கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: Tamil Times 1987.01

Page 1
Volume W No.3 SSNO2
* TRIBUTESTO
NADESAN-pages
* FUEEMBARG 8 PROTESTS - Page 3
* PRISONERS
Exchanged- Page.
* LANKAN DIPLOMATI
* Gunboats From W.
* SPIRITUALILLITERA
 
 

NBABYRACKET-Page 6
est Germany— Page o
CY8 THE CHURCH - Page 16

Page 2
2 TAMILTIMES
COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT
THE Sri Lankan government has once demonstrated its total lack of
ag
humanitarian Concern for the Tamil people. The fuel embargo it has imposed he Jaffna district in northern Sri aka is nothing short of a blockade against the economy and livelihood of the people of Jaffna. The consequence of this blockade has been cruel and devastating. All agricultural, industrial, commercial and social activity has been adversely affected and before long would come to a grinding halt. Even the sick are said to be dying without transport to hospitals due to lack of petrol for ambulances or other vehicles.
The government has claimed that fuel supplies were suspended in response to the LTTE's announcement that it was going to collect fees for issuing vehicle licences within the Jaffna peninsula. One assumes that the LTTE leadership took into account the potential hardships to which the government would subject the Tamil people.
A spokesman for the government is reported to have said that the embargo would continue until the Tamil militants agree to go to the negotiating table. There is absolutely no doubt that the government has imposed the fuel ban as a collective punishment against the Tamil community.
★ ★ ★
LTTE V EPRLF
THE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) recently announced that it had taken action to disarm and proscribe the Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF). The two main reasons advanced by the LTTE for its attack on the EPRLF were that the latter had caused grave injustice to the Tamil Speaking Muslims of the eastern province, and that it had organised a conspiracy to wipe out the LTTE's military leaders and installations. The EPRLF had denied these allegations.
Whether the allegations are true or not the action taken by the LTTE to politically and organisationally liquidate fellow Tamil liberation group which adhitherto been a part and parcel of ဖုံး Tamil resistance movement cannot Ondoned or justified. Moreover such 驚 warfare can only serve to S "...and weaken the Tamil people's
Sgle. What is needed is the "obilisation of all the available forces, and not liquidation.
”-கூட
GOVT. HA TS LEGIT
THE constitutional rig Sri Lankan governme office even after the e: for which it was elected a mandate from the referendum held in Dec Now the governmen sioner of Elections in but surprisingly forth the First Referendum 5) has severely criticise the circumstances referendum was hel highlighted the many were committed during failure of the autho) flagrant contravention and criminal laws of the The only conclusion to arrive at from a Election Commissione thegovernment of Presi lacks the constitutiona continue in office any in lost its legitimacy. It allegience from the pec
女 女
From S.C.O.T. Newsl Wiping out the T
Students of contempt situation in Sri Lankawi Human Rights violations that every now and the 'wiping them out', 'cu "skinning them alive', if community have com quarters in Governme these had come from p positions of authority statements that appeare impulse, then they can t that did not merit any taken in the context of v sland in recent times relevance and importan of serious thought and C There has been a attempt to segment the cleverly designed proce and an attempt by the Tamils in the Island (and the hope of leaving a de few, Are the Tamils goin the North, East or planta What of the Tamils, S Lankan abroad? Tak movement' in recent ti first. Refugees in their move from One distric camp to another withou what fate will befall ther Take the 'internatio asylum seekers in W 1985? 4500 in France, 2000 in the U.K. These tD be alive! One sh U numbers who have pogroms and other international continues year the practice of 'disappearances in S appear to be at leas success in the 'wiping O
 

JANUARY 1987
S LOST ΙΜΙΑΟΥ
ht claimed by the nt to continue in xpiry of the term is that it received people in the ember 1982. t's own Commishis rather belated right "Report on (please see page d the manner and in which the d. He has also malpractices that g the poll and the rities to prevent s of the electoral 2 land.
one is compelled reading of the r's report is that ident Jayawardene l or moral right to more. It has totally has no claim to
WE SALUTE
THE many tributes paid so far can hardly fill the vast void created by the death of S. Nadesan Q.C. Sri Lanka has lost a truly great man whose passionate and unremitting commitment to the cause of human rights, democratic freedoms, independence of the judiciary and the rule of law brought him into frequent confrontation with those in authority.
At a time when an all-powerful Executive was seeking to subordinate the judiciary and undermine its independence and integrity, Nadesan was one of the few lawyers who ventured out in its defence. At the same time he had utter contempt for those who sat on the elevated bench of the Supreme Court, but did not have the guts and the sturdy independence expected of them to withstand external and executive pressure.
We salute Nadesan whose long and distinguished record of service in the cause of human rights and justice would entitle him to an esteemed position in
ple. the annals of his country.
yr y ★ yr ★
etter, January 1987 The U.N. Convention on the Prevention of the amis Crime of Genocide (General Assembly
brary history of the th particular interest in will no doubt recollect en utterances such as tting off all supplies, relation to the Tamil le from the highest nt and Opposition. If eople who were not in l, or if they were ld to emanate purely on e dismissed as matters consideration. When what has gone on in the hey assume a level of ce and become worthy OffisT18nt. teady and systematic Tamil community by a ss of state colonisation use of force to scatter to shores abroad) with moralized and deprived g to be 'wiped out from tion areas of Sri Lanka? ri Lankan and non-Sri e the "Great Tami mes, Within the Island land of birth, forced to to another, from One t the foggiest idea as to
the following day na Movement'! 17000 st Germany alone in 700 in Switzerland and are all people fortunate dders to think of the been eliminated by means. The Amnesty to highlight year after unlawful killings and ri Lanka. There does a small measure of ut' operation!
resolution 2670 of 1948) defines Genocide as "killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group committed with intent to destroy such a group in whole or in part'.
Has enough been done by the expatriate Tamil community, by Tamils who have managed to secure for themselves 'the right to life, liberty and security' to campaign for those same privileges for their less fortunate brethren who remain subjected 'to torture, to Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment"? What is our response to the rapidly escalating situation regarding the refugees widely scattered in Sri Lanka, India, many European countries and elsewhere? Some quarters in the international community still appear to consider Tamil refugees as economic migrants and not the genuine victims of persecution. It is a matter for some Consolation that the head of the Terre d'Asile, a voluntary organisation in France, and UNHCR's former representative in Paris, Henriette Taviani, holds the view that the Tamil refugees are not fleeing simply because of the civil war in the country but because of racial persecution in Sri Lanka.
The expatriate Tamils have many responsibilities to discharge urgently. Organisations both in the U.K. and other countries need to intensify their appeals to the international community to do everything possible to instil at least some sense into the powers that be in Sri Lanka that racial persecution must be stopped forthwith. Urgent measures need to be taken for the welfare of the large numbers of refugees and this responsibility cannot be totally left to the governments which (often reluctantly) have agreed to offer temporary asylum. There must be a concerted and co-ordinated effort by expatriate Tamil organisations to rise to this new challenge. The immediate needs of refugees and problems related to their future settlement are matters which demand urgent thought and action.

Page 3
ANUARY 1987
FUEL SUPPLIES To J
THE SRI LANKAN government suspended supplies of fuel to the . effect from 2 January following the announcement by the Liberatic Eelam (LTTE) that they were going to take over the civil admini. peninsula including the issuing of vehicle licences as from January thisy
The discontinuation of fuel Supplies has brought about predictably harsh consequences for the civilian population of the Jaffna peninsula, which numbers about a million. Transport, including public transport, has come to a grinding halt. Even ambulances have been grounded owing to lack of fuel. Distribution of food and other essential supplies has been severely disrupted. Prices of essential items, when available, have skyrocketted.
Communication and transport between the many off-shore islands and the mainland have been severed as boats are no longerplying for lack of fuel.
Although a ship has arrived at the Kankesanthurai harbour with flour and sugar, no distribution has taken place due to the unavailability of transport.
On 5 January, the government also announced a ban on the transport of aluminium to northern Sri Lanka on the pretext that Tamil militant groups were using aluminium for the production of mortars for use against the Security forces.
By courtesy of The Hindu,
The Jaffna Traders ,
trade unions and
organisations in Jaffna lifting of the ban on fue out the grave hardship: which the innocent peo environs have been subj
COUNCIL of Hindu Organisations yesterday appealed to all parties to resume negotiations and desist from creating situations which would adverse ly affect the peace process. The organisation also called upon the government to lift the ban on the supply of fue to the North.
in a statement, President of the Council of Hindu Organisations Yogendra Duraiswamy said. "The Council of Hindu Organisations has consistently maintained that the national problem of creating the necessary conditions for peace and harmony to prevail between the various ethnic communicites in our country can and must be resolved politically through negotiations. The political settlement should enable every citizen of Sri Lanka to live in honour and equality, free from fear and a highly centralised form of government. Power must be genuinely shared by the people at different levels of government.
It is unfortunate that the peace process is now in abeyance. We appeal to all parties to resume the negotiations and desist from creating situations, which will adversely affect the peace process. Action and counter-action may lead to an escalation of the conflict and create repercussion, national and international, which may go beyond control and lead to disastrous consequences.
According to the press "the government stopped the supply of oetro and diesel to the North from 2nd
January 1987 following a LTTE announcement that it was Collecting vehicle licensing fees, an official
Hindu organisations wa ban on fuel supply lifte
spokesman said."
The stoppage of fuel Jaffna and Kilinochch damage the economy C make the civilian pop Agricultural activities w fishing will be affected at people and goods will be "How can the peopl welcome such a move people in responsible po "it is also said that " most of the people we terrorists" and that "the gradually getting isolate why punish "most of actions done by the "ter move is counter-product "The population of Kilinochchi districts is ab according to estimates g from reliable sources number 5,000 to 10,000." "The action to stop tantamounts to denying of Sri Lanka their basic lead a normal life, inclu to work" and "to just conditions of work", m "terrorist" group deci vehicle licence fees fro group of vehicle owners, “And it Will be intere the number of vehicles a the Concerned area toda "We call upon the go the ban on the supply ot constructive steps, in C the parties concerned, national problem."
 

TAM IL TIMES 3
AFFNA SUSPENDED
affna district with on Tigers of Tamil tration within the
E31 -
; we're Just
š?ydurá71ćť of þetter potentiat.
Association, many
other popular have called for the l supplies pointing s and sufferings to ble of Jaffna and its ected.
rt d
supplies to the i districts will of this area and pulation suffer. ill be impaired, ld movement of
restricted. te of this area as claimed by sitions."
even in Jaffna re not with the | terrorists were d". If this is so he people" for rorists". Such a ive. the Jaffna and out 900,000 and iven in the press the militants
fuel supplies 900,000 citizens human right to ding their "right and favourable serely because a ded to collect m a very small
sting to find out |ctually in use in f.
vernment to lift fuel and to take onsultation with to resolve this
In the meantime reports from Jaffna indicate that the LTTE has indefinitely postponed its plans to set up a central office in Jaffna to co-ordinate their political and civilian activities. The proposal to set up traffic police also would appear to have not been implemented as most of the vehicular traffic has come to a standstill.
Meanwhile, the Co-ordinating committee of the Citizens' Committees in the Tamil areas has appealed to the International Red Cross to intervene immediately providing relief to the fuel
starved Jaffna peninsula. The Committee
claimed that patients in hospitals had died for want of oxygen even before the fuel embargo was imposed because the authorities had denied permission to transport oxygen. "
The ban on fuel supplies has also brought the fishing industry to a total standstill because boats could not be taken out to sea without fuel.
Greater Glory
Man proposes but God disposes; that was the old system. Now, in the North the LT TE proposes and disposes Gone is TELO in a blood orgy. Gone is PLOTE without a fight. Gone iSTESO without a whimper. Now EPRLF is also going. Can EROS hold out for long? The LTTE is supreme as faras anyone can See. One Party, one Voice, one Flag, for the Tannils Great glory ifthat beso. But will it be so? Or blood, blood, and still more blood? The law of the jungle? Mothers weep, fathers despair as the fight for all-conquering power takes its toll. A once peaceful land, a thriving people vvedded to Ahimsa, and all that's good. Now, oh God! The leaders have fled. The youth have taken over, to build a new order on a grand design. But the pitfalls, the mistakes? Oh, forget them. After all, Boys will be Boys.
-ANON-XI
(By courtesy of 'Saturday Review')

Page 4
4 TAMILTIMES
THE LIBERATION TIGERS of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) made it clear to the Sri Lankan Government that direct negotiations for a settlement of the ethnic problem would not be possible unless more than 3,000 Tamils held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act were released forthwith.
This was stated by the LTTE commander for the Jaffna area, Mr. Krishnakumar ("Kittu") at a news conference held at the LTTE headquarters in the town, shortly after he and other LTTE representatives held “secret talks' with a Governmentsponsored delegation at Kankesanthurai, 18km from Jaffna, on 27th December.
Mr. Kittu said they also told the delegation that any settlement must be under Indian mediation. This was contrary to a claim made by Government sources in Colombo that the LTTE wanted to hold direct talks without India as mediator.
The four-member informal delegation of the Sri Lankan Government, headed by a ruling United National Party (UNP) MP, Mr. Vincent Perera, held talks with the LTTE leaders for almost three hours in camera. The talks were held at the town hall of Kankesanthurai.
The LTTE side was represented at the talks by Mr. Kittu, the deputy commander, Mr. Kanagaratnam, alias Major Rahim, and two others.
Apart from Mr. Perera, who played a
LTTEPutS COnditions Direct Talks MWith Gover
major role recently in soldiers with two mni] others represented th They were Mr. M attorney, Mr. Felix secretary of the conference, and Mr. K former chairman of Town Council.
Armed militants gu. during the talks, whil little distance away. delegation flew from early on 27th Decembe at 10.30 a.m.
The Government de Colombo in the evening While Mr. Perera de press saying that it wi Mr. Kittu told new affirmed the next roun on condition that the C all Tamil political pris LTTE had also told delegation that it was budge an inch from demand'.
Mr. Perera asked th submit a list of Tamil p{ the LTTE agreed to Perera was reported to submit a report to the the day's talks.
ANEXCHANGE FU
OFIRONY
“HE HAS COME BACK FROM THE GRAVE." This cryptic remark of an LTTE spokesman here today sums up the release of 24-year-old "Maj. Aruna' of the LTTE, who was one of the organisation's two detainees released in exchange for the two soldiers captured by the Tigers. In fact, the exchange is full of irony.
When the Sri Lankan naval boat attacked an LTTE boat carrying Maj. Aruna and other Tigers on April 27, it was presumed he was dead. A funeral was held for him and the LTTE also put up posters in memory of him in his birthplace, Kalviyankadu in the Jaffna peninsula, which was also the hometown of Sri Sabarathnam, the TELO leader. Maj. Aruna, the Batticaloa commander of the LTTE and Sabarathnam were cousins.
But what had happened in reality, according to the LTTE, was that Maj. Aruna was wounded in the thigh in the naval battle and his face was badly burnt. His burnt face helped him to conceal his identity. When the Navy captured him on the sea, he told them he was a “boatman' Selvasamy Selvakumar. He was lodged in the Welikade prison in Colombo and for several weeks the LTTE did not know that he was alive. The message, somehow, reached the group later. When the exchange deal was struck, the LTTE asked for "Selvakumar', and out came Maj. Aruna, a top LTTE leader. The LTTE managed to keep it a secret.
There is an irony about one of the two
released Sri Lankan soldiers also - 2nd Lt. Ajit
Chandrasiri. Several soldiers were killed in a
battle with the LTTE at these two were capture
The Sri Lankan GC handed over the mutil: soldier to 2nd Lt. Aji and they were also sai funeral for him. When photographs of the two Vijaya Kumaranatur Mahajana Party leade the exchange, Lt. Chi only too happy to know
Troops inte North-boun
GOVERNMENT Vavuniya have arr, and taken into cust of petrol and dies, transported in eigh í torn Jafna penin imposed by the C transport of fuel sources said on 8.1 According to t lorries which we fuel had also beer and handed ove police with the s diesel.
it is also reportec over to the po aluminium produc

