The Island Features Saturday 17th March, 2012 13

“The killing of innocent civilians is him to avoid prison. That is the account- outrageous and it’s unacceptable. It’s ability that Obama promises about latest not who we are as a country and it does massacre in Afghanistan, but certainly not represent our military,” Obama said, not what is asked of from . in his call of apology. A U.S. military There must be a different standard for investigation “will follow the facts wher- Sri Lanka, Channel 4 must be vindicat- ever they lead us, and we will make sure ed, all the propagandists of the LTTE, that anybody who was involved is held who even donated funds to the Hillary fully accountable with the full force of Clinton election campaign, must be the law,” he added. pleased and Sri Lanka must be pun- How wonderful. If only Sri Lanka can ished. Are you shocked and saddened or say that and the even mildly heart- Obama/Clinton broken at it his duo would be sat- diabolical duplici- isfied. But we ty on humanitari- must take Obama an law? at his word. The If Panetta killer will be held spoke of war fully accountable being hell, there with the full are others too who “Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one conflict that bled our coun- force of the law. have remembered man have try for three decades and Well the fact is hell earlier this Before he can hear people cry? had its bloody spill over to that he has week. In a side Yes ‘n’ how many deaths will it take neighbouring India, too. already been event organized by till he knows We, too, have reason to be spirited out of LUCIEN RAJAKARUNANAYAKE Human Rights That too many people have died? shocked, saddened and more Afghanistan to Watch in Geneva, The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in than heartbroken when the US Kuwait, while the with the full the wind Defence Secretary Leon Afghan people want him to be tried in intent of attacking Sri Lanka, the usual The answer is blowin’ in the wind” Panetta, commenting on last that country because the victims were brigade was present – Pakiasothy —- Bob Dylan Sunday’s rampage and mas- Afghan, men, women and children. Saravanamuttu, Nimalka Fernando, and sacre of civilians in Obama will have none of that and there Sunila Abeysekera. There was nothing illary Clinton was ‘shocked and Afghanistan said, “War is will be no backing for this Afghan good they knew or could say of this saddened like many Americans’ hell,”… “These kind of demand by Amnesty International or country. No matter, it is their right to Hat last Sunday’s predawn ram- events and incidents are Human Rights Watch. Not even the express their beliefs, whether paid for, page by a US soldier in Afghanistan, going to take place. various champions of Asian Human well earned or not. Nimalka Fernando, which left nine children, three women They’ve taken place in Rights will demand justice by the who loves to shine in such bashings of and four men dead in two villages in any war. They’re terri- Afghan people in this shocking, Sri Lanka, was angry and lashed out at rural Kandahar province. ble events. This is not saddening and heartbreaking the British for sending back failed asy- In Washington, US President Barak the first of those events, tragedy, lum seekers from Sri Lanka, yes, back to Obama said officials were ‘heartbroken’ and they probably won’t There will be accountability, as Sri Lanka. She does not explain where by the deaths, but have no plans to be the last.” Obama said, and the example is else they could be sent. Asked whether change course in the decade old War on Panetta really knows already available in the Haditha she thought that the British were blind Terror. about war and that it is Massacre in Iraq – where, too, US to the NGO assertion that Sri Lanka was Being shocked and saddened and feel- hell. And hell is no place and NATO are fighting a war on a ‘hellhole’, Nimalka had shot back: ing heartbroken is the favourite refrain where there is much terror. At a time when accountabil- “The British are the same as Sri Lanka.” of leaders, both civil and military, over respect for humanitarian ity by Sri Lanka is the chorus of If Leon Panetta knew