Video: ‘The Last Phase’ screened in London

27 February 2014 09:42 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

‘The Last Phase’, a documentary film depicting the life story of a former female LTTE cadre during the final stages of the humanitarian operation in Sri Lanka was screened in the Westminster Houses of Parliament, London on Monday.

The event was hosted by Lord Naseby, Chair of The All Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka, supported by Conservative Friends of Sri Lanka.

The documentary revolves around the life of a former LTTE female cadre who grew up at 'Senchcholai', the LTTE run orphanage for Tamil children. 'Jayawadanee' was brought up in an environment that was deliberately planned to portray the other side as the necessary evil.

The defenec ministry said that it was the first time that an independent Sri Lanka produced documentary about the War had been shown in the cradle of Britain's democracy and seen by parliamentarians from all sides of the Houses of Commons and Lords. Ian Paisley MP, who attended the meeting commented that it was refreshing to see an alternative perspective about the Sri Lankan war, and this event clearly demonstrated that the international community did not have a monopoly on the truth in relation to Sri Lanka.

Apart from Mr Paisley, the other parliamentarians who attended the event were Baron West of Spithead (former First Sea Lord) and the following Members of Parliament, Brian Binley, Mark Durkan, Bob Blackman, James Wharton, Laurence Robertson, Andrew Turner, Nick De Bois as well as Foreign Office and Parliamentary researchers and assistants.

Lord Naseby introduced a distinguished panel, comprising Professor Paul Moorcraft and Mr. Richard Mundy, who was the narrator on "The Last Phase" to discuss the war and current developments in Sri Lanka.

Professor Moorcroft spoke of the events at the end of the war from a military perspective. He explained that in all his experience, having investigated wars in other countries, that the Sri Lankan Army conducted themselves very professionally in comparison to other armies. His observations and opinions were formed after visiting Sri Lanka and having had access to all the workings of the armed services as well as with surviving Tiger cadres. The total civilian casualties in the final days of the war, he observed, could not be ascertained with accuracy, but based on the figures of those injured, the estimate of 40,000 civilian deaths quoted by Gordon Weiss in his book and thereafter repeated by many others, including by the Darusman Report and Channel 4, is a gross exaggeration, which he confirmed should not be relied upon as being accurate.

Dr. Chris Nonis, High Commissioner addressed the issues pertaining to the Government of Sri Lanka. In a robust delivery he stated that there was never a Civil War in Sri Lanka and that it should be instead correct to understand it as a war against terrorism. He said that people from all communities and religions lived side by side in all parts of the country, and that for example, the demography of the capital Colombo was 30% Sinhalese, 30%Tamils, 30% Muslims. He maintained that many external politicians were making unwarranted pronouncements about Sri Lanka with understanding basic demographics and that it was long and complex war story, which needs to be understood by visiting and experiencing the country's committed efforts at post-war progress first-hand. He made a passionate plea for supporting the country's reconciliation processes via the LLRC and appealed to all expatriate communities to work towards this goal. His appeal to the international community was for greater understanding of Sri Lanka's achievements and stated that all communities are playing a substantial role in the economic and social progress of the country. His address was well received by all those present.
►WATCH

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 24

Gayan Thursday, 27 February 2014 03:51 PM

Just like the Channel 4 drama episodes.

ASD Friday, 28 February 2014 01:18 PM

This is like a cat saying 'its darkness everywhere' when it closes its eyes.

Murugesu Friday, 28 February 2014 09:06 AM

Tamils are the ones who started the whole bloody mess for over 30 years and now that they loss they are crying foul!

Suq Madique Friday, 28 February 2014 08:57 AM

Good idea but the problem is if the committee finds SL innocent of war crimes will you accept the verdict without crying foul?

ram Friday, 28 February 2014 03:01 AM

Manipulated drama who cares wait until UN section amusement.

Marty Thursday, 27 February 2014 11:18 PM

Nobody can hide massgraves for 40000 estimated people. Sri Lanka is a free country now, and you can tavel all the country, even the former war zones. There are enough NGOs and INGOs in the former war zones, rebuilding the north and cleaning from APMs, they would have detected them if really existant, but none of this happened for 5 years now! Why the critics do not visit Sri Lsnka themselves and bring the proof of any massgrave? because there isn't any!

Saskia Thursday, 27 February 2014 09:37 PM

It seems to be that majority of Sinhalese are good at telling lies. May be it is in their DNA.

gobi Thursday, 27 February 2014 09:09 PM

What can i say?

m Thursday, 27 February 2014 08:15 PM

only tamils can understand

avb Thursday, 27 February 2014 07:53 PM

USA buys 25% of SL exports. USA+EU buys more than 50%.
China buys only 1%... India buys 6%.. these figures last 7 year averages.
Who are SL real friends?

Murugesu Thursday, 27 February 2014 07:52 PM

Who said there were zero civilian casualties? In any war civilians die in the corss fire, its called collateral damage

Premani Fernando Thursday, 27 February 2014 06:58 PM

You are nothing but a Buffalo Citizen.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 27 February 2014 10:57 AM

If the 40,000 is an exagerated civilian death toll, why not allow an independent, honest and transparent investigation? This investigation can consist of independent persons of high calibre from chinese, japanese, russian, indian, european, african and american origins. They will be tasked to come out with the truth and nothing but the truth. The GOSL does not even want that for obvious reasons.

Raj Thursday, 27 February 2014 03:30 PM

pot calling the kettle black

Ravi Thursday, 27 February 2014 03:27 PM

Hmmm Wonder what happened to the "0 Civilian casualty" story ! lol... lies, lies and more lies !

Ape apacheye Thursday, 27 February 2014 02:41 PM

good work by UK

ASD Thursday, 27 February 2014 02:31 PM

FUNNY

kaputakukula Thursday, 27 February 2014 01:23 PM

By this documentary, I am afraid that the SLG did not wake up the slumbering bear (Channel IV)? The coming days will tell us.

ASD Thursday, 27 February 2014 01:22 PM

LIES

Ajith-K Thursday, 27 February 2014 12:25 PM

Problem is.... Those who estimated the figures as 40,000 also identified themselves as independent individuals. ......Who says UN is independent. Do you think HR commissioner is independent. Don't be a joker men.

antonsunil Thursday, 27 February 2014 11:52 AM

Ii is bit too late,

Rattapakse Thursday, 27 February 2014 11:37 AM

Trouble is when the likes of Cameron, Miliband and Clagg are in unison against us, what this guy can do?

Are our guys in Colombo who throw money on these know the difference (in term of political powers) between MPs (of House of Commons) and the Lords (of House of Lords)?

Are we spending money on time wasters?

Anthony Thursday, 27 February 2014 11:32 AM

The US, Europe and India are our opponents. How can they judge us fairly?

Top Cat Thursday, 27 February 2014 11:30 AM

This is a documentary film and that is it.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Video: ‘The Last Phase’ screened in London

Comments - 24

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

New Visa procedure implemented

April 15 declared a government holiday

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings