Military presence in north should not be judged – Japan

20 August 2012 08:45 pm - 56 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Japanese government said yesterday that the military presence in the North should not be judged at the moment since it was a moving process and noted that the presence of the security forces was decreasing.

“The military presence was decreasing in the north; however it is too early to judge it because it’s a moving process,” Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Nabuhito Hobo told Daily Mirror yesterday. He made this remark after the signing of a grant contract, in Colombo yesterday, to provide Rs. 11.7 million in agricultural assistance to the Vavuniya District.

He also noted that grant assistance and donor funding to Sri Lanka had been reduced due to Sri Lanka achieving middle income status. However, he noted that there was interest regarding investment in the country in small projects at the grassroots level.

Commenting on the resettlement process in the north, he said that it had proceeded speedily in comparison with other countries, and added that resettlement was a long term process and there needed to be a focus on long-term livelihood development. (Dianne Silva)

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Comments - 56

Imran Hussein Tuesday, 21 August 2012 07:07 AM

Japanese are the most polite nation on earth. They are so careful when they say something. Read it ones again, HE the Ambassador says its 'too early' to judge. Hence they are waiting and watching the process.
Some hardliners from both sides divert or interprit this statement the way they wish.

ind Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:36 AM

He said it well and spot on. Nothing to say more than that.

ajith fernando Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:36 AM

Dear Sir, Thanks for your donation for the name of poor farmers in this country. But please make sure to have a proper monitoring system that the funds are reaching the farmers.

Lobo Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:42 AM

What is this 'high-handedness' you write about? Is it like the grease-yakkas which everyone talked about but could never find?

Lobo Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:46 AM

Tamils living abroad don't realize that by criticizing SL they only play into the hands of the govt who will magnify whats been said and respond threefold so as to divert peoples attention away from the other urgent issues in SL by playing the patriotic card.

Arun Tuesday, 21 August 2012 05:18 AM

Why should they visit, a simple phone call will clarify if they are enjoying life in N/E, after all they are their family members not some alien people..

Shazan Tuesday, 21 August 2012 05:31 AM

If they didn't talk how did LTTE get ban all over the world?Military is for people, if it affects the very people it is supposed to serve and people complain it makes the military lose reputation.

Shazan Tuesday, 21 August 2012 05:36 AM

What if the people complain?They complain the presence of army in all activities of their life, living int he same country how can you ignore their complaints?

Prasad_Pieris Tuesday, 21 August 2012 05:35 AM

you are the group of people who used the war to find greener pastures and now make inane comments without knowing the true situation

Lobo Tuesday, 21 August 2012 06:01 AM

A very prejudiced comment warped by enmity.

Nodrog Tuesday, 21 August 2012 06:05 AM

How many foreign dignitaries from India, UK, Canada, Germany etc and the UN visited the North and spoke to the people but so far there has been not many adverse comments. Your thoughts are welcome but should not be biased and must have some substance.

kumar Tuesday, 21 August 2012 06:26 AM

Are you joking? safety from whom? In any democratic county, Law and order should be maintained by the Police not by the Army.

rohan jurangpathy Tuesday, 21 August 2012 06:47 AM

hatred is not ceased by hatred but by love - JRJ - THATS Y THEY LOVE OUR COUNTRY - NOW NO WORDS TO MATCH OR SAY TO THE WORDS OF WISDOM OF WHTS GNG TO FOLLOW OF OUR COUNTRY

jacoob Tuesday, 21 August 2012 06:46 AM

Lobbo, looks like you know of it .. cats out the bag and the mulbury bush !!!

ind Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:35 AM

Well said.

patana Tuesday, 21 August 2012 07:58 AM

The japanese also need to let the chinese take those disputed islands as it is also a moving process.

MAH Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:21 AM

They are not just being nice, they are thinking with their brains from a neutral perspective. They have done much for this country without asking for something in return.

Raj Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:15 AM

"Fortifying their positions" what rubbish. It only comes from those who think the Northern Province is something other than a part of Sri Lanka. Those who speak and behave from the outside as if N and E provinces are Eelam. Wake up. They were under the control of the LTTE, that is why there were no security forces there before. It is the sovereign right of that country to have military anywhere in the country they see fit. Give SL a break and get on with your live in Germany.

Raj Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:06 AM

He is the Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, I am sure he has taken a tour. That is how they know what and where to provide aid.

MAH Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:22 AM

The island does not belong to China. They want to take it now because it will give them territorial access to more underwater natural gas supplies. The seas they claim as theirs belong rightfully to Taiwan and Vietnam. They ran over Tibetan culture and keep moving. They are an arrogant government. Get your news straight.

Raj Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:28 AM

Patana learn your history. Learn about what the Chinese are doing to their neighbors, what they did to their own citizens in the Cultural Revolution, what they are doing to the average citizen now. The Chinese are behaving very aggressively toward the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan for resources that they need but are not entitled too.

Arun Tuesday, 21 August 2012 10:01 AM

Speaking of China they are doing politics on history straight of fantasy..They claim islands the whole of China, just because it is named South "China" Sea, can India claim "Indian" Ocean as their just for the name..

thamby Tuesday, 21 August 2012 10:02 AM

The army has every right to oversee the whole country.Where trouble started they have to be there. It is for the Tamils to be honest and truthful and willing to assimilate and not cause any further problems like their ltte. Let this lesson be learnt lest we forget. Their brethrens are running to other countries and condemning Sri Lanka. The diaspora and Transnational are creating other problems. I and all my friends think there should more army personell in the area. We surely dont want another terrorist problem.

Anu Tuesday, 21 August 2012 10:19 AM

Preparing the ground for Akasi visit

Fusion Tuesday, 21 August 2012 10:13 AM

Japan has plenty of interests in SL just like US, China & India. Japan is just being polite (for now at least). The US will be polite to us if we manage to do what they say. There are no friends when it comes local or international politics, there are only interests.

Me Tuesday, 21 August 2012 11:24 AM

Awkward, cos no one here even mentioned eelam or anything- garawi, guess you're the one who's actually barking...

And how can you assume that someone living in Germany doesn't know anything about life in the north? Do you live in the north? What if nadaraja has family there?

Instead of choosing to take the easy way out and saying that the tamils in sri lanka are happy, open your mind and see that the fundamental issues have not been addressed yet!

Silva Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:06 PM

Nonsense of a Japanese Buddhist supporting the fanatics in SL

sam Tuesday, 21 August 2012 02:46 AM

Japan seems to be having a good business with srilanka,... go and meet the poor people in the north-east, dont flow statements with the glass of wine on your hands

mendis Monday, 20 August 2012 09:11 PM

Don't get carried away. Japanese people are very nice and only say nice things without offending others.

Iqbal Monday, 20 August 2012 09:11 PM

Japanese ambassador must also listen to the people in the north and east, who are at the receiving end of the high handedness of the military.

nadarajah rajendra Monday, 20 August 2012 09:48 PM

the miltary is fortifing their potitions in the north. you know this
if you do not know the situation about the north please take a tour with one of the TNA MPs and then make statements
Do not make utter wrong statements.
nadarajah rajendra
germany

Jayantha Monday, 20 August 2012 09:46 PM

What if India makes it an Issue to return our Refugees back home until the Armed Forces are removed from the North??
They did invade East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on this Issue.

fm Monday, 20 August 2012 11:20 PM

japanese understanding whats going on north please follow other countrys too.

cabs Monday, 20 August 2012 11:09 PM

military presence in North is no one's business. It's upto SL govt to decide what to do. When LTTE presence was full force in North no one talk about it. Look how many innocent people were killed by these LTTE terrorists.

Nadalal Fernando Monday, 20 August 2012 11:55 PM

Hope Japanes Govt NOT TO INTERFER internal SECURITY AND SAFTY OF SRI LANKAN.That is NON OF BUSNIESS OF JAPAN..Many foreing countries of WAST had been support for LTTE terrorist during 30 yaers war.There are SOLID evdince Japan give some military support for LTTE.. Now Japan should NOT talk of Security and ARMED FROCES in NORTH and East of Sri lanka,We wish Japanese PEOPEL WILL respect and accpect our country natioanl SOVERIGNTY of Sri lankan Nation.

Rajarathnam Monday, 20 August 2012 11:56 PM

Well said

nalaka Tuesday, 21 August 2012 12:52 AM

we can have our army where ever we want within sri lankan territory that should not be a problem for japan who people seems to have invaded an island belonging to china few days back

moda paba Tuesday, 21 August 2012 01:08 AM

still rememember CFA signing day. just like lion king story. Japan not froget us. thank you sir.

SL Tuesday, 21 August 2012 01:09 AM

Well said Japan government. Thanks for understanding the real situation.

Ayam Tuesday, 21 August 2012 02:41 AM

Thanks Japanese Gov.

Ajith Tuesday, 21 August 2012 02:25 AM

What else can he say?

Gayan Samarasekara Monday, 20 August 2012 09:10 PM

Japan is on right view.

sach Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:06 AM

Ha ha one asks the Jap envoy to take a tour in N&E before commenting on N&E and he comments on N while staying in Germany.

Lobo Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:18 AM

Nadaraja, at least you had the guts to use your real name unlike some who have commented using SInhala names. We should not take any MPs word on the situ in Jaffna as they usually exaggerate the actual situation to suit their own agenda. Some Jaffna citizens are glad of the military presence because of the prevalent extortion and other crimes.

Prasanna Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:31 AM

Well said !!

Nodrog Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:37 AM

Those who are concerned about their safety will welcome the presence of the army. However those whose nefarious activities are being curtailed due to the army presence will object and make false stories to get them out.

Nodrog Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:51 AM

Jayanthan, from what we have read about the condition of the camps in India the refugees must be wishing they were back in SL. As for India invading SL....dream on!

garawi Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:52 AM

What do you know about the tamils living in Sri Lanka when you are having a cosy time in Germany! All LTTE remnants outside Sri Lanka are barking at the wrong tree while the tamils in Sri Lanka are working for the betterment of the community. Instead of empty barking help them. Forget Ealam or TGTE, That will never happen , an illusion and utopia!

buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:58 AM

Hello Ambassador...go talk to the grassroot level people of the north and then make your comment. Talk to over 4000 war widows, 3200 orphans, refugees alone and not in the presence of the armed forces or government officials, thereafter talk to those fellows who are almost daily trying to risk their lives and go to Australia and the reason why?

bandara Tuesday, 21 August 2012 03:47 AM

Japan is one of the few genuine friends of SL don't accuse anyone not supportive of your govt.'s stand as supporters of LTTE.
What evidence do you have of Japan giving military support to LTTE.

FLY Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:15 AM

why dont you come up and visit poor citizens in noth east and expereince yourself. some of your diasipora guys dont wish these people getting help to stand on thier feet. LTTE mentality

Nero Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:01 AM

That is why the US does not allow Japan to have a fully fledged military.

Jena Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:12 AM

bro, u r rite.. if all the people r ready to think a bit in other's perspective too, then prosperous future won't be impossible here in Sri Lanka..

ind Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:24 AM

They are receiving more than enough at the moment, compare to other parts of Sri Lanka. New equipped hospitals, new roads, everything going to be new.

siri lankan Tuesday, 21 August 2012 04:34 AM

Because presence and place in a tiny land not vital It is fire power that is important which is permitted to be acquired.

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Military presence in north should not be judged – Japan

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