that war was the continued killings, by the US and laws or human rights. It the ‘international community’ hell, Nimalka Fernando certainly knows NATO troops, in Afghanistan today, as it was to end that kind of a (minus the most populous countries a helluva lot about hellholes. She has was in Iraq not long ago. Expressions of hell for the US troops that of the world), the US accountability lumped Sri Lanka and Britain together sorrow and laments of heartbreak read- another, even more blazing on the Haditha Massacre is unique, as hellholes. But what is interesting is ily wash away any allegations of war and destructive hell was created standing out as a example of the that she prefers the failed asylum seek- crimes, human rights violations or vio- by the US when it used atom bombs for duplicity of the US and all of the ers to remain in the British hellhole lations of humanitarian law by the the first time on Hiroshima and ears of Obama and Hillary Clinton to be great champions of human rights etc than be sent to the Sri Lanka hellhole. It forces of countries that are labouring to Nagasaki to end the Japanese resistance actually shocked, saddened and heart- ranged against Sri Lanka today, is only demons that know full well what teach democracy to the Islamic world. in World War II. Panetta must also be broken at the tragedies faced in liberat- In the Haditha Massacre, 24 civilians, hell is all about so I presume Nimalka While deeply shocked and saddened knowing what a hell it must have been ing nearly 300,000 Tamils from the unarmed men, women and children were has such hellish experiences behind her and with great feelings of heartbreak at for the Sri Lankan troops and Tamil clutches of their terrorist ‘liberators’ of killed by a group of United States with hell fires burning behind her as she the tragedies taking place, they will con- civilians, who were the human shield of the tiger stripe and to act with such feel- Marines on November 19, 2005 in raves and rants against Sri Lanka. But tinue to let the drones fly and pick off the LTTE, in the fighting to defeat and ings of genuine sadness at what Sri Haditha in western Iraq. The dead there is another twist to this hellhole the targets in villages, where one has eliminate the most ruthless terrorist Lanka has gone through. include several children and elderly peo- vulgarism. Nimalka Fernando obviously only the word of the military strategists organization in the world, as Sri Lanka Every attempt is made to bring Sri ple, who were shot multiple times at believes that a white British hellhole is that those killed are Taliban activists was compelled to do 2009, culminating Lanka to the dock for liberating people close range while unarmed. better than a brown Sri Lankan one for and Afghan or Pakistan civilians. in May that year. from terror and restoring peace with And what was the great US accounta- the failed asylum seekers to remain This is the reality of war today and All the charges against Sri Lanka are civilian casualties in the hell that is bility? By the time of the trial, charges there. The British Border Control the actuality of the situation on war about that bloody period that unmistak- war. But, we are assured by none other against six Marines had been dropped, authorities had better get some lessons crimes and the violations of humanitar- able hell, when civilians were used as than Barack Obama, President of the and a seventh Marine had been acquit- from Nimalka Fernando as to how best ian law. Obama and Clinton with David human shields by the leaders of terror USA that he has told Afghan President ted in a court martial. After several days to manage a hellhole. She is an expert on Cameron and Nikolas Sarkozy thrown and their lesser ranks with the full Karzai that the United States takes the of spotty evidence about the last remain- raging fires of hellish NGO funds. in for good measure are squeaky clean knowledge of their propagandists and rampage of civilians of last Sunday ing defendant, Staff Sgt Frank Wuterich, Let’s all be shocked, saddened and when it comes to the charges that are fund raisers of then and today, who ‘seriously as if it was our own citizens who admitted telling his men to ‘shoot heartbroken about hellholes and the new being leveled today with such force claim to be the Tamil Diaspora. But and our own children who were mur- first and ask questions later’, the mili- think on accountability. against Sri Lanka at how we ended a Panetta does not even whisper in the dered’. tary agreed to a plea bargain allowing

SL Ports Authority make 324 for five Premier League Tier ‘A’ against Saracens SC Openers steer Ragama The three half centuries made by Supun Nirmala scored 61 runs for Police. Openers Udara Jayasundera and Ian Kasun Madushanka 2/68, Chathuranga at stumps on day in the Premier League Hashan Gunathilleke, Shantha Kalavitigoda Brief Scores: Daniel shared a 252-run-stand as Ragama de Silva 2/22) Tier ‘A’ match which commenced at and Tharidu Mendis guided SL Ports Police SC 220 all out in 67.4 overs (Supun put into bat reached 453 for four wickets Moors SC 57 for 1 in 14 overs Kalutara yesterday. Authority to 324 for 5 wickets in their Nirmala 61, Aruna Priyantha 35; Suwanji against Tamil Union in the Premier Chilaw Marians on top Brief Scores: Premier League Tier ‘B’ match against Madanayake 3/59, Andy Solomons 2/34) League Tier ‘A’ match which commenced In reply to Chilaw Marians’ total of 302 Badureliya SC 235 all out in 76.4 overs Saracens SC which commenced at Saracens BRC 50 for no wicket in 10 overs at P. Sara Oval, yesterday.Jayasundera runs Lankan CC were deep in trouble (T.N. Sampath 85, Ravinda Shamen 72, SC grounds yesterday. scored 120 (4x14) off 136 deliveries while struggling at 103 for four wickets at Indika Maligaspe 22; Sajeewa Weerakoon Brief Scores: Kavinga takes Army to 264 Daniel Scored 121 (4x18) off 163 deliveries. stumps on day one in the Premier League 5/73, Ishan Jayaratne 2/25, Viraj SL Ports Authority 324 for 5 wkts in 84 Rishan Kavinga’s 91 runs helped SL Brief Scores: Tier ‘A’ match which commenced at Pushpakumara 2/48) overs (Hashan Gunathilleke 76, Shantha Army to scored 264 in their Premier League Ragama CC 453 for 4 wkts in 87 overs Moors Grounds yesterday. Colts CC 79 for 4 wkts in 16 overs Kalavitigoda 82, Tharidu Mendis 68 n.o.; Tier ‘B’ match against CC which com- (Udara Jayasundera 120, Ian Daniel 121, Milinda Siriwardana and Janaka (Shihan Kamileen 20 n.o.; Shalika Denuwan Fernando 2/51) Vs Saracens SC menced at Maitland Crescent yesterday. Rumesh Buddika 52, Indiaka de Sara 67; Gunaratne were impressive with the bat Karunanayake 2/25) Brief Scores: Isuru Udana 2/87, Jeevan Mendis 2/115) scoring 63 runs each. Kurunegala YCC post 214 SL Army 264 all out in 57.2 overs (Rishan Vs Tamil Union Brief Scores: Samaraweera whacks century Kurunegala YCC posted 214 against Kavinga 92, Roshan Jayatissa 66; Maduka Chilaw Marians 302 all out in 61 for SSC Panadura SC in their Premier League Tier Liyanapathiranage 5/109, Sameera Perera Bloomfield post 361 overs (Milinda Siriwardana 63, Janaka scored 102 runs ‘B’ match which commenced at Panadura 3/71) Three half centuries by Chamara Gunaratne 63, Arosh Janoda 42, Umesh as SSC posted 209 in their Premier yesterday.Charith Tissera’s and Gayan CCC 105 for 7 wkts in 32 overs (S. Silva, Dilshan Munaweera and Sanjaya Karunaratne 34; Rajeeva Weerasinghe League Tier ‘A’ match at NCC yesterday. Maneshan’s half centuries were the high- Nandalal 28; Ravindra Palleguruge 3/21) Gangodawila helped Bloomfield make 361 3/72, Sujeewa de Silva 2/23, Saliya Saman Samaraweera’s knock included seven light for Kurunegala YCC. Panadura in in their Premier League Tier ‘A’ match 2/42) fours and one six. NCC in reply were 66 reply were 67 for one wicket at stumps/ Navy on top against Moors SC which commenced at Lankan CC 103 for 4 wkts in 29 overs for 4 wickets at stumps. Brief Scores: Lasanda Rukmal and Chamila Gamage Reid Avenue yesterday. (Damitha Hunukumbura 44; Malinda Brief Scores: Kurunegala YCC 214 all out in 62.2 overs shared eight wickets between them as SL Moors SC in reply were 57 for 1 at Pushpakumara 2/37) SSC 209 all out in 68 overs (Thilan (Charith Tissera 60, Gayan Maneshan 56; Navy got the upper hand over SL Air Force stumps. Samaraweera 102, Kaushal Silva 33; Upul Nilantha Cooray 3/34, Danuja de Silva 2/37, in their Premier Tier ‘B’ match which com- Brief Scores: Badureliya, Colts evenly poised Chandana 4/44, 3/64, Sampath Perera 2/48) menced at Riffle Green yesterday. Bloomfield 361 for 64.5 overs The match between Badureliya and Akalanka Ganegama 2/20) Panadura SC 67 for 1 wicket in 21 overs Brief Scores: (Chamara silva 86, Dilshan Munaweera Colts CC was evenly poised with NCC 66 for 4 wkts in 26 overs SL Air Force 150 all out in 48.3 overs 79, Sanjaya Gangodawila 67, Tharanga Badureliya SC posting a total of 235 and (Demintha Dahanayake 32 n.o.; Tharanga Police scores 220 (Ajith Kumara 30 n.o. ; Madawa Perera 5/48) Lakshitha 29; Shehan Jayasuriya 5/95, Colts CC responding with 79 for 4 wickets Paranavitana 2/14) (RS) Police SC posted 220 runs in their SL Navy 61 for 8 wkts in 30 overs Premier League tier ‘B’ match against BRC (Lasanda Rukmal 5/23, Chamila Gamage which commenced at Police Park yesterday. 3/27) Chamara Silva first to score Bowlers hold the cards as Thomians look to 1000 runs this season BY ROSHEN STEELMAN runs averaging 79.61 per Middle order batsman innings. Silva’s highest freeze Royal’s mean streak Chamara Silva came-up with a score was 216 runs made magnificent and rare perform- against SSC. 37th Royal Thomian Limited Overs encounter ance when he became the first Only two players have batsmen to score 1000 runs in passed 1000 runs in the BY CHATHURA PINNAWALA inspired Royal to drubbings and previous this year’s Premier League recent Premier League his- two years was capped off by Chalaka Tournament. Silva reached the tory. Sri Lanka’s opening Runs were piled at will and the records Bogoda-another left hander-and Ramith milestone when scoring 86 runs batsman Tillakaratne tumbled cold heartedly, but the last week’s Rambukwella’s contrasting centuries in his team’s match against Dilshan scored 100 runs in amnesic memory at a SSC featherbed with the latter being a hurricane and the Moors SC played at Reid Avenue 1999 and Dinesh Chandimal won’t have any bearing this week when other a more of a pleasant downpour. yesterday. Playing in nine scored 1000 the previous sea- Royal College take on S. Thomas’ College matches, Silva has scored 1035 Chamara Silva son. in their 37th annual limited overs Squads: encounter for the Mustangs Trophy at Royal - Imal Liyanage (), SSC grounds today. Devind Pathmanathan, Milan SSC was so ruthless for bowlers last Abeysekara, Heshan Kumarasiri, week that a result became non-event too Sampath De Silva, Gaurav Deva, Poorna Australia wins toss, elects to bat easily, but the irony is, the same unlucky Aluthge, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru souls who tried their hearts out for bar- Gunathilaka, Ronaka Ahangamage, first versus West Indies ren rewards will be the focal point as the Anupa Thilakaratne, Anjana kudahetti winner could well be the school that Supun Subasinghe Harith Samarasinghe. KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (AP) — Carlton Baugh, Darren Sammy (cap- comes up with a more superior bowling S. Thomas’- Sachin Peiris (Captain), Australia captain Shane Watson won tain), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, effort. Royal have had cruise-control in Umesh Fernando, Asiri Wickramanayake, the toss and chose to bat first against Kemar Roach. the last three years in this clash and it Devin Jayasinghe, Javed Bongso, Chamod West Indies in the opening one-day Australia: Shane Watson (captain), was under V.Weerawardene that Pathirana, Thilaksha Sumanasiri, cricket international at Arnos Vale David Warner, Peter Forrest, Michael Thomians last had the last laugh. In the Madushan Ravichandrakumar, Rishane Sports Complex on Friday. Hussey, David Hussey, George Bailey, past three years the southpaw trio of Mathangaweera, Danush Peiris, Dilum West Indies: Johnson Charles, Matthew Wade, Daniel Christian, Brett Yasitha Abeykoon, Bhanuka Rajapaksha Fernando, Usman Ishak, H. Nanayakkara, Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels, Darren Lee, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty. and Ramith Rambukwella have all Sahan Wijesinghe, Ramith Gunaratne. Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo,