ரோஸ்

Sri Lankan charity president responds to story

To the Editor:

As president of an organization (TRO) in the news lately, ("U.S. says Sri Lankan Charity with Maryland Offices Funds Terrorists," Nov. 17 Times-News, Page 1A). I wish to clarify some issues to your readers.

TRO-USA is a charitable organization registered in the U.S.A. and legally independent of TRO Sri Lanka and other TRO organizations in other countries. All money collected by TRO-USA has been used only for relief work in Sri Lanka, except for Katrina. relief contributions in U.S.A.

TRO in Sri Lanka assists TRO-USA in appraising projects and programs needed and in implementing such agreed operations. TRO-USA itself monitors all programs so financed including field visits by myself and other representatives from the U.S.A., until the outbreak of intensified war in April 2006 made travel in affected areas virtually impossible.

We have deep gratitude for the dedication with which TRO (Sri Lanka) officers and employees, have helped to implement our programs in a successful, cost effective, transparent manner.

As a charity registered in the U.S.A., TRO has diligently and faithfully been complying with the laws and all regulations related to registered charities. TRO-USA reiterates that it is NOT a "front to facilitate fundraising for the Libertarian Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)"

Sri Lanka is a country plagued by civil war for the past 25-years, resulting in over 70,000 civilian deaths (over 90 percent Tamils), displacement of civilians from their homes, with at least 75 percent of Tamils in north and east being displaced and seeking shelters in camps, economic and food embargoes, closing of A-9 highway linking North Sri-Lanka to capital city Colombo, repeated bombings, shellings, etc. have reduced once proud and educated people to a state of poverty and starvation.

Malnutrition is rampant amongst the Tamil children and only rudimentary health care is available for the civilians in northeast. All visiting dignitaries including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Ex-U.N. Secretary-General Kafi Annan and others have been prevented by government of Sri Lanka from visiting "Tiger" controlled areas, from seeing the plight of civilians, northeast Sri Lanka bore the brunt of death and destruction from December 2004 tsunami, but the American Red cross did not do any relief work there, post-tsunami.

The Tamils survived post-Tsunami only because of relief work done by TRO, which is the main non-government organization (NGO) working in the northeast, partnered by NGOs from Europe and two NGOs from U.S.A. The accolades TRO (Sri Lanka) had received from the likes of then Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunge, other foreign dignitaries and International NG's, both for tsunami relief work and otherwise, speak for themselves.

Despite the protestation of the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake that, "...this designation is an action against the LTTE, not against the Tamil people," the actions of the U.S. Treasury Department will in fact severely impact the Tamil people and cause further suffering to the most vulnerable sections of the Tamil population.

There seems to be an ongoing political witch hunt in Sri Lanka aimed at discrediting TRO and other national and international organizations working in LTTE held areas. It appears that the goal of this is to reduce humanitarian assistance provided to the Tamil civilian population in LTTE controlled areas as well as in GOSL (Government of Sri Lanka) war affected areas.

The freezing of the TRO bank accounts by the Government of Sri Lanka (Sept. 4, 2006) and the U.S. government (Nov. 15, 2007) will further exacerbate the humanitarian situation and cause untold suffering to the approximately 300,000 persons that rely on TRO assistance.

Swedish cease-fire monitors have accused the government security forces of killing 17 aid workers of French NGO action against Hunger. Civilians are now routinely subjected to torture, kidnappings for ransom, abduction of children to be forcefully recruited as child soldiers, disappearances, etc. The final report of Residential Commission of Inquiry of Missing Persons, says "Most of the disappearances have been caused by the Army and Police."

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy has pointed out that the Millennium Challenge Corporation suspended over $11 million U.S. in aid intended for Sri Lanka based on statements by freedom House about serious human Tights abuse and restriction of press freedom by GOSL.

In this difficult environment, despite personal dangers and killing of seven TRO workers 1 1/2 years ago with none ever brought to trial for their murder, TRO personnel have, been working hard to alleviate the, misery imposed on our people.

Tamil National Alliance (comprised of most of the elected Tamil members of Parliament) MP Kajendren says: "U.S. has made the situation worse for the Tamil people internally displaced and reeling under economic hardships by stopping the humanitarian aid from branches worldwide of TRO. More than 300,000 Tamils are displaced by the offensive Sri Lanken Armed forces. TRO as the only organization capable of providing the day to day support for the most vulnerable IDP's, will now be debilitated by scarcity of funds. Children's homes, schools, aged peoples homes, livelihood beneficiaries including Tsunami beneficiaries will be affected by the ban."

I am deeply concerned about the future of Tamils in Sri Lanka, persecuted by their own government and left without many friends in the world. Now that TRO accounts are frozen, I hope and pray that some other organization will step in to fill the void.

N.A. Ranjithan, M.D.
Cumberland
President TRO-USA

Labels: TRO

ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசு தொடர்ச்சியாக உலக அமைப்புகளை நாட்டிலிருந்து வெளியேற்றுவதிலே கவனமாக இருக்கிறது. கிழக்கிலே அச்சுறுத்தலினாலே தமிழர்நலன்புரியும் அமைப்புகளின் செயற்பாடுகளை நிறுத்தியது. கொழும்பிலே கொலையே செய்தது. இப்போது ஐநா அமைப்புகளைத் திட்டித் தள்ளுவதிலும் கழுத்தை நசிப்பதிலுமே கண்ணாகியுள்ளது. தமிழ்மக்களுக்கான கொஞ்ச நஞ்ச உதவியினையும் அமுக்கிவிடும் உபாயத்திலே உலக நாடுகளின் ஆயுத உதவியோடு இதுவும் சேர்ந்துகொள்கிறது.

