Page 1
vol XVI No.1 ISSN 0286-4488
CD Pries (Concemet
Willio ra
While Media
Freedom
CD BATE FORTRANIAN
Referendum Move
O THE SINT, LA HIMMISSION
Dr. Kutar Rupesinghe, Secrets General, International Alert
 
 
 

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Rev, Fr, Balasuriya – Excommunicated O Bipartisan Approach Needed
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"I do not agree with a word of what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
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ISSN 0266 - 4488 VOXV NO.1 15 JANUARY 1997
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CONTENTS
Whither Media Freedom 03 Priest Condemned Without Traial 04 The Battle for Paranthan O5 Arrest of Journalist Condemned 06 Referendum Move by Government 07 Al Urges Disappearances Probe 08
Sinhala Commission 08 Shipwreck Tragedy 09 New Trends in Jaffna 10 GMOA Blamed 11 New Jaffna Library 2 Bipartisan Approach Needed 4. Lankan Politics and People 17 The Corrupt Queen of Tamil Nadu 20 The Mahathma Falls 23 Desert Rides Amidst War and Peace 24 Status of Tamil 25 The Round-Up - Short Story 26 Readers Forum 28 Book Review 29
Classified 30
The governm the way it permit TNL, Mrs. Ishini nment produced have been achie cal opponents,
The incident broadcast of a r eastern Sri Lank telecast of confro times hundreds o the Defence Min camp could only
lf the publica Bank bombing in depots at Kolonn of deaths, the sla dents did not cau or feelings of ill-w to imagine as to t that TİNL report re
It is a fact of presumed to em speeches at publ tween communit see a prosecution
What is wors Prevention of Ter mission of Jurists allegedly offendir government in th human rights org.
The Crocodile been in power be they deserve. It W alised as part of were com pelled few who dared tc stalwarts of the py forcible abduction as reconstructed themselves onto like these men, th
Today the que arrest of the TNL Besides, the unc Minister assaulte ed fears ofa re-er
It was on the Alliance was elec pression underth doubt. However it circles to believe may be that the p, ity in the reportin its own which is a feel that it is bei democracy with f.
 
 

AMIL TIMES 3
ent of Sri Lanka succeeded in scoring a spectacular own goal in ed the police to handle the affair involving the news director of Wickremasinghe Perera. The severe backlash against the goveramong a cross-section of the people over the affair could not ed by even the best efforts on the part of the government's politi
that provoked the police action against Mrs. Perera related to a ported attack by the LTTE on a Special Task Force camp in a. Compared to the almost daily reports that are broadcast or ntations between government forces and the LT TE in which somef soldiers are killed, very often on the basis of press briefings by stry or the military the report relating to the attack on the STF be characterised as trivial.
tion of reports relating to major incidents such as the Central which hundreds died, the attackupon and setting ablaze the oil awa, the bombing of the train at Dehiwela again leading to scores ughter of over 1200 soldiers at Mullaitivu and other similar incise "acts of violence or religious, racial or communal disharmony illor hostility between different communities...", it is difficult even ly what sense of logic or reasoning those in authority concluded lating to a trivial incident could have caused the offending result,
ife in Sri Lanka that politicians of all parties, and even prelates body compassion and tolerance, go about the country making ic meetings which in fact cause feelings of ill-will or hostility bees, or religious, racial or communal disharmony. One is yet to
against such persons.
9 in this case is the invoking of the provisions of the draconian orism Act, which has been described by the International Comas "an ugly blot on the statute book of the country", to deal with gjournalists, it is not surprising, therefore, that the action of the is instance has provoked almost universal opposition from the anisations and journalists.
tears shed about media freedom by UNP politicians who had fore 1994 for 17 long years must be treated with the contempt as during these years that political violence became institutionhe body politic in which the media and journalists by and large and became mere tools in the hands of those in power, The very defy were summarily and physically dealt with. Some of the evious regime who remained silent, condoned or colluded in the land murder of journalist Richard Zoysa are now masquerading paragons of media freedom and democracy. They even force picket-lines of protesting journalists, if journalists have friends ey may not need enemies.
stion of media freedom has been brought to the forefront by the directorand charging her under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, ontradicted incident in which men said to be close to a Deputy dan ITN crew mistaking them for a crew from the TNL has revivnergence of political violence, particularly directed at the media,
promise of creating a democratic media culture the Peoples ted to power by the people. That there is more freedom of exepresent government than under the previous regime is not in must be admitted that there is an unhealthy trend in government that the privately owned media has become its main enemy. It ivately owned media fails in its ethic of objectivity and impartial7 of news, views and comments reflecting a political agenda of gainst that of the government. The government may justifiably gunfairly criticised. But that is the price one has to pay in a eedom of expression as its corner-stone.

Page 4
4 TAM TIMES
PREST CONDEN WITHOUT TR
"Excommunication - Arbitrary Unjust an
Says Fr. Balasuriya
he Vatican announced 5 January T that the Rev. Tissa Balasuriya, a member of the Oblates of Marylmmaculate, was excommunicated after the Pope refused a final appeal about Writings in his 1990 book, "Mary and Human Liberation."
In a strong response, Fr Balasuriya who is widely regarded as Sri Lanka's greatest Catholic erusader for social justice and human rights, said he had been condemned without a trial or even a dialogue. The 72-year old priest who has served the Church for more than 50 years, described the decision of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) as 'arbitrary, unjustand imperious'. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who heads the CDF, the Roman Catholic Church's doctrinal watchdog body, said in a Vatican statement on January 5 that Fr. Balasuriya had incurred the severest form of excommunication because he had distorted Catholic dogma.
The dispute stemmed from Fr:Balasuriya's 1990 book"Mary and Human Liberation." The author respected in Sri Lanka for his grassroot ties and campaign for social justice and said to be an advocate of what has come to be known as "Liberation Theology" challenges fundamental Catholic beliefs like baptism, original sin and immaculate conception.
The theologian had maintained that baptism, the sacrament that marks a Catholic's official entrance into the church, wasn't necessary. He also refused to recognise the infallibility of the Pope, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican's guardian of orthodoxy.
In an official notice, the CDF said Balasuriya had questioned the divine nature of Jesus and denied the dogma of original sin, which holds that all people are born with the stain of the sin of the first human beings. The priest also denied that Mary was a virgin and was assumed bodily into heaven, as church teaching holds. Balasuriya"cannot be consid ered a Catholic theologian," the CDF notice said.
In 1994, the Sri Lankan Catholic Bishops' Conference declared that Balasuriya's book incompatible with church teaching. Since then, Balasuriya had contended that his text had been misinterpreted. Balasuriya was givenfurther op
portunity, the to d doxy when he was can embassy in Sr suriya once again ! to the Holy Father, had prepared be d Pope” contending man Liberation"wa CDF said.
It said Balasur the Pope had perso and had agreed to "I firmly state nied, rejected ord trine of the Catholic a news conference uary."lt follows that any form of heresy. basis in fact or in la tion that have inc tion latae setentiae "Latae setentia of excommunicatio lic Church. It does inquiry.
Appearing in a robe, the elderly B conference that he free will, a solemr of Pope Paul VI to VI headed the Cht 1978.
But the Vatical different professio a paragraph from ment which lay of Christians to be added what he ca nation" that the C women into prie not sign the new specifically drafte Despite the V. was intensive dia matter in the past said he was neve trial. A 55-page defend his book Word of comme Balasuriya said. He said he h decision to the V siastical court at international sig John Paul I to w The judgem defected from th lead automatic

15 JANUARY 1997
NED AL
lmperious"
monstrate his orthoimmoned to the Vati-anka. “Father Balafused and appealed sking thata letterhe ivered directly to the hat his "Mary and Huindeed Orthodox, the
fa was informed that ally followed the case he excommunication, hat I have never deviated from any docfaith," Balasuriya told n Colombo on 13 Janhave not committed Therefore, there is no W to make a declaraurred excommunica}"Balasuriya said. e" is the severest form n in the Roman Cathonot require a court of
white Catholic priest's alasuriya told the news had signed, of his own
"Profession of Faith" confirm his faith. Paul roch betWeen 1963 and
ordered him to sign a which he said deleted Pope Paul VI's docuen the chance of nonsaved in heaven and ed a "gender discrimiurch could not ordain hood. He said he did rofession, which was by the Vatican for him. can's claims that there lgue with him over the ix years, Fr. Balasuriya given a fair hearing or ocument he wrote to 'as returned with one | "Unsatisfactory". Fr.
appealed against the can's Supreme ecclethat there would be an ure campaign for Pope draw the act.
t of the CDF that I have Datholic faith is said to to my dismissal from
the OM religious congregation in terms of Canon 694. This is a further injustice in this case.
'Some unknown persons decide on my religious life without a trial whatsoever to arrive at this judgement. The Superior General and General Administration of the Oblates, and the Provincial and Council of the Oblates in Sri Lanka, who have known me and my work during the past 51 years, are apparently notable to have a say concerning this.
"If the CDF could treat a very senior religious person like me in this arbitrary and imperious manner, what could the younger generation of religious expect from the Church to which they commit their lives in the 21st century? It is to be feared the lack of vocations to religious life in the Western countries may spread to our countries too, Fr Balasuriya said in a hard-hitting statement.
"In the circumstances, have appealed to His Holiness, the Pope to see that there is a formal judicial trial into this case which has been a cause of grave distress to me during the past four years, and in the meantime to suspend the sanctions being imposed on my by the CDF
The Pope has strenuously defended such rights against authoritarian regimes of the Left and of the Right. Strangely his name is being invoked for an injustice within the Church, the like of which has not been seen at least in this concluding half century of the 20th century.
"At the age of 72 after 51 years in the Congregation of the Oblates and 44 years a priest wish to remain a member of the Catholic Church. I will be in ecclesia and spiritual communion with the Church of Jesus, even if legally ex-communicated by ecclesiastical authorities.
"Conscious of my limitations, and relying on the never failing grace of God, and the communion and companionship of kindred persons, commit the few remaining days also of my life for the Church to be ever more Jesus-like, united, prophetic, just and lovable; to work for the development of Christian theology in relation to global and local justice, our Asian situation in these times; to try to safeguard human dignity, gender justice and due freedom and rights of all, for the honour and better understanding of Mary, the fearless mother of Jesus and our mother, who supportively and courageously co-suffered with her son Jesus, he said. Fr Balasuriya was a founder Registrar since 1953 and later Rector of Aquinas University College, Colombo from 1964-1971.
He was Founder Director of the Centre for Society and Religion, Colombo from 1971, Founder member of the Civil Rights Movement of Sri Lanka since 1971, Asian Chaplain of international Movement of Catholic Students 19691979, Founding member of Ecumenical (Continued on next page)

Page 5
15 JANUARY 1997
LTTE on the military bases at Paranthanand ElephantPasson 9January has demolished the Sri Lankan military's claims the Tigers are a spent force and its expectation that an end to the war and a return to peace could be brought about in the near future. The fact that the LTTE was able to mobilise and involve over 1000 of its cadres in Such raids showed that it still remained a formidable military machine despite its ouster from its stronghold of Jaffna.
The fact that in the course of the battle of Paranthan army gunners were forced to destroy several artillery pieces to prevent them from falling into rebel hands showed to what extent the military itself feared the LTTE's military capability.
"Prabhakaran is far from being a spent force. He can pick the time and place, concentrate his forces and punch through." A Reuters report from Colombo datelined 12 January by Rohan Gunasekera quoted political analyst Dayan Jayatilleka. The same report quoted a military officer as saying that the government's two-pronged strategy of trying to force the rebels back for talks while offering autonomy to woo Tamils away from the Tigers' demand for independence, would not work as long as the LTTE remained militarily powerful, and that the LTTE appeared to be determined not to allow the government not to talk or dictate from of position of strength.
T he simultaneous fierce raids by the
"The LTTE wal year after the army ern theatre has not" government doesn' tality of guerrillas. F war is a protracted attack he gets World Jayatilleka.
The LT TE Claim nine 122mm and tw. of the army's most army said its soldi tillery pieces and arr selves to prevent t rebel hands.
The loss of arti government will be spending as much a year. "Part of Prabl to Weaken the eco cost of the war un ernment," former at Dennis Perera told
The governmer cut defence spendin ($772million) this ye most of its arms in ( war spending was pees ($877 million). The pre-dawn a than camp which be 9 January with "wa advancing with a bá fire directed at the c ensured that Parant
(continued from page 4)
Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT) since 1976, and its Asian Co-ordinator 1976-1986, Founding member of the Citizens Committee for national harmony, Sri Lanka since 1977, Founder member and international secretary of the International Forum of Religions for Global Solidarity since 1993 andVisiting Professor of Faith and Justice in St Paul University, Ottawa, Canada 1993/1994.
Fr Balasuriya said that during the past four years of this controversy over his book, Mary and Human Liberation he had appealed to every relevant Church authority in Sri Lanka and Rome for a judicial inquiry into the charges. But he was being condemned without a fair hearing. He said the accuser, the witnesses, judges ard executors in this case were the CDF, going completely contrary to even canon law and normal law.
He said the CD to be saved from should sign a specia of faith which was 'O and potentially misle Vatican documen
He also alleged thoritatively impede ops' Conference o from arriving at a se by a process of inqu within Sri Lanka,
Even the Archbi. been open to the pri be inquired into by CDF had insisted it handled not by the but by the Congreg Fr Balasuriya.
Fr. Balasuriya, ha Church rescind its and void because heresy.
 

TAM TIMES 5
its to show that one Ook Jaffna the northset been pacified. The understand the menor Prabhakaran, this one. With every such |-wide attention," said
d that they destroyed ) 130mm guns, some owerful guns. But the ars destroyed the armunition dump themnem from falling into
Ilery also means the Inable to cut defence sit had hoped for this hakaran's strategy is nomy and make the )earable for the govmy chief Lt. General the press.
it has said it plans to g to 44 billion rupees ar since it had bought :alendar 1996, when almost 50 billion ru
issault on the Parangan around 3 am on ves" of Tiger cadres arrage of heavy gunamp. The Tigers had han camp's commu
had demanded that xcommunication he lly drafted profession minously incomplete ading' into quotation
S. that the CDF has aud the Catholic BishSri Lanka(CBCSL) tlement of this issue iry and/or mediation
shop of Colombo had oposal that this issue the CBCSL, but the Was a matter to be Sri Lankan Bishops ation in Rome, says
S demanded that the
action as it was null
he never committed
O
nications link With the Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass camps were severed before they launched their assault on Paranthan. Within a short time, the Tigers had surrounded the camp.
Reports from the battlefield indicate that women cadres of the LTTE played a major role in the attack both at Paranthan and Elephant Pass. “Eelamurasu", a proLTTE Tamil weekly published from Paris reporting this fact said that a woman cadre of the LTTE with explosives strapped around her body threw herself onto a battle tank destroying it instantly, A Wounded soldier from the Paranthan camp lying in a Colombo hospital said, "it was at 3.20 am on Thursday that the Tigers attacked. We were on guard duty at the time was in the fourth bunker with my complement of eight.TheTigers came in Waves; there were three lines: the front line consisting mainly of women attacked with grenades; the second fired mortars and third was made up of unarmed persons who broke in through the weakened defence lines and pilfered what they could. Those who managed to infiltrate the camp concealed themselves behind the mango trees which abounded in the camp." He said over 1000Tigers were involved in the attack. There seemed to be endless waves of them. The majority of
the cadre in the LTTE frontlines were
women. They were on a suicide mission, he added.
What is known is that the tigers used, with devastating effect in the latest attack, artillery pieces seized in earlier raids, particularly from Mullaithivu last September when the Tigers overran and destroyed the camp killing over 1200 soldiers and withdrawing with a large haul of heavy Weapons.
While the army claimed that over 350 Tigers were killed and 700 more were injured in the battle, the LTTE has admitted to the killing of 140 of their cadres including 78 women in the battle, though no figure for the Wounded. The LTTE declared two days of mourning for their dead fighters in the Paranthan battle, in which reportedly 20 of its leading cadres also died. The LTTE, on Sunday 12 January sought to hand over through the International Committee of the Red Cross What they said were the remains of 27 soldiers killed in the Paranthan battle. But the army refused to accept the bodies, saying they were difficult to identify, Jayatunga said.
The LTTE claimed that it had captured three 120mm mortars, three heavy machine guns, rifles, artillery shells, night vision goggles and a large stock of ammunition during its raid on the Paranthan camp.
Though admitting to a loss of over 140 its cadres, including 78 women, the LTTE has claimed unqualified success in their attacks on the military at Paranthan. In a statement dated 11 January issued from its London office, the LTTE has described

Page 6
6 TAMIL TIMES
the outcome of the assault on Paranthan and Elephant Pass army camps as a major victory. Photographs which appeared in the LTTE's Tamil daily "Eelanatham" showed large Weapon stocks being lined up and demolished in sequence by LTTE forces within the confines of the two army camps. The LTTE later retreated taking as much equipment as they could carry. The statement added that the Sri Lankan defence ministry had Thursday (9 January) morning claimed Sri Lankan forces had themselves destroyed military hardware to stop it falling into LTTE hands but the photos show categorically this was not so. 11 large artillery pieces are clearly depicted in the photos being blasted by LTTE demolition units. The two camps' entire fleet of armoured vehicles was also blown up and a 10km stretch of bunkers, pillboxes and sentry posts were destroyed. It is estimated that many millions of rupees worth of military equipment was wiped away in a short space of time, said the Tigers' statement.
Over 200 Sri Lankan troops were killed in the fighting and the number continues to rise with many hundreds of soldiers seriously injured. The LTTE lost 140 of their own fighters, 78 of them from the highly-revered women's' corps, the LTTE statement added.
Strategically, the LTTE's twin-objective of dispersing troop concentrations and nullifying Sri Lanka's fire-power by setting fire to ammunition dumps and destroying its heavy guns, proved an overwhelming success. The armoury at these two camps had been used systematically by Sri Lanka to pound heavily-populated Tamil residential areas from a distance, The LTTE Victories at Paranthan and Eephant Pass gave a strong message to the Sri Lankan government not to persist with its military solution to the Tamil national question, the LTTE statement added.
The military is reported to have engaged in retaliatory bombing raids in response to the LTTE assault. The LTTE in a statement from London said, " Sri Lankan warplanes have bombed Tamil residential areas within 24 hours of Sri Lanka's defeat at Paranthan and Elephant Pass. Several bombing raids were conducted on Kandawalai at 7am Friday (10 January) morning. Another statement from the LTTE on 10 January said that the Sri Lankan airforce indiscriminately bombed Tamil residential areas around Elephant Pass and Paranthan (Kilinochchi) after the LTTE launched its attack against Sri Lankan forces. Soon after the assault, Sri Lankan Kfir jet bombers, Puccara war planes and Mi-24 fighter helicopters began indiscriminately pounding surrounding Tamil villages and the deafening sound of bomb-fire had been heard non-stop since it began on 9 Januагу. O
U Jou
large numb strated out Where Mrs. Perera, the news vate television stá charges for erro Tamil Tigers had mando campine angered the jour was that Mrs. Per the provisions of vention of Terrori Within a shor in Court, the Color her on bail and fu to seek advice fr ney General befc case against Mr more journalists i Courthouse, pro reading, "Do not s "Hands off them It is to be not Shan Wickremasi der of the Opposit singhe and Mrs.P and Wife of a Me Asitha Perera, w ment,
A report was and TV on 26 De the STF camp at ticaloa district há LTTE and the S. drawn from the the broadcast, li lice W. Rajaguru, to vehemently d The authorit tion against Mr. justify their acti allegedly offend to ethnic tensio) of violence.
Local and fo tions have con deep concern a terrorism law ir Local human rig bers of Parliam ruling party an in the condemn Condemnir tion of Terrorism aSS an employe evision station the Editors Gui there was an e incident as has the authorities correction. We Would have Ca has in fact off

15 JANUAH. Y yyyy
se of PTA Against inalist Condemned
of journalists demonle the Colombo Court shini Wickremasinghe director of TNL, a prion, was brought up on eously reporting that overrun a police comstern Sri Lanka. What alist community more ra was charged under he much maligned Prem Act. time of her appearance bo Magistrate released ther directed the police om the country's Attorre proceeding with the s. Perera or taking any to custody. Outside the esters waved posters uppress the media" and
dia.” əd the TNLis owned by nghe, brother of the Leaion, Mr. Rani Wickremaerera is the latter's niece mber of Parliament, Mr. no supports the govern
broadcast onTNL radio cember which said that Vellaveli in eastern Batld been attacked by the curity forces had with:amp. A few hours after spector General of Poppeared on Rupavahini eny the TNL report.
es who initiated the acPerera have sought to n on the basis that the ng report would have led leading to an outbreak
eign journalist organisaemned and expressed out the use of the antidealing with the press. hts organisations, Memit some belonging to the academics have joined cion.
the use of the PrevenAct to intimidate and harof a privately owned telvera reporting incident, of Sri Lanka said that if or in the reporting of the een claimed, the duty of as to forthwith issue a ave no doubt that TNL ed that statement as it 2d to do no sooner the
unfortunate and unnecessary train of events had been launched. Asserting that no fair minded persons would agree that the impugned report would have unleashed communal violence in the country, the Editors Guild condemned the ham handed manner in which the police acted using unacceptable methods such as late night visits to news organisations, expressed and implied threats of detention against the young Woman journalist and other intimidatory tactics.
"Central to the issue is the use of the PTA in this case. As we understand it, the PTA is not concerned with the accuracy or otherwise of the impugned report. It is a special law intended to deal with terrorism, and by no flight of fancy would anybody be convinced that any kind of terror Was involved in this matter"the statement of the Guild said.
The Convenor of the Free Media Movement, Varuna Karunathilake described the actions as "nothing but stupidity of the first order on the part of the government". "Even if TNL had telecast an incorrect new report, the government I feel has no business to punish the media under the PTA. This is a total violation of the principle of a free press"He totally condemned theuse of the PTA against journalists by the government which came to power pledging to support the interest of independent journalists.
The Paris-based Reporters. Sans Frontieres accused the police of an unwarranted display of force with intent to intimidate the media" in dealing with the CaSe.
Since the new government under President Kumaratunga came to power, the press in Sri Lanka, which had for years been cowed down under the previous regime, had been enjoying a substantial measure of freedom. However, the relationship between the privately owned printed media and the government became stormy and controversial reportedly because of the anti-government stance adopted by the media and the open hostility it displays to President Kumaratunga in particular.
While the journalists complain of government's attempt to suppress their freedom, some of the leaders of the government would appear to suffer from a feeling of being besieged by "false and irresponsible" reporting by the privately owned newspapers. The editor of the weekly "The Sunday Times" is presently going through a trial on charges of "criminal defamation" of the President for falsely reporting in a "gossip column" that she

Page 7
15 JANUARY 1997
Govt Move for Refer
What was up to now a mere speculation is turning into a near-certainty that the government may in the coming months plunge for a referendum on its constitutional reform package which will include proposals for devolution.
Addressing public rally in mid-December, President Kumaratunga made the assertion that the political package offered by her government would be implemented during 1997 adding that "with the political package we can solve the problem in the north and east and alienate the LTE from the Tamil people."
The President added that if the United National Party (UNP) refused to support the political package in parliament, "I'll go the people direct and obtain their support to implement the new proposals. We sheed a two-third majority in Parliament to change the Constitution or implement the devolution proposals. If the Constitution stands in the way of the majority of the people and goes against their aspirations, we are ready to stage a constitutional revolution. Since We know that the majority of the people are for devolution, we will seek their support directly."
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, G.L.Peiris, made the government's intention more clear when he said that "1997 will be a year of action, not endless discussion." He added that the all-party Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), which has been discussing the government's proposals for over a year, has held 63 meetings during 1996 and the PSC had cleared almost seventy percent of the draft. The discussions would be concluded by March this year after which "we would be able to prepare
(continued from page 6)
went through the back-door of a well known Colombo hotel after midnight and spent about two hours in the private suit a Member of Parliament.
Hundreds of Sri Lankan journalists staged a peaceful demonstration in Colombo on 15 January in protest against restrictions on the media by a securityconscious government.
About 1,000 journalists representing 27 media organisations took part in the protest while two bus-loads of armed police looked on. There were no incidents or arrests.
"It is one of the biggest gatherings of media personnel this country has ever seen," one of the organisers, Saman Wagaarachchi from the Sinhalese-language Lakbima newspaper, said, "We're demonstrating for a free media principle and a free media culture in Sri Lanka. We Want to risist that the government creates one."
a final report of the submission to parli mined to carry fore finality in the nearf According to the ment’s plan is to be tution for the islanda lition of the executive reforms and far-rea legislative powers guarantees of funda Mr.Peiris made i did not support the g proposals throughp of referendum was "The government is tent. It has the optic dum, but it has not yet. We want to cons in the Parliament an sus” Mr. Peiris said. The government ingly sceptical abou UNP ending its sup to get it through wi thirds majority in members of tine UN contradictory stater the line the party wo Sonalities like forme ister Ronnie de Mel Minister S.A.S. Ham party lend its suppo to get through the pa there are a number Moonesinghe who should adopt a line ir
Member of Parli nayake of the Dem« nal(Lalith) Front (D with an interesting mittee comprising re up to conduct negoti He made the propo during a debate,
Mr Karunanaya the political parties response to the pri party. He told press he has had informa section of parliamer eral response was "\ couraging'.
He said that the rect and uncondition externalisation of th only pre-condition f be fixing a time-fram
 

TAMIL TIMES 7
2ndum
Select Committee for ment. We are deterVord and there will a ture," Mr. Peiris said. Minister, the governoart of a new Constinod proposes the abopresidency, electoral ching executive and to the regions with mental rights.
clear that if the UNP overnment to get the arliament the holding an option open to it. not helpless or impo)n to hold a referenmade a decision as ummate the process darrive at a consen
has become increast the prospect of the port to the package th the required twoarliament. Leading Phave been making nents in public as to uld adopt. While perr UNFP Finance Min
and former Foreign seed would want the rt to the government ckage in parliament, of persons like Susil assert that the party keeping with its poli
cy of being against diluting the unitary character of the State and against the merger of the northern and eastern provinces. AS for its leader, Mr. Rani Wickremasinghe, he has become more and more ambivalent on the issue unable to reconcile the contending factions in his party. Many have urged and suggested to him that the UNP and the government party should adopt a bipartisan stance on the ethnic issue. But he ducks the suggestion by saying that all political parties, other organisations including the LTTE and individuals have to be brought into the process.
Very often Mr Wickremasinghe is heard to say that people like Kumar Ponnambalam (who has of late been describing himself as an unrepentant supporter of the LTTE) and S.L.Gunasekera (who denies that there is an ethnic problem, refuses to accept that Tamils have any grievances and asserts the problem Sri Lanka is facing is one of terrorism only), and Rev Sobithat hero (who adopts a similar line to that of S.L.Gunasekera, but also has been instrumental in the recent formation of a "Sinhala Commission" to investigate into the grievances of the Sinhalese for the last 200 years) should also be brought into the process to arrive at a consensus. A political analyst in Colombo said one does not know Whether this is sheer naivette on his part, or is his incapacity to rise above party politics to forge a bipartisan approach to resolve a national crisis, or is he opportunistically biding his time hoping that the government which has only a one vote majority in Parliament would collapse under the tide of mounting extremist opposition to the government's peace process so that he and his party can regain power. O
ament, Ravi Karunaocratic United NatioUNLF) has come up proposal that a compresentatives be set ations With the TTE. sal first in parliament
çe said that most of nave shown positive posal made by his men in Colombo that talks with a crosstarians and the gentery positive anden
talks should be dial, and his party was e ethnic issue. "The or such talks should of two to three non
ths. The government should not insist on the other two pre-conditions that substantial amount of arms should be surrendered and there should be a ceasefire."
Mr.Karunanayake suggested the appointment of a committee comprising members from 11 political parties represented in parliament. He pointed out that all the political parties including the main opposition UNP and the democraticTamil parties have accepted that the LTTE "is an integral part of the north-east issue."
Adding that the support of the opposition was necessary for Such an exercise, Mr.Karunanayake said that the Philippines government could sign a peace pact with the armed group which was waging a war for over two decades because of the support it got from the opposition parties.

Page 8
8 AMIL TIMES
Amnesty International has expressed serious concern at the increasing number of "disappearances" that have occurred in recent months in army controlled areas of northern Sri Lanka, especially the Jaffna peninsula.
In a statement issued on 9 January, Al states that, since the security forces regained control over the Jaffna peninsula from the LiberationTigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in late 1995- early 1996, there have been continuing reports of arbitrary arrests and torture, including rape, and 'disappearances' in custody. In particular the number of 'disappearances' reported has been of serious concern.
A has so far submitted more than 200 cases of people who were seen taken into custody but whose detention was subsequently denied by the security forces to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. It has urged that an independent and impartial investigation be instituted to establish their fate or whereabouts. Local human rights organisations and Tamil members of parliament have also repeatedly brought cases of 'disappearances' to the attention of the President and other authorities. ሳ. In response, the establishmentofauni in the Ministry of Defence with responsibility for the investigation of 'disappearances Was announcedon 13 December. In addition, the Human Rights Task Force (HRTF), an official body set up to safeguard the welfare of detainees, has been given permission in principle to establish an office in the Jaffna peninsula. Officers of the HRTF visited Jaffna in mid November. They were reportedly provided with a list of more than 500 names of people who have 'disappeared' in the custody of the security forces in the Jaffna peninsula, which they are checking against a list of detainees provided by the security forces. Since the government came to power in August 1994, Al has urged that crucial steps should be taken to prevent 'disappearances'from happening, especially after such violations started to be reported again following the resumption of the armed conflict between the LTE and the security forces in April 1995. Between April 1995 and March 1996, Amnesty International recorded 62 'disappearances', mostly from the east and from the capital, Colombo.
Among the measures recommended by Al for the prevention of"disappearances were amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Emergency Regulations, which allow for people to be held in the custody of the security forces for longpe
AEASORMARANTES INTO DSAPPEARANCE
riods of time, and 1 these grave huma be brought to just stantial changes these legal provis punity remains ar remains a patterr duplication of inv commissions, rath tion on the finding existence,
A has expres: in regard to the Paskaran, male ag North, Jaffna distr seen since 10 Dec
A Commission the grievances face ple of Sri Lanka fo recommend remed pointedon 18 Dece Joint Committee o ering at the ACBC Maha Nayake Ther rapura and Ramya ge number of Bud fTheľ.
The National J composed of 36 Sit sations including th Monks Congress, Association, Mah Ceylon Buddhist C tection Organisat Congress, Sinhala Buddhist Doctors Bala Mandalaya of mavijaya Foundat The member Which has been re kan press as the“ include former juc SOrs, academics, National Archive public officials an eight member Co Supreme Court J The Commis to submit its repo dations to the N. has been directec issues including' O The injustices hala people from der different poli
 
 
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
r the perpetrators of
rights violations to :e. To date, no subave been made to ons. In addition, imajor concern. There of proliferation and stigative units and rthan concerted ac
of those already in
edits deep concern case of Thamban ad26, from Kaithady ct, who has not been mber 1996, when he
was asked to report to the Kaithady army camp. He did so but failed to return home. When his wife went to make inquiries the next day, she was told that he had escaped from custody around 9.30pm on 10 December. However, he did not return home nor did the army come to look for him.
Al states that fears forThamban Paskaran's safety are heightened by reports over recent months of the killing of several people who had 'disappeared in army custodytrinjafter district, including in Kaithady army camp. A has urged the Sri Lankan government to (a) establish an independent and impartial investigation into his 'disappearance' and all other cases. reported to the President, the findings of which should be made public, and (b) bring all those responsible for these violations to justice. Al also urges the government to take all necessary measures to bring a halt to the enduring practice of 'disappearances' in Sri Lanka.
of Inquiry to identify dby the Sinhala peor over 200 years and ial measures was apmber by the National f Sri Lanka at a gathHall attended by the as of the Siyam, Amana Nikayas, anda lardhist priests and lay
bint Committee (NJC) hala Buddhist organie All Ceylon Buddhist 'oung Mens Buddhist a Bodhi Society, All ongress, Sinhala Proon, World Buddhist Lawyers Association, Association, Sinhala London and the Dhar
)Ո,
of the Commission, erred to in the Sri Laninhala Commission", Jes, university profesformer director of the and former senior the Chairman of the mission is the former dge, S.W.Walpita. on which is expected t with its recommen; in September 1997 O examine all relevant e following:
meted out to the Sin
olonial times and unal parties;
* Injustices to the Sinhala people bypolitical parties based on racist and sepa-. ratist concepts; Olnjustices in the denying of traditional lands to the Sinhala people under the Waste Lands Act and the Vihara and Devala Acts; O injustices to the Sinhala Kandyan people in the post 1815 era; O Injustices to the Sinhala people by the granting of citizenship to the migrantTamil population from India; Y • O injustices by the various non-governmental organisations with the intention of destroying the integrity and culture of the Sinhala people; O Injustices from the biased formulation of education policy by officials during colonial times; O Injustices through the misuse of the media; O injustices through the lack of prominence to the Sinhala language; O Injustices to the Sinhala people in the fields of trade and commerce due to political reasons; O injustices through the forced eviction of the Sinhala people from the Northern and Eastern provinces; and O Injustices to the Sinhala people by the anti-Sinhala foreign policies adopted by the various governments of the post-independent era.
Delivering the keynote speech on the occasion was the Mahanayake of the Amarapura Sangha Sabha, Ven. Madihe Panghasihe Thera, who said that there was presently a grave need in the country for (Continued on next page)

Page 9
15 JANUARY 1997
urvivors of a tragedy at sea who said they had paid at least five to ten thousand US dollars each to be smuggled into Europe gave chilling accounts on 5 January of a collision at sea in which Greek police feared as many as 280 people may have drowned.
According to a report by the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Rome to the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, 149 of the passengers of the ill-fated vessel were Sri Lankans of whom 92 are feared to have drowned, and 57 of them reached Greece of whom 51 are in custody and 6 have not been found. An examination of the names of the passenger list indicates that all of the 149 Sri Lankan passengers carry Tamil nanes.
According to the Greek police, the migrants from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had told them that two vessels packed with people collided about 15 miles east
of Malta on Christmas Day, 25 Decem
ber 96.
Ahmad Shahab, from Pakistan, told reporters that hundreds of migrants were forced from a largership to a smaller vessel before the collision and he saw his own brother drowning. "Some were lost at sea, some may have made it to Italy on another ship and some ended up in Greece," Greek Public Order Minister George Romeos told newspapers.
The ministry said 107 immigrants were arrested Monday, 30 December, when the larger vessel docked at the Greek port of Nafplion and had been in
terrogated by poli A tearful Shah forced 318 of us down with ropes smaller one, The take about 100 p overboard in roug larger ship then co Οη Θ,
"People were ( for help. I saw my b "please, please, h ple from the other ones drowning. O in half and sank"S According to t habwas amongon rescued by the lar cult not to believe chief Panayotis Kal timonies of all 107 ingly similar and smallershipfits an sel stolen from Ma and still missing ac He said the la Nafplion on Decen embarked the immig 107 and were looki lice said the ship th coast guards were Italian authoritie nel between Sicily have found no sigr Maltese armed forC was not unusual fic be traced if rescuel
(continued from page 8) the coming together of all the Buddhist clergy to speak in one voice for the salivation of the Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka,
"There needs to be an awakening of the Buddhist monks as one for the protection of the Sinhala country and Buddhism. The lack one united body for this end is a great loss to the Buddhist religion and the Sinhalanation.
"And if this time too if we fail to make an effective attempt towards this end, then it may prove the end of the Sinhala nation. Our failure to do this will see the com
plete destruction of the Sinhala people within a matter of 40-50 years through the
hemorism now prevailing in the North," said the Thera.
The Ven. Thera added that a similar previous attempt during the Premiership of theate S.W. R.D. Bandaranaiake failed in its implementation stage due to the un
timely death the Pr leader afterwards S its implementation, The Chief Incu vihara, Kotte, Ven, Thera said that whi injustice to the Tar spread all over the v being made of the being lost to the S Northern and Sout "The Word that is the World is that O being those that el The World does no population of 12% population of 77%. "No one spea homelands being lo ple in the North ar hala villages are si these areas," he a 20.12.96)
 

b told Reuters. "They at gunpoint to climb »m the big ship to the mall ship could only ople. People jumped waters." He said the ided with the smaller
ssperately screaming other go down. yelled can't swim". But peoship just looked at the Irship was nearly cut hahab said. e Greek police, Shay 29 people who were ger vessel. "It is diffihem "Nafplion Police ofolias said."The tesimmigrants are strikhe description of the |8-metre Wooden Veslta on Christmas Eve cording to Interpol." rger vessel reached nber 30 where it disrants. Police arrested ng for another 65, Poin left port and Greek now searching for it. s searching the chanand Malta say they of a collision. But a as spokesman said it r a shipwreck not to S did not know its ex
me Minister, "And no lowed any interest in Said the Thera. mbent of the Nagaaduluwawe Sobitha the word of a grave people was being rid, no mention was aditional homelands hala people in the rn areaS. being spread around the Sinhala people by life to the fullest. believe that a Tamil attacking a Sinhala
of the traditional
to the Sinhala peo
the East. The Sin
being destroyed in
led. ("The island",
O
TAMILTIMES 9
act position.
A Greek police statementsaidtheimmigrants from Sri Lanka had told interrogators they paid $8,000 each in Colombo for an air ticket to Cairo and the sea trip to Europe. The Indians and Pakistanis said they had paid $5,000 each. "I worked for five years to find the money.They told us in Colombo they'l find us work in Europe," said Kanapathi Paramsothy, from Sri Lanka.
"It was shortly before dawn, people cried for help, some drowned because they could not swim, others were trapped inside the crashed ship and went down." He said the captain of the smaller ship went aboard the larger vessel before the collision. Most of the immigrants said they started their sea journey in Alexandria, Egypt, and changed ships two or three times on their way to Sicily. "We were for weeks in the ship's hold like trapped animals. They gave us a slice of bread and half cup of water each day. We prayed all the time to stay alive," Amir Maqbool, from india, said.
"We have arrested 107 illegal immigrants who say they were involved in the collision and swear to the Koran that they saw hundreds of their compatriots go down with one of the vessels which sunk." a senior police official told Reuters.
"Those arrested were almost starved to death and terrified," he added. Italian port authorities said they had been searching the Malta-Sicily channel since December 26 for signs of a collision between ships carrying illegal immigrants, but had so far found nothing.
"Malta asked us on December 26 to look into a possible collision between a big ship and a smaller one but nothing has been found, though We are still looking"a spokesman for the Italian navy resCue co-ordination centre Said.
According to would-be immigrants' testimonies a cargo ship flying a Honduras flag was in collision with a smallership after transferring 320 people to it.
"The immigrants said the smallership sank and only about 30 people were rescued," a Greek marine ministry statement said. Police said the cargo ship continued its voyage and brided up in southern Greece. "The immigrants said they had paid $5,000 each to be taken from the port of Alexandria in Egypt to a European country, most probably Italy"a police official said. Police said another 65 immigrants from the cargo ship had escaped arrest in Greece. "Those arrested Were taken to a warehouse outside Nafplion and were told to wait for trucks to pick them up. After one day they came out to findsome food and they were spotted by villagers who alerted us," the police official said.
He said the freighter Yioham and a smaller ship identified by immigrants as the Panama-flagged Friendship are on an Interpol "black list" of vessels which often transfer illegal immigrants or drugs.

Page 10
10 AML TIMES
New Trends in J af & Concern Over Deta
"The country had been shocked by the tragedies centred around two young girls who were victims of gang rape and murder by soldiers. These two incidents may not have been uncovered had government censorship remained in place and organised protest, specifically in Colombo, had not taken place. If timely attention had been paid to well documented earlier cases of rape and murder, these lives may have been spared. It is argued in this report that if security forces in any armed conflict are allowed in the name of Security to commit violations of human rights involving arbitrary detention and torture, then, rape, secret executions and disappearances are bound to follow"The University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) in a preamble to a report issued on 27 December 96 (Information Bulletin No13) of 30 pages titled "An Appraisal of New Trends in Jaffna & Concern Over Detainees".
The report focuses on detainees being held by the security forces in Jaffna, a topic which is largely lacking in detailed documentation. The majority of arrests and detentions remain unacknowledged and more than often are flatly denied. Specifically, numerous cases of arbitrary arrest, beatings and death due to torture continue to be denied by the Army. The interrogation process is brutal and inefficient, with those suffering the worst harm, both physically andmentally, often being those with no LTTE connections who remain honest in their refusal to submit. Cases of disappearance after arrest remain significant.
Contrasting to this is a marked improvement among many members of the security forces in their conduct towards civilians. Despite LTTE provocation and indiscriminate attacks in public places, there have been no reprisals by the Army. Since the suicide bomb explosion in Jaffna on July 4th, where significant casualties in death and injury resulted from firing by the Army, it seems that the security forces have learnt their lesson and now ask civilians to take cover before taking action. Furthermore, certain commanders have been viewed refreshingly in a positive light.
The TÉ continues to attack the security forces in public places, bringing death and destruction to civilians while failing in their campaign to spark reprisals by the Army. In these cases, grenade attacks are the most common, often being thrown at known meeting places of civilians at the busiest of times. Gun battles in crowded areas and LTTE land mines have also killed a number of civil
ians. The rationale be is similar to the thin bombing and shellin forces, but these rece out the hollowness of th regarding the injustic shelling and bombin propaganda efforts.
Besides gross vic curity forces and the in Jaffna today remair uncertainty and diffic Common complaints it at check-points, limite tion, employment and and prolonged difficult passes to Colombo. M into Jaffna continue to tlenecks at the port of tinuance of such barrie a large black market The promised establis RightsTask Force (HR
Human Rig
Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the current United Nations Special Raporteur on Violence Against Women, has been awarded the Human Rights Award for 1996 by the Washington-based international Human Right This prestigious á nually to an "individua outstanding contribut human rights internat The award is to be man Rights Award di held in Washington, a more than 400 perso bers of the US Cong matic community,
Previous recipient included Nobel Laure and Aung San Suue ricio Aylwin of Chile, der Dubcek of Czech Raul Alfonsin of Arg Ogata, the UN High Refugees.
Dr. Coomaraswar of the International Cé ies based in Colomb 1995 Rule of law AW Bar Association's lr Rights Committee, a tional Law Award of
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
na inees
ind such attacks ng behind aerial
by the security it incidents bring 2 LITESCOncerns as of government in international
ations by the seTE, the situation S one of immense ity for the people. clude harassment access to educathe outside World, in obtaining travel ovement of goods be held up by botKKS and the ConrS has encouraged n essential items. hment of a Human TF) office in Jaffna
by the Government, after a long delay, is yet to materialise. In addition, even with the lifting of censorship, it is impossible for journalists to enter Jaffna without prior approval from the Government.
if the Government wishes to claim any sense of "normality" in Jaffna or to differentiate the conduct of the security forces from that of the LTTE, it must hold itself accountable for all cases of rape, murder and disappearances involving the security forces. The Government has failed to allow public access to lists of detainees and incidents of death due to torture remain undocumented. This only works to the detriment of the Government and plays into the hands of the LTTE which Wants violations to continue and has proven time and again that it will stop at nothing to provoke such abuses. Though relations between the Army and civilians in Jaffna have seen a more positive development recently, it cannot be denied that violence has been institutionalised at the highest levels of command and such a repressive system will continue to be reinforced if there remains a refusal to investigate and end human rights violations. O
S Law Group. Ward is made anwho has made an on to the cause of onally." presented at a Huner which is to be nd be attended by ns including Memess and the diplo
of the Award have ates Wole Soyinka cyi, President PatPresident Alexanslawakia, President intina and Sadako Commissioner for
y, who is a Director tre for Ethnic Stud, also received the rod by the American ernational Human the 1995 Internane American Soci
ety for International Law, She has been named by Harward Law School this year as its as its Edward Smith Visiting FelIoW,
Unexpected Resignation
The recent unexpected resignation of the high profile Chairman of the Public Enterprise Reform Board (PERC), Rajan Asirwatham, has been much commented upon in the Colombo news media. He has been replaced by Dr. P.B. Jayesundera, one of the two deputy secretaries to the Treasury. Concerned circles in Colombo very much regretted Mr.Asirwatham's resignation.
Mr.Asirwatham, a long-standing personal friend of President Kumaratunga, has had a reputation for honesty and gave his services to the government as Chairman of PERC and also as Chairman of Bank of Ceylon without receiving a salary. When the cabinet, without his knowledge, approved payment for his services, he declined to accept it.
Mr.Asirwatham Was a member of the government delegation which visited Jaffna and had negotiations with leadership of the Tamil Tigers before they broke down in April 1995 when the fighting between the LTTE and government forces resumed,
PERC was set up in 1995 as a presidential task force to advice the government on privatisation and the restructuring of loss making state sector enterprises, it was converted to a statutory body responsible to parliament in January last year.

