Sri Lanka Air Force attacks convent in Vanni, deploys cluster bombs

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 07:40 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed a convent named Holy Cross Convent, located on Paranthan Mullaiththevu Road, 600 meters away from Paranthan junction Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m., a day before Christmas. TamilNet correspondent who visited the site Wednesday morning witnessed that the attacked premises was marked with Red Cross on the roof. The nearby church also sustained damage. The SLAF deployed cluster munitions in the bombardment, residents who fled the site said. 85 cows of a herd a few meters away from the convent were killed in the attack.

Karaichchi North Co-Operative society building located between the junction and the convent was also attacked by the SLAF bombers, causing the remaining civilians to flee the area. Paranthan has been bombed in more than five sorties by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers causing civilians living near the convent to flee the area. The indiscriminate bombardment has also targeted shops and other commercial establishment in Paranthan and Kumarapuram. SLAF bombed Paranthan three times Tuesday night and twice Wednesday morning, at 7:30 a.m. and around 9:00 a.m.The bombers also attacked Kugnchup-paranthan where heavy fighting has erupted Wednesday morning.

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Army Shelling Killed 5-month-old child

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 13:02 GMT]
Two males who went to their agricultural lands in Kanakapuram, a suburb of Ki'linochchi town, were killed in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling Saturday morning around 11:45, medical sources at Ki'linochchi hospital said. A 17-year-old boy sustained injuries in the attack. Meanwhile, a 5-month-old child was decapitated by the shrapnel of a shell that exploded inside the hut of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on Hudson Road in Vaddakkachchi, near Thakarap-pi'l'laiyaar temple Saturday around 9:30 a.m. The mother of the baby, an IDP from Chinnap-pa'ndi-virichchaan, was wounded.

The child killed was Jeyarooban Ajanthan. His mother wounded in the shelling was identified as 26-year-old Jancy Rani Jeyarooban.

One of the males killed in Kanakapuram was identified as 41-year-old Paalaiya Pulendran, a native of Ki'linochchi who was displaced to Visuvamadu. The other male killed in the shelling was yet to be identified.

The victims had gone to their agricultural lands to unearth cassava roots in their attempt to earn money to safeguard their families.

The youth who sustained injuries at Kanakapuram was identified as Jeyakaran, from Periyaku'lam in Pu'lyampokka'nai. He was being treated at Ki'linochchi hospital.

The dead bodies of the two males killed in Kanakapuram were brought to the hospital in Ki'linochchi town and transferred to Tharmapuram.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed 6 times in Vaddakkachchi and Paranthan areas.

Condoleeza Rice spotlights Rights violations in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 12:15 GMT]United States Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, Wednesday, awarded the 2008 Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award to Michael De Tar, the chief of the Political Section of our Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for engaging "constructively with Sri Lanka while underscoring our [U.S.'s] human rights," and for proposing the roadmap adopted by the Sri Lankan Government "to induce a paramilitary aligned with the government to begin to release its child soldiers [in the east]." The situation in the East, however, has rapidly deterioted recently with Human Rights Watch accusing the Colombo-backed paramilitaries in the east for thirty murders and thirty abductions during September and October."Secretary Rice presented the "Freedom Defenders Award" to Yulia Latynina, an independent journalist, writer and radio host from Russia, and the "Diplomacy for Freedom Award" to James D. McGee, U.S.'s Ambassador to Zimbabwe during the same ceremony held at the Treaty Room Washington, DC.Rice said that De Tar was "a key actor in the international effort to monitor an official Commission of Inquiry investigating high-profile cases of human rights abuse, and he has responded quickly and effectively when journalists and other activists have been threatened or arrested."The Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), a rights monitoring mission set up to oversee the investigations of rights violations by the local Commission of Inquiry (CoI) terminated its observation mission reasoning that the proceedings of the CoI have not been transparent and did not satisfy basic international norms and standards. The IIGEP blamed the Government of Sri Lanka for "absence of will" in the present Inquiry to "investigate cases with vigour, where the conduct of its own forces has been called into question." Full text of Secretary Rice's speech on Mr De Tar's award follows:"Our diplomatic effort to advance human rights is not just a job for ambassadors, and that is why annually we confer the Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award upon an outstanding officer serving at one of our posts abroad. This year’s recipient is Michael DeTar, the chief of the Political Section of our Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s 25-year conflict has escalated over the last two years, triggering a sharp increase in human rights violations by the warring parties – the government, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [Eelam], and paramilitary organizations. Michael found creative and pragmatic ways to engage constructively with Sri Lanka while underscoring our human rights concerns. Michael helped position the United States to play a leading role in the stabilization and recovery of the conflict-torn Eastern Province, focusing on disarming and demobilizing paramilitaries there. He was also a key actor in the international effort to monitor an official Commission of Inquiry investigating high-profile cases of human rights abuse, and he has responded quickly and effectively when journalists and other activists have been threatened or arrested. The Sri Lankan Government adopted Michael’s proposed road map to induce a paramilitary aligned with the government to begin to release its child soldiers. So using his extensive network of civil society and media leaders, Michael has enriched our reporting on human rights conditions in Sri Lanka. And he has not only reported, he has acted. And so I am delighted to bestow the 2008 Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award on Michael De Tar," Rice said.Meanwhile, in an op-ed column in the Washington Post, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said: "With a new administration and a new vision coming to the White House, we have the opportunity to move boldly to restore the moral authority behind the worldwide human rights movement.The moral footprint of the United States has always been vast. "Our next president has an unprecedented opportunity to lead through example by inspiring and supporting those who would reach for freedom and by being tough and effective with those who would impede freedom's march. All Americans must give him full support."

Sri Lanka in "Genocide Red Alert" watch list

Sri Lanka in "Genocide Red Alert" watch list[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 12:41 GMT]New York-based Genocide Prevention Project in a report to be published Tuesday includes Sri Lanka as one of the eight "red alert" countries where genocide and other mass atrocities are underway or risk breaking out. A comprehensive list of 33 countries is also contained in the report. Tuesday marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nation's convention on the prevention of genocide, and 20th anniversary of U.S's ratification of the treaty. "Red alert" countries include Afghanistan, and Iraq alongside regions currently experiencing genocidal conflict such as Sudan's Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These and Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka all made the list's top eight because they appear in each of the five "expert" indexes.The next 25 "orange alert" countries appear in at least three of the indexes. They include China, Colombia, Philippines and Indonesia as places where ongoing or simmering violence could flare to genocidal proportions."It is possible to identify early indicators of mass atrocity crimes. But what happens now is the international community sees what's going on, gets paralyzed and, if it acts, really only acts after the fact," said Jill Savitt, project executive director.Savitt states three factors that are likely to change the "political will" lacking in the past. First, the stated determination of Susan Rice, U.S. president-elect Barack Obama's choice for U.S. ambassador to the UN, to prevent future genocides after witnessing the after-effects of the 1994 Rwanda slaughter. Second, current discussion around the 60th anniversary of the genocide prevention convention, which calls on countries to prevent and punish actions of genocide.And third, the public "guilt" over what occurred in Rwanda and Bosnia, and what she called public "hunger for a response" to the Darfur crisis, Savitt says.Meanwhile, a task force led by Madeleine K Albright, former Secretary of State, and an advisor to Obama and Clinton, released Monday a report on world genocide threats which will likely be used by the Obama administration as a guide post to prevent developing genocides."Preventing genocide is an achievable goal," the Albright report says. "Genocide is not the inevitable result of ancient hatreds or irrational leaders. It requires planning and is carried out systematically. There are ways to recognize signs and symptoms, and viable options to prevent it at every turn if we are committed and prepared," Washington Post said, quoting from the Albright report.

