia’s rebel FARC and ELN movements are known both for guerrilla attacks on government targets and for terrorist operations aimed at civilians, such as bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings.

Can states be terrorists?

Again, it’s a question of definition. The State Department and many leading experts define terrorists as members of subnational groups, not government leaders or states—thereby placing even such dedicated abusers of human rights as Slobodan Milosevic’s Serbia beyond the bounds of the epithet "terrorist." These experts often define Milosevic-style atrocities as human rights abuses or war crimes. But some terrorism scholars do include violence perpetrated by governments in their definitions of terrorism, if these assaults involve state violence intentionally aimed at civilians and designed to instill fear or influence public opinion. Also, states can sponsor terrorism by providing sanctuary; weapons; training; or logistical, financial, or diplomatic support to terrorist groups. The State Department lists seven countries as state sponsors of terrorism: Cuba, Libya, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.

The lighter side of the 15th Deiyo SAARC kee Conference

The 15th Deiyo SAARC kee Conference a.k.a. the ‘Beggars Conference’ was held in the ‘Autocratic Totalitarian Dictatorship of Paradise Lost’ recently. The Conference was attended by leaders from 8 regional dictatorships of South East Antarctica.

They were: President Chinthana Paksharaja of the host country, ‘Paradise Lost’. Prime Minister Mannamaala Sing from ‘Indiana Jones Land’. Prime Minister Goo Laanee from ‘Puck is Land’. An unknown Bum from ‘Bum of a Desh’. President Abdul Baboon from ‘Maalu Islands’. President Haramaanis Karzai from ‘Talaiban Land’. Prime Minister Jigi Jigi Jigme from ‘Boo Tang’, and Prime Minister Gamaraala Koirala from ‘No Paul’.

President Chinthana Paksharaja of ‘Paradise Lost’ proposed that the 8 Deiyo SAARC kee Dictatorships should join hands, arms, legs ect. to defeat Tourism! He stated that ever since the ‘Sudda Buggers’ had heard about the beautiful beaches in the region, they had descended in droves and become the scourge of the South East Antarctic countries! A resolution was passed that every means at their disposal should be used to combat Tourism! It was decided that as each countries own indigenous terrorist groups should be utilized to combat Tourism! The ‘Prevention of Tourism Act’ (PTA) was approved unanimously, giving wide ranging powers to the terrorists!

“Restoring Terrorism through the defeat of Tourism should be the goal of all our dictatorships stated President Chinthana Paksharaja, and cautioned that “the deadliest Tourists were the ‘Seaside Bummers’, who flaunted their ‘claymore boobs’ and ‘parcel bums’ on beaches throughout the region!” President Chinthana Paksharaja also mentioned with pride, Chief Minister Pulliman a.k.a. ‘Jelly Bum’ a former child prostitute who gave up Tourism to embrace Terrorism.

The Conference ended after the 8 leaders agreed to “Kill all Tourists and let the Tourist Board sort them out!” President Chinthana Paksharaja
then invited the foreign delegates for a Kurrakan and Baabath feed at the five and a half star Tourist Board approved ‘Matara Bath Kade’. The President desisted from eating any baabath and only dipped into the baabath gravy as he was a ‘born again’ vegetarian!

After a round of kola kenda laced with some arrack, Prime Minister Mannamaala Sing rolled a few joints of the finest ‘Kerala Ganja’, and passed them around after which the leaders decided to call it a day. The bill was paid by Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivatta Kabba from a loan taken from the World Bank. It was decided to hold next years Deiyo SAARC kee Conference a.k.a. the ‘Beggars Conference’ in the Maalu Islands! President Abdul Baboon promised all the delegates a sumptuous Dry Fish feed when they arrived next year. Prime Minister Mannamaala Sing said he would supply more Kerala Ganja to jazz up the Conference! Maalu Islands here we come! Be there or be square!

The Moral of the story: You are never too old to sit around looking like idiots!

With apologies to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

First they banned the sale of meat,
and I didn't speak up, because I was a vegetarian.
Then they banned the sale of alcohol,
and I didn't speak up, because I was a teetotaler.
When they shut down movie theatres,
I didn't speak up, because I had a DVD at home.
When they censored television,
I didn't speak up, because I didn't watch T.V.
When they imprisoned Tamils on suspicion of being terrorists,
I didn't speak up, because I was a Burgher.
When they shooed away the beggers and bashed up the gays,
I didn't speak up, because I was neither gay nor a begger.
When they put away the prostitutes,
I didn't speak up, because I was a married man who stayed cloistered at home.
I didn't raise my voice, I didn't make a fuss.
It's funny there was no one left to notice, when they came for me!


For his opposition to the Nazi's state control of the churches, Niemöller was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945. He narrowly escaped execution and survived imprisonment.After his imprisonment, he expressed his deep regret about not having done enough to help the victims of the Nazis.

This is the original poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller.
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

The 32 New Countries Created Since 1990

Since 1990, thirty-two new countries have been created. The dissolution of the USSR and Yugoslavia in the early 1990s caused the creation of most of the newly independent states.

You probably know about many of these changes but a few of these new countries seemed to slip by almost unnoticed. This comprehensive listing will update you about the countries which have formed since 1990.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Fifteen new countries became independent with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Most of these countries declared independence a few months preceding the fall of the Soviet Union in late 1991.

1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Belarus
4. Estonia
5. Georgia
6. Kazakhstan
7. Kyrgyzstan
8. Latvia
9. Lithuania
10. Moldova
11. Russia
12. Tajikistan
13. Turkmenistan
14. Ukraine
15. Uzbekistan

Former Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia dissolved in the early 1990s into five independent countries.

