Sri Lanka: Satellite Images, Witnesses Show Shelling Continues

by B12N | May 12, 2009 at 10:15 pm

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Lanka: Satellite Images, Witnesses Show Shelling Continues

(New York) - New satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts contradict Sri Lankan government claims that its armed forces are no longer using heavy weapons in the densely populated conflict area in northern Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said today.

Local sources have reported that more than 400 civilians have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded since May 9, 2009, as a result of artillery attacks on the thin coastal strip where fighting continues between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"Recent satellite photos and witness accounts show the brutal shelling of civilians in the conflict area goes on," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Neither the Sri Lankan army nor the Tamil Tigers appear to have any reluctance in using civilians as cannon fodder."

url="http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/12/sri-lanka-satellite-images-witnesses-show-shelling-continues"]Sri Lanka: Satellite Images, Witnesses Show Shelling Continues UN Security Council Fails to Act While Civilians Suffer May 12, 2009

Image Analysis Area in Sri Lanka - Images taken by Digital Globe's WorldView and QuickBird satellites May 6 and May 10, 2009.

© Digital Globe 2009

This image shows apparent impact craters in the conflict zone on May 6, 2009.

© Digital Globe 2009

Downloadable Resources: Satellite Imagery from the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Related Features: Sri Lanka: Trapped and Under Fire 3

Recent satellite photos and witness accounts show the brutal shelling of civilians in the conflict area goes on. Neither the Sri Lankan army nor the Tamil Tigers appear to have any reluctance in using civilians as cannon fodder.

Brad Adams, Asia director

(New York) - New satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts contradict Sri Lankan government claims that its armed forces are no longer using heavy weapons in the densely populated conflict area in northern Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said today.

Local sources have reported that more than 400 civilians have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded since May 9, 2009, as a result of artillery attacks on the thin coastal strip where fighting continues between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"Recent satellite photos and witness accounts show the brutal shelling of civilians in the conflict area goes on," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Neither the Sri Lankan army nor the Tamil Tigers appear to have any reluctance in using civilians as cannon fodder."

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) today issued a preliminary analysis of commercial high-resolution satellite imagery of the conflict zone that shows craters from the use of heavy weapons and the removal of thousands of likely structures used by internally displaced persons (IDPs) between May 6 and May 10. The AAAS found that it was "certainly unlikely that the IDPs would have moved en masse, and so completely without a compelling reason." Tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the conflict area.

Witnesses described to Human Rights Watch harrowing days spent in shallow bunkers sheltering from artillery attacks and being prevented by the LTTE from escaping to government-controlled areas.

"K. Kanaga," a 35-year-old woman whose name is withheld for security reasons, said that around 7 p.m. on May 9, she and 15 others were hiding in a bunker that they had built under a tractor when a shell struck the tractor. "If it hadn't been for the tractor, we would have all been dead," she said. About eight to 10 shells struck the immediate area, which was populated with tents and improvised bunkers. Kanaga's 45-year-old cousin was staying in a tent nearby; she never reached the bunker and was killed in the attack. "Many other people were injured as well, but I don't know how many," Kanaga said. "I could hear their screams."

"R. Raman," 29, said that he and his family had been hiding in their bunker in Mullaivaikal - a dug-out trench without any cover - for several days. "We were being attacked from all sides," he said. "My wife and I only left the bunker to get food and water for our three children."

Early in the morning on May 9, a shell struck one of the tents closeby, killing Raman's 15-year-old nephew and wounding his nephew's older brother and sister. Raman believes that the shell came from Sri Lankan army positions and may have been targeting LTTE forces that were deployed in the jungle about 100 meters away. Several shells struck the tented area inhabited by displaced civilians.

Raman said he and his family were afraid to try to escape to government-controlled areas. When they and several hundred others had tried to leave the area in early April, LTTE fighters opened fire on them. "I saw them shoot at least 15 people," he said. "They just opened fire on the first row of people. I don't know whether they lived or died, however. We fell to the ground as soon as the firing started. When it stopped, we ran back as quickly as we could. There were children among the people who got shot as well." According to Raman, about half of the people managed to escape that day. The other half were forced to return.

According to doctors who spoke to Human Rights Watch, at around 8 a.m. on May 12 the makeshift hospital at Mullivaikkal was again shelled, as many wounded civilians were waiting for treatment. Nearly 1,000 patients were in the hospital at the time of the attack, including many wounded during attacks on May 9-10. A shell reportedly exploded in front of the admission ward during visiting hours, when many relatives came to visit patients, and doctors usually arrived for work. Doctors reported that the attack killed 49 people (26 immediately, others later succumbing to injuries); another 31 injured remain in the hospital. Among those killed was the administrative officer of Mullaitivu Regional Director of Health Services, who was arranging admission of a patient. A doctor said that the shelling came from the direction of Iraddaivaikal, where government forces are deployed. Human Rights Watch and other independent monitors have not been permitted access to the conflict area by the government, so cannot confirm these casualty figures.

The Mullivaikkal hospital, which had been newly relocated away from the front line, has been repeatedly hit by shells believed to have been fired by Sri Lankan army forces. Photographs of the hospital following the shelling today can be viewed at (slideshow link).

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly raised grave concerns about violations of international law by both parties to the conflict. The LTTE has violated the laws of war by using civilians as "human shields," by preventing civilians from fleeing the combat zone - including by use of lethal force - and by deliberately deploying their forces close to densely populated areas. The Sri Lankan armed forces have indiscriminately shelled densely populated areas, including hospitals, in violation of the laws of war.

Human Rights Watch reiterated its call to Sri Lanka's key donors - including the United States, the European Union, India, Japan, and China - to demand that the Sri Lankan government end its use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas, particularly near hospitals. Both the government and the LTTE should permit safe humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee the combat zone.

Human Rights Watch reiterated its call for the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka to be urgently taken up by a formal meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York and by a special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

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B12N

at 22:33 on May 12th, 2009

How long can Sri Lankan official liars keep denying that they are killing civilians!

chanaka

at 23:03 on May 12th, 2009

Yes LTTE shells and u speaks.For your informations that is all LTTE pro Media releasing the wrong footages and UN yet to find how the high important images which only belongs to UN was out to the Media.

If there is shelling, Sri Lankan forces already finish this war. If you too care about the civilians, ask LTTE to release them as keeping as there leaders safe gard. You too like these civilins to get killed more and then u can too write some falls to the world.How come still civilins in this area as they are not able to come? Even Now LTTE dress in Civilians dress and it is easy them to mislead the others.

Please do not write falls as there more dameages to the forces as they dont use the heavy guns as LTTE did,.I dont want to update any images or vedios to your story as there are pleanty of evedence that LTTE use there heavy guns and some they left because they dont have any place to move them. Sorry to say that u also just live like LTTE as selling the innocents life on stake and shouts for sake of the LTTE leader.

B12N

at 23:40 on May 12th, 2009

Are you telling Human Rights Watch and UN are pro LTTE media?
These sources are millions times more reliable than the Sri Lankan state controlled media telling only lies to covert their war crimes!

It is wrong that LTTE preventing the civilians to flee. But it is the gov shelling on them. It is the gov who should act responsible.

You can't drops bombs and shells on civilians.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 01:47 on May 13th, 2009

"Are you telling Human Rights Watch and UN are pro LTTE media?

These sources are millions times more reliable........."

HRW was phoned and given the info from NFZ through a good doctor wasn't it? The one who has a satellite phone. (borrowed from the good LTTE) The good doctor who is free from LTTE intervention and free to give out the truth as he knows it? The one who never tells HRW and foreign media when he phones that he had to take care of civilians who were shot at and thrown grenades at by LTTE when trying to flee?

And the UN? the source is again the same good doctor wasn't it? Or did UN get the info through their workers who were taken hostage by LTTE?

B12N

at 00:41 on May 13th, 2009

"pleanty of evedence that LTTE use there heavy guns"

Of course ''evidences" created by the government. It is easy for them to create evidences since they locked out all media to hide everything.

And I can't think of a better evidence than "locking out all media" to proof sri lankan's government warcrimes!!!

chanaka

at 03:05 on May 13th, 2009

It is easy for them to create evidences

Well what about this term use for the same with what LTTE and pro- LTTE authors follows.

There is clear evidences means, Sri Lankan forcess still dont have the weapons used by LTTE and sad part is it is quite bad for country as terrorist used most new and sofisticated weapons than the Army. So it means Sri Lanka should buy them in future or see how terrorist get all these new weapons.