Tamil Women in protective custody, transferred to ruthless genocidal Sri Lankan Army detention centre, fear for safety

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 00:40 GMT]The women and children who faced death threats in Jaffna from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and its paramilitary and placed under protective custody through the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in Jaffna at Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre have been suddenly moved to the detention camp run by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) inside its High Security Zone in Thellippazhai. The women and children are being denied the opportunity of meeting their family members besides fear for their safety, according to legal sources in Jaffna. They have appealed to the team of Magistrates who visited the camp to relocate them to a protection facility in Jaffna city. Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre was vacated in order to house persons fleeing from war in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territories to Jaffna peninsula.Meanwhile, the husbands of the above women, placed in Jaffna Prison had protested against the sudden transfer of their wives by observing a token protest fast.Their fast, however, was given up due to pressure exerted by powerful parties in the government, the sources further said.The women who appealed to the team of magistrates pointed out that the opportunity of meeting their family members and relatives, which they had been allowed to in Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre, is denied in the SLA detention centre where they are now housed.The husbands of these women in Jaffna Prison suffer from mental depression and fear for their wives and children, the officials of Jaffna Prison said.The inmates at the detention camp of the SLA, located inside the HSZ in Thellippazhai, have been treated as 'suspects' under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as they were forced to sign a document which stated that they were ex-members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in the past. Although, the new inmates were not subjected to sign a such document, they were being treated as potential 'terror suspects' by the SLA men guarding the detention centre, legal sources that were in contact with the families said.

International media, human rights watchdogs lopsided - Jaffna MP

International media, human rights watchdogs lopsided - Jaffna MP[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 November 2008, 20:39 GMT]"The Colombo government is embarked upon a killing spree of children and women in refugee camps who are already victims of war, displacement, cyclone and floods. This act of 'state terrorism' is in what way less deplorable than the Mumbai killings, for failing to attract condemnation and action from the International Community," asks Padmini Sithamparanathan, Tamil National Alliance MP for Jaffna. "The so-called international media and human rights organizations are shameless in exhibiting their impotency they have acquired by becoming stooges to the lopsided agenda of the international politics of terrorism which is nothing but geopolitics," she added.

Padmini Sithamparanathan, Jaffna MP
Six days of torrential rains with intermittent gale have caused the death of more than ten, injured hundreds and have displaced hundreds of thousands in Jaffna and Vanni.The people of Vanni especially face untold sufferings, deprived of everything including a guarantee to live. The latest aerial bombing of the Sri Lanka Air Force has targeted a location well known as a refugee camp according to news reports. "This heinous act has resulted in the death and injury of many, most of them, children, women and elderly, who were already suffering the misfortunes of war and nature," the Jaffna MP said. "The international media, which jumps at the slightest occasion to blare about terrorism, is by its silence and biased news reporting encourages the genocidal agenda of state terrorism in Sri Lanka."The US based Human Rights Watch, while pressuring the Colombo government to allow aid groups to help cyclone victims in Vanni, has come out with an unwarranted statement that “the LTTE bears a heavy responsibility for the suffering of the civilian population in the Vanni, by refusing to allow civilians their basic rights to freedom of movement," she said. "What the Human Rights Watch needs to do is seeing that the people get immediate aid in the very place they live. It may not have the guts to do so by pressing the International Community, but this is not the time for it to abet the wishes of the government waging a genocidal war."In its press release the HRW concedes: " Human Rights Watch has previously reported that the Sri Lankan authorities have detained many displaced persons leaving the Vanni, holding them in closely guarded militarized camps near Mannar town. The government claims this is necessary for the safety of the detained civilians themselves, but the families detained in the camps have repeatedly stated their desire to leave; the government’s detention policy violates the rights of these displaced persons to freedom of movement."In such a helpless background what justification is there for the HRW to expect the people to come out of Vanni, the MP asks. "Many civilians are cold-bloodedly killed in the East and a large number of Tamils have been arrested in the South in the recent days. Thousands of Tamils are virtually kept as hostages for a long time in custody of the Colombo government. It is a shame to human rights that Hundreds of Tamils in Jaffna have to voluntarily go into custody to safe life. " The Human Rights Watch itself came out with a statement a few days ago on the escalation of human rights abuses in the so-called 'liberated' East. The human rights organisations privately agree that there is no better place of safety for the people of Vanni.

Padmini Sithamparanathan, Jaffna MP
What guarantee the human rights groups were been able to give the Tamils of the so-called liberated East, or in the other parts of the island outside of Vanni, to justify their call now for the freedom of movement of the people of Vanni, that too at a time when there is an utmost urgency for the aid to reach their doorsteps, asked the MP. It is high time that the International Community and the human rights organisations prevail upon the Sri Lanka government to stop the war, enter into peace negotiations and resolve the human crisis in the island, she said. In the meantime, Brad Adams, the Asia director of Human Rights Watch, while asking the Colombo government on Friday to lift restrictions on UN and other groups to operate in Vanni, has said: “If the humanitarian community can operate in conflict zones like eastern Congo, Somalia, and Iraq, they can operate in the Vanni as well. The government’s argument that the safety of humanitarian workers in the Vanni cannot be guaranteed comes across as more of an excuse to conduct military operations without scrutiny than a statement of concern.”

Ruthless Sri Lankan Air Forces bombs refugee camp in Vanni, children among killed, wounded

SLAF bombs refugee camp in Vanni, children among killed, wounded[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 November 2008, 08:59 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir bombers attacked a refugee camp with Internally Displaced People in Naathankudiyiruppu in Kallaa'ru, Ki'linochchi in the early hours of Saturday around 1:35 a.m. Medical authorities at Tharmapuram said three persons were killed. Two, a 5-year-old child and an 80-year-old man died at the hospital. At least 18 wounded civilians, including seven children below 10 years and 7 females, were admitted at the hospital following the indiscriminate bombardment on IDP settlement. Medical authorities described the bombardment as "terrible mid-night aerial attack on refugee camp". The 5-year-old child killed was identified as Sutharsan Sivakumar and the elderly male was identified as Raman Ramasamy. Another person, killed on the spot, was yet to be identified. There could be further dead bodies. Rescue operation was still going on, the sources further said. The wounded were:
5-year-old girl Thayananthan Pavithra
7-year-old girl Rasenthiran Logini
9-year-old girl Aananthan Chithra
10-year-old girl Rasendran Jasintha
10-year-old male Nalliyah Jasinthan
15-year-old male Selvam
16-year-old girl Rasenthran Thavachelvi
18-year-old male Ananthan Velavan
27-year-old female Sivakumar Rajakumary
28-year-old male Rasenthiran
28-year-old female Nalliyah Pusspavalli
33-year-old male Rajendran
35-year-old female Murugesu Rugunudevi
38-year-old female Ananthan Kamaladevi
40-year-old female Kannathas Amirthavalli
55-year-old male Sangarapillai
55-year-old male Nagarajah
75-year-old female Pallaniammah

5 Tamil youths arrested in Chilaw

5 Tamil youths arrested in Chilaw[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 November 2008, 17:31 GMT]The Chilaw police Saturday in a cordon and search operation took five Tamil youths, originally from Jaffna district but working in commercial establishments in Chilaw town, into custody on suspicion. Houses and shops in the town were searched during the operation that commenced in morning and concluded afternoon. The police said the youths were arrested as they failed to prove their identity. The arrested are being detained in Chilaapam police and are being interrogated.

History to abet 'structural genocide'

History to abet 'structural genocide'[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:39 GMT]The Colombo government at the height of its agenda for 'structural genocide' of Tamils, considered removing a chapter on the Kingdom of Jaffna in the history textbooks of the school children in Sri Lanka. However, to an opposing question by a JVP member in the Sri Lankan Parliament, the Minister of Education replied on Friday that they had dropped that plan. "The Colombo government has every justification to remove the Tamil Kingdom of Jaffna from the history of Sri Lanka if it wants to concede that Sri Lanka doesn't include the Tamil regions," commented Selvam Adaikkalanathan, the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian of Vanni. Sri Lankan Education Minister Susil Permajayantha admitted in the Sri Lankan parliament Friday that there was a move to remove the chapter on the Kingdom of Jaffna from the history text book for grade eight, when JVP parliamentarian Bimal Ratanaike registered his opposition for the proposed removal by saying that the chapter would not be a block to the 'Pooneryn victory' and a 'forward march by the Sri Lanka Army to reach Ki'linochchi.' The JVP parliamentarian said that Jaffna Kingdom has been accepted by historians as true fact and that the JVP was opposed to the removal of the chapter. "If the Kingdom of Jaffna had not been recorded by the Portuguese who conquered it in 1618, the Sinhala chauvinism wouldn't have hesitated to completely wipe out the memory of it," Mr. Adaikkalanathan further said.

14 Tamils arrested in Colombo

14 Tamils arrested in Colombo[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 November 2008, 16:08 GMT]The Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lanka Army and police Saturday took fourteen Tamil civilians into custody in a lightning cordon and search operation conducted covering Obeyasekara area in Rajagiriya division in Colombo. The operation commenced early morning around 3:00 a.m. Majority of them arrested are residents of north and east and other upcountry Tamils and had been working several business establishments and staying lodges, according to police sources. They are now detained in the Rajagiriya police station and being interrogated as they failed to prove their identity and justify their presence in the location, police sources said.

White van of Sri Lankan Para millitary, abducts Tamil civilian in Puththa'lam

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 November 2008, 11:33 GMT]
Armed men who came in a white van abducted an ex-member of Kalpiddi Piratheasa Chapai (Pradeshiya Sabah) at Naavatkaadu in Kalpiddi village in Puththa'lam district Wednesday evening around 6:00 p.m., according to complaints lodged by the victim's relatives with the Police. The victim is J. Clarence, a 45-year-old father of four.

Armed men entered his house and took him by force in the white van amid cries by the family members at the house, according to neighbours.

Police sentry is located by the side of victim's house, they said.

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Air Forces bombers attack again civilian targets in Paranthan

Sunday, 2008-11-09 20:07:58]Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked Kumarapuram, a suburb of Paranthan, Sunday around 12:50 p.m., causing injuries to five civilians, including a 2-year-old boy. The day was turned into another disasterous day for the child, Manoharan Vithuran, as the family was preparing to observe the 31st day rituals for their mother, Mrs. Manhoharan, who was killed in the SLAF bombardment on the same locality, 30 days ago. He was rushed to the Ki'inochchi hospital functioning in Tharmapuram and admitted at the Intensive Care Unit, according to TamilNet correspondent who visited the bombed site and the hospital. 72-year-old mother of two, Sellathurai Kamalambal, 63-year-old mother of two, Sivarasa Gowri, both from Kumarapuram, 54-year-old father of four, Nagalingam Sivarasa, from Paranthan 5th canal and a 12-year-old boy Sriskanth Tharangan from Kumarapuram were the other civilians who sustained injuries in the SLAF attack. The wounded were rushed to Ki'linochchi hospital and later transferred to Tharmapuram.

Two of the wounded, including the child, were in serious state, medical sources said. Nine houses were completely destroyed in the attack. Murugan temple at Kumarapuram, several other houses and a shop were damaged in the Sri Lankan air strike. SLAF has targeted Paranthan and its suburbs four times within the last 30 days.

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Police arrests Tamil youth in Matale

Police arrests Tamil youth in Matale[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2008, 13:49 GMT]Sri Lanka police arrested a Tamil youth Monday evening at Ukkuwala in Matale division in central province on a report that he has close links with the LTTE, police sources said. The youth is being detained in the Matale police station and is under interrogation as he failed to provide satisfactory reason for his stay in the location, Police sources said.Police added that they have received reports that the youth has been providing sensitive information collected from the area.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Task Forces behind massacre of 5 Tamils in Ampaa'rai - Parliamentarian

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2008, 18:41 GMT]Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos at Kalmunai in Ampaa'rai opened fire on five Tamil youths who were at a liquor shop and attempted to create a story through police that the victims were Karuna cadres, TNA MP K. Pathmanathan said, citing the relatives of the victims. Later, the STF attempted to place the blame on Muslims, but some Tamil Muslim youths who had witnessed the killings had helped to avert confrontation between the Tamil, Muslim communities, the MP said. The five victims were identified as Jeaysekar Thushanthan, 20, Rajakubenthan Yogaprakash, 28, Muthuppillai Sri Sutharshan, 28, Somasuntharam Karthik, 26 and Kathiravadivel Rajakuberan, 26, a married man, all residents of Kurunthaiyadi.Local residents told the MP that a youth witness was also assaulted by the STF commandos, the MP said."The STF had tried to create a story that unidentified armed men had shot five TMVP youths. If the STF suspects someone they should arrest them and investigate whether they are involved or not. Killing them in cold blood exposes the impunity enjoyed by the Sri Lanka military and the continued gross human rights violations," Mr. Patmanathan said."The killing of Tamil civilians should be stopped immediately and the defence ministry should take action to prevent similar incidents taking place in the future," he added.

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Government Awarded Indian Propaganda The Hindu Editor Stupid Ram

By David Sabapathy – TNS



COLOMBO: Hindu editor Ram was awarded the Best Journalist of Asia by the Sri Lanka Mass Media Society, a Sri Lankan government-sponsored group to promote excellence in the media.



This is the second award to Mr. Ram by the ruling regime in Sri Lanka. In 2005, Ram received the Sri Lanka Ratna award for his 'exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to Sri Lanka in particular and/or humanity in general,' from the then president of Sri Lanka.



His latest Sri Lankan award came on heals of anti Hindu sentiments bursting into anti-media violence by the Tamil nationalist in Tamil Nadu. His long standing anti Tamil and Pro Sri Lanka views are well documented, says an editor in Colombo.




"Camouflaged in the name of Indian national interest, the intellectual venom, sectarian interests, dynastic interests and personal biases sadly making The Hindu into a pro-Sinhala and anti-Tamil media have to be countered socially, culturally and politically on a superior intellectual plane by bringing out public awakening locally and globally," he said.



“These unruly and illegal acts were an expression of intolerance of the newspaper’s criticism of pro-LTTE and pro-Eelam chauvinism in the Tamil Nadu political arena. In our considered editorial assessment, these chauvinistic, pro-separatist tendencies are deeply inimical to the interests of the Indian people,” Mr. Ram said in a statement recently.



He also considered being one of the main architects behind the doom 1983 Indo-Sri lanka accord.

Sri Lankan Para Militery Killed a man

Family man recovered dead, another reported missing in Jaffna
[TamilNet, Monday, 03 November 2008, 16:24 GMT]
Maanippaay police recovered Monday the body of a family man with assault injuries in a shrub land close to his house in Kaddudai in Maanippaay police division in Valikaamam. He had gone missing since Saturday after leaving home, the police said. Meanwhile, a family man from Colombo is reported missing after sending off his relative by ship from Trincomalee to Jaffna, according to the complaint lodged with Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna by his daughter.

The family man recovered dead was identified as Nagarasa Jeyamohan, 32.

Maanippaay police handed over his body to Jaffna Teaching Hospital mortuary.

The family man reported missing with HRC Jaffna is Manickam Pararajasingam, 55, originally from Thaavadi South in Kokkuvil, presently employed and living in Colombo.

Pararajasigan has not returned either to Colombo or Jaffna, his daughter Vasuki said in her complaint to HRC Jaffna.

What is actually Genocidal Sri Lankan Government is doing.

Part 2.


Part 1.

Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka

Malini Thambipillai's four-y ear-old daughter keeps asking her the same tough question: Why do all the other kids have a father but not me?

The answer is too hard to explain to a pre-schooler: her father is among the "disappeared" -- the hundreds, possibly thousands, allegedly abducted in war-torn Sri Lanka.

Since her husband was taken away in a white van last month in the capital Colombo, Mrs. Thambipillai, who works nights in the packaging department at a Toronto napkin factory, has been mailing letters to anyone who might help.

"I need my husband, and she wants her dad," she said in an interview recently at her north Scarborough apartment, where photos of her husband are displayed in a glass case.

Mrs. Thambipillai came to Toronto in 1998, one of the tens of thousands of ethnic Tamils who left Sri Lanka for Canada to escape the country's 25-year civil war between government forces and separatist rebels called the Tamil Tigers.

In 2003, she married Sritharan Subramaniam, who had also fled to Canada. But while she took her oath to become a Canadian citizen, his refugee claim was rejected and he was deported.

Upon returning to Colombo, he worked at a restaurant while she sponsored him to return to Canada. The Canadian High Commission called him in for an interview but the case was still unresolved at 10:20 a. m. on Sept. 19, when Mr. Subramaniam and a friend were allegedly abducted.

"We have been hearing a lot of stories like this," said David Poopilapillai, spokesman for the Canadian Tamil Congress.

The Congress wants the United Nations to set up a monitoring mission in Colombo to independently investigate disappearances and abductions.

Mr. Poopilapillai also said the Canadian government is partly to blame because it should not have taken so long to approve Mr. Subramaniam's sponsorship application. "Our system failed on this," he said.

The man abducted with Mr. Subramaniam turned up after a few days, but there has been no word of Mrs. Thambipillai's husband, who turns 35 in December.

Family members in Colombo reported the case to the local police, but the officers said he was not in their custody and they had no information about him.

"I could not guess any valid reason of his disappearance because my husband is a law abided [sic] citizen of Sri Lanka and never got involved in any activity of the rebels," she wrote in her letter.

Abductions are not uncommon in Colombo, where members of the ethnic Tamil minority complain they are treated with suspicion by security officials and accused of being rebels.

Human Rights Watch reported last March that hundreds of Sri Lankans had disappeared since the resumption of the country's civil war. The report says more than 1,500 cases were reported between 2005 and 2007.

"In the great majority of cases documented by Human Rights Watch and Sri Lankan groups, evidence indicates the involvement of government security forces," the report said.

The report acknowledged that some of those abducted may have been members or supporters of the Tamil Tigers rebels, "but this does not justify their detention in secret without due process."

Sri Lanka's civil war has been intensifying in recent months, as government forces advance deep into rebel territory in an attempt to finish off the guerrillas.

In an interview with the National Post last month, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said some of those reported missing had actually fled to Western countries.

Propaganda against the Tamil actors, was initiated by SMS, hence a Tamil youth was arrested by Ruthless Sri Lanka.

Propaganda against the Tamil actors, was initiated by SMS, hence a Tamil youth was arrested by Ruthless Sri Lanka.[Monday October 27 2008 09:45:22 AM GMT]A Tamil youth was arrested at Wellawatha, as he was initiating propagandas, for the Indian film actors who did not participate in the protests organized in favour of Sri Lankan Tamils, was stated.Wellawatha police division stated that Ganalingam Piratheeban the said youth, was initiating this propaganda to his friends, through SMS facility was stated. Further Wellawatha police stated that such propaganda was initiated against the film actors, Vijai and Arujun. He was arrested last Saturday from his residence was stated. But the Wellawatha police division is stating that they have not arrested any one on this category.

