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VOXX NO. 4 ISSN 0266-4488
OTigers Overrun E
CD LTTE a
Military
O Making a Genuine
O Current
O One Island, Two
O Marking
Amics
OA CatO TULIF Le
O Cato “
To the
Letter From Jaffn
O Ethnics
O Celebration of Ne
 
 
 

ephant Pass
unch Major OffenStVe
Southern Consensus
Affairs
ationS?
Women's Day Se in AbUSe
Do Justice affron Robe'
SSue and DeVolution
am 'S Life and Work

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2 TAMILMES
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a word of what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”
-Voltaire
ISSN 0266 - 44 88 Vol. XIX No. 4 15 APRIL 2000
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CONTENTS
Elephant Pass Falls 03 Tigers Launch Offensive 04 Southern Consensus O9 Current Affairs 11 One island, Two Nations 13 Marking Women's Day 17 Call to TULF leaders 18 Letter from Jaffna 20 Ethnic issue-Devolution 21 Neelan Remembered 25 Clinton's Visit 27 Classified 30
Tigers
April 23 - The Tamil Ti military complex on 22 17-year battle against ti
The Sri Lankan COnceded that the Ca Tigers. Ina communique said security forces "rel in the northern sector C simultaneously "vac defences" of the vital Af Sure of the security of J. Latest reports saytı On their laurels with g Elephant Pass, the Tige advancing further i relentlessly pounding the artillery and mortar fire.
The sprawling Ele Complex housing an es and an enormous quanti has always been under Lankan army, and all pre LTTE to capture it hadr heavy casualties. Now fo of the LTTE has been ra with the Tigers controlli time the only land-based peninsula from the main With the fall of this st many believe that the Commenced their battlet peninsula the control ( government forces in la this Crucial base at thi facilitate the LTTE toga liberating Jaffna," a LTT Though the battlef been predicted during th with the LTTEpounding a bases surrounding it, m in Colombo appear to be and pace with which Elephant Pass. Eventh said to have been pleas speed with which the ar. A military officer we the government forces Elephant Pass area afte it would be very difficult left through a narrowlanc headed toward Jaffna, military's biggest Concer Tigers from moving the to the Palaly airport and within the Jaffna penins The TTE claimed th troops were killed in th
 
 
 
 
 

TAMITMES 3
LATE NEWS
Overrun Elephant Pass
Jers overran and captured the strategically important Elephant Pass April. Its fall constitutes the worst debacle the Sri Lankan military in its
le LTTE.
efence Ministry has np has fallen to the , the Defence Ministry bcated their defences f Elephant Pass" and ated the Southern my Complex to "make affna.”
lat, rather than resting aining Control of the Sarepressing on and to the peninsula defending troops with
phant Pass military timated 5,000 troops ty of military hardware the COntrol of the Sri vious attempts by the esulted in failure with rthe first time the flag sedat Elephant Pass ng again for the first gateway to the Jaffna land. rategic military Camp, Tigers have already Orecapture the Jaffna of which they lost to te 1995, "The fa|| Of gate of Jaffna will n its strategic goal of Estatement said. r Elephant Pass had eprevious two weeks nd capturing the miniany military analysts surprised at the ease the Tigers overran a LTTE leadership is antly surprised at the ny Capitulated. S quoted Saying that withdrew from the it became clear that holdon. The troops Corridor of Kilaly and The officer said the now was to stop the artillery guns closer military base situated la. at Over One thousand ! battle for Elephant
Pass. But the Defence Ministry said that one hundred and twenty eight soldiers and 162 militants were reported killed and over 600 Soldiers injured in the battle.
A statement issued by the LTTE on 22 April said, "Yakachchi and Elephant Pass bases forming the giant military complex of the Sri Lankan army on the gateway to Jaffna fell to the Combat formations of the Liberation Tigers this afternoon following 48 hours of fierce and bloody fighting. Over one thousand Sri Lankan troops were killed and the rest fled in total disarray,
"LTTE's Special Forces and Commando units stormed into the Yakachchimilitary base in the early hours of the morning in a multipronged assault and overran the Well-fortified camp after several hours of intense fighting. The LTTE Commandos, whopenetrated central base, destroyed several artillery pieces, tanks, armoured vehicles and ammunition dumps.
"Overwhelmed by the fury of the Tiger assault the Sri Lankan troops who desperately held the base without supplies and reinforcements for the last 2 days, fled in total Confusion.
"With the fall of Yakachchi and with the Collapse of the Command structure of its defending troops, the LTTE combat units moved swiftly and stormed into Elephant Pass from different directions. Unable to withstand the LTTE's multi-pronged assault the Sri Lankan troops ran amok in chaOS,
"The majority of the soldiers of the 54 Division fled through Killali lagoon in the midst of heavy firefrom LTTE fighters suffering heavy Casualties.
"LTTE fighters are now in full control of the Yakachchi-Elephant Pass sector and have amassed a huge haul of heavy weapons, ammunition and military vehicles.
"The conquest of Elephant Pass complex, the largest and well-entrenched military base in the north, signified a major military victory of the Tigers in the Current campaign against Sri Lankan troops in Jaffna. The fall of this Crucial base at the gate of Jaffna will facilitate the LTTE to gain its strategic goal of liberating Jafna."
The statement added that a large number of civilians along with the Tiger fighters took part in the flag raising ceremony that symbolized the Conquest of a strategically important region by the Liberation Tigers."

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4 TAMITMES
Tigers Launch
Military Offens
to Recapture Ja
D B S.Jeyaraj
he Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) has launched a military onslaught again in what appears to be an attempt at recapturing Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka which it lost to government forces in late 1995. Fighting on a large scale erupted again when the current confrontation began around midnight on Monday march 26th with the Tigers launching a multi-pronged ofensive againstseveral military installations in the peninsula. Fighting rages on, with intermittent intervals of nonfighting for logistical reasons. Even as the people of Sri Lanka are being deprived of factual news about the situation because of the prevailing censorship on war-related news, news reports in the print, electronic, audio and visual Tamil media outlets abroad along with information gained through telephone by directly contacting informed sources in Jaffna provide an insight into the unfolding LTTE war strategy in the peninsula and related developments.
The LTTE is adopting a different military strategy in the peninsula as compared with its earlier offensives in the Wanni. The prize targets are Jaffna town and the Elephant Pass military complex. The underlying principles behind current LTTE strategy in the Jaffna peninsula are four-fold.
Firstly the LTTE does not want to repeat its 1991 fiasco of attacking the Elephant Pass camp directly and is deliberately avoiding an all out onslaught. Secondly the Tigers are pursuing encircling manouevres aimed at cutting off all access and supply routes to the Elephant Passisthmus thereby seeking to isolate and strangulate the forces stationed there. Thirdly the LTTE has already entered the peninsula through points in the eastern and southern coasts and have established entrenched
positions that the al to demolish so far. ding those positio: the Tigers are keep contingent on the that could very lik capture Jaffna tow
What is going sula is stage four ( "Operation Alaigal asing or ceaseles phase was in Mu 1996. The second in September 199: the third phase wa the second in the W northern mainland were in Novembel stage was launche year and was focus South eastern and peninsula.
As a result of LTTE began occ areas of Vettilail Aaliyawalai, Ud Thattuvaankoddi duvaai on the Sot the peninsula. Th Pullaveli to the no It also took Kurin of Elephant Pass. Paranthan and U south of Elephant mainland.
A consequenc Elephant Pass wa all sides with acc cut off except f north. It may be 1 siege of Elephant ken only through a beachhead in kkaadu. Subse camps were se smooth supplies
 

my had been unable Now they are extenis further. Fourthly ng in reserve a large northern mainland ely be deployed to
. In now in the peninif the third phase of Oivathillai" (Uncewaves). The first llaitheevu in July was in Kilinochchi 3. The first stage of s in the eastern and Western sector of the of the wanni. Both last year. The third d in December last sed on the Southern, Eastern flanks of the
those operations the upying the coastal terny, Kattaikkadu, uthurai, Mulliyan, and NallathannithoLth eastern sector of e LTTE also seized thof Elephant Pass. hatheevu to the west It had earlier taken maiaalpuram to the Pass in the Northern
of all these was that encircled on almost ss and supply routes lyakkachchi to its called that the Tiger 'ass in 1991 was brothe establishment of settilaikerny-Kattaiuently permanent up here to ensure y way of sea. Prior
2000 APRIL 15 ܥܝ to the current round of fighting the
lyakkachi camp along a bend on the
strategic A-9 highway served in a sense as the gateway to Elephant Pass on the peninsula. Supplies were provided by road from Jaffna via the Kandy road.
The LTTE has also established fixed positions on the South western sectors of the peninsula. These are in east Ariyalai, Koilakkandy, Thanankilappu and Keratheevu. Logistical enhancement is made possible through boats plying the Jaffna lagoon from the Pooneryn, Nagathevanthurai and Sangupiddy areas of the mainland. A battery of long-range artillery maintained on the Pooneryn coast fires at regular intervals across the lagoon into the Thenmaratchy sector of the peninsula. A key focus from this angle is Kilaly on the south-western coast of the peninsula. It may be recalled that Kilaly ferry was for long the transit point for persons entering and exiting the peninsula during the 1990 to 95 period when the LTTE was in control.
In order to combat the "creeping advantage' of the Tigers in the peninsula, the Colombo government stationed the entire 54th division in the Elephant Pass sector. More importantly the elite 53rd division was deployed in the east coast of the peninsula. This division consists of crack commando forces trained in Pakistan as well as by the US and also the special air brigade. It was the 53rd that was in the vanguard of successful military operations in Jaffna during 1995-96 and the Wanni in 199798. Also Colombo newspapers quoting military intelligence sources warned of heavy Tiger build up in the mainland areas south of the Peninsula as a prelude to a Tiger manouevre. Apparently the armed forces were planning a major operation aimed at recapturing Tiger areas in the peninsula and mainland when the LTTE struck. News Reports indicate that the LTTE preempted the armed forces by 48 hours. Had the LTTE not anticipated an operation by the armed forces and attacked first, the current military equation in the north may have been arguably different.
The present wave of fighting began around midnight on the 26th of March. Tiger cadres infiltrated military lines and launched a commando type raid on an artillery installation and ammunition

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15 APRIL 2000
dump located in the general area of Pallai which is a key junction to the north of Elephant pass on the JaffnaKandy road. At least eleven pieces of artillery were decommissioned. The artillery points installed in fan like formation were of crucial importance in controlling the roadway beyond Pallai on the A-9 highway. This operation was conducted by squads of the LTTE commando division known as “Siruthai” or leopard. Subsequently another seven further points north of Pallai were also destroyed.
At about the same time LTTE cadres also seized strategic points on the Jaffna-Kandy road thereby interdicting the A-9 highway. LTTE points were established in the north of Pallai in the general area of Muhamalai, Indrapuram and Ithavil. The LTTE acquired first a stretch of land four and a halfkilometres long and one and a halfkm wide. Later the LTTE extended its hold from the northern outskirts of Pallai to the southern borders of Eluthumattuval. Later the army advanced southwards from Eluthumattuval and beat back the Tigers to some extent. At one point the army claimed that they had wrested back control of the areas captured by the LTTE. This claimproved only partially true. While the army did get back some territory the LTTE continued to retain areas along the road that include Arasakerny, Ithavil, Inthirapuram. Muhamalai and Kovil Kadu.
The Tigers have now entrenched themselves in this rectangular swathe with fortified positions. All road transport along the A-9 highway downwards from Mirusuvil remain curtailed. If the Tigers can hold on to this position then no road transport from Iyakkachi and Elephant Pass to Jaffna is possible along this road. The strategic value of this to the Tigers is illustrated by the fact that deputy military chief Balraj who is second only to Velupillai Prabakharan in the LTTE's military hierarchy is personally leading the LTTE in this area. A highlight of this confrontation was when an advance column led by Balraj was surrounded by soldiers of the 533 and 534 brigades. Spirits soared within the military establishment over the prospect of either capturing or killing the LTTE deputy military commander. But another contingent led by a
Tiger leader Kann relieved pressure c ing the army's am At present th using a makeshif turning westward. through Puloppa and then proceedi tern coast to Kacl east to the JaffnaKodikamam. Curı state that the LTTE aly-Kachai-Kodik ery. All passenger ped along the Jaff the South of Kod possible to concluc to Elephant Pass too is now under in fact that the armed to use this roundal the army boast of h Jaffna-Kandy road Given its cruci tance the armed f very hard to dislo the points along th continuing exchan at least four countel aded by the armou divisions have bee The LTTE ha most of these. The have captured two “Buffel” tanks and and also destroyed armoured cars. T developed an artill after former Jaffn and is developing a named Victor af commander. Forme commander Bhanu these. Bhanu is ass. at present.
Tragically ab have been affected ing fighting betwee army. About 600( wanting to flee the areas were trapped on civilian traffic. I rnment and non-g zation activities in have been severely humanitarian crisi catering to the net persons with inad and medicine. Only

TAMILTIMES 5
n broke through and Balraj thereby foilpitions.
: armed forces are circuitous route by from Palai, passing ai, reaching Kilaly g by the south wesai and then turning Candy road again at ent reports however is pounding the Kilumam area by artillraffic has been stopla-Kandy road from kamam. Thus it is e that this road route or use by the army tense pressure. The forces are compelled out route disproves aving reclaimed the
al positional impororces too are trying dge the LTTE from he road. Apart from ges of artillery fire offensives spearhered and mechanical n conducted.
s so far withstood Tigers also claim to South African made three armoured cars five tanks and seven he LTTE has now ery division named commander Kittu in armoured division er the ex-Mannar r Jaffna and Mannar is in charge of both sting Balraj directly
out 15000 people is a result of escalatn the Tigers and the displaced persons battle zone to safer is a result of the ban addition, the gove»vernment organithe affected areas urtailed. A serious
has developed in ls of the displaced luate shelter, food he Catholic church
is able to alleviate some of the problems but does not have enough resources.
The Medicin Sans Frontiers NGO has issued a statement calling attention to the serious shortage of medicine and drugs. There have also been charges about the military having installed artillery guns in the Pallai hospital compound thereby endangering the patients and staff.
In the meantime the LTTE and some other Tamil organizations are accusing the troops of deliberately restricting civilian movement in the war zone so as to utilise them as protective human shields or buffers. Some reports originating from pro-LTTE sources allege that because the troops are intermingling with the refugees and are also stationed amidst the civilians the Tigers are finding it difficult to unleash artillery barrages for fear of hitting the people. Hence the comparative lack of pace in military advances. Some international organizations including the International Red Cross have also drawn attention to the developing humanitarian crisis and the vulnerability of civilian population. Also several civilian protest demonstrations have been staged in Jaffna urging the authorities not to restrict civilian movement.
When some government officials went with food and offered cash amountingto 2000 rupees per displaced person in the affected areas the people turned it down saying "Is this money for our coffins?". They demanded that they be allowed to move out. The army chief of staff Lionel Balagalle in a statement denied that civilian movement was restricted. He said that the outflow from the affected areas was slow because civilians had to be screened thoroughly for fear of LTTE personnel infiltrating and masquerading as civilians. Currently about a 100 to 150 people are allowed out each day. Though the crisis is diminishing it has not gone away completely. But any fresh offensive launched by eitherside involvinglong-range artillery fire will inevitably worsen the situation for the civilian population.
The Iyakkachi camp and Elephant Pass complex further to the south of the peninsula too are under attack. LTTE cadres were conducting artillery barrages and keeping both under virtual siege from points to the north and north

