Nephew has something to say about his uncle.

(November,17, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Kyoto (Japan) based Sachi Sri Kantha, a vociferous supporter of the LTTE and the nephew of Asian Tribune editor K T Rajasingam is very candid in his observations about his uncle.

Here is what he had to say: ‘Asian Tribune online web blog is often popular for twisting news and closely working with Sri Lankan Intelligence establishment & its paramilitary outfit like Karuna Group. The man behind this secret operation is Mr.K.T.Rajasingham, a failed Tamil politician)…… and who is also alleged to be on the pay list of Sri Lanka’.

‘Readers would note that the mascot [or is it, the main hand?] of the Asian Tribune website is Mr.K.T.Rajasingham. He is a man of multi-talents, some of which are genuine. Unfortunately, couple of his other talents are shameful, such as his penchant for weather-vane politics and his grandstanding.

‘On the shameful talents of Mr.K.T.Rajasingham, I should know something, among all others. He is one of my kins by blood. To be specific, my maternal grandmother and Mr.Rajasingham’s mother are siblings. His talents (both genuine and shameful varieties) are known in our families and are open secrets in Point Pedro. Though he is estranged from me now, I would provide the readers with a little information which is on public record and which would throw some insights on the personality of Mr.Rajasingham.

’The 1977 General election result for the Point Pedro constituency was eagerly waited at our then household in Colombo on July 21st of that year. The results announced were as follows: K.Thurairatnam (TULF) – 12,989 votes; N.Nadarajah (Independent) – 6,419 votes; M.P.Veeravagu (Independent) – 3,065 votes; K.T.Rajasingham (Independent) – 614 votes; and K.S.Muttucoomaraswamy (Independent) – 204 votes. The winner of that election was Federal Party stalwart K.Thurairatnam. Mr.Rajasingham lost that election pretty badly and quite a number of our relatives in Point Pedro did not support his candidacy. What was worse is the fact that Mr.Rajasingham, for the previous seven years or so (from 1970-1977; during the Alfred Duraiappah period) was functioning openly as the SLFP organizer for Point Pedro. Even though he was functioning as the SLFP organizer for years, at the 1977 general election he contested as an Independent!

’Mr.Rajasingham in brief, is a failed Tamil politician and this has clouded (and continues to cloud) his opinion on the path taken by LTTE and its leadership. In the 1970s, he chased his political rainbow with the SLFP and fell flat. Thus, he has been particularly harsh on LTTE strategist Anton Balasingham and lately on TULF legislator Joseph Pararajasingham, both of whom were his past contemporaries in the journalism arena.

‘In my assessment, Mr.Rajasingham has developed petty envy on the prominence achieved by Balasingham and Pararajasingham in the political arena, which also clouds his commentaries. Thus, the anti-LTTE opinions which have appeared strongly in the 'Asian Tribune' site during the past two years have this envy-component mixed in it. The prominence given to the Karuna-Varadan duo [in the 'Asian Tribune' feature of April 21, 2004] is nothing but an extension of Mr.Rajasingham’s disgruntled persona. Since hardly anything of serious nature has been presented by the Karuna-Varadan duo in this particular feature, I dismiss it as the cry (akin to that of barkers at a strip-tease show) of once-powerful individuals who have lost their power base in Eelam.

’In the electronic media, even a clown like a spokesman to expelled LTTE leader may appear to have a larger-than-life image. But in reality, the onus is on the readers to read the fine print. Did any of the readers who accessed the 'Asian Tribune' website, bother to read the disclaimer notice it carried? Here are the first three sentences:

“The information provided on this site is offered as-is without warranty. The reader of the information provided by this assumes all risks from using the information provided herein. This site owners, operators, editors, reporters, writers, authors and partners disclaim any and all liability from the information provided herein.”

‘Sounds to me like the disclaimer notice of a snake-oil salesman.’

Comment: This very disclaimer notice of a snake-oil salesman has been embodied in some of the LTTE websites to continue with their vulgar and uncontrolled journalism.