Given the comments to the article I wrote on 19th May, I felt it was better to respond to them substantially.
The first question point I raise is still debatable – and clearly demonstrates the polarization in the North and South of the country. Whether the end of the war should be celebrated or mourned, if so in what way? In the past, I had used the example of a funeral and a party happening at the same time in one house of a group claiming to be one family and living in one house they call home. I believe this is still valid.
Perhaps while this is being discussed, in the short term, could we at least agree that people should have the freedom to do either or both without fear and intimidation?
Which brings me to the second focus of my original article – my insistence about the right of any family to cry, mourn, grieve, have religious rituals on a day of their choosing – irrespective of who the victim was or perpetrator was. Civilians, soldiers and LTTE cadres were amongst those killed and the military and LTTE are both responsible for the killings and other abuses.
It is the military that is trying to prevent and stop grieving and mourning.
Let me share more of my views on these: Continue reading »
