Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s Testimony To The War Commission (Live)
Gota pensive at Commission
following is a live transcription of statement by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the Lessons Learnt And Reconcilation Commission. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Most people have forgotten that the govt has defeated the most ruthless terrorist organization ever. That’s the history. Specifically I want to inform you of the magnitude of the military strength they have acquired over the years.
In 2005 when I took over as Secretary of Defence. Specially the whole of Wanni area and part of the Eastern province were under their complete control. They have established bases and had nearly 30,000 regular cadre including child soldiers. They have acquired over the years almost equivalent weapons to the SLA. Ground forces equiv of army, navy sea tigers, they had the air force and also the special forces like the black tigers and suicide cadres.
The suicide attacks they have conducted in SL, you take all the suicide attacks of militant islam groups, that’s equivalent to one year suicide attacks of ltte. The weapons they’ve collected, these are not manufactured in sri Lanka, almost the same weapons our military has used. 130mm guns, 120mm mortars, all these things. Still we are recovering all these guns they have.
After the defeat we have recovered brand new weapons, missiles, machine guns. Over and above their military cadres they have started training civilians. This is the LTTE that we have defeated. It was not just a group of revels. That’s the extent of the strength of the LTTE.
CR is smiling asking if he wants to make a video presentation. Gota’s phone goes off. He prings reports, opens his diary.
In 2005 they had clear intention of going into military operations. It was very clear that their intention was a military operation because the way that they established their camps around the Trincomalee harbor, was a clear indication of the way they would conduct the military operation.
As soon as the President was elected, I with the help of Intelligence Agencies and Military Commander, gave a detailed briefing of LTTE strengths, capabilities and future intentions.
After 6 months when they launched the attack, it was exactly the same way we predicited. We had 30-50,000 troops located in Jaffna alone. Only line of communication was the sea line, everything they depended on the sea.
The LTTE knew that and they wanted to cut the communications line and that’s why they were concentrating on Trincomalee, take control so ships can’t go out. At the same time there was similutaneous attacks on Mohamalli and landing on the Western coast. Fortunately we were able to defeat those attacks and that’s how the offensive started. It was very clear the intention of the LTTE.
I want to remind the commission of the atrocities by the LTTE over the years. So many Tamil political leaders were assassinated, over 100. Starting with Duriappah to Kadirgamar. Other leaders, President Premadasa. So many civilians, Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese. And also, the amount of killings they’ve done, especially in the Northern and Eastern provinces, Sinhala and Muslim villages, and Sinhalese villages bordering these provinces, starting fromt he 1980s.
I’m interested to present the facts of, along with the military operation, how we planned the humanitarian assistance operation. The first thing the President informed the security council was that the practice of the various administrations to name the operations, we conducted Liberation I, Liberation II, but the President told that this is not a military campaign. This is a military operation conducted to liberate the people in that areas. He said just call it Humanitarian Operation. The practice we have for so many long years of naming, some might think it’s a minor thin, but it’s an important fact.
That message from the President himself was that they have to remember.
The President said we have to include the concept of zero civilian casualties. The first heading of all operation logs, this was mentioned. All possible steps must be taken to avoid civilian casualty. Again one can argue this is only the mentioning as a sentence. No, when it goes out from headquarters to batallion level, they know it is important to plan to avoid civilian casualties.
From the very beginning the government took a lot of steps. Because the government was aware that there were civilians in all these areas. They can be a situation where a humanitarian situation can come up from the military campaign to take control of these areas from LTTE. From the beginning we took many measures to address these issues.
Starting from, at a very high level, the Consultative Commission On Humanitarian Assistance, CCHA. The first meeting was held at the Ministry of Defence, 14th of October 2006, chaired by Minister Samarasinghe. In this committee, from the government side, the Secretary of Defence was present. In this particular meeting, Mr. Palitha Kohona, he was present, and Mr. Divaran, Commissioner General Of Essential Services. And there were representatives from Foreign Affairs and all the heads of UN agencies in Sri Lanka were present in this meeting. UNHCR, ICRC, World Food Program, Unicef, all these heads were present. And also, head of the delegation of the European Commission and the Ambassador to Germany, US, UK, Japanese Ambassador, all these were present in this meeting. The chairmen of the local NGOs were present, the government secretaries of the districts, Secretary to the Health Ministry was present throughout.
The decision to establish such a committee was taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa following a meeting with the co-chairs. The committee would meet to discuss matters relating to humanitarian assistance, access and the mandate of the agencies. I have the minutes of these meetings and you can see how the committee to details about providing food, medicines, or access to various areas where this fighting was going on. Even the supply of building material was discussed.
In the first meeting itself, the World Food Program Director appreciated the meeting and the access granted to all these convoys.
You have to understand it was a difficult period. It was war fighting with the LTTE. There were difficult situations where we had to stop all the military operation in order to provide safe passage for these convoys to go in, taking the risk of the LTTE counter attacking on those points. We had many instances, starting with Vakarai. We had to send food convoys into Vakarai, we arranged 100 lorry loads of food and medical items and halfway they started attacking these and we had to stop. Similarly we had many occassions when we allowed these convoys to go. And we know that most of these items were going into that time LTTE controlled areas. We knew there were UN agencies, ICRC representatives in those areas, even the local government officials, but we knew that they had no control.
Once the items went in the LTTE took control. We know that some of these items would go to their fighting cadres. But still, because we have to look after the civilians, whatever they requested we sent. Throughout, till the last minute, we sent these food items. In the last two weeks when there was no land access, we took all the measures to send these items from the ship. The unloading and carrying was done by the LTTE. We knew that, but we thought at least some of these will go to the civilians.
