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Jul-13-2011 14:54
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Fields Should be for Sports, not Genocide... Sri Lanka
Tim King Salem-News.comNew program explores two year old mass Genocide of Tamil people under Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa regime.
 Now Public photo is simply titled: 'Sri Lankan state terrorism' |
(SALEM, Ore.) - There is much to consider when watching this important program on the killing fields of Sri Lanka, and there are many questions that must be addressed. During and preceding World War Two in Europe, the extermination of human beings, mostly Jews, led in part to the United States entering the planet's greatest military debacle, tragedy and ultimate victory.
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The thing that really burned people, that really got humans hot underneath the collar, even before they realized what Adolph Hitler had in store, was the invasion of China by Japan. This is remembered as the 'Rape of Nanking' and saw thousands upon thousands raped, pillaged and murdered by the warring Japanese. Cruelty with a side of bullets.
Acts of Genocide in the 1930's and 40's turned the world on its side and led to the famous quotes, "Never again" and so many more. But as it turns out, they were false. Today those impassioned cries for humanitarian justice are just distant remarks in history that were not stated with real conviction, at least not a lasting one.
We learned this in the early 1970's, scarcely three decades later, when the Cambodians came under the slaughter of Khmer Rouge guerrillas in Cambodia. The United States built the game board for that nightmare that left millions dead, with no real accurate numbers.
Sri Lanka took a number of lessons from previous world Genocides when then began killing the Tamils; a people who account for a large population of Sri Lanka and even larger numbers in India.
The motivation for the Genocide is simple. Sri Lanka is a country mostly populated by Sinhalese Buddhists. The Tamils are a minority, and an even smaller segment of the population is Muslim. Sadly, the Muslims were forced to flee by the Tamils in the 1980's, who are mostly Hindu, with a smaller Christian population. Needless to say the forced exodus of Muslims, who the Tamils had historically gotten along with, is a black mark in history. Research indicates a strong possibility that the government orchestrated problems between Hindus and Muslims in Tamil country (north Sri Lanka with both northern coastlines) though that is beside the point.
 Mahinda Rajapaksa refers to this as a ’war on terror,’ and we shouldn’t reproduce this idea |
At any rate, the expulsion of Muslims pales when compared to the government terrorism that mounted soon after the current President, Majinda Rajapaksa, took office in 2005. A fragile peace process that had been in place for many years fell to the side and government forces began attacking positions held by the Tamil's defenders, the military group known as the LTTE Tamil Tigers (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam).
Their goal had been a separatist state where their language and customs were honored, maintained and respected.
The LTTE over the years developed items like the suicide bomber vest and their desperate struggle gained the attention of many. Most of that attention was negative from a worldwide perspective, as Sri Lanka was making inroads with the west all the while, primarily to ensure their national tourism continued in force.
The thing is, the LTTE made mistakes. However they, like other guerrilla style fighters, evolved over the years. The Tigers, like Hamas in Palestine and other groups regarded by western governments as 'terrorist', moved away from public bombings and were using technology and other means to wage the war. Perhaps that growing sophistication and war of words was what brought the government onto the Tamil's doorstep.
 The west allowed Sri Lanka's nightmare; but examine this small child's egregious |
Before it was over, some came to believe that the cries of agony would never end. People who had lived happy lives in a beautiful island nation were suddenly watching their loved ones being maimed and raped and slaughtered by uniformed members of the Sri Lanka army. There was no reprieve, there were no breaks given to the Tamils. They were repeatedly told to go to areas that were out of the fire zone, and then Sri Lanka would attack them in these suggested venues of refuge. It is the exact same thing Israel did to the people of Gaza in 2008 and 2009 during their deadly winter attack that left almost 400 children dead.
Of course those who have read our previous reports on Sri Lanka know that this Genocide has no rivals. Rajapaksa's murder teams from the SLA entered Tamil homes and villages and areas with the worst intentions. They did this after killing or disappearing all of the journalists. The other thing Sri Lanka did was warn the United Nations teams in the Tamil areas that their lives were in danger, when Tamils had never threatened them, and had in fact begged for them to stay.
It went on on. Small children were bludgeoned, hung by the neck in their home, women were raped and violently attacked and then loaded onto trucks like cord wood as some moved slightly, obviously still alive. There are the images of small children screaming while their father a few feet away cradles the crumpled remains of their mother. It is beyond heart wrenching and far beyond acceptance. This program compliments the Channel-4 'Killing Fields of Sri Lanka' as an educational tool for a dark period in recent history, just two years ago, that the west supported even if indirectly, and is still failing to adequately addressed.
