Bandaranaike family never upraise racism in this country: Chandrika

[ Friday, 27 September 2013, 04:23.35 AM GMT +05:30 ]

Former president Chandrika Bandaranike said that the Bandaranaike family never upraise racism in this country.

Bandaranike family engage politics in the Athanegala electorate and no communal violations reported in this area. Former Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranika establishes SriLanka Freedom Party to benefit people. However at present some others say they are the owners of this party. At present people are willing to ethnic differences among people. Some are willing to create religious differences. Government and police fail to take action against racists. My father did not introduce Sinhala act to work against minorities of this country. He introduces the act to grant reliefs for locals during the time of colonial period. On this period Tamil leader never called upon separate state. Especially Chelvanayakam did not fight to establish separate state. He always request to grant justice for Tamil nationals.
For the past 80

SLFP Is Not A Racist Party: CB

September 27, 2013

Racism and religious extremism have no place in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said at the commemoration of her father S.W.R.D. Bandaranaikes death yesterday. Addressing a crowd during the ceremonies to commemorate the former Sri Lankan Premier, Kumaratunga said that the pact signed between her father and Federal Party Leader, popularly known as the Banda-Chelva Agreement, went far beyond the power sharing provisions of the 13th

Mahinda and Chandrika

Amendment. At that time, the Federal Party was asking for power sharing under a federal system, she said. Nowadays they are speaking of too many powers in the 13th Amendment. The Banda-Chelva pact was willing to share power far more significantly than that, the former President said. The SLFP was started with the Bandaranayake vision, said Kumaratunga, adding that in these days various convoluted visions had been incorporated into the party. Of late various people claim their fathers created the SLFP along with my father at that time I dont think they were around, she charged. Defending her fathers controversial Sinhala Only Act, Kumaratunga said it was an attempt to uphold the rights of the majority that had been suppressed by European colonialists for hundreds of years. He also brought the Tamil language bill at the same time. He had no intention to implement racist policies. But because he was assassinated, there was no way to enact that bill, President Kumaratunga said.

Your War Our Lives

Systematic Genocide of Tamils1956.. 1958.. 1961.. 1974.. 1977.. 1979.. 1981.. 1983.. .. 2008 State-sponsored anti-Tamil violence in 1956, 1958, 1961, 1974
Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Ntions
Posted by Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj Srilanka-Ilankai (in Tamil) / Lanka (in Sinhala) An island located in the Indian ocean, off the southeast tip of India Three times as larger than the state of New Jersey - 25,000 sq miles in area Shared History Dates Back to 500BC. Sinhala-speaking people - 77%, Tamil-speaking people - 23% When Portuguese took possession of the island in 1505 there were 3 Kingdoms Tamil Kingdom in the North-East - Tamil Homeland - (yellow)

 Sinhalese Kingdoms in the South-West (grey). History 1505 -1658: Portuguese held the island 1658 1796: Dutch usurped control 1796: the British took over Portuguese and Dutch ruled the Tamil and Sinhala Kingdoms separately, but, the British artificially joined them for their administrative convenience only in 1833. On Feb. 4, 1948 - British left the Island leaving it as one country, CEYLON, leaving political power in the hands of the majority Sinhalese. THE PROBLEM THE PROBLEM: First Element Two Historically Feuding Ethnic Groups Two Historically Feuding Ethnic Groups. Centralized Unitary Government.Citizens are not treated equally Rights of the Tamils are violated Mistreatment of Tamils 60 years! Two Historically Feuding Ethnic Groups. Centralized Unitary Government. Constitutionally entrenched Sinhala Rule. SINHALESE COMMAND ABSOLUTE POWER and, it is PERMANENT! 1948 1 million Tamils declared as non-citizens 1949 Sinhalese colonization in traditional Tamil homeland 1956 Sinhala made sole official language of the country 1970 ethnic standardization slashes university admission to Tamils same entrance exam, but Tamils need to score 30% more 1972 New constitution without Tamils participation Unilateral name change from Ceylon to Sri Lanka Declaration of Sri lanka as a republic Buddhism made state religion 1977 - Prevention of Terrorism Act State-sponsored anti-Tamil violence in 1956, 1958, 1961, 1974 TAMIL POLITICAL ACTION NON-VIOLENCE (1948 1976) TAMIL POLITICAL ACTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: VIOLENCE (Since 1956) Systematic Genocide of Tamils1956.. 1958.. 1961.. 1974.. 1977.. 1979.. 1981.. 1983.. .. 2008 TURNING POINT - 1976 TURNING POINT - 1976 Resolution for Independence: Vaddukoddai Resolution

