Sri Lanka's hidden Pearl
PottuVille Masacre, witness account:
The witness had received telephone calls from prominent members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the witness said yesterday at the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate and inquire into violations of human rights, of which the Pottuvil Massacre is a case.
Continue reading ‘No LTTE involvement’
Tim's Paddle4Relief
Paddle4relief continues to focus its energy in Arugam Bay Buy zofran online without prescription Caverta online pharmacy primarily due to the safety issues in going further north to engage in projects. The village remains a safety bubble in this turbulent country.A? Major projects are being carried out by the Government and large NGOa??s. However, there are still numerous smaller projects required. Whilst a huge water treatment plant has been built, and completed in July 2008, the local people are still without mains water. Even when it arrives, it arrives at a cost! Individual households have to apply for water supply from the mains pipes laid along the roads. The charge for connection is expected to be between RS3000 (A?18) and RS15000 (A?90.91). The lower fee for those that were severely affected by the tsunami, with the charge being greater for those being less affected and with the highest charge for those not affected at all.A? They will have to pay a monthly charge plus what level of usage in litres. The majority of the villagers I spoke to say they cannot afford to pay the connection fee, and will continue to use the supply from the wells on their land.
Paddle4relief are therefore committed in helping those with wells that require cleaning, repairing and improving so as to ensure as many individuals within the community have access to clean drinking water.
Continue reading ‘What does Paddle4Relief do in Arugam Bay?’
Mohammed Naalir
At a time when our valiant Forces are achieving a great victory against the terrorists, the Government will also ensure the proper climate for investments in the country, New Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said yesterday.
Speaking to the media after assuming duties as the new Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister at a ceremony held at the Ministry, Yapa noted that the service sector too plays a vital role in the economy saying special attention will be paid towards providing incentives to this sector.
Minister Yapa said all measures will be taken to boost investment and create more job opportunities to the youth in the villages to ease the unemployment problem.
Enterprise Development Minister Mano Wijeratne said that terrorism is on the verge of total defeat. There will no more terrorism after 2009. The Minister said mega development projects will be implemented throughout the country for the benefit of all.
He said that a trade zone will be established in Trincomalee close to the port. Two areas in Ampara and Polonnaruwa have been identified as suitable for trade zones.
Wijeratne said special attention will be paid towards the agriculture, fishing and tourism sectors this year. Pottuvil (Arugam Bay) and Pasikkudah Celexa ibs treatment will also be developed as a popular tourism destination this year.
Under the Industry to the village project, 200 agreements have been signed with local and foreign investors.
One hundred local and foreign investors have already started their industries, he added.
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and several high ranking officers of the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Ministry were also present.
source:
Post-tsunami Reconstruction in Sri Lanka:
an Analysis of Newspaper Content
by Dileep Chandralal
Professor of Okinawa University
1. Introduction
I have done a survey of newspapers as proxies of media coverage of the post-tsunami recovery situation, focusing on different perspectives on the reconstruction effort. It reveals the practices taken by different sectors, sections or groups, the responses of the affected communities or opinion leaders, the tensions between different social groups or camps and the lack of mutuality and cooperation.
The social context of post-tsunami construction can be divided into two large areas: one area includes the representation of the local community and the other that of foreign participants. Crosscutting these divisions, at the background level, there was a wide range of interest groups such as governments, political organisations, independent bodies, NGOs and activists, academics and professionals, social workers, and individual volunteers. The represented discourses inherently invoke a consideration of differences reflecting writersa?? loyalties to different social groups. The focus of the study was how the text producers, strongly backed up by their respective social contexts, produced the texts and messages, depicting different world views and bearing different results for agenda setting.
My text corpus consists of, mainly, newspapers published during the year 2005. A period of one year was thought of as an appropriate period for depicting individual or collective reflections of, and responses for, the tragedy itself. Moreover, it was during this period that national and international media were bursting at the seams with continuous deliberations, ideas and arguments on post-tsunami reconstruction.
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Daya Gamage A?a??a?? Asian Tribune US Bureau presentation
Washington, D.C. 12 November (Asiantribune.com): “An important part of achieving a political solution and reconciliation between all of Sri LankaA?a??a??s communities will be to improve human rights in Sri Lanka. The high numbers of extra-judicial killings, abductions, and other human rights violations in Sri Lanka have disproportionately affected Tamils. A concerted effort to end such practices and bring the culprits to justice would not only hasten reconciliation in Sri Lanka, it would allow countries like the United States to do more in Sri Lanka.”
The American Ambassador in Sri Lanka Robert Blake made the above remarks on December 11 when he addressed the American Chamber of Commerce in Colombo on an issue thatA?a??a??s discussed widely in this Indian-Ocean Island nation A?a??A?US Perspective on the Situation in Sri LankaA?a??A? reiterating that this was the right time for political solution in Sri Lanka.
Earlier this week his political chief in the embassy was awarded the highest distinguish award by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington for his superior reporting on Sri LankaA?a??a??s political and human rights situation.
Before any comment from Asian TribuneA?a??a??s U.S. Bureau we carry the full text of American AmbassadorA?a??a??s remarks made before the American Chamber of Commerce.
Full text of remarks by Remarks by Ambassador Blake:
Good afternoonA?a??a??thank you Gordon, and the rest of the AmCham board and members, for welcoming me here today. ItA?a??a??s a pleasure to have the opportunity to address AmCham again and see so many old friends.
All of you represent the best of Sri LankaA?a??a??s business community—companies large and small that cover a range of sectors and collectively employ tens of thousands of Sri Lankans. Beyond being successful businesspeople, you also have something very important to me in common. That is a connection to the United States. All of you do business with my country and help build people to people ties that are so important to our bilateral relations.
IA?a??a??d like to build my remarks today around three themes that go to the heart of U.S. policy toward Sri Lanka. They are:
First, the need for a political solution and improvement in human rights to help end the conflict and achieve national reconciliation;
Second, new directions in U.S. assistance in Sri Lanka; and
Third, how the U.S. and Sri Lanka can weather the current financial turmoil.
