Were they Tamils? Most Probably (but unverifiable) Were they LTTE? (Most Likely) But I highly doubt they were Civilians... they were most probably LTTE Cadres. They all look like Fighting aged men, and no women or children so that backs up the theory they were captured cadres. This is nothing new to warfare... its pretty much what the LTTE have been doing to our Soldiers from the start... These Human Rights groups can cry all they want but both sides LTTE and SL Army knew that we were fighting a War without Rules. It was a Fight to the Death. No one on either side is told that they have any chance of Survival if they are caught... basically if you are captured you are as good as dead. No one who fought this war on either side had any illusions of that fact.

I do not know whom to feel sorry for more; the Executed or the Executor!

It is the kind of clear war crime that will haunt the current regime and its supporters for years to come. Many of us are personally committed to bringing these war criminals (and that means not just the direct perpetrators but those at the top of the regime) to justice, no matter how many years it takes. I have friends who have access to more satellite pictures that have not been published. This video and the satellite pictures will certainly help the cause of justice. As a first step, let us see what kind of foreign travel the top people make and what we can do to arrest them in the countries they visit. Given the scale of the crime, and the failure of the international system to ensure justice, even bounty hunters should be used for justice.

Whoever the people involved are they are not human. It is not becoming of humankind to kill another who is blindfolded and in the back. Pity the people involved in these acts as they have forefeited the right to be called human beings. They have sullied their souls and consciences for life and no doubt will reap the results of their actions. No amount of patriotic talk can justify the taking of another Human life. Let us all take an oath that never again will we involve or approve of this type of manslaughter.

Hi Devinda Fernando.. I've read your comments above..Your government is calling the LTTE the terrorist organization.. Let it be like that..are you trying to justify these cowardly act on Tamils?? Let them be LTTE cadres, terrorists or whatever they are. Your security forces are purely humans who don't engage in any atrocities ah?? This is how they treat the human beings? like dogs being shot??? shame on your whole community..

I will not accept this killing. But only one thing has to remind. I do not see any different between this killing and the way LTTE killed Sinhalese at Dollar and Kent farm long ago. I was there at that time. LTTE asked Sinhalese villages to line up and killed all of them. That happens on 1984 November. Not 9 or 10 people. 64 or more civilians were killed. One of my friends has some unpublished photos of those killings. Those days, there was no any band for journalists. But I cannot understand why this very free and unbiased media (like British Bias Corporation) did not talk about those days. They kill 147 civilians at Anuradhapura in 1985, 127 civilians at Habaran in 1987, 147 at Kanthankudi Mosque in 1990, 42 at Kallarawa in 1995, 66 at Kebithigollewa in 2006. The list is very long. Oh Johnny, where were you and your Chanel 4 those days. How much you get paid by LTTE for this news. It looks like those civilians are JVP Sinhalese who killed by R. Premadasa’s government?

So it seems Devinda Fernando agrees that SL Army commited war crimes. Does it matter whether they were LTTE or civilians? Don't you know that there were hundreds of women fighters in LTTE. Just because these men are at fighting age mean LTTE to you? Every where oppresed people know what the invading army do. I still vivdly remember during 80's when SL army comes to the village for round up we run away from the village because any one get caught in the round up end up in Palaly base camp for a while, that is if you are lucky.

To David Fernando : Tamil women and children could also have been executed in this manner, it is just that video is not available for public view. So don't jump to conclusions that you are all good samaritans who never harm women and children. We all know what animals singalas are! When SL soldiers are caught and trapped, they will be stripped naked and summarily executed too. Their turn will come and they better be prepared for this. Their executor could be anybody - Tamils or Pakis or Chinese. But don't complain of terrorism when you go through the same thing. You deserve it!

Well, you can never hide truth, perpetrators of war crimes including their supporters will feel the wrath of the justice one day. Beaware

*** This is how they treat the human beings? like dogs being shot??? shame on your whole community.. ***

Kumaran,

So? Who cares... True or not, what does it matter? Are we any different from any other country that has fought a war? Any War you know of that has Never had a War crime committed? That's what happens in War... people die,. and men behave badly. But don't be so quick to judge... Shame on my whole community? Well Shame on yours too... The LTTE started the War and they escalated the Tactics to this point. I at least except Warfare for what it it,... you people look the other way when your side Commits Atrocities then goes crying to the IC when our side returns the favor to yours...

*** So it seems Devinda Fernando agrees that SL Army commited war crimes. ***

Keliyan,

I am not the government, I do not represent the government, I am a private Citizen who expresses his view on an Online Forum. And yes, I have no Remorse for the behavior of our Soldiers when it came to this War. If we had used these Tactics 20 Years ago and CRUSHED the LTTE completely and MERCILESSLY then the war would have been OVER 20 years ago...

*** Tamil women and children could also have been executed in this manner, ***

Lourde,

Why don't you Tamils Stop letting your Imagination Run wild...? Speak of what you know, not what you think... No one pays you to think.

***. We all know what animals singalas are! When SL soldiers are caught and trapped, they will be stripped naked and summarily executed too.***

We all Know Tamils are the Same... That is my point. Your LTTE TERRORIST FREEDOM FIGHTERS have been doing this to our Soldiers from the very beginning... why are you surprised when we reciprocate?

This is not true, this is fake, its impossible to independently verified, this is a hoax

Yes.. it was Army for Sure. That's why they allow a video camera to be filming the whole process from 8 feet away. Get Real !
Last time this happened, it was with 5 doctors alleging "thousands killed by Army"

A classic video creation. Where was the cameraman? Why wasn't this aired before UN security council hearing and IMF loan decision?