Web Documentation Center for Genocide of Tamils in Sri lanka

http://www.nitharsanam.info/

Sri Lanka - Ruthless Srilankan Forces shelling kills two, injures eight

Two civilians including a teacher were killed when a shell fired by Ruthless Sri Lankam Seurity Forces (SF) hit Puthumuripu in Killinochchi area. At least 30 houses were also damaged due to the heavy shelling started at 5:30 pm aiming the civilian settlement in area according to the sources in Killinochchi.SF troopers indiscriminate aerial and shell attacks killed hundreds and many hundreds injured within past few months while displaced close to 250,000 including 40,000 children who are living in subhuman conditions.The Sri Lankan government forces indiscriminate shelling known to have Killed hundreds of civilians and wounded hundreds including scores of children, elected officials, religious leaders, journalists and aid workers a local aid worker told TNS in Vanni. Three decades old civil war in Sri Lanka killed at least 215,000 people according to the UN World Health Organization.

Sri Lanka - Ruthless Srilankan Forces shelling kills two, injures eight

Two civilians including a teacher were killed when a shell fired by Ruthless Sri Lankam Seurity Forces (SF) hit Puthumuripu in Killinochchi area. At least 30 houses were also damaged due to the heavy shelling started at 5:30 pm aiming the civilian settlement in area according to the sources in Killinochchi.SF troopers indiscriminate aerial and shell attacks killed hundreds and many hundreds injured within past few months while displaced close to 250,000 including 40,000 children who are living in subhuman conditions.The Sri Lankan government forces indiscriminate shelling known to have Killed hundreds of civilians and wounded hundreds including scores of children, elected officials, religious leaders, journalists and aid workers a local aid worker told TNS in Vanni. Three decades old civil war in Sri Lanka killed at least 215,000 people according to the UN World Health Organization.

United Nations General Secretary requests Sri Lanka Government to grant other than food, essential items to Vanni.

United Nations General Secretary requests Sri Lanka Government to grant other than food, essential items to Vanni.[Saturday October 25 2008 12:31:01 PM GMT]United Nations General Secretary Paan Kee Moon has appealed to the Sri Lanka government to provide essential items other than food to the public in Vanni.Hence the government is initiating to proceed with the request. Eventhough food is dispatched to vanni by containers, the basic requirements such as Tents and other facilities are in much need, hence a worst condition is prevailing, was stated by Paan Kee Moon, and requested Sri Lanka government to send emergency requirements to Vanni. Recently the United Nations "Okza" movement visited Vanni, and reported to General Secretary of United Nations that the displaced people s living conditions are in a worst condition, hence this request was made the General Secretary to Sri Lanka government was stated.Precaution to safe guard Sri Lanka Parliament from floods. A parliament working committee is appointed to protect the Sri Lanka parliament from the floods, due to the present severe rain. It is feared that if the Diyawanna Oya, which is near the Parliament, over flows, there is possibility of Sri Lanka parliament getting affected was stated.Many incidents have occurred, Parliament being affected due to floods, but actions was not taken to obstruct this situation was stated.

Lawyers appealing for Tamil youths are threatened by a movement called "death brought from the demon".

Lawyers appealing for Tamil youths are threatened by a movement called "death brought from the demon".
[Saturday October 25 2008 12:32:56 PM GMT]
It is stated that death threats are circulated to the leading lawyers by a movement called "Mahasona". Lawyers appealing for any cases, for those arrested on suspicion of Terrorism activities, are circulated with a letter threatening death was stated.
"The meaning of "Mahasona" is "Death brought from the demon" was stated. On this context, persons arrested on suspicion under terrorism act, is branded by the movement as they are supporters of Tamil Eelam Libeation Tigers and supportive to the armed struggle by the LTTE. During the year 1980, similar killing squads functioned in the southern Sri Lanka, hence about 3000 people were missing. It was named as The "Black Cat" which was a murdering movement. In Sri Lanka, similar killers groups are functioning in different periods, and they perform many murders secretly was stated. During the year 1971 such similar group , performed killings about 15 thousand persons. According to a video reporter of Netherland, in the year 1980, Sri lanka was called "Murder land". Eventhough secret killings are done frequently in the Southern Sri Lanka, Tamil Eelam Liberation tigers or other movements functioned in Northern province, did not attack its enemies in a secret manner was stated by Asian Human rights Commission, Director Basil Fernando.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army attacks Ki'linochchi hospital, artillery barrage on town

Ruthless SLA attacks Ki'linochchi hospital, artillery barrage on town [TamilNet, Saturday, 25 October 2008, 14:47 GMT]170 patients, including 60 warded inpatients with the staff of the Ki'linochchi hospital narrowly escaped Saturday evening an artillery attack launched by the Sri Lanka Army. One of the shells hit the hospital premises destroying the front wall. The buildings of the hospitals are intact, patients and the staff were still remaining inside the hospital premises, according to initial reports. At least five shells exploded in the close vicinity of the hospital. Many shells have hit the town, initial reports said. The wall near the entrance to the hospital destroyed in SLA shelling SLA fired shells hit the hospital premises around 4:30 p.m. Saturday while the staff were attending a monthly meeting, according to the medial officials at the hospital. 110 patients came to the hospital for OPD treatment and 60 patients, including pregnanent mothers, were warded at the hospital including the patients admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Ruthless Sri Lanka Army turns away 26 lorries/trucks with humanitarian supplies at Omanthai

Ruthless Sri Lanka Army turns away 26 lorries/trucks with humanitarian supplies at Omanthai[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 October 2008, 13:06 GMT]Though the officials in Colombo claimed that 54 lorries/trucks were sent to the Wanni on Friday, only 28 WFP supply lorries entered the LTTE controlled Vanni. Other lorries were turned away at Oamanthai. These include two lorry loads of medical supplies and eight carrying kerosene. 29 World Food Programme (WFP) lorries and 25 lorries of the Government Agents (GAs) were scheduled to enter the LTTE controlled Vanni on Friday.Meanwhile, officials in Vanni said more than 200,000 displaced people who are living under trees, urgently need shelter. For the first time since 2005, five malaria patients were admitted to Mullaiththeevu hospital. Hospital sources said they are short of medicine and oxygen cylinders, expressing fear of Malaria outbreak with the monsoonal rains.

Day by day, pathetic situation becomes fervent to the Vanni Tamils. U.N.Watch!

