Category Archives: Tamil Tiger fighters

Tekwani’s Review of the Sri Lankan Political Situation in Mid-2020

Shyam Tekwani, an Item presented as a “Sri Lanka Brief” in June 2020, AT https://eastasiaforum.org/2020/06/19/sri-lankas-return-to-ethnic-majoritarianism/ entitled “Sri Lanka’s return to ethnic majoritarianism” … with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

The voyage from Serendib to Sri Lanka through Ceylon continues to be an uninterrupted tale of opportunities lost, scorned and spurned. The brutal end to the quarter-century war with the Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009 brought an unprecedented opportunity for the government to heal the Sinhala–Tamil ethnic divide. But now a new front is opening, one against Sri Lanka’s Muslim minority. Events since the Easter attacks of 2019 are reinforcing the belief that tolerance and inclusive governance are a chimeric dream.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, atrocities, centre-periphery relations, communal relations, counter-insurgency, demography, Eelam, ethnicity, governance, historical interpretation, law of armed conflict, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, politIcal discourse, power politics, prabhakaran, Rajapaksa regime, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, slanted reportage, sri lankan society, Tamil civilians, tamil refugees, Tamil Tiger fighters, trauma, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, war reportage, world events & processes, zealotry

Nishan Vellupillai Slams A Goal for the Socceroos

NISHAN VELUPILLAI  …. of Sri Lankan TAMIL migrant stock is now a member of the Socceroos and scored one  of the goals against China at the Adelaide Oval

ALAS I was not present because slow on the ticket uptake [it was a sell-out]

https://news.sbisiali.com/en/news/article/australia-sweeps-china-to-continue-journey-to-2026-world-cup

 

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/tony-popovic-socceroos-squad-theyre-quality-players

ALSO see = https://www.elanka.com.au/23-yo-sri-lankan-tamil-origin-nishan-velupillay-scores-for-australia-in-the-asian-world-cup-q

 PS …. he is not related to VELUPILLAI PIRAPAHARAN aka PRABHAKARAN …. though both are good shooters 

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, ethnicity, historical interpretation, insurrections, landscape wondrous, life stories, LTTE, martyrdom, nationalism, performance, politIcal discourse, power politics, prabhakaran, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil migration, Tamil Tiger fighters, trauma, unusual people, world events & processes, zealotry

Tekwani’s Analysis of “Transnational Security and Postinsurgency Issues” in Sri Lanka

Shyam Tekwani ... taken from …Alas the date of pubn is not indicated clearly… it is probably circa 2010 

  • Sri Lanka’s quarter-century civil war may be over, but many of the underlying causes of the war continue to linger.
  • The international network of the defeated Tamil Tigers continues to control immense financial and logistical resources and is supported by the nearly one million Tamil diaspora. Meanwhile, the victorious Rajapaksa government has been slow in implementing its promise of political settlement and integrating the minorities into the political and socioeconomic life of the country. These realities may contribute to the radicalization of a new generation of Tamils, both on the island and in the diaspora in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, atrocities, authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, communal relations, Eelam, ethnicity, governance, historical interpretation, insurrections, landscape wondrous, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, nationalism, patriotism, performance, photography, politIcal discourse, power sharing, Rajapaksa regime, security, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil civilians, tamil refugees, Tamil Tiger fighters, terrorism, trauma, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, vengeance, violence of language, war crimes, war reportage, world events & processes, zealotry

Deciphering the Past to Secure Reform in the Present

Michael Roberts

Let me suggest that in any country one cannot address the fundamental problems of the present without understanding its immediate past. This prescription was/is inherent in an article that I penned for the Indian journal FRONTLINE in June 2009 one month after the LTTE had been vanquished in war (1). Its title was “Some Pillars for the Future.” 

On re-reading this essay today in September 2024, I affirm that it is marked by good sense and presents several worthwhile propositions. It is reproduced here for others to assess and comment critically on its arguments — standing now in the midst of the many developments and changes between 2009 and 2024.  Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, communal relations, Eelam, ethnicity, historical interpretation, human rights, Indian Ocean politics, insurrections, landscape wondrous, life stories, performance, politIcal discourse, power politics, self-reflexivity, Tamil civilians, Tamil Tiger fighters, trauma, truth as casualty of war, war reportage, world events & processes, zealotry

Noel Nadesan’s Critical Reflections on the Sri Lankan Tamils’Armed Struggle

Rajeswary Balasubramaniam, reviewing Odyssey of War by Noel Nadesan **

The ‘Odyssey of War’, a novel by Dr. Noel Nadesan published by Sarasavi Publishers, reflects the struggle for the liberation of Tamils in Sri Lanka (1977-2009) and the failure of interwoven world politics. The novel illustrates how upper-class Tamils overcame caste, religion, and regions and united for the liberation of Tamils, but went beyond the spirit of liberation, migrated, and eventually made the liberation struggle of Tamils a profitable business.

Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under accountability, anti-racism, asylum-seekers, atrocities, authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, communal relations, constitutional amendments, counter-insurgency, demography, discrimination, Eelam, ethnicity, governance, historical interpretation, Indian Ocean politics, insurrections, language policies, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, prabhakaran, refugees, security, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil migration, tamil refugees, Tamil Tiger fighters, terrorism, trauma, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, vengeance, war reportage, world events & processes

The Siege of Jaffna Fort by the LTTE in 1990

Gamini Goonetilleke, … with a few photographs awaiting insertion later

I had volunteered my services to the Sri Lanka Army and it was my turn of duty at the Palali Base Hospital when the Jaffna Fort came under Tiger attack. Thus I was a witness to a major battle for supremacy in the North. For the State the Jaffna Fort was of symbolic importance to demonstrate its sovereignty over the Jaffna population and as such the Sri Lanka Army was occupying the Jaffna Fort. For the Tigers, dislodging the troops from the Fort was of importance to pave the way for ‘liberation’. Therefore it became an important battle for both sides.

Image  1 – A view of the Jaffna Fort          

Jaffna Fort – main entrance

 

 

 

 

The siege of Jaffna Fort

The Tigers had surrounded not only the Fort but also the Palali Air Base to prevent the mobility of the troops and also to cut off supplies. They positioned anti-aircraft guns in the Fort area. This threatened the helicopter borne supplies to the stranded troops and the battle for the Fort turned out to be fierce and intense.

Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, communal relations, Eelam, ethnicity, historical interpretation, insurrections, law of armed conflict, life stories, LTTE, performance, power sharing, security, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil Tiger fighters, unusual people, war reportage

That Gathering at Trinco towards Setting Up the ICES ….in Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neelan is standing on the extreme right, with CR de Silva on his right and Sam Samarasinghe nex to him

This NOTE is part of Professor KM de Silva’s Account of the Process leading to the Formation of the ICES: ” The Taita Hills conference [in Kenya] was followed by a second cross-national workshop held on 7 March 1982; this time at the then Hotel Club Oceanic in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

“The photographs attest the considerable cross-national support for this enterprise, albeit wholly weighted towards  the West in the context of world political alignment then. …” Michael Roberts (while anticipating a Memo or essay from Professor Donald Horowitz which will provide other threads in the processes leading to the setting up the ICES).

Robert Goldmann

 

 Myron Weiner  

the web photos of Donald Horowitz resisted copying

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, atrocities, Colombo and Its Spaces, communal relations, economic processes, education, ethnicity, governance, historical interpretation, insurrections, legal issues, life stories, LTTE, nationalism, patriotism, performance, politIcal discourse, power politics, prabhakaran, security, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil Tiger fighters, terrorism, trauma, unusual people, vengeance, world events & processes, zealotry

Adopting Mongrel Colourings & Becoming Thuppahi

Michael Roberts, presenting an old essay prnted in the Lanka Monthly Digest in 2002 that was entitled “Sri Lankan-ness …. and Being Mongrel” **

The impending peace negotiations and the demand for self-determination by the LTTE and most (?) Tamils residing in Sri Lanka raise the issue of Sri Lankan identity in critical ways. Is there space for “internal self-determination” within both the territory and the idea called “Sri Lanka”? What does the concept of “self-determination” mean and does it allow for a “Tamil nation” to exist within the Sri Lankan nation in ways that will allow for “the dignity and self-respect” of those Tamils who wish to be part of this Tamil entity?

Pirapaharan, Anton Balasinghma & Thamil Chelvam on the podium at Kilinochchi before an international mix of media-personnel 10 April 2002 …. where the state of THAMILILAM  was effectively proclaimed ………………..

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, anti-racism, British colonialism, caste issues, communal relations, cultural transmission, disparagement, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, language policies, life stories, LTTE, performance, politIcal discourse, prabhakaran, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, Tamil civilians, Tamil Tiger fighters, unusual people, world events & processes, zealotry

In Honour of a Dinky-Die War Correspondent, Muralidhar Reddy

Michael Roberts

 Because my sister Estelle’s birthday fell in early May, I visited Sri Lanka from late April 2009 to circa July 2009 when the Sri Lankan armed forces were on the verge of overcoming the LTTE and its Eelam struggle. It so happened that the journalist representing the important Tamilnadu publishers of The Hindu and Frontline was none other than Muralidhar Reddy (in residence near Thurstan Rd). I had met Reddy once at Sanjay Srivastava’s home in Delhi (1995?) and he sought me out with requests for articles to be placed in Frontline.

This initiated a fruitful set of exchanges. It also brought me friendship with another Indian journalist, Kanchan Prasad — whose photographic skills have provided me with some invaluable war ‘tales’ in camera-mode: so that all the four photos of Murali-in-the war-zone are shots snapped by this intrepid lady …. a Lyse Doucet in Asian mould.

Continue reading

5 Comments

Filed under accountability, art & allure bewitching, atrocities, ethnicity, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, photography, politIcal discourse, power politics, press freedom, security, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil civilians, Tamil Tiger fighters, the imaginary and the real, trauma, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, war reportage, world events & processes

For Muralidhar Reddy: Thoughts on Eelam War IV in late 2009

ONE: Preamble by Michael Roberts

I was in Colombo from mid-April 2009 to early June and observed the local coverage of Eelam War IV at its bitter end. I was invited by Muralidhar Reddy[i] to write articles for Frontline on aspects of the politics surrounding the war. Though Frontline is a magazine produced by The Hindu consortium, I was not a regular follower of that newspaper on web — even though I had once been introduced to its owner and chief executive, N. Ram, way back in time by Chandra Schafter and had also had an extended chat with him in Delhi in 1995.[ii]

 

 

Thus, the receipt of a Hindu report on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s thoughts in mid-2009, expressed in an extended session with him conducted by N. Ram serves up new material from my position. In step with my policy of raising significant episodes in the course of Eelam War IV to public notice,[iii] I  hasten to present this exchange in the public domain.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, communal relations, counter-insurgency, disparagement, Eelam, ethnicity, governance, heritage, historical interpretation, human rights, IDP camps, Indian Ocean politics, insurrections, law of armed conflict, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, nationalism, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, prabhakaran, press freedom & censorship, Rajapaksa regime, rehabilitation, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, tamil refugees, Tamil Tiger fighters, terrorism, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, war reportage, world events & processes