Throughout these years, any casualties they had we evacuated. We also knew these could be LTTE cadres. This is another point, the identification of cadres came from civilians, it’s not an easy thing. From videos we knew how the LTTE was fighting with civilian clothes. They were not wearing LTTE uniforms. Also, once injured their changed their uniforms into civilian clothes. But we treated them. We evacuated them and treated them.
At the last minute, most of the time the difficulty was the harrassment of the LTTE. Preventing them either coming in or going out. With all that, we took all the steps that these items would go in, at the same time to evacuate the sick and wounded.
Over this period, from when we started the humanitarian operation, the three services suffered nearly 6,000 killed in action. Nearly 30,000 were injured. But you can see if the services suffered, you can imagine the intensity of fighting which was going on. Because of the weapons and obstacles they had used. This is another fact that some of the people have forgotten. I want to bring out this fact because some people talk about these civilian casualties. It is a very difficult thing to identify civilian casualties. If the military suffered, you can imagine the number of LTTE casualties. Nobody talks of LTTE casualties, they all put these figures into the civilian casualty figures. Obviously if the Army suffered that much, it was at least the same amount of casualties from the LTTE. I’m sure it is much more because the fire power of the government forces. Nobody knows how much and nobody talks about it.
In this case we have very clear evidence how the LTTE used civilians at latter stages for military purpose, like manning trenches. We have clear video of people being taken to dig trenches and the LTTE using them.
All the steps taken by the Sri Lankan government. You can say this is the Sri Lankan model. People talk about the Sri Lankan model you can adopt in other places there is terrorism from the military side. It’s more important to use this Sri Lankan model in humanitarian assistance. The measures the government took and the plan. To minimize civilian casualties and to look after the civilians affected. Nowhere in the world did they adopt this no fire zone.
At one phase we realized that the LTTE was not allowing civilians to leave the conflict zones. They were taking the civilians with them throughout. We realized they were going to use them as a human shield. After Kilinochchi, once they have taken all these civilians with them, this point was discussed at the Security Council and the President decided to earmark certain areas as no-fire zones, for the civilians to come into those areas so the military could restrict their operations in these areas. We dropped leaflets requesting all the civilians to assemble in these no-fire zones. So in this, it’s a fairly large area we earmarked. Unfortunately they were cases were the LTTE fired artillery from the no-fire zone, but we did not react to it. But at one stage when we came closer to the borders of the No Fire Zone. Initially nearly 20,000 people escaped from the NFA.
We adopted a method, we briefed the troops, that we marked a corridor for them to escape and we had a way to receive and register them. Then the LTTE immediately realized the danger. Then they started to take action to prevent that. Then the second day they sent a suicide cadre with the civilians who were coming out of the no-fire zone. If you can remember he exploded himself, killing many civilians and also the unarmed security personnel assisting the civilians.
Also a lot of civilians tried to escape. We have many instances where the LTTE was firing at them. Once they realized this was endangering their motives, they took all the civilians from the no-fire zone to a very thin area. Then we realized that the LTTE had taken all the civilians out to another place, we shifted the no-fire zone to that area. We could have ignored that, but we knew they couldn’t resist the LTTE. The government shifted the no-fire zone to a second no-fire zone. When the troops got closer they shifted further zone and we shifted again. Twice we had to shift the no-fire zone.
Next was the restriction of the area. During the last no-fire zone, because of civilians, because of the small area, the President decided we should restrict the use of indirect fire – artillery, mortars and air. Troops had to identify and shoot. By doing that I should say that we suffered more casualties. We took that risk, obviously you’re restricting some of your fire. We had to use only the personal weapons. Soldiers had to move in, identify and shoot. That was a step we took to prevent civilian casualties. Nowhere in the world is this done.
Then the IDPs that we have received throughout, the people that were coming from these areas. We had seen how the LTTE was preventing them coming out of these areas and even firing on them. We had a very sad occassion where we were able to see that from the UAV, in real time. There was a mechanism to receive all the IDPs coming, to give them food, water and whatever medical assistance, then bringing them to Omanthai where they were received by not only the military but ICRC and civilian officials, and registered, before they were handed over to the authorities sending them to camp.
This process, it’s important to note, that from the very beginning we had realized that we’d have to face this IDP situation. His excellency the President when he visited China, visited camps he built for displaced persons from the earthquake. When he returned he told the Security Council about these camps and he told of semi-permanent buildings with cement floors, this was how he wanted it to be done. So we started building these. Unfortunately, some of the International Community was suspicious, they thought we were making permanent camps and they objected and didn’t give assistance for this type of building. They preferred tents. This caused a lot of problems at the end. If they had allowed for semi-permanent type buildings it would be much better for the IDPs. Unfortunately there was a misconception of the good intentions the government had.
It was mostly the military that looked after the whole process. Of course other parties, but majority of the work was done by the military.
[unwraps report tied with red bow]
I have documented the whole process, the Army relation to the IDPs, forces providing assistance. I have also the orders regarding the ceasing of heavy weapons.
de Silva: Mr. Rajapaksa, you said certain organizations commended you all, do you have those documents? If it’s not available you can send those documents.
I want to read this document sent 14 February 2009 from the ICRC to the Head of the Navy. Dear Sir, following the successful medical evacuation by sea that took place 10th and 11th, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you and the Navy for your valuable collaboration which helped save many lives. I know it was a complex operation that proved to be an task for you men. They displayed a strict discipline and respect of rules of engagement as well as a respectful and kind attitude to those in need. These days demonstrated that soldiery is a noble profession.”
de Silva: Can you make that available to us. [reads, inwardly smiling]
I want to bring out an important point about this education of troops about human rights and international humanitarian law. We started this program in 2003 with the assistance of the Red Cross and ICRC. The Army has a separate directorate at the Army Headquarter, Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. They have the responsibility of the implementation and compliance with international humanitarian law. They have established human rights cells at each level, civilian headquarters, divisional headquarters, batallion headquarters, all headquarter levels. They conduct training and monitor any complaints. They have a special training school and they have conducted, throughout, these classes, even while operations were going on. At the height of the operations as well, NCOs were trained as trainers and sent to the field. The details of the seminars, the training courses.
de Silva: ICRC had said this was a model to all of the world.