For
nnment
the swapping of two itant leaders, three Government side. ark Fernando, am Dias Abeyesinghe, political parties Jeyabalasingham, a he Kankesanthurai
arded the town hall : the army stayed a
The Government Colombo to Jaffna r and the talks began
legation returned to
clined to talk to the is a secret meeting, men that he had d could only be held lovernment released oners. He said the the Government determined "not to
the Tanil Eelam
le LTTE leaders to olitical prisoners and do so shortly. Mr. have said he would Government about
LL
. Mannar in October and i. vernment, by mistake, ited body of some other t Chandrasiri’s parents i to have conducted the the LTTE released the captured soldiers to Mr. ga, the Sri Lanka r, who was negotiating indrasiri's parents were that their son was alive.
'rcept eight d fuel lorries
roops based in asted eight persons pdy a large quantity all which was being t lorries to the strifesula despite a ban overnment on the o the north, police 87. hese sources, the a transporting the taken into custody to the Vavuniya rock of petrol and
that troops handed ice a variety of
sand other items.
JANUARY 1987
P.O.W.S. EXCHANGED
THE LONG-AWAITED exchange of prisoners between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) took place on 19th December at 8.10 a. m. in Jaffna, Lt. Chandrasiri and Pvt. Bandra of the Sri Lankan Army, who were in the custody of the LTTE in Jaffna were handed over by the LTTE to Capt. Kotelawela of the Army outside the Jaffna. Fort army camp. Simultaneously, the Army authorities at Palaly camp gave in exchange two LTTE members in custody. Selvasamy Selvakumar of Kalviyankadu and Fabian Annextus of Gurunagar to the LTTE.Jaffna leader, Mr. Kittu.
The Sri Lankan National Security Minister,
Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali, the Joint Operations Commander, Gen. Cyril Ranatunga, the Defence Secretary, Gen.
Attygalle, and the Member of Parliament for Yatiyantota, Mr. Vincent Perera, flew to Jaffna from Colombo and returned with the two servicemen.
Selvakumar alias Aruna was captured in April 1986 when the Navy fired on a militant boat in the high sea. An LTTE spokesman in Jaffna told pressmen that Aruna, a high ranking leader, was the Batticaloa commander of the group. He was reported missing at sea and the LTTE organised a hartal in this connection in late April.
The other militant known as Gamini was arrested in May 1985 at Gurunagar in an incident in which an LTTE leader, Rasan, was
killed while having lunch. Gamini was later
charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and sentenced to two months imprisonment. He was serving his sentence.
In Jaffna the LTTE leader, Mr. Kittu referred to an earlier statement by the National Security Minister that an exchange of prisoners could occur only between two States. This exchange means that the Government accepts there are two States in the island, Mr. Kittu said.
Minister denies swap: In Colombo, at a press briefing held in Ratmalana, Mr. Athulathmudali denied that there was a swap of prisoners. It was only a gesture of goodwill, he said. No conditions were imposed by either party. He said this demonstrated the success of the negotiating process.
The Minister hoped that lasting peace in the country could be achieved through negotiations. The two soldiers said that they were looked after well in Jaffna. Mr. Athulathmudali said the Government was merely reciprocating the act of goodwill of LTTE in releasing the soldiers.
Mr. Athulathmudali, thanked all those involved in the release, including those whose attempts to secure the soldiers' release ha failed. The Minister's reference was to the SLIMP leader, Mr. Vijaya Kumaranatunga, who visited Jaffna twice, along with the relative of the soldiers in a bid to secure their release During the first attempt, the SLMP leade, stipulated that the soldiers should be releas only through him. During his second visit, ht said that the LTTE was free to release them anybody. Mr. Kittu said in Jaffna that it after Mr. Kumaranatunga's change of posite that the soldiers were released directly to the Government.
The soldiers were captured by the LTTE Mannar during a clash in which the L. d Mannar Commander, Victor, was kille f Subsequently, the LTTE submitted a list persons in army custody to the Govern"E. Ten soldiers stationed in Jaffna visited an he camp and pursued negotiations. Thereafter
terms of release were finalised.
-1

Page 5
ANUARY 1987
ssss--
REFERE |
ELECTIONS CHIEF O
س~سیسی
secrecy of the ballot; The generalised climate of fear;
The Commissioner of Elections, Chandananda de Silva, h questions as to the validity of the referendum held December 1982. It was on the basis of the so-called referendum that President Jayawardene's government of the parliament by a further six years without a generale Some of the more serious charges in regard to the referendum revealed in the 'Report on the first referend released recently included the following:
* Threats, intimidation, forcible taking away of polling ca, * Intimidation of polling observers; * Public display of symbols prohibited by law, and t,
authorities taking action to prevent it; * Display of marked ballot papers by voters in cont
The detention of the secretary of a recognised political The poll being conducted under a state of emergency.
The following area few extracts from the report:
“In some of the polling stations voters were displaying the marked ballot papers in a continuous manner . . . The displaying of marked ballot papers in this manner surprised and shocked every one, because in the elections held in the post 1947 period no one had witnessed such a scandalous situation When the secrecy of the vote has been so sacrificed, serious doubts will continue to remain whether the voter exercised the degree of freedom of voting as stipulated in the law.'
He adds: “The most important feature of a free and fair election is the equal opportunity provided to the elector to cast his vote to the candidate of his choice. The displaying of marked ballot papers of this nature had no precedence.
SOMEONE'S COMMAND
. . . The continuous and mass displaying of marked ballot papers at some polling stations could not have happened by accident . . . If it could not be ignorance or conspiracy to display them, one other possible reason would have been the Subjugation to someone's command.'
“. . . The secrecy of the vote is for the very important reason that the core and substance of an elected body to claim to be truly representative of the people's wish lies in the fact that the choice exercised by
he voter is in facta free choice.
“. . . If the markings on ballot papers were so exposed, one cannot escape the cnclusion that the validity of such votes 2s equal votes - equal as freely marked Wotes - remain in doubt.
Secrecy of the vote being the most portant ingredient of a free and fair telection. its dimunition leaves a grievance it the electorate regarding the validity of Siia votes."
Representations were received on the
previous day, sayst Polling Observers polling stations we keep off from polli of the poll for fear o "It is not wrong right of some Polli attendance at a pol the conduct of disturbed.'
Allegations had disturbances at th including instanc violent means, the been held up.
Says the Co. regrettable to note operation between including the poli polling stations v effective in some pl The Commissio) “Why did 12 per c voted only two r Presidential Electi at the Referendum he lists as a possibil of disturbance that
In the words Commissioner, 'o created a continuol display of Referen violation of Se Referendum Act' unpleasant' featul To permit them to c says, "was an affrol
UNCLE
"Apprehension for the displaying Why were dete. display of symbols admitted it. Law e
could have simply

NI D U M
TAM LTIMES 5
1982
as raised serious in Sri Lanka in mandate of this extended the life lection.
conduct of the um in Sri Lanka“
rds,
he failure of the
ravention of the
party;
he Commissioner, that appointed to some re being instructed to ng stations on the day fsafety.
to conclude that the ng Observers to be in ling station to observe the poll had been
been made about the e close of the polls, es where, through
close of the poll had
mmissioner: “It is that the traditional cothe public and the staff ice who manned the was not available or aces.” ner poses a question: ent of the voters who nonths before at the on, abstain from voting 2' One of the reasons ity is: “the atmosphere prevailed.'
of the Elections ne of the issues which is furore was the liberal dum symbols in gross ction 50(1) of the . He calls this a “very e at the Referendum. ontinue the display, he ht to the law'.
AN HANDS
of persons responsible of symbols was few. ctions difficult. The was illegal. Everyone inforcement authorities removed them and if
UESTIONS VALIDITY
anyone objected it was not difficult to have resisted such objections and even prosecuted them, because those with unclean hands have no justice to seek. In fact the Commissioner advised the police to do so. Question remains as to why this simple course of action was not taken.'
CRUDE CONSISTENCY
Law abiding citizens, says the Commissioner, are baffled by the fact that after nearly twenty two years of compliance within the framework of the law it came to be violated with such "crude consistency'.
The law abiding citizen “may see it as a callous disregard of the law. It is bad enough. But does he also see it as a calculated disregard to observe the law on the part of wrong doers convinced that the authorities would not take action.
“. . . The proposal to extend the life of Parliament was made by the Government. Does he see it as an instance when the law enforcement authorities, who knew the stand of the Government on this issue, entertained any fear that they would be misunderstood as individual officers and therefore refrained from taking action to remove the Symbols?”
BLATANT VOLATION
“The blame,” says the Commissioner, “has to be borne by those who blatantly violated it, in an induced climate of the near in-action on the part of the law enforcement authorities . . . The wrong doer has to be condemned for the wrong done.'
Commissioner de Silva records the allegations that Polling Observers who managed to reach the polling stations found it imprudent to stay. He says: “All the precautions taken prior to a poll can be negated, if within the crucial nine hour period of the poll the freedom of the voter is qualified or denied.
"Allegations were made that certain Polling Observers were not either able to reach their polling stations in time, or having arrived at their polling stations discovered after some time that it was not prudent to continue to stay.”
To the extent that grievances remain
without effective redress, says the Commissioner, "the establishment is exposed to criticism.'
N REMAND
In addition to the violations of the law and the climate of fear, the Commissioner of Elections also records the fact that the Secretary of a recognised political party continued on page 6

Page 6
É3 TAʼ,",MIL T| MMES
COLOMBO WA SEEK ISRAI
THE SRI LAN KA ( i )',':T1 Ticil was Compeled to seck military help frø In the listaelis, #1s "inc abc dy elst: w:is: Fielpi ng Li s”. cciding to the Sti Laki Minisler fr Finance and Plaining. M. Rillic De Mil,
MT. De Mel, wlty was in Dubai (311 in ificial visil, Islki r:p31lers that Sri Lak: was a strong supporter of the Palestinian cleTпапd far an i Independent hпсlнпI, bu i wis “srced' to Seck, ässist: I1': frTi Israel. The Millis Cr. Who is 11W ill Tehera Il for trid discussia 115 said hill besides Israel, Pakista T at China WCT. helping Sri Lanka,
"Nobody else was helping us since they wcTL afri iki of India', he said, Thç: "a targement with Israel Wils, however, Temporary.
According 13 dipil. In: li: sic 11 TC4:s, besides, ilsTael, Pakis Tir i LiCl (hini, Sri Lanka is III walls, illuying: This fill Suill Kirca or through South Korean agents,
Mr. De Mel Said Sri Lil'ı kalı: filith iTı the Princ Minist cr, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi's mediation cfforts as well as Indiar) siccilly i 1 5: Illing the isla, Illi's cthnic probleTT.
"India is indispensable'; Two Indian Ministers — MI, P. Chi [gi: [baTa Tn - cl Mr. Natwar Singh had been deputised by thic Gover IIIent of II dia ial were playing Il cffective: Tie", MT. J. Mel said that Indian involvement was necessary for any Picaceful settlerien 1.
Referring to the Christmas cicas cifiTe between the Government and the Ta Til
militans. Lhe first in Mel said it was a positi the perspective of the pTisøncrs bỵ:!wccT1 thỵ hopic of Encirly Sctlcr Fairly cluse: I+c Tcit few poinls, the L Wu si clase together and "W. ut ho r:Tiining Pr Tlift:: Trii I 1 l 13, ħlaw illi pl (15pect ftyr : Teaceful help of India", he was
Hic iicl tille isla 1 scthick in its CCCIIIIII Lk 1 LI TissIll Ihlic: I LI Ilimbb circoppiced by 45 per Againsi 450,000 tou :1 TTT 1 year's fig Le 25(I, III.
According to Mr. I rice production h: North:Tı Sri La Inka at isil: Til's fis F1 ht | l1 | 1 Y'iu'[Lla | $Trainclistill there the lither and east "I'ın hils domimiltcki, h: p.cr.cnt of what it was Burgeoning deficit: Mi: || 831 i Ti --- kl || per ccIl 1 growth in it But the steep rise in fГП HELLI R& 5M) Пl a whopping Rs, 10. hızı d iinc::3:l thnic { The colnolly WELS inflationary pressures Tlıçre lıüıl bı:crı
A FORMER Sri Lankan diplomaut in London and a Colombo lawyer have bem implicated in a racket SIT Liggling babies to Britain.
Together they allegedly cheilted f15CIC) fra IrII a British Couple, Wha adapted two babie 5 fratı Sri Larıka, : reportex (sing the fraud as Wealed.
They were asked to pay 2,000 by the ex-diplomat, amici his lawyer friend 35 expenses whereas the would hawe had to pay only Hhau fåCC if they had de alt with the Deatment of Probation and LLaLLLLLLLa LaaL HHHHS HLLLCCCHL CLLLLS
"A Cuple: frrTi Surrey, al 30 follo ed hic Same ruțĘ to obtain ä. Eäby iri Colombia arid found they had paid far rrior than the Official tie that would I w Iraq Luir E: Id” the repo rl iri tilħ Eati5t Times, the officia orgar of the Baptis: Church 5 aird,
The report also quoted Sri Lanka's Dgpuy High-Commission Fr in Lrd. In ECLLHLLLL LLLLLLLCCLLLC aL LGOCLCLLT LLLLa cuples should na ựE Çıta Çited thĘ ET tä55 befrre Hipting 2 :hild as ther they would ha y Cabotaired a baby playing the legal am administrative: Crists only.
"I would lika: tПЕ: Сашgles to currie ta
DPL and Lawyer
in Baby
SE E LIS, S. WE CE E ab u gë." Mr. Gjiri: sekE The forther diplomat :Lupola 1 thı Ea adoptic allegedly asked them if irħi li a bla rħik u cr: Lurit member of a lawyer's Brilir. Tha: CČLupole p before travelling to Sr tre Egiptio procedur In Sri Lanka, they w the lawyer, who requi is legal fees for each the couple Wanted.
Lalor th[: C[]Uplữ F1E] [] diplomat accusing ni Which he had gu bgg (L official, a high rank CT1Ti 55i, hus siri:
Cları C.
Later the lawyer cru Lupale friarth Colombo De Gillernt, the report. Säi argued and accepted Lheir origirmālfBČŮ watu The couple had daci story for the protectio who might bo dečieva
et Eddie

l, NUARY 19S
S FORCED TO
ELS HELP"
hee years. Mr. De we me. Wicwd in reccini, cxchangc of : two sides, it gave
1. r:ligh; I liit (1' ics had cite fairly : will bic: alle Circil bills in the next are is a very definitic | 3: II leurent with Ilc qLLt Cd :issä yling. d :d suff:T: : y duc to the fall in T 1 I Iki Iris Is lil ceri sic: 1983. risis irii I 4983, L line: walis, Lesli II:Lited at
)e. Mc), fishing ELIld Id : l5] SL!ff:Toil, :)) LI Ilt:: IoT lill tliet: he industry was at :1 Rice production in eren parts, where: thc id clic d'YWYTI Į 3 l (l
ti 198, Hy:"Not T. NMT. I hail rillaged a five s overall economy. defence spending lli I1g b:fi T." 1983 1 (3 III ПП II 1918. icivcTrırtıcı 1 deficii. als) LIderging
a sla | width wrth i Lu
Racket
top this kind of 3rä F15 :;Fird.
"Ny Yoi SGE ti' E 1 a child lid or E800 to be paid frir tıÉ Luis C f family resident in laid the artouri i Lanka to finalist
5. cre introduced t "Ed F 5 LITI If ÉCOČ) of the labies
vyritler to the exT of dishonesty ritly dEi Ed. T1: ser in the High E EIE ET TF || 2 || 10
hmid Dari u ried thE Egging theft to id, The Couple ha
I SELF HIT E TIL :ld bug repuaid. ied to disclose the of other couples i iri të futurë. the TE SUL. COL Tito,
illilist1 Tial Ictivity - lac Liding 1, 3 iuli increais: in LincIllplay IllcIll growth which was now l-4 ' ccnt, c; ITTıp; Teci 11 12 pcr ccm trefore 1983, The ethnic problerin hiad checked the GI trilliant's effir Is II ch Lnemploymen, Which ir 177 ws 26 re
cc.nl. - UNE o'or: "Troid"
REFUGEEs ARRESTED
Over 200 Tarri i refugees were Tirkar in rc rc Luis tard w int the h igri sess raff SLYGHOLLLOKL LL ESaKaaLLL 0T LazYK LL they were rerurting frat Tarif Wazil äcrD55 ff& Falk 5frgi, Sce:Dresirg LI a rieg was rrapport ir " Trie Isla rid" taf ? Песеппђаг, The яггєsfed геfшgав5 iricİLided frları ywürmüri ürıdtlı ildrer.
EaG LCCHHLLL LL LLL LHHCCLGC LMMH EHLLLLH SaLLKT SLaaaa S LLLaaY S OuLaL guestioning arid recording of rheir LLLLCCHHLHGHHGLLLLS SS0 HHHHHHLLLLL LL HHOKK LOELLL eLLLaCTTT LL LLL LLLLCCtLLLmlSS a LeeLLLLSSS Gf.
REFERENDUV 1982
5. שלושם ויחסfrםםuחi?חטט
Wish:ldi Tard (ligh 'd: (f tEl Refer:Illul.
A State of EITiergency was als continued during the conduct of the poll.
Among the CoIII-lissioner's other bosc Twätiollis T: t h1:s::
"How cyc liverger the interpretations could bc yet it becomes rather difficult in these circumstance51c dely th: allegati II. that the failure to maintain the cxpccted |evels of law Hind order in general, a Tid more specifically on the day of the poll, partly at lcast would have been the reasil for thic failure of SITTI: PC:lling () biser Wers to assert their rights aid the present at the polling stations."
"In fact the very right to vote is ; tirties claimed to have heen affcc.cd by threat 5. intimidation, forciblic laking away of poliing cards ctc, ut sicle The purview (if polling stations . . . A discnchan III el with the very process of clection can develop because the clector may experience a gap in the right IC, vote and ils cffective Exercise.
CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE
"The guillative effect of such unattended grievances, unil.ttended amongst other Teasons due to lack of satisfactory pTocedure, cor because SCOTTIČ people mistakcnly believe that they are best left to be forgutt:Tı bʻLI 1 are seld(XTT1 S0 fargotten, may otherwise leadio Fi Crisis in confidence. Election violence at littles Inay not be altogether unrelated to such left wers."

