transcurrents

26 Comments Add your own

• 1. nandasena  |  December 3rd, 2007 at 11:29 pm

  Thank you Mr. Mano Ganesan. I appreciate your courage and dedication. But I am afraid that you cannot wake up those people who pretends to be deaf, dumb and blind.

  Their sole intention is to destroy the entire Tamil population, but they do not realise that they are destroying the entire country, including the Sinhalese, in the process.
  When the average singhalese realise this, it may too late and the people who were responsible for the destruction of the country would have vanished with their “loot”

• 2. Prabath  |  December 4th, 2007 at 12:36 am

  Big Hat for you Mr. Mano Ganeshan-

• 3. Sati  |  December 4th, 2007 at 1:05 am

  Congradulation Ganes, a good eye opener for all parties. Do keep it up.

  Sati

• 4. ilaya seran senguttuven  |  December 4th, 2007 at 3:29 am

  Mano Ganesan may not speak English with an OxCam accent or meticulously. But he conveys his own feelings and the pains of the Tamils arrested in the Western Province in the week-end with much much youthful passion. How will the Govt answer this young MP’s question
  “Earlier you arrested Tamils on the grounds they had no NICs and other papers. Now you arrest them when they have NIC’s, Police Reports and other papers. Are you not taking them in purely because they happen to be Tamils?” Sri Lanka and the world once again saw the re-enactment of Nazi Germany of the 1940s when over 125 young men and women were rounded up at the Kotahena Police Station in Cbo North and in spite of the wailing, tears and begging of their mothers and family they were brutally taken away in 2 buses to Boosa.
  When terrified Parents rushed in 2 buses to tearfully complain to the President – joined by agitated MPs Mahesawaran and Radhakrishnan – the might of the army and Police were set upon them near the Taj Hotel at Galle Face. The President sent word
  “He has no time to see them” bringing to one the memory of dear old Marie Antoinette’s celebrated exclamation that set off the French Revolution and the birth of Republicanism – not to mention the gradual end of the monarchial order. But the saving grace was Sinhala politicians Kiriella, Ravi Karunanayake, Anura Dissananake (JVP) and many others from the Sinhala side in the floor of the House condemned the crime committed against the Tamils. But Mano Ganesan sends a grim reminder to the Rathu Sahodarayas “All these are consequences of your own obstacles to solve the National Problem in a just manner allowing the Tamils to run their affairs in their areas” He also tells the Govt that Ministers Devananda and Chandrasekeran are firm believers in greater devolution to the Tamil people and a settlement outside the military option. The Govt is and indeed has been in dilemmas of many sorts and shapes from the time it took over (Or some would argue even as they began their campaign for power) Old Mao was not wrong after all.
  “Contradictions always end up in debacles” said the Chinese modern sage. Young Mano Ganesan shows the street wisdom
  and practical politics of his late father’s bete noire S. Thondaman (or is it nemesis?)

• 5. Jerad  |  December 4th, 2007 at 6:18 am

  I fully appreciate Mr. Ganeshan. You are reflecting the feeling of an ordinary tamil.

• 6. thamilachi21  |  December 4th, 2007 at 6:50 am

  dear honourable MP mano ganeshan,, you have a huge task infront of you to make the concern parties understand that there is NO ONE above the law!!

  thank you sir!

• 7. Athos  |  December 4th, 2007 at 7:11 am

  Yes, compelling arguments against mass arrests. The arrests are illegal no doubt.

  The other parts where he and TNA condemn LTTE violence is however new. Why all of a sudden condemn LTTE violence? All this time their position has been ‘we are fighting a legitimate struggle’. When LTTE gets beaten, they shockingly become righteous. You decided to fight for your ‘rights’ through the barrel of a gun. When it suddenly dawns you cannot win, you ask for political solutions. When LTTE was winning in battles, rejecting govt political proposals everyone was silent. Please stop playing games Sir!

• 8. Ratna  |  December 4th, 2007 at 7:59 am

  “I am hurt, I am sad”. God save Tamils.
  This is what all past Tamil parliamentarians (SJV, Amir, Thonda,…) said, and today it’s Mano’s turn.
  Unfortunately you all are saying this to a bunch of deaf people.
  In 2 or 3 months later, you will repeat this again, and again,……

• 9. Suresh M  |  December 4th, 2007 at 9:51 am

  I really salute the courage Mano Ganeshan has shown, and giving a rare leadership to the whole Tamils in Colombo. Other Tamil politicians should follow him.