Finally first one was released out of 50 000 or more memory cards. Just wait for more video clips to be released by mathanamutthas.

Devinda Fernando KDS, at least you are accepting the crimes unlike your partner in Gov.
however, you sound a dangerous guy even to non-tamils. Do not take it as a complement.

I cannot believe that people are justifying these killings with the LTTE. The LTTE no longer exists as an armed force. No doubt the LTTE's defeat will eventually created an atmosphere for international sanctions since the government no longer has an excuse for human rights violations. The Tamil people in the wanni concentration camps need justice and freedom. If Indian Tamils don't wake up even now, only god is left to save SL Tamils.

Well this video will not change anything.

This is not quite the "Fikret Alic" to expediate any public awareness to shed light on Tamils plight.

http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/sri-lanka-camps-media-genocide

"There are some pictures of the camps on the internet, but no iconic images of Tamil suffering have entered the commercial, established media in the manner of Iran's Neda Soltan - or indeed of Fikret Alic, the emaciated prisoner pictured behind barbed-wire in the Trnopolje camp in Bosnia in summer 1992."

AS a Sinhalese, I would like to apolagised from the Tamils for these barberic acts.However as far as we cannot independently verify these pictures, it can be from 1988/89 era or from recent war with LTTE.No one can justify these brutal kilings. Shame on our values. No legitimate govt.can do the same thing what LTTE does in the past! We need society which uphold non-violence and respect! Dont forget all sinhalese people do not approve this kind of barberic acts by anyone!

What else to expect from the Srilankan murderous forces. From the Top Gothabaya Rajapakse , Sarath fonseka to the normal Sinhala foot soldier they have proved that it is normal for these Sinhala soldiers to massacre Tamils.

It is apparent this video was taken with a mobile phone by a soldier to gloat and show it off ..

When is the West going to identify the real Genocide nature of the Sinhala State and help to release the Tamils in the concentration camps. In the mean time India and China are aiding and abetting in this Genocide of the Tamil race.

I was taught at childhood that shooting from behind is an act of "sissyness". Once again SL soldiers have proven their chcracters. At least LTTE shoots to the chest unlike these cowards.

There is little reason to doubt the authenticity of the video. There have been several videos circulating including one where SL soldiers dragging naked and semi-naked dead LTTE female cadres. While this is barbarism for Westerners and civilised Sinhalese and Tamils, for many like Devinda Fernando it is 'normal'.

Sri Lankans, both Sinhalese and Tamils, have committed their share of mass murders. Sinhalese have perfected the art of killing Tamils in many ways - from pogroms to randomised killings. They showed no less enthusiasm in killing fellow Sinhalese when they burnt alive and shot to dead thousands of suspected JVP members and supporters in 1971 and in 1988-89. The Tamil armed groups, particularly the LTTE, perfected their art with suicide bombings, high profile assasinations, killings of Sinhalese villagers, and elimination of so-called Tamil traitors.

In essence, Sri Lanka with all its natural beauty, is a place with an evil, dark soul - may be the result of centuries old evil and pagan worship in the land.

Where are all those people who reconciliation is going happen blah blah blah ?

This is been happening form Tamils for such a long time only now there have been evidence. To this comme out like this 8 months
imagine how much more war crimes have been committed ?

if these so called ltte then what that all talk about rehabilitation of ex ltte soldiers ? this how you rehabilitate ?

Devendra True sri lanka born people have atleast got some human sense while expressing the coments.
Lankanborn

I think all the concerned individuals on this blog will agree on one thing; war is never fair! There is no text book issued to a soldier before he marches into battle. Out there on the front line, us online critics have no clue what so ever about the physical and emotional rollercoaster each and every soldier, be they LTTE or SLA, went through day in and day out.

I am not trying to justify this video. It is clear that war crimes were committed by both sides, just like any other war. Look at the Americans, the so called World's Superpower, and the mess they are creating in the Middle East! Are you telling me there were no war crimes committed agaisnt the Taliban? The concept of Guantanamo Bay itself is flawed - how can the American authorities turn around and pick on a small country like Sri Lanka that has suffered 30 long years of civil conflict?

The wounds of war will take many years to dry and possibily a generation to heal. As long as the blame game continues and the Tamil Diapora continues funding the Tiger remnants, progress will not be made. What we need is a united leadership with tamil political participation and deregulation. Let investment flow into the North and East. When the people who have suffered for too long start making money, then they will realise that terrorism got them no where!

TAMIL people PLEASE think………… Mass killings pogroms against Tamils in 1956, 1958, 1977, 1981 and 1983. Over 3,000 Tamils were killed in 1983 alone and still continue. More than 100,000 Tamils killed from 1983. TAMIL people PLEASE think…..
1983: Welikade Prison Massacre,
1985: Valvettithurai Massacre,
1985: Vavuniya Massacre,
1985: Tiriyai Massacre,
1986: Iruthayapuram Massacre,
1986: Akkarapattu Massacre,
1987: Kokkaddichcholai Massacre ,
1990: Saththurukkondan Massacre,
1992: Mylanthanai Massare,
1995: Chemmani Massacre,
1997: Kalutara prison Massacre,
2000: Bindunuwewa rehabilitation camp Massacre,
2000: Kumarapuram massacre,
2001: Mirisuvil Massacre,
2006: Allaipiddy Massacre,
2006: Muthur Humanitarian Aid workers Massacre ……………………..

