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Sri Lanka opens aerial surveillance centre to journalists
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by Suranee | April 20, 2009 at 08:01 am
409 views | 14 Recommendations | 29 comments
The aerial surveillance centre was opened to journalists for the first time by The Sri lanka military.
The centre gave a glimpse into a real-time footage from a battlefield usually off-limits to independent observers.
COLOMBO, April 20 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's military on Monday opened up its aerial surveillance centre to journalists for the first time, offering a glimpse of real-time footage from a battlefield usually off-limits to independent observers.
A handful of reporters were brought inside the Battle Management Centre at air force headquarters in Colombo, from where controllers monitor video from Israeli-made unmanned drones and a Beechcraft reconnaissance airplane.
That real-time information is then fed to commanders fighting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) separatists.
Vice Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke showed videos to the reporters and two of such videos showed throngs of people around a few makeshift structures and a map to chalk out the 1.5 km (1 mile) path he said people had taken, crossing an earthen berm built by the Tigers and then wading through a lagoon to reach the army-held areas.
"All of these small dots are human beings waiting to be checked," Vice Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke told reporters, pointing to video on a widescreen monitor showing throngs of people around a few makeshift structures.
He then aimed a laser pointer at an adjacent screen with a map to chalk out the 1.5 km (1 mile) path he said people had taken, crossing an earthen berm built by the Tigers and then wading through a lagoon to reach the army-held areas.
"I think the civilians saw the army was close and thought it was a safe route. Probably the civilians spied them because this is an open space," he said, making a circle with the laser pointer.
He then showed video he said was taken at about 8 a.m. (0230 GMT) from around 7,000 feet (2,134 metres), which showed a stream of people running to reach the earth berm. They appeared much like a string of marching ants.
Another video taken earlier in the morning showed what he said was an LTTE vehicle firing a heavy weapon, its muzzle blast flaring black in gray image from an infrared camera.
The LTTE uses an active web site, TV stations and a strong diaspora network to make its message known whereas the Sri lanka military under the current government has rapidly made up ground through state media and dedicated personnel and web sites to shape its message.
Sri Lanka's military has a reputation for keeping most outsiders away from its operations except via carefully organised trips to newly captured areas. Local media are allowed to the front, and Reuters got a visit in February.
For decades, the LTTE held the propaganda edge with an active web site, TV stations and a strong diaspora network it used to make its message known.
But Sri Lanka's military under the current government has rapidly made up ground through state media and dedicated personnel and web sites to shape its message.
Although there was no way to verify independently that the taped events matched what happened in the morning, Gunatilleke ordered the drone's pilot to move for a closer look at another area of the no-fire zone at the request of journalists.
Although there was no way to verify independently that the taped events matched what happened in the morning, Gunatilleke ordered the drone's pilot to move for a closer look at another area of the no-fire zone at the request of journalists.
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Recommendations (14)
Tamiya
Voth, Texas, United States
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
israeli.agent
India
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (29)
at 08:15 on April 20th, 2009
Good . Now more truths will come out.
However the most important part of the reuters reports are somehow missed out from the story.
Source: reuters.com
.Agent.
at 08:20 on April 20th, 2009
From which side do you mean "more truths will come out" Agent, the Sri lanka military and the Sri Lanka government or from the LTTE?
Personally, I don't think either of the parties are capable of telling the truth.
at 17:11 on April 20th, 2009
Truth is absolute , Suranee. It does not have a side.
Personally , I know truth will prevail.
.Agent.
at 17:24 on April 20th, 2009
I hope it will too Agent.
at 08:28 on April 20th, 2009
Let them wait few more days .. Some Tamils are still alive there
at 17:25 on April 20th, 2009
I hope so Senthil. This genocide has to stop.
at 06:44 on April 21st, 2009
Those who have this genocide mania needs medicine. Please see a doctor
at 07:33 on April 21st, 2009
It's those who do not consider this genocide that is in need of medicine.They should also take the Rajapakse regime and its supporters as well as the LTTE and its supporters who are guilty of this genocide with them to get that medicine.