Page 11
15ANUARY 1997
GRVI0eS
Sri Lankan newspapers gave wide coverage to the presence in the island eduring the last two weeks of December Dr. Kumar Rupasinghe, the Secretary General of International Alert, an organisation devoted to conflict resolution, speculating that he was likely to play facilitating role in promoting talks between the government and the LTTE. Some reports even suggested that Rupasinghe was expected to meet TTE leaders in the jungles of north-eastern Mulaithivu, where the Tigers are reported to have their main jungle bases.
For his part, Rupasinghe who no doubt is interested in bringing about an end to the conflict in Sri Lanka met with and had talks with President Kumaratunga, Opposition Leader Ranill Wickramasinghe, several Ministers, MPs, journalists and business leaders with a view to creating a climate of consensus in Which serious efforts could be made to bring an end to the conflict through negotiations.
However, there is strong lobby in the island againstany involvement of"outsiders", however well intentioned they may
Aghellar
be. This lobby includ tors of the privately Which has a wide circ members of the Budc Set about casting do against Rupasinghe a In fact, the normall "Sunday island"prov of space in its colum tive Sundays to one c typal Sinhala-Buddhis riyagola, to persor Singhe and charact Alert as a pro-Tigero reputation for his ex in regard to questior relations in Sri Lank sion he descended t distortions and fabrica readers. That the Su editor made availal riyagola to indulge it cise of character ass guished men of inter as Bishop Desmond Bovan and Martin En festation of the attitu per to the question c Sri Lanka,
GMOA Blaimed for short of Doctors in War Affected
The government has become dependent on the services of foreign doctors to vital health services in Jaffna and the rest of the war-torn north of the island as a result of the local doctors and medical personnel declining to serve there. The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has also failed to help in the matter. Asked to comment, the Deputy Director General of Medical Services, Dr. K. M.Velummylum, admitted that a number of doctors who were previously attached to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital had gone to Colombo before, during, after the capture
of Jaffna by the army, and they have declined to return there as they had already worked for more than four years there before their departure.
Dr. Velummylum who resigned from the GMOA in December over differences of opinion with the organisation accused the GMOA of not taking steps to sendmembers to Jaffna and other affected areas. "The are not interested in sending doctors there. They are busy fighting for their rights in Colombo" Dr.Velummylum said adding that the GMOA has shownno concernfor the sufiering people in the north and east.
An identified official of the GMOA is reported to have said that members of the GMOA would be willing to work anywhere in the north and east after the situation re
turned to normal. Sayi could not be expected official is reported to ha ply can't expect us to there is a war going on However, the offic eign medical personne in Jaffna, Point Pedro, vuniya, Kilinochchi an eastern province. Doct cal workers belonging Medecins Sans Front couple of other medica and Cuban doctors ar. the north and east, and have offered to sendi Workin Jaffna and othe The GMOA has a proximately 4,000, an cannot find even 20 to in Jaffna, the official i could be done until the normai.
Some critics of th claim that many of its Work in Jaffna and oth because of the problem ing, “How do foreigners speaking French and Cuban doctors could w the GMOA claim that Si tors could not work the
 

TAMILMES 11
eeG
es most of the ediowned print media :ulation and leading hist clergy, and they bts and aspersions und his organisation. y anti-government ided a large amount nS On tWO COnSeCuf Sri Lanka's archetextremists, Gamini ially malign Rupaerise international utfit. Iriyagola has a tremist outpourings is relating to ethnic a, but on this occao a new low with his ations to mislead the nday Island and its ble its columns to n a disgusting exerassination of distinnational repute such Tutu, Prof. Theo Van nals is a clear maniIde of this newspapf war and peace in
ge Areas
ng that his members to take a chance, the ve added, “They simwork in Jaffna when
ial admitted that forl had been deployed Madhu, Mannar, Vad other parts of the tors and other medito the Paris-based ieres (MSF), and a l relief organisations 2 actively working in these organisations n more personnel to er places.
membership of apId asked whether it 25 personnel to work nsisted that nothing situation returned to
e GMOA refuted its members could not er parts of the north of language by askwork there, if French
Spanish speaking orkthere, how could inhala speaking docre?"
The Case of Judge Tittawela
Confronted by widespread criticism in respect of the recent controversial appointment of Ms. Shrani Bandaranaike to the bench of the Supreme Court, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris was quick to point out as to what happened to the judiciary under the previous regime.
During a recent debate in Parliament, Mr. Peiris reminded Members that when the 1978 Constitution brought into existence by the previous government under the late President J. R.Jayawardene, all the Judges were given a standing sack. There was no Supreme Court of the country. The Judges found themselves thrown out on the road having been locked out of their own offices. When new appointments were made, they were done at the whim and fancy of the President. Some of the members of the old bench were reappointed to the new bench, but others were left out, the Minister said proceeding to relate the human story of what happened to Judge Noel Tittawela who was one of those left out.
"When I was a junior lecturer in the University of Colombo, worked with the late Justice NoelTittawella. Mr. Noel TittaWela and I Were both members of a GloSsary Committee. The late Justice NoelTittawela encouraged me to translate some of my work into Sinhala. This was the Judge who was sacked when this incident occurred. The Judge told me, in his own words, that for the first time in his life he was happy that his parents were dead. And the Judge told me that his mother, in particular, would not have believed that he would have lost his position unless he had done something terrible. That is what the Judge told me.
"In those days, Mr. Speaker, the pension that a Judge had was a mere pittance. The late Justice Noel Tittawela asked for permission to practise his profession. That permission was refused. He Was in dire financial circumstances and he had to work in a paint factory. He told me with tears in his eyes, "I am now applying paint." Those are the words used by the late Justice Noel Tittawela. Within six months of that conversation, the Judge died of a heart attack, a heartbroken and a deeply wronged man." O
"A State can win victories not only by the strength of its armaments, but only by the righteousness of its prin
ciples."
- Thirukkural

Page 12
12 TAMIL TIMES
The recent announcement by Doug las Devananda, the Leader of the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party(EPDP), that his party would take the governments of India and Sri Lanka to force them to implement the provisions of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of July 1987, though it received wide coverage in the local press, is considered nota serious or even a Viable proposition.
Citing Clause 2.14 of the Accord which provided that the "Government of India will underwrite and guarantee the resolution and co-operate in the implementation of these proposals", and Clause 1.16(e) which provided that the "Governments of India and Sri Lanka will co-operate in ensuring the physical security and safety of all communities inhabiting the Northern and Eastern Provinces", Mr. Devananda contended that because both governments had failed in their legal duty to implement the provisions of the Accord.
He argues that if the Accord and the 13th amendment to Constitution giving legislative effect to the Accord had been implemented, most of the outstanding problems would have been solved by now, adding that the non-implementation of the 13th amendment is a total violation of the constitution.
"Ever since the 13th amendment was enacted, the North-East Provincial Council has not been functioning, and it has not been fully implemented," Mr. Devananda said.
Commenting on the issue, Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris said that the island's ethnic conflict had political and military factors which were outside the ambit of judicial orders. While appreciating the concerns of Mr. Devananda, the Minister asked, "How can courts compel a government to ensure the implementation of the Accord this nature when the factors were beyond its control?" "Although the government is not above the law, it is public knowledge that it is not in a position to exercise its political will in certain areas (LTTE-controlled) in the country. Under the circumstances, it Would be futile even for courts to direct governments to en
force the Accord where it has no control.
My reservation is about the suitability of judicial relief to solve political and military problems," the Minister added.
Mr. Devananda who is seeking to persuade the government of President Kumaratunga to installan interim Administrative Council for the war-torn Northern and Eastern provinces of the island, has been stressing that the people of these areas and their elected representatives should be allowed to participate di
EPDP RASESES
rectly in the proces these areas.
It has been wide President had offere place in her cabinet, although he advocat ministry under a c. north-eastern affairs tion of displaced pec devolution of power Sues. If an Interim C a ministry with subst ated as propose Mr. Devananda willb cabinet portfolio, so Said.
Mr.Devananda's Cent Visit to India ha raise his profile. The Devananda drove ho edly during his indiar no point in having á LTTE because its would no give up his rate state of Eelam. A talks resulting from t has to include othel parties too. He meta With a number of Ind cluding Foreign Mini ion Home Minister ir Labour Minister M. leader L. K. Advani, A.S.Kesari and Mrs.
The proposed in brary, which is in rep vious one set ablaz violence by the se 1971, will be more while retaining the s tectural style of the ing to sources invol
The Urban Deve estimated that there the existing buildir about Rs.90 million. blocks added at a C While the estimatec fittings is around R.
The governme Committee of expe reconstruction to S pirations of the peo in the Committee, that Jaffna being thi and one of the maj country, the Comr that the new Libra hensively equippe tion, special collec'
 
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
of administering
reported that the | Mr.Devananda a ut he has declined s the creation of a binet minister for cluding rehabilitale, reconstruction, hdother related isuncil is set up and ntial powers is creby him, then prepared accept a Irces close to him
ighly publicised realso helped him to devoutly anti-LTTE ne the point repeatvisit that there was dialogue with the eader Pirabakaran demand for a sepacCording to him any hird party mediation mainstream Tamil nd had discussions jan personalities inİster I.K.Gujral, Undrajit Gupta, Union Arunachalam, B.JP Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
Inauspicious Beginning
Tamil Tigers in a statement on 16 January said they had killed or wounded some 800 Sri Lankan soldiers in the first two weeks of 1997, giving the government what it said was an inauspicious start to the new year.
"The Sri Lankan military has lost 799 men during the first two weeks of this year.The military has suffered 357 deaths, and has had 442 Wounded. It has been a very inauspicious beginning for the military this year" the LTTE's official Voice of Tigers said in a radio broadcast. It added that most of the casualties were from 9 January attack on Paranthan and Elephant Pass, two major army camps situated just south of the Jaffna peninsula. Howevera Defence Ministry official is reported to have said the LTTE's figures were exaggerated, but admitted the number of casualties have been high for both sides this year. "They too have had a bad year so far. Their casualties are higher than ours," the official, who asked not to be identified, told press agencies.
The Defence Ministry has said that 223 soldiers were killed and 232 wounded in the LTTE's Paranthan attack. It claimed at least 350 LTTE guerrillas were also killed and more than 700 were Wounded in the attack.
ew Jaffna Public Li- .
lacement of the pre9 amidst an orgy of urity forces in May han double its size ame classical archibid building, accorded in the project. pment Authority has construction work on alone would cost here will be two new st of Rs, 195 million 2ost of furniture and 20 million. t has appointed a s to advise on the t the needs and as
3, according sources
'onsidering the fact main city in the North urban centres in the ttee has suggested should be comprewith reference secn section, children's
section, research room, lending section,
newspaper, periodical and audio-visual
sections and facilities for handicapped users of the library. It is also to be provided with a computer system.
Apart form the principal Committee, five sub-committees have been appointed to look into various aspects of the reconstruction of the Library.
The foot-print of the destroyed Library building consisted of a land area of 27,880 Square feet, but the proposed new complex will cover a land area of 93144.50 Square feet according to the plans drawn up. Two reports on the Library have been handed over to the Library Committee for their perusal by former Assistant Director of the National Library Service and presently the Librarian at the Islamic Centre, S.M. Kamaldeen, and for Librarian at the Peradeniya University, H.A.I.Gunatileke. It is to be noted that Mr. Gunatileke issued a statement in May 1981 strongly denouncing the burning of the Jaffna Library and characterising it as an act of “culturai incineration".

Page 13
15 JANUARY 1997
9301 Tamil Tigers Died Since 1982
9301 cadres belonging the LTTE died since fighting commenced between government forces and the LTTE in 1982.The following is a comprehensive list of all Tamil Tiger cadres who have died from 1982 to 30 November 1996, according to a statement dated 2 November issued by the LTTE:
Of the total who were killed 8222 Were males and 1079 Were females. According to the statement 33 male BlackTigers, 45 male Black SeaTigers and 16 female Black Sea Tigers were among those killed. The breakdown of those killed in major military-LT TE confrontations is as follows: 602 Were killed in air and Sea combat;233 during Operation Lightening at Manal-Aru(Welli Oya); 459 during Operation Leapfrog in the Jaffna peninsula; 175 at Kokkuthoduvai; 181 during Operation Thunder Strike;438 during Operation Riveresa; 314 during Operation Unceasing Waves(Oyatha Alaikal) at Mullaitivu; 115 during Operation Sath Jeya 2; and 126 during Operation Sath Jeya3.
In a successful SeaTigermission, the LTTE captured fully intact a Sri Lankan navy patrol boat, a statement by the LTTE dated 16 January said. It added that the sea-battle took place at 10,40 in the morning of 15 January off the Jaffna coast between Gurunagar and Mandaitivu, LTTE boats dodged their way past navy gun-fire and attacked two Sri Lankanpatrol vessels killing all three personnel aboard one of them. The other Sri Lankan craft which came underfire turned around and fled in panic. There had been a number of other Sri Lankan Vessels also in the vicinity but rather than coming to the rescue of the attacked boat, they too turned and disappeared at high speed back to their Mandaitivu naval fortification, leaving the SeaTigers time to board and drive off with the fast patrol boat. The captured vessel is 21 feet long and possesses a 40 horsepower engine. Arms and ammunition were also on board.
iaGIOTECOS Call
Sri Lankan air force helicopter gunships attacked and destroyed a coastal Tamil Tiger camp in the north-western Mannar district, killing at least 10 rebels, the Defence Ministry said on 17 January.
The helicopters attacked the camp at Nachchikudah in Mannar, 240 km (150 miles) north of Colombo, on 16 January. The gunships destroyed a communication tower in the camp and also sunk two large
rebel speedboats w the base, the Defe man said adding t 15 LITTE cadres ar The LTTE's offi dio said in a broadc tWO air force helicc their boats, but dit cadres had been ki The attack can gers rebels, fightin tured three navy p were patrolling in a Point in the northe Navy officials said three men were ali captured by the Ti 15 January.
"We have aske tional Committee ( help in finding out ting them back" sa reportedly askedn
O Troops, backed b launched "Operation hours of 31 Decembe district where the se many casualties in been subjected rep LTTE. The army clai ing base in the villag overrun by the military cadres on the secon However the Tigers it 19 civilians had bee fensive,
O The Government S.Thillainadarasahas government's foodar tain Tamil areas incl Kilinochchi. A petitio thousands of Tamild ing at the government a statement from the said,
According to the stat understood the peopl and revealed that the medical supplies to 1996. He said he pe deaths that might hav the government carri ties. Since Sri Lanka' tions against the Mr. Thillainadarasa sa made by the goverr many thousands of T knew would be mac round-ed off his spee ensure the whole wc the unfolding human
O The LTTE in a state said that eight Sri Lar many more were inj. by the LTTE on six n Thanthrimalai in the
 

TAMIL TIMES 13
nich were tryingtoflee nce Ministry spokesat, "Between 10 and
presumed dead." :ialVoice of Tigers raiston 17 January that pters fired rockets at not say if any of its led. e a day after the Tig for reportedly capersonnel. The Sailors dinghy off Kalmunai rn Jaffna peninsula. that they believe the te when the boat was jers around noon on
d the ICRC (Internaf the Red Cross) to about them and getda navy officer, who ot to be identified.
y aircraft and artillery, Rivijaya" in the early rin eastern Batticaloa curity forces suffered recent weeks having eated attacks by the med that a Tiger traine of Rukam had been 'killing at least 19LTTE d day of the operation. a statement said that killed in the army of
Agent for Kilinochchi, been critical about the d medicine ban to ceruding his own district, h was handed over by emonstrators protest's inhuman war-tactics, LTTE dated 2 January
ment, the GA said he e's grievances entirely government had cut is district by a 75% in sonally knew of many e been prevented had ed out its responsibilistatest military operaamil people began is no efforts have been ment to care for the amils the government e homeless. The GA ch promising he would rld got to know about
ragedy.
ment dated 8 January kan soldiers died and red after a dawn raid ilitary checkpoints in northern Mannar dis
trict. The six military posts, which stretched over a distance of 300 metres, were targeted simultaneously. There were no LTTE casualties and a significant amount of arms and ammunition was captured.
O The LTTE in a statement dated 6 January said that in feat of growing LTTE strength in the east, the Sri Lankan army had withdrawn a further three army camps in Amparai in eastern Sri Lanka, moving Soldiers to more concentrated sites. Pakkiyella, Nugalantha, and Walaweli camps have all been recently evacuated. The insecurity of Sri Lankan soldiers occupying certain Tamil areas in the east was heightened recently after the LTTE's major assault on the Pulukunavai elite STF base in which many commandos were killed.
O A statement by the LTTE dated 10 January said that Sri Lankan forces raided hundreds of Tamil homes in eastern Batticaloa district in a massive round-up operation. This latest co-ordinated siege began in the early hours of 6 January targeting the Tamil villages of Vantharumulai, Kaluvankerni, Mavadivempu, Sith thandy, Morakod danchenai and Santhiveli and other nearby areas. By 3 am the Sri Lankan military began waking panic-stricken Tamil residents and herding them in columns to open fields. Shaken victims later reported they were paraded before masked men who ceremoniously hand-picked many innocent Tamils for arrest. Students and teachers were notable among those arbitrarily arrested.
O At least eight government soldiers were killed when an army tractor was blown up by a landmine reportedly planted by Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka's north on 12 January, military officials admitted in Colombo. Ten soldiers were wounded in the mine explosion at Kachchai, in the northern Jaffna peninsula, 320 km (200 miles) north of the capital Colombo.
O According to a statement dated 13 January by the LTTE, a military vehicle was blown up by an LTTE landmine killing 10 Sri Lankan troops and injuring a further 12. The incident occurred 14 January at 3.35pm in Kachchai (Thenma- radchy district). The LTTE cadres were unharmed. Again in Kachchai (Thenma-radchy) the LTTE attacked a mini-military camp causing the entire contingent to eventually flee. Many Sri Lankan soldiers received serious injuries but it is not yet known whether any later died. The soldiers left behind a significant quantity of ammunition which was now in the possession of the LTTE. There were no LTTE casualties, At least five Sri Lankan soldiers died and sixteen were badly wounded when the LTTE staged attacks on a chain of military sentry points at Poovarasamkulam (Vavuniya) in the north. The attacks took place at 3am on 2 January and secured a further supply of arms and ammunition for the LTTE. The LTTE lost two fighters. On the same day, the LTTE took on an army unit advancing towards 78th Colony in Pullumalai(Batticaloa) killing two soldiers. One LTTE fighter was killed.

Page 14
14 TAM TIMES
BPARTISANAPPR NEEDED TO END
MEDATION is BASED
Ashok Kumar Rupesinghe, Secretary General of the London-bas Organisation, was a highly amused man when I met him in the spé Suite' of the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. The radical SLFPyouth could not help relish the, albeit misguided, media speculation in m was on his way to the Northern wilds for talks with the Tigers as a Butat 53 years today, sobriety takes over quickly, and the succes human rights activist, Martin Ennals, founding Secretary General worries that the media mis-information may not only hamper his or conflict resolution, but could arouse fears against mediation by anyb civil war. Only older Sri Lankan political circles will recall Rupesing the radical Janavegaya journal and head of the National Youth Set the 1970-77 coalition regime. In the international political scene he is already a rising figure as group of la and its executive headata time A is increasingly playir settling conflicts around the glob, With 18 publications on international politics and ethnic conflicts time lecturer in sociology at Peradeniya and graduate of LSE was a ally known scholar before he took up the Apost. His reputation as a conflict analyst was built on his studies at the search Institute of Oslo (Norway) and his doctoral studies on develo
the City University of London.
By Lakshman Gunasekara
G: International Alert is claiming success in its mediatory effort in Sierra Leone last month. But judging from the success rate of cease-fires in Sri Lanka's own civil war, is it not too early to claim 'success' within just weeks of a ceasefire agreement? A: With regard to the current ceasefire in Sierra Leone: It is likely that there may be violations. Actually, such violations are already happening. But the question is the main framework of the agreement. Within that framework, a number of substantive issues have been agree don. For example, the matter of demobilisation of troops, encampment of forces, the need for a human rights commission, the need for power-sharing mechanisms etc. The essence of the cease-fire arrangement is the provision for checking on the situation and the exchange of information on the cease-fire by the two sides. There is an arrangement for instant communication by the two leaders and for regular consultation on the maintenance of the cease-fire. The two leaders are in constant touch over the telephone. There is a commitment to consult and quickly halt any fresh outbreak of hostilities.
Ge; think you are talking about 'management' of a cease-fire.
Fixed Principles
A: Exactly, Mar is most important. of cease-fires Wer conflict paradigm. ples governing a coming in, peace-k in between the Wa But in internal con ent. Because of th of the conflict with no fixed and distin of forces which yo interstate War. Thu cessation of hostil mitment by boths cease-fire is critic cease-fire wasma peace talks were
Q: So, what yo look at a cease-fir plete 'end to host ion, there is a n manage any pos hostilities while si ing to negotiate or need to be resolv A: Yes, that is not a monolithic multifaceted app tions. In the polit there could be SC
 
 
 
 
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
j linternational Alert tous Cyril Gardiner ader of yesteryear -December that he 'ediator', or to the legendary international Alert, anisations efforts in dy in the Sri Lankan es role as editor of tices Council during
one of the founding g a facilitative role in
p his credit, this one ready an internation
famous Peace Repment and conflictat
aging the cease-fire the past most cases within an interstate 'here are fixed princicease-fire, monitors eeping forces coming ring parties etcetera. licts things are differgeographical spread h a country, there are tly separate locations can monitor as in an , the declaration of a les anda strong comles to maintaining the I. In Sierra Leone the tained for a year while ping on.
say is that rather than as some kind of Comties in a simple fashed to anticipate and ple fresh outbreak of ultaneously proceedhe different issues that to achieve peace?
ght. What we need is ut a multi-track and ach to conflict situaof such cease-fires, earmed protagonists
on both sides Who Want to continue with the war and therefore deliberately disrupt the cease-fire. That can happen from the government side (and this happens often) or from the rebel side. Therefore, the political thrust must be to capture or expand the space for non-military peace-building such as building effective communications between the two parties, communications between the two peoples effective for a dialogue and discussion between citizens groups, developing a 'culture' of negotiations, etcetera.
Q: In the Sierra Leone case, Aacted alongside the ICRC. What were the roles played by the two organisations? Were there others also playing a mediatory role?
A: In Sierra Leone We Saw a division of labour based on the specific mandates of the two organisations. There was also a complementarity of the roles of these organisations as well as of the other actors involved in the mediation process. In the Sierra Leone case, the government of the Ivory Coast was the principal mediator with its Foreign Minister, "Amara Essy', personally playing a key role. Mr Essy was recently one of the nominees for the UNSecretary General's post. A was a facilitator for Amara Essy right through the period of negotiations, including the preparations for negotiations. We provided him with advice and technical assistance. The Ivory Coast government, for its part, created the regional political framework bringing many other actors together so that one would not compete against the other, And Mr Essy also brought in the UN and the OAU Secretariat to provide back-up for the negotiating process.
C: Depending on the situation, a third party role played by a foreign government need not always be so overt. It could also be a covert or discreet or informal role...
Recent Experiences
A: Of course, if you look at some of the recent experiences of ending conflicts, there are many models and combinations. In the sraeli-Palestinian conflict, for example, Norway played an extremely low key role which was the hallmark of its very success. In Guatemala too the Norwegians played a similar role. Former US President Carter is another example of a mediator who has played both a public role and a low key role depending on the situation.
C: Would you say that the backing and the prompting by foreign governments which have some kind of leverage over the parties to the conflict, is essential to the peace-making process?
A: The important thing to recognise is that it is the parties which are involved in the conflict who need to end the con

