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Tamil
Wolume V|| No,6 ISSN 0.266.
Prety, devotion and sea of heads - at the Nassur Mur annual Charlot festival. Only a fine of peace car W
 
 

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2 TAMIL TIMES
CONTENTS
. ISSN 0266. For Pears & Justice - Editorial............ 2 ANNUAL SUBSCF
rgó a Miliki UK/India/Sri Lanka. . Pec pe od politics ................................ 3 All other Countries. . . Madras Newsletter................................ 4. Published month Colombo NeWS Letter............................ 5 TAMIL TIMES
P.O. BOX 12 Mother On Death Fast Dies.................... 6 SUTTON, SURREY S UNITED KINGO CWC Proposal on 'statelessness'......... 7
Views expressed by contributors Air Lanka Blast-5 charged................. 7 those of the editor or the publis The publishers assume no respor Letters................................................... 9 unsolicited manuscripts, photogr
FOR PEACE AND
IRONY of all ironiesl Hardly any Sinhalese prelate or politician resi asked for devolution or provincial Councils. If at all, there was repr tremendous opposition to any such proposal. However, already abot elections have been held for four Provincial Councils and by disc June 9 elections would have been concluded for a further three. not By then the island's seven provinces in which the Sinhalese
people predominantly live would be enjoying substantial devolu- If tion of legislative and executive powers with their own Governor, the Chief Minister and Board of Ministers. admi
ViOle
It was the Tamil people predominantly living in the northern betw and eastern provinces who demanded, campaigned, struggled prod and fought for autonomy which is yet to be achieved. For all the the 't tensions and hostilities engendered during recent years be view tween the two communities resulting from the Tamil demand for the s autonomy, the first beneficiaries are the Sinhalese people, and enac they ought at least to thank the Tamil people for this unsolicited cial gift of extended devolved democracy. Oppo
How come that the Sinhalese people who never asked for lt | devolution or provincial councils got them? The answer is not far discu to seek. The Tamil demand for autonomy could no longer be milita resisted. It was being urged as a basis for Solving the ethnic reser conflict by India and the rest of the World too which have Minis witnessed the fall-out of the conflict being deeply felt in their own of th countries. Failing in its repeated military endeavours, urged by abou India, reluctantly and step by step, the government of Sri Lanka The came round to the idea of Some form of autonomy to the Tamils, satis But it did not have the courage or the political honesty to tell the Minis Sinhalese people that the resolution of the conflict demanded LT TE the grant of autonomy to the Tamils. Thus we have a situation in been which the constitutional and institutional guarantees that the leade Tamil people required to protect their rights and identity as a Presi people being granted to the Sinhalese too whose rights and politi identity were never under threat and in fact by the sheer strength of their permanently entrenched numerical majority, they re- ln ! quired no such special guarantees. In any civilised society, it is now the numerical minority, particularly, when its aspirations are and linked to the preservation of its physical and cultural identities, gove that requires Special protection. nego
Ce3S The Tamil militant groups and the TULF are still of the view durin that the arrangements made through the 13th Amendment to Lank the Constitution and the Provincial Council do not provide the said safeguards they were expecting. In fact, at the time the Indo-Sri end Lanka Agreement was signed, the Agreement itself provided for justic
 

MAY 1988
CONTENTS
488 PTION Committing the Army Abroad.............. 10
10/USS2O ရွီးဖို့{ဒွိ Fast Unto Death by Mother................. 11
by Commentary........................................ 12 TD
Internationalisation of Tamil................ 13
St. 3 TD British Nationality & DualCitizenship 16 Film Review......................................... 19 re not necessarily
8S. Open Letter to Indian PM..................... 20
sibility for return of phs and artwork.
JUSTICE
dual matters', that is, those matters over which the Tamil 2sentatives had expressed reservations, and those matters it Which no provision has been made at all, be further Issed. These discussions never took place and they have taken place yet.
may be that the breakdown of the time-frame provided foi Surrender of arms and the etablishment of the interim inistration for the north and east, the resurgence of armed nce in these provinces and the eventual outbreak of fighting een the India Peace Keeping Force and the LT TE uced a climate in which the contemplated negotiations on esidual matters' could not take place. It may also be that, in of the tensions that were building up in the south following igning of the Agreement, the government felt prudent to t the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the PrOVin2ouncil in the way it did without giving a chance for the sition to mobilise against such measures.
s high time that the residual matters' be taken up for ssion without any further delay. The dominant Tamil nt group, the LTTE, which accepted the Accord with vations, has indicated in several letters to the Indian Prime fer that it is pledged to cooperate with the implementation Accord provided it is given the opportunity to negotiate certain matters in respect which it has expressed concern. other Tamil Militant groups and the TULF are also not ed with the present arrangements that some Sri Lankan 'ers had discussions with some representatives of the . It is also reported that Indian government officials have negotiating with the LTTE stalwarts in Tamil Nadu. One r of a militant group has in fact met and discussed with the lent. Under the amnesty provisions of the Accord, some all prisoners are also being released.
his context, the climate seems to be particularly suitable or a resumption of negotiations on the residual matters' he issues of concern for the Tamil people with the mments of India and Sri Lanka. Anda prerequisite for such ations to take place in an amicable atmosphere is a -fire between the IPKF and the LTTE for a stated period which the negotiations should be concluded. The Sri government, the IPKF and the Tamil Militant groups are be fighting' for peace and justice. What is required is an the fighting and resumption of talking' for peace and

Page 3
MAY 1988
PEOPLE , PoL I shanthi
LALTH FOOLED BY HOA
AGREEMENT
What John Rettie, the BBC and The Guardian correspondent in Colombo, described as "the most significant development since the peace agreement with India was signed last July and which stunned the people of Sri Lanka
would appear to be nothing more than
a hoax. He was referring to the socalled agreement between the government and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP-Peoples Liberation Front). The Minister of National Security, Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali, who signed the "agreement with the JVP for the government made the announcement at a press conference on May 10 that the five year ban on the JVP would be lifted and in return the JVP would renounce the use of violence and surrender whatever weapons it has before May 29 at designated Buddhist temples. Accompanying at the conference were K.C. Senanayake, a 23 year old, who claimed to be a member of the JVP and the well-known human rights activist and Roman Catholic priest Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, who would appear to have acted as the mediator in securing this "agreement'.
Under this 'agreement', all detained JVP members except those facing murder charges were to be released unconditionally. The JVP had been carrying on a ruthless campaign of murder since July last year in the course of which an estimated 300 persons have been killed. Those killed included the ruling United National Party Chairman, Harsha Abeywardene, the Anti-Subversion Unit police chief, Terrence Perera, the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party leader, Wijaya Kumaranatunga. Many belonging to the opposition parties which supported the Indo-Sri Lanka accord and the establishment of Provincial Councils to solve the ethnic conflict became victims of this murder campaign by the JVP.
At the press conference, Mr. Athulathmudali announced that Mr. Senanayake had provided him with a letter signed by the leader of the JVP Rohana Wijeweera and its General Secretary Upatissa Gamanayake authorising him (Mr. Senanayake) to sign the agreement.
No sooner this rather unexpected 'agreement' which had been hatched in utter secrecy was announced, doubts began to be raised about the authentic
ity of the letter produced by Sena
nayake. But the Minister had said that it would be verified by the government's Examiner of Questioned Documents. It is surprising that Athulathmudali, a man supposed to be in charge of the country's national security, did not take the elementary precaution to check the letter's authenticity before he made the announcement.
The initial doubts have now been confirmed that the letter was a fake. In
a statement
ground hideol Rohana Wije there was any reiterate that negotiated se any member ( not know wl Senanayake is
authority to
To add to t rassment, and in particular, press confer confirmed tha Wijeweera or two purportec authorising t. ment”. He saic JVP leadersh who describec active membe line of commu What is worse government r
As far as the evidence that
the organistio
infighting. Th so serious tha gunning dow with the othe jeweera has b rian and dicta does not tolen ism. Much m differences a military camp ism and the ership level.
The Genera Upatissa Gar leaflet to part a change in entitled "Let u to fight agains 19 March and time as the J tled “Why w Gamanayake the assassinat tunga, puts th his murder.
Gamanayak ference to Wije gets the upper is our duty to if such a persc JVP in the pi whether he is our fatherland duty at the p
"After the jeweera rema

(JVP
ssued from his undert, the leader of the JVP veera has denied that agreement: “We wish to we have not at any stage retly or in public with the government. We do o Krishna Chandrasiri inor did we give him any egotiate on our behalf.
he government's embarthat of Athulathmudali
Mr. Senanayake at a ince held subsequently ut he had not met Mr.
Mr. Gamanayake, the signatories to the letter he signing of the "agreethat his contact with the ip was through a man himself as Rohana', an r of the JVP with a direct nication with its leaders. is his suggestion that the night have used him for
TAMIL TIMES 3
its own purposes.
Many questions arise from Athulathmudali’s announcement of this “nonagreement. When he said that he had initiated the 'secret negotiations' with the JVP three weeks earlier, did he do it on his own initiative or did he keep the President and the government informed? Why didn't he check the authenticity of the letter before going public? Were the credentials of Senanayake who was supposed to sign on behalf of the JVP checked, and if not whay not? Why did he act so hastily and irresponsibly so as to bring the government into such public ridicule?
No doubt that Mr. Athulathmudali's political stock has taken a tumble in the recent past and the prospect of achieving his cherished ambition of inheriting the mantle of the Presidency had receded to a substantial extent. There have also been speculation for some months now that he is going to be removed from his present important cabinet portfolio and reverted back to his previous ministry of trade. The rising star at the present moment is the Minister of Lands, Mr. Gamini Dissanayake who appears to have won the incumbent's favour. One wonders whether Mr. Athulathmudali's present rather irresponsible and wreckless adventure was motivated by the sheer subjective drive to recover lost political ground.
CRISIS WITHIN THE JVP
JVP is concerned, the
emerges discloses that n is riddled with factional e divisions have become tone faction is said to be 'n members associated r. Its leader Rohana Wieen accused of authoritatorial actions and that he "ate even friendly criticore fundamental are the ising from its current aign of individual terrorcrisis has reached lead
l Secretary of the JVP, manayake, in a signed y members has called for leadership. The leaflet s form a new leadership it J.R.'s fascist rule' dated issued at about the same VP's official leaflet entire dispatched Vijaya', questions the wisdom of ion of Vijaya Kumaranae blame on Wijeweera for
e's leaflet in a direct reweera says, 'If cowardice hand within our party, it defeat such trends. Even n has done much for the st period, it is douh' serving our r if he is unclear about his resent moment.
1971 repression, Wi
ined in the party not
because he possessed any courage or self-confidence but because of the appeal and pressure from the rank and file. We have now to consider the validity of his leadership in the face of the great tasks ahead.
"We have to consider the 'advantages' we get through individual terrorism. We have to assess our activities over the past 8 months, and especially after the assassination of Vijaya Kumaranatunga in order to prepare a correct programme for the future'.
Gamanayake's leaflet reveals that Vijaya Kumaranatunga's murder was discussed in the JVP Central Committee and that, while most of the mem. bers opposed such action, only Wijeweera and "two others' were in favour. Nevertheless, the murder was carried out:
"The Central Committee except for three members, stressed that we should not get upset about the popularity of Vijaya Kumaranatunga and that assassinating him at this moment would do great damage to our party. But Wijeweera failed to realise this. But it is not Wijeweera who is experiencing the grave consequences, but the other members of the party.
"Again the party is in a difficult position because of his arbitrary acts. Here Wijeweera must take the responsibility for bestowing undue popularity on the United Socialist Alliance.
"Self-critically we must accept this
Continued on page 11

Page 4
4 TAMIL TIMES
LTTE-MUSLIM ACCORD A significant development took place in Madras in the third week of April which passed off without much fanfare or publicity, but which could well prove to be a historic turning point in the Tamil struggle in Sri Lanka. Understanding was reached between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the visiting Muslim delegation on a wide spectrum of issues concerning the two people. The Muslim delegation of the i recently formed Muslim United Liberation Front (MULF) was headed by former SLFP Minister Dr. Al Haj Baddudin Mahmud and included the Secretary General of the Front Mr.M.I.M.Mohideen and former M.P. for Kalmunai Mr.M.C.Ahmed.
A joint statement of both parties, signed on behalf of the LTTE by the Madras-based former Jaffna Commander Mr. Krishnakumar (Kittu) and by
Mr.Mohideen of the MULF has far- .
reaching implications, apart from opening the way for a close identity in Tamil-Muslim relation in the Eastern Province. The meetings were spread over three days - the 15th, 16th and 19th April.
The high degree of boldness evi
denced by both sides and the spirit of
give-and-take that was displayed stand out, in the terms of the joint statement. Following are some of the highlights: O It is understood that althought the Muslim people living in Sri Lanka speak the Tamil language, they are a distinct ethnic group falling within the totality of Tamil nationality. O The Muslim people recognise that the area composed of the northern and eastern Provinces are as much their traditional homeland as it is of the rest of Tamil-speaking people. O The Muslim people believe that their interests could be safeguarded only in their homeland, and this could be achieved only thourgh a greater unity between all Taimil-speaking people. O Since the Muslim people constitute a minority in their homeland, and hence it is important that they should be assured of a life free from fear and insecurity, the LTTE will take all steps to ensure this and extend all cooperation in the future to have the security of the Muslim people guaranteed by law. O Whatever steps taken to safeguard the interests of the Muslim people and the arriving at a reasonable powersharing agreement will be done in such a way as not to undermine the territorial integrity of the Tamil homeland. O While the Muslim people form 33% of the population in the Eastern Province and will comprise 18% in the combined Northern and Eastern Provinces, it is agreed that in order to ensure maximum safeguard for them and enable them to enjoy an equitable
power-sharing, they will be entitled to .
not less than 30% of the representation
Madras Newsletter:
in the Provincial Co Cabinet. O It is agreed that in distribution, the Musli entitled to not less th Eastern Province, not l the Mannar district an 5% in other areas. O Unless otherwise a M appointed Chief Minist ern-Eastern Provincial provision should be n that a Muslim is ap Deputy Chief Minister O A de-colonization p. evolved in order to red effect caused by plann colonization. O The forthcoming e Provincial Council ( speaking Province shou voters' list compiled in a fair and justifiable . O It was agreed that ir ate the sufferings of th innocent civilians who a are truly affected by t tions, and to enable th normal, peaceful life, t an immediate ceasefire
"O Once hostilities cea
tive that there should be nistration until such return to normal life
Council elections are position of the interim should be in accordance decision arrived at in
Some of the major in follow from this agree Muslims in the Easterr Provinces have decided ture well-being lies inid selves with the other ' people in these two pro look for succour outside no longer prepared to be leaders in the south-w recognise in the LTTE i sentative character; a have decided to support the Tamil traditional h
On their return to M.U.L.F. has appealed t Minister Rajiv Gandhi ceasefire, and urgi Jayewardene to issue merging the Northern Provinces.
While the M.U.L.F. to Madras was by all success and its dialogue cordial and fruitful, ther of unpleasant incidents departure, according sources. They arose out made by the visiting Mu Indian journalists that no hand in the recent Muslims in Kalmunai al
. militant group was the (
This apparently irked s of two other militant grc who on pretext of seeki with the Muslim leade
 
 
 

MAY 198
luncil and the
all future land n people will be an 35% in the ess than 30% in d not less than
uslim has been er of the North
Council, legal hade to ensure pointed as the of said Council. olicy should be ess the adverse ed Government
lection for the of the Tamilld be based on a manner that is
order to allevihe vast mass of re the ones who he military acem to return to here should be
se,it is imperaan interim admitime as people and Provincial held. The comadministration with the earlier his connection.
nplications that ment are: The and Northern l that their fuentifying themTamil-speaking vinces, and not ; that they are led by Muslim rest; that they ts Tamil reprebove all, they , the concept of homeland.
Colombo, the o Indian Prime to announce a ed President a proclamation and Eastern
delegation visit accounts a big with the LTTE e were a couple prior to their
to informed t of statements uslim leaders to the LTTE had killings of some nd that another one responsible. ome members oups in Madras, ng an interview rs at the hotel
LTTE's "Kittu' Dr Baddudin Mahrud
President where they staying tried to browbeat them."The LTTE was responsible for the killing of 17 Muslims in Kalmunai. How can you cover it up ?", asked one of them heatedly.'You came to Madras to speak only to the LTTE 2 You think that only the LTTE has weapons? We too have arms, you know, said another, adopting an offensive tone.
According to a report in the Tamil weekly, the JUNIOR VIKATAN, the Muslim leaders while being polite, dealt with the discourteous youths very firmly. "Look here "Thambimare”- we do not issue statements about happenings in the Eastern Provinces while seated in Madras. We are all people who came from there. We have evidence to prove that it was your organisation that was responsible for the killings of Muslims in Kalmunai. If you so desire, we are ready to produce the evidence in public'. The second man who spoke about arms was told: "Please don't run away with the idea that we are afraid of weapons. We came to talk to the LTTE not because they have arms, but because we consider them the legitimate representatives of the Tamils. If you try to threaten us with arms, we can assure you that we Muslims can get any amount of arms from abroad; and we are not going to take shelter behind third parties and display our might...’ (in an obvious reference to the group's consorting with the IPKF in the East). The interview ended on that note, with the youths walking out in that same threatening mood
DESPERATE MOVES BY CONGRESS)
The mountain laboured and brought forth a mouse, so goes an old saying.The Congress(I) seems to have achieved the same result in Tamil Nadu, when it held its much-publicised, much awaited AICC(I) sessions at Maraimalanagar (renamed Kamaraj Nagar for the purpose) during the penultimate week-end in April. The Indian Express called it a damp squib. Considering the amount of money thrown into the exercise, the elaborate security arrangements, and the expectations that were held out, the Congress(I) does not seem to be anywhere nearer an election victory than it was before. Said the Indian Express: "The intention behind holding the recent
Contd. on page 17

Page 5
MAY 1988
- COLOMBONEWSLE
by Chithra
P.C. ELECTION - SLFP’S BLI
The sixty per cent voter turnout at the recent elections for four Provincial Councils (Uva, North Central, Uva and Sabragamuwa) was certainly low compared to the national average poll recorded at general elections held in the past. But, compared to the average poll of 35 to 40 per cent recorded in local government elections, the voter turnout can be regarded as extremely good.
TWO FACTORS
There were two other important factors that would have certainly had a bearing on the poll. The main opposition party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), did not field candidates and called for a boycott of the P.C. elections. Then there was the actual and threatened violence by the banned Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) directed at candidates and voters. But what is clear is that neither of these factors succeeded in persuading or preventing the majority of eligible voters from exercising their franchise.
In spite of the perceptible unpopularity of the government resulting from the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and the presence of Indian troops on the Island's soil, the ruling United National Party (UNP) was well prepared and organised for the elections. It had ensured some of its leading members, including Cabinet ministers and MPs to resign and lead the contest in the provinces. The UNP won a majority of seats in all four PCs with 88 out of the 155 seats having received 56.1 per cent of the votes cast.
The outcome of these elections would appear to have injected fresh hopes among UNP leaders fuelling speculation that the President Jayawardene might call for parliamentary elections sooner than it is due with a view to taking advantage of the present momentum and disarray in which the SLFP finds itself. If the elections for three more PCs to be held on June 2 and 9 also record a similar or increased poll with the UNP faring reasonably well, the odds are that President Jayawardene will plum for a snap general election before the year is out.
USA's PERFORMANCE
In the absence of the SLFP, the United Socialist Alliance provided the main opposition to the UNP in the PC elections. Formed only recently, it had only a few weeks to select its candidates and carry out its campaign. Its most popular and charismatic leaderto-be, Vijaya Kumaranatunga was assassinated by the JVP even before the USA was officially inaugurated. His untimely departure was unquestionably a serious setback for the USA.
As the Sunda 1.5.88) editoria Socialist Allia mended on its elections, taki thrown by the reality as a pal not try to call terms of the opportunity off In the campaigr many an obsta hustings, its m was no more. S in the field we opponents of th carry on with th and private boc built-in advanta .” In the event, cent of the vote to the UNP's 88 of the Sabarage 2 seat margin, man's CWC su USA would hav control of this would have like or more of the justifiably satis:
ance. An exhul
Silva said, “Sc country though wiped out. And middle of the mi from here '.
SLFP's T
The SLFP wa web of its own Indo-Sri Lanka ment of Provin to abolish them to power. It did called upon the elections on th country needed general election hardly got off th ment banned al ated with the ca biggest blunde leadership was mood of the pe
The people o used to partici tions, and cam elections had be of the political had become acc Jayawardene ( tion of postponi by the subterfi December 1982 of their right electoral proc period of almos the first time th of the people chance to exe
 
 

TAMIL TIMES 5
UNDER
y Times (Sri Lanka, ly put it,"...the United nce should be comdecision to contest the ng up the challenge government. Accepting ty in opposition, it did he shots or dictate the pattle, but seized the red the confrontation .
itself, it was beset with .
le. As it went into the ost charismatic leader everal of its candidates re killed or injured by 2 poll. Its leaders had to e protection of firearms lyguards. It lacked the ge of a party in power..
the USA received per scast and won 64 seats . It failed to gain control muwa PC by a narrow and if not for Thondapport for the UNP, the e most probably wrested PC. Although the USA d to gain control of one
PCs, its leaders were fied with their performerant Dr. Colvin R. de many people in the t that the left had been here we are, right in the ap, hoping to go forward
ANGLED WEB
sensnared in a tangled creation. It opposed the Accord and establishcial Council and vowed if and when they came not field candidates and people to boycott the PC e basis that what the at this juncture was a . The boycott campaign e ground as the governl public meeting associill for a boycott. But the r made by the SLFP that they misjudged the ople. f Sri Lanka have been pating in periodic elecpaigning and voting at 'come a part and parcel process to which they ustomed until President ommitted the aberrang the general elections ge of a referendum in , Having been deprived to participate in the 2ss for a continuous eleven years, this was at a substantial section vere being offered the 'cise their accustomed
right to vote, and the people were not inclined to decline that chance.
By boycotting an election in four provinces in which an estimated 2.8 million people were to cast their votes, the SLFP only succeeded in marginalising itself from the people, and provided an opportunity to the USA to project itself as the only opposition force to the ruling UNP.
The SLFP's monumental error was its failure to recognise and accept realities - the Provincial council law had already been enacted and the PCs have come into being as part of the constitutional power structure of the country. Today, four provinces of the island are already under the control of the UNP with its own Chief Minister and Board of Ministers. The SLFP is also boycotting the elections to the be held on June 2 and 9 for the three PCs of the Western, Central and Southern Provinces where an estimated 4.9 million people are eligible to vote. When these elections are over, the two political formations that would figure before the people either in power or opposition are the UNP and the USA. And the SLFP would find itself excluded altogether from the Provincial Council arena in all the seven provinces for the next five years.
SEVERE CRITICISM
The tactic of boycotting the elections has come under severe criticism both by the rank and file of the SLFP and the pro-SLFP media. It seems to have led the party into a blind alley and left its rank and file in a state of total demoralisation. Political observers doubt the wisdom of its only preoccupation — its demand for a general election while other parties are actually participating in the PC election in which millions of voters are taking part. They also believe that had the SLFP contested, together with the USA, the UNP could have been prevented from gaining control of most of the PCs and that it would have been in a stronger position to campaign for a general election. A spokesman for the USA is quoted as saying : "Mrs. Bandaranaike can be written off now. If she had contested, she would have wiped the slate clean. She would have had a huge base to put pressure on the government to have an immediate general election. Now they have given us a small base to work from and actually strengthened the government's hand”.
The new-comer to the political scene, the newly formed Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, won three seats in each of the districts it contested. Southern Muslims have, in the past, normally aligned themselves with either the UNP or the SLFP and the entry of the SLMC attracted severe criticism from those Muslim stalwarts from these parties. However, the emergence of a separate Muslim oriented political party is not without significance, and is a manifestation of the desire of the Muslims to assert their separate identity.
Thondaman's Ceylon Workers Congress candidates contested under the Continued on page 7

Page 6
6 TAMIL TIMES
AT THE HANDS OF THE IPKF
ANOTHER INSTANCEO . BRUTALITY
Sivasamboo Murugesu, a Sri Lankan Tamil presently living in Ontario in Canada, in a letter addressed to Rajiv Gandhi the Indian Prime Minister, has described the manner in which IPKF personnel murdered members of his family and also called for a team of international jurists to be allowed to investigate into the crimes committed by the IPKF.
Pointing out that the Indian Prime Minister's mother too was brutally murdered, Mr.Murugesu's letter states
"In a similar manner your bandit soldiers entered my house, where my widowed junior sister, my senior sister, her husband and their six children, my children and my sister's grandson were staying; and opened fire at them without any provocation. They killed my sister (46 years), her son-inlaw (26 years), my brother-inlaw (58 years) and two other relatives over 50 years old. Many children were badly injured including a 3 years old infant. My brother-inlaw died on the third day due to bleeding and sister's son-inlaw died after six hours of bleeding. All the injured children and my senior sister who were badly injured were taken to
the hospital on the soldiers wanted then bleeding whereas yo given treatment imm
mother's life different
because she was a Pril the judgement day the as equal before god. Iti not a right to be a P "After all these cr bodies were put togeth entrance to our Hin partially burnt there b They have insulted our and a Holy shrine.
"After this carnage jured ones to move out the soldiers (about 25 the house. They took grams of golden jewell four families and othe trical items. They didn' pots and pans. They sweep of the house.
"I am sure that yo events that are happen you are really honest in culprits to justice you team of internationalju gate into these crimes. 1 give evidence in front o
SUSPECTINGRENADEATTAC INPARLIAMENTARRESTED
One of Sri Lanka's most wanted men, Ajit Kumara, who is suspected of having been responsible for the grenade attack in Parliament on August 18 last year in an attempt to assassinate President Jayawardene was arrested on 8 April. In this attack, which took place while the President was chairing a meeting of the UNP parliamentary group meeting, the president escaped injury but an MP was killed and many were injured including the Minister of Natianal Security Lalith Athulathmudali.
Ajit Kumara, who was arrested by the Naula Police in the Matala district quite by accident and without knowing the identity of the man whom they were taking into custody, was on the run since August 18 with a million rupees on his head. He had seen the police approching him and taken to his heels. The police had been on a kassippu (illicit brew) raid, and they mistook Ajit to be in the illicit liquor trade and gave chase and caught him.
At the police station he disclosed his true identity to the pleasant surprise of the policemen. He had been living with his wife and one-year old child hiding from the rest of the world. But when the police went back to the house, the wife and child had vanished.
Through interrogating Ajit, the police hope to identify the others involved in the conspiracy.
EBUS PAS
SHOT
On 11.03.88, at abou K.K.R. private coach lo passengers started its Vavuniya to Trincoma
It reached Horowapc 2.00 p.m. Ten to fiftee. passing Horowapotha coach was attacked v down at a bend, with n. and hand grenades. Tl bus was the first victim The bus stumbled and people in Army Unifor fluent Sinhala got int
started cutting the 'p
Swords. This is the vers who escaped with inju
According to mass m Broad-casting Corpora Rupavahini Corporatio based press) fifteen pe and 18 injured.
This murderous gan the passengers set fire the injured were stru lives inside the coach. F aged to escape. Many C beyond identification.
 
