United Kingdom recognizes right of Sri Lanka government to fight LTTE

Speaking at the suspension debate in the British House of Commons Minister of state of Foreign and Commonwealth office said the United Kingdom documented the correct of the Sri Lanka government's self-governing right to brawl the release Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE).
Condemning the behavior of the LTTE on behalf of the United Kingdom, the Minister of condition, Bill Rammel told the UK parliament December 18, "The LTTE has no democratic mandate to stand for the Tamil population. It is reported to employ civilians, counting children, into its ranks forcibly, to extort food and money from an already impoverished people, to abduct and kill Tamil civilians who disagree with its views or methods and to break all norms of international humanitarian law by preventing civilians from leaving conflict areas, effectively holding them as a human shield. The LTTE has conducted a terrorist campaign across the whole of Sri Lanka for nearly three decades, deliberately targeting thousands of individual civilians, as well as assassinating Government figures."
He added, ":" It is important not to forget that the LTTE is a ruthless terrorist organisation, which is responsible for serious human rights abuses against civilians throughout Sri Lanka"
According to the Hansard the following are some of the excerpts from the debate:
""With great international concern about the humanitarian and human rights situation in the north of Sri Lanka, it is timely to hold a discuss on that country. Like a lot of people in Britain, the Government are powerfully concerned about the deterioration difference flanked by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and its impact on the happiness and human rights of Sri Lankan people.
"The be short of of access by non-governmental organisations and the media to the conflict zone makes an objective appraisal of the conflict impossible, to put it frankly. Many alarming reports have emerged, speculating about the extent to which both parties' behavior conform with international humanitarian law. Those in order need a abstemious and measured psychoanalysis based on the proof available, and I will try to provide that.
Concern for civilians in Sri Lanka and the primary responsibility of the Government of Sri Lanka to defend those means that the LTTE's role in the disagreement is from time to time unnoticed. It is significant not to not remember that the LTTE is a ruthless terrorist organisation, which is accountable for serious human rights abuses next to civilians all through Sri Lanka.
The LTTE has no democratic mandate to represent the Tamil population. It is reported to recruit civilians, including children, into its ranks forcibly, to extort food and money from an already impoverished people, to abduct and kill Tamil civilians who disagree with its views or methods and to break all norms of international humanitarian law by preventing civilians from leaving conflict areas, effectively holding them as a human shield. The LTTE has conducted a terrorist campaign across the whole of Sri Lanka for nearly three decades, deliberately targeting thousands of individual civilians, as well as assassinating Government figures.
The UK condemns those activities and recognises the Government of Sri Lanka's democratic right to fight terrorism.

Sri Lankan Christians in UK Remember Fallen Soldiers and Offer Thanks to Those Fighting Terrorism

"By this holy mass, Christians of the United kingdom remembered with gratitude - and gave thanks for the brave and strong-minded soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect Sri Lanka against what is maybe the most wickedness form of terrorism in the world" said Rev. Tony de Alwis addressing a service of remembrance and thanksgiving holy mass at the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Willesden Greeen, London.
Rev. Tony de Alwis said, "We will remember with gratitude-and give thanks for -the soldiers , sailors and airmen and women who have sacrificed their valuable lives in order to defend our country against what is maybe the most evil form of terrorism the world has known from modern times. Further, through the medium of this Mass we want to hand over our troops who are motionless engaged in that struggle to Almighty God's care and to ask that he will bless and straight all those who give armed and political leadership to them."
The joint Protestant-Catholic mass of remembrance and thanks giving "for the valiant members of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka who have died or are busy in the move violently against terrorism" was held for the first time in the United Kingdom. Many Buddhist monks, on invite converged on the church from Cheswick, Kingsbury, and Birmingham and were seated in a special field arrangement close to the altar, showing their solidarity, led by Venerable Dr. Haandupalpola Mahinda Nayaka Thero. The church also put up Buddhist flags welcoming them.
An expatriate Sri Lankan child, Miss Kesara Ushettige clad in a fancy dress of the army fatigues, and emblematically carrying the Sri Lanka Army flag walked in the march that took Rev. Father Tony de Alwis, Church of England cleric and Rev. Nimal Ponweera, the Chief celebrant of the mass and chaplain of the Sri Lankan Catholic community in the Diocese of West Minister, from the entry of the church to the altar. The procession marched to the tune of traditional Sri Lankan drummers and the celebratory sounds of a conch blower clad in colorful costumes.
Sri Lanka's London High Commissioner Justice Nihal Jayasinghe placed the commemoration flower wreath of red poppies at the altar. Distinguished visitors counting the High Commissioner and Mrs. Vajira Jayasinghe lit the traditional oil lamp before starting the sacred mass. Head of the Parish Rev. Father Hugh MacKenzie welcomed the enormous crowd who congregated for the Holy Mass.
Delivering his homily Rev. Father Tony de Alwis further said, "Father Nimal Ponweera and I strong-minded that it would be completely fitting that we should offer this Holy Mass for the relax of the souls of our brave troops who have laid down their valuable lives in order that the territorial sincerity of our island nation may be potted and the sole individuality of our people tenable for the prospect generations."
Father de Alwis said, he and Father Ponweera also wanted to dismiss the fallacy that the Christians of Sri Lanka were unpatriotic by telling publicly how devoted they were to mother Lanka.
He said, " It is a substance of huge sadness for us Christians to understand that we are sometimes treated with huge contract of doubt by our fellow Sri Lankans. We are portrayed as people who do not actually love our country. Our commitment to our state is questioned. Some even consider that , on occasion , we come into view to have sided with the enemy. Now I do not know for a moment blame anyone who think in that way about us. .Why? because the ultimate blame for such a poor picture being predictable of us rests fairly and directly on the shoulders of some of our own Christian leaders who have acted thoughtlessly and insensitively, if not downright foolishly, that is, when they have acted at all , or have otherwise remained quiet when the situation demanded that they should speak out without fear or prevarication."
"Now, thanks to a combination of enthused political leadership,' said Father de Alwis, " and devoted and courageous military leadership , our little island home stands balanced to overthrow the criminal bunch of criminals who , for the last thirty years or so have terrorized our country Today, their claim to invincibility now lies in tatters. Today, the leaders of that bunch of criminals who sent young unsuspecting cadres to their early death also as walking bombs or on the battleground whilst they themselves in bunkers reason built for their comfort, securely and security , are finding that those self under control bolt homes far from being their refuge , are quick gratifying their tombs."
Father Tony De Alwis said while rejoicing the about to happen beat of organized terror the state must be prepared for the episode of time emerging after the war which he called "a greater challenge." He called the confront opposite both the people and the administration as the job of defusing volatile issues that could destroy countrywide cohesiveness and agreement in the future.
Reminding much work is by now being done in that way under the President he said it should be made likely for all our races to be pleased and arrogant to vow loyalty to a common homeland. Reminding the nation not to allow spiritual discord to creep into the space vacated by communal tensions if that happens the blood hut by the country's brave troops would be in vain.
insistent the state to hear them , Rev. De Alwis said , " We Christians are totally committed to take our place alongside Sri Lankans of all other faiths and backgrounds in meeting the tackle of transformation our nation when the ghost of terrorism has lastly being lifted off the fair face of our motherland."
He said they pledged to stand with others in being a bonfire of light to all those who are worried with establishing a just and fair civilization in our country when the present conflict is over. " We surely want to share with you the responsibility of ensuring that Sri Lanka achieve that true greatness of which we know she is very, capable" he said.
High Commissioner Nihal Jayasinghe in respond to the cleric said the young people who did the highest give up for the country have done so , as Churchill said for our own tomorrow. He certain Father Tony de Alwis that there is no indictment at all on Christians that they are unpatriotic.
Venerable Dr. Haandupelpola Mahinda Thero also assured that there was no such general blame of non patriotism placed against Christians in the country. He said the attempt of the two priests of the country who want to pray for an complete Sri Lanka should get delivery of the approval of the whole nation.
Rev. Father Nimal Ponweera, quoting patriotic verses from the London's Sinhala publication, Sinhala Viththi said he prayed our nation should remain an undivided unitary state for another 2500 years and the abominable bunkers should be turned into tombs for those who practice insensate terror and the country should once again change to what was called a Dharma Dweepa ( an island of just society) .
In the pleasant fragrant air of incense on fire the church was filled with melodious hymns that brought hopes of peace. They sang: "O' Father thou hast promised, this isle shall wait for thee - The joyous isle of ocean, the jewel of the sea - Lo! We this island's watchmen , would give and take no rest - For thus has thou commanded, till our beloved land be blest."

