Comments on: Poddala Jayantha: Latest Journalist victim in Sri Lanka

By: Assaulted Sri Lankan journalist wins Integrity Award | Asian Correspondent

Assaulted Sri Lankan journalist wins Integrity Award | Asian Correspondent — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:26:07 +0000

[...] Another report, which detailed the attack on Jayantha, said that: [...]

By: Nama Yoga

Nama Yoga — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:53:16 +0000

The Sri Lankans, who are law abiding, corruption free, peace loving, truly religious and hard working should form a separate political party and get rid of the current thugs who are ruling the country.

By: P Shantikumar

P Shantikumar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:26:30 +0000

Excellent article supporting, by all accounts, a well-regarded conscientious media activist who deserves to be supported to the hilt by fellow journalists in the fraternity as well as the public, right across the ethnic spectrum. If Poddala Jayantha was guilty as alleged that he was in the payroll of LTTE, he would not have returned from overseas, and quite easily have taken the opportunity to live abroad. His poor daughter too would be attending school without being ostracised. What has the poor thing done to be treated in this horribly hostile manner?

Tellingly, despite injured Jayantha calling out so desperately for help, lying on the roadside, he was not receiving help from passers-by. This is what happens in a fascist culture. People mind their own business, and wouldn�t even give dying man a glass of water or help him get to the hospital � couldn�t care for others anymore, out of fear of the State. An Orwellian nightmare!

I am rather bewildered by Professor Ponniah�s interjection. He started by saying that the LTTE has infiltrated into society. He then insulted Poddala Jayantha and even JS Tissanayagam as though they are social outcasts. And, yesterday he seems to have changed his tune to making a clarion call to Eezham Tamils to join to work hard to return to their former glory.

Well, Eezham Tamils certainly want to return to their former glory. But, that cannot be done by joining political chameleons. We have a lot of respect for the likes of Poddala Jayantha, JS Tissanayagam and many others who uphold humanitarian values, risking their life and limb. At some point in the future that is the calibre of people Eezham Tamils would want to associate.

If Professor Ponniah is desperately trying to promote a fascist government he has come to the wrong forum. He would do admirably well to work with the directors of UTHR(J) to imbibe humanitarian values before he begins to work for the restitution of the former glory of Eezham Tamils!

By: dingiri

dingiri — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:12:11 +0000

I understand now that the Rajapaksas are Prabakaran’s revenge. The brothers are doing to Unitary Sri Lanka what Prabakaran could never achieve in 30 years!

And with 80% approval rating I dare say they deserve it. I Just feel sorry for the poor Tamils stuck in the island with nowhere to flee to.

By: dingiri

dingiri — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:06:39 +0000

For those who believe in the existance of journalists in the pay of the LTTE. — If it were to be so wouldnt you reckon that it would only be out of sheer self interest on the part of the journo? Now if these people were only interested in themselves why on earth would they put their lives at risk for a few rupees from the LTTE? Surely Mahinda’s goondas dish out more pain than all the luxaries Prabakaran’s rupees could buy?

By: Victim of State Terrorism

Victim of State Terrorism — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:54:31 +0000

I really hope these assaults on journalists keeps on happening as it will show the whole world why the Tamil people needs and have asked for their right to self-determination.

By: Theja Jayasekara

Theja Jayasekara — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:40:41 +0000

Come on. Look at it in an unbiased way. My point is why should GOSL leave evidence if they are behind it. You know better than me how things happen in Sri Lanka & how smart some of our politicians are. They are very good at killing two birds with one stone.

Well nowadays they are killing more than one bird with one stone…….. DBSJ

By: Theja Jayasekara

Theja Jayasekara — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:21:35 +0000

Dear DBSJ,
I am a fan of your articles, who used to read your articles when you were writting to The Island. But now I tend to believe that your articles are more prejudiced than facts. For instance if you analyse Poddala Jayantha’s case, if GOSL is behind it why should they use a white van when they know pretty well that white vans are identified with Government thugs. Further as you say GOSL is all out to wipe out all forces against it, they could have easily bumped off Poddala with out a trace leaving any evidence. This makes it obvious that this is the work of UNP, LTTE or some force who want to discredit GOSL in front of International media. This is like Ragunathan going to murder Lalith Athulathmudali with his national identity card so that Police will immediately identify him. Do not be carried away so easily. There are plenty of killer gangs operating in Sri Lanka for various reasons. It will take sometime to establish law & order.

So UNP killed Lasantha and abducted Keith and now Jayantha with the LTTE …….. DBSJ

By: Brian Gunapala

Brian Gunapala — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:59:35 +0000

Ban Ki Moon must be informed about Poddala Jayantha incident.This is terrible

By: vp

vp — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:41:59 +0000

This is a disgraceful act.Only his sin is talking against the media assults.This is the law of the jungle.What foreign countries think of sri lanka.if he has done any wrong legal actions should be taken.How many journilists were attacked.When will this stop.Media freeodom is appreciated in all over the world.If sri lanka is going to behave like this she will lose support of the moderates countries like japan.Mahinda should ask his henchman to stop this type activities considering the harm it brings to our country.

By: Asantha

Asantha — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:58:40 +0000

It is really sad to see the madness that blinds people from seeing the truth. DBSJ you do such a great service in providing this forum. I admire your patience with the morons who believe in violence as the answer to anything.

I think response #48 from Rajiv really sums up how I feel.

One side of me feels – there is no chance that decency and common sense will prevail over greed and violence. The other side sees all the genuine caring that we have for each other and believe that we can all come back to our mother land and live in dignity and peace with each other. I move from unbridled optimism to deep despair for Sri Lanka. I have to believe that love and compassion will win over ignorance and violence – in the long run.

Once again thank you for the courage and humanity that allows not be worn down by the bigots and continue to write honestly.

Thank you asantha. People like you give me strength, hope and courage………..DBSJ

By: Il;aya Seran Senguttuvan

Il;aya Seran Senguttuvan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:34:28 +0000

Mr Ismail #108 – Sinhalese are friendly, hospitable people some of whom can be easily and unfortunately mislead to behave in herd fashion; Tamils, in your words, are hard-working and useful; Muslims have the necessary trading acumen that has benefitted the country; the Indian Tamils have sweated to produce the wealth of the land; the Burghers are happy-go-lucky, sports inclined and marvellous companions; Malays have both muscle and camaraderie; the Sindhis, Bohras, Memons and others enrich the land with their global commercial network and business savvy. So what’s stopping us from coming out with a composite culture and nation like Singapore to benefit us all in a country where we shall all call ourselves “Lankan Brothers and Sisters” To start with let us admit some of us made serious mistakes in the recent past and resolve it is time to re-make the Nation with the tremendous cultural and religious benefit we have.

Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan