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Tamil
TIME
WOXX No. 1 ISSN 0266-4488 15 JANUA
Norway Peace Delegation comprising Norwegian the Norwegian Ambassador in SriLanka meeting Prime Min
O The World After Se
O COWert O O The Developing Pe.
O To Wanni O AMood of Cautiou
O NeWS and
 

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Deputy Foreign MinisterWidgar Helgsornis, Erick Solhien Er Famil Wicksamasinghe alshe Temple Trees in Colomboon 10. Januar)
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th video camera
Optimism Comment

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2 TAMILTIMES
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15 JANUARY 2002
"I do not agree with a word of what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it,”
-Voltaire
ISSN 0266 - 44 88
Vol. XXI No. 1 15 JANUARY 2002
Published by: TAM TIMES LTD PO Box 121, Sutton, Surrey SM13TD United Kingdom Phone: 020 - 8644 0972 Fax: 020 - 8241 4557
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CONTENTS
A mood of cautious optimism 03 Commitment to rights urged 04
Cover blown 05 News Track O6 News and Comment 12
The developing peace process 16 To Vanni with video camera 20 Another attempt at peace 23 The world after September 11 25 Jayalalitha to return as CM 28
AMOC
Until recently, for an image of being a p attacks, mostly carrie the island's Central B 2001), oil installations tions of many leading and a failed attempt c Surrounding areas int blocks and checkpoin the ready to fire. But fortifications have bee an image of being a p
AS far as the who ing. The people are m lence and war are at feeling all-around. SC gathered at the Galle Year. What a transfor
Not that peace ha The outcome of the pa by Prime Minister Rar the LTTE provided the importanty, italso der in peace without seCO
The unilateral act 24 December promptl tion of hostilities for t Not that the people h there is a pervasive m
The government transport of essential people between gove laxed substantially. Th to alleviate the day to
The resuScitated mentum at a pace th have demonstrated si cise in shuttle diplom Cermed parties and di requestedthe governi Which both SideS havi into between the gove discussion, and all ind near future, in theme: with a negotiated polit the protection of huma the government and til
The question is a Constitutional issues V ment of Such talkS WOII imposed on it by the g rejecting the LTTE's p as the talks progress.
Experience in oth Confidence building m unless an agreement tional issues. What is climate of genuine su ment of the peace pr( have always beeninin sabotage the peace ( talks Commence that m
 
 
 

TAMILTIMES 3
d of Cautious Optimism
many years Sri Lanka's capital city, Colombo, and its suburbs presented lace under siege from within. Frequent, audacious and devastating bomb Out by Suicide-bombers, on high profile commercial establishments like ank Complex, twin-tower World Trade Centre (long before September 11, , the only international airport and the adjoining airforce base, assassinapolitical and military personalities in the country, including one President in the Current President, had forced the authorities to turn the capital and 0 a highly fortified place littered with security barriers, barricades, roadtsmanned by jittery soldiers armed with machine guns andklashnikovs at since the new government assumed office, all such security barriers and in removed, and now the capital and its suburbs give the impression and lace freed from its siege. le Country is Concerned guns have gone silent and bombs are not explodOving about and carrying pn with their normal lives as if the days of viohing of a nightmare in the distant past. On the whole there is a relaxed much SO, for the first time in many years tens of thousands of people Face Green in Colombo to Celebrate Christmas and to usher in the New mation and how did this happen? is returned to the island ravaged by internal civil war for several decades. rliamentary election on December 5 resulting in a new government headed il Wickremesinghe and the expectation of a peaceful rapprochement with | necessary background and impetus for this welcome development. More monstrated the long and deep felt desire of the people to leada normal life Urse to violence and war, ion on the part of the LTTE in declaring a ceasefire for amonth beginning y and very wisely reciprocated by the new government with its Own Cessahe same period have raised hopes and expectations of peace returning. ave forgotten the experience of past failures at peacemaking. However 1OOd of CautioUS Optimism, has moved faster than expected in removing restrictions placed on the goods to LTTE Controlled areas. Restrictions placed on the movement of rnment and LTTE Controlled areas in the North-East have also been rehese measures, which are essentially humanitarian in nature, have begun day problems in which the people have been trapped for many years. peace process with Norwegian facilitation appears to be gathering moat none had anticipated. The Norwegian government and its facilitators ncere Commitment to assisting the peace process in Sri Lanka. In an exeracy, they have already met both sides at leading levels and other Conscussed preliminary matters to take the process forward. They have also ment and the LTTE to extend the period of their cessation of hostilities to e acceded. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be entered ernment and the LTTE Concerning the peace process is presently under lications are that the parties will subscribe to such an understanding in the antime, those activists who have always campaigned for an end to the war ical solution to the ethnic conflict within a framework that would guarantee in rights of all people have urged that any MoU to be entered into between he LTTE should provide for such a guarantee. Is to when and how soon substantive talks on resolving the political and vill Commence between the parties. One obstacle to an early Commenceuld appear to be the pre-condition raised by the LTTE that the proscription Overnment should be lifted. The government for its part, without summarily recondition, has responded by saying that this issue could be Considered
er areas of similar conflict has shown that no amount of humanitarian and easures would bring about an end to the conflict and restore lasting peace is reached between the parties on the substantive political and Constituimportant is that the present state of goodwill between the parties and the Oport among all sections of the people and Communities for the advanceocess must be sustained, it should be realised that there are forces that nical to a peaceful resolution of the Conflict that are Waiting on the wings to rocess. Any protracted arguments on pre-Conditions before substantive night undermine the current favourable climate should therefore beavoided.

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4 TAMITMES
inclusion of
Rights Measures
The Peace Support Group of Sri Lanka comprising prominent human and civic rights activists and academics have urged that any ceasefire agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and the Tamil Tigers should provide for the guaranty of certain fundamental human rights.
The PSG in a statement said, "We the undersigned members of the Peace Support Group welcome the efforts facilitated by Norway to formalize the cessation of hostilities by the government and the LTTE in a ceasefire agreement. Firmly convinced that the durability of such an agreement and this contribution to a political settlement of the ethnic conflict will be invaluably enhanced by the explicit inclusion of human rights and humanitarian considerations, we strongly urge that the follow
ing issues be inclue basis of a separate N derstanding betwe and the LTTE at th tivated peace proce O Freedom of ex
and movemen O Freedom of m
other essential O Release of det O End to extra-j
lu ding politic
O End to torture
O Protection oft ion and prevet civilian target O Prevention an rape in custod O Prevention of deployment o! O Strengthening cial processes
Amnesty Urges Comm to Human Rights
19 Dec - Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog on 19 December wrote to recently-elected Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe about human rights concerns in the country, and called for an end to impunity for violators, faster investigations of cases and sought assurances executions would not be resumed. Amnesty also called for a review of Sri Lanka's notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and "an investigative body fully independent of the police."
The organization said that it hoped that human rights commitments outlined in the political manifesto of the new ruling party, the United National Party (UNP), would become reality.
Amnesty pointed out that those commitments include reinforcing the fundamental rights of the people, safeguarding women's rights, the appointment of an independent commission to
solve the problems placed, de-politicis and addressing is movement and acc cine for people liv C2S.
"One of the k government is imp vent human rights the confidence of forces must be hi abuses they comr ter must clarify th on this when he a Amnesty said.
"In the past, ir ceeded very slov some violations s ing rape, no me forces has ever nesty said, urgin; clear and unequi human rights vi
 
 
 

15 ANUARY 2002
ed in it or form the emorandum of Unin the government outset of the reac
S. ression, association
vement of food and items. inees and prisoners. dicial killings, incul assassinations.
he civilian populattion of attacks on
investigations into y. the recruitment and f child combatants. of independentjudi
O Strengthening of democratic institutions at the national and local levels. O Respect for the independence and integrity of civil Society organizations and groups. O The establishment of a mechanism of independent, international human rights monitoring with the help ofthe Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. O Respect for international humanitarian norms applicable in situations of internal armed conflict. O Immediate halt of the laying of
Anti Personnel Landmines. Clearing of such mines already laid. We reiterate our firm belief in the pivotal importance ofhuman rights concerns in peace making and urge that they be addressed at the outset of the reactivated peace process.
The signatories to the statement are: Sunila Abeysekera, Sunanda Deshapriya, Sunil Bastian, Rohan Edirisinha, Ketheshwaran Loganathan, Jehan Perera, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Javid Yusuf, Joe William, Radhika Coomraswamy, Jeevan Thiagarajah.
of the internally dising the armed forces, sues of freedom of ess to food and meding in the conflict ar
y issues for the new unity. In order to preiolations and secure the people, security d to account for the it. The Prime Minisgovernment's policy dresses parliament,”
estigations have proy, and in relation to ch as torture, includber of the security en convicted,' Amhe PM to "to issue a pcal declaration that ations will never be
tolerated and that those responsible will be held to account.'
“Over the years, many expert bodies, ... have made recommendations for the prevention of grave human rights violations such as "disappearances'. The new government should revisit these recommendations and take action to implement them,' Amnesty, said. “In particular, the government should prioritise a review of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.'
Planned negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could also bring about an improved human rights situation in the country, Amnesty said, cautioning that "any agreements reached should guarantee the security of Sri Lankan people and establish a system of justice and equality before the law.”
Amnesty International also asked for assurances that executions will not be resumed, as was the practice during 17 years of UNP government and said the London-based organization hoped to continue its substantive dialogue about human rights with the new administration and looked forward to receiving a response to the letter.

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15 ANUARY 2002
Unit's Co
লুণ্ঠস্থ
Was it bungling on a monumental scale, orwas it the result ofinternecine warfare between factions in Sri Lanka's security apparatus?
The arrest and detention of members of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) group, despite efforts by the Army's high command to prevent the raid on the soldiers' safe house, has blown the cover of an important covert operation to assassinate senior members of the LTTE. The raid on the group's safehouse and the arrests were carried out on Suspicion they were planning to assassinate the Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe.
Giving graphic details, "The Sunday Times' reported that Five soldiers, including a captain, and a Tamil informant alleged to be a former cadre of the LTTE, along with a large quantity of weapons were taken into custody from a safe house in Athurugirya rented by the military. Along with small arms, anti-tank weapons and several claymore mines, sixty-six new LTTE uniforms were also found at the house.
The soldiers taken into custody were being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and interrogated at a secret location in Kandy. They were all said to be held in a single room located close to an unhygienic toilet, the paper said.
Sri Lanka' Interior Minister, John Amaratunga, justified the raid by a combined team of civil and military police and saidthat initial details pointed to a plan by soldiers, loyal to former deputy defence minister Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte, to assassination Mr Wickremesinghe.
During the election campaign, the United National Party (UNP) alleged that thermobaric weapons had been brought from the operational areas in the North to the Panaluwa Army Testing Range and that cadres attached to a Northern Tamil Political Party were being trained in their use. The train
ing, the UNP alle ordinated by the tary Intelligence ( Army instructors S the north with the these weapons on 1 the UNP leadersh campaign bus.
The Sunday T. who were trained those engaged in t based at the Athu However, the ne group within the D sible for instigatin cation for political said that SLA chie telephoned Police wakku to call offt Successful.
The Sunday T the SLA unit had c tions from the sa giriya, penetrating held territory. Thei the Batticaloa dis sisted in crossing 1 cial Task Force (S surgency arm of day Times said.
The Liberatio lea-der, Mr. S.P TI the target of two attempts by SLA teams, one of whic en route to meet delegation for talk LRRP teams : for the assassinati (Tha-mbirasa Kuh Military Intelliger the East, reported The killing of CC confida-inte of LTT Pirapaharan, was assassination attrib The Sunday Ti the LRRP teams v cadres. In the past res have turned o: A trooper of a Sr
 

TAMITMES 5
ged, was being coDirectorate of Mili
DMI) together with specially flown from 2 intention of using the meetings held by ip and their leader's
imes learnt that men at Panaluwa were he LRRP operations rugirya safe house. wspaper accused a MIofbeing respong the raid on the logain. The paper also :f Lt. Gen. Balagalle Chief Lucky Kodituhe raid, but was un
times revealed that carried out its operaife house in Athrudeep within LTTE rarea of activity was trict. They were asthe lines by the SpeTF), the counter-inhe police, the Sun
in Tigers' political hamil Chelvan was failed assassination A deep penetration h was while he was a Norwegian peace
S. are also responsible on of Lt Col. Nizam asanthan) the LTTE hce Wing leader for the Sunday Times. »l. Shankar, a close Eleader, Vellupillai another high profile buted to LRRP units. mes newspaper Said work with ex-LTTE , some of these cadut to be infiltrators. i Lanka army deep
penetration group was killed by another member of the unit in August last year, who then escaped into LTTE held territory. Three senior operatives of the unit conducting deep penetration raids in the Batticaloa district were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the heart of Batti-caloa town on 5 November last
year.
The LRRP unit members have been hailed as national heroes by the SLA, which has expressed dismay at their arrest and subsequent treatment in the hands of the police. "These soldiers had in the past risked their lives for the sake of safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the motherland," the Sri Lanka Army said in an official Statement.
It is reported that morale in SLA had been hit hard by the arrests. “The morale of the army is very low after this incident. It is sad the way these people are treated and it is definitely a victory for the LTTE," the on-line Lanka Academic quoted on one officer as saying. “Why are the people keeping quiet when we are treated like this?' asked another. "The situation should have been handled in a more matured manner,” a high-ranking Army source told the Lanka Academic. The Sunday Times' respected defence columnist, Iqbal Athas, echoed the SLA's sentiment. “All of them LRRP troopers) are in one room and have to tolerate the ignominy of a stinking toilet whilst they answer questions from their interrogators.”
British Association
of Tamil Schools
Seeks qualified and experienced Carnatic Vocal Teacher Cum Nadduvanar with a sound knowledge of Tamil to accompany Bharatha Natya dancers in London.
Basic salary E 10,000 per annum plus benefits. Closing date for Written applications to Mr. K. Sivagurunathapillai, Chairman, B.A.T.S., 18 Wellsmoor Gardens, Bickley, Kent BR12HU is
20th February 2002

Page 6
6 TAMILTIMES
LTTE declares month-long ceasefire: 19 Dec - The LTTE in an official statement issued today from its headquarters in Vanni, northern Sri Lanka, announced the declaration of a month long "unilateral cessation of hostilities' as a goodwill measure during the festive sea
son "to facilitate and promote initiatives towards a peace process.” The LTTE's observation of cease-fire begins at midnight on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2001, the organisation said in a press release. The LTTE said if the Sri Lankan government "reciprocates positively to our goodwill gesture and ceases armed hostilities against our forces and takes immediate steps to remove the economic embargo and other restrictions," it will favourably consider extending the period of cease-fire. "Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader and military commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, has issued orders to all units and combat formations of the Tamil liberation army to cease all hostile military actions against the Sri Lankan armed forced from midnight 24 December 2001 till midnight 24 January 2002," the LTTE's statement declared.
Three panels to aid pece process: 19 Dec - Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has set up three ministerial committees to oversee the peace process after meeting his new cabinet to discuss the possibility of talks with the LTTE - one committee would advise him on a political solution, the second committee to arrange the preparatory work for negotiations, and the third to look for alternative solutions.
Tamil Conference Urges Solution to the Ethnic Conflict: 19 Dec - Five hundred delegates from world over gathered for a three-day conference that commenced on December 14 at Johannesburg in South Af. rica. The conference was organized by the South African Tamil Federation and International Movement for Tamil Culture. Delegates from over 15 countries including Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Switzerland attended the conference. On the final day, the conference appealed to several countries including Tamil Nadu, a State in the southern part of India, which is home to over sixty million Tamils, to help find a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict in the island of Sri Lanka. The conference further appealed to the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government to come to the negotiating table in order to resolve the ethnic conflict.
EPDP abandons IPA for UNF: 19 Dec - The Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), until recently a key Parliamentary ally of the former People's Alliance (PA) government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, is offering to switch sides and sup
port the newly elec Front (UNF), press r News reported that cused of violence an port of the former adr during the Decembe ing to assist the UNF government of natio
The EPDP°S le; nanda, a hitherto stal Kumaratunga convey Prime Minister Rani a weekend meeting 1 his efforts to settle the the economy and int reforms,f the Gulf N
UNP Jaffna distr fairs Minister T. Ma campaign repeatedly government would d paramilitary groups within weeks of their ber 5, parliamentary comprising four main campaigned for the s
Australia Bans LT eration Tigers of Tan been included in th ganisations” and the tralia. A statement fri ernment said, “We h Australian Governm of terrorists and te whose assets must b of those assets unc United Nations (An Regulations 2001. names implements under UN Securit, 1373 of 28 Septemb financing of terror required to take the bal efforts to comba shows the Govern Australia playing it do not become a fin ists.'
Suicide rate rise rate of suicide and the increase in nortl has come for the take immediate ste educating internall refugees through cial services dep Amirthalingam, S Provincial Minist construction and S ing a three day w
 