Page 15
15 JANUARY 1997
flict. They must be driven by a need to end the conflict. The role of facilitators or mediators can only be successful if there is the political will by the two parties in conflict to arrive at a political solution.The parties must'own'the process. The credit for the success must go to the parties in the conflict. Facilitators and mediators can only play a catalytic role in creating a friendly environment in which the two sides can engage in talks. Another reason why a third party may be necessary is that often the parties do not have the infrastructure or the technical prerequisites for a sustained negotiations process. A third party can provide the technical support, for example, providing information about other experiences of ceasefires and peace talks, negotiating strategies, models of peace accords. A facilitator can help the two parties in conflict to agree on what issues should be tackled first. Facilitators can also help set a loose time frame for the talks. A third party can also be an effective communications channel. This enables the discussion of issues which are very confidential and non-public (that is, they could be dangerous if made public). Such confidential communications will enable the building of trust between the two sides,
G: ls there a danger that foreign mediation could be perceived as an interference or imposition on internal affairs? A: There is a lot of nonsense going on about foreign interference. Peace in a country depends on the two Warring parties themselves wanting to resolve the conflict. That political intention sets the agenda. it becomes anational need. The ownership of the peace process is then national in character, in the Sri Lankan case, this country has enough competence to manage the process. If the two warring parties feel the need for a third party facilitator, then they will invite such third parties to become involved in helping out. Mediation is based on invitation and consent. Then there is no question of interference or imposition. There are different types of third parties. The most classical type is the third party with leverage. That is the Indian example - where a big power comes into ensure that the agreement is implemented. There can be different scenarios. For example, in addition to foreign facilitators, local or national organisations could play a third party role as well. A foreign government could provide a venue fortalks.
Q: in a situation of successive breakdown of cease-fires and the hardened suspicions and mistrust between the two sides because of the breakdown of Ceasefires, can result in a lowering of expectations regarding the peace process. Ils this a lack of political will? How does one regain confidence in the peace process?
A: Obviously you are referring to the
current Sri Lankan si factor will be the imme of the people. This i Seen in situations ofit flict - such as the Sri mood provides a larg port, even if tacit, for Secondly, the enorr Leave aside the expe the opportunity costs being able to investin nomic and social infra the Sheer immediatek truction of existing inf calculable trauma and ong the entire popula This war weariness pressure point for re process.
Q: When you mea you referring to the tw encies of the two War
Displaced Populatio A: Precisely. On have a large refugee tolls and a completely larly displaced popul message to the enti Cerned. On the othe costs of Waging War economic loss, you h coming home. On the ( protagonists obviousl ing either for total victc ory in order to obtain a ing position. But what edis that, whateverth it is possible at any po dence in the process.
All that needst with symbolic messag ngs symbolically. In th there is the need to the two sides. Every ti ess broke down there violence. Expectations to the ground. Natural trust in the South tow,
C: But is there no the North as well as to led government in Col A: Right, there is a trust and collapse of North. People in the that one of the existin - either the Official La 13th Amendment - h implemented. The Tam le, are in despair Ove tion. So how does on The first step by both de-escalate the confi terms as well as in ps the scale of armed ac should be reduced. Th releases of prisoners sides should take car civilians in military act

TAMIL TIMES 15
tuation. One major Inse war weariness s something often ong drawn-out conLankan case. This e reservoir of supthe peace process. nous cost of War. nditure on War and - the example, not education, or ecoastructure. There is »ss of lives, the desrastructure and inwar psychosisamtion of the country. becomes a strong storing the peace
an the "people', are opolitical constituring parties?
the one side you population, death traumatised, reguation. This sends a e community conr side you have the - in addition to the ave the body bags Dne hand the armed y will be commendory or a relative victa stronger negotiatt is not often realise military situation, int to restore confilow do you do that? o be done is to start es; to do certain thine Sri Lankan case build trust between me the peace procwas a new cycle of have been dashed ly there is deep disards the TE.
t a deep distrust in wards the Sinhalaombo? an equally deep disexpectations in the North would argue g peace provisions nguages Bill or the ave been properly il people, as a whor the current situarestore the trust? sides would be to ict, Both in military ychological terms, tions on both sides ere should be more On both sides. Both 2 to avoid targeting tions. It is also very
important to ensure that human rights are protected; that civilians are safe in war conditions.
O: But then in war, all over the world, throughout history, civilians are involved - either directly as providers of troops for the warring parties oras supportive constituencies for the warring parties. And inevitably, civilians get killed or otherwise affected.
Humanitarian Steps
A: But it is still important for both sides to remember that it is civilians who must sustain the society which both sides are claiming to protect. Thus, the more you involve civilians in the war, the more you lose the war. The impact on the civilian populations will only perpetuate the hate perceptions and conflict between the communities. Such humanitarian steps canbeginevenbeforeformalnegotiations start. The second point is that food and medical supplies and other essential supplies to vulnerable groups must be left out of the military equation - especially, medical supplies must go to the needy on both sides, And it must be done with goodwill. Although the military tends to regard food as a weapon, think it is important that food supplies go to affected areas.
O: But in the Sri Lankan case, the food Supplies may have been perceived as a hostile action. The LTTE may have suspected that the supply of food and medicines to the displaced civilian population in the North was a move by the Government to win over the LTTE'S OWn political constituency and thereby undermine the Tigers' political base...
Political Obstruction
A: There will be many such considerations, but the principle must be maintained that humanitarian aid should flow to both sides irrespective of the politics. We were able to achieve this in Sierra Leone before the peace agreement. There was an agreement that food should be distributed to both sides of the conflict and that helped to build the confidence of the people. Another confidence-building measure is to stop the language of war. This must be done by both sides. The kind of rhetoric and propaganda by both sides in which they demonise each other is typical of any war situation. This must end if there is to be serious negotiations to end the War. Such hostile language Creates a culture which does not allow any movement towards dialogue or negotiations. Instead there should be an openness to the other. The news media here can work to communicate the experiences and problems of the different communities on both sides of the conflict. The Sinhala media today rarely indicates the humanitarian crisis faced by the Tamil population. At the same time, the Tamilme

Page 16
16 TAMIL TIMES
dia today rarely focus on the predicament of Sinhala refugees and border villages. This must be done if hostile attitudes are to end.
Q: You spoke of 'demonising'. The standard view of the LTTE in the South, with some exceptions (like this newspaper), is that they are "terrorists' and do not deserve to be treated as equals in a negotiation process. Is this a desirable way to approach negotiations? is there a political obstruction here in that negotiations cannot proceed far unless both sides deal with each other on an equal basis? A: Unless there is a conscious effort to perceive each other on an equal basis, it is difficult to go very far in negotiations. After all, the willingness to negotiate is itself the recognition by either side that they cannot continue fighting forever, Under this kind of compulsion to negotiate, neither side can afford to regard the other as inferior in any way. The practical reality is that both sides are coming to the negotiating table, for whatever reason. The Sierra Leone case is a good lesson for us. On one side was a government, and military junta, which wanted to behave like a government. But the rebels did not recognise that government as legitimate because they felt the political process was invalid. There was a mind set which the government delegations had about the entire negotiations process. This mindset was dangerous in that it regarded the rebel leadership as inferior in terms of legitimacy. This undermined the very equality of status that is required if there are to be successful negotiations between two aides. The Sierra Leone government side employed all kinds of high-flown legal jargon while the rebel leadership had a clearly laid outset of demands over which they were prepared to negotiate. Both sides had to buckle down and treat each other seriously before the milks made any headway.
Q: There are those who argue that after the breaking of the 1994/95 ceasefire, the LTTE is now in a weaker position both militarily as well as in terms of political legitimacy. Does this mean that the Government side can get away with lesser concessions in a peace settlement? That is, as some people might hope, with less power-sharing?
A: One must acknowledge that both sides are involved in this balancing of military power. Therefore in trying to create a power balance, one is trying to restore the balance by militarily or politically hurting the other side while the other may want to gain more control of territory. But once the military imperative takes control, the tendency to want to go the whole way militarily becomes a part of the logic. But this does not make any sense if, despite all the fighting, there is already a
recognition that only the problem.
Military Advantage C: if one does n militarily but, instea and talks begin at a may seem to have th would that mean th upper hand can air cessions?
A: think it is ve one point in mind. It unable to provide as ible negotiating posit cannot proceed. If th est sign of diluting
offers, this can endat ment towards talks. I trust that is being bt of such offers for a p required to solve the prehensive politicalp the 'original' probler for discussion. Neit afford to think inter or superiority.
O: What are the tiations in the Sri La A: What is urger tegic approach to th ter not to negotiate and technical resour able and the two pi not ready to negoti Such a case, can let lation of the conflict ally prepared and te before the two sides Otherwise, itcould le of expectations that ficult then to resto: peace process itself perative takes cor Then both sides try
territory or lost dign
ber that things liked
are as politically im
have to be aware O
pects.
Q: So you are : better preparation Negotiating Proce A: There must various actors in identified. The othe a role in resolving identified-foreigng ion or outside ther organisations whic ts at which these V process must als they make their c. tive manner, Ano there should be t is, first, both part
parameters of the
the modalities. Tir
worth investing.

15 JANUARY 1997
gotiation can solve
go the whole way the fighting stops bint When one side military advantage, the side with the at giving less con
important to hear aither leadership is |bstantial and Credn, then negotiations reis even the slighthe existing political ger the whole movecan undermine any it up by the making blitical settlement is problem - So a comackage which meets must be available her side, then, can ms of military gains
prospects for negonkan situation? tly needed is a strae situation. It is betif the infrastructure ces are notyet availarties in conflict are ate. A breakdown in d to a massive esca. It is better to be re) do the groundwork
begin talking. ad to such a collapse it becomes very dife confidence in the Then the military imtrol of the process. either to regain lost y - you must rememgnity and self-respect ortant as territory, We both the tangible as
(ressing the need for ior to initiating talks... SS
be mapping out. The e situation must be actors who could play the conflict must be vernments in the reggion and, any foreign could help.The poinious actors enter the be identified so that tribution in an effec8r dimension is that ks before talks. That s must agree on the gotiating process and spent on that is well uality time must be
given by the sides in the conflict.
Q: That is, at leadership level?
A: At leadership level. Both the leaders must give substantial quality time to this process or appoint people of high repute and credibility, Task forces need to be set up on both sides with people of professional expertise who can map out the whole process, identify the profiles of the leaders, get to know their political styles and do other spadework. The problem with the talks initiated by President Jayewardene for example, was that he invited a whole range of people and organisations to give their views in a very generalised manner. This resulted in confusion. A proper place must be given to the various parties depending on their importance and relevance to the process. it is important to see why the previous peace efforts have failed so far.
Bipartisan
Q: Why do you think they have failed? A: The main cause has been the lack of a bipartisan approach throughout the entire experience of peace initiatives. It has been either negotiations led by President Jayewardene or by Premadasa, or by Chandrika Kumaratunga. The main feature has been that it has been led by one single political party. There must be a bipartisan approach. If we look at the example set by South Africa we can see the value of the two former main political enemies getting together in the interests of the nation as a whole. We can also identify other shortcomings; poorplanning and preparations, lack of competent and credible negotiators, and lack of timing.
Q: When you say 'bi-partisan', are you referring to some kind of consensus on this issue in the South?
A: The essence of bipartisan politics is close consultation on all major national issues with an effort to reach the widest possible consensus on such issues. This could mean regular meetings between the two main parties at different levels - for example, sitting in committees to work out specific issues together.
Q: Could it not be a looser framework? For example, in the UK, the Conservative and Labour parties do not necessarily sit together in any special committees, but they yet have a common approach on the Northern Irish struggle for freedom...
A: That's correct. Both parties have come to an agreement that this issue should not become part of British Parliamentary politics. Even if they do not have exactly the same approach, there is an understanding not to make this an issue in party politics. So neither party will make any move to embarrass the party in governnent. it is not my business to comment on the politics of local political here. I can Sug

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15 JANUARY 1997
gest some general principles. Both sides must offer solutions which are Win-Win in nature. Bipartisan politics must be to find win-win solutions, where everybody feels that they have something to gain. This requires creative approaches.
Q: Can the efforts to evolve a political re-structuring package run parallel to efforts to end the fighting
A: It is obvious that these two processes have relationship. The question is: is there a venue for Some kind of discusSion between the LTTE and the Select Committee to discuss the common ground between the two processes. This may have to be done on a low key. For example, the LTTE is talking about power-sharing at the centre. It is important to see how these ideas feed into the Select Committee process. The UNP has already said that the LTTE should be brought in at some level. I don't see why this cannot happen at some point.
GQ: What has A's role been in Sri Lanka so far?
Dialogue and Reconciliation
A: Our role has been to promote dialogue and reconciliation. We have argued for principled negotiating positions to be adopted by both sides. We have offered our services as facilitators.
Q: But have you actually become involved as mediators in the Sri Lankan conflict?
A: We have not been invited to perform any such role. In accordance with our mandate as an organisation dedicated to conflict resolution, we have been monitoring the Sri Lankan situation in the same way we have been monitoring other conflict situations.
G: A has already hosted a group of Sri Lankan parliamentarians in a program to study the Northern Ireland and South African situation.That multi-party grouping, on it return seemed to have had some kind of consensus on What needs to be done in the Sri Lankan context. Does A want to encourage that kind of consensus politics here?
A: A does this kind very often. For example, we took a delegation of Burundians to South Africa to learn from that experience. The visit by Sri Lankans to Northern Ireland was conceived as a visit to another'conflict laboratory' where the parliamentarian could study all aspects of that conflict and get an idea of that experience. The fact that they later came out with a common statement on negotiations is of course encouraging. It points to the success of our program. But it is left to them now as to how they wish to follow this up.
Q: ls there any truth to the specula
tion in some news President Chandrika were about to go no leadership?
International Repre A: (Laughs) Not al speculation. ha meeting LTTE leader process of our moni situation, we have b the actors. We have With the LTTE with th resentatives in Lond ern capitals. In my current visit he dent, the Leader oft resentatives of varic and groups and peat all these meetings we ation and Aindicated out if, and when, We
Q: Although A is
Vanishing hope
1994 is a Watershe tics, as the entire natio date to the new coa headed by PresidentC naike Kumaratunga ( dent of the progressi the ethnic conflict thi with the Tamil rebels, derstood the problems of the Tamils and was desire of all the peop perity and an end to t ers by those in key pc conflict had by then ca loss of lives and pair sides of the ethnic di authoritarianism and ( grown to the extent c mocracy, rule of law rights,
The high hopes c dashed by the escala followed the breakdow with no sign of any ab fering of the people. C human and economic further to alarming lev hardened as a result human rights abuses before, the main opp cooperating to settle t extensive devolution O of belligerency, facilit vested under emerger
 

apers, having met Kumaratunga, you to meet the LTTE
entatives
Cruth at al. This is fe no intention of in Sri Lanka. In the pring the Sri Lanka en in touch with all naintained contact ir international rep}n and other west
re, 1 met the Presiе Opposition, rөрus political parties e organisations. In discussed the situts readiness to help re needed.
a foreign-based or
TAMIL TIMES 17
ganisation, you are Sri Lankan, and one who, in the past was intimately involved in nation politics. Do you have any personal political goals in Sri Lanka now?
A: left national politics in this country in 1975 when I entered the University of Peradeniya as a lecturer in Sociology. That is almost twenty years ago. Since that time have been engaged in academic work and in international human rights advocacy and conflict resolution studies. One principle of our work in International Alert is that A officerS should not be involved in any national politics. But as a Sri Lankan, have devoted a fair part of my life both in my studies as well as in my human rights work, to monitor the tragic situation in my country. I am ready to provide any facility or resource International Alert can offer to all the sides in the conflict in order to end it.
(Courtesy of The Sunday Observer, 5.1.97)
by Dr.S. Narapalasingam
„dinanti-Tamil polin gave a clearmanlition government shandrika Bandaraformer Vice Presite SLMP) to settle ough negotiations the LTTE. She unand the aspirations conscious of the e for peace, proshe misuse of powsitions. The ethnic used considerable
to many on both vide. By this time, orruption had also undermining deand basic human
the people were on of the war that of the peace talks tement in the sufthe contrary, the osses have risen ls. Attitudes have f the killings and by both sides. As sition party is not e conflict through powers. The state ed by the powers y rule has helped
corrupt law enforcement officers to acquire pecuniary benefits. The feeling among the people that all governments pay lip service to their aspirations is being reinforced.
Human Rights Abuses
The numerous instances when human rights have been violated in Sri Lanka are well documented by Amnesty International (AI), Civil Rights Movement (CRM), The University Teachers for Human Rights, Jaffna (UTHR (Jaffna)), and other human rights groups. Political thuggery and violence have not been the prerogative of any one party. Following the second JWP insurgency in the South, (which according to NGOs claimed 60,000 Lankansmissing or dead in its wake) over 8000 weapons including many automatics were issued by the previous government both to its own and opposition politicians and party supporters. Majority of the weapons issued still remain in the hands of these people, although the insurgency was crushed brutally by the security forces. Moreover, the inhuman methods used then have neither been abandoned nor those responsible for these brought to justice.
The recent statement issued by CRM notes: "Sri Lanka's recent political history has regrettably proved again and again that persons who enjoy or think they enjoy political patronage often feel they can

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18 TAM TIMES
break the law with impunity"What is puzzling is that both the parties when in opposition having disapproved of the conduct of the police force as well as its inquiries intopolitical violence, overlook its actions while in officeThe notion that the past should be left alone is detrimental to the aim of establishing a civil society. The silence of the Buddhist prelates on human rights violations in the blessed country is another paradox.
The report titled "Sri Lanka: Wavering Commitment to Human Rights" released on 14 August by Al has also point2d out the recent escalation of human ights violations by the security forces. 3overnment security forces have been blamed for the resurgence of arbitrary detention, torture, extra-judicial execuions and 'disappearances' of Tamils. Sighificantly, Al is also concerned about the lethargy of the government in bringing to justice those members of the forces charged with human rights violations during the previous regime, thas also condemned the abuses of human rights by the
LTTE and armed Tamil groups opposed to the LTTE. The New York based Human Rights Watch-Asia has highlighted the fact that in 1995 (a year after the new government assumed office) many of the perpetrators of these abuses remained free and in positions of authority.
A in its appeal for urgent action released on 16 September concerning"Disappearances" has observed:- "The UTHR (Jaffna) have documented human rights abuses by the Security forces and by the LTTE since 1988. Their latest report issued on 29 August commends the security forces for respecting human rights in the first few months after taking control of the area. But, it expresses concern that incidents of torture and disappearances increased in certain parts of the peninsula after the army suffered a major military defeat at Mullaithivu in July 1996. The report also describes several summary executions by the LTTE of people considered by that organization to be "traitors'." A has stated that it "has not been able to independently verify the information in the report, but believes it to be reliable"This observation should be noted by those who are yet to appreciate fully the impartial and painstaking work of the UTHR (Jaffna) exposing the most degrading and inhuman actions of the warriors fighting to "liberate' the people from the clutches of their opponents.
Some horrible human rights abuses in the areas of the Jaffna peninsula and the Vanni under the control of the army have been reported more recently. Unlike some of the previous incidents, such as those cited in the August UTHR (Jaffna) report, the recent ones have been publicised following the lifting of the press censorship on 8 October. The latest UTHR (Jaffna) report was released on 22 Octo
ber and provides vi man rights abuses a security forces, the L Tamil groups. No (Number 12) but als must be read in fu plight of the Tamils : the current crisis Ca ation of the destruc
It has been proc jor aim of the gove hearts and minds of far very little has b that this commitmer practice. On the con actions of the defenc regard to the Tami their misery and de the political leaders or indifferent to the ground. Anyone w strategy of the Tamil demonizing both the rity personnel is itsk crimes involving rapi committed by the a the eighteen year c anthi and her mothe bour within the “libe siderable support to hardy way the returr girl Chitra deportec the four Danish jour monitor her settlem handled recently by other typical bunglin ductive to the Gove The recent costly governmentare bei tounding failure to v fidence of the agoni
Squanderedresou When the British the nation inherited port, network of roa administrative stru down to the village police force and juc tem functioned stri administrative and stipulated by the There was no politic mining the integrit tration and the judic lating the laws, rule: punished squarely tween the legislativ cial arms of the Served. The rule of the slightest blemi patronage, bribery
It is true that glected developme other than export c structure, especial mestic agriculture ment, cost of livin not serious probler at affordable prices and malnutrition w

15 JANUARY 1997
d description of hudharassment by the TE and other armed only this bulletin the previous ones to understand the nd the intricacies of |sed by the continuWe War, aimed that one manment is to win the the Tamil people. So en done to believe I will ever be put into rary, the policies and e establishment with civilians aggravate peration. Strangely, lip is either oblivious happenings on the to understands the militants, knows that rulers and the secuBy element. Atrocious and murder like that rmed forces against ild school girl Krishr, brother and neighrated' area lend conthis strategy. The foolof the teenageTamil from Denmark and nalists, who came to ent in Sri Lanka was the authorities is ang that is counter-prornment's stated aim. military gains of the ng nullified by its asin the trust and conzed people.
Ces gave independence, an efficient rail transis, education system, ture from the centre level, public service, iciary. The entire sysctly according to the financial regulations olonial government. al interference underof the civil adminisiary. Those foundvioand regulations were The separation bee, executive and judiovernment Was oblaw prevailed without h, free from political and corruption. he British rulers neit in economic sectors ops and related infrain industries and doHowever, unemployand transport were S. Food was available in relation to earnings is rare even amongst
the low income groups. People were friendly and even strangers were welcomed in their habitats, regardless of their ethnic, spatial and religious attachments. The peace that prevailed throughout the Country was real.
The colonial government left substantial foreign reserves, which were also boosted by the receipts from the "war fund". In the fifties, financing public expenditures, which were largely Ôn rểcurrent items that benefited households by way of free education from the kindergarten to the university, free health service, subsidies on essential food items and Social welfare payments to the needy was not difficult given the strong revenue flows, mainly from export duties on tea and rubber. Initial capital expenditures were on irrigation projects, land settlement schemes, hydro-power projects and a few industries that utilized local raw materials. The priority in the allocation of resources for public spending was in favour of consumption; its consequences were felt later when the revenue position deteriorated with the fall in the export prices of tea and rubber. Governments had generally reacted to economic problems only after these became acute, instead of taking forward actions to avoid the Crises.
Under successive governments, the politicised administrative machinery was suitably adjusted to serve the party in power. The incursion of politics into the administration was done openly. Once it was initiated with the appointments of party faithful to top managerial posts in the public sector, the practice spread right down to the lowest level (drivers, messengers, etc.) in the hierarchic structure, The direct and indirect (by way of loss of efficiency, discipline and morale) cost to the national economy was colossal but this was not anyone's concern. Indiscipline and widespread bribery in the public service came with political patronage, Had there been transparency in government business as in many developed countries, at least the extent of corruption and public funds squandered would have been minimal. Those who are familliar with the working of governments in the U.S.A., U.K. and other democratic countries would know how swiftly any wrongdoing by the president or ministers is exposed. Even in the capitalist countries, there are various regulatory bodies to monitor the quality and prices of the goods and services sold by private businesses and enterprises. The mediathere too play an important role as the watchdog of the people. Not only the governments but also the media in Sri Lanka had failed to function in the long-term interest of the nation. Even when press freedom was not curtailed, leading newspapers did very little to promote communal harmony and national unity.
The expansion of public corporations

