Sri lanka a safe country (www.dailynews.lk)

[charmc]

Originally Posted by joe_cope

Interesting to see this thread this week. I'm halfway through the 2001 quadrilogy by Arther C. Clark and I just noticed that he wrote those books while living in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Of course, that was 20-30 years ago.

Joe,

He still lives in Sri Lanka. Chancellor of Moratuwa University from 1979-2002, and given the Lankabhimanaya (Pride of Lanka, similar to the Medal of Fredom in the US) award by the government in 2005. As an internationally recognized scholar, writer, and educator in frail health, the fact that he remains a citizen and resident of Sri Lanka says a lot for the inherent stability of the country, in spite of problems with civil violence.

[MarkC]

Gamage - I am sorry if you found my comments offensive. I am happy that individuals are choosing to visit Sri-lanka and build their yachts there.

I expressed what I have read - no more. As for information from all sources, I ask my sri-lankan friends and read wikipedia. Couldn't get more open as that.

A couple of things though:

When we are studying history of any country we can find good and bad eras.

Yeah but the early 1980's is only 20 or so years ago - the wounds haven't really had a lot of time to heal - if at all. I really identify with the fustration of the Norwegian negotiators.

During tsunami period one of the great German national was in Srilanka and he donated a hospital to us and he may witness how Sri Lankan is sensitive at human disaster.

I take it you are talking about the former head of Govt. Helmut Kohl. You should do a little more research on this man - Helmut Kohl, his page is not so clean as you would think. For example, I believe he was airlifted out by helicopter while other Germans and Sri-lankans were waiting for help. The hosptial may have given him peace of mind. This is my allegation.

These are very serious issues ( civil war between opposing religious groups ????????) and will lead to lot of problems.

Good grief! I was trying to be as careful as I could. I could have been brutally specific.

Anyway - I hope you also get to enjoy a bit of boating or sailing - it is a fantastic thing and you live in a great place to do it.

[MarkC]

An update on the Sri-Lankan situation from Reuters through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation :

Last Update: Friday, March 2, 2007. 11:33pm (AEDT)

Sri Lanka rife with human rights abuses: jurists

A panel of international jurists has said anti-terrorism laws in Sri Lanka have led to widespread and systematic rights abuses, including extra-judicial killings and torture.

The panel was appointed in 2005 by the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists to investigate the impact of "terrorism" and counter-terrorism measures on the rule of law and human rights.

The panel, headed by Justice Arthur Chaskalson, has concluded a visit to India where it met affected people, activists and government representatives from the region including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

"Sri Lanka is a country where there is, really, a full-scale armed confrontation, which has provoked very serious violations by the protagonists," Justice Chaskalson said.

A two-decade-old ethnic conflict between Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels has escalated after the virtual collapse of a truce and about 4,000 people have been killed in the past 15 months alone.

Around 68,000 people have been killed over the past two decades.

The panel expressed concern over "extra-judicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions" by troops in the Indian Ocean island nation.

It said the re-introduction of counter-terrorism measures and emergency laws, including a "wide arsenal of terrorism-related offences that can be used to criminalise anybody connected to any broadly defined terror suspect" had led to widespread and systematic rights abuses.

Justice Chaskalson said the panel did not get an opportunity to meet Sri Lankan government officials.

- Reuters

[safewalrus]

I've always found that the peoples of Ceylon are nice friendly people who will always spare you the time of day, and count several different creeds from that island as my friends - BUT this is in my country! What they do in their own country is their problem, but it would appear not to fit in with what they are like in other countries - how unusual

[gamage]

Originally Posted by charmc

Gamage,

I can't read anyone's mind, but in reading Mark's post, I did not find any remark saying all Sri Lankans are killers by nature. He described what was happening, and called it a "terrible time". "Everyone was killing everyone else" was said for effect, I think, not meant to be taken literally. You are correct in saying millions of innocents were killed in wars in Europe, and 150 years ago in the US we had a terrible civil war. Mark seemed to be "blown away" by the fact that there were so many different factions fighting each other, and that the communist students entered what was already a widespread conflict, something like Lebanon at several points in its recent history (although that's not so rare, Mark, history is filled with examples of a group believing that they can end a civil conflict by moving decisively; some succeeded, many did not). I'm not arguing with you, just stating my belief that there was no slur intended on the nature of the Sri Lankan people.