Yes, the ICRC helped us.
Also I want to give a detailed report of action taken by the three services of action taken on all violations, this includes everything. Action taken against officers who committed these offences. It was reported, investigation, and after proper deliberation we have taken action. It shows that we had a clear process to take action against the type of offences committed by the troops. I want to emphasize how we have trained the soldiers from the very beginning, also when there are cases reported, how we have taken action against them.
We had a clear action that any action would be taken only after the approval of the Air Force Commander. When we were planning the targets, we used not only maps but aerial photographs, also, at this time, every area had been under thorough survey using the UAVs and the beach craft of the target area, to see that the civilians are not present and to avoid hospitals, kovils, churches, etc. We did not depend only on normal maps. All these attacks were filmed by the aircraft and all were reviewed, even by the Security Council. Our pilots were trained and capable of taking pinpoint targets. If you can go even today to that location you’ll see how precise the attack was. Without damaging any other surrounding places, they have taken. Because of thorough knowledge of the target, survey according to available means, proper briefing. This practice, this process was throughout. All these requests came all the way up to the Air Force Commander, purely to prevent civilian casualties or attacking the wrong place.
There was a plan, starting from the naming, to avoid civilian casualties, continuation of food and essential services, no-fire zones, at the policy level, zero civilian casualities, restriction of use of heavy weapons, training of the soldiers, all of this was done to prevent civilian casualties. They were using civilians as a human shield to protect them but as from the government part, this was taken seriously, we have taken action to prevent and to address the other issues that come up. Supplying food and then looking after the IDPs. Also, the majority of this work was done with the help of the services.
At the latter stages, we have accepted anybody who was able to provide medical assistance. An Indian medical team came, we positioned them, they received them. We wanted to be transparent on the whole issue. They’re the people that received them, treated them and sent them to other places. Similarly, there were offers from other medical organizations, we gave them the opportunity to treat in these areas. There was nothing that we were hiding, it was very transparent. ICRC and international organizations had access to them.
We have taken a lot of measures to minimize the situation which would have come up from this. I briefly discuss these things but I’m sure in detail you can get views of the Essential Services Commission, the detail of how many shipments we sent. Throughout the whole three and a half years the Essential Services Commission sent all these food items etc to these areas. The Jaffna Penninsula area was very difficult, finding ships was difficult, but the government took all measure to provide ships and sent items. That included fertilizer and all these things.
Wanni, once the fighting started, throughout we sent convoys.
de Silva: last weekend, some of the LTTE cadres testifying before us, they said they were guided by the Army to avoid the landmines. Had you given orders to the Army to guide the people.
Actually the order given is in that document, to provide the safe passage. To see that they are not attacked by mistake, to see that the lanes are clear. It is for everybody, civilians, combatants, whoever came by this side.
de Silva: I ask this question because all the LTTE cadres had said this.
Yes, we have orders for safe passage. By providing this we had to suffer. In Kilinochchi, in the very front lines, easily we knew a suicide cadre could come out, and he did, came out and exploded himself, killing civilians as well as himself and service personnel.
Paranagama: Have to taken over land to set up these new security centers?
New camps in the sense that we had to clear the whole area. After that, after the whole war was over, we started the clearance, the resettlement of people, the landmine clearance and so on. We gradually relocated the security forces at certain areas. We ensured that they are not in the private lands. We ensured that the settlers go back to their own houses. Even the government buildings we had to occupy, we released all these to the authorities. We established these security centers, we don’t want to say military camps, on government, not on private lands. Even government lands like schools and Pradeshya Sabha we have released. Orders have been given so that the military will be located only on government lands.
Paranagama: You have not initiated a housing scheme in those areas?
No, these are government military camps. Not private house or anything for the army personell. These are military camps, those are the barracks, accomodation for the soldiers and officers. Not settlement. We have not done any settlement for the civilians. All the people who have gone back were the original settlers. We have not sponsored any settlement in those areas.
de Silva: Have you at any stage constructed Army barracks in private land?
In Jaffna penninsula there is an issue, that’s the high security zone in Palaly and KKS. Long time ago we have taken private land surrounding Palaly. We had to do that for security reasons. That also, we have taken a step of identifying exactly we want. We are in the process of surveying the land, we will buy that and provided alternate land for them and build houses for them.
de Silva: Mullativu area?
We have acquired some. Prabhakaran’s headquarters, LTTE bunkers.
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- Gothabaya taking the stand
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- Gothabaya Rajapaksa at the public sitting
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- Gotabhaya illuminated by flash bulb beneath portrait of Lakshan Kadirgamar
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- Gota pensive at Commission
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- The panel looking out at Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
are you guilty gota? you treated a hero like zero. and you are treating karuna, pallian and kp as heros, they are the killers, who killed our sri lankan people, we know who won the war not you, it’s general fonseka’s knowledge, so don’t try to remind us who won the war, go to hell!!
Very true
Gota was in US for 15 years as a permanent residence and working as a manager at a shop. SF had 40 years of continues experience in SL forces.
See what this Gota and this government is doing to the worlds best army commander. Its a shame and how these guys are come in to the front of camers and smiling like pupets
There is only one truth. These idiots dont have any self respect at all. Can they sleep well, face there wives and children?
At last the majority of SL’s should be blamed for supporting and not going against for the bad behaviour for unjustice. Who ever is SUPPORTING or won’t race the voices for undemocratic actions shouldn’t expect a better place for their children.
God bless SL
From UK
We heard about SF only after Gota’s return.. if not for this YS shop managers return SF will be a retired shop manager in the US by now.. or may be in a US prison by now due to the massive ego he is having.