That medicine has to do a lot with the value of humanity which I strongly feel the Rajapakse regime and the LTTE as well as their supporters do not have.
at 05:46 on April 22nd, 2009
Suranee,
You need to put up a biiiiiig hospital that is adicuate enough to accomadate those who support the Rajapakse regime in this war and the LTTE and its supporters. Not to mention with a huge OPD to treat those of this way nor that way.
A handful like you will have to work hard to earn enough to treat this mentaly sick in SL. Nanutally the Taxes will go up as you predicted some time back.
Come down to earth.
at 07:15 on April 22nd, 2009
I and others who are not Sinhalese extremists have "come down to earth."
It is people like us who defend the rights of all Sri Lankans irrespective of what ethnic group they are from. And we do all this because we believe that Sri lanka is not just for the Sinhalese and also because we care about humanity.
at 09:30 on April 22nd, 2009
wow, we are full of praise for ourselves, aren't we? :-D
Yes, it is alright to label the people who stand up against terrorism and who actually do something to protect the people, sinhala, tamil, muslim alike and who want to put an end to this 30 year long misery as "sinhala extremists" I guess. Yes, very clever of you Suranee.
few questions though.
What are you going to call the Muslim people of Sri Lanka who whole heartedly support the elimination of LTTE and also support your beloved "Rajapaksa Regime"?
What are you going to call the Tamil people who have come out and talking openly saying they support the end of LTTE? (i can give a long list of names if u are not aware of this. non-politicians)
I guess you call them "sinhala extremists" too.
One advice, don't talk too highly of your own self. It does not look very nice.
Also don't lie about what people believe in and what people want. Just because they like a Leader whom you have some grudge against, it does not mean that 80% of people in Sri Lanka are extremists, or that they want a Sinhala only land. That is quite a big joke since my very close Muslim friends are fully supporting what your beloved Mahinda Rajapaksa is doing.
at 09:40 on April 22nd, 2009
By the way, this claim of yours that people want a "Sinhala only land" - is this something to do with the people where you live, Ratnapura?
Because I cannot for the life of me name one single person among my associates, neighbors, friends, colleagues, friends of friends, relations, people from my father's village, my mother's village....... who want a Sinhala Only land, or anyone who do not care about all communities that have suffered.
So all I can imagine is, either where you live there are such people, or you are lying.
at 07:25 on April 23rd, 2009
Hiranya,
You know very well that it's not only in Ratnapura, but also in other parts of Sri lanka where there are Sinhalese who want Sri Lanka to be only a Sinhala Land.
I will always be a liar to those who are Sinhalese extremists. But I don't care about that. There are other Sinhalese who have been accused of being liars too by certain Sinhalese extremists, Brian Senewiratne and Professor Sisira Jayasuriya, just two out of the many such Sinhalese people who not only have been accused of being liars but also have had other things done to them by Sinhala extremists. But that's the price one has to pay for standing up for the truth.
at 10:06 on April 23rd, 2009
Hiranya you be out of this please
$ are talking! Can't I be your partner in biz Suranee.
"Dont you know the econmy is bad. The government is in a killing spree. Girls are raped. media not allowed."
I dont think I can do as perfectly the way you do. But I can improve with time. Give me a chance to earn some $ please.
at 18:46 on April 23rd, 2009
Congrats, BimsaraB.
Not bad..not at al bad..! :-))
Remember these words too,
Genocide, Vampire (bloodthirsty would add a poetic charm), Chemical weapon etc.
Happy career..!
.Agent.
at 09:56 on April 24th, 2009
LOL
at 07:06 on April 23rd, 2009
Sinhalese extremists protecting the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim alike? Now that's a laugh.
The Rajapakse regime had every opportunity of getting rid of the LTTE without committing this genocide on the Tamil civilians when they bribed large sums of money to the LTTE during the last general election since they knew where the LTTE were. Why didn't they get rid of the LTTE then? Why now by killing so many of our Tamil brethren?
Do you call this the elimination of the LTTE? This is the genocide of the Sri lankan Tamils.
