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Soldiers and Tamil prisoners not equal: Sumanthiran

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19 September 2018 07:02 pm - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In reference to the request by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to grant a general amnesty to the LTTE cadres and military personnel involved in war-related crimes, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said today that the two groups could not be equated at all.

Making his remarks on this matter, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran told the Daily Mirror that Tamil political prisoners had been arrested and held up for long years.

He said their cases were not over. “They are being dragged on,” he said.

He said these prisoners had been arrested on confessions made by them and detained for a long time.

However, he said the unidentified atrocities perpetrated by the military could not be equated with those of Tamil political prisoners.

MP Sumanthiran said there should be a truth-seeking mechanism in place to trace the kind of crimes committed before considering any amnesty. (Kelum Bandara)


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  Comments - 25

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  • vithura Wednesday, 19 September 2018 07:22 PM

    On this I concur with Sumanthiran, as there is a clear contextual distinction between the two categories of people. One is detained unlawfully with no charges brought against them and worst of all the denial of a fair trial or release. Whereas the other group has a case to answer on serious allegations against them, hence cannot be treated in the same way as the former.

    nissanka Thursday, 20 September 2018 11:09 AM

    Man, you are alive today only because of the sacrifices of war heroes. If not for them, your wife and daughters would have been in Prabha's den doing sexual services for the maniac.

    Ceylon Wednesday, 19 September 2018 07:30 PM

    First must punish those who created the war.reason for the war is discriminations for the north part living citizens.it created protests,sathyagraha and these peacefull actions against government responded with violence using police and military.victims respinded with similer violence and it became war.result is 20,000 soldiers dead.100,000 civilianscdead.30,000 became legless and handless.war created stupid politicians never got any punishment,except admiting discrimination taken place.

    Rohith Wednesday, 19 September 2018 07:54 PM

    Yes agree . Not equal.. most Tamil prisoners were engaged in terror acts. Soldiers were doing national duty ... Mr Sumanthiran.. That is the difference

    Nimo Wednesday, 19 September 2018 08:07 PM

    True the prisoners are Terrorist and the Soldiers are hero’s who sacrificed there life’s for the motherland.Both can’t be treated equally, the terrorist must be punished for life.Look who is talking, very sad state of affairs in the Country

    Nimo Thursday, 20 September 2018 11:27 AM

    This guy is a wolf in Sheeps clothes.Have you forgotten how manny of the Tamils were killed tied to lamppost?The innocent people who were killed in the train bombs at Dehiwala and other places.Where were you then? These people took our country 40 years backwards and now they are talking.We should never pardon them.People who have lost there loved ones will only know the pain of there losses these barbarians did to us.

    Demian Wednesday, 19 September 2018 08:16 PM

    Political prisoners and terrorists also not equal

    Michael Wednesday, 19 September 2018 08:24 PM

    What ever said and done what Ranawaka said would be the ideal solution for the country. However it should not be one sided it should benefit both sides equally. Many things have taken place and both sides have mistakes but if we drag this as every one knows SL system is very slow it can go for years. So lets come to a fast solution which will benefit the country.

    Stan Wednesday, 19 September 2018 08:36 PM

    Look, bad things happened, and everyone deserves justice, but this is the best anyone's gonna get so just take it or leave it. If you decide the latter, you should stop complaining in the future.

    Namal Perera Wednesday, 19 September 2018 08:48 PM

    You cannot equal TERRORISTS or those who supported them as HUMAN. They should rot in Jail or Executed.

    Deepal Wednesday, 19 September 2018 09:05 PM

    unidentified atrocities were carried out by LTTE with the blessings of TNA and Soldiers liberated Tamils from the clutches of LTTE

    Gonsal Wednesday, 19 September 2018 09:22 PM

    Then don`t release them .

    Haramanis Wednesday, 19 September 2018 09:40 PM

    Solution - the Only Good Terrorist is a Dead Terrorist!!!

    LAW Wednesday, 19 September 2018 09:51 PM

    Those arrested and remanded are not Tamil political prisoners. They are Tamil militants; you are right they cannot be treated the same. Military personnel fought for the legitimate cause. Those lingering in the cells are terrorist by the definition of law. So if the state recommends amnesty please shut up and accept it.

    dickie bird Wednesday, 19 September 2018 09:53 PM

    Soldiers are superior in that they pay a price to defend the Sovereignty and the territorial integrity of a Country.Tamil prisoners are brain washed terrorist killing machines synchronised to act on the basis of a hidden agenda operated by a hidden hand.

    Sangan Wednesday, 19 September 2018 10:26 PM

    These Tamil prisoners are not LTTE Soldiers. They were arrested on suspicion of being involved with LTTE or other groups. All of them are just innocent civilians who were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

    Truth Thursday, 20 September 2018 12:27 AM

    You are absolutely right. However this is Sri Lanka. The government will move heaven and Earth to protect the soldiers who committed atrocities. If the government punish a soldier there could be a coup de tat and government will fall.

    Mr. TRUTH Thursday, 20 September 2018 12:54 AM

    Mr. Sumanthiram, how did LTTE murderers become POLITICAL prisoners? This is how you distort the facts. You distort everything to your advantage. Even when there is no homeland in Sri Lanka you claim North and East are your "homelands" This is distorting Sri Lanka's history. Let me remind you that your homeland is South India.

    Ram Thursday, 20 September 2018 02:03 AM

    Cannot disagree with Sumanthiran

    Lokka Thursday, 20 September 2018 03:47 AM

    He does not know the meaning of a 'political' prisoner. Please refer to the Oxford dictionary for its meaning.

    Thangarajah Thursday, 20 September 2018 04:47 AM

    In the Sinhalese community more than 90% are Buddhists so naturally the important Sinhalese Political leaders come from Buddhism. But among the Sri Lankan Tamil community even though similarly the Hindus are over 90%, the Tamil Christians and Catholics conspire and produce some one from their faith and make him a Chieftain.The foolish Hindu Tamils wake up,while you are relaxing the Christians and the Catholics are plotting.

    Bamunuarachchi Thursday, 20 September 2018 05:14 AM

    As you said our soliders and your so-called tamil political prisoners are not equal. In our point of view they are the members of a world's ruthless terrorist organisation. That is why world labeled them as terrorists. Actually they deserve a prison like a Guantanamo Bay prison.

    Mandayan Thursday, 20 September 2018 11:21 AM

    But our terrorists, JVPers was pardoned and now in Parliament as politicians. How?

    Antiterror Thursday, 20 September 2018 08:14 PM

    Death panelty for terrorists.. Bring in the law and pass it in the Parliament.

    Ceylon Thursday, 20 September 2018 09:24 PM

    Wasting the page of paper.over 1200 plus killers in jail for death but having good holiday for life time.


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