Archive for March, 2006
Sunday, March 26th, 2006
Courtesy:Tamil Week
It is with mixed feeling that I read your statement released on the eve of the Peace Talks in Geneva. I am pleased with the boldness with which you have expressed your views relating to the Dictatorial regime illegally established by the LTTE in parts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces but disappointed a little with some others. I am indeed happy about your conceding that the people who have suffered the most in the war have been those in the North and East. I am in full agreement with you that a large number of Tamils from these areas, ran away due to the erosion of democratic rights and settled either in other parts of Sri Lanka or migrated to foreign countries. To add to your views, interference with the fundamental rights of the people and large scale Human Rights violations can also be attributed for this exodus. I do not deny that those who settled within Sri Lanka are living peacefully with the other ethnic groups who have happily welcomed them in their midst, with sympathy and affection. It is evident that the
country is gradually getting united and shunning communalism.
I too regret the mass exodus and the brain drain of Tamils and strongly urge that everyone who loves the country and wants peace should help to make it possible for them to return to their mother land, by removing the impediments that stand on their way. The need for their return is now felt more than ever before, seeing the calibre of persons who are taking part in the negotiations and their capacity to present their case for a negotiated settlement. It is a pity to see the present state of the Tamil community. It was once enriched with highly educated Scholars, Professors, Academics, Judges, lawyers and many others who had specialized in various fields, most of whom have either been silenced by the LTTE’s bullets or migrated to foreign countries. The remaining few dare not open their mouths against the LTTE.
impediments
It is wrong even to assume, that the meetings in Geneva will remove the impediments there, for all the people of Sri Lanka to enjoy all their rights because Mr. S.P. Thamilselvan before being brought to Colombo by a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter had issued a statement to say that they will discuss the proper implementation of the CFA only and nothing else. Please note that the SLMM. a creation of the, CFA composed of representatives of NOTdic countries has attributed to the LTTE, over three thousand (3000) serious violations. It may not be irrelevant to mention here that the SLMM pointed an accusing finger at the LTTE for firing a few shots at a Sri Lankan Air Force owned helicopter.
The time has now come for all the Political parties and the people to forget all their political and other differences and to get together to help to liberate the Tamils from the iron clutches of the LTTE. Let it not appear that one ethnic group grants the rights to the other ethnic groups. It should appear as if all ethnic groups share power and enjoy equal rights irrespective of whatever ethnic or religious group, one may belong to.
Ashamed
As a Tamil I am ashamed of what had happened to the Muslim and Singhalese of the North. It is a disgrace for the Tamils, if the Sinhalese and Muslim students are not assured of full protection by the LTTE. The responsibility is theirs because the people will not dare to do a
thing that will not be pleasing to the LTTE cadre. No one has any right to drive away a person from any part of the country. I am sure that you will feel for the sorry-plight of the Tamils and Muslims whose democratic rights had been seriously violated. No parents will be prepared to part with their children. But the LTTE that had already sacrificed over eighteen thousand Tamil youths in the war front, do not utter one word about their killings of a substantial number of youths from other groups, which will be also a few thousands. During the period of ceasefire they had abducted one thousand seven hundred innocent children of poor families and Tsunami orphans, depriving them of all their rights and recruited them by force as child soldiers, to
be used as cannon fodder. Apart from this, over six hundred (600) adults too had been abducted with their fate also not known. It is regrettable to note that the children of the leaders are exempted from conscription. Is there no remedy or end to these is the question often asked by everybody from everywhere. My answer is that there is a solution if only the Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna will show some sympathy towards these unfortunate Tamils and Muslims. You know the suffering of our people in minute detail. Yet I list out some for your
information.
The sufferings of the Tamils did not start with the LTTE taking over some areas in the North and East. In the seventies with the assassination of the Ex Mayor of Jafffia Mr. Alfred Thuraiappa, killings started. The Government forces retaliated and due to the foolish administrative orders a - number of Tamil youth were killed in the seventies. Since then there were killings on both sides mostly retaliatory killings. In July 1983 with the killings of 13 soldiers by the LTTE’s claymore mine attack communal riots broke out. No one can forget the black July, 1983 during which the worst of all communal riots took place. During this periods thousands of Tamils were killed and billions worth of property belonging to the Tamils, destroyed.
It is only after the riots of July - August, 1983 we, the 17 TULF me members of Parliament quit office voluntarily, protesting against the referendum, held to extend the term of Parliament. From then onwards the militants took over the leadership of the Tamils. Things would have
been different today if the LTTE had not started killing leaders and Members of the other groups, to gain superiority over others. Since then there was blood shed every where in the North and the East. Young boys and girls were killed. Youths from other Tamil Armed groups were killed. Men, women and children were killed. Respectable people tied to lamp posts and shot dead. Families destroyed. Houses destroyed. Widows and orphans were created in thousands. There were destitute persons everywhere . There was a mass exodus of Tamils to India. Many fled to foreign countries. Railway tracks were removed and sleepers, railings and pebbles on the track were all removed for the construction of bunkers. Telephone wires and
electricity wires were removed to be used for making bombs and concrete posts removed and broken to be used for the construction of bunkers. The towns were deserted and became ghost towns. People lost all their belongings:- jewellery, books, life time savings, furniture
etc. Houses were destroyed, window frames doors and roofs were removed. Some areas still look like ruined cities. People are living in refugee camps for years. Many became paupers overnight. The Muslims of Jaffna, Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar who had to leave behind everything and go with only Rs. 500 are still in refugee camps for several years, without privacy or any com fort. The people know that all these sufferings are not created by one party. It is a question of whether it is the chicken or egg that came first. The number of people killed by, the army or police cannot be even a small fraction of the number killed by the LTTE, which gave different interpretations for the destruction of Human life and property by them and by the forces. All what they did and still do help to glorify them and any thing done in retaliation is condemned as treacherous. The net loss to the Tamils and Muslims in the North amounts to many billions of dollars. Human life lost according to official figures is 60 - 70 thousands . It is certainly much more, if the unaccounted killings are also taken into account.
Simple question
I am asking you one simple question. Did the Tamils endure all these for over 23 years only to be told to find a solution under the Unitary system, which did not bring any relief for fifty years. I guarantee you that the Tamils will never agree to a unitary constitution as a solution
to our problem and that is a justifiable stand. They are prepared to give up separation as an alternative to a Federal Constitution. If the world “Federal” is allergic to some Sinhalese and “Unitary” allergic to some Tamils let us all agree to find a solution based on the Indian
model which is neither Federal nor Unitary in character. The Indians take pride in saying that their constitution is based on “Unity in diversity” which will be welcomed by most of the Sri Lankans also. I very humbly plead with you to change your stand in the interest of our country, to have the country united, to find a solution to the suffering Tamils and Muslims and to free them from the LTTE’s bondage. The whole world will acclaim you all as true patriots, if you accept my proposal a’s the final solution to our problem. By your refusal to accept a solution within a United Sri Lanka, you will be driving the Tamils back into the LTTE fold. Merely because I am no more in Parliament, the reason for which is very well known to the world, please do not discard me and my views. If you do so, you will be conceding the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil people. I may not live long to see the dawn of peace in our country. But if you take my advice a solution to our problem is very near. You may recall
that I had been repeatedly saying that Peace is knocking at our door and it is left to us whether to let it in or shut it out.