PUTHAMM SARANAM KATCHAMEE, THAMMAM KARANAM KATCHAMEE!
Well, this is not new to Eelam Tamils by sri lankan oppressors since last 61 years of independence of the island.just another slap on the face of BAN KEE MOON & UN, the fence which ate the crop.

I don't know exactly how old the clip is, but it's definitely not JVP-era. The US-cut fatigues are a definite giveaway -- these came into use only in the mid-'90s. Very few Sri Lankans had mobile phones in the late '80s, and I don't think camera phones had even been invented. So that puts it within the last five years or so. You can see a palmyrah tree in the background, so it's in the northern part of SL.

The dead are all military age males -- so probably POWs.

I am writing this from Sri Lanka. This is yet another way of discrediting the Army. Many LTTE carders who surrendered are being treated well and child soldiers are being rehabilitated. If the government of Sri Lanka wanted to kill civilians all they had to do was to bomb the no fire zone which would have brought an end to the LTTE leaders killing 300,000 civilians (the same way the US is doing in Afghanistan by using drones bombers). But they didn't. I personally know soldiers in the special forces who risked their lives to go into the no fire zone in the night and killed LTTE soldiers to recover civilians. Many people in the south including me has sent cloths and medicine to the IDP camps to help them.
What is the Tamil Diaspora doing to help the tamil people who have suffered for 30 years? They funded the LTTE to make human shields of their own families. THE WAS IS OVER, SRI LANKA WITH TAMIL, SINHALA, MUSLIMS AND OTHER MINORITIES WILL BUILD THIS COUNTRY. The Tamils who discredit this country to ensure their refugee status in the west is not getting any ware. The economy is looking good, infratructure is developing and Sri Lanka will prosper.

Why does the ethnicity of the people killed matter? They were all human beings and deserved a better life, and a better end.

Thousands of Sri Lankans have died because we've framed our world through meaningless divisions. If we continue to think this way, we may condemn thousands more to suffering and death. Is that something you are really willing to take the responsibility for?

I agree with Devinda... this was a fight with quarters given. For all we know this may have been the execution video of captured SLDF personnel by the LTTE dressed in SLDF uniforms.

"If we had used these Tactics 20 Years ago and CRUSHED the LTTE completely and MERCILESSLY then the war would have been OVER 20 years ago..."

- Do you mean to say that 20 yrs ago Sri Lanka army & Govt were practising Ahimsa in Lord Buddha Style ? I was previleged to be in Jaffna in 1983 when the Sri Lanka army went in and around the houses Jaffna University killing 45 civilians and aware of all the executions of civilians they carried out stopping the buses that run from Jaffna-Colombo on the A9 Road. Do you know how many people died in the Air attacks launched since 1984 ?

"Why don't you Tamils Stop letting your Imagination Run wild...?"

-Its no imagination about the extra-judicial killings by the SL armed forces. Its been going on for a long time and the whole world knows about it. o, dont try to pretend.

"They kill 147 civilians at Anuradhapura in 1985, 127 civilians at Habaran in 1987, 147 at Kanthankudi Mosque in 1990, 42 at Kallarawa in 1995, 66 at Kebithigollewa in 2006. The list is very long."

- If you want to talk about the list of atrocities that SL Govt. & Army carried out in the past 25 yrs of conflict your list will be out numbered.

- I am not defending any atrocities by anyone, but trying to say that basically The Singhalese run Sri Lanka is a failed state in the past 62 yrs of independence.

• First, they alienated the Indian Tamils by stripping them of the citizenship in acountry they were born and lived for 150+yrs by generations.
• They alienated the singhalese rural mass which led to the uprising of the JVP twice in which over 1,00,000 people were executed like the above footage. Then they alienated the Sri Lankan Tamils by denied the political rights which led to the armed struggle.
• Never had an independent foreign or domestic policy and always influeneced by foregin powers.
• When the British left the island in 1948, they left Ceylon with huge foreign reserves and now only thats left is 20,00,000 million Rupees of foreign debt and still Sri Lanka goes around the world with a begging bowl.
• Haven't done any basic infrastructure developments like roads or railway lines since independence and now the only job available to the singhalese youth is joining the army.

To be honest, there is no point in talking about these atrocities, as these things were going on commited by both sides for the past 30 years. The LTTE & JVP are a symbol of rebellion against the failed Sri Lankan state.

I agree with Devinda... this was a fight with quarters NO given. For all we know this may have been the execution video of captured SLDF personnel by the LTTE dressed in SLDF uniforms.

I feel sorry for these guys.
I witnessed the atrocities committed by LTTE. In 1983, they captured about 8 unarmed Srilankan troops who were guarding KKS cement factory. LTTE brought them to Jaffna Bus Stand. Those captured troops were begging for their life but LTTE executed them. That day I thought to myself that LTTE is not a freedom fighters but terrorists. Moreover I witnessed another LTTE atrocities inn Thirunelvalley. They burned fellow tamil youths (EPRLF cadres) alive.

.
I am sure Devinda ( and few others like him) hoping that all Tamils are murdered like this .... then there is no sinhala - tamil problem in lanka.
:-)

Both LTTE & SL army are trained & born to kill. When one kills the other, it is always ferocious. They both killed civilians, trooops and their own kiths and kins over the last 40 years. If one can count the deadbodies from 1971,1983,1987,1998,2005 onwards, one can clearly see what side of the coin is bloodier.