15 JANUARY 2002
ices and probation officers in Trincomalee from 19 to 21 December.
Meanwhile, the North East Provincial Council (NEPC) directed all divisional social service officers and childcare and probation officers in the province to submit reports immedi
2d United National ports said. The Gulf e EPDP, widely acintimidation in Supinistration before and 5 polls is now offers efforts at forming a al government. der, Douglas Devanch ally of President ed to the UNF leader, Wickremesinghe, in hat he would Support ethnic issue, improve oduce constitutional ws reported. ct MP and Hindu Af. heswaran, during his vowed that the UNF sarm all armed Tamil including the EPDP victory at the Decemelections. The TNA, Tamil parties has also same action.
TE:21 Dec - The Libil Eelam (LTTE) have e list of "terrorist orrassets frozen in Aus»m the Australiangovave today listed in the ent Gazette the names rrorist organisations e frozen by the holder er the Charter of the i-terrorism Measures) Our listing of these Australia's obligation
Council Resolution 'r 2001 to suppress the sm. All countries are e steps as part of gloterrorism. This action hents commitment to part to ensure that we ncial haven for terror
NE: 20 Dec - “The ttempted suicide is on rast province. The time Dvincial authorities to to arrest this trend by displaced persons and :ld officers of the sotment”, said Mr. S. retary to the Northeast of Rehabilitation, Reial Welfare inauguratkshop for social Serv
ately about internally displaced persons and refugees who have committed suicide and attempted to commit suicide due to war and war related factors.
Addressing the second day workshop, Provincial Director of Social Services Mr. M. S. M. Croos said, "refugees and internally displaced living in welfare camps and other places think that they have no future at all due to the continuing brutal war. Hence they are driven to the state of committing suicide due to frustration and desperation. Social service officers and probation officers should visit places where internally displaced and refugees live and make them realize that the rash act of committing suicide would not solve the problem. Instead, in the long run, it would create more hardships for their children and relatives.”
Govt announces ceasefire: 21 Dec - The Sri Lankan government to responded to the ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Liberation Tigers by announcing a ceasefire from midnight 24 December to 24 January. The month long ceasefire declared by the LTTE also comes into effect from the midnight of 24 December. The United National Front government sources said that the ceasefire announcement was initially expected to be made following Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's return from Delhi.
The press release issued by the Prime Minister's office Friday evening in this regard follows: “The United National Front (UNF) has received an overwhelming mandate from all the communities in Sri Lanka to achieve a negotiated political solution within an undivided Sri Lanka. Consequently the Government, as part of its initiative to bring about an atmosphere conducive to invigorating the peace process, will take immediate and concrete steps to improve living conditions for civilians in the uncleared areas. The Government welcomes the announcement of 19th December by the Liberation Tigers of TamilEelam and, as a goodwill measure to facilitate peace, will observe a cessation of hostilities from midnight 24th December 2001 until midnight 24th January 2002. A detailed statement on the initiatives of the Government will be issued shortly.”
JVP objects to lifting LTTE ban: 22 Dec - Mr. Wimal Weeravamsha, spokesman and senior leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), said on December 20 that they would not cooperate with the Sri Lankan Government unless LTTE gave up

Page 7
15 JANUARY 2002
their demand for a separate state, hand over arms in a stipulated period of time and give an assurance that they would not take up weapons again. He said that the Tamil Tigers are worried due to the ban on them by several countries including Sri Lanka and India. The LTTE would attempt to de-proscribe the ban in these countries by holding talks with the Sri Lankan Government. The Tamil Tigers should be defeated through military means, and every patriotic Sri Lankan is yearning for it. LTTE's ideology is a danger to the Sovereignty and integrity of the Sinhala Nation, he said. Mr. Weeravamsha added that the Tamil Tigers are trying hard to show the international community that they are not terrorists rather they are freedom fighters fighting for the rights of Tamils. The JVP also has put up posters all over the country demanding that the government should not lift the ban on the LTTE.
Journalist Sivaram assaulted: 27 Dec - Mr.Dharmaratnam. Sivaram, a leading Tamil journalist and Mr. Wijetharan, of "Thinakathir' editorial were wounded when they were attacked by unidentified men, around 10.30 p.m. Wednesday. The journalists were attacked by men armed with clubs who had arrived in a van to the Thinakathir office, a independent Tamil daily published in Batticaloa. Hospital sources said Mr. Sivaram sustained injuries to his head. The gang fled from the scene before police arrived.The Thinakathir of fice was also damaged, sources said.
PM requests Norway's assistance: 27 Dec - Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe officially requested the government of Norway to recommence its facilitator role with regards to bringing about negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Mr. Wickremasinghe made his request in a telephone conversation with the Norwegian Prime Minister, a press communiqué released by the Prime Minister’s office in Colombo said.
LTTE should prove its credibility: 27 Dec - The general Secretary of the United National Party (UNP) - the main constituent of the ruling United National Front (UNF) - Mr. Senarath Kapukotuwa said that no decision has been taken in regard to lifting the ban imposed on the LTTE in Sri Lanka. The decision to lift the ban would be taken depending on the credibility of the future actions of the LTTE, he said.
“The LTTE should prove its credibility not only by words but also by deeds. The ban imposed on the LTTE by some foreign countries could not be compared with the ban on it in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan sovernment did not ban the LTTE locally when it requested the international community toban it in their countries,” Mr. Kapukotuwa pointed out. He madethis observation in response to a statement made by the
Marxist Janata Vimul third largest political the new parliament t in Sri Lanka should it abandoned its sep2 surrendered its arms.
Election violence tal incidents of election led 2955 by 28 Decer tions Secretariat Said ceived by police stati October 10, the day c general election have even after the electic cember 5. However, th no complaints have December 24. Prior t lice Elections Secret 2132 complaints. The tion violence incider While on the day of dents of violence wa total number of deat was 58.
Conflict deprives cl 30 Dec - Most of th age often living in areas and remote villa province, have been School and primary ongoing war, said M thalingam, Provincial istry of Rehabilitat Social Welfare and W ssing a three-day wo Childhood Developm “Pre-school educ dation for the better generation in the sph to the present war, t live in refugee camp in shanties, losing th taining pre-school an said Mr. Amirthalinga chief guest of the ev ers who attended the v of the urgent necessi attention to children been displaced or sep ents or who have lo ongoing war and livi welfare centres and (
Local elections on United National Fror cided to hold the local on March 1 this year, east province, autho Elections to fourteer thirty-eight urban cou and fifty eight prade level councils) woul day, UNF governmer Of these local il nicipal councils, fou seventy-four pradesi northeast province, said. The Commissic notify the dates for su

TAMEL TIMES 7
kthi Peramuna (JVP),
party represented in hat the ban on LTTE be only be lifted after rate state policy and
ly 2955: 29 Dec-The related violence totalmber, the Police Elecl. The complaints reions islandwide since if nominations for the continued to flow in on concluded on Dehe Secretariat said that been received since o the election the Poariat reported a total number of post-elechts amounted to 447. the election the incis a massive 376. The hs during this period
hildren's education: le children under the welfare centres, slum ges in the North-East deprived of their preeducation due to the r.Sokkalingam AmirSecretary to the Minion, Reconstruction, lomen Affairs, addrerkshop on the Early ment Project. ation lays a firm founment of the younger ere of education. Due housands of children s, welfare centres and e opportunity for obd primary education,” m, participating as the ent. Pre-School teachworkshop were briefed ty of providing better under ten who have arated from their parst their parents in the ing in refugee camps, other institutions.
March 1: 1 Jan - The nt government has degovernment elections including in the northritative Sources said. municipal councils, ncils and two hundred shiya Sabhas(village d be held on the same nt Said.
institutions, three muLr urban councils and iya sabahs are in the election department bner of Elections will bmitting nominations
very shortly, officials said.
The life term of the local government bodies in the northeast province was extended last year by then the People's Alliance government for another one year, which would end in April 2001. However the government appointed State officials as authorized officers to run these councils instead of holding fresh elections. Councils elected by the people now run the local government institutions in the other seven provinces.
LTTE leader writes to Norway PM; 2 Jan - Mr Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the LTTE has written to the Norwegian Prime Minister Mr Kjell Magne Bondevik, calling for Norway's continuous engagement as the facilitator between the LTTE and the new Sri Lanka government to find a peaceful settlement to the ethnic conflict. In a press release, the LTTE said on 2 January. Mr. Pirapaharanalso complimented the Royal Norwegian Government for its impartial and neutral approach in the facilitatory process. The statement also said a Norwegian delegation headed by Mr Helgeson, the Deputy Foreign Minister, will meet Mr Anton Balasingham, the official spokesman and chief negotiator for the LTTE in London on 4 January.
Embargo eased: 2 Jan - Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry said that it would allow the transport of restricted amount of diesel, petrol, cement and steel bars to the areas held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the North-East province effective January 15. The ministry said that it would allow other essential food items and medicines to be transported to the LTTE held areas, except illegal arms, ammunitions, explosives, remote control equipments, barbed wire, pen torch batteries and telescopic equipment. The Defense Ministry further said that logistical arrangements to ensure smooth implementation of this decision are currently being worked out, and will be in place within the next two weeks.
PA supporters debarred from workplaces: 2 Jan - Peoples Alliance MPand trade union activist, Alavi Mowlana yesterday led a delegation of PA trade union leaders to a meeting with the chairman of the Human Rights Commission to seek remedial action for about 1000 PA supporters employed in the state sector who are being debarred from their work places allegedly by the main UNP trade union the Jatika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS). Members of the Joint Council Trade Union Organisation who met with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chairman, Faiz Mustafa comprised unions leaders of the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB), the Railway Department and the Petroleum Corporation.
Military steps up recruitment: 6 Jan - The new United National Front (UNF) ad

Page 8
8 TAMILTIMES
ministration has authorised its military and police to continue with recruitment drives aimed at strengthening the fighting forces, according to newspaper reports from Colombo. The elite police commando unit, the Special Task Force (STF), today launched a major new recruitment drive to strengthen its forces deployed in the north and east, reports said quoting authoritative defence sources. The STF's campaign comes amid a major drive by the Sri Lanka Army's regular infantry divisions and Special Forces, as well as the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). Walk-in-interviews for applicants to the STF will begin at Chilaw public ground, and interviews will continue until January 29 at 18 different towns including Ampara. Over the past few days, police commandos put up colourful posters in Colombo and provinces to urge youth to join them.
The defence sources told the Island that the recruitment campaigns were “routine.' adding that even if the ongoing Norwegian efforts to revive the peace process succeed, both police and Security forces must continue with previously scheduled recruitment.
EPDPMP surrenders: 7 Jan - Mr. Nadarajah Mathanarajah of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) who was elected as a Member of Parliament for Jaffna at the general elections on 5 December last year surrendered to the Jaffna court on 7 January. Mr. Mathanarajah, a close confidante of the EPDP leader Mr. Douglas Devananda was wanted by the courts in connection with the attack on Tamil National Alliance candidates and supporters on 28 November in which two were killed. The EPDP has two seats in the Sri Lankan Parliament.
LTTE suggests Indian venue for talks: 8 Jan - The Tamil Tigers have suggested to the Norwegian government that future negotiations with the Sri Lankan government could be held in southern India, press reports said. The Hindu and the Tamil Guardian reported that the LTTE's suggestion is being conveyed to the Sri Lankan and Indian governmentsby a Norwegian delegation expected in South Asia later this week. “With Sri Lankan territory deemed unsuitable given the inherent security concerns and the health requirements of the LTTE's chief negotiator and political advisor, Mr Anton Balasingham, south India was an ideal location, the London-based paper quoted the LTTE as telling the Norwegian government.
“Security considerations, convenience and proximity to homeland," motivated the LTTE suggestion, The Hindu reported, quoting informed Tamil sources. The Hindu said the LTTE requires Indian assistance in two phases. "First, it wants New Delhi to allow its political adviser and chiefnegotiator, Anton Balasingham, and spouse, Adele Anne, to reside temporarily in Chennai before and during talks with the Sri Lankan Government,” the paper said.
"Second, it wants ind offices further and let by Norway to be cond dian city such as Ch thapuram or Bangalor
Negotiations base mit negotiators on botl idly for consultations leaderships in Colomb LTTE had pointed ol team, according to the the regional power, In terests in ensuring that the Sri Lankan confli earliest opportunity ai suitable venue would sistance, it quoted the
In its editorial Guardian said, "From the hosting of such ta tively uncomplicated gional power, Indiaj interests in both secur ated outcome to Sri I in the nature of the se! ing that, “Regional a
.cal proximity and ves
compelling reasons fo dia’s assistance in thi
Jaffna students war The Jaffna Technica Union (JTCSU) has a Minister, Mr. Ranil Y take immediate steps versity student Mr. K who has been detaine “Students of the Jaff and Jaffna Higher Tec organise a mass agita if Thivyan is not relea JTCSU said in a m Mr. Ranil Wickremas
TNA meets Norway During its meeting w wegian delegation on National Alliance (T reiterated their that th LTTE in Sri Lanka si diately to facilitate t peace negotiations.
The Norwegian Deputy Foreign Min It included special en a foreign ministry of
The delegation Messrs R Sampantha Joseph Pararajasingl rthy, K.Gajendrakum Sivasakthi Ananthal mentarian Raja Kuh Strictly adhering festo, the TNA dele gians that “No para place with any other tion when negotiati TNA's election "to ensure that the erly focussed and a cessful, no parallel r

15 ANUARY 2002
to extend its good he talks facilitated cted in a South Innnai, Thiruvanan
in India would persides to shuttle rap'ith their respective ) and the Vanni, the to the Norwegian famil Guardian. As ia has important ina lasting solution to t is achieved at the d the provision of a Irove invaluable asTTE as having said. olumn, the Tamil India's perspective, ks should be a relamatter. As the restifiably has vested ng a speedy negotianka’s conflict and tlement itself,” adduthority, geographied interests provide r the necessity of In
regard.”
of protests: 9 JanCollege Students' ppealed to the Prime Nickremesinghe, to o release Jaffna unirishnasamy Thivyan d since 2 July 2001. a Technical College mnical Institute would tion in the peninsula sedimmediately, the emorandum sent to nghe on 9 January.
delegation: 10 Janith the visiting Nor10 January, the Tamil NA) representatives e ban imposed on the ould be lifted immee commencement of
elegation was led by ster Vidar Helgeson. voy Erik Solheim and cial Kjersto Tromsbl. f the TNA included l, V.AnandaSangaree, m, A.Vinayagamoor, E.Thangavadivelu, and a former parliaበeSWaräm. to its election manition told the Norweel talks should take amil political forma
with the LTTE.” anifesto had said that 2gotiations are proppurposeful and sucgotiations should take
place withany other Tamil political organizations when the Sri Lankan Government negotiating with the LTTE.”
Commenting on the TNA's decision not to participate in the proposed peace talks between the SL government and the LTTE, the TNA delegation said that "all efforts of the Tamil moderate leadership to find a just and reasonable political solution to the Tamil national question for the last fifty years had failed due to the lack of comprehension and consistency in the policy of the successive Sinhalese dominated governments in power.” .
"The moderate Tamil leadership was taken for a ride by the successive governments on the pretext of having negotiations and entering into agreements and pacts. Now we have come to a situation that just and durable political solution could be found to the Tamil national question only with meaningful talks with the LTTE with the international third party involvement," the TNA delegation told the Norwegian team.
President denies knowledge of killings: 11 Jan - President Chandrika Kumaratunga denied the claim made by a CID Superintendent ofPolice, Bandula Wickremasinghe that he had in a memorandum sent to the President in September 2000 in which he had reportedly given information relating to those responsible for the murders of Tamil Congress leader Kumar Ponnambalam and Satana Editor Rohana Kumara earlier in the same year. Mr. Wickremasinghe's claim was reveled in the Sunday Leader with the suggestion that the President either knew of the murders before they took place, or she came to know about them after they occurred but took no steps to order further investigation. The President in a statement called the allegation a total fabrication. She has asked the police chief to hold an impartial inquiry into this allegation.
Norway's cautious optimism: l l Jan - The Norwegian peace delegation today expressed cautious optimism over finding a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict in the island. The delegation leader Mr.Vidar Helgeson, Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister, said there was increased level of confidence between the parties concerned.
The Norwegian delegation left Colombo on 11 January after two days' talks with President Chandrika Kumaratunge, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and leaders of several Tamil and Muslim political parties. The Norwegian delegation in its talks with the government leaders discussed in detail the outcome of the talks it held earlier with Dr.Anton Balasingham, political advisor of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in London. Helgeson further said that the proposed peace process would be challenging, and both parties would face difficulties.