With respect to the first question, there are many in Sri Lanka who argue either that there is no need for a political solution in Sri Lanka or that such a solution can await the end of the conflict.
U.S. policy has remained consistent on this important point: we think the right time for a political solution is now. American policy toward Sri Lanka has been dominated for the past twenty-five years by the civil conflict that has plagued and terrorized this nation. From investment to trade to military support to development assistance, the conflict influences nearly each and every aspect of our relationship. And for the past quarter century, the United States has remained committed and actively engaged in supporting an end to the conflict. Our position has remained constant and unwavering: LTTE terrorism cannot be tolerated and the rights of all Sri Lankans can best be protected and promoted through a political solution to Sri LankaA?a??a??s conflict that meets the aspirations of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese.
One important way forward is for Sri Lanka to complete the work of the All Parties Representative Committee, which has reached agreement on 90% of a blueprint for constitutional reform that most Sri Lankans believe offers great promise. However, it remains for the countryA?a??a??s two main Sinhalese parties, the SLFP and UNP, to agree on the document, which has proved a significant hurdle thus far.
Pursuing both a political solution and achieving a military victory are not mutually exclusive. In fact, reaching a political solution now could significantly weaken the LTTE in several ways.
It would disprove the LTTEA?a??a??s claim that they are the sole representative of Sri LankaA?a??a??s Tamils and are the only ones who can address and safeguard their interests.
It would diminish support for the LTTE, both within LTTE-controlled areas and among the Tamil Diaspora community abroad.
And it would help reassure the more than 200,000 displaced by the conflict in the Vanni that they can move south where they could aspire to a better future.
An important part of achieving a political solution and reconciliation between all of Sri LankaA?a??a??s communities will be to improve human rights in Sri Lanka. Yesterday was Human Rights Day—the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The high number of extra-judicial killings, abductions, and other human rights violations in Sri Lanka has disproportionately affected Tamils. A concerted effort to end such practices and bring the culprits to justice would not only hasten reconciliation in Sri Lanka, it would allow countries like the United States to do more in Sri Lanka.
This leads me to my second policy theme: US aid to Sri Lanka. Over the past half century, the United States has provided more than two billion dollars worth of assistance to the people of Sri Lanka. We have done this for several reasons A?a??a?? to help Sri Lankans increase their economic opportunities and improve their quality of life, and to help ease the hardship caused by this brutal conflict.
One immediate assistance question for the United States is: with the Government liberating large parts of former-LTTE controlled territories, how can my country best support the urgent needs of the people in those areas?
The answer to this question focuses on our development program, led largely by the US Agency for International Development. USAID has undertaken several important initiatives in recent years. First, AID recently concluded the last of its projects aimed to help the Sri Lankan people in the tsunami-affected areas of the south and east to recover from this terrible tragedy. Our $135 million program enabled the reconstruction of the Arugam Bay Bridge, the reconstruction or rehabilitation of nine vocational training schools, the upgrading of three fishing harbors which were damaged by the tsunami, and even the construction of 87-playgrounds to help children recover from the trauma, among many other good activities.
Now, geographically, the focus of our assistance programs has shifted and our development efforts are concentrated in the recently liberated regions of eastern Sri Lanka. Over the next four years, we will focus our development efforts on two programs: A?a??A?Connecting Regional EconomiesA?a??A? or CORE and A?a??A?Supporting Regional GovernanceA?a??A? or SuRG (we Americans love our acronyms!).
The CORE program is designed to increase social and economic security in Eastern Sri Lanka. By addressing the disparity in economic development between Eastern Sri Lanka and the more prosperous Western Province, CORE aims to establish conditions whereby sustained economic development can be launched.
Projects funded under the CORE initiative are designed with five goals:
-First, support livelihood development for vulnerable populations;
-Second, promote the development of agriculture-based value chains;
-Third, ensure that groups in conflict-affected areas benefit from participation in these value chains and our other efforts;
-Fourth, implement a workforce development strategy;
-and finally promote a business enabling environment.
The SuRG program aims to support and facilitate increased citizen engagement in regional and local government, strengthen inter-community reconciliation, and promote social equality by, for example, promoting citizen interaction with government institutions, and strengthening the capacity of journalists and media outlets in the East.
Programs like CORE and SuRG are essential to connecting and integrating the Eastern Province with other provinces. At the end of the day, if the young people of the East, have a job, can care for their families, and have their voices heard by elected representatives, it will reduce the chance the LTTE could ever reconstitute itself in the east and will help to promote economic, social and political stability in the country.
Another important component of the Connecting Regional Economies project of interest to all of you is USAIDA?a??a??s resolve to works with the business community to create public-private partnerships to generate jobs and growth.
This model already has enjoyed success in USAID programs with companies like AmCham Members Hayleys and Brandix. We are actively expanding the scope of our partnerships with private companies to help leverage resources and create sustainable jobs. Such programs are at the core of U.S. official assistance to Sri Lanka. I hope that we will be able to expand such programs to areas of the North such as Mannar once conditions permit.
Before I continue to the next policy question, I want to make another important point about U.S. development assistance. U.S. support to development projects in Sri Lanka is not limited to projects funded by USAID or other U.S. Government agencies. In fact, globally, donations from private individuals in the United States to charities, NGOs, and foundations dwarf official U.S. Government development assistance. To put a number to this, 85 percent of all U.S. A?a??a??originated assistance toward development activities around the world is funded by such private donations.
Here too, in Sri Lanka, you can see just how active International NGOs —the organizations funded largely through such non-governmental sources—are.
Of course, itA?a??a??s not just the work of American INGOs but also a whole host of INGOs from around the world. They are not motivated by profit, they are not here to gain financially from the conflict, and most importantly, they are not here to support terrorists or undermine national security as some have wrongly alleged. They are in Sri Lanka because they are committed to working with the people of Sri Lanka to provide new opportunities and renewed hope for the future, and they are doing an excellent job.
This brings me to third area of U.S. assistance, which is emergency humanitarian aid for those displaced and affected by the conflict. So far this year, the United States has donated $32 million dollars in food and other commodity assistance to help those affected by the fighting in the north. Last week, we donated an additional $100,000 in non-food aid to help victims affected by heavy floods in Jaffna and other parts of the North. In both instances, the Government of Sri Lanka has provided us with assurances that urgent relief supplies can and will move safely and quickly to those who need them most.
Any discussion about development and growth in Sri Lanka is irrevocably tied to a discussion about the global economy. Thus, with markets in turmoil and a global recession casting a shadow over the worldA?a??a??s economy, how can the United States and Sri Lanka weather the current financial crisis?
On Tuesday, I delivered a speech outlining the global response to the financial crisis. In a room full of businesspeople I wonA?a??a??t go into detail about the causes and official actions by the global community. You know all this and deal with it on a daily basis.
But I would like to say a few words, about how the U.S. is weathering the storm because the U.S. economy helps drive global growth and is one of Sri LankaA?a??a??s most important markets. Under President BushA?a??a??s leadership, we have adopted numerous measures to boost the US economy, including the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to purchase distressed assets and provide capital injections into banks. That has helped, but markets remain under stress.
Just about one week ago, the U.S. announced that our economy is officially in a recession. The U.S. Congress is now considering a $14 billion package of loans to AmericaA?a??a??s big three automakersA?a??a??an industry that directly or indirectly employs over six percent of our manufacturing workforce.
President-Elect Obama also has been very active. He announced last weekend that his Administration — once it takes office on January 20 — will undertake the largest public works construction program since our interstate highway program 50 years ago. The program will include infrastructure projects to repair roads and bridges, and create green jobs that reduce energy use and global warming emissions. The President-electA?a??a??s goal is to create 2.5 million new jobs in the first two years of his administration, which would more than offset the number of jobs lost in American in 2008.
Sri Lanka, although not as immediately affected by the crisis as other countries, nonetheless faces economic challenges of its own. Foreign exchange reserves are low, which make it more difficult to maintain trade flows and meet payment obligations. Recent developments in the financial sector are also likely to result in increased difficulties for Sri Lanka in accessing short term trade financing, as well as large commercial loans in 2009. Within both our societies, there is a temptation among some to turn inward. To levy barriers against imports or to “creep away from,” if not outright abandon, international agreements that help facilitate the flow of goods and services would be shortsighted and ill-advised.
Let me conclude my remarks on a positive note. We, Sri Lankans and Americans alike, are faced with tremendous challenges. But both our countries also have the promise of a better future. In Sri Lanka, an end to the conflict could bring unprecedented opportunities and prosperity. In my country, the election of Barack Obama has given us great hope and optimism.
For both of our countries, hope and optimism can translate into peace and economic prosperity. Sri Lanka faces important questions today. What path will lead to a lasting end to the conflict; how can the international community best work with Sri Lanka to foster growth and development; how can our countries avoid the temptation of economic isolationism and work together to overcome the current economic crisis; and perhaps most importantly, how can you overcome terrorism and still protect and promote human rights?
The answers to these questions are not simple, but the United States remains committed to working with Sri Lanka to tackle these enormous challenges.
Barack Obama waged and won his campaign on the message A?a??A?Yes we can.A?a??A? For Americans, this was more than a campaign slogan. The words project optimism, teamwork, and perseverance. This A?a??A?Yes we canA?a??A? attitude doesnA?a??a??t just apply to individuals, but also to partnerships like that between the people of the United States and Sri Lanka. Yes we can address our challenges and Yes we Will continue to work together.
Thank you.
– Asian Tribune –
COLOMBO: The Disaster Managegement Centre of Sri Lanka yesterday warned that spells of heavy rains could be expected in the Northern and Southern regions within the next couple of days influenced by a forming Buy actoplus met “depression” in the Bay of Bengal.
The Centre’s director Major Gen. Gamini Hettiarachchi said the Jaffna, Mulativu, Killinochchi , Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloe, Ampara and Trincomalee districts could experience floods if the depression forming in the low pressure areas over the Bay of Bengal intensifies.
Continuous rains and thundershowers are forecast for the region with the winds of Bay of Bengal in the Northeasterly regions influenced by the forming depression, he explained.
Hettiarachchi said, the Disaster Management Centre has taken steps the for necessary evacuation of people from areas most prone to floods in the districts by now as an emergency measure.
“People have been evacuated from several villages in the Batticaloa district as well,” he said.
Asked if the Centre had dispatched life saving boats to these areas, he said they have sent but a limited number of Allopurinol annual sales boats, a number enough to handle initial flood stages.
‘We have carried out the necessary drills, educated the public in villages on how they should act in an emergency. We are prepared to face any situation that could arise from floods,” he said.
The Disaster management Centre has placed its co-coordinators in the North and East to deal with the situation at its first signs, he added.
He also said , the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief, UN Agencies , UNICEF and UNCHR , will be there to assist the flood victims with food and medicine and other non-food relief items.
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The nineteenth A?a??A?Great heroes dayA?a??A? (GHD) was observed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Thursday November 27. In recent times the most important event for the LTTE has been its annual A?a??E?Maaveerar NaalA?a??a?? or A?a??A?Maaveerar ThinamA?a??A?held each year.
Various observances are held in Sri Lanka and abroad to commemorate the Tiger cadres who have died for the Tamil cause. A?a??E?Puligalin Thaagam Thamil Eelath ThaayagamA?a??a?? (Thirst of the Tigers is for a Tamil Eelam homeland) is the motto of the LTTE.
An important feature of the GHD has been the ceremony where LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran pays homage to the fallen cadres. The centrepiece of this ceremony is his address to the Tamil people in his capacity as the self-styled national leader of the Tamil Eelam nation.
This yearA?a??a??s GHD address by Prabhakaran came at a time when the LTTE was suffering setback after setback on the military front. It was only last year that Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa predicted that the 2007 Great Heroes Day would be the last one for the tiger chief.