I am not surprised. Sinhalse executed their own people with burning tyres during JVP uprising, what chance the tamil have?

I actually feel sorry for the guy who is pulling the trigger. Wonder how many sleepless nights he will have. Research and study shows that these people will end up committing murders and get caught in criminal activity eventually, once they leave the army. For those Sinhalese brothers and sisters who are reading this, imagine if this fellow gets into an argument with one of your family members, he will kill them and then it won't be fun for you. Those folks living in Colombo, wait for these guys to leave the army and you will see violence and killings go though the roof.

For those Thamil brothers and sisters, please remember and run this video in you mind before you board the plane to SriLanka. Your money is helping the Srilankan government to do more of this. It’s no good you guys holding LTTE flags in NY, Sydney, Paris, London, Geneva…etc etc. That’s a load of cobs wallop. Get real and do something that will hit SL economy

Saying all of the above doesn’t mean LTTE men/women were angels. However as many here has said, if these are men of fighting age and they were hardcore LTTE men then they would have died fighting. Think about it all you SLA agents!! The chances are these are guys picked up who were believed to be LTTE sympathisers.

After reading the comments it is evident the two communities cannot live to gether. Even in Sri lanka or whether it is in Afganistan a wife has the right to divorce the husband and vice versa so the two communities have to go their seperate ways The international picture is an evolving picture right now because of 911 the international countries supported the SL government but the government of Sri Lanka cannot sing the terrorist song any more Period. But at the same time they cannot postpone the rights of the Tamil people any more because the 30 year was the root cause of the problem.
My Sinhalese brothers as a moderate I believe you have one weakness the extreme Tamil view is to go after the Sinhalese polticians every one of them and the rest of the sinhalese a dirty B.... and that is possible lets not talk who did what get a political solution ASAP

Nathen

Singala friends, DO NOT justify the event...didn't you see what happend? and what the government doing for our Tamil ppl at the Camp...
You guys need to realize what the government doing to our Tamil ppl...this is the only reason freedom fighters started..
I cried my self.. and still crying..please do understand our issue and let us to live peaceful.

*** Devinda Fernando KDS, at least you are accepting the crimes unlike your partner in Gov. ***

SriLankan,

I simply don’t concur with you that this is a Crime. I accept it as a normal action of War. There is no such thing as a WAR CRIME…that is a misnomer. War is in its very essence: the absence of Law and Order, IT IS A FIGHT TO THE DEATH…..therefore there are simply No Rules or Laws to adhere to when engaged in mortal combat.

THE ONLY GOVERNING PRINCIPLE OF WAR IS WHAT CAN BE DONE, AND WHAT CANNOT BE DONE……

The whole point of going to War is to kill the enemy. What difference does it make if they die on the battlefield or die naked, blindfolded, and on their knees? There is no room to split hairs on how the enemy meet their end. Better them dead than our men. Quite frankly we should have done this to more of them. Just look and see how our acts of mercy have come back to haunt us? How many THOUSANDS of LTTE Cadres have we jailed then released over the past 20 years - only for them to flee to other countries then FUND and SUPPORT the War from outside of our borders? How much damage to our country and how many Soldiers’ lives did we loose as a result of Diaspora funding by these Exiled LTTE members?

And as for Mr. Iraniyan’s comment about the LTTE’s so-called ‘Bravery’…

Well….The LTTE detonate bombs on buses, killing the old, the young, and women… Is that HEROIC? They Systematically Massacred countless thousands of unarmed innocent villagers in the east. Is that HEROIC? They murdered Muslims Pilgrims as they prayed in Mosques, and Buddhist Monks at bus stations…. Yes… VERY HEROIC INDEED…. And they have done the same to our Soldiers and Police for 2 Decades. Including the Murder of 600 Police POWs who were ordered to surrender by our late president Premadasa. To this day it is still the Largest POW Massacre in the History of Modern Warfare…

*** While this is barbarism for Westerners and civilised Sinhalese and Tamils, for many like Devinda Fernando it is 'normal'. ***

Indrajith,

Please go read up on the history of ‘Western Civility’ in warfare… start with some easy ones like the JEWISH HOLOCAUST and the ATOMIC BOMBS dropped on 220,000 Japanese Civilians in 1945. Then try to tell me with a straight face that Western people are more civilized than us in Warfare…

*** I was previleged to be in Jaffna in 1983 when the Sri Lanka army went in and around the houses Jaffna University killing 45 civilians and aware of all the executions of civilians they carried out stopping the buses that run from Jaffna-Colombo on the A9 Road. ***

Cholan,

Were you also privileged to witness when the LTTE Killed dozens of our Soldiers and Police in Jaffna? Did you also get the honor of witnessing the 2000 Tamil TELO Members who were Systematically slaughtered within the space of two weeks in 1985? Did you witness their leaders’ lifeless bodies hanging from lampposts?

***. The LTTE & JVP are a symbol of rebellion against the failed Sri Lankan state ***

Well our “Failed State” kicked the asses of the JVP and the LTTE… Just as we did your INVADING SOUTH INDIAN ANCESTORS over 1500 years ago. Please don’t forget that.

And Mr. Srilankanborn…

Don’t hate me; I’m only the messenger…..

Hi 'reality Hurts'
This was filmed and released by a soldier who had consience. This is not new to all the people of Sri lanka but minorities took the brunt of the atrocities. Difference is availability of technology.
Now the war is between right and wrong. you are on the wrong side.
reality is hurting you, and going to hurt you more. There are people suffering from problem of other.
Fence that is destroying the crops since 1948- blame it on media, JVP, LTTE, diaspora, international community,jack fruit, mango, monsoon etc- everyone but you.