What LTTE was doing last few years was showing the same innocents Tamils which now keep them as Human shileld ,as they need money to develop there life and buying all these weapons. Please dont tell this is also created stuff.

Government is more respocible to the safe these civilians, that is clear when they open the roads to civilians to escape, u might not seen or seen but act like not seen, how they were running and coming even LTTE shoots them. This was seen whole world.

So if goverment is shelling the civilins why they like and try to come so badly to the goverment side and if LTTE safe gards Tamils why they shoot and still shooting the civilins when they try to go to goverment side.

U cant bare this truth and still chasing an old story as goverment shelling heavy weapons. If you care for these people you should find out more details about why LTTE shooting these civilins and keep them as prisoners rather finding details about shellings.

Because the point is You dont want these Tamils to be free, You want to stop the ongoing rescue mission and save the LTTE leader. What makes you think if goverment stop these operations, will LTTE release the Hostages ? Please find that facts too. Shelling is no needed in this area as there is no place to fire. I am telling you again if Sri Lankan Army wants to shell or firing heavy guns they did long time ago, then we may not have this discussion or u dont have to write this sort of falls details.

B12N

at 04:10 on May 13th, 2009

It is the government who chased these people away from their homes to the "Safe-zone" where they are they are pounded with mulibarrels, aerial attacks, and shells. The gov didn't rescue these ppl. These people just escaped the "Safe-zone" unable to face the indiscriminate shelling by the army.

Because the point is You dont want these Tamils to be free
Well, i didn't know that you care more about my family and friends than I do. Stop your crocodile tears. I want my family alive at least the few who still alive. And speaking about free. You mean the detention camps where no family members are allowed to visit and kid s put behind barbed wire? And there are plans made to keep these camps for years!!

Sri Lankan army used all kind of weapons. They killed 7000 people and 13000 wounded just to get few hundred LTTE. That is the truth.

Ask the....

250.000 witnesses!!!
Satellite images.
Doctors.
Local health workers.
Contradicting claims of Sri Lankan official liars.

B12N

at 04:19 on May 13th, 2009

Sri Lankan government rejected all cease fire requests from UN, UK, US, and many other countries. What make you think the LTTE will listen to a NP member?

The gov is responsible its civilians. But Sri Lankan army which is almost 100% Sinhalese provided with false information won't mind using heavy weapons on 100% Tamil civilians! Unlike you I've a lot of bad experiences with COWARD Sri Lankan army!

fukdagov (not verified)

at 04:36 on May 20th, 2009

da sl gov is fucked up, all they can do is lie, cuz they cant win in the rundown. LTTE never gave up, and it never will, even if the gov try destroying the Ltte, a new group of tigers will form...cuz tigers never surrender!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 02:08 on May 13th, 2009

B12N, thank you very much for this story. In the future however, please avoid entire copy/pastes and create an original title. Please visit NowPublic Newsroom for additional tips and guide-lines. Thanks again.

KW (not verified)

at 03:06 on May 13th, 2009

Can the writer who is very average thinker, who has taken so much time to publish this explain here, why this doctor living in NFZ has somehow sent photos of images with children (I have seen the same photo in many websites) not the images of dead bodies to the media.

Can anyone here explain us, an easy way to collect and store 2000, 350 and 15 dead bodies of people who got killed during last 3 days? hey, you think we are all dumb.

We all know EU, US, UK, Canada led by Norway and Sweden want to stop the war to protect the war so that they can protect the money flowing to their Swiss bank accounts. Do you think we all under the impression that all money that went for this War went through the legal banking structure? he he, funny isn't it? What a war this is!.. poor people getting killed because of corrupt and more interestingly well hidden political institutions in western countries. Who is funding the political parties in Canada and UK?

well guys.. better to drink a beer and get ready for the final episode of this drama, for god sake.. should end for once and for all.

B12N

at 03:30 on May 13th, 2009

Hi KW,

Please visit http://www.hrw.org/ for information and reports about human rights violations and warcrimes commited in sri lanka!

Ps: Forgot to sign in?

KW (not verified)

at 06:37 on May 13th, 2009

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Hi B12N

Thanks for the link. That explains lot of things. I was trying to find, but could not trace anything regarding the killings of below 3 gentleman by the Sri Lankan government in HRW website link.