Page 9
15 JANUARY 2002
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LTTE dismisses Nepal: 12 Jan - The LTTE's chief negotiator and political advisor, Mr. Anton Balasingham, Saturday dismissed press reports suggesting that the LTTE and the government were looking at Nepal as a suitable venue for negotiations. Mr. Balasingham said the Himalayan kingdom was logistically “completely unsuitable" as a venue for peace talks.
In Sri Lanka ehe Daily Mirror newspaper said of "possibility of holding the proposed peace talks ... in Kathmandu is being looked into by both parties.”
"Earlier, there was consensus over a venue in India as a logical choice. However, objections raised by several political groups in Tamil Nadu there forced the parties concerned to look for an alternative venue," the paper claimed, adding that several Indian satellite TV channels quoted an LTTE spokesman in Paris as saying the LTTE was considering Nepal as an suitable venue. However, Mr. Balasingham emphatically denied that there was agreement on a suitable venue with the Sri Lankan government. He also said that kogistical considerations ruled out Nepal and said southern India was the most practical location from the perspective of both sides' negotiators.
Ranill assures of peace with no separation: 12 Jan - Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe gave an assurance that the UNF
Government was co ethnic conflict whil torial integrity of th the 47th annual con 12 January, he said Would usher an era O ending the ethnic sti added: “I will bring the problem which citizen in the countr Emphasizing tl peace process, the "The road to peace is not easy. We havi achieve peace. But v a difficult path to p The road is full of di and we are passing thorough fare to brin; mony to our mother the country.”
Speaking in a n directed at the JVP, campaign to oppose Prime Minister said will not let anybody try once again unde to the path we haveta who added fuel to hatred in the late '80 President J. R. Jayev ing to the violent pr and supported by the "I would not have to
 
 
 
 
 

TAMILTIMES 9
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mmitted to ending the e preserving the terrie country. Addressing vention of the UNP on the UNIF Government fpeace and prosperity ife begun in 1983. He about a settlement of is acceptable to every y.” he difficulties in the Prime Minister said: and national harmony e to go a long way to we cannot run fast. It is asS and it is slippery. amages and pot holes, through this arduous g about peace and harland, without dividing
ote of warning clearly that has announced a the peace process, the : “I will assure you I to set fire to the counthe pretext of protest ken. He blamed those the fire of communal is during the regime of wardene, Again alludotests led by the JVP SLFP in 1987 he said, face a problem of this
magnitude if those who set fire in 1987 supported the then government when the IndoSri Lanka Pact was signed.”
Vanniban relaxed: 5 Jan - Six hundred civilians would be permitted to travel from the LTTE held Vanni region through the Sri Lanka army's entry point at Piramanaalankulam from Monday to Friday under new regulations issued by the Sri Lankan government which came into effect 15 January as part of a move to ease the 12 year old embargo and travel restrictions in the war torn northern parts of the island.
Earlier, only seven hundred were allowed to come through on Tuesdays and Fridays. Six hundred would be allowed into the Vanni during weekdays from army held areas; and the draconian red tape that civilians had to face in obtaining clearance from the SLA for travelling to the Vanni from other parts of the island have been eased.
Court rejects Ratwatte applications: 15 Jan-The Supreme Court today rejected the two fundamental rights applications filed by the two Sons, Lohan and Chanuka of former Deputy Defense Minister and presently Kandy District Parliamentarian General Anurudha Ratwatte. In their FR applications they sought order preventing their arrest by the police in connection with the massacre often Muslim men at Madawella

Page 10
10 fAMILTIMES
on the election day, December 5 last year.
The Chief Justice Mr. Sarath N.Silva rejecting the FR applications said the SC could not interfere in the magisterial proceeding of the Udathalawinne massacre.
President Counsel Mr. Arthur SamaraSekara in support of the FR applications told court that the arrest order made by the Teldeniya Magistrate was without justifiable reason and reliable information. The Deputy Solicitor General Mr. Arasekularatena appeared for the Attorney General argued that the police was in possession of vital evidence in regard to the involvement of the two petitioners in the alleged Udathalawinne massacre. The Teldeniya Magistrate had made the arrest order against the two petitioners who were the main suspects in the massacre based on such vital information
Norway discusses ceasefire with LTTE: 15 Jan - Efforts to hammer out a permanent stable ceasefire between the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lanka government continued on 15 January as a Norwegian delegation returned to London to meet the LTTE's chief negotiator and political advisor, Anton Balasingham, following discussions with the government in Colombo.
Erik Solheim, special advisor to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and Kjirste Tromsdal, an official with the same Ministry, met Mr. Balasingham at his residence
in London for three ht sions centred on the fo tured, stable ceasefire.
jective is to convert th tions of hostilities be served by both sides i framework, according Until an agreement on fire is arrived at, Norwa LTTE and the Sri Lan extend their ongoing cc ties when these expire (
Release of commando - Defence Minister Til ordered the release of a mandos engaged in against Tamil Tiger (L police on allegations o Sassinate Prime Minist singhe. Marapana ordt mounting criticism, e newspapers, that men b unit of the Sri Lankaarn penetration strikes insi gles are being held in t lice team probing the c deputy defence ministe Ratwatte in a plot to kil
PTA accused entitled "confession: 16 Jan-T Judge Mr. J. Visvanath plication made by the d
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15 JANUARY 2002
rs. Their discusnation of a struche immediate obunilateral cessag separately obo a single stable O LTTE Sources. permanent ceasehas requested the an government to sations of hostili
January 24.
ordered: 14 Jan k Marapana today roup of elite comounter-terrorism TE) being held by complicity to as
• Ranill Wickremered the release as specially in local :longing to a crack y involved in deeple LTTE-heldjune custody of a poimplicity of former r Gen. Anuruddha l Wickremesinghe.
to translation of he East High Court an allowed an apefense counsel in a
case filed under the Prevention Terrorism Act that a Tamil translation of the confession purported to have been made by the accused should be provided to him (the accused) before the commencement of the proper trial. "It would be a travesty of justice if the inquiry were to be held against the accused without providing him the Tamil translation of his confession', the judge said.
The High Court Judge in his order delivered on 16 January at the Trincomalee sessions of the East High Court said: “In the particular case the confession of the accused has been recorded in Sinhalalanguage. The prosecution is to use the confession against the accused to prove his guilt. A voire-dire inquiry would be held if the defense challenges that the police has obtained the confession by torturing the accused. If the courtheld after such inquiry that the confession was a voluntary one then it would be used against the accused. It would be considered a travesty of justice if the inquiry were to be held against the accused without providing him the Tamil translation of his confession. Therefore the accused has every right to obtain a Tamil translation of his confession which was recorded in Sinhala language before the commencement of the trial.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General has directed the Inspector General of Police to submit the names of those who have been
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Page 11
15 ANUARY 2002
detained in several prisons in the country under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The AG further directed the IGP to furnish the names of those who have been indicted in courts and are being held without any charges in prisons and detention centres. The AG has further directed the IGP to Submit the number of PTA cases where the prosecution solely depends on the confession made by the suspects to prove their guiltin the previous week the Chief Justice directed the Attorney General to take immediate steps to clear the backlog of PTA cases, stating that more than six hundred Tamil youths are languishing in prisons without being charged in courts.
Open sky policy: 7 Jan - Colombo is soon to embrace an open sky policy with no restrictions on the number of Indian carriers flying to Sri Lanka, Arjuna Mahendran, chairman of the Board of Investment said in India today. “He hoped that this would lead to Indian private carriers flying to Colombo”, Said a Statement from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). CII is based in Bangalore where it has organised the Partnership Summit 2002, being attended currently by Mahendran. He delivered an address on "Sri Lanka: make a profit in paradise".
Nomination to Constitutional Council: 17 Jan - A retired High Court Judge Mr.T. Suntharalingam has been nominated to the eleven member Constitutional Council which is to be appointed under the 7th amendment to the constitution. Leaders of Tamil political parties represented in the parliament unanimously nominated Mr.Suntharalingam as the representative of the Sri Lanka Tamils in the Constitutional Council. Earlier the Tamil political parties were divided in nominating a representative to represent Sri Lankan Tamils in the constitutional council.
.The decision was conveyed at the meeting of leaders of all political parties held Thursday at the parliamentary complex with Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Prime Minister in the chair. Messrs R.Sampanthan and A.Vinayagamoorthy of Tamil National Alliance, Douglas Devananda of Eelam People's Democratic Party, D.Siddharthan of People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam, Vimal Weerawnse of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Rauf Hakeem of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Ratnsiri Wickremasinghe of People's Alliance attended the meeting.
Mr.Suntharalingam joined the Judicial Service as Magistrate and then rose to the position of a High Court Judge. After retirement from the judicial service he served as a commissioner of the Human Rights Commissioner of Sri Lanka for some time.
Court allows rights cases to proceed: 18 Jan - The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed in six fundamental right violations petitions requesting the Court to
order the elections c fresh polls for Wann tricts. The petitioner tal rights have been vi closed entry points t controlled areas on thousands of people were unable to vote
mander in a surpris points to army held a booths were located
President against li Jan - The Sri Lankan Kumaratunga, strong LTTE should not lift fit gives a solemn ur not indulge in politic terrorist strikes agai nomic targets. "I do som to hope too much trying, she said. I strt further concessions S LTTE only after it c ing table and lifting could be very dange nought,” the Preside India'.
Presidential spol said that there should procities for meaning and lasting peace to went on to say that t showed an absence part of the LTTE. He ceasefire was a key be meaningless if i LTTE undertaking to ist strikes. In return lifting restrictions ( goods and people i. LTTE should open u main supply route.
Would-be migrants, Sri Lankan navy has trawlers packed with
ing to make the long ' said navy gunboats trawlers off the coas of Negombo near the tional airport. Thes after 108 men were a CumStanceS.
School non-attenda Jan — “It has been es percent of children b do not attend school national average and attendance in many province is much hig many as one out offiv nd Schools,” said N UNICEF resident repr the second day North Literary Festival at Tr College auditorium c
LTTE extends unia - The LTTE in an off

TAMILTIMES 11
ommissioner to hold li and Batticaloe diss say their fundameniolated when the army o voters in the LTTE election day. Tens of
living in such areas when the army come move closed entry reas where the polling
fting LTTE ban: 18 President, Chandrika ly feels the ban on the d till the militant outdertaking that it will all assassinations and nst civilian and econ't think there is reah, but one has to keep ongly believe that any hould be given to the omes to the negotiatthe ban before that rous and end up in a nt told "The Times of
kesman Harim Peiris I be a package of reciful talks to take place be attained. He then he proceedings so far of reciprocity on the said a mutually agreed element, but it would t did not include an not indulge in terrorfor the government's on the movement of nto LTTE areas, the p the Vavuniya-Jaffna
arrested: 18 Jan - The detained two fishing about 100 people hopvoyage to Italy. Police
had discovered the t of the western town island's only internaeizure comes a week irrested in similar cir
nce high in N-E: 18 timated that about 14 between age 5 and 14 in Sri Lanka. This is a we all know that nonareas in the northeast her. In some areas as de children do notatteMs Elroy Gabr-ielle, esentative, addressing East Provincial Tamil incomalee St.Joseph's on 18 January.
teral ceasefire 19 Jan icial statement issued
today from its headquarters in Vanni, northern Sri Lanka, extended its unilaterally declared cessation of hostilities for another one month, from midnight 24 January to midnight 24 February 2002. “We have decided to extend the truce for another month as a gesture of peace and goodwill and also to provide further space and time for the Norwegian facilitators to workout terms and conditions for a mutually agreed structured cease-fire. We fervently hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will reciprocate favourably to our goodwill gesture and extend the period of peace accordingly," the LTTE's statement said. The statement added that the LTTE leadership has, through its chief negotiator Mr Anton Balasingham, informed the Royal Norwegian government of its decision to extend the truce and requested the facilitators to convey the decision to the Government of Sri Lanka. Paskaralingam back: 19 Jan - Controversial former Finance Ministry Secretary R. Paskaralingam who fled to London following the victory of the People's Alliance in August 1994 is said to have returned to Colombo and checked in at the 5-Star Colombo Galadari hotel. Though the People’s Alliance government conducted lengthy investigations into alleged illegal dealings of Mr Paskaralingam and others, those they came a cropper when the affected parties successfully challenged the validity of theinvestigations carried out by the Presidential. Colombo newspapers said Mr. Paskaralingam had returned to shoulder some heavy responsibilities under the new UNP regime had booked a room at the hotel for two years. Thugs Destroy New Pradesheeya Sabha Building: 19 Jan - A group of ruling United National Party (UNP) supporters raided the newly constructed Hingurakgoda Pradesheeya Sabha building while its opening ceremony was under way and destroyed equipment worth Rs. Three hundred thousand. An attempt to set fire to the building was prevented by the workers. The gang, however, was able to break windowpanes, throw excretion on walls and set nearly 300 chairs on fire. It is estimated that Rs. 4.9 million have been spent by the authorities to construct the building. Minister of Local Government and Internal Affairs Earl Gunasekara tried very hard to stop the inauguration ceremony. India to reject LTTE Request: 20 Jan - The government of India appears to be categorical in rejecting the LTTE's plea for using either Chennai or any other part of the Southern States as a venue for peace talks with the Sri Lankan Government. A report in "The Hindu" quoting highlyplaced sources said that informal discussions between the Ministries of External Affairs and Home on the subject were recently held and the dominant view was to keep the LTTE at bay from the southern States. In fact, the view in the Home Ministry seems to be that the matter is a closed chapter. O

Page 12
12TAMITMES
NeWS and Comr
By Colombo Correspondent
trong expectations of peace are very much in the air in Sri Lanka, but it is certainly no heady feeling. Instead it is a feeling of good hope mixed with those of caution and even fear.
The roads in Colombo city and its suburbs are free flowing, with no armed barriers and checkpoints. This has given immense satisfaction to the Tamils in and out of these areas, as they are no more subject to the insults and harassment reserved for them at these places. The Sinhala middle and upper classes are also happy at not having to undergo all the troubles of traffic jams and delayed appointments.
However, there is a also a general air of caution and fear among many who feel this as open door to the LTTE, to bring in its armed cadres and suicide squads into the city, to be in place if and when the proposed peace talks happen to break down - in a replay of earlier situations.
The Government responded swiftly to the LTTE's December 19 announcement of a month long unilateral ceasefire from midnight of December 24, 2001. Barely two weeks after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn as Prime Minister, United National Front (UNF) Government responded with a declaration of a cessation of hostilities for the same one-month period, ending midnight January 24, 2002 with the professed hope that the cessation of hostilities could be extended.
It is expected that the unilateral cessation of hostilities will be extended further by both sides until a formal ceasefire is worked out between the parties.
Sharp contrast
This move by the UNF Government and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is in sharp contrast to the manmer in which the PA Government under President Chandrika Kumaratunga responded to a similar unilateral ceasefire declared by the LTTE for one month from December 24, 2000. The PA Government did not accept the "unilateral ceasefire' as genuine, as it was not informed through the Norwegian facilitators. It further refused to accept
the LTTE's unilater ceasefire for two mc ter. Instead, after th that it was ending i fire in March 2001, launched a massive
barely 48 hours afte in the operation na One'. The result w ties among both gov LTTE cadres, comp ment troops to retre hind what they had lack of response to
eral ceasefire by th was one ofthe majo] tors in the peace proc on with Norwegian ever, the LTTE too c virtual end of the pe after, with its sudden conditions for talks
of its proscription.
Free flow of good The UNIF Gov quick to respond LTTE's demand for ter conditions for p lift the ban on most allowed to the Nor LTTE held or “unc Vanni. Plenty of go now appear to be mo areas, easing the c the people.
Removal of restr Another confid for talks is the rem on civilians in the V control of the L Piramanakulam cl government control quirements. This ( opened five days a Friday - from Janu proposed arranger from the LTTE con allowed from Piram totaling 3,000 pers trast to the 700 civil on two days of the portation from this to only one day a allowed on four d restrictions, The c