Page 7
粗
JANUARY 1987
Protests Focus C
ON THE fourth floor of the Slave Island police station, a young woman who normally teaches classics and preaches feminism and civil rights has become a new symbol of Sri Lanka's decade of turbulence and civil unrest.
Thousands have been arrested and detained under Sri Lanka's draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act since it became the law of the land seven years ago.
Amnesty International, the Londonbased human rights organisation, estimates that the number now detained in Sri Lanka
under the act is about What is differen Pulsara Liyanage is and she is a woman.
Her detention has civil rights activists abroad as well as w here and in India.
But after 40 da virtually all that is kn condition is that on h was bitten by a rat.
Until recently, thi
This is the text of a statement by the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation (EROS) on the recent clashes between the LTTE and EPRLF:
"The course of action presently followed by the LTTE will only
in general and further pave the way for interference on the part of India. It is therefore essential that the LTTE should do some rethinking on the policy of violence that they have embarked on.
The confrontation between the LTTE and the EPRLF will only facilitate the Sri Lankan Government's endeavour to crush the aspiration of the Tamil speaking people. This is not the time for divisive action which will not only endanger the well being of our people
undermine the cause of the movement.
EROS DEMANDS EN VIOLENCE AGAINSTE
but also bring to no achieved so far by reported thatone oft the onslaught on the is the suspicion th manipulated by India If the allegation ist any action taken aga boomerang on the ot as India will not tol this nature passively. We therefore e speaking people w demand the cessati that is being perpet and not be indiffere the E.
Their cry should among yourselves a the fight for Eelam.”
EELAM SECRETARA
Says LT TE
In a statement issued from Madras datelined 3rd January the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stated that they have “effectively taken over the civil administration in the north, and a Tamil Eelam Secretariat will start functioning soon to streamline and co-ordinate the entire administrative network”. The statement added:
“On the 1st January, the LTTE put into operation a traffic police system, which is empowered to impose points for traffic offences and introduced a set of road rules.
“In the course of last year, the LTTE has gradually and systematically built up a civil and economic infra-structure to provide various services to the civilian population. A legal administrative structure has been created by establishing Rural Courts in all villages. The LTTE has opened up village hospitals and has 3rganised first aid teams to provide nedical facilities for the people. An economic unit has been set up to organise and supervise the production and distribution of essential food items.
“LTTE operate the Co-operatives system in all areas children’s parks ha Social services ur involved in rural construction work building bridges, W temples, schools an also running a TVn
“Though our lit already collecting commodity goods, system including introduced with th Eelam secretariat planning to set u system soon.
'With a view to structure, the LT mass organisation Front of the Li People’s Front wil villages and towns will mobilise all : masses and pro opportunity to diri liberation struggle.

TAMIL TIMES 7
)n Jailed Teacher
3,000. 't about 28-year-old that she is Sinhalese
inspired protests from within Sri Lanka and 'omen's organisations
ys of innprisonment, own of Ms Liyanage's er first night in jail she
e wide powers of the D TO EPRLF
ught the Successes the militants. It is he main reasons for EPRLF by the LTTE at they are being for her own ends. rue then conversely inst the EPRLF wi her militant groups erate a situation of
xhort the Tamil fith one voice to on of the violence rated on the EPRLF nt to the actions of
be 'Stop warring nd unite to continue
SOON
i people's shops and .
maintain a fair price . Nursery schools and ve been opened. Our uit has been actively development and re, repairing roads, reater tanks, renovating dhouses. The LTTE is etwork. beration movement is taxes on various a streamlined taxation income tax will be Le formation of Tamil The LTTE is also p an effective postal
expanding its political TE has inaugurated a called The People's Deration Tigers. The 1 have branches in all
in Tamil Eelam, and sections of the Tamil vide them with an act participation in the
dominated Government
Terrorism Act were used almost exclusively to detain young men from the minority Tamil community who were suspected of involvement with the Tamil struggle for their own homeland.
But the Sri Lankan civil rights movement and agitation to end the 10 years of ethnic struggle have started to gather support from among the majority Sinhalese community.
By almost any measure, Ms Liyanage is an activist. In addition to her job teaching classics at Kelaniya University, she was involved in the Sri Lankan women's movement as both writer and organiser.
Probably more important in the eyes of the Government, she was a founding member of the Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners - although the Government says there are no political prisoners- and a member of the Movement for Inter-Racial Justice and Equality.
Significantly, both organisations, known as CROPP and MIRJE, spanned the gap which has divided Tamil and Sinhalese in almost every other aspect of life on the island.
In addition, Ms Liyanage was involved in the agitation to push the Sinhalesetowards a settlement of the long-standing conflict with the Tamil guerrillas in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
Questions in parliament about Ms Liyanage's detention have won little more than confirmation from National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali that she had been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Mr. Athulathmudali, one of the Government's hawks on the ethnic conflict, said the arrest was in connection with the activities of "certain militant groups in the south' who supposedly have connections with terrorist organisations.
The minister refused further details "because I do not want to be unfair in any way to the lady concerned.'
Civil rights workers say privately that the real reason for Ms Liyanage's detention lies not in her own activities but in the civilrights activities of her unnamed boyfriend - also a Sinhalese - whom police have been unable to find.
Even the limited information proffered by Mr. Athulathmudali was more than the Government is obliged to provide.
Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, anyone arrested "on reasonable suspicion' can be held for three months without charge, and the period of detention without charge can then be extended indefinitely.
Under the act, those detained can be visited by relatives but not by lawyers. Informed that Ms Liyanage's parents were concerned about her health because she recently underwent major surgery, Mr. Athulathmudali promised 'the best possible treatment available”.
By courtesy of "The Globe and Mail" (Toronto), December 12, 1986

Page 8
8 TAM TIMES
POLICE ON THE FRAMM
HOW MUCH did the lives of a SubInspector and two other police officers cost in Sri Lanka? For an answer, one has to go into all the available records since 1982. However the recent incidents in Kalmunai in eastern Sri Lanka on 13th December show that the lives of three police officers in terms of costs were 50 houses, 5 cars, a Pillaiyar Temple and 3 Rice Mills and a lorry apart from 3 Muslim civilians including a woman and a Tamil.
The Government Media Centre has been at pains to state that three civilians were killed in the "incident' which followed the ambushing of a police convoy. The Media Centre also mentions that the dead woman's 10 year-old daughter had been sent to the Kandy Hospital in a critical condition. The Government Media Centre was obviously silent about the 'civilian killers'.
On the 13th morning, a police party which was on patrol on the KalmunaiAkkaraipattu Road, was ambushed by the militants near the 3rd Division of Kalmunai, a predominantly Muslim area. Immediately after this incident, police officers from Sammanthurai and Kalmunai - among them were some Special Task Force personnel - rushed to the scene and went on a rampage. An unofficial 19 hour curfew was clamped down in the Kalmunai area on the 13th at about 11 a.m. and was lifted on the 14th.
The Special Task Force (STF) and police were seen patrolling the calm and otherwise busy township of Kalmunai.
The Muslims and Tamils had jointly called for a hartal in protest against the
killings and arson o based Islamic Youth
hartal and on 16th I
Sammanthurai, Addalaichenai, Nin and Thuraineelaver Perhaps, this was th Muslims of Kalmun Hartal.
Ironically, the M Mr. M. H. Mohar affected area on th hartal. No one - Muslim - was th Minister. The Mini with full military esc Colombo in a helicop He was reportedly Kalmunai, Mr. A. Assistant Governme Mohinudeen, and Officer, Mr. Sumith also reportedly saic placing his report to damage, and woul
question of paying c.
affected, and the Commission to inves The Citizens' Con had made urgent President Jayawar immediate inquiry i Kalimunai.
The main disturbir episode is the prop permanent base fo Force (STF) in Ka there are no perman in the area.
THE PRESIDENT Of Sri Lanka's Tari|| United Liberation Front, Mr. Sivasithamparam, yesterday had a round of discussions with officials of the U.S. State Department, congressional circles and human right activists on all aspects of the Tamil problem. In the process, he also appraised them of the
Jayawardene Government.
At the State Department, he met Mr. Rufus Grant Smith, country director for India and Sri Lanka, and the Indian desk officer, Mr. Donald Camp. He informed them about the talks under way with Colombo under India's good offices. He made known the views of the Tamils that any arrangement under a unitary Constitution should provide for a single linguistic unit, the East and North, for the Tamils.
MORESTFBASES
Three more Special Task Force(STF) bases are to be established as part of the government's determined effort to strengthen its military presence in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. The new bases will bring the total of STF bases in the Amparai and Batticaloa districts to 13.
The STF consisting mainly of police commandos specially trained by foreign mercenaries already have bases in
present status of talks with the
TULF LEADER MEETS STATE DEPT OFF
The proposed Prc should have exclusiv executive power affecting Tamil areas full responsibility ove education, industry an
Mr. Sivasithampare pressure on Colombo to the Tamil problem any more, before it to dimensions of Lebano
The Tani lead accompanied by M. secretary-general of Association of Amer, discussions on C delegation of Congre Mr. Stephen Solarz, House Asia and Pac Connittee and Mr. M are visiting both India
Kalavvanchikudi, Thir Kalladi, Kiran, Morap, naru, Urani and Vavur
According to a repc January 1987, there 1500 police connmar, Eastern ProVince basé by minefields and b fences.
A Surm of FS.4 milli for the construction bases.

PAGE
the 15th, Kalmunai League led a call for ecember, Kalnunai,
Maruthamunai, navoor, Pandiruppu, i observed the hartal. first time Tamils and ai got together for a
inister of Transport led who visited the e 16th ran into the tither a Tamil or a re to receive the ter had a brief tour rt and rushed back to ter.
met by the M.P. for R. M. Munsoor, the nt Agent, Mr. M. H. the Co-ordinating Silva. The Minister ! that he would be the Cabinet on the i also consider the ompensation to those appointing of a ligate the incident. hmittee of Batticaloa representations to dene to hold an into the incidents in
gaspect of the whole osal of setting up a r the Special Task lmunai. At present, ent stations for them
ICIALS
vincial Council a legislative and on legislation It should have r law and order, d land reforms. m appealed for so that a solution . was not delayed k on the chaotic
n. er, who was T. Sritharan, he Tarmil Eelarrn ca, held similar pitol Hill. A smen including chairman of the fic Affairs Subfervyn Dymally,
nd Sri Lanka.
kkovil, Akkaraipathu, tanchenai, Karadiya3tivu.
rt in The Island' of 3 are presently about dos deployed in the s which are protected rbed wire protective
n has been allocated f the three new STF
JANUARY 1987
West German Gunboats To Sri Lanka?
According to a Reuter report datelined 5 January from Bonn, West Germany is considering the sale of armed patrol boats to the Sri Lankan government for use in its conflict with the island's minority Tamil population.
West German government sources said that Sri Lanka had conveyed its interest in buying the high speed boats made by the north German shipyard, Ahaking and Rasmussen. They said that the cabinet's secret security Council, which would have to approve the sale, had not reached a decision. West German law prohibited the export of arms to areas of tension.
A spokesman for the shipyard said the company was awaiting an export licence but declined to comment on how many boats Sir Lanka wanted to buy. He also declined to disclose the value of the contract, but described it as substantial.
TAMIS BACKED
THE UNITED NATIONS High Commission for Refugees and the World Council of Churches said in Geneva yesterday that they
opposed Swiss government plans to send back to Sri Lanka about 40 Tamils refused asylum in Switzerland. Three Swiss churches also announced their support for a campaign against the Tamils' repatriation.
Two Plantation MWorkers Shot Dead
Two tea plantation workers were killed and several injured when police opened fire against demonstrating workers at St.
Coombs estate in Talawakelle on 5 January.
The workers had suspected that one of their colleagues, Pitchaimurthy Yessiah, a member of the Lanka Jathika Estates Workers' Union, who had gone missing from December 27 had in fact been killed. Following this incident tension ran high as the workers numbering several thousand went on strike demanding action against the police and the Superintendent of the estate.
Following a meeting with a delegation of the trade unions, including the General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers Congress, Mr. M. S. Sellasamy, President Jayawardene directed that the Superintendent of the estate, Mr. H. T. Caldera be transferred and that the bodies of the persons who died following the police shooting be handed over to their relatives. The police had previously buried the bodies in a cemetery at Nuwara Eliya without reference to the relatives. The police had to exhume the bodies in order to comply with the President's directive.

Page 9
JANUARY 1987
sssr
WHAT IS important is the fight and struggle for justice and not the victory nor the defeat, said Mr. S. Nadesan OC at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
He was speaking following the ceremony accorded to him to receive the Peter Pillai Foundation Award.
Mr. Nadesan said:
'From 1974 gradually reduced my professional work with the view to retiring from practice when I reached the age of 75. But this was not to be as my involvement with human rights and in particular the Civil Rights Movement made it impossible for me to do so. According to the Upanishads life is work and work is worship.
'So in the evening of my life I have fought many a battle as a member of the C.R.M. and otherwise in the Cause of the people. I have won a few and lost many. I console myself with the thought that what matters is the fight for the cause and not the results.
'It's the fight tha matters not the rew
'What is impor struggle for justic nor the defeat. The Gita "To action you to the fruits therec of great confort to enabled me to C detachment whic, happiness and pea. "In the course o fundamental rights been compelled t matters including t
"Nowadays the maintained more before. In a civilisec that contribute to t of society.
'It is not the ne the principle of regarded as super, other things.
'Dharma (Law)s the King of Kings f
S. Nadesan O.
By Manel Fonseka, (Civil
Mr. S. Nadesan OC, the eminent lawyer, Senator and gifted and dedicated champion of human rights, died in the early hours of Sunday, 21 December, 1986 after a brief illness. He was in his 83rd year.
Mr. Nadesan applied his intellect and passion for justice to an amazingly wide range of human rights issues throughout his life. Beginning his legal career in the 1930s, he was noted for his incisive logic, relentless pursuit of facts and skilful and dogged advocacy. He was elected to the Senate in 1947 as an independent, and was a founder member of the Civil Rights Movement in 1971 where he was active up to his death. He was President of the Bar Council from 1970 to 1972.
In a long career of 55 years at the Bar, Na desan was associated with a number of famous and important cases, such as the Abdul Aziz sedition trial in 1943 and this same trade union leader's criminal trespass case in 1959; the challenge to the Press Council Bill of 1972, the Fundamental Rights Applications against the banning of the Aththa and Saturday Review newspapers, and the challenging of the contention that the Supreme Court judges were deemed to have vacated office. Amongst his most recent and successful civil liberties cases were the Pavidi Handa (Voice of Clergy) fundamental rights case concerning freedom of expression, the Kalawana Constitutional issue concerning the franchise, and the Daily News
contempt of court independence of til defence in the 49 C Citizens' Committ Nallanayagam wh implications for th liberties bodies.
Nadesan was vanishing breed o in every sphere o' was equally at e master of his fielc his extraordinary trial, a tax case, a C trade union dis Commercial arbit involving internat Standards. This ve career from its be his last days.
But it would be Nadesan only i glamorous causes the public eye. He and care into a solely for the eye official. He was a to anyone's tr outraged by any spend weeks sifti complicated docu: with and overcor preparing a ci memorandum ma redress. All this often as not for a p stranger to him.
Mr. Nadesan wa acquitted — in 1 !
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

t ard'
ant is the fight and and not the victory saying in Bhagawad have a right but not f' has been a source me in my life as it has ultivate a sense of is necessary for xe ofmind. f these fights for the of the people, I have o reflect on several he Rule of Law. Rule of Law has to be rigorously than ever society it is the laws he civilised character
but the laws. This is Dharma. It must be for to all men and all
ay the Upanishads 'is armore powerful and
TAMILTIMES 9
rigid than they. There is nothing higher than Dharma. By its prowess the weak prevail over the strong and justice triumphs' is the concept of Dharma from which all principles of morality and ethics flow.
"If justice is to be maintained in the country those who occupy positions of responsibility must be persons of integrity, of detachment, of objectivity. They must not swerve from their path on account of political or other extraneous considerations but deal out justice. If Dharma is violated by whoever it may be under that very law, divine retribution is inevitable.
'The Rule of Law is the foundation of democracy. Democracy is a moral concept. It is something which is pledged to the defence of truth and justice. If we compromise with evil, with injustice, with untruth we may gain a temporary advantage but permanent danger will result.'
He concluded by saying:
'You have humbled me with this award, but you have honoured the noble spirit of Father Peter Pillai and of the Civil Rights Movement of this country to which I am proud to belong.'
C - A Tribute
Rights Movement of Sri Lanka)
case defending the he judiciary, and the lay trial of Kalmunai :ee President, Paul ich Case had Serious e functioning of civil
a Colossus in a flawyers who excel F the profession. He ase, and equally a l, whether applying talent to a criminal onstitutional issue, a pute, a complex ration, or a case ional human rights rsatility marked his ginning right up to
wrong to think of connection with
célèbres that Catch would put equal zeal document destined is of a government ways ready to listen oubles, and was injustice. He would ng facts, mastering mentation, wrestling hing obstacles, and ear and detailed king out the case for without fee and as 2rson hitherto a total
s himself tried- and 280 with breach of
parliamentary privilege, for a series of articles he had written on this subject in 1978 for the Civil Rights Movement. Ironically, he had been a member of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament which had drafted the original Parliamentary Privileges Act in 1953.
Mr. Nadesan had a unique record as an independent senator, having been a member of the Upper House from its inception in 1947 to its abolition in 1972, with a brief interruption. In the Senate he was associated with social and abour legislation and with issues relating to the national question. He made particular contributions to the question of minority rights and of citizenship for the plantation workers, both of which were seen by him in the context of national unity and national harmony.
Perhaps the most impressive of his many remarkable Senate speeches is that courageously made in the month following the April 1971 insurgency. It reflects Nadesan's passion for social justice. In it he eloquently identifies the economic and social problems which gave rise to the frustration of our country's youth, for which he says the older generation of which he is part must accept the blame. It also reflects his deep concern for human rights; its plea to a beleaguered government not to dismiss out of hand allegations of excesses by the army and police, but to publicly commit itself to investigating continued overleaf