I think all these videos are done by LTTE people.When they know their loosing of the war they will planed this kind of work and published after while ago.The naked people should be Sinhalese and the 2 people who wearing Srilankan Army uniforms should be LTTE people.

Devinda
reply to your comment- refer the reply to ' reality hurts'
You are not only justifying what SL Gov. and its chauvinist allies have been doing since independence but also LTTE action. What you need is help ( serious help) and I hope you do not discuss your philosophy with your children.

The footage we see saw is not strange for LTTE and their supporters.
They have done this to Muslims, Sinhaleese and to their
own people.They killed people exactly the same way what
shown on the video.They killed the innocent muslims in a mosque in Kaathankudi, killed innocent Sinhaleese in many villages and innocent Tamils all over the world.
Killing innocent people is their culture.Sadly, there is no video footage for those killings.Be practical guys. In a war, what you expect? Hugs and kisses or killings?

Devinda Fernando represents the typical Sinhalese barbarism that is endemic to Sri Lanka and its totally non-hypocritical 'peace-loving, 'non-violent', 'Ahimsa-practicing' Buddhist majority - [in case you're little dim, let me clarify that I'm being sarcastic in the former statement].

The Irony is, is that Devinda accepts that the butchers in the video are Sri-Lankan Army (i.e. Sinhalese), whereas a more intelligent individual would not be so sure. I for one, cannot discount that the killers might be Tamil irregulars posing as Sinhalese soldiers- afterall the LTTE and its breakaway traitor pro-govt. factions (like the govt sponsored 'Karuna' terrorists) are equally as vicious and barbaric; both the LTTE and its enemies (the Sinhalese Chauvinist govt army or govt-sponsored Tamil breakaway factions) are perfectly capable of slaughtering Tamils in staged executions if it suits their purposes.

As a Tamil familiar with Tamil features, it seems to me that that savage executioner in the video looks suspiciously Tamil to me; look closely and you'll notice that even his uniform looks ill-fitting and oversized. Of course, even if the video turns out to be untrue, it does not change the fact the Sri-Lankan army and govt. are criminals that have knowingly carried out mass-murder, slaughter and war-crimes. Western countries are going to have to accept that they cannot turn a blind eye 'their' protege's (i.e. the Sri-Lankan govt.) war-crimes and concentration camps, as there will be definite and unstoppable legal consequences to their current leaders in the future.

Devinda Fernando,

If there are no rules in war, why would the government brand the LTTE as terrorists? Aren't terrorists given such a label due to their non-observance of those supposedly non-existent rules. So the LTTE were not terrorists? They were just fighting a war with no rules? You are full of self-contradiction and racism. The SL military must have only killed them because they are LTTE members, because they would never kill civilians? GET REAL. The LTTE may have engaged in human rights violations but they were never a recognized government, unlike the GOSL which derived arms, cash and legitimacy by clinging onto a higher moral ground as the Government of Sri Lanka. The GOSL has a duty and responsibility to adhere to the (believe it or not) laws of war. The behavior of western military action is not an excuse, at the very least, western nations held those responsible to account. This is just the beginning. The LTTE was the only thing that held back international sanctions and Tamil Nadu sympathy. Watch how a military victory turns into a political disaster.

No body can justify killings.If someone like Devinda Fernando trying to justify this as a self proclaimed patriot, he is non other than get something or feed by the existing ruling party of Sri Lanka. I am also born sinhalese,I also love my country.But difference between self proclaimed patriot and us are we are humanswho doesnt believe in violence. We dont believe in inhumane way of practicing state affairs.We dont believe in short term solutions.Everyone has a right to live.No body can challenge for that.Not even self proclaimed kings or the democraticaly elected members for a short term.If it so, then there will be no lasting peace or prosperity!What kind of patriots are we?

To ALL TAMILS: Tigers release 6 Singhalese soldiers on 18th May 2009 unharmed. NOW you can decide Who are Terrorists and Who are FREEDOM FIGHTERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Mr. Devinda Fernando
I read your comments. You cannot justify this brutal act by saying these guys must be LTTE cadres. Although they are LTTE cadres, your soldiers cannot act on this way. Don't you remember that one of your injured soldier was treated by LTTE and handed over to ICRC? Another 4 sailors were released by LTTE in May one of them was interviewed by BBC. You have forgotten how Sinhala youths were killed in 1987-89. Who knows one day your soldiers may do the same to your people also.

When I was a kid I saw this kind of several incidents. Unfortunately, those days no cell phone cameras or internet. So no body realised the truth. But now time has been changed. Let's wait and see.