1. Prime Minister of India, Mr Rajiv Gandhi (a Hindu)

2. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Lakshman Kadiragarmer ( an oxford educated tamilian)

3. Minister, Mr Neelan Theruchelvam (another oxford educated tamilian)

Please ask or email HRW to include above 3 killings planned and carried out by the Sri Lankan government when you talk with them again.

If time permits, you can write to them about some other killings by the Sri Lankan government such as,

- Central Bank, a civilian target bombing

- Colombo civilian air port bombing

- Colombo World Trade Centre another civilian shopping mall bombing

I think Sri Lankan government surely have committed war crimes by ACCIDENTLY targeting above 3 buildings. I think above 3 is enough because if we give the full list of civilian targets, HRW will not have time to do any other good work to help the Internally Disabled People. They are working hard towards protecting civilians from the Sri Lankan government, so we should not overload them by providing more information. So please, let's keep our list to above 3 only for the moment.

I am fully with you and HRW. Thank you once again for your report and it really help the readers to believe in what you say... keep the good work. We believe you!

KW (not verified)

at 06:38 on May 13th, 2009

Hi B12N

Thanks for the link. That explains lot of things. I was trying to find, but could not trace anything regarding the killings of below 3 gentleman by the Sri Lankan government in HRW website link.

1. Prime Minister of India, Mr Rajiv Gandhi (a Hindu)

2. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Lakshman Kadiragarmer ( an oxford educated tamilian)

3. Minister, Mr Neelan Theruchelvam (another oxford educated tamilian)

Please ask or email HRW to include above 3 killings planned and carried out by the Sri Lankan government when you talk with them again.

If time permits, you can write to them about some other killings by the Sri Lankan government such as,

- Central Bank, a civilian target bombing

- Colombo civilian air port bombing

- Colombo World Trade Centre another civilian shopping mall bombing

I am fully with you and HRW. Thank you once again for your report and it really help the readers to believe in what you say... keep the good work. We believe you!

KW (not verified)

at 06:40 on May 13th, 2009

Hi B12N

Thanks for the link. That explains lot of things. I was trying to find, but could not trace anything regarding the killings of below 3 gentleman by the Sri Lankan government in HRW website link.

1. Prime Minister of India, Mr Rajiv Gandhi (a Hindu)

2. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Lakshman Kadiragarmer ( an oxford educated tamilian)

3. Minister, Mr Neelan Theruchelvam (another oxford educated tamilian)

Please ask or email HRW to include above 3 killings planned and carried out by the Sri Lankan government when you talk with them again.

If time permits, you can write to them about some other killings by the Sri Lankan government such as,

- Central Bank, a civilian target bombing

- Colombo civilian air port bombing

- Colombo World Trade Centre another civilian shopping mall bombing

I am fully with you and HRW. Thank you once again for your report and it really help the readers to believe in what you say... keep the good work. We believe you!

pooja$$$$ (not verified)

at 05:36 on May 13th, 2009

the sinhalese gvt and their forces are pure killers (my dad and all his staff were shot one night while sleeping in his mill)

and if today there are more sri lankan tamils outside sri lanka than in SL itself

pure reason: gvt and not the LTTE

guys why talking about the LTTE? according to the terrorist definition they're terrorist, of course and do not want to deny it. To my eyes they are freedom fighters.

Tamils are citizens of Sri Lanka and the government should care about every single citizen. when our life is in danger in ur homeland, what to do?

according to international laws, if sme1 is going to kill you, you are allowed to kill him and there is no sentence for it. same is happening in SL.

I am not racist, but all of you who are talking abt the war, go to the north and east, live there for a while so as to understand the whole story and then post your comments here.

go and help civilians and if you can rescue them through associations. they need food and medecine there and not useless comments.

do it first and then I am open to your comments.

Do not hurt people while you do not even know the truth.

always search for the truth, never listen to what your neighbour has to say. do not be naive

guys we can live in peace as soon as every one want to be open-minded

we can always continue arguing for ages, without finding any solutions

gvt or LTTE continue existing as soon as sinhalese ppl support them and tamils are being discriminated and be killed

KW (not verified)

at 06:23 on May 13th, 2009

Ok got it. SL govt killed Tamils. So who killed the Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi? Sri Lankan government, isn't it?