I'm not the one whose lying here. You can talk all you want about how your friends who are both Muslims and Tamils supporting Rajapakse but the truth is alot of Sri lankan Muslims and Sri lankan Tamils don't. You can give your long list of names but again, those of us, who are Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in Sri lanka that are against "Sinhala nationalism" know very well about the Sinhala extremists and what their capable of.
What am I going to call the Sri lankan Muslims and Sri lankan Tamils who "support the end of LTTE?" I haven't thought of a name, but this I know, they never expected that "supporting the end of the LTTE" would result in a genocide committed on the Sri lankan Tamils not only by the LTTE, but also by the President of Sri Lanka and his regime who is known to his supporters as the beloved Mahinda Rajapaksa.
at 14:23 on May 5th, 2009
The fact that people are being killed is a big fat joke to them. It honestly makes me sick because they give no regard to human life. Sure enough, Pirabaharan needs to be caught and dealt with but NOT at the expense of thousands of lives. The fact that they are not bothered by civilian deaths in the least really sickens me. And they have the audacity to poke fun of those who speak out. You automatically become an outcast if you support neither the government nor the ltte. Honestly I can only think of the word 'extremists' to call them. Some people tend to think they know it all but at the end of the day, they know jacksh**. Being involved closely with the army does not give anyone superior knowledge that they seem to think that they have. I don't know how many times I've mentioned that people need to be respetful to others' opinions. But at the end of the day, its not happening. Its a case of SL gov against LTTE but you're a bigger enemy if you speak out for the people.
at 22:51 on May 5th, 2009
Yes Tiana,
Suranee saying that all Sinhala people except for "herself and few like her" want a Sinhala Only land - will be laughed at !!!
I'm sorry that it makes you sick.
You may call me or the others whatever you like - does not matter to me. I will maintain that you are one person in this forum who is genuinely concerned and have had genuine issues in the past which makes your suspicions and concerns more than fair.
However Suranee's claims that all Sinhalese want what she claims (grossest untruth and laughable) - makes her in my mind someone with no integrity and no credibility. What she is trying to achieve by saying this, I can only speculate.
How many Sinhalese and Tamils have inter married in Sri Lanka? I myself have Tamil relatives. My first cousin is married to a Tamil girl and they have a Tamil+Sinhala child (I have mentioned this before). That family has become our family as well.
Nobody... NOBODY that I know want this to be a Sinhala country - Are we to chase all our Muslim and Tamil friends out of Sri Lanka, if Suranee is saying the truth? Because i do have a lot of them.
This claim of hers only shows to me that she has some agenda that she's working on. Nothing else. Utterly disgusting. Talk about incidents, grievances, crimes - that is fine ! But this???
Tiana, sorry to say that the one you seem to trust in this forum definitely is not of your caliber.
at 10:48 on April 23rd, 2009
My vocabulary is not rich enough to think of what to call you.
Let us leave those who are extremist Sinhalise known to you and others in the personal capacities.
Can you name a few public figurs, politicians of any party, openion makers etc.etc. who directly or indirectly canvess for this only a Sinhala Land.
This is all fiction or what your own sub conscience is suggesting you to believe in your wildest dreams.
Please take bus route 134. Seriously you need help
at 10:51 on April 23rd, 2009
Bimsara,
134 bus route sounds like a good option :-D
definitely after reading this bit.
"The Rajapakse regime had every opportunity of getting rid of the LTTE without committing this genocide on the Tamil civilians when they bribed large sums of money to the LTTE during the last general election since they knew where the LTTE were."
at 04:39 on May 5th, 2009
I have never met Suranee nor do I know her. What I can say is that as long as there are people like that in Sri Lanka, there is some hope for that land which to me, a Sinhalese, seems pretty hopeless.
Today it is the Tamils. Tomorrow it will be th likes of Suranee and others of her (and my) ethnic group. When THAT happens, as it sure will, that is when I will raise my voice for the Sinhalese.
What is happening in Sri Lanka is that Democracy is being dismantled an a fascist politico-military murderous dictatorship is being established.The Tamil have long since realised this. The Sinhalese have yet to do so. When they do, it will be too late to do anything about it.
