Comments on: After War

By: nsundari

nsundari — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:20:20 +0000

The Eighteenth Brumaire of Napoleon Bonaparte.

By: Chrishani

Chrishani — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:21:59 +0000

I find your articles insightful and you write very well.

In this article, i thought the comparison of the JVP to the atrocities of the LTTE was somewhat extreme.

Also, If there is to be a post LTTE environment and empathy towards the issues and supporters of the LTTE; then the tamils (especially those who are no longer SL citizens) need to let go of old grudges too and look to the future.

By: Roland

Roland — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:52:27 +0000

It is indeed beautifully written but I wonder … In the first place, no one said that the LTTE would not be destroyed in this war as it was determined and brual enough to do that, and was informed by the government’s formerly terrorist bedfellows (so there is your secret service).

Are we saying that any means justifies the end? Are we decrying the violence of one party and upholding the violence of another party which has supposedly “quelled” the former kind of violence? Is the LTTE spirit really dead, just becuase we have destroyed their military power? Is the LTTE psyche still alive? It seems so.

The nation that I know is still broken, there is vehement disagreement on the way forward, and the present regime does not look like it is able to provide a political solution that could radically revisit the way we have seen this conflict, or could satisfy moderate Tamils. This article does not articulate the role that Sinhala fundamentalism has played in precluding a moderate solution to the ethnic crisis, which has been as detrimental as Tamil fundamentalism, and does not seem to see the full complexity of the issue. It does not talk about the hatred that people in this country are facing for highlighting human rights violations, and labelling those that do so “traitors” to the nation, a sentiment expressed in the “victory” speech of the Leader of the present regime.

Beutiful yes, and the goodwill for a peaceful Sri Lanka is commendable, yes, but we have a tougher path to trudge, and we all need to get together to realize that the final solution will need more than a Sinhala idealist’s perspective. And the beginning to the healing is saying that this massive destruction that happened in the name of destroying the LTTE should not have happened, and asking for a big apology for all the deaths, displacements, disability and destruction of Tamil and Sinhala people, both civilian and combatant.

By: Epicurean Jones

Epicurean Jones — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:36:23 +0000

Well done. A wonderfully balanced point of view devoid of the name calling, venemous attacks that have so often characterised your writing. As you well know your words are your weapon and far too often I have seen you use them to accuse and wound unjustly. I hope you will continue in this vein.

By: Sandra Jayasinghe

Sandra Jayasinghe — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:29:06 +0000

Thank you for this beautiful and moving article. You have deeply touched me with the magnitude of what has been achieved. You have also awakened in me some areas of indifference (partly due to ignorance and partly due to being away from Sri Lanka for many years). Your article has been powerful enough to give me back that sense of patriotism that seemed dormant for many years.

By: Ranil Pieris

Ranil Pieris — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:07:39 +0000

Bravo…. Peace was tried but it failed finally the political will to wipe out the scourge of terrorism emerged all credit to the President despite substantial International pressure. But like you say the real work begins now build capacity and capability up North as is required in equal measure in the deep South. A lot of damaged hearts and minds need healing with care. Resttle people as a matter of urgency most people strive to work, earn a living and live in peace. I hope we set aside our religious fervour which raises its ugly head. We need to have our politics secular, Religion is personal to the self not a matter for the whole. We all support the future of our land.

By: Sanjaya

Sanjaya — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:20:53 +0000

Well said. You got to publish this in news papers

By: Keshi

Keshi — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:24:21 +0000

Just beautiful! I had tears in my eyes as I read this brilliant article. I havent read one like this in recent times when everyone is just busy taking sides.

I have one message for all…look at Humanity, not Nationality. Let’s rise above it all and see the bigger picture. We are ONE.

I applaud ya!

Keshi.

By: Gayathri Fernando

Gayathri Fernando — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:42:24 +0000

I couldn’t articulate nor understand my inability to feel jubilation but intense sadness at such a historic moment till I read you. I spoke to a close Tamil friend in Toronto today and realised what a unique strength our inter-ethnic friendship is and emerged from this protracted and bitter conflict intact. I have annoyed my Sinhalese friends on Facebook and feel emotionally drained after a month and a half of dysfunctional despair and ache for those civilians who are unique in that they are the wretched of the wretched: bombed at both ends and dignified by no one. Lets light a candle and wave our flags. You have inspired me with this moving but realistic articulation of the complex aftermath of the LTTE era. Am proud to be a Sri Lankan if it includes those like you. Let us hope that this compassionate stance will prevail. Please God it will. I love my country and its peoples.

By: Thushara Fernando

Thushara Fernando — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:18:50 +0000

I hope all Sri Lankans irrespective of their ethnicity will read this. Let there be understanding, tolerance and healing in all hearts!