Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa called on people to “protect our motherland from enemy forces” in a New Year’s message released yesterday.
“I wish all Sri Lankans a new year full of new hope and optimism,” he said.
“With the dawn of 2019, it is my fervent hope that all Sri Lankans will be able to lay aside differences based on religion and ethnicity and unite to protect our motherland from enemy forces”.
Rajapaksa headed the Sri Lankan government as it launched a massive military offensive that killed tens of thousands of Tamils in 2009. The operation saw widespread bombing of civilian targets, including hospitals, sexual violence and the execution of surrendering Tamils. To date, no one has been held accountable for the crimes committed.
His message comes after Rajapaksa gave up the post of prime minister last month, following his appointment by current president Maithripala Sirisena in October. Though he gave up the post, Rajapaksa retains strong popularity amongst Sinhala Buddhists.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