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6 TAMILTMES
east of Iyakkachi in Sangathaar vayal and Kovil vayal and points in the south east of Elephant pass at Thattuvankotti and to the west at Kurinchatheevu. So despite the LTTE not conducting a direct assault at present, Elephant pass and Iyakkachi are marooned unless of course the military balance in these areas undergo drastic transformation. The LTTE however launched a fullfledged frontal assault on Iyakkachchi camp on April 17th. Correct information about this round of fighting is yet to emanate from the frontlines.
Simultaneous to the attacks in the Pallai-Muhamalai area on March 26th, LTTE cadres also launched a number of attacks on points along the east coast of the peninsula. The east coast known as the Vadamaratchy East division exteinds from Point Pedro downwards to Thalaiady for a distance of 18 to 20 miles. It further extends right down to Chundikulam lagoon but the areas come underthe Pachilaippalli division. This region is bounded on one side by the sea and on the other by the all pervasive Jaffna lagoon. It is sparsely populated with fishing as the chief livelihood.
LTTE cadres used Nelliyan, a tiny hamlet on the western interior of Thaalaiady, as their launching pad. A ferocious attack was unleashed on the military complex of Thalaiady-Maruthankerni-Chembianpattu. There is a road proceeding westwards from Maruthankerni that reaches the Jaffna-Kandy road on the Puthukkaadu junction. Fighting erupted on the SoranpattruMaasaar areas on this road too. Chembianpattu is about two km to the north of Thalaiadi while Maruthankerni is about three - fourth of a km to its west. All three were linked up in a gigantic triangular military complex that housed also the operational headquarters of the elite 53rd division.
Even as this attack commenced other Tiger groups began attacking the camp on Maamunai and Amban further northwards along the coast between Chembianpattu and Nagarkovil. With increasing LTTE pressure the armed forces effected strategic withdrawals on a staggered basis. First the smaller Amban camp, next the larger Maamunai camp and finally the massive complex at Thalaiady-Maruthankerny-Chembi
anpattu with the 53rc According to official army is now repos abandoning the coast rcing positions on t west of the lagoon. the only valid strate would contain LTT into the interior.
As a result of all now in control of the coast up to Kudarap Nagar Kovil. It has itory stretching to There are however in Nagar Kovil, Man puram along this coa LTTE positions ar Pedro the northerni peninsula. Wome LTTE's Sothiya brig pying the newly ac areas. This segment was a combined vent Anthony infantry di Tigers division. The clandestinely ferried lai on the Mullaithe under LTTE control nts between Nagarl ikerny inclusive ofC Thalaiadi. The sea was led by Veerend based cadres were l hitherto unheard of The LTTE is no ssure on at Nagar Kc track between Elu Nagar Kovil that we ugh interior areas tl a surprise attack ol camp from a differ soldiers managed to ult. The Tigersalsos boats off the Nagar 463 was a direct Is the second P 493 w ucted at the Colom Tigers used a reco: gun from the coast that was about 60 shore. The second rescue the survivor One vessel sank been stuck on a sa shore. At least 16 two captains are p Tigers also salvage cated thermal det,

盐一 15 APRIL 2000
hq were vacated. communiques the ioning itself by l strip and reinfoe interior to the This seems to be gy available that E encroachment
this the LTTE is eastern peninsula u on the south of cquired new terrabout ten miles. hree other camps lkaadu and Vallist between current d strategic Point nost point of the n cadres of the ade are now occuquired east coast of the attack itself ure of the Charles vision and the Sea Tiger cadres were by sea from Chalevu coast already and landed in poicovil and Vettilahembianpattu and Tiger component ran while the land ed by Vasanthan a Tiger leader. wkeeping the pre1vil. Usingarough thumattuval and aves its way throhe LTTE launched the Nagar Kovil ent direction. The stave off the assaank two Dvora gun Kovil coast. One P aeli product while is a replica constrpo Dockyard. The less RCS 106mm and hit one vessel } metres from the one came close to
and got hit too. while the other has d bar close to the men including the esumed dead. The il a lot of sophisticting devices and
electronic equipment from the vessels. They also seized a lot of arms including 20mm and 23mm cannon, cannon shells and 40mm grenades and 3 grenade launchers and about 20 heavy weapons, When the attacks in Pallai and Thalaiady commenced on March 26th the Tigers opened up another front too. While the attacks were on the LTTE Kilinochchi area commander Theepan led a land based expedition. Around 400 cadres led by Theepan venturedon foot across the Chundikulam lagoon currently in marshy condition in the South-east of the peninsula. These cadres enhanced, consolidated and strengthened Tiger presence in the south and south east of the peninsula. Theepan's fighters also launched an attack on army positions in the Vathirayan area to the west of Vettilaikerny and east of Elephant pass.
Heavy resistance is being proffered. If the Tigers succeed in breaking through Vathirayan then Elephant Pass is likely to be assailed from another point too. But the LTTE is now in possession of the Eastern seaboard from Kokkuthoduvaai in Mulaitheevu district on the mainland to Kudaarappu on the Jaffna peninsula. Movement between the mainland and peninsula need no longer be dependent on the sea alone. Apart from the monsoon season the Chundikulam lagoon can be easlily crossed on foot.
The Tamil media has drawn attention to some other developments of a serious military nature. It is reported that some army positions in the interior of Kudathanai, Mulli , Kodikamam , Manthuvil and Varani areas have been closed and personnel redeployed. This according to the media reports enables the Tigers to circumvent army positions by following a circuitous path along the lagoon shore and proceed to places like Anthanathidal, Kappooothu, Mattuvil and Vadharavathai along the lagoon shores without meeting up with the army in any place. The intricate geography of the peninsula particularly in the case of its porous lagoon does afford the Tigers an opportunity to reach the Vadamaratchy, Thenmaratohy and certain parts of the Valigamamam sector through this route. There is vast potential to be exploited by the Tigers. What the LTTE proposes to do

Page 7
as APR 2000
in this regard remains to be seen.
The LTTE has also been attempting to cross the lagoon and seize Kilaly on the south west. But the armed forces have repulsed those attacks so far. The present LTTE objective seems to be that of seizing the Maruthankerni-Puthukkaadu road on the east of the A-9 highway and the Palai-PuloppalaiKilaly road on the west while holding on to and possibly expanding its positions on the Jaffna-Kandy road. If it is successful then the Tigers would have succeeded in bisecting the lower portion of the peninsula with Elephant Pass and lyakkachi garrisons trapped.(Currently lyakkachi is being attacked) At the same time it continues its encircling and strangulating strategy without taking Elephant Pass head on. A significant aspect of the current fighting phase is the deployment and excessive reliance on long range artiIlery by the LTTE. It is said that only a iorce of around 1500 are being used for direct combat in all parts of the peniinsula. These cadres are a combination of its infantry, commando, artillery and armoured divisions along with women's brigades and sea Tigers.
What is of great concern to the Sri Lankan government however is the view currently gaining ground that the Tigers are planning to attack Jaffna shortly. LTTE ideologue and Political adviser Anton Balasingham stated in an Interview to the pro-LTTE fortnightly Tamil Guardian' that the Tigers would very soon knock on the gates of Jaffna, the cultural capital of Sri Lankan Tamnis. Reinforcing Colombo's appreheasions about the Tigers attempting to seize Jaffna are the reports supplied by its intelligence agencies.
These reports state that LTTE cadres are being systematically ferried into the peninsula from Sangupiddy to Keratheevu. In addition reports state that a large quantity of armaments are being stockpiled in Thanankilappu and East Arialai on the peninsula. This seems to be in anticipation of a massive military venture within the peninsula. it is also stated that senior military commander Karuna or Karuna Amman is waiting along with around 1000 cadres in reserve on the mainland coast adjacent to the peninsula. It is feared in Colombo that the LTTE may use
Thanankilappu or Al hing pad and mount on Chavakachheric both. Even ifthe Tigi Jaffna at present a l cause immense milit psychological dama
While the current on Elephant Pass mili never rule out a sur LTTE. Given establ the peninsula the LT of changing directi Jaffna town, Chavak pedro. Colombo knc cannot seize these pl of an attack would p and psychological v. in the case of Jaffna ered tremendously ir and practicality by lo rding to Tiger source: bakharan has vowed be in Jaffna before th Colombo newspapel hopes of retaking J feasible. But teleph. with Jaffna resident have reconciled th possibility. In their Seen a remote One,
Military analysts attention to the exce on Elephant Pass. assume that the reten of Elephant Pass wil sive factor in the J. comparison with Jaf is not so very essenti must be remembe Elephant Pass is the peninsulait has neve: control at any time. of LTTE hegemony the peninsula and r remained under LTT Elephant Pass. The L manage without hav militarily. Also the t the camp is not favo attack or direct sieg learnt in 1991 losin ofits cadres when t Operation "Tharai (Land Sea Air). A possible that Prabal to risk the loss of a trying to take Jaff Elephant Pass Isth

TAMILTIMES 7
iyalai as a launc
fierce onslaughts Ir Jaffna town or 2rs cannot capture ightning raid can ary, political and ge.
focus seems to be tary observers can prise twist by the shed positions in TE is quite capable on and targetting achcheri or Point ws that even if it aces the very fact rovide a symbolic ictory particularly . The LTTE Suffterms of prestige sing Jaffna. AccoS LTTE leader Prathat the Tigers will he year 2000 ends. 's state that LTTE affna town is not one conversations s reveal that they emselves to that minds it does not
have also drawn ssive media focus It is erroneous to tion or abandoning Il be the sole deciaffna situation. In fina, Elephant Pass al for the LTTE. It red that though gateway to Jaffna r been under LTTE Even at the height the greater part of orthern mainland E control but never TTE could always ing Elephant Pass errain surrounding urable to an all out e - a bitter lesson g over a thousand he LTTE launched Kadal Aahayam” s such it is quite charan may prefer housand cadres in na rather than the mus. His current
strategy of strangulating it may be longer but more feasible and economical. But the fall of either Jaffna or Elephant Pass would be a demoralising blow to the armed forces and would be the beginning of the end for the government grip in the peninsula.
On the other hand despite LTTE successes and claims the armed forces cannot be written off that easily. There are certain factors to be noted in this respect. One is that the Tiger presence on the peninsula is numerically quite precarious given the fact that it is sandwiched in between the 54th (Elephant Pass) and 53rd divisions (Pachillaipalli)in one sector and the 51st(Vadamaratchy) and 52nd (Thenmaratchy) in others.
Though the manpower in a Sri Lankan military division is much lower than the average norm, the combined strength of four is about ten times the size of the LTTE component in the war zone. The numerical balance is against the LTTE. In addition to greater manpower the armed forces have a definite superiority in terms of firepower inclusive of long range artillery as well as tanks and armoured vehicles.
Secondly the advantage of an air force is yet prevalent and visible. This places the LTTE at a great disadvantage. The current exercise has seen incessant aerial bombardment and shelling by the forces. A number of LTTE boats have been destroyed and expeditions foiled. Also given the land and sea situation the skies are of utmost logistical importance to the armed forces. Of course the LTTE with its anti aircraft wing led by Shankar has attempted to counter the air force with surface to air missiles and .50 calibre long range guns. At least one plane and two helicopters have been damaged so far. Nevertheless it is the air advantage that has enabled Colombo to withstand and contain the LTTE to this extent at least. Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga is in an unenviable position of seeing her war for peace strategy crumbling. Yet the first lady is still defiant and keeps herself informed of battlefront developments round the clock. After an emergency war council meeting she instructed Army Chief Weerasuriya, Navy chief Tissera and Air Force chiefWeerakkody to relocate

Page 8
3 TAM TIMES
to the Palaly base in Jaffna until the current LTTE advance is halted and situation restored. "Stay in Jaffna and do your duty” was her crisp command. Kumaratunga has also gone on record that there would be no ceasefire or withdrawal of troops from Jaffna. "Even if the LTTE kills me'. The service chiefs however returned to Colombo after a few days without achieving the tasks entrusted. It is reported that the Air Force chief had a narrow escape when a Tiger shell landed within a few yards at Kodikamam. Incidentally after the debacle Brigadier Gamini Hettiaratchy, the 53rd division commander, has been relieved of his post. Major General Sisira Wijeysinghe has been appointed as 53rd head.
After several days of fighting the LTTE says that about 140 of its cadres have been killed. The defence ministry says that around 230 of their men have been killed or are missing in action. While the LTTE does not give out figures of injured persons the Armed forcessay more than thousand are injured with most of them being classified as
walking wounded. place the casualty fi considerably high. sides exaggerate the the opposing side. T on the Tiger divisi Major Lakshiya the der in the Muhama The current LT at a time when peac the agenda with Nor The LTTE request repositioning inclu nement to barracks Jaffna as a prelude rnment however tul mbo opted for a gi after talks commenc ruled out a ceasefi approach has ena launch an attack w though valid queries the Tigers flouting initiative if not the kan foreign ministr press release hars LTTE leading to media as to whethe
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Jnofficial estimates peace talks will ever get off the ground. gures on both sides The situation is further compounded by Predictably both the opposition of the Buddhist hiercasualty figures of archy to talks with the Tigers or devohe premier casualty lution.
on is the death of On April 18th the Tigers launched women corps lea- a fresh offensive and seized the straai fighting. tegic Puthukkaddu junction on the Jaff.
E offensive comes na-Kandy road. A great deal of territory :e initiatives are on in the genera areas of Pallai, Iyakkawegian facilitation. chchi, Soranpattu and Maasaar have ed a ceasefire and been seized. Several military positions ding that of confi- have been destroyed and personnel of armed forces in killed in the ongoing fighting.
to talks. The gove- Though fighting rages on at present ned it down. Colo- its longevity and future direction depeadual deescalation nds upon the LTTE's ability to sustain :e and categorically current levels of fighting particularly e before that. This the maintaining of its artillery barrages. pled the LTTE to Frontline reports state that the LTTE is 'ithout any qualms able to fire artillery regularly and intencan be raised about sely. On the other hand the ability and the spirit of a peace resilience of the armed forces in taking letter. The Sri Lan- effective counter measures will also y has issued a tough have a bearing. What seems likely is a hly critical of the prolonging of the conflict with intermspeculation in the ittent lulls necessitated by logistical :r Norwegian aided requirements. O
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Page 9
Lakshman Gunasekara
he on-going dialogue between the PA and the UNP is perceived today as the core process in the current peace effort, judging by the way the many other actors in the whole scenario are holding their breath and watching developments each Tuesday or Wednesday at Temple Trees.
Some describe the on-going talks as the search for a "Southern consensus”. What is meant by “Southern” is an interesting subject for those semioticians who would love to dissect the 'significations' at work here. But how inclusive will that consensus be, is more my concern.
Very often the current inter-party talks are described solely as a dialogue between the PA and the UNP. In reality, the "talks’ taking place right now are quite multi-lateral in character and to describe them as a bipartisan dialogue is to hide the role of the ethnic minority political parties.
If the PA-UNP talks hug the headlines, not so well acknowledged are the inter-party discussions between the Tamil and Muslim parties and between them and the IPA and the UNP that take place in-between the meetings at Temple Trees. These meetings are equally important to the process of inter-party dialogue as the ones between the two Sinhala-led and Sinhalabased giants of the electoral scene. Hence, my preference for the term "inter-party' dialogue rather than "bipartisan'.
There is no doubt, however, that the present phase of this inter-party dialogue is to obtain what is euphemistically described as the "Southern' consensus. To indulge in a little bit of semiotics, let me argue that the words South' and 'Southern are generally used as euphemisms to refer to “Sinhala' and the 'Sinhalas”.
Political discourse
It is very interesting to note that, in
the English language (and, therefore,
: le) political discourse, there is need
for an “euphemisr correct to say that is easier to refer to directly as "Tami that one tends to b 'Sinhala' to desc rity? For exampl parties” and “Mus the tongue rathe (elite, anglicised English languag prefer "nationalpa or 'Sinhala-based UNP and PA.
Does this sem the general relucta elite to resort to reluctance stemm identity make-up these current, dc ethnic differentiat I further susp engaging in this likely to avoid th to refer to the e would rather say ti nity” whereas the find it so difficult we have here a pr - just as much a media jargon in t War, the Commu were explicitly re unist' while the avoided and Cap were usually desc unist”, “Wester industrialised nat Indeed, it is ra business industri “capitalist” in sel ultra-nationalists point would insis to name names. N are the hard Right using the word "( This semantic rtant ideological to self-reference, according to the f categories, endan of subjectivity, ol
 