Devinda Fernando,
You seem to think Sinhalese are some magical race that descended from heaven?
The term 'south Indian invaders'?
Do a DNA test of your ancestry. You might be shocked to see that some of your ancestors were from 'southern india'.
Dutugemunu was a buddhist, but he was not Sinhalese. Why? Because Sinhalese language did not exist in those days.
DutuGemunu was i believe a tamil buddhist. His father was Kaaka Vanna Theesan.
Many Sinhalese people dont realise that there is such a thing as tamil buddhist. They still exist in India. Go to Tamil Nadu and you can see tamil buddhists.
Mahavamsa was infact written by Mahanama Thero in what was believed to be present southern India in the language of Pali.
The famous martial arts expert called Bodhidharma was a tamil buddhist. He is a legendary figure in China and Japan. He took martial arts and Buddhist teachings there.
There are Kalaripayattu and Varma Kalai practitioners in Southern India who identify Bodhidharma as a tamil buddhist. Bodhidharma was an expert in Varma Kalai martial arts.
Dutugemunu war was against Hinduism. In effect Dutugemunu vs Elara was Tamil Buddhist vs Tamil Hindu.
The Mahavamsa was written in Pali. Why? Because Sinhalese language did not exist in those days.
It was the British who actually got the Mahavamsa translated into English and Sinhalese and distributed it. It was from then on that the Sinhala speaking public got hold of the Mahavamsa.
Ofcourse, only god knows in what biased manner it was translated into Sinhalese.
Sinhalese people themselves were descendants of people of various ethnicities of which tamil dravidian was certainly one.
Any Sinhalese who denies this is encouraged to do a DNA test and prove they are separate.
And getting back to JVP rebellion defeat.
The current Mahinda Rajapakse was actually a member of that JVP armed group.
There is even an interview of him talking about his JVP armed days on youtube.
You seem to gloat that JVP was defeated. Yet it is JVP man that is president today. And the UNP govt that defeated him seems to be very weak at the moment.

Devinda Fernando,
You also might find Portugese blood in your DNA with the name Fernando.

Devinda Fernando,
You also might find Portugese in your DNA with the name Fernando.

Devinda Fernando,
I simply don’t concur with you that this is a Crime. I accept it as a normal action of War. ------------------------------------------
You need mental help

PUTHAMM SARANAM KATCHAMEE
-----------------------------
In Sri Lanka it should be changed to :

PUTHAMM SARANAM KATCH...ARMY!

Reading through the responses, one cannot but feel sad noting the deep division in our society. Devinda Fernando’s insensitive comments should be ignored.

I feel bad someone had made an unfortunate reference, which is thoroughly uncalled for. Devinda's views do not represent the views of the majority Sinhalese – even those with a slight anti-Tamil twinge.

Strange behaviour like this in Sinhala, I believe, is called “Puduma pissuwak” In today’s civilized world even wars are fought according to laid out norms. The treatment of prisoners of war are well defined – but breaches in the front are not uncommon. Both sides in conflicts are often at fault. The only answer is to come out of the conflict-like situation.

Or else even decent people descend to bestial levels. In fairness to the armed forces I have heard, at least in the post-May 19 period, their treatment of IDPs and LTTE-suspects have been far more decent – as I gather from many who visited the camps. I hope this will continue. But the best would be the immediate release of IDPs – against whom there are no charges. The present numbers released are far too few. Surely, all 280,000+ (women, children, over 60s) cannot be LTTE-cadres offering a threat to the security authorities?

RP2 was believed to be an instrument through which HR abuses in weak and failed states could be minimized, if not avoided altogether. But the UN leadership has to be strong to get something out of this. Ban Ki Moon is widely believed to be the weakest and least effective of the SG’s in its long history. His performance vis-à-vis Tamil civilians here, even when he came here, was totally ineffective. Tamils in the camps expected much relief from him and were deeply disappointed.

The powerful and influential Buddhist clerical hierarchy must join hands with those from the Christian, Hindu and Muslim leadership in a final attempt to usher in peace and unity in Sri Lanka. In the nature of things here, the political system is unlikely to succeed. Our highly divisive and peculiar politicians will very likely accept the joint decree of a united approach from the religious leaders. I believe the media in Sri Lanka should carry out such a campaign which will also restore the total respect we had for our religious leaders in those days of calm.

ISS

There shouldn't be any doubt on anyone's mind about the authenticity of this tape.

This tape was made by a noble Sri-Lankan Soldier, apparently disturbed, perhaps distressed by the behaviour of his fellow soldiers.

Re: Attack on Devinda Fernando: Please keep the subject to his comments and don't drag his family or his mother in to this.
The man is putting a "fair fight" with numerous readers and haven't used a foul language lately. You have to Respect him for that. Also, he does have the right to comment whatever he wishes. I've always disagreed with his comments.

Generalising the whole community is also a no, no.
I always believed that, Sinhalese people can be trusted better than anyone else out there in the world.After all, they are the closest to our culture and religion. Unfortunately, due to few thousand bad Sinhalese, the whole community is being blamed by few.

I wish the soldiers who committed these executions and the political/military masters who gave these orders to endure the same fate.

Cheers.

Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan,
The same way the tamil community must reject LTTE,
It is essential that Sinhalese community tell the racist elements of the Buddhist
clergy to get lost. It is very clear right from the latter days of the British rule that
certain elements of the Bhikkus were instrumental in polarising the communities and creating
paranoia.
The murder of SWRD Banaranayake in 1959 by a Bhikku tells me alot.
Devinda Fernando claims that LTTE started the violence. But anyone with an ounce of common sense will know that problems started in the 1950s. LTTE came into existance in 1970s. Therefore the claim that LTTE was the cause of the problem is a lie.
Devinda Fernando also claims that there is no such thing as war crimes.
This is ridiculous. If this is the case, why have so many perpetrators of war crimes been tried in International courts?
And talking about western hypocrisy is not entirely accurate. Although it is true that USA invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, it must be remembered that there is a growing element within the USA to prosecute Bush regime for war crimes. Some months back an American Lawyer called Vincent Bugliosi and Senator Kucinich both took Bush to court to get him prosecuted. But they failed. But they have not given up.