Day by day, pathetic situation becomes fervent to the Vanni Tamils. U.N.Watch! [Friday, 2008-10-24 21:38:29] U.N.Watch organization informs that the displaced peoples pathetic situation in Vanni, becomes fervent day by day. U.N.Watch organization s Leader Zo Dowelve, stated that recently they conducted a statistics in regard to the displaced people in Vanni, which revealed such accuracy. Members from the World Food Project, United Nations Management Association, United Nations Refugees Management Center and members of many organizations, participated in the said statistics committee. Localities of Mullaitheevu, Darmapuram and Kilinochchi, where people were displaced and living as refugees were stated according to statistics. Mainly in these areas, the women are in an insecure situation was stated. Snakebites and fever vastly affect refugees and during last week, about 40 persons were bitten by snakes bites, and 3 persons died were stated. In the said localities 3772 school students and 4076 female students are unable to proceed with their education hence the situation was much disturbing was stated. The report further states, in the vicinities of Puthukudiyiruppu and Dharmapuram, a situation has risen that refugees are not treated with medication, because less number of doctors are assigned for duties was stated. Food distribution was conducted by the ICRC to the under deprived localities was stated. ICRC, Caritas movement and United Nations Organization are the only involved in humanitarian aids in the Vanni was stated. People, who had been eating for three times a day, are eating for only two times, was stated. Every day atleast one lorry should make the distribution, and weekly atleast once, food should be distributed was stated. Back

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army arrests 9 upcountry Tamil youths

SLA arrests 9 upcountry Tamil youths

[Friday, 2008-10-24 21:39:30]

Nine Tamil youths were arrested Wednesday morning by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) with the help of three masked men during a cordon and search operation in Kirkil Estate in Uva Paranagama in the hill country, civil society sources in Colombo said. This was the first time the state armed forces had used masked men for their search operation to arrest upcountry Tamil youths.

Tension prevailed among estate community when they saw high presence of armed forces and police with three masked persons.

Local residents identified two of the masked men as residents of the estates, who had previously lived in Colombo. The third was identified as a girl from outside the estate.

The arrested, M.Premnath, 23, S. Prabagaran, 23, G.Sivakumar, 23, S.Pulith, 24, R.Selvaretnam, 30, R.Chandrakumar, 31, R.Chandramohan, 31, S.Ramar, 41, and S.Kumar, 38, have been detained in the police station.

Kandavali IDP camp, Sri Lanka - September 2008

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army artillery fire kills father, son in Ki'linochchi, Sri Lanka

SLA artillery fire kills father, son in Ki'linochchi[TamilNet, Friday, 25 October 2008, 08:23 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched artillery barrage on Ki'linochchi town and its suburbs Friday evening, killing a 68-year-old father and his son around 5:20 p.m. while they were moving their household articles to Tharmapuram to escape continuing SLA artillery fire on residential areas. Six shells fell and exploded in the densely populated suburb. The two victims were reduced to pieces when a shell fell and exploded near the tractor in which they were transporting things from their house in Uruththirapuaram seeking safer place in Tharmapuram area in Ka'ndaaval'ai division.The tractor driver narrowly escaped death.The victims killed were identified as Chinaiah Ramalingam, 68, former manager ofthirapuram Multi Purpose Cooperative Society and his son Ramlaingam Vijayananthan, 32, a teacher in Ki'linochchi Aiyanaarpuram School.Ramalingam is a father of 3 children and his son Vijayananthan is the father of one child.The SLA artillery barrage began Friday around 4:40 p.m targeting the civilian settlements in Kanakapuram, Thirunakar, Uruththirapuram, Ira'naimadu, 155th Mile Post, Paarathipuram, Oottuppulam and other areas in Ki'linichchi district. The indiscriminate shelling lasted until midnight.Residents in areas under SLA artillery fire in Ki'linochchi district continuing since last week were desperately trying to salvage their household goods from their houses risking their lives.

FMM condemns death threats to Human Rights Lawyers

FMM condemns death threats to Human Rights Lawyers[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 18:46 GMT]Free Media Movement (FMM), a Colombo-based media watchdog, in a press release issued Thursday, condemned a recent letter written in Sinhala by a group calling itself "Mahason Balakaya," which warned that the human rights lawyers representing "terrorists" will be "summarily killed or receive life-threatening injuries." FMM urged the Government of Sri Lanka to "immediately denounce these terror tactics and take meaningful steps to restore public confidence in the rule of law, human rights and democratic governance." Full text of the release follows: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed by the contents of a letter posted to leading human rights defenders and lawyers, as well as given to all court registrars to be handed over to lawyers who appear for human rights cases. The letter, written in Sinhala and from a group that calls itself the "Mahason Balakaya" (Mahason Regiment), clearly states that lawyers who defend human rights cases will be summarily killed or receive life-threatening injuries. It is unclear who this group is. Mahasona is a well-known demon figure in Sinhala folklore. The FMM also learned that the Sri Lanka Army's LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol or "Digu Dura Wihidum Balakaya" in Sinhalese) was better known in the military "Mahasohon Brigade." Speculation over the origins of the letter, however, is secondary to FMM's grave concern that in the present context, this letter may instigate more violence against human rights defenders and those who appear in the defence of those such as journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who stands accused of terrorism. This disturbing letter comes just weeks after a deadly grenade attack against renowned lawyer and human rights activist J.S. Weliamuna, who is also the head of Transparency International in Sri Lanka. Reflecting the growing trend of hatred and harm against human rights activists even by senior members of the government, the letter calls human rights defenders "traitors' who deserve to be killed. It ends by noting that, "To those who support the terrorists, remember those who were killed and lost their limbs and eyes to the terrorists! Know that in the name of the nation, to make you suffer in the same manner is a blessing." The letter also notes that, "Henceforth, for every traitor who stands up to defend a terrorist, know that we will not hesitate to hasten fate which is the same as that faced by the innocent victims of terrorists in our motherland today." According to FMM, this hate speech, openly distributed with impunity, is hugely disturbing in a context of wanton violence in Sri Lanka against independent media and those who champion human rights and question the government's conduct of war. The FMM urgently calls upon the inspector-general of police to launch an investigation into the origins of this reprehensible letter. The government must immediately denounce these terror tactics and take meaningful steps to restore public confidence in the rule of law, human rights and democratic governance in Sri Lanka. Terror, in whatever form, has no place whatsoever in the democratic process, FMM noted.

Tamil Woman Shot Dead by Ruthless Sri Lankan Army

Woman shot, injured in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 22:35 GMT]Two unidentified armed men arriving on a motorbike Thursday day night at a house in Tholpuram in Valikaamam opened fire at the husband and wife. The wife was seriously injured. Her husband managed to run from the site without any injuries. The injured woman was identified as K. Janmunarany. Neigbhours took Jamunarany to Jaffna Teaching Hospital where she is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit.