Prabhakaran however is still alive and what is more lived to deliver another GHD address. Given the series of military reversals undergone by the LTTE in recent times many expected or wanted the Tiger supremo to throw the towel in.
A number of articles and even editorials appeared in the Sri Lankan media ridiculing and mocking Prabhakaran and the LTTE for its perceived poor track record in military matters.
There is a widespread belief in the country and abroad that the LTTE is militarily weak and therefore is on the verge of being defeated conclusively by the armed forces. With the Rajapaksa regime utilising its military successes to consolidate itself in power a massive propaganda campaign is on to project an image that the Tigers are on the decline. If recent military developments are the sole criteria to assess the strength or weakness of the LTTE there was some justification at least for this opinion to gain ground.
This impression has led to an atmosphere of triumphalism in the country amidst many sections of the majority community. Those who disagree or dissent are unfairly depicted as traitors or Tiger agents.
There were quite a few who expect Prabhakaran to call it quits or face extinction. A few actually advised him to surrender arms and enter the negotiating process.
It was against this backdrop that PrabhakaranA?a??a??s annual GHD address was delivered last Thursday. If anyone thought of Prabhakaran as a battered, bleeding boxer, reeling on the ropes, gasping for breath, they were mistaken.
The Tiger chief was defiant as ever. Maintaining tremendous serenity amid severe strain, the beleaguered LTTE chief read out his prepared speech in customary style.
Though different analysts tend to draw different conclusions from the address, to this writer, the most significant aspect of the LTTE leaderA?a??a??s speech was his avowed declaration to continue fighting against overwhelming odds.
Here are some relevant excerpts from the translated version in English:
A?a??A?Today, the Sinhala state has, as never before, placed its trust on its military strength, on military modalities and on a military solution. As a result, the war has gathered intensity and momentum. In truth, this is not a war against the LTTE as the Sinhala state professes. This is a war against the Tamils; against the Tamil nation. In short; a genocidal war.A?a??A?
A?a??A?With various countries of the world buttressing the genocidal war on the people of Tamil Eelam, we are waging a defensive war for the freedom of our people.A?a??A?
A?a??A?We have faced forces much mightier than ours. We have had direct confrontations even against superior powers, stronger than us.A?a??A?
A?a??A?We have withstood wave after wave of our enemy attacks. When compared to these happenings of the past, todayA?a??a??s challenges are neither novel nor huge. We will face these challenges with the united strength of our people.A?a??A?
A?a??A?No great changes have taken place in the Sinhala political panorama. Politics there has developed into the form of a demonic war.A?a??A?
A?a??A?When it comes to the Tamil national question, the Sinhala nation is adopting only one policy. It is obviously a policy of suppression. Even the tinge of hope our people had that the Sinhala nation will abandon its path of violence and offer justice, has now evaporated. Our people are not ready to trust the Sinhala nation again and get cheated.A?a??A?
A?a??A?It is true Tamil Eelam is a small nation on the globe. However it is a nation with great potential. It is a nation with a characteristic individuality. It has a distinctive language, cultural heritage and history. As the freedom movement of the people of Tamil Eelam we will never, ever allow Sinhala occupation or Sinhala domination of our homeland.A?a??A?
A?a??A?Whatever challenges confront us, whatever contingencies we encounter, whatever forces stand on our path, we will still continue with our struggle for the freedom of the Tamil people. On the path shown by history, on the command of the circumstances of today, we will continue with our struggle till alien Sinhala occupation of our land is removed.A?a??A?
This writer does not agree with most views expressed by Prabhakaran both in his speech. The thrust of his address is all about laying the blame on everyone else but the LTTE and himself. Always the A?a??A?othersA?a??A? are at fault.
Recent history demonstrates very clearly that the LTTE had not utilised the opportunity that arose for exploring a solution on federal lines through negotiations. But the Tiger supremo is silent on why the tigers agreed in Oslo to A?a??A?exploreA?a??A? and then performed a political somersault.
It is certainly true that Sri Lankan Tamil people are suffering greatly under this government. But it was the LTTE that facilitated the election of Mahinda Rajapaksa by enforcing a boycott of the presidential elections in areas controlled by it then.
Also Prabhakaran in his GHD address of 2005 called the new president a A?a??A?pragmaticA?a??A? man and stated that Rajapaksa would be given time to resolve theA?A? problem Yet within days the Tigers began launching attacks through its A?a??A?acolytesA?a??A? called A?a??A?Makkal padaiA?a??A? or A?a??A?peoples forceA?a??A?.
Then came provocative acts like the suicide bomber attack on Army commander Sarath Fonseka, the blocking of water at Maavilaaru, synchronised attacks on Muhamaalai, Muthur and Mandaitheevu, the artillery barrage on Trincomalee harbour from Sampoor etc.
It was in this atmosphere that the current military campaign was launched by the Rajapakse regime. It has been rather ruthless with little concern for the plight of ordinary civilians.
Despite expressing concern for the Tamil predicament there has been little concrete action by the International community to alleviate it. This is not because the IC is against the Tamils. This unjustified apathy is due to its pronounced antipathy towards the LTTE.
Excerpting certain paragraphs while disagreeing with the essence of arguments expressed in those is merely to draw attention to the actual mindset of the Tiger leader. There is a tendency to be lulled into a false consciousness by believing oneA?a??a??s own propaganda that the LTTE is on the edge of a dangerous precipice.
Several analysts and commentators have portrayed PrabhakaranA?a??a??s speech in a negative light as having been stated from a position of weakness. This may give a A?a??A?feel good feelingA?a??A? to many.
It would however be a grave blunder if one were to write off PrabhakaranA?a??a??s speech as the ranting and raving of a cornered tiger.
As this writer has consistently stated in the past A?a??A?the Tigers may be down but they are certainly not outA?a??A?.
PrabhakaranA?a??a??s utterances about continuing to fight against A?a??A?SinhalamA?a??A? (Sinhale) or the A?a??A?Sinhala stateA?a??A? should not be dismissed as sheer bravado. Rhetoric it may be, disconnected with reality it may be, but nevertheless Prabhakaran means every word of it.