Please, would you translate to English the meaning of "nahi werani werani"? The way you used it, it sounded profound.

Thank you,

Charlie

"hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love" (Nahi Verena Verani Sammantidha Kudachanan. Averenacha Sammanthi).

[safewalrus]

'sfunny thought hated ceased by the simple means of exterminating the opposition completely - nothing left to hate then!!

[gamage]

Originally Posted by safewalrus

'sfunny thought hated ceased by the simple means of exterminating the opposition completely - nothing left to hate then!!

Walrus , i recived this joke today .hope u will enjoy,

> Terok Singh was travelling in a crowded bus. He was carrying the

> passport size photograph of his son (for college admission).

> Accidentally, the photograph fell down from his pocket. He started

> searching for it frantically & found it on the floor, below the ends

> of a woman's saree. He asked her "Can you lift up your saree? I

> wanna take photograph" The rest is history.

> He was beaten so badly that he had to be admitted to hospital.

> He was surprised to see Butol Singh on the bed next to him, in a worse

> condition.

> Butol explained what happened to him.

> He had gone to a remote village to work. He finished late and missed

> the last bus. He couldn't find any hotel.

> So he approached a nearby house and asked the Owner whether he can stay
there for the night. The Owner replied "I have 2 grown up

> daughters. Sorry, I can't allow you to stay".

> He approached the next house and asked whether he can stay there for the
night. The Owner replied, "I have 3 grown up daughters. "Sorry, I can't
allow you to stay".

> He went to the next house and asked: "Do you have grown up

> daughters?"

> The Owner asked, "WHY?????????" Butol replied, "I wanted to stay

> here for a night....."

> The rest is history.
>
> THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS "WORDS GET YOU INTO DEEP TROUBLE IF YOU DON'T
USE IT CORRECTLY.
>
> enjoy it
>

[gamage]

Originally Posted by MarkC

An update on the Sri-Lankan situation from Reuters through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation :

Mark, More information you can find here,
<http://www.lankaweb.com/news/latest.html>

[Frosty]

I think you mean incorrect words can get you into trouble. The art of communication is in the language

[safewalrus]

MMMmmmm, you trying to tell me something Gamage!

I would like to thank you for your concern, but there really is no need, I wasn't on that bus! or near that village so I can not be blamed for those incidents, and as I see the names are ending in Singh I would presume that those gentlemen are of the Sikh Religion and would not indulge in such stupidity - unlike others of that part of the world - poor Joke! Now if they were.............

[gamage]

Originally Posted by safewalrus

MMMmmmm, you trying to tell me something Gamage!

I would like to thank you for your concern, but there really is no need, I wasn't on that bus! or near that village so I can not be blamed for those incidents, and as I see the names are ending in Singh I would presume that those gentlemen are of the Sikh Religion and would not indulge in such stupidity - unlike others of that part of the world - poor Joke! Now if they were.............

Walrus,
It's only a joke. Not abut any person, society or religion. I know that you all are very nice people

[safewalrus]

Incidentally a friend of mine came back from Sri Lanka on Sunday, (he is actually Sri Lankan) tells me there is no problem in Sri Lanka (not a lot in Ceylon either)! But if you go up to the North of the island you could easily find some! Stay out of the North and you've got no problems - unless it rains

[boltonprofiles]

A bit like Scotland then Walrus old chap.....................

[charmc]

Or the Emerald Isle.........

Charlie

[safewalrus]

Paul - nice to see you old buddy, guess you been up the 'soggy' then checking out the peat (and maybe a wee dram of the stuff that comes with it, The GlenFarclas for instance???!!