Condemn the Paanama Massacre
I very strongly condemn the massacre of the ten Muslim civilians at Paanama in Pottuvil. All the victims were innocent workers and not at all interested in politics. The fact that most of them are teenagers who should be in school, without going for work as laborers, clearly shows that they are from poor families and bred winners of their respective families, went to work to earn a living. It is a pity that the assailants take great pleasure in killing people without any consideration for the plight of families of the victims.
These killings cannot be less brutal than the Welikanda massacre of 12 similar workers or of the five students killed in Trincomalee or of the 6 workers engaged in sand mining massacred at Maruthankadawalla or some other such killings that had taken place in recent time. Disgracefully most of the victims had been hacked to death after being tortured, a new culture introduced by some unscrupulous elements recently. We Sri Lankan’s which ever community we may belong to should feel ashamed, of the manner in which the victims are killed.
The Government forces have a responsibility to protect the people not only from foreign invasion but also from enemies within. No one has any right to kill anybody. Every one other than those, whose type of duty necessitates the possession of a weapon, should surrender all their arms in their possession. Unauthorized possession or knowledge of others possessing weapons could be considered for heavy penalty including “death”.
It is easy for one group to put the blame on the other. I do not believe that the forces could have had a hand in this incident. The forces can’t act irresponsibly and bring discredited to this country and its people. Tthey are duty bound to clear their name and that of the government. We can’t face the outside world as coming from a country of murderers. It is the duty of the Forces to give protection to the people, representing the Government. In fact they are meant for it and if there are any black sheep among them they should point out the black sheep that brings discredit to the entire Forces.
I have brought to the notice of the public commending the cordial relationship between the forces and the civilian population until recently. It is true that a lot of their colleagues had been mercilessly killed in clay-more attacks and hand grenade attacks. The servics should realize that in such incidents, a lot of innocent people also get killed or injured. While feeling sorry for their dead colleagues the service personnel must show sympathy towards the civilians and give them all protection. Surely those who are involved in crimes against civilian should be identifiable and if the commanding officer reports such people severe punishment given will be a deterrent to the other possible offenders.
I am not pointing an accusing finger against the service personnel. I am only saying that the service personnel should be above suspicion and should not cause embarrassment and discredit the government which has a duty to give just rule and protection for its people irrespective of race, caste and creed. We are a nation that is concerned about the cruelty to animals. Can we be cruel to our own people?
I express my deepest sympathies to the aggrieved families and pray for the soles to rest in peace.
These killings cannot be less brutal than the Welikanda massacre of 12 similar workers or of the five students killed in Trincomalee or of the 6 workers engaged in sand mining massacred at Maruthankadawalla or some other such killings that had taken place in recent time. Disgracefully most of the victims had been hacked to death after being tortured, a new culture introduced by some unscrupulous elements recently. We Sri Lankan’s which ever community we may belong to should feel ashamed, of the manner in which the victims are killed.
The Government forces have a responsibility to protect the people not only from foreign invasion but also from enemies within. No one has any right to kill anybody. Every one other than those, whose type of duty necessitates the possession of a weapon, should surrender all their arms in their possession. Unauthorized possession or knowledge of others possessing weapons could be considered for heavy penalty including “death”.
It is easy for one group to put the blame on the other. I do not believe that the forces could have had a hand in this incident. The forces can’t act irresponsibly and bring discredited to this country and its people. Tthey are duty bound to clear their name and that of the government. We can’t face the outside world as coming from a country of murderers. It is the duty of the Forces to give protection to the people, representing the Government. In fact they are meant for it and if there are any black sheep among them they should point out the black sheep that brings discredit to the entire Forces.
I have brought to the notice of the public commending the cordial relationship between the forces and the civilian population until recently. It is true that a lot of their colleagues had been mercilessly killed in clay-more attacks and hand grenade attacks. The servics should realize that in such incidents, a lot of innocent people also get killed or injured. While feeling sorry for their dead colleagues the service personnel must show sympathy towards the civilians and give them all protection. Surely those who are involved in crimes against civilian should be identifiable and if the commanding officer reports such people severe punishment given will be a deterrent to the other possible offenders.
I am not pointing an accusing finger against the service personnel. I am only saying that the service personnel should be above suspicion and should not cause embarrassment and discredit the government which has a duty to give just rule and protection for its people irrespective of race, caste and creed. We are a nation that is concerned about the cruelty to animals. Can we be cruel to our own people?
I express my deepest sympathies to the aggrieved families and pray for the soles to rest in peace.
V. Anandasangaree.
President
Tamil United Liberation Front.