15 ANUARY 2002
ment
al extension of the remonths thereaf
LTTE announced s unilateral ceasethe security forces ttack on the LTTE the announcement med "Agni Kheela as massive casual2rnment troops and elling the governat to positions be
earlier held. This the LTTE's unilatPA Government, * de-stabilizing fac(ess which then was facilitation. Howlid contribute to the ace process shortly impositions of pre- mainly the lifting
ds
ernment has been positively to the the creation of beteace. It decided to of the 21 items not th; particularly the leared" areas in the ods, earlier banned, ving freely to these onditions of life of
ictions
ence building move oval of restrictions anni areas under the TE crossing the eckpoint to enter ed areas for their re'heckpoint will be week - Monday to ry 15, 2002. Under nents 600 persons rolled areas will be anakulam each day, ons a week, in conians allowed access week. Goods transoint so far restricted week, will soon be lys with much less ossing will also be
open for patients needing urgent medical attention on Saturdays and Sundays, too. These moves are expected to bring much relief to at least 350,000 Tamil people estimated to be living in LTTE controlled areas of the Vanni.
Although there is considerable free flow of goods to the North today, there is the notable absence of the euphoria of peace in Jaffna, that prevailed when there was a similar easing of restrictions and moves towards peace by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, both as Prime Minister in October 1994, and later af. ter being elected President in November 1994. There are no pro-Ranil baubles on display in Jaffna today, unlike the "Chandrika' bangles and trinkets that were the fashion on the earlier occasion.
The Hindu festival of "Thai Pongal" on January 14 is targeted by government peace strategists to make the most impression on the people of the North of the sincerity of its intentions for peace. Minister Jayalath Jayawardana, who is in charge of Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, will pay a special visit to the North on this day. He is expected to meet with parents of government troops held by the LTTE, permitted to travel to the North in efforts to gain the possible release of these prisoners. Minister Jayawardana is one who is believed to have maintained close links with the LTTE when the UNP was in opposition. In those days he was much maligned as a 'secret agent' of the Tamil Tigers and even his movements were subjected to scrutiny by the intelligence agencies.
Delegations from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce & Industries of Sri Lanka have also visited Jaffna for talks with the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce for improved trade.
The Norwegian initiative
No sooner the LTTE announced its unilateral ceasefire, Prime Minister Ranil Wicremasinghe took immediate steps to revive the Norwegian initiative in the peace process that has been stalled from April last year, after the LTTE insisted that no talks would be possible unless the ban imposed on it in 1998 is lifted. As President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s PA government had already upgraded the level of Norwegian involvement to one with the Norwegian Government itself, Prime Minister Wickremasinghe lost no time in telephoning the Norwegian Prime Minister, and requesting assistance in reviv

Page 13
15 JANUARY 2002
ing the peace process. Following a positive response from the Norwegian Prime Minister to the Sri Lankan Premier's request, there was a similar request to the Norwegian Government by the LTTE leader Velupillai Pirubaharan too, which also received a welcome response. Consequently, a special three member Norwegian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Vider Helgessen, accompanied by former facilitator and special peace envoy Erik Solheim and another Norwegian Foreign Ministry official arrived in Sri Lanka on January 10. They met President Chandrika Kumaratunga and briefed her on developments, in addition to their meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The presence of peace envoy Erik Solheim in the delegation seems significant, as in the latter stages of the Norwegian facilitation last year, President Kumaratunga and former Foreign Minister Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar took exception to the role he was playing, specially in giving interviews to the media. The Norwegian delegation also met former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, as well as, members of the Tamil National Alliance led by the TULF, and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Mr. Rauff Hakeem, the latter now in the ruling UNF. The Norwegians had expressed satisfaction at the increase in goodwill and heightened interest in the peace process. However, they expressed caution and warned of many challenges that lay ahead.
The TNA delegation informed the Norwegians reiterated their already known position that the proscription of the LTTE should be lifted before any negotiations begin, and that any negotiations should be between the Government and the LTTE alone. The SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, while emphasizing its support for the peace process, urged that all Muslims displaced from the North and East by the LTTE should be allowed to return to their traditional home areas, as part of any settlement.
The Norwegians have left Sri Lanka and are now due to have an early meeting with Anton Balasingham with regard to progress in negotiations.
PM's Indian Visit
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe made India the venue of his first official visit abroad as Prime Minister. It was a high profile visit with much publicity during which the Prime Minister
met and discussed President Prime Mi other Ministers He Prime Minister N. Congress leader Mr. sought India's acti role in the peace pro mencing with Nory While India agreed t process, specially t facilitation, it was n other assurances in would play other t view that it would a political settlement flict that respected t territorial integrity
cording to political Colombo and in Ind terpart, Atal Behari
Indian leaders, had e in regard to the Sri attempt to get India mitted to the peace
LTTE’s intriguing Outwardly, LTT Anton Balasinghal hold proposed peac Lankan governmen another South Indi; nocuous. But senior soned commentator parent ploy.” How consider that such tively help peace ta the venue and shelte tor and his wife.
Balasingham is : Norwegian facilitat cal proximity, avai care and communica he constantly neede dia’s concerns as a ) were the factors tha gestion. According India was the most from the perspectiv gotiators. "Inevitab productive progress quire close coordin negotiation) teams leaderships,” Balası “Outwardly the Were they Balasingl or something else? commentator querie In Tamil Nadu ham's suggestion a licity, including an Hindu, the reaction cal. Tamil Nadu Ch: erselvam wrote to F Bihari Vajpayee, c

TAMILTIMES 13
matters with the nister of India and e also met former arasimha Rao and s Sonia Gandhi. He ve support for and cess he was recomvegian facilitation. o support the peace hrough Norwegian ot ready to give any regard to any role it han to express the always support any of the ethnic conhe sovereignty and of Sri Lanka. Ac
observers both in ia, his Indian counVajpayee and other Xpressed reluctance
Lankan Premier's more heavily comprocess.
suggestion
TE chief negotiator m's suggestion to e talks with the Sri t in Chennai or in an city, looked inpoliticians and seaS saw it as a "trans'ever, some others a move could posilks by providing it er to LTTE negotia
said to have told his ors that geographilability of medical tion facilities which d and satisfying Inregion super-power t prompted his sugto him, 'southern t practical location e of both sides’ nely, the smooth and of talks would relation between the and their respective ingham Said.
reasons look fine. lam's only concerns a Colombo based ed. , where Balasingttracted much pubeditorial from The was sharply critiief Minister, PannePrime Minister Atal onveying the state
st
government's "unequivocal" opposition to granting shelter to Balasingham and his wife, Adele, in Chennai given LTTE's "past track record of spreading its dangerous tentacles over the entire state.” He added: "It is too dangerous to think of allowing the LTTE to get even a toe-hold, let alone a foot-hold in Tamil Nadu, even ostensibly for the purpose of peace talks."
“This is a very sensitive issue having far reaching and dangerous implications for the security of India and as such we, therefore, cannot give our consent to such an arrangement at all,” he said.
To others like T. N. Gopalan, a veteran commentator on Indo-Sri Lankan affairs, and Tamil Nadu leaders of the Congress party, LTTE's involvement in the murder of Rajiv Gandhi and waging war against the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) were the main considerations. "I'm aghast at the LTTE's audacity, exclaimed Gopalan. “To even think that they could be permitted back... after having fought the Indian army and humiliated it, their psyche is truly mind-boggling,' Gopalan said.
For Janatha Party leader Subramanian Swamy, an inveterate opponent of the LTTE, it is a "terrorist organisation banned in India for killing the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.” He threatened to "go to the Supreme Court' to challenge any move by the federal government to allow peace talks on Indian soil.
India outlawed the LTTE in the early 1990s, blaming it for assassinating former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally in Tamil Nadu in 1991 - a charge denied by the Tigers. Tamil Nadu, home to a 62-million strong Tamil community, which was generously supportive of Sri Lankan Tamils and where the Tamil militant groups including the LTTE had their basesin the 1980s, became virtually a no-go area for the LTTE after the assassination. Balasingham is said to have admitted, in recent years, the killing of Rajiv Gandhi was a “historical blunder." Other political commentators in Tamil Nadu are concerned about India's failed efforts at brokering peace. Between 1987 and 1990, India lost l, 150 troops, part of a peace-keeping force sent by Rajiv Gandhi in July 1987 in a protracted military confrontation with the Tigers after he had brokered a peace accord with Colombo to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
There are a few voices strongly sym