TAMILTIMES 9
n' at all. Would it be
, in this discourse, it the ethnic minorities l' and "Muslim but alk at using the word ibe the ethnic majoe, the terms "Tamil lim parties' come to easily while many participants in the e discourse would rties' to 'Sinhala-led when referring to the
antic practice reflect ince of the anglicised ethnic categories - a ing from their own which cuts across
ominant Sri Lankan
ions? ect that the Sinhalas discourse are more e use of “Sinhalese' thnic majority, and he "majority communon-Sinhalas do not to use the name. Do ocess of sublimation s, in Western news he days of the Cold unist Bloc countries ferred to as "commword 'capitalist' was talist Bloc countries ribed as "non-comml Bloc", "advanced ions” etc. ? re for the average big alist to use the term f-reference. (Sinhala , of course, at this that they are not shy either, for that matter, ideologues shy about
apitalist”) practice is an impotool. When it comes an explicit naming, ormal differentiating gers a particular sense 'Self. It is that kind
of subjectivity in which the Subject is (culturally) placed in a socially superior position or, a rigidly differentiated position vis-a-vis the Others. Just as much as one would use the word 'I' in referring to oneself rather than one's name (that which formally differentiates oneself from the Others). And if Others too participate in the same word game, then that indicates their (perhaps partial) assimilation into that "Self. This could happen when these Others are subjected to and become subservient to a more powerful discourse that is imposed by that "Self. In the Sri Lankan case, that happens when some members of the ethnic minorities adopt the sublimating terminology of the Sinhalas thereby effectively participating in an identity which is not their 'Self.
The "Southern Consensus' refers then to the consensus that is required to be achieved among the majority Sinhala community regarding the need for, and the contours of, a negotiated political settlement of the ethnic conflict. At this point I cannot resistan "I told you so": reminding readers of my argument in these columns in 1998 that the Sinhala community should make up its collective mind for war or peace.
But then, can a 'Southern consensus be achieved by a mere “bipartisan dialogue? Even if one were to ignore the rantings on the sidelines of the Sinhala ultra-nationalist groups, surely the electoral map shows that the UNP and PA are not the sole political parties representing collective Sinhala interests.
Political aliances
In addition to such parties as the Mahajana Eksath eramuna (MEP), the remnants of the DUNF, and other nationalist or "national' (i.e. multiclass) parties, there are the radical-Left and the liberal-Left parties (Yes, there are Marxists here today who say that they are also Liberals) such as the Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP), the United Socialist Party and, most importantly, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
The most powerful electoral party of the Left by far, the JVP has, in the recent past, opted for political alliances with the NSSP, USP and some smaller

Page 10
10 TAMITMES
Maoist left-overs like the "Diyesa' group.
The very socio-economic class composition of the constituency of these Left parties make their existence and dynamism important in relation to the bigger "bourgeois' parties, namely, the UNP and SLFP-PA. While the UNP and PA have a large cross-class or multi-class character in their constituency, their leaderships and general policy have tended to represent more the interests of the social elite - principally the capitalist class.
The JVP and the smaller Left parties, in their constituency, leaderships and general policies, very clearly represent social interests outside the elite and, at least in their rhetoric if not in their political programmes, would seem to be anti-elite and anti-capitalist. This differentiation indicates that there are significant segments of the Sinhala community which are not represented by the two "mainstream' parties, the PA and UNP. In fact the dynamism of these smaller parties indicate that there are some sharp divisions at the sub-com
munity (social cl Sinhalas.In these versation betwee takes on a some racter. It is a disi elite and the polit Surely, recent extreme dangers c ssion of somethin the entire commu ween two partie some social inter munity.
In 1987, the U through the SriL in implementingt formula. Althoug support the Indonot actively oppo the SLFP is also the policy and ou cannot oppose suc Kumaratunga's oi ranks and support -iderablydilutedt at that time.
It was the JV) osed the Accord a
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ass) level among the circumstances, a conin the PA and UNP what incestuous chacourse limited to the ical Establishment.
history has shown the f the limiting a discug that actually affects hity to a dialogue bets representing only 2sts within that com
NP bulldozed its way ankan political arena he provincial councils h the SLFP did not Lanka Accord, it did se it. This is because largely in tune with tlook of the UNP and h policies. Chandrika wn daring breaking of for the Accord conshe SLFP's opposition
P that stridently oppnd the resulting prov
15 APRIL 2000
incial council system and used its exclusion from the mainstream political process to mobilise much of the nonelite classes in an uprising that clearly demonstrated a popular rejection, at leastamong the Sinhalas, ofthat'solution' to the ethnic conflict.
Today, the JVP is no longer outside the Parliamentary process. In fact, in a remarkable policy about-turn, the JVP is also participating in the provincial" councils. This is all the more reason why the JVP cannot and must not be excluded from the inter-party discussions on a political settlement of the
W2.
Rather, if we are to learn the lessons of 1987, there should be every effort to take on board all those Sinhala parties that are willing to participate and cooperate in the effort to build a “Southern Consensus'. In fact this would help broaden the ranks of the defenders of the peace process among the Sinhalas and further weaken the mobilisational capacity of those small extremist factions that are hostile to a political settle
(continued on next page)
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15 APRIL 2000
SEVEN COMMANDMENTS
There was a roundtable on "War and Peace in Sri Lanka: Options for Canada," on March22 in Canadian capital Ottawa. Participants included State Secretary Raymond Chan and Canadian High Commissioner in Colombo Ruth Archibald. Chan reiterated the Canadian position that the solution to Sri Lankan Tamil problem should be political and diplomat Archibaldreported her perceptions about the ground situation in Sri Lanka.
"People are undoubtedly for an end of hostilities and their position was made clear at the December presidential election,” and added, "There is unanimous agreement among all Sri Lanka's political parties to persuade their communities to work towards peace.”
Chan indicated Canada's backing for Norway's facilitation role to bring the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to the negotiation table. But that was before the torching of the Norwegian national flag by a Buddhist priest
(Continued from page 10) ment. Most importantly, it will lend far greater credibility to the claim that the “Southern Consensus” is indeed a genuine "consensus’.
An initiative that seeks a solution to the conflict that is durable, that will not see any back-tracking on reform, must ensure the maximum societal support for that solution and this can only be ensured by the broadest possible participation in the process offinding a solution.
For this purpose, there must be a careful structuring of the on-going inter-party dialogue process that will ensure that, at certain stages, other political actors, such as the JVP, other Left parties and the MEP (among others) are brought into the dialogue. The exclusion of these groups and the naive assumption that the plotting of the future course of our polity could be done by the political Establishment alone is not only a crudely elitist politics but also a dangerous track to follow. It is one that is likely not only to result in major obstacles to the reform effort but could also result in further social conflict as in 1987. (Sunday Observer)
on April 6 in fron embassy in Colon was aware of the feeling, as there wa on March 16 when the four influential three Buddhist Ch;
In that letter indicated that sin placed their deman try's political lead alternative, as the Sinhala race and Bu their own demands. Chandrika Bandara and UNP leader Ra to do nothing tha Sinhala people. Th their opposition to tion role. Norway, been favouring the At the April 6 m yakes issued the Se which they asserte tiable:
O Sri Lanka sh a unitary state. macy of parlia ndence ofjudici tained. O The whole c the homeland o o The provisi constitution abo onal flag and should be maint o There shoulc the country on th o Devolution o be used as a mea nic problem. o Foreign facili should not be a O LTTE shoul arily. The Seven non were carefully dra lawyers and judge Thimpu principles Tamil demands tha native to a separate The Thimpu princi
O Recognition nct nationality.
 

AFFIAIR
of the Norwegian bo. But Archibald Buddhist extremist another procession petition signed by vahanayakes of the pters. he Mahanayakes te the Tamils had is before the coun.rship they had no
guardians of the ddhism, to spell out They told President 1aike Kumaratunga il Wickremesinghe t would harm the ley also expressed Norway's facilitathey charged, had Tamils.
eeting the Mahana
ven Commandants d were non-nego
ould continue to be Legislative suprement and indepeary should be main
ountry constituted fall citizens. ons in the present ut Buddhism, natinational anthem ained.
be no division of e basis of ethnicity. power should not ns to solve the eth
ation or mediation cepted.
be crushed milit
negotiable points yn by a group of to checkmate the ihat underpin the provide an altertate called Eelam.
6CS aTC:
'Tamils as a disti
TALTNES
o Recognition ofan identified Tamil homeland and the guarantee of its territorial integrity. o Based on the above, recognition of the inalienable right of self-determination of the Tamil nation. o Recognition of the right of full citizenship and other fundamental rights to all Tamils who look upon Sri Lanka as their country. On the receipt of the March 16 letter President Kumaratunga sent Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris to Kandy to assure the Mahanayakes that they would be consulted before a solution is worked out for the ethnic problem. The Mahanayakes told Prof. Peiris that they would never agree to the division of the country on ethnic basis and warned the government against talking to the LTTE.
EU'S DEMARCHE
The European Union (EU), most of whose members are Sri Lanka's donors, sent a demarche, a diplomatic warning letter, welcoming the current PA-UNP effort to work out a southern consensual basis for talks with the LTTE. Norway had specifically told President Kumaratunga and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe previously that UNP-SLFP 'one upmanship game must give way to a consensual approach to a solution is necessary.
LTTE too had made that clear at the sounding stage last year. "What is the use of reaching an agreement with the government if the UNP dishonours it when it comes to power,” LTTE's theoretician Balasingham had told Norway. LTTE insists on a bipartisan approach by the Sinhala leadership.
EU's effort to issue a demarche originated early March when focus was given to the impact of their assistance at ground level and on human rights violations. As is the custom in the EU, the secretariat circulated at the request of the president a version of the terms of reference for a troika demarche in Sri Lanka. Since no member state objected, it was delivered to President Kumaratunga and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe by the French envoy in Colombo.
The EU's statement said that its partners reaffirm their interest in cooperation with Sri Lanka for the

Page 12
2 TAMILTIMES
purpose of the country's democratic, social, economic development. Respect for human rights and democratic principles are among the most essential elements of this co-operation. However the EU is deeply concerned at the continuing violent confrontation between the Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE which continue to destabilize the country, to inflict great loss of life and suffering to the civilian population and to slow down the urgently needed social and economic development of Sri Lanka.
The statement added that for the projects aided by EU countries to have the desired impact peace and stability are essential. "The Union, furthermore, urges the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to end the military confrontation and together with the opposition and the civil society to work seriously for a just and peaceful solution."
The demarche wanted a tripartite commitment to discuss proposals for constitutional reform and devolution of power, the commitment coming from the government, the opposition and the LTTE. The EU pledged its support for
the peace process its efforts.
BALASINGHAMI
Anton Balasing the Tamil Guardia EU's demarche was ident and the opp LTTE's reaction to also not known at written. Balasingha discussions with especially with forn Knut Volleback. W the special advisor known but they ar. soon in Oslo whe convalescing after
Balasingham ha about the fate of the talks in view of til sition by the Buddl The opposition mc hist clergy when made to resolve the ict is not a strange expressed the disi Tamil people tha ayakes who ought
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nd to Norway for
INTERVIEW ham's interview to was given before served on the presosition leader. So, the EU demand is the time this was n had had extensive the Norwegians, er Foreign Minister Vhether he had met Erik Solheim is not : scheduled to meet re Balasingham is kidney transplant. d expressed his fear : Norway facilitated he mounting oppohist clergy. He said: unting from Buddpolitical efforts are Tamil ethnic confl; phenomenon." He llusionment of the t the four Mahanto preach peace are
propagating war.
PA - UNPTALKS
Two points made by Anton Balasaingham of the LTTE in the interview with the 'Tamil Guardian were raised by Wickremesinghe during the fourth and fifth round of bi-partisan consensus building talks held on 5th and 6th of April. Balasingham had said conditions of war which had disrupted the social, cultural and economic life of the Tamils should be de-escalated for any meaningful talks to be held. He also explained what he meant by de-escalation. It is easing the military and economic hardships heaped on the Tamils by the UNP and PA regimes.
Wickremesinghe is reported to have said Balasingham's interview on April 5 required detailed analysis. He raised two specific matters mentioned in the Balasingham interview. The first was his comment about the President's alleged claim (in her interview with the Far Eastern Economic Review) that she saved Balasingham's life by consenting to Norway treating him for his kidney
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Page 13
5 APRIL 2000
One Island, Two Nati
D B S.Jeyaraj
“Bhaveyya Ko Lokaahithey Pamaadavaa'?" (Who should be heedless as regards the welfare of the world?)- The Mahavansa ch. 12 vs 55.
Four organisations, namely the Jatika Sangha Sabha, the National Joint Committee, the National Movement Against Terrorism and the Sinhala Veera Vidhana have made a joint declaration on April 6, enunciating seven non-negotiable principles to be taken into account in the process of constitution making.
A press release states that this declaration was made under the leadership of the Maha Sangha.
At the YMBA Borella meeting that spawned the declaration, the only Maha Nayaka present was the Ven Madihe Pannaseeha of the Amarapura Nikaya. Although the Maha Nayakas of the Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters along with the Ramanna Nikaya were absent, the organisers of the meeting claim that these venerable prelates too endorse and support the declaration. There is no reason to doubt the claim as all the organisers of this historic meeting are as Shakespeare's Mark Anthony remarked, “Honourable'.
The seven principles of the declaration are as follows:
1. Sri Lanka should continue to be a unitary state and the legislative supremacy of parliament and inde
(Continued from page 12)
failure. It is learnt that Chandrika stood by her story saying that the Norwegians had requested her permission twice.
The other one was a serious matter. Wickremesinghe had questioned the utility of the PA and UNP reaching a consensus in enacting a new constitution and then talking to the LTTE. "If you happen to reach an agreement with the LTTE then you will have to go again to the parliament to incorporate that agreement into the constitution,” he is reported to have asked. The President had replied that she doubted the LTTE coming to a political settlement. Even if they do not agree I want to give the Tamils their rights,”
On the question of de-escalation
pendence of the maintained. 2. The provisit constitution rela flag, the nation Buddha Sasan inviolate. 3. There should the country for nistrative reaso ethnicity. 4. Sri Lanka bei all its citizens, north/east is the Tamils is rejecte 5. The 13th amel titution should l legislative acti should be treate The provincial abolished. The should be de-mé 6. Devolution o. be used as a mea of a non-existen 7. Executive pre abolished. The declaration crystal clear term elaborate explanatic seventh principle O dency abolition, all c rmine the existence legitimacy of the pre in the country. Even
raised by the UNPl had replied that tha to the progress of th not agree to the with from Tamil areas, p. Jaffna peninsula. "I if I am killed,' she
PA-UNP talks in May and both agreed to sit the wh first fortnight. The cated that the PA- C uld be completed b.
What is the si, 29? That is the date Aid Group is meetin on the amount ofg Sri Lanka!

i. TAMILTIMES 13
judiciary should be
ons in the present ting to the national al anthem, and the a should remain
be no division of political or admins on the basis of
ng the homeland of the claim that the 2 homeland of the :d.
hdment to the consbe repealed and all on taken under it d as null and void. ouncils should be
merged north-east
:rged. fpower should not ns to the resolution t ethnic problem. sidency should be
speaks for itself in ns and needs no on. Apart from the f executive presiothers seek to unde; and question the sence of minorities the point about the
:ader, the President t would be linked e talks. She would drawal of the army rticularly from the 'll not do that even nad said. would be resumed delegations have ole day during the President had indisNP meetings sho
May 29.
gnificance of May bn which Sri Lanka g in Paris to decide ants to be made to
O
executive presidency is arguable because there is a line of thought that the presidential system is slightly more favourable to the minorities. This is because of the perceived necessity to garner votes from all sections of the country and not rely exclusively on majority community votes alone. But the counter to this reasoning is that this situation is possible only when the Sinhala vote bloc is sharply divided between two parties resulting in a dependency on minority votes.
But if and when there is an overwhelming tilt of Sinhala votes to one side, the minority vote becomes irrelevant. Also the underlying assumption is that the minority communities will always vote en masse for one. In any case the performance of executive presidents despite being elected by overwhelming minority community support has not necessarily been favourable to those segments.
The 6th principle is quite unnecessary because the gist of it has already been incorporated in the earlier ones except that it refers specifically to a non-existent ethnic problem. The quintessence of the other five principles as outlined by members of the Buddhist clergy and laity contrast sharply with the five noble precepts as stated by the enlightened one or even Jawarhalah Nehru's five Pancha Seela' concepts for peaceful co-existence. This declaration embodies principles that are almost the antithesis of a peaceful coexistence policy.
Apart from denying the problems and grievances of the Tamil people it calls into question their inherent right of existence on this island with a secure identity. It rejects the fact that the northern and eastern provinces have been their areas of "historical habitation' as recognised by the Indo-Lanka accord of 1987. Ironically, the very same people who say that India should mediate instead of Norway are relentlessly advocating the jettisoning of all gains, real or imaginary that accrued to the Sri Lankan Tamils as a result of previous Indian intervention.
A permanent freeze is sought on any form of power sharing. The structure of the state is to be rigidly unitary. Also, even provisions like the sword bearing Lion flag and the song which began earlier as Namo Namo Matha etc are being emphasised as authoritative

