mithrar (25 Jan. 2007)

There is a saying in tamil "sevidanin kathil sangu oothiyamathiri".

58 years of aid has not helped the singhalese common man leave alone the tamils. Epidemics of pestilence (Chikungunya, Dengue to name the most recent), and antiquated infrastructure, and rampant corruption is the legacy of the billions of dollars the tax payer of their country have paid.

I am sure all the intelligence officers of all the countries embassies in colombo are well aware of this. They dont care because they think that the singhalese are on their side in the war against terrorism. Like marcos, suharto, saddam hussein, mobutu seseseko to name a few, the political elite feather their own nest, while even their own people die, or live a life of poverty.In 50 years time they will lament the waste of their money.

At the turn of last century Ceylon provided teachers, engineers, accountants, lawyers etc to countries like Malaysia and Singapore. At the turn of this century sri lanka supplies house maids and labourers to the world.

A few more millions this year will be wasted for rajapakse and the hangers on to spend a 5 billion rupees on their bloated cabinet which has acheived very little for the common man.

So the aid consortium is unlikely to listen to Dr Rajakulendiran. If they do I will be most surprised.

As for the tamils?, what's a few more headless, bullet ridden, or disembowelled bodies strung up from rafters. After all they supported pinochet, and the argentinian junta's in the past. That is the buddhist way of life in sri lanka

Sothi (UK) (25 Jan. 2007)

Exposing IC's double standards, hidden financing and covert support activities are essential to the salvation of our people.

Simply saying "sevidanin kathil sangu oothiyamathiri" is not going to work. Those who are funding such governments are not "sevidar". They are pretending to be "sevidar". They hide behind our failure to expose them, strip them bare and show their true colours to rest of the world. Iraq to Nepal to East Timor that is what has happened. Just because "silence is golden" doesn't not mean “good men” should remain silent in these hard times.

As Tamils, as citizens of the world we cannot and should not remain silent any longer. Let us not give these people places to hide by being silent. Their crafty designs and their hidden hand needs to be brought to the notice of the foreign tax payers and to those who care about humanity.

Whether the aid consortium listens to Dr.Rajakulendren's appeal is their choice. But they can't hide behind complex finance deals and syndicated loans. Their hidden hand in funding the bloodshed needs to be exposed. This needs to be brought to the attention of shareholders, foreign tax payers and other investors. We need to challenge them in our own countries. Hold them accountable.

Allan Rock to HRW we have learnt important lessons. Remaining silent and NOT exercising our democratic rights as global citizens would only prolong human misery.

We can take on any “goliath” and win. We need all the “little davids” to come together at this crucial time and challenge those “misery spreaders”.

mithrar (25 Jan. 2007)

My reference to the sevidar, was in the hope that they may be goaded into listening.

I agree that exposing their deeds and misdeeds is the only way to arouse public opinion in the countries involved.

that and economic starvation of the singhalese government is one way of emancipating our people.

Sothi (UK) (26 Jan. 2007)

Absolutely Mithrar, Economic starvation of the SLG is crucial to our people's emancipation.

The link between the war industry and the economy of the south is one of the main factors which continues to fuel the sinhala thirst for Tamil blood. Just like the war industry in the US and it's potential for greater contribution to local state economies Sri Lankan's politicians too have found a new way of getting away from the severe economic problems facing the sinhala state by boosting the defence budgets year after year. The contribution made by the donor nations toward bridging the budget deficents is a hidden way of funding such initiatives while the Tamils continue to suffer. As diaspora we need to curb this kind of “blood money” going to Sri Lanka.

When you and I are tax payers in our own nations we have the right to demand our money is NOT invested in spreading misery to other people.

Anonymous (27 Jan. 2007)

The Author has done a very positive service to the deprived Tamil people struggling for survival by highlighting the manner in which aid has been used since 1983 to advantage to meet ethnic sectional interests only. Presumably this Appeal has gone out to the Donors who matter in the local context.

Is the figure of 23% of apportioned for defence in 2007 budget correct? Is it not an alarmingly high figure of 45% ot total budget?

The close nexus pointed out in the article between military employment opportunities to the unemployed people in the south only by successive governments is a sure recipe that ethnic and religious oriented warring is unlikely to cease. Besides, this serves as a ready 'cash cow' to corrupt elements of the military, the police and associated elements through extortion rackets perpetrated on Tamils on pain of abductions, torture and exterminations.

The Donor Community at the beginning of the Peace Process and CFA hooked the conditional release of foreign aid, some 4 billion dollars, to its progress. In practice, however, with no progress whatsover it was revealed just at the last round held in Tokyo that all aid had, in fact, been released! Is it at all surprising, therefore, that the warring goes on and on and on!!

Come this new round planned for end January 2007 in Galle the government is talking of Peace Talks and reconstruction of the demolished east and even post tsunami reconstruction after 3 long years when serious questions have been raised about transparency for monies spent even in the south. Even President Clinton gave Sri Lanka the skip on his end-of UN Mission to the region's affected countries by the tsunami.

So who is taking whom for rides?

Anonymous (27 Jan. 2007)

PS - Para 2 above to be deleted. The figures quoted in the article are not disputed. They are yet staggering for the country and the highest on record.

Victor Rajakulendran (27 Jan. 2007)

This is a response to the posting #5 from Anonymous. I have sent this appeal to each and every participant at the Galle meeting and I have got already some very encouraging acknowledgements too. We have to wait and see what these people are going to come up with, to address the concerns we have raised. Similar efforts to mine has been caried out privately by others too.

Thanabal (28 Jan. 2007)

Good Work, Hope some POSITIVE results from RIGHT THINKING PEOPLE.

Sothi (UK) (28 Jan. 2007)

It is quite interesting to note the kind of language used by the media in relation to the 2007 donor conference. Here are some excerpts:

"Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has advised Finance Ministry officials not to abide with strict conditions on loans."

"The government also wishes to seek aid without pledges to carry forward the peace process. "

"Sri Lanka will present a policy document themed 'Ten Year Development Plan to Build a New Sri Lanka' at the conference."

"However, the conference will not be followed with a pledging session."

For SLG begging is the only option left!!. From War for Peace, Peace through Peace to Regaining Sri Lanka and now Building a New Sri Lanka SLG hookers are trying to woo the donors with the same old game.

mithrar (28 Jan. 2007)

Sevidan ketkiran pol irukkirathu.

we will have to wait and see if these appeals will at last, make them look at the humanitarian situation affecting the people of Eelam

Thanabal (29 Jan. 2007)

http://www.tamilnet.com/pic.html?path=/img/publish/2007/01/28_01_07_cabinet_min_03.jpg&width=812&height=312

Above link show where the bulk of the World bank will go (I mean the pockets of these people) while the poor Banda and Silva and of course Siva and Sinalebba will shout slogans with bowl in their hands.

The opening remarks by the World bank seems positive but wait. At the end they will give a generous $1.5 Billion to the wallets of these hookers.

Anonymous (29 Jan. 2007)

Even a wide angle lens will not be enough to take in all the 104 Ministers in one shot. How bloated can it get? Yet another world record!

THe WB has to give loans because that is their business. Else, it will die. Only difference is that the same thing will be said in different words each time. Of course, the fundamental fault lies with governments. But that has become a secondary issue for Banks.

Thanabal (30 Jan. 2007)

"Securing the stability of the country has been more difficult than anticipated," Fallon said in a written statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Our ability to correctly assess the political, economic and security situation in Iraq has been lacking."

Adm. William Fallon, who is poised to become the top American commander in the Middle East, says the United States miscalculated the ability of Iraqi forces to take control and underestimated the enemy's persistence.

It is so funny that only after 3000+ soldiers are dead and nearly 30000+ wounded and handicapped, the mighty Yankees realized that their BUTTS are being kicked left and right.

It won't take that much time for the SLA to realize in the near future. Under Estimation and Over confidence are going to be the Gate to the failure!!!!!!

Anonymous (30 Jan. 2007)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070130/wl_sthasia_afp/srilankaunresteconomyaid_070130051623

Intersting. But HOW MUCH THEY STICK TO THEIR WORDS????

mithrar (30 Jan. 2007)

The speech of the US ambasador , at the conference was nauseating. The hypocrisy of demanding an end to the war, wanting transperancy in government, reduction of corruption, etc. Then without missing a beat he launches into the well worn chorus of " standing shoulder to shoulder with the singhalese in their fight against terrorism" etc.

It is probably this type of hypocrisy against the palestinians that has made all the arabs rush to fight their army in Iraq and afganistan. They probably want to come to sri lanka when they get thrown out of iraq, as their are no anti US muslims in sri lanka.

Their assurances have to be taken with the same seriousness as the tamils would take of any singhalese promises. This charade has been played out at every donor's meeting since 1983.

The elam tamils can only depend on the Thamil Elam armed forces to defend them, and safe guard their interests, and not these hypocrites.

Anonymous (30 Jan. 2007)

The Ambassador's charade is overwhelmingly hypocritical. There can be no military solution, he says (after supplying arms and training, and who is providing funds to Pakistan for supplying cluster and other WMDs to SL)! Is he unaware of what is going on in the east?

Crocodile tears are being shed for the tsunami victims of the east. How blaze, can it get?

Thanabal (30 Jan. 2007)

About US and Iraq.

When US Occupied Iraq, it was said, this operation was to delete the losses USArmy suffered in the hands of Viet Cong. Army. US always want to have a Victorious record in their hand.

US miscalculated this and in the name of fighting Terrorism they went to Afgan with NATO and now they are bogged down, unable to come out. Then Our Bush Boy thought he can finish Iraq also in the name of Weapons of Mass Destruction which turned out be Weapon of Mass DISTRACTION.

They went there to delete their earlier loss and now end up adding another one. SHAME ON USA. The Yankees are getting their Butts kicked left and right in the Streets of Iraq as well as in Afgan.

When it come to the fight for survival and homeland, precision guided weapons and smart bombs are become FARCE bombs. F-16s are become F--k-16s, Apaches turned out to be Nooopachies.

India did the same after evicted from the Eelam soil. They want to be victorious and send PLOTE cadres to Maldives and staged the rescue mission.

But one thing is sure that both India and USA know the LTTE's capability in the SEA otherwise by this time, FOREIGN naval ships would be sailing in the Eelam waters in the name of STRENTHENING the TERRITORIAL INTERGRITY.

At the end of the Two day forum, donors seem to have pledged for a 4.5billion (SL only asked 1.5billion). What does this tell us?

There are many countries in the name of International community have poised to play the PROXY WAR in Eelam Soil.

It remains me the Barathy Song

"VANCHANAI SEIVARADY VAICHOLIL VEERARADI"

We have to fight for what is rightfully ours and disregard the IC, TOTALLY.

mithrar (31 Jan. 2007)

Back to my first post. Sevidanin katthil sangu oothiyathu pole.

The rogues say there is no military solution possible, then give them three times as much as they need to fight the war.

The only solution is to make the singhalese common man also suffer as musch as the people of eelam. then war weariness will occur.

Victor rajakulendran (31 Jan. 2007)

With regard to Mithrar’s posting on the 31st, there was no pledge of $4.5B. It is only a handy work of the two spin doctors Muraleethar redy and P.K. Balachandran, both are loyally doing propaganda work for SLG from Colombo. The Forum was a closed door one and therefore all what the journalist had to write on the forum was based on the news conference held by Dr. Sarath Amunugama, on behalf of the SLG. There is no room for a joint statement like the one issued after each Co-chairs meeting with the SLG and the LTTE. Now the SLG has put out an official communiqué. According to that:

“The Forum also reviewed the progress made in the disbursements and commitments of development assistance in 2006 and some of the implementation challenges. Based on ongoing negotiations, it is expected (only expected and not pledged) that the new development assistance over 2007-2009 would be in the region of US$ 4.5 billion. With the existing funding in the pipeline, Sri Lanka's total development assistance will rise to around US$ 9 billion (only a hope - but you know the way the two spin doctors spun) within the next three years. With the renewed development initiatives in the Eastern and Northern provinces (if only a ceasefire and followed by a genuine peace talks on ISGA), this is expected to increase further.”

It is important to note that the 2 development forums which took place after the commencement of the peace process, pledged significant sums for development projects with a long time horizon. Many initiatives from Ranils' regaining Sri Lanka initiative have been hijacked by Mahinda and rehashed as Mahinda's Chintana. Those initiatives promoted by Ranil are already underway and have received funding a few years back. This is what they meant by existing funding in the pipeline. We certainly cannot expect such funding to be halted in the middle of a project. Despite the above conclusion the paragraph given below buried in the government communiqué has some significant pointers to what is likely to happen.

“They noted the resilience of the economy in terms of economic growth, which is estimated to have exceeded 7 per cent in 2006, the reduction in unemployment to around 6 per cent, improved revenue performance and withstanding the budgetary and balance of payments pressures amidst difficult challenges. However, they expressed concerns about the high costs of renewed conflict and its impact on achieving development goals. They also noted the continuing macroeconomic risks due to high inflation and debt dynamics, and welcomed the focus of the government medium-term macro economic strategy to address these concerns.”

This growth resulted largely due to the low intensity nature of the conflict during the past 4 years. Debt dynamics is what is important and the donor community has highlighted that. Shrinking grants and concessions would force the government to go after Citibank in the months and years ahead. So continual pressure should be put on donors and institutions in the months ahead so that we could increase the debt SLG incur. After all Tamils are not going to be involved in paying back the SLG's debts. That is the hope of every Eelam Tamils.

So Mithirar, Cheer up and work hard to lobby among the donor community like the way we are doing. If you are fed up with this approach or do not believe shift your base to a place like Australia so that you also could contribute positively without being an armchair preacher discouraging others from contributing positively.

Anonymous (1 Feb. 2007)

Yes. The $4.5 billion is the expected figure for the next three years. That is how Reuters also mentioned in their news piece. Also the government EXPECTS that this would happen. In politics 3 years is an eternity as we have seen in the past 3 days with the party hopping mania.

Unless there is a dramatic change in SLG's approach and for that matter ICs role the economy and the whole country would soon be in the bin. Chandrika had a similar experience following her sham peace process in the 90s. Mahinda is on the same bandwagon. The result is going to be the same.

As for PK.Balachandrens, KTRs and Ramans of the world, they are doing their job well. That is what they do for their livelihoods. The question is are we doing our job well?. Can we do more. Certainly!. So let's do what ever we can.

mithrar (2 Feb. 2007)

Victor,

By no means do I discourage those who are in a position to actively lobby. In fact I have followed the progress of several prominent thamil lobbiyists with admiration. My sole aim in posting the last one was if the IC do monitor web sites such as this, they may have some idea of what the average thamilan feels about their support,to the sri lanka government. and that the LTTE does have broadbased support among the majority of both expatriate and eelam thamils. That letters written by people such as your self, are not the views of a few.

It is my view that it must be made plain to the IC that we consider the statements that they make in public,supporting the singhalese government, detrimental to the interest of the thamils in eelam, and only encourages the singhalese government to continue with its genocidal path.

Finally I would like to add that I am not in a position to act publicly, as I am concerned for the safety of kith and kin in sril lanka, since the advent of the white vans.

Neethan (2 Feb. 2007)

"The only solution is to make the singhalese common man also suffer as musch as the people of eelam. then war weariness will occur. "

How do you propose we do that?

mithrar (2 Feb. 2007)

take the war to the western province.

Neethan (2 Feb. 2007)

"The only solution is to make the singhalese common man also suffer as musch as the people of eelam. then war weariness will occur. "

'take the war to the western province"

How?. By killing the Sinhalese common man. That is what terrorists do.

I didn't know this is what your leader was preaching!.

What would happen to the Tamils, many of whom are displaced people, trying to survive in the Western province, upcountry etc.

You seem to have the "who cares" mentality. As long as I am fine and comfortable and living securely thousands of miles away in some country I can say whatever I like.

What about the whitevans?. There will be more of them in colombo, putalam and watala if anyone dares to take your advice.

mithrar (3 Feb. 2007)

The most effective action by the LTTE to bring the SLG to negotiations, was the attack on katunayake. This did not involve the loss of even one civilian life, though it cost in thamil lives. The singhalese elite in any case do not care how many village young men die, so killing civillians is not the answer to this. The two recent bus bombings are a good example. their lives go on regardless.However if power, telephones, sewarage, roads are not functioning like in the tamil areas, and they cannot live the high life, they will push the SLG to offer a credible alternative to the current war.

So we do not have to descend to the level of the SLG to acheive freedom.

A recent world bank report states that sri lanka is now a middle income country, and most of the growth in income is concentrated in the western province. Any disruption here will hit the elite where it hurts most.That is why the rural singhalese young men have to join the SLA to earn a living. Therefore if basic amneties are lacking both in the north east and south west, both sides will be more amenable to speedy negotiations.

Neethan (4 Feb. 2007)

"The only solution is to make the singhalese common man also suffer as much as the people of eelam. then war weariness will occur. "

"Any disruption here will hit the elite where it hurts most."

;-)

Victor Rajakulendran (4 Feb. 2007)

Regarding the SLG's boasting that they got $4.5 B out of the Donor Forum, what I said as this was misinformation before has been proved correct by the interview given By Praful Patel of the WB. He was an eyewitness as to what happened in the closed door meeting.

The truth is Sri Lanka alreday had funded projects up tp 2006 worth $4.5 B and they proposed projects worth of $4.5 B for the next 3 years and said there may be $9B available for SLG. Only WB and ADB have pledged $1.45B out of the $4.5 B. SLG will negotiate with the other bilatteral donors for the rest of $3B and some of them may give if giving is beneficial for their interest. Considering the way all these donors in one voice emphasised the need for immediate resolution of the conflict, as SLG expects these donors may not pledge what SLG wants after SL loby them to fund their projects individually.