|
| quote: | Originally posted by ********
majority Sinhalese and "minority Tamils"
THis is a classic case of "our values arn't the same" and we arn't getting equal rights.
If the Sinhalese offered equal treatment of the Tamils then most of these issues woulnd't have developed but this situation plays classically around the world time and time again.
If racsism and discrimination reign from the government one can only expect those who are treated as second class citizens to someday stand up for the right to life liberty and happiness.
". In 1949, with the concurrence of the leaders of the Ceylon Tamils, the UNP government disenfranchised the Indian Tamil plantation workers."
"status of Sinhala and Tamil as official languages - Bandaranaike replaced English with Sinahala Only as the official language"
1983: the voters list which contained the exact addresses of Tamils, the Tamil community faced a backlash from Sinhalese rioters including the destruction of shops, homes and savage beatings. During these riots the government did nothing to control the mob. Conservative government estimates put the death toll at 400[16], while the real death toll is believed to be around 3000[17]. Also around 18,000 Tamil homes and 5,000 homes were destroyed, with 150,000 leaving the country resulting in a Tamil Diaspora in Canada, UK, Australia and other western countries.
IF YOU GREW UP IN INDIA WHERE THEY WERE CONSIDERED TERRORISTS HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT?
India started getting deeply involved in the ethnic conflict. A convoy sent by India was stopped in Sri Lankan waters by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Indian Air Force retaliated with an air drop of supplies onto the Jaffna peninsula. |
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE 80'S? 
India was in good terms with the LTTE back in the 60's to 80's, although it was entirely politically motivated. There is a large population of Tamils living in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. India supporting the LTTE with what you call 'material support' during the 70's or 80's was largely to win votes of these Tamils living in India during election and to contain separatist sentiment in Tamil Nadu.
The LTTE has been a banned organization in India since the early 90's. LTTE's current chief, V Prabhakaran, whose photo you see brandished at these protests, is wanted in Sri Lanka and India for his role in the assassination of PM Rajiv Gandhi, leaders in Sri Lanka, crimes against humanity, organized crime and other terror activities
|
... no wonder they've yet to receive any support from world leaders. Growing up in India, I was always under the impression that the LTTE was a terrorist organization, so it took me by surprise seeing the local Tamil's strong and blatant support for a terror organization. 