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15 JANUARY 1997
was at the expense of private investment. They only drained the public funds without contributing to sustainable growth of the economy. Governments used the public sector as provider of jobs for the favourites and the party supporters. It was only after the liberalisation of the economy in 1978, the private sector investment increased. But this has not yet laid the foundations for sustainable high growth. Nor has private (domestic and foreign) investment reduced the imbalances in the economy which feed social unrest.
The economic system was transformed to that of corrupt (crony) capitalism with the policy changes introduced in the late 1970s. With the shift to open economic policies, the people were told that the benefits of economic growth would "trickle down" and reach the poor. In reality, all the indications are that this expectation has also been deceptive. Instead of trickling down, the benefits seem to have gushed up, widening the gap between the rich and the poor. It is estimated that since then, the income share of the richest 20% of the population has risen by 10 percentage points to more than 50%, while the income share of the poorest 20% has fallen to 5%. The very fact that the Suicide rate in Sri Lanka has risen to such a height to become one of the highest in the world indicates that the socio-economic condition has become intolerable for some citizens.
According to official estimates 13% of the work force are unemployed. The jobless number would be higher, if not for the labour outflows for employmentabroad. The majority of Lankans employed abroad are unskilled female Workers, working as housemaids in the Middle East. Sri Lanka has gained popularity in this part of the world as a main exporter of housemaids. The compulsion to get recruited by fraudulent means and the circumstances that compel them to leave their children and husbands in their rural homes to work under conditions that would not be socially accepted back in Sri Lanka are indicative of their dire economic necessity. The desire to migrate in search of greener pastures abroad has notabated.
Private transfer receipts from abroad not only helped to sustain many families in Sri Lanka but also contributed nationally to finance imports. In 1994-1995, these inflows financed nearly 13% of the total imports. Recently United Arab Emirates deported the illegal migrant workers from the Indian sub-continent and the Philippines. Well over 5000 Lankans returned home before the original deadline of September 30. The fragility of this source of income and foreign exchange earnings is yet to be taken seriously and definitive actions initiated to offset its eventual decline.
Privatisation of state assets Was adopted as a policy on the recommenda
tjon of the IMF andV managerial efficier previously over sta aged by political a allow them to comp market. There have even in the sale of tion has played its transfer values to t ing demand for fur seen government e years this has turi another source for term implications tc public interest are b.
Both the rise in government expenc mainly to the ong LTTE. Defence exp pected to be Rs. 48 original allocation actual budget defi estimated now to come from domesti the allocation for de accounting for 22% ernment spending, have contributed to the overall price lev 15% for 1996) and long as internal reb etary pressures w turn wil hinder ec the well-being of th population,
The developm presented through tistics, which conce ties within the socie nomic conditions o for survival are me, them but also for Constant fear of bei missing, maimedo ment and with unc past governments c Wards creating equ groups throughout ute and benefit fromr nomic growth, inste ceptive politics for for power, the pre: have arisen.
Sri Lankans V reached, if not surp ards currently enjc and Singaporeans short of talents b sighted and irrespc political leaders th them for the develo lts consequences á tion of the skills for development outsic To quote the 1 "After all, the use of ture should be perc efficient and produ ditures are financec ing to the general pl be fully convinced

JAML TIMES 19
Mord Bank to increase cy in the enterprises, fed and poorly manppointees and also to )ete freely in the open been allegations that these assets corruppart denying the true he State. With the rislds to finance unforexpenditures in recent ned out to be simply aising cash. The longthe economy and the eing overlooked again. foreign borrowing and liture is now attributed oing war against the enditure in 1996 is ex3 billion as against the Of RS. 33 bilion. The cit too will be higher, pe 9% of the total inc production. In 1997, efence is Rs. 44 billion of the projected govBudgetary constraints o much of the rise in fel (official estimate is high interestrates. As »ellion persists, budgill remain and this in onomic progress and le vast majority of the
ental achievements macro-economic staal much of the disparity and the Socio-ecothe people struggling aningless not only for many others living in ng killed, pronounced r abducted at any moertain future. Had the lirected their efforts toal opportunities for all the country to contribsustainable high ecoead of indulging in dequenching their thirst sent crisis Would not
Mould have by now assed the living standyed by Malaysi- ans . The nation was not ut it was the shortonsible thinking of the hat failed to harness oment of the economy, are seen in the utilizadestruction within and de Sri Lanka.
997 Budget speech:- Government expendi'eived by the public as ctive as these expenby resources belongblic. The public should that alternatives fore
gone in the process of public expenditure are justifiable. There is a general perception that the country does not benefit from its public spending as much as it should in terms of basic policy objectives." The admission that the resources of the people have been squandered through "politically motivated expenditure programmes" and other extravagant spendings and that financial discipline and accountability will be enforced are not sufficient by themselves to ease the burden on the people.
The actions of previous governments had not corresponded with similar commitments announced in their budget speeches. In many instances, priorities of governments were inconsistent with their declared national objectives. Such gaps between declarations and practices had been widespread in the political system and these became the norm. Only time will tell whether the present government is different or not from its immediate predecessors in adhering to declared principles and commitments.
Tamils' economic life
The ruinous effects of the War on the economic life of the Tamils living in the affected areas of the North-East are immeasurable. The attack on their economic life has been from both sides. Many have lost their livelihood and lifetime savings. Their properties have been either destroyed or damaged and belongings looted. Many have also been driven off from economic activity through extortion, which in the rebels parlance is called taxation. Recent reports indicate that traders in the areas under the control of the Army have been coerced by the rebels to raise their prices. In a climate of lawlessness, not only the LTTE but also other Tamil groups are reported to have indulged in some extortion. The need for money to finance the insurgent activities is so great that neither the method used nor the economic position of the people from whom unbearably large sums of money and resources are extorted matters much to the rebels. Some security personnel are also reported to have taken advantage of the desperate situation of the Tamil civilians and the lax discipline within the establishment to extract money. Only people with means, influence and money can escape from paying the ultimate price.
In the North-East region, agriculture including fisheries had been the main economic activity. The loss in agricultural output (including livestock and fishing) as a result of the war has been enormous, depriving about 200,000 families of their livelihood. Prior to the conflict, 40% of the dried chillies, 85% of the red Onions and 30% of the grain legumes produced in the country had originated in this region. All districts, except the Jaffna district were surplus rice producing areas. The region

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20 TAMILTIMEs
had accounted for 23% and 31% of the total production of paddy in Maha andYala seasons respectively. Traditionally, it had been the major source of fish and shell fish.The production in 1983 amounted to over 56% of the total catch during the year. Fishing and related activities had sustained around 60,000 families. One third of the cattle population and one half of the goat population of the country were in the region. The catastrophic effect on agriculture, fishing and related activities are due to the restrictions placed on the transportation of essential inputs (fuel, fertilizer, etc.), ban on fishing, high civilian casualties including the bread-winners in many families, large scale displacement of people, low productivity due to poor nutrition and acute shortage of medicines, lack of funds for pursuing economic activities and destruction of the means of production.
Besides the losses in output and attendant income losses to the people of the region, the damages caused to economic infrastructure vital for both production and transportation of goods have been enormous. Restoration of these facilities will be a costly and slow process, the longer the war continues.
Many Tamils would consider migration as the only option to avoid being harassed by the many "liberators' from within and outside their community, if only this is feasible. The fear of losing their progenies as well as their immediate survival are also additional concerns. The undue restrictions placedon the Tamil people wanting to move to relatively safer parts of the country had left them with no choice other than to take the risk and Cross the Palk Straits. The opportunities for the Government to win the hearts and minds of the Tamil people were missed again carelessly.
Concluding remarks
After nearly five decades of independOnce, the salient features of the nation's political culture have become killings, bombings, arson and intimidation. The growth of Sinhalese and Tamil nationalism has been the most extraordinary development after independence.This has
been at the expense of higher and equi
table growth in national income, demo
cratic freedom, national unity, tranquility
and safety of all citizens. Emotions, gut reaction, greed for self-serving power or vengeance seemed to have influenced political thinking. Many considered sovereign Sri Lanka to be the beacon for other-developing countries that got liberated from the yoke of foreign colonialism
to guide the path for achieving peace and success in human development. But the
light that gave hope to many in faraway places has been dimmed by the natives with the freedom donated by the colonial government. It has been misused in the same way kids would handle a priceless
The Tra
ayalalitha return den residence on turous receptic 28 days in the Chenn presence of hundred swarming all over he ily cheering her sh Warned her heart o But still a long and ahead of Jayalalitha, as the "Corrupt Que
She has as mal slapped against her. are also likely to be re in the coming days, Karunanidhi regime, by Jayalalitha's camp to destroy her politic tally, is planning to se to try her and her as: How much times any political initiative tate herself in the eyi mains to be seen.
Surely the wilds planted in the media the entire country in as something of a lat cos or Lady Ceaece ports are possibly ex Like When the Dir and Anti-Corruption ists in confidential wl
and delicate gift, w mature adults,
Progress in any cially on avoiding th the past. Time will n. cer in the society. P
remedy is necessar
There are too many politics and no sensi recognize the enorr action or delayed ac tion to the present c the existence of tw regions and the nat with it that had bee over the years by th political arena, lt is fi in politicking, while people is mounting Security, all sectior must have hope foi precisely the lack C the nearanarchic sit time, it is peace tha giving some hope to ple.

15 JANUARY 1997
ails of the "Corrupt Queen'
of Tamil Madu
T N Gopalan
| to her Poes Gar3 January to a raph after spending icentral prison. The of men and Women premises and lustould indeed have a wintry evening. arduous battle lay described by some n of Tamil Nadu". ly as seven cases Two or three more gistered against her 3esides the pitiless described as such , evidently seeking ally and even menit up a special Court sociates. the will have to take and try to rehabilies of the people re
tories of her riches have the people of a whirl. She is seen ter-day Imelda Marscu. Some of the reaggerated. ectorate ofVigilance DVAC) tells journalhispers that the total
hich is suitable for
field depends cruè costly mistakes of it get rid of the canrompt and effective to save the nation. blunders in Lankan leperson can fail to ity of the cost of inion. Any viable soluInflict cannot ignore ethnically distinct onalism associated actively promoted e key players in the itless to waste time the suffering of the laily. For peace and s of the population a better future. It is this that has led to ation. At the present is required first for he disillusioned peoO
wealth of Jayalalitha, Sasikala and her clan Could run to "thousands of crores of rupees" or that they have stashed away huge amounts in tax havens abroad.
The tax haven business has been in circulation for quite some time now, but so far nothing worth while has been unearthed. In fact even as the High Court was delivering its ruling on her bail plea, a DVAC official had a difficult time before the Principal Sessions Judge convincing him that the inquiry into her acquisitions was taking a long time because of the foreign angle. When pointedly asked whether they had any concrete material in their hands to show that she had Such foreign accounts, the official hummed and hawed a bit before saying "Yes" very reluctantly. At one stage before she entered the prison she despaired that the investigating agencies of the state and the central governments should plant mischievous stories in the Press on her wealth and that the latter too should SWallow them hook, line and sinker without crosschecking and spreading slanderous lies in the process.
She lamented, "I don't know why the Press should seek to crucify me like this when have demonstrated my willingness to correct my past mistakes..."
That was indeed a strange strain from her who is nothing if not arrogant and headstrong. In fact she had been making desperate efforts to restore her shattered image in the eyes of the public, beating a hasty retreat all along the line, saying she was sorry that she had antagonised the Press, ignored many well-meaning advisers, erected a wall between herself and the people in the name of security and so on. Finally, when nothing seemed to work, she did the unthinkable - Severed her ties, at least in public, with her closest friend and aide, Sasikala besides disowning her foster sonVN SudhaKaran.
While one can disapprove of Karunanidhi's all too obvious witch-hunt, surely he wants to make the way for his son M K Stalin's ultimate accession Smooth and would not like him to be disturbed by the likes of Jayalalitha, not many will shed tears over her current plight.
The DVAC leaks could be wild and motivated, but the official list of jewels and other valuables inventoried at her residence is enough to nail her for life - 26.6 kg of gold and diamond jewellery, nearly 900 kg of silverware, over 10,000 saris, 750 of them pure silk, 44 air-conditioners,

Page 21
15 JANUARY 1997
19 motorcars, 350 pairs of chappals apart from the exquisite and expensive fittings. The Sun TV, owned by DMK's ruling family, repeatedly ran the footage of the opulentinteriors of the Poes Gardenmansion, to the audible gasp of its viewers. Magazines and newspapers gleefully carried glossy colour pictures of her acquisitions provided by the DVAC.
But what about the immovables? Several bungalows in different parts of the city and the suburbs besides farms and farmhouses in other parts of the state have been identified as belonging either to Jayalalitha herself or the clique which had surrounded her in 1991-96. It was a clear case of a loot of unprecedented dimensions, even given the general standards of the Indian politicians and accounting for inflation since the days of Karunanidhi's first tenure as the Chief Minister when indeed corruption in public life hit new depths,
The DMK chief joked during the election campaign that if the AIADMK was to be returned to powerfor another term one could find a gaping hole in the map of India five years hence - the Tail Nadu portion would be found missing, he jibed. Coming from him such a statement could even sound ironical. For he too Could have done it had he not been vanquished by
MGR in 1977. But the sheer brazenness
of the Jaya regime's corruption not to speak of its other excesses has made the people lap up as true any kind of speculations on her assets. And more often than not such statements are backed up by damaging evidence.
Like when Kumudam, a popular magazine, published a photograph of an overblown Jaya and her confidante together, both of them bedecked with innumerable dazzling jewels, enough to make one's eyes pop, aghast at the sheer scale of their greed.
And at the lower levels of economic strata, the popular reaction is not confined to one of moral outrage or disgust. The people tend to be more practical. Either they take it out physically on the objects of their hatred, sometimes even lynching them or pay them back in their own coin, viz, simply loot the property of the looters - some ironical fulfilment of Marx's call for expropriating the expropriators
A half-built mansion of the clan in Sirudhavur, off the famous Mahabalipuram rock temples and supposed to be a pleasure-haunt of Sudhakaran, was overrun by a mob the very night of her arrest - they made away with whatever they could lay their hands on, from bathroom and kitchen fittings to even marble tiles. The looting went on for nearly a week, it is said. The bungalow looked devastated with gaping holes everywhere at the end of it all.
That nobody dared lodge any complaint with the police speaks volume of
the morale of the cla had looked on benigr looting did not care to action either even aft on the ground that no received by them.
And there Were wherein those who h to the marauding forc ing possession of suc When such was til little surprise then th December did not ev test, barring a coup self-immolation, a ho tice that, and some st of public transport. W ers met her in prison, pressed her rage ove ganise any massive pi one like Dr Ramdas o Kadchi (PMK) is arre kick up a big row, se and other public prop leader of a much b former Chief Ministe nothing much happe you don't care," she the likes of Mr WRN former Speaker P Mut front line leadership not act, possibly fear from the state govern Finally she coulc prison only because o tion. The seven case relate to the violatic norms in granting per struction of a multi-st Kodaikanal Hill resort, ard Coal amassing O tionate to her known selling land (to the J. which Jayalalitha and ners) by the state-o Small industries Cor much less than mark of colour television S
Some of the non-| parties which have be Colombo hitherto ha\ the north, particularly political activities amc
Up-to-now, these tant to go to the north ernment was not pre their request that the be allowed to carry arr ples Democratic Pa Douglas Devananda, a eration Organisation (PLOTE) led by Dha than have now decide( other areas of the no fices there to carry (
 

TAMILTIMEs 21
1. The police which market prices avowedly for installation in ly at the time of the panchayat offices but which found their take any follow up way to the houses of the AIADMK funcr the media reports tionaries, waiving of payments due from :omplaint had been an advertising agency to the tune of Rs 2 crore (all these cases pursed by the state similar instances government) and the receipt of three hunad sold their lands dred thousand US dollars from some unes were quietly tak- known person abroad in 1992 but which h properties. amount she declared under the Immunity he general attitude, Scheme (by which she avoided paying at her arrest on 7 any income-tax), a case registered by the oke any major pro- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). le of instances of At least five of herformer cabinet colary Dravidian prac- leagues and some IAS officials close to oning and torching her have also been arraigned on various . hen her party lead- corruption charges. . . . . . . ; she reportedly ex- According to legal experts except for r their failure to or- the TANSI land deal and the disproporotest. "When some- tionate wealth case, in no other case there f the Partali Makkal are good chances of securing her cohsted, his followers viction. The government will have gasned tting fire to buses political advantage though as her image erty. But here I am, will take a lot of battering as the trials proigger party and a ceed. s' , behind bars. Still Well the trial and conviction are still ns, that's because far away. It is the political moves which reportedly berated matter now. The rival AIADMK has simedunchezhian and ply failed to take off. The excesses of the haiah. However the DMK regime in handling her cases has of the AIADMK did already attracted adverse attention from ing strong reaction a section of the middle classes and also ment. from the High Court. The latter has ob- o i come out of the jected to piece-meal arrests - arresting f the court interven- her in one case after another, deliberately is slapped against to delay her release on bail- and demandon of the relevant ing her detention when no custodial in-f mission to the con- terrogation was not taking place. And oreyed hotel in the unnecessary restrictions on "political visi- i. import of substand- tors" when she was in prison were seen f wealth dispropor- as petulant gestures. So is the continued sources of income, detention of Sasikala when her health has aya Publications in taken a severe beating. - Sasikala were part- The Pudokottai Assembly by-election wned Tamil Nadu in February could be some rough indicaporation (TANSI) at tor of the public mood. A chastened Jaya . " at prices, purchase could be expected to give a tough fight. ets at higher than She is known to be a fighter anyway. On
y
activities. It is reliably learnt that the Defence Ministry has given clearance for some of the leading members of these party to carry weapons for their personal TTE Tamil political protection only. enfunctioning from The PLOTE leadertold the press his 'e decided to go to party had already opened an office in
to Jaffna to begin Jaffna on 14 January, Thaipongal day." ng the people. Commenting on the issue of carrying parties were reluc- weapons, Mr. Sidharthan said that they because the gov- were compelled to make the request as a pared to agree to personal security measure. Since the r members should government was not willing to give us ns. The Eelam Peo- security we made the request. We will : ty (EPDP) led by carry arms only for our own security, he nd the Peoples Lib-i said. . . . of Tami || Eelam Asked as to whether he and his party. rmalingam Sidhar men would not face danger from the Tamil I to go to Jaffna and Tigers, Mr. Sidharthan said, "We have to rth and set up of take the risk, but we are determined to in normal political carry on with our work." i., . .
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Page 22
22 TAM TIMES
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15 JANUARY 1997
THE MAHATMAF AND POLITICSTAKES
ParweZafeez
t is a sad commentary on the present state of affairs that when India is preparing to celebrate the 50th year of its Independence, the principal architect of this lndependence, is being revilled and ridiculed by politicians like Bal Thackeray. What is more distressing and disturbing is the fact that Mr Thackeray's recent tirade against Gandhi was not an off-thecuff remark: it was a cleverly calculated
TOVe,
We must not forget that Thackeray was not airing his views in a seminar on Gandhi. It was while trying to defend the deputy chief minister Gopinath Munde's extra-marital affair with a dancer that the Shiv Sena supremo articulated these pearls of wisdom. Since he is a person who believes in offence-is-the-best-defence formula. Thackeray deliberately hit out. And since his objective was to divert the attention of the people and the press from the Munde-Barkha liaison and other failures of the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra, he chose his target with meticulous care. He trained his guns at the most venerated national icon.
To give the devil his due. Thackeray's game plan has apparently paid off. In the past ten days the focus of nation's press has been shifted from Munde and Barkha to Thackeray and Gandhi. The country was yet to recover from the shock of Thackeray's "painstaking research" about Gandhi's experiments with celibacy and self-restraint being a sham, when he dropped what he thought was another bombshell: Gandhiwas not the Father of the Nation. He did not sing this new tune alone.; he belted it out with Pramod Mahajan, the BJP general secretary hoping that the duet would climb the number one position in the top ten charts.
Mr Thackeray further said that he did not admire Gandhi and that his hero was Patel he thought it was pretty obvious and the Shiv Sena chief need not have taken the trouble of announcing his personal preferences. After all how could an apostle of love, compassion, truth, honesty, tolerance, secularism and above al non-violence ever be the hero of the likes of Thackeray. The cartoonist turned politician has never been a great admirer of Gandhi. But recently he must have been further put off by Gandhi and Gandhian ideas because for the first time his for
midable empire unbridled power tive but strong-w called Anna HaZ
However, Th sured that Gand minish a bit beca the Shiv Sena ( case, it will be s Thackeray, Mah ber of the Saffrc worship Gandhi both Hindu and th always despisec that he was aSS member of the Sa surprising that N sidered a hero by
Just as it is hammed Ali Jinr the greatest ene though the latter gard me as the e Muslims of this after his party wa the Muslims in the embarked on brai lieving that Gand Well wisher beca leader of the Hin was the party ex In 1938 Jinnah de “the one man res Congress into ar vival of Hinduism ment of Hindu Ra
Despite this a plicit acknowledg of my being is Hir ists were convinc favouring the Mu one hand the pro garded Gandhia in the path of as land, on the othe thought that their c Would neVer beCC Gandhi was alive
It is a cruel ir the most ardent c lim unity, Gandhi of either Muslim Mahasabha. Perh knew that if Gand sion, they would therefore, no revi
 

as been shaken and his challenged by a diminuled Gandhian crusader
e.
ckeray should rest asi's greatness will not diuse of his failure to win hief's approval. In any heer naivete to expect jan or any other memn bandwagon to heroThe Communalists of e Muslim varieties have Gandhi. Little Wonder assinated by a former Lngh Parivar and it is not athuram Godseis con
many of them.
not surprising that Molah considered Gandhi my of the Muslims, alimplored him."Don't renemy of Islam or of the country." Nevertheless s thoroughly rejected by 1937 elections, Jinnah nwashing them into behi could never be their use he was solely the dus and the Congress :lusively of the Hindus. clared that Gandhi was ponsible for turning the
instrument for the re
and for the establishin India."
hd despite Gandhi's exment that "every fibre du"the Hindu chauvined that he was unduly slims. So while on the 'onents of Pakistan re
the main impediment parate Muslim homethe Hindu hardliners "eam of a Hindu rashtra me a reality as long as
ny that despite being ampion of Hindu-Mus'ould not win the trust league or the Hindu ps the divisive forces succeeded in his mis) out of business. It is ation, that Thackeray
TAM TIMES 23
and Mahajan refuse to accept Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the Nation. What these right-wing radical leaders do not seem to realise is that Mahatma Gandhi does not require a certificate from them. What is important is that the vast multitude oficommon Indians still proudy consider him Bapu.
Pramod Mahajan's recent statement is merely a reiteration of old BJP views about Gandhi. The communal forces have, for obvious reasons, never been happy with the Gandhian philosophy of ahimsa and peaceful coexistence. His pacifism has been held responsible for turning the Hindus into cowards and impotent people. Obviously in their scheme of things, violence and virility are synonymous.
It is this mentality that has been responsible for the increasing vilification of Gandhi in the recent years. Moreover, muted and half-hearted reaction of the people and the intelligentsia has also contributed in the spurt in Gandhi-baiting. People have started indulging in such blatant character assassination of Bapu because they know that they will get away with it. A self-confessed homosexual journalist with Right-wing leanings showed both his deep-rooted contempt for Gandhi and his own lack of taste by making a highly pejorative comment about him and he got away with it. A political upstart like Mayawaticalled him names and got away With it.
It is not surprising that communalist and casteist leaders have begun to launch frequent and belligerent tirades against Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi for reaping political and electoral dividends. What is most amazing as well as appalling is that even the so-called inheritors of the Gandhian legacy, the Congress leaders, have chosen to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the ongoing diatribe against Gandhi. That for the present crop of the Congressmen, political interests far outweigh their loyalty to Gandhi was amply proved when displaying rank opportunism and ingratitude, Narasimha Raoforgedan ellectoral alliance with known Gandhi-baiters like Kanshi Ram.
Postscript - years ago, during a speech when Jinnah referred to Gandhi as Mr Gandhi instead of Mahatma Gandhi, he had to face a strong protest from the audience. Despite its persistent demand, when the Muslim League leader refused to yield the audience forced him to abandon his speech in the middle. There was a time when a perfectly respectful prefix was considered not sufficiently respectful for Gandhi. Today in Independent India he has been called a b....dbania and a devil's child. How time has changed.
(Courtesy o"Asian Age")