Page 14
14 TAMLTES
symbols of the dominant race rather than being inclusive of all the island's inhabitants.
When the Donoughmore reforms ushered in territorial representation as opposed to communal representation in the State Council of 1931, the Tamils felt insecure and threatened. This was because the numerical superiority of the Sinhala people provided them dominance of the island's polity through territorial representation. This led to some Tamil leaders pleading for retention of the communal representation system enabling many Sinhala leaders to take the high ground and pontificate on the evils of communal representation as opposed to territorial. There was a great deal of hypocrisy here as the then Sinhala leaders were for territorial representation only because it provided them a means to dominate all other communities and reduce them to subservient minority status. A fact borne out by the trials and tribulations undergone by the Tamil people since independence. Such hypocrisy is very much transparent in the recent declaration too when it is sanctimoniously proclaimed that there should be no administrational division of the country and that the Tamil homeland claim be rejected as Sri Lanka is the homeland of all its citizens.
This seemingly magnanimous declaration about Sri Lanka being the homeland of ALL its citizens is again downright hypocritical. It ignores the historical claim of sovereignity by the Tamils on the basis of the Jaffna Kingdom falling to the Portugese on the battlefront. It ignores the Tamil areas being administered separately by the colonial powers and how Britain unified the whole island into one entity in 1832. It ignores the modern definition of the right of self determination and the Tamil claim of being entitled to it. It ignores the very real grievance of the Tamils in seeing the one time Tamil majority Eastern Province being subject to ongoing demographic change through systematic state aided colonisation
paving the way for S It ignores the fact th and '83 the Tamils east to take refuge i island being nomin of ALL its citizens.
It was at least the of Tamil fears and to the Indo-Lanka a north-east as areas o. for the Tamils.
The declaration of doom for the S alone. It rings of im the sacred concepts and fraternity for all munities of the islan Christians. The Sinl right has been clam assert authoritative it sees as its natural By ignoring the that led to the ongoi sing only on its nega it sought to build acceptance for its Sinhala people. But constantly rejected saviours and hithert the lunatic fringe C But by playing on th confusion among tl over the future coul war, they are seek coming in from the the consent and ei upper echelons oft in promulgating th divisive provision being patriotic, th endowed their nefa semblance of cleri this neo fascist e. graced and sancti Sangha.
When Sinhala as the only official lament of the Tami rendered officially ke of a pen. What tion has demonstr that, in the spher liation, nothing re
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15 APR 2000
nhala dominance. t in 1958 and '77 Ld only the northdespite all of the lly the homeland
partial recognition sievances that led cord defining the historic habitation
loes not toll bells i Lankan Tamils pending doom for of equality, liberty the minority comincluding Sinhala ala Buddhist ultra During for long to hegemony in what right. underlying causes g war and by focutive consequences, up credibility and project among the the Sinhala people these self-styled o confined them as f Sinhala politics. e fears, doubts and he Buddhist clergy se of the on-going ing to succeed in cold. By acquiring hdorsement of the he Buddhist clergy ese obnoxious and on the pretext of ese elements have ious project with a al recognition as if terprise has been oned by the Maha
(as enacted in 1956 language it was the s that they had been lliterate by the strohe April 6 declarated to the world is of ethnic reconcilly has changed in
the mindset of its authors.
It has been the claim of many Sinhala liberals and leftists that the tragic past where the rights and grievances of the Tamils were ignored and denied was no longer valid. The Sinhala people had realised the nature and gravity of past injustices. Devolution had been universally accepted and the debate now was about the degree or quantum of devolution it was said. But the validity of these claims has been seriously undermined by the latest declaration of the supreme hierarchy of Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka.
What is worse is their demand for total war. This identification of clergy with war is a throwback to an anachronistic period of history - that of medievalism in the Christian era.
The peace lobby and enlightened Sinhala people are somewhat aghast by all these developments. In a bid to reassure themselves and placate Tamil anxiety they point out to the negligible support for the Sinhala hawks in the country proof of which is in the abysmal performances of these hardliners in the polls. They point out that Chandrika Kumaratunga and Ranil Wickremesinghe together obtained 95% of the votes in the last presidential election and how the Bhumi Putra” candidate was routed. So the Sinhala hardliners are of no consequence, it is argued. But this line of reasoning is somewhat flawed in the current context.
In the first place it underestimates the role and influence of the Buddhist clergy, particularly the Maha Nayakas. It would be wishful thinking to assume that individual junior priests, however progressive they may be, can flout or defy the hierarchy openly and successfully. The concurrence and collaboration of the Maha Sanga in the framing of the April 6 declaration is perhaps the greatest asset acquired by the Sinhala hawks.
Also there are other realities too like the impact of the war on Sinhala psyche, militarisation ofsociety, the importance of the army in present day Sri
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Page 15
SAPR 2000
Lanka, the influence of the arms lobby and the interests of certain extraneous forces etc. All these factors point to an escalation of the war along with an exclusion of Tamil rights as being imminent rather than a negotiated peace. In that sense the April 6 declaration has provided the sanction of the clergy.
It would also be self-deluding to believe that the declaration endorsed by the Buddhist hierarchy would prove worthless because only a microscopic segment of Sinhala Buddhists are for it. It is argued in this respect that only afew thousands including a few hundreds of priests including many young samaneras were present at the gathering that formulated the April 6 declaration. The absence of a large crowd in the preliminary stages is no indicator of things to come.
A brief examination of past history would demonstrate that some of the acknowledged Sinhala hardliners never received much popular support. The Bhasa Peramuna of DahanayakeChandrasiri outlived its purpose.The Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna of Konara Mudiyanselage Appuhamy Rajaratna and wife Kusuma faded into oblivion. The Sinhala Mahajana Pakshaya of Richard Gothabaya Senanayake was defeated ignonimously at the polls. There was a time when Cyril Mathew doubled as the minister of industries and scientific affairs and the industrious minister of anti-Tamil affairs in the JR Jayewardene era. He was consideredall powerful with his JSS goon squads and caste based bloc of MPs. Yet when J R Jayawardene summarily rejected him, there was no split in the party. Even his own son was not sympathetic to his plight. Thus past history demoinstrates that notable Sinhala hawks have often become nonentities in the long run.
But this phenomenon has not resulted in the policies articulated by them becoming obsolete. What happens instead is that the medium gets rejected but the message is absorbed by the establishment. The policies outlined are not accepted in the blatant and crude manner in which the hardliners espouse them. Instead the governments of the day modify and refine them in a more cceptable way. The garb of legality ationalised by the necessity for social ustice or the imperative to correct real or imaginary historical wrongs are
proferred. Thus Ra may not be there Rajaratnaism or continue to flouri disguised veneer. Ir of the April 6 decl. may not have mass of what they prop acceptable to the extension the gover In that respect t part of various gov under or cave into pressuregroups oft unity regardless o' possessed by these matter of concern. T mission in the time, anda succeeded in 1 on both major partie virate of Nath Amer aratna and Sivali standardisation on 1 ranaike regime in ti SWIRD Bandaran Senanayake jettisi agreements they hac S. J. V. Chelvanaya 1968 in the face of c extra parliamentary though their gover the people were thi repositories of state element in all this w by the Buddhist cler and opposition.
Given this histo the minorities ingen in particular are con recent development dismay. The Buddhi ing with the political ting war instead of through devolution ( for the future. It also the not so distant pa fore the ingrained Marx's utterance al ating itself.
Even if the haw dhist laity are incons of approval provided lons of the clergy adı depth to the April ( mainstreampoliticia the Maha Nayakas forget the political Kotelawela? An ava like Mangala Samar Sinhala Commissi report in the dustbin

aratna or Mathew )n the scene but Vathewism will h under a thinly that context many ration proponents support but much se could become masses and by lment. e tendency on the rnments to buckle lemands made by le majority commthe actual clout sections is also a he Buddhist Comof L. H. Mettanoisting its agenda is then. The triumakone, V. W. Kulatwatte imposed he Sirima Bandahe seventies. Both like and Dudley oned the solemn entered into with gam in 1957 and opposition through pressure tactics ments elected by 2 legal and moral power. A crucial as the sanctioning gy of this pressure
rical background, eral and the Tamils pelled to view the with unconcealed st hierarchy alignhawks and promonegotiating peace oes not augur well reminds many of tand brings to the wisdom of Karl out history repe
ks from the Budequential, the seal by the upper eche| much weight and declaration. Few ns will dare to defy openly. Who can fate of Sir John it garde politician weera may tell the in to confine its of history but even
ALTIMES 1556
he cannot afford to openly flout or admonish the Maha Sangha, particularly the Amarapura Nikaya. If the Maha Nayakas have made up their minds definitely, then attempts to appease them like presenting Benz cars would be futile. Few political leaders can brazenly defy the clergy.
There is always the theoretical possibility that persons of goodwill may be able to discuss matters with the Maha Nayakas and perhaps persuade them to revise their views. That is however a remote possibility. In any case this role cannot be undertaken successfully by Sinhala liberals, leftists, nonBuddhists or secularists. No member of the minority communities can afford to do it. No foreign diplomat or academic can do it. The only person or persons who can do this will have to be from those with impeccable Sinhala Buddhist credentials. At present no likely candidate is visible on the political horizon.
There also rises the moot question of how President Chandrika Kumaratunga will handle this development.
As is typical there has been a lot of
hasty and superficial reporting by the foreign press in projecting the April 6 declaration as a direct challenge by the Sinhala Buddhist elements to the President who is courageously attempting to evolve a consensus on devolution and settle with the Tigers peacefully. The new development is portrayed as regressive reaction against a progressive President. But the reality is not that neatly compartmentalised and is more complex.
A little noticed feature about the agitational activity of the Sinhala hardliners so far is the congruence of interests so far between their agitation and the government's agenda. Ever since the so called war for peace was launched, the Kumaratunga government has displayed a marked reluctance to opt for peace negotiations while paying lip service to a negotiated peace. It also went through the motions of a search for a political consensus on devolution and has released three sets of proposals outlining a scheme of intended devolution. The recalcitrance of the UNP allowed the government to convey an impression to the world at large that the UNP was obstructing its new constitution. The support extended by Tamil political parties enabled it to claim the

Page 16
16 AMLTIMES
allegiance of the Tamil people. In addition, the initial military strategy of the LTTE in giving up territory voluntarily without much resistance to the army created exaggerated expectations of victory on the battlefront sooner than later.
At a time when things going in the government's favour, Kumaratunga was able to procure enough finances and prosecute the war relentlessly. While pursuing that objective, the Sinhala hardliners have been of great utilitarian value. Whenever there was international pressure on the government to suspend the war and negotiate the Sinhala hawks would raise their jingoistic chauvinistic cries. In comparison to these vociferous sentiments the systematic oppressive nature of the war seemed mild.
Besides the hawks helped Kumaratunga, if not intentionally, to be viewed as a moderate non-racist leader. In such a situation the pressure on Kumaratunga to stop the war and talk would cease. So Kumaratunga was able to go on with her war enterprise while talking about the need for peace even
as the Sinhala hawl down any prospel peace through third is not that there was of interests but thi convergence that ratunga indirectly.
That bubble h LTTE proved on th so called military vi sion. The Tamil p large numbers for t they no longer beli angel of peace. Wh hala ultra-national her in the preside made visible the col between Kumarat majoritarianism.
The President ense international war and negotiate V way is the cutting consensus in this dangers about con necessary to finan the economy afloa The Aid Cons May 19 is of cruc
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ks kept on shooting ct of a negotiated | party mediation. It s a clear cut identity are was certainly a reinforced Kuma
as now burst. The e battlefield that the ictories were an illueople by voting in he UNP showed that ved in the so-called hat is more, the Sinlobby aligned with ntial elections and ngruence of interests tunga and Sinhala
is now under immpressure to end the with the Tigers. Nor, edge of a western regard. There are tinuing foreign aid ce the war and keep t. ortium meeting on ial importance. The
5 APRIL 2000
European Union Demarche shows that Kumaratungas record of commitment to democracy and human rights is tarnished too. She has an important parliamentary election to face while ensuring her continuance in power whether as executive president or a
Westminster type prime minister. Notwithstanding her charges of UNP obstructionism it is patently clear that she is unable to obtain a consensus for her devolution scheme within the SLFP or PA. So Kumaratunga is engaged in arisky butsophisticated game ofpolitical maneuvering and optics. She keeps up the appearance of searching for a consensus on devolution by conducting haphazard, not so serious talks with the UNP. In the process the original scheme of devolution is getting further whittled down. It is becoming obvious that even the Tamil parties, let alone the LTTE, will not be able to support what is being conceived now. An exercise in duplicity aimed at pandering to the Sinhala hardline lobby is going on.
Thus Kumaratunga is playing a sophisticated game keeping the Aid
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(Continued from page 16) Consortium meeting and ensuing elections in mind. With or without a consensus she is very likely to commence some preliminary jaw jaw with the LTTE before May 19 so as to show that she is serious about peace. The fact that what is being evolved now falls far short of LTTE expectations is irrelevant to her because she does not believe in orintendentering genuine negotiations with the Tigers. All that matters now is to convince the international community of her good intentions regarding peace and paint the LTTE as intransigent. If successful, all aid problems will cease and the country can go on fighting merrily while the arms bazaar gets its 10%. In the process she also hopes to win elections. If these plans work out well then instead of peace the country will witness colossal warfare.
Unfortunately for Kumaratunga the Sinhala hardliners don't seem to understand all this. They are unable to comprehend that a sophisticated game of make believe has to be played out first before undertaking another fierce phase of fighting. Norwegian facilitation is a necessary evil at this time. Besides the old game of anti-Tamil politics cannot be played under the older cruder rules. The rules are different and the playing field changed. A minimum necessity in these days is that some amount of devolution has to be granted in terms of substance. But the Sinhala lobby, which at least is honest in its anti-Tamil attitude, is unable to change its approach. So the friction or tension between the government and the Sinhala hardliners is mainly on these grounds. In that respect it is a pity that the President's envisaged meeting with the Maha Nayakas did not take place last Monday. Had that occurred, then much misunderstanding could have been elimInated.
At a time when feelings were skyhigh about the enthronement of Sinhala as the official language it took a Colvin R de Silva to warn the nation that one language meant two nations and two languages one nation. If that lesson has not been learnt and the politics of accommodation not accepted then it does not require a Colvin again to warn of what lies ahead. The rejection of devolution and insistence upon a unitary state may result in Sri Lanka being one Island with two nations. O
Many events - declarations and women's organisati politicians, and ev and pickets - took to mark the Interr Day.
However, the tre violence and abus appear to be on til Lanka
A few days be Court Judge Saı sentenced the moth girl and the mothel rigorous imprisonm fine for therape oft told to pay Rs. 50,0t for the child who is an 8-month-old bc damages would add for each of them.
The mother of aged woman has a her lover. She had ei to rape her own dau 10-years-old. This revolting. A 13-yea birth to a nice bab nurse asked for the They informed the were told that that w brother. The police ced him before t Magistrate.
Parents appeared rate and told him th working and the bro at home in the aft return from school. their incestuous rel girl had conceived. daughter and granc trate remanded the l Incidents of abc the rise. Three armi girl returning home gang raped her, Ar said recently. One was their former nei
 