Mixed feelings
I mentioned that I read your statement with mixed feelings because although I appreciated and agreed on many of your views I am sorry I cannot agree with your claims that the mandate was given at the recent Presidential Election for a Unitary State. Assuming that all the 50.3% votes obtained by H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa was for a Unitary State, the fact that in the North East the LTTE had prevented under threat, 3-4 hundred thousand voters from voting, cannot be ignored. On the other hand the UNP offered Federalism as a solution to the ethnic problem at the Presidential Election campaign. The left parties also during the elections openly said that they were not bound to accept the Unitary State concept. The Jathika Hela Urumaya too
during the Election campaign indicated their support for an Indian Model . Above all the Sri Lanka Freedom Party had at their last convention adopted a resolution to offer “Federal Constitution” a’s a solution to the ethnic problem. One important factor that we should not
fail to take into consideration is that, this is the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Federalism is offered as a solution to the ethnic problem at an important election. A massive mandate was given to H.E. the President to solve the problem with the support of all the parties,
based on federalism.
I earnestly appeal to you to agree to my proposal to adopt the Indian Model taking into consideration (i) That the plight of the Tamils and the Muslims of the North and East is very pathetic and should come to end. (ii) That the Unitary System has failed to solve the problem these 50 years and bound to go on for another 50 year. (iii) That if agreed to by the JVP solution can be found in a very short period (iv) That the International Community is insisting on a United Sri Lanka and will not support separation (v) That the Indian Government too will support a solution within a United Sri Lanka and will oppose separation (vi) That the support of the International Community will be available to pressurize the LTTE to accept this and a number of other advantages too will be available.
You are well aware that without any reservations I used to confide in you all what I think about the ethnic problem and other related matters. Please pardon me if you find my observation unacceptable or offending to you. But one day, after I am dead and gone not only you all, everyone in” this country including those Tamils who blindly support the LTTE out of fear and some for personal gains, will regret their mistake of not heeding my advice. When the Tamil media branded you and your party as chauvinistic, it was I who had been defending you. I still stand by it. Your statement exonerates you from the charge of being communal. What the Tamil media say about me I do not bother. I have a duty by our people which I must do till I breathe my last, inspite of the humiliation and embarrassment they cause me.
There is a new generation coming up among the Tamils thoroughly brainwashed and communal venom injected by the LTTE. These children should be saved from them before it is too late. The communal venom in them should be neutralized and innocent children redeemed during my lifetime.
I think I have the capacity and the experience to advice you on Political matters and my advice will be beneficial to you and for your party in the long run. I have lived with Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims and also studied together with Sinhalese Tamils, and Muslims. I studied under Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim teachers and as a teacher taught Sinhalese Tamil and Muslim students. Therefore I know very much about these communities.
Over fifty years in politics
In Politics my experience is certainly much more then anyone of you in your party. Of my 73 years in this world over fifty years had been devoted to Politics and social work. I am the most senior Tamil Pblitician and Parliamentarian still active in Politics. Of the 14 Parliamentary elections I had contested eleven, since 1960 and won all election after 1970 held fairly and freely. I had been in Parliament with all Prime Ministers except the first three. Above all I had the privilege of being in Parliament with all top leader of all Political parties and had been associated with all Presidents of our country. I was very close to the two well respected Tamil Leaders . G. G. Ponnambalam QC the founder of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress and S.J.V.
Chelvanayagam. founder of the Federal Party who later founded the Tamil United Liberation Front of which I was a founder member. I first represented the ACTC and later the TULF in Parliament When I first contested the Colombo Municipil Council Election, except Comrade
Sornawansa, I don’t think any one of you was born. My long experience as a Politician and the contacts I had with top level and reputed Political Leaders will prove to be beneficial to you and your party and will never turn out to be detrimental to your course. Hence you need not hesitate to take my advice. If you will give me a chance to meet your Politburo or Central Committee I will be too glad to do so
http://www.tamilweek.com/JVP_Solution_0326.html
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Friday, March 17th, 2006
[17th March 2006 - 10:30 S..L.T]
Referring to the protests made by the Tamil National Alliance, TULF Leader Mr V Anandasangaree states that no one should meddle with the administration of the Jaffna University and ruin the education of students. He has issued a press release regarding the protests made by the TNA on the appointment of Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole as Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University. Mr Anandasangaree in his press release states “some TNA Parliamentarians had met the President and requested him not to appoint Prof. Hoole. One can understand the students of the University protesting, may be out of ignorance or instigated by some one. But the Members of Parliament protesting shows the subservient position they hold in their relationship with the LTTE,” states Mr Sangaree. He added that Prof. Hoole’s achievements in the academic field and his capabilities are, if not known to the other members, very much known to Sambanthan who headed the deputation.” The press release said “Prof. Ratnajeevan threw away very high positions that came his way and returned with a heap of achievements to his credit, to serve his country, when the opportunity came his way to serve his people, his life long ambition too, he accepted the office of Vice-Chancellor of the Jaffna University. The students of the Jaffna University welcomed his appointment, in large numbers.” It further said, “there is a small group that, under threat, give directions to the others, who numbers many thousands. This small group derives authority from the Vanni leadership. It is the Vanni leadership that decides whethert the University should be closed or opened. These members went to Pallai, summoned by the LTTE to get the directive as to what they should do. They were asked to back Mr Kumaravel, a politician and ardent supporter of the LTTE and its campaigner too. How can a Tiger be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, of a University run by the Government? Prof. Hoole is not a politician. He is an academic,” it added. In his lengthy press release Mr Anandasangaree reminds that the LTTE could not find one English speaking person to join the Geneva team among the Tamil community which was once rich with academics, eminent lawyers and very talented men. It said that it is a pity that the University of Jaffna is deprived of the services of a highly qualified and a capable professor who who loves his language and culture and takes pride in calling himself a Tamil.” Meanwhile it is reported that Prof. Hoole has received death threats from the Tiger organisation. He was threatened earlier in several occasions when he made speeches condemning the Tigers.
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Wednesday, March 15th, 2006
Courtesy: The Morning Leader
Veerasingham Anandasangari is an outstanding Sri Lankan politician of this era. He had not been prevented by threats, bombs and guns to stand by his political beliefs although only a few or none are there to support him. Anandasangari, one time school teacher in his ascetic white garb, unarmed, speaks out for nonviolence, democracy and democratic rights of the Tamil people, defying fearful odds. (more…)
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Wednesday, March 15th, 2006
Courtesy: daily Mirror
Q: In your recent letter to the JVP, you maintain that if the JVP doesn’t agree to offer a Federal solution to the LTTE, they will be pushing the Tamil people back into the clutches of the LTTE. But the LTTE rejected a Federal option mooted by the UNP at the last elections?
A: You can’t give everything that the LTTE wants, of course. When something reasonable is offered they will have to accept it. And this is not only reasonable, but nothing more is possible either. So what is the maximum we can give - even India will support it because it comes close to their structure, where the powers are devolved to the states. And that is how everyone must look at it.
Q: In your letter to the JVP, you see the mandate President Mahinda Rajapaksa got as a ‘massive mandate’ for a Federal state. On what basis are you saying this?
A: The fifty point three percent that he got per se is not massive really, when such an important problem is concerned. But what about the 400,000 people who were not allowed to vote? If allowed, at least 200,000 would’ve voted for a Federal state. What of the SLFP resolution and the Left parties? All that included, haven’t we got a massive mandate for a Federal state? Whoever came to power, that would have been a powerful mandate that you just can’t reject.
Q: But the fact remains that when the UNP offered it a mere few months back, the LTTE rejected it. What assurance do we have that they will accept it even if the JVP agrees?
A: That is why I worked out the figures and explained to the JVP where we stand with the Federal solution. 49.7% voted for Federalism, added to that, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party resolved at the last convention that they will offer a Federal solution, which even the Left parties within have agreed to support. So all these people are joining with Federalism as a solution within a united Sri Lanka. Unfortunately the JVP is a threat to the government. If the JVP nods its head then the proposal can be submitted to the country with the so-called international community, and when it’s known to be reasonable even if the LTTE disagrees no one is going to care.
The international community has clearly said that it will recommend a solution within a united Sri Lanka. Now, unfortunately, because of the obstruction of the JVP, the LTTE is justifying its stand and the international community is reluctant to come out against the LTTE. They are only coming out against child conscription and things like that - no one has condemned the LTTE for fighting for their rights. So, to silence the international community the government needs to offer something reasonable - something like the Indian model of devolution.
Q: Can we really depend so much on the international community, given that their continued warnings against the LTTE during increasing CFA violations or other atrocities have gone unheeded?
A: Not necessarily. No. But if what we offer is reasonable and the international community nods its head, then the LTTE can’t scream for more than this. Not to invite the international community to judge on our situation.
Q: No, you are talking about pressurizing the LTTE into agreeing, but has such pressure not really failed before?
A: Most of the warnings were related to killings and child conscriptions. But there have been many more violations than that. The abduction of adults, harassment, the darkroom chamber tortures etc. But the international community doesn’t harp on these, but only talks about the others. There have been enough incidents recorded of such violations but what is the international community doing about them?
Q: Exactly my point. What has it really been doing against all these?
A: That is why I’m asking the JVP, it is their responsibility. I’m putting the entire responsibility of liberating the Tamil people on the JVP.
The LTTE will agree to nothing short of separation. What we can do is to offer a solution and win over the people. How is it that I speak against the LTTE? There are many who think like me. I receive many calls from people in the Tamil community today thanking me for pushing for an Indian model of Federalism. Of course, there are those who feel that the governments are thinking about the Tamil people because of the LTTE. But I tell them how I know what damage the LTTE has done to disgrace the Tamil community and the way they treat the people. We are proud of our civiliszation.
No Tamil wants to be classified as a barbarian. The LTTE are barbarians.
Q: Then why has the Tamil political leadership failed to come out against all these atrocities?
A: How can they come out now? Show me 100 families that didn’t suffer because of the war. We lost everything - all our lifetime’s savings. We left our homes with just our qualifications. The Muslim people in the North were given 2-3 hours to flee those areas. Pregnant mothers were forced to leave. They are still living in the refugee camps. But if a reasonable solution is offered even the LTTE will be reluctant to reject it.
Q: Then why did the LTTE reject the UNP at the last elections when they offered a Federal solution?
A: The LTTE’s agenda is entirely different. If someone wants 100% you don’t give everything, surely? It is only up to some point that you yield. The rest the international community will be able to move in on. Let us offer something first. What is happening now is that one side is looking in one direction and the other is looking elsewhere. Do you think they’ll ever meet at this rate?
Q: Why do you think the JVP is reluctant to agree to a Federal solution at this point?
A: They are in the mood for it, but are reluctant openly. But a year back they were willing to look into it.
Q: Is it because they are also simply playing politics with the issue?
A: Till a party comes to power they are very vigorous, but once they are in its different and they tone down.
Q: Is that what’s happened to the JVP as well?
A: I don’t know. I’m still hopeful they’ll come around.
Q: But at the recent peace talks too Anton Balasingham has maintained that they were still a terrorist group. Yet, you speak of the need to offer something ‘reasonable’ to a terror group? Is this the best way possible?
A: We do that by treating the Tamils also as human beings. These things are based on that.
Q: Can one be reasonable with the LTTE?
A: Yes, by making everyone’s rights as important and equal, and thereby making it safer for all communities to live as equals. Especially, after all the losses suffered by all communities this is the only way to go. Who gave the authority to the LTTE? Everybody is trying to please the LTTE. The JVP must re-think its position.
Q: How can you be so sure that even if the JVP agrees it will be solved as quickly as you say in your letter?
A: If the JVP agrees the President’s hand is free. Then he can call in the experts and ask to draw up a constitution based on the Indian pattern. Then the LTTE will not have a way to refuse, because the international community will bring pressure on the LTTE.
Q: You mention in your letter that except for Somawansa Amarasinghe the others in the politburo of the JVP are too young to remember what caused the problem. Are you in fact saying that the JVP is too immature to handle this aspect of the problem?
A: We know what happened and when and how the problem started. We remember the Swabasha decisions.
Q: Is this political immaturity then?
A: Yes, in a sense it is. If to just come to power I use the vote base, which will only give me the votes. It would be a newcomer who will do that. A mature politician won’t do that. I won’t do that.
Q: Is it your honest opinion that the LTTE will agree to a political solution of any kind?
A: Even in the cleared areas the people are living like slaves. I could walk any part of the North and the East till recently. But now I can’t even go to my office. This is the biggest mistake created by the CFA.
It allows the LTTE to move in 50 of its cadres to the government-held areas in the first month, 100 in the second and any number after the third. Why did they restrict that number initially? Because it struck somebody that there should be restrictions. But they were so foolish not to think about the consequences.
The only condition they put was not to carry weapons in the areas! That was an area held by the LTTE for 10 years and they know where to get the weapons from. But up to date, no one, including Erik Solheim, is allowed to go into some of the areas held by them! I asked Solheim if he had gone to the ‘iron curtain areas’ of the LTTE when I met him in Oslo. I also told him that the LTTE had insulted him 3,000 times when they violated the CFA 3,000 times. I asked him whether his skin was so thick!
Q: What is your overall opinion of the CFA?
A: It should have been thrown into the dustbin a long time ago. They are insisting on disarming all the other groups. Although they have arms these groups have in fact come into the democratic process.
These groups had arms for personal security against the LTTE. How can they be called paramilitary groups? This is a most foolish word. In that context it has no meaning.