Lulu
Don’t be stupid..For last 30years many generals were there and could not do much..Without porper guide and orders of HE Mahinda and Mr Gota a general FS (the only General who betrayed his own country) is a puppet in an uniform with stars..
RJaya – Many Generals couldnt do (of course we had better generals & better leaders) it because of India’s interference. This time India allowed MR to go ahead (not that MR is intelligent or smart) because they made many secret deals with MR. so they will be benifited immensly. There wasnt any proper guidance or orders from Eluva.
Oya balaagena hitiyada Indiyawa MR ekka deal daanawa??
GOTA – Great Hero of Sri Lanka….
( along with the men / women of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka…)
President MR – another 7 years in power…
Then – GOTA for President of Sri Lanka…7 + 7 years….= 14 years…
RW – Leader of Opposition….7+ 7 + 7 years… = 21 years…
If Gotha becomes president then SL president can visit only few countries namely India, China, Paki and Russia. The moment Gotha touch European or US he will be arrested and put behind the bar like a dog for his war crime. Being a Sri Lankan we have to commit suicide for choosing a blood thirsty deamon as a president
Gota is true patriot and hero of the war against Tamil Terrorism.
If not for his vision and strategy, there still prevails Tamil terrorism
supported by the so-called Diaspora Tamils, who save their skins
doing all the villainy under-hand..
Bravo. Very good comment.
Yes Deepal, there is a Sinhala sying:
“Aetta kiyandzat bima inndagandzat baya naehae…”
That’s the glaring TRUTH about our beloved motherland.
We must be proud that Rajapakse Brothers were able to
show the DOOR to the Western Powers that threw a
life-line to Pirapaharan and other Tamil Terrorists.
karuna & pillayan not heros but no choice they were needed to break back bone of LTTE. they are also needed to ensure that no terrorism on our soil again. on the otherhand whole nation saw behaviour of SF with army deserters taking a hotel hostage etc… white flag issue is a criminal statement which put him fm hero to zero. we dont know who is correct as fredrica cannot be trusted. the main man behind war was Gota. those who were involved know that. his tactics in handling 03 forces very smart. he also made SF commander & extended his retirement otherwise wud not hv heard of SF. of course gota had excellent political backing fm MR. navy cleared sea tigers one year b4 war victory & cut off supply route. nothing great abt SF. just ask those who hv witnessed how he punishes his wife? now his spokepersons are JVP. he came to power end of a united SL.
Yes. he knows his onions and what they did.
It is the one and only four star General who lead the Army… no one can forget and ignore that… It is in history who officially handed over to the President that the war is over, it was not the defense secretary
Why don’t you allow the international war crimes investigators in and tell your story to them. After that they can investigate thoroughly and give evidence to the world whether it is true or not.
thank you bash!!! the government is trying to sweep this information under the carpert. General fonseka is a true patriot, who served the army over 40 years, this is how we treat our war heros., which hunt the supporters, ridicule the family, and very low of this government to use the new rap star Merv, the Perv to use their double standing protest factor accusing DNA for hitting the police in Galle, ??? sri lankan people and the world is not stupid.!!!
Yesterday hero has become today’s traitor. Traitors are dangerous than enemies. Remember Ahalepola paved the way Britain to invade Sri Lanka. This hero to zero traitor also invited UN to poke their nose into our country. He is willing to testify at foreign commissions against his subordinates who sacrificed a lot in the frontline.
Ambalangoda Appuhamy
Good you make people enlighted with fact..”Traitors are dangerous than Enemies”
Though SF studied in Ambalngoda with real Sri Lankans (lions) from South, the power greedyness changed him all. We are not ungratefull to admire all good things SF done to lead the troops to success but same time his personal atitude and bad mouth made the hero to zero.
Yes Ambalangoda Appuhamy, this is the reality many do not want to accept.Its a well known fact that SF was able to fight the LTTE because of the correct leadership and untiring efforts of GR and MR with all the TRI FARCES and not only SF as he was shouting!!!
Well said. GR/MR/SF deserves equal glory. But the sad fact was SF tried to remove one wheel from the Tri-Show.
well said jay thats the truth
There wouldn’t have been such a fool on this side of the grave as SF so as to distance oneself from the glory and heroism that could have been “shared” with Gota and MR (along with our heroic sons and daughters of Sinhale) who saved the country from historical Dravidian invasion. Alas…! He got succumb to Treacherous Ranils and Mangala’s misguidance and now undergoing the ‘karmic circle’.
Bash, Gen. Sarath Fonseka, i have high respect for him, was a high ranking official in the sri lanka army for more than 20 years. i am sorry to say that during this period LTTE got the upper hand over the army. then, how he defeated the LTTE after 2005 all of a sudden ? war strategies of our dear defence secretary after taking oaths in 2005 is the main reason for the defeat of the LTTE. no doubt about that. read the history of the war and comment. god bless you sir ,dear defence secretary.
For you Eluva maybe the best goat in the world.
Ok then why your hero is paranoid when mention, UN War Crime. Cant he face it and handle them stratigically? Except …bap bap bap……the whole ‘elu rela’ know nothing.
Dear Asfar,
you have explained it short and sweet….Don’t worry of people who writes against , who talk only the visible side but not the reality…
well said Asfar.
their is no dobut in my mind…im gulity to mass murders in sri lanka.
I am wondering if Sr Lanka has its own Chemical Alie.What about witnessing infront of an international war crime commission?
I agree with Mohamed, wish to add that Political decision taken by the President plus the defence strategies,intelligece strategies and coordination by Defence Ministry gave the appropriate space and logistics to carry out Military actions to defeat LTTE. All the three forcess have done their Jobb. Thanks to brave political decision. So I respect & pay grattitude to all the three commanders & all the personal who were involved in winning this war.
