Comments on: The mood in Jaffna is that of being tragically marooned

By: Ashoka G

Ashoka G — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:50:58 +0000

Your articles are missed by me in the Sunday Leader and The Nation. Please write to the Leader. Classical Englsih loved by me. I used to discuss your articles with my friends. Reverend Lakshman is a Great Personality in our times. Your constant use of the word “rehetoric” refering to LTTE bravdo proved it at the end. Its high time that the Roman Catholic Clergy voiced it concerns for those innocent civilans languishing in open air camps. It appears that they are infighting. I salute Bishop Duleep for his frankness, outspokeness and feelings for the less fortunate.

By: aNANDAKUMAR aNANDANAYAGAM

aNANDAKUMAR aNANDANAYAGAM — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:49:12 +0000

Hi
Greetings:
Both my late wife and I adored Bishop Lakshman so much so that he took our engagement at his residence at Kurunagala and we named our son after him.
Bishop Duleep and Geetha too are known to me.I was with him at the Theological College,and his room was next to mine.the room after that was Roger’s currently the Archbishop of Perth(Anglican church) Thease two men are out standing which some of us knew as we were growing together as students at the college.
You are absolutely right in saying that both Bishop Duleep (is) and Bishop Lakshman(was) have compassion for the tamils and equal rights to everyone living in our mother land.
Kumar

By: K

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:07:43 +0000

It’s true that Tamil Diaspora too, along with LTTE, had lost the sense of reality! And I agree that extremisim and devision sould not be encouraged.

By: Chammika

Chammika — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:42:58 +0000

To kDR.KDr.KenDr.K ,

I never said forget the LTTE cadres who fought fearlessly and sacrificed their lives for what they believed in.

In fact you may be surprised that battle hardened and professional soldiers of the Army too have a professional respect to the cadres who died fighting for what they believed in.

Not only Tamils but Sri Lankans collectively should make sure that their deaths – and the sacrifices of the military, are not in vain.

We shall fail them (sons of our soil), if war and hatred were allowed to raise its head again.

That was why I noted statements of extremism and division should not be encouraged. Correct me if I am wrong, but they seem to be coming from one direction mainly, the Tamil Diaspora.

There are also those who seem intent in sowing seeds of hatred from within the Country and outside, for some twisted agenda they believe in or simply for financial gain.

I just hope and pray that our common heritage and culture of peace, wisdom and tolerance that dates back many millennium will enable us to overcome adversity in challenging times such as these.

By: Sathi

Sathi — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:07:34 +0000

My humble opinion is before we consider changing the name of the country, if the government sincerely implements the Tamil language (the so called official language) properly in North & East then things will begin to improve.

Sathi

By: K

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:59:04 +0000

United Ceylon sounds much better than ‘united SriLanka’. The word ‘SriLanka’ is difficult to digest to a many Tamils. It’s not because of LTTE’s propaganda but because of the speeches and interviews, attitudes and actions of the ‘Leaders of the Govts’ so far! The change has to come from those who are ‘ruling’ the country. Why don’t you change the name of the country back to ‘Ceylon’ to indicate that it’s for both the Sinhalese and the Tamils? Anyhow well done to the Christian Leaders!

By: Sathi

Sathi — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:53:52 +0000

Hi DBS,

The government must be sincere in improving the conditions of IDPs. Sri Lanka must have sincere leaders like Bishop Lakshman and Duleep Chickera.

Kind Regards
Sathi

By: chelvashan

chelvashan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:12:43 +0000

Dear DBS
a great letter participation in reconcillation process for the ethnic societies of Srilanka. If everyone can listen to this from nooks and corners of Srilanka, including thugs ,thieves and innocents will reducate the people of srilanka in love, honesty, tolerance and care.
I wish that all religious leaders should start this process on their own and such sincere moves will make the Government to turn its head and support the people. This will result in opening up a better communication between the world diaspora of tamils, sinhalese and muslims. This will pave way for the bright Srilanka with freedom of thoughts, expression and bring up past, present and future humanitarian issues to light. Let us pray for this
regards
chelvashan

By: chelvashan

chelvashan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:07:38 +0000

Hi DBS
A good letter from a clergyman. Same thing should come out from all ethnic religions as people will be looking forward to hold on to something to follow up reconcillations between the ethnic society. As suggested the religious leaders of all ethnic community in srilanka should set an example to follow love, respect, tolerance and care to each other. This was lacking in Srilanka due to the presence of Gundas, thughs and thieves who has to be re-educated and disciplined. This will create a new srilanka in the horizon.

