Comments on: Soldiers Shot at Mannar Bus Passengers after Landmine Attack

By: Dingiri

Dingiri — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:01:45 +0000

Lets face it. We live in a climate where acts are termed Attrocities only when they are commited agains ones own community. This conflict for some has become something like a cricket match where the only desired outcome is one’s own side winning. A draw where neither party wins outright but doesnt lose either that will end the bloodshed doesnt seem to be on anyone’s mind. So with attrocity and counter attrocity, attack and counter attack the conflict continues while the deathtoll and suffering goes on and on..

By: Hela

Hela — Wed, 02 May 2007 08:07:47 +0000

Anyone committing such atrocities should be punished.

The first incident is suspected to be the work of LTTE.

The second incident is blamed on elements of the security forces.

While all appear to be jumping on to vilify the security forces, none seem to be raising any voice against the Tigers. As if the readers are condoning violence perpetrated by the Tigers.

In such circumstances how can a unified voice be raised to protect civilians.

By: mannar women

mannar women — Wed, 02 May 2007 04:47:34 +0000

Six civilians died and 33 got injured on the 23rd April 2007 attack on a public bus going from Mannar to Colombo. Eight injured persons are in critical condition. This is the third such attack on a passenger bus within this month and the second attack that targeted Mannar public transport service. On April 2nd, 17 civilians died in a bus bomb explosion in Ampara; and on 7th April, passengers of a Mannar -Vavunia bus were victims of a Claymore mine blast and six civilians died instantly. Altogether 29 civilians have been killed and over 100 injured in these attacks on passenger buses.

According to eye witnesses and injured passengers of the attack on the 23rd, the claymore mine exploded just 100 yards away from a military check point in Cheddikulum; and immediately after the explosion the military personnel at the checkpoint opened fire. Four civilians including the driver and the bus conductor died on the spot.

We, Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy, condemn any form of attack on civilians and would like to call attention to the recent rapid escalation of incidents of violence against Mannar citizens. Aerial bombardment, displacement, involuntary disappearance and abduction are on the increase. Civilians’ mobility in Mannar is very much restricted and people live in absolute fear. The two important livelihood activities of Mannar citizens: fishing and agriculture are almost becoming impossible due to the activities of both parties to the conflict. This includes restrictions of farmers’ and fishermen’s movements, enforcement of time limits on their livelihood activities, confiscation of their capital assets (boats, engines, tractors and water pumps), forced abductions, killings and the demanding of compulsory military service.

We reiterate that the current situation is the direct result of the ongoing war. Both the Sri Lankan government and LTTE have been using the present climate of impunity and lawlessness as an excuse for their blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of the civilians.

We appeal to the Sri Lankan government and LTTE to stop glorifying the war and immediately get back to the negotiating table to begin a serious and meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict. We also demand that the parties to the conflict should adhere to international humanitarian and human rights norms and allow an independent international body to monitor and investigate the abuses by all parties to the conflict.

Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy

By: Ran Che

Ran Che — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:49:44 +0000

Shameful act by cowards shooting harmeless civilians.

Anyway what is the point of complaining to Mahintha.

Mahintha is the cause if the problam giving extreme rights to the army and Karuna.

Very soon Mahintha will fall to the swards

By: Gerard

Gerard — Wed, 02 May 2007 01:42:04 +0000

The armed forces are the culprits, they set the claymore & wait , then bord the bus & shoot at random, they are trigger happy, their days are numbered. The way those inocent passengers died, those who shot them will sooner or later come to this fate, or else there is no God.

By: T.Douglas

T.Douglas — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:55:57 +0000

Sri Lanka is next to Dafur. Once Sri Lanka flowed with Milk and Honey now flowing with Tamil Blood and dead bodies of Tamils.

Very soon it will reach 100,000 dead bodies.

By: Rohana

Rohana — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:43:34 +0000

When the deer eat the field of paddy, the farmer beats up the deer skin in the attick. That is our way.

Mr.Harry Gunatillake says how they can destroy the Koti Air Crafts. Kiyanne mehamai, koranne ehemi. Baila music.

By: k.arvind

k.arvind — Tue, 01 May 2007 11:46:14 +0000

This is only one such incident of multiple killing of Tamils reported in the past few days. The Cbo Press usually does not report these incidents. Meanwhile, the feelings of Sinhalese towards Tamils have hardened in the Post-April 28 period – as per reports we get from those using public transport. The negative response of the Tamil Polity to the SLFP Proposals announced yesterday will further exacerbate events in the immediate weeks.