But I am sorry to say that there is no one ” War Hero” . Those who think that he or she is a War Hero, this is abusrd in modern society. In the modern democratic societies there is no one Hero. There are many Heroes. Cooperation & collective effort is the key word to overcome today’s problems. So all who contribute are Heros.
People forget past very quickly..thats what have happen to all above guys whoever write negotive comments about GOTA. We all know win is not all about gota its all about leadeship, and approchment and srong deplomatic support from goverment and other allians; who handle the presure its Goverment and Defence secratary. not SF, he follow the coomand that he got from gota and goverment. no one should get special credit its their responsibality to makesure terrorist are defeted and peace is stabish all aroound the island. many goverment failed to do so due to their personal gain…however MR goverment did..thanks to poor soliders who lay their life for griddy Generals and bladdy politician for thire personal gain..finnally I would like to say whatever happen during the war is over we as SRILANKAN never ever BETRAY our nation and soldiers and other all people for thire personal gain.
Very well said Mohamed Asfar and Indipendent NDP people dont see the depth of these kind of matter. sl people are moody and emotional that why we are still in STONE AGE
why ? mr;gota afraid to stand on internationl court.
Mr Gota is afraid to stand at internatinal court because he is a coward. If he is brave he would have allowed war crimes investigators in.
He needs MR appointed staff for his gimmics
why shud they?? they are heros who defeated terrorism. only barbaric prabha who killed innocent people should face court. also ltte disapora like you who supported prabhas genozide. do u think millions of srilankans home & abroad wl let heros go to court. NEVER! get a life!
Why not ask the same question from Bush, Blair and Israelis? Have they got the b**** to appear in front of international courts? They all colluded in destroying the mid East. and you too do not have the b*** to request that. that is my gripe. What you have is a vendetta against the SriLankan leadesr who annihilated the LTTE. Nothing else but vengeance. So belt up and mind your business. Stay in USA and enjoy life there.
Why he sould …??? not necssary at all. let HR to bring George W Bush first then others ..finally will consider about gote if needed.
If Gotta is telling the truth then he should be able to tell the same in any court including international court. Truth could be only one thing. Thus there is no need to call for investigation of George Bush or somebody else.
Vathy,
It is not a case of being guilty by Gota. you are avoiding the basic fact, should the GOSL be called to answer in an international court when the same thing is not called from the patently obvious crimes in the mid east by the USA, UK, and the Israelis. Any fair minded person will undeerstand the use of this court is to glorify the ethics of the above mentioned countries. They will never hold inquiries against Jews for their crimes because Israel will not recognise that court.
Also I have been following the Charles Clark issue taken up at the Hague recently and looking at the coverage one can only laugh at what is taking place. Want to see a Kangaroo court? You got one there.
If an inquiry into those allegations takes place in Hague i could see all you Diaspora homing in with numerous accusations with false evidence similar to docotored videos and photos etc. That is waht you want , isn’t it?
Gamunu there is a big difference between the way GoSL treated Tamils and the way USA and UK handled the war . Yes Israel is occupying the land as in the same way GOSL is doing. Please remember that is why NAM could not support GOSL in the UN issue. The SL commission is worse than a Kangaroo court. Who told told you that I am one of the diaspora Tamil? Regardless of what you say, being a tamil I do support the efforts of Tamils living outside this country.
Exactly, Gamarala…!
Why don’t they investigate or fact-find in Israel or Afghanistan or Iraq.
Why right had George Bush to invade Iraq, bombing Baghdad from a distance of
400 km from the city to start their mayhem. Damn cowards.
who is a traitor? the general was never a traitor,he concluded the war in a professional manner,when an attempt to kill innocent civilians or white flagged cadres,they got to be respected and follow the codes.two wrongs does not equte a pass,genocides if used have to be exposed from whateverside in the war,otherwise it is like spare the rod spoilt the child,we are a descent army in the 30 years ,if any wrong doings done ,it is a devine nature to punish the culprits let it be whosoever.in conclusion the word traitor is not correct in the true sense in this regard.in true sense it is always good to clear our nations image as always it is the LTTE WHO COMMITED CRIMES NOT OUR SRI LANKAN FORCES OR ANY ORDER FROM TOP MEN,PROCEED THE WAR CRIMES PROBE N CLEAR OUR NATIONS.
I respect the rajapassaes for thier help in winning the war. But I dont tolerate their immatuaqrity. I dont tolerate family oligarchy, treating sf the way they treat, arrogance, and for not respecting DEMOCRACY. Now they won the war , they CANT WIN the economic war. NOW ?BEST THING IS TO DO is retire from policitics. RAJA WILL NEVER FIX THE ECONOMY. Trust me on that. Eg: mihin air, IIFA, opening ceremony in hambantota, wrting checks for millions for artists, robbing tsunami funds etc.
THANK YOU
All real hero’s are them who respect peace and righteouseness. SF now realised that he and his president and Gota had committed, very bad thing against humanity and against the true Buddism. Now, SF wanted to clean his sould from the tamil..blood. So he is a good soul now. How ever, GOTA and his Brothers are evil tyrants. Gota killedmany innocent jurnalists. Gota wantt win this war not for the people, but to get a name in history. GoTA and his evil brothers are robbing SL and they lie and lie and keep on lying. Now you all say these liers as good. ..and you say SF is bad…coz he want to clean himself from this evil deeds.
