Comments on: Tsunamis And Tamil Tigers

Three Years After A Tsunami Slammed Sri Lanka, Life Returns To A Kind Of Normalcy

[acy11]

It is significant that ''tntamil'' does not repudiate the facts presented in my post that prove that the whole tale of ''discrimination'' that the Tamil Tigers have strenuously fabricated over the years is pure bunkum. The West was softened up by a Tiger strategy to plant thousands of supporters in Western democracies, all claiming ''discrimination''. These Tamils in countries such as the US, Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Norway, Germany, and Switzerland are milked by Tiger operatives, mostly through thuggery and threats, to raise money for death and destruction in Sri Lanka. Very clever! Organizations such as al-Qaeda are watching...

As for the armed forces, I must say that I have not investigated the situation but now that it has come up, I will. Suffice to say that the armed forces (the squaddies, anyway) generally represent the poor (no different in the US). And, according to what I see when I visit Sri Lanka, the poor are mostly Sinhalese. And, tnttamil, please don''t use emotive words such as ''genocide''. You are trying to exploit the tug of that word on us Westerners when we think of what happened to the Jews. Isn''t it true that way more non-combatant Tamils have been killed by the Tamil Tigers than by any other force? So is that ''genocide''?

[tntamil]

A previous poster says: Despite their population being roughly 13% of Sri Lanka''''s in 1981, 35% of Sri Lanka''''s physicians and surgeons, 25% of dentists, 39 % of veterenarians, 35% of engineers, and 16% of government managers were ethnic Tamils (1981 Census figures).

What about the ethnic composition of the armed forces of SL? http://www.photius.com/countries/sri_lanka/national_security/sri_lanka_national_security_ethnic_composition_o~456.html

"The Sinhalization of the armed forces continued under the United National Party government of President Jayewardene. The retirement of the British-educated cadre of Tamil and Burgher officers gradually depleted the ranks of minority members. At the same time, the growing ethnic divisions in the country and the deployment of the armed forces against the Tamil population in the Northern Province tended to discourage young Tamil males from pursuing a career in the military. By 1985 almost all enlisted personnel in the armed services were Sinhalese."

The SL Government has primed its armed forces to implement its plan of smart genocide against the Tamils. This is not a dumb government like Robert Mugabe or a oil rich power like Saddam to go for aopen genocide. They know they have to play to the International Community and have implemented this smart genocide and the LTTE is the only force on the ground preventing the SL genocide from progressing at a faster rate.

[acy11]

It was wonderful to read of Mr. Osterkamp''s enjoyable visit to this beautiful island full of friendly, hospitable, unaggressive people. I am a Canadian who has made several visits to the south of Sri Lanka, to Galle, Unawatuna, Koggala and such idyllic beach towns and the author has superbly captured the local atmosphere. The prices of the local hotels are amazing; North Americans should perforce visit the island when they come to Southeast Asia, to Thailand and Vietnam, because Sri Lanka will reward you with a totally different experience.

I am sad to see the usual suspects dissing the poor country in the posts above. Tamil Tiger supporters must troll websites to heap opprobrium on the country. My own research has shown that Tamils are treated very well in Sri Lanka and have always been. Tamils were about the same percentage of the island nation''s population as African Americans are in the USA in 1983 when the Tigers commenced their war by slaughtering 13 policemen. Despite their population being roughly 13% of Sri Lanka''s in 1981, 35% of Sri Lanka''s physicians and surgeons, 25% of dentists, 39 % of veterenarians, 35% of engineers, and 16% of government managers were ethnic Tamils (1981 Census figures). And so on and so forth. Frankly, for the life of me, I cannot figure out what case could be made for the horrific toll the Tamil Tigers have taken on the people and economy of this beautiful country.

[oaky77]

The most menacing problem facing Sri Lanka today, even far worse than the 2004 tsunami, is LTTE Terrorism. It robs lives, resources and the future of our younger generation. It has been hard to defeat LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka partly due to LTTE agents in the west having perfected the art of false propaganda. Yes there were injustices in the past towards tamils, but they have been rectified. We need international reporters like you Mr. Osterkamp, to tell the world how Sinhala, Tamils and Muslims are living peacefully in the south, to counter the lies spread by LTTE agents around the world. The LTTE kills their own people to create a rascist, ethnically pure Eelam where they can be king.

