"We are urgently requesting the Tamil Tigers not to station themselves among the people in the safety zone and fire their artillery - shells and rockets at the army. This will only increase more and more the death of civilians thus endangering the safety of the people," states the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa calling for the extension of the Safety Zone for civilians in the Mullaitivu District.
The Bishop's letter expresses gratitude to the President for his concern for the civilians who have taken refuge in Vanni in the ongoing military operations and thanks the President for declaring a part of the west of the Mullaitivu at the safety zone for civilians.
The Bishop states that the area thus set apart is small considering the large number of people congregating there and requests that it be extended. He requests that areas such as Mathalan, Valaiayarmadam, Mulivaikal, Iranaipalai and the eastern sector of Puthukudiyiruppu be also declared safety zones. He adds that the only motive in requesting the extension of the safety zone is to preserve as much as possible the lives of the civilians in these areas.
'We are not against the war but our priority is the safety of every innocent civilian in those areas of war," the letter states.
Here is the text of the letter by Bishop Savundaranayagam of 25.01.2009.
"We are very grateful to you for your concern for the civilians who have taken refuge in Vanni in the on-going War. We thank you sincerely for declaring a part of the west of Mullaitivu as safety one. The area indicated is small and uninhabitable considering the large number of the people who are congregating in this area. Some of the Priests and the Sisters who are with the displaced people have informed me that they are with the people who have assembled in the Churches which are in the Eastern part of Mullaitivu (Mathalan, Valiayarmadam, Mulivaikal, Iranapalai and eastern sector of Puthukudiyiruppu). I have requested to treat them also as safety areas for the thousands of people gathered in these places and thus assuring the safety of the priests and religious also. As the Bishop responsible for these areas they have made this urgent request to me. The G.A. of Mullaitivu also has made at this proposal to the ICRC requesting them to explore the possibility of declaring the above areas as safety zone with the permission of SL Security Forces.
Our only motive in requesting your Excellency for the extension of the safety zone is to preserve as much as possible the lives of the civilians in these areas. My Priests and Sisters have told me that they will not abandon the people but move along wherever the people are going. Having lived with them always and suffering with them. They will not leave them at this time of crisis. This has been forever the do of the wide-ranging priests, to be in the middle of the people even in the time of hazard.
We are also urgently requesting the Tamil Tigers not to station themselves among the people in the safety zone and fire their weaponry-shells and rockets at the Army. This will only add to more and more the bereavement of civilians thus endangering the security of the people. I insist that both parties must watch the safety region strictly.
Therefore, I am insistent with your Excellency to think declaring the western piece of Mullaitivu also a safety area for the sake of the blameless civilians.
We are not against the war but our main concern is the security of every blameless civilian in those areas of war." (PRIU).
Showing posts with label Tamil Tigers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tamil Tigers. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Put more pressure on Tigers - TDNA tells Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) comprising the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) and the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (Naba faction) has called upon the Tamil Nadu political organization to put more force on the LTTE to stop antagonism and enter the political procedure instead of turning a blind eye towards the conceited attitude of the outfit.
TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree who heads the TDNA as well was commenting on the agitation campaign that was theatrical in Tamil Nadu with regard to the current state of affairs in the Wanni. Anandasangaree told the Sunday Observer that Tamil Nadu politicians should act with greatest responsibility when they deal with the Sri Lankan issue. "The LTTE is solely accountable for the current humanitarian crisis in Kilinochchi and the rest of the Wanni. However, the collection is giving a different image to Tamil Nadu politicians. Innocent civilians are not allowable to get into safer areas. The LTTE has threatened those civilians in Kilinochchi and total them to remain as human shields. If the Tamil Nadu political fraternity and the Central Government of India are authentically worried about the safety of the blameless Tamils in the battle-hit areas in the north,they should bring more force on the LTTE politically to stop the clashes in the Wanni instead of pointing the finger only at the Government.
If the LTTE allows blameless civilians who are sandwiched between the warring sides in the Wanni to enter safer areas more than a few blameless lives could be saved,"Anandasangaree said. The PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Sitharthan said that Tamil Nadu politicians must not get carried away by the false propaganda of the LTTE. "The LTTE is not allowing the Kilinochchi civilians to go into safer areas and shedding crocodile moan saying that the civilians are pain without food or medicine. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu Government should bring more force on the LTTE in safeguarding helpless civilians who are trapped in the battle-hit areas," Sitharthan said.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Government also arrested several agitators from a variety of political parties who openly supported the LTTE in Chennai yesterday.
Courtesy : Sunday Observer
TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree who heads the TDNA as well was commenting on the agitation campaign that was theatrical in Tamil Nadu with regard to the current state of affairs in the Wanni. Anandasangaree told the Sunday Observer that Tamil Nadu politicians should act with greatest responsibility when they deal with the Sri Lankan issue. "The LTTE is solely accountable for the current humanitarian crisis in Kilinochchi and the rest of the Wanni. However, the collection is giving a different image to Tamil Nadu politicians. Innocent civilians are not allowable to get into safer areas. The LTTE has threatened those civilians in Kilinochchi and total them to remain as human shields. If the Tamil Nadu political fraternity and the Central Government of India are authentically worried about the safety of the blameless Tamils in the battle-hit areas in the north,they should bring more force on the LTTE politically to stop the clashes in the Wanni instead of pointing the finger only at the Government.
If the LTTE allows blameless civilians who are sandwiched between the warring sides in the Wanni to enter safer areas more than a few blameless lives could be saved,"Anandasangaree said. The PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Sitharthan said that Tamil Nadu politicians must not get carried away by the false propaganda of the LTTE. "The LTTE is not allowing the Kilinochchi civilians to go into safer areas and shedding crocodile moan saying that the civilians are pain without food or medicine. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu Government should bring more force on the LTTE in safeguarding helpless civilians who are trapped in the battle-hit areas," Sitharthan said.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Government also arrested several agitators from a variety of political parties who openly supported the LTTE in Chennai yesterday.
Courtesy : Sunday Observer
"It is futile to discuss political solutions with Prabhakaran" says TMVP leader
(By: Walter Jayawardhana)
Expressing the futility of attempting to negotiate peace with Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on a political solution a renegade leader of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) speaking of his 22 years of knowledge with Prabhakaran said in Colombo that when at an international sponsored calm talks the LTTE delegate head agreed to accept a central system and issued a statement Prabhakaran rejected it and instructed them to drag the peace talks for five years as a means to accumulate more arms for war.
The TMVP leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, addressing the All Social Gathering Conference to discuss a following solution to the Sri Lankan conflict at the Presidential Secretariat summoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday(Oct 11) said, " LTTE delegate leader Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement stating that they were willing to think a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained sufficient arms to strengthen itself further."
Karuna Amman, who entered the Sri Lanka parliament recently under his true name Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan as the head of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), as a breakaway political party of the Tamil Tigers said the Tamil question has to be resolved separately without mixing it up with the Tamil Tigers and the only decree of the Tamil Tigers is to beat them militarily like in the country's Eastern Province. He was confident, he said they will be beaten very soon in the country's North.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the All Parry Conference repeated his call to the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender.
He said: "I wish to once again very obviously call on the LTTE to lay down their arms and surrender. They should act in this manner and enter the democratic political process. Our aim should be to ensure the democratic following rights of our Tamil brethren."
The President had summoned the All Party Conference to explain its members of the current developments with regard to the operations to eliminate terrorism, establish peace and reinstate democracy throughout the country.
"However hard it may be, it is my belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is my belief that there are no military solutions to political questions. The people have chosen us to realize their aims and aspirations. It is our responsibility to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the similar democratic rights as enjoyed by the people min all other parts of the country. Military operations have become necessary to eradicate terrorism from the country and enthrone democracy throughout the land," the President said.
The leader of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TVMP) Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, further said he had been with the LTTE for more than 22 years; and with his experience knew that when the LTTE came forward seeking peace it was forever to further strengthen itself. On previous occasions, incumbent governments, possibly by mistake, had confident the LTTE by giving it arms and money.
He recalled his own participation in several rounds of talks with the Government held under international sponsorship. They had come to an understanding to accept a federal system as a solution. However, Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement stating that they were willing to consider a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained enough arms to strengthen itself further.
That was when he decided to leave the LTTE. It was called a traitor for talking this decision, which was done after he had explained to Prabharakan the futility of the armed movement they were engaged in where at least 80,000 people had lost their lives.
He emphasized that it was necessary to defeat the LTTE militarily. This was necessary in the interests of the people of the North, who have already discarded the LTTE, but controlled by the military power of the organization.
He said the President had brought about many important changes in the East with free and fair elections and that all communities in the East were today participating in the development procedure there.
Expressing the futility of attempting to negotiate peace with Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on a political solution a renegade leader of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) speaking of his 22 years of knowledge with Prabhakaran said in Colombo that when at an international sponsored calm talks the LTTE delegate head agreed to accept a central system and issued a statement Prabhakaran rejected it and instructed them to drag the peace talks for five years as a means to accumulate more arms for war.
The TMVP leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, addressing the All Social Gathering Conference to discuss a following solution to the Sri Lankan conflict at the Presidential Secretariat summoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday(Oct 11) said, " LTTE delegate leader Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement stating that they were willing to think a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained sufficient arms to strengthen itself further."
Karuna Amman, who entered the Sri Lanka parliament recently under his true name Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan as the head of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), as a breakaway political party of the Tamil Tigers said the Tamil question has to be resolved separately without mixing it up with the Tamil Tigers and the only decree of the Tamil Tigers is to beat them militarily like in the country's Eastern Province. He was confident, he said they will be beaten very soon in the country's North.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the All Parry Conference repeated his call to the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender.
He said: "I wish to once again very obviously call on the LTTE to lay down their arms and surrender. They should act in this manner and enter the democratic political process. Our aim should be to ensure the democratic following rights of our Tamil brethren."
The President had summoned the All Party Conference to explain its members of the current developments with regard to the operations to eliminate terrorism, establish peace and reinstate democracy throughout the country.
"However hard it may be, it is my belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is my belief that there are no military solutions to political questions. The people have chosen us to realize their aims and aspirations. It is our responsibility to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the similar democratic rights as enjoyed by the people min all other parts of the country. Military operations have become necessary to eradicate terrorism from the country and enthrone democracy throughout the land," the President said.
The leader of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TVMP) Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, further said he had been with the LTTE for more than 22 years; and with his experience knew that when the LTTE came forward seeking peace it was forever to further strengthen itself. On previous occasions, incumbent governments, possibly by mistake, had confident the LTTE by giving it arms and money.
He recalled his own participation in several rounds of talks with the Government held under international sponsorship. They had come to an understanding to accept a federal system as a solution. However, Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement stating that they were willing to consider a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained enough arms to strengthen itself further.
That was when he decided to leave the LTTE. It was called a traitor for talking this decision, which was done after he had explained to Prabharakan the futility of the armed movement they were engaged in where at least 80,000 people had lost their lives.
He emphasized that it was necessary to defeat the LTTE militarily. This was necessary in the interests of the people of the North, who have already discarded the LTTE, but controlled by the military power of the organization.
He said the President had brought about many important changes in the East with free and fair elections and that all communities in the East were today participating in the development procedure there.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Final solution with the school children & civiians
These Pictures show how LTTE is preparing for the so called 'Final Solution'.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
SPUR expresses displeasure over Western hypocrisy on Sri Lanka's strife
An Australian based rights group, Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights of Sri Lanka (SPUR) in a press release yesterday expressed its displeasure over the stance adapted by the Western countries on Sri Lanka's terrorist issue. It says that the silence of the western powers and media over the bloody terrorist attacks targeting civilians has been deafening and unbecoming for the "Champions of Human Rights.
The Press Release in full:
SPUR (Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka Inc)
Reg: A003 0777 M
P.O. Box 4066, Mulgrave VIC 3170, Australia
Phone: (03) 9795 7143 Fax: (03) 9795 7142
3 June 2008
Media Release
Human Rights and Terrorism
Western governments are considering taking punitive action against Sri Lanka citing the human rights record of the Sri Lankan government, which they allege has deteriorated since the abrogation of the Cease Fire Agreement.
The measures being considered, such as cutting off resources and withdrawing the General System of Preference and Trade benefits will weaken democracy and the democratic institutions in Sri Lanka and affect the determination of Sri Lankan people to improve their economic and social situation.
The actions being contemplated by these Western governments are even more of a gross violation of human rights, especially since this will ensure the perpetuation of Terrorism in Sri Lanka.
The attitude Western Powers have to the terrorism of the Tamil Tigers is in stark contrast to the attitude they display towards other groups such as Al Q'aida, the Taliban and other Islamic militants. Western Media like the CNN and BBC consistently refer to the Tamil tigers as "Rebels" "Insurgents" or "Militants". They are never referred to as "Terrorists". This is, in spite of the fact that, it has been conclusively proved that the Tamil Tiger terrorists are mentoring, training and encouraging other terror groups to carry out attacks in Western countries. The Tamil Tigers have never overtly carried out any acts of terror in Western countries. However, by encouraging other militant groups the Tamil Tigers are covertly carrying out attacks in these countries.
From the very inception Tamil Tigers have been massacring defenceless civilians - mainly old people, women and children. The silence of the Western powers and media on these attacks has been deafening. The recent spate of setting off bombs in public places has not had a reaction from any of these champions of human rights. Even when the terrorists blew up a bus at Moneragala and then cold bloodedly shot down the survivors escaping from the burning bus - again mainly old people, women and children - there was a singular lack of comment from those who accused the Sri Lanka government of gross human rights violations. HRW so scathing of the government's record has nothing to say of these acts of crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Tigers. .
Voting Sri Lanka out of the UN's Human Rights Council sent a wrong signal to the countries fighting the armed violence of groups who have no qualms in killing civilians, exploding bombs in city centres etc. Ironically, some of the very countries, which led the campaign to oust Sri Lanka, themselves have very dismal records in upholding the charter of human rights and are safe heavens for terrorists groups and their front organizations.
The President of Sri Lanka has rightly declared his intention of carrying on the military campaign in spite of the bombs being set off in the south of the country. The Tigers who began this war with bomb attacks on civilians have now reverted to their old tactics again. They seem to be desperately trying to deflect attention to their plight in the North with a show of "strength" by setting off bombs massacring civilians in the South. At this crucial juncture Western Powers are threatening the Sri Lankan government with punitive measures, which will affect all the citizens of the country negatively. By punishing the victims of terror for trying to eradicate terrorism, Western powers are effectively saying that third world countries have no right to defend themselves against terrorism.
While the President of the US declares that there will be "no negotiations with terrorists" the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum is urging the Sri Lankan government to negotiate with the Tiger terrorists. They constantly refer to the "ethnic conflict" in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka does not have an "Ethnic" problem. All ethnicities lived together in harmony until a section of the Tamil politicians nurtured the Tamil Tigers and unleashed terror on the citizens of Sri Lanka. This is purely and simply a terrorist problem and it is high time that the west accept it as such and help the Sri Lankan government to fight it without trying to impose terms and conditions that will only serve to perpetuate terrorism in Sri Lanka.
Jeanne Jayasinghe
President
SPUR
The Press Release in full:
SPUR (Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka Inc)
Reg: A003 0777 M
P.O. Box 4066, Mulgrave VIC 3170, Australia
Phone: (03) 9795 7143 Fax: (03) 9795 7142
3 June 2008
Media Release
Human Rights and Terrorism
Western governments are considering taking punitive action against Sri Lanka citing the human rights record of the Sri Lankan government, which they allege has deteriorated since the abrogation of the Cease Fire Agreement.
The measures being considered, such as cutting off resources and withdrawing the General System of Preference and Trade benefits will weaken democracy and the democratic institutions in Sri Lanka and affect the determination of Sri Lankan people to improve their economic and social situation.
The actions being contemplated by these Western governments are even more of a gross violation of human rights, especially since this will ensure the perpetuation of Terrorism in Sri Lanka.
The attitude Western Powers have to the terrorism of the Tamil Tigers is in stark contrast to the attitude they display towards other groups such as Al Q'aida, the Taliban and other Islamic militants. Western Media like the CNN and BBC consistently refer to the Tamil tigers as "Rebels" "Insurgents" or "Militants". They are never referred to as "Terrorists". This is, in spite of the fact that, it has been conclusively proved that the Tamil Tiger terrorists are mentoring, training and encouraging other terror groups to carry out attacks in Western countries. The Tamil Tigers have never overtly carried out any acts of terror in Western countries. However, by encouraging other militant groups the Tamil Tigers are covertly carrying out attacks in these countries.
From the very inception Tamil Tigers have been massacring defenceless civilians - mainly old people, women and children. The silence of the Western powers and media on these attacks has been deafening. The recent spate of setting off bombs in public places has not had a reaction from any of these champions of human rights. Even when the terrorists blew up a bus at Moneragala and then cold bloodedly shot down the survivors escaping from the burning bus - again mainly old people, women and children - there was a singular lack of comment from those who accused the Sri Lanka government of gross human rights violations. HRW so scathing of the government's record has nothing to say of these acts of crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Tigers. .
Voting Sri Lanka out of the UN's Human Rights Council sent a wrong signal to the countries fighting the armed violence of groups who have no qualms in killing civilians, exploding bombs in city centres etc. Ironically, some of the very countries, which led the campaign to oust Sri Lanka, themselves have very dismal records in upholding the charter of human rights and are safe heavens for terrorists groups and their front organizations.
The President of Sri Lanka has rightly declared his intention of carrying on the military campaign in spite of the bombs being set off in the south of the country. The Tigers who began this war with bomb attacks on civilians have now reverted to their old tactics again. They seem to be desperately trying to deflect attention to their plight in the North with a show of "strength" by setting off bombs massacring civilians in the South. At this crucial juncture Western Powers are threatening the Sri Lankan government with punitive measures, which will affect all the citizens of the country negatively. By punishing the victims of terror for trying to eradicate terrorism, Western powers are effectively saying that third world countries have no right to defend themselves against terrorism.
While the President of the US declares that there will be "no negotiations with terrorists" the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum is urging the Sri Lankan government to negotiate with the Tiger terrorists. They constantly refer to the "ethnic conflict" in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka does not have an "Ethnic" problem. All ethnicities lived together in harmony until a section of the Tamil politicians nurtured the Tamil Tigers and unleashed terror on the citizens of Sri Lanka. This is purely and simply a terrorist problem and it is high time that the west accept it as such and help the Sri Lankan government to fight it without trying to impose terms and conditions that will only serve to perpetuate terrorism in Sri Lanka.
Jeanne Jayasinghe
President
SPUR
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)