30 year struggle for equality denied. multiple pacts for regional autonomy not honored. non-violent agitations by Tamils met by State violence The Elected Tamil Political Leaders convened and resolved to restore Tamil Sovereignty by declaring an Independent Tamil state in the North-East of Sri Lanka. 1977 Election: Tamils ratify the call for independence by 82% popular vote Tamil Legislators thrown out of parliament by the government. Tamil Armed Rebellion takes hold Lead by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 1983 State Sponsored Anti-Tamil Pogrom Thimpu Talks Declaration July 13th 1985Mediated by Indian government failed TAMIL NATIONAL MILITARY(LTTE) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING2002 Ceasefire Monitored by Scandinavian Countries (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission - SLMM) CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT Signed by the SL Government and the LTTE on 22 February 2002 forward defence localities (borders) have been established, the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers fighting formations shall hold their ground positions Neither Party shall engage in any offensive military operation nor shall move munitions, explosives or military equipment into the area controlled by the other Party. THE OSLO DECLARATION:Signed by the SLG and the LTTE on 25 November 2002 the parties have agreed to explore a political solution founded on the principle of internal self-determination in areas of historical habitation of the Tamil-speaking people, based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka. BROKEN AGREEMENTS Within 3 years 2002-2005 Dissolving High Security Zones Withdrawing military from Houses, School, Worshiping places (February 2002) Sub-Committee for Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East (SIHRN) (February 2002) North East Reconstruction Fund (NERF) (November 2002) Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) (31 October 2003) Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure (PTOMS) (June 2005) November 2005Election of President Rajapakse Campaign promises: No recognition of Tamil Homeland or right to Self-Rule. No to Federal Solution No to International Mediation After the Election of President Rajapakse ESCALATION OF VIOLENCEby the SL

Armed Forces and Government sponsored Paramilitary. 47 humanitarian workers were kidnapped and killed. 5 Tamil Parliamentarians were assassinated. Many leading Tamil Journalists were murdered. Hundreds of Tamils were abducted for ransom & killed. 17 Humanitarian Workers of a French NGO (AFC)Murdered by SL Army in an execution style on 5 August 2006 Violence after Election of President Rajapakse Targeted Killing of Tamil Civilians SL government de-merged the Tamil Homeland. (North-East) Sri Lanka government officially unilaterally abrogated Ceasefire Agreement from January 16, 2008 Sri Lanka government is intensifying a full scale war on the Tamil Homeland to impose Military Solution & calling it as War on Terror No credible political solution is under discussion by SL government. Tamil civilians being targeted: Disappearances, Daily aerial bombings, Road-side bombs, Shelling, Extra-judicial killing. Over 5000 Tamils have been killed since election . Average of 7 Tamils killed daily US Foreign Policy & Role Toward Sri Lanka and Tamils US Policy & Role In 1996 Sri Lanka influenced US to designate LTTE as FTO. In the post 9/11 scenario US sort partners for War on Terror. SL depicted the Tamil armed struggle as acts of Terrorism. SL declared its human rights violations as inevitable occurrences in the War on Terror. US promotes democracy and freedom, and acknowledges Tamils legitimate aspirations for freedom. In 2004 elections, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) accepted the LTTE as the National Leadership of the Tamils, and won 97% of Tamils votes. However, since LTTE is in its FTO list, US is in a paradox that it is unable to treat both parties equally and help Tamils achieve their legitimate aspirations for freedom. The USA had placed LTTE on the FTO list US ROLE Military Assistance to SL Army Stop It Financial Aid to SL Government Monitor it Public Statements Be fair to both nation Diplomacy Treat both parties Equally US CONGRESS

