Click for News Update: tweetsTrove

transCurrents Home

CPA receives threatening letter

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in Colombo has received a letter at its office titled "Notice to the Traitors".

Full Text translation of the letter as follows:

NOTICE TO THE TRAITORS (DESHADROHIS)

The wretched war that lasted throughout 30 years has now come to an end. Blood thirsty wicked terrorists were finished from this country. That happened in such a way that even their carcass didn’t mix with the Sri Lankan ( Lak Polawa ) soil. That is through the dedication of the present government, fearless military commanders and heroic warriors born in our motherland. And also, through the sacrifice of their bones, flesh and streams of blood. Furthermore, this was achieved by defeating the activities of the wretched traitors like you who commit evil things against “Mother Lanka”.

Even though the terrorism is now over we have been observing the behaviour of people like you who were dependent on them, and who appeared for them. We know that you have got furious of this marvelous victory of our motherland. And also we know about the conspiracies you engage in, even at the moment, in alliance with the International. When the entire country was enjoying the bliss of liberating the motherland you did not even hoist the National flag.

-Now you (Thopa) also must get together for bestowing the honor for the warriors.

-Parallel to “Ranaviru Upahara” (Honoring the Warriors) celebration you must,

Throughout that week you should close down all the places of your institute, which has become a bane to the entire country, and should display the National flag and also display a banner bestowing your honor to the warriors (Ranaviru).

You should donate One Million rupees to the “Api Venuven Api” account as an honor to those Warriors who were lost to the motherland and who got disabled due to your traitorous course of action.

Furthermore, you should certainly stop all the programmes conducted by your institute which are detrimental to the Sovereignty, Unitary nature, and Dignity of this country.

-Stop abetting Terrorism and Separatism.

-We are carefully watching your course of action in the future as well.

-Let us destroy the conspirators. Let us march forward fearlessly. Let us protect Mother Lanka.

Sri Lankans affectionate towards the Motherland
~~
[The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) was formed in 1996 in the firm belief that the vital contribution of civil society to the public policy debate is in need of strengthening. CPA is committed to programs of research and advocacy through which public policy is critiqued, alternatives identified and disseminated. CPA is an independent, non-partisan organization which receives funds from international and bilateral funding agencies and foundations.]

19 Comments

Dear peace loving people!

This is just a beginning. This proves the point put forwarded by Tamils.
We do not have safety in this tiny island.
Good lesson for all peace loving people.

Posted by: Ravi | June 2, 2009 08:19 AM

...Let us march forward fearlessly...

With this mindset,what ever direction you march forward, you'll end up and perish into the deep Indian ocean.

Posted by: ECHO | June 2, 2009 08:48 AM

A new word for the English Dictionary, from Sri Lanka: "white-vanning": Abduction and disappearances.
(I am sure the English Professor closely connected
would sponsor this new word!)

Posted by: ardneham | June 2, 2009 09:02 AM

So now the true nature of the Government of Sri Lanka is at last beginning to show. All those who accept the doctrine of Human Rights, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression are to be branded traitors and killed.

If this is not fascism then what is?

Let me place on record once again that this Fascism is the real problem we are faced with and having captured a state (the Sri Lankan State) - for the first time since it built its own one in the Third Reich - it will spread throughout the world and grow to epic proportions unless swiftly contained.

Heres a taste of what is to come.

"On 22nd May editorial of the state controlled Sinhala language daily called for stoning and expelling of so called professional journalists who grow beards."-
Media alert-Â 01 June 2009

NB: The killing of traitors "Thesaththuroghikal" is exactly how the LTTE commenced its own brand of fascism.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 2, 2009 09:50 AM

So now the true nature of the Government of Sri Lanka is at last beginning to show. All those who accept the doctrine of Human Rights, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression are to be branded traitors and killed.

If this is not fascism then what is?

Let me place on record once again that this Fascism is the real problem we are faced with and having captured a state (the Sri Lankan State) - for the first time since it built its own one in the Third Reich - it will spread throughout the world and grow to epic proportions unless swiftly contained.

Heres a taste of what is to come.

"On 22nd May editorial of the state controlled Sinhala language daily called for stoning and expelling of so called professional journalists who grow beards."-
Media alert-Â 01 June 2009

NB: The killing of traitors "Thesaththuroghikal" is exactly how the LTTE commenced its own brand of fascism.

Posted by: Crazyoldmansl | June 2, 2009 09:50 AM

This is indeed disturbing as the CPA is one of the few moderate civil society organisations which have been voicing alternative views, which are imperative to arrive at the National consensus, President Rajapakse himself has said he seeks.

Posted by: Dayan John | June 2, 2009 10:02 AM

CPA is independent with a transparent hidden agenda.

We saw the International diaspora take tiger powers to their hands and those governments were helpless.

now it appears the citizens have taken military powers to their hands to curtail double tongued organisations such as CPA.

These are actions of citizens with supressed or bottled up minds for 03 decades or since birth.

Posted by: davith singho | June 2, 2009 10:53 AM

I think the CPA should use their vast superiour intelect and follow this very sound Advice given in this letter... there is very little tolerance for Traitors who aided and abetted the enemy in Sri Lanka these days.

Posted by: Devinda Fernando | June 2, 2009 12:26 PM

The ICES, Marga, Nadesan Institute of HR, UTHR(J), SSA, CPA are some of the “think-tanks” in the Island we can well be proud of. CPA stoutly defended the people against many attempts by the State fearlessly going before a somewhat uneven-handed Supreme Court (See comments on CJ Sarath Silva by the Int’l Bar Association Human Rights Institute report on their last visit here during Feb/March 2009) Men and women in these useful organizations should be respected and honoured for their altruistic services - in any decent society.

But ours is a society unabashedly claiming a clean record of service to the people going well over 2,500 years now lead by men like the much despised Mervyn Silva, who has the open support of the highest in the land and siblings - for the planning and carrying out of shocking anti-people and anti-social crimes. These have gained for this once respected country international pariah status. To learn his (Mervyn's) junior is now groomed for political office with the blessings of the high and mighty in the land makes all of us hang our heads in shame.

The attack on Poddala Jayantha two days ago shows, in spite of claims of innocence and the Shaggyish “it isn’t me” squeals, from the top of the regime the culture of intimidation and fascism continues to be the platform upon which this rogue regime relies for its continued survival. The attempt to silence committed men like Dr. Packiasothy Saravanamuttu, Rohan Edirisinghe et al for standing up to injustice and the cynical call to close the CPA and hand over a large ransom makes our system of law-order, justice and policing an empty joke.

I do not in any way suggest the President is responsible for this. But he certainly does not seem to be doing much to eliminate the gross injustices and attacks on established norms and institutions in place to uphold law and order. Merely stating “I have nothing to do with this” will not do anymore. There must be an immediate and transparent weeding out of all anti-social elements – be they lay or cleric – before we become a barbarian lawless country. How the government will handle this audacious attack on a fine body committed to strengthen a plural democratic culture; encouraging freedom of speech and expression in our fractured and grotesque society - will be watched with much interest – both here and outside.

Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan

Posted by: Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan | June 2, 2009 01:08 PM

Traitors are the ones who advices intolerance. They are the enemies of Sri Lanka who will bring the whole country down by their evil hatred. If we should identify these people and isolate them or else we are bound to collectively regret.

Posted by: Theo | June 2, 2009 09:39 PM

We must learn to ignore anything and everything anonymous. What if a former LTTE supporter wrote this just for the very purpose of agitaating some people?

Posted by: Daya | June 3, 2009 12:12 AM

Are threats the SriLankan style attempts at reconciliation?

How Orwellian!

Posted by: N2 | June 3, 2009 04:32 AM

We have many NGOs INGOs and other charities inaddition to the "political/military experts and analysts". The question is what is the reason for their existence? Is it not for the betterment of the country...???? Is it not to provide relief and emergency aid to the needy...?

No government is 100% effective in responding to crisis situations that is why the need arises for such organisations to exist.
But what we have seen is that most of these organisations have sold there services for a "price" to treacherous entities and forgot the noble reason why they exist.
Millions of rupees has been allocated for these organisations to provide for the needy in war torn regions and in other areas whare there has been a catastrophe.
How much has been spent on the needy, is a question that these organisations will choke to death if ever asked!!!

Coming back to the topic about the Centre for Policy Alternatives...one needs to ask how the existence of this organisation is benefiting the nation as a whole..? How is it financed? What are there responsibilities and to whom is it directly accountable for there actions....?

Why was the CPA thretened....? What was there demand....????
I do not agree with the way the request was carried out via a letter with no personal names and contact details.
I would have prefered a much more direct approach to convey the message in a more civilized manner by directly meeting the Management of the CPA and asking them as to why:

1-They do not hoist the National flag...?

2-As to why they shouldnt donate some money to disabled soldiers as the CPA possess public money and these guys in the military lost there lives and limbs fighting for the safety and well being of also the members and families of the CPA....no reason to be agitated in giving donations for a good cause!!!!!!!

3-Inaddition to this the CPA should also donate for the rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-LTTE cadres. After all they are also Sri Lankans who were mislead.

Most of all the warning to stop abbetting terrorism and seperatism is a reasonable one, since many including the Tamils Sinhalese Muslims and Christians alike suffered for decades due to terrorism and seperatism.
The general public is fed up of the Devils Advocates chatting bla bla bla creating panic in the minds of the comman man.

I would like to recommend to the Board of Directors of the CPA to reconsider there policies of seperatism and to come up with alternative policies which are more patriotic and benefical to the nation.

Sri Lanka belongs to every Tamil Muslim Christian and Sinhalese who stands up for his motherland. There is no more Majority/Minority issues regarding ethnicity- only those who love the country and those who dont....!!!!!!

Thanking all of you who are standing up for the rebuilding of Sri Lanka.
May God be with Sri Lanka.
JSS Maduranga

Posted by: sameerajsm@hotmail.com | June 3, 2009 05:27 AM

The likes of CPA and JS Tissanayagam have nothing to do with the secessionist movements whatsoever. Sunananda Deshapriya was ejected from the CPA, obviously under pressure from higher powers, on the flimsy excuse of financial irregularitiies, which is in fact financial procedural errors that could have been easily corrected. Assault on Poddala Jayantha, the General Secretary of Working Journalists Association, is another instance that is entirely unconnected to the secessionist movements in the country.

All these incidents have one thing in common. As the Daily Mirror puts it editorially, "poses a greater a threat to freedom of expression in this country." That really is the long and short of it.

God help Sri Lanka!

Posted by: P Shantikumar | June 3, 2009 10:12 AM

*** Traitors are the ones who advices intolerance. They are the enemies of Sri Lanka who will bring the whole country down by their evil hatred. ***

NONSENSE! TRAITORS are the Ones we DANGLE from a TREE... Wait and see. There will be a round up of those Subversive elements that tried to undermine and Destroy Sri Lanka from within. Your Time is running out...

Posted by: Devinda Fernando | June 3, 2009 12:56 PM

Who said LTTE demise, in contrary to the believe, it survived. It is called GOSL, you may even call Ba'ath party of Sri lanka.
Please continue to party with the king, it is his style of reconciling but close the door tightly if you see his courtesy mobile-white van.

Posted by: Fran | June 3, 2009 09:39 PM

In the recent days, we have been able to see some healthily articles in this blog,expressing their interest for the reconciliation for the past mistakes committed by all the races, and request all the citizens to rebuild a better Sri Lanka! That has given some consolation among the all peace loving citizens in this country. Unfortunately, even after end of the bloody war, it has become a nightmare among those who are yearning for!
Whosoever preached and whatsoever articles they published, for the unity and amity among the Sri Lankan communities, it is going to be a rubbish, until the power hungry politicians and their beloved thugs survive in this Land, there could not be any peace or harmony achieved.
Average Sinhalese people wanted to live in peace with all the other minorities. But these "thug masters" never permit for such situation prevails, so as to devour public funds, in the guise of safeguarding the nation!
Since the Black July ’83 and the aftermath, Tamils militant’s activities were enforce, there wasn’t any riots occurred in the southern parts of Sri Lanka. Communal unrest in the form of looting, killing, raping and arson were the usual happenings, faced by the Tamils masses living especially in the south parts of the nation. Now the chauvinistic masses and their masters are happy after the climax in the northern scenario!
Until the communal politicians and their domestic animals change these attitudes, there will not be lasting peace in the Island. They are the people governing the country! They are the inhuman terrorising the nation! Threatening of independent media personalities, abduction and killing are executed under direct control of higher authorities, is a well known fact!
Therefore, even if majority Singhalese wanted to live peace forgetting the dark days, with the other races, these communal masses and the political fathers never permitted for an amicable situation exists in the country. Until they stop their gun culture there should not be any peace! Until they treat every citizen equally and allow expressing their views, peace would be a distant object. It is continued to be a lost Paradise, in the Indian Ocean!

Posted by: segar | June 4, 2009 03:33 AM

For Sri Lankans to live truly as equals we need to look at the facts. How demonizing majority helped many to build careers to proceed to arms dealing, narco dealing shipping lines, power brokers in marginal seats in Western countries with the help of bought influence in CPA / NGO circles. Tamil masses at home used to be hoodwinked by the superiority of the Chola royal family in the veins, but never a word about lifting the rural poor Badulla or Batticaloa. Sadly Vavuniya today is in similar throes.

Posted by: Tissa Wije | June 4, 2009 06:38 PM

If this is what SriLanka has now become then I say all power to the traitors!


JSS Maduranga/sameerajsm@hotmail.com: "May God be with Sri Lanka"

Well, the Buddha has clearly left the place and I doubt if God (given that God is supposed to be love) has any place there either!


Posted by: N2 | June 5, 2009 02:48 AM

Post a comment

(The comment may need to be approved by transcurrents.com. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting; generally approved/posted if they are not abusive of the topic as well as the author and/or another commenter.)

(Please write the comment in paragraphs if its long and allow space between paragraphs, for easier reading by others)

Recent Posts on TC