Those who saw visual images of Prabhakaran reading out his speech in Tamil were struck by one thing. Though propaganda in sections of the media stated that the LTTE leader was under severe pressure, the impression gained when seeing him was quite the opposite.
Those of us who have been regularly following his annual addresses were struck by a remarkable change in his demeanour and tone. He seemed relaxed and supremely confident. Serene amidst strain. Prabhakaran looked and sounded like a man in firm control of his destiny. He seemed to mean every word he said.
In this context one recalls an anecdote of 21 years vintage. This was during the time when Indian officials in New Delhi were trying to pressurise Prabhakaran into accepting the proposed Indo A?a??a?? Lanka accord.
At one point former Indian envoy Jyotindra Nath Dixit in typical A?a??A?hectoringA?a??A? mode warned Prabhakaran that he would have to fight the Indian army if he did not accept the accord. To which the LTTE leader replied, A?a??A?I donA?a??a??t want to but I will fight the Indian army if I have to.A?a??A?
Dixit then retorted, A?a??A?Do you know the strength of the Indian army?A?a??A? Prabhakaran replied A?a??A?350,000? 400,000?A?a??A? Then Dixit said A?a??A?Add another cipherA?a??A?. Once again Prabhakaran said that he did not want to fight the Indian army but was prepared to do so if necessary.
Later the LTTE went through the charade of agreeing and adhering to the Indo – Lanka accord. New DelhiA?a??a??s South block thought that Prabhakaran had submitted meekly to the overwhelming might of India and devoured humble A?a??A?kanjiA?a??A? (porridge).
When Dixit began relating the above A?a??a?? mentioned exchange of words on the diplomatic cocktail circuit most people had a hearty laugh. The A?a??A?puliA?a??A? (Tiger) had become an A?a??A?eliA?a??A? (mouse) with India, the joke went.
Yet it was Prabhakaran who had the last laugh,. Belatedly India realised that the tiger chief was dead serious when he said that he was prepared to fight India.
Likewise it may seem amusing to hear Prabhakaran declaring his intent to continue fighting at a time when the Sri Lankan military juggernaut is relentlessly rolling forward. But it would be a monumental error to misjudge or underestimate the man as many have done in the past.
There are two sayings in Tamil about the tiger. One is A?a??A?puli pathunguvathu paaivathatkuA?a??A? (the Tiger crouches only to pounce). The other is A?a??A?puli pasithaalum Pullai ThinnaathuA?a??A? (Even if hungry Tigers donA?a??a??t eat grass).
These sayings about four A?a??a?? legged felines are applicable in politico A?a??a?? military terms to the two A?a??a?? legged Tigers also.
Currently two DVD/Video cassettes are being circulated among the Sri Lankan Diaspora in the west. One is a 32 minute cassette portraying the hardship and suffering undergone by internally displaced civilians in the Wanni. It is emotionally moving to see their tragic plight. There is an open appeal to Tamil Nadu Tamils.
While these cassettes are openly distributed the other 21 minute cassette is clandestinely shown to selected activists and die- hard supporters. Several LTTE leaders and commanders appear in this film emphasising that they are ready and strong to prolong the fight. There are scenes of cadres being trained.
The LTTE bigwigs keep on appealing to A?a??A?pulam peyarntha uravugalA?a??A? (our relatives gone abroad) not to be deceived by Government propaganda that the LTTE is weak. They reiterate that they are waiting for the right time to strike.
They also keep A?a??A?requestingA?a??A? that Diaspora Tamils should continue to support them without faltering until their goal is achieved.
Both these cassettes illustrate the dual approach adopted by the LTTE. On the one hand the humanitarian predicament is focused on to make an emotional appeal while on the other; military strength is projected to retain support of hawkish elements.
This duality can be discerned in PrabhakaranA?a??a??s GHD speech also where he states that the LTTE is prepared for peace but goes on to assert that the tigers will not give up the fight. There is a deliberately instilled sense of ambiguity here.
A noteworthy aspect of this yearA?a??a??s GHD observances was the military situation and weather.
With the armed forces on the ascendant and Tiger-controlled territory shrinking rapidly, the climate was not conducive for widespread functions. Torrential rains aggravated the situation further.
In such an environment there was a nagging doubt as to whether GHD ceremonies could be conducted anywhere let alone being done in grand fashion.
Yet the LTTE did manage to demonstrate through those ceremonies that they were A?a??A?down but not outA?a??A?.
None of the ceremonies were conducted openly or on a lavish scale. Prabhakaran himself participated at the main function held in an undisclosed location.
He commenced his 25 minute address at 5. 40pm. A minute of silence was observed at 6.06 pm. The sacrificial flame was lit by him at 6.07 pm.
Similar ceremonies were organized simultaneously at different venues.
Pride of place was given to functions in the Eastern Province from which the LTTE was ousted last year. GHD ceremonies indicated that the tigers had re-established a viable presence in jungle areas of the Batticaloa A?a??a?? Amparai districts.
In Amparai district eastern special commander A?a??A?ColA?a??A? Ram lit the flame at a ceremony in Lahugala jungles in Pottuvil electoral district.
Amparai district military commander Nahulan lit the flame in another function held in the Kanjikudichchaaru jungles.
In Batticaloa district the district military commander Umaram lit the flame in Tharavaikulam in the Thoppigala/Kudumbimalai region; Maavadimummaari military chief Kalaimaruthan lit the flame at Thaandiaddy. The political commissar for Maavadimummaari zone lit the flame there. In the Vaaharai region, Aandaankulam military chief Pushpan lit the flame at Aandaankulam. Likewise the Karadiyanaaru military leader lit the flame there.