TAMILTIMES 17
st Rise in Abuse
By Special Correspondent
lectures, seminars, statements from ons and high profile en demonstrations place in Sri Lanka lational Women's
:nd seems to be that e against Women he increase in Sri
efore, Galle High rath Ambepitiya er of a 13-year-old r's lover 10-year's ent and Rs. 10,000 he child. They were )0 each as damages now the mother of by. Failure to pay 2 more years of jail
the girl, a middle 19-year old boy as ncouraged her lover ghter since she was story is equally ir-old mother gave y early April. The name of the father.
police when they was her 17-year-old arrested and produhe Gangodawila
i before the Magistat both of them are ther and sister were ernoons after they They knew about ationship after the They accepted the lchild. The magisboy. luction are also on ed men snatched a from her school and uradhapura police of the kidnappers ghbour. In another
incident near Badulla, a school teacher was raped and her body dumped into a nearby jungle.
Gang-rape of working girls is also on the increase. Hotel girls and garment workers are the special birds of prey. Recently two girls employed in a leading hotel in Mount Lavaniya were pushed into a waiting vehicle and taken to an abandoned house and gang-raped by a group of wealthy young men. Two garment workers in Ratmalana were waylaid and gang-raped in a similar fashion two weeks ago.
Extortion threat is a new phenomenon that had surfaced in recent years. A few days ago an extortionist who telephoned a doctor-father threatening the abduction of his school going daughter if he failed to pay a ransom of Rs. 100,000 within three days. The doctor complained to the police who with the assistance of Telecom officials tracked the culprit.
"Violence against women is on the increase,' shriekeda woman rights activist protesting against the public striping of a woman in Colombo. Sriyalatha, the 29-year-old mother of a 10year-old daughter was loitering aimlessly near Muthaiah Park close to the place where top ministers live. She was wearing shalwar kameez the loose dress suicide bombers wear. Detective policemen who "cover” that area watched her for some time and reported their suspicions to the nearby sentry. The police officer went up to her and demanded her National Identity Card. She said she had lost it. Police threatened to arrest her and she cried.
Suspicion further aroused the police officer prompted, "Suicide Tiger' and aimed his rifle at her. "Please do not shoot me. I have a child to look after,' she pleaded.
Two more policemen joined and they too pointed their weapons at her and moved to a safe distance. About a hundred persons had gathered and

Page 18
18 TAMILTIMES
watched the drama. Among them was Sunday Times photographer J. Weerasekera. He rushed there hearing that the police had trapped a suicide bomber.
“The woman was dressed in a shalwar kameez. She was standing in the middle of the road and the officers on both sides. She was ordered to raise her hands. She did not obey. She begged them not to shoot her and started to cry. Then she was told to raise the upper part of the cloth and to remove the brassier. Then she was ordered to lower the lower part of the dress and the underwear up to her knees. Then she was told to put the cloths on, "Weerasekera said. Security guard N.G.Perera confirmed the story. Police arrested her and put her in a police cell. They said she had failed to explain her presence at Muthaiah Park and later added that she was a sex worker. Both accusations were true.
R
As a Tamil Chris I feel it my du period of our h urgent appeal tc our people. Fror I have admired T his leadership, a sad turn of eve recent times, I ha of meeting Mr. Joseph Pararaj Mavai Senadira nging views with Tamils. Today, latest developm
She was living with an army volunteer both within and who died three years ago. She was I write to you, refused any payments since her you ofan indispe marriage was not registered. Failing to TULF is called t get any support from her family she ve point in the h handed the child to a child care centre of Thamil Eelan in Kurunegala and came to Colombo Assenior politic in search of a job and ended as a sex most qualified to t worker. On that morning she was Tamil struggle, at lea
turn taken in 1976-7 known to you, yo yourself from the n behalf of the Ta
waiting to meet her client.
Sriyalatha had been released but
police harassment of women at check
points and during cordon and search is
continuing. On April 4 a Tamil girl on characterised yourl her way to the tuition class was arrested the Tamil "modera near Colombo Town Hall and taken to who can work withir
dominated demc however corrupt an be, to win the basic people. These two
and democrats - use militant struggle of won for you a resp.
apolice station where she was tortured by two policemen. She was released on the intervention of a senior officer.
Now the police say the victim is unable to identify the police station to which she was taken or the police officers who tortured her O
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15 APRI 2000
ev. Dr. S. J. Emmanuel, Germany
tian Priest of Jaffna, ty, at this critical istory, to make an you on behalf of n my student days, hanthai Chelva and nd followed up the 2nts thereafter. In lve had the pleasure A. Sambandan, Mr. asingam and Mr. jah, and of exchathem regarding the while watching the ents taking place, without Sri Lanka, humbly reminding insable role, that the o play at this decisiistory of the Tamils
ians, you all are the ell the story of the st up to the decisive '7. For reasons well u have distanced nilitant struggle on mil people, and eadership as that of tes and democrats, a Sinhala Buddhist cratic system', d dictatorial it may rights of the Tamil terms - moderates d in relation to the the Tamils - have ectable niche and a
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credibility, in the so called democratic institutions and nations of the world, while those militants fighting and dying for the Tamil cause as well as those innocent Tamil civilians killed by the Sinhala forces have been all branded as terrorists and terrorist-supporters.
During this long 17-year period of death, destruction and displacement of Tamils, you have chosen to play your role first from India and later in Colombo and in the Army-captured Jaffna. Hoping against hope, that some good and democratic solution will come out of the Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhist Government, you have supported the Government and its devolution proposals, presumably with the intention of modifying them along Thimpu principles which were agreed on by all Tamil groups at Thimpu.
During the darkest hours of suffering of the Tamil people, some of you have tried, from time to time, to run to the President, to bring to her notice the plight of the Tamil people and in your , characteristic style, pleaded for some mercy to soften the atrocities committed against the Tamil people. In gratitude for your support to her Government, she did at times tone down her aggression and offered temporary favours, only to follow it up with more vengeance on a later date. The bitter price, the Tamil struggle had to pay, for these little and temporary favours, was enormous and devastating. The Government of Chandrika and her Foreign Minister were making the biggest propaganda against the Tamil cause that the "moderate and democratic Tamil leaders of the TULF were not backing the separatist demand of the Tamil terrorists' but are in support of the Government and its devolution proposals. In fact, making this propaganda to the South and to the outside world, President Chandrika, was oppressing and killing the very Tamil people, you were, probably in your hearts, trying to protect and defend. Is this not a determined stab on your back?
While declaring the so-called "war

Page 19
5 APRIL 2000
for peace', I know by my personal exp- practices ruthless erience in the war zones, the President nation on the ot was not targeting merely the LTTE, but character of the S the whole Tamil people. If you add up ratic dictatorship all the pleadings you were making to till now faithfull her on behalf of the Tamil people, it will hed the hour for become clear that the proclaimed “war exposition. Only for peace' was factually a war against and democrats', the Tamils, escalated by bombs, block- the world as part ades, rapes and mass-murders behind a could tell the wo media blockade. Besides your not voti- " dictatorial-d ng for the extension of emergency, how having the true p did you oppose this war against the to resolve the pre Tamils? Were you not aware, that your country.
style of "pleading with the powers for Any keen obs
clemency' and her benign stepping developments in the down to meet you, were really weake- will agree that the hi ning, if not negating, the whole Tamil truth has arrived. W Struggle for Justice? eing to play a role The above double-faced action of mediation, the world the Chandrika Government is not a political events in true democracy, but only a “dicta- closely. The false p torial democracy. By holding par- successfully made by liamentary elections, though corrupt her Foreign Minister with vices, she convinces the world Tamil problem but outside that there is democracy. But problem, the incre by imposing the majority-consen- between the PA and sus, won among the Sinhalese Bud- Tamils must be subj dhists for war on the Tamils, she devolution of powe
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TAL-TIMES 19
dictatorship of one her. This peculiar ri Lankan “democ", which you have served, has reacquestioning and 1 you "moderates acknowledged by of this democracy, *ld the truth of this emocracy', not ower and potential sent conflict in the
erver of recent South of Sri Lanka storic moment of With Norway agreof facilitation or i is observing the Sri Lanka more propaganda so far the President and , that there is not a
only a Terrorist asing consensus the UNP that the
ugated by a slight
r within a unitary
form of government (as allegedly agreed with the Tamil moderates!) and the extremist non-negotiable views as expressed by the Buddhist Mahanayakas - these are all attempts at twisting the Truths of history concerning the Tamils and covering up the multitude of injustices heaped on the Tamils. It is at this critical period of our history, I appeal to you, Sir: Stand up! And speak with one clear voice the Truth concerning the Tamils and their just demands to be a respectable people in the land of
their birth.
The President has made much use ofyour supportas from a democratic and moderate Tamil party and she will go even further with this "stabon-the-back approach', in order to achieve the verdict given to her by the Sinhala people. Recently she made two claims - one misleading the world that she had a democratic mandate of all the peoples of Sri Lanka, including the Tamils, and the other that she had had successful talks with you on the key proposals of the devolution package. Except (continued on page 28)
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Dear Peria Annah
You must be following closely the current war situation here. As I write there is fierce fighting between government forces and the Tigers. The news is that the Tigers have launched an offensive to recapture the peninsula, and the military is trying to prevent it.
Both sides are using long-range weapons indiscriminately. We the civilians, as usual, have become victims undergoing tremendous hardship. I will relate you a few pathetic incidents connected with the war.
The wedding of Sugirthamalar of Ariyalai was fixed for Monday, March 27. Early that morning the bride's party set out in a hired car to Palai to bring the groom to the bride's home where the marriage was to take place (the ritual mapillai alaippu). When they reached Eluthumadduwal junction army stopped the party and ordered them to return.
When the bride's uncle pleaded a young soldier sternly admonished: "Aiyah Do you want to have a funeral instead of a wedding? Listen to us and return so that you can have your wedding another day.”
They returned and postponed the wedding. But the parents of a newborn babe never returned. Their corpuses too were not recovered. Young parents and the aunt of a 4-day-old child set out from Jaffna Teaching Hospital on Monday morning in a hired three wheeler to their Palai home. When they were around Muhamalai they were fired upon by an army ambush and the mother died with the 4-day-old baby on her lap. The fond dad and the three wheeler driver also died on the spot. The aunt survived with severe injuries. The baby was unharmed. They were brought back to the Jaffna hospital and the efforts by the Catholic clergy to retrieve the bodies of the dead had failed.
The story of 31-year old Subashini was equally heart-rending. She was asleep in her Maruthankerni home on Sunday night when a shell struck a coconut tree and fell on it. She was pinned under a collapsed wall and was removed to Manthikai hospital on Monday in a serious condition. The
doctors, in view of tion, delivered the amputated her leg.
These were a occurred at the firs pronged Tiger jump of the Elephant Pass They seized the 4from Muhamalai tol Kandy Road main provided the Elepl complex, the large fortified army canto) The LTTE ant operation to wrest t the Kandy road an Pachilaipalli are Kodikamam. They to safety commence 2 morning when L. their fire. Over 500 the old and the in children, traversed the army used as the to Kilali and then I there to Kodikam chcheri. Over 1500 army intervened ar ugee flight. Nearly were prevented frc refuge at St. Anthon and the balance in areas. They had no f little water and the facilities.
The forces launc to reopen the Kand (3 April)and sincet Manikkam from Int told me this: From S we had only kanchi food. Even if we h not have eaten it. Ho our lives are in da exploding everywl exploding shaking which we lay. Bull over your head.
The 74-year-olc a diabetic. He ofter to ease himself. On when he was crawl was shot. His corp: near the palmayr
 

her delicate condibaby before they
ll incidents that t flush of the twoto finish the siege military complex. kilometer stretch Palai hospital of the supply line that nant Pass military est and the highly niment in Sri Lanka. icipated an army back the control of d asked people of a to leave for complied. The trek d on Sunday, April TTE guerillas held )0 persons, mainly firm, women and the alternate route ir supply line- Palai kachchai and from ham or Chavakahad gone when the hd banned the ref
250 persons who om leaving sought y's Church at Kilali
the neighbouring ood, They had very y had no sanitary
ched their offensive y road on Monday hen war intensified. hirapuram in Palai Sunday to Thursday . There was just no ad food we would ow can we eat when nger? Shells were nere. Bombs were the very ground on lets were buzzinbg
Sittambalam was crept to the fence n Tuesday evening ing to the fence he se was lying there, ah leaf fence till
15 APRI 2000
Wednesday noon when some kind-hearted persons burried it.
Manikkam said there was commotion around noon on Wednesday (5 April). “Seeing three lorries and pick up vehicle Iran there. All were shouting. "Take back the food parcels, the food commodities and the cooking utensils. Do you all wantus to cook and eat and stay here?' shouted an old man. Another screamed: "Are we to buy our coffins with the 2000 rupees?" That is the refugee relief payment for displaced families.
The refugees seized the pick up vehicle and declined to release it. The civilian officials fearing for their lives delivered the commodities and utensils to the army and fled in the lorries.
An enraged Jaffna public pressurised the NGOs to act and they decided on Wednesday afternoon to block Jaffna kachcheri on Thursday (6 April) with satiyagrahis. Jaffna army commander Major General Chula Seneviratne informed Jaffna Additional Government Agent that the army was not holding back the civilians and they are free to leave, It is known that he had ordered the ground commanders to release the civilians but they were not obeying.
On Thursday, March 6, the army permitted the refugees at Kilali to leave but over 4000 persons are still trapped in the conflict zone.
I think I should write to you about the bumber onion crop and also about the sudden interest the Colombo diplomatic community evinced about economic development of Jaffna but the eruption of the war had made me change course. Before relating the onion story let me add the latest about the plight of banana cultivators. A kilo of kathali banana sold for Rs. 3 last month and now things have gone worse. In the banana plantation areas of Kopay, Neerveli and Kaddaikadu ripe bunches are hung in cattle sheds for the cattle to enjoy a feed.
You know that onions cannot be used as cattle feed. So, in Vadamarachchi they have started to bury onions, just to escape the stink of rotting onions.
The plight of the Jaffna farmer was pointed out by agricultural officers at a

Page 21
‘S APR-2000
meeting attended by British High Commissioner Linda Duffield during the last week of March. She was stunned to hear the prevailing market prices of onions and bananas in Jaffna. "What is the price we pay for these things in Colombo?” she queried the High Commission defence advisor Robert Kendells. He did not know his onions. He turned to the development secretary Martin Dawson who promptly said, “About Rs. 40 a kilo.”
High Commissioner's face brightened, reports said, and she said; "We must send Jaffna onions to Colombo." An elderly officer pointed out that that was what happened before the ethnic conflict broke. Jaffna produced most of Sri Lanka's need those days, she was told.
That veered the talk towards prospects of the Norway aided peace talks. "I came to sound your thinking about the peace talks,' Linda Duffield said. In separate meeting with Jaffna's intellectuals she confided that Britain backed the Norwegian initiative.
Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Cathy Klugman, and the officials of Dutch embassy, USAID and UNDP too indicated their support for the Norway facilitated talks.
Earlier Norwegian ambassador, John Westberg, and European Community's Colombo representative, Ilkka Usitalo, had visited Jaffna and had extensive discussions with officials and others.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner S. Tripathi did not join the ICRC hospital ship that took the diplomatic group to Jaffna. He took the flight and did an extensive study of the Jaffna scene. He went to Selva Sannithi temple and said, "I enjoyed that pilgrimage."
Perhaps the Indian diplomat prayed to Selva Sannithiyan seeking his blessing to relieve the suffering of the civilians in Jaffna during his visit to the temple. But, if he did so, the prayer has not yet been answered.
Your younger brother Anthony 10 April 2000
Mr. Ronnie di Minister of Finan
period 1977 - 198: J R Jayewardene power. He finds pr parliamentarian wl country's annual b for 11 years. He ha member of the ty parties - the SLFP been a Member o 1967, representing South. Before ente Mel was a senior c Although a hig of the opposition Party, which appe; political combat v People's Alliance, to abhor adversaria describes the Exet system, under wh Minister for a num Frankenstein mons to protecting the ab given on trust by th He presents himsel a new constitution parliamentary de human rights and minorities and int system acceptable He states that th urgently needed "t least pave the way Sri Lanka”. Mr de ) supporter of the ef a bi-partisan cons governing PA and t on issues relating reform and the resc conflict, and he i member UNP team ongoing talks with the PA.
There is no doul Presidential system the moral decay in rise of a new cultu violence, indiscreti corruption. These social standards in
 