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan Government Arrests Saiva priest in Kandy

Saiva priest arrested in Kandy[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 11:38 GMT]A Tamil Saiva priest was arrested on Wednesday in Teldeniya in Kandy district, and is being detained in police station for interrogation by the Police Intelligence Unit. The priest was taken into custody by a special police team which went from Kandy Police Headquarters on a report from the intelligence unit, civil sources said. The priest was allegedly associating with other Saiva priests and businessmen in Kengalle, Sengalle and Kandy for the purpose of collecting funds for the LTTE, police sources said. Police has not revealed the name of the arrested priest.

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan Government Arrests another 2 Tamil youths in Badulla

Badulla Police arrest two Tamil youths[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 11:30 GMT]Badulla Police Wednesday arrested two Tamil youths while allegedly taking photographs of police station, court complex, municipal council complex, and Uva provincial Council Secretariat located in Badulla town, police sources claimed. The youths are being detained in the police station and subjected to interrogation by a police team of the Police Intelligence Unit, police sources added. Preliminary investigation by the police revealed both youths had come to meet some students of Jaffna district who have been studying in the Uva Wellasa University. While staying with them took photographs during their sight seeing tour, according to their statements to the police.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Terrorist Government arrested 2 Tamil youths in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka

2 Tamil youths arrested in Bandarawela[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 October 2008, 19:12 GMT]Two Tamil youths were arrested in an estate in Passara by a special team of the Bandarawela Police Tuesday night on receipt of information from Colombo police headquarters. M.Thineshkumar, 23, and S.Kumar, 25, of Hendala in Colombo district had gone to the estate to attend an age-attainment ceremony for a relative of theirs in Passara, when the youths were arrested Police said both were taken into custody when they gave two different versions, contradicting each for their visit to the estate.Both are being detained in the Bandarawela police station.The arrested youths will be produced in court after the investigation is concluded, police sources said

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan DPU attack kills civilian, 2 wounded

Sri Lankan DPU attack kills civilian, 2 wounded[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 October 2008, 19:12 GMT]A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit triggered a Claymore mine at Thikkuvil in Poonakari (Pooneryn) Wednesday around 1:00 p.m., killing a civilian and wounding two, initial reports from the Poonakari said.The wounded were rushed to the primary health care centre in Poonakari.The health care centre is run by the Centre for Health Care (CHC), a local NGO, which re-established the centre in Poonakari as many IDPs who had left Poonakari due to the ongoing Sri Lankan offensive, returned to resume agriculture in their paddy fields following the moonsoonal rain.

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan Government is killing Tamils every day

http://www.tamilnation.org/forum/brian/060501killing.htm

India needs to repeal ban on LTTE 10/23/2008 5:00:15 PM

Amidst growing political turmoil in Tamil Nadu over the conflict in Sri Lanka, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in a rare and exclusive interview to TIMES NOW has appealed to the Indian government, in particular to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, to repeal the ban on the Tamil Tigers. On a reconciliatory note, the LTTE have sought recognition for their struggle, claiming that old hatchets should be buried and also in specific asking India to not consider them as an enemy anymore. The LTTE statement comes even as the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) has threatened to pull out from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government if its concerns over the conditions of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka were not addressed. When asked if there was any message that LTTE would like to give Sonia Gandhi and the Indian government, P Nadesan, head of the political division of the LTTE said, “At this juncture all must realise who are the true friends of India and the Indian people. And thus remove the ban on our movement and recognise us. They must also stop the military aid to Sri Lanka.” In the meantime, LTTE has also sent out a stern message to the Sri Lankan government warning of an aggressive fight back. Citing examples from the past, the LTTE have claimed that every time the Sri Lankan Army has claimed success in wiping out the LTTE and claiming their bases, they have hit back with renewed force in no time. “Remember the Sri Lankan Army has claimed that they have largely destroyed LTTE’s strength and will soon capture Kilinochchi, the current LTTE headquarters,” said Nadesan. When asked about the claims by the Sri Lankan Army that the LTTE has been cornered completely, Nadesan said, “For the last 30 years it has been the practice of Sri Lankan Army to issue such reports. In 1995, when the entire people of Jaffna vacated in a massive exodus, the Sri Lankan Army said 90% of the LTTE has been wiped out.” “But within months waging a conventional war with the Sri Lankan Army we have captured Mullatheevu. Our strength was further demonstrated when we recaptured Jaffna in a few days The Sri Lankan Army claims that they have largely destroyed our strength and will soon capture Kilinochchi. But when the time is right, our military strength will be proved once again and the land we have lost will be retrieved,” said Nadesan. Thought, LTTE has also not ruled out any possibility of future peace talks with the government of Sri Lank moderated by India government.

