LTTE Did Not Represent Tamils, Says Mangala
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says the LTTE terror did not represent the hopes and aspirations of the majority of the Tamil community.
He made this observation while speaking at the Meeting of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers in Malta, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
He said that as radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism undermine the core Commonwealth values of democracy and pluralism, the Commonwealth states should direct its focus towards collective efforts in countering these efforts.
“However, in countering terrorism, we must be careful in distinguishing between the perpetrators of terror and the wider communities they claim to represent. Just as the LTTE terror, which we in Sri Lanka experienced for several decades did not represent the hopes and aspirations of the majority of the Tamil community, the brutal and heinous terrorism of the IS does not in way reflect the values of Islam, which is, to the majority of its followers, a great religion of peace. Therefore all counter terrorism programmes must be accompanied by a vigorous plan to win the hearts and minds of the people whom the terrorists claim to represent,” he said.
The Foreign Minister said that young people who comprise nearly 60% of the Commonwealth’s population have an important role in building stable, secure and prosperous societies and Commonwealth Programmes can help raise awareness of risks radicalisation and prevent young people from embracing violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms.
(The Sunday Leader)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Customs launches 4-day drive to clear container backlog January 31, 2025
- Three shot dead in Hiniduma, Galle January 31, 2025
- Governor Hanif Yusoof files CID complaint against ‘Baseless’ allegations January 30, 2025
- Sri Lanka’s 77th Independence Day celebrations open to public January 30, 2025
- Former Public Administration Secretary Priyantha Mayadunne arrested January 30, 2025
The Foreign Minister, Managala S, not only appears but I believe is totally confused.
As mangala says, “LTTE terror did not represent the hopes and aspirations of the majority of the Tamil community.”
Quite succinct too.
But, the LTTE’s strategic philosophy professed the concept of “tow distinct states within the shores of one island”.
The tamils believe in that concept even if the majority failed to condone the terror tactics of the LTTE.
Kudraj!
Who named you Kudraj? KudUraj would have been more appropriate. Your writing style resembles that of another phoney Ganjapani Gorakapola who I understand from my Ausie Srilankan friends lives in a leafy prosperous suburb of Sydney driving around in a flashy BMW wearing designer cloths not to mention T shirts with his company logo! Apparently as pass time he keeps news starved onlanka readers entertained with his witty intelligent scribes. The octanarian AUJ and patriotic Nicholas Dias simply love him. My guess is you Kudraj and Ganja are nothing but one and the same! Own up Kudu.