Page 10
10 TAM I TIMES
The Lonel For Hum
SOMASUNDERAM NADESAN, Oueen's Counsel and the doyen of the Sri Lanka Bar died on 21 December 1986. Although Nadesan was eighty two years of age, he was so physically and mentally alert and vibrant, that his sudden demise came as a rude shock to his friends and colleagues.
Nadesan was born at the turn of the twentieth century at Annaicottai, within the Jaffna peninsula. His father was the Administrator of a secondary school and young Nadesan secured the Governor's Scholarship to Royal College, Colombo. His academic record was undistinguished. He played no games, and knew neither Latin nor Greek. He, however, showed some early interest in English literature, and insisted that his teachers read Dickens aloud to him, He subsequently joined the University College and the Law College, but these formative years were uneventful.
Mr. Nadesan was a multi-faceted personality whose career spanned more than half a century of public life in law, politics, and in his restless Crusade against injustice and oppression. Although his very career defies categorisation, it is convenient to refer to three distinct phases. The first was his legal career, which evolved slowly given his relatively modest upbringing and undistinguished academic career. Recognition came gradually as Nadesan struggled against numerous odds, to establish a niche for himself in the legal profession.
It was an era during the transfer of political power where the legal profession was at the very summit of its influence, and was dominated by men of exceptional talent, ability and learning. It was compared to an army which consisted only of generals; and Nadesan brought to bear
skills of legal analy and complete dev brought him succi was made a Oue
- almost twenty ye
admitted to the bal in a criminal tria, a in a writ petitior constitutional mat facts was only ma with Court proced would apply hims with equal zest, authorities and dev with a thoroughne. His style in Cour Sometimes scornfu This tended to uns more intense oppo Sharvananda onc real strength was case. He would by presentation laugh planned his Cou Commander woulc manoeuvre leavir intention. He ou contemporaries v dedication and de the consummate colleagues, for the talent, versatility, indefatigable energ The second pha was his role as a le to the Senate, the Lanka's Parliament the Senate, except abolition in 1971. and his contribu reflective and ca
A TRIBUTE
them once conditions permit, is extraordinarily skilled and compelling.
Among his most valuable writings are his dissenting report as a member of the National Flag Committee (1950), his still extremely relevant article on Regional Autonomy, originally published in the Sunday Observer in 1957, and, in his post-Senatorial days, his book on the principles of constitutionmaking and the 1972 Constitution, and his report on the 1980 Strike and its Aftermath written for the Civil Rights Movement.
A number of Nadesan's cases in the superior courts are extremely important social and political documents, as they place in the public domain important evidence and issues which are otherwise inaccessible. His life is a chronicle of the age, as much as the values for which he stood were such that he has been called 'the conscience of our time'.
Nadesan gave CRM the best of his
m continuedf
lega expertise ; man to stand or also rush to Registry to per petition, enthus in the Pettah fo typing and ha Those of us privileged to wo miss the wis meticulous att impish humour had a very deep Although a fighter in the ca man of great ge He was well-knc his life-style, vegetable diet walks which he and breadth dressed in a pa carrying his pap Many will nr.
great

JANUARY 1987
y Crusader an Rights
sis, clarity of expression, otion to his brief that ss and recognition. He en's Counsel in 1953, ars after he had been . He was equally at ease corporate or tax case or , on administrative or ers. His mastery of the tohed by his obsession ure and trial tactics. He alf to a question of law read all the relevant elop his legal submission ss of a medieval scholar. was playful and even of his opponent's case. ettle and even annoy his nents. As Chief Justice S. 2 observed, "Nadesan's his ability to demolish a his manner and style of a case out of Court'. He rt strategy as a field | plan a complex military Ig little to impulse or Itpaced equally gifted with his sheer energy, votion to detail. He was lawyer, admired by his rare combination of legal indomitabie will and
y. se of Na desan's career agislator. He was elected Second Chamber of Sri in 1947, and remained in for a short break, until its He intervened frequently tions were measured, refully researched. His
─
rom page 9
and energies. Never a his dignity, he would the Supreme Court sonally file an urgent iastically go shopping r stationery, supervise nd-deliver envelopes. in CRM who were ) rk with him will sorely dom, keen insight, ention to detail, and of one for whom we affection and regard. fierce and aggressive use of justice he was a entleness and warmth. wn for the simplicity of his famous fruit and und the long, reflective took across the length of Colombo - often ir of baggy shorts and ers in a shopping bag.
ourn the death ofa
uman being.
influence transcended the boundaries o the second chamber and his advice was sought by party leaders, trade unionists ano even by the then Prime Ministers. The unfolding Sinhala-Tamil relations which assumed such a central position in the political arena consumed much of his time and energy. He was appointed in 1949 to a committee to design the National Flag, an emotive and divisive issue between the two communities. The committee was chaired by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and included, Sir John Kottelawala, J. R. Jayawardene, T. B. Jayah, L. A. Rajapakse, G. G. Ponnambalam and S. Nadesan. Nadesan expressed his sturdy independence by being the sole dissentient arguing that a national flag must be a symbol of national unity and that the design of the lion flag with the stripes outside it, would be "a symboli of its disunity'.
During the language agitations in the fifties Nadesan made an important intellectual contribution towards both articulating the aspirations of the politically embittered Tamil community and in Creating a climate in which negotiations could be conducted. He wrote a series of articles to the Sunday Observer in 1957, in which he argued that "the Sinhalese and Tamil nationalists inhabiting Ceylon speak different languages, profess in the main different religions and cherish distinct historica memories and traditions. This is a demographic reality which we have to face'. He argued that the conflicts between the two nationalities could only be resolved by the application of democratic principles to the problem of reconciling "the predomi nance of the majority nationality with th liberty of the minority nationality". Othe societies had adopted policies o bilingualism, federalism, regional autonomy and constitutional safeguards of the fundamental rights of national minorities. He dismissed the contention that federalism would lead to a movement for separation, by stating that "on the other hand, it is in unitary states with national minorities that irredentist and separatist movements have taken root'.
These essays emphasised the need for a linguistic and cultural homeland to preserve the national character of the Tamil ethnic collectivity and foreshadowed subsequent political developments. Nadesan reverted to these theories in 1971 when a Constitutional Assembly was constituted to draft the first Republican Constitution. He published a monograph as 'a contribution to the debate now taking place in the country'. He argued that in a multi-ethnic polity constitution must enjoy the consent of the national minorities if it is to have any legitimacy. He subjected the Basic Resolutions tabled at the Constituent Assembly to a detailed critique with particular reference to the inadequacy of the provisions relating to language anc minority rights. Nadesan's influence was considerable within the Joint Select Committee in Parliamentary Privileges ir
continued opposite

Page 11
A. P. LARY
138
| FRECEIWEID THE BW 5 of the dea L 1 If Mr, S. Nadesar O.C. with shock and grief. It was nearly a week after his death that got the news when telephoned a friend -סנbרחCold) חi
He had returned to his furth a frail the LJK In 20 October, 1985 and | spook ta irth a couple of days after his irriwal. He sounded wery ha papay and said that he was quite well. I never imagined then, that he had mat Iriä my Tore days ta liwe.
I know 1 at least or Tetent to write about Nadesan the eminent civil lawyer ar Na desan the constitutional expert om Parliarrheritary Privileges or Nadesan the ardent champion of Civil Rights, I can curly write a few lines about Nadesan the phila nthropist whica gawe liberally of his time and Toney towards the cause of education and rure particularly education for lhe per Sections. If the TiTi||5.
It was in the late forties that he shared the vision of a Color Tibo Hindu College with that galaxy of erminent the like -Justice Nagalinga T1, Sir Kandiah Waithiaria Charı, Mr. K. Mahadevam, SEer i tot Frisurdura, Mr, K. C. Thangarajah and others of the Hindu Educational Society. I referred to these entlemer, in rry Prize Day Report raf 0LKSHKSHHLLLLLL S LLLLLLLHLLLLLLL S LL0 S LLLLLL sanctions of a trust higher than any the worl Luc iTPCsg“. The lat5 Mr. K. Mahade war referred to their wision as a
NA DESAN -- ith
**"dre :: Trı ıf : ream was partially real Hindu College was fulfilled the na Ed f{ Tari | Childrer w admission to the pr Colombo, TH1g :) || frlarıy re:5pects,
Its glory began to race riots of 195 Educati Corma || Societ' dedicateçi The Wä: nationalisation of : February 1974 wh: Principal, I took a TIL ultiple administr düfurı: PTA, arıda b. state of repair. approached Mr. Mai Lane house and I w motu his ir differen. shed all my tears College and I have shai'. I came away fighting rthy Win | didn't realise was thi a distance un abser rTy tana fides.
By the end of gradually moved ir building of ColorTib. his own, within a flourish or ostentati substantial contrib. for the FTA nearly t
Carfred fraag? ??
1952, and the Joint Select Committee of the Constitution in 1958. However he always operated on the periphery of Tamil politics, as the contre stage was dorminated by G, G, Fonn är Tibala T and S. J. W. Chelwa mayakartı, the latter progessively eclipsing the former by the Tid-fifties. He was rarely part of the Tamil political Thainstream and disassocial ted hir Tmself from the Satyagra ha campaign in 1957 and was a Wocal and consistent critic of the Waddukodai Resolution of the T. J.L.F. He was traumatised by the violence which engulfed the community in 1977 and 1983, änd hic increasingly diverted his efforts from the arena of formal politics to the protection of human rights in Sri Lankan Society,
Nadesan's role as a human right activist Was perhaps the most decisive and enduring phase of his public life. This Struggle gawe the fiu||est expression to his "keen intellect and passion for justice". He helped find the Civil Rights MowerTent in 1371 in the after math of an insurgency which resulted in the deaths of eighteen thousand Sinhala youths. During this period the Civil Rights Movement was in the forefront of the public protest against the abuse of emergency powers, the derial of rights of persons in custody and of police Brulality, Mr. Nadesan led a team of CRM lawyers who unsuccessfully cha||enged tha Press Council Bill before the Constitutional Court. After the second Republican Constitution was enacted, the Civil Rights Movement continued to express concern Over the deprivation of civic rights for Mrs. 3alidararaike and other political opponents, is extension of the life of Parliament, the fairness of the Reforer duti, torture and Eäth in custerdy, reventive gelerticr, the
stata la 55 me5s of pola) other issus relating urninists and wor termaid tha backbud) Mowg:11t tr Lum compromising CCT and political values o Mr. Nadesan placed paril when he wrote Parliamentary Privile were instituted again privilege,
Corsiderable inter show in this cas Organisti Cris, bär as lawyers, H, L. de Silw Nade Sari state in :
I dde55, "this cas question of the reality our freedoms ... wh declarations . . . are a postle, only souridi Cymbal, signifying mo of hearing, the Supre the rule against Mr. Cou15 ell's Critigrinti privilege is not Parliamentarians rol
The general strike use of en Tiergency poc thousand public serv T10r1er tous CO15eq In iom moverrhent. Na publication entitled, AftLrfolgt" wErE h analysis of how the p: essential services was and pleaded that it strikers was reite GCygrr1rent'5 decisi T13 iif, 3f Pri:Llt territ through a Refe alarmed"thg Civi Riigi

TA, MIL TI ME3 1 1
e Philanthropist
S'. But the drear i5ed ārd Čolrbi i started in 1951. It
the less fortual החfi "וt:Qultur ם חW estigio Luis collegos ir 1 Ege was unique in
Wide son after the iB a rich the Hirrindu y With its tard If S eclipsed after the 5C Do I ir 1 3 1 | 2n I was appointed vLr 2) Lillege with ative problems, a Iuilding in a wery bad
Within weeks, d CS är i H1 is asil was disappointed tra :E, H Sid: "Il Hy for Colomba Hindu
: O tij E E E T5
dejected and began Cattles :: But what I at Mr. Na desar, fruT Wed, was assessing
1975 iιαινεινEr, η Ε. I to Help in the reHindu College. () Tinh did without II, he had is Wr Itin and Collected wo lakhs of гшрв в5.
rtation workers and to the right of trade kgrs. Mr. Nadus:In ne of the Civil Rights IC 5'yı bol Of İL5 Titment to the legal f I der Tocratic policy,
himself in personal Series (Jif articles dari ge and proceeding5 St hisT fut breach of
hatiO fill interFast was 2, by human right Sociations, individual il, Senior Counsel for іп eloqшепt opєпіпg WakE 5 Ius I this and the substance of Eether a|| thig sale Tını in the words of the ng brass and tinkling thing. After four days Te Court discharged Nadesan reaffirming "that Parliamentary Til Eeż Il t O irgulat reas origid criticism". of July 1980 and the wers ta disntniss forty t5 ựựa:BS ar E wat af
1DE t E. Ed ESri Lutfi Lrg. I CRW
The Strike and ils 3 Гmade a гея5пвrd robleThis of Strikors irn deall with historically le dississa if the fair mor just. The :TI iri 1982 E. sexter for a further six year Crı du TI '5 hecked ar
E MC y Trn1.
HE TI adC: il cle:Hr that ā|| this should mot go in his name, but in the name of the Hindu Educational Society. He was a rTiam of action and he would act swiftly ànd bildly. Colombo Hircu College is just one example of Mr. Nadesan's intrinsi q00(1-Will tchelp the Cause of education. There were numerous other
Schac-ls – Buddhist. Christian and Muslim — tawaris which he gawe liէյցrally
Although to the day of his death he refrained Tentally alert and in good healtn, he decided to step down frarn active practice nearly 15 years ago. He Was at heart a socialist and led a wery sir Tiple life. A mån of few words Lou intensely siricear B. and Selfless. Such Tortals tread this carth wery rarely. Mr. Madesan is for lore; but the spirit of his Selfless service to the cause of education Will live long ir 1 FE HF its arid Tier Thori; of those generations whose educational development was made possible in surThe Theasure by hirt.
The void caused by his derise can rigwer be filled. Though old, he had SHCHLLLaLLL LaL LLLLLaaC C LLLLLL H LHLLES before he could sleep. We shall not see the like of him for a largtime - perhaps nt:wt:rl
KE (TH 'fyrri77!r Principal of Colları; Hindu Calaga)
Tra 15 ka, Sri Loro", "ro:
The CRM issued several reased stater Therints opposing the referHnedLuth and further questioned the procedures under which the referendum was held. During this pBriod the leaflat cıf Pa widi Hamda ['Woice of Clergy) opposing the referendurt was illegally seized by the police and its Secretary the Rev, Ratnasara Therto vas threatened with arrest. Within hours of recoiwing this information Nadsar filed a funda Tental right applicatian tuefore the Supreme Court.
The Court upheld the petition and O Terd the Superit Fandit of Polic: Gaisripah, to pay darmages ir a sur Ti dof гшПЕв5 tЕГ thousand arr cast in a Sum of rupe ČStwČI thousaid and come hurmadred, The Tatter CWCWar did it end there, as the GoverrirTent in an extraordinary Towe direct Ed that the darTages and the cost be puid Lut Çuf public funds and the Itali: officer Corcorned to be promoted in order to ensure "that public officers do their duty and follow orders without fear of consequence from adverse court decisions".
| 19B, the ChiFaf Justice of Sri Larik Trade a speech at a prize-giving, in which he roferred to the violence in July 1983, as an EX Cré:55 i On of plc) pulai ir protes agaimist gavarrırTarital inaction towards 'tarrarisrTı' in the North. Mary liberal eleTets in the country were dismayed by the Chief AaaaLLLLLL SGS LLaLaaLCLLLLLLL L CCLGLLLLL LL S L 1383. Sir The Even fel: the Expression of 5 III.h wie'W5 it paired his judicial functions, while thers argued that he was acting within the limits of free speech. The Government appointed a Select Committee of Parliarient to investigate the conduct ruf the Chief Justicg. Nadesan was retained by the Hief Justic E t vigor IL15ly rE5ist wnat h5 CRM viewed as an eritroachrient Lupon the for Ludoj Log.lgf

