Five Years On, What Have We Got Here?

| By Laksiri Fernando

(May 18, 2014, Sydney, Sri Lanka Guardian)  I write this with Mixed Feelings, believing in some enormous opportunities and mindful of Problems or difficulties. Five years on, the problems have enlarged and the opportunities dwindled. Yet, as a perennial optimist, I stick to the opportunities perhaps as the last straws. Let me begin with by commenting on the termination of the war in May 2009, as it is from that lamppost that we count the five years.

Five Years On, What Have We Got Here by Mahendra Thavam

May 2009: Ainkaran

Tamils ​​Against Genocide (TAG)  Tamil Guardian 18 May 2014
 Illustration Keera Rat  nam

Based On the following account is written by Paul Cooper MM survivor interviews to  Tamils ​​Against Genocide   (TAG). Personal details of Ainkaran (not his real name), Place names and dates have been changed to protect his Identity.

Ainkaran volunteered in a Hospital in the North East of Sri Lanka When the Government began Contested Its Final Offensive On the Tamil separatists. It was 2009, and the outlook was grim for the LTTE. Spencomp Technologies had set up the reeds afgesloten Fortified Settlements far behind the Frontline in order to Escape the artillery of the Sri Lankan Army, but there were some shells, with a Range of 3-5km, that even these could still Reach Safe havens. As the fighting intensified and the shells began to fall, Ainkaran helped to spread the sign of the International Red Cross across the roof of a school building that they had converted into a hospital. From up On the Roof, you could already see the Smoke Rising over the trees, and hear the thud of the Distant artillery. When artillery fired shells, First Heard a deep boom you far away, and Then after just One Second, you knew the shell would be falling. On other days, you could see the sharp shadows of the Israeli-made Kfir jets flying in squadrons of three, swooping in low and dropping their bombs. Helicopters were there, too, spraying Bullets and Rockets into the trees. Puthukudiiruppu The army declared, Mullaitivu and Mulliavalai As no-fire zones, but even there people said shells were landing, so no One went towards them. When a shell fell through the roof of the Ainkaran's hospital, about 50 people died on the spot. Ainkaran helped to carry the wounded, and drive them to other makeshift hospitals being run by volunteers. One Woman had her intestines spilling out of a wound. When people died, they were laid out in Lines outside the Hospital, and Come and relatives could identify them. If no one came for them after two days, they were buried all together. MANY people were too afraid of the shells to Come and Look for Their relatives there, Buried Without Their names were so MANY. Ainkaran HID in a Bunker in the FEW Moments of rest each Day he could snatch. The days blurred together. There were constantly circling unmanned spy ie, mosquito whine and Their Never Your ears left. Suthanthirapuram In, a Place which in Tamil means 'free Village', in Elephant Pass, so As a Safe Zone was established to facilitate the Distribution of dry food through the World food programme. Ainkaran saw almost 50,000 people gathered there - men, women and children - simply sitting on the ground in a crowd so thick you couldn't get a vehicle through. There was sobbing, wailing, prayers. Their ration of dry food for 20,000 people were Queuing, and  watched them Ainkaran his West From Bunker. Then, From the direction of the Sri Lankan Army Lines, the artillery opened up a devastating barrage of fire. The guns fired simultaneously, all at once, into the densely populated areas of the safe zone. Around 500 people were killed instantly, their bodies shattered. Nearly 1,000 were seriously wounded. All around the tents were torn to shreds, and the rations of dry food were destroyed too. When the army came, they came shooting. Many people ran through the trees towards the army lines, but they were shot, so people stayed where they were and prayed. The shells fell in a sequence, each one falling about 10m further on from the last one. As IT was Though the army was trying to push people back, combing them out of the Jungle, driving them into the Sea. On The shells fell food tents and hospitals alike, ie under the watchful eye of the circling spy. In the next no-fire zone Ainkaran moved to, a hospital bearing Red Cross insignia was struck with such force that it was razed to the ground completely. When the army fired shells a shell, they waited about half an Hour before another firing directly One On top of the First - anyone who escaped a deadly Tactic Designed to Finish Off and Kill those who rushed to help the Wounded. Ainkaran even helped Treat As people medical supplies began to dwindle. The wounded were laid out on a table beneath the tamarind tree, as the doctors conducted operations without antiseptic or painkillers. They tore up bedsheets and sarongs to use as bandages. The patients screamed in pain. People came with eyes dropping out, their skulls split open, with shrapnel in their throats. There were only 6 beds. They TREATED about every 50 Hour. When Ainkaran worked there, he saw Four civilians carried in, moaning, with All over Their burnt bodies. IT had been a whispered that the Doctors OTHER CHEMICAL Attack. Beginning to Run Space was out. People were being settled even in areas that were flooded, and they arrived with their clothes soaked, their documents ruined, their possessions waterlogged. A Red Cross ship arrived periodically to take away those wounded who had a token, and who they thought might survive. They took about 300-400 at a time. Ainkaran and others pleaded with the Sri Lankan army Medicine to send them, but the army Refused. Ainkaran When was himself injured in a shell Attack, IT Stop him trying to help others did not. He took his One Day Off Work, and Then Returned to the Hospital, to the screams of the patients outside and Dead Men and Women, On the Ground Without Their names lined up.  This month Marks the Fifth Anniversary of the end of the War in Sri Lanka.  Ainkaran's Story of Sri Lanka's Killing Fields is also that of thousands of Survivors.  Say No to Genocide.