By: Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan

Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:29:52 +0000

Encouraging to read expressions of accommodation from both sides. Though not a Christian, I have the greatest respect for the religion and what it did to all of us while young in education and national unity. I am sure Sinhala Buddhist famllies like the Bandaranaikes will agree. Bishop Lakshman came into our school regularly and helped us in our athletics bringing some of his colleagues � Ceylon track stars like Oscar Wijesinghe (?) to help us. Many of us in our early teens then thought Bishop L was an angel � tall, very fair, extremely handsome and soft spoken. Ranil W smiles every time I mentioned this to him. Many close to Bishop L say he died prematurely because he could not bear the disunity and bestiality that overtook the Sinhalese and Tamils whom he loved so passionately. That was the measure of humanism in this great man of the church and people. The memory of his endless love of all Lankans and the cause of the nascent HR culture he helped to strengthen will always remain in the hearts of our people who knew him. Bishop Duleep raises his voice for the rights of all people and was much more vocal than his office calls for � and so sometimes disliked by the Sinhala extreme. I have met him in the company of yet another civic-minded a family friend clergyman Rev. Sydney Knight � who himself took much interest beyond the call of his church to help Lankans across the racial divide. These remarkable men of the Christian church gained the respect of all Lankans by their example and commitment – as comments in the blog confirm. It certainly is an indictment of the intolerance that has gained ascendancy and encouragement during our times where Christian churches are being barbarously attacked today and in the last few years by religious zealots masquerading as Buddhist priests and activists. As someone commented here, the cause of unity and reconciliation will be advanced if the leading figures in the Buddhist clergy � including those from the hierarchy based in Kandy � visit the IDP camps and re-assure the Tamils we are all one and must work together to rebuild the country. This will help place Sri Lanka in better light in terms of compassion, racial tolerance and democratic pluralism � features for which this lovely land was always noted until majoritarian political and religious madness replaced all that was good and dear to us. I might add, in the last few days I learn from reliable sources, even active LTTE hard-core in Canada, Europe and Australia have switched on to satellite TV whenever our lads played in the 20/20 in England and warmly cheered for them. They are delirious we are in the Finals (Remember the emphasis on �WE”) And so it has been in previous cricket encounters too. It is even said that Prabakaran and his high command too postponed their �work� whenever our lads were at play. Sanath J was mobbed when he visited the North not long ago. Sometimes one is left to wonder if there are really two segments of the Sri Lankan whole. A prodigal and profligate Govt and political reality that refuses to objectively cause unity among the two major communities so that they continue to enjoy the fruits of office and on the other side of the spectrum a peace-yearning Sinhala and Tamil people � like those who comment enthusiastically and lavishly in these columns – desperately trying to come together and build the nation so that all can live in peace, unity and prosperity. Thoughts of Dilshan F (#19) and Kurusilva (#11) suggest unity still has a chance in this fractured island. How one wishes the debates and comments in these columns gain the wider readership of both Sinhala and Tami audiences throughout the whole of Sri Lanka and the diaspora � the much-maligned Tamil and Sinhala.

ISS.

By: April

April — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:13:56 +0000

Reconciliation and unitary state are day dreams as long as the Human rights, law and order are one sided.

Armed LTTE may be history but Tamil resistance is not and we are bitterer towards Srilanka now than immediate post 1983.

Unless the Srilankan Government allows the war crime to be investigated and perpetrators punished, Diaspora Tamil will never forgive the Cruel events.

By: Dilshan F

Dilshan F — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:15:25 +0000

Dear DBSJ,and to all those who read the Bishops letter.

Being a Thomian I was under ‘chickee’ the most part of my school life. We always wondered whether he was a Royalist or Thomian, but concluded that he must be Thomian as we loved him so much. ( for those who do not know S Thomas’ and Royal are two rival schools in Colombo ) . He with his gracious wife lived at S’Thomas mentoring many young Thomians .
‘Chickee’ is a great example of a firm gentle no nonsense Bishop. Knowing that his letters are always read as from ‘the Bishop’ he is careful not to fan fires in any of the extremist readers. He has influenced many people including me.
I have also visited Jaffna in my teens before ’83. Wonderful place and more than that absolutely wonderful hospitable people. ( I learnt to eat veggi’s there )
I have purposely hired very senior Tamil persons to my organisation and I can proudly say that the workplace is better due to this. I have a ‘Pure Jaffna Tamil ‘ girl who is very much loved by all her colleagues. I have included Muslims as well.
I firmly believe that my upbringing amongst all races at S Thomas’ have taught me to appreciate all and feel their frustrations as well.
To those who run business – Hire Tamils and give respect and pride the their work. Understand their frustrations in coming to work after checkpoints. When they speak in tamil do not mistrust them.
To my Tamil brothers understand our frustration when bombs went off killing indiscriminately set off by a Tamil Tiger.
I like many understand your frustrations too living with the mistrust and suspicion.
Non of us are willing to accept a Tamil homeland or eelam. But we are more than willing to accept and know that you are equal sons and daughters in this land and it belongs to your children as well as mine. Actions of the Diaspora in supporting the LTTE has created a great mistrust and grievance amongst ordinary citizens here. They believe that Diaspora is LTTE .
I understand it will take years for reconciliation and acceptance and I urge all those who have some choice in creating a balanced workplace as a start and as your contribution to Peace and reconciliation. A little step in the right direction will someday bring greater peace in our hearts and mind .