But the government also foolishly agreed at that time. But one by one all thee people of other organizations were killed. And now they want to do away with the handful that is left.
But the major flaw in the CFA is allowing the LTTE to come into the government-held areas. They are holding these Pongu Thamil festivals in the government areas. What right do they have to hoist the LTTE flag in government-held areas? What type of politics is this?
Q: How do you think the first round of the peace talks went?
A: It was not peace talks but talk in pieces this time, wasn’t it? They insisted on talking about the CFA when 3,000 violations of it had taken place!
Ultimately we lost, the LTTE gained. They earned millions worth of funds when they went to Norway. Oslo should not have, as a facilitator, welcomed the LTTE there. This is no way to treat all as equals.
Then we hear of them bringing down military equipment literature about the latest weapons. The Customs only got the brochures. The weapons would reach the LTTE through some other channel
Source-Daily Mirror
http://www.tamilnewsweb.com/V.A.S_Dail%20Mirror_15-03-06
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Sunday, March 12th, 2006
We run today the lengthy four-page letter that TULF Leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree has written the JVP hierarchy in what is clearly the most serious effort, credibly made, to shift the Marxist party from its anti-federal stance that has locked President Mahinda Rajapakse into a situation where he will find himself unable to engage constructively with the LTTE. (more…)
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Sunday, March 12th, 2006
It is the normally accepted practice to write ‘Appreciations’ after the demise of one’s loved one or friend. Newspapers in Sri Lanka set apart even a full-page several days of the week to give place to ‘Appreciations’ written by the people as a tribute to their departed dear ones.This is quite different. Here, I thought it nothing but most apt and fit to write an ‘Appreciation’ about a living person - quite hail and hearty. It is none other than the veteran, most respected, really impartial and right-thinking, moderate Tamil leader of our times, V. Anandasangaree.
It is most unfortunate that I could not write a word of ‘Appreciation’ about the late Statesmen cum National Leader - Lakshman Kadirgamar who had done yeomen service to Sri Lanka in the world arena.
Though Mr. L. K. is no more, he will sure live in our hearts and his name will be written in ‘Gold’ in the annals of the modern history of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Anandasangaree - is another highly respected and very mature Tamil leader. He is not only a Tamil leader per se, but a really patriotic National Leader who loves his motherland more than anything - petty political gain.
Mr. Anandasangaree has spoken much more for the suffering Tamil people (specially under the pistol-hungry LTTE leadership), the Muslims as well as the Sinhala people more than any other living Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim leaders of our times.
I as a Sinhalese who is not afraid to call myself a ‘Patriot’ who too loves my motherland more than anything else - though many so-called politically motivated in Sri Lanka might call me a racist or a communalist (I take pride to be called a racist or a communalist just because I always speak for my country, the Sinhala people’s lost rights and privileges and for the protection of ‘Buddhism’), must confess that I not only have a fairly large circle of Tamil and Muslim friends, but my own brother-in-law, late Doctor S. Shanmugathas who was DMO, AJMO and late HJMO, Colombo and retired as Director of Health Services in the North-Eastern Province was a pure Tamil himself. Yet if anyone is to call me an extremist, well I feel sorry for them.
Mr. Anandasangaree too is a great leader of our times, a National Leader - not a petty political figure, has spoken for the rights and privileges of the indigenous Sinhala people at many world forums, more than any post-independent so-called Sinhala Leader.
Since he was controversially left out of the Tamil diaspora, he still remains the undisputed leader of the Tamil United Front as well as the suffering Tamil masses of Sri Lanka.
This veteran politician has since of late made appeal after appeal to various forums like the Canadian govt., the E.U., President of America, Tony Blair, the Norwegian govt. as well as the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission protesting strongly against the double standards adopted by the latter organizations/countries in tackling the growing menace of LTTE terrorism.
His latest appeal to heads of all diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka with a request that his ‘message’ be conveyed to their respective heads of states and other relevant authorities on the subject of what they call ‘Geneva Talks’ and not ‘Peace Talks’ is most timely and appropriate in quality, substance and thinking.
It is, I believe, the bounden duty of all Sri Lankans - be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Moor, Burgher or else to rightly and aptly felicitate this great National Leader in his lifetime, more than showering praises and glory after he is no more.
I call upon all patriotic organisations Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim etc. to get-together and organise a fitting felicitation to Mr. Anandasangaree appreciating the yeomen services he had single handedly rendered to the country by strongly and in no uncertain terms condemning and vehemently opposing LTTE terrorism that has cost this country fortunes.
In appreciating the services of this great personality, I have not the least forgotten about other Tamil leaders of our times - the likes of Douglas Devananda and others.
Many are the right-thinking Tamil people who had laid down their precious lives untimely as a direct result of this most vicious terror outfit, the LTTE.
They are all remembered with great reverence as much as all the great Sri Lankan Security Forces and Police personnel and other civilians who had made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of their Motherland.
I also wish to pay our deep gratitude and tribute to all the ‘Ranaviruvan’ who had lost the limbs and rendered disabled as a direct result of this cancer - LTTE terrorism.
Although V. Muralitheran, alias Col. Karuna Amman the one time trusted lieutenant of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran himself was responsible for many a terrorist attacks - it should be hailed and appreciated that though late, he had realized the follies of terrorism and has expressed the willingness to lay down arms, eschew violence and arrive at a negotiated settlement with the Government of Sri Lanka.
This is indeed a welcome gesture. He and his renegades are armed and attacking the Wanni terrorists to protect their own lives as well as of those innocent people of the North and East. Karuna too had made many an important statements to various forums and the International media.
In his latest interview with ‘Tamil Alai News’ Karuna had confessed that his is a “People’s Movement” and his party - Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TVMP) is a democratic establishment dedicated to people’s freedom and not a fascist movement like the LTTE who take sadistic satisfaction in killings and destruction.
It is now time - though much late - as it is better late than ever - for the Government of Sri Lanka and other interested parties to go to the World or the International Community and expose the LTTE’s fascist regime, its wonton killings and the large number of CFA/MOU violations - most of which have been of a very serious nature.
As Mr. Anandasangaree had doubted if the ‘Geneva Talks’ would bring in the desired result or the impact - mainly because S. P. Thamilchelvam had insisted that the talks will only concentrate on the Ceasefire Agreement and nothing else.
We too are of the frank opinion that the so-called Geneva talks will end in a ’stalemate’ as all previous attempts at deliberation failed - because ‘Peace’ is anathema to the LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran. -FW-
http://lankapage.wordpress.com/2006/03/12/veteran-tamil-leader-anandasangaree/
Posted in About Sangary, Media | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 7th, 2006
[07th March 2006 - 02:00 S..L.T]
“The visit of the LTTE team to Oslo after talks in Geneva creates a lot of suspicion in the minds of the people. This act amounts to be a challenge for both the Government of Sri Lanka and to the 25 member countries of the European Union, which imposed a travel ban and decided not to receive any LTTE delegation officially” said Mr. V. Anandasangaree, President of TULF issuing a statement on Geneva talks. Mr. Anandasangaree also accuses Norway of making “a regular monthly payment of a fantastic amount to the LTTE’s Peace Secretariat,” which had “already prejudiced the minds of the people against Norway’s facilitators.”