Every true child of God knows GOTA was a 100% lier. Remember….no lier can be a child of God. SF is not a traitor. He is a good man now….thats why he stand for the RIGHT. You all know…..GOTA defeted LTTE by doing WAR CRIME. People of SL, we all are the Childen of the LAnd, let us not supoort no evil men. At present, GOTA and MAHINDA are evil Tyrant…..we must Pray that God deal with them to save our Lanka. as children of truth we all know GOTA and Mahinda …conducted WAR CRIME agaist the people in this last WAR. May the truth trimph in SL and pease rule the Land….but woe unto GOTA and his Blood thirsty brothers….may their evil kindom fall…and may the histry forget them and let it be done to them 10 times more than what they done to innocent people in SL
Hello Buddhist Monk, Your 100% right. Nice to see, you are a true Buddhist who preaches non-violence and peace.
All the war crimes were done by the LTTE and Tamil Hindu extremists who held the nation hostage for more than 20 years. Now that that evil has been destroyed by the power of Shiva, many Tamil extremists are upset.
hello ltte moron dont take the name of a monk to fool people. people are not fools like prabha
Hello buddhist Monk,
You are a Tamil who is tring to hide behind a monks robe and pretending to be a sinhala buddhist. All your utterences of god did give away your identity. So get lost!!!!!!!!!. You are a loser who has nothing else to claim but to discredit our leaders. All the war crimes committed during the war was by the LTTE. Don’t forget GOSL even fed those terrorists. I call that a war crime for continuing to feed them so the same terrorists were able to continue with their killing spree. VP got what he deserved. Even your religion may agree with what he received was fair!!
Some of the writers in this board do not have the brains to grasp the 50000ft view. It was the overall strategy that won the war, mainly getting China, Pakistan and India to help us with no conditions. They supplied all neccessary funds and equipment . No military leader can do this. Like or not, MR and his political leadership engineered the shrewed plan to get those countries to support us. Also to prevent any powerful country to stop the war. There were so many countries, UN, Amnesty etc tried to stop the war, but they failed because the smart strategy of MR and political leadership. Without that commitment and leadership, Sri Lankan forced could not have won it. In the history of Sri Lankan politics, there was no comparable leadership who stood by on pressure and won decisively. No one can argue against this truth.
Why dont you add that, secret deals with India too won the War. We had smarter leaders and smarter army leaders. But India stopped in the past and allowed MR to do so for their own benifits, thats the very reason for MR to behave like a puppy when India calling the shots. You all are blind supporters of a disastrous regime leading SL nowhere. Eluva cannot even cordinate with a TV presenter. What big cordination you guys are boasting about? MR his brother and he himself is the defence sec. So…..? Fluke president and fluke DS.
ELUVA U ARE A REAL GOAT LIKE YOUR NAME! WHY DONT U TELL THIS IN FRONT OF THEM? COWARD , GOAT
Eluva the goat , what do they feed you with? You may not agree to India and several other countries assisiting GOSL to eliminate terror because the LTTE lost in the end. So what is wrong with it when countries such as the US wanted its poodle Britain to join them to invade Iraq? was it ok then? Time to swallow your pride ELUVA now and accept defeat honorouably. there is no turning back for diaspora funded terror to prevail in SL any more. Whether you like it or not we will prevail.
You talk about Gota, have you seen how David Poopalasingham among others of LTTE cope with TV interviews. DS is good at his work and do not have to be expert in front of a television presenter like Sakur.
SAM LANK YOU SAID IT RIGHT & THATS THE TRUTH WE ALL KNOW ONLY SOME WL NOT ADMIT.
Winning by lies and genicide is not the true victory….if this is a victory then all murderers would be Heros. Gota must not get away with his evil deeds. I hope all monks and the true citizens of Lanka would seek for justice against this evil Rajapaksa crooks.
May justice prevail in Lanka.
Hindu Poosari (Buddhist monk) isn’t it time you accept gencide was committed by the LTTE? If you do not understand the meaning, get some one to explain the meaning. What the GOSL did was to free people from genicidal maniacs. Justice will prevail in Srilanka, don’t you worry about it!!!
This is another attempt to avoid proper proceedings.It is good for the gallery.Not for the international arena.
Lies and lies and lies! The all lies for existence on other peoples corpses.
Mr. Gothabaya Rajapakse was not only the brains behind the victory he was an essential link between the Service Commanders and the President – the Commander in Chief. Vital decision making and implementation of such decisions was the key to Sri Lanka’s military victory over the formidable terror organisation.
Really! How much did they pay you to say that! Just tell where was he before he came to seri lanka? Why did he escape from the essential service? Did he wait until his brother came to power? Then SF didnt do anything. Other people who was before him didnt do anything? We are in a sorry state until we are living with people like you friend!
Mr.GR was the brains no doubt but I admit Gen.Fonseka was dam good at implementing and conducting the war. We had to have a ruthless leader to defeat a monster like Prabakaran.
Gota had the brain to go to US , hide and operate a computer. Not to do the war. Now he is up against US. Wait and see. What goes around comes around.
Saman you are repeating the same rhetoric about GR that he was away from the services while the war was going on. We all know that . The fact remains even SF who was in the services (with other generals) throughout was not able to defeat LTTE during that time. Does say any thing? SF was on the verge of ending up in the scrap heap before GR intervened and resurrected his carrier. What GR did was with in his remet and he did so remarkably. SF was given the space to do his duty awhile a team including all three forces. SF did a good job within his remet so did the others. Just accept it. Your problem is your dislike for Rajapaksas due to political idiology otherwise I am confused as to why some people do not want to recognise the services they rendered to the victory. Incidentally i was not paid for my posting by any one. I write this as a patriotic srilankan.
I think starting from the political leadership down to foot soldier did their part in the war and we won it. Add to that.. Eelamists, pro-ealam opposition polititians and NGO/INGOs, so-called Human Rights champions did and some still doing their part to stall SL post-coflict progress. Anyway Gota has been an ideal coordinator between political leadership, among three forces and had been a good planner and earned a special place in elimination of terrorism.
Joe, You didnt answer the question Raised by Saman. Why did he escaped from service and waited till his brother came to power? Without giving lame excuses answer it. 10 years in US and didnt even make an affort to improve his English. His ex colleagues in US perhpas laughing at SL to have this nut as defence sec.