When I have a moment to sapre, which I dont at this time, because I have to address all my energy towards preventing Genocide of the Tamils, and their incarceration in concentration camps, I will put together a piece "The Dismantling of Democracy in Sri Lanka".
Actually Im not sure that Ive used the correct term 'fascist'. A more accurate description would have been "A Totalitarian State". As Hannah Arendt wrote of the post World War 1 era, totalitarianism has a leadership that requires "total domination of the individual". A totalitarian leader faces no opposition - it has gone quiet - and he can unleash terror without himself being afraid. Does that not resonate with what is going on in Sri lanka with the likes of Gotabaya Rajapakse and Sarath Fonseka, and the silencig of Lasantha Wickrematunga and many others like him? Well, if it does not, it should. Often it is easier to see from a distance what people near the site of action cannot see.
Brian Senewiratne Brisbane Australia
If I have casued irritation, you are more than welcome to abuse me in any language that you use in your home. My address for abuse is bsenewiratne@gmail.com . As Lord Reith said "There are some people whom it is our duty to offend". Ill be so disappointed if this does NOT generate abuse.. My replies are always in the Queens English, not the Fishmarket stuff that has come my way for the past 32 years, from the 'patriotic' Sinhalalese - which, of course, excludes traitors like myself.
I will not cheapen your site by quoting some of the more juicy ones Ive had, but Id say one thing. They have asked me to do things with my mother (now dead) which I hope they do not do with their mother. If they do, then they have a serious psychiatric problem and need the help of a Physician such as myself. There seem to be a fair few Sinhalese who are mentally sick. More of them are here in the expat community than in your supposed 'Paradise Island'. I guess youve got rid of the worst and it is our good fortune to have them here.
BS
at 17:47 on May 5th, 2009
Whatever you write is your personal opinion, Doctor. But the line quoted below from your comment outshines the rest.
"......My replies are always in the Queens English, not the Fishmarket stuff that has come my way for the past 32 years..."
These lines accurately reflect what exactly the emotion that guides you is. Sorry to say, fishermen and fish sellers like us are incapable of expressing ourselves in Queen's English correctly. How can we counter an elite echelon of the entire world that is headed by a legend and visionary like your majesty ?
By the way, shouldn’t it be the Queen's English? I beg your pardon for exhibiting my ultimate ignorance of the language in question by asking YOU this.
.Agent.
at 22:48 on May 5th, 2009
"Actually Im not sure that Ive used the correct term 'fascist'. A more accurate description would have been "A Totalitarian State". As Hannah Arendt wrote of the post World War 1 era, totalitarianism has a leadership that requires "total domination of the individual". A totalitarian leader faces no opposition - it has gone quiet - and he can unleash terror without himself being afraid."
Dr. BS,
Thank you for your quite elaborate and thought proviking essay. You have mentioned how you perceive totalitarianism would apply to the Sri Lankan context at present. I would also like to know how it applies to one V. Pirapaharan Esq. we know of. Thank you!
at 04:50 on May 5th, 2009
Wow Suranee. Hats Off to You.
There is a glimse of hope for human rights in Sri Lanka, if there are enough Sinhalese like you to protect the rights of all citizens of Sri Lanka.
at 11:57 on May 5th, 2009
Tamiya,
Please let your Sinhalese friends who stand in line with you to protect the human rights of all citizens of Sri Lanka know of the itienory of the LTTE.
It is important tthat they get protected from the LTTE of their indiscreminate bombing in Colombo or elsewhare
at 04:57 on May 5th, 2009
Vice Air Marshals are only in the now defunct Losing Tigers of Terrorist Eelam Air Force.
Kolitha Gunatilake and all the other in his rank around the world atr Air Vice Marshals.
Also, what does BS mean?
at 05:27 on May 5th, 2009
Will give a clue. The content of the comment is all BS.
at 07:32 on May 5th, 2009
Thank you BS for your writing on the Sinhalese and the GoSL.
In order to evaluvate your skills further could you please give an article to NP on the LTTE and V. Piripaharan.