Five Years On: The Story Of White Flag Incident Released

May 18, 2014

The Full Story of the  White flag  case is released by a Group of Researchers Today.

Pulidevan's last photo

This is the story of the killing or disappearance of several groups of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who surrendered to the Sri Lankan army on or about 18 May 2009 at the end of Sri Lanka's civil war. They were told by the government if they carried a while flag they would be safe crossing the frontline. But when they surrendered it became apparent they had been lured into a trap. Several were executed in cold blood - others have never been seen since.

The LTTE leadership had to make a choice whether to fight to the end or surrender. They decided that the political wing leader, Nadesan, and his deputy, Pulidevan, should negotiate a surrender and take with them the injured and others who wanted to lay down their arms.

In the course of the negotiations for surrender, the two men started sending out messages back and forth to a range of Sri Lankan politicians and diplomats and a journalist.

They sought and received guarantees that they would not be harmed.

Communication

(Sunday 17 May 2009 - All times Sri Lankan):

0846: Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona to Nadesan via a European intermediary: SMS: "Just walk across to the troops, slowly! And comply with instructions carefully. The soldiers are nervous about suicide bombers. "

Click To Read More about the Story 

Canadian Tamils ​​commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament

18 May 2014

An Event to wujek the Anniversary of the end of the armed conflict was marked by Canadian Tamils ​​and politicians at an Event in the Canadian parliament.

Several MPs and senators spoke at the event on Thursday, hosted by the Canadian Tamil Congress.

A message by the leader of the opposition NDP, Thomas Mulcair was read out by MP Paul Dewar.

"As Tamil Canadians mark the 5th anniversary of the ay 2009 event in SL, we are reminded by such injustice and the loss of so many lives that it is our duty to prevent similar wrong doings from being visited on others," Mr Mulcair said in his statement.

MP Kirsty Duncan expressed her sorrow at international failure to help the Tamil people and pldged to keep fighting for justice.

Rathika Sitsabaiesan, MP for Scarborough Rouge River in Toronto shared her experience of her visit to the island earlier this year.

"Many of you here are, like me, a child of the war. If that government can treat me the way they treated, with intimidation and coercion and just trying to get me out of that country, a privileged Canadian, [...] imagine what those people who continue to live on that island go through on a daily basis , "she said.

Senator David Smith, Senator Don Meredith and MP Patrick Brown also spoke at the event.

New Pictures Of Isaipriya Alive Emerge

May 18, 2014

New pictures of the LTTE media Alive TV newsreader Isaipriya Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence claims 53 Division troops have killed emergedThe Isaipriya  during the Last Battle. Published in the Ministry of Defence's list is her name - " Identified LTTE leaders who were killed On 18 May 2009 by 53 Division troops "   - As " Lieutenant Colonel - Issei Piriya - Communications / Publicity Wing ".

Isaipriya was taken into army custody on May 18, 2009. First pictures of her dead body emerged. Then On June 22, 2012, Colombo Telegraph  Published pictures and a Video  which  Show the LTTE media TV announcer Issapriya's Naked Body lies with the Hundreds of Dead bodies, but this Time her Hands are untied.  The Security forces officer speaking in Sinhala Language to a FEMALE says, "here, here, Voice of Tiger announcer." (256mins in at Watch the Video ).   When her Dead Body was photographed the First Time  , were Hands Tied behind her back and allegedly raped her. Exclusive - Warning Disturbing Images : Issapriya's Naked Body With Hands Tied And Untied - Colombo Telegraph . The Video clearly demonstrates a woeful Pattern of consistency of the Sri Lankan forces.  