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 29, 1992
2. Croatia, June 25, 1991
3. Macedonia (officially The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) declared independence on September 8, 1991 but wasn't recognized by the United Nations until 1993 and the United States and Russia in February of 1994
4. Serbia and Montenegro, (also known as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), April 17, 1992 (see below for separate Serbia and Montenegro entries)
5. Slovenia, June 25, 1991

Other New Countries

Nine other countries became independent through a variety of causes.

* March 21, 1990 - Namibia became independent of South Africa.

· May 22, 1990 - North and South Yemen merged to form a unified Yemen.

· October 3, 1990 - East Germany and West Germany merged to form a unified Germany after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

· September 17, 1991 - The Marshall Islands was part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (administered by the United States) and gained independence as a former colony.

· September 17, 1991 - Micronesia, previously known as the Caroline Islands, became independent from the United States.

· January 1, 1993 - The Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent nations when Czechoslovakia dissolved.

· May 25, 1993 - Eritrea was a part of Ethiopia but seceded and gained independence.

· October 1, 1994 - Palau was part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (administered by the United States) and gained independence as a former colony.

· May 20, 2002 - East Timor declared independence from Portugal in 1975 but became independent of Indonesia in 2002.

· June 3, 2006 - Montenegro was part of Serbia and Montenegro (also known as Yugoslavia) but gained independence after a referendum.

· June 5, 2006 - Serbia became its own entity after Montenegro split.

The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was an act of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government Assembly of Kosovo, adopted on 17 February 2008, which declared Kosovo to be independent from Serbia.

If all these countries can declare independence...Why not a Tamil Eelaam in Sri Lanka???

This is a new Alphabet for the ‘Vocal Majority’ from the ‘Silent Minority’.

A is for Abductions that take place even after the end of the so called “Humanitarian Operation”, usually blamed on i Internationale Conspirators and aliens.

B is for Benz Bikkus who live in the lap of luxury.

C is for Censorship of TV programmes showing scenes of alcohol and tobacco.

D is for Doctor Delipihiya, patron saint of murder and mayhem.

E is for Elections which are neither free nor fair.

F is for Freedom of abduction, harassment and imprisonment under the Prevention of TOURISM Act.

G is for Gullible majority who have been hoodwinked since 1948.

H is for Human rights abuses that occur 465 days of the year.

I is for Independence also known as the ’62 Year Curse’. (We were better off under the British!)

J is for Jayasuriya, who will probably play until the 2043 World Cup or until he gets his EPF?

K is for Kassipu. (A bottle a day keeps the liver awake.)

L is for Lies, damned lies and statistics that the government media saturates us with each day. (Courtesy of “Useful Idiots” like Dr. The Yarn)

M is for Mahinda Chinthanaya. (Who needs the Bible, Koran and Tripitaka when we have the ‘Chinthanaya.’

N is for Nepotism or favoritism to the 300+ relatives. (Also check R)

O is for the MANY (and still to come) Patriotic Opposition MPs who crossed over to the government to save the country from “International Conspiracies”.

P is for Pillayan, who became Chief Minister of the East using the ‘Bullet’ to get the ‘Ballot.’

Q is for Question mark? Has the war really ended? When do pigs fly and when does hell freeze over? When the “ASSchariya” happens?

R is for Rajapaksa poshanaya of Mahinda, Basil, Goatabaya and Chamal.

S is for ” STAY COOL” all is well in the island of Jilmart!

T is for Terrorism. Both the LTTE kind and the State sponsored kind.

U is for Underestimate. What the Government always does of the LTTE and the Diaspora.

V is for Velupillai Prabahakaran who is very much alive and kicking (in the hearts of the Tamils).

W is for Wickramasinghe (Ranil). The greatest President that never governed Sri Lanka.

X is for Xenophobia or the island mentality. The dislike of all things foreign.

Y is for Yearning for yesterday. The national pastime of living in the past.

Z is for Zero casualties in “The Humanitarian Operation”.. (for semantics and paradigm shifts speak to Dr. The Yarn Joy Tikka)

Majorities, minorities, hammers and nails!

When people of different origins, speaking different languages and professing different religions inhabit the same country and live under the same political sovereignty, ethnic and racial conflict is the usual outcome. More often than not, this happens when the majority tries to impose its language, religion and cultural values on the minorities!

There is an old saying: If your only tool is a hammer, then all your problems look like nails. In the ‘Aluth Sri Lanka’ that we live in today, our tools for problem solving consist of multi-barrel rocket launchers, migs, kafirs, white vans, goon squads and rigged elections. And the Tamils in the north and east and other parts of the country including journalists and the general public at large are the nails that are bombed into submission, abducted, beaten, killed and terrorized!
The ‘Maanushika Meheuma’ or ‘Humanitarian Operation,’ an euphemism for the ongoing war is fought today as a scared and justifiable war! A war of good against evil, black versus white! But let us not forget the many shades of grey in between!

’Fighting for peace is like copulating for virginity,’ is a pithy saying attributed to an American GI during the Vietnam war. This saying describes Sri Lanka’s predicament in a nutshell! Using military might to settle a dispute might seem logical in the short term, taking the peoples minds off the rising cost of living, but in the long term we are all losers!

Maximum devolution of power is the only way forward. In Sri Lanka’s 60 year history, agreements were made but not implemented! Pacts were signed and abrogated! This time around, if the majority community does not agree to devolution, the country’s future will be quite bleak, and it will not be the beginning of the end, but the end of the end, and Sri Lanka will meander along as ‘A can’t be developed country,’ the ‘Sick man of Asia.’