TNA To Seek Meeting With Modi

 

Monday, 19 May 2014 

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is making arrangements to meet the leader of the BJP Narendra Modi immediately after the BJP forms a new government in India.

“With the BJP winning with a clear majority, the TNA expects to meet Narendra Modi soon after he takes oaths this month. We definitely need to work with the Indian government to find possible solutions to the Tamil national issue in Sri Lanka,” TNA MP Suresh Premachandran said.

Premachandran also said that it was a positive sign to see J. Jayalalithaa winning the elections in Tamil Nadu noting that it will make a difference to the situation in Sri Lanka and lend support to help Sri Lanka address the national issue.

There have been fears on the policy Modi will adopt with regard to Sri Lanka with Tamil politicians like Vaiko by his side during the elections.

During the election campaign Vaiko had said that a Modi-led Government at the Centre would not repeat the blunders of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government on the Sri Lankan Tamils and fishermen’s issues. “I guarantee the voters that he will never betray the Tamils,” Vaiko said. Modi himself had said that with Tamils living all over the world, including in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Fiji, it should be a priority of the Indian government to take care of their wellbeing and he promised to do so if a BJP-led Government assumed power after the elections.

The Indian media quoted him as saying that a strong and determined government was the need of the hour as small countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh were ‘poking’ the country and they have to be met eye-on-eye and dealt with strongly. Playing the emotive issue of recurring attacks on fishermen, Modi had charged that the UPA Government in India lacked the courage to protect the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat who were being “harassed” by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

#India2014: Modi – MR Duality And “Hindutva” Holding Forte

By Kusal Perera - May 18, 2014 

Kusal Perera

An attempt made by me over two weeks ago to predict the outcome of Indian elections 2014 as seen from Colombo, went awry. My tinkering with past election results and Indian media polls, only allowed for a hung parliament, dependent on a substantial gain by AIADMK in Tamil Nadu (TN) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Seemandhra. Mamata Banerjee was not ticked off as a likely ally of Modi on what was there on media. I was somewhat close to Jeyalalithaa’s expectations of AIADMK being able to dictate terms in a coalition government, although my calculations did not allow Jeyalalitha a landslide, historical victory in TN. In just one day’s counting, Modi more than BJP, sent all calculations haywire.

Called a “carnival of democracy” this 2014 Indian elections on it’s very outcome, is politically incredible to the extent, it makes representative democracy a practical farce. Going by numbers, BJP won 282 seats on its own and technically has more than the 273 needed to form a stable majority government. BJP is the major and dominant partner in the the NDA, an alliance since 1998 that then had 14 affiliates and formed a government that lasted 01 year. It had 16 affiliates including DMK when it won in 1999 again and stayed in power till 2004. The DMK then moved out and coalesced with the Indian National Congress (INC) led UPA to be in government. Now in 2014 May, the NDA has 29 political parties that won 336 seats. Out of this list of 29 alliance parties,  only 11 parties have won the extra 54 seats that top up BJP’s landslide victory. Shiv Sena (18) and TDP (16) being the larger of the small contributors.

Previous such historic victory was in 1984 December when Rajiv Gandhi leading the INC won an unbelievable 414 seats in the Lok Sabha.  He then had the fortune of riding the sympathy wave of his mother’s assassination by Sikh security personnel. Added was the fact that the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty remained a living factor in Indian national politics during that time.                                                        Read More

India Makes Modi, First Without Equals

By S. Sivathasan -May 18, 2014 

S. Sivathasan

My Predictions in Colombo Telegraph

April 12, My Prediction for Lok Sabha. NDA 305, BJP 280

May 16, Actual. NDA 335, BJP 282

April 12, My Prediction. UPA 105, Congress 90

May 16, Actual. UPA          Congress 44

Earliest query on January 2^nd 2014,

Any reason why BJP cannot go to 280 or more?

Any reason why Congress cannot come to 100 or below?

February 4, My Prediction. AAP, Single Digit.

My prediction of a precise and firm 280 for BJP was perhaps the closest of all to the actual. While Chanakya’s was the best at 340 for NDA, mine was among the few above 300. As early as on January 2^nd, I suggested obliquely in CT that BJP can go to 280 or more and that Congress can decline to 100 or less.

In many of my articles in CT I alluded to the subterranean surge that Modi wave and then the storm was causing. To me more real was the iceberg itself rather than the tip that many a poll had sighted.

Now we have to await the outcome for five years, which too can be foreseen. As for now just one observation. In Modi is a  synthesis of Patel’s grit, Nehru’s balance and Bose’s charisma. Behind him stands the idealism and super confidence  of Vivekananda. Moving him is the thought of Bharathi though he might not have studied the words. “Bharath is ancient and great. Let us sing in praise, we are without peer”.   Read More

Despite rejection, Govt. works out strategy to face UN probe

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, May 18, 2014

Pakistani lawyer briefs Govt. leaders on what to do, but non-confluence of thoughts in UPFA - Urgent Bill to protect victims of crime and witnesses as another response to Geneva resolution

The Government is engaged in a number of informal diplomatic initiatives to counter accusations against Sri Lanka, particularly when the UN Human Rights Council’s international investigation into alleged war crimes gets under way.

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan

The move is notwithstanding the official position that no such investigation would be recognised nor would those conducting it be allowed to enter the country. The composition of investigators and their terms of reference will be announced by the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay within the next two weeks. Formally it would be identified as an investigation conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as against terminology like a Commission of Inquiry or a probe by a Panel of Experts. The first intimation of the move, according to reports from Geneva, is to be to the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission in Geneva. That is for the purpose of formally conveying the message to the Government. A public announcement is to follow.

Despite Rejection, Govt. Works Out Strategy to Face UN Probe by Thavam Ratna

Obama extends some sanctions against Myanmar despite reforms

U.S. President Barack Obama walks from the West Wing of the White House in Washington, before his departure en route to New York, May 14, 2014.

WASHINGTON Thu May 15, 2014
Obama notified leaders of Congress in a letter that he was renewing for another year the National Emergencies Act, which prohibits U.S. businesses and individuals from investing in Myanmar or doing business with Myanmar figures involved in repression of the democracy movement since the mid-1990s.(Reuters) - President Barack Obama extended some economic sanctions against Myanmar for another year on Thursday, telling Congress the step is needed despite some progress on reforms made by the country formerly known as Burma.

Obama, who visited Myanmar in 2012, said the Myanmar government had made advances in critical areas such as the release of more than 1,100 political prisoners, progress toward a nationwide ceasefire, the legalization of unions and taking steps to improve the country's labor standards.

However, he said, "Despite great strides that Burma has made in its reform effort, the situation in the country continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."

"The political opening remains nascent, and concerns persist regarding ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in ethnic minority areas, particularly in Rakhine State, and the continued role of the military in the country's political and economic activities," Obama said.

A year ago Obama lifted a 1996 ban on granting U.S. entry visas to Myanmar's military rulers and their business partners and immediate family.

A spokesman for the White House National Security Council, Patrick Ventrell, said significant challenges remain in Myanmar including a dire humanitarian situation in Rakhine state and incidents of violence toward Muslims and other minorities.

He said Obama extended the penalties for another year "in order to maintain the flexibility necessary to sanction bad actors and prevent backsliding on reform even as we broadly ease sanctions."

Burma democracy icon Suu Kyi challenges powerful army

By AP News May 18, 2014

MANDALAY, Burma (AP) — Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is challenging the powerful army to help amend the constitution that is barring her from running for president in next year’s general elections.

Her comments during a rally in the second largest city of Mandalay on Sunday drew loud cheers.

The Nobel laureate says that the army is duty-bound to safeguard the country and should not be involved in running the administration.

Burma started moving from a half century of dictatorship to democracy three years ago, but the army still lurks heavily in the shadows. The 2008 constitution drawn by the former military rulers gives the army 25 percent of all parliamentary seats, allows it to appoint three cabinet ministers and have veto power in changing the constitution.

US Consulate Terror: India to Seek Info From Malaysia

All India | Press Trust of India | Updated: May 18, 2014 

New Delhi:  India will soon approach Malaysian authorities seeking details about the arrest of a Sri Lankan national in that country in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out terror strikes on the US and Israel consulates in the southern part of India.

Malaysia, which had recently tipped a central security agency in India about possible attack on US and Israeli consulates in Chennai and Bangalore, arrested a Lankan national from Kepong near Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday.

The Special Malaysian unit was monitoring the man, whose identity was not disclosed, since December last year after it was found he was allegedly involved in plans to carry out terror attacks in India, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Bakri Zinin had said after making his arrest public.

The leads in the case surfaced while Malaysian authorities were probing money laundering and human trafficking cases. Sakir Hussain, a Sri Lankan national, was suspected to be talking to ISI officers and allegedly planning to carry out terror strikes on the two consulates.

The arrests by the Malaysian authorities was a follow up of nabbing of Hussain and his subsequent interrogation which was shared with agencies in Kuala Lumpur and Colombo.

Now the Tamil Nadu police, through diplomatic channels, would approach Malaysian authorities for sharing the interrogation report of the arrested Lankan national, official sources said today.

Hussain told his interrogators that he had been hired allegedly by an official in Pakistani High Commission in Colombo to conduct reconnaissance of US Consulate in Chennai and Israeli Consulate in Bengaluru.

Arrested on April 29 in a coordinated operation involving various Malaysia and Sri Lanka, he is reported to have told the interrogators that the Pakistan's spy agency was planning to send two men from Maldives to Chennai and that he had to arrange for their travel documents and hideouts.

Hussain had travelled from Colombo to India and was arrested after prolonged monitoring by the central security agencies.

During sustained interrogation Hussain spoke about an alleged plan by the ISI to carry out terror strike on the two consulates and also named an official at the Pakistan High Commission based in Colombo as his handler.

Hussain said that he had been chosen by the ISI since he was engaged in human trafficking, making of forged passports and smuggling of fake Indian currency.

Pictures of US and Israeli consulates showing various gates and roads leading to the two premises were recovered from his laptop, the sources said and claimed that these pictures had been mailed to his alleged handlers in Pakistan and its High Commission in Colombo.

Cyber signatures showed that the pictures were downloaded at a computer within the premises of Pakistan High Commission at Colombo and the same had been shared with Sri Lankan authorities, the sources claimed.

Hussain had allegedly sent sketches of the roads leading to the two consulates in Portable Document Format (PDF) to his handlers, the sources said.

The role of an Pakistani High Commission official in Colombo had figured earlier in 2012-13 also when central security agencies picked up one Tameem Ansari, a frequent flier from Trichy to Colombo. Ansari was arrested after six months of surveillance in 2012.

Ansari after allegedly being brainwashed by the official was roped in to take videos of the Nagapattinam port, the ships that berthed there, the topography and other dimensions, as well as Mallipattinam, traditionally a landing point.

The apparent strategy being followed by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was to rope in Muslims from Sri Lanka for executing their plans to give credibility to the deniability factor that it was not involved in any way.

Turkey mine disaster: 18 people held on suspicion of negligence

Executives from the mine operator are reportedly among those detained after the country's worst industrial disaster

People mourn their relatives at the cemetery where some of the 301 people killed in the Soma mine disaster are buried. Photograph: Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images

Sunday 18 May 2014

Turkish police have detained 18 people suspected of negligence in connection with this week's deadly mine disaster, including executives from the mine operator, local media reported.

Rescue operations ended on Saturday after the bodies of the last two trapped miners were recovered, following the country's worst industrial disaster, which killed 301 people.

Dozens of prosecutors are investigating the fire and explosion, which are believed to have been sparked by an electrical fault at a private mine in the western district of Soma.

Mine operator Soma Komur vehemently denied any negligence.

"We have all worked very hard. I have not seen such an incident in 20 years," its general director, Akin Celik, said. It was not clear whether Celik was among those detained.

A preliminary expert report on the incident obtained by the Milliyet newspaper pointed to several safety violations in the mine, including a shortage of carbon monoxide detectors and ceilings made of wood instead of metal.

The disaster has led to a surge of anger in Turkey, fuelled by what many saw as a heartless response from the government.