 

Taking away

 They were killed

 Isaipriya's dead body

her hands are untied

Related posts;

5 years on: The White Flag Incident (2009 - 2014)

Introduction

This is the story of the killing or disappearance of several groups of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who surrendered to the Sri Lankan army on or about 18 May 2009 at the end of Sri Lanka's civil war. They were told by the government if they carried a while flag they would be safe crossing the frontline. But when they surrendered it became apparent they had been lured into a trap.Several were executed in cold blood - others have never been seen since.

Full Story >>>>

Tamil nation remembers Mullivaikal massacre 5 years on, amidst military ban
18 May 2014

Remembered in Kilinochchi amidst Mullivaikal Military surveillance. Photograph Global Tamil News

Commemorative events in the North-East and across the world, marked 5 years since the massacre of the Tamil Nation  TENS of thousands at the end of the armed conflict On  May 18th 2009. Remembrance events took Place in the North-East in amidst a Military ban and overwhelming Military presence across the Tamil Areas. Tamil media and political parties were targeted this Morning, As heavily armed troops surrounded the offices of  Uthayan ,  Thinakkural  Newspapers, the  Tamil National People's Front (TNPF)  and the  Tamil National Alliance (TNA) . Attempts allowed to say prayers for the Dead by mourners Within Temples were also stopped, armed troops surrounded As  Nallur  and  Keerimalai  Temples, blocking access to Tamils ​​Off. Earlier in the Week the  Military All Temple events and public gatherings banned  wujek to the Dead, Plants and Trees that no toll should BELLS On May 17 and 18. The University of Jaffna was ordered shut earlier this month, prompting widespread condemnation From Students and  Staff . Attempts allowed to donate blood by Students As an ACT of remembrance were also stopped, As  troops BLOCKED access to the blood donation Centre  at Jaffna Teaching Hospital.


Defying the military however, Tamils ​​in the North-East mourned their loss in private events of mourning, alongside thousands in the diaspora set to attend events in capital cities worldwide.

After Learning Of Balachandran's Killing Mahinda Went To Bellanwila Temple And Said 'This Should Not Have Happened'

Although the President Mahinda has not commented Tremendoussexports On Tiger leader Velupillai's son,  Balachandran , knew that he was Balachandnran killed by the  Security forces, Colombo Telegraph Today CAN reveal.

President Rajapaksa was shocked and distraught when he was informed that Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's son, Balachandran, had been killed, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns. The President had at that point traveled without his usual security detail to the Bellanwila Temple where he had spent some moments in deep reflection. Colombo Telegraph learns that he had said 'this should not have happened.' Although the President has not commented on Balachandran, political analysts opine that this indicates that there was no 'decision from the top' with respect to the fate of Prabhakaran's child.

The Sri Lankan government has not indicated any knowledge about how Balachandran was killed, a position that is not inconsistent with the above revelation.

A series of photographs taken a few hours apart and on the same camera, show Balachandran Prabhakaran. One of them shows the boy sitting in a bunker, alive and unharmed, apparently in the custody of Sri Lankan troops. Another, a few hours later, shows the boy's body lying on the ground, his chest pierced by bullets. The authorities always said Prabhakaran's son was killed in cross-fire, as troops moved in to take the LTTE's last stronghold, located on a scrap of coastline near Mullaitivu in the north-east of the country. In these photographs, which digital image analysis indicates were taken with the same camera, we can see he has been shot five times in the chest.

"These photographs are particularly important evidentially, because they prove that Balachandran was not killed in crossfire, or in a battle. His death was deliberate and calculated. The pictures fill in chilling details on the circumstances of his murder - and leave the Sri Lankan government with yet more questions to answer about just how systematic the executions at the end of the war appear to have been. Last year, we first revealed video footage and stills which showed Balachandran's body shortly after his execution. These were analysed for us by a respected Forensic pathologist, Professor Derrick Pounder, to Assess the Cause of death. "Said the Director,  " No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka ", Callum Macrae . 