 

hird day. Your to die out of r mother was diately. Is your rom the others, he minister? On will be treated a privilege and ime Minister. elty the dead r in front of the u Temple and y your soldiers. place of worship
hey ordered inf the house and of them) looted more than 600 ry belonging to valuable elect even leave old made a clean
1 can't see the ing in Jaffna. If bringing these should allow a Irists to investiam prepared to f such a team.”
K
MAY 1988
DEATH FAST MOTHER DIES
Forty-eight year old Mrs. Poopathy
Kanapathippillai who had undertaken a fast unto death organised by the Batticaloa Mothers' Front died on 19 April after 31 days from the day she commenced her fast at the Mamangeswarar Hindu Temple.
Mrs. Kanapathippillai had undertaken the fast in support of the two demands put forward by the Mothers' Front, namely that there should be an immediate cease-fire between the Indian Peace Keeping Force and the LTTE and the Indian government should resume negotiations with the LTTE.
Mrs.Kanapathippillai commenced her fast on 19 March following the abrupt end to the fast by Mrs. Annammah David. She continued her fast in defiance of the frequent calls to give it up by the IPKF commanders.
Mrs.Kanapathippillai is the mother of five children. One son was killed in operations by the Sri Lanka security forces. Two of her sons and a grandson are presently in detention at the Boosa detention centre. Her husband is a retired railway officer.
Several hundred of Batticaloa residents paid homage to her at the office of the Mothers' Front where her body was kept. Mrs.Kanapathippillai was laid to rest on 21 April with thousands of mourners participating in the funeral procession.
The Mothers' Front announced that, despite Mrs. Kanapathippillai's death, the fasting unto death campaign would continue until the Front's demands are met with favour.
SBNGERS
8 BURNT
t 12.00 noon, aded with 30-35 journey from lee. thana at about h minutes after na town, the then it slowed achine gun fire e driver of the of the shooting. stopped. Some and talking in o the bus and assengers with on of the people ries. dia (Sri Lanka ion, Sri Lanka h and Colombo ple were killed
g after cutting
o the bus while gling for their ew people manthe dead were
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Page 7
MAY 1988
DETAINEESRELEASED
Fifty political prisoners belonging to the Peoples Liberation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) were released on 27 April in Colombo by prison authorities. The released persons were held in the Boosa detention centre from where they were brought to Colombo for their release to officials of the newly formed Democratic Peoples Liberation Front, the political wing of PLOTE.
A few weeks earlier, 'the PLOTE leader. Uma Maheswaran had met President Jayawardene and submitted a list of members belonging to his organisation in custody.
Another batch of fifty political prisoners belonging to the Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Front (EPRLF) detained at the Boosa Camp were released to the organisation's Central Committee member, Mr. Varatharajaperumal, on May 4.
CWC PROPOSALS TO END “STATTELESSNESS''
The latest proposal by the Ceylon Workers Congress to bring and end to the forty-year old problem of 'statelessness' suffered by plantation Tamils is to grant Indian citizenship to those who had gained Sri Lanka citizenship, but fled to India following the communal violence of July 1983 and who continue to remain there, and to grant Sri Lankan citizenship to an equal number presently resident in the island but who do not wish to be repatriated to India. The general Secretary of the CWC said that it took over 20 years for 233,000 persons to be granted Sri Lanka citizenship. There are further 236,000 who have to be granted citizenship. At that rate it would take a further 25 years to solve the problem. That is why the CWC is asking the two governments to fix the numbers and settle the problem.
AIRLANKABLAST,
FIVE CHARGED
Five persons are charged on 38 counts in connection with the Air Sri Lanka TriStar bomb blast at the Katunayake Airport on May 3, 1986 and were issued with summons returnable on June 13 by the High Court Judge in Colombo. The five persons are: A.A.Gunasingham, Sinnadurai Kulasabanadan, Harischandran and Balasingham Balachandran, and they are to be tried under the Emergency Regulations and the Prevention of Terrorism Act with conspiracy to cause damage to the Airport, the Air Lanka plane and its goods, possession of offensive weapons and explosives, committing the murders of 16 persons, causing injury to 16 persons by the use explosives between 1.3.86 and 3.5.86. -
Subject to monito
The Centre for suggested that ing forces in Sr. impartial mon that the gover the disharge of the Indo Lank.
In an 'open groups and pec dia”, the centre toring authorit, Lankan body o like the Interna Red Cross.
"The fact of accountable to agency is not g accord. But we should not be su Would welcome as between tw bouring countri It warns that remains here, a partisan manne risks of India a and even imperi trust would be dians”.
The letter is Balasuriya, Dir Silva, Asst. Dir
ΤΑ CONF
An 'Internation was held in Lol May 1 to discus Struggle and I Accord”. The Cor by the *World Fe sponsored by the tional which car cently.
It is understoo was attended by and delegates fr cially invited TAMIL TIMES not possible to transpired at th Public notific, conference indica speakers addre They included V longing to the D. belonging to th Supreme Court Former Foreign ateswaran, P.Ne dia), Ms.Karen P lawyer from USA Mr.N.Seevarat the conference C endra, a leading l and noresentlv livi participated in tions in 1985 at Tamil Eelam Lil (TELO), playeda conference and i The three reso Conference by ac called upon the ited Nations, incl

TAMIL TIMES 7
PKF ing body”
ociety and Religion has he Indian peace keepLanka be subject to an (oring authority, and ment of India hasten ts responsability under
accord. etter to human rights ple’s movement in Inuggests that this monicould be an Indo Sri an international one ional Committee of the
the IPKF being not any such impartial bod for Indo-Sri Lanka think that Sri Lanka bordinate to India. We eciprocal relationships 0 independent neighes”. “the longer the IPKF nd that in a somewhat r, the greater are the ssuming a dominating alistic role - which we repugnant to most In
signed by Fr. Tissa ector, and Bernadeen ector/secretary.
AML ERENCE
al Tamil Conference' ndon on April 30 and is the Tamil National ndo-Sri Lanka Peace ference was organised deration of Tamils' and Tamil Voice Intername into circulation re
bd that the conference r over 200 individuals om organisations speor the occasion. As was not invited, it is report in detail what e conference. ations regarding the ted that several guest ssed the conference. Gopalasamy, MP beMK, Aladi Aruna, MP e AIADMK, Retired Judge Krishna Iyer, Secretary A.P.Venkdumaran (all from Inarker, a human rights and Prof. A.J.Wilson. nam, the Chairman of Immittee, and N.Satyawyer from Sri Lanka ng in the UK, and who the Thimpu Negotiaspokesman for the beration Organisation prominent role in the ts organisation. utions adopted at the lamation, in brief, (1) member states of Unlding the government
of Sri Lanka "to support the struggle of the Tamils of Ceylon for their basic and fundamental rights, including the right to self determination' and the international community to 'assist in securing a just political settlement of the conflict in Sri Lanka on the basis of an open recognition of the political reality that there exists in Sri Lanka today two nations - the Tamil Nation and the Sinhala Nation'; (2) recognised that V.Prabakaran and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have emerged as the true leaders of the Tamil National Struggle and called upon all member states of the UN to recognise them as such, and also called upon all Tamils to strengthen the LTTE to further the Tamil national struggle; and (3) called for an immediate ceasefire, and to commence negotiations to reach a political settlement within the framework of the four demands made by the Tamil delegations at the Thimpu Negotia
OS.
CONFESSION
BY BOMB SUSPECT
The suspect in the case of the grenade attack in Parliament on 18 August last year has made a confession to the effect that he was responsible for the throwing the grenades in the direction of the President Jayawardene who was presiding at a meeting of the ruling UNP parliamentary group meeting on that day, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Cyril Herat, told a press conference held recently in Colombo.
The one million reward offerred fór the arrest of the suspect in connection with this incident would be divided among the police officers who effected his arrest. In addition they would also be promoted, according to an announcement made by the Minister of National Security, Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali.
continued from page 5
UNP ticket and few of them won. But the CWC support for the UNP was crucial in the Sabaragumuna and Uva Provinces. The importance of the CWC support was most evident in the Badulla district, where a considerable number of plantation Tamil workers live, which recorded a poll of 73.5 per cent, the highest among all districts. There is no doubt that in the forthcoming elections in the Central Province, which includes the Nuwara Eliya district which has a majority of estate workers, the UNP would benefit from its alliance with the CWC.
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Page 8
8 TAMIL TIMES
The Standing Committee of Tamil Speaking People (S.C.O.T.) Registered Charity 274499 presents A Carnatic Vocal and Veena Recital in aid of Medical Equipment for the Jaffna Hospital
by
RENUKA SHRIANANDA M.A. (Music) Gold Medallist, Madras University
accompanied by Dr. Laxmil Jeyan Wolin Sri.R.Balasri Mirudangam Sri.R.Ragunanthan Ganjira Sri. Bharathan Ponnampalam Gadam Sri.M.Sivarajah Morsing & Tabla
on Saturday, 2nd July 1988 at 7p.m. at Merton Civic Hall, The Broadway, Wimbledon, London
W19 Tickets 3 Children under 12 Ef For tickets and information telephone 01-567 5641 O-422 8984 O1-423 315 O1644. O972
Buses: 57,80, 93, 131, 155, 156,163,200 British Rail & Tube: Wimbledon
WEST LONDONTAMIL SCHOOL
Computer Studies Department (Based at Station House, 1 Harrow Road, Wembley)
Training Development Programme
We currently have the following vacancies:
(a) Director, Computer Studies – Full Time circa £15,000 per
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(b) Three Lecturers - Part Time (Further Education salary scales
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(c) Administrator - Full Time circa £12,000 per annum.
Essential requirement: Proven administrative ability. Knowledge of accounting desirable.
The successful candidates under sections (a) and (b) above will be responsible for preparing groups of students for relevant examinations conducted by CITY & GUILDS.
For further information and application forms please contact the Head Master, Dr.R.Niththyananthan on 01-904 3937 or O1-904 5939. Applications to reach
The Head Master West London Tam School 179, Norval Road, North Wembley, Middx HAO 3SX
by 15th June 1988.
This programme is joint funded by Department of Environment, Brent Council and Euro ean Social Fund,
 

MAY 1988
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South London Tamil Welfare Group and London Borough of Merton
々 present An Evening of East-West Meeting
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Telephone 01-879 7716

Page 9
MAY 1988
ETTERS
The IPKF and the Three Star Menace
Is organised Robbery, Extortion, Ransom kidnapping and Murder part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force exercise? This question has to be asked and it is time someone on behalf of the Indian Government gives an answer.
Since December 1987, thousands of bus travellers between Jaffna and Colombo have seen for themselves IPKF men almost all along the JaffnaVavuniya trunk road. Yet, lorries have
been relieved of their entire goods on
sections of this road under the control of the IPKF. Vehicles are stopped, passengers are relieved of cash and jewellery, businessmen are kidnapped and youths believed or suspected to be sympathisers of the LTTE are forced out of buses and summarily executed. Passengers speak of a kind of Mafia gang actively operating on this section of the road, right under the eyes of the
IPKF, and apparently with their bles- .
sings, protection and support. This gang of ruffians continue to be a law unto themselves and they have been enjoying this 'freedom' for over five months now; and they are known as Three Stars' - drop-outs from some militant movements.
Sometime in January an elderly lady from the West, a representative of the Red Cross was trying to travel by car from Trincomalee to Jaffna, and had to turn back to Anuradhapura and onwards to Colombo because the driver of
the car, haras men refused t car stopped at niya, a few of and the first the driver v brought this have brought nately the lady language and who was in the what the men In the thi businessman plained that he large sum of
You have do publishing in T the article anc the Janatha
(JVP) which racist organisa "marxist party' cause of right
The fact tha only governme. also human ri political partie the lifting of th reflect its terra
I was in Sri
Inflicting wanton sacrilege
Had descended on the village Sharing in plunder and pillage,
The following abridged version of a Tara the many true incidents that took place in was under occupation by the army, an suffering and indignity, the rest of the
Kannamma shook from head to foot As she longed for Kannan's return, When the wind lashed her little hut And it swayed and swore in the rain.
Bewildered she watched from her door Contingents of troops congregate Up the winding lane o'er the moor, Where man and beast shared the same fate.
Truck-loads of men on the rampage
They had been beating and shooting Feasting like vultures on mis'ry Kannamma had heard of looting And raping of girls in pen'ry.
Back on his way from fields afar Where he worked all day with such grace, Pleased like one from a chilling war Kannan longed for his. wife's embrace.
 