Page 24
24 TAMIL TIMES
DESERTRIDES AM WAR AND PEAC
G.Ramesh
he Desert Triangle in the north Indian state of Rajasthan consists of the pink city of Jaipur, the golden city of Jaisalmer and the sun city of Jodhpur. The three cities as well as the lake city of Udaipurare so exotic that they could well have been part of Italo Calvino's famed novel Le Citta invisibili in Which Marco Polo describes his strange wanderings to Kublai Kahan. They have provided the backdrops for some fine Indian films made by director Mani Kaul. The four cities were catapulted to the news headlines when they had a few unusual visitors this winter: the President and the first family of war-weary Sri Lanka.
Well, no-one can grudge anybody's well-earned holidays, especially camel jaunts across the Thar desert and breathtaking sights of cool wintry mist descending on the famed lakes of Pichola and Fateh Sagar as seen from Hotel Shiv Niwas Palace in Udaipur. They are simply superb. Nevertheless, the fact that all this constitutes a politics of style performed with official money cannot be lost sight of Weren't cameras prying when the US President went to Australia around the time of his election to play golf with superstar Greg Norman in the flush meadows of new South Wales? Of course, successive presidents of the US have always taken such offs and winter holidays.
in the Subcontinent, however, year-end holidaying was an alien concept not very long ago. First, it was Rajiv Gandhi who brought home the concept of a working holiday. Along with star-friend Amitabh Bachchan, he discussed the future of India, while gulping down cups of cashewnut payasams at Andamans and Lakshadweep islands and hunting game (with cameras and not rifles, of course) at Ranthambhor wildlife sanctuary, Rajiv Gandhi had ignored the impending disaster of mounting corruption charges against him. And the Indian middle-class masses were stirred into celebrating every New year's Day by having a darshan at Tirupati and going on a consumerist spree. And now, it's Chandrika's turn to combine holiday with politics,
On 24 December, the Indian intelligence agencies leaked the news about a possible meeting between Chandrika and Annamalai Varadaraja Perumal, the former chief minister of the northeastern provincial council, now living at a district cantonment town heavily guarded by the Indian army. The newspapers simply
lapped it up, even a the Sri Lankan foreig Kadirgamar was alr liver the eighth Krish lecture. Kadirgamar India, in all probab meeting between Chá The Sri Lankan est brusque denial of any ing. According to it, t personal affair and nificance.
Chandrika arrive cember, left to Rajas days first in Jodhpur back to Delhi to mee and retreated to Uc before returning to C Some curiosity abou Rajasthan, espec well-known here tha Chittaurgarh fort, wł Udaipur and Jodhpu ing to the official line, ured very briefly in Chandrika and Prim Gowda; yes, Sri La tariff concessions fro all
Indian intelligenci quietly leaked then with Perumal and th partment denied it rc talks between the t devolution package government wanted Parliament in Marc Was let be known Affairs Minister Inde lombo for three days It is obvious that Sri Lankan armed f has ended in a milita forwar is clearly ove better for one to ch to negotiate when ti Sri Lankan governmr to encourage Perun Perumal's response Scenario, howevel Sri Lankan governm encouraging EPD Devananda to meet' Minister, M Karuna matter a lot in Delhi efforts have come to The Indian int acutely aware of th there have been Sof the ENDLF (which

15 JANUARY 1997
OST
s they realised that minister Lakshman eady in Kota to dena Menon memoriai continued to stay in lity to arrange the undrika and Perumai. ablishment made a Such possible meethe trip was a purely had no political sig
din Delhion 25 Dethan to spend three and Jaisalmer, flew it the Indian leaders jaipur for two days Xolombo. There was ther double-visit to cially when it is t Perumal is living in nich is close to both Ir, However, accordthe ethnic issue fig
the talks between e Minister H O Deve hka asked for some m India and that was
9 Sources once again ews of her meeting e external affairs deutinely. The terms of No leaders was the which the Sri Lankan to place before the next. After visit, it hat Indian External r Gujral will visit Co
from 19 January, the War between the orces and the LTTE rystandoff. Thetime ras of now and it is }ose Whom one has alking of peace. The ent, it is clear, wants alto come for talks, to all this changing is not clear. The ent also seems to be P leader, Douglas with Tamil Nadu Chief hidhi, whose views However, Douglas' nought. lligence set-up is goings-on. Of late, he curious moves by s tacitly backed by
Indian intelligence agencies) to "assist" the fight against the Sri Lankan government. The ENDLF was also quick to deny that it was going to aid the LTTE. On the political front too, forces in Tamilnadu and Bangalore are getting active despite the ban on the LTTE. A popular Tamil magazine called Palam is to be launched in Pondicherry soon. The Partali Makkal Kadchi (PMK) which has always been known as pro-Tigers, after some bravado in a meeting held here in Novemberlast, is poised to hold a big rally here in support of the LTTE next month. Another solidarity conference heid in Bagalore was attended, among others, by George
Fernandes and VR Krishna Iyer.
These seem exploratory moves aimed
at finding out responses to the possibility
of third party mediation in the emerging negotiation scenario. The Sri Lankan President's next visit seems to be aimed at finding the Indian attitude to the next round of talks in which Varadharaja Perumal as well as LTTE might figure. Also, it is certain that the Indian establishment is eager to vet any move in which Western countries will have a decisive say. According to political circles here, the LTTE will not be averse to an Indian mediation effort, provided it came from forces not inimical to it. However, the LTTE has not expressed itself clearly on renewed Indian mediation though some pro-Tiger expatriate Tamils in western countries would seem to supporat such a move. Interestingly, even as Chandrika's plane was nearing Colombo, the news of the
"house-arrest" of LTTE ideologue Anton
Balasingammade it to the Indian media, though some informed Sri Lankan Tamil commentators like J.B.S.Jayaraj discount the Veracity or even the need for the "house-arrest" of Balasingam.
Karunanidhi is reportedly unhappy over the sudden turn of events. He feels he is being sidelined in the ongoing talks with the Sri Lankan government. He may not support the LTTE and other armed groups, but he does not want to see the Lankan Tamils cheated once again. His nephew Murasoli Maran who represents the DMK in the government in Delhi has told Deve Gowda that Gujral must stop over at Madras en route Colombo,
Karunanidhi has other reasons to feel agitated; blood spilt in the Palk Straits. The Lankan navy has intensified its firing assaults on Rameswaram fishermen in the Palk Straits. In December, the naval gunboats fired at least eight times, killing four fishermen and injuring scores. He is now aghast that the killings took place on 21 December, when the Indian government was secretly finalising her desert ride. He is also sore that the Indian navy and Coastguard, instead of warning the Lankan navy, had taken to restraining indian fishermen from "straying" into international waters. The fishermen, of course, (Continued on next page)

Page 25
15ANUARY 1997
ON THE STAT OF TAML
BY GRAMESH
Sivasegaram's second rejoinder in the issue in Tamil Times dated 15 December. While myself and Professor Sivasegaram may agree oncertain empirical points, Our perspectives diverge as seen from the following issues:
Firstly, Sivasegaram agrees that diglossia of a language is a sign of its health, but he is certain that diglossia cannot be arrived at by intent. An effort of creative literature, or myth as the ancients knew it, is not only done THROUGH language but also ON and AS language, and hence, several languages consciously work on this fact of diglossia (heteroglossia) to enhance themselves. This happens both in creative space as well as public sphere. The grammarians of Sanskrit and classicalTamil both have been aware of this. Also, they were not speaking about just their respective languages but the general structures of language including narration. This is why the traditions of Paniniyam and Tolkappiyam go on to enunciate myth and titerature. Seen the other way, both traditions celebrate the fact of diglossia (or heteroglossia) of language by enunciating literature.
Secondly, the two languages have a difference: Sanskrit constructed itself aS the elite variant of the Subcontinent's languages, but early classicalTamiltook its
T his is in response to Professor
(continued from page 24) keep complaining that the Lankan naval gunboats open fire at them at will. Karunanidhi has warned of "dire consequences"if such attacks continued; which means Gujral has no option but to speak hard at Colombo.
Karunanidhi has made another quiet move. His DMK filed an application before the MC Jain Commission (probing the Rajiv Gandhi assassination conspiracy) seeking Perumal's deposition. This is to buttress the argument that the Indian government had been aiding one or the other Lankan Tamil militant groups until the late eighties. Earlier attempts to get Perumal to depose before the commission proved futile as the Central government informed the Commission that "Perumal is not around". The DMK has now contended that the external affairs ministry's "denial" of any meeting between Perumal and the Sri Lankan President confirms the former's presence in India. With the results that Prumal has to show up before Justice Jain.
own poetic/aesth ing itself to develc skrit front.
Thirdly, the "de segaram should ré nied by the rise of specific high variar elling their poetics skrit. Hence, in a W Sanskrit never died aparallel grammat dition, by and larg
Fourthly, how Tamil is not immu instance, the pione Wrote his treatise C yanam on the ba Natya Sastra. Follo lappa, one of the ha magazine moveme his literary unders from Western neo-c ing emotions in a m rasa/bhava theory ence). This trend is porary literary criti Va Ve Su and C S advocate the use of dition is evident.
Fifthly, language of Communication. modes of being for spaces as Wellast point has been tha skrit (or for that ma in the earlier period needs to be graspe Current situation in dominant and fun Sanskrit, and later F by "learning" from languages, English "teaching" framewo
Sixthly, Sivaseg tish is almost the fir able section of th uses the familiar ol drive home his poin I am also inclined t ence of English as analysed, not as a be taken for grantec Statement needs to keeping the empha MOST. The use oft a dark hint that su losing the sensitive teaching) between hand and the langu

US
ic route while relatDments on the San
th" of Sanskrit, Sivaalise, was accompanew languages with s which started modesthetics after Sanay, it can be said that out. Tamil, which had Calandaesthetic traavoided this route.
ver, even modern he to this trend. For eringVa Ve Su Aiyar n the Kamba Ramasis of Aristotle and wing him, CS Chelrbingers of the small nt in Tamil, develops standing using tolls :riticism while grasphanner similar to the (interiorised experidominant in contemcism in Tamil. That : Chellappa did not the Tolkappiyam tra
is not justa medium it offers a variety of humans in Creative epublic sphere. My the puzzle of Santer, courtly Arabic) of the Subcontinent ito comprehend the Nhich English has a y role here. While ersian-Arabic, grew the subcontinental is caught in a rigid k. aram says that Engit language of a sizsubcontinent and shore argument to Of course, yes. But consider the presa problematic to be latural presence to forever. Hence, this be probed further is on this Word ALsword also throws n persons are fast alance (of learning/ :nglish on the one ges of the subcon
TAMIL TIMES 25
tinent on the other,
Seventhly, of course, this word ALMOST operates in the creative space as well as in the public sphere. Creative space and public sphere seem to have taken divergent paths at least as far as this issue is concerned. A creative Writer like Rushdie, who is an off-shore person but not a progressivist, pushes itall to a logical conclusion and comes up with a startling grasp of contemporary events in the subcontinent. Learning from the subcontinent, his English works have reta- ught the novel-form to the West. In the public sphere, however, the loss of this balance means that English is destined to teach modernity. English would forever be caught as a surfacesignifier, unable to learn, let alone learn from, the follies of modernity.
Eighthly, the above conclusion has several implications. The first is that the neo-colonial (or the post-colonial) dream is over: neither the existence of numerous "dialects" of English in the subcontinent nor their creative use by someone like Rushdie implies that English will evolve as a "high variant" which it aspires to be. The next implication is that,
inasmuch as English fails to learn fast,
the notions generated from the West and its followers here (including those of prog- ress/development), would be hypotheses having no more than performative Value.
Ninthly, I am glad that Sivasegaram has no illusions about the standardisation of Tamil. However, it is difficult to comprehend why the "degraded"Madras dialect, promoted by the mass media of Tamil Nadu, should necessarily lead to an argument in favour of standardisation, which can be an issue only on its OWn merits.
Tenthly, about the latest Tamil phonetic keyboards: Sivasegaram is free to inspect the Kaniyan Visaippalagai, designed by Professor N Govindaswamy of Singapore, and the LEAP software designed for Indian languages by C-DAC, Pune.
Eleventhly, Sivasegaram has recommended a few small magazines. I wish to clarify that ours is not a magazine, but a journal. Its circulation may be Small, but I can assure him that We will publish only scholarly articles. The invitation to him to write stands. Incidentally, he has not got its phonetics correct.The journal is not Viththiyasam, but Vidhyasam!
Ediotor's Note: This debate, though interesting, is closed in the columns of Tamil Times and it is hoped that it will continue in other journals as both writers have agreed.

Page 26
26 TAMIL TIMES
he ferocity of the simmering heat of the April sun was evident even as early as 9 O'clock in the morning. Our bitch Daisy, with its pups, was searching for shade in the bamanagarden. The whitehen
week Was searching for food, with its multicoloured chickens. Our cat, tired with searching for fried fish in neighbouring kitchens, was curled up in a corner of the cement verandah.
The cuckoo was cooing from our mango tree. My younger brothers were imitating the cooing sound of the cuckoo, irritating my grandmother in the process. Father was bathing. Mother was making pittu in the kitchen. What a beautiful morning this was.
That day was the turning point in my life.
My elder brother was reading something in the front hall. He is always reading something. Under the shade of the guava tree, my two little sisters were playing the mango-seed game on the squares drawn on the ground. They were ten and eight years of age, worldly innocent,
Grandfather was praying in the prayer room. Words from religious hymns were coming out with feeling from his toothless mouth. The familiar religious Suprabatham, blending with the breeze that came past our jasmine plants from next door Parvathiaunty's house, soothed my ears. I was grinding chillie sambol for the pittu, on the grinding-stone.
Through the gaps in our barbed wire fences, the river Thillai (Thillai Aru) could be seen winding like a snake. The golden rays of the morning sun glittered in the water. Thillai was dry and looked like a canal. The beauty of the sunrays clinging onto the body of that river like a dress, al- ways enthralls me.
The howling of dogs in the distance disrupted my thoughts that were engrossed in the serenity of the morning. The dogs were showing opposition by their ferocious barking. A sickening feeling was beginning to grip my stomach from its very bottom.
In those days, if there was the howling of the fox on the outskirts of the village, it was the belief of the villagers that a death was impending. Today, if there is the barking of the dogs on the outskirts, it means that there is a Round-Up by the military.
Mother came running out, leaving the cooking in the midst. Father, with the unwashed Soap on his body, was looking in the direction of the road. Grandfather, who had been so feelingly reciting religious hymns, appeared on the verandah with a distraught face.
The growling of the military tanks could be heard from the distance. Hundreds of soldiers in military vehicles and
SHORT S
On foot were Surround menacing machine guI eyes, like messenger burning sensation fror sambol, my soulstirre rybody in the house a each other,
“Thambi (son), run our mother begged m neighbouring compo were running throught has begun. They are They are hunting the' When the Sri Lank last Round-Up, theyh. fences and also cut do Because the Tamilmi them hiding behind t only that, they also fences and gates to de ing about freely as the homes,
The enemy's gun len pride of the Tam asunderby its own div creed and petty bicke While the youngw hiding, mothers wailir less, grandmothers sc girls disappearing, th were making a hue a batham' from neigh Aunty's could be hea ing its beat and inter gunfire.
The army was cl up from the lanes un cles. Bullets riddled who ran. They fell lik winds of cyclonic v. Mother earth shook wounded wailing of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
ing the village with ns and emotionless s of death. With the m grinding the chilli d. Helpelessly, evenxiously looked at
away somewhere', hy elder brother, in unds, some youths he fences. The hunt clearing the forest. 'terrorists"
an army staged the addestroyed all the wn all the big trees. itants Would attack nem, it Seems, Not id not want these ter them from movy wanted intoTamil
las dented the sWolil community, torn isions of caste and rings.
ere running, the old g, forlorn and helpreaming and young e dogs and the fowl nd cry. The 'Suprabouring Parvathy rod, its music missupted by bursts of
osing in. Dust rose used to large vehihe bodies of those trees cut-down by locity and power. unable to bear the nothers. The army
was advancing all around the village. There was perspiration on our mother's face and rivulets of tears pouring down fron her eyes, Father's face was pale and livid. could visualise Yama (the Demon of Death) and his legendary rope of death in the eyes of my little sisters. y elder brother found imself trapped in our own ome. He can't run anywhere. The soldiers have surrounded the house. My younger brothers both have lowered themselves into our well, fortunately the water level remaining just below their nose, in the hope the soldiers would not be intelligent enough to look down into the Well.
My two little sisters hid in a corner, along with the hen, hiding its chicken in its wings.
Our grandmother beatherself on her head and mouth, looking at me, Though have not become a "big girl" yet, the men in uniform casting their eyes on me are not going to bother about it. That my elder brother and would become preys to the advancing military vultures could be fathomed in the unspoken apprehension of my grandmother,
| closed my eyes tightly, I wanted to imagine that all that was happening around me was just imagination, a frightening dream. Will imagination become true? Will dreams turn real? Mothers dragged me and pushed me behind the sacks of paddy, Only God could save me, who was incapable of saving himself, thought.
The soldiers thundered in our lane, Our gateways became the platforms for their big boots. Death and destruction was staged in the name of imposing the authority of State. In the streets, youths caught by the army were being bundled into trucks.Those youths who had been shot were being dragged along, their blood painting our streets red.
ls this the generation heir to the heroic heritage of the Tamilian who had hoisted his flag from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas?
Hiddenbehind the paddy sacks, ! surveyed the world through the window. Oh! Why shouldn't the earth split asunder and swallow us all up? What sin have the Tamils committed to undergo such terrible suffering? is this the punishment for them for demanding to maintain Tamil as their own language which they have Spoken for ages and the land in which they had crawled as children?
Mother was begging with folded hands. The soldiers were beating up my elder brother, My dearest mother was crying, with spasms convulsing her abdomen which had conceived and brought forth my brother into this world. "You look young, the same age as my son. How will your mother feel if you are beaten up in

Page 27
15 JANUARY 1997
front of her eyes in the way you and your friends are doing to my son?", my mother would have wanted to ask the Soldier who was beating up my brother, but she didn't out of fear,
My father who went to the rescue of my brother was hit on the head. Blood gushed forth. My little sisters screamed. When grandmother tried to intervene, she was stamped upon like a worm by a booted soldier,
The screams of my brother pierced my heart. My brother's body was now the property of the soldiers who had come down our lane.They beat up my elder brother and kicked him. Accusing him of being a terrorist, they pierced his chest and stomach with their bayonets. The cries of my brother, who had taught me to write the alphabet keeping me in his lap, deafened my ears. Nothing came out of his mouth except the words "Ammah, Ammah' (Mother, Mother). His screaming was gro-wing less and less audible.
Where has Lord Shiva (the head of Hindu patheon of Gods), whose feet our grandfather has been holding onto tightly with his earnest prayers, fled? To a strange and distant place where some his socalled human creations do not commit such acts of barbarity upon his other creations!
Mother had fainted. She was notable to see the half-dead body of my brother being dragged along the street. Father's face looked horrible with the blood dripping down from his head.
One soldier dragged me out from my hiding place. Grandmother held me tight. There was fire in her eyes, Wouldn't the world explode inflames? Whata tight hold hers was, even in this withering age!
Grandfather, who only a little while ago had been holding on tightly to the feet of sacred Shiva, was now holding tightly the dusty booted-feet of the soldier, imploring him, "Leave my granddaughter alone'. Tamilwomanhood was being bargained for in a frensy of communal hatred.
The army Captain looked at me from head to foot. Did the budding beauty, only fourteen year old, mesmerise his jaundiced eyes? His gaze was going far beyond my body. Such a look it was. I did not cry. My Senses have become benumbed. In one such previous Round-Up, many Tamil women became pray to their lustful hunger. Whether the age of usTamil wom-en is eight or ten or twelve is not a problem. If they thought that they could satisfy their depravity, it was all right. They are animals. Theirs is Cannibalistic hunger. They search for Tamil militants; but We are the sacrificial lambs.
One soldier was moving his hand skowly down on my long hair, Grandmother spat at him. Grandfather banked his head on the Soldier's feet he had been holding. Father with drying blood on his head and face, brother lying half-dead, senseless mother, wailing grandmother,
pityingly imploring gri TamilWomanhood dc Won't you, Lord S grandfather had held prayers, perform the struction? Kannan Maha-baratham, Ha Ramayana, but who Sri Lankan Tamil Wo
HamilWar?
Closing my eyes prayed. The army Ca Maybe, there was a me. Or a sister? Or, knows what went thrc signal, the soldier ho his hold.
Mother Goddess the men of evil, why from Sri Lanka? Col running... come runi us! I thought like a guise of the Sinhale: (devils) have startec Up our village. Woul rebirth to destroy the struction of the Kali on the Sri LankanTa That day, in our v villages, more than Were arrested. Coun attacked in their own and ravens were flyi cent Tamils were be birds on earth.
Our green land, Saree, was dotted ré the Tamils. The wailin ed the Soft Winds.
The riverThillai fic and our village. Wher plateau of the Thillai, the Bay of Bengal, fro to all parts of the gl plateau Constructed b and sea, we had p. catching crabs. We h tlefootsteps, touchin with the oncomingw. That sandy platea a Crematorium. Ther Were taken. Wouldth with scorn, The T mathmaatics?'Or, "H hole six feet long ar On that crisp order, Own graves. Forty-fo many of them still ali day. The half-dead brother and another were heaped togethe That evening hou painted bloody red, t ing from the bodie heaped on them, sigr Cussedness and cru that day alone, oneh five Tamil women we our village. At the edg the river, our mother their sons' lives dis