Guys the setting of the video and people being killed look very similar to the photo on defencenet.

That photo was published with Pirapaharan's photo. It was described as his body guards.

I think looking at the wound on pirapha's head he was killed on the same spot and in the same manner may even be the same day.

I bet SL soldiers have videos of murder and rape of tamils for private viewing. Anyone seen videos from bosnia?

Wait it will only get worse.

At lease those guys are dead. I pitty the ones alive in camps.

Selvan

Mr.Lalith Jayasinghe
I can understand your feelings (?) that you are very much annoyed by the British media’s comments, as being of an average Sinhala people’s mentality! You are only aware about the incidents recorded after the 1983 only, because you may be a toddler before that and not known anything other than a feeding bottle!
Have you heard about the so called Riots, pogroms and Genocide committed by Communal masses like Devindra and thugs with the blessings of racist politicians in Sri Lanka since independence? There have been riots occurred 1956, 58 61, 71, 77, and in 83. And, during that time there wasn't any atrocities or harm committed from the Tamils side. Your people looted properties belong to Tamils and burn alive. What you are going to say for this?
When Tamil moderate Leaders demonstrated agitation or “HARTHAL” in front of the Galle face, in the non- violence manner, your Leaders unleased or opt the violent path! Where are your comments for these incidents? All these called Terrorism in your dictionary? There weren’t any media reports from your so called “British Bias Corporation”. Why don’t you raise a question? You people don’t believe in UN Agencies, ICRC, Medias and other International neutral bodies. Only trust in thugs and underworld rowdies sponsored Govt.
You must clearly understand that Tamils took the violent path due to your people’s continuous negligence of aspirations and the bias behaviours of successive thugs Government.
That does not mean am advocating or accepting violence! You can fool all of the people some of the time and not all of the time. But you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

Devindra’s foolishness, don't understand without the assistance from his so called “Invaders”, his forces won't even catch a pigeon!

Dear Fans,

Once again you people have illustrated the irony of this situation beautifully… But before this spirals further into Ad Hominem attacks let me clarify a few points for you people.

*** Devinda Fernando also claims that there is no such thing as war crimes.
This is ridiculous. If this is the case, why have so many perpetrators of war crimes been tried in International courts? ***

Nitharsan and Prasad,

Obviously you are ignorant to the nature of War Crimes Tribunals. Dr. Palitha Kohona was right to point out that in the history of modern warfare not a single victorious country has been tried for War Crimes after a conflict has ended. Even Hermann Goering admitted this in his jail cell as he awaited the obvious outcome of a Guilty Verdict from his Trial at Nuremberg, Germany.

“The victor will always be the judge, and the vanquished the accused.” – Hermann Goering (circa 1947)

War Crimes are just a Political tool to punish the Losers. That is what happened to Slobodan Milosevic, Saddam Hussein, The Nazis, the Japanese, and all other Losers of past conflicts. If the Axis forces won World War II then the Americans, British, French, Chinese and Russian leaders would be the ones who would have been Tried and Hanged at Nuremberg.

….And the LTTE were TERRORISTS,… in the worst way! And in order for us to ANNIHILATE them we had to use their tactics against them. This is not a game, our armed forces are true men of resolve, they have been hardened like steel over the past decades from the metronomic brutality they have had to live through fighting this enemy that had no rules or Code of Conduct.

The Sri Lankan Government has ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER to adhere to any Rules of Conduct while fighting an Enemy that does not do the same. The Sovereign and Independent Nation of Sri Lanka does not Answer to the International community like some Colony or Servile State or Protectorate. We answer to ourselves and will diplomatically neutralize and deal with whatever Political consequences arise from our actions.

Sapumal,

Most civilians, such as yourself, who have never been in a combat situation would never understand the brutal realities of war. If you don't have the stomach for it, then it is best you not comment. Do you think those on the battlefield die any more dignified than this? After a battle is won, the LTTE would go around looking for injured SLA soldiers. They would then finish them off by hacking them to death (to Save Bullets).

After what they have done to our soldiers in the past, do you think any LTTE POW would expect anything less than what you see in that video?

Funny how no one has pity for the Lion that just ate a child in the village and is then hunted down in the forest and killed... People look on with glee when the Hunters return with the Lion's lifeless bloody carcass hanging upside from a pole.... but if he were caught first, caged then rendered helpless and shot in front of those same villagers they would not be so excited, in fact they would probably be repulsed by the killing.

*** The Irony is, is that Devinda accepts that the butchers in the video are Sri-Lankan Army (i.e. Sinhalese), whereas a more intelligent individual would not be so sure. ***

A Kumaran,

You are really reaching here,… and I did not accept that they were Sinhalese…We will never know who they are, or whether this video is a FAKE… I have not concluded anything as I too have a few doubts of my own. I simply stated that I DON’T CARE if they were Sinhalese Soldiers. That’s my point.

Ms. Vanni Kumar and Ananthy,

How many of the 600 Sinhalese Police POWs were released by the LTTE in 1991 when they were ordered to Surrender ? Answer: ZERO! ALL WERE BRUTALLY EXECUTED under the orders of Prabhakaran. They were led blindfolded into the jungles. Laid down on their faces and shot in the back of their heads. ALL OF THEM! You Tamils are REAPING the VENGENCE of the Sinhalese for your complicity in those actions.