Some of our past reports on the Tamil Genocide in Sri Lanka;
- Jun-20-2011: Sri Lanka's Violence Toward Tamil Minority Continues - Tim King Salem-News.com
- Jun-18-2011: 'International Day in Support of Victims of Torture - 'Remember the Tamil Genocide - Tim King Salem-News.com
- Jun-17-2011: International Boycott of Sri Lanka gets Huge Boost from Tamil Nadu Resolution - Salem-News.com
- Jun-15-2011: Tamil Genocide Explored in Sri Lanka's Killing Fields - Tim King Salem-News.com
- Jun-10-2011: Eezham Liberation is Geopolitical Priority for Tamil Nadu: Thirumurugan - Muthamizh Vendhan for Salem-News.com
- Jun-04-2011: Tamil Genocide in Sri Lanka Subject of Channel 4 Documentary - Salem-News.com
- Jun-04-2011: Petition to Support a Referendum in Sri Lanka Concerning Self-determination for Tamils - Salem-News.com
- May-30-2011: Confronting the Tamil Genocide in Sri Lanka - Tim King Salem-News.com
- May-27-2011: New Song 'Depression' - Graphic Truth of Sri Lanka Tamil Genocide - Song by Agron Belica Story by Tim King Salem-News.com
- May-21-2011: Sri Lanka Tamil Genocide: Killing the Messenger - Tim King Salem-News.com
- May-10-2011: Rally Demanding Justice for Genocide Victims of Thamil Eelam - Salem-News.com
- May-02-2011: USTPAC Welcomes UN Panel's Report on Sri Lanka - Salem-News.com
- Apr-27-2011: Tamil Genocide in Sri Lanka Emerges Into Public View - Tim King Salem-News.com
- Apr-22-2011: World Ignores Genocide of Sri Lanka's Tamil Population - Tim King Salem-News.com
- Dec-06-2010: Sri Lanka Shocking Execution Video: New War Crimes Claims - Salem-News.com
- Aug-07-2010: Grisly Photos Reveal Genocide by Sri Lankan Government Against Tamil People - Muthamizh Vendhan for Salem-News.com
- Mar-15-2009: Sri Lanka: Possible War Crimes - Salem-News.com
- May-10-2009: UN Says Urgent International Scrutiny Needed in Sri Lanka - Salem-News.com
_________________________________________________________
Tim King: Salem-News.com Editor and Writer
Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.
Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.
Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com
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Lal April 10, 2014 10:56 pm (Pacific time)
Dont tell lise this every pictuer hidden side mistery done by LTTE bridgate I saw during that time even child life they they took to close
Sri Lankan Pride July 23, 2011 9:24 am (Pacific time)
$1.2 Billion may be an insignificant amount for you however for developing countries such as Sri Lanka this is a tremendous boost in investor confidence. Also, does not explain your statement that tourism has taken a hit. According to my understanding of the English language taking a hit is a decline not double digit growth. Also, the Sri Lankan stock exchange was the best performing stock exchange in the world in 2009 as it jumped 125.2 percent during that year. According to Moody's " “Sri Lanka has started to reap a peace dividend that has accrued to the economy and the security environment. The economy is expected to grow sustainably at around 8 to 9 percent over the medium term as confidence is further bolstered and investment picks up" All of this does not support your bleak picture for sri lanka. Why cannot the mighty west take Sri Lanka before the UN security council, General Assembly, Human Rights council (Tried it once and failed miserably), UN general council, Non Aligned Movement and indict it? Because the west knows they have no case against Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka (a tiny country) will prevail against the morally bankrupt west.
Editor: It is an ongoing matter. Nobody set out to damage Sri Lanka's tourism industry, acts like Genocide simply damage the country's perceived image in the world. Last week European tourists were waylaid near Kandy, this is the reality of Sri Lanka tourism today, and nobody damaged the reputation of this country but its own government.
Sri Lankan Pride July 22, 2011 9:57 pm (Pacific time)
Per Tim King "Your tourism industry has taken a hit, don't think the western reporters can't make a difference"
For your information the Sri lankan tourism industry is booming - foreign investors are investing millions in luxury reorts. Clearly demonstrates that you dont have a clue with the ground situation in sri lanka. You can take the west and their biased opinions and shove it where the sun dont shine anymore. We the sri lankan people will take care of our business. Most western journalist are mercenaries that can be easily bought over just like how the terrorists diaspora have bought you over. Its all good. I know you are a powerless writer trying to put food on the table - after all you gotta earn a living too right.. salacious lies sell much better than the truth..
Tim King: So defensive... I have reported the information, as we all know the Sri Lanka govt. killed the journalists friendly to the Tamil cause and then forced the exit of the handful of UN observers on the ground. Still, you guys didn't get away with it and your president gave Sri Lanka a permanent black eye and by the way, Reuters reports: Sri Lanka's tourism industry has secured $1.2 billion foreign investment this year. So that is what you're jumping up and down about? In world terms, that is not exactly going to change very much. The U.S. and Europe have projects that would only fund a small aspect of. The funny thing about what you allege, is that Salem-News.com is regarded as one of the most honest news organizations on the face of the earth.