TAMIL TIMES 9
sed by the Three Star' go further. When the a petrol bunk in Vavuhese ruffians walked up words they addressed to rere: “Why have you ld hag here; you could a young woman.' Fortudid not understand the the driver and a local car avoided translating had said. 'd week of March, a from Vavuniya comwas almost relieved of a noney he had just then
withdrawn from the bank. Having failed in the first attempt, the group tried to summon the businessman to the group's camp. Having failed in that also, the group made arrangements to close the businessman's establishment. All these happened under the very nose of the IPKF. The businessman has sent written complaints to the Indian and Sri Lankan authorities.
Some Tamil passengers who in their desperation went into a Sri Lankan army camp which was also in the same area and complained of the atrocities of the "Three Star' gang were told by a Sinhalese officer who was very sympathetic: 'What do you expect us to do. - fight the IPKF?”
S.S. Maniam Vavипiya Sri Lanka
JVP'S CHARACTER
he a great service by 'amil Times (March ’88) documents concerning Vimukthi Peramuna xpose it as a crudely tion, masquerading as a , but really serving the wing reactionaries.
t JVP has targeted not nt party politicians, but ghts activists and left s which have called for le ban on the JVP truly brist character.
Lanka when the JVP
faced severe repression after its abortive insurrection of April 1971. Its leaders were put on trial under special laws. Very few Sinhalese lawyers came foreword to defend them. It was some Tamil lawyer who dared the wrath of the governement and came forward to defend the JVP leaders. Now the very same JVP and its leader Rohana Wijeweera have turned anti-Tamil in their campaign and policies and become allies of the very Sri Lanka Freedom Party which subjected them to repres
sion.
London WC1
Ranjit Daniel
il poem by KARAVAIKKILAN depicts one of
Mannar, Sri Lanka in 1961. While the district ld the people of Mannar experienced untold Tamil community stood by and did nothing.
Pushing the door that stood ajar He saw his wife in turmoil deep As she rushed and held him to her Bosom and then began to weep:
"The soldiers are now all too near Like a pack of wolves among sheep, The hour of reckoning is here, The child in my womb cannot sleep;
"I have no wish to live a life Of dismay and disgrace to those I love, to be a worthless wife When virtue gets trespassed by force'.
Een as she spoke the men were at The hut, bludgeoning and beating Kannan they bound him hand and foot And forced him to the jeep, pleading.
She did not wish any more for Her life, she had no time to spare; With fortitude she rammed the door To drown herself and all her care.
Rendered into English by K. PARAMOTHAYAN

Page 10
10 TAMIL TIMES
coMMITTING THE ARMYABROAD
By A.G. Noorani
Are there, indeed, no constitutional checks on the powers of the Government of the day to commit the nation's armed forces abroad? And no responsibility to account to the nation if the commitment proves to have been made ineptly? Neither question brooks any evasion now, seven months after the Government of India sent the army to Sri Lanka on July 30, 1987 as the Indian Peace Keeping Force under the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement signed only the day before.
Unenviable is the mildest word commonly used to describe the predicament in which the men of the IPKF find themselves. The environment is hostile. The task is thankless. The obstacles far greater than what the army was led to believe. No praise can be too high for the jawans and their officers. They have done the nation proud. Their valour and dedication have deservedly won them high praise; recently from President Jayewardene, no less.
In issue is the judgment of the political leadership which sent the army to Sri Lanka on an assignment as a peace-keeping force which has exposed it to unforeseen hazards, is inimical to the country's interests and has exposed it to calumny and ridicule.
The Chief of Army Staff, Gen.K.S. Sundarji, has called for a "national consensus on the role of the IPKF. He regretted the doubts which are being voiced. "Such doubts could affect the morale of the men.
The General's concern for the morale of our troops deserves respect. But he overlooks two basic distinctions. One is that criticism of the Governments deci sion to commit cannot and should not be stifled on that score when that criticism is warranted in the national interest. Second, defence of the commitment must be undertaken by the leaders of the Government which made it, not by spokesmen of the Army, however distinguished.
The General himself erred when at Jaipur on December 9, he justified the despatch of the army to Sri Lanka on the ground that it would ensure that there was no "unfriendly presence' in Sri Lanka. This justification itself is of doubtful validity in the light of the provisions of the agreement. On February 22, Lt. General Depinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, who was the overall Commander of the IPKF, explained to the officers and troops in Bombay why the Force had to be sent. He cited the same reason and others similar to the one cited by Gen. Sundarji. Both erred sadly, albeit pardonably in the unhappy circumstances.
POOR EXPLANATIONS
Explanations by the leaders of the Government of India are anything but
cogent or consistent. W. basic decision or on the mands.
The Constitutional po: The Union is vested v legislative and executive spect of ‘defence of Indi forces and foreign affairs necessary for the exercis except, as the Supreme "when it is necessary to private rights. The Arr The Air Force Act 1950, Act, 1957, were enacted cise of disciplinary powe affects the rights of the pe armed forces. But no which controls the Govel ers in respect of thei abroad. We have nothin to the U.S. War Powel which imposed a six-day any Presidential commit troops abroad without approval, and imposed ( sultation.
Besides conferring pov stitution also imposes on duty to protect the ni external aggression' (Art does not imply that arm not be committed for when there is no threat against the country.
These wide powers a cised subject to the check a parliamentary system Cabinet and the Preside been fostered that such wielded by the Prime Attlee's decision to mak Eden's decision to go to over Suez are cited as p as Prof. George Jones trated in a careful stud ion owes more to legen 'In neither case were taken solely by the Prin had to carry with him |leagues and the mae cabinet
SUPREME COM
However, neither F Cabinet is a particu check, given the facts of life. The President, thu only independent che press and public opinio of the Constitution say, reme command of the D the Union shall be vest dent and the exercise t regulated by law. How an adjunct to his power constitutional head of
This makes Article relevant. The Presiden Commander-in-Chief c Forces to ask questior answers from the Prime

MIAY 1985
lether on the chain of com
ition is clear. ith exclusive powers in rea', the armed
No statute is of its powers Court put it, ncroach upon by Act, 1950, and the Navy because exerrs necessarily !rsonnel of the statute exists 'nment's powdeployment g comparable 's Act, 1973, limitation on ment of U.S. Congressional luties of con
vers, the Conthe Union the ation against 355). But this ed forces canduties abroad of aggression
re to be exeris on powers in - Parliament, nt. A myth has powers can be Winister alone. 2 the bomb and war with Egypt recedents. But has demonsy, the impressthan to facts. these decisions he Minister. He his chief coljority of the
MMAND
arliament nor larly effective parliamentary ls, remains the k – bar the h. Article 53 (2) s that "the supefence Forces of ed in the Presihereof shall be ever, this is as 's and duties as the state. 78 particularly t is entitled as f the Defence is and demand Minister. Pres
ident Rajendra Prasad's diaries show how he would summon not only the Defence Minister, Mr. Baldev Singh, but also the three services chiefs to discuss matters.
The Sri Lanka agreement was signed in Colombo only a few days after President R. Vankataraman assumed office on July 25. Three of its provisions commit India to provide military assistance in terms none too precise. Para 2.14 is in very general terms: "The Government of India will underwrite and guarantee the resolutions and cooperate in the implementation of these proposals'. Para 2.16 is more specific concerning as it does the contingency if any militant group operating in Sri Lanka do not accept this framework of proposals for a settlement. Note, it does not say "Tamil Militant group as Clause (b) of this paramentions. Under Clause (c) of this para, “In the event that the Government of Sri Lanka requests the Government of India to afford military assistance to implement these proposals the Government of India will co-operate by giving to the Government of Sri Lanka such military assistance as and when necessary.
These two provisions figure in Para 6 of the Annexure to the Agreement, which says that "in terms of paragraph 2.14 and paragraph 2.16 (c) of the Agreement, an Indian Peace Keeping Contingent may be invited by the President of Sri Lanka to guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities, if so required'.
The tentative wording (if so required") did not prepare the public for the despatch of the force the very next day, on July 30.
The net result is that India's commitment is not confined to enforcing "the cessation of hostilities' but extends to “the implementation of these proposals; in short till the very last step under them is taken.
PM REAFFIRMS
Signatures on the agreement were not yet dry when confusion arose about the IPKF's term of duty and its command. It has still not been removed, as the record shows. On July 30, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said that the Indian troops would return "instantaneously if Sri Lanka "wants them to get back”. He reaffirmed this on October 22. As for the command, on July 31 the Indian High Commissioner, Mr. J.N. Dixit, said that the Indian troops had been placed at the 'disposal of President Jayewardene as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. On August 19, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. K. Natwar Singh, said in the Rajya Sabha that the Indian troops were under the President's command and would be withdrawn when he does not want them anymore. The President's understanding was that the troops are there "for as long as we need them' (August 8) and were “under his direction' (October 4).
But the General Officer Comman(Contd. on next page)

Page 11
MAY 1988
FAST UNTO DEATH MOTHERSUSEEL
GANESHAN
Mrs. Suseela Ganeshan of the Trincomalee Mothers' Front commenced a fast unto death on 10 April at Sivan Kovil premises in Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka demanding that (a) India should declare an unconditional ceasefire, (b) The LTTE should lay down their arms, and (c) India and LTTE should negotiate with a view to arriving at the just solution.
A statement issued by the fasting Suseela Ganeshan said:
"The Annaiar Munnani (Mothers' Front) commenced 24 hours relay fast on March 9th. Up to now, two hundred mothers as well as young boys, young girls and children of both sexes have participated. But the Government of India has remained silent. Under the circumstances, we have no alternative but to start a fast unto death. I, a founder member and a member of the Central Committee of the Annaiar Munnani participated in the Tokan Fast conducted by Trincomalee mothers on 29th Feb. at Pattirakali Ampal Temple in Trincomalee in support of the demands put foward by Batticaloa Annaiar Munnani. On that
day I came foi gave my name t the Central ( formed amongst ticipated in tha the Secretary of that I was prepa unto death in thank the Anna given me an ol desire. I have ( life on my ow emancipation o people. I publicl has the right to or to make me But, only in th ment of India a of the Annaiar ) my fast with the Committee of th wish that the si Tamil speaking not only by the living in the N provinces but living in every world. Ceasefire India and negot
Contd. from page 10
ding the IPKF, Major General Harkirat Singh, was reported to have said on December 3 that “the Indian Army will not go from here till the Tamils are satisfied and their aspirations are met'. He also said, "We take orders from the Government of India'. This prompted Sri Lanka's PM, Mr. Premadasa to set the record right in Parliament on December 10. However, in Madras on December 22, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi said, as the journal reported the next day: "On the doubts raised by certain quarters that IPKF were getting commands from the Sri Lanka Government, Mr. Gandhi said, "No, they are under our own commanders'.
The confusion persists and inexcusably so. This is not the first time India has sent its armed personnel abroad for peace-keeping. In the past, both the terms of duty and the question of command were precisely defined.
The terms om which the Indian con tingent participated in the UN Emergency Force which kept the peace between Israel and Egypt were defined in detail in an exchange of letters between the U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold and the Government of India on June 21, 1957 and August 14, 1957, accepting the UNEF's Regulations of February 20, 1957. The contingent was subject to the instructions of the UN commander ‘through the chain of command', as Regulation 6 put it. However, the Commander transmitted his orders through the commanders of the national contingents who alone were responsible for disciplinary action.
When Prime M to Hammarskjo Indian armed fo had no difficulty the Lok Sabha ( terms on which army brigade wa al of the UN for but on the under
In purely bilat ters are, if anyt precisely resolve cause, as the lan reveals, it was
The Governm allowed to get av ences of its egre Lanka, especiall fices of the brav made to account wake of the mili lands in1982,th had to set up Councillors cons both parties “to which the respo ment” were disch had full access to ing those of the the Defence Mir
It is imperativ tee of both Hous up to review the conclusion of the ment and the ci Our troops were arduous mission ments which tir wildly wrong. jawans.
(Mr. Noorani is