Senguttavan,

R2P is a very noble concept but it falls flat on its face for 2 reasons: 1). There is no Fair and Impartial body to implement and enforce it. The UN is nothing more than a Political tool being manipulated by the 5 Victors of World War II (Russia, UK, France, China, and USA) who have More Power (VETO ability) on the Security Council than the other member countries. And 2). The doctrine of R2P does not apply when faced with an enemy that does not have any regard for Human life and uses these so-called Rules of Warfare against us. When the LTTE use Tamils as Human Shields and then attack us from within we are not bound by R2P. Once again illustrating the there are NO RULES to warfare. Let me repeat that the Single Governing Principle of Warfare is What can be done,… and what cannot.

***You also might find Portugese blood in your DNA with the name Fernando.***

UGK,
LOL! What difference does it make? I am still a Sri Lankan.

AND IN CONCLUSION …Let me leave you with a thought to chew over…if this video was released by the Sri lankan government, and it was a bunch of LTTE Cadres doing this to Sinhala Soldiers…I wonder what the comments would be like…..?

I c some joker here talking abt bounty hunters....lol

its not the heads in the sri lankan militray that must worry abt bounty hunters...its any body who thinks about having any kind of ethnic enclave in sri lanka that should worry..saw what happend to KP...

my goodness..this is what buddha preached not to do. yet it is all done in the name of a peace-loving man.We,sinhalese, are an ungreatful people for our tamil brothers. I would like to remind you all of the event where sir Pon Ramanathan(a tamil) was put on a charriot and pulled by sinhala people for his contribution for our country.Furthermore,It is the "estate tamils" who brings us greater revenues. Now, Thanks to that racist clown Bandaranayake, his followers, and the corrupted/contradictory mahavamsa, we have nourished hatred towards tamils. This video will create such a volcanic eruption among the diaspora tamils and could lead to escalated problems.

Devinda Fernando,

So the Sri Lankan military should not be held accountable because they are the victors? So if someone kills another individual, they should not be held accountable? Justice does not involve exonerating individuals because they are the more powerful party. Basically, you nor the GOSL have a defense.

The LTTE and other Tamil militants learned their trade from the SL Armed Forces. Why was the military and thugs utilized to further political objectives through violence before the inception of the LTTE into the conflict? Tamil youth learned military violence through the SL military.

You say the GOSL has no responsibility to follow any rules of war, I would like to hear the government utter such a statement. The GOSL launched an international campaign to label the LTTE a terrorist organization based on its position as the GOSL, which carries responsibilities such as the conduct expected of a state in wartime. The GOSL went to the international stage with the argument that the LTTE is terrorist organization because it does not follow rules of war unlike the SL military. So was that a plain lie?

The Sovereign and Independent Nation of Sri Lanka still needs a begging bowl to keep foreign reserves afloat, and now answers to the IMF for a loan with strict conditions. Also, whether you accept it or not, Sri Lanka has become a protectorate of China and the Indian Ghandi family. Sri Lanka does not always even answer to its majority citizens, which is evident through the country being riddled with corruption and the massacre of JVP militants. India and China have been neutralizing the political consequences from Sri Lanka's actions. Furthermore, the fact is that Sri Lanka is safe as long as Tamil Nadu keeps quiet, which is probably until capable leadership arises.

Also, the talk of 600 policemen being executed becomes irrelevant when the GOSL employs the former LTTE leader of the eastern province as a minister.

dingiri banda aka tamil terrorist masqerading as a sinhalese

ramnadan ponambalam spoke for sinhalese to get the support of them and try and rule the country not because he loved sinhalese

we dont care weather it will create a volcanic eruption or Tsunami among the diapora tamils..the views of the tamil diapora are not important to sri lanka..

Nitharshan

we dont give a dam about tamil nadu jokers and we are now in a position of power....

Devinda,

Both of us are in the same trajectory here on R2P. Ban Ki Moon is too wimpish to carry out the strong demands of this global Covenant and so is his deputy John Holmes – a poor successor to the historical do-gooder hero Sherlock Holmes. Note the China in the post-1950s was today’s Taiwan and the present Russia in the UN finds her former surrogates as members who have the right to vote against her. I demur with you and maintain today wars have to conform to internationally accepted Protocols. The examples of Serbia, Liberia’s Charles Taylor and Sudan’s Al-Bashr make it clear they have to bow down to international legal requirements. They can hide now and then but they will eventually have to come out to the open. Gaddaffi was taught a hard lesson by Ron Reagan and has shed his bad-boy image. Briefly, even in instances of high-profile armed conflict between State and non-State actors this applies. What more, R2P came into being purely for that reason. It will take a little longer for our guys to learn this – and by that time it may be a trifle late for them - unless they get their acts together pronto.

ISS

*** So the Sri Lankan military should not be held accountable because they are the victors? So if someone kills another individual, they should not be held accountable? ***

Yes! Very good Nitharshan! You finally get it! Well Done. (Clap Clap).

*** You say the GOSL has no responsibility to follow any rules of war, I would like to hear the government utter such a statement ***

Obviously they wont... What could be gained by doing something as stupid as that. They will do what every other government (including the LTTE) does. Say one thing then do another... so that Naive Simplistic Fools of the public masses, such as yourself, can be kept complacent and blissfully unaware of their true Political and Military strategy.

*** Also, the talk of 600 policemen being executed becomes irrelevant when the GOSL employs the former LTTE leader of the eastern province as a minister. ***

Hmmmm.... Yes but the Crimes were committed when they wore LTTE Uniforms. In order to Kill the Devil, we needed to make some deals with Demons. The fact does not change that the LTTE committed this crime, the relevance is still there.