TAM TIMES 27
andfather - What can
?
ihiva, whosefeet my onto with his tearful Cosmic dance of defor Thraupathy in anuman for Sita in is there to help the man in the Sinhala
and biting my lips, aptain stared at me. daughter of his like even a niece? God ough his mind. At his ilding me slackened
Kali, who destroys have you run away me running... come ning back and save mad Woman. In the se Army, the asuras moving to Roundodn't Kannan take a em? Should the deyuga descend only mils?
illage and adjoining Wo hundred Tamils tless numbers Were houses. While hawks ng in the sky, innoing shot down like
spread like a green d with the blood of g of mothers sham
ows between the sea you pass the sandy there is the belly of m where ships travel obe. On that sandy by God, dividing river ilayed as children, ad imprinted outlitg and running along aWeS. tu has today become e, our village youths e soldiers have said amils are good at ley!Tami dog! Diga Yd three feet deep." our youths dug their ur of our youngsters, ve, Were buried that bodies of my elder forty-three persons
. r, when the sky was he black smoke riss burnt with tyres aled to the World the elty of humanity. On undred and twentyare made widows in je of the Village, past s were crying out for ssolving into black
Smoke.
My aged father and my grandfather Who were arrested returned home in a few days after being tortured.
So much has happened in our village since the Round-Up. How many widows in the span of ten years! is there any account of the women who had metophorically or literally died of horrible rape?
Nowadays, round-ups are of different types. Not only would the enemy come. Along would come the traitorous groups, too, Along with the cruellestmilitary wing of the security forces, named the Special Task Force, Some extremist Muslim fanatics too, would besiege our village.
Then came the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). It was an earthquake surpassing the thunder.
Today, in our village, yesterday's relatives inform the militant groups known to them, of their present day's squabbles and incite internecine killings, Private scores are settled today with the might of the AK47.
Women like us are desperate about our future, not knowing what it would be. My grandmother would hug me and cry, It pains me to hear her say in anguish, There is no elder brother to do good to you'. There are lots of sisters without their elder brothers, widows without their husbands,
Thousands of Tamils have escaped and gone to distant lands on the pretext of the Tamil problemin Sri Lanka. What can we say of the Batticaloa Tamils?
It is said that the much acclaimed Sinhalese King of ancient days, Dutugemunu, who killed the Tamil king Ellala, when he was a young Prince had lamented that he could not sleep when he was besieged on the one side by Tamils and on the other by the Indian ocean. Surrounded on all sides - With the Sinhalese on one side, the sea on the other, the Muslims on the north, the Thilai River on the south - where would my villagers of Batticaloa escape for their lives?
Small boys, who had just given up the habit of drinking their mothers'milk, have joined the armed struggle, vowing to fight for their mother tongue and motherland rather than die at the hands of the enemy. The lads and lasses of my village are dying in the seas and on the battleground for the freedom of Tamils of Eelam. Enough are the sufferings we have gone through. We need peace. Even now I stare at the sandy mound on which my elder brother was buried and burnt
Those like us search for peace in our dreams of the future. Have we forgotten humanness? I heave a long sigh. Would anybody feel my pain? O

Page 28
28 TAMIL TIMES
Amir, DeVolution
and Nationalism
After reading the review of the biography of A Amirthalingam in the Tamil Times of Nov. '96, where the reviewer seemed to concur with the author's view that Amirtalingam was some kind of angel of peace and kindness, was pleased to see that S. Narapalasingam (TT Dec. '96) has drawn attention to the speech by the late leader of the TULF at the Ramakrishna Mission Hall in 1977. do, nevertheless, question the oversimplified view of SN that the youth were attracted to the LTTE because "violence was portrayed as exciting, admirable and heroic". The need for armed struggle was recognised as a result of the brutal oppression suffered by the people. Implicitly and explicitly violent caste oppression was successfully confronted only by violent means in the latter half of the 60's. At the time the TULF denounced in the name of non-violence the struggle of the oppressed castes for the right to be treated like ordinary human beings in public places and to enter places of public worship and took sides with the oppressors. The unsuccessful armed insurrection by the JVP in 1971 too was a sign of things to come. Thamil militancy in the seventies enjoyed the blessings of the Federal Party (later TULF), and let us not forget the response of the TULF and Amirtalingam to the killings of "traitors' to the Thamil cause. It was only after the militants turned their guns against the TULF leadership that it expressed concern. Attraction to armed struggle was primarily a consequence of the failure of parliamentary manipulations and, if we still remember recent history, Indira Gandhi's government encouraged the militants in the not at all unrealistic hope that it could use them to serve India's regional ambitions. Indian agencies like the RAW pitted one movement against another and one leader against another in its efforts to achieve overall Indian control. The Indian authorities are to blame to a large extent for the internecine Warfare of the 80s,
Devolution has been going through cycles of packaging, unpackaging and repackaging for so long that one gets the impression that, like God, it means different things to different people and some even question its existence. I should have been delighted to learn from DBS Jeyaraj in his article titled "Chandrika, the moon on the wane' that President Kumaratunga still "hopes to implement an effective
Scheme of devoluti become rather sce bility of any real de rent policy of "peac may be able to tell per not belonging whether it is not alr Thamil political alm TN Goplan's pi add much to the un in Thamilnaadutha establishment mag (clearly on the righ posedly on the lef ously expect the Thamilnaadu to cor national question o tral issue. Given th of all electoral po would expect Karur soned political surv to take a principle magazines of the S the elite, and, to the have an eye on the on Some issues, sympathetic portra ple's struggle in re correct to suspect the public mood?
The glee of TN Thamil nationalism derstandable. But the dominant issue tional oppression a case of Kashmir an urgent social issu up by the feminists, vironmentalists in tant and the no Thamilnaadu has' these matters, if th be doomed to the the parliamentary
47 Camberley Ave London SW20
Tani
Some of your r disturbed by a rec tory news item in Observer about a refers to a postcar cern as "anti-SriL that its issue "is s the "Dirty Tricks" c front organisati Sri Lanka". It do from the reporte Crous and libellou
The postcard 200,000 Tamil re' placed following forces during 19 which have been Cross and the Sri stating these fac us an TTE front c
 

15 JANUARY 1997
n". Somehow, have ical about the possiolution with the curthrough war. DBSJ s, hopefully in apathe Divayina group, adynew moonio the
aC. ces in the TT rarely erstanding of events one gathers from the zines like IndiaToday ) and Frontline (sup. One does not seripolitical parties of test elections with the Sri Lanka as the cene opportunist nature itics, only the naive aanidhi, the most SeavalistinThaminaadu, | stand. The popular tate are controlled by rcredit, they certainly till when they speak sense a slightly more yal of the Thamil peocent times, and am a significant shift in
Gabout the failure of in Thamilnaadu is unnationalism becomes only in the face of naas, for example, in the di Punjab. Some of the es of today are taken Dalit activists and enThaminaadu. The milit-so-militant left of o take the initiative in ey fail, they may soon kind of fate that befell left in Sri Lanka.
S. Sivasegaram e
ConCern
Baders may have been nt untrue and defamane Sri Lankan Sunday mill Concern.This item dissued by Tamil Conanka venom" and says een as an attempt by epartment of an LTTE n to kill tourism to s not say who, apart has “seen" this ludiinterpretation. n question states that ugees have been disombing by the armed 5-96. These are facts confirmed by the Red ankan government. If is sufficient to make ganisation, then by the
i logic of the Sunday Observer the Red Cross and Sri Lankan government are
both LTTE front organisations! s. The purpose of the postcard is not to kill tourism in Sri Lanka but to draw the attention of the world to the plight of the refugees, so that they will be inclined to mnäke ပုပ္မ္ယမ္ပိ to the oharitable organisations working thee, Showing pictures of refugees for this pyrpose is not a political statement. Oxfam, for example, when it publishes photographs of Rwandan refugees is not acting as Hutu Militia front organisation, but simply encouraging donations. I should add that we are not using the postcard to raise funds for ourselves and it does not have out address or telephone number on it; people who see the postcard and wish to help the refugees can make donations to appropriate charities, not to us.
The primary purpose of Tamil Concernis to help refugees in the UK, by helping them to find jobs, providing employment training etc. We run various training courses (in computer literacy), job-seeking skills, etc) in association with the Refugee Council, local authorities and with the help of volunteers. Other schemes to provide work experience in areas such as accounting and Computer hardware are underway. We are Completely non-political. Our consultants who give up their time to train and advise are Sri Lankans who have been Settled in England formany years and left Sri Lanka long before the present troubles. We wish to assure your readers that this shoddy piece of journalism, for which we trust that the Sunday Observer will soon be apologising, bears no relation to reality.
R Ganeshalingam 11 Copping Close, Croydon, CRO 5JZ.
Tamil Leadership
After reading the lengthy Special Report No. 7 by the University Teachers for Human Rights, Jaffna, I am disappointed that the authors trot out a stale tune as their solution to the vexing problem in Sri Lanka. They conclude that "for the Tamil community to survive as a cultural and ethnic identity", a "new leadership will have to be helped to emerge..." (TTNov'96). That's funny, I have heard this tune for the past 35 years since 1961, when the then (and current) Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike sent the army for the first time to Jaffna.
Long before the LTTE made its way into the lexicon of South Asian politics, the ruling Sinhalese establishment as well as a certain section of vociferous leftist intellectuals have made the same Criticism on the leadership of S J V Chelvanayakam and A Amirthalingam, even though these two stalwarts never
(Continued on next page)

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15 JANUARY 1997
Book Review
ideology and the Constitution Essays on Constitutional Jurispru
By Radhika Coomaraswamy, (ICES, 1996, 178p. Har
Rs.300.00, Paperback Rs. 200.00)
Review by Matthew Starnes, Intern from McGill University Faculty of Law, Montreal, Canada.
in the traditional Western understanding of state formation a constitution is meant to be stable, enduring and with occasional tinkering, provide a framework that allows society to develop and function peacefully and efficiently. The Ameri
can and British constitutions are models
of this ideal as, regardless of whether one actually agrees with the specific way either government system works, their enduring stability is undeniable. Even the endless attempts at reforming the Canadian constitution can be seen as based in the same ideology that if the constitution perfected all the problems created by the plural nature of Canadian society will resolve themselves. Judged from this perspective, Sri Lanka's constitutional history can hardly be qualified a success. With three constitutions since independence and a new one presently under consideration as a response to the continued ethnic strife, Sri Lanka has clearly not yet created a stable constitutional framework that allows for the unhindered
(Continued from page 28)
touched a gun to speak for Tamil rights. Towards their ends, both the UNP and SLFP had presented "puppets" like Deveanayagams, Kumarasooriyars and Kadigganars as the Tamil leaders and the famil population never even bothered to blink their eyes on these "puppets".
The authors of the Special Report No. 7 also has Written about the ambivalence of Tamils in supporting the LTTE. only wish that they should first recognise their ignorance on the history of freedom movements of this century before trying to hold the LT TE for a stricter code of morality under trying circumstances, than for example Mao's guerrillas or PLO rebels. Prabhakaran may not have a university degree, but he surely has heeded one of hinstein's maxims: "Organised power can be opposed only by organised
power".
Shizuokka 437-O1 Japan
Sachi Sri Kantha
development of a civ Radhika Cooma of essays laeology examines Sri Lanka tional developmentf tive. The standard Would follow a lega strengths and wea articles K or constit the belief that the S try's problemslay inc stitution. However, does not becomebo and often tedious, against specific COI Indeed, as the essa tween 1987 and 19 rectly deal with any stitutional proposaln tion. Rather, she tak examines how comp sis, namely ethnic na cal opportunism, ha Anglo-American idea velopment in Sri Lar
MS Coomaraswa she is a constitution of the other ideologie Asia today are as cc cific and detailed a lent decision makin Constitutionalism." H says on constitutional show, the tradition, paradigm of constitu applied unquestioni Societies. These soc all of the economic and political maturity Constitutionalism to V United States or the Coomaraswamy den stitutional developm Societies are often u ends and how the nor against Such action, diciary, is often too w orill-equipped to effe usurpations. She als Asian Societies ofter tion of legitimate po demands of ethnic than constitutionalist populace can be brot such usurpations if th
 

TAMIL TIMES 29
dence
dcover
vil society. raswamy's new book and the Constitution 's troubled constiturom a fresh perspecwestern approach listic analysis of the knesses of specific utional proposals in olution to the coundraftingaperfectconVs. Coomaraswamy gged down in arcane, arguments for and nstitutional articles. ys were written be93, she does not dispecifics of the conOW under consideraes a step back, and eting ideological baationalism and politiave undermined the of constitutional deka.
my states plainly that alist because, "none as prevalent in South ommitted to as speprocess of non-viogas the ideology of lowever, as her esdevelopment plainly al Anglo-American tionalism cannot be ingly to developing :ieties lack some or health and the civil f necessary to allow Work as it does in the Jnited Kingdom. Ms. monstrates how conents in developing surped for partisan ma Westernbulwark an independent jueak, unaccustomed ctively prevent such o shows how South base their conceplitical action on the nationalism, rather m, and therefore the Jght to acquiesce to hey are seen to ben
efit the powerful ethnic group. These usurpations in turn result in the delegitimisation of constitutionalism and move society away from peaceful development.
This broader perspective, coupled with the fact that Ms. Coomaraswamy's essays are very well written, makes this book accessible not only to constitutional experts but to anyone concerned with the development of a civil society. Her analysis of the ideological basis of constitutional developments makes clear, in away no analysis of specific constitutional mechanisms ever could, both what is actually going on in Sri Lanka's constitutional development and what one must strive for in order to bring about a civil society in anywhere in the world.
In addition to looking at constitutional development, three of the essays focus on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka and South Asia, Again Ms. Coomaraswamy identifies how ideological underpinnings of western human rights models - a belief that human rights organizations are to act as watchdogs and adversaries to the state and Seek redress through the court system - cannot be unquestioningly applied in a South Asian context where the courts have at times been ineffective and many of the worst human rights violations are conducted by non-state actors, such as the LTTE. In the chapter entitled to "Bellow like a Cow", she examines the situation of Women's rights in South Asia in some detail. Using illustrative examples Ms. Coomaraswamy highlights that although there may be what by western standards would be an effective campaign to vindicate women's rights, such action does not always Work in South Asia. Ensuring women's rights is not simply a matter of efective action by conCerned groups alonga Western model but, as with all other rights and the creation of civil Society in general, it is necessary to change societal perceptions.
Stable institutions that respectrights and allow the possibility of free and active participation by al members of society in the democratic process, and an independent, effective judiciary are necessary elements of a civil Society. However, these institutions and conditions will not simply be created by incorporating them in a well drafted constitution. These can only emerge if a tradition of constitutional legitimacy, power sharing, mediation and conciliation exists to allow these institutions and conditions the chance to function and evolve. By identifying the ideological framework underpinning both actual and desired constitutional and human rights developments laeology and the Constitution helps to highlight the path to be taken in evolving a civil society in the developing world. As such it is valuable contribution to the field that should be read and enjoyed by anyone interested in the development of a civil society. O

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30 TAM TIMES
Box N
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Phone: 0181-644 0972
MATRIMONIAL
Tamil Christian parents seek professional partner for independent affectionate daughter, 37, M.A., US citizen working in US. Reply to P.O. Box 90342, Oak Hill Station, TX 78709, USA.
Parents seek suitable groom, 32 to 40 years, for their daughtergraduate teacher in employment, 31 years, born in London with traditional Tamil values. Religion immaterial. All correspondence will be treated confidentially, Please reply to M 910 C/O Tamil Times.
Jaffna Hindu brother, profes
sional engineer and Canadian citizen, working in Canada, seeks educated vegetarian groom for his slim, fair, strict vegetarian science graduate sister, 32 years, 5'3", teaching Physics and computers at Colombo. Please telephone 613 547 5940 (Canada). Jaffna Hindu seeks UK partner for good looking sister, 28, good Colombo employment, Mars afflicted... Send horoscope, details. M912 c/o Tamil Times. Jaffna Hindu parents seek good looking bride, 20-26, accountant/professional in similar field for fair, tall Smart Son, 29, Australian Citizen, M.Sc. in Computer Science. Send horoscope and photo (returnable). M 913 c/o Tamil Times. Jaffna Hindu family seeks educated partner, well employed fordaughter, 31, permanent resident, accounts supervisor. Send horoscope, details. M914 C/O Tamil Times.
WEDDING BELLS
We congratulate the following couple on their recent wedding. Waheeswaran son of Mr. & Mrs. N. Vigneswaran of Rajasthan, 47 Pirappakulam Road, Vannarpannai, Jaffna and Biruntha daughter of Mr. & Mrs. N. Vigneswaralingam of 42 Kenwood Drive, Beckenham, Kent BR3 6.QY on 19. 1.97 at Wandsworth Civic Suite, Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 2PU.
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OBITUARIES
Mr. Karthigesu Balasingam, Retired Station Master of Potpathy Road, Kokuvil East and later of 105 Palaly Road, Kantharmadam, Jaffna passed away peacefully in his sleep on 15th December 1996 in Scarborough, Canada. His daughter Vasuky and brother Mr. Kanagaratnam passed away earlier.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Annapooranam, Sons Nanthabalan and Yasothapalan, daughter Neeraja, daughters-in-law Jeevarani and Srilali, son-in-law FRavindran and grandchildren Claire, Tricia, Thayalan, Visakan, Thevyan and Vernija.
The members of the family wish to thank all relatives and friends who attended the funerall at Ogden Centre on Tuesday, the 17th December 1996, sent messages of sympathy and assisted them in many ways during the period of great sorrow. - Mrs. A. Balasingam, 5 Empringham Drive, Scarborough, Ontario M1B 3Y1. Tel. (416) 289 4696 (Canada) and 0171 286 5328 (UK).
Dr. M. Sivanesan of Dover House Surgery, 28 Bolton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
Road, Edmonton, London N18, formerly of Puloly, Point Pedro, born on 12.1. 1939, passed away tragically of Meningococcal septicaemia on 28 October 1996. His funeral took place at the Golders Green Crematorium On 2 November 1996. He was the beloved husband of Satyabhama, father of Sharmila and Premila and Son of the late Manonmani and Muttusamy (Teacher, Singapore). He was the youngest brother of the late Mahe San, Lee la Velauthampillai (Brisbane), Kantha Sithamparapilai (Sydney), Sitha Balasingam, Ganesan (Perth), Karthigesan, Parvatha Vadivelu and Globaha Maha Kanapathypillai and a son-in-law of Annaluxmy and Mr. R. Paramakuru (Retired District Judge, Sri Lanka).
IN MEMORAM
In cherished memory of the late Mr. Samuel Jeyanayagam Gunasegaram, formerly Director of Education, Sri Lanka, On the 33rd Death Anniversary (4.1.97).
Greatly loved, deeply missed and always remembered by his beloved wife Mercy Rasamalar Gunasegaram (USA), loving daughter Vijeyadevi and sonin-law Prof. George Thambyahpillay (Nigeria), sons Mr. Wimalaraj Gunasegaram and Dr. Jeyandran Gunasegaram (USA) and grandchildren (USA and Australia) - Prof. & Mrs. G. Thambyahpillay, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
In loving memory of Justice Tellippalai Wanam Rajarat
nam, Retired Supreme Court Judge and Member of Parliament, Colombo on the Third Anniversary of his passing away on 15th January 1994.
"Love and Remembrance Last For Ever'.
Sadly missed and dearly loved by his family.
In loving memory of Mrs. Sivagamasunthary Sitsapesan on the second anniversary of her passing away on 19th January
1995.
Sad are our hearts That loved you, Silent Our tears that fall 8ut living our lives without you ls the hardest part of all.
Fondly remembered and sadly missed by her loving husband Sitsapesan, sono Manoharan, daughter Savithiri, daughter-in-law Rebecca, sonin-law Varathan and Grandchildren Holly, Daniel and Luxhmi. — 6 Cambria Lodge, 2c Oakhill Road, London SW152OU.
wary Tharmalingam of Kondavil East on the fourth anniversary of her passing away on 21.1.93.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving husband Tharmalingam, children Brabalini, Brenjit and Ranjit; son-in-law Dr. W. N. Linganandhan; daughters-in-law Dr. Vani Bremjit and Shamini Ranjit; grandchildren Abirami, Sathya, Praneela, Praseetha, Prashoban, Praveen and Anjana. - 32 Anvil Way, North Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 5SZ Tel 01245.466363.