TAMIL TIMES 11
BY A
ward voluntarily and o serve as a member of }ommittee that was the mothers who part fast. I also informed the Annaiar Munnani red to commence a fast this struggle. Now I arMunnani for having portunity to fulfil my ecided to sacrifice my n willingness for the f the Tamil speaking 7 announce that no one prevent or stop my fast to change my decision. event of the Governgreeing to the demands Wunnani, I will give up consent of the Central e Annaiar Munnani. I acrifice of mine for the
people should be felt Tamil speaking people Northern and Eastern also all Tamil people nook and corner of the by the Government of lations with the Libera
Winister Nehru agreed ld's request "to send orces to the Congo”,he in defining clearly, in on March 6, 1961, the they would serve. An Ls placed 'at the disposservice in the Congo' standings he recorded. eral accord such mathing, more easily and d. They were not beguage of the document concluded in haste. 2nt of India cannot be way with the consequ2gious blunders in Sri y in view of the sacriTejawans. It must be for its decisions. In the tary operations in Falk2 British government a committee of Privy isting of members of review the way in onsibilities of Governarged. The Committee ) all the papers includPM, the Cabinet and nistry. e that a joint commites of Parliament be set events leading to the Indo-Sri Lanka agreercumstances in which sent to perform an on the basis Qf assessme has exposed to be We owe that to the
a noted Indian jurist).
tion Tigers of Tamil Eelam are essential for elimination of sufferings of the Tamil speaking people.
In order to pursue this, the mothers should come forward to continue the fast unto death in all places wherever the Tamil speaking people live. Particularly, the mothers who were displaced from this country and living in India, especially in Tamil Nadu as refugees should also continue this struggle.
"My last desire is that THE GOV. ERNMENT OF INDIA WITHOUT WORSENING THE TAMIL PROBLEM, SHOULD DECLARE CEASEFIRE AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM AND MAKE THE FUTURE OF THE TAMIL SPEAK. ING PEOPLE PROSPEROUS TOO'.
Continued from page 3
unpleasant truth. But the leadership regrettably does not realise this. We should not fear to discuss our mistakes openly. Some may argue that we only strengthen our enemies by doing so. But this is not true. By frank and open discussion, we can correct our mistakes.'
By any standard, the criticism or rather the denunciation contained in this leaflet issued by the second most powerful man in the organisation against its leader Rohana Wijeweera is bound to deepen the divisions. There are many other factors which are likely to intensify the crisis further. The security forces have achieved major successes in the recent past in apprehending many hard core members of the military wing of the JVP. The killers of the UNP Chairman, Harsha Abeywardene and Police Chief Terrence Perera have already been taken into custody and detained through their 'confessions', many more accomplices would appear to have been taken in. Some suspects in connection with Vijaya's killing and the raids the JVP carried out on military establishments have also been arrested. Over 50 per cent of the JVP gang which attacked the Katunayake Airforce base were either killed in the shoot-out that folllowed or arrested. Ajit Kumara who was responsible for the grenade attack in the Parliamentary complex has also been apprehended. Reportedly there have also been many desertions and surrenders. The spate of successful arrests would appear to indicate that the JVP might already have been infiltrated by agents of the security forces. Above all, with all its terror tactics, the JVP could not prevent the majority of the people from participating in the Provincial Council poll.
It is in some parts of the southern province the JVP is regarded as strong. The test of strength and the capacity of the JVP to survive will depend on the extent to which it can prevent or disrupt the elections for the provincial council on June 9.

Page 12
12 TAMIL TIMES
COMMENTARY , !
PAYMENTS TO L.
Was it malice or mischief, or both ? The recent rather undiplomatic revelation by Mr.J.N.Dixit, the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, concerning payment made or promised to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) at the time its leader V.Prabhakaran was in Delhi in late July last year provided an ideal opportunity for the anti-India baiters and anti-Accord elements in Sri Lanka to return to their traditional themes.
There is not a lot of love left between Mr.Dixit and the LTTE. The former made strenuous efforts in August and September last year in several rounds of talks with the LTTE to secure a formula for peaceful solution, but they failed and Mr.Dixit lays the blame for this breakdown on the LTTE. And no doubt he is very bitter that his effort failed. But such personal subjective feelings are not the stuff with which senior diplomats like Mr. Dixit should be made of. If the mischief or malice behind this rather unsolicited revelation was aimed at the LTTE, it backfired and plunged New Delhi in an embarrassing situation. Clearly, the High Commissioner had shot his mouth without the consent or knowledge of the Indian Government.
Questions as to the details and propriety of the financial deal between Delhi and the LTTE began to be raised in the parliaments and media of India and Sri Lanka. Was the LTTE prepared to 'sell' the Tamil cause for a sum of Indian money however large it might have been ? Was Sri Lanka made
aware of this arrangement? Was it
morally proper for the Indian Prime Minister to have struck such a deal? Why was it kept a secret?
Finding that stonewalling on the
issue did not silence the critics, the Indian government eventually admitted that there had in fact been an
agreement with the LTTE leader V.,
Prabhakaran to pay a sizeable sum. The first instalment was paid after V.Prabhakaran's return to Jaffna from
New Delhi, and a similar sum was to be
paid every month until the formation of the provincial administration.
Although Mr. Dixit, by his revelation, left a distinct impression that the payment was an incentive for the LTTE to accept the Accord, the Indian External Affairs Minister, Mr.Natwar Singh, made the position clear in his statement to Parliament:
"As the government have stated be fore in the House, we have consulted the LTTE as part of the negotiation leading to the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement. When these nego
tiations were in the Mr.Prabhakaran, the L. LTTE, had requested th like to come to Delhi fo meeting with the PM. A final consultations, leader groups including Mr.F were brought to Delhi wi ledge of the Sri Lanka
"After accepting the A
(Mr.Prabhakaran) had e.
tain concerns. These per personal safety of the LTT the rehabilitation of the financial assistance b maintenance of their ca. rehabilitation and for
work, and lastly, a leadin
LTTE in an interim ad The government of Indi concerns fully into accou Jayawardene and Gover1 Lanka also responded con this regard.
“One of the main pri tioned by Mr.Prabhakar the fact that the LTTE lecting funds through “ta the people of Jaffna anc areas of the northern and vinces. According to Mr.H these collections were be them to provide allowa. upkeep of their cadres. clear to Mr.Prabhakaran Indo-Sri Lanka Agreeme effect, such forced collecti population must cease.
“The Indo-Sri Lanka Ag vides that thegovernment will make special efforts t the militant youth with bringing them back to the of national life. India is cooperate in this process help the LTTE make the sition from militancy to pe cratic politics, it was agre some interim financial cover the period till the ofits cadres.
"Since Mr.Prabhakaran
his support to the Agreem
agreed to surrender arr reasonable expectation terim administration wou existence within a few w LTTE cadres would be employed by the Sri Lank who had promised to fully the process. On this unde. instalment of financial as made available to the LT knowledge of the Sri La ment.
"I would like to catego the misleading newspape
 
 

MAY 1988
by JR (Sj
"TE CLARIFIED
final stage, ader of the at he would r a personal
s part of the . .
s of all Tamil 'rabhakaran th the knowgovernment.
greement, he xpressed certained to the Eleadership, LTTE cadres, oth for the ires pending construction g role for the ministration. a took these nt. President inment of Sri structively in
oblems menan concerned had been collkes” levied on some other eastern proPrabhakaran, ing used by nces for the It was made that once the nt came into ons from the
reement pro; of Sri Lanka o rehabilitate a view to 2 mainstream
expected to . In order to difficult traneaceful demoeed to extend elief. It will rehabilitation
had declared ent, and had ns, it was a that the inld come into eeks and the
speedily re
a government cooperate in rstanding, an ssistance was TE with the
anka govern
rically refute reports that
this payment was to persuade Mr.Prabhakaran to accept the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement. This kind of aspersion is beneath contempt...References have also been made in newspaper reports about a sum of Rs.100 crores. I would like to clarify that Mr.Prabhakaran had asked for a sum of Rs.100 crores for reconstruction work in Tamil areas. No commitment was given to him about a payement of this sum. It was clarified to him that such payments can only be made on a government-to-government basis'.
Natwar Singh's statement makes clear the surrounding circumstances in which the LTTE raised the question of payments and the Indian government's response. The innuendo contained in the so-called revelation by Mr. Dixit that the payments were for buying LTTE's acceptance of the Accord would, in the words of the India External Affairs Minister, be “beneath contempt”.
As for the LTTE, it was another instance of Mr. Dixit’s attempt to tarnish its image. An LTTE spokesman has been quoted as saying:“Dixit’s statement is a malicious distortion of the truth calculated to discredit our image. He has tried to give the impression that the money was paid to purchase our loyalty'. It would seem that the LTTE's monthly “tax' collections in Jaffna alone approximated to 1.5 crore Sri Lanka rupees, and it was anxious to find alternative sources of revenue to maintain its cadres. The LTTE spokesman, almost confirming Natwar Singh's statement, is quoted as having
said: "We also earned money from
small-scale industries we had set up. Our monthly revenue used to be Rs.2 crore. Of that, we spent around Rs.60 lakh a month to administer Jaffna, the rest was for upkeep of our cadres and running the organisation. When we agreed to cooperate with the Indian Government, we had to ensure the upkeep of our cadres. It was the only reason we accepted the money.”
The allegation that the financial
arrangement with the LTTE was made
without the knowledge of the Sri Lankan government has also proved false. While Natwar Singh's statement is explicit about the Indian Government having kept Colombo informed, a statement issued from Sri Lanka’s Presidential Secretariat on 26 April confirmed that the government was aware of the assistance given and saw nothing wrong in the decision taken by the government of India to give some interim assistance to the LTTE cadres pending their absorption to normal life.

Page 13
MAY 1988
INTERNATIONALISA OFTAMIL LANGUA
Sachi.Sri Kantha (University of Tokyo, Japan)
I enjoyed reading the meaningful analyses written by S. Sivanayagam and R. Narendran on the present status and future prospects of Sri Lankan Tamilians (TAMIL TIMES, Feb.1988).
Five years ago, I contributed a survey
entitled, "Internationalisation of the Eelam Struggle” (TAMIL TIMES, Apr. 1983) and much had happened to the Tamil cause during this tumultuous period. To a certain extent, internationalisation of the freedoh struggle had been achieved with a mixture of positive and negative results. However, in this article, I wish to record some
aspects related to the internationalisa
tion of Tamil language in broader perspectives.
First, I'll provide a contemporary estimate of Tamilians living in this globe. According to the BRITANNICA BOOK OF THEYEAR 1987, the number of Tamil speakers in the world amounts to approximately 60 million, In only five countries, Tamil is officially listed in the census of languages. They are, India (53.38 million), Sri Lanka
(5.428 million), Malaysia (0.634 mil- ʼ
lion), Singapore (0.166 million) and Mauritius (0.037 million). This tally adds up to 59.645 million. In addition, there are ethnic Tamilians living in another dozen or so countries. These ethnic Tamilians can be of the following two categories.
The first category, is the descendants of those who were settled by the British and French colonialists in tropical islands, Burma and South Africa to work in plantation labour and rail-road building ventures. The fourth or fifth generation descendants of the original Tamil settlers are living in South Africa (approx. 70,000), Jamaica, Trinidad and other islands in the Caribbean (approx. 50,000), Burma (approx 50,000), Fiji (approx. 35,000) and Seychelles (approx 3,000). These ethnic Tamilians are presently on the verge of losing their ethnic identity. About the situation in South Africa, a century ago, Mahatma Gandhi had this to say in his autobiography: "I had undertaken to teach Tamil and Urdu. The little Tamil I knew was acquired during voyages and in jail. I had not got beyond Pope's excellent Tamil hand book...The Tamil boys were all born in South Africa and therefore knew very little Tamil, and did not know the script at all. So, I had to teach them the script and the rudiments of grammar'. We should admire the fact that, among the many voluntary jobs he did, Gandhi also had worked as a teacher of Tamil language. Those who learnt Tamil under Gandhi formed a solid regiment in his non-violent army and moulded the Gandhi style of satyagraha warfare. Among those who settled in the Caribbean Islands in the last century,
two of Tamil de in internationa been thrilled b style and dynar Kanhai (corrup in 1960s and . rupted versio] 1970s?
The second c lians presently ly non-Tamil h immigrants (si Lankan refuge
According to
1986 survey bo EXILE’, Sri L been accountec Kingdom (35,0 (26,000), Frar (20,000), US (10,000), Switz lands (2,500 Sweden (600),
gium (100). Al Tamilian profe live in these co predominantly eration immig face the pligh traditional cul which needs m 1985 National spelling bee c won by Balu N Tamilians) liv interviewed by ers after his v. his home, he u of Tamil and
This trend wi younger gener in traditional countries.
Now let me status of Tamil tional level. C. there are 30 spoken in the recognized by guage. Only 1. by more than Mandarin Chi glish (415 mil (287 million), Russian (282n
lion), Bengali (
(161 million), million), Japan man (118 mil million). Man reached this perialistic pas understand, th the contempor in diplomacy, t and mass medi doesn't enter since the Tam after the Chola Asia in the tw the next categ languages are million. And

