On War Crimes
War Eagle, Golden Age comic from 1942. Capture by cometstarmoon
I don’t support any war crimes investigation against Sri Lanka. The day Dick Cheney is tried, hell, the day Dick Cheney is not invited on TV, then OK. I do support a non-punitive reconciliation process, and I think the truth of this war needs to get out. However, I do not support any war crimes prosecution from outside.
Partial Judges
The US has documented evidence of torture authorized at the highest levels of its government. Rendition and torture flights ran through Europe and the UK was the biggest partner in the terribly destructive invasion of Iraq. None of these states are going to go on trial, and I wouldn’t really support that either.
Sri Lanka is an OK case for them to push because they don’t really give a shit, but it’s disingenuous and unfair. If they want to target Sri Lanka because it’s small then fine, but to act holier than thou after the Bush years is a joke.
Pointless Posturing
However, none of this is about them. I think Sri Lanka did do terrible things during the war. I think the Rajapakse’s killed a bunch of my fellow citizens and tarnished Sri Lanka’s honor, albeit in the course of preserving the nation. When the ‘international community’ interferes the debate immediately changes to us vs. theme. It should really be about us.
The UN or the EU are not going to be there for us. Say they prosecute the Rajapakses, then what? How do they serve the subpoenas? Are they going to setup a caretaker government in the meantime?
Hurtful Bluff
The only actual result is that the center gets branded as foreign and the body politic unites against the outsiders. It becomes very hard to support simple honesty when the nation is under threat from outside. Any nation will unite against an external threat, however rational. If they can carry out the threat then fine, but if not, then perhaps think about more subtle ways to do the right thing. Sometimes that means stepping back.
I’ve talked to people in the US government and they say they get phone calls and stuff from Tamil Diasporians and that this is a major issue for them. To that I say, I’m sure they also get phone calls alleging that Obama is born in Kenya and should be deposed. Some of the concerns are valid, but some stuff you can and should ignore.
Amnesty And Engagement
To their credit, the Kerry/Lugar Foreign Relations committee released a report calling for sensible and improved relations with Sri Lanka, though angry elements of the diaspora predictably protested.
So they should do it. Engage with this government and stop threatening them. Perhaps offer some carrots for a reconciliation committee, but put don’t talk loudly and carry a tiny stick.
Today on the 
Janith has updated 
This is highly dubious. Miss Travel is a travel/social networking site that connects ‘Generous’ and ‘Attractive’ travelers. To, like, travel together, I guess. It all seems a bit like arranged prostitution and trafficking. This is part of a broader online trend to connect rich men to younger, attractive women. Sites like 
Sri Lankan domestics never say anything, they just stop coming. My maid just stopped coming and when I finally pressed her she said I needed to get a washing machine. I was hoping to ride this one out, but I’ve run out of underwear and I have no choice. I finally caved and bought a washing machine, from 
Can one of those SF followers remind SF to stop insulting “Computer Operators”. Job is a Job whether you are a Janitor or a System Administrator, people need to respect every profession. SF needs to come out of this prejudice mindset without being a real “stereotype” bigot.
When did he insult ‘computer operators’…? I believe the comment was made about how Gotabhaya was in the states doing a cushy civilian job while soldiers and other Sri Lankans were getting killed. You should get things in perspective before commenting Chandana.
They should also not forget that it’s the ‘Peace Prize’ winner in power. :)
It’s funny how people read and see things differently when they look through rose coloured glasses. Here is a direct quote from SF taken from the Dec 7th Daily Mirror.
“He fled to America and worked as a computer operator and earned a few rupees !”
I did not see cushy civilian job part in that statement. Anyway, for many Sri Lankans what Gota did in America is irrelevent and what matter to them is what he did after coming to Sri Lanka.
But, by getting more and more personal with his opponents SF will scoop down to Marvin’s standards.
You don’t need to be wearing rose tinted glasses to see the correct context of a statement Chandana. Unfortunately you seem to be only seeing an imagined insult to people who are computer operators. As for SF coming down to Mervin’s level, I don’t think it’s remotely possible for any human being to come down to that level! :)
What is the connection with the blog to these useless comments on computer operators? Can’t people read and comprehend?
“I’ve talked to people in the US government and they say they get phone calls and stuff from Tamil Diasporians and that this is a major issue for them”
Major issue? What major issue?
These Tamil diaspora better get it into their thick skulls that if they even say “E” we consider them separatist terrorists. There is no major issue for Sri Lanka to learn from the mistakes and fix the problems. There’s enough of us to make sure that that happens.
We suffered from 30 years of bloody civil war because you jokers could not work out problems within your own community as well. Talk about separatism..you people can’t separate yourselves from the caste system that divides you all right down the middle. That does not give reason for a separate state!
Make no mistake, this country will NEVER be cut up and divided. If you scum bags think that that is even remotely possible, FORGET IT!
Instead, put your money where your big mouths are and help those that you, (yes YOU), used as an excuse to collect illicit funds for drug and arms deals while you sat and earned the dole as asylum seekers. I’ve seen your types lurking around and only taking care of you and yours. Most of the donor money for the IDPs did not come from your personal accounts but from the UN and other international donors. If asked to dig into your pockets, not one cent would have emerged.
The war had ended…get real! No amount of whinzing and whining’s gonna change the game plan. This country will move on with or without you lot of losers. We’ve got our bit of political and economic issues to sort out, but, you adding your two cents bit at this crucial juncture just shows what a bunch of selfish, conceited, egoistic, self-servicing, people you all are!
Forget E and think like law abiding citizens that you are forced to be in the US and Europe. See how you all behave nicely there? Will they be nice to you if you start blowing up people on the train to work? NO! You’ll get your black arse kicked right back here…and we’ll be waiting for you!!!
actually, a lot of the money that was spent on war IDP by relief agencies and the UN came from the Diaspora. From individual members and from diaspora organisations. You probably only pay attention to negative propaganda about the Tamil diaspora, but as a community, they have consistently been generarous at times of emergencies.
Any evidence for your claims? I think you mean “they have consistently been generarous when the LTTE wanted money”
I know many members of the diaspora that have been generous, but the vast majority of the money came not from individual donors but regular UN and Sri Lankan government funds, among others. This is basically taxpayers money from various countries.
The amount raised from individuals compared to the tsunami was very small, especially since much of the diaspora didn’t trust the government to implement.
Diaspora Digg-What are you ! A blog police???
Let people express their views freely instead insulting others and trying to bulldoze your views. World has moved on and this is internet not a 19th century classroom. Chill-out man!
I’m a woman!
I am infull agreementto your case. I do agree whilewe need to haveour own investigations, they should be ours.
NOT from outside. We do not want any outside party to get unfair advantage and leverage against Sri Lanka through any ‘war crimes’ investogation. Ideally, MR govt should take the initiative to have an internal investgation at least to stop unnecessary foriegn intervention.