Sri Lankan war heroes honoured by expatriate community in UK

In what is supposed to be the primary occasion of its type ever under arrest in any country where Sri Lankans live abroad in big numbers, émigré Christians in the UK are investment a Mass of Thanks kind and Remembrance in the Catholic-Christian custom at the Church of St Mary Magdalen, Peter Avenue, Willesden Green, London NW10 on Saturday, 29th November, 2008 at 1.30 p.m., to honour the nostalgia of the fallen heroes in the war next to fear in Sri Lanka.
The Service, which will take place in the presence - and with the active participation - of clergy and members of non-Christian faiths (Buddhist, Hindu and Islam), is being led by the Revd. Father Nimal Ponweera, Chaplain for the Sri Lankan Catholic Community in the Westminster Diocese. He will be assisted by the Revd. Father Tony de Alwis, an Anglican Priest from the Church of England Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, who will also deliver the homily.
The people attending worship will be led by His Excellency Mr Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK. His Excellency, accompanied by Madame Jayasinghe, will lay a wreath to honour both the homesickness of the war dead and the streamer of three Armed Forces and Police of Sri Lanka which will be laid by the Altar at St Mary's.
The organisers wait for that the church will be filled to ability by public and other dignitaries and by people of all faiths and none who will gather just to say 'thank you' to the brave men and women who laid down their lives in order that the territorial honesty of Sri Lanka may be potted, and her sole identity secured for future generations.

New UK TV channel a pro-LTTE move?

A new television channel, Thendral TV, launched in the UK and commencing telecasts on July 14, 2008, has come under suspicion of being a pro-LTTE station.

The new transmission commenced telecasts barely a month after the Israeli decision to close down Tharishanam TV transmission after the Israel authorities were informed about the link between the terrorist organisation and Tharishanam.

It is also reported that the transmission licence for Thendral TV was obtained by a well-known LTTE supporter through the Tendral Medical Centre.

The transmission rights have been acquired from Nepali Television, which is a Nepali language television service established several years ago in UK.

Thendral TV is using frequency 11.727 of EUtelsat Hotbird and its UK service provider's address is Crawley Court, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 2QA.

Thendral TV is registered under Thendral Media Ltd UK at 135 Q, Alexandra Park Road, London N22 7UL, United Kingdom.

Analysts believe that the Thendral TV would initially telecast songs and cultural programmes and gradually move onto hard LTTE propaganda material to assist the terrorist organisation in its fund raising activities.

"It is surprising how and why Nepal TV allowed its transmission channel to be used by a front organization of LTTE, a terrorist organization banned not only in EU, UK and USA but also in India" a media-watch analyst said, expressing surprise that the transmission is taking place from UK, a country totally committed to anti-terrorism should take effective action to prevent transmission".

Earlier the Tamil Tigers' test transmissions of its Euro television channel from Israel using the RR Sat of Tel Aviv for uplink facility was stopped.

The Asian Tribune reported about this transmission last month in a story titled 'LTTE's Euro TV moves to Israel after blockade by France and Italy'.

The LTTE is desperately trying to get new television and radio channels established as all the previous transmissions from France, Italy, Singapore and Israel were stopped by relevant authorities after establishing that these transmissions were linked to the terrorist group.

Courtesy : Daily News

Sri Lankan expats to hold demonstration urging stern action against LTTE- UK

A number of highly successful anti-LTTE demonstrations have taken place in most of European cities in the past week. Finland (Helsinki), Greece (Athens), France (Paris) and Germany (Berlin) all hosted such events and London's turn is on Sunday 27th July, in front of British Prime Minister's Official Residence at No10 Downing Street.

The organizers of the London event have received a great response from the Sri Lankan community in the UK who are eagerly looking forward to the occasion. During the protest, a dossier is due to be handed over to the Prime Minister's Office. It will contain proof of the 'Pongu Tamil' event organised by LTTE front British Tamil Forum (BTF) which breached the Terrorism Act in the UK.

The document will also express displeasure about an exhibition, dispersing false propaganda about the suffering of Tamils in Sri Lanka, which was held in the British Parliament. Although unsuccessful and poorly attended, it was a blatant attempt to mislead the members of the House of Commons. This was organised by the BTF and backed by the pro-LTTE group of MPs, called 'The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils'.