Page 12
12 TAMILTIMES
S. NADESANO.C. .
IN ASIAN SOCIETIES where popular adulation is mostly reserved for politicians and cinema stars. It would be foolish to try to remember the lives of men like S. Nadesan by conventional yardsticks. To say that the country in which he was born and which he served, the profession in which he distinguished himself and the people among whom he lived are deeply poorer by his loss, would be a trite tribute; and a hardly adequate one. In a world that searches for consensus at the lowest common denominator, Mr. Nadesan exemplified the highest common denominator. He was an uncommon man. He will remain a perennial symbol of individua excellence, a nonconformist who stood outside systems and conventions, but yet made a mark in public life.
Mr. Nadesan vivas a celebrated constitutional lawyer, but that does not explain the man. He was a singleminded civil rights champion, a courageous advocate of Human Rights, but that again is an inadequate way of describing him. In the fifties and sixties when Ceylon had a bicameral legislature, he was the famed 'Senator Nadesan. In an Upper Chamber stuffed with mediocrities, he was its outstanding adornment. But that was one phase of his life and achievement. Earlier, in the twenties of the century, when a band of youths. from Jaffna, fired by brave idealism and zeal, and inspired by the Gandhian struggle for Indian independence, decided themselves to stand up against British imperialism and uphold the country's right to "Purna Svaraj”, Mr. Nadesan was one of those gallant youths; waging a campaign not only for political freedom but for the establishment of an egalitarian society. The Youth Congress was spearheaded by men of the stamp of S. Handy Perinbanayagam (who predeceased him but remained Mr. Nadesan's friend and admirer) - men who were absolute non-achievers in material terms and innocent of all political guile, but who challenged the system all the way and pushed the frontiers of thought nevertheless. Well, that was again one, early phase of his life.
A SIMPLEMAN
Left-inclined by conviction and a genuine Socialist in his thinking, Mr. Nadesan was later to become the legal confidant of Marxist parties and Trade Union leaders. He was a friend of the Bandaranaike family and a trusted political adviser, but he was also legal consultant to the Lake House empire of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., built by Press baron Esmond Wickremasinghe as a bulwark against
the Bandaranaik political party in C Centre, which did other seek his capacity or anoth novvhere. There v that could hold h that would absor in public life thé judges listened to political leaders v, and if the legal fra him, it vvas not reason that one fingers on; it was Mr. Nadesan. Anc simple man.
During my jour Ceylon Daily Mirrc my duties took m mornings, I used by the sea, beside Wella watte to Bá run constantly ca. from the suburb used to be desert day I used to sometimes once, walking from the c the beginning lus Oueen's Counsel Nadesan dressea shorts and a shirt,
By S. Siv
have looked mor little bit of iron slippers, suspici bathroom slippe, better times. I not that he had deci slippers. Il got a litt I saw him withc Recalling this on a proposing a toast vvas Chief Guest a Koku vil Hindu C narration by sayir of course): Ladie, that stage of Mr. I the seafront I stop because il shudde might shed nes laughed, Mr. Nac at me with a kind C
SELF-EF
Perhaps it is this for personal ima, cost hinn his r contemporary wr, and legal history c sad surprise to down to write this man Who influen la vv and public century in that scanty are the ri contemporary rec across copious r who picked Mr. N

JANUARY 1987
- A Life Extraordinary
es. There was no eylon, Left, Right or not at some time or services in some er. But he belonged /as no single canvas m, no political party ) hinn, no single role it fitted him. If the him with respect, if alued his judgement, aternity took pride in for any particular would place one's " simply that he vvas f Mr. Nadesan vivas a
nalistic years in the or in the sixties when e to office late in the to do leisurely walks the rail tracks from ambalapitiya. Trains trying office workers s, but the seafront ed. Practically every Cross one man, sometimes twice, opposite direction. At ad to see the eminent Mr. Somasundaram in a pair of khaki both of which could
"anayagam
e presentable with a ing, and a pair of ously looking like rs which had seen iced after Some time ded to abandon his le Worriedlater when put the shirt either. later occasion while to Mr. Nadesan who tan Alumni Dinner at ollege, I ended the ng (quite untruthfully s and Gentlemen, at Nadesan's undress at ped taking my walks red to think what he t! While everyone fesan merely looked fan used surprise.
ACEMENT
supreme unconcern ge-building that has ghtful attention in tings on the political if Ceylon. It came as a ne only when I sat piece that here vvas a ced thinking both in ife for over half a
country, and how 2ferences to hirm in ords You may come aferences to people adesan's brains, but
hardly any about Mr. Nadesan himself. The Tamils, like the Irish produce rugged and brilliant individualists, but some of them, even without populist support manage to leave their names in history. ln Mr. Nadesan it vvas a fata! combination - the refusal to conform, plus self-effacement.
Many are the legal battles he fought on behalf of the 'underdogs', and in a country like Sri Lanka where the very superstructure of the State has been built on a total lack of humanitarian compassion towards its citizens, Mr. Nadesan has been the most consistent and dedicated advocate for Citizen V. State. The sordid story of independent Ceylon's history began with the deprival of citizenship and franchise for a million Tamils in the plantations who had enjoyed these same rights under colonial rule. The legislation was challenged in the courts of law and the case (Kodakkan Pillai v. Mudanayake, Mudanayake v. Sívagnanasundaram) has passed into legal history. Both the Supreme Court and the Privy Council stood with the State in what can now be seen as dubious and evasive judgements. Mr. Nadesan fought and lost. That was in 1953. But losing and vvinning vvas not the issue, he became a crusading "karma yogi', unmindful of the 'fruits of the action', ever ready to do battle in the cause of righteousness. His triumph in the Paul Nallanayagan trial before the Sri Lankan Supreme Court earlier this year (1986), when he came out of retirement at the age of 82, to defend a naturalised Canadian Tanni, the head of the Citizens’ Committee of the Eastern Province community of Kalmunai, who was facing seven charges each of which was punishable by five years' imprisonment, now remains as his crowning glory and the signing off of a career that spanned more than half a century,
AN INCISVELOGICALMIND
For a man who became so preeminent in his chosen field of law (interestingly, his first stint was teaching), for a man who never looked like a legal giant nor behaved as one, for a man who cared nought for the externals, dress, appearance, deportment, social graces, not even his prose style and diction in court, what vvas the secret of his success? lt vvas his head.
Endo vived with a sharp intellect anat an incisive logical mind, he had the unerring capacity to get to the pith of any problem in arriving at the essentials across a maze of noressentials. I remember listening to hir
at the Senate once, at the time Mrs
Bandaranaike was in power. He was talking about the excessive zeal show, by the administrators in implementir

Page 13
JANUARY 1987
the 'Sinhala Only' law in Government Jalu artri ser s... ara li rafar reci ir r pair Tirculari ka sorte på frited sigri boards in the lricol77g ïax Leparting 7 t, Gg and take 3 ligok at those El Liards, he said. There are e large Sir Falla Waffers corn fop, Flowy which was the arti ralle in small lettering, Srial arters ind you, and followed by large English affaring, "What are you frying a prava by ris?””. Fe skad furri frig fo f'te Tērbars ir Gver ret ārks. 'The only Tessage you are frying to convey is that Tamils flave better eyesight! is that what you are trying to sāy?”. By reducing tha arguryent to its lagical absurdity, he was ag ble foi pinpoint the pettiness that prevailed.
Ore Carl of help but frk at if it Wyas af) accidarn of birt'ı filha rima de Mr. Nadasări a 7 ani ard a Hindu, had fie barn borr a Sinhasse är dä Bu dadi is, he right have a war changed the course of Caylor's history and spared rrār) y cof the Fageries thar the country is going tiro Lugh. (If Te did take Lupo the causa of Tait' rights, if was riot becausa fe was a Tarris' but because fie stood for Hurr an Rights, for inority rights, for Constitutional rights, for the rights of the under-privileged. But that makes the core of the Tami tragedy in Sri Lanka, when in 1948 political power effectively pua 550ad i'r to it fine flands of the Sinhala majority. There carne a frozen „Loper im Epond wich (L Tarffs could have rise, unlike during the Colorial tirries vhar Ter of the Calibre of Sir Fort ra 77 blar ArLuachalar är 7ed Sir Por17ām pada 11 Farr än at fı77 Could dorf irate the life of the country with surer reaploit, Mr Nadesari was 44 years Old Mvh Fr 7 Ceylor becarf 7e a LP; IT ir jor),
Вогл огт 1 1 fh Febгшагу, 1904, er rollod as ar7 Advocake of the Supreno Court in 1932, and appointed 7 QuëErn's Cour 758) in 1954, l'hé Was already elected to the Senate at its wery in caption in 1947, and kept his seat there until the abolition of that Lipper Chamber in 1977, with a one 2-year breāk. He was a mer T1 EJar of the National Flag Committee in 7948, a Inter 11 bar of tha Parliammer] ta y SaNeC! Crittee which drafted the law relatirig fa Parliarrientary privilege in 1954. Chaiff71ärt of the Bar Council in 7353, är d ä forder- 77377 ber of the Civil Rights Moverrent in 1977.
Nadesar was the recipient of the Peter PI/a Foundation Award for the year 1983 in recognition of the Doriction of Social Justice and the profector of The rights of f7 Lurderprivileged sacriors of Society, for which ideals that dedicated missionary ad education f5 Fr. Perfor Pili Fiä given his whale life. As Illernber of {f} = Select Committee on Parlamentary Privilege, his view that Judicial power in that sphere should only be axercised by the Judiciary was accepted by Parliarient and applaudad widely. As Chartriar of the Bar Couricil he
ravitalised that tod Lu J Special Cor 77r 7 the proposed ng 1972, and drew p 50 mg of is Lyn 53 f| Subsidiarr devels vir dida fe F fs stā 7 d.
CHAMPION OF
No attempf by ar Traspass, cu ffig FreĚ F72 Freedor 1 of fé Fragorr Of Ossert NaTasaη ή ΓαννίΠg κ Ha d' fe w| Fi faam of lawyers Constri for all Cou Pre55 Cp fojo E. W roduced å f är Tier. relating to Parliar ner, Wyer, Jr fo xer:fi: through Parliameri Ceylon Observer Cas porint. A bady-st sing F7f71 ha. Luled Jë fora TV for breach of privil The trial Threaterje fraternationa || Caus
ferriational Corm, Sart a distinguished CoJosFas () obs ForTLurna fa/y for t f; repuлtatioл, M ννas aCTιμίτtσα.
WWFarm Gwerram 7Fr F7E ČConstituto) foi Se äť5 foi fhea Kalāw: Cre for al elect9 M. M. P. norminated by th Civil Rights Moveme rnove Bigfore the Su! Mr. Waldesar) sic before the Court arrierrer. WOL fund af flertal franch people. The лтоvа 1 al5а арреагеd iл thч case where the Sup ffa fe Gorffs:äffa) 7 Yeaflets calling for a during the Refereridu unconstitutional, Ari Fundamental Fight: the Sup er The Cour Governmen's tan Review. This writer tre paper. Orm du sy " was sealed by the SepferTiber, fearfrig a detention by the Gov the Country,
kyä5 foi TTSS? MAY Orifs later - if January 6, 1854. A fri thaf Mr. Wading:53, 1 yw: private visit and Wva T743. I voluritë e te di të μνας - γη τα Εξαίεπταίν, Waddasar irsists Jr (aם םל {Lלf Ar/88וזrאh By my friend and Carrying a T7ærketing wiwit fou der 7 furcs & Cheeks distrassad 7 at tiße a l/e r i gs hg

" tha CaLпCil set ittee ta study the * ο Πετίft ήταν αf atterior to : factory features. Irie 5 kWere Ig
FREE PRESS
y Govсэггтгтлвлf to dari 7 of flie Press, Judiciary of the Wyer 7ť Wyathu Mr. Q yw'r] This ganrif ferf. ghťs vlavameri!'s before the ter cu apoptoos? Tfie * Filer. G. J. Wi'r Teri drier it to the law rary privilege, and ε, μαίοία μαννο" ir The faciaci) a, he opposed it in GWET 71 - r' lä ie Suprema Court ge of Parlia Triert. to Elecome ari : celebre the ission of Jurists English Queen's
!rve sho trial. 3 gJCJ Wernr77erf's г. Nadesar
sought to arriend provide for two na constituoncy, .P. ard Core for ār) e tuling party, the riť cha Warnged ffı prere Car, är essfully argued that such ar. infringe the se rig ffs of the was dropped. He "Pawidi Harndä" refle Čourt Field by the polica, of germer as electior, л са прajgn, was | id thairn Carlie thita etírior before contesting the if the Saturday
was the editor of o 1583, η Ε αήίας I lice, ar 7ed by er idthreaί αfarΗίtraην *rnment, I had Jeff
Waddesar, a favy T Madras, it was 'nd phoned to say s in Mwa dras on a 5 anxious so see go wyı fer yer file Wau, he said, MM, his corting there e, accopan fed S grandsort, ār)d tag Seeing him ld With SLinkgr1 !, but he beamed walked itt a rld
f/', M.MILTIMM ES 13
Strec'ıf Yıl is här 1 C'. "I have Cor 77 foi meet that brilliant editor 'an trying to de ferd" ryg Safad, fu/ of 77 frt f., 7 e next orie f'ıca Lur he risisted ar telling T 7E, clicking all ffe time, 'row the Saturday Review case was proceeding, and how he was keeping or reading out in Court large chunks of War I had writter 1, and tasirig the patience of the judges, "I have fo establish the policy of fie paper, you know, and hovy de l da it without quoting from the Editorials”. “Arid you know.” he said. switching to lock seriousness, "Y car undersfand wfy the oor judgas sard he entioned two by artie) were squirming. WWF1āť you write carn sorTetimas be very biting (”. Mird ha la Cigfried a gair). It was or thaf LLaLLLLLLLLHa aLLLL LL LLL LLLL EELCSSS LL was the last I saw of hirT).
MAJORITY RULE
Though the will of the majority is in as ζειξε. Η ιαμ Γενείί ΙΙει ννίί τα HE rigτεί μί, Tilst be reasonable, the Tinorify Lassess of Fair equis right, Which ecqua livv5 r71ust profect, frd fo violeife Trust
ba oppression, ThIII 1 kH5.Jefľaľ5On T134DD
The Lonely Crusader For Human Rights
срrifiritieri from page II
independeric of the judiciary and the freedom of expression of the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice retired before the Select Committee could conclude its inquiry.
Lidoubtedly, th: 345 Cglebre which was an appropriate finale to Made-san's career as civil right lawyer was the Case of Paul Mallanayagam the Chairman of the Citiren 5” CorriL! EF af Kal Timulai, who wa 5 indicted für 1rsaa5on for having implicated the Special Task Force of the Sri Lanka Police in the disappearance of about forty Tamil y Luth5, The additional Solicitar General told the Supreme Court that Paul Mallanayag är T had made å "fal5E Statement' about the killing of innocent people by members of the STF to the BBC and the Le Monde, The trial before thic Calci Tıbıta High Court started in 17th March, 1986 and ended (in 17th July, 198E with Mallanayagari's acquittal or all charges. The trial was a windication of mot TherFelly Paul Nallarhelygarm's refu5a i to comparti Tı ise with the rights of citizens but also the role of Citizens' Cornrittee in providing radress to innocent citizens.
Mladessä "I was not with aut his professional and political detractors. Some referred to hin scrTswhat u ritharitably as the 'fox', This was no allusion to Isaiah Berlin's LLLLLaLCCLCCLEELaaL LLLHCLLLLC LLLLLLaL LLLLLLCL L 0 single dominant principle - hedgehogs - Inc. h25E wn Eli Lygd th= world i5 divEr SE and pluralistic - the "foxes". But if Berlin's distinction betweer different writer5 and thinkers cauld be extended to mer of the law, Madesan combined the legal ingenuity, the professional skills, and the mental agility of a "fox" and the idealism and single-Tinded commitment to justice of a "hedgehog'.
Neelan Tiruchel War T1

Page 14
14 TAMILTIMES
From John Rettle, in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka THE HUGE TANK pulled across the path of
our car. Half-a-dozen men in fatigues jumped down, waving automatic rifles, Half-a-dozen more trained two heavy machine guns on us. The car was taken apart. Everything was removed, even the Seats.
They are thorough, these men of the Special Task Force (STF), an elite police commando unit fighting militant Tamil separatists in the Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka's troubled Eastern Province. They have been trained by a variety of foreigners, including Pakistanis, a private British company and for intelligence gathering, Israelis.
They are Sinhalese in a mainly Tamil area, and they were tense and nervous. We were in Kattankudi, a Muslim village just south of Batticaloa, and the conflict has been spreading to the Muslims,
We had official permits to be in the area
from the Ministry of National Security in Colombo, but the tension eased only when the commander radioed headquarters. He was told, no doubt, that the previous day we had visited the coordinating officer - in effect, the district's military governor- who had received us affably. We were politely told we could proceed, with apologies for the inconvenience.
Local Tamils rarely get such courtesy from the STF. The local citizens' committee claims they are often roughed up. The Government flatly denies the aliegations, or that torture is used on detainees suspected of being 'terrorists'. Privately, some Government officials admit that the troops
Sri Lar
PO|iC
are not always comple The Citizens' corn accuses the STF and suspects, many of w and denying the arrest The connittee h about 393 Tamils W. arrested. The secur having detained only also has hospital recC of the injuries clai sustained during dete, One of the alleged 1 training'. The thumb back and attached to : body is lifted and beat
The Government committees are se putting out propagan committees are indee Tamil communities i. have had no represen resigned after refusin unitary state three yea it may also be true notably in the north which is tightly con Tigers, the citizens' longer independent, consist of lawyers, men of all denominal Servants.
if they do not crit much, it is because member said: 'Peop hate relationship wit! who often do bad
The Sri Lankan Cris
India's Locus Star
IN MID-1983, the Sri Lankan state aided, abetted and tried unsuccessfully to cover up what was (by the admission of its own President, Mr. J. R. Jayawardene) a genocidal pogrom against innocent Tamils on the island; in the subsequent period, it compounded the atrocity by letting loose its security forces on the North and the East, raising the toll remorselessly but less visibly. In May 1986, it committed the barbarity of bombing its own people in Jaffna, as if it were the capital of a medieval enemy state waiting to be looted, burnt and destroyed. In the current period, it has cut off energy supplies to the Jaffna peninsula, thus imposing a partial internal blockade against the economy and livelihood of a significant part of the national population. All this has fitted into a brutal military strategy that has involved the induction of an assortment of anti-Indian external elernents drawn fronn israel, Pakistan, South Africa and Western mercenary agencies. Simultaneously, the regime of Mr. Jayawardene has allowed India's 'good offices' to operate along an on-off, stop-go track that is supposed to lead to a negotiated political settlement.
During the administration of Prime Minister indira Gandhi, New Delhi's policy was to express solidarity (whatever might have been the reason for some hesitation initially) with the oppressed Tamils and try and craft a framework and a basis of
substantive autonomy opportunities in their concentration within united (but not nec Lanka, Unfortunately, did not corne but th overall policy were involved. It is equally policy of the Rajiv G has seen a sharp dow on the ground and f approach has been res It is not that no sub been made along th political solution. Stal of December 1983-w improved to incorpo firrn Sri Lankan T recognition of the 't comprising the North ideas have come o, The gap betweenth been identified repea period and is now Yet the Indian policy there is no coherent f. with oppressed pec baseline to guide strategy, and no s pursue. For example,
1985, the Rajiv-Rome Sri Lanka seemed damagingly with foundation that th
 