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14 TAMILTIMES
pathetic to the LTTE in Vajpayee's ruling coalition who have urged the Prime Minister to consider positively Balasingham's suggestion. Senior MDMK leader and Union Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy M Kannappan said there was nothing wrong in allowing Balasingham to camp at Chennai or any other city and in facilitating peace talks. "The opportunity mooted cannot be denied when the entire world is yearning for peace,” he said and added that it was up to the Indian Prime Minister to take a final decision on the matter.
Tamizhar Desiya lyakkam leader, P. Nedumaran, favoured Indian facilitation of peace talks and the provision of accommodation to Balasingham family.
DMK president M Karunanidhi, embroiled in a series of disputes with his arch rival Jayalalitha, has taken a cautious stand. He said it was a matter in which the Centre has to take a decision and assured that his government would abide by that it.
Sri Lankan analysts have looked at Balasingham's suggestion from a broader perspective. They say Balasingham’s proposition has raised “awkward” questions for New Delhi on the role it wants to play in the Sri Lankan peace process.
A former militant L. Ketheeswaran of the private Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), says Balasingham "seems to be exploring ways for a return to legitimacy in India,” Once Balasingham was given permission to stay in Chennai and it became the venue for the peace talks Indian involvement in the peace process would become "inevitable', he said.
That would certainly make New Delhi take up the role of mediator or guarantor. “But it is an entirely different matter whether this will be in India’s interests. That is something that India has to consider closely, Ketheeswaran said.
The former diplomat, Nanda Godage, shared a similar view, adding that the suggestion provided India an opportunity to clarify the role it wanted to play in the Sri Lankan conflict. "India should come in and play a much more positive role than just playing host to Balasingham. But if they do not want to do that, this is the chance for them to make it absolutely clear,” Godage said, arguing that the signals emerging from New Delhi on this had always been "mixed'.
Another political commentator,
Sunday Times editor: said that if New Delh LTTE request, it ran dicting itself on its de the peace process in obvious that the LTT foothold in India and macy despite the bal landed a hot potato in he said. "As far as the ernment is concernec ter if they talk to the or Chennai. This is lem. It is a bit awkwa to first say hold pea say, "no, no, you cann on Indian soil', Ratn Commentators sa intrigued by the LTT by India's response singham had succeed Delhi's dilemma. It positive role but wan to keep it informed of wegians briefed Indi; sioner in Colombo Go dhi on January l l abc the talks they held in lombo.
Equally fascinati titude towards India. ister Ranil Wickreme dia, LTTE’s reaction tion and skepticism. ( up with New Delhi viewed by the LTTE disguised suspicion Balasingham's sugg triguing.
Sri Lanka on Jam suggestions that a could be the venue fe the LTTE as “premi "This speculation is p not reached such ap ingful stage in the pe net spokesman and E ment Minister G.L. along with another Moragoda, has beer the peace process.
The Governmen be expected to respc lation which had si desiring that a sou Chennai, Bangalore puram could be the direct talks with th ernment, he said.
The Tamil Nad urged the Centre LTTE's plea for u. or any other part of for its peace negot

15 JANARY 2002
nha Ratnatunga, turned down the e risk of contralared support for Sri Lanka. "It is is trying to get a win back legition it, but it has New Delhi's lap,' Sri Lankan Govit does not matTTE in London ow India's prob"d for New Delhi e talks, and then thold peace talks tunga said. 7 they are equally E suggestion and They say Balaed in highlighting refuses to play a s the Norwegians every move. Norun High Commispala Krishna Ganbut the progress of London and Co
ng was LTTE's atWhen Prime Min'singhe visited Inwas one of irritaColombo cuddling has always been eadership with un. In this context, estion itself is in
uary 10 dismissed south Indian city r negotiations with ture' speculation. remature. We have oductive or meance process,"Cabinterprise DevelopPeiris said. Peiris, Minister, Milinda deputed to handle
of India could not ld to media specuoken of the LTTE n Indian city like or Thiruvananthaenue for proposed Sri Lankan Gov
Government itself ot to concede the ng either Chennai he State as a venue tions with the Sri
Lankan Government. Stoutly opposing any move to give space for the outlawed LTTE to reestablish its base in Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister, O. Paneer
selvam, categorically asserted:
"The LTTE is a banned terroristorganisation. And, there is no scope for allowing them here.” Nirupama Subramanian, the "Hindu' correspondent in Colombo, in a piecepublishedon January 9, 2002, quoting observers and analysts in Colombo said: "The request by the LTTE for its London representative, Anton Balasingham, to be re-located to Che-nnai and for peace talks to take place in a south Indian city, is a "transparent ploy” to regain legitimacy in India but once again raised "awkward' questions for New Delhi on the role it wants to play in the Sri Lankan peace process.
The report also quoted Mr. L. Ketheeswaran of the private Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), saying "The reasons that the LTTE has given are mainly logistical and medical from Mr. Balasingham's point of view, but it also seems to be exploring ways for a re-turn to legitimacy in India.” Although this was the overall feeling in Sri Lanka, too, the obvious reluctance by India to agree to this to some extent dashed Prime Minister Wickremasinghe's hopes of having India more closely involved. Sri Lankan observers saw this as a move to get India to waive its ban on the LTTE and ignore the fact that its leaders are wanted for execution under law for the assassination of Prime Minster Rajiv Gandhi, while at the same time, making it easier for the Sri Lankan Government to lift the ban on the LTTE. It is now reported that both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan authorities are exploring the possibilities of Kathmandu, in Nepal, being the venue for preliminary discussions, for talks that are not likely to begin till early April.
Chandrika's assurance
Prime Minister Wickremasinghe received a much needed fillip for his current efforts at peace when President Kumaratunga speaking at the Kathmandu sessions of the SAARC summit, declared her party would give every assistance to the Prime Minister in genuine efforts to bring the peace process to 3 SUCCCSS.
The President's statement while giving strength to the Prime Minister, especially her comments about the possibility of success in the experiment in “co-habitation' in government between

Page 15
15 JANUARY 2002
the PA and UNF, also sought to protect her own flank within the PA. There is a strong move among at least 20 of the 77 elected members of the PA to cross over to the Government to support its peace initiative, by forming a "National Government." Overtures are being made to this group by a section of the UNP; led by former PA minister S. B. Dissanayake, keen to impeach the President, for which a two-thirds majority is required.
With his main objective being the success of the peace initiative that has already brought much hope and promising response from the LTTE, Prime Minister Wickremasinghe is certainly in no need just now for any moves to impeach the President, and walk into a political quagmire. He has to use all his skills of leadership to fend of the demand that is emerging within sections of the UNP to attack the President until she is removed from the political scene. The Prime Minister would much rather tread softly on this issue rather than face a political storm both within his own party and in the country.
Exit Gamini Atukorale
Through unexpected tragedy, January 1, 2002 saw the strengthening of the Prime Minister's position within the UNP, and consequently the UNF. It was the sudden death of the Assistant Leader of the UNP, Mr. Gamini Atukorale, Minister of Highways & Transport