Sri Lankan refugee recalls horrors of war

“govikes,

You began your original post with:

"Please take care when you publish unverified accounts by people who are desperate to discredit Sri Lanka in any way, just to protect their coveted refugee-status."

... which was a clear reference to the subject of the article, Johannes Shanmugam.

In your subseuqent post, you stated that:

"...if Britain wants to have these ex-TERRORISTS without proper investigation of their backgrounds, they are very welcome to..."

... which seems to suggest you consider Johannes Shanmugam a "terrorist".

Hence, my request for you to further clarify your position.

I hope this helps.”

“References to what some non-descript Australian MP Don Randall said are meaningless - Strange that an MP from a country that consists of immigrants should now pontificate on the motives of assylum seekers - needless to say human migration across the continents is driven by economic or security considerations, and often difficult to differentiate. Hordes of assylum seekers migrated to the Americas, Australia/NZ, and other parts of the world over the centuries/decades, and continue to do so today - will increase pressures on organised and settled societies as populations across the world explode, and resources get depleted/some societies fail to adapt and change and continue with their medieval methods of oppressing ethnic or religious minorities which then drive minorities out.

This chap's brief was to caution the Sri Lankan Government/Navy to exercise control over those departing for Australia and seek refuge - don't blame him for that.

On 13 February 2008, Randall was one of five Liberal MPs not present when a motion was passed unanimously apologising to the stolen generations of indigenous children between federation and the 1970s. His views are all too explicit.

It is a historic fact that the aborigines of Australia were treated little better than animals until recent history and the state and religious mission exercised arbitrary and cruel control, in parts (Tasmania) the natives were hunted, much like Fox-hunts in England; the results are all too obvious even today in the segregated communities the minorities live today, mainly on social benefits and with huge drink and drug problems - a race that has lost its self-confidence. Until recent decades Australia had an all White immigration policy - Assylum seekers are herded in remote camps.

So an Australian MP who is also a marketing consultant and friend of mining interests is not particularly qualified to comment on the Sri Lankan situation or what motivate asylum seekers to travel across hazardous seas to a continent which until recent history did not belong to anyone.”

“Joe, Sorry, you must be thinking of something else. To be honest, I dont know who Johannes is.”

“govikes - unless you are a Sinhala agent trying to justify the bestial actions of the Sinhala Army - little different from what is going on in Syria, you are totally misguided/ignorant.

Joe Sucksmith, Hubert, and Geraint make important points and not sure who has been marking Joe down silly. Where did you get your 800, million Tamils and the Sinhala Tamils' homeland?

The Australian Naval Commander - probably trying to sell his equipment, the Chinese building a huge Dock complex in South of Sri Lanka.

One can only sympathise with Muhammar Gaddafi or Saddam Hussain, poor chaps bombed out by the nastie Yanks, and Brits, or worship ***i Ameen as a Saint in your book.

If you are a Sri Lankan - no doubt you know your history and that the Tamils of Sri Lanka have been there for centuries if not Millennia, not just recent workers on the Railways or the plantations. I am sure you also know the chequered history of Sri Lanka and its historic links with India, people who migrated from there and the nature of Buddhism the majority religion - all the more pathetic your attempts to air-brush the bloody hands of the Sri Lankan Army and Navy that bombed innocent civilians in the Refugee camps and on their way there, and the Government that condoned/encouraged them to do so and now shedding crocodile tears and pleading the Tamils were all a terrorist lot - may be - today's terrorists often end up as tomorrow's freedom-fighters - Sri Lankan ought to hide their face from the world.”

“govikes,
A lot of people in the northern part of our island had been asking for independence – what did our government do about it?

A lot of people in the northern part of your island had been asking for independence – what did YOUR government do about it?”

“There were only 72,138,958 people living in Tamil Nadu, as of the official census of India in 2001, so unless there was a massive population explosion, I feel I must question the authenticity of your statement. I would also refer you to the Government of Tamil Nadu's homepage, which states that according to the 2001 (Tamil) census, the total population stood at 62,405,679, with 31,400,909 males and 31,004,770 females. Of these, 54 million were Hindu.”

“govikes,

Thanks. Though that doesn't really explain why you saw fit to describe Tamil Nadu as "the real home of Tamils". As in, Sri Lanka's not their "real home", so they might as well go and live in Tamil Nadu, right?

And to WHOM were you referring when you said: "if Britain wants to have these ex-terrorists"? "THESE" terrorists? Are you referring to Johannes? If so, perhaps you could elaborate on why you consider Johannes to be a terrorist, please.”

“From Don Randall, MP Australian parliament:
" Recently I was honoured to visit Sri Lanka on a Parliamentary study trip, during which I met with several high ranking Parliamentarians including the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Minister for Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan Navy's Deputy Commander, Commodore P.S. De Silva. I was fortunate to be able to visit the SLN Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee Harbour, from which most people smuggling boats depart from, destined for Australia. The Sri Lankan Navy is doing an outstanding job of returning these boats to where they departed and we should expect similar assistance from Indonesia. I received a fascinating briefing from senior Navy Officers during which I was able to meet and speak with Sri Lankans who had been intercepted by the Navy on their way to Australia. I spoke with dozens of attempted asylum seekers who spoke very frankly with me about their circumstances and reasons for travelling to Australia. I was astounded to hear story after story of individuals who were not escaping persecution or threat of violence in Sri Lanka, but rather were keen to get to Australia to attain a higher paying job. After many hours speaking with numerous Sri Lankans, I was left in no doubt that those attempting to make the dangerous journey to Australia were not genuine asylum seekers but in fact economic refugees who were simply trying (understandably) to reach our lucky country."”

“Are the ex-terrorists or ex- freedom fighters?”

“Joe: Tamils and Sinhalese are living hand in hand in the South, with many Tamils enjoying even better prosperity. No one thinks of "ethnic cleansing" here:) What I meant was, that if Britain wishes to have some of these ex-terrorists without any investigations into their background in their country, confident that no troubles will arise in the future, then they are welcome. Some of these immigrants spell trouble wherever they are. Sri Lanka can do without violent-extremism, right now. Hope you understand.”