Rep. Frank Pallone On Autonomy of Tamils: I echo this sentiment and support a solution that grants a level of autonomy to ethnic minorities like the Tamils. We have seen very similar successful situations throughout the world. Places like Quebec in Canada, Wales and Scotland in Great Britain are all part of their Federal Nations but have significant autonomy. (September 2006) Rep. Rush Holt On Human Rights Violations Against Tamils I urge US Secretary of State Dr. Rice to appoint a special envoy to emphasize US's commitment to peace in Sri Lanka and to include in the envoy's mandate efforts to increase monitoring of human rights violations," (September 2006) US GOVERNMENT Mr. Richard Boucher Assistant US Secretary of State [Colombo; 26 June 2006] Though we reject the methods that the Tamil Tigers have used, there are legitimate issues raised by the Tamil community and they have a very legitimate desire, as anybody would, to control their own lives, to rule their own destinies, and to govern themselves in their homeland, in the areas theyve traditionally inhabited. Richard L. Armitage Deputy Secretary of State [December, 2002 the United States is greatly encouraged that the LTTE has made a commitment to the political solution and has agreed to settle this conflict through peaceful means... the United States government is also encouraged by the vision of the LTTE as a genuine political entity. If the LTTE can make a convincing case that it is committed to a political solution, the United States will certainly consider removing the LTTE from the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, as well as any other terrorism-related... A US LTTE direct contact is worth Trying. EU followed US and placed LTTE on the FTO list Maj. Gen. Ulf Henricsson Chief of the Ceasefire Monitoring Mission. [ Reuters; 12 Aug 2006] EU can't say they didn't know or at least have any signal about what could happen, I think the EU thought that the government of Sri Lanka was a responsible government, who could take the appropriate decision and work for peace instead of war... I would say, EUs decision to ban the LTTE is a mistake, it was a wrong decision, because the LTTE and the government have signed the ceasefire agreement as equal partners. US DIPLOMAT Teresita C. Schaffer Former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka (June 2005)

The United States designation of the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization has affected U.S. diplomacy in Sri Lanka The effect of U.S. terrorism law and of the terrorist organization list has been a problem for U.S. diplomacy, and one that has not always been wisely handled. US CONGRESS Rep. Brad Sherman March 15, 2006 Ive urged the State Department to design a road map for the Tamil Tigers, so that they would know what steps they would need to take to get off the terrorist list What is the difference between terrorism on the one hand, and waging a legitimate guerrilla struggle on the other?.. Seeking some degree of autonomy for North-East Sri Lanka is not a terrible objective. US DIPLOMAT Jeffrey Lunstead Former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka [May 2007] Direct US-LTTE links would have helped in convincing the LTTE to move away from terrorism direct communication with the LTTE would have had concrete benefits including the ability to deliver a clear U.S. message about possible delisting of the LTTE as an FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) 60 Years... The result: More than 100,000 Tamils Killed and Disappeared More than 20,000 Tamil orphaned children More than 35,000 Tamil widows Hundreds of Thousands of schools, houses, hospitals, churches, temples, villages and livelihood destroyed. More than 600,000 Tamils Internal Refugees Nearly 1 Million Tamils made to flee the country A Struggle for Freedom NOT Terrorism Two Ethnic Nations, separated by History, Language, Culture, Economic Life, Territorial Homeland. A Tamil Conventional Military fighting the Sri Lankan Military. Defense against genocide of Tamils A large enough Tamil Territory Defensible and sustainable for self governance Roughly the same size as Israel or Kuwait or Slovenia. Bigger in area (19,509 sq. km.) than at least 41 countries in the UN (including Singapore) A De facto Tamil Government Police, Judicial, Finance, Economic-Developments,etc, in existence. Bigger in population (3.6 million in 1979 - ) than at least 59 countries in the UN The Future

If the Sri Lanka government does not accept Tamil Homeland, Tamil Nationhood and Tamil self-rule, the basic and cardinal principles, that have been guiding the Tamils in their struggle to find a peacefully-negotiated political arrangementand If the Sri Lankan government not willing to share power with the Tamils under a ConFederal system or some form of a two-state solution Tamils will be forced to continue their struggle for their National Self-Determination and a Separate State. Kosovo & Tamil Eelam What the Tamil Americans expect from theGovernment of the United States: Remove the LTTE from the Foreign Terrorist Organizations list, and Treat both parties equally. Recognize the Tamil National Self Determination. Permit Tamil people to choose their destiny in internationally supervised plebiscite. Facilitate the birth of the Tamil Nation, Tamil Eelam.