Reuters
SRI LANKA: "Groundless" allegations could threaten aid work - UN official
28 Nov 2007 07:12:23 GMT

"Groundless public accusations can seriously compromise our ability to carry out humanitarian and development work and are also putting the safety and security of UN staff and non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners at risk," Neil Buhne, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sri Lanka, said in a recent statement released by the UN Inter Agency Standing Committee (ISAC) country team.

முழுதாக வாசிப்பதற்கு இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/45b2951a8161f1ad51202b77d95322f7.htm

Labels: sri lanka, uno

ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசின் உத்தியோகபூர்வ செய்தித்தாபனமான லேக் ஹவுஸின் டெயிலி நியூஸ் சஞ்சிகையிலே சுப்பிரமணியசுவாமிகள் எழுதிய கட்டுரை இது.

எல்ரிரிஈக்கும் சேதுசமுத்திரத்திரத்திட்டத்துக்கும் இணைப்பினைப் போட்டு எழுதுகிறார். இப்படியான கட்டுரைகள் புதிதல்ல. இணையத்திலும் இப்படியான சேதுசமுத்திரக்கட்டுரைகளைக் கண்டிருக்கிறோம். ஆனால் இந்தியாவிலே தமிழ்மக்களாலே சீண்டப்படாத சுப்பிரமணியசுவாமிகளை கொழும்பிலிருந்து வரும் "Sri Lanka's National Newspaper since 1918" இந்தியாவின் கருத்தாக ஸ்ரீலங்காவுக்கு வெளியிடுவதும் ஈழத்திலே தமிழ்மக்களாலே சீண்டப்படாத ஆனந்தசங்கரிகளை மதராசிபட்டினத்திலிருந்து வெளிவரும் ""India's National Newspaper" ஈழத்தமிழர்களின் கருத்தாக இந்தியர்களுக்கு வெளியிடுவதும் புரிந்தவர்களுக்கு வெறும் politickle news and views என்று தோன்றலாம். ஆனால் ஸ்ரீலங்கா இந்தியா தமிழ்நாடு ஈழம் அரசியலைக் கூர்ந்து கவனிக்காதவர்களுக்கு உண்மையாகத் தோன்றலாம் என்பதைக் கவனிப்போமா?


Sethusamudram project: fundamentally flawed

I oppose the rupture of Ram Sethu to dredge out a seabed furrow called the Sethusamudram channel on religious, economic, environmental and national security grounds. However, even if the project is economically viable, which it is not, environmentally acceptable, and safe from the perspective of national security, I will still oppose it, because breaking a 300-metre wide passage through the Ram Sethu is sacrilegious.

To the question, “Ram Sethu hai (Is there a Ram Sethu)?” I reply, “Ram se tu hai (You are from Ram).”

....

The legendary bridge of coral reefs and rocks was built, according to the Ramayana, on the direction of Lord Ram. That such a causeway of coral rocks and reefs exists has been established by modern satellite photographs.

That it was constructed, and is not a natural formation was established by Dr S. Badrinarayanan, formerly director of the Geological Survey of India. His report has been so far hidden from the Supreme Court by Ms Ambika Soni, the Union minister for culture.

....
Who then will use the channel, even if we overlook the LTTE Sea Tiger threat, the ever-present problem of cyclones, piracy, smuggling, marine pollution, fights over fishing rights, gun and drug running mafia operations, tsunami etc.?

There is also the security angle to be considered. Once the channel becomes operational, policing it would require a major increase in the assets of the Indian Coast Guard, customs and marine police in Rameshwaram and Tuticorin.

Keeping in mind the proximity of Tuticorin to the Palk Bay because of the channel, the Indian Navy too may have to consider permanently basing some assets in Tuticorin for more intensive surveillance, for the protection of future oil exploration rigs, and to ensure a quick response to threats from the LTTE.


கட்டுரையை முழுக்க வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/11/26/fea05.asp

Minutes that spilled the beans on Karuna

Says Douglas is an opportunist

Dump Karuna as he is a 'spent force'

Karuna has spirited away SLR 50 crores to London

Complains state agencies not advertising

Recommends Basil for ministerial portfolio

Says Sri Lankan diplomats are uncooperative

Wantsremoval of the High Commissioner in London

Further to our expose titled Plot to get rid of Karuna was hatched at a presidential suite in Geneva and under the sub heading 'Asian Tribune editor spills the beans in letter to Presidential Advisor' in The Sunday Leader issue of November 11, we reproduce below the unedited minutes of the meeting sent to Presidential Advisor Sunimal Fernando on October 24 under confidential cover by Asian Tribune Editor K.T. Rajasingham. Rajasingham has interspersed his minutes of the June meeting with subsequent comments which he gives in bold letters and in parenthesis.

முழுக்கட்டுரையை இங்கே வாசிக்கலாம்
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20071125/spotlight.htm

UNHCR concerned about security situation in eastern Sri Lanka


GENEVA, November 22 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency said on Friday it was seriously concerned about the deteriorating security situation and various incidents reported from return areas in eastern Sri Lanka.

Around 250 internally displaced people (IDP), who returned to their villages of origin in the Trincomalee district a few weeks ago, have again fled their homes this week. The civilians, who first fled escalating violence last year, have gone back to welfare centres in Batticaloa district after serious security incidents in their villages.

"UNHCR has received reports of a number of killings, abductions, incidents of harassment and general insecurity in these areas. These incidents have made the returns unsustainable for these IDP families," spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told journalists in Geneva. "Those who fled to Batticaloa have indicated that at the moment, they have no intention of returning to their villages of origin. They said their homes have been looted and damaged, and they now have nothing to return to," she added.

Incidents such as these affect the sustainability of returns. Security is one of the main prerequisites for return and UNHCR said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure the security of returnees.