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15 JANUARY 1997
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
February 16.30pm Paul Robeson Theatre presents Tamil Performing Arts Society's Tamil Drama Festival 97(1) - Four Plays - directed by K. Balendra at their Theatre in the Treaty Centre, High Street, Hounslow TVM/3 1 ES. Tel: 0181 459 4335/ 470 7883 or Box Office 0181 577 6969.
Feb. 2 Presentation Of Lord Jesus Christ. 2.00pm. Debate in Tamil: The Dowry – ls it out of date? at 55 Bondway, Vauxhall, London SW8 1 SJ. Tel: Of 71 582 4635.
Feb. 3 Krishna Ekathasi. Feb. 5 PirathoSam. Feb. 7 AmavaSai.
Feb. 9 6.00pm Tamil Orphans Trust presents Music Vocal concert by P. Unnikrishnan accompanied by V. Ramamoorthy - Violin, S. Ranganathan - Miruthangam, and A. Shankar - Gaddam (all from Tamil Nadu) at Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx. Tel 0181 9083540/482 7745/422 3943.
Feb. 10 Chathurthi. Feb. 11 Feast of Our Lady LOurdes. Feb. 12 Ash Wednesda Sashdi Feb. 14 Feast of St. Valentin Karthigai. Feb. 16 First Sunday of Lent Feb. 17 Ekathasi. Feb. 19 PirathoSam. Feb. 21 Full Moon. Feb. 22 Masi Maham. Feb. 23 Second Sunday Lent. Feb. 27 Feast of St. Gabriel.
At Bhawan Centre, 4A Castl town Road, London W1 9HQ. Te: O171 381 308 4608. Feb. 5 6.30pm India Republ Day Celebrations. Speeche, Music, Dance & Snacks. A Welcome. Feb. 15 7.00pm Flute Recit by Pan dit Ha rip ra sa Chaurasia. Feb. 21 7.30pm Uttar-Daksh, Concert. Rhymes, Raga ar Bells.
AUSTRALIAN
NEWSETTER
Saraswathy Pooja: The Natanalaya School of Dance presented an evening of Dance and Music to celebrate Saraswathy Pooja on 19.10.96 at Burwood Girls' School Hall. The proceedings commenced with the pooja and was followed by a Veena recital and items of dance. Each and every student including the beginners contributed dance items. Classical items were intermixed with folk dances and mini dance dramas. The last dance depicting Shakti in the form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathy was well received by the appreciative audience.
The Guests of Honour were Mrs. Elizabeth Gewandt, Deputy Mayor, Strathfield Council; Mr. Andrew Ho, Municipal Councillor and Mrs. Lea McCarthy. They spoke appreciating the achievements of the students and their Artistic Director Smt Jeyaluxmy Kandiah. They also confirmed the council's commitment to the policy of multiculturalism and serving the needs of the immigrant community in the area.
Vasantha Malai 1996 (A Spring Night of Cultural Activities) was presented by the Sydney Resource Centre at the Burwood School Hall on 2. 1 1.96. The Chief Guest was the Hon. Paul Zammit M.P. and the Guest of Honour was Dr. B. Balakrishnan. The first item was a mini-dance drama titled "Krishna Leela' which was followed by a Thilana dance both performed by the students of the Natanalaya Dance School. Mr. Zammit in his speech praised the Tamils in his electorate for being active in maintaining their cultural identity and religious beliefs. He confirmed the Federal Government's Commitment to multicultur
alism and the elin mination.
His speech wa, recital by the stude dramohan. This wi which was unique Selvarajah organis debate in Tamil r ven't the toiling enough?" The pa Baskaran, Moorth Nesarajah and t appreciated by the The final item W Suram" produced Theatre Group. It Absurd and its appreciated by ti actors were Messr jah, Sriskantharaj varajah and Prabh The Sydney Re Tamil Library and Tamil writers to p. Works.
National Heroes' nised by The Tam tee of Australia
30. í 1.96 at the Uk Liolcombe, Sydne menced with the r and observation o memory of those
Tamil Cause. Then lamps and the of temporary memori
The highlights speech by Mr. T representative in A land, a drama enti by the Tamil Cultu of poetry in praise
 
 
 
 

TAM TIMES 3
bf
LONDON TAMIL CENTRE
Due to the continued growth of the Centre, we require additional staff to complement our existing team of experienced and talented staff.
Vacancies exist in the following areas:
1. Tamil Language 2. Carnatic Vocal 3. Mirthangam 4. Carnatic Flute
We also require a part-time administrator for the Day Centre for the Elderly to work during evenings
f For details of job description and remuneration,
please write to:
c The Secretary,
i London Tamil Centre,
253 East Lane,
Wembley, HAO 3NN Tel/Fax 0181 9082646
Closing date for applications: 21st February 1997
and at week-ends.
hination of racial discri
s followed by a vocal 2nts of MrS. Kala Chanas followed by an event for Sydney. Mr. M.S. ed and presided overa hyming verses on "HaTamil youth achieved rticipants were Messrs y, Chandrahasan and le debate was highly
capacity audience. as a drama titled "Apaby the Sydney Tamil was 'Theatre of the humour was greatly he audience and the s Karunanithy, Yogarah, Srignanaguru, Selkaran. Source Centre runs a S very active in helping blish and launch their
Day 1996 was orgaCoordinating Commit(Sydney Branch) on ainian Youth Centre in y. Proceedings comising of the “Puli Kodi” two minutes Silence in who had died for the came the lighting of oil ring of flowers to the I erected in the hall.
of the day were the
Jeyakumar, L.T.T.E. Istralia and New Zeaed Living Sculptures' al Society, a recitation of the fallen heroes, a
speech by Professor Margaret Tarwick of New Zealand, the drama 'Sandalwood Forests' performed by the Melbourne Tamil Cultural society. Both dramas were of high standard and were highly appreciated by the audience. Prof. Margaret Tarwick, a New Zealander, who's mother tongue is English, has for some time shown great interest in the Tamil struggle and even visited Jaffna, spoke in perfect Tamil.
National Heroes Day is celebrated every year by the Tamils of Sydney and this year's celebrations drew a huge crowd. A booklet was published to commemorate the day. Each page was sponsored by various organisations and individuals of New South Wales.
Religious Activities in Sydney: The Hindu month of Margazhi, which begins on 16. 12.96 is a busy month for Hindus in Sydney. Sri Venkateswara Temple opens at 6.00am and Thiruppavou is sung by the priests at the shrine of Venkateswara, while Thiruvempavai is sung at the shrine of Lord Shiva. The Thiruvempavai festival at the Sri Murugan Temple was also celebrated and devotees assembled at 5.00am.
The annual midnight pooja of Sri Venkateswara was performed on 31st December to invoke the blessings of the Lord for 1997. Food Fair to raise money for Tamil refugees in Sri Lanka was organised by The Tamils' Coordinating Committee on 4.1.97 at the Homebush Primary School Premises. Food items such as lali, Thosai, Kothu Roti, Uthappam, Hoppers, Pittu etc were sold. It was a resounding success with all the food items sold by early afternoon.

Page 32
32 TAMILTIMES
CANADAN EWSLETTE
Toronto an amalgamated Mega City
from January 1988: Elections for the new
Municipality of Toronto are scheduled for November 1997, under proposed new legislation now before the provincial parlia
ment of Ontario, The existing municipalities of Scarborough, York, North York,
East York, Etibicoke, City of Toronto," Metro Toronto will be abolished and a Mega City constituted. The new municipality of Toronto will have a resident popula
tion of 2.2 million.
Toronto has an ethnic vote estimated at 40% and is expected to grow over 60% at the turn of the century. It is expected that a Cheung would be the mayor and Kandiahs and Chellammahs would be city councillors. 80% of the Sri Lankans in Canada are in Toronto and number over 150,000.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation under the directorship of laya Barathy (Kandiah Sivasothy) is having a pronounced effect on the expatriate Tamil community. Its 24 hour broadcast of music, news, views especially the telephone interviews is welcomed by the house bound elderly and those hungry for hot home news. lts impact on the Tamil print media is so great that a few newspapers have
Closed down and the healthier Ones forced
to reduce Circulation.
Kayts, St. Anthony's College Building Fund: The College Old Students' Association had their Annual Christmas Dinner Dance on 14.12.96 and collected over $2500 towards the fund to revitalise their Alma Mater. It should be recalled that in November 1996 when the Bishop of Jaff. na, Rt. Rev. Dr. nayagam visited Toronto, the O.S.A. donated $3000 and he promised every effort to get the college restarted on the old premises partly bombed out. At present a skeleton college is functioning at Little
Flower Convent, Karampon and dispersed
students are tardily returning.
Senior Tamils' Bridge Club, Toronto had its annual Award Ceremony in conjunction with the Seniors' Christmas Party. Rev. Dr. S. Jebanesan, C.S.I. Bishop of Jaffna and former Principal of Jaffna College was the Guest Speaker and the ceremony was presided over by Ms. Alex Sharma, Coordinator, Oriole Community Resource Centre, who gave away the trophies to the following. Duplicate Bridge: (Winners) R. Pathinathan & S.M. Kulendran Tie with N. Jesuvant & S. Arumugathasan, (Runners-up) A. Arulanantham & N.P. Singha. Presidents Trophy: (Winner) Siva S. Nathan (Runner-up)
V. Thangavelautham. Gnanaratnam Tro
phy: (Winner). Nada Thambu, (Runnersup) T. Arasaratnam & Sham Remulla. Team of Four for Bridge. Club Trophy: (Winners) S. Sathianathan, T. Sivarajan, J.C. Kumaradas & R. Pathinathan (Runners-up) Aloy Ratnasingham, A.R. Alexander, S. Shanmuganathan & K.T. Ponnambalam. . . . . .
Thomas Savundra- .
Captain ( AWarde
Captain Kandiah C the MBE in the rece List, in recognition tribution to the C housing through the Association (PHA), the Chief Executive During this period, the PHA from an or a deficit of £200,00 acknowledged to be housing associatior ing over 2000 hor Over E1OOrnillion.
Capt. Chandran time when he takes head the Presentat ployment Charital Which aims to rais year will Commit it education and trair 'black youth' who neglected by the n erS and institutionS
Wythillingam Deputy Direc (Science) -
- An A
SUNTHA' to the an alumnus of J: his biological S University of Ce teacher of biolog
, anced Level Cla,
Batticaloa. As a
 
 
 
 

15 JANUARY 1997
landran M.B.E.
handran was awarded at New Year's Honours of his outstanding convelopment of social
Presentation Housing of which he has been for the last eight years.
Capt. Chandran built tanisation saddled with 0 to One which is now the foremOSt black-leC
in the country, managnes and assets worth
S honour Comes at a retirement from PHA to ion Education and Enple Trust. The Trust 2 £1 million in the first self to investing in the ing needs of inner city it believes have been ainstream policy mak
Suntheralingam Or of Education Jafna
preciation
arge circle offriends is na Hindu College. After nce degree from the in he was a successful all sciences in the Advis both in Jaffna and in fence Circuit Education
Officer he was held in high esteem by educationalists of all levels for his practical approach to propagate science specially in rural schools. He was actively involved in the working of the UNESCO aided Thondamannaru Hydro-Biological centre which did yeoman service for the research and popularisation of science for many deCades in Sri Lanka. His dedicated educational service saw him elevated to the position of Principal, Manipay Hindu College which he held with great acceptance and that too at a time Of turmoil. His labours to maintain the balance in the school sapped up all the resources at his Command.
He had a stint of four years service as a Science teacher at the National Youth Service in Seychelles. His approach to practical science to students was the envy of many and he was ranked high by the school community and the educational administrators. His numerous science projects threw new light on the eco-system of this beautiful island and are still Considered valuable assets in the field of Science. His attachment to his family was so high that he decided to get back to the educational service in Sri Lanka and was posted to Jaffna. As a usual annual event to go to Colombo for the A/L Zoology paper marking at Royal College he made this trip this September not knowing that cruel destiny had decided otherwise. He would never have imagined that he was bidding farewell to his loved ones when he left his horne at AnnaicOdai.
It is unfortunate that his collapse at the marking centre hostel on the 6th of October proved fatal. The wide circle of friends at home and abroad have lost a sincere friend, a convincing conversationalist on men and matters, a fine mixer with the high and low and above alla humane personality. We all share the grief with his dear Ones at home.
V. Sivasupramaniam,
Seychelles.
Hartley College Past Pupils Meet
Past Pupils of Hartley College, Point Pedro in UK held their Annual General Meeting and Dinner on 11th November 1996 at Queen's Hotel, 122 Church Street, London SE192UG.
At the AGM, the following office-bearers were elected. President: V. Santhalingam; Vice-President: A. Easwaramohan, Secretary: G. D. Kulasingam; Treasurer: T. Rajkumar, Sports Secretary: T. Arulnanthy; Committee Members: A. Paramakuru, Dr. K. Mylvaganam, G.R. Selvarajan and T.S. Murare.
The Dinner was attended by over 150
membes, their spouses, friends and children.
Word Processing & Type Setting Service Of Reports, Dissertations, Publications etc. inkjet/Laser Printer. Call Selvarajah 01582 616070 (UK).

Page 33
15 JANUARY 1997
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Merton Young Poets Competition 1996
Aarani Ganeslingam
Over 300 children of different Cultures and groups in the London Borough of Merton participated in the English poetry competition which was supported by the Merton Council. The children in three age groups (a) under 8 (b) over 8/under 12 and (c) over 12/under 16 were judged by a panel consisting of Richard King, Head Teacher, Park House Middle School, Wimbledon, Malcolm Parker, Chairman, Merton Arts Council and Patric Cunnane, Poet and Councillor.
The function to distribute awards was held on 7.12.96 presided over by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Cole. The award winners were Aarani Ganesalingam (Under 8), Lilliam Low (Over 8/under 12) and Patrick Farrelly (Over 12/under 16).
Councillor Poet Patric Cunnane speaking at the function complimented Mr. T. Srikantharajah for havingh been a pioneer in organising this competition and function in the Merton Borough and said: "Poetry wrestles us away from the TV and Video and puts us in touch with our feelings in the most direct way. The children who entered the first Merton Young Poets' Competition succeeded in obeying this simple law of poetry.
All poems that were entered for the competition have been published as "Poetry Anthology" - Hear My Voice, available at Merton Young Poets, 52 Kingsley Road, Wimbledon, London SW198HF. Tel: 0181 543 2126.
Mr. M. Peri Sundaram - An Appreciation Peri Sundaran the well-known solicitor
and eminent trade unionist passed away in ondon on 13 December 1996. Mr. Sun
daram Who was boI Lanka, having qualif the Ceylon Workers the late 1950s and Secretary and lai General Secretary. role in the affairs of his departure to the in 1971 was among strengthening the inf ties of the CWC durir following the breaka by Mr. Aziz.
Mr. Sundaram qu and worked with son, firms. He was with Ch 20 years having p! Farrer & Co., Solicito Queen. During this pe Close links with the C international Affairs the late Senator P. founder member of Congress, later nan Congress, and its fir Peri Sundaram was Labour, industry an State Council of Cey puty President of the
Even after leaving am Continued to Chan labour movement in t that of the plantatio senting them in the arena. His steadfa. deep involvement labour movement wa his election to the E International Confede Unions (ICFTU), the representative trade the world. The ICFTU million workers in ov Sundaram was also t the Asian Region oft in these positions for am was closely involk the International Lab. organ of the United N he was elected to th the lLO. Mr Sundara Lankan to be twice e. Representative to the where he served with his demise.
Throughout his car ist, Mr. Sundaram Sl cern for the plight of and associated himse
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAMITMES 33
ALITY & CRIMINAL SOLICTORS
ENANTISSUES USING
ISSUES NADVICE URY CLAIMIS
G 2E
7 and educated in Sri ed as a lawyer, joined
Congress (CWC) in vas its Administrative 9r became Deputy He played a leading the CWC and before JK for family reasons those instrumental in astructure and activig its formative stages way by the faction led
alified as a solicitor e of UK's leading law harles RuSSell for Over eviously worked for rs to Her Majesty the eriod he continued his WC in his capacity as Secretary. His father eri Sunaran Was a the Ceylon Indian led Ceylon Workers st President. Senator the first Minister of Commerce in the lon and became DeSenate in 1947.
Sri Lanka Mr. Sundarpion the cause of the e island, in particular workers, by repreinternational labour it Cornrnitrner and n the international duly recognised by ecutive Body of the ration of Free Trade argest and the most inion organisation in represents over 130 r 101 Countries. Mr. e Vice President for e ICFTU and served 6 years. Mr. Sundared in the activities of ur Organisation, an tions. In June 1996 Governing Body of n was the only Sri Cted as the Worker LO Governing Body "reat distinction until
er as a trade unior)wed genuine conhe ordinary workers with the numerous
LEGA AO
محمحمد
socio-economic issues concerning the , Third World. His deep concern for such issues as the economic emancipation of the working class, equality for female workers, child labour and the improvement of the social and living conditions of workers in general was well known and won him the highest respect and admiration
from trade unionists the world over.
Although he lived in the UK for many years, Mr. Sundaram never forgot his roots. He was always concerned about the Sri Lankan Plantation community. He set up a fund for the education of Plantation children and encouraged others to join his endeavours. He was also deeply worried about the continuing war and in later years involved himself behind the scenes in efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the Sri Lankan national Conflict.
Both in public and private life he set the
highest standards for himself. His conduct
throughout life was based on a set of values - integrity, honesty, truth and loyalty. In this regard he was a role model not only to his family but also to his colleagues and members of the international labour fraternity. His gentle and humble demeanour matched by his unique ability to establish a rapport with others won him numerous friends. His grit, determination and capacity for hard work coupled with a fine sense of humour were truly remarkable attributes he possessed and which undoubtedly contributed to his success and eminence as a lawyer and internationall trade unionist. He will be missed by all, particularly his wife and two sons whom he loved dearly.
Mayan Vije, Hounslow, Middlesex.
Janani’s Bharatha Natya
Arangetram -
Janani, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Nagarajah of Southall, Middx and disciple of Smt Rajini Shureshkumar had her arangetram on 19.10.96 at the Logan Hall, London WC1. Janani appeared on the stage for the first part of the dance recital invoking Lord Ganesha with piety and devotion. She continued with jathiswaram and Varnam. Her repertoire gained momentum and in Narayana Kavutham and Andal Dance transported the audience to a dreamworld in which she took us slowly like the Pied Piper into the world of the unknown of spirituality and ecstasy. The lyric 'Ulakam Puhalum' brought us back to earth again.

Page 34
34 AMI. TMES
This piece defined and described the nature of Bharatha Natya and how it is learnt under a devoted Guru like Snt Rajini. When Janani performed the "Kalinga Nadanam', she became the Snake itself, danced with agility and transformed herself to none other than Lord Krishna, who subdued the snake. The story was well interpreted with flexible hand and feet movements. The untiring efforts were crowned with success when the vigorous Thilana was performed.
Janani captivated the audience not only with the rhythmic movements of hands and eyes but also with her grace, poise and clarity of style. She was ably accompanied by her Guru Smt Rajini Shureshkumar on Nattuvangam, Smit Ambika Thamotheram and Sri Somasundra Desikar — Vocal, Sri Muthu Sivarajah -- Mirudangam, Sri L. Kothandapani — Violin, Sri P. Gnanavarathan - Flute and Sri K. Chidamparanathan — Morsing. Sri Nada Mohan and Smit Punitha Perinparajah were the comperes.
W. Shan.
From Kattubedde to Hounslow
In the year 1973, some undergraduate Tamil students of Kattubedde University of Sri Lanka, experimented with Tamil drama production after the manner handled by the new theatre in Bengal. Their staging at various Centres in the Island received enormous support but they had to leave the homeland due to the now known ethnic war. Since their arrival in Britain some eleven years ago, the troupe consisting of actors, musicians, dancers and theatre technicians, under the great thespian Balendra, has been staging before expatriate Tamil audiences in Britain, France, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and even distant Australia and Canada, winning plaudits everywhere.
Now this unique Group of Tamil Performing Arts Society has earned the greatest honour of being invited by the prestigious Western Paul Robeson Theatre Group to stage under their auspices four Tamil dramas at their Hounslow Theatre on 1st February 1997. It is an honour distinctly earned by the Tamil Performing Arts Society, through their united, friendly and honest dedication to the art. We understand that they have in hand about forty productions, including some for children, ready for staging at short notice. Their latest achievement in being invited by a Western Drama troupe under their own auspices lends a unique honour which they fully deserve.
Sivapatha Sundaram.
Navalar Vizha
The Celebration to rer Navalar of Yalpanam annual event on 15.12.9 Sri Murugan Temple Hé determined efforts of M Muttucumaraswamy an floweredinto a well pres speeches, dances and r keenness with which speeches, danced and songs touched everyol were enthusiastic an curiosity to know about who brought back to life treasured works in Ta foundation for Tamil edu as the middle of the 19t Mrs. Mutucumaraswa
the introductory speech W. R. Ramanathan of th Sangam (U.K. Branch) dran from the City Univ ram spoke on the life an Navallar. Mrs. Varatha spoke on "Navalar and said that Navalar was a into practice what Bhal in his songs. Navalar schools to spread edu ledge to every nook an nam and some parts of Munnetra Sangam pupi songs and dance items by the pupils of Smt. Ra The final item was "Isai P. Gnanavarathan. He Navalar and played t accompanied by Mr. Violin and Mr. Sithampa dangam.
Threeya Thari Arange
Threeya Tharmendirar Arangetram at Logan H ber proved itself a ver reviewer had the oppo)
 
 

til 5 JANUARY 1997
In London
Jember Arumuga Saw its eleventh 5 at the East Ham l in London. The s. Thangaratnam d her supporters Inted function With music recitals. The Children made sang devotional le present. They d showed some the life of Navalar in print most of the mil and laid the Cation as far back h century. amy presided and was made by Mr. e Saiva Munnetra Mr. M. Puveenversity Tamil Mandachievements of Shanmuganathan Bharathiyar' and orerunner who put athiyar envisaged established Tamil Cation and knowd corner of YalpaSouth India. Saiva is sang devotional were contributed iini ShureShkunmar. yamutham' by Mr.
sang in praise of he flute and was Kothandapani on ranathan on Miru
mendiran's trann
's Bharata Natya all on 14th Decem
Clean show. This unity to watch the
Nattuvangam of Threeya's Guru, Lakshmi Samarakoon for the first time and it must be said that her timings, delivery and Theernanans were Clean and attractive. Some of the phrases in the Varnam were long and taxing, but she went through with command and confidence. Young Threeya took them in her stride with equal nonchalance. Pieces for the repertoire were chosen with necessary balance. A notable feature was Threeya dancing for half the items, including the star Varnam, in the Sanne COStume, a bold Venture indeed. Incidentally, the placement of a Patham before Varnam stole some of Varnam's Characteristic norms.
in most of the items in the repertoire credit is given to Sri Karaikudi Krishnamurthy, the mrudangam accompanist for composing music and choreography. It is very generous and characteristic on his part, whenever he is engaged as accompanist at Arangetrams, he always helps with new ideas and features, out of his association with Madras Kalakshetra.
Threeya, we are told, is just thirteen, and has undergone six years of training in Bharata natyam. She has proved that she is talented, has attractive figure, enough grit and determination to go high. Parents Tharmendiran and Yamuna who have inherited the cultural ideals of grandfather Vaitialingam, writer, scholar, lover of arts, friend and philosopher, have their own part to play. Sivapatha Sundaram.

Page 35
15 JANUARY 1997
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T።l: 0I81-888 8፳8?‛ FaX: 018I 889 ቻ445