Sunday's mass protest rally in London, against the ruthless terrorist outfit LTTE, is organised by 'Sri Lankans against Terrorism'(SLAT-UK), an organization of United Kingdom based Sri Lankan expatriates.

The demonstration titled 'Let's all unite as Sri Lankans to Defeat Terrorism in our Motherland!' requesting the British Government to take stern action against all pro-LTTE activities is expected to draw masses of peace loving people.

All peace loving Sri Lankans in UK, including the members of OBA's, OGA's and all other Sri Lankan organizations, as patriotic Sri Lankans are invited to show their support in defeating terrorism and to help bring about lasting peace in our motherland.

Venue: Opposite British Prime Minister's Official Residence

10, Downing Street, London

Date: 27th July 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 1.30 PM- 5.30PM

Please email your valued comments and suggestions to

slatuk@yahoo.co.uk

For further info, please contact

Janaka: 07885973128 Rani: 07808158360

Anura: 07956539514 Shiran: 07534224363

Nishantha: 07853317426 Mahinda: 0208 7683750



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High commissioner Jayasinghe meets Lord Malloch Brown

Sri Lanka's New High Commissioner in uLondon Nihal Jayasinghe paid a courtesy call on Rt. Hon. Lord Malloch Brown Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is scheduled to visit the Indian Ocean island republic during mid July.

Though a State Minister, Lord Malloch Brown who sits in the British cabinet, during his visit between July 14 and 16 in Colombo is scheduled to see President Mahinda Rajapaksa for some important discussions concerning bilateral relations between the two countries including European Union's GSP+ concessions to Sri Lankan products like apparel.

During the meeting with High Commissioner Jayasinghe, Lord Malloch Brown hinted that there won't be any surprises during the upcoming crucial meeting with the Sri Lankan President.

High Commissioner Jayasinghe during a 30 minute discussion with the deputy foreign minister Malloch Brown said Sri Lanka has fulfilled all its international obligations like ratifying all treaties and implementing them considered as criteria to obtain GSP+ concessions. He also asserted that Sri Lanka is having good human rights record.

He said the main industry which receives the benefits of GSP+ concessions from the European Union is apparel that earned 300 billion US dollars last year is employing more than 300,000 young women that has given a new earning power to the financially backward rural economy of the country. The congenial environmental facilities, Jayasinghe said, for training and scope were the direct result of initiatives by the apparel sector far beyond imperative legal requirements.

The High Commissioner referred to the opportunity the British official would have during his visit in Sri Lanka to see for himself the rapid development work the government has taken up to improve the lot of the people belonging to all races in the newly liberated Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

"The High Commissioner also noted that high level engagement between the UK & Sri Lanka was a clear manifestation of the close and friendly relations between the two countries", a spokesman of the High Commission said.

They also discussed further assistance from the UK to expand the teaching of English in rural areas where lack of knowledge of English was a major obstacle for young people.

President Rajapaksa meets British Leader of the Opposition

Britain's Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative Party leader David Cameron has appreciated the difficulties that Sri Lanka is facing as a democracy in confronting terrorism and the efforts being undertaken to address these challenges. He made this observation during a meeting in London today (09 June 2008) with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is currently on a brief visit to the United Kingdom to attend the mini - summit of Commonwealth leaders.

President Rajapaksa briefed the British Leader of the Opposition on the efforts his government has made to restore democracy in the Eastern Province and the launching of an ambitious development programme that would help empower the people of all communities who had been affected by the conflict. The President highlighted that the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan was previously a frontline member of the LTTE, who had renounced terrorism and entered the democratic mainstream along with his cadres. He stated that the victory of Mr. Chandrakanthan's party was a clear indication that the people of the Eastern Province had endorsed the transition to democratic governance as a result of the development work the government had undertaken during the past year which had been appreciated by the Tamil community. The President stated that his government was pursuing action to clear the remaining parts of the Northern Province of LTTE terrorists, to enable the people in these areas to also enjoy the fruits of pluralistic democracy and rapid economic development.

President Rajapaksa also discussed with Mr. Cameron, a range of bilateral issues, including the government's commitment to a political solution to address the grievances of all communities and the continuous challenges his government is facing from the LTTE's ruthless terrorist campaign, particularly the targeting of innocent civilians in successive bomb attacks on passenger transport. The President briefed Mr. Cameron on the background to the termination of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), the efforts of the government at negotiating with the LTTE, which had failed due to the intransigence of the LTTE, and the government's continued efforts to engage with those who had deviated from the democratic path. He also clarified the government's position on human rights issues.

President Rajapaksa while appreciating the UK ban on the LTTE, highlighted the activities of LTTE front organizations operating under the guise of charities, cultural and social welfare clubs in raising funds for the LTTE for procurement of arms and ammunition and other illicit activities which continued to fuel the escalation of the conflict in Sri Lanka. Mr. Cameron assured the President of his party's fullest support to address these concerns. He alluded to the close engagement of Shadow Defence Secretary Dr. Liam Fox with Sri Lanka, which the President endorsed.

They also exchanged views on the agenda of the Commonwealth mini - summit on the "Reform of International Financial Institutions", being held in London.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Kshenuka Senewiratne, and other officials were associated with the President at this meeting. Opposition Leader David Cameron was accompanied by Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague and Shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox.

Sri Lanka High Commission

London

9th June 2008

Sri Lankan expatriates in London requested to help soldiers

Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Maha Thera said Sri Lankan expatriates should slowdown on expensive parties on their cocktail circuit and contribute, at least, part of that money for the mother who nourished them , and brought them to the present affluence in the first world.

"Our mother- Sri Lanka gave us free education, like no other country in the world that helped everyone living in the West more affluent than our own brothers and sisters back at home. Please remember we owe much to Sri Lanka , especially the soldiers who lay their lives to protect the country at this hour of crisis ," Piyadassi Mahathera said addressing a large crowd assembled to commemorate the Ranaviru Day at the Saddhathissa Buddhist Centre in Kingsbury London.

June 7 was commemorated as a remembrance day for Sri Lanka's fallen soldiers and the ones disabled in the current war in the country. He said time has come up for those who put up affluent parties among Sri Lankan expatriates, by allocating at least part of that money for the country who made them educated enough free of charge to become what we are in the West, Piyadassi Maha Thera said.

He said he was satisfied by the tremendous service done by the armed forces of Sri Lanka to save part of our population from the jackboot of Fascism and deliver back their democratic rights to them. The Maha Thera said it was the prime duty of all expatriates to look after the disabled soldiers who are being treated at rehabilitation centres and the children of the brave soldiers who have been felled by the bullets of the enemy.

Venerable Samanaliye Piyadassi, Veenerable Wanduramba Kassapa also took part in the memorial service. Military Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe also participated.

Sri Lankans in the UK to demonstrate against terrorism

Sri Lankan expatriates living in the UK are to hold a protest demonstration outside the Commonwealth Secretariat on June 10 to protest against the LTTE and its many acts of terrorism over the past three decades, according to London sources.

The protest will coincide with a conference of Commonwealth Heads of State who have gathered to discuss among other issues, the reformation of international institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, sources added.

The LTTE, an organization banned in Britain as well as many other countries including the USA, Canada and Australia, is considered the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world. In recent times the LTTE, suffering many setbacks and having been driven out of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka have resorted to attacking 'soft targets' such as buses and trains, killing hundreds of people and causing much damage to property. People belonging to all ethic groups and of all religious faiths have died in these attacks.

The protestors expect to bring to the attention of the Commonwealth Heads of States and the British Authorities the true story of the LTTE and the necessity to completely destroy its terrorist capabilities if democracy and peace are to be restored in Sri Lanka, London sources revealed.

Courtesy: Government Information Department

Api Wenuwen Api' fund launched in UK

Sri Lankans in UK, gathering to celebrate Ranaviru Day at the Kingsbury Buddhist Temple yesterday (June 7), launched a fund to build houses for families of servicemen, 'Api Wenuwen Api'.

It was decided to collect enough funds to build 100,000 houses under this project. Already 40,000 pounds have been collected, according to sources in London.

A website has been already launched facilitate contributions to this fund; http://www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk.

Ven. Piyadassi Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Kingsbury Buddhist Temple, called upon all Sri Lankans committed to restoring peace and democracy in the country to contribute lavishly to this noble cause.