Luva, read my posting above.
The righteousness exalts a nation but when the justice is blind everything is eyewash.
Today we are here because of General FONSEKA.
Remember, at the end of the war, when LTTE was looking for CEASEFIRE govt was willing to givt it. but, General Fonseka was Against that. His words were ” I Don’t leave this for the Next Army Commander” and he finished it.
Now, two of the topmost leaders are patriots andlive free lives.
The GUY who destoyed and Eliminated LTTE became the TRAITOR and was trying to sacrifice the Country for others.
It is all for their personal grandure.
Expatriate who fed you with this rubbish? So in your view you do not recognise the sacrifices made by the Navy, the Airforce, police and the civilians? They too are heros and without them we would not have won the war. So you want to glorify SF for leading the army? Where was he towards the end of the ealam war iv? was he in the field fighting the LTTE or visiting China. Be real expatriate, unless you accept it was a collective effort you are barking up the wrong tree!!!!!!!!
Children of Lanka, Peace be to you ! if you are civilised people. Please do not praise the War Criminals including SF. You must have good conscience to be a better human. Never support evil. Sri Lanka went inot war due to dirty politics and the power thirsty by then governments. Now it did not get peace yet. Because, the people are still opressed in the north and east by SL forces in the name of security.
Stand as true well natured humans and never support anyone for evil doings.
Remember by this end of war you as a citizen of Lanka have no Gain, but only Rajapeksa family banked lots of money in swiss bank and in other banks in countries.
awaken up all you good people and dont support all evil men like MR or GR or SF.
SF was a criminal to support the evil tryrants MR & GR, Now they betray each others. Why ..why why? its coz SF didnt get his share of money they robbed due to the war.
Children of Lanka, wake up….and stand firm. Pray all evil men be serverd with justice and be punished for War Crime and the killings of innocent people by thosands. Thease men will get their wages of evil.
Peace be to Lanka
You are not a ‘Buddhist Monk’ for sure, as monks dont practice ‘Atthakilamatanu’ or ‘Kamasukhllikanu yogas’. I think you doing both right here and now. Please go and find an ‘Aaranya’ where there is no access to the www.
Mettha.
I agree with you Monk!
AROH GHARAH!!
When i speak the truth and speak for righteouseness, only evil doers will get upset about what i say. Lord Buddah is agaist killings and in SL the goverment killed 1000′s of innocent people.
When there is evil, i will always speak against it.
The children of righteouseness will always support me. In SL there had been a War Crime. I will stand for justice
Any good citizen of SL will support me in the fight agianst injustice. Those who do not know the meaning of righteouseness only support this evil War agaist humanity.
Wake up SL and be as one country to resist all evil men. Never support the war crime done by The Theives.
You are NO Buddhist Monk – but a pro-LTTE terrorist….
go and float in the lagoon with Praba….
when any one oppose this injustice then you call them as pro Ltte. If any one who stand for justice is Pro Ltte, then i am proud to be PRO to any one who is standing for justice. By the way, now you just confirmed us all that this war was injustice and there was a war crime. All you need is to repent from your sin and become a true buddist
Well said ….the new definition is Pro-LTTE is now anti-dictatorship …the Pro- LTTEs are now also fighting to the singalese people now….to avoid MR-kingdom
Your Quote – ” repent from your sin and become a true buddist”
you pro-LTTE faker …..cannot even spell Buddhist….
I am a “Modern ” Buddhist….who believe that…
“Force will be met with superior force”…..
That is what our Sri Lankan Hero…GOTA….
did to your “Sun Goat” – Praba….
hopefully soon…YOU will be floating in the same lagoon….
It is true Goya played a significant role to liberate SL from LTTEers. Buwever, postwar incidence clearly shows that MR govt heading for wrong direction. All patriotics who worked hard to win the war in jail while many LTTErs who directly or indirectly supported to kill our soldiers, polititicians, professionals and civilians are pets of the present govt. When the killers of high court judge Mr Abepitiya’s was given death penalty by court the president was not approved to hung him where as the court marshal decision against SF was declared the president was hurry to approve it. This clearly shows how he treats our war heros who sacrified their lives to liberate this country.
Balla umba Sarath Fonsekata karana deta umbata hena hathama gahapang
I hate you for what you are doing to my war hero Sarath Fonseka and giving 5 star treatment to KP – the terrorist. You are an idiot
The judicature system in Srilanka based on the constitutional act which is totally violation of Geneva conventional act and the UN resolutions. The Srilankan constitutional act based on the aspirations of the Sinhala community only. Because of this stupid war since 1983 upto 18th May2009 over one hundred thousand people have lost their lives and still the GOSL aimed on military solution to the ethnic crises. The reconciliation commission is a absolute eyewash. The legal process in Srilanka has been turned upside down and the justice process in Srilanka delibrately subverted for political purpose. Expecting the justice is surprised one.
Eluva got scared and left the country as he couldn’t fight and face the tigers. Now he is talking big! He idn’t know anything about arms and what the army was fighting with he had to learn everything from SF. He is the man who knew about the requirements for the army to fight against the terrorists. You can see from his face that he is a total coward and a liar. He is the traitor who gave wrong instructions to a disceplene army.
during the Tamil conference I went to Jaffna city as a small child the day many participans were electrocuted by cutting electric wire. It happened whn Duriappa was major of jaffna. Either Duriappa failed to prevent that incident or suppoted that action as a major of Jaffna. It that was true, he is not a good person to Tamil. Why then this man worry about the person who was not good for Tamils.