AMLTIMES 2.
nd Devoluti
Issue
Dr S Narapalasingam
Mel has been the e during the entire , when the late Mr. held the reins of ie in being the only o has presented the idget consecutively s been a prominent vo major political and the UNP, and f Parliament since
the people in the ing politics, Mr. de vil servant. h-ranking member
United National ars to be in mortal ith the governing le Mel appears now
l politics. He now
cutive Presidential nich he served as hber of years, as a ter that is designed users of the power e sovereign people. as an advocate for that will reinforce mocracy, protect he interests of the roduce a political o all communities. ese changes are ) bring about or at or lasting peace in Ael is also a strong Drts to bring about nsus between the e Opposition UNP to constitutional ution of the ethnic one of the fivethat is engaged in team representing
that the Executive also contributed to bvernment and the 2 characterised by n, indiscipline and
turn have eroded very sphere. Both
the social and cultural values have declined dramatically within a short period. The violent and anti-social behaviour of many exercising power or having the right connections with those wielding power has become very common after 1978. All these tragic developments were ignored in the pursuit of high economic growth, as if this was the panacea for all the social and economic problems confronting the country.
During the parliamentary debate on the national Budget 2000, Mr. De Mel speaking from the opposition bench recollected the many attempts made in the past without any success to solve the ethnic problem. He said: "It is fashionable, Sir, sometimes to blame the Tamils; sometimes it is fashionable to blame the Muslims for this failure. But I have always strongly felt that we Sinhalese are most to blame for this intractable situation, which is the root cause of most of our present ills'.
"The first serious attempt to solve this problem was the BandaranaikeChelvanayakam Pact of 1957. It failed largely due to the intransigence of the UNP, the abortive march to Kandy and what followed. The second serious attempt to solve this problem was in 1965, the Dudley-Chelvanayakam Pact. This was strongly opposed by the SLFP and its allies. There was the famous march to Temple Trees. The Rev. Dambarawe Ratnasara died and the Dudley-Chelvanayakam Pact was abandoned. The third serious attempt to sole this question was the IndoLanka Accord of 1987. ....But the SLFP, the JVP and their allies strongly opposed this Accord. It was clearly opposed and even sabotaged by powerful forces within the UNP. Mr. J RJayewardene lost his nerve and began to vacillate in the face of this opposition and the Accord collapsed. When the Government tried to bring the 8 LTTE leaders captured by the Indian Army to Colombo they committed suicide at Palaly Airport and the entire Indo

Page 22
22 TAMELTIMES
Lanka Accord and the peace effort collapsed thereafter'.
"Therefore, Sir, every serious attempt to settle this problem and bring about peace in Sri Lanka has failed due to one of the two main parties, either the UNP or the SLFP opposing the peace efforts at every stage. I must say in all fairness, Sir, that Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and her husband Vijaya then in the SLMP supported the Indo-Lanka Accord in 1987 though with some reservations although they were opposed to the UNP politically. That was indeed a magnanimous political gesture.”
The former Finance Minister identified three serious problems facing Sri Lanka today. The first is the ethnic problem that has led to what is called the North-East conflict. A national consensus for peace is a sine qua non for making any significant progress towards its resolution. The second problem relates to the relatively slow economic development and growth. Rapid development and growth are needed to solve the pressing problems of the people like unemployment, poverty, better health and education, better roads, better railways, more power, water, housing and so on.
In his reckoning, Sri Lanka needs a minimum of 8 per cent growth every year at least for ten years to become a Newly Industrialised Country (NIC), like Malaysia or Singapore. The third important problem is the political culture of corruption and terror which the republican constitutions have bestowed to the country. Actually, it is the 1978 Constitution framed by the government in which Mr. De Mel was a Minister is the real culprit. In order to lay the foundations for peace as well as for a new political culture he is now advocatinga new Constitution sans the Executive Presidency.
He also revealed that he obtained all the foreign aid necessary to reconstruct the North and East at a Special Aid Group meeting in Paris, particularly convened for this purpose. He had also obtained further aid directly from India. This was during the initial period when the Indo-Lanka Accord held the promise of restoring peace with the effective functioning of the provincial councils established under the Accord. But the promised aid
could not be utili continued with ev following the rejec by the separatists i Sinhala nationalist There are two ir should not be overlo is that the donorsh Lanka agreemen development towal the ethnic conf devolution of pow constitutional de structure, acceptab promised would forthcoming if they the devolved syst was in any way goil political and econc region.
The substantial Lanka obtained af due to the openir market for impo incentives provided and the relaxatio stringent restric exchange transacti abandoning the fi system. In contrast, of the economy w; previous governr 1976. It is incorrec solely the collecti donors that influen provide aid for d poorer countries. Mozambique's reci debt obligations terrible devastat deluge in living have been rejected Club.
During the col dictatorial states d: from either one oft but this is no lon! event, this has n Lanka or to any o foreign countries b power was bein, people to enable t the decision-mak lution was meant ta cratic process mak meaningful to the The term "for erstood by many p provided for recol lopment by forei

sed as the conflict 2n greater intensity :tion of the Accord in the north and the s in the south.
nportant factors that boked here. The first ad viewed the Indot as a significant ds the resolution of ict. Second, the 'ers was within the mocratic political le to them. The aid not have been had perceived that em of government ng toharm their own omic interests in the
foreign aid that Sri ter 1977 was solely ng of the domestic rts, the attractive to foreign investors in of the previous tions on foreign ons accompanied by ixed exchange rate almost every aspect as controlled by the ment during 1970t to assume that it is ve generosity of the ces their decision to evelopment to the If this is the case, ent plea to cancel her consequent to the ion caused by the memory would not by the Aid Donors
d war period, some ld receive assistance he two superpowers ger the case. In any o relevance to Sri f her provinces. The believed in 1987 that g devolved to the nem to participate in ing process. Devo) intensify the demoing democracy more people.
sign aid" is misundeople. All the funds nstruction and devegn governments are
5 APRIL 2000
not outright grants. It also includes soft loans where the repayment is over an extended period and interests on outstanding debt are generally below the market rates. The obligation to settle the foreign debt lies directly or indirectly(as in the case of government guaranteed loans) on the government of Sri Lanka. The IMF plays the pivotal role in establishing the creditworthiness of the recipient, without which foreign loans even on commercial terms cannot be obtained that easily.
Mr.de Mel has placed much emphasis on a single macro-economic indicator viz. economic growth for remedying the ills hurting the people. The second JVP insurgency in the south occurred when the economic growth rate was high. A high annual growth rate of 8 per cent on average for about ten years or more is not a sufficient condition for averting social and political unrest. It is also fashionable to talk about sustainable growth, which commonly is understood to mean the continuity of the process of generating adequate savings for investment required for high growth. Without going into the technical details, it is sufficient here to mention that this entails persistent efforts to improve the productivity of labour and capital and to reduce the reliance on foreign loans for financing investment. If the burden of servicing foreign debt widens the annual deficits between exports and imports, it would become a major constraint to economic growth. Besides these related factors, sustainable growth also requires that its benefits reach the vulnerable segments of the society as well.
Development should also not damage the environment and exacerbate the ethnic division in the country by denying opportunities for employment and income generation to minority groups. The latter results from discriminatory development and administrative policies applied to penalise specific ethnic groups and regions on racial grounds. The feudal state in which the vast majority of the subjects are illiterate and subservient to the landlords is now mere history and the old concept of economic growth has little relevance now. Regional imbalances in development are now a potential threat to peace and the unity and stability of the state. Human development embraces all

Page 23
ts APRIL 2000
aspects that go to satisfy the aspirations of both the society and all its members within the internationally recognised rights of individuals and ethnic groups. The basic restraint for compliance is that the exercise of any of these rights either by individuals or groups must not infringe the rights of others. The common rules set by a civilised society also demand this form of tolerant behaviour. The various UN Declarations and Covenants on Human Rights, Civil and Political Rights as well as Economic, Social and Cultural Rights reflect values common to all cultures, all religions and all stages of development. These have been assembled into five broad groups: (1) Personal security; (2) Rule of Law; (3) Freedom of Expression; (4) Political Participation; and (5) Equality of Opportunity. Economic growth without any of these rights cannot lead to human development.
Democracy in a plural society also connotes power sharing among the communities at the centre and greater autonomy at the regional level. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Minorities (Resolution 47/135) states in Article 2 (3) "Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in decisions on the national and where appropriate regional level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which they live, in a manner not incompatible with national legislation.”
Mr. de Mel concluded his speech expressing his wish to see before he departs from this world, the dawn of peace, quick economic development and growth, a new political culture free from "dushanaya' and “bheeshanaya' (corruption and terror) and also the rapid development of the South. All are very noble and desirable aims, which many patriotic and peace-loving citizens would also like to see before they die. The only difference being that a person from the North or East would like to see the rapid development of their region not at the expense of development elsewhere but as a matter of their inalienable right. The development potential in the North and East has been neglected vis-a-vis other regions for political reason.
The table below illustrates the regional disparity in industrial devekopment.
ProvinCel District
Western P. Colombo I Gampaha ] Kalutara D
Central P. Kandy D. Nuwara E1 Matale D.
Southern Galle D. Matara D. Hambanto
North Cen Anuradhap Polonnaruv
North Wes Puttalam DC Kurunegal
UVa P. Badulla D. Moneragal
Sabaragam Ratnapura Kegalle D.
Northern P Vavuniya l Jaffna D.
Eastern P.
Amparai D Batticaloa Trincomale
Source: Ce
Within the pa North-East regior industries in the Ar in all other districts that after the gove 1983 anti-Tamil riol the North-East we development. Parad sition to developme within theregion its have also obstruct

TAMITMES 23
Total No. of Industries under the Ministry of Industrial Development and Board of Investment
(At End of Year) 1994. 1995 1996 1997 1998
2060 2184 23.17 2423 2612 ). (1514) (1607) (1685) (1742) (1842) D (465) (490) (528) (563) (630) (81) (87) (104) (118) (140)
90 99 101 109 127 (60) (65) (64) (69) (82) iya D. || (20) (23) (25) (28) (30) (10) (11) (12) (12) (15)
. . 118 124 126 131 142 (64) (68) (69) (69) (76) (26) (29) (30) (34) (37)
a D. (28) (27)
rall P. || 27 26 ura D. (21) (21) wa D. (6) (5)
tern P. 91 94
). (52) (55)
a D. (39) (39)
31 29 (24) (22)
a D. (7) (7)
uwa P 36 37 D. (23) (24)
(13) (13)
o 03 02 D. (3) (2)
O O
12 10 (9) (7) D. (1) (1)
:e D. (2) (2)
(27) (28) (29)
29 31 32 (22) (23) (26) (7) (8) (6)
114 127 60 (68) (77) (102) (46) (50) (58)
30 33 33 (22) (25) (26) (8) (8) (7)
40 44 54 (25) (28) (29) (15) (16) (25)
02 02 03 (2) (2) (2) O O
(1)
11 13 19 (7) (9) (12) (2) (2) (4) (2) (2) (3)
ntral Bank Annual Reports 1996- 1998 (Table 25).
try total for the , there are more nparai district than ombined. It is true rnment sponsored s, the conditions in re not helpful for oxically the oppont was from forces lf. The same forces ed civil administ
ration in the North-East as part of the strategy to undermine government's jurisdiction. But even before this tragedy, industrial and related infrastructure development was negligible in the North-East.
The spatial distribution of industries seen in the above table, shows the enormous volume of the resources needed over the next several years for the rapid development of the North

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Page 25
15 APRIL 2000
East region in addition to that required for rebuilding the economic infrastructure destroyed by the war. The conditions that must satisfy the aid givers have already been described succinctly. Suffice to mention that there are now more claimants for the limited resources many of them victims of natural disasters than there were a decade ago.
Mr. de Mel wants a new sea portin the south, at least one new international airport there, the express highway from Matara to colombo, new Free trade Zones in the South, a new and faster railway from Colombo to the South and further development of the University of Ruhuna and the Karapitiya hospital. All these will no doubt boost the overall development of the South and improve the quality of life of the people there whose economic fortune has remained low despite the high economic growth registered following the liberalisation of the economy in 1977.
Mr. de Mel is widely known and respected as a broad-minded politician and he knows the reason why the sea and air ports in the North-East have remained undeveloped since independence. He has also supported devolving powers to the regions. Recently, some scholars and retired senior administrators have taken great pains to advance theoretical arguments against devolution focusing mainly on the problems it will create for national economic development, ignoring the skewed development that has occurred under the centralised system.
The justification for devolution is very strong from the developmental problems that the centralised system with its lopsided representation at the centre created in the country. The diverse regional interests were not represented suitably at the central decision making level. Had all the reasons advanced now by the centralists worked towards the rapid and balanced national development benefiting the people in all the provinces, the need for extensive devolution would not have arisen at all. It is human instinct for the people to form perceptions from real experiences and theories and promises without proofs are useless in matters concerning their welfare. O
t was the kind of Neelan Tiruchelv international con bo that brought toget ding scholars, huma UN and NGO repres sts for a feast of ide.
It was an event the country had never w celebrating the life single individual.
January 30th, u 2000 the Internation Studies, the Law anc Tiruchelvam Assoc. for the Neelan Tiru moration Programm ation was attended local and internati And for that mome scended its war-tor moment, Sri Lanka ational centre of intel cultural exchange a that moment, the wo adowed the world of for a moment, if on peace seemed like SO a dream.
The organisers w lucky. Aftera violen pre and post electio nessed numerous a assassination attemp nic based round-up prison violence, and in the North - asma open. The main opp ated its willingness ernment's efforts to war. Rumour sprea peace initiative, ar rnment and the LT able. The time was r peace and national such, the Neelan Tir moration Program timed.
The Handshake of In this context, J had a story to tell. .
 

TAMILTIMES 25
an’s Life and Work
Cat's Eye
event about which am had dreamt- an ference in Colomher a galaxy of leaan rights activists, sentatives and artias, art and culture.
like of which the witnessed before in
and work of one
ntil February 1st, al Centre for Ethnic | Society Trust and iates joined forces chelvam Comme2. The Commemorby more than 200 onal participants.
nt, Sri Lanka tran- ,
n reality. For that became an internlectual, artistic and nd excellence. For rld of ideas overshguns and war. And uly just a moment, mething more than
rere, in some sense, tand destabilizing n period - that witissassinations and its, widespread eth)s, detentions and relentless fighting ll space seemed to osition party indicto support the govseek an end to the d of a Norwegian ld both the goveTE seemed amenight to contemplate reconciliation. As uchelvam Commeme was perfectly
Reconciliation ustice Albie Sachs It was a story that
resonated; a story that needed, and still needs, to be heard. The former member of the ANC and present member of the South African Constitutional Court, Justice Sachs's story was one of persnal healing and reconciliation that mirrored and helped give meaning to the process in South Africa of national healing and reconciliation. Sachs's is a story of initially reluctant, but necessary and in some respects inevitable, forgiveness. After being confronted with the man who had helped plan the bomb attack that left Sachs physically scarred, without sight in one eye and without one arm, Sachs advised the man to go bef ore the National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation and to tell his story - to reveal fully his role in and responsibility for the violence.
Many years later, after the man had done as Sachs had advised and had publicly accepted responsibility for the atrocities to which he had contributed, Sachs met the man again by chance. The man told Sachs that he had done as Sachs had advised; that he had gone before the Commission on Truth and Reconciliation; that he had told his story. Sachs responded with a profoundly simple handshake. Despite the lack of prosecution or formal punishment, despite the fact that the man was granted amnesty, Albie Sachs shook the man's hand. It is that handshake, and others like it, upon which national reconciliation has been built in South Africa.
With this story, as told by Justice Sachs in his inaugural address, the conference component of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Commemoration formally was launched, setting the tone for the two-day conference that was to follow. Messages from Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, and US Assistant Secretary of State Harold Koh were also delivered. All of the statements reflected profound admiration and respect for Dr. Tiruchelvam and his