Professor Derrick identified what he thinks is the first of the shots to be fired at the boy: "There is a speckling (on the skin) from propellant tattooing, indicating that the distance of the muzzle of the weapon to this boy's chest was two to three feet or less. He could have reached out with his hand and touched the gun that killed him. "

The professor said the angle of the shots suggested that after that bullet was fired, the boy fell backwards and was then shot four more times. Unlike the men around him, there was no indication that the boy had been blindfolded or bound, so it was possible that the boy may have been made to watch the execution of his guards before the gun was turned on him.-

British forensic expert Professor Pounder believes he has identified the first of the shots to be fired at the boy: "There is a speckling from propellant tattooing, indicating that the distance of the muzzle of the weapon to this boy's chest was two to three feet or Less.  Peak He could have with out his hand and touched the gun that killed him. "

 Related posts;

மட்டக்களப்பில் முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் நினைவு தினம் அனுஸ்டிப்பு  இலங்கையில் இறுதிக் கட்ட யுத்தத்தின் போது உயிரிழந்தவர்களை நினைவுகூரும் நிகழ்வு இன்று காலை மட்டக்களப்பு மாவட்ட தமிழ் தேசிய கூட்டமைப்பின் அலுவலகத்தில் இடம்பெற்றது.  இதன்போது முள்ளிவாய்க்காலில் இறுதி யுத்ததின்போது உயிரிழந்தவர்களுக்கான  ஈகைச்சுடர் ஏற்றப்பட்டதுடன் அஞ்சலியும் செலுத்தப்பட்டது.  மட்டக்களப்பு மாவட்ட பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் பொன்.செல்வராசா தலைமையில் இடம்பெற்ற இந் நிகழ்வுக்கு பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களான சீ.யோகேஸ்வரன், பா.அரியநேத்திரன், கிழக்கு மாகாணசபை உறுப்பினர்களான இரா.துரைரெட்ணம், கி.துரைராஜசிங்கம், மா.நடராசா, பிரசன்னா இந்திரகுமார், ஞா.கிருஸ்ணபிள்ளை ஆகியோரும் கலந்துகொண்டனர்.  பல்வேறு பாதுகாப்பு கெடுபிடிகளுக்கும் மத்தியிலும் இன்று காலை கட்சி அலுவலகத்தில் நினைவுகூரும் நிகழ்வு இடம்பெற்றமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

- See more at: http://onlineuthayan.com/News_More.php?id=613783016018698457#sthash.pnOKNzQa.dpuf

- See more at: http://onlineuthayan.com/News_More.php?id=613783016018698457 # sthash.iViU4HzE.dpuf

Uthayan office under military siege as Tamils ​​mark Mullivaikkal massacre

BY RAMANAN VEERASINGHAM  -

18 MAY 2014

Come Jaffna has under-Based Uthayan Newspaper Office of the Military Siege From the early  hours of Sunday, May 18 creasing a panic Situation in the Area, the War-ravaged As the Tamil people in the North and the East Silently mass scale massacre of wujek Mulliavaikkal, where several thousands of Tamil civilians were killed by the Sri Lankan military forces in their quest to defeat the Tamil Tigers militarily five years ago.
As Military Siege Tamils ​​Mark Office under Uthayan Mullivaikkal massacre by Mahendra Thavam

Nallur Temple surrounded by troops 18 May 2014 Heavily armed troops have surrounded Nallur Temple, in Jaffna, since this Morning. Over 100 soldiers, wearing Helmets, are stationed in the Temple Area, with over 50 soldiers by the entrance. Military Vehicles are parked along the Roads leading up to the Temple entrance . BELLS tolling of the Temple has been prohibited. troops surrounded the Families of the disappeared who were breaking Coconuts outside the Temple entrance in remembrance of the Dead. "We were breaking Coconuts, When soldiers came up and surrounded us. Their Shirts Off As They took We were doing our prayers and stared at us, "the  Northern Provincial Councillor, Ananthy Sasitharan, who was MARKING the disappearance of her husband, told Tamil Guardian. Ms Sasitharan's husband, Elilan, surrendered to the army at the end of the armed conflict. He Remains missing. troops were seen later Within the Temple premises, apparently in an ACT of Worship, leading locals to believe the troops were observing Inside proceedings. Yesterday the Military  issued a ban public gatherings and events On Temple  in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts .

யாழ்ப்பாணம் இராணுவத்தின் இரும்பு பிடிக்குள் - தமிழரசுக் கட்சி– TNPF கட்சிகளின் அலுவலகங்கள் முற்றுகை:

18 மே 2014
கீரிமலை இராணுவ முற்றுகைக்குள் - மகிந்த கோத்தாபய இராணுவ சர்வாதிகாரம் மீண்டும் ஒருமுறை மக்களை பழிவாங்குகிறது:-

யாழ்.குடாநாட்டின் கட்டுப்பாடு மீண்டும் இன்று படைதரப்பின் வசம் ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளதாக தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன. காணுமிடமெங்கும் குவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள இராணுவத்தினர் மூலம் உண்மையில் யாழ்ப்பாணத்தினிலுள்ள படையினரது எண்ணிக்கை அப்பட்டமாக தெரிவதை காணக் கூடியதாகவுள்ளதாக வடக்கின் குளோபல் தமிழ்ச் செய்தியாளர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர்.

 நல்லூர் முதல் குடாநாட்டிலுள்ள அனைத்து ஆலயங்களிலும் படையினர் குவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். ஆலய மணிகளை ஒலிக்க முற்றாக தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதுடன் ஆராதனைகளிற்கும் ஒன்று கூடுகின்ற பக்தர்களது எண்ணிக்கைக்கும் கூட கட்டுப்பாடு விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. நல்லூரில் வழிபட சென்ற பக்தர்களைவிட பல மடங்கு படையினர் நிலைகொள்ள வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

இதனிடையே உயிரிழந்தவர்களுக்கான பிதிர்கடன் நிறைவேற்றுவதற்காக கீரிமலையில் இன்று விசேட ஒழுங்குகள் செய்யப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையில், அந்தப் பகுதி முழுவதும் இராணுவத்தினர் குவிக்கப்பட்டு முற்றுகைக்கு உள்ளாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. உயிரிழந்தவர்களுக்காக ஆலய வழிபாடுகள் நடத்த தடையில்லை என்று இலங்கை இராணுவப் பேச்சாளர் ஏற்கனவே தெரிவித்திருந்தார். ஆனால் அவை கூட பெயரளவிலான அறிவிப்பாகவுள்ள நிலையில், தமிழ் மக்கள் ஆலய வழிபாடு நடத்துவதற்கும்  தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

கீரிமலைக்குச் செல்லும் பிரதான வீதி மார்க்கங்கள் அனைத்திலும் இராணுவத்தினர் குவிக்கப்பட்டு வீதிகள் மூடப்பட்டுள்ளன. அந்தப் பிரதான வீதிகளினூடாகவோ குறுக்கு வீதிகளினூடாகவோ யாரும் கீரிமலைக்குச் செல்ல முடியாதவாறு இராணுவத்தினர் தடைகளை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளனர். இந்துகளது பிதிர் கடன் நிறைவேற்றும் கீரிமலை மடத்தினில் இன்று முள்ளிவாய்க்காலில் உயிரிழந்தவர்களிற்கான விசேட யாகங்கள் மற்றும் ஆராதனைகள் ஏற்பாடாகியிருந்தது.

இதனிடையே தமிழரசுக்கட்சியின் மார்டின் வீதி தலைமையகம் மற்றும் தமிழ் தேசிய மக்கள் முன்னணியின் 3ம் குறுக்கு தெருவிலுள்ள தலைமையகம் என்பவையும் முற்றுகைக்குள்ளாகியுள்ளன. இவ்வலுவலகங்களிற்கு செல்லும் பிரதான வீதிகிளினில் வீதித்தடைகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அவ்வீதியினால் வருவோர் போவோர் அனைவரும் துருவி துருவி விசாரணைகளிற்பு உள்ளாக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளதுடன் அடையாள அட்டைகள் மற்றும் வாகன இலக்கங்கள் பதிவுக்குள்ளாகியுள்ளது.


இதனைவிட யாழ்.பல்கலைக்கழகம் மற்றும் பிரதான நகரங்கள் வீதிகள் சோதனை வளையத்தினுள் உள்ளன. வீதிகளில் வாகனங்களில் பயணிப்பவர்கள் பரவலாக இறக்கி சோதனைகளிற்கு உள்ளாக்கப்படடு வருகின்றனர். இன்று மாலை நினைவேந்தல் நிகழ்கள் பற்றி  அறிவிப்புக்கள் விடுக்கப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையில் நிலவரம் மேலும் நெருக்கடிகளிற்கு உள்ளாகலாமென அஞ்சப்படுகின்றது.