TAMIL TIMES 13
TION GE
scent made their names
l cricket. Who have not
by the dashing batting nic stroke play of Rohan sted version of Kanniah) Alvin Kallicharan (corIn of Kaleeswaran) in
ategory of ethnic Tamiliving in the traditionalomelands are the recent nce mid 1950s) and Sri pes (since early 1980s): Guy de Fontgalland's bok, “SRI LANKANS IN ankan Tamilians have l as living in the United )00), Fed.Rep. Germany nce (22,000), Australia A (10,000), Canada erland (5,000), Nether), Denmark (2,000), Norway (500), and Beln equivalent number of issionals from India also untries. This category is
composed of first genrants; but their children nt of living in a nontural milieu. One event ention here was that the
High School students' ontest in the USA was Natarajan (son of Indian ing in Chicago. When the American newspapictory, Balu told that at sually speaks a mixture English (“Taminglish"). ll dominate among the aton of Tamilians living ly non-Tamil speaking
have critical look at the language at an internaonsidering the fact that 00 to 4000 languages world today, Tamil is inguists as a major lan2 languages are spoken 100 million. These are nese (771 milion), Enlion), Hindi-Hindustani Spanish (285 million), hillion), Arabic (171 mil166 milion), Portuguese Malay-Indonesian (125 nese (121 milion), Gerlion), and French (112 y of these languages status because of imt. For reasons easy to ese languages dominate ary international scene rade, science, electronics a communication. Tamil into this elite category ilian imperialism faded conquest of South East elfth century. However, ory of another 12 major spoken by 50 to 100 Tamil (with 60 million
speakers) is placed in this category. Others are, Urdu (80 million), Punjabi (70 million), Korean (64 million), Italian (63 million), Telugu (61 million), Marathi (60 million), Cantonese Chinese (58 million), Wu Chinese (56 million), Javanese (50 million), Turkish (50 million), and Vietnamese (50 million). One should note that the majority of other European languages such as Polish, Greek, Scandinavian languages, and Slovakian languages doesn't command a speaking population of 50 million.
The Sixth International Tamil Research Conference was finally held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last November. But, after observing the 'politics',
delegate selection, organization and the
outcome of each of these International Conferences in Tamil held previously in Kuala Lumpur (1966), Madras (1968), Paris (1970), Jaffna (1974), Madurai (1981) and again in Kuala Lumpur (1987), one may wonder how far the aims and objectives in internationalizing the Tamil language have been achieved since 1966. When one glances through the abstracts of research papers presented at the recently held Tamil Conference, it seems even now the majority of the Tamilians are living in the glories of bygone past. C.N. Annadurai aptly focused this ignorance in one of his biting dialogues long time ag0:
Teacher: "What is the vehicle of Yaman?” (Emanudaiya wahanam ethu?) peasant: "bull, sir' (Erumaiik kadah, samy) Teacher: "Who discovered the aeroplane?" (Aeroplanaik kandu pidithavan yaar?) peasant: "I don't know sir' (Theriyathu, samy)
Not only the peasants, even the Tamil academics seems to be ignorant
of the developments of this century.
The major themes reported and analyzed by the Tamil scholars in these International Tamil Conferences relate to the archaic topics such as "Raman as seen by Valmiki and Kamban”. But hardly anyone bothers to learn and inform that in this century, the most popular Tamil name in the science laboratories of America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa is another Raman, who won the Nobel prize in physics in 1930. The challenges faced by this C.V. Raman in Calcutta (not the Seetha's Raman in Mithilai Nagar) and the victory of this Raman over the Soviet scientists Landsberg and Mandelstam in reporting the Raman Effect in 1928 (not the Kaviya Raman's vic- . tory over Ravanan) should be the discussion themes for the rejuvenation of Tamil culture in this computer age.
Only during the last three centuries, English, French and German became the languages of science. Russian and Japanese made their entry into the elite group of languages of science only since mid 19th century. Long before the
Contc. on page 15

Page 14
14 TAMIL TIMES
P E N S I O N
Employers Pension Scheme -If you have any employees - why not consider an occupational pension scheme.
Non Pensionable Employment-why not consider your own personal pension with National Insurance rebate.
Self employed - you must prepare for your own pension because you are the employer. (30th June 1988 - A date not to miss).
Independent pension for those who may wish to change their employment.
ption to increase your (employed person) pension with Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC).
National Insurance rebate and Government 'ncentive.
TO FIND OUT MORE PLEASE CONTACT
P. SRNVASAN A.
O1-679. 19S2 FIMBRA
1524 London Road, London SW164EU
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SOLICTORS For All Legal Services And O Conveyancing O
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109 Bell Street, Marylebone, London NW16TL Telephone: 01-7233018
Mariampilai Philomin, LL.B, MBIM
 
 
 

MAY 1988
THE LONDON VEENA GROUP
in association with Wandsworth Arts & Entertainments
presents its Annual Cultural Evening featuring A Grand Veena Orchestra
led by
ARUNTHATHY SRKANTHA RAJAH
Ancient Veena/Modern Piano with Keith Barnard
and
BARATHANATYAM G|ESLA JAGMOHAN & SITRA BONOO Sunday 5th June, 1988 at 5p.m. LOLA JONES HALL Greaves Place, London SW17 (Tube: Tooting Broadway)
rickets: £3.00 in advance £2.00 Concession
24.00 at the door E1.00 Children
Advance Tickets/information London Veena Group - 01-672 0603
Future Events:
Saturday 16th July, 1988 at 7p.m. A GRAND VEENA CONCERT Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall Complex, London S.E.1
Saturday 22nd October, 1988 at 7p.m. International Cultural Evening Wandsworth Civic Centre, London SW18
SVRAUENTERPRISES
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) TAMIL & HIND WIDEO FILMS RENTALS
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MAILORDERS ACCEPTED WHOLESALE AND RETAL
OPEN: 10am - 9pm SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Page 15
MAY 1988
rise of these languages, Tamil held a center stage with Sanskrit, Chinese, Arabic, Persian and Greek as the medium of scholars in physical, philosophical and medical sciences. This fact has been acknowledged by eminent science historians like George Sarton and Joseph Needham. If this century is dubbed as the century of science and electronics, then Tamilians have proved themselves as worthy of emulation as role models for younger generation. Two Tamilians (C.V. Raman and his nephew S. Chandrasekhar) have won the Nobel prize in physics during the last 60 years. Another Tamilian, Srinivasan Ramanujan is now acknowledged as the foremost mathematical genius of this century.
Last year, the birth centennial of Ramanujan (1887-1920) was celebrated by the students of mathematics all over the world. At the University of Illinois, USA, an International Conference was held to study the contributions of Ramanujan to mathematics. Articles commemorating the mathematical genius of Ramanujan have appeared in the distinguished journals such as SCIENCE, NEW SCIENTIST and SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. This year is the birth centennial of C.V. Raman (1888-1970). To celebrate this anniversary, the XIth International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy is scheduled to be held in London in September of this year. Previous International Conferences on Raman Spectroscopy had been held in Ottawa (1969), Oxford (1970), Reims (1972), Maine (1974), Freiburg (1976), Bangalore (1978), Ottawa (1980), Bordeaux (1982), Tokyo (1984) and Oregon (1986). While the rest of the world is celebrating the achievements of "two brilliant brains' ever produced among Tamilians, the majority of us won't even feel the significance of these celebrations. If the Jews feel proud of the genius of Einstein and the Polish nationals cherish the achievements of Marie Curie, then the Tamilians can also be proud of producing a Ramanujan and Raman amongst ourselves. How many of the Tamilians know much about the himalayan achievements of Raman and Ramanujan in international science? While perusing the Abstracts of the International Tamil Conference recently held in Malaysia, I couldn't find a single research paper on these two intellectuals. Why this ignorance? How many of the Tamil publishing entrepreneurs can invest money in bringing out the Tamil translations of all the original scientific publications of Raman, Ramanujan and Chandrasekhar written in English? To gain international recognition, these intellectuals had to contribute their research articles in English. But now it is the duty of those who are interested in promoting Tamil culture, to invest time and money to translate their works into the Tamil language. The students in China can read the research papers of Nobelists Chen Ning Yang and Tsung Dao Lee in their own Chinese language. Similarly, the students in Japan have many simplified study books in Japanese describing the
research studies Yukawa, Tomona Tonegawa. But plight of Tamilia who are not prov tunity of learnin ments of their
Now, I wish to status of Tamil lit agrees or not, popularity of a lal on the annual aw literature. A Not an obscure scho language in an translates into m ance, (a) those di studies in the un hemisphere take recruiting schola] languages, rec awards. (b) Publi print translations vious books, poem (c) General recog (among the scho control the mass guage shows an one may point literature prize i stick to measur heritage of a lan Nobel literature wards the Scandi North American the Asian langua gore in 1913) and in 1968) have be Nobel awards. N adequate numbe who were worthy any measure, Ir scholars and p ramanya Bharat Dr. M. Varadaraj dasan and Akilan winners of the N Among the Sri Lá and writers, it Swami Vipulanar ai (Es. Po) belonge
r
Then why no awarded this prest is dependent on th to the nomination ses of Nobel prizes members of Nobe. are Swedish nati may be fluent in languages, as we dinavian languag to read the other li in Swedish. Of the far, Scandinavian 15. As expected, perialism (Englis and Spanish) h majority of the N However, awards to authors who languages spoken lion such as Czec (11 million), Heb Yiddish (less tha comes the stumbli tion of Tamilian How many of th reputed authors into Swedish or languages, so that

TAMIL TIMES 15
of Japan's Nobelists ga, Esaki, Fukui and hink about the poor n students of science ided with the opporg about the achievegreat scientists. focus attention on the erature. Whether one n this century, the nguage depends much ards of Nobel prize in pel literature prize to lar (or an ʻobscureʼ "international' sense) any benefits. For instrecting the language iversities of Western a special interest in is of those particular ognized by Nobel shing moguls, rush to of the laureate's preis, autobiography etc. nition and awareness lars and those who s-media) to the lanincrease. Of course, out that the Nobel s not a proper yardthe great cultural guage. True that the prize is biassed tohavian, European and literatis. And among ges, only Bengali (TaJapanese (Kawabata een honoured by the ot that there weren't r of Tamil scholars of consideration. By rdian Tamil writers, oets such as Subhi, C.N. Annadurai, an, Kavignar Kannacould have been the obel literature prize. ankan Tamil scholars is my opinion that da and S. Ponnudurd to the "Nobel class'.
Tamilians have been tigious prize yet? This he restrictions related and selection proces3. The majority of the | selection committee onals. Though they major international ll as in other Scanes, they would prefer Iterature translations 84 prizes awarded so authors have won the languages ofimh, French, German ave dominated the obel literature prizes. have also been given have contributed in by less than 15 milh (12 million), Greek rew (3 million) and n one million). Here ng block for the selecscholars and writers. e Tamil writings of have been translated other Scandinavian t those who form the
selection panel for Nobel literature prizes have had a chance to aquain with the Tamil literature? I doubt tha the number could be less than fifty. Since Tamil language had lost its prestige as a language of diplomacy and trade long time ago, efforts should be urgently made to translate the Tamil literature into other international languages.
Another disadvantage that the Tamil language faces is that, when it comes to international recognition (either in scholarly book, magazine and newspaper reviews, or in the annual reviews of International reference sources like ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA and ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA) it is categorized as one of the twenty or so major languages of the Indian subcontinent. Unlike other Asian languages like Chinese, Japanese, Bengalı or Korean, at the moment, Tamil doesn't represent an entire country. The pride of place among the Indian languages goes to Hindi, being the langauge spoken by nearly 35-40 percent of the Indian population. Tamil is spoken by only 7 percent of the total Indian population. Bengali is spoken both in India and by the entire population in Bangladesh. Due to intellectuals and creative artists like Tagore, Uday Shankar, Ravi Shankar and Satyajit Ray and their skills in presenting their works to a foreign audience, Bengali became recognized among international circles. On the contrary, Tamil has failed in this respect so far, though there is no dearth of talent among the Tamilians. The only contemporary Tamil writer of international reputation, Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Narayan, has used English as his medium for story-telling. However he has set all his major fiction in an invented town Malgudi. Narayan's brother R.K. Luxman is the foremost Indian political cartoonist. We should also keep in mind that in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, the Tamil language is an 'orphan' in terms of 'official patronage'. Hindi, Sinhalese and Malay languages enjoy this official patronage in abundance.
Can Tamil be considered as an international language then? Though it is difficult to make a proper classification, I had read, that for a language to be considered as an international language, it should satisfy either of the two criterions. First, it should have more than 100 million native speakers. Secondly, it should have at least 50 million native speakers and more than 10 percent of three or four countries should use it for their means of communication. Tamil satisfies the second criterion, but Telugu or Italian doesn't Hence, Tamil could be considered as (sort of) an international language.
But, has Tamil gained international respect? After leaving Sri Lanka, I have checked in the book stores of major cities in the USA and Japan, whether Tamil is included in any of the language textbooks produced by the publishers (such as Berlitz, Audio
(Contd. on next page)