Mr. Anandasangaree says he is concerned about the people he represented and his repeated appeals for the liberation of his people living under subjugation of the LTTE are not taken seriously by anybody including the international community and further states, “Everyone is trying to please the LTTE without branding them as the aggressors responsible for thousands of violations of the Cease-fire Agreement, as reported by SLMM and several other unreported incidents of abductions, extortions, torture, detention, harassment, killings etc.
Mr. Anandasangaree suggests that CFA should include provision to empower SLMM to take counter measurers for any violations of the CFA.
(Full text of Mr. Anandasangaree’s statement)
Let no one misunderstand me as one trying to sabotage the Peace process. I am one who is genuinely interested in an early solution to the ethnic problem. Being a constituent of Kilinochchi and having represented Kilinochchi in Parliament for over 13 years, I am concerned about the people whom I represented. My repeated appeals, for the liberation of the people living under subjugation of the L.T.T.E., are not taken seriously by anybody including the International Community. Every one is trying to please the L.T.T.E. without branding them as the aggressors responsible for thousands of violations of the Cease-fire Agreement, as reported by the SLMM and several other unreported incidents of abductions, extortions, torture, detention, harassment, killings etc. One can easily understand the amount of terror they can cause to the innocent people; they are guilty of abducting 600 adults and 1,700 children including Tsunami orphans for recruitment as child soldiers. No one knows as to what happened to the 600 adults abducted. Where are they? Are they being tortured? Are they being properly fed? Are they going to be released? Are they alive? These are some of the questions asked by the people or rather the people want me to ask. Every one is full of praise for the L.T.T.E. for their agreeing to release the children who are under eighteen. A child 14 or 15 years in 2002 at the time of signing the C.F.A. would be 18 or 19 today, On the whole, out of the 1,700 children; only a handful may be released as an eye- wash to the International Community which is very much concerned about the recruitment of children. Surely the L.T.T.E. that has records of people living in foreign countries like Canada and Germany must be having all details of their arrests, detentions etc. The Government should have demanded the release of all such people with ‘details of all persons abducted and the facilitator had a moral obligation to have supported that demand.
With over three thousand C.F.A. violations against 176 of the Sri Lankan Forces, the Government Team at the Geneva talks had enough ammunition to fire at the L.T.T.E. In fact the Leader of the Team took off well to be silenced by the threat of walkout by Mr. Anton Balasingam, the only English speaking Member in that team as claimed by him. These are the usual tactics of the L.T.T.E, The L.T.T.E. team before leaving for Geneva said that they will only discuss the proper implementation of the C.F.A. and nothing else. With the thousands of CFA violations complained of by the S.L.M.M against the L.T.T.E., it is the Government that should have made this demand and not the L.T.T.E. This is where the Government made the mistake.
Another important factor is the absence of provision in the CFA to empower the SLMM to take counter measures for any violations of the CFA. Such a provision is absolutely necessary for proper implementation of the CFA, a serious lapse in the original draft, not noticed by any one. The L.T.T.E. should have been told that their cadre was admitted into the Government controlled area in batches of 50 and 100 during the first and second month and any number after that, only to do political work. Organizing anti-government demonstrations, hartals, Ponguthamil programs with communal bias, hoisting of tiger flag, throwing bomb’s at check point, hacking of Police Officers to death and putting the blame on the innocent civilians, planting of claymore mines, training youths in war-fare, compelling elders to undergo training in war-fare, disrupting the education of children and University students, deliberately lowering the standard of education and such other similar activities, do not fall under the category of political work. Even before the LT.T.E. team returned to base, the so called political workers have gone back to their respective places, to resume duties in the areas supposed to be under the control of the Government.
The people in the North and East whether they are in the Government or L.T.T.E. controlled area feel that their bondage to the L T.T.E. had been renewed by the Geneva talks. While both parties claim that they had won, the real losers are the people. I am of the view that the International Community and the Co-chairs should pressurize both parties to agree for suitable amendments to rectify the flaws in the Agreement, which neither party can right fully object to.
There was a big controversy over the venue of the meeting. Due to serious opposition for selecting Oslo. Geneva was preferred. The visit of the L.T.T.E. team to Oslo after talks in Geneva creates a lot of suspicion in the minds of the people. This act amounts to be a challenge for both the Government of Sri Lanka and to the 25 Member countries of the European Union, which imposed a travel ban and decided not to receive any L.T.T.E. delegation officially. The Government also will take it as a betrayal of the trust it placed on the Norwegian facilitators. The gift of some powerful transmitter by Norway to the L.T.T.E. earlier and a regular monthly payment of a fantastic amount to the L.T.T.E.’s Peace Secretariat have already prejudiced the minds of the people against Norway’s facilitators. The L.T.T.E. is notorious for misusing privileges. To what extent the customs regulations will be violated and at what risk to the security of the country will never be known. What is puzzling me is can the umpire in a cricket match entertain one team during the tea interval? Norway should not mar its neutral role as a facilitator. It should explain as to why the L.T.T.E. team was entertained in Oslo after the adjournment of the Peace Talks
http://lankatruth.com/full_story/2006/March/20060307/20060307_3.htm
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Monday, March 6th, 2006
Courtesy:Daily News
COLOMBO
Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) President V. Anandasangaree has criticised Norway, saying the country should not mar its neutral role as a facilitator by entertaining the LTTE team in Oslo after their presence in Geneva. “What is puzzling me is: Can the umpire in a cricket match entertain one team during the tea interval ?,” the TULF chief asked. (more…)
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Monday, March 6th, 2006
Satchi Sithananthan, Subidcham
Former Sri Lankan Parliamentarian V Anandasangaree has raised some serious concerns following the recent Geneva Talks. Among the living today, he is the only person who can talk for the people of Wanni having legally and popularly represented them for over thirteen years in the country’s House of Parliament. When he speaks for the people of Wanni, the whole country must hearken.
The LTTE has no mandate whatsoever to represent them. They are bandits who have invaded this region, and thanks to a treasonable act of the Government of Ranil Wickremasinghe, they are holding on to it recognized purely by an illegal document, the Ceasefire Agreement. And for reasons that can be surmised, Norway has shown certain interests in protecting and promoting the interests of an outfit declared as terrorists by many countries in the world.
Norway could very well be a proxy but there are other factors too. The interests may very well be in relation to marine products and related industries, arms trade and overseas involvements in South and Southeast Asia for which a state of Eelam where it could have considerable influence would suit the interests of this Nordic country. Also with an aging population, Norway would rather have the kind of manpower that they could fashion and create according to their needs, and the country’s familiarity with the Tamils goes back to the time of the Ceynor Project of North Sri Lanka.
Norway is also home to a considerable Tamil population whose second language is Norwegian, and the first settlers were from the impoverished and socially discriminated segments of the Jaffna society. During the 1970s there were childless Norwegian parents who adopted children from Sri Lanka. Probably, over the years Norway has come to feel that the Tamil provinces of Sri Lanka are in effect an overseas department of Norway, the way France treats places like Reunion in the Western Indian Ocean.
Norwegian volunteers have worked in Jaffna and also in the Wanni area. One of its organizations FORUT must be still active in Wanni.
Most Sri Lankans want the country to achieve peace and a solution to the ethnic crisis. Mr Anandasangaree has very eloquently stated this in his letter to Thenee in his personal capacity and as the leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front. He has raised several questions mostly focused on children in their hundreds and adults who were abducted by the LTTE in Wanni.
The fact that he has demanded to know whether they are being tortured or even killed is a scandalous reflection on the LTTE. Even one child kidnapped is one too many but here the numbers run into four figures and this is outrageous for a movement that prides in calling itself a liberation outfit. More and more it is becoming quite evident that there are involved motives that are far beyond the ethnic issue. This is being used as a cover to some major factors that are a threat to the entire country and a virulent cancer that may be taking roots in this South Asian region.
Analyzing a number of events that tower most high in this entire communal chaos, it tends to open up a vast area of a major conspiracy in which the LTTE must be serving the same masters to whom the UNP is subservient. And Norway could very well be the proxy because how can, as Mr Anandasangaree claimed, Norway be so generous with funds and other support for an organization that has been branded as terrorists and the countries of the European Union have banned any of its members traveling to these or through these countries?
But whatever the conspiracy is, and whoever the conspirators are, the LTTE must release all the abducted adults and kidnapped children. If they cannot, the LTTE must reveal as to what exactly has happened to them. This demand comes not only from the only person who can genuinely claim to speak for the people of Wanni but also from the entire people of Sri Lanka.
If the LTTE fails, this issue must be taken up at the next Geneva Talks and at the same time must be placed before the International Court of Justice. Involved here, without any doubt, are crimes against humanity.
- 06.03.06 -
www.subidcham.de/
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Wednesday, March 1st, 2006
Courtesy: Bala Skandan, Eeela-Aruvi, North Sri Lanka – (Translated from Tamil)
The killer gangs of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have so far been regional in South Asia beginning with Sri Lanka and then the southern districts of India, principally Tamilnadu. Their Indian assassinations included the suicide bomber attack on a former prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Earlier, they virtually decimated the leader Padmanabha of the Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and fourteen others including a Tamil member of Parliament, Yoga Sangaree, in Chennai in Tamilnadu, June 19, 1990.
A report on this bloodbath extracted from the Jain Commission Report is presented as an adjunct to this comment titled: Tamil Tiger butchery in Chennai, India
Even Tamil Tiger supporters and enthusiasts from the Tamil Diaspora have known to have killed a number of Tamils from time to time in the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Germany. The recent killing of an associate from the Karuna Group in Qatar in the Middle East opens up a new dimension with an Assassin Group sent overseas with the express purpose of carrying out a foul deed. The murder in Qatar is menacingly ominous indeed.
If the Tamil Tigers can kill an Indian leader like Rajiv Gandhi, Interpol and other international and national law agencies must start worrying about the safety of non-Sri Lankans in key political and other positions who choose to criticize the Tamil Tigers. They could very well be targeted because what runs in the blood of these terrorists is fascism mafia style.
Tamil Tigers have immense resources and facilities, legal and illegal to move around anywhere and just like the first assassination of Mayor Alfred Duryappah July 1975, thirty years later with the killing Manoharan alias Kuruvi in Qatar this month, they have formally gone international further terrorizing the Tamil community.
This will also offer a great deal of boost to Tiger groups who are involved in extortion in Canada, United Kingdom and other countries where the Tamils have settled in large numbers, to terrorize the Tamil Diaspora.
In Canada alone there are more than two dozen Tamil weeklies singing praises and chanting hosannas to the Tigers and one paper in particular reckons international dating as having begun 51 years ago with the birth of the Tiger leader Prabhakaran. According to the publishers and editors of this newspaper Sri Lanka got its independence 7 BP (seven years before Prabhakaran!)
The dastardly crime in Qatar must warn countries where Tamils have settled of killer gangs pf Tamil Tigers moving around to decimate their critics and opponents. The United Kingdom, Germany, France and Canada in particular must be on the watch.
Tamil Tiger butchery in Chennai, India
Excerpts from the Jain Commission Report
The assassination of EPRLF leader and others at Madras on 19th June 1990 was a shocking reminder of the impunity with which the LTTE could operate in India. No worthwhile investigation was conducted in this case till the case was taken over by the ‘Q’ Branch of the Tamil Nadu police in August, 1991 - 14 months after the occurrence.
Investigations by the ‘Q’ Branch, CID, disclosed extremely vital clues. The case assumes significance due to the fact that striking similarities were found in the Padmanabha assassination and the case relating to the assassination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
Some of the key accused in both the cases were found to be common. Investigations have disclosed that at least six known accused in Padmanabha’s assassination were common to those who were found involved in Rajiv Gandhi assassination on 21st May, 1991. Besides, it was also disclosed that one T-56 rifle which was recovered from the hideout of LTTE accused involved in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case was the same rifle which was used for the massacre of Padmanabha. Another extremely significant and remarkable similarity, which was found was that the pellets found in the body of Shri Rajiv Gandhi were similar in shape, size and chemical composition with the pellets found from the scene of crime in Padmanabha’s case. The commonness is found on the basis of available material.
Details of the crime have been narrated by Shri J. Ramakrishnan, former Superintendent of Police, `Q’ Branch, Tamil Nadu Police, who had supervised the further investigation of the case. During his deposition before the Commission, he stated :-
(Deposition of Sri.J.Ramakrishnan dt. 03.01.96)
“……… I supervised the investigation of Padmanabha murder case from 1.8.91. The case was initially investigated by the Madras city Police officers and subsequently transferred to ‘Q’branch CID. …………. Sunder, S/o Panchalingam was the complainant in the case. ……. The complainant Sunder has stated … that he is the member of the EPRLF. The EPRLF leader Sri.K.Padmanabha has been residing at 3rd street , A 5 Power apartments, Zacharia colony, Kodambakkam, Madras. On 19.06.90, evening at about 6 PM the complainant along with some other EPRLF cadres were present downstairs near the apartments. At that time, they saw a white Ambassador car entering into the complex at about 6.15 p.m. One person remained in the car, two persons went upstairs. The other two inmates of the car remained outside. The persons who went upstairs had carried each AK 47 rifles and explosives. The other two were also armed with AK 47 rifles and hand grenades remained outside. During investigation it came to light one person had remained in the car No TMA 3157.
