CBK says inequality breeds ‘terrorism’

30 November 2012 06:45 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga warned Thursday that inequality can fuel “terrorism” during a speech in Lagos.

“Poverty, socio-political injustices cause frustration and anger among the marginalised groups,” said the Sri Lankan leader, who led the south Asian nation from 1994 to 2005.

“The continued existence of inequality gives rise to violence and even terrorism,” she added.

Boko Haram Islamists have killed hundreds in Nigeria since 2009, with analysts arguing that crippling poverty in the mainly Muslim north is underlying much of the violence.

Kumaratunga was invited to speak by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, an independent think-tank that hosts an annual lecture by a prominent world leader.

She urged Nigeria, roughly split between Muslims and Christians and with some 250 ethnic groups, to “celebrate” diversity, adding that she had made efforts to reach out to members of the minority Tamil ethnic group while in power.

Sri Lanka’s 1972-2009 war with Tamil rebels claimed more than 100,000 lives, according to UN estimates.

In Nigeria, aside from Boko Haram’s campaign, clashes linked to ethnic and religious divides have killed thousands in Nigeria in recent years. (AFP)

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Comments - 31

Ponna Bibiley Friday, 30 November 2012 03:30 PM

Cunning woman

richardson Saturday, 01 December 2012 08:37 PM

Please don't give your 2 cents worth.

We are sick of it.

richardson Saturday, 01 December 2012 08:36 PM

What did she do when she was in power ???

Nearly sold 2\3 of the country to Prabakaran !!!!

Red Saturday, 01 December 2012 08:12 PM

Finally someone has understood that inequality results in terrorism...

richardson Saturday, 01 December 2012 07:49 AM

CHOURAWA AJINA

prasad Saturday, 01 December 2012 05:31 AM

Salute you ma'am! Only now we realize your importance.

nicky karunarathna Saturday, 01 December 2012 03:20 AM

It is disgrace to the university she attended in France, once upon a time learning seat of entire Europe. One have to understand how terrorism breed in societies. It is rather due to idelogies and racism.Inequality come with class struggles among masses.

Sinhala Man Saturday, 01 December 2012 02:00 AM

In politics nobody is a free agent. Don't blame her, blame the Rajapaksas for forcing themselves on us.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 01 December 2012 01:54 AM

Believe during your period we had equality. Acording to my personal view, after 1970, we didnt had equality. It died.

Lobo Saturday, 01 December 2012 01:47 AM

and a big difference between the way a man and a buffaloa thinks.

Lobo Saturday, 01 December 2012 01:45 AM

So smart now but so dumb when in power. Lots of the problems we have today started during your disastrous era.

Kalu Sudda Friday, 30 November 2012 10:47 PM

Anne Nona bamboowa pawitcha karana.

kane Friday, 30 November 2012 07:47 PM

Please don't keeping living in the past. You can never go back to the old days. So think what you should do at present.

Jagath Leanage Friday, 30 November 2012 05:56 PM

Are those words coming from mouth?

Political Illiterate Friday, 30 November 2012 05:51 PM

Did she appoint or the party (SLFP) appointed MR as their candidate? Well nobody else came forward for election. It was ananymous decision by all SLFP mambers and best candidate.

camas Friday, 30 November 2012 05:51 PM

I wonder she has any moral rights to talk about these things, she's utterly the worst leader we had and now trying hard to pave way for her son to bring into mainstream politics.

Hardball Friday, 30 November 2012 06:54 AM

It was started by you father when he made Sinhala the official language for narrow political gains.

buffaloa citizen Friday, 30 November 2012 11:58 AM

Their is difference the way a barbarian and a human being wishes to do things.

Junior Citizen Friday, 30 November 2012 11:31 AM

because you didn't have an answer to it

richardson Friday, 30 November 2012 11:15 AM

What a douche bag !!!

Rubert Vanderkoon Friday, 30 November 2012 10:16 AM

Probably true but that was long ago. The real question would be, what the heck did she do to make the society equal than offering everything to her friends when she was in power?

Just Another Citizen Friday, 30 November 2012 10:11 AM

Daddy dearest started it.

Rubert Vanderkoon Friday, 30 November 2012 10:13 AM

OMG ..I am outta here!

John Friday, 30 November 2012 09:45 AM

In fairness to CBK, whatever lapses during her reign, she was fair to all communities alike..

Kondebendapucheena Friday, 30 November 2012 09:39 AM

You are a History for us except for Mangala

Banduka Friday, 30 November 2012 09:30 AM

Very true ! They are hosting "bankrupt prominent world leaders" is more like it.

Gama Rala Friday, 30 November 2012 08:59 AM

CBK, Mind your business. We have had enough of you for so many years.

Senaka Friday, 30 November 2012 08:56 AM

You must still be thinking Sri Lankans are idiots. Don't think that we have forgotten what you have done during your regime. She must be eyeing next presidential election ?

Eagle Eyes Friday, 30 November 2012 07:29 AM

You would know about violence because you practiced it and know about inequality as you caused it. Why can't you just keep quiet.

HK Friday, 30 November 2012 07:23 AM

CBK is BACK ?

You& Ur-statement Friday, 30 November 2012 07:02 AM

you and your statement. You appointed MR as president so people this country now suffering including you. its a good soup for all of us. Now one pawl paksa government rueling in parliment and being president and other high level of ministerial posts.

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CBK says inequality breeds ‘terrorism’

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