Without trying to write Pages and Pages, why not explain above to us? Explain how you think Sri Lankan government selected a team of tamils from Jaffna, sent them to India and killed the Prime Minister of India. That will help us to understand how pathetic and evil the Sinhalese people.

Once you find a logic to justify the above killing, then you are also free to explain us on who killed Mr Lakshman Kadiragamar? A fellow tamilian of yours.

and then once you find a logic for that, go and explain us, how Sri Lankan government killed Neelan Theruchelvam? another fellow tamilian of yours..

that is enough I guess..

KW (not verified)

at 06:42 on May 13th, 2009

Hi B12N

Thanks for the link. That explains lot of things. I was trying to find, but could not trace anything regarding the killings of below 3 gentleman by the Sri Lankan government in HRW website link.

1. Prime Minister of India, Mr Rajiv Gandhi (a Hindu)

2. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Lakshman Kadiragarmer ( an oxford educated tamilian)

3. Minister, Mr Neelan Theruchelvam (another oxford educated tamilian)

Please ask or email HRW to include above 3 killings planned and carried out by the Sri Lankan government when you talk with them again.

If time permits, you can write to them about some other killings by the Sri Lankan government such as,

- Central Bank, a civilian target bombing

- Colombo civilian air port bombing

- Colombo World Trade Centre another civilian shopping mall bombing

I am fully with you and HRW. Thank you once again for your report and it really help the readers to believe in what you say... keep the good work. We believe you!

KW1 (not verified)

at 06:43 on May 13th, 2009

Hi B12N

Thanks for the link. That explains lot of things. I was trying to find, but could not trace anything regarding the killings of below 3 gentleman by the Sri Lankan government in HRW website link.

1. Prime Minister of India, Mr Rajiv Gandhi (a Hindu)

2. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Lakshman Kadiragarmer ( an oxford educated tamilian)

3. Minister, Mr Neelan Theruchelvam (another oxford educated tamilian)

Please ask or email HRW to include above 3 killings planned and carried out by the Sri Lankan government when you talk with them again.

If time permits, you can write to them about some other killings by the Sri Lankan government such as,

- Central Bank, a civilian target bombing

- Colombo civilian air port bombing

- Colombo World Trade Centre another civilian shopping mall bombing

I am fully with you and HRW. Thank you once again for your report and it really help the readers to believe in what you say... keep the good work. We believe you!

kw (not verified)

at 06:45 on May 13th, 2009

Sorry about the repeated comments. It got stuck.. probably the truth get stuck, as always..

B12N

at 07:10 on May 13th, 2009

kw (Still not verified)

People say:

"A lie is a lie and it will always be a lie, no matter how often it is repeated"

Any news on the content or proofs that contradicts the claims of HRW.
With proofs, I don’t mean “proofs” fabricated by the government and army!

israeli.agent

at 08:36 on May 13th, 2009

"A lie is a lie and it will always be a lie, no matter how often it is repeated"

That is true. KW, example for such lies those will remain a lie no matter how many times one repeats are :-

- Genocide in Sri Lanka

- Pesticide in Sri Lanka

- Cluster bomb in Sri Lanka

- Indian army in Sri Lanka

- LTTEs are freedom fighters

- Concentration camps ETC.

This is just for your information, KW. ;-)

.Agent.

Jonathan Browne (not verified)

at 12:52 on May 13th, 2009

Srilankan GENOCIDE of Tamils supported by India, China, Pakistan, Nagaladesh, Iran, Vietnam and Japan,like ANTI SEMETISM against Jews by some European states during NAZIS Genocide of Jews

2ND LEAD (ADDS VIDEO, PHOTOS)
SLA barrage inflicts carnage, makeshift hospital reports disaster [TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 May 2009, 19:21 GMT]

"Looking at the hospital and hearing the civilians cry, you feel only disaster," a key medical staff at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal makeshift hospital told media Wednesday. More than 100 civilians, including many children, patients, a medical staff, voluntary doctor and an ICRC worker, were killed in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery attack that targeted the hospital premises which is a junior school and the surrounding area which comprises many tarpaulin huts. The hospital is struggling with few medical staff as the medical facility has become a prime target for the SLA which has targeted it for the third time within 5 days. Civilians are struggling with starvation and live under bunkers as bullets fired by the SLA from two coastal ends were whizzing across the so-called No Fire Zone, which has been made into a killing field by the SLA, which completely disregards Geneva Conventions.