Page 16
16 TAMIL TIMES
BRITISH NATIONALIT
AND SRI LANKAN DUAL CITIZENSHIP
BY WIMAL SOCKANATHAN
British Citizenship is acquired:
1. By birth 2. By Registration 3. By Naturalisation A child born in Britain to parents
who are British Citizens or are settled
in Britain acquires. British Citizenship automatically. A child adopted by a British citizen is considered to be a British citizen.
British citizenship is also obtained by registration. When the British Nationality Act 1981 came into force on 1st January 1983 it gave five years time limit to all those entitled for citizenship by Registration. This entitlement ceased on 31st December 1987 when we saw a large number of applicants rushing to the Home office requesting citizenship being unaware that this deadline did not apply for naturalisation.
Those whose entitlement ceased on 31st December 1987 were :
(1) Commonwealth and Irish citizens settled in Britain before 1973. (2) Women married to citizens of UK and colonies before 1983. Their entitlement expired last year and this was mistakenly interpreted by some people including the ethnic media that after 31st December 1987 no immigrants were to be granted British Citizenship or British Passports! The deadline was clearly intended only for the two limited categories. The Immigration Nationality Department at Lunar House Croydon worked until late into the night on 31st December
Continued from page 15
Forum, Linguaphone, Teach Yourself Book Series) for use of tourists and elementray level students. To my dismay, I haven't come across a single publication related to teaching Tamil. But the same publishers have books on teaching languages such as Dutch (11.7 million speakers), Amharic (10.2 milllion), Swedish (7.5 million), Finnish (4.5 million), Norwegian (4 million) and Hebrew (3 million). We ought to do something about this lapse at the earliest.
Finally, let us remember the advice of poet Subramanya Bharathi. To cite one of his memorable verses in translation:
"Gloating over the past glories within ourselves is worthless If your are a genius, foreigners should feel speechless' “(Maraivaha namakkulei pazham kathaikal pesuvathil payanillai Thiramana pulamaiyenil velinaataan athai vanakkam seithal vendum)
last year to accept app There is however a t acquiring British citi Naturalisation. This is
ment or right but depen consent. It is at the disc Secretary. Naturalisati of obtaining British ci status of British citize obtained at birth, by Re naturalisation does not another in any way, Nationality Act 1981 de governing naturalisatio Age (18 and over), g knowledge of English ( tish Gaelic) and five yea UK are the essential re a person to apply for Bri by Naturalisation. It is note that at the time of applicant should also be restriction under the Laws and should have period of at least 12 mon date of application, for Some of the requirem citizenship by Natur waived if the applicant British citizen. Such p three years residence on require knowledge of Er fee payable is £60 inst other cases. Applicatic supported by two referee applicant for three year be persons of good cha any convictions and sh Citizens (and not relativ cants solicitors).
The Nationality dep more than 12/24 mont and the applicants are the passports are requir urgent travel such doc not be enclosed with t plication and should be called for.
When the application by Naturalisation is ap Home Secretary at his applicant is asked to ta Allegiance. He then bec citizen from the date of signed by the Home certificate of naturalisa dence of the applic citizenship and the appli to apply for a British
LOSS OF CITIZ.
The certificate of ná withdrawn by the Hom is found to have bee fraud, false represental ment of important fact
Any British citizen by tion or naturalisation, n citizenship by signing a this effect. When such registered with the Nati ment with the appropria

MAY 19
ү
lications. hird method of enship - by
ot an entitleis on executive etion of Home n is a method tizenship. The nship whether istration or by differ from one The British ls with the law
l, - ood character, Welsh or Scotrs residence in quirements for tish citizenship important to application the free from any Immigration been so for a ths prior to the
citizenship. ents for British alisation are is married to a
erson requires .
lly and does not glish. Also the ead of É170 in ons should be es known to the 's. They should racter without ould be British es or the appli
artment takes hs to complete advised that if ed by them for uments should he original apsent only when
for citizenship proved by the discretion the ke an Oath of
omes a British
the certificate Secretary. The tion is the eviant's British cant is entitled passport.
ENSHIP
aturalisation is e Secretary if it n obtained by ion or conceal
S. birth, registramay renouce his declaration to declaration is onality Departte fee he ceases
to be a British citizen.
Acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country does not - uhder the Law
presently in force in UK cause the
automatic loss of British citizenship. A British citizen desiring to divest himself of his citizenship may only do so by signing a declaration of renunciation as mentioned earlier, and registering such document.
However, it is interesting to note that many countries like India, and Sri Lanka and mainly from the third World, take away their citizenship and deprive a person of his citizenship as soon as he obtains British citizenship. A person who becomes a British Citizen is considered to have lost his nationality and therfore no longer entitled to hold his Indian or Sri Lankan passport. As a result of this view by those countries the Indian and Sri Lankan High Commissions have directly requested the British Home Office that as soon as an applicant from their country is granted British citizenship his passport proving his previous citizenship of their country should be returned direct to them to be cancelled.
There are also some countries which instead of taking away their citizen's nationality - react in a different manner by not recognizing the British citizenship. In this situation the British Home Office advises that those who have become British citizens should first obtain an independent confirmation about their own nationality from their former country's High Commission before visiting such country of his old nationality when he needs it .
SRI LANKAN DUAL CITIZENSHIP
Sri Lanka has made a welcome change in November last year which will help thousands of Sri Lankan nationals settled in Britain and other overseas countries, which allow dual citizenship like Britain. The original section 19 of the Sri Lankan Citizenship Act which deprives a Sri Lankan National of his Sri Lankan Citizenship when he acquires the citizenship of any other country - has now been amended.
A bill to this effect was presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament by the Minister of National Security in 1987 and has been passed. The Act known as Dual Citizenship (Amendment) Act No.45 of 1987 came into force from the 25th November 1987.
Under the new Act of 1987 any Sri Lankan who had lost his Sri Lankan citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country may apply to the Minister for a Declaration of Dual Nationality. The Minister will examine all the circumstances of the case and if he considers that such person becoming a Sri Lankan Citizen of dual nationality is indeed beneficial to Sri Lanka he shall then make such declaration.
It is interesting to note that the executive Consent is retained in this case and that dual nationality is not dished out to each and every applicant as a matter of right. It is at the
Contd. on next page

Page 17
MAY 1988
Contd. from page 4
All-India Congress Committee(I) session at Kamaraj Nagar in Tamil Nadu clearly was to create a climate in which the Congress(I) could return to power in the state after more than two decades in the wilderness. Nothing of the sort is going to happen if public response to the session is an indication. There was little popular enthusiasm. Mr.Rajiv Gandhi's 70-minute train journey from the Trisulam railway station to Kamaraj Nagar did not bring out the hoped for cheering multitudes at the station or along the way. The main pandal at the AICC(I) session was half empty last Saturday despite de sperate attempts to fill it up. If Mr. G. K. Moopanar did something which is not normally done at AICC(I) sessions - asking the public to come into the pandal and listen to the Prime Minister - the party sent numerous trucks to the villages to bring crowds. To no avail. . .”
But on the final day of the sessions -.
Sunday - the situation improved, and the pandal managed to fill up. It was later explained that the problems of feeding the vast crowds overnight stood on the way of attracting people the previous day
Apart from putting up a whole railway station named Kamaraj Nagar, opening temporary banks, telephone exchanges, security posts, air conditioned rooms for the Prime Minister,
his secretary, his security and personal
staff, whole building, structures, shops were demolished as part of the security precautions. Among other security precautions was the rouding up of hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamil youths in
Continued from page 16
discretion of the Minister and obviously the applicant's past record and whether he has been in the good books of the Government of the day will be matters which will be taken into consideration. Applications for Declaration of Dual Nationality may be made by the Sri Lankan citizen after he acquires a foreign nationality or while he is in the process of obtaining one. Such persons upon receiving the Declaration certified by the Minister will be considered to have resumed the Sri Lankan citizenship notwithstanding the fact that he is also now a citizen of another country.
It is also important to point out that the Sri Lankan Minister has the right to revoke and to take away the Declaration and deprive a persons dual nationality if the Minister is satisfied that the person has conducted himself in a manner that his continuance as a citizen of Sri Lanka will not be of any benefit to Sri Lanka.
Although the dual citizenship law was passed in November 1987 the necessary procedure to make application to the Minister and necessary forms for this purpose have not yet been formulated by Sri Lanka government and are expected very shortly.
the city in their dead of night,
were pulled out of whom happ colleges and t pending on th police officer co were released,
up in the Cent was released o Prime Ministe Prime Minister see, it is more ernor's rule w elections pushe
PRE PEREG
Madras appar dreaded place
ment politicians year, Minister Mrs. Wimala K Madras and mo of Venkateshw Andhra Pradesh ter that she v assassination o Kumaranatung Tirupathi. She h after the assassi was Speaker E.) one day spotted
window shoppin
with his wife a security men in pretending wir selves Minister to have a room hotel in Mad apparently trav cent visitor w Pathmanathan : on a private vis marriage in the private home a
The one exce Minister Prema
Tirupathi in th month peregrir
Nepal, but app Madras like the to Kovalam bea But at Trivandr pected problems
Trivandrum, A
ments made f Minister R. Pren vandrum airport resort, near here when the WIP li The visiting dign panied by his w ducted to an air. the motorcade w car developed st air-conditioned s order. The city p the embarrassir Mr.Premadasa ; car and get ir According to air bles did not end door of the spare enable Sri Lanki in. The door oper and security stal

TAMIL TIMES 17
nomes and rooms in the ractically all of whom f their sleep, and some ned to be students in chnical institutes. Detemperament of the cerned some students while others were shut al Jail. The first batch ly two days after the left the city. If the saw what others could than likely that Govll be prolonged, and back beyond July.
3: $ *
MADASAS
RNATIONS
ntly is no longer a or Sri Lanka govern. In mid-February this or Rural Development annangara flew into ored to the holy shrine ara at Tirupathi in . She told a PTI reporwas disturbed by the f SMP leader Vijaya a, and so she came to ad taken plane the day nation. A March visitor
..Senanayake who was
by your correspondent g at Mount Road along und a son, while local mufti prowled around dow shopping themRajadurai is reported booked at a popular ras for long spells elling incognito. A reas Mrs.Ranganayaki who we were told came it in connection with a family, and stayed in a t Besant Nagar. ption has been Prime dasa who also went to Le course of his onelations in India and ears to have avoided plague, and had gone ch in Kerala instead. um he had some unex. Says a UNI report: bril 25 :"The arrangeor Sri Lanka Prime ladasa's trip from Trito the Kovalam beach , dissolved in confusion mousine failed to start. hitary who was accomife, was formally conconditioned Buick and as all set to go. But the arting trouble and its ystem also went out of olice commissioner had g task of requesting und wife to leave the to a Standard-2000. port sources the trouthere as the left front car would not open to
an security men to get.
yed finally when forced fgot into the car. The
motorcade started about 15 minutes behind schedule.
There was tight security at the airport, and journalists and press photographers except those from Doordashan, All India Radio and the Public Relations Department were not allowed inside. The visiting dignitary was received at the airport by the Secretary, General Administration Department, and the city Police Commissioner. No Minister was Present.
ck k sk
TAMIL STUDENTS IN MD-STREAM
Thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees belonging to middle class families living on their own, outside the camps, in Tamil Nadu are agitated by a recent circular of the Goverment of India. According to the circular, a vast number of students will be shut out from educational opportunities in India. There will be no new admissions to universities, colleges and technical institutes. Those who are already in colleges and universities and technical institutes will be permitted to finish their courses. Students who have now completed classes XII (the preuniversity qualifying exam) should be sent back to Sri Lanka, as well as all those who are studying in classes below Standard XI. Even those students who are permitted to remain in India are subject to one condition: The circular states: However the extension of the student visas would be subject to the condition that the parents of such children would not insist on staying back in India on the pretext of completion of the respective courses of their wards'. In the absence of any arrangement with the Goverment of Sri Lanka for recognition of the certificates obtained in India, this step would be tantamount to leaving several thousands of Tamil students in mid-stream. It must be remembered that these students are no burden on the Government of India and along with their parents are recipients of foreign exchange.The question being asked by many people is: Is the Indian Government's anger against the LTTE now being directed against all Sri Lankan Tamils ?
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Specialissues claimingto beSaturday Review published from Colombo are unauthorised.
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20th April, 1988