Sri Lanka - IFT urges TN to Recognize the Tamils' Right to Self-Determination

Geneva- The International Federation of Tamils (IFT) in a statement released from Geneva, Switzerland has expressed its appreciation to the people and the leaders of Tamil Nadu for supporting “the need to create a separate sovereign State of Tamil Eelam” and for stating that the “genocide of the Eelam Tamils must be stopped”.
IFT in this statement has appealed to them to formally recognize the rights to self-determination of the Eelam Tamils by passing a resolution in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, and by doing so prevail upon the Government of India of same.
IFT also stated, for India’s own strategic and national security interests and for the strategic and national security interests of the Eelam Tamils, a sovereign State of Tamil Eelam is the only viable solution.
The statement in full:
International Federation of Tamils
18 Rue des Paquis,1201 Geneva, Switzerland
tel/Fax 00 41 22 7320 831 ift@bluewin.ch
20th of Oct.08
Appeal To The People And Leaders Of Tamil Nadu
The International Federation of Tamils recognizes that the People of Tamil Nadu through their Artists, political activists and political parties have risen in support of the Eelam Tamils at this crucial juncture. The various political parties in Tamil Nadu have expressed support ranging from “the need to create a separate sovereign State of Tamil Eelam” to recognizing “the right to self-determination of the Eelam Tamils”. The Tamil Nadu State Government has stated that the “genocide of the Eelam Tamils must be stopped”. The International Federation of Tamils (IFT) see these developments as positive and wish to express our appreciation to the people and the leaders of Tamil Nadu.
The India has shown a keen interest in the affairs of the island of Sri Lankan ever since the departure of the British in 1948. IFT notes that this interest has always manifested itself through Tamil Nadu.
Like in the case of India, some regional and other countries have also shown an interest in the island of Sri Lanka. These countries have been using the conflict between the Eelam Tamil Nation and the Sinhala State to their advantage. Due to the military and economic needs of the Sinhala State in wanting to prosecute the war against the Eelam Tamil Nation, opportunities have been plenty for these countries. There is little doubt that these developments are and will always be inimical to India’s strategic and national security interests. In this respect IFT wishes to quote the view expressed by the Political Head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr. B. Nadesan, to the Junior Vikadan published in Tamil Nadu:-
“The historical reality is that, whenever developments arose in the Indian Ocean region that was detrimental to India’s interest, the Sri Lankan State has always aligned itself with India’s rivals. The historical truth is also, that at these moments the Tamil people are the ones who have always voiced support for India and acted in a manner favorable to India. It is our hope that India’s policy makers deeply understand this fact. Instead of helping the Sinhala Nation, helping the Tamil Nation will be in India’s own security strength. At least in the future she must come forward to help her true allies.”
At the end of the “Gandhian” phase of the Eelam Tamils’ struggle, the then leader Mr. S.J.V. Chelvanayakam stated:-
“Throughout the ages the Sinhalese and Tamils in the country lived as distinct sovereign people till they were brought under foreign domination. It should be remembered that the Tamils were in the vanguard of the struggle for independence in the full confidence that they also will regain their freedom. We have for the last 25 years made every effort to secure our political rights on the basis of equality with the Sinhalese in a united Ceylon.”
“It is a regrettable fact that successive Sinhalese governments have used the power that flows from independence to deny us our fundamental rights and reduce us to the position of a subject people. These governments have been able to do so only by using against the Tamils the sovereignty common to the Sinhalese and the Tamils.”
“I wish to announce to my people and to the country that I consider the verdict at this election as a mandate that the Tamil Eelam nation should exercise the sovereignty already vested in the Tamil people and become free.”
( Statement made after winning the by-election for the Kankesanturai Parliamentary seat, held belatedly on 7 February 1975, two years after he had resigned the seat to seek a mandate for Tamil Eelam)
Thereafter, after several decades of armed liberation struggle of the Eelam Tamils, the current national leader Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharen stated:-
“On this day, when we remember our Heroes, I ask the entire Tamil speaking world to rise up for the liberation of Tamil Eelam. I wish to express my love and gratitude to you for your past participation in the building of our nation, bringing together your abundant intellectual, material, monetary and many other resources in the service of our nation and ask that you stand with us in the coming years of our freedom struggle.”
( Tamil Eelam National leader in his annual Heroes’ Day statement on 27 November 2007)
In view of the aforesaid, IFT wishes to state that, for India’s own strategic and national security interests and for the strategic and national security interests of the Eelam Tamils, a sovereign State of Tamil Eelam is the only viable solution. Accordingly, IFT wishes to appeal to the people and leaders of Tamil Nadu to formally recognize the right to self-determination of the Eelam Tamils by passing a resolution in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, and by doing so prevail upon the Government of India of same.
(the end)

Don't help Sorry Lanka: RS members

U Anand Kumar
DELHI - Expressing concern over the 'miserable plight' of Tamils in Sri Lanka, members of the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu on Wednesday demanded that the Centre stop all military assistance to Sri Lanka.
Raising the issue during the zero hour in the Upper House, AIADMK member Dr V Maitreyan alleged that innocent Tamil civilians of Sri Lanka "were being butchered by the Sri Lankan armed forces under the pretext of a civil war." Accusing the UPA government of supplying arms, providing radars and training to the Sri Lankan armed forces, Maitreyan said, “the DMK did not bother to force its own UPA Government to stop the genocide of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka”. He said that DMK was resorting to a great resignation drama on the issue.
Stating that all military assistance to the Lankan government should be stopped, CPI leader D Raja urged the UPA government to show its political will and put an end to the war and strive for a political solution in the island nation.
Initiating the concern in the Rajya Sabha, DMK member Tiruchy Siva said the government discontinue military aid to Sri Lanka immediately. He feared that an attempt was being made to wipe out the Tamil community in the island. Pointing out that this was an SOS from Tamil Nadu, Siva said, "The Government should take steps to ensure rehabilitation measures of providing food, medicines and clothing to the displaced people."
CPM member T K Rangarajan wanted the government to pressure Sri Lanka to arrive at a political settlement on the issue.
BJP member Thirunavukkarasar urged the government to take up this issue with the United Nations and request it to send the Human Rights Commission to the areas occupied by the Tamils in the island.
Courtesy: Express Buzz

Ruthless Sri Lankan Deep Penatration Unit Attack Kills a Civilian injures 2 in Poonakari

Killinochchi, Sri Lanka- One civilian was killed and two other civilians were wounded in a roadside bomb attack planted and detonated by the Sri Lankan, deep penetration unit (DPU) in the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled area of at Thikkuvil in Poonakari (Pooneryn) Wednesday around 1:00 p.m, according to the sources mil Eelam Police sources in Vanni.
Two of the wounded were rushed to the primary health care centre in Poonakari.The health care centre is run by the Centre for Health Care (CHC), a local NGO, which re-established the centre in Poonakari as many IDPs who had left Poonakari due to the ongoing Sri Lankan offensive, returned to resume agriculture in their paddy fields following the moonsoonal rain.
The Sri Lankan government Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) known to have infiltrated into many times in the LTTE controlled areas and carried out ambush attacks on civilians including scores of children, elected officials, religious leaders, journalists and aid workers a local aid worker told TNS in Vanni. Three decades old civil war in Sri Lanka killed at least 215,000 people according to the UN World Health Organization.

Flickr.com link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terror_lanka

Ruthless Sri Lankan Police arrest Tamil youth in the islets of Jaffna

Ruthless Sri Lankan Police arrest Tamil youth in the islets of Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 October 2008, 16:18 GMT]Jaffna police arrested a youth in Veala'nai in the islets of Jaffna Friday on instruction from Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jaffna, in investigations related to the recent suicide attack attempted on Sri Lanka Minister of Agriculture and the General Secretary of the ruling constituent Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Mithiripala Srisena, in Colombo, legal society sources in Jaffna said. Police produced the youth, Thiyagarasa Suthakaran, 28, whom they arrested at his house in Ward 4, Veala'nai, in Jaffna Court Friday. Magistrate Vasanthasenan granted permission to the police to detain Suthakaran until 3 November for interrogation. The magistrate also directed the police to submit the Ministry of Defence Detention Order (DO) of Suthakaran's detention on 3rd November when he is to be produced in Jaffna Court. Investigations into the cell phone sim card, claimed to have been recovered from the young woman suicide killer, led to the arrest of Suthakaran in Veala'nai.

Abducted Tamil trader found dead in Negombo, Sri Lanka

Abducted Tamil trader found dead in Negombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 October 2008, 14:51 GMT]The body of the abducted 40-year-old Subramanian Thavarajasingham, father of two children and a trader by profession was found near the Negombo railway station Sunday morning. He was abducted by armed persons arrived in a white van from his telecommunication centre located along Beach Road in Negombo on October 8th, sources said. He was a native of Pazhakkaadu area in Kaarainakar in Jaffna district and had been residing in Negombo for the last several years. Postmortem examination was held in the Negombo Teaching Hospital.