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29351

Reproduction of this news item is allowed when used without
any alterations to the contents and the source, TamilNet, is mentioned

KW (not verified)

at 15:17 on May 13th, 2009

"A lie is a lie and it will always be a lie, no matter how often it is repeated"

LTTE is a terrorist organisation, no matter how often some say they are Freedom fighters.

Sri Lankan government is an elected government, no matter how often we say they are not.

Elected governments such as US, UK, Europe have contributed to millions of deaths, no matter they all try to be gentleman. Since Hiroshima to Iraq

Therefore, if the War against LTTE by the Sri Lankan government has resulted in deaths of 1000 civilians, that is Sad, however we have to take it in the context of War against Terror.

Linking LTTE with Tamils is the biggest disrespect and discrimination LTTE led media is doing for the millions of Tamils who is not part of LTTE.

LTTE is linked to media organisations, europian politicians and various NGO's. Do you think billions of dollers, so much weapens can be sent to Sri Lanka without any involvement or knowledge of those instritutions.

Yes, "A lie is a lie and it will always be a lie, no matter how often it is repeated"

well said

True Thamilan (not verified)

at 20:07 on May 13th, 2009

Hi guys,

Rhonda J Mangus, KW, and Chanaka,,,,

Dont you guys have a sense of humor? who is blocking the media?

who is blocking all the aid agencies?

who is blocking all the medicine and foods?

if the Sri Lankan govt. to save the innocent civilians, and LTTE is wrong, let the media and the international community in to the war zone or no fire zone. let the truth come out.

from the outsiders. not from the LTTE or SL govt. then you decide which is true and which are lies. Untill that dont just say that all the doctors statements, photos and civilians killings by the SL govt. are false. let the media and IC in and find it out.

You dont have to fight over who is wrong or who is right. just let the middle people or community in and find the truth out.

you sinhalese dont loose anything. here and there some incident happend, only you guys have Laksman Kadirkamar and Rajiv Gandhi to attack the tamils. but we Tamils have lost 1000s of lifes.

1000's of Tamils died in the hand of SL govt. forces and the Indian forces. I never see or heard any one of the sinhala person worried about a single tamil civilian's dead. no sinhala person said about the innocent tamil people. Not a single sinhala person condemn the killing of Tamils. Are you guys saying who ever been killed all are LTTE?????

The People who ever been killed are not Tamils???? or They are not worth to live?

I see the divided Sri Lankans, as Tamils and Sinhalese. there is no way we can stay together.

if one tamil say a think, there is a opposite statement comes from a sinhala person.

if a sinhala person say a think, there is a statement against it from Tamil.

So there is no unity between tamils and sinhalese.

no matter about SL and LTTE fighting. Its in our blood. each and every tamils hate sinhalese.

each and every sinhalese hates tamils.

thats what reflects in battle zone.

so realise it that we cant be together.

we wont be happy.

israeli.agent

at 21:31 on May 13th, 2009

"I see the divided Sri Lankans, as Tamils and Sinhalese. there is no way we can stay together..........

.......so realise it that we cant be together.

we wont be happy."

Whoever have this problem , they are all left Sri Lanka. Living abroad and happily eating the pizzas and burgers. LTTE will be ,as seen in a great comment , "Setha Pochchi" soon along withe the terrorist leader.

Only thing the diasporans can to do the Sri Lankans is to leave them alone, do not fund another LTTE or some other coolie-terrorist-army. Terrorism does not bring anything but destruction and death. 30 years the LTTE tried and faded. Why don't give peace some other years - setting aside all the prejudices?

.Agent.

KW (not verified)

at 22:25 on May 13th, 2009

True Thamilan,

No one can divide an independent country for the simple argument that few people say they can not live together.
Sri Lanka have a bigger tamil community living in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya than in northern Sri Lanka under LTTE. No one has gone and killed them like the way you trying to highlight here.

For an argument sake, think.. in a Company if two employees can not work with each other under a one team under one company, you know the solution. One has to leave for the sake of others.
No one will divide the company to two for the fact that two guys can not work together due to any issue. I think you have already decided and left. So let the Tamils in Sri lanka live like the way they live in Colombo and in Nuwara Eliya.

Some of you here, supporting and funding this war might have some kind of an attachment to it either financially or your Visa status or your Job etc. No one can help that. You will loose the benefits that you are getting over LTTE very soon. So work on a Plan B.

Try to do something good for the people who has lost every thing due to this war. What has you or LTTE done to them over the last 30 years. So don't use these innocent people for your personal benefit. Enough is enough and for god sake, let the remaining live atleast without fear and not under a dictator. Ask LTTE to surrender before more get killed. It is simple as that.

You will never agree.. I know..

B12N

at 23:02 on May 13th, 2009

"few people say they can not live together."

How about 83% of the Tamils voted for self determination in 1976
Now the percentage will be much higher after all the killings done by the Sri Lankan government. But they don't dare to talk .

"Sri Lanka have a bigger tamil community living in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya than in northern Sri Lanka under LTTE. No one has gone and killed them like the way you trying to highlight here."

How about the thousands of young Tamils abducted and killed in Colombo? These Tamils elsewhere in Sri Lanka don't have other choices to escape the bombs. But every time army gets killed by the LTTE, these tamils are the victims.

Do you Remember 1983? 13 soldiers killed by LTTE, in return Sinhalese racist cowards and government killed 3000 innocent Tamils in Colombo! YOU CAN'T DENY THAT

Why don't you sign in?

Hutchison (not verified)

at 03:31 on May 14th, 2009

Yes, my dear friend B12N...

Cowards..!! Rightly said...with the current media censorship, there is no way these people (who have replied earlier) know what happening in the northern and eastern parts of their country.

They might as well say that 3000 people were never killed during 1983. Sad irony. Wonder if they had ever seen a dead body, they they would atleast have the mind to analyse their statements before blurting out in favour of their "so called" sovereign country...

KW (not verified)

at 03:11 on May 14th, 2009

"Do you Remember 1983? 13 soldiers killed by LTTE, in return Sinhalese racist cowards and government killed 3000 innocent Tamils in Colombo! YOU CAN'T DENY THAT"

YES. Agree. I am not denying the 1983 riots. It was one of the most unfortunate incidents flanked by one extreamist party in Sri Lanka. Yes, government that time should have acted to protect tamils and it was not. You surely have factual evidense to prove that and no Sri Lankan known to me will deny that. Remember, you do get extremists in any nationality. So you might find some denying it, so please do not generalise that to the majority of Sri Lankans similar to the way you guys are equatinng LTTE to tamils.

"How about the thousands of young Tamils abducted and killed in Colombo?"

No, Disagree. Police in Sri Lanka have taken tamils for questioning in order to make sure they are not LTTE members and they are not plotting for another bomb to kill civilians in Colombo. You are factually wrong to use the word "killed". Yes, the word "abducted" is fine because I am sure no Tamil in colombo would like to get in to a Police Van and to answer so many questions in a situation where LTTE used suicide bombers targetting civilians in Colombo. No, you are wrong.

Yet, Sri Lanka has a bigger tamil community living in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya even today than in northern Sri Lanka under the LTTE. No one has gone and killed them like the way you trying to highlight here. It is TRUE. Eastern Sri Lanka itself has more tamils living than Northern Sri Lanka. Learn to Accept it.

I am not sure who you are, do you really honestly beleive what you hear from LTTE led media about Sri Lanka is True. My friend, Sri Lankan government even arranged all logistics for the LTTE representatives to fly and return home safely to Norway and other countries during peace talks.

LTTE targetted every single tamilian who do not agree with them. Do you agree or not?

LTTE used child soldier and pregnant women as suicide bombers. If you claim HRW reports are True, do you also claim what UNICEF says is True?

LTTE instructed every single LTTE member to bite the Cyanide Capsule if they get caught alive. Do you honestly think your leader, Prabhakaran will do the same?

Prabhakaran's LTTE is one of the richest organisations in the world that has no legitimate bank accounts or any accountability for funds in those accounts. Do you agree or not?

Since I answered your questions, I think you should be brave and answer the questions. Yes or No. Don't use BUTs..

Since too many LTTE (terrorists in my book) linked people are actively using this website, I have choosen not to register. Because I do not want to be a member of such a website who has created a platform for such organisations to discredit others with stories and claims that has NO factual evidence what so ever. Sorry, that's me.