"We urge the government to strengthen the return process and build confidence among the returnees. We warn against any further moves towards premature return until these issues are resolved," Pagonis said.

UNHCR is also concerned about incidents of involuntary return on Thursday to Chenkalady in Batticaloa West. According to reports, displaced people who were unwilling to return were informed by local authorities that their assistance would be withdrawn if they opted to stay behind.

The UN refugee agency has received a petition from a group of 92 IDPs indicating their unwillingness to return. There are also reports of looting of shelter materials in the Batticaloa district.

UNHCR reiterated its call to the government to ensure the returns are voluntary, safe and in line with international standards. The agency said it should be fully engaged in the process and the government should work with experts in this field to ensure that the rights of the IDPs are safeguarded.

Pagonis said UNHCR was also advocating with the government to ensure that any moves to return the recently displaced population in the northern region of Mannar is carried out with transparency.

They were displaced after fighting erupted in the region last September. UNHCR is encouraging go-and-see visits by displaced people to the return areas to ensure that returns are fully voluntary and it also wants to be fully engaged in the process.

அவுட்லுக் சென்னை கோனரிலே புஷ்பா ஐயங்கார் தமிழ்ச்செல்வன் செத்தது தமிழ்நாட்டிலே எப்படி பார்க்கப்படுகிறது என்று எழுதியிருக்கிறார். சொந்தமகன் ஹரியே அரசியலிலே எதிர்நிலையிலே நிற்க வாழும் ஆனந்தசங்கரியின் குரல் இலங்கையிலும்விட இந்தியாவிலேதான் அதிகம் பிரகாசப்படுத்தப்படுகிறது.எதற்கு? மன்னார், கிழக்குமாகாண அகதிகளைப் பற்றி ஆனந்தசங்கரி ஒரு வார்த்தை பேசவில்லை. ஆனால், தமிழ்ச்செல்வனை மகாத்மாகாந்தி ஆக்காதீர்கள் என்று அறிக்கைவிட்டுக் கேட்கிறார்.

OUTLOOK
Chennai Corner
The recent killng of LTTE leader Tamilchelvan is a good barometer to judge whether the LTTE cause is as dear to Tamils here as when they opened up their hearts 20 years ago...

Pushpa Iyengar


Stand Up and Be Counted

Does the average Tamil still feel worked up because his brethren in the emerald isle across the Gulf of Mannar are far from achieving their goal of a homeland? The recent killng of LTTE leader SP Tamilchelvan is a good barometer to judge whether the LTTE cause is as dear to Tamils here as when they opened up their hearts 20 years ago after fleeing Tamils landed at Rameshwar and then spread further inland.
....

But it was a Sri Lankan Tamil who has told Tamil Nadu's politicians not to make the "historic blunder" of supporting the LTTE. Tamil United Liberation Front leader and former Killinochi MP V Anandasangaree has said it was "very important" that a team of leaders from TN visit the north including areas under LTTE control. "What the Tamils need today is liberation from the so-called LTTE liberators," he said. And about Tamilchelvan's killing. he says, "Tamilchelvan was not assassinated like Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther king."

He may not have been, but people here still see him as a martyr to the Tamil cause and feel anguish or him.
முழுப்பத்தியையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20071123&fname=chennai&sid=1&pn=1

Labels: anandasangari, outlook, pushpa iyengar

வலையிலே கிடக்கும் இணைப்பு
http://www.newsofeelam.com/video/apura.asf

Watching it does only make one feel depressed, just depressed. Withering youth in the dark of the night. Whatever the purpose is and whatever the achievement is, it does not give any positive feeling. Sad.

கொழும்பிலிருந்து வெளிவரும் சண்டே லீடர் வார இதழ் ஏசியா ரிபியூன் ஆசிரியர் கேடி ராஜசிங்கத்தின் செயல்களை விமர்சித்து இந்தக்கிழமையும் எழுதியிருக்கிறது. மகிந்த ராஜபக்சவின் ஒரு அமைச்சின் அரசுச்செயலாளருக்கு மரண அச்சுறுத்தலைச் செய்திருப்பதாகவும் சொல்கிறது. இந்த ஏசியா ரிபியூனைச் செய்திகளுக்காக ரெபரன்ஸ் செய்கிறவர்கள் இவற்றைக் கவனிப்பார்களா? இதுபோல இன்வெஸ்ரிகேற்றிவ் ஜேர்னலிசம் ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசுக்கு ஆதரவாக எழுதும் இந்திய பத்திரிகையாளர்களைப் பற்றியும் வரவேண்டும். ராஜசிங்கம் போல சிறிய ஜேர்னலிஸ்டுகளுக்கே இவ்வளவு பணம் கைமாறினால், மேலே யோசிக்கவே பயமாக இருக்கிறது.

The President's choice of advisors and the govt.'s dance with Karuna

Sonali Samarasinghe
The Sunday Leader - November 18, 2007



K.T. Rajasingham dismisses Douglas as an opportunist not interested in projects put forward by him


Asian Tribune admits telephone conversation with Pillayan which included instructions to kill


Minister Fernandopulle's Coordinating Secretary complaints to CID and TID against Asian Tribune Editor Rajasingham


Dr. Rajaratnam says danger lurks around him after Rajasingham sent him several emails


Minister's Coordinating Secretary accuses Rajasingham of being a close associate of well-known terrorist Pillayan


Rajasingham implies at Geneva meeting with MR that Rohitha unsuitable for job and his duties be taken over by Basil


Asian Tribune angry with female Heads of Mission Kshenuka Seneviratne and Wagiswara and wants them removed


Coordinating Secretary expresses shock at contents of phone call and asks Rajasingham not to drag him to a web of killings and murders


Minister's Secretary makes complaint to Police Rajasingham gave instructions to Pillayan to assassinate Krishnan

முழுக்கட்டுரையையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=527&id=5279

Labels: asian tribune, corrupt journalists, india, sri lanka

தமிழ்த்தேசியத்தின் விலை


The price of Tamil nationalism
By J.S. Tissainayagam

In this emotion-laden atmosphere in parliament there was an interesting exchange which elucidates the attitude of government MPs, or at least the power-brokers among them, towards their counterparts in the TNA. Basil Rajapaksa, MP, while on his feet, referred to development schemes the government was planning for the Eastern Province, which included augmenting the animal husbandry and dairy farming industry in Polonnaruwa. At this point TNA's Jaffna MP, Suresh Premachandran, interjected with a query as to whether the government planned to develop this industry by herding stray cattle in Batticaloa to farms in Polonnaruwa.

Rajapaksa responded by saying this was not so and Premachandran was free to come and see for himself. Premachandran in turn said he could not oblige because he did not have adequate security. In reply Rajapaksa stated, "If you come with me your security will be guaranteed, but if you go with the Tigers there will be no security."

This writer is quoting with responsibility what Premachandran, a parliamentarian, said had transpired in the chamber during the debate, since the Hansard of the day's proceedings were not ready by Friday (16th) when this article was written. The implications of Rajapaksa's statement, which amounts to a threat, are very serious. It is directed at an MP and by extension at other members of the TNA too. There are two important issues connected with it.



முழுக்கட்டுரையையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071118/Columns/telescope.html

மனித உரிமைக்கண்காணிப்புக்குழு கருணாவின்மீது பிரித்தானியா விசாரிக்கக்கோருகிறது.


UK: Investigate Sri Lankan Rebel Leader for Atrocities
Karuna Case Important for Bringing Justice for International Crimes
(London, November 16, 2007) – The British government should open a criminal investigation into a former Tamil Tiger leader in immigration detention, Human Rights Watch said today. Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, known as Colonel Karuna Amman, was a leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) until he split to form his own group.


On November 2, 2007, UK immigration authorities arrested Karuna, a rebel military commander who has long been linked to the summary execution and torture of civilians and the use of children as soldiers. Until leaving the LTTE in March 2004, Karuna was the Tigers’ top commander in eastern Sri Lanka, and the reputed number two in the LTTE hierarchy. Because he had been given a de facto amnesty by the Sri Lankan government and his armed group fought against the LTTE in recent years, it is unlikely the Sri Lankan government would prosecute him.

முழுச்செய்தியையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்

Labels: HRW, karuna

சாந்தி சச்சிதானந்தத்தின் இந்தக்கட்டுரை கருணா அம்மான் கட்டி எழுப்பிய கிரான்வாதத்தையும் அதன் வீழ்ச்சியையும் காட்டுகிறது. கருணா தனது தலைக்கே மண்ணை அள்ளிப்போட்டது தெரிகின்றதல்லவா?

சாந்தி சச்சிதானந்தம், பெண்கள் தொடர்பான ஆய்வுகளை நீண்டகாலமாக நிறையச் செய்கிறவர். ஐரோப்பியப்பெண்கள் மகாநாடுகள், அவற்றோடு தொடர்புள்ள ஊடறு சஞ்சிகை போன்றவற்றிலே இவரின் கட்டுரைகளைக் காணலாம். பெண்களின் சுவடுகளில் என்ற நூலையும் தமிழியல் வெளியீடாக வெளியிட்டிருக்கிறார்.

groundviews is a Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative
A requiem by Karuna: The death of sub-regionalism?
November 16, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Shanthi Sachithanandam

....
It was somewhere in December 1995; I was in the middle of conducting a meeting at a village called Paalchenai, in Vakarai, when suddenly a visibly distraught man from the same area burst into our meeting with a tiny transistor in his hand. “Amma, the army has entered Jaffna town,” he blurted out.

All of us, the Paalchenai villagers and I, exclaimed in horror. We quickly gathered round him to listen to the news of the conclusion of the first leg of the Riviresa operations that captured Jaffna town.

Nationalism
Whenever I recollect this incident, I cannot help but marvel at the power of the idea of nationalism that is able to mobilise such a diverse group of communities. There are no perceptible common links between the people of Jaffna and Vakarai in terms of class, caste, kinship, education, traditions or any of the generally referred to classifications based on primarily economic and cultural interests.

Both people would most probably have never visited each others’ localities. Yet, there in Vakarai, we saw them join on the basis of a nationality that was under threat of extinction.
...
Desecration
If we say that the Military Intelligence tripped a falling Karuna into a coffin, the Sri Lanka Army drove the final nail. As soon as areas of east were captured, they mowed down hundreds of tombs of LTTE cadres both in Vakarai and in Tharavai. These graves were of the sons and daughters of Batticaloa who had fought along with Karuna, for the liberation of their people.

Even as he was instrumental in helping the army to capture the district, Karuna appeared powerless to prevent this desecration. All his tough talk (remember his Derana interview?) and his boast of being able to bring development to Batticaloa ended right there. He was finished. Karuna sang his own requiem.

Therefore, the purported expelling of Karuna from his party, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) in early October is a mere ritual of a fact that had concluded some time ago.

The only Leader
Pillaiyan, his deputy who has replaced him, is now busy calling traders, NGOs and others in the districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee for meetings to explain the present status quo.

“Karuna embezzled money within TMVP. That is the reason for which Thalaivar (Leader) also had to sack him before,” he is reported to have said.

Thalaivar? But is that not the term LTTE cadres and other supporters use for Prabhakaran? On being asked for clarifications, he is supposed to have stated, “Then and now and always he is the only Leader (Ore Thalaivar).”

I have always marvelled at the power of the idea of nationalism.

முழுக்கட்டுரையையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.groundviews.org/2007/11/16/a-requiem-by-karuna-the-death-of-sub-regionalism/

Labels: eelam, nationalism

பொஸ்ரன் குளோப் பத்திரிகை தனது ஆசிரியர்தலையங்கத்திலே ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசுக்கு உலகநாடுகள் ஆயுதம் வழங்குவதிலே தடை கொண்டுவரவேண்டும் என்று சொல்லியிருக்கிறது. ஸ்ரீலங்காவுக்கான அமெரிக்கத்தூதுவர் உளவுபார்க்கும் தொழில்நுட்பத்தை வழங்கியபோது ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசு சமாதானப்பேச்சுவார்த்தையிலே ஈடுபடவேண்டும் என்று கூறியதின் போலித்தனத்தைப் பகிடி செய்துள்ளது. இந்த உளவு பார்க்கும் தொழில்நுட்பம் இந்தியாவின் திருவனந்தபுரத்தின் படைவசதியையும் உளவுபார்க்கலாம் என்று இந்திய அவதானிகளும் கவலை கொண்டுள்ளனர்.


Bonston Globe
Globe Editorial
[Nov 14, 2007]
Violence drags on in Sri Lanka

....
A recent letter from Human Rights Watch to two members of Congress cites past rights violations by the Tigers, including attacks against civilians and the use of child soldiers. But since the collapse of a cease-fire last year, the letter notes, "there has been a significant jump in abuses by government forces such as indiscriminate shelling, extrajudicial executions, and forced disappearances."

....

Current US policy contradictions were on display Thursday when, during a ceremony accompanying an American donation of a maritime surveillance system and inflatable boats to the Sri Lankan navy, US ambassador Robert Blake urged the host government to pursue a negotiated settlement of the conflict. It will take more than well-meaning sentiments to end Sri Lanka's long internecine warfare.

There ought to be an international arms embargo on Sri Lanka. If President Rahinda Rajapaksa wants to end the conflict, he could point to the damaging effects of such an embargo to persuade Sinhalese nationalists they must accept a meaningful devolution of power to the Tamil areas.

...
முழுக்கட்டுரையையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/11/14/violence_drags_on_in_sri_lanka/

Labels: Arms embargo, human rights violation, International community, sri lanka

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-4461610936009497424

தமிழ்ச்செல்வன் நினைவுதினத்தின்போது சுப வீரபாண்டியன் உரை


தமிழ்ச்செல்வன் நினைவுதினத்தின்போது வேல்முருகன் உரை

Labels: eelam, speech, youtube

கருணா அம்மான் பிரச்சனைக்குப் பிறகு இங்கிலாந்து ஸ்ரீலங்கா உறவிலே விரிவு என்று காலீஜ் டைம்ஸ் செய்தி சொல்கிறது

Karuna passport row hits Lanka-Britain ties
By Ameen Izzadeen (Our correspondent)

12 November 2007

Sri Lanka’ relations with Britain has taken a dip following allegations that government here was involved in the issuance of a forged passport to breakaway Tamil Tiger leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna to travel to London, reports said.

முழுக்கட்டுரை இங்கே இருக்கிறது
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/November/subcontinent_November475.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=

Labels: britain, sri lanka

கருணா அம்மான் சம்பந்தமாக ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசுசார்பான செய்தி வெளியிடும் ஏசியா ரிபியூன் ஆசிரியர் ராஜசிங்கத்தின் செயற்பாடுகளைப் பாருங்கள். ஸ்ரீலங்காவின் கொழும்பிலிருந்து வரும் சண்டே லீடரிலே வந்த புலனாய்வுக்கட்டுரை. ராஜசிங்கம் யூஎன்னின் குழந்தைகள் தொடர்பான அமைப்புக்கு UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict ஆக ஸ்ரீலங்காவினால் பிரேரிக்கப்பட்டு நியமிக்கப்பட்ட ராதிகா குமாரசாமி என்ற அம்மையாரையும் இதிலே கருணாவுக்காக ஆதரவு திரட்டியிருக்கின்றார்.

இந்தக்கட்டுரை ராஜசிங்கம்., டக்ளஸ் தேவானந்தா ஆகியோர் அரசுடன் சேர்ந்து செய்த கொடூரங்களைத் தருகிறது. இந்திய உலக அரசுகள் மீடியாவின் கவனத்தை இந்தக்கட்டுரை பெறுமா? ஏசியா ரிபியூன் என்ற பத்திரிகையின் ஆசிரியர் ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசுடன் கூடிச் செய்த மனித உரிமை மீறல்கள் இப்படி வெளிவந்ததுபோலவே, ஏனைய மீடியாவின் பத்திரிகை ஆசிரியர்கள், பத்திரிகையாளர்கள் ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசுடன் சேர்ந்து செய்த அரசியலும் சிங்கள மக்களையும் இந்தியமக்களையும் உலகமக்களையும் சென்றடைய வேண்டும்.

Plot to get rid of Karuna was hatched at a presidential suite in Geneva

By: Sonali Samarasinghe
Courtesy: The Sunday Leader - November 11, 2007

Rajapakse arrived in Geneva at 5.10pm on June 14, for the International Labour Organisation Conference. Dayan Jayatilleke at the time one recalls had newly been appointed the UN Permanent Representative in Geneva for Sri Lanka. It was not 24 hours after his arrival that the President was to meet Asian Tribune Editor Rajasingham in his Presidential rooms at the Intercontinental.

....
K.T.Rajasingham was to tell the President that it was he who had contacted UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy and assured her on behalf of Karuna, during a conference call that the group would not recruit under age children any further.

...

