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Implementing the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ with a ‘Mahavamsa Mindset’ during Sri Lanka’s Transition from a Kleptocracy to a Stratocracy
OPINION — In December 2023, a group of senior Buddhist monks from different Nikayas (called Sangha for Better Sri Lanka or “SBSL”) and members of the Global Tamil Forum (“GTF”) visited Sri Lanka for several engagements. According to the GTF, this visit was a continuation of their fruitful dialogue in Nagarkot, Nepal, in April 2023, where…
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The Role of Timely and Actionable Military Intelligence in Winning Wars
Military intelligence is crucial for success on the battlefield. Recent global events highlight the importance of swift and accurate intelligence. For example, the meticulously planned attack by Hamas on Israel revealed a shocking intelligence failure as Israel was caught by surprise (Harding). In his insightful analysis, Ted Singer, a senior Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official…
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The Affidavit Submitted to Canada Border Service Agency to Support the Tamil Boat People
***amended and unclassified*** I, Kagusthan Ariaratnam (also known as Murali) of the city of Montreal, in the province of Quebec, MAKE OATH AND SAY AS FOLLOWS: SWORN BEFORE ME in the City of Montreal, Province of Quebec, this 19th November 2009. ________________________ A Commissioner, etc. Featured image: CTV News
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AFFIDAVIT of Kagusthan Ariaratnam (a.k.a Murali)
Kagusthan Ariaratnam (Plaintiff) and Rohan Gunaratna (Defendant) ***amended and unclassified*** I, Kagusthan Ariaratnam (also known as Murali) of the city of Ottawa, in the province of Ontario, MAKE OATH AND SAY AS FOLLOWS: Sincerely, Kagusthan Ariaratnam Featured image: Merriam-Webster’s Words of the Year 2018
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From the Eyes of a Tiger: Schizo-affect resulting from being a former child soldier – Part III
The civil war in Sri Lanka from 1983-2009 was generally viewed as one of Asia`s most prolonged ethnic conflicts of the 21st century. It was and still is a conflict born out of ethnonationalism, where nationality, ethnicity, identity, religion, and culture played a significant role. It refers to the use of unconventional methods as part…
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From the Eyes of a Tiger: The OSINT as a catalyst for terrorists – Part II
During the summer of 1992, after completing the mandatory three battles with the Imran-Pandiyan Regiment, I was hand-picked by Thinesh Master to join the LTTE’s military intelligence unit. Thinesh was the military advisor to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran and oversaw the LTTE’s military office. He ordered that I be sent to the Military Intelligence Unit…
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From the Eyes of a Tiger: International Dimensions of the Sri Lankan civil war – Part I
I was only 17 years old when I was kidnapped from high school and forcibly deployed as a child soldier by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), better known as the Tamil Tigers. I rose quickly in the ranks to become an intelligence officer collaborating closely with the Tiger leadership. Over more than four…
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A Refugee In Canada: Reflective Assignment Part IV
Introduction “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau This reflective assignment will examine the tribulation I underwent in Canada between April 1998 and June 2009 to clear my name since I am a former member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), otherwise known as the Tamil Tigers.…
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Alien Smuggling: Reflective Assignment Part III
Introduction “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark” – Warsan Shire This essay will describe one of my unforgettable and life-changing events that happened in September 1997. Due to my involvement in the civil war in Sri Lanka, I could no longer live there, and I had to flee Sri…
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Tamil Migrant Ship Case: Reflective Assignment Part II
Introduction In my first reflective assignment, I elaborated on my complex association with my long-time acquaintance, Professor Rohan Gunaratna. This second essay will focus on a different situation where I had to defend my fellow Tamils from Sri Lanka who arrived in Canada as war refugees. It was a very controversial matter, and all over…