Sri Lankan Pride July 22, 2011 6:26 pm (Pacific time)
To Tim King - Supporter of terrorists
We the Sri Lankan people have defied foreign interference for years. You are another western journalist who spits out garbage for profit. The Sri lankan government is answerable only to the people of Sri lanka and will never bow down to terrorists or foreigners who have no business meddling with the internal affairs of our country. The west has no leverage over Sri lanka. Friends of Sri Lanka stand by her through thick and thin and we will prevail once again. Have you been able to make any difference in Sri Lanka? The answer is a big fat NO. We will defend our country to the last man and will never let anyone divide it.
By the way I also support your other target for vile lies - i.e. the Israeli people 100% in their war against terror!! The only good terrorist is a dead one and Sri Lanka will always take a tough stand against terrorism today, tomorrow and in the future.
Tim King: I only reveal the truth that Sri Lanka made sure can't be released internally. Your tourism industry has taken a hit, don't think the western reporters can't make a difference. Beyond that, I agree about terrorism, particularly state terrorism, which is a daily product of Sri Lanka and Israel. If you cared about humanity and terrorism your position would be different.
Saleem July 15, 2011 1:02 am (Pacific time)
Tim King has always highlighted the horrors inflicted on the voiceless victims of persecution in northern Sri Lanka. Because the UN and the democratic countries are not doing enough to stop the army's brutality in Tamil areas. Democratic rights are denied and threats are made by the army to frighten civilians to compell Tamils to vote for the government. Unless an independent investigation of the alleged crimes against humanity is instituted the government will not stop its oppression.
Anonymous July 14, 2011 8:23 pm (Pacific time)
The Sri Lankan police has arrested a British national for allegedly providing false video footage to a British TV channel 4 to produce a documentary that accused Lankan troops of war crimes. The court was told the Briton Kandanam Jegadishwaram had 71 DVDs in his residence in Kandy.He also had the original video of 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' that was 'doctored' by the British channel 4. This original video footage showed Sri Lankan soldiers being killed by the members of the Liberation Tigers of of Tamil Eelam and had a Tamil sound track rather than the Sinhala language heard in the 'doctored' version. Has Tim King also being bribed by the expatriate LTTE Tamils with the same blood money they collected to finance the LTTE terrorists who killed thousands of innocent civilians?
Editor: Everything you say has been disproven, they were SLA alright. Humanity and bribery don't mix, and nobody is buying this ridiculous assertion that the footage is fake. It shows how low on defenses you are as you try to justify these brutal acts. They did not need to happen, and there are many Sinhalese who agree.. The government's arrest of an individual, I don't know about this, but it would be in keeping wouldn't it? When you are a brutal illegal nation, you arrest and kill the journalists. That is what Rajapaksa already did in Tamil country, why would it end there?
Rajes July 14, 2011 11:22 am (Pacific time)
The terrorising of Tamils in the North East Lanka is continuing, and now Candidates for local elections are threatened in various ways.
Visit: lankaenews.com, for details.
Eranda July 14, 2011 2:38 am (Pacific time)
Check the following:
http://print.dailymirror.lk/opinion1/49984.html
All of you will know the truth.
Matt Johnson - Malibu July 13, 2011 9:19 pm (Pacific time)
Does it not strike the viewer as painfully obvious, that Maj. Gen Ubaya Medawala is being fed lines through his earpiece? He doesn't even parrot the lines well. So, world observers, you buying this? That is the best Sri Lanka can do?
Tamil Victim July 13, 2011 6:31 pm (Pacific time)
This is a very small part of very long cruelty of srilanka state terrorism aganist innocent tamil civilians since 1948. Only this time the woprld is able to know srilanka state terrorism's war crime, crime aganist humanity, and genocide because of the intenal conflict between Rajapakasas and Fonsekas. This the most creul warcrime by a state terrorism aganist unarmed and innocent civilians in recent human history.
jo July 13, 2011 5:34 pm (Pacific time)
but, what if sri lankan government is smart enough to fool the international community continuously?
COLLI July 13, 2011 4:37 pm (Pacific time)
Where is the U.N. and for that matter, where are the leaders of the free world? The U.N. jumped right into Lybia in support of the rebel forces there and that took far less killing of citizens. Is the U.N. now in bed with big oil along with most U.S. politicians? Can oil really matter more than children? Day after day we watch ass-ache U.S. politicians run their mouths on TV but how many have you heard come out against what has been happening in Sri Lanka? Is there no politicians remaining who have courage, feelings, or a heart? The White House and Congress should hang their heads in shame for sitting idly by while this continues.
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