Rajasingham now says; "I was told that he is the one responsible for the abduction and killing (yes he has killed him according to unconfirmed reports) of Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ravindranath of the Eastern University."

முழுக்கட்டுரை இங்கே உள்ளது
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=527&id=5266

ராஜசிங்கம் பற்றிய ஒரு கட்டுரை இங்கேயுள்ளது. வாசியுங்கள்.
The man behind Asian Tribune lies – K.T.Rajasingham, a failed tamil politician from Thailand

கலைத்தமிழ்.கொம்மிலிருந்து தமிழ்ச்செல்வன் படம்

அகதிகளின் துயரங்களைப் பற்றித் தெரியாதவர்களுக்கு அவற்றை உணரவைக்க ஐநாவின் இணையவிளையாட்டு.
http://www.playagainstallodds.com/game_us.html

Labels: refugee, uno

பிரிட்டனின் சங்கடமென்ற தலைப்பிலே இங்கிலாந்திலே வாழும் பாரா மிகிலர் எழுதியிருப்பது. கருணாவின் கைது இலங்கைக்கு மட்டுமல்ல, இங்கிலாந்துக்கும் சங்கடமென்று எழுதுகிறார்.

The Guardian
Britain's dilemma
Farah Mihlar
09 November 2007

With the arrest of Karuna Amman, Britain now has on its soil a man accused of war crimes. Will it let him go?

Friday last week was a manic day for Sri Lankans across Britain. We were alerted to two extraordinary events that together have potentially massive consequences for the tiny, war-torn Indian-ocean island. We woke to the shocking news that a top rebel leader had been killed back home. Later, emails, texts and phone calls started whizzing around claiming that a Sri Lankan paramilitary leader had been arrested in London.

முழுவதையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/farah_mihlar/2007/11/britains_dilemma.html

Labels: human rights, Sri Lakan, tamil, UK

Labels: eelam

ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசே கருணா அம்மானுக்கு பொய்யான கடவுச்சீட்டு வழங்கியதாக மோர்னிங் லீடர் பத்திரிகையிலே லசந்த விக்கிரமதுங்க புலனாய்ந்து எழுதியிருக்கிறார்.

அந்தக்கட்டுரையைக் கனடியன் தமிழ்ச்செய்தி இங்கே வெளியிட்டிருக்கிறது

Govt smuggled Karuna to London on forged DPL passport
The Morning Leader
November 7, 2007
Lasantha Wickrematunge

Damning evidence has surfaced that the Government smuggled LTTE renegade commander Karuna to Great Britain on a forged diplomatic passport.

An investigation by The Morning Leader revealed that the forged diplomatic passport was issued by the Immigration Department on the orders of higher authorities in the name of Kokila Gunawardena on August 30, 2007.

It has been further revealed that Karuna was issued a valid British visa in the name of Kokila Gunawardena by the High Commission in Colombo on September 5 on a recommendation by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry.

The Morning Leader investigation revealed that the Foreign Ministry had sent a Third Party Note to the British High Commission in Colombo together with a number of passports recommending visas for a group of persons to attend a climate change conference in Britain and included in the set of passports was a diplomatic passport in the name of Kokila Gunawardena.

முழுச்செய்தியையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே செல்லுங்கள்
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=501&id=5260

Labels: eelam, forged passport

தமிழ்ச்செல்வன் பற்றி தமிழ்வீக் ஜெயராஜ் ஒரு கட்டுரை எழுதியிருக்கிறார். எப்படி ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசுச்செய்திகள் தமிழ்ச்செல்வனைச் சாதியடிப்படையிலே எழுதி நக்கல் செய்திருந்தன என்றும் சொல்லியிருக்கிறார். தமிழ்ச்செல்வனுக்குப் மெய்ப்பாதுகாவலராக ஒரு ஐயர்ப்போராளி இருந்தார் என்பதையும் சாதி அடிப்படையிலே ஜெயராஜ் எதற்கோ சொல்லியிருக்கிறார். புலிகள் சாதியை வளர்ப்பதாகச் சொல்லுகின்றவர்கள் இதைப் பற்றி என்ன சொல்வார்கள்?

“Brigadier” Thamilchelvan, The “Smiling” Face of LTTE
November 3rd, 2007
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The mood amidst cadres and supporters of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers was on the ascendant after the successful attack on the Anuradhapura air base.

Thursday November 1st saw a special ceremony being held in the Wanni where tiger supremo Velupillai Prabakharan awarded four different types of military honours for those involved in various aspects of “Operation Ellalan”.

But this euphoria of victory over the Air force at Saliyapura was short lived. Within 24 hours of the award ceremony the Sri Lankan air force struck back.

The buoyant LTTE mood turned gloomy. The airforce down in the doldrums after the Anuradhapura debacle became chirpy again. Such are the fluctuating fortunes of this fratricidal fighting.

.....

The others killed along with Thamilchelvan in the Thiruvaiyaaru bombing were Muthukkumaru Soundarakrishnan alias Lt Col Anpumani , Dharmarajah Vijayakumar alias Major Mihuthan, Karunanidhi Vasanthakumar alias Capt. Kalaiyarasan, Panchatcharam Sajeeban alias Lt Aatchivel, and Muthukkumaarakkurukkal Srigayathrinatha Sarma alias Lt Maavaikumaran.

All of them were from villages in Jaffna district.Maavailkumaran is the son of a brahmin priest.

.....

In what seems a crude attempt to humiliate Thamilchelvan some government websites and state controlled media refer to Thamilchelvan being of the “ambattan” or barber caste and that he was a barber before joining the movement.

This reminds one of the “snide” methods used to ridicule Ranasinghe Premadasa on account of his caste.

Those who seek to demean a person on the basis of caste are only demeaning themselves. It also shows the “caste consciousness” in the corridors of power.