The two accused A-2 and A-3 referred to in the Chargesheet went upstair, stormed inside flat no A-5 threw grenade, opened fire, killing Padmanabha and nine others. In the meantime the person who stood outside , they also fired and threw hand grenades killing 5 persons and injuring 22 others. ……….. His report was registered as a case in R 2 Kodambakkam Police Station Crime No 1205/90 . …. In all, the police recovered 164 empty cartridges from the hall, bedroom, from outside the house, roadside etc together with blood stains and other materials.”
Shri S. Sripall, former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, in his affidavit no. 40/92-JCI, filed before the Commission, has described the incident as follows :-
21. “….on 18.6.90, Padmanabha, EPRLF leader came to Palani alongwith his wife Anandhi in a tourist taxi for celebrating the 60th birthday of Anandhi’s father in Lord Muruga’s temple at Palani. After the function, Padmanabha left for Madras in a taxi alongwith his wife on 19.6.1990 at about 0700 hrs.and reached Madras the same day at about 1430 hrs. On that day, Yogasankari, M.P., of Sri Lanka and Kirubhakaran, erstwhile Finance Minister of North Eastern Province, Sri Lanka had also come to Madras for discussions with Padmanabha.
22. ….Santhan informed Sivarajan about the arrival and presence of Padmanabha at No.A.5 Power Apartments, Zachariah Colony, Kodambakkam. At about 1815 hrs. on 19.6.90, Sivarajan, David, Daniel, Dhilip, Ravi and Santhan left Jayabalasingam’s house in the while Ambassador car TMA 3157 with AK.47 rifles, hand grenades and an improvised Thermos Flask Bomb. Santhan got down on the way, and the others came to A.5 Power Apartments, opened fire indiscriminately with AK 47 rifles and killed Padmanabha, Yogasankari, Kirubhakaran and 12 others. They also threw hand-grenades and struck terror in the locality. While 13 Sri Lankans and 2 locals died, 22 others sustained bullet and grenade injuries.”
The massacre was followed by a series of crimes committed by the killer squad on their way to the Thanjavur coast from where they made good their escape two days later. On the same night, en route, the militants assaulted a police constable, abducted another constable, hijacked a Maruti van of a private person and abducted and threatened its inmates :-
Deposition of Shri J. Ramakrishnan
“The accused A2 to A6 referred to in the Chargesheet got into the car and proceeded towards Tiruchi. On the way they picked up A7. On the same night at 9.30 P.M. the accused stopped the car near Vandalur Zoo to change the number plate. At that time, two constables Chitti Babu and Kashinathan of Oteri Police Station accosted the accused. They assaulted both the police constables and wrongfully restrained one of them, namely, Chittibabu. In this connection, on the complaint of Chittibabu a case was registered in the Oteri Police Station in Crime No. 136/90 under Sec. 341 and 342 I.P.C. …….. The accused were proceeding towards Tiruchi, stopped a Maruti Van TN 017969 driven by driver Srinivasan. One Thomas Charles and his mother travelled in that Van.
This car was stopped at Villupuram at about 1.30 midnight near the level crossing. They pulled out the driver from the Van and took him to the Ambassador Car. Thomas Charles and his mother were made to sit in the rear seat of the Maruti Van. One of the accused drove the Van and another armed with rifle sat next to him. The third accused sat in the rear seat with Thomas Charles. After travelling to a distance of 3 Kilometers, they asked Thomas Charles, driver, mother of Thomas Charles to get down from the Van and the car and threatened them against informing the police. Later on the complaint of Thomas Charles a case was registered in Madras City-Crime No. 977/90 under Sec. 341, 347, 392 read with 397 and 506(22) IPC and Sec 27 of Arms Act…. Thomas Charles identified one person as having no left eye.”
Investigation disclosed that the killers escaped to Sri Lanka from Vedaranyam coast two days later. As per the deposition of Shri Ramakrishnan :-
“Later the accused arrived at Tiruchi and left the Ambassador Car in the house of one Santhana Krishnan, a smuggler of Sri Lanka. Then they left Tiruchi on 20.06.1990 in the evening along with A-16 in the Chargesheet. and proceeded to Subbiah Pillai Thope near Mallipatnam in Thanjavur District. Then they left India by beat from this coast (Mallipatnam) at about 3.30 P.M. for Jaffna on 21.06.1990.”
The route taken by the accused from the scene of crime at Madras to their final destination in Jaffna has been narrated by Shri Ramakrishnan as follows :-
“From Kodambakkam to Villupuram Railway level crossing it is 160 kilometers. From Villupuram to Tiruchi it is 160 kilometers more. From Tiruchi to Mallipatnam it is another 120 kilometers. From Mallipatnam to Jaffna it is about 18 nautical miles. It will hardly take 30 minutes in LTTE Boat. Accused A-2 to A-7 boarded the boat to Jaffna. Subbiah Pillai Thope is close to Mallipatnam. A-16 joined this party at Tiruchi and proceeded along with them to Mallipatnam in the Maruti Van. A-16 remained in Mallipatnam and came back to Tiruchi.
The Maruti Van was abandoned at Mallipatnam at Subbiah Pillai Thotam. I got it from the confessional statement from A-7 to A-9 that A-2 to A-7 and A-16 left Tiruchi in Maruti Van and that A-2 to A-7 boarded the LTTE Boat at Mallipatnam. Some fishermen had also identified the accused who boarded the boat. One David was identified by one fishermen.”
Shri S. Sripall, former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, has traced the sequence of events leading to the killing of Padmanabha in his affidavit no. 40/92-JCI. He submitted :-
(Affidavit No. 40/92-JCI of Shri. S.Sripall) 17. “…..the LTTE had been nurturing political motive and grudge against Padmanabha, General Secretary, EPRLF, and Vardharaja Perumal of EPRLF (former Chief Minister of North East Provincial Council, Sri Lanka) and as such, they had a plan to kill them. Though Padmanabha had gone to Orissa, his wife Anandhi was residing in a house at A.5, Power Apartments, Zackariah Colony, Kodambakkam. The office of the EPRLF was also functioning in Madras at No. 19, Third Street, Zackariah Colony, Kodambakkam. Thus the LTTE would have known that Padmanabha would be visiting Madras sooner or later.
18. …. in order to get information about the movements of Padmanabha in Madras, Pottu Amman, Intelligence Chief of LTTE stationed in Nallur, Jaffna in Sri Lanka, sent some of his men to Madras. One Sivarajan (one eyed Jack), a member of the Intelligence Wing of the LTTE and Santhan @ Suthinthararaja…. were entrusted with this task …
19…….. Sivarajan and Santhan came to Madras in February, 1990. During this period, Anandhi, wife of Padmanabha was residing at No.A.5 Power Apartments, Zachariah Colony, Kodambakkam, Madras. While Sivarajan stayed in a house at No.88, Gangai Amman Koil Street, Vadapalani, Madras along with one Nagarajan, a Sri Lankan Tamil, he got Santhan admitted as a student in M.I.E.T. (Madras Institute of Engineering Technology), located in Zachariah Colony. This Institute was in close proximity to the EPRLF Office at No.19, Third Street, Zachariah Colony. Santhan was instructed by Sivarajan and the LTTE intelligence wing to move closely with the EPRLF cadres, get information about the movements of Padmanabha and pass on the same to Sivarajan.
20……..during June, 1990 Sivarajan brought Daniel, David, Dhilip and Ravi - all LTTE cadres to Tamil Nadu. They stayed in the house of Santhanam at No.5/1-C Ganesh Nagar, Simco Metre Road, Tiruchirapalli. The group left Tiruchirapalli for Madras in a white Ambassador car, bearing Registration No.TMA 3157 about 10 days prior to 19.6.1990. At Madras, they stayed with Jayabalasingam at No.59 Fifth Cross Street, Trustpuram, Kodambakkam.
The affidavit given by Shri S. Sripall discloses that quite a few concrete clues and leads were available in this case during the initial stages of the investigation itself :-
Affidavit no. 40/92-JCI of Shri S. Sripall
25. “……a case in R.2 Kodambakkam Police station Cr.No.1205/90 under Sec.120-B, read with 302 IPC was registered on 19,6,1990 on the complaint of one Sundaram, an EPRLF cadre. Thiru M. Raghavachari, the then Assistant Commissioner of Police (General Section), Crime Branch, Madras City took up the investigation. Even at the initial stage of the investigation, i.e. on 22.6.1990, Thomas Charles had described one of the assailants as having no left eye. David, one of the assailants who had left Subbiah Pillai thope on 21.6.90 afternoon, was identified by Sekar (one of the fishermen) as an LTTE cadre. Thiru M. Chidambarasamy, the then Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur (West) district visited Subbiah Pillai thope on 21.6.1990 evening and found the Maruti van TN.01 7969 abandoned there. Latent finger prints on it were developed and the van was removed to Thanjavur later.
The fact that soon after the killing, it became apparent that the LTTE was responsible for the killings, gets corroboration from the following detailed intelligence report of the I.B. (Annexure M-80) which gives an indication of the information available regarding this case at the initial stages:
(DIB UO.NO.I(14)/90(11)-130 DATED 25.06.1990)
“While police investigation into the killings of EPRLF leaders/cadres in Madras city on June, 19 has not made any headway, a series of swift developments which took place soon after the crime reveal that the suspected offenders have already made good their escape from the Indian soil to the Northern parts of Sri Lanka from Pillayar Thidal off Vedaranyam Coast (Thanjavur district). The police authorities have also admitted that they could now at best establish the identity of the killers with no prospects, however, of their apprehension.
2. The targeting of victims (ensuring presence of senior leaders at the time of offence), timing of the crime (waiting for the return of EPRLF leader Padmanabha to Madras) and the finesse seen in the commando type of assault (the assassinations were completed in a brief time span of 10 to 12 minutes) indicated that only a fully trained and armed group such as the LTTE would have carried out the operation. The improvised grenade ( which had 800 gms of TNT) left behind by the assailants at the scene and another handgrenade found on the roadside were fairly high power explosives which would have blown off the entire premises if they had exploded. According to the forensic experts, these are not of indigenous make and made probably in the USA for use by mercenary and insurgent groups.
3. The get-away of the assassins had been carefully planned fully utilising the slackness of the police. The car-borne assailants had threatened police constables on duty near Vandalur on the Grand South Trunk Road leading to Trichy hours after the offence on June 19 night and had later in the night changed cars by forcibly seizing a Maruti van near Villupuram about 100 miles from Madras towards Trichy. Road blocks had not been erected by the police on this crucial Highway even though it was anticipated that offenders would be making good their escape on this road. Very much later, on June 21, afternoon, the suspected assailants had abandoned the Maruti van at Pillayar Thidal and left by boats. A police party had reached the scene an hour after the offenders had escaped by speed boats which had come from Sri Lanka with some Tamil Militants in uniform. The clandestine boat movement, a frequent occurrence in this area, was also within the knowledge of the authorities.
4. Intelligence also confirms that the assassins are only LTTE cadres. A suicide squad of the LTTE, the Black Tigers with about 35 dare devil LTTE activists had been entrusted with the task of eliminating prominent “enemy” targets. The assassination of Amirthalingam, Yogeswaran and Sam Thambimuthu, all leaders of the TULF, at different periods in the last few months after LTTE had commenced negotiation with the Sri Lankan Government had taken place at the instance of his squads of ” Black Tigers”. Movement of units of the “Black Tigers” to Tamil Nadu prior to the June 19 offence had taken place. Even local LTTE activists were not kept informed of the movements of “Black Tigers.
5. …….According to sensitive LTTE sources, a coded message which could not be deciphered by even local LTTE cadres based in Madras had gone from Trichy on June 20 afternoon for immediate communication to the LTTE headquarters. It is inferred that this was for the purpose of arranging boats at Vedaranyam for the reception of the assailants.
This report of the Intelligence Bureau gives indications of the ‘damage control’ exercise being conducted by the LTTE in the State following the killing. There are clear indications of the police inaction in apprehending the culprits and detecting the case :-
6. “Though the State Chief Minister had issued clear instructions soon after the offence on June 19 night for strong action against the culprits and their apprehension, the police have been blowing hot and cold with the result that sincere and sustained attempts had not taken place. It is common knowledge that even after the offence, fully active LTTE cadres based in Tamil Nadu have not been picked up for interrogation. However, the State administration is going through the motions of launching preventive measures. The Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu who had a meeting with senior police officials on June 23 reportedly found fault with them for failure to prevent the suspected assassins from escaping through a known coastal route off Vedaranyam. It has now been proposed to have 8 checkpoints all along the coast with armed police personnel for intercepting clandestine traffic.
10. The expectation among senior LTTE leaders, including V.Prabhakaran is that public memory is short and after a short while, the LTTE would be in a position to regain their lost grace with the DMK leadership in Tamil Nadu. In order to mend the fences with the Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu, Prabhakaran has also deputed one Natesan, a pro- LTTE political organiser, to visit Tamil Nadu, meet M.Karunanidhi apprise the latter of the developments in Sri Lanka and seek assistance for supply of medicines and permission for the treatment and recuperation of injured LTTE cadres in Tamil Nadu……..
During the same period, a significant message was given by the I.B. to the Government of Tamil Nadu which gave a clear indication that there was information that the LTTE were involved in the massacre :-
(Secret Radio message I-1334/60/90-ISDI(B) dated 25.6.90 from Home, New Delhi to Chief Sec.,Home Sec., DGP, Tamil Nadu (Ann. B to Aff. 198/94)
“Shri Ketheeswaran, EPRLF met some officials in the External Affairs Ministry at Delhi recently about the shooting incident in Madras on 19.6.90 in which 14 EPRLF cadres were killed. From his discussions it appears that LTTE cadres were responsible for this incident in view of the style of the operation and use of T-56 Rifles apart from AK-47 Rifles by the assassins. T-56 Rifles according to EPRLF leader were issued by Sri Lankan Army to LTTE.
http://www.independentsl.com/cgi-bin/newsscript1.cgi?record=308
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