• 10. Deshamanya  |  December 4th, 2007 at 10:30 am

  The tamils and sinhalese are different in language, religion, culture and geography. Both immigrants from Bengal and tamilnadu from india centuries ago. It is best they both separate like israel and palestine.

• 11. Sam Tahmbipillai  |  December 4th, 2007 at 10:53 am

  I congratulate Mano Ganeshan for his timely analysis of events and the feelings of the victims of arrests in Colombo.

  When a rabid dog chases a man it is the dog that should be killed and not the man. Here the rabid dog is the state, which does the run.

  For the past 60 years, our attempt to unite Sri lanka has caused more bloodshed, violence, destruction and frustration. We were traveling along the wrong path. We must stop this fruitless travel.

  “United Sri Lanka” is a myth or pipe dream. We must work for a United Island of Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam, instead of vainly efforting for a “United Sri Lanka” as a solution to the present ethnic problem. All other solutions are fantacies.

  The USA, India, China, Pakistan and the EU still desire the impossible “United Sri Lanka” because they want to continue to sell military hardware to Colombo and earn “blood money”.

  We the islanders know what is best for us. For centuries we were two countries in one island. We had bouts once in a while but developed our “Serendib Island” excellently, forging two parallel cultures and languages. King Parakrama Bahu was a great agtricultural developer. We never had animosity and bloodshed like how we experienced since 1948 under one country.

  The International Community says that we must work out our own solution. We the Serendibers must agree to live together as two separate sovereign states namely Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam, to develop our culture and language independently and develop together economically.

  Till then there can be no peace.

• 12. A.Rajasingam  |  December 4th, 2007 at 11:36 am

  At first my comment may appear to be bitter but deep thinking is essential to assess his speech.

  Every one will feel sad that mass arrests are unreasonable and should be condemned. What if a school or hospital is targeted by the terrorists in Colombo as a tit for tat? Moreover mass arrests are common if one reads the history of countries with such problems. I think Mr.Mano Ganeshan has to place his house in order first. It is easier to talk about violations, but what credibility has Mano Ganeshan to raise these concerns. During 2005 when Tamil professionals and Tamil educated people were abducted and murdered by the underworld criminals on behalf of the LTTE, has he forgotten that his leader Chandrasekeran went to secure the release of those underworld criminals Guna & company in spite of the court‘s order. There are Police records.

  This is the man who was offered a ticket by TULF to contest in Colombo and when the UNP called him to offer a ticket he turned his back to M.Sivasithamparam. Mention should be made that he was not expecting Jaffna votes on their face. Thereafter this is the man who went to Prabaharan to receive his blessings as soon he won the election under UNP ticket instead of meeting Ranil. Later he joined Chandrasekeran. Further there are accusing fingers pointing at him for a number of crimes at him such as the attempted murder of Maheswaran. He is a real opportunist and believes in MGR style of carrying politics.

  Now look at his statement. “I talk for my people. When my people are arrested indiscriminately this way, insulted this way, abducted this way, it hurts us. It is the fact. We term this operation as ‘Operation Carpet Arrest’. Tamils were arrested when they did not pose national identity cards and police registration documents“. He is raising these cries because it affected the Indian Tamils on whose votes he relies. Now I like to raise some issues what has he done for the welfare of the poverty stricken Tamils in Colombo. I know it is Minister Susil Premajantha who did a lot to improve the standard of poverty stricken Tamil schools and their community. I must mention that Susil Premajayantha, as a Sinhalese, did more than what Mano Ganeshan did to the Tamils. Modera Hindu Tamil Mixed School is only one stance which speaks itself for the valuable services rendered by Susil Prema Jayanatha. Instead they attacked them on political stages. He is allergic to people like late Kumar Ponnampalam, late Raviraj and the educated elite. The Tamil politicians failed or reluctant to create a confident building measure. This was a great blunder. If confident building measures are created, it is the people of some standing forming a Committee or a Group who will be present in the scene and such arrests are not likely to take place. Such arrested youths could be screened and expedited in a reasonable manner with the assistance of NGOs or lawyers. The government must assure its sincerity through the Committee that no harm will be caused to arrested youths. It is the coordination between the Committee and the NGOs and lawyers that can build a strong confidence among themselves for securing releases. Politicians are there for cheap publicity and should be avoided. Wouldn’t it be advisable to get around some Sinhalese Ministers to form a group and condemn such bombings and such arrests on suspicion? Isn’t it ridiculous to speak of sharing powers and condemning mass arrests when supporting the government? Has he ever realized the contents of the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord to speak of sharing powers? Why is he reluctant to declare that the LTTE leadership is not accepted by the international community and not to be instrumental for such mass arrests. I think it is better to look after his textile shop instead of hoodwinking the Tamils.

• 13. Upali METHTHANANDA  |  December 4th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

  Dear Sir,

  I am fully agree with Mr mano ganesan statement in the parliament. Just because bomb blast in south, government should not arrest innocent people indiscriminatly. You can not privide security to people in this way. We should lernt to think as internationalists not as nationalists. No civilise society in the world support Pabarkeran terrarism, at the same time no body will approve state terrarism. Every person wheather you come from north or south or east or west should be treated equaly and fairly. When I was in Sri Lanka I had friends from north, east and all other parts of the country, we share our value and did not feel any kind of dicrimination. That is the way to solution in Sri Lanka.

• 14. Thilee  |  December 4th, 2007 at 4:40 pm

  Mano Ganesan is a person who is fighting for rights of his voters. He has no fear even he knows his life is not safe. Good work. Thanks for passing his voice to the world.
  A very shorted list follows…

  The new government in the last 2 years have exceeded the job the NAZI / Idi Amen did.

  More than
  4000 Innocent people were killed most of them Tamils.
  4000 people were injured most of them Tamils.
  – includding 60 school childrens (air raid)
  – 11 school kids (land mine) etc..
  – 5 students in trinco (shooting)
  2000 Tamils abducted. Including Women kids elders.
  30 aid workers killde/abducted
  20 Journalist / media staff killed/abducted
  400 Tamils (kids/elders/patients) evicted from colombo brutelly.
  3000 Tamils arrested in a week only in Colombo area.
  4000 Tamils in prisons waiting a trail for a long time
  300,000 Tamils made displaced. Their homes robbed and made as High Security zones.

  Also this government:
  supported Karuna group (which hired child solders and kidnapped people in hundred ) and gave him Diplomatic passport and involved in Human smugle.
  Fiered up the news paper office in Colomo (within High Security Zone)
  killed 2 Tamil MPs (Ravi Raj and Joseph Pararajasingham)
  Abducted a relation to the Tamil MP to get the MP’s vote for succeed the budget
  Made the ‘killed LTTE carders’ body naiked to public parade

  To add the list:
  The current GoSL get support from Iran and Pakistan. GoSL support the Iran’s neuclear program. And do not want to align countries which banned Pakistan from Commonwelth.

  They broke the Indo-Lanka accord by dividing north and east. Still India and International community want to support GoSL…

  Daily 6-8 Tamils are killed/disappeared. The same country killed 150,000 Sinhalese (70,000 + 80,000) during JVP upraise in 1971 and in 1987.

• 15. S.Ganga  |  December 5th, 2007 at 6:30 am

  On the comments made by Mr.A.Rajasingam at # 12 on 4th Dec; my name is S.Ganga. I have a great opportunity to watch Mr. Mano Ganesan closely in Colombo. (Where are you?) Sir, it seems to me that you are with some interior motives. Instead of talking about Mr. Ganesan’s speech you are more with some irrelevant imaginations. What’s the problem, sir?

  Mr. Ganesan’s party is Western People’s Front. He is the leader of WPF. Never was he a member of any other party neither under the leaderships of Ranil W, P. Chandrasekaran or any other. Some may be his friends and philosophers. The UNP and Ranil W are only his alliance partners. Since he is not a member of TULF he need not necessarily contest with TULF. Do not forget he is Colombo district MP and he has to balance between the currents of North East and the South which he is doing better than anybody in the history. What is this about ‘Jaffna Votes’ and ‘Indian Tamil’ divides? Are you not ashamed of talking this way in these difficult days? WPF is the only party which is bringing the Tamils of both Indian origin and Northeast together. Do you know that general Secretary of WPF is former general secretary of Tamil Congress Dr.N. Kumaraguruparan, member of Colombo municipal council? The whole country knows who shot Mr. Maheshwaran. Even the Sinhalese consider Minister Mr.Susil Premajayantha (your friend?) as a failure. Mr. Ganesan has no ‘textile shop’ to look after, what are you talking sir? Please understand that Mr. Mano Ganesan MP is the honest courageous young educated hope of the Tamils here back home. Please do not use public forums for any slander campaigns for your own silly reasons, if any Sir.