Russian President Putin builds ties in Moldova, Kazakhstan and Baltics

View Photo Gallery — Ukraine talks mark the start of tenuous negotiation: A day after Ukrainian troops suffered their single heaviest loss of life against pro-Russian separatists in an ambush attack, Ukraine’s interim leaders began discussions on national unity amid grandstanding and accusations in Kiev.

Ethnic Russians in former Soviet republics

By Michael Birnbaum, Published: May 17

MOSCOW — Vowing to defend ethnic Russians wherever they live, President Vladimir Putin has embarked on an aggressive campaign to rebuild the pride and assertiveness of the Russian people, which he says was lost in the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Russian President Putin Builds Ties in Moldova, Kazakhstan and Baltics by Thavam Ratna

Meet China's Swaggering, 'Diehard' Criminal Lawyers

They don't scare easily, and they will take any client -- not just dissidents. The Communist Party has noticed.

• BY ALEXA OLESEN-MAY 16, 2014

If there were a checklist for China's "diehard lawyers faction" it would probably read something like this: Must be combative, dramatic, and have a flair for social media; must not be intimidated by authority; and must be willing to spend time under house arrest or in jail.

Meet China's Swaggering, 'Diehard' Criminal Lawyers by Thavam Ratna

கனடாவில் தமிழர் அமைப்புக்கள் ஒன்றுபட்டு முன்னெடுக்கும் பொதுமக்கள் நிகழ்வாகமே-18 தமிழீழத் தேச

கனடாவில் தமிழர் அமைப்புக்கள் ஒன்றுபட்டு முன்னெடுக்கும் பொதுமக்கள் நிகழ்வாகமே-18 தமிழீழத் தேசிய துக்க நாள்

May 8, 2014 - கனடா, நிகழ்வுகள், பிந்திய செய்திகள், பிரதான செய்திகள் - no comments

 

 

UK politicians and campaigners condemn structural violence against Tamil women in Sri Lanka
Tamil Guardian 17 May 2014

UK politicians, rights activists and campaigners condemned the taking structural Place Violence against Women in the North-East of Sri Lanka Tamil, at a conference held in the House of Commons in Westminster, On Tuesday. The Event, Highlighting the Extensive sexual Violence, Agaricus On Tamil Women and abuses still being inflicted these atrocities and to LEAD and the societal structures that perpetuate impunity, was organised by a Cross Party Group of UK MPs, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils ​​(APPGT) in collaboration with the British Tamils ​​Forum ( BTF).   The societal structures that present LEAD Within Sri Lanka Tamil Women faced to the injustices and atrocities were discussed by a Panel of activists, campaigners and Journalists. The Panel comprised Dr Frank Arnold, Group From the medical campaign  MEDACT , Charu Lata Hogg, From  Chatham House  and Child Soldiers International , Dr Juliet Cohen From Freedom From Torture ; and Sujatha Moorthy, From the telephone service Counseling Helpline Jothy . The panel was moderated by Dr Sivakami Rajamanoharan, Tamil Guardian editor.     Following a minute's silence in remembrance of those killed during the final stages of the conflict, the event began with Lee Scott, chair of the APPGT and Conservative MP for Ilford North. Welcoming the International Investigation On Accountability Progress As mandating earlier this year, Mr. Scott said much was still needed in order for More Justice to be delivered to the Tamil people However.   Jeremy Corbyn MP addresses conference, Siobhain McDonagh MP to his left. APPGT Vice Chair and Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, Siobhain McDonagh said:   " the treatment of the Tamil Women stressed the need for an International, independent Investigation into Sri Lanka. " For Labour MP Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn, condemned the use of sexual Violence in conflict, including that against Tamil Women in the North-East. " This is a , IT is a War. When the Sri Lankan Government IT TREATED these Women knew exactly what IT was doing this Way, "stressed Mr. Corbyn. Detailing the use of sexual Violence in Areas OTHER conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo As such, he said IT had become "a Part of modern warfare "and a" weapon of war ", and urged that action be taken to bring those responsible to account. Left to right: Margaret Owen from Widows for Peace through Democracy addresses conference, Siobhan McDonagh MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Lee Scott MP. Margaret Owen, the Director of Widows for Peace through Democracy, a Group that is actively Involved in launching the British Government's conference against sexual Violence in conflict Next month, was scathing in her Criticism. Detailing the thousands of Tamil Women affected by sexual Violence, and those that are still Facing IT Today, Ms Owen took Place in a Systematic Violence talpa out that the sexual nature of militarisation increase and amidst the Tamil Areas in the North-East. " It's not adhoc. These rapes come from the top. IT's organised, IT is a form of genocide of the Tamil people, "said Ms Owen pointing to the conference Next month As a positive Move towards Highlighting sexual Violence in conflict, Ms Owen was nonetheless critical of continued Lack of Justice and International inaction. " We need to end this, holding Conferences, denying Yet these Women for Justice , "she stressed.  The Panel discussion  followed. Introducing the speakers, the moderator, Dr Rajamanoharan outlined a number of societal structures that were present and overlay on Tamil women, stressing that the nature of the Sri Lankan state as one built on Sinhala majoritarianism was central however to understanding what led to such atrocities being committed against Tamil Women. "Yes there is gender inequality Within Tamil society, but We Can not ignore the ethnic Dimension Within the Sri Lankan State," said Dr Rajamanoharan. " Sexual Violence and Women can not be separated From the structure of Agaricus of Tamil As a Sri Lanka Sinhala majoritarianism State . We are looking at so if FINDING We need solutions to Remember that protecting Tamil Women On the Island, is not the same protecting As Women On the Island , "she said. The First speaker, Charu Lata Hogg, is the Associate Fellow at the Asia programme at Chatham House and Asia Program Manager of Child Soldiers International. MS Hogg, who has also worked well As As As the LEAD  South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, and a  Journalist Based in and Sri Lanka, described the effects of conflict, that had "scarred the social fabric of the Northern Sri Lanka" . Highlighting the incidents of sexual Violence against Women by agents of the Sri Lankan Tamil State, which include the Police and Military, Ms Hogg, said, "However, public Attention to this Issue has been muted : high levels of social stigmatization , fear of Control over Military reprisal owing to ongoing administration in Northeast Sri Lanka, meaningful Lack of Accountability for past crimes of rape and sexual Violence, and an overriding Climate of impunity have combined to discourage rape From Survivors seeking redress for the abuses against them. " Plants and Trees that the LTTE forcibly recruited Tamil children, including during the final stage of the conflict, Ms Hogg said the LTTE forcibly cut the hair of women as a deterrent to fleeing the conflict zone "knowing that women with short hair would be suspected by the Sri Lankan Army As TREATED Spencomp Technologies and would be likely of being LTTE LTTE Members ". Highlighting structural issues impeding independent investigations and Accountability, including training and RESOURCES for Lack of judicial and prosecutorial Staff, Lack of witness protection mechanisms, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and visa restrictions On International NGO workers, Ms Hogg said, " these specific RIVERHEADS to prosecutions and Effective redress Pale in Comparison to the larger and More intractable Issue: the Sri Lankan Government's clear unwillingness to Seriously investigate or prosecute Serious violations of Human rights by the Military and Police , particularly those committed in Connection with the armed conflict against the LTTE. " "Impunity for grave Human rights violations by the Government Remains widespread, there has been no equally Accountability for abuses committed by the LTTE. The Tamil Community, both Inside and outside Sri Lank Needs to support Accountability for abuses committed by both sides, "said Ms Hogg. Plants and Trees that the UN Human Rights Council's Recent resolution " could offer an important Opportunity to begin the process of establishing the Truth, Responsibilities for identifying abuses and grave, "Ms Hogg said," When this starts in earnest only be achieved CAN Justice and Reconciliation. " Panelist Charu Lata Hogg from Chatham House speaking, panelist Sujatha Moorthy to her right. Detailing several counts of torture of Tamils, Dr Arnold of MEDACT, a campaign group on global issues such as conflict and poverty run by health care professionals, pointed to the serious failings on part of the British government in providing victims with asylum, and to hold the Sri Lankan Government to account. " We've seen 208 Agaricus From Survivors of Sri Lanka, the Vast majority, but not quite All, were Tamil . Human rights defenders were also OTHER Communities From there, "said Dr Arnold. "[A Tamil Woman who tortured and was seeking asylum in the UK] was disbelieved On the Grounds that the Home Office and an immigration Judge alleged that she could have paid someone to make those Marks On her Body, in order to make a false claim of Agaricus , "said Dr Arnold, recounting the experience of One Woman interviewed by Tamil MEDACT. " That appalling statement, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office comes Actually From From a letter , in Colombo, to the British Home Office , the Foreign Office in which for some Munchkin - Kind of some consular official - has Lunch with an unnamed unnamed representative of an NGO, who told him, and I Quote Verbatim: 'everyone knows Tamils ​​in Pay people to make Marks On Their bodies IDP camps in order to be able to make a false claim of Agaricus', "Detailed Dr Arnold, " That myth is widely disseminated, "he added. " I've Run From even Sinhalese Doctors across IT, senior Ones in Sri Lanka ". Drawing On of working with experiences the Tamil Women who have been raped or tortured, Dr Juliet Cohen, the LEAD doctor at the medical charity, Freedom From Torture, said " IT is hard for Victims to give Detailed evidence ", pointing to social ominosus and fear of reprisal. " Many find IT Difficult to describe the sexual Violence they were subjected to in Sri Lanka, "she said, Adding that Women's Physical weakness in Comparison to Men led them to often Freeze and Unable to make any form of resistance during the ordeal. Repeating the words of One Woman who was raped, Dr Cohen said: " once a Soldier destroys us, destroys us but a THOUSAND times the Village . " Panelists Dr Frank Arnold and Dr Juliet Cohen seated (front row, left) before panel discussion begins Echoing her concerns, Sujatha Moorthy from the telephone counseling service, Jothy Helpline, detailed her first hand experience of the distress and isolation faced by Tamil women who had been raped and called for greater awareness and education within Tamil communities outside the island to spot signs of rape often hidden. Highlighting the social ominosus Associated with rape Within Tamil society, Ms Moorthy said, " After the Women are abused and tortured by the army, after that change with the ominosus Their Lives Victims attached to rape. They're outcasts. " "Often the First Time [the Women] Call, they just do not cry or say anything. IT's too upsetting for them to speak, "Ms Moorthy explained, describing the Phone Calls Jothy Helpline received From Tamil Women who had managed to Flee the Island and were Now seeking asylum in OTHER countries. " We can not give Called to the Helpline false hope Though you will be OK by saying, As the Threat of Deportation looms over them , "she added. In a Panel Question and answer session following the discussion, the possibility of sanctions against Sri Lanka was also raised by Dr Arnold, As well As Members of the AUDIENCE. " Should We do a boycott of Sri Lanka, "Asked Dr Arnold." Will IT be Effective? " " Economic Leverage CAN be Applied, "commented Ms Hogg, who had worked closely in ensure that the EU's preferential tariff (GSP + ) had previously been removed, said. " blanket sanctions are a separate Issue However , "she added, Plants and Trees NGOs that took a different Position On this in terms of the Impact On the General Population and overall effectiveness. The ziek and RIVERHEADS faced by Tamil Women in Their reporting crimes whilst also seeking asylum was raised by a member of the AUDIENCE. Dr Cohen and Dr Arnold said the Issue was being pushed with the UK authorities, there were acknowledged However Yet Work was much to be done. " There is no Tamil is being falsified by evidence that medical evidence for asylum claims, "reiterated Dr Arnold. Responding to Calls for social ominosus to be addressed in order for Tamil Women On the Island to Come forward and report the crimes, in MANY raised concerns over the AUDIENCE the Sri Lankan State's historic failure to provide Justice to the Tamil people, the Rajapaksa Government Long before. A Tamil Woman in the AUDIENCE Asked, " but what Happened Reported to the crimes already? What about the case of Krishanthi [Kumaraswamy] Example for? ", Plants and Trees that IT was an under reporting of crimes that had not led to impunity. " As Long As delivered isn't Justice, Victims of crimes will be reluctant to Come forward , "said another member of the AUDIENCE. Drawing to a Close the Event, Raj Vakesan of the British Tamils ​​Forum thanked those who had attended and panelists for All Their contributions, and reiterated the Importance of addressing the structural Issue of Violence against Women that was Tamil still taking place in the North-East.

Listening To Her StoriesListening To Her Stories

By  Amjad Saleem  -

May 17, 2014

Amjad Saleem

Weekend will this wujek 5 years of the end of the Bloody conflict in Sri Lanka.  As has become customary, the Main protagonists and / or Their supporters will be very different but MARKING IT in Manners usual.  There is still a Lot of debate to As How Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans Mark the conclusion of Their History of One of the Most traumatic periods.  Remains The Whole Aspect of the War in Its entirety Tuluttut largely a subject and a subject that is often discussed is not necessarily in gatherings.  This perhaps alludes How to Needs to be approached the subject and also what is the perception of those bold Enough to approach the subject.  Thus Sri Lankans are not afforded and do not of themselves afford an Opportunity for healing and to some extent, this seems to be abrogated responsibility to the powers that be.  How the challenges of the country As a Whole understands and remembers this is still being debated, the National Peace Council As aptly   put   IT, ' No War Victory WISE country celebrates after a Civil War '. This thus an Remains All that obstacle Communities and stakeholders with an interest for the benefit of Sri Lanka, need to understand and overcome. Whilst the past Can not be a ball and Chain for the Future, We also need to understand IT in order for us to Move forward without.    

In the deliberations and commemorations that will follow this weekend, one thing that will be conspicuous by its absence will be the voices from the ground. Over the last 5 years, what has always struck me about the narrative that has been currently spun by all sides when discussing the war and commemorating it, is how far removed it is from the reality on the ground. There is much to be reflected at the top end of the spectrum in terms of reconciliation and moving forward. Equally though, it is not just at the top level that work needs to be done. It is important that work is done at the grass roots level. Unfortunately experience shows that it is hardly the case that grass roots are engaged with meaningfully. They are talked at, talked to and talked with. However rarely are they just allowed to talk and for the rest of us just to listen. My experience in Sri Lanka especially during the end of the War in the camps in Manik Farm , allowed to listen to ME MANY of the Tamil Refugees. Their message resonated with others I met with from other communities across the country, affected by the tsunami and the conflict. While May bring an absence of political solutions and Military War, However peace can not be sustained or about Come Without All Strata of society with significant engagements of Tangible benefit being seen by everyone, in particular the affected Communities. In other words, 'peace' means nothing if parents still cannot feed their family or cannot afford to buy medicines for their sick children or people do not live in an atmosphere of respect and understanding with the rule of law.                                                                  Read More

  

5 years today - 3,000 civilians killed in one day, LTTE lay down arms, ICRC warns of humanitarian disaster  17 May 2014 17 May 2009 - 3,000 civilians killed in One Day, LTTE lays down arms, ICRC warns of humanitarian disaster From the No Fire Zone Smoke rises    Photograph: Sangam Over 3000 civilians had been killed in the past with every Hour with Dying Day Hundreds of shelling, a LTTE spokesperson told Channel 4 . The spokesperson warned that at least 25,000 Tamil civilians remained in the Area and declared that the LTTE were ready to lay down Their Stop further civilian arms to death. A United Nations spokesman in Sri Lanka said that there could be left between 30,000-80,000 civilians in the warzone.

5 Years Today - 3,000 Civilians Killed in One Day, Lay Down Coats LTTE, ICRC Warns of Humanitarian Disaster by Mahendra Thavam

வடக்கில் ஆலய திருவிழாக்களுக்கும் தடை 

 மே 18 ஆம் திகதி முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் போரில் உயிரிழந்த மக்களுக்கு அஞ்சலி செலுத்தும் நாளாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் நிலையில் யாழ். குடாநாட்டிலும் கிளிநொச்சி முல்லைத்தீவு மாவட்டங்களிலும் ஆலயங்களில் வருடாந்த உற்சவங்களை நடத்துவதற்குப் படையினர் தடை விதித்திருப்பதுடன் பொது  இடங்களில் ஒன்று கூடுவதற்கும் கூட்டங்களை நடத்துவதற்கும் தடைகள் விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகத் தெரியவருகின்றது.

நாளைய தினம் 18 ஆம் திகதி வடக்கு மாகாணத்தில் பல இடங்களில் முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் போரில்  உயிரிழந்த மக்களுக்கு அஞ்சலி செலுத்துவதற்கான ஏற்பாடுகளை தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு தமிழ்த் தேசிய மக்கள் முன்னணி மற்றும் யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழகம் உள்ளிட்டவை மேற்கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. இந்நிலையில் யாழ்ப்பாணம் மற்றும் கிளிநொச்சி முல்லைத்தீவு மாவட்டங்களில் ஆலயங்களில் பூஜை வழிபாடுகளை நடத்த படையினர் தடைவிதித்துள்ளனர்.

 

நேற்றைய தினம் கோப்பாய் ஆசிரியர் பயிற்சிக் கலாசாலைக்கு அருகில் உள்ள வைரவர் ஆலயத்திற்குச் சென்ற படையினர் உற்சவத்தை உடனடியாக நிறுத்த வேண்டும் என கூறியதுடன் இன்றும் நாளையும் (17ஆம் 18ஆம் திகதிகள்) பூஜை வழிபாடுகள் எவையும் நடைபெறக் கூடாது என கூறியிருக்கின்றனர்.

 

நேற்றைய தினம் மஹோற்சவத்தின் 3 ஆம் நாள் திருவிழா நடைபெற்றுக் கொண்டிருந்தபோதே படையினர் அங்கே சென்று திருவிழா நடைபெறக் கூடாதெனக் கூறியிருக்கின்றனர்.

 

இந்j நிலையில் மக்கள் இது தொடர்பாக தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் சுரேஷ் பிரேமச்சந்திரனுக்கு தெரியப்படுத்தியிருக்கின்றனர். இதனையடுத்து சம்பவ இடத்திற்குச் சென்ற பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் மக்களிடம் விடயத்தை நேரடியாகக் கேட்டறிந்து கொண்டார்.

 

இது தொடர்பாக பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் தெரிவித்த போது இவை தொடர்பாக அப்பகுதி மக்கள் தனக்கு தெரியப்படுத்தியதாகவும் இதனையடுத்து அங்கே சென்றபோது படையினர் அச்சுறுத்தியமையினால் மக்கள்  பெரும் அச்சத்தில் இருப்பதாகவும் கூறினார்கள். இது தொடர்பாக யாழ்.பிரதிப்பொலிஸ் மா அதிபருடன் தொடர்புகொண்டு கேட்டபோது>

 

இது தொடர்பாக தமக்கு எதுவும் தெரியாது எனவும் இதுபற்றி ஆராய்ந்து கூறுவதாகவும் கூறினார். எனினும் இவ்வாறான சம்பவங்கள் பல இடங்களில் நடைபெற்றிருக்கின்றன. அங்கிருந்தெல்லாம் எமக்கு முறைப்பாடுகள் கிடைக்கப்பெற்றிருக்கின்றன. எனவே இவ்வாறான சம்பவங்கள் மிக மோசமான அறிவிலித்தனத்தின் வெளிப்பாடாகவே நாங்கள் பார்க்கிறோம். இதுமாதிரி நிலையில்  வெசாக் தினத்தையும் கதிர்காம உற்சவத்தையும் மாற்றியமைக்க முடியுமா? அதேபோன்றே ஒவ்வொரு மத ஆலயங்களும் பூஜை வழிபாடுகளை சம்பிரதாயங்களின் பிரகாரமே செய்கின்றன. அதனை யாழ். படைத்தளபதி புரிந்துகொள்ளவேண்டும். இந்த விடயத்தில் பொலிஸார் தலையிட்டு உடனடியாக இவற்றையெல்லாம் நிறுத்த வேண்டும்.  இதற்கான வேண்டுகோளை நாங்கள் விடுத்திருக்கின்றோம். மக்களை அச்சுறுத்தும் இவ்வாறான செயற்பாடுகளுக்கு இடமளிக்கக் கூடாதெனவும் அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.