Yes, Thamilchelvan belonged to a traditional barber community regarded as “low” in the caste hierarchy of conservative Jaffna.His father ran a saloon in Chavakachcheri. But Thamilchelvan was a student when he joined the LTTE and did not work as a barber. There is no shame even if he did so but that did not happen.

Thamilchelvan’s growth and evolution within the LTTE was meteoric. It was also an illustration of how persons from the underprivileged sections of the Tamil community could rise to positions of authority within the LTTE .

......

His wedding was one of the first in a new scheme introduced by the LTTE supremo. Prabakharan evolved a plan whereby women cadres of the LTTE were to be paired off with male cadres through suitable matchmaking. Since arranged marriages are a part of Tamil social practice this scheme was seen as mass scale arranged marriage.

Prabakharan himself selected the bride for Thamilchelvan from an upper caste family in a deliberate bid to erase caste inequalities and bring about an egalitarian society. Sasirekha’s family hailing from Chulipuram in Jaffna once owned a lot of businesses in Bambalapitiya and sold them after July 1983.
.....

Thamilchelvan had his primary education at the Madduvil Maha Vidyalayam and secondary schooling at Chavakachcheri Hindu College. His family was politically conscious and was for long active supporters of Shanmugadasan’s pro - Beijing Communist party.

His father and elder brothers participated in many activities against caste discrimination. They were in the forefront of the protest demanding that the famous Pandrithalaichi Amman temple in Madduvil be throw open for all to worship. This was done in 1970.

With the escalation of the ethnic conflict Thamilchelvan’s family like many other Tamil families shed their marxism and became increasingly Tamil nationalistic.
....

முழுக்கட்டுரையையும் வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/406

Labels: eelam, sri lanaka, thamilchelvan, தமிழ்ச்செல்வன்

அரபுச்செய்தித்தளம் ஒன்று எழுதிய ஆசிரியர் தலையங்கம் இது

Arab NewsEditorial: After Thamilselvan
4 November 2007

The death of Tamil Tiger political leader S.P. Thamilselvan in an air raid Friday is not in fact the triumph the Sri Lankan government would like us to believe. This is the first time in the Tamil separatist campaign that one of its top men has been killed while the rebels have frequently struck senior politicians and government officials with deadly accuracy. But in the final analysis, however, the death of Thamilselvan is likely to deepen the conflict rather than bring it any closer to an end.

முழுக்க வாசிக்க இங்கே போங்கள்
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=103174&d=4&m=11&y=2007

ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசு யூஎன்னின் மனித உரிமைக்கண்காணிப்பு அலுவலகர் இலங்கை வந்தபோது தமது குற்றங்கள் வெளியாகிவிடும் என்று கருணாவை அவசர அவசரமாக இங்கிலாந்து அனுப்பியது. இப்போது பிரித்தானிய உள்நாட்டு அமைச்சு கடவுச்சீட்டுக்குற்றம் என்று சொல்லி கருணாவைக் கைது செய்திருக்கின்றது. Human Right Watch பிரபலமான மனித உரிமை அமைப்பு. அது கருணாவை அவரின் மனித உரிமை மீறல்களுக்காக விசாரிக்கும்படி பிரித்தானியாவைக் கேட்கிறது.

Rights group wants Sri Lanka ex-rebel charged in UK
Sat Nov 3, 2007 2:58pm GMT
Peter Apps

ONDON (Reuters) - Britain should look at trying ex-Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebel Karuna Amman, detained on immigration charges, for war crimes, Human Rights Watch said on Saturday.

The former eastern Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commander is accused by rights experts of child soldier recruitment, extortion and torture both before and after he split from the mainstream rebels in 2004.

Britain's Home Office said late on Friday Karuna was detained after a joint operation between the police and immigration authorities, giving no further details. Human Rights Watch said the authorities should look at doing more.

"Give the magnitude of Karuna''s crimes over the years, including attacks on civilians and use of child soldiers, Human Rights Watch strongly urges the UK government to explore the possibility of prosecuting him for war crimes and other international offences before returning him to Sri Lanka," Human Rights Watch senior legal adviser Jim Ross told Reuters.

The Home Office was not immediately available to comment. Britain is a signatory to the International Criminal Court, which has charged a Congolese rebel with child recruitment, but Sri Lanka is not and the court is not investigating the conflict in the island. Ross said he was unsure if Karuna could be charged under UK law.

Since the split, Karuna has been fighting his former colleagues in the east as the island's 2002 ceasefire collapsed into outright war. Analysts and diplomats say the government has been using and supporting him, a charge both he and the government denied.

His attacks on the mainstream rebels were seen as a factor in rising violence last year. Experts estimate some 5,000 people have died since last year bringing the total death toll from two decades of civil war to some 70,000.

Some fear further escalation after the mainstream Tiger political leader S.P. Thamilselvan was killed in a government air strike on Friday. The Tigers have vowed retaliation.

Analysts say Karuna was used by the government as they cleared mainstream Tiger forces from the east this year. Rights groups say troops and police did nothing to stop his fighters carrying out killings and extortion and taking children to fight.

Labels: HRW, human rights, karuna

செனற்றர் பற்றிக் லெகியின் பேச்சினை வாசியுங்கள். அமெரிக்காவின் செனற்றர் சொல்வது அமெரிக்காவிற்கும் ஸ்ரீலங்கா அரசைப் பற்றித் தெரிந்திருப்பதைக் காட்டுகிறது. நல்ல திருப்பம். இப்படியானவர்களுக்கு தமிழ்மண்ணிலே நடக்கிற நிகழ்ச்சிகள் தெரிந்துகொள்ளச் சந்தர்ப்பத்தை நாம் ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும்.

Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Sri Lanka
November 2, 2007

Mr. President, it has been a little over a year since I last spoke in this chamber about the fragile peace process in Sri Lanka. I want to take a moment to discuss the situation today, because in the past year we have seen human rights in that small island nation steadily deteriorate. I also want to correct some confusion that may have occurred as a result of statements reported in the press regarding the Senate’s action in connection with the Fiscal Year 2008 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. That bill passed the Senate by a vote of 81 to 12 on September 6, 2007, and we are waiting to begin conference discussions with the House of Representatives.



Over the years, I have been a strong supporter of U.S.-Sri Lankan relations. A good friend, Ambassador James Spain, served there, and the American people acted quickly to provide emergency assistance for Sri Lanka after the December 2004 tsunami devastated Sri Lanka’s east, north and southern coasts, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Beyond that, we have long supported the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to respond to acts of terrorism by the LTTE, which has been designated by the Department of State and the European Union as a foreign terrorist organization because of its attacks against civilians, assassinations of political leaders, forced recruitment of children, and other crimes.



We deplore these tactics. However, we are also aware that the LTTE has, at times, shown a willingness to participate in serious negotiations, as well as to respond to human rights concerns. These overtures should be pursued. We also recognize that the LTTE should not be equated with the Tamil community. There are many ethnic Tamils living in and outside of Sri Lanka who do not condone acts of violence and terrorism against civilians. Many have been victims of the LTTE themselves.



At the same time, our aid to the Sri Lankan government is not a blank check. We have been increasingly concerned with reports of abuses by Sri Lankan government forces – not from the LTTE or their supporters as some have inaccurately claimed, but from the United Nations, the Department of State, and international human rights organizations. These reports are not “disinformation” or “misinformation” as some Sri Lankan officials have alleged. Rather, they contain specific, documented, consistent information indicating a steady increase in serious human rights violations by both Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE since the collapse of the ceasefire. While the first acts of aggression were attributed to the LTTE, these reports also implicate government forces in attacks on civilians, extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances. There is also evidence that Sri Lankan government forces have stood by while allied paramilitary organizations have carried out abuses, including forcibly recruiting child soldiers. With few exceptions, the Sri Lankan government has yet to bring the perpetrators, including members of government security forces, to justice.



It is important to note that the Sri Lankan government’s respect for human rights and rule of law has deteriorated even outside conflict-affected areas. The Millennium Challenge Corporation suspended more than $11 million intended for Sri Lanka because of the deteriorating security situation and the government’s worsening performance on human rights. Freedom House, whose assessments of political rights and civil liberties are factored into the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s analysis, stated “The serious human rights abuses and excessive restrictions on freedom of speech and association by the government of Sri Lanka merit the country’s removal from a list of eligible recipients for U.S. Millennium Challenge Account assistance.” We want to see a Millennium Challenge compact for Sri Lanka, but these problems must first be recognized and effectively addressed.



An international human rights field presence, under the auspices of the United Nations, could do much to improve the situation. Given the gravity and scale of the violations witnessed in Sri Lanka, and particularly the inability of the Sri Lankan government to monitor the abuses taking place in areas held by the LTTE, such a presence would help protect lives, document abuses by all sides, and support the government and civil society in protecting the civilian population. The Department of State has publicly endorsed such a role for the United Nations.



It is due to this information, from reputable sources, that the Senate attached three conditions to our assistance to the Sri Lankan military in the Fiscal Year 2008 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. Anyone who reviews those conditions should agree that they are reasonable and appropriate. They would require the Sri Lankan government to be bringing to justice members of the military who have been credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human rights; end unreasonable restrictions on access in the country by humanitarian organizations and journalists; and agree to the establishment of a field presence of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sri Lanka.



It is regrettable that rather than explain why the Sri Lankan government should not meet such reasonable standards when it is seeking millions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer assistance, some Sri Lankan officials have attacked our motives and falsely attributed our actions to LTTE propaganda. Others have insisted that they are meeting these standards already, when the facts clearly indicate that far more needs to be done.



We want Sri Lanka to succeed in stopping terrorism, and we recognize that military force can be necessary against terrorist tactics. But there is no military solution to the Sri Lankan conflict, which has dragged on for more than two decades. Thousands of innocent people, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, have been killed. More than 1,000 are reported to have “disappeared” in just the past twelve to eighteen months, and many more before that. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced by the fighting. Families on both sides of the conflict have suffered terribly, and the country remains divided and no closer to peace.



Every time a Sri Lankan soldier violates international humanitarian law it alienates the very people in the Tamil community whose support the government needs to combat terrorism. Our country has experienced a similar problem in Iraq, where killings of civilians have hurt our mission, tarnished our image and weakened the support of our allies.



Mr. President, I would hope that the Sri Lankan government would see our action for what it is. We want to help, but not unconditionally. I believe the United States could and should play a more active role, with other key partners, in helping to facilitate negotiations on a political settlement. But rhetoric about human rights and the appointment of ineffectual commissions of inquiry that have no credibility, only goes so far. The situation remains grave and those responsible for abuses are rarely punished, making a peace agreement more difficult to achieve. A field presence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with sufficient mandate and capability to conduct full and unfettered monitoring throughout the country, communicate its findings to all sides of the conflict and the public, and provide advice and technical assistance, is overdue. Also urgently needed is greater access for humanitarian organizations to assist civilians caught in the cross-fire and for journalists to report the facts.



The Sri Lankan people have suffered the consequences of ethnic discrimination, violence and injustice for the better part of their country’s history. We cannot solve Sri Lanka’s conflict; only the Sri Lankan people can. But we can and want to continue helping if the government demonstrates that it takes our concerns seriously.

Labels: eelam, sri lanka, tamil, US Senate