GTF sponsored event in Geneva ends in disarray

One of the side events organised by the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) to coincide with the UNHRC’S 37th session in Geneva was called off midway following a heated argument between the organisers and another group with opposing ideas, Global Sri Lankans Forum (GSLF) representatives on Monday, sources said.

Two side events organised by the GTF and the GSLF were held on Monday with the objective of making the international community aware of the progress made by the Sri Lankan government with regard to reconciliation.

At the GTF event, attended by GSLF representatives, GTF members including representative Paul Newman, accused the government of overpopulating Trincomalee with Sinhala people and also accused the Sinhalese of massacring Muslims.

At the GTF event, attended by GSLF representatives, GTF members including representative Paul Newman, accused the government of overpopulating Trincomalee with Sinhala people and also accused the Sinhalese of massacring Muslims

The GSLF representative Nalaka Godahewa took umbrage at these comments and pointed out that it was the LTTE which in 1990 had ordered the Muslims to vacate the Jaffna Peninsula within 48 hours and they, the LTTE, had been the ones that had massacred Muslims.

“The LTTE killed 147 Muslims who were praying inside a mosque in Kattankudi in 1990. Sinhalese don’t complain about the increasing Tamil population in Wellawatta during the past 100 years. Anyone, no matter which community you belong to, are free to reside anywhere in Sri Lanka,” he said.

At that point the GTF representatives had attempted to interrupt the GSLF speakers and the GSLF members had retaliated throwing the event into chaos.

GSLF Co-president of Israel Janith Wimala said the international community which shed crocodile tears over the killing of Tamils, was silent when Sinhalese were killed.

Sources said several GSLF members including Wasantha Keerthirathna, Kumari Muhandiram and Nimala Liyanapatabendi had been present at the event.