Whose truth? > Letters

Our series "Whose Truth?" generated a great volume of letters and phone calls.
Here are three letters that express the diverse views we heard:

Dear Sirs,

The tsunamis that hit Sri Lanka were a tragedy not only for the Tamils but for all communities that inhabit the island. You could say the same for the civil war.

If the truth is hard to find it is because the issue is extremely complicated. As well, 'truth' has been distorted by the separatists in order to make their case and by refugees who want to justify their entry into countries such as ours.

Both the Sinhalese and Tamils are to blame for the mess the country is in. The Sinhalese politicians have wasted their country by their selfishness and lack of foresight. Tamil politicians overreached and gave birth to the vicious and uncompromising Tamil Tigers.

The ordinary Sinhalese and Tamil want to live in amity and this is a reality in much of the country. Tamils live in peace and prosper throughout the so-called Government-controlled areas. The Tiger-controlled areas are a different matter. The Sinhalese have been driven away and the Tamils have to swear obedience to Prabhakaran, the Tiger supremo. Death comes quickly to those who disobey.

With its large Tamil diaspora, what can Canada do to help?

Finally, you use language that makes it appear that the whole country is in ruin. That may make for good copy but it is most inaccurate. Most parts of Sri Lanka are completely safe and normal. Just don't go into some of the Tiger-controlled areas --- especially if you are Tamil and an avowed political opponent of the Tigers.

Re: Whose Truth,

For a long time I have admired your unbiased and mostly fair interview style... until this morning when that view was rudely shaken by a question you asked of Dr. John Thompson. You wanted to know whether his views were formulated by input from the Sinhalese "the enemies of the Tamils".

Let me tell you Andy, the Sinhalese are NOT the enemies of the Tamils, nor vice-versa and you do us both a disservice by saying so.

Moreover, you also become a mouthpiece for the LTTE who profit immeasurably by such a statement being broadcast - would you have EVER thought to say something like "Muslims are the enemies of the Jews" or "Québécois are the enemies of English-speaking Canada"? Indeed, would you have been permitted to?

I think not.

I can only assume and hope you did this inadvertantly and not on purpose.

Our collective enemy are the politicians who use us to further their own ends. This applies to both the LTTE, who brook no opposition to themselves, parts of the democratically-elected Government of Sri Lanka and those who would stand to lose the enormous profits this conflict generates.

The CBC has rarely, if ever, bothered to interview a Sinhalese about this conflict. At first, I thought it was simply that you were ignorant of their existence and it's easier to demonise them that way (like Saddam). But obviously, you know Sinhalese exist so why is it that the CBC has not seen fit to view the other side of the coin?

For example, Mary Wiens' pieces are so blatantly one-sided and completely LTTE-centric - a characteristic they all seem to possess. The word "genocide" is used liberally. Also "Sinhalese-dominated Government"... such a strange term.

Would you expect the Canadian Parliament to be dominated by non-white people? If not, why not? Might it be that there are more white people in Canada and the parliament represents that fact? Might it not be similar situation in Sri Lanka?

Also, ask the question, if the LTTE is so comfortable of its position within the Tamil community and diaspora, as was suggested, why is it that it is so unwilling to join the democratic process and stand for elections. Why is it that people who oppose it are speedily despatched to their maker and how can it possibly be that an unelected organization can possibly state that it is the "Sole Voice of the Tamil People"... when so many other voices are being silenced by the bullet or the bomb.

There are many reports of atrocities against Tamil people yet not one report of those committed against Sinhalese...why? Is it that only Sinhalese commit atrocities and the Tamil LTTE does not? Or is it that the pain, loss and suffering that a Sinhalese feels is of less value that what a Tamil feels? The CBC has never asked the question... or never bothered to.

I understand that you know little of, and probably care even less of conflict in this tiny and relatively unimportant island and in the fabric of the world, it is but a small thread but surely, even that small thread is deserving of an unbiased hearing on Metro Morning?

I ask myself, indeed, Whose Truth are you reporting?

Looking forward, with somewhat diminished expectations, to the conclusion of your series.

I am a Canadian as well as a citizen of Sri Lanka.

I am so glad to hear this morning's interview with Mr. David Jayaraj by Mary Wiens.

Finally, you are broadcasting the real facts, so far been out numbered by the intense LTTE terrorist propaganda, mostly forced on the Tamil community.

LTTE may have started as freedom fighters but today they are a murderous dictatorship that kill both Tamils and others who are against them.

Thank you very much.

NEXT > Audio from our series