JANUARY 1987
ka's Citizens' Groups See e AS The Biggest Enemy
tely under control. mittee in Batticaloa the army of arresting hom then disappear, S. as sworn affidavits ho Mvere seen to be ity forces admit to three. The connittee 'rds and photographs med to have been nition. ortures is 'helicopter s are tied behind the a rope, with which the an or burned. claims the citizens' lf-appointed bodies da for terrorists. The ld self-appointed, but n the north and east tation since their MPs g to take an oath to a rsago.
that in sonne areas, arn Jaffna peninsula, trolled by the Tamil cornmittees are no But in Batticaloa, they businesmen, churchions, and retired civil
icise the 'terrorists' as one committee le here have a lovethe militant groups, things, but then the
security forces come and do something worse. '
One of the bad things, for the businessmen, is that the militant groups demand money. But the fear in Batticaloa is primarily of the security forces. 'Here it is a crime to be a young man,' said another member of the committee.
The effect on Batticaloa is disastrous. According to the Government Agent, Mr. M. Anthonimuttu, only 60 per cent of the district's land is under cultivation. The disruption caused by the conflict, the reluctance of young men to move about and the restrictions on the novernent of traffic threaten a serious fall in food production.
The town is slowly dying. No one dares go out after sundown, business is being strangled, and any kind of social, cultural or even sporting activity is out of the question.
Even the Muslim community is being drawn in. Centuries ago, the Muslims were lowcaste Hindus, and they still speak Tamil. They were converted by Arab traders, whose religion offered a way out of their caste prison. Now they are traders, shopkeepers and businessmen,
The Muslims are still close to the Tannils, culturally and sentimentally. They want to keep on good terms with both communities, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. The militants are beginning to seek their support, and the security forces are growing suspicious of them. One young Muslim in Kattankudi was told by an STF man: 'Muslims, you're just the same as Tari S. ’’ By courtesy of The Guardian'
SS
indi
or self-administering traditional region of the framework of a essarily unitary) Sri the political settlement le parameters of the clear to everyone unfortunate that the andhi administration inside in the situation or this its superficial ponsible. stantive progress has e track of seeking a ting with Annexure C which could have been rate, in essence, the annil dernand for a raditional horneland' and the East-several n to the agenda. he two antagonists has tedly in the post-1983 precisely measurable. has acted as though ramework of solidarity ple, no recognisable India's mediating trategic direction to in August-September ish Bhandari policy on to be tripping up the shaping of a e Tannis could not
possibly accept. In the recent period, the Prime Minister has publicly certified some ideas sponsored by Colombo which stood no chance whatever of being accepted by the Tamils (moderate or militant) as something that India should be supporting.
The mission by two Union Ministers, Mr. P. Chidambaram and Mr. K. Natwar Singh, to Sri Lanka in the latest round has proved quite infructuous - with the Jayawardene regime characteristically reneging on promised support for the proposal of reconstituting the Eastern Province by excising Amparai electorate, or the Sinhalamajority areas, from the unit. India's real policy interest in relation to the Sri Lankan crisis seems to be understood weakly and waveringly in New Delhi. The locus standi in seeking a no-nonsense, decisive way out of the mess needs no apology.
The Government of India innust nove quickly to reassert its solidarity with the victims of the crisis and its reasonably worked out geo-political interests given the closeness and immediacy of the challenge and the frontline character of the way this nation has been affected. There is no question of India washing its hands, in helplessness, of the whole affair. lf New Delhi has been taken for a ride by Colombo, it must get off it. While underlining its deep interest in a negotiated political settlement that will keep Sri Lanka one - against all the current trends - it must make it equally plain that it would be a betrayal of humanitarian and national interests to allow the Sri Lankan Government's military strategy against the Tamils to succeed.
By courtesy of The Hindu, (Editorial January 17-international Edition)

Page 15
ANUARY 1987
- - - مصصمسيحي
THE TAWMILS AWL
A Postscript
(Professor of Political Science, Ur
MY FATHER-IN-LAW, S. J. V. Chelvinayakam, once told me when I said that the Jaffna man knows how to look after his interests, that my statement was not correct. He responded that the Tamils had been deceived once when they were persuaded to go along with the disfranchisement and decitizenisation of the Indian Tamils. The same thing could happen again unless there was a vigilant Tamil party to safeguard their interests. That explains one of the reasons for the birth of the Tamil Federal Party. On another occasion, I told him some time in 1954, that Ceylon will one day become part of the Indian federation. He immediately replied “We will then join as two states, not as one'. I think he was quite accurate.
I have stated all this as a prelude to the current discussions that are going on with a view to ending the ethnic crisis in Ceylon. I shall pose two views before I proceed to answer my main question: A PostScript on the Tamils and their Future?
(1) in August 1979, President Jayawardene, in an interview he gave the news weekly, Tribune (18 August 1979) stated that on the question of education (higher) "I am wondering whether we can't go on a racial basis.' On employment, he was more positive. He said "I want to go on a racial basis'.
(2) The Report of Committee 'B' of the All Party Conference of 1984 stated that Dr. Stanley Kalpage (Secretary of Higher Education and Chairman of the University Grants Commission) had enquired "whether ethnicity could be a criterion only for University admissions. What of other areas like employment, trade and business etc.? Was it to be a determining factor in all other fields? Would it be desirable and acceptable in the interests of an integrated Sri Lankan nation?' My interpretation is that Dr. Kalpage was discounting merit and advocating racial proportionality in the interests of an 'integrated Sri Lankan nation'.
The two views tell two things to the
Tamils. Firstly, they should not be deceived. Secondly, there is no hope for them in the present sovereign entity of Ceylon.
I have earlier referred to deception because of what is contained in the present package of proposals put forward by the Ceylon Government.
(1) Annex 2 of the President's address to the Political Parties Conference states National Policy on all subjects and functions are exclusively reserved for the Colombo Government. There is no meaning to devolution or even decentralisation when a blanket statement encompasses the subjects reserved for the provinces.
(2) The powers of the Provinces are
minimal. They are the dyarchical pat Government of Ind over certain subjec unit. The Centre supervision of thes specifically stated interpretation. It is into.
(3) The concurren certain that the
participatory Kach powers in the provi the concurrent list th
(4) Parliament can
simple majority an
councils and witha thirds majority. Th. the support of a because the two , united in passing th thing could happen
(5) Local bodies,
Sabhas and Gramc to be set up with Provincial/District
this mean? There
majority at the co parties in power at not in power, ther members from the local bodies. These bodies with majorit well as the odd ruli these bodies will party's patronage ( nibble away at th District/Provincial
(6) We have reser the last. The Pre disallowing provi has emergency provincial emerger that President Jaya to the Political Pa (page 2, section (including all mat, Provincial Counc legislation, shall Governor, and sh either directly subordinate to him This would mea or his Board of Mi officials. It wou parliamentary an The exercise decentralisation nullified: only a pe political culture C whole exercise is of content.
President Jayaw can be excused f with the whole cohabitation' th
* Please see Tamil 7

TAM U TIMES 15
THEIR FUTUREP'
3y A.J.Wilson
versity of New Brunswick, Canada)
lso similar in design to ern contained in the a Act of 1919. Powers s' are devolved to the 2xercises control and 2 powers. This is not
But that is the trap we should not fall
list makes it doubly provinces are only cheris. Most of the icial list are repeated in ough in devious ways.
vary these powers by d dismantle provincial raw powers by a twoSinhala Only Act had two-thirds majority major Sinhala parties e legislation. The same again.
especially Pradeshiya daya Mandalayas, are in the boundaries of Councils. What does will be one party in a uncil level and other the local body level. If 2 will be a few elected ruling party in these Sabhas and other local ies of the ruling party as ng party members in all unction, as the ruling lispensaries. These will e powers of the main Соитсil.
ved the cruellest jest for sident has powers of icial emergencies. He powers to deal with cies. Most ludicrous is wardene in his address rties Conference stated 0a) "Executive Power ers in respect of which ls have power to enact be delegated to the all be exercised by him or through officers
not the Chief Minister histers, but government d be a negation of | cabinet government. of devolution and are obfuscated and "son versed in Sinhalese un understand that the waste of time and void
ardene and his advisers r not being conversant concept of “political t goes on in France
mes October 1986, page 6.
today. There they have a Socialist President and a Conservative Prime Minister and the two are able to work without a collision. In a way President Jayawardene and Prime Minister Prenadasa work the system in the same way. They keep a safe distance from each other. In France however, President Mitterand forced his Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac to walk three steps behind him on all ceremonial occasions
A presidential and a parliamentary provincial council system cannot be juxtaposed. The way out is an adaption of the French Fifth Republic and the American presidential system. The District or the Province or the State, as the case may be, elects the Governor (as in America) just as the Executive President is elected. The Governor then appoints the Chief Minister and his Board. In such a system there is every likelihood that the majorities will be coincidental and not contradictory. If they are contradictory, the principle of political cohabitation can make the constitution function.
There is yet another way in safeguarding minority ethnic rights. A modified version of the Scottish Committee in the British House of Commons can play a role in Ceylon's National State Assembly. All Tamilspeaking members should be in this committee. All legislation which has a bearing on ethnic minority rights must be approved by a majority in this committee before Parliament enacts such legislation into law. In these various ways the sanctity of the unitary state can be maintained.
But there is nothing sacred about the sanctity of a unitary state. Most unitary states in the modern world are fast federalising. Ministers hobble the excuse that they must seek the verdict of a referendum if certain changes are to be made. My view is that the present constitution should be scrapped, Parliament should convene again as a constituent assembly and then design a federal constitution which will satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil minority.
My doubts are that the first alternative I suggested will not work. The Sinhalese culture must be understood in all its depth to know why pacts, agreements and gentlemen's understandings are broken in the most perfunctory manner. My conviction is that Mr. Chelvanayakam's prophecy will materialise. Sooner than later we will federate with India, not as one state but as two separate states.
LAWS
Laws are like spider's webs which, if anything small falis into them, they ensnare it, but large things break
through and escape.
Solon 7-6 B.C.

Page 16
15 TA, MMIL TIMMES
SPIRITUAL LL THE SRI LAN
THE EXTRACT from : hic Mylarning Siar (17 October 1981, 'Thic Church Sings "Onward Christian Soldiers''' which you published in your Novic Inher issue doles Inici collinc as I surprisc, though it is le bic decply regret cd, It is districssing and sad 13 se:: thic cleptilis L. Which Chu Tchi lcalders have fallen in Sri Lanka. The Morning La L 0 LLlELSalla LLLLLaaL S LaLLLLL LLLLLLLHHH Bishop Swithin Fu: Tmarıda at tcmpting Lici cxplain a way his participation in that service. He writes please pray for firgivci css II c.'', but in what in his aCLL aaLaSCS L atLLL LLLLL LHHLLLLL LL LLL LHHL wrong. On the contrary he affir IIIs that he was lhippy te participat : in that service: 1 bless the registeilia | Çiç olars, if several battalions of the Sri Lankan at Iny, His only expressi. 1 (if regret is tric Inay use lihat Wri is, 13 say thit he we Luçl Iç II lave chosen the hymn "Onward Christi: Soldicrs' but again is quick to defend tic singing of th:Lt hy|Tin which as Dr. D.C. Artilala walla T has appropriately pointed (LI. th: Melli ist Churchille USA las çlı'lippedi Tırtı its latest Hıyıtınızıl,
This action in the part of thc two Si Illhäälesc Bis Ehips al Incl 1 lhe: Presisielt of thic Mictlı Codist (Ch Lurcill rei Llı incls. Tie: bıçLI ; statement II:ade by Mr. Nesiah nearly two decades ago when Imcilher of the Ni tiun al Council of the (Churchies of Christ in the USA visited Jaffna at the height of the Wietnam War. Mr. Nesiah commenting in the failure of the Church to speak (Jul (In the Inced to restore peace With justice: in Wietnam said that "evel Bishops can be spiritually illiterate". I do LTLLL L LLLLaLLL LaLLLHaHLH LLLlL LLLLGL LLL the Roman Catholic Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Nicholas Marcus F: Inando and that of thg Anglican Bishop of ColorTibu together with the Preside of Bı: Nihilist Church. Bishop Marcus Fernando is a Bishop of a Church exclusively based on Sinhalese territory and is therefore answerable to a predominantly Sinhalese congregation. l de should of course be answerable to God. But I suppose these days in Sri Lanka among Church leaders likc him thall is a Italcer of li rie Consequence. These IIe have found their (wn golden calf to worship and pay rcs:CL i i c Stā of Sti LIlka I is "Dharmist a rules.
Un pārdonable
The participation of the Anglican Bishop of Color:Tmbo hic Rt. Rev. Swithin Ferrancio and the President of the Mct hidis. Conference. Rev. H. Flando in the service to thiess the Hilled forces is. in particula T, unpardonable. This is not something personal to be forgiven at a PCTs nil evil, These Inc. have been acting on behalf of thc Church. Bishop Swithin Fernando is Bishop of the ATiglican Clurch in the Northerr Province as well. The Met dist
Conference includ: ('lı Lirches in hıc N Were Eileref I: E. ti i 1111 CC 1 ar 11 fft:1.1% fick. The recuri : the Mort || 31 E documcinted by te Organisati CN118. Id il the World. 11. Sri ] Minister of Nati ICWS I filii Willil
that there have big HIT LI IllersTI I:T T: I1 t | committed again: civilial I15. TlL:GL twi the divinely critrust tC ser ve a Incl protect Church in a spirit of as i shEpiller'd tak, sheep, They lay da Inge to the Illi Lanka. They have
LH : T:HTThil Christian he will II: in the LELI III) le II lygu'r IL LITI If the Church in the ha! We dy Illt H clis-se! country. They have of the Church at a history of l.urlık H. TI intesponsible at thi TT1:iiningful and dcl [ç) Toscilly: [1u COIlli inleinational and di the Still Tika gv alternpling a Inilitar
BY SANTASIL
The Wric ").C.A.' is Lin h making this fact wic Ch Lurch1 ::clicTS : El "el III al ger Luri tii ST3k.II tg:T113; Cltrily-biscd Chi State and tille coppi people. lll, CCITI I Inc.Il Sri Lanka, 1 1: “T; 1986) was absolul that, "l il ils gage:Ink by Sinhala-Buddhis Christian Tradition , withii. The Sri Li:LIll Church correct stablish its will ": Tamils. W|het het ChristialI18 1r Hindu t" estabelish Tlı eski-ca: identity of the ChuI many leading Inc. have becoil. To Christian."
You rightly said While we have reis. 1 le TClg of thcil73tit leadership today, it TITilul: L. GJIT: &

A NARY S.37
ITERACY AND KAN CHURCH
: : : large ILLI. Inter" | orth and East. They sing the arried forces ciwc :ig:Li List their i yw'r if thic IIIL) forces it Est his been W, el| putablic hurları Tights lic Inc.ws IIdia all (''' LELI kan PTEsident, Line lal ScCurity and the LEA Inka have City celed :I "excesses", which is loT the grave at rocities ;t i Ilocc 11 Tallil I men have betrayed ed tisk givem L.) Lhem
the IIIlbers of their s: crificial service ever :s t":TE Ind feeds his e di F1 iTreparable ty if the Church in ls15 th: :IIIIfileIII (s 5. "I'lley Will III l'ITgcr Tamthil hıdırells; IIIc Isled with the Welf:Ir: North and East. They Twice tı (Churchı IIIl
betrayed the Iihissist crucial period in the heir action is doubly : frescril Title wh: icaic: offkarts are: a skool Lt, ind pressures Is Ith omgestic : r : striciigi i III, :rıltıcı1 1 ) kicsis. Í TITI y SI LI. Liç 31.
MI KANDIRGAMAR
the Morning Star e Congra 1 Lula Ted for cly kilçown. It is tine: Tid the ciclur Tieni:al th. World are told in the Tole (Is th: urch irl, Tclatik, 1 it to y Llïc s:;il if the Tamil ling CIl the Church in : Inil Tilles' (August :ly correct in stilting 'ss to Tesist the charge ... cxt Ellists that the väsi Tı “alici lcm1c1" xam body politic, the !d its cil.Impaign I) Sinhala authcnticity'. they be Catholics. 5, had to the sacrificed lld i Luthentic Sinha la: "ch. In this CEITI:ligil, 1CTs of the Church e Sinhala and less,
"rila: hy and it "all". 10 fightly coil de III .ticonal Chu Tch änd its is but fai hal we päy LISta Ticiling and well
krk will Tarles Willii Ilic Church is linki. Two of them are na longer with us. I ref:1 te Bishop l.c. Na Nayakkara and Bishop Lakshmi. T. Wickreitlasinghe of revered Incitory. The latter in particular visited Jaffna every year since he lecaric Bishop in the carly 191lls and icleIllified himsel: with thic aspirations and sufferings of the Ta I mil pictople... la fiina dici Ilol fall with in the slew; Tulship of the Kurunegal; Diocese of which he was Bish. It is well known that his until cly death was precipitated by the tragic events of July 1983. In his pastoral leTICT shortly his Tc his death which the CCA News (Christian Cunference khi Asia, November 15, 1983) aptylied "A Cry Fr(IT. The Heart" hit spoke it in cle:' : 1d 11 Tambiguous crims — **T LITI Lugainst th: Hrs ) Ti, Il Cbt I d tn I rrllettri rnf in II (cent peuple and torture hy the security forces in Jaffna, Trincorale, Wavuniy'a i Endl elsewhı:T:, "These are Lujustified acts of Tiew':ıge for tlı E Hctivities of the Irined groups whim they сппоl eliminate. I do III support the cl:Trı:Hind for tlı dominanticııılı qılf Eht: THıı il 3 by the Sinhalese majurity. Nor di I circline the biased propagall: It lit found in the rational daily papers . . . My deep est sy'Irpilhy is fut the Tamils whist ancestors arrived during the period of British rule, and it is especially sr, for the estat e labout who have e Iliriliut Eid si much to our income from exports. They have sufered and been lumiliated because they are defenceless, I feel deeply Hshined for the pain and the loss they have undergone. It is a moral injustice [ht 'rith, but LC) he: ven . . ." Thc5e were COLT:...gc. 115 WITs, and the sincer. Li pH i Lirings fra T1 LE1: heart of a main who was trLie: to his calling and loyal to the 1uthentic missitir (1f the Church.
Retained Silent
Contrast the actions of the Anglical II. Bish IT Uf Columbo and the Methodist President with that of Bishop Lakshman irn 18 wlieni H1: blessical lil: (), (3) ciis rilissed strikirlig yw II kes ir 1 Ra III1 al III. That action of his evoked hostility and hard words fra II lore sicle 11 Jay'a wirçle:it: which received wide publicity in the press. AL a meeting of the “Chris Liais il the Struggle for Justice', held in Kurunegala two years later specifically asked Bishop Lakshman whether any of the other Bishops spike Lupi in his descrick Jr. that occasion. His reply was that he clid mot 'Cceive s Luppi CTI ir Ti su:lı situaces. In the contrar, he said soIII: Christians Write ti. him saying he well cieserved to he
reprimatided by the President.
ln 1981 the Twatt (18ulation ws Cornwend by Bisho Laksırtı: TI TI focus aa SaaaHLLLLHH LLLL LHHL LLLLaLLLLLLLaaS LL aaaL National Quislin. It was attended by 15 dclegatics from both the Roma T., Calholi: - ritra Le: Liguri FF

Page 17
JANUARY 1987
continued from page 16
and Protestant denominations in the country. Urged by Sinhalese friends who recognised the legitimacy of the Tamil demands I made a strong plea on behalf of the Tamil Christians that the Churches recognise the Tamil peoples' right to selfdetermination and became involved in a heated and passionate argument with Bishop Lakshman. He had the honesty and integrity to declare his opposition to self-determination. He preferred to focus on the legitimate grievances of the Tamil people and arrive at a consensus on issues like land, language, employment and education. He was however visibly agitated over the absence of a consensus among the Sinhalese and Tamil Christians and at one stage appealed to the Sinhalese and Tamil Christians present in these words. I recall from memory - "I want my brother Bishops and others present here to speak out and tell our Tamil friends what they really feel. Everytime our Tamil friends come here and express their grievances you shake your heads in seeming approval and keep mum. You later come and whisper in my ears we cannot give in to their demands.' There were five other Sinhalese Bishops present on that occasion including Bishop Swithin and Bishop Marcus Fernando. They remained silent.
Action To Heal Wounds
Far from participating in a service to bless the armed forces, Sinhalese Bishops could have been visiting Jaffna more often and doing the kind of work that Vijaya Kumaranatunga is doing. A visit to the Citizens' Committees, the refugee camps and the families of detainees and the disappeared would have won the respect and confidence of the Tamil people. A visit to the refugee camps in India and meeting with the Tamils in exile and South Indian Church leaders and human rights activists would have been deeply appreciated. It is such acts that can heal the wounds inflicted on the Tamils and prepare the ground for true reconciliation, not blessing the banners of the army!
There are today some well-known Christian leaders following in the tradition of Bishop Lakshman and Bishop Leo. We would be doing a dis-service to them by mentioning their names at this juncture. In your interview (Tamil Times, April 1985) with Mr. Robert Kilroy-Silk (Labour MP) soon after the visit to Sri Lanka by the British Parliamentary delegation, you have the following questions and answers which are worth quoting in the present content:
Q. Did you talk to any Christian leaders and what is their position: A. We spoke to some of them, some were very good and some were very bad.
Q. Who are the people you met?
A. I can mention the names of those ones we were not impressed with. We weren't particularly impressed with the Papal Nuncio in
Colombo and the of Colombo. Til Christian leaders and who were clé concerned about Tamil people. Nevertheless, righ date when the B banners of the Sri Churches' failures w rather than acts of just one example wł National Security A hostile and disparagi against Bishop Deo other Bishops dared stand and speak up f and its leaders until called to penitence words of the Gene having left undone th ought to have done. E have done those thin not to have done. The act that has lost forth not only the Tamil ecumenical movemei to the conflict, and th the right to demand 1 movement the ex Churches from peace efforts to ensure the Tamils and welfare of
Play Down
The Sri Lankan controlled and domin constituency has stoc World Council of Christian Conference their legitimate dutie oppression of the Tan of these two organis world public opinio) Tamils, in comparisc the work they ha Philippines and Sout blocked by the Chu The WCC was not a that have taken up th rights in Sri Lanka b This is in spite of violations of human 1 just now one of the spokesmen have adm the writer posed th relevant officer in W that the WCC canno unless a request is m: the country concerne request and provic documentation the including the Nation has sought to play committed against th
In the 1960s and { delegations to consultations waxed tion struggles and rights issues. Sri reputation for being Christian Workers' groups in Sri Lanka models. All this fell a a major crisis at ho

Anglican Bishop ere were other ho impressed us arly worried and he future of the
until this infamous shops blessed the Lankan army, the re acts of omission ommission. To cite en the Minister for hulathmudali made ng remarks directed upillai none of the or cared to take a or him. The Church recently had to be in the well-known ral Confession for se things which they ut now these leaders gs which they ought y have performed an em the confidence of people but also the it. They are a party e Tamil Church has rom the ecumenical clusion of these initiatives including human rights of the Tamil refugees.
Atrocities
Church which is ated by its Sinhalese d in the way of the Churches and the of Asia performing 's in relation to the nil people. The work ations in mobilising on behalf of the in for example with we done for the h Korea, has been rches in Sri Lanka. nong several NGOs 2 violation of human efore the UNHRC. the fact that the ights in Sri Lanka is vorst in Asia. WCC itted this fact. When is question to the CC the answer was move in the matter de by the Church in l. Far from making a ing the necessary ri Lankan Church, Christian Council, own the atrocities Tamils. arly 70s Sri Lankan VCC and CCA eloquent on liberaustice and human Lanka gained a progressive, and the ellowship and other were held forth as art when faced with ne. The Sri Lankan
TAM TIMES 17
Church is becoming more like the Indonesian Church, reluctant to give a frce hand to ecumenical organisations to move on justice issues when it concerns one's own country. It is no coincidence that Indonesia is the other Asian country with a horrible record for the violations of human rights. I refer to East Timor and Irian Jaya and the massacre of hundreds of thousands of alleged communists since Suharto took over in 1966.
It can be argued that the Philippines is a Christian country and South Korea has a large Christian population. In which case the local Churches must help ecumenical bodies to evolve appropriate strategies for action. Far from doing that it now appears that the Sri Lankan Church has crossed the Rubicon taking its place on the side of reaction and oppression rather than progress and liberation.
The Church leaders should at this juncture take a vote among the Sinhala Christians on the Tamil demand for the right to self-determination in the same way that the Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU) has done. Then we can all decide how he should relate to the Sinhalese Church. The CMU with its 95 per cent Sinhalese membership has voted overwhelmingly in support of the Tamil demand. Every left party in Lanka has adopted the self-determination demand after 1977. The left movement is far ahead of the Church on the question of justice to the Tamils. Let us and the world know where exactly the Sinhalese members of the Church stand on this question. If Church leaders cannot take a clear and open stand on this issue, the least they can do is to remain silent and mot stand in the way of Christians within and outside Sri Lanka, especially Churches and Christian organisations all over the world, that have taken a consistent stand on justice to the Tamils.
India's mediation essential
THE SRI LANKAN MINISTER for Rural Industries Development, S. Thondaman, has said that India's mediatory role in solving the island's protracted ethnic issue should continue and 'her cooperation is indispensable'. However, he was not shy of giving plenty of advice regarding india's efforts. Speaking to newsmen at Pattamangalam town in Tamil Nadu, he said India should work towards formulating a 'proper base principle', which could bridge the gap between Tamil militant groups and the island government. This must be done without any delay as the present juncture was very Crucial.
Thondaman said, however, the 'base principle' should not favour division of Sri Lanka or anything that would harm the island's unity and integrity,
Referring to the help extended by India to more than 100,000 Lankan refugees, Thondaman emphasised that India was not an outsider to the issue. 'The broad objective is to create conditions under which the refugees can return to their homeland with dignity and security'.

Page 18
18 TAM L TIMES
DOWN MEMORY LA
THE EDITOR has kindly allowed me to wonder a little more into two worlds - mine and yours. The thought that first comes into my mind is one of gratitude to my old pupils and friends who feted me and my wife at a luncheon recently, This demonstration of affection and goodwill should be heartening to old teachers like me, as it shows that the traditional Tamil values of pupils reverencing and paying homage to their teachers are still with us.
I wish to refer to an event which took place a few decades ago, an event on a much higher plane. In the late 19th - early 20th centuries, J. M. Hensman, a distinguished son of Jaffna, from Sandilipay, was Principal and Professor of English in the Government College, Kumbakonam, a college with degree courses. Srinivasa Sastri was one of his pupils and Swaminatha Iyer, the well known Tanil Scholar, was an assistant under him. In later years, Sastri blossomed into a great Indian leader, successor to the great Gokhale as President of the Servants of Indian Society, and a trusted friend of Gandhi. His mastery of the English language
and his powers of oratory brought him .
fame in the English-speaking world. The Freedom ofthe City of London was conferred on him. He was made a Privy Councillor.
About the year 1934, Rt. Honourable Srinivasa Sastri passed through Colombo on his way to Australia. Hensman had retired and was living in Chundikuli. Sastri came all the way to Jaffna to pay his homage to his "Guru" who was ninety years old. Those who have gone through the travails of a 12 hour rail journey from Colombo to Jaffna, can well imagine what Sastri would have suffered, coming to Jaffna in the morning by the night mail and returning the same evening.
He declined all invitations by the Jaffna leaders to address a public meeting. He said that what brought him to Jaffna vivas his reverence for his guru. Those of us, who had the rare chance to have at least a distant view from outside the Hensman hone of this demonstration of guru bakthi, can never forget that touching scene.
兴 长 * * 兴 兴
In my speech at the luncheon I referred to a contretemps that took place between Gladstone and Disraeli as they were emerging from the House of Commons. They were both great Prime Ministers but Vvere implacable enermies, Gladstone was a moralist and devoted his life to proving that politics could be a godly pursuit even at the personal level. Disraeli was a nan of extravagant behaviour and his 9pen liaison with some of the socialite ladies of the day gave him a dubious reputation. But, as Prime Minister, his undoubted talents, his services in
consolidating the acquisition of th and other acts earned him a last He was a frier who disliked Gla, when Disraeli die burial in the Hughenden, she on the tomb of Minister, a royal the history of thereafter, Sir M the maternal Ramanathan and Соотaraswarту, international fam of Disraeli, who the O2ueen, Mut
The "Orator
dramatised the and had it perfor the Oueen, he hi of Harichandra.
The Oueen we the story and h that a person, c which Harichan be honoured. supported the
Speci MANY of our fri with you as, in Ja or overseas, you agony of the pres
Our American so I have prepare
We read all si Lanka in the T (weekly newspap Morning Star (w. appear) and onc newspaper. I Ambassador to Senators for the of the Tamil caus the new America I always receive satisfactory reply
 

JANUARY 1987
NE . . .
British Empire, in the Suez Canal shares of statesmanship, g reputation. f of Oueen Victoria stone. It is said that , a few days after his family vault at ame to lay a wreath her favourite Prime gesture unknown in ngland till then or uttucoornaraswany, uncle of Sir P.
father of Dr Ananda the great art critic of 2, was a good friend
introduced hirm to ucoornarasamy had
"making a point story of Harichandra,
ned in the presence of mself playing the role
s delighted both with s acting and thought oming of the race to
ira belonged, should
Disraeli strongly idea. Multitucoomara
swamy was knighted, the first Asian to be so honoured. On Disraeli's recommendation, he was also admitted to the Inns of Court, the first nonChristian to be so admitted. Disraeli wished to adopt him as Conservative candidate for one of the parliamentary seats. So Sir Muttucoomaraswamy came to Ceylon to sell his property, which was considerable, to return to England and settle down there. But on arrival in Colombo, he fell ill with pneumonia and passed away. Mumtaz Mahal, that stately mansion in Colpetty, which is now the official residence of the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, originally belonged to him.
It was he who had introduced the Ponnambalam brothers into the higher circles of English society and both brothers, Rannanathan and Arunachalam, enjoyed, during their life time, the friendship and esteen of eminent politicians and literary men in England, Sir P. Ramanathan before setting out to England, to highlight the atrocities committed on the Sinhalese people during the riots and martial law of 1915 and seek redress from Whitehall, senta personal cable to Neville Chamberlain, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, requesting him to await his arrival before taking any decision on the representations made to him both by the Ceylonese leaders and the Government of Ceylon. He had to send a person to Madras to despatch this cable as there was then strict censorship in Ceylon. The first world war was going on but he risked a journey to England through mineinfested seas. He interviewed Chamberlain, almost ata personal level, and had all the Sinhalese leaders released from prison and Governor Chalmers recalled.
Some of my readers may think that my 'anecdotage' is due to dotage; but feel that the younger generation should read of these old events and feel proud of the Tamils, who blazed
such wonderful trails.
C. Subramaniam
Principal Emeritus, Skanda Varodaya College
al Message To Tamil Friends
nds are suffering in thought na, elsewhere in Sri Lanka 'ontinue to go through the nt situation, friends know little about it a special letter for them. nificant information on Sri mil Times, India Abroad r printed in New York) the marvel that it continues to in a while in an American rote to the American i Lanka and our two U.S. ate of New York on behalf . I am preparing a letter for Ambassador in Colombo. careful but not necessarily rom the Ambassador.
And what can my good wife and I say in comfort and sympathy to you, our dear Tamil friends scattered on several continents? Only that you are several times each day in our thoughts, in our prayers and number one on our list of world concerns. We marvel at your faith and fortitude and patience and earnestly pray that the struggle for local self government may succeed in 1987. It will require great patience, compromise on both sides (and belligerents are not very good at compromise) and something called a bit of luck which we recognise as an answer to our prayers.
W. R. Holmes (formerly of Jaffna College)
Route 1, Box 1250, Assembly Point, Lake Georg, New York 12845, U.S.A.

Page 19
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JAMUAHRY 1987
Tani CYSÅT Are y
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Perhaps you be somewhere ifs
Please complete THE CH
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Name....................
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TAMIL, MUSIC AND DA
Name of School Headmaster/Organiser Telephone Ganapathy Temple Arts Mr.A.T.S. Ratnasingam 01-5424141 School, London SW19 01-946 1 40 . .
Institute of Tamil Culture Mr. K. Jegatheeswaren 01-949 3012 | Surbiton, Surrey Mr. W. Thayalan O1-399.7848
London Sri Murugan Temple Mr. S.K. Ganapathy O1 - 478 84.33 Art School, London E12 O1-471 3831
London Tamil Sangam Mr. R. Veerasingam 01-4703804. School, London E13 Mr. S. Tambirajah
London Tamil School Mr. S. Thiruchelvam O-5425 140
Londom Veena Musical Mr. S. Rajah O1-672O603 Group, London SW17
Shakespeare School of Oriental Dancing, Middlesex Mrs.G. Shakespeare 01-95.105.94
South East London Tamil Ms. P. Sivagnanam O1-6920823 School, London SE13 MS. S. Philomin 01-6975181
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0-471 3350/1866 O-263,866 O1-54358 Oi-4722063 O-272.394 O15437158
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

AMIL TIMES 21
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Page 22
22 TAMIL TIMES
irst 20 words to hadditionalvord Charge for Box No.if
(VAT 15% extra) Prepaymentessential
OE
MATRIMONAL
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, in late 30's, Jaffna Hindu, employed USA, seeks bride, preferably qualified in Accountancy or Computer Science Box M140.
ELDERSISTER, settled in Australia, seeks suitable marriage partners for professionally qualified sister 34 (presently in UK) and brother 37, teacher Zimbabwe. 'Intermarriage' considered. Box M150.
JAFFNA HINDU parents seek professionally qualified partner between 28 and 34 years for professionally qualified accountant daughter. Please send horoscope when replying. Box M151. MARRIAGE ALLIANCE sought by Jaffna Hindu parents for 26 year old attractive daughter in final year M.Sc Computer Electronic Engineering. Box M152.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, March 7 Memorial Thanksgiving Service for life and work of Barbara Atkins at the Putney Methodist Church, 3ρrη.
Saturday, March 7 Tamil Performing Arts Society presents "Mukamillatha Manitharkal' Anson Hai, London NW2, 7pm. For details call 01-459 4335 or 01-340 7660.
Saturday, March 21 S.C.O.T. Musical Evening, followed by Dinner &
Disco. Lola Jones Hall, Tooting. For tickets and
other details call 01-422 8984 (nett proceeds to Tellipallai Cancer Hospice).
Sunday, April 19 S.C.O.. Tamil New Year lunch & Raffle Draw. Lola Jones Hall (nett proceeds to refugee relief and rehabilitation).
From Nuclear Physics to High Financel
Dr. Asoka K. Selvarajah, son of Mr. S. Selvarajah of Alperton, Wembley, earlier of Yaparimoolai, Point Pedro, and of Mrs Selvarajah of Kurunegala, was recently awarded a Ph.D. by the Birmingham University for research into Particle Physics. He is presently a Consultant for Financial Planning Services in Covent Garden, London W.C.2.
OBITUA
THURAIRAJASINGHAM nam. Wife of late C. (Retired, irrigation En Belle, Dr. Chandra (l (U.K.), Malar (Australia) and Rabin (U.K.), Blanchard Selvarajah, late Mano Kadirgama (Australia), Yohini anc Funeral service on December at General No. 10, E Block, Andersc
AMARASINGHAM, Ba late Mr. & Mrs. J. Uduvil), former Enginee and recent emigré to leaves behind his wife children.
SELVARATNAM, Rasia Sussex Way, Cockfoste behind his wife Sarc inland Revenue), S (Accountant, Merry Ly (Computer Scientist, B daughter Sharmini Cremation, 17 January,
PERSO
Dr. Prennan Wiles, form Council of Asia, base recently been appointe Programme on Justi Integrity of Creation wi of Churches, Geneva.
Rev. Dayalan Niles, ti has now taken up the General Secretary of Christian Unity and Int of the United Methodis His office is at the Int 475, Riverside Drive, Ne Both are sons of ther and preacher, the late who was President of Churches and of the Conference at the time
WEDD
John Kulanayagam, Chart New Guinea and Nirmal 27th, Finchley Methodist C
'AS MEMBERS O. dealing with refugees. brethren who have be as members of t committed to a renew is to make them feel th to fali upon and so Disruption is severe : should be our duty to the minimum funds human beings.
This cannot be do assistance. While wi those who are devote the poor and needy, local consciousness destitutes to feel tha community and they have not been forgott own kith and kin. T essential part of reha demonstrated in two out to help them and to help them, both inc Address of the new C. Sivatharnby, on the occa the Governing Council
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JANUARY 1987
RES
| Mercy ThangaratThurairajasingham gineer). Mother of J.K.), Pathmaranee Mahendran, Sathia mother-in-law of Sethurajan (U.K.), , Victor Duraisamy Thayamani (U.K.). Saturday, 20th Cemetery, Kanatte. in Flats, Colombo 5.
rathan (son of the C. Amarasingham, r, Browns (Colombo) Australia. Barathan
Chandra and three
h. Accountant, 133 irs, Herts. He leaves jini (Civil Servant, ons Dushyanthan nch) and Puvendran anque Paribas), and Systems Analyst), Golders Green.
NAL
erly of the Christian d in Singapore has 2d Secretary for the Ce, Peace and the th the World Council
Il recently of Boston, a post of Associate the Conrnission on ar-Religion Concerns t Church in the USA. er Church Centre at
vv York. enowned theologian Rev. Dr. D. T. Wiles, he World Council of Sri Lanka Methodist pf his death in 1970.
)ING
ered Accountant, Papua a Boniface. December hurch, London.
- MALA 8 NIRMALA JEYASINGHAM
Sisters from ford, Essex, entertained S.C.O.T. members to an excellent display of Bharata Natyam at their Annual New Year Lunch in London. Proceeds of the day have been donated to refugee relief work in the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka.
Preston's Prospective Parliamentarian
Dr. T. Raj Chandran, old boy of Kokuvil Hindu College, graduate of the Colombo Medical College, President of the League of Friends of the University of Jaffna (LOFUJ), Major in the British Royal Army Medical Corps (TA) and Medical Practitioner in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, has recently been adopted as Prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Preston, Lancashire. The seat is held at present by Labour, with a majority of 7,000. His wife Oudsia, also a doctor, is from Peshawar in Pakistan.
F TRRO, we are not
We are dealing with our en made destitutes. We his organisation are ral of their life. Our duty at they have somebody me place to fall back. ind suffering is great. It help them with at least
they need to live as
he always with foreign seek assistance from d to the cause of helping there should also be a that should help these they form part of our are our brethren and en and forsaken by their is consciousness is an bilitation and this can be ways - by the way we go by the way we contribute ash and in kind.
airman of TRRO, Prof. K. sion of his first meeting with
Your Share in a Nutshell
ir Please Send us Funds to
Settle one or more Families Cost estimate: Rs 22,000/- per family
ff not, k Please provide Funds to
Construct a small dwelling fora needy family
lfthat is not possible,
Please give us Funds to
Buya Cow for One Family
lfthat too is not within your reach,
Please Contribute whatever you can
SERVICES DIVINE
TRRO LTD.
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Page 23
JANUARY 1987
TELLIPALA HOSPICE
THE NORTHERN PROVINCE CANCER SOCIETY, a registered charity based in Jaffna, is Setting up a hospice to care for advanced victims of the disease - a much needed facility for the whole region.
It will be located close to the regional Cancer Hospital at Tellipallai on and which has been donated by a local philanthropist. The Australian High Commission in Colombo has offered to equip the hospice.
Funds are urgently required to complete the building programme. The total floor area of 10,475 sq.ft. will include 2 single rooms, 4 double rooms, a dormitory, toilets, kitchen, recreation room and other facilities. The amount required is Rs 1,600,000 (£40,000 approx).
The Cancer Society is relying on the support of Tamil expatriates to meet the costs of construction and appeats to them to give generously towards this very worthy Cai S6.
The Standing Committee of TamilSpeaking People (UK), a registered charity in Britain, is pleased to endorse this appeal and undertakes to receive and promptly remit all donations to the Cancer Society in Jaffna. SCOT has set up a "Tellipallai Hospice Fund” with an initia contribution of f 1,000. It will gratefully accept donations to this fund from Tamil expatriates and other well-wishers.
Donations should be sent to:
The Treasurer, SCOT, 181 Torbay Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA29O.F, UK
indicating that it is intended for this fund.
Cheques should be drawn and crossed in favour of SCOT.
Arumuga Navalar- The First Tamil Freedom Fighter
Father admiring son's handiwork
He lived only for 57 years (1822-1879) and although born, bred and educated in Jaffna, he prided himself in being a Tamilian first, and therefore his primary affinity was for the Tamil people and their way of life - whether in Jafna, Chithamparam or Thiruchendur", declared Krishna Vaikunthavasan at a recent meeting in Wimbledon to commemorate the great reformer's contribution to Tami regeneration. long before Subramania Bharathiyar of مه *amil Nadu, Aru muga Navalar was recognised as a leading literary figure and : Hindu philosopher, added Mr. Vaikunthavasan "ho also exhorted the gathering to give their test support to today's Liberation fighters.
tarlier a large size portrait of Arumuga Navalar painted by Candeepan Vaikunthavasan as unveiled. It may be recalled that indeepan painted a portrait of Lord Stockton to died this month.
^mong others who spoke at this meeting
'e Mr. K. Navasothi and Selvi Surulika -kanathan.
i
INSTITUTE OF '
Based at Kno Tolwort
CLATTILARA
8
Language cla
The Institute of Tami first cultural evening of under the distinguished Mayor Councillor David Mayoress of the Royal Be Thames. It was a succes over 250 people.
in his speech the Hea Mr. K. Jegatheeswaran, of Mother Tongue Learni teaches the language t introduces then to the possess, thereby helpin and respectable citizens"
Tamil inform
T.I.C., established comprehensive servic in Sri Lanka by collec disseminating inform open to the public from day. Important Sri newspapers and period
its publications in arni riformation 8 i located ir) Madras, a bri
For further informatio its UK c
3rd Floor, 24-28
London : (entrance V.
Te: O1
T
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAM 1 L TIMES 23
who subsequently "disappeared". Officials
Linus Aloysius Franklin is a 31-year-old technical officer at the Chemamadu irrigation Office. He is married with two children. His father has spoken to eye-witnesses about his son's arrest on 2 December 1984. While searching the area that day, soldiers killed many unarmed Tamil civilians at random, apparently in reprisal for killings of Sinhalese families by armed Tamils which happened several days before. Twenty-seven villagers from nearby Othiyamalai were taken from their houses and shot before the soldiers swooped on the villages of Chema madu and Cheddikulam. There they arrested 100 men,
disclaim knowledge of their arrest and whereabouts, but there are strong reasons to believe that Linus Franklin and the rest of the 100 men who "disappeared" that day have been killed and their bodies disposed of in secret, possibly in ratperiyakulam Army Camp in Vavuniya. This is one of the cases Al is asking the Sri Lankan Government to clarify.
By courtesy of Amnesty international, Newsletter, January 1987
AML CULTURE
Ilmead School, h, Surrey
EVENIWG
ss in progress
Culture celebrated their 22nd November, 1986 patronage of The Deputy Smedley and The Deputy prough of Kingston Upon sful evening attended by
d Master of the Institute stressed the importance ing. “The school not only o the children but also
rich culture the Tamis g them into responsible , he added.
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lation Centre
in 1983, provides a a on the ethnic conflict ting, documenting and ation. The Library is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Lankan and lindian dicals are available.
India are handled by Research Unit (T.I.R.U.) anch ofT.I.C., Madurai.
n, please write/call/visit pffice at:
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Students of Arunthathy Srikantharajah took part recently in a novel orchestra with nine veenas at the Highgate Murugan Temple, London N6, in aid of the Temple funds. Arunthathy has several concerts to her credit, including two appearances on TV. Besides working as a professional Inusician and teacher, she is very interested in promoting the veena in the UK.

Page 24
24TAMILTIMES -TT
Uneasy Calm In J
AN UNEASY CALM, shattered only by sporadic mortar fire, has now descended on the Jaffna peninsula in Northern Sri Lanka. Residents told THE HINDU that the situation was returning to normal except for an occasional shell fire from the Jaffna Fort and the Point Pedro Camp.
Over 2,000 people have evacuated the Koddadi area, north west of the Jaffna Fort, following the past four days of violence. On Thursday last the Sri Lankan army, entrenched in the Jaffna Fort, ventured out and proceeded towards Koddadi and occupied houses around the Aiyanar Temple.
The army has now consolidated itself in the district telecommunication centre and established a mini-camp with 300 soldiers there. Jaffna residents phoning the exchange have been warned by the security personnel to vacate the 1,000-metre zone immediately. According to the residents, the messages in Tamil said the army would come out after January 14 (Thai Pongal).
Technical officers were taken to the exchange to attend to maintenance of the electronic systems. They were dropped at Pannai in an armoured vehicle later. The officers were asked to come again on Monday for maintenance work.
A spokesman of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam told THE HINDU that they had allowed technical personnel to go into the
telecommunication cer facilities was essential are not attacking the c not want to damage anc Fuel crisis worsens: intensifying, following 1 fuel supplies to Jaffna Board suspended inter peninsula yesterday. A official said that over 50 islands off the peninsu Since the Pannai causev with the mainland is im Fort and Mandaitivu ca, are using a ferry Aralithurai. Now only because of the fuel shor stocks is impossible and Outside the peninsul granted to transport o Mullaitivu and Kilino permit. The embargo enforced strictly with stopped at Elephant Pa is timber felled illicitly.
Following charges o the fuel stocks seized a arrangements have be fuel stocks are now bei persons carrying then officials. The fuel is farmers in the Vavuniya
DONS OU
N PROTE
THE UNIVERSITIES in Sri Lanka have been indefinitely closed as almost all university teachers submitted their resignations from their non-academic posts from the first week of January.
According to Prof. Osmond Jayaratne, President of the University Teachers Federation, 80 deans and departmental heads from eight universities resigned on
5 January, along professors working as and WVardens.
The dispute betw teachers and the au consequence of dem the teachers for a fla as cost of living allow at only Rs.300 preser
THE PARLIAMENTARY Group of Amnesty International is composed of a large number of parliamentarians drawn from both the Senate and the House of Representatives in Australia who are members of all political parties represented within the Parliament.
All members share a deep personal concern for the human and political rights of people throughout the world, and as fellow Parliamentarians, especially as democratically elected colleagues of OurS within the Commonwealth, we know that you share these concerns.
from Amnesty International, and from other independent and reliable sources that it seems that many people in Sri Lanka have disappeared without trace, innocent victims of the terrible civil strife besetting your country at this time.
We do not wish to interfere in your domestic affairs in any way, and we extend to you our deepest sympathy at the troubles in your country; nevertheless we join with others in calling upon you to establish an independent inquiry to investigate these cases of alleged disappearances supported by the
We are thus deeply concerned to learn .
Australian MP's call for independe
establish ment of a c register from whic lawyers connected Concerned Could im reliable information a arrested persons.
In keeping with Am We express our comp the use of violence source or quarter. Th cannot be justified. disputes and differe what their origins, sht being solved throu democratic means.
We as a Parliame already written to y make our views know now appeal to you offices and influence and peaceful resoluti which is causing so r Concern.
We extend to you wishes and our hope peace to your beautifu
RobertT Senator Ch

affna
tre as maintaining the o the community. "We omplex because we do
disrupt it" he said.
With the fuel crisis he Government ban on , the State Transport nal bus services in the Government Secretariat ,000 people living in the a now bore the brunt. ray linking these islands passable because of the mps the island residents service plying from one ferry is operating tage. Transport of food people are suffering. a permission has been ne barrel of petrol to hchi districts without to Jaffna, however, is even firewood being ss on the ground that it
f corruption regarding t Vavuniya, alternative en made. Confiscated ng purchased from the by the government then redistributed to
aCa
JANUARY 1987
Jayawardene's promise: The island nation's President. Mr. J. R. Jayawardene, has told the former Tamil United Liberation Front MP for Mannar, Mr. P. Soosaithasan, that he would consider lifting the fuel embargo to the North after consulting his Minister of National Security, Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali. Mr. Soosaithasan met Mr. Jayawardene for 20 minutes today and requested that the ban be lifted.
Mr. Soosaithasan explained to the President the problems faced by the people of Jaffna in the spheres of education, banking, agriculture, fishing and transport in the wake of the fuel ban. He also expressed fears about sentiments articulated in certain circles about further economic measures affecting the North like cutting of power supply and restrictions on the
While expressing his concern, Mr. Jayawardene impressed on Mr. Soosaithasan the feeling in the Sinhala South that the government was not exerting its authority in the North.
Holds out olive branch: The TULF leader then requested that the Government speed up the peace process and "push hard for a negotiated settlement within the next two months". Mr. Jayawardene said he was all for a solution and that the TULF should return to Sri Lanka and negotiate. Even options like redemarcating boundaries could be explored.
The Sri Lankan President also mentioned the names of prominent LTTE members and said that they should all return.
By courtesy of "The Hindu"
ST
with another 90 s Student Counselors
veen the university rthorities arose as a ands put forward by t increase of Rs. 1500 sance, which remains tly. The teachers had
rejected the offer to increase to Rs.600.
The dons of the Faculties of Arts and Medicine of the Jaffna University have also resigned from their voluntary administrative posts with effect from 5 January, according to Mr. S. Balachandran, President of the University of Jaffna Teachers Association.
in an apparent act of retaliation, the University Grants Commission announced the cancellation of leave to university teachers to go abroad.
nt Inquiry 2ntral, up to date h relatives and with individuals mediately obtain bout the status of
nesty's principles, lete opposition to from whatever e use of violence
in free society nces, no matter ould be capable of gh peaceful and
tary Group have our President to in to him, and we o use your good to bring a speedy on to this matter huch international
pur personal best for the return of country.
ckner, MP, Chairman ris Puplick, Secretary
REV. SINGARAYAR ALLOWED TO SEE MOTHER
Fr. Aparanam Singarayar - now in remand custody in Welikade-met his 86 year-old mother at Palaly Army Camp on Thursday morning (11th December), following special permission granted by President Jayawardene.
Fr. Singarayar, who has been indicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in connection with the attack on the Chavakachcheri Police Station in 1982, wrote earlier to the President . cornplaining that the Minister of Justice had turned down his request for permission to visit his dying mother.
Fr. Singarayar was flown to Palaily from Colombo on Thursday morning. His aging mother, two sisters, one of them a nun, and two priests motored up to Palaly from Jaffna to meet him. They chatted for about two hours.
Fr. Singarayar had arrived at Palaly at 7.30 a.m. on the first flight. He left for Colombo by the 10.45 a.m. flight.
In 1984, Fr. Singarayar was first allowed to visit his mother, He was flown from Batticaloa jail to Palaly and then taken under military escort to his nother's house.