Page 18
18 TAMIL TIMES
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Page 19
MAY 1988
KAMALAHASAN
Kamalahasan has been adjudged the best actor and Archana received the best actress award when the 35th National Film Festival of India awards for 1988 were announced. Kamalahasan bagged the award for the moving portrayal of a multifaceted character with subtle moral nuances in the Tamil film "Nayakan'. Archana got her award for her totally naturalistic depiction of a middle class working urban girl facing the daily tensions of life, in
ALL INDIA FILMAWARDS
ARCHANA
the Tamil film " thy that the all best actor and th were for perform
Adoor Gopal award for the K.J.Jesudass Bhonsle the awa ing. The Tamil mathiley' and shared the awarc issues.
AIADMK OFFICE: COURT STAY
The supreme court by its interim orders on April 21 has suspended the operation of the orders dated March 23, 1988 passed by the Madras High Court quashing the proceedings under section 145 of the CrPC before an Additional
District Magistrate, Madras concern
ing the issue of possession of AIADMK party headquarters office at Avvai Shanmugan Salai, Madras.
The High Court had held that it was open to Mrs. Janaki Ramachandran und other petitioners before the High
Court (belonging the AIADMIK) tC tional lock if an and continue to premises.
The Bench co, G.L. Oza, Mr. Ju Justice Jagannat orders while gran Dr.H.V. Hande | Supreme Court) litha group of th against the orde
ടു
CINEMA
“En Bomm ukutti AmmaVukk
“I wish Father you would stop coming to see Tinu” pleads the woman who once hated the very idea of adoption. Her earlier rigid attitude is the result of a drowning incident in which she loses her little daughter. That shock and knowledge that she could no longer bear another baby had shrunk her world to two humans - herself and her devoted, understanding engineer husband.
When Tinu, the girl from the orphanage, changes her entire mental makeup following her husband's stouthearted insistence in getting her, her hife suddenly blossoms. How the new found happiness progresses is very beautifully narrated by director Fazil ("Poovae Poochuda Vaa” and "Poovizhi Vasalilae”) in Pavalar Creations” (a unit of the Ilayaraja brothers) "En Bommukutti Ammavukku”, a re-make cf the Malayalam movie in which baby Salini made her debut.
Fr. Sebastian, in charge of the orphanage, comes to meet engineer
Vinods (Satyarai sini) who isinang He is thoroughly Geethu) has adap the Vinods but t Alex (Raghuvara The priest never this development growing bond be Tinu. When Laks come again and orphanage friend second or two is f Fr. Sebastian st gate. His face elation and helple performance by . He is not the c piece of cake in t garity-free, fight tainment for Fazi with meticulous and picturisatio Kuttan) are so ele each frame has development has
 
 
 
 
 

TAMIL TIMES 19
"eedu". It is noteworIndia awards for the best actress in 1988 ances in Tamil films. krishnan won the
best screen play. hared with Ashla rd for playback singfilms “Ore Oru Gra“Vedham Puthithu'
for the best on social
S ORDER
o the Janaki group of break open an addiy, enter the premises pe in possession of the
mprising Mr. Justice Lstice B. Ray and Mr. ha Shetty made these hting Special Leave to (petitioner before the belonging to Jayalae AIADMK to appeal rs of the High Court.
AMRTRAJADDRESSES UNITED NATIONS
Vijay Amritraj, India's top sports personality addressed the United Nations in New York on May 6 against Apartheid. The UN meeting which was also addressed by other famous personalities like Michael Jackson and Bishop Desmond Tutu was convened to mark the 25th anniversary of the Committee Against Apartheid. He is one of the three Indians named for the Human Tree Award for humanitarian service. Several top ranking leaders drawn from different walks of life around the world have also been nominated for this inaugural set of awards to be presented at Los Angeles on May 27.
Vijay interyiewed in Madras expressed his happiness at the honour to be conferred on him in London for his contribution to East-West understand
ing, at a joint function to be organised
by the London Borough of Merton and the South London Tamil Welfare group on June 11
wife Lakshmi (Suha
lished frame of mind. appy that Tinu (baby ied to the opulence of e father of the girl, h), wants her back.
informs Lakshmi of
for he has seen the ween Lakshmi and himi asks him not to remind Tinu of her the camera just for a cussed on the face of tioned outside the gisters a blend of sness - a wonderful .S.Venkat. ly person to have a is no-nonsense, vulree, homely enternas chosen every one ye. The screenplay. (camera: Ananda ant and artistic that meaning and each ur reaching consequ
ences that will tug at one's heart strings.
Alex, the persistent young engineer, also has a valid reason to get back his wife Mercy's (Rekha) baby, born after an affair in which the man lurches her. The cure for Mercy's mental condition hinges on the return of the child. Vinod is adamant in retaining the baby. Alex pleads his case at every possible opportunity with Vinod and Raghuvaran, usually a robust character on the screen, is seen in a different light. These areas are more enjoyable because of the dialogue of Gokul Krishna. Geethu, frail with beautiful eyes and natural gift to hold one's attention, is a raw talent that has been polished to match the senior artistes.
As the understanding couple Suhasini and Satyaraj make a fine pair. The tiff they have over the adoption issue, the husband making up the next morning for his rude behaviour is so natural. The resolution Lakshmi shows in the end only reflects the feelings of a mother who has lost a child. Rekha in a brief role is quite arresting with Janakaraj adding spice as a lawyer.
Ilayaraja swings into action tuning four very pleasant numbers, the ballad "Bommukutty Ammavukku aararao” taking the top slot.

Page 20
20 TAMIL TIMES
AN OP EN LETTER TO PRIM MINISTR RAJW GANDHI
DO NOTSEEK THE MIRAGE OF A CHEA
VIOTOPY’
We are Tamils from Sri Lanka who have sought refuge in North America, from the injustices heaped upon us by successive government in the land of our birth.
"Some of us left that country as early as 1956, when the "Sinhala Only" legislation was passed, making Sinhala the sole Official Language. We realized then, that no self-respecting member of any minority community had a future there, except as a second class citizen, and that too, on the sufferance of the majority.
"The others are refugees from the five pogoms visited upon Tamils - Tamils only - beginning in 1958, and many other harassments in between, of which you must be aware. It was clear to us, as it is now clear to anyone who is willing to see, that we could have remained there only as hewers of wood and drawers of water, and not as equals in rights or dignity with the majority. "Some of us left behind parents or other members of our immediate families; others did not ; but we never ceased to look upon the North and East of the Island as our patrimony — the land of our fathers and their fathers. That land will always inspire us as Tamils, and nothing, not even time, will make us surrender it.
"We want to let you know, Mr. Prime Minister, that your policies and your recent action have left us deeply disillusioned. We are disillusioned, not only because you have chosen a course of destroying our hopes of regaining our dignity as a people; but more because we have always associated India with a much greater sense of justice than your recent action can be credited with. You are asking the Tamils to pay an intolerable price - to surrender their dignity, their honour and even their basic rights, to your expediency.
We are certain, Mr.Prime Minister, that we speak for every generation of Tamils alive today. The values which we have always lived by, and intend to live by, are those we inherited from our forefathers. Our thinking is rooted in the great Indian epics - the Mahabharatha and the Ramayana — and the limitless wealth of religious and literary tradition which can be described only as Indian; Indian, not in any specific religious or linguistic sense, but in the much larger sense of a common cultural and spiritual heritage.
It is by these standards alone that we measure your actions, and it grieves us deeply that you have failed us as Tamils, you have failed India and all that stood for in the eyes of the world. "You, Mr.Prime Minister, took upon
yourself the role of in tween the governmem and the Tamils of Sri La ary between a people their basic right and t which has consistently even their identity. W seeing a close par Mahabharatha: Sri Kri to mediate between the the Gauravas.
'Sri Krishna did not m the Gauravas and bludg vas into accepting a peace. That is the p chosen, and no amount wash this simple truth "You have sealed off East of Sri Lanka fron eye of world media. But a family among us here received the horrifying ruthless, indiscriminat blood-thirsty - action armed force, against inr our fathers, our moth and brothers. Our vil towns are now India's
"You cannot re-w Mr.Prime Minister.You peace on a people who but peace over half a like the Pandavas, an separate destiny, only v nue of peaceful accor denied them.Two "acco) negotiated in good fait) were unceremoniously Sinhala leaders of th parties that have rule since independence. Ta alive, and their hom burnt, for the crime o: equal - nothing more "We are also puzzl reasons — to be mor motives - for embark unjust and "un-Indian' ( to be candid, and we cal that you have becom unwittingly, nothing mercenary commander signs of a crafty, un morally bankrupt lead ity community. Your a doing what he attemp you protested in the na Tamils.
"How have things ( wrong only when the country, whose "integ now sworn to protect, Tamils,and right when keeper', kill them ?
"Our expectations o source of our values an you as heir to Nehru's and the Mahatma's truth, may sound li

MAY 1988
כ
termediary be; of Sri Lanka nka; intermedistuggling for he government r denied them 'e cannot help allel in the shna who went Pandavas and
lake a deal with reon the Pandadishonourable ath you have of sophistry can
away. the North and n the inquiring there is hardly which has not details of the e - and, yes, s of your own hocent civilians: ers, our sisters lages and our
killing fields. Trite historycannot impose wanted nothing century, much d who chose a when every avemmodation was rds' which were h by the Tamils torn up by the e two political d that country mils were burnt les looted and f wanting to be
ed about your e precise, your ing on such an course. We want nnot help feeling e, wittingly or more than a , serving the descrupulous and er of the majorrmed forces are ted to do when me of justice for
changed ? Is it
government of rity” you have kills the hapless you, as "peace
f India as the ld beliefs, and of
sense of justice commitment to ke sloppy sen
timentality to your advisers who may quote Chanakya as well as Machiavelli to you. They may have convinced you that there are no permanent friendships, no permanent enmities, only permanent interests. But history has not worked that way, Mr.Prime Minister.
“What happened to Churchill's vision of Britain's permanent interests in India? Or to Napoleon’s dreams of France's interests, or Adolph Hitler's version of Germany's destiny? We are quite capable of understanding permanent interests, but we cannot understand how permanent interests can be served by monstrous expediency which is contrary to India's own history, and her destiny. India, we would suggest in our naivette, cannot have permanent interests in hostility to the Tamils, or at their expense.
"There is one more side to this madness, Mr. Prime Minister - madness is what it is, to force a people driven by historical experience to chose a future apart from their tormentors, to embrace the very same people who do not want them except as aliens in their own land. What other conclusion is left to anyone who can see things as they are, from the violent protests by the Sinhalese, against your 'Peace Accords'? The Tamils were not a party to this accord; the Sinhalese do mot want it; whose peace, then, are you keeping?
"The Tamils are not a violent people, Mr. Prime Minister. We do not condone violence against innocents anywhere. But we have chosen to be free, and you cannot smother that will even if you brought all your armed might to the task; even if you wipe out a whole generation of our youth. Too much water has flowed under the bridge, too many lives sacrificed, too much blood shed in a just cause.
"India has a historic mission, Mr.Prime Minister. History will judge you by your success or failure in carrying that mission forward during your life-time. We want you to succeed. But you cannot succeed if you choose the path of short term expediency, and set out to build India's future on the graves of her real friends, on the ruins of their hopes and their expectation of justice. We can only hope that you will have the courage to understand the resolve of the Tamils to be free and the wisdom to choose India's eternal interests, over the mirage of a cheap victory against a people who trusted you.
Respectfully yours,
N.Vijayanatham On behalf of The North American Tamil Forum, 50 Whiteleaf Crescent,
Scarborough, Ontario CANADA MIV 32
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MAY 1988
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Page 22
22 TAMIL TIMES
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SW19, before a we audience of Chithra's brilant dit to her Guru & Mrs. SatkunaRoad, Kingston,
MAY 1988
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Page 23
MAY 1988
No 1
S. Nagarajan
R. Chelliah
CARE
Notes and Commentary:
M. Maha Uthaman
Editor: M. Maha
Editorial Committee: Ramani
S. Nagar
G. Palan
B. Pfaffe
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TAMIL TIMES 23
of Eelam
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Territorial Identity of Eelam
Marxism and Law
Tamil National Question
International War Crimes Tribunal
Uthaman (Former Tutor, Dept. of Social Theory, National University of Ireland, Ireland)
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versity of London, UK)
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