• 16. theeran tamilakam  |  December 5th, 2007 at 1:03 pm

  i admire n salute the courage of mr.ganesan and his love for the tamil people who elected him.the sinhala people should have understood after all these years that the tamil liberation struggle can never be brought down militarily.

  if european union could prosper with more than 30 member states.why dont they even think about power sharing and the concept like EU.

  remember this fact,the tamils r an emotional race.if anyone wants to trigger the emotions again n again,i am afraid there can never be peace in the island

• 17. A.Rajasingam  |  December 5th, 2007 at 8:30 pm

  Parliamentarians have what is called ‘absolute privilege’ upon which they deliver speeches which has to be determined in the context of different situations, though there are Parliamentarians who uses such absolute privilege for the betterment of the public. Dissecting a speech by a parliamentarian is not going to take us to paradise. Even in America during the 2nd World War, Japanese in America were arrested and screened. Priority in the speech should relate to the release of arrested youths and the manner of neutralizing such operation of bombings. I can understand if Human Rights Organizations raises concern over such mass arrests. Every one is aware that such mass arrests cause concern. Further, I do not have any grievances over Mano Ganeshan, but what matters is the recognition of the leader at the moment Chandrasekeran. Having experienced at the inquiries when about 4000 youths were taken into custody at the Boosa Camp and at Galle during the Vadamaradchchy operation, we are not just watching, but had constant touch even from here and at the time of writing we received information that 90% were released. The authorities have been screening everyone. That is all. Unlike earlier where we present our submissions before the Chairman of the Board and sometimes have interviews with the Attorney-General to secure the release of those detenus, this time releasing was speedier. We should be grateful to the Sinhalese that they have been tolerating such nonsense. They have earned a credit for not allowing a backlash of 1983. Leave alone the politicians. As a lawyer for 30 years in Colombo we have been watching the gimmicks of politicians for cheap publicity. This time Mano Ganeshan was earlier in point of time to deliver this speech.
  He was crossing at various parties before the formation of Western People’s Front. The late Mr.M.Sivasithamparam accommodated Mano Ganeshan under one umbrella to contest the Colombo seat and later repudiated it when UNP offered him a ticket. This is where he began to show a division. Mr.Sivasithamparam never showed his anger but demonstrated his high qualities by remaining patient. His meeting with Prabaharan after he won under the UNP ticket raises concern in everyone’s mind. Eventually this led to substantiate the connections these WPF Parliamentarians had with the LTTE who are all out to create a civil disturbance in the country. I must mention that Guna & company with some LTTEers got caught to me and to the Police red handed in 2005. As for Chandrasekeran, why should he come forward to secure the release of Guna & company (who had undertaken the contract murders from the LTTE) and got scolded from the authorities. If you want to verify go to the Modera Police and Courts and find out.

  In addition, the LTTE suicide bombers were residing at the residences of Indian Tamils. When about 70 people including Gamini Dissanayake was killed by a suicide bomber, the LTTE girl and the LTTE boy were residing in a Indian Tamil residence for more than a year at Chappel Lane, Wellawatte. What was more surprising, was this suicide LTTE girl had also given birth to a baby to an LTTE boy and abandoned. You can check it with the CID headquarters. Further, the LTTE hit boys or the pistol gang are employed at welding shops and video parlours owned by some Indian Tamils (with whom WPF Parliamentarians were associating) who had gone underground when the Sri Lanka Armed Security Forces rounded up. I can give a long list. How is the Western People’s Front going to condemn such Indian Tamils in accommodating the LTTEers. Merely condemning the LTTE is not sufficient. There is something called a collective responsibility. We are not creating differences between the Indian Tamils and the Jaffna Tamils. We appeared for any Tamils without any discrimination and without any fee.

  I also like to maintain that we had taken some Indian Tamils whose grievances were put forward by us to Susil Premajayantha and he did out of the way. I also like to mention that Mr.Susil Premajayantha is a well respected gentleman among the judges and lawyers and also among the Tamils and Sinhalese. It is a fact that no one has done much to the Tamil schools in Colombo like Susil Premajayantha. In spite of all these Susil Premajayantha was residing in Nugegoda. As a Buddhist he never got provoked but remained calm. Because we forget all these good deeds the curse is on the Tamil community.

