Terrorism-Insulting It's Victims & Politicizing the Misery of Mr. Raviraj's Family

By Darmitha-Kotte

Through 25 years of terrorism wreaked out by LTTE on civilians, government institutions, politicians (both Tamil and Sinhalese), and Buddhist, Hindu and Muslims pilgrims many thousands of lives have been shamelessly destroyed " in an open abattoir " called Sri Lankan society. The respect for precious human life in the name of a mythical "Tamil Homeland" has been reduced to zero levels. We may ask "what is the difference between a butcher and an LTTE terrorist?" None whatsoever! The only difference, is that human life is considered to be more precious than an animal life- the end result unfortunately is the same-merciless death. Those who perpetrate such horrendous acts no doubt, get an enormous thrill out of the suffering inflicted on innocent people.

This is exactly what we have witnessed during the past week in the aftermath of the bomb blast which destroyed the life of TNA parliamentarian Mr. Nadarajah Raviraj, Police Constable Lakshman Lokuwella and others. Human life whether it be Mr. Raviraj's or Lakshman Lokuwella's is equally precious to their immediate families who have both lost a son, husband and father! None other than their immediate families will have genuine sorrow for having lost their dear ones. We deeply regret and offer our heartfelt sympathies to the families that have been victimized in this recent blast. In "The Nation" of 12th November 2006 in an article titled "Lokuwella: The bodyguard who accompanied Raviraj" it is stated "He was a father of two sons and resided at Nilammahara,Gampaha. Speaking about Lokuwella the slain parliamentarian Raviraj's mother Mangaleswary Nadaraja said that she was equally saddened by the death of Policeman. " I am very upset about his death as well. It is a burden to me. He was very dear to us. He was very close to us disregarding that he was a Sinhalese. He was very innocent and I am very sorry for his family and two small sons" she said (end quote). Where is the evidence of an ethnic conflict? Sinhalese and Tamils live in the south without enmity while the LTTE and their cohorts proclaim worldwide that there is enmity between the Sinhalese and Tamils! Even Mr. Raviraj who was a MP and Deputy Mayor of Jaffna opted to live more in the south among the Sinhalese rather than live in the North- was there a particular reason we may ask? It was probably safer for him and his family down here!

In this cloud of sadness most unfortunately, we have seen a particular faction of our society(both expatriate and locals) who have reveled in capitalizing and politicizing this dastardly act to the level that is can almost be considered vulgar and perverse! They have behaved in the most uncivilized manner by using the body of the late Mr. Nadarajah Raviraj for their particular agendas. The enthusiasm with which photographs show Mr. Kumar Rupasinghe, Mr. Rajitha Senarathne and Mr. Dilan Perera who is also a deputy minister of the incumbent government, show that there is something much more than mere sadness at the death of Mr. Raviraj? In a big show of sympathy they were seen carrying the coffin of Mr. Raviraj being taken in procession from Kanatte to the New Town Hall but after that, the coffin was left behind when they got into their vehicles and left the scene while leaving the bereaved family to bring back the coffin to its place of rest until it was flown to Jaffna for the final rites! Did these personalities dare to follow the body to Jaffna and attend the funeral together with the LTTE when they were supposed to confer on him a posthumous title? One should not insult the dead and departed but most of all, one must not insult the families of the bereaved by being so insensitive.

The placards that were seen in the photos published had "SHAME" written in all 3 languages. Shame must be pointed at the terrorists who have reduced human life to such a valueless state! Sri Lanka has lost brave members of our Armed Forces through 25 years of terrorism but have these "great sympathizers" even ventured to speak on their behalf? The motives behind their actions are too naked.

Foreigners and Expatriate Sri Lankans who live out of INGO and NGO activities in Sri Lanka and who wish to interfere in the internal affairs of this country are making every effort to destabilize and fragment the nation. To them anything serves a purpose provided they can earn of out the misery of others! In the aftermath of the death of Mr. Raviraj, this is what has been exposed more than ever before! The National Peace Council and "Anti-War Front" are only masks behind which they hide their true colours.