Refusal’s to face an international war crime inquirey increase the suspecions on Sri Lanka. If Sri lanka has not committed any war crimes, there is not difficulty in facing an international war crime inquiry to clear the air. If not, it credible that war crime has been committed from a higher level and not at ground level. Tamils and Sinhalese should unite to punish war criminals. In the name of fight against terrorism, you can not massacare innocent civilians by using bombers and artiilary shells on civilians targets. When Tamils and Sinhalese unite to punish war criminals, it can bring real reconciliations. If not, it can split both communities.
diaspora, weather tamils or not always thrives on the misery of sri lanka . they yearn for some bad news about our governemt which will help them to stay in those countries longer with more benefits. so, that is natural which all we understand. but, as we live in sri lanka, should not get into those diaspora trap and complaint about our leaders who are surely bypassing all hurdles taking the country forward and i am sure my children will live in sri lanka as just how singaporeans live in their country. in my life of around 44 years this is the best leadership i ever had in my country. dear sri lankans, please forget all party colors and support our leaders who are doing all they can to develop this country for our future generations. god bless our leaders.
Mohammed!
in Sri Lanka only people who are happy are those whose hands filled with blood (war criminals). there is no need for military when the government has really waged the war for people. It waged the war against Tamil people. Becasue of that it has difficulties in trusting Tamils. Remember never trust a person who do not trust you. in Sri lanka Tamils are living at gun point. If not , let independ journalists to report on what is going on in the war affected North and East of Sri Lanka. Your have been hiding crimes committed against Tamils.
Mohamed, right I am ashamed to call myself a sri lankan at the rate the things are so called leaders and politicians are doing. How can we go forward and be proud of our country when there is not democracy in the country. Only people who love the regime are the people who have got so many favours done through the rajapakshas and the people who have got contracts to build etc.. they are very happy and very very selfish they don;’t care about the country they only care only about their money. Otherwise why are the IDPS still in camps? Why haven’t the govt built them any houses? It’s more than one year now and this is more than enough time.
Your Quote – ” I am ashamed to call myself a sri lankan ”
Sri Lanka – LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT…..
Join the “New Eelam” …coing soon to Toronto, Canada….
Gota getting practise sessions before UN war crimes summons him. Macho all you GOTA/BASIL/MR FANS very soon you all will have to bend and bite when Banki and gang takes over I hear they are studying the case very carefully and it is discussed very soon they will send their reports
Then all of you bow down and kiss the ground and ask for UN EMBARGO BABIES
Para Balla, tho mage Sarath Fonsekawa hire eriya. Balla thota KP (terrrorist) wa loku una
Cool down. KP has money and therefor Gotha became his friend. If Praba offered money to Rajapaksa family he would be alive by now and holding some ministrial post. Politicians and Gotha fellows are born for dogs
The dispora don’t care for this micky mouse corrupt committee. Ban Kin Moon and the rest of the world will take this murdereous government to the Human Rights Court and then only will all the Tamils be liberated.
and establishing an EALAM,eh?
Any true human who was born for a decent parents will never support this WAR crime…..Lord Buddah is agianst injustice killings
So, you Tamil Terrorist goon, under the pretext of a “Buddhist Monk”:
its people like you who committed crime….
You guys will never stop doing underhand dirty games.
Hello Buddhist monk, I wish the Tamils too follow true mankind. Keep up your good work. We need people like you around.
I am glad to find a decent human who belive that all who are born in SL have equel rights and non must support evil men who try to fight agaist justice
I hope more good people like you will join me to educate Lanka to fight agaist all form of injustice
God Bless you
Your Quote – ” God Bless you”
A Buddhist Monk …end by saying…”God Bless You……
You fake pro-LTTE …..go to Toronto….
ask Canada for your NEW “Eelaam” – run by the Drug Gangs…..
Man is great not by his birth but by his deeds
Man became great by vote rigging
Every citizen of the cuntry has duty to fight agaisnt injustice. Every deeds of humans will be judged. Children of Lanka must be one and fight agaist all injustice caused by any tryrant in the land
Gotha is a man with mission and vision. His vision is to make use of our gullible uneducated Sri Lankan to achieve his mission. He resigned his data entry job in US with a mission to achieve his personal goals and get rid of all opponents who stands between him and his mission. So MTV was bombed, Lasantha was executed and SF was imprisoned. Karuna and KP are ushered with all luxuries at our tax money. Motto of Gotha is “any one challenges Rajapassa family will be killed” and to facilitate his objectives white van squads are operated under defence ministry. If Praba was willing to share the wealth under his organisation he would be alive by now with a ministerial post like murderer Karuna.
Well rehearsed question and answers session. What is the point of this session at our tax money? No ration people going to believe this biased commission and we waste our tax money on this
Forget all this talk about “military genius,” “leadership” etc. etc., and focus on the relative strengths of the two protagonists – the Sri Lanka security forces numbering (by their official claim) half a million personnel and the Tigers with their foot soldiers, their so-called navy and their three crop-duster plane “air force.” And don’t give me the “most (something) terrorist force in the world” as designated by that historical joke, the FBI, which has been proved to be an absolute corrupt farce over the years.
Before everybody launches into allegedly-sophisticated analyses, it might help to look at the facts in the cold light of day.
Did this commission question Gotha on bombing “safe zone” using artilleries? Any contraversial isssues are avoided by this commission and “de Silva” questioning Gotha in such a way so that Gotha gets opportunity to pound his chest for this military success and justify his war crime.
I like Gotha’s “zero civilians casualty” fun story. In 30,000 there are many zeros.
Gotha is a blood thirsty animal and it should be put down for the betterment of Sri Lankans. Initially he killed minorities and now started to kill all his opponents. Right time for us to ston this guy to death and save our future generation.
i have a hunch that this goon Elu goata with his brother making a situation to crate an uprising in the country so that they can get rid of many oppositions by eliminating them. Certainly this wiould backfire him/them. there is a limit for everything, someone should put a fullstop to it.