• 18. Disgusted  |  December 5th, 2007 at 8:56 pm

  The comment #12 is very offensive. I strongly condemn this comment. How did it pass the moderator’s notice I wonder!

  We vist this site for engaging with refreshing ideas; not to read politcal mud-slinging and blatant slander. There are other sites doing that service with great dedication. Transcurrents need not stoop to that level.

• 19. Oru Manithan  |  December 5th, 2007 at 10:36 pm

  The comment # 12 writer seems to me like GOSL agent pose as Tamil or a Traitor Tamil who align with Terrorist racist Sinhala government for financial benefits.
  Any one who reads his stuff can see the motive.

  Mano Ganesan is a true warrior who fight for the people’s betterment. Very courageous man.

• 20. sarath kumara  |  December 7th, 2007 at 8:23 am

  Dear Mano,

  Now I have reliased that tthe gusts you have express and acts breavely were the accetns of your late farther who’w PG on your side. As my self withnessed brutal killings and masscares since early 80′ when I was in the service, I reallly appreciate your curraguos efforts to speek openly on the real geound situation. Your are far ahead of the so called politicians in all ethnic groups in SL today. Pl take care, your presence is a must to this ill fated couontry for today & tomorrow

• 21. Priyadharshani  |  December 7th, 2007 at 6:17 pm

  After checking from reliable sources from Sri Lanka, I was shocked to hear that such speeches are common from mushroom politicians and that they do not pay much attention to these speeches. I do not know why they call mushroom politicians. But most of them are released. They also made me to understand that illegal activities among the Indian Tamil labourers are very high in Colombo North and as such there is a possibility of LTTE infiltarion. They reminded me of an Indian labourer being bribed for Rs.65,000/= in connection with the assassination of Luxman Kadirgamar and that Mano Ganeshan was leaving for India when the DIG wanted him to question. I do not say he is involved. The reluctance of joining hands with the main Tamil party and the meeting with Prabaharan has created some suspicions in the minds of the people. When the Indian Tamil labourers have some connections with the LTTE in many instances it was also pointed out that he depends on Indian Tamil labourers’ vote bank. Apparently a case has already been filed in the Supreme Court. There is mixed opinion over mass arrests. I am really confused.

• 22. Anthony  |  December 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm

  I salute Ganeshan’s courage.
  Please take care of your life.
  We need such courageous leaders, who are rare
  in our country.

• 23. P.Nathan  |  December 10th, 2007 at 11:19 am

  Mano Ganeshan stands for ALL tamils – not for those of indian origin only. He spurned the invitations from UNP and TULF to form his own party – so what ? Is it a crime ?
  Only he has the courage to interview relatives of those abducted or ‘disappeared’ and maintain a list, & had the courage to tell the BBC Team the truth.
  If he met with Prabakaran, does it make him an LTTE member ?
  Most relatives of ‘missing’ persons go to him and record their grief – they do not go to any other politico !
  He knows that his life is in danger for publicising the activities of State sponsored Terrorism.

  His speech was met with silence by all other MPs in parliament – a ‘guilty’ silence.

  We need more persons of the calibre of Mano Ganeshan.

• 24. nandasena  |  December 12th, 2007 at 1:02 am

  How come A Rajasingham’s comment escaped the moderators scrutiny. He is rambling on with no connection what so ever to the subject under discussion. He seems to be jealous of Mano Ganeshan. Mano Ganeshan stood for all the Tamils.

• 25. ilaya seran senguttuven  |  December 15th, 2007 at 8:16 am

  Nandasena #24 – Who is the moderator?

• 26. Kattadeeya  |  January 15th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

  STOP
  BASHING ONE ANOTHER

  all who complain about the person who is doing somthing
  does not amount to anything , let the man do what is need at this time to help the helpless, he too could have chosen a easy street life style , he has the economic means , so , try to help the situation ,instead of wedging , stop the he said she said bologny …….do some thing
  lets start thought provoking ideas ,not the other type of provoking , now if you take offence to this comment …….
  you are classed as a coward ,and canot take a defeat
  so go get knowledge , ignorance can be cured but stupidity is for ever ……so long pal

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