Page 26
26 TAMELTIMES
work, as well as a commitment to peace in Sri Lanka. India's former Prime Minister, I K Gujral, and the President of the International War Crimes Tribunal for Rwanda, Navanethem Pillay, also made important inaugural addresses on issues of governance, peace, human rights and international responsibility for human rights violations.
Falling Victim to Intolerance
It was, perhaps, the personal stories that were told that most vividly brought to life the underlying themes of the Commemoration-peace, human rights and national reconciliation. Almost every participant came with a story. Whether shared in an open forum or only with a few close colleagues, the stories were of shared grief, profound respect and enduring inspiration. Most participants were, in fact, drawn to Colombo precisely because of their very personal connection to Dr. Tiruchelvam.
"May I first of all deeply thank the organisers of this conference for having brought us here to share our grief and renew our commitment to the cause of human rights and in honour of the
memory of the regio rights activist. In our joy and grief is best friends who share Our friend, Neelan T loss we greatly feel lived for the cause o lost his life for it. F activist, but was alsc a vision and the en had little doubt tha the risks he under preached tolerance to the forces of into aspect of his death most. Each one of forced to reassess til come faceto face wi depths to which wel Jehangir, Human R of Pakistan and Rapporteur on extra and arbitrary execut
The stories that many forms: expres: the conference thr narratives of the s through the artisti Commemoration. O presented in the C
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n's greatest human
South-Asian style, 2xpressed amongst the same feelings. iruchelvam, whose , especially today, fhuman rights and He was not just an ) a thinker who had rgy to pursue it. I the was aware of took; a man who was to fall victim lerance. It was this that affected me us, I believe, was he situation and to th the reality of the have sunk.” (Asma ights Commission the UN Special judicial, summary ions.)
were told came in sed in the course of ough the personal peakers, but also c elements of the ne such story was ommemoration's
2000 APRIL 15 ܬ݁ܠ݂ܳ
screening of Prasanna Vithanage's
new, award-winning film, Pura Handa Kaluwara (Death on a Full Moon Day). Currently making the rounds on the international film festival circuit, the film was screened for the first time in
Sri Lanka as part of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Commemoration Programme. The film presents a moving portrayal of loss and suffering brought about by the war in Sri Lanka; the war shattering the otherwise serene dry zone landscape. The story is told through the "eyes of one man - a blind father, whose soldier son is killed in the war. Pura Handa Kaluwara, which was screened on Sunday, January 30th, helped give expression to the reality of Sri Lankas war. This reality was accentuated by the very nature of the Commemoration, but is too often obscured at such conferences. In this respect, the Commemoration attempted to integrate the theoretical with the practical.
Art and Culture
The Commemoration combined the
scholarly conference with film, two art
exhibitions, a dance performance and
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Page 27
5 APRIL 2000
a Carnatic concert. In so doing, it combined space for the mourning of loss with space forcelebrating life. Participants, both local and international, were encouraged to truly contemplate the situation in Sri Lanka - not only through scholarly papers and discussions, but also through artistic expressions arising out of Sri Lanka's experience.
The stories came in many forms. The Neelan Tiruchelvam Commemoration Exhibition for Peace and Reconciliation, which ran from January 29th to February 1st, arose out of and was devoted to issues of war and peace. The exhibition was comprised of a group of fourteen artists, all of whom are committed to the promotion of peace and national reconciliation in Sri Lanka. It was clear from all the paintings that each artist had, in some way, been touched by the war. Further, as survivors ofstate violence, some of the artists had directly and violently experienced the effects of Sri Lanka's protracted conflicts. In putting the exhibition together, the Commemoration looked to the artists' community in Sri Lanka for their commentary on the themes of the Commemoration. While some of the installations and paintings had been exhibited before, there were others that had been created specifically for the Commemoration to remember Neelan. The opening of the exhibition, which was held at Gallery 706, was on the 29th of January, which marked Neelan's sixth month death anniversary. Artist Jagath Weeresinghe's moving opening address included an announcementofan Artists Against War project planned in memory of Dr. Tiruchelvam. In addition to the Neelan Tiruchelvam Commemoration Exhibition for Peace and Reconciliation, Artists Against War gave their flag exhibition - an exhibition made up of 10 original work silk-screened 10-foot flags - for display during the Commemoration. In fact, they gave two sets of the exhibition, which were exhibited both at the corner of Kynsey Road and Rosmead Place, to mark the place where Neelan was assassinated, and outside the conference site. Both the Exhibition for Peace and Reconciliation and the Artists Against War exhibition sought to highlight Neelan's vision of and commitment to a vibrant civil society in which the arts play a prominent role, not only as a means of expression, but also in the quest for peace and justice.O
US President B to hold the entire In in his thrall for near especially, the ruli sidekicks, the middl religiously every w lame duck president visitas a turning poi history. Every mov urage was meticulou. benefit of the poster But the US medi virtually as of no CNN even putting tioning the rationale ertaken at a huge cos Many commenta the youthful-look charming his way Indians. "It is only up close that you un not just the most pov world, but is such attractive survivor. T des, the legendary e up instantaneously, skill in putting acros easy, boyishcharmtl sharp mind, mesm encounters....'
And the analysts nosed realists, did litt one hand, the grow constellation of As with strong trade ti would clearly represt nst Chinese expans by a military-strategi as an independent ni India and a deepeni itary presence in As source of great-pow But then at the end concrete took place inflow of the foreign (FIDI), no political ac the much-talked a minds, nothing.
Some mild rebul seen as a full-throati the Indian position C certainly it was nc killing of 35 Sikhs when Clinton was ir
 

TAMILTMES 27
T N Gopalan
Clinton's Visit ankification of India
Il Clinton seemed lian sub-continent y a week. In India ng elite and their 2-classes, hung on ord uttered by the and celebrated the nt in the country's ment of his entoly recorded for the ity. a treated the event consequence, the out an item quesofsuch visits undt to the tax-payers. tors gushed about ing President’s into the hearts of when you see him ilerstand why he is werful leader in the an extraordinarily he energy he exuimpathy he builds his consummate s his view and the hat hides a shrewd, herises those he
supposedly hardle better –*On the rth of a vigorous ian democracies, es between them, intabulwark agaionism reinforced component, such clear deterrent in ng American milia as the primary requilibrium." of it all, nothing no aid, no great direct investment tion to underscore pout meeting of
e to Pakistan was d endorsement of n Kashmir, which t. The shocking in Kashmir right India was a grim
reminder of the enormity of the problems posed by the Jehadi militants, and who could not be wished away by the angavastram-clad Clintons.
The so-called "vision statement' issued jointly by Bill Clinton and Atal Behari Vajpayee did pledge "to deepen the Indian-American partnership in tangible ways, always seeking to reconcile our differences through dialogue and engagement, always seizing opportunities to advance the countless interests we have in common.” "...this is a day of new beginnings,” they declared solemnly, "We have before us for the first time in 50 years the possibility to realise the full potential of our relationship. We will work to seize that chance, for our benefit and for all those with whom we share this increasingly interdependent world.”
Taking at face value such vacuous statements, the right-wingers exclaimed in raptures, "It's the "vision thing. For all who had India-US relations tied to the apron-strings of Pakistan or Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the two leaders demonstrated that the two countries shared a convergence of interests in the new century, unburdened by ideological or cold war imperatives.' They were also mightily pleased that the US would not seek to bludgeon India into signing the CTBT even while affirming that it wanted India to forego the nuclear option altogether.
Even sweeter music to their ears was the sermons Clinton delivered on the Pakistan TV. An early return to democracy, a crack-down on terrorist groups, respect for the Line of Control (LOC) and creating conditions for a dialogue with India and an explicit refusal to mediate were among the highlights. Ariled Pak commentator on the BBC blamed the US President for placing all the onus on her country’s shoulders.
Ah, here at last the US has understood us and is standing by us - that was the standard scream in India. Well, they were saying that at last ending the decades-long "sterility of non-alignm

Page 28
28 TAMILTIMES
ent,” India under the BJP had moved over firmly into the US camp and was firmly ensconced there.
In a passage in the joint statement, ignored by many, is the commitment by India to join the US in launching "an international Community of Democracies.' Like the Communities of Americas and the NATO, the new global "Community” would be used by the US to promote its ideological project, and the BJP has no qualms in lending a helping hand, as rightly pointed out by CPM leader Prakash Karat.
The new-found relationship does not stop there. The National Endowment for Democracy, funded by the US State Department, is to establish an Asian Centre for Democratic Governance in New Delhi, aptly the partner this side being the Confederation of Industry (CII). Who else but the industrialists could promote democracy?
But speaking at Hyderabad, a city he chose to visit only to honour the
(Continued from page 19)
for a statement from Mr. Joseph Pararajasingam, denying the second claim, there was no official statement from the TULF denying or questioning her claims to the UNP. Your present silence is an eloquent affirmation of her claims. Dear Sirs, please stand up as democrats and moderates before the world, and speak out unanimously and eloquently the very Truths you yourselves have formulated and professed in Vaddukoddai and in Thimpu?
I am making this appeal to Tamil leaders, conscious that they got democratically elected by some sections of the Tamil people. As a religious leader, I humbly exhort you, Sirs, to stand up immediately and speak courageously for truth and justice concerning the Tamils. The time has come for you either to serve the Cause of the Tamil people, as unanimously espoused in Vaddukoddai and Thimpu Resolutions or to bow out of a situation, in which your "conniving silence" may further damage the Tamil Cause. At least then, if you bow out, the world will come to know, within what type of democracy and against what oppression, the Tamils of Thamil Eelam are struggling to survive. O
much-vaunted "c Chandrababu Naidu the doyens of India suddenly seemed to for a reality check ai over the 'revoluti technology”.
“While it is goo are becoming milli companies are shoo higher profits cann eria. There has to ose... While India 1 Software enineers, cent of the world's to do...'
And the visions glibly about the de two countries to join against poverty in th promise ofa new ecc where and no natio) further asserts that is one of the most available for the “...growth is the ke and rising standard ement would not say ed growth project h ked miracles and th riptions have, at bes world.
Witness this - "T ts of the three wea exceed the combin products of the 48 countries. The com the world's 447 bi equalled the estima ual income of the humanity. Half a including 160 mill five, are chronic ed...Some say this ion of the world's v oidable by-product system that is as im ient as the laws of ni ome can be made much more just t economic and soci was no unrepental speaking, but John II of the United Nation ial Policy and Deve However, Clint grace to acknowled faced poverty and ( ems not withstanc technological pro netas (leaders) and i

yber-politician,” and where he met s industry, Clinton remember the need nid all the euphoria on in information
d that 25-year-olds onaires and Indian ing up the Nasdaq, ot be the only critbe a higher purpas 30 per cent of it also has 25 per poor. There's a lot
atement itselftalks termination of the "a relentless battle e world, so that the nomy is felt everyn is left behind." It trade liberalisation effective weapons burpose and says y to rising incomes S.' What the staty is that the so-callas not exactly worhat the IMF presct, created a skewed
he combined asselthiest billionaires led gross national 3 least developed bined net worth of llionaires in 1996 ted combined annpoorest half of the billion people, on children under ally malnourishlopsided distributwealth is the unavof a "free' market placable and efficature. But the outcfar less cruel and rough integrated al policy...' That ut fellow-traveller angmore, Director s Division for Soclopment. bn at least had the ge that the USA too ther related probling its enormous wess. The Indian hdustrialists had no
15 APRIL 2000
such qualms.
Kalinidhi Maran, Chairman of the SUN TV, could not contain himself when recalling his encounter with Clinton as part of a group of young achievers - "I have seen him on television and I've seen him in the papers. But here, I was in person with him.... Meeting the most powerful person in the world was a unique and interesting experience. I saw him as a statesman and a visionary. I neversaw the politician in him....' The way the politicians bowed and scraped and, grinned and grovelled to express their gratitude to the great man for his great gesture in gracing the Indian soil would turn the stomachs of anyone with an iota ofselfrespect.
If India's Minister of State for External Affairs broke into poetry while receiving the Clintons, the MPs vied with each other to shake the President's hands after his lecture in the parliament. Some of the more excited would not release their grip. At one stage Clinton became weary and confined himself to greeting the enthusiasts with folded hands.
A Congress MP wanted to do something different. And when she got a chance to close in on Chelsea Clinton, she effusively thanked her for her visit and wished that she would come again, but next time as the US President Chelsea blushed and squirmed, the dynasty politics has not taken root over there after all.
There were some protests nevertheless, mainly from the Left parties and non-governmental organisations. There was also one which raised some eye-brows. This one from the Tiger lobby in Tamil Nadu. Led by that unabashed apologist Pazha Nedumaran, they denounced Clinton for arming the murderous Sinhalese regime in Sri Lanka. Quite unusual still. Long since, under Prabhakaran, the Eelam struggle had become deideologised.
But such instances have been few and far between any way. The liberalisation process has already resulted in the Indians internalising America. As that another symbol of the complacent, self-righteous, but essentially mindless middle-classes, the India Today celebrated, “The Yankification of India has begun in earnest. And it's not as if the Yankees are coming. They are here, they are us.”

Page 29
15 APRIL 2000
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TAMILTIMES 29
O ut n O LU ! Tami I Pages 2000
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Past Copies of Tamil Times
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Page 30
30 TAMILTIMES
CASSFED ADS
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Phone: 020-3644. O972 FAX opose 45.57
MATRIMONIAL
Jaffna Hindu mother seeks partner for British-born daughter, medical doctor, 30. Send detailS. AM Í í 62 C/O famil Times. Jaffna Hindu parents seek professional groom for Britishborn daughter, 24, solicitor, London English law firm. Send horoscope, details. M 1163 c/o Tamil Times. Jaffna Hindu Tamil engineer, settled in UK seeks accornplished Hindu bride. Send horoscope, details. M 1164 c/o Tamil Times. Jaffna aunt seeks professionall partner in UK for niece, 26, 5'6", Sri Lanka graduate doing MBA in UK. Send horoscope, details, M 1165 C/o Tamil
Tires. Jaffna Hindu parents seek professional groom for attractive, graduate daughter, 26, British citizen, Mars seventh house, Send horoscope, details. M 1166 C/o Tamil Times, Jaffna Christian parent seeks bride for Son, 32, medical doctor UK, religion no bar. Send details M 1167 C/o Tamil Times. Jaffna Hindu brother seeks partner for Accountant sister, spinster; 48, 5'5", working in Colombo, now on holiday in London. Send horosope, defails M 1168 C/o Tamil
irneS. Jaffna Hindu mother seeks professional partner for medical doctor daughter, 34, vegetarian, in Srilankan government service, willing migrate. Please send horoscope, photo, details. M 1169 c/o
famil TimeS.
WEDDING BELLS We congratulate the following couples on their recent wedding. Sivayogan son of Mr. & Mrs. C. Balasingam of 1765 Victoria Park Street Apt 206, Scarbor
ough, Ontario M1R 1 S5, Canada and Nemasalasorubi daughter of Mrs. S. Thurailingam and the late Mr. Thurailingam of 1 Rasavalli Lane, Colombo 6 on 9th April 2000 at Hotel Sapphire, Galle Road, Colombo 06.
Pathmaraj son of Mrs. Thavamalar Kulasingam and late Mr. Kulasingam of 48 Dutch Road, Uduvil, Sri Lanka and Kayathiridaughter of Mr. & Mrs. V. Tharmarajasingam of Gala Industries Ltd., P.O. Box 608, OTA, Ogun State on 9th April 2000 at Miami Reception Hall, Wela Watte, Colombo 6.
OBITUARIES
Mr. Mathiaparanam Bavananthan, formerly Teacher, Jaffna Central College Jaffna, Srilanka; son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Mathiaparanam, son-in-law of the late Vidwan and Mrs Pon Muththukumaran, beloved husband of Nirmala; precious father of Gowri Sree Sathya and Sathyojathan (Murugesu); brother of Kamalathevy, Vivekananthan, Nalayinith9vi (al of Srilanka) Sarwananthan (Germany), Dr. Sreetharan (UK), Srithevy (Canada), Chiyamalathevi (Srilanka) and Dr Krishnananthan (Australia); brother-in-law of the late Mr. Thavarajah Kanagasabai, Karunaipoота. (Gerтату), Dr. (Mrs) Maharojani Sreetharan (UK), Soccalingam (Canada), Muhunthan (Srilanka), Rajani (Australia), Hema,
 
 
 
 
 

Sivagnanasambanthan (both of Srilanka), Thayanithini (Australia) and Sivamanohari (Srilanka) passed away peacefully in Adayar, Chennai India on 26.3.2000 and was cremated in Chennai on 30.3.2000.
The family, brothers and sisters sincerely thank all those who attended the funeral, sent messages of sympathy and provided support and assistance in many ways during the period of sorrow and bereavement. - "The Lotus', 1 Balmoral Gardens, Sanderstead, Croydon, Surrey CR2 ONN. Tel: 0208 657 0018.
Born 23.07. 1910 Died; 26.03.2000 Mrs Katpakam Muthubalasooriyar, daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Chelvarayan; beloved wife of late Muthubalasooriyar, loving mother of Swami Yogeswarananda (Rishikesh), Rajan, Sarweswaran, Wijayan, Roopa, Yogi, Vasanthi and Shanthi, sister of late Mannavarayan, late Mahadevarayan, Rajarayan, Mrs Maheswary Vivekanandarajah and Mrs. Pavalam Kanagalingham; mother-in-law of Ganeshanathan, Sivapalan, Thanabalasingham, Alalasundaram, Selva, Malar and Vatsala, grandmother of Gayathri: Girthika, Meena, Senthil, Sarvesh, Satish Ramesh, Kishani, Mathuri, Priya, Nirushi, Dharshan, and Kumaresh; great grandmother of Harshini and Shayaka passed away on 26th March 2000 in Bannibalapitiya, Colombo 4.
The members of the family Wish to thank all friends and relatives who attended the funeral, sent messages of sympathy and floral tributes and assisted them during the period of bereavement. 152
15 APRIL 2000
Cherry Wood Lane, Morden, Surrey SM44HQ.
Mr. Vallipuram Nadarajah of Kopay North, loving husband of Dr. Maheswary Nadarajah (Wilmslow, Cheshire); doting father of Dr. Mahendran and Dr. Vinotha, brother of Thavalingam (Toronto), cousin of Sithiranathan (Sydney), Thilakarajah (Kopay North); brother-in-law of Dr. Gnanasingham (Colombo), Mrs. Balasaraswathy Sothisrihari (Harlow, Essex), Balakrishnan, Sathasivam both of Colombo) and Bhagyalakshmy Singharayer (Hatfield, Herts) passed away on Wednesday, 22nd March 2000. The funeral and cremation took place at the Southern Cemetery, Manchester on Saturday, 25th March 2000,
Mahes and children wish to thank all friends and relations who attended the funeral, sent messages of sympathy, floral tributes and helped in various ways They regret their inability to thank them individually - 17 Longmead Gardens, Wilm
Slow, Cheshire SK9 1DA. Te: O1625522490.
S i v a p r a g a s a m Thirunavukkarasu (81) son of late Mr. & Mrs. V. Sivapragasam of Kokuvil East, Jaffna, son-in-law of late Mr. & Mrs. N.
continued on page 31

Page 31
15APRIL 2000
continued from page 30 Muthuthamby of Station Road, Kondawil, beloved husband of Thurairatnam; loving father of Mrs Lankadevi Sivarajah (Colombo), Sivakumar (Abu Dhabi), Mrs Sarojnidevi Sivapalan (Kondavil), Rajkumar (France) and Mrs Sutharshini Paranthanan (Australia); brother of Mrs. Selvanayagam Mylvaganampillai (Kuala Lumpur), late Mrs. Arulammah Nagalingan, Nadarajah, Ananthamoothy (both of Canada). Ratnasingam (UK) and Sivasubramaniam (Dehiwela); grandfather of Hariharan, Gobiharan, Harshananth, Mathangi, Varagi, Lakshitha, Kamsitha, Sanjeevan, Sanjay, Janani and Arani; brother-inlaw of Thavaratnam (Colombo) passed away in Kondavil on Saturday, 15th April 2000 and was cremated on 16th April. - 2070 Camilla Road Apt 609, Mississauga, Ont L5A 2J7, Canada. Tel 905 279 O918.
IN MEMORAM
in loving and precious memory of Dr. Ernest Ariasingam Champion on the first anniversary of his passing away on April 29, 1999.
Thank you Lord for our loved one whom you blessed with great intellect, wit and humor. We thank thee for his generous heart and gentle ways. He built a horne where love, peace and joy reigned.
Large was his bounty and soul Sincere.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who considered his family a precious gift from God.
He served his God and felAowmen with faith and loyalty.
The one who loved will always be with us in memory and prayer for the love between us is a Spiritual bond
that death Cannot sever.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife, Peace Seevarnalar, Children Rohan and Rosha, daughter-in-law Nancy, son-inlaw Ronald McCoy, and grandchildren Hunter, Rajiv, Bon, Dan, Dinesh and Maya. No.3 Callandar Ct., Perryburg, Ohio 43551, USA.
In loving memory of Mr. Vaithilingam Sivagnanasundram (Churchill) on the first anniversary of his passing away on 11.4.99.
Fondly remembered by his beloved wife Nageswary (Lily); loving children Ranjan, Mohan, Thayan and Gowri; daughters-in-law Renuka and Premini, son-in-law Ajan, grandchildren Mathangi, Sangavi and Ranjitha, brother Dr. Sivapalasundran, sisters Gnanalakshmi, Yogalakshmi and Jeyalakshmi, sister-in-law Pavalakodi; brothers-in-law Nalah, Valheisvaran and Sivasubramaniam, nephews and nieces. - 1 Paradise Place, St. Clair, NSW 2759 Australia.
In everloving memory of Mr. Velupillai Nadarajah, former Director, Ceylon School of Social Work, son of the late Mr. & Mrs Velupillai of Chetty Street, Nallur, Sri Lanka; sonin-law of the late Mr. K. Muttulingam and of Mrs Muttulingam of Tellipallai, Sri
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAMILMES 31
Lanka on the ninth anniversary of his passing away on 04.04.91.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his beloved wife Muthu Ambikai; daughter Dr. Sakunthala, SOn Dr. Fawindran, son-in-law Dr. Suresh Thayalan; daughter-in-law Meera, grandchildren Arjun, Nisha and Sathya. - 11 Baronia Croft, Highwoods, Colchester Essex CO45EF
In loving memory of Mrs Grace Nagaratnam Rasiah of Varuthalai-Vilan and llla Valai; beloved wife of the late Mr. M.A. Rasiah (former Headmaster) on the third anniversary of her passing away on 5th April 1997.
With fondest thoughts and prayers from her family - 40 Hillingdon Road, Kingswood, Watford, Herts WD26JG.
In loving memory of Mr. Visvalingam Sivasubramaniam, Principal Emeritus, Skanda Varodaya College, Chunmakam on the fourth anni Versary of his passing away on 26.4.96.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his beloved wife Sironmany; children Dr. Sivanandarajah, SivagnanaSunderam, Dr. Sivapalan, Sivathasan, Sivaratnam, Sivamanoharan and Sivaloshanade vi; son-in-law Thavarajah; daughters-in-law
Man in e h a la de v i , A na n d h i , Yog es wa ry,
Kamaladevy, Supathirade vi and Devahi; grandchildren Sutharshan, Priyatharshini, Suseenthiran, Suhanthan,
Sutharshika, Suloshan, Suthaharan, Sulakshan, Arooran, Gajamohan, Gajaharan and Vaishna. - 135A Sudbury Avenue, Wembley, Middx HAO 6AVV el: O2O 8385 0477
In loving memory of Mrs. Puvaneswary Camagasabai beloved Wife of Mr. S. Canagasabai, Retired Supervisor of Textiles, Sri Lanka; loving daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Ponnampalam, on the first anniversary of her passing away on 3rd April 1999.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her children Soтаsegerат, Guтаsegaram, lindradevi, Renugade vi, Jeyasegaram, Sandrasegaram, Ranjanadevi and Pararajasegaram, Sons-in-law Narendran and Velauthan, daughters-in-la W Selvathy, Pathmavathy, Pakialuxmy, Krishnavalli and Maria and grandchildren, nephews and nieces. - 110 Deans Lane, Edgware, Middx HA89NR.
雛 « ܂ ܀܀܀܀܀܀܀܀܀
ॐ
in loving memory of Mrs Mah
eswary Kanagaratnam, beloved wife of the late Mr. Kanagaratnam (P.H.I.) of Koku vil East on the firSf
continued on page 32

Page 32
32 TAMILTIMES
in Memoriam
In loving memory of Mr. Velupillai Kumarasamy on the first anniversary of his passing away on 20th April 1999.
கண்ணெட்டா இடத்திலுமைக் காலன் கவர்ந்தேக புண்பட்ட மனத்தினராய் புழுங்கி உளமொடிந்து விண்முட்ட நாமிட்ட ஒலமது கேட்டிடவே கண்சொட்ட உறவினர் நாம் கதறி அழுகின்றோம்
பண்பட்ட குலத்துதித்த குமாரசாமி வேந்தே நின் விண்ணுற்ற ஆண்டொன்றின் நிறைவுறுதினம் யாம்
புண்பட்ட இதயத்துன் பெருந்தன்மைகளை நினைந்து எண்ணெட்டா இனசனர் யாம் ஏங்கியழுது நின்றோம்
பண்ணுநலம் பலவும் புரிந்திங்கு வாழ்ந்து சென்று விண்ணுறைந்து முந்நான்கு திங்கள் மிகப் போயும் எண்ணிறந்த உறவினரோ டன்பர் மிகச் சூழ்ந்து கண்சொட்ட மெய்பதறக் கதறியழுது நின்றோம்
Fondly remembered and sadly missed by his beloved wife Sarojini; loving children Nirmala, Baskeran, Shyamala and Dayaharan; sons-in-law Rasalingam and Uthayakumaran; daughter-in-law Gnanamanohari grandchildren Gayathiri, Gayan and Arjun; relatives and friends. — 24 Rowlands Ave, Hatchend, Middx. HA5 4BH. / 37 Mississippi Road, Seven Hills, NSW2147, Australia. / 10 Fairway Drive War
ick, GQLD 4370 Australia.
continued from page 31 anniversary of her passing away on 3rd April 1999.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving children Mahendran, Sarolinidevi, Rajendran, Rajini, Kulendran, Raveendran, and Pu vanendran, brother Thedchanamoorthy, sister Puwaneswary; daughters-in-law Sugirtha, Kanalini, Pavalan, Rathy and Jeyanthy, Sons-in-law Yogaratnam and Gunasuntharam, grand children Pradeepan, Prasanthan, Sanjeevan, Dhamayanthi, Nirooshan, Yalini, Nimalan, Kavitha, Mayooran, Soruban, Ruben, Prameela and Bindhuja. - 85 Cole Park Road, Twickenharn, Middx TW 1HX.
In loving memory of Mrs Thaiyalnayaki Sivalingam on the first anniversary of her passing away on 18th April
1999.
Greatly missed and fondly remembered by loving children
 
 
 
 
 

15APRIL 2000
Jeyakumaran, Kaladevy, Gnanendran, Dr Jeyagowry, Sureshkumar and Sivasuthan, sons-in-law. Ganeshamoorthy and Dr. Kumaran, daughtersin-law, Yogendradevi, Vallinayaki, Malathy and Balasuhanthini; sister Sethunayagi Sivasithamparam, grandchildren Havitha, Sinduja, Kalyan, Neruban, Rathulan, Prafheeban, Aparnah, Geevithan and Abisha. - 24 Sixth Cross Road, Twickenham, Middx TW2 SRB Tel 020 8977 6277.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS May 1 Pirathosam, Feast of St. Joseph. May 2 Feast of St. AthanSiuS.
May 3 Amavasai. May 4 Karthigai. May 7 Sathurthi. May 9 Sashdi. May 13 6pm Carnatic Vocal Recital by Smit Bhushany Kalyanaraman at London Sivan Temple Hall, 4A Clarendon Rise, Lewisham, London SE13 5ES (Near British Rail, Lewisham) in aid of Temple Building Fund. Tel: 020 8318 98.44/01277,223981.
May 14 Eekathasi; Feast of St. Matthias; 6pm SCOT presents Carnatic Vocal Recital by Smit Bhushany Kalyanaraman at the Bhavan Centre, 4A Castletown Road, London
W149HQ (Near Underground West Kensington) in aid of Relief & Rehabitation in North & East Srilanka. Tel: 020 8445 7924/ Of 277223981. May 15 Pirathos.
May 17 Full moon, Vaikasi Visakann.
May 20 Feast of St Bernadine of Siena.
May 21 7.45pm Veena & Vocal Concert by Prince Rama Verna at Oueen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room. Tel: Box
Office 020 7960 4242.
May 22 S a n k a da hara Sathuirthi. May 26 Feast of St. Philip Neri. May 27 Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury. May 29 Eekathasi. May 31 Pirathosam; Feast of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary At the Bhavan Centre, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 9HG. Te: O20 7351 3056,406.8 May 6 6pm Bharata Natyam by Vasundara Doraswamy. May 13 6.30pm Carnatic Vocal Concert by Balu Raghuffa). May 14 6pm Hindustani Vocal by Hemang Mehta and Bharatanatyam by Virunda Mehta.
Layafette 94549, California.
ln Memoriam
In cherished memory of Mr. Chinnathampy Rasiah on the sixth anniversary of his passing away on 24.04.94.
Deep in our hearts you will always stay Loved and remembered every day.
Greatly loved and deeply missed by his sorrowing wife Gunamany, beloved children Rajan and Rajini, loving daughter-in-law Janaki, son-in-law Lakshman, grandchilden Thabojan, Prashanth and Sulakshan, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces, - 14 Greenbriar Avenue, Wheelers Hill, Melbourne Vic 3150, Australia,/ 7 Sessions Road,

Page 33
15 APRIL 2000
Annual Festival Programme
Sri Raja Rajeswary Amman Temple, Dell Lane, Stoneleigh, Surrey KT172NE.
The Annual Festival Programme of the Sri Raja Rajeswary Amman Temple commences on 14th May 2000 with the Vinayagar Poojah followed by the flag hoisting ceremony on 15th May, continued everyday with the Chariot Festival on 28th May and the Theertham Festival on 29th MaV.
All devotees are invited to partake in the festivals and gain the grace of Goddess Sri Raja Rajeswary Amman. For further information and details contact the temple on 0208393 8147 or 020 8542 5803 or 01622 693938.
Mr. Ponniah Velautham of Udupiddy - An Appreciation
No one and above all I ever thought or even felt in the wildest of dreams that cruel
fate would snatch a Thamby Velautham profound shock in t knew him, I am unab, nO mOre. lt Was in Juli him at Udupiddy Temple and discusse in particular the Ter nected with the bui standing and the crea account so that the ir be utilised for runnin interruption. As I write of his figure and face He passed away L stances, resulting f accident on the nig 2000 in his OWn hO eyes of his beloved w
He was popularly referred to as Vector brilliant application of solve mathematical admired and appreci Both of us hail from were born, lived in Clc close acquaintance W ly. He grew up as young lad going abC own way. He was exCelled in Pure and and after graduating i. a teaching care Vidyalayam, Point P distinguished acadel the most sought a Mathematics for adv in the whole of Jaffna
When he was ill ir young nurse and was her care and affecti against opposition fro, family. Their life was each other, absolute and they had four sor to cater to every ne lived a happy and cot the folks of Udupidd exemplary character, friendly and smiling. goodwill for all. The coupled with his c, endeared him to eaC had the good fortune pure white clothes WOre, indicated his time he got angry wit paying sufficient attel His anger was spurret and for caring admon ment.
My close associatic Closer With the Veerapatherar Templ to bring the Temple management and re. way. It was declarea Trust and plans were
I had to leave for great pains to remode today one of the bigg
 
 

way from our midst so suddenly, creating he minds of all Who le to accept that he is ne last year that 1 met at the Veerapathira d various matters and nple, the loans conding operations outtion of a fixed deposit iterest accruing Could g the temple without a this note the picture is crossing my mind. inder tragic circumrom an unfortunate ht of 29th February use right before the /ife and a Son.
and affectionately Velauthan due to his the Vector method to problems with ease ated by his students. Udupiddy, where we se proximity and with "ith each Other's famia shy and reserved but his Studies in his a brilliant student, Applied Mathematics n Mathematics began er at Velauthann 'edro. Very soon he nically and became fter teacher/tutor in anced level students
7 hospital, he met a deeply impressed by on and married her rn the members of his of deep affection for haтоту ата реace ls. He had the means 2d of the family and tented life adored by V. He was a nan of soft spoken always he had no malice but se sterling qualities harming personality h and everyone who of knowing him. The
Velautham always nner purity. Many a his students for not tion to their studies. by his love to create ition and encourage
)n with him became rebuilding of the 9. Our ambition was under the people's novate it in a grand a Public Charitable initiated to rebuild it.
he UK and he took l the temple and it is est temples in Jaffna
TAM TIMES 33
with several Deities and Mandapams.
The Temple is today a Standing Monument for Thamby Velautham. May his Soul rest in peace in the abode of God.
V. Kanthaswamy (Thiraviyum).
The Shri Venkatesa (Balaji) Temple of the United Kingdom, Dudley Road East, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 3DV cordially invites all devotees and friends to the
Maha Kumbabhishekam of Sri Subramanya Swami (Murugan) Temple (Grand Opening and Sanctification ceremony) from Friday, 5th May to Sunday, 7th May 2000 at the Temple. Officiated by Sri Swaminatha Sivacharya, Thiruvannamalai, india
(Chief Priest of Sri Rajarajeswary Amman Temple, Stoneleigh, Surrey.) For further details Telephone: 0121 5442256.

Page 34
34 TAM TIMES
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