In the LTTE controlled regions of Wanni the following Tiger leaders lit the sacrificial flames in different locations. Despite Kilinochchi town being besieged by the armed forces LTTEA?a??a??s northern front commander A?a??A?ColA?a??A? Theeban lit the flame in Kanagapuram Great Heroes cemetery;
A?a??A?ColA?a??A? Sornam (some reports said he was injured or dead) lit the flame at Mulliyavalai GH cemetery while Keerthi did so at Viswamadhu. A?a??A?ColA?a??A? Jeyam did so at Oddusuddan while sea Tiger special commander Soosai paid homage at sea to all sea A?a??a?? Tigers who perished at sea. The woman sea A?a??a?? Tiger special commander Poorani and deputy sea-Tiger commander Vinayagam lit the flames in Alambil and Uduthurai respectively.
LTTE finance chief Thamilkumaran, A?a??A?SencholaiA?a??A? orphanage co-ordinator Sudarmahal, Charles Anthony division special commander Vimal, and Military college chief instructor Aathavan, lit the flames in Puthukkudiyiruppu,Vattakkachchi,Kandawalai and Udayarkaddu GH cemeteries respectively.
There are also special memorial monuments for cadres from Batticaloa A?a??a?? Amparai districts, Imran A?a??a?? Pandian infantry brigade and A?a??A?Kutty SriA?a??A? mortar units. The flames in these places were lit by Jeyanthan brigade chief Bhavaan,Kilinochchi district military chief Velavan andA?A? Kuttysri unit chiefA?A? Kalaichelvan respectively.
By staging these ceremonies in spite of a very hostile environment the LTTE has proved a point. The Tigers have shown that despite the strong challenge posed by the armed forces it is a case of A?a??A?business as usualA?a??A? for them in key spheres.
The Great Heroes day events are given top priority in the LTTE scheme of things.
There exists in the martial tradition of the Tamils a concept known as A?a??E?Nadugal Valipaadu,A?a??a?? which literally means worshipping the planted stone.
Until the influence of Aryan-Brahminism pervaded the Dravidian people, the custom in South India had been that of burying their dead. Tombstones were erected at the graves of great heroes fallen in battle. These were honoured regularly through special panegyrical rituals.
The classical Tamil literature of the Sangham era is replete with references to this A?a??E?Nadugal ValipaaduA?a??a?? concept.
Poetic works like A?a??A?pattinappaalaiA?a??A?,A?a??A?MalaipaduhadaamA?a??A?,A?a??A?aingurunooruA?a??A?, A?a??A?ahanaanooruA?a??A?, A?a??A?puranaanooruA?a??A? and A?a??A?TholgappiyamA?a??A? refer to this phenomenon.
The aftermath of the Hindu renaissance period saw Brahminism becoming dominant and altering a way of life drastically.
The decline of Tamil dynasties along with the advent of Moghul, Nayakkar and European colonialism saw the martial tradition among Tamils becoming debilitated.
The custom of paying homage to heroes fallen in battle became non-existent in an environment where war was virtually unknown for generations.
In modern times the LTTE has revived and developed to a great extent the Tamil tradition of paying homage to its fallen heroes just as it re-introduced a martial Tamil culture through war.
When the first Great Heroes Day was observed in 1989, there were only 1,343 martyrs. The tally in 2000 was 16,591. In 2005 the figure was 17,903; this year up to October 30, 1974 tigers comprising 1398 males and 576 females were killed. This excludes about 3,000 conscripts who had not been made A?a??A?fullA?a??A? members and therefore denied great hero status.
The grand total from November 27 1982 to October 30 2008 is 22, 114 Tiger great heroes killed. This comprises 17,305 males and 4,809 females.
As the ethnic conflict continues, the casualty rates also increase. What this means is that more and more Tamil families are suffering the losses of their loved ones and becoming grief stricken.
A qualitative change in recent times has been increased conscription by the LTTE. The emotional reaction of family members towards their kith and kin forcibly taken by the LTTE and sacrificed on the altar of war would be different to those who joined voluntarily.
Denying great hero status to some of those raw conscripts who get killed can only add insult to injury.
Given the current flow of events and the manner, mode and message of PrabhakaranA?a??a??s GHD address there can be little doubt that we are going to see more and more war.
The Rajapaksa regime though unpopular on many fronts is sustained in power mainly through its pro A?a??a?? war policy. In such a situation one can expect an escalation and intensification of war in the future.
Not only will the LTTE resist fiercely but also may launch its long A?a??a?? awaited counter A?a??a?? strike.
Which way the goddess of war would bestow her blessings or curses is uncertain. But the only certainty is that the Tamil A?a??a??populated regions will see an increase in death, displacement and destruction in the days to come. Tamil suffering will continue.
D.B.S. Jeyaraj can be reached
atA?A? Nasonex how much does it cost djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan conceded that his relationship with Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna had deteriorated in the recent past. Pillayan in an interview with The Sunday Times, while pointing out that police powersA?a??a??that he says would ensure freedom of movementA?a??a??were more important than concentrating on development, also complained that the Provincial Council was not being consulted on any of the projects that have been launched so far.
Excerpts:
What is the relationship between you and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna?
There is tension over KarunaA?a??a??s demand for restructuring the party. He wants to bring his men to the Executive Committee. I registered this party when the government decided to hold local and provincial elections in the east early this year. Karuna was out of the country at that time. Because we wanted to prepare for elections we registered as the TMVP. There is no necessity to make any changes now. Pyridium phenazopyridine cost
Why is Karuna demanding a restructure of the party and registering it under a different name ?
I understand he is trying to grab political power from us. He does not have any official status in the TMVP. Since he returned he has been trying to forcibly occupy our offices in the Batticaloa district. I have shifted my office to a new building due to this problem.
Karuna didnA?a??a??t want you to contest as the Chief Ministerial candidate but instead he wanted the Batticaloa Mayor, Sivageetha Prabhakaran to contest for the post. Is this correct ?
We decided she was suitable for the MayorA?a??a??s post because of her political experience within the district. The Chief MinisterA?a??a??s post is an important one and it would have been difficult for her to handle the work as there is a lot of pressure. Therefore, I decided to contest for the post.
What are the main obstacles you are facing to develop the province making use of the powers vested in the Provincial Council under the 13th amendment?
To tell you frankly, since I took office in May this year not a single person has been recruited to the Council. I donA?a??a??t have any powers to implement the 13th Amendment. We have asked the central government to give us the powers vested in the 13th Amendment, but Karuna who is with the government is now convincing the government not to give powers to me.
We see a lot of development activities including building of new roads, bridges, providing electricity and telephone facilities to the newly liberated areas. Have you been consulted on these projects ?
No. Only a few cabinet ministers in the district are directly involved in these projects. This is not what we need at the moment. We first need freedom of movement to travel within the district and outside.
We saw that some of the TMVP offices opened by cadres loyal to you, now being closed down. Why is this ?
In the recent past there have been some incidents in these camps located in the mainland as well as in the newly liberated areas. The offices have been closed down to prevent more attacks taking place among the Tamil brotherhood.
There is information that former LTTE cadres whom you have de-listed have returned to the TMVP, stating that their lives are in danger. How serious is the problem of infiltration?
Quite serious. We are trying to identify these people and send some of them back. If they lead a normal life we will leave them alone. Otherwise they will be dealt with according to the law. After the eastern province was cleared, we were aware that a handful of LTTE cadres had returned to the districts of Batticaloa and Ampara. We are currently helping the security forces to track them down.
You are demanding police powers, but in contrast Karuna has said that such powers are not necessary. Your reactions?
If police powers are devolved to the provincial council I can protect all our members. They can also be absorbed into the police force so that they get official recogntion. They will be disciplined and any action could be taken against those persons who act against the law.
What impact has the killing of your private Secretary Krishnaswamy Nandagopan alias Ragu had overall?
His slaying is not only a great loss to me personally but also to the Tamil community on the whole. He was truly concerned about the people of the east. Money and positions were of little importance to him. He was also a knowledgable person. He was born in Batticaloa and based in Trincomalee and therefore had a good knowledge about the problems in the Eastern Province and could have done good service.
You said the killing of Ragu was not the work of the LTTE. But Karuna blames the LTTE?
I will say it again. It was not the work of the LTTE. This was definitely the work of a group who does not like to see the province developing. Very soon I will prove it. We have vital clues. Nobody knew where Ragu and I were staying in Athurugiriya, the day prior to the killing. No one knew of our movements too, except the one other person who was with us. Singulair full price
There are allegations from the Muslim community in Kathankudy, that TMVP cadres are moving into the area and intimidating and threatening them. A few Muslim civilians were shot dead too. How do you hope to foster ethnic harmony in this kind of environment?
Yes, in the past there were some incidents in Kathankudy. We have punished some of our members who were involved in such incidents. Now we have established a good rapport with the Muslims.
There is a strong belief that after Karuna returned he has been having the upper hand by using his powers and influence with the government to sideline you. What is your reaction?
The people in Batticaloa district are aware about KarunaA?a??a??s behaviour and how he betrayed his community by leaving them and trying to lead a life of luxury in a western country. That itself clearly brings out his selfishness. I am the one who helped the government forces to liberate the people of Mutur and Sampoor. Some of our cadres were even killed in the operation, but Karuna did not even express his condolences to the families of these cadres. Because of these incidents the people have lost confidence in him. I challenge him, that if has a support base in the east to come forward and contest the next parliamentary elections.
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I have confidence in the Chief Minister
Playing down the reported rift between himself and Pillayan, UPFA parliamentarian Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna said police powers to the Eastern Province were not an urgent need and priority should be given to developing the province. In an interview with The Sunday Times he said he was concerned about LTTE cadres infiltrating the TMVP.
Excerpts:
There are reports about clashes between Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan and yourself. Any comment?
We have no major problems. Some of our political opponents and the LTTE are trying to create problems between us. Some media are also involved. There are some minor problems. We are a democratic party and there are bound to be arguments and disagreements, but they are not serious.
Who are these political opponents?
I donA?a??a??t want to say who they are individually, but the TNA is one such group.
Pillayan says that your interest in restructuring the party is to get your members into the Executive committee. What is your response?
Even before I returned to the country, I advised Pillayan to call for a Central Committee meeting and restructure the party by including senior cadres of the TMVP. Presently I am in consultation with some intellectuals to reorganize the party. We will drop the name Puligal (Tigers).
How serious is the threat of LTTE infiltration in the East ?
After 22 years of fighting we cannot bring every thing under control in one year. There are small pockets of the LTTE operating there. They killed a university student and now a doctor. That doctor was loved by all the people of the area. One lady called me and said the doctor was like her son. The people have clearly rejected the LTTE, but their intelligence operatives are carrying out such brutal attacks to destabilise the east.
But, what about the infiltration into the TMVP?
We are concerned about the infiltration. We have started a screening process with the help of the security forces. We are not going to enlist any ex-LTTE cadres to the TMVP. We are also carrying out search operations.
How did your acquaintance with the Chief Minister begin ?
When I broke away from the LTTE and formed the TMVP, he was one of the people who joined me. In my absence, I appointed Kannan as the leader but, he was killed by the LTTE, then I appointed my brother Reji, but he too was killed by the LTTE. Thereafter, I appointed Pillayan to the position.
Do you have confidence in the Chief Minister ?
Yes I am happy with him. Also it is important that a Tamil person be the Chief Minister of the east. It has proved that the LTTEA?a??a??s opinion that in a de-merged north A?a??a??east the Tamils will have no representation is wrong. Under him, all the communities are working to build up a civil administration.
Pillayan says that his private secretary Krishnaswamy Nandagopan alias Ragu was not killed by the LTTE.
Clearly the killing was carried out by the LTTE. In the past two months, 17 TMVP cadres have been killed by the LTTE. They have tried to infiltrate the TMVP for some time, but have failed. He (Pillayan) made a mistake by saying the killing was not carried out by the LTTE. I regret that statement.
While Pillayan says powers to the province must be devolved under the PC system to the Eastern Provincial Council, you have been holding a different opinion.
We have a lot of work to do in the east. There has been a war in the east for the past 22 years. While Muslims in the area managed to send their representatives to parliament, the Tamil people have been largely without representation. But now we have a chance. We have the Provincial Council administration and our priority is development work. But police powers are not an urgent need. In the past too, the mistake we made was making the same demands over and over again. But now we have to do things differently. We must develop education, sports and entertainment.
Have you discussed the law and order situation in the east with the Government ?
I have spoken to the Defence Secretary and for now we have Deputy Inspector General of Police Shankar appointed as the co-ordinator for the three districts in the east. The Defence Secretary told me there are about 1000 police vacancies to be filled in the east and Tamil youth are needed to be recruited. I have already informed the people. We must now give priority to development.
courtesy:sundaytimes.lk
source:
http://worldtamilrefugeesforum.blogspot.com/2008/11/think-about-eastern-people-first-tamil.html
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By Sandun A Jayasekera
Medical officers in State hospitals in the North and East, vacating their places of work on the instructions of the GMOA, have crippled medical care services in those hospitals affecting the treatment of war wounded in particular.
The GMOA advised its members to vacate their places of duty last Monday on security grounds following the brutal murder of Dr. S.W.Pathmakumara, Medical Officer of the Vavunaitivu rural hospital in Batticaloa district on Sunday night.
GMOA committee member Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa said doctors serving in the two provinces are reluctant to report for duty until adequate security was provided to them. The discussions so far held with the authorities had ended in failure, he said.
A?a??A?We had a discussion on Tuesday with Health Ministry officials and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa but could not reach a settlement.
Though Mr. Rajapaksa had given us many promises earlier no promise has so far been honoured. We cannot take his word to provide security to our membership as a firm assurance. We have instructed our members not to report until adequate security is in place for doctors to work without fear,A?a??A? Dr. Epitakaduwa told the Daily Mirror yesterday. War wounded The GMOA will assess the situation tomorrow before taking a decision, he said.
A?a??A?We do not intend to hold further talks with the Defence or Health Ministry officials. We informed the decision of our membership after FridayA?a??a??s discussion,A?a??A? Dr. Epitakaduwa added.
A top official of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry said that the situation at many State hospitals in the North and East is grave as almost all the war wounded had to be brought to Anuradhapura, Ampara or hospitals in Colombo.
A?a??A?The danger is that seriously wounded soldiers have to be provided first aid or preliminary care before they are airlifted to a major hospital. Almost all the casualties have to be airlifted to the south without casualty management under the circumstances,A?a??A? he said.
Vavuniya District Hospital acting Director, Govri Nandakumar said 12 out of 13 Sinhala medical officers including a surgeon had left the hospital and she is facing difficulty in treating patients, the war wounded in particular.
Kalmunai Base Hospital Director Bhavani Pasupathiraja said all 15 Sinhala doctors have failed to report for duty. A?a??A?I sent some wounded soldiers to Ampara Base Hospital yesterday but it is very difficult to cope with the situation given the unavailability of doctors,A?a??A? he said.
source:
Price emsam A?A?http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=32766
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Bear saves monk from clutches of Tigers |
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A monk who went missing on Tuesday in the deep jungles of Ampara was found two days later by security personnel who were on a search operation but his true liberator was a bear, the shaken monk told The Sunday Times.
Rev. Sivuralamulle Dhammasiri Thera, now receiving treatment at the Ampara hospital ICU said he was returning from the Kudumbigala Aranya Senasanaya, a hermitage, about 120 miles away from his abode when he was accosted by an armed gang. The monks screams had alerted some people in the environs and soon a massive a search operation was launched in the vicinity of the sanyasanaya. A?a??A?I had taken alms to the monks at Kudumbigala and was returning when I was waylaid by armed terrorists. I was threatened and then dragged into the thick surrounding jungle,A?a??A? the Ven. Thera said. He said the men questioned him and inflicted cut injuries on him, before two of them dragged him to a spot where he thought he would be killed. However, at that moment a bear pounced on one of the kidnappers and the monk took the opportunity to flee, while the other kidnapper turned to help his friend. On Thursday morning security men who were on a search operation came across the monk who was making his way out of the jungle. The monk was admitted to Panama hospital and later transferred to Ampara hospital as his condition was serious.
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source:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081116/News/sundaytimesnews_19.html
Ven. Sivuralamulle Dhammasiri Thera, Viharadhipathy Kudumbigala Aranya Senasanaya who was abducted by suspected LTTE cadres on Tuesday evening was found in a jungle patch one kilometer away from the STF camp in Pottuvil last morning.
Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said Ven. Dhammasiri Thera who was in the temple vicinity had gone missing at around 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday in Panama, Kudumbigala in Ampara.
Subsequently, a person who heard a noise near a well rushed to the scene at the temple found a pair of slippers and a bag belonging to the Thera, the SSP Gunasekera said.
source:
A?A?http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/11/14/news23.asp Order ceftin uses
Ven. Sivuramulle Dhammasiri
The monk who went missing at Panama, Pottuvil on Tuesday evening was yesterday traced by the STF.
He was holding onto a tree and moaning apparently in pain but did not tell the STF as to what happened to him.
Ven. Sivuramulle Dhammasiri on his way to a temple from Kudumbigala escorted by home guards had told his guards that he had forgotten to bring pirith nool and returned to the temple which was only 300 meters away. He failed to return thereafter.
The STF traced him in the jungles off the temple yesterday morning around 9.30 a.m.
He was admitted to the Ampara Hospital.
Buy imitrex generic The Buddhist monk in the Ampara district who went missing since Nov 11 evening, had been found moments ago. Police said that the monk Ven. Sivuralamulle Dhammasiri thera was found kept inside a cave in the jungle.
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Nov 13, Ampara: The Buddhist monk who went missing from the historical Kudumbigala Temple in Ampara, Eastern Sri Lanka was found this morning.
Police sources said the monk Ven. Sivuralamulle Dhammasiri Thero was found in the jungle of Okanda in Panama area by the Special Task Force troops in a search operation.
The monk has been admitted to the Ampara hospital. According to the sources the Thero is yet to disclose the details of his abduction.
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