[seelan_aiya]

Dear George
I guess you weren''t allowed to go to Tamil area in 2004 and even now. so you can see there is something that government is hiding. whole world gave so much money to Srilankan government, but they have used those money to buy vapens to kill Tamils. You could see that Gale area is build again because of the tourist area,so government build that area. People who is living in South and West they don''t know how people are suffering by Srilankan Government terrirism. They only know that Tamil Tigers are Terrist. But that is not true. Tamil people in North and East are suffering by shelling and bombind. I am Tamil who is living in Canada, but if go to Srilanka i don''t think that i could be coming back. Srialankan government might put me in Jail or kill me. This is the situation. Srilankan government is killing Tamil MP''s and some opposition Singala MP''s too. So how can you travel country that is wipe out Tamil people. There is no proof that Tamils kill the singales. Those bombing also could be setup by the government. because they need more Army to kill the Tamils. This is the way they can joint in militery.
If you can visist Tamil area which is under war by Srilankan government, you could see how Srilankan government is genociding Tamils. Srilankan government withdraw from CFA.

[seelan_aiya]

Dear George
I guess you weren''t allowed to go to Tamil area in 2004 and even now. so you can see there is something that government is hiding. whole world gave so much money to Srilankan government, but they have used those money to buy vapens to kill Tamils. You could see that Gale area is build again because of the tourist area,so government build that area. People who is living in South and West they don''t know how people are suffering by Srilankan Government terrirism. They only know that Tamil Tigers are Terrist. But that is not true. Tamil people in North and East are suffering by shelling and bombind. I am Tamil who is living in Canada, but if go to Srilanka i don''t think that i could be coming back. Srialankan government might put me in Jail or kill me. This is the situation. Srilankan government is killing Tamil MP''s and some opposition Singala MP''s too. So how can you travel country that is wipe out Tamil people. There is no proof that Tamils kill the singales. Those bombing also could be setup by the government. because they need more Army to kill the Tamils. This is the way they can joint in militery.
If you can visist Tamil area which is under war by Srilankan government, you could see how Srilankan government is genociding Tamils. Srilankan government withdraw from CFA.

[seelan_aiya]

Dear George
I guess you weren''t allowed to go to Tamil area in 2004 and even now. so you can see there is something that government is hiding. whole world gave so much money to Srilankan government, but they have used those money to buy vapens to kill Tamils. You could see that Gale area is build again because of the tourist area,so government build that area. People who is living in South and West they don''t know how people are suffering by Srilankan Government terrirism. They only know that Tamil Tigers are Terrist. But that is not true. Tamil people in North and East are suffering by shelling and bombind. I am Tamil who is living in Canada, but if go to Srilanka i don''t think that i could be coming back. Srialankan government might put me in Jail or kill me. This is the situation. Srilankan government is killing Tamil MP''s and some opposition Singala MP''s too. So how can you travel country that is wipe out Tamil people. There is no proof that Tamils kill the singales. Those bombing also could be setup by the government. because they need more Army to kill the Tamils. This is the way they can joint in militery.
If you can visist Tamil area which is under war by Srilankan government, you could see how Srilankan government is genociding Tamils. Srilankan government withdraw from CFA.

[nev12341]

Dear George,
Thanks for very effectively highlighting the positive aspects of beutiful Sri Lanka and its good people. No matter what the ehnically motivated and highly organized supporters of LTTE say it is one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in the world. Their goal is nothing but separatism by using killing and destruction. They have vitually no world support and are getting gradually eradicated.LTTE is funded by killings, narcotics trade, extortion and funding by misguided expatriate tamils. After 25 years of terrorism they are yet to show even one percent of benefit for the tamil people.
True the government is focussed on destroying the terrorists but has always been on the side of the peace loving tamils. Most such people have chosen to live amidst the majority Sinhalese. Where is the Genocide? Where is the injustice? LTTE supporters have perfected the art of bombarding the media with disinformation.
Thanks again

[jeyan-2009]

Those who support a government that UNILATERALLY scrapped a 6 year internationally backed Ceasefire Agreement; a government whose president conspired and assisted in issuing a false diplomatic passport to a paramilitary, who did their dirty work, and smuggled him into the UK; a government who has repeatedly called several UN officials and EU diplomats as "White Tigers" or "terrorists" are either naive or evil to put it bluntly. THE SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT IS A RACIST SINHALA STATE THAT HAS SUPPRESSED ETHNIC TAMILS FOR THE LAST 60 YEARS SINCE OPPRESSION. IT HAS ZERO CREDIBILITY. No matter how much aid and funds are pumped into it, it is never going to change its racist attitude and Sinhala agenda of wiping out the ethnic Tamils. The UK, Canada, USA, EU and India have lambasted the Sri Lankan state for unilaterally withdrawing from the Ceasefire Agreement with the Tamil Tigers and they have said that there is NO military solution. HOWEVER the Powerful Racist Sinhala Sate of Sri Lanka believes otherwise.

PLEASE STOP VISITING SRI LANKA AND FLYING SRI LANKAN AIRLINES. It''s BLOOD MONEY!!!!!

DEAR AMERICAN,
Based on your founding fathers principles and declaration of 1776, PLEASE HELP THE TAMILS OF SRI LANKA to exercise their RIGHT to Self Determination on similar lines. DON''T LET GEORGE WASHINGTON TURN IN HIS GRAVE!!!!

[sinha1]

Thank you CBS New producer for giving this wonderful description of that beautiful island. Hope it will boost the turism in Sri Lanka, instaed of Terrorism as most outsiders do. Thank you shamen2004 to raise a voice against the LTTE terrorist propaganda network.
By looking at the comments on this article, one can see how powerful is the LTTE FALSE popaganda in United States. No matter how hard they try to spread false propaganda TRUTH WILL PREVAIL and trrorism will be eradicated and SRI LANKA WILL HAVE A LASTING PEACE soon.

[maheswaran-2009]

dear writer how come you puplished only one side,if you go north or east of srilanka you will
see who is terrorist,the stete terrorim use forign tsunami relife found to kill tamil people, olso
tsunami killed more tamils than sinhalese.but more aids use in galle rest of them buy arms,to kill
tamils. reach tamil civilians in north or east(go without arm arm forces)you will get the real news.
do you know how many tamil civilience killed by srilanken army. international states and medias
close there eyes.incd canada and cbc.srilanka state terror nevar aloved media in tamil(ltte) controle area why?do you know how media fredom in srilanka
please bring real story(news) from srilnka.
thanks.

[dharmalover]

It is good that much of Sri Lanka is rebuilt after the tsunami. Even if the process was imperfect and filled with corruption, it is better that some money got through to some of those in need. Surely, though, CBS could do more than send a producer back to SL to see how his favorite beach resort was doing. Sri Lanka is in crisis. There is a brutal war going on, the most terrifying effects of which are felt in the north and east, but which also affects the rest of SL: political killings from all sides; LTTE bus bombings throughout the country; hundreds of people (mostly Tamils) "disappeared" by the government; fundamental rights -- including the right of the media to report freely -- denied in the name of the war on terrorism; patriotism used by politicians to cover up massive theft of public funds. All this is happening _throughout_ SL. A serious journalist would have taken a bit of time to read some of the recent writing on SL -- by Human Rights Watch, the International Crisis Group, the University Teachers for Human Rights (www.uthr.org) %u2013 to give the full picture of SL today. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. It''s not all death and despair. But to write about it as merely a sunny paradise in need of a few more tourists is irresponsible at a time when people are suffering so much THROUGHOUT the island. Perhaps another trip by a REAL journalist on your staff would be in order.

[saradiyal-2009]

I think the details on the report are correct but there are many more things happened as far as the tsunami funds are concerned. corruption is everywhere from government to LTTE and NGOs and INGOs. For eample tsunami fund raising match in Australia collected more than 11.o million USD and gave it to Worldvision, what have they done in effected countries. government officials and politicians also robbed and so was the LTTE who used the funds to purchase arms and ammunitions. these have been proved in investigation around the world from australia to US. many of the rich countries pledged aid but never delevered. but people themselves got together and coming out of what happened.

[velautha]

The problem in Sri Lanka is clearly state terrorism. Sri Lankan governments that dominate Sinhala majority have been using state terrorism to terrorize Tamils since 1948. The LTTE born only 30 years ago. Tsunami is another example that shows how the Sinhala state terrorist refuse to allow even emergency rehabilitation funds to Tamils. P-TOM which is signed between LTTE and Sri Lankan state terrorist were abandoned by the SL government. It is the Sri Lankan state terror government that refuses to accept federal solution for long standing Tamil struggle. The real sad fact is that Sinhala state terrorist use the word "terrorism" in order to execute the genocide war.

[velautha]

The problem in Sri Lanka is clearly state terrorism. Sri Lankan governments that dominate Sinhala majority have been using state terrorism to terrorize Tamils since 1948. The LTTE born only 30 years ago. Tsunami is another example that shows how the Sinhala state terrorist refuse to allow even emergency rehabilitation funds to Tamils. P-TOM which is signed between LTTE and Sri Lankan state terrorist were abandoned by the SL government. It is the Sri Lankan state terror government that refuses to accept federal solution for long standing Tamil struggle. The real sad fact is that Sinhala state terrorist use the word "terrorism" in order to execute the genocide war.

What Eelam Tamils want is a federal solution and it was proposed in 1960s. Instead of solving the political problem, Sri Lankan government chose to wage the war against Tamils. Now, the genocidal war is underway and almost 40% of the Tamil population is eliminated from Tamil homeland. This is the reality.

[velautha]

The problem in Sri Lanka is clearly state terrorism. Sri Lankan governments that dominate Sinhala majority have been using state terrorism to terrorize Tamils since 1948. The LTTE born only 30 years ago. Tsunami is another example that shows how the Sinhala state terrorist refuse to allow even emergency rehabilitation funds to Tamils. P-TOM which is signed between LTTE and Sri Lankan state terrorist were abandoned by the SL government. It is the Sri Lankan state terror government that refuses to accept federal solution for long standing Tamil struggle. The real sad fact is that Sinhala state terrorist use the word "terrorism" in order to execute the genocide war.

What Eelam Tamils want is a federal solution and it was proposed in 1960s. Instead of solving the political problem, Sri Lankan government chose to wage the war against Tamils. Now, the genocidal war is underway and almost 40% of the Tamil population is eliminated from Tamil homeland. This is the reality.

[shamen2004]

Once again I''m thankful to CBS NEWS PRODUCER for giving helping hand for sri lankas tourism industry. Because of LTTE Terrorist''s false propaganda, sri lankas trourism industry is being badly affected. Thousands of poor people loose their jobs.
Thanks again Gorge

[ruwan2-2009]

Dear Writer,
Once again you forget the helpless people. You see and write your favorite tourist place and their well wishes. You also believe that is your world. You did not bother the poor people who suffered due to the tsunami and have been suffering from this State Terrorism.
When are you open your other sight to see the balance view?
Please do not hurt the Journalism profession by doing partition reporting.
Please do not encourage the State Terrorism.

[shamen2004]

Well I Wonder how you see this as one sided story? I know LTTE propaganda does not like to see the true picture of Sri lanka. They dont want to talk about how govenrment take care of innocent displaced tamils, muslims and sinhalese.
How come LTTE terrorism is called freedom strugle when more tamils(their own people who opposed to their terrorism)has been killed by LTTE than governemnt. This is the truth.
It is govenrment responsibility to protect the country and people when they are attacked. Sometimes its true that innocent poeple are get killed at the war. There are some isolated incidents. But unlike LTTE , government does not kill innocent civilians intentioanaly. LTTE purposely target civilians consistenly.
If govenrment kill Tamils, How come 2/3 rd of Tamil people live in govenrment control areas( even excluding north and east)?
Also we still remember how LTTE genocided innocent Sinhalese and Muslims who lived in North and east. They did systamatic ethnic cleansing to claim that land as their homeland.
Finally I''m glad that CBS news reporter has correctly shown the true picture of Sri lanka.

[seba_raj]

The writer has given a correct picture of how western Tsunamin relief agencies wasted money by sending their executives who lived in expensive hotels and drove large cars. Another misapproipriation of funds occurred when Tsunami help in the North had to be done only through the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) agencies. Tigers diverted most of the aid to their war effort - building materials, food, medicine, money, you name it. No accounts are available. Any Tamil like myself arriving in Sri Lanka has to pay a poll Tax to the Tigers, proportional to the time I have lived abroad, and this is pure extortion and nothing else. If you don''t pay, you and your loved ones can face severe consequences. At least in the south, Tamils and Muslims and Sinhalese and foreign visitors mingle peacefully. NOT so in the areas controlled by the Tigers. Even the Nordic Monitors were told by the Taigers that their saftey cannot be guranteed, and no
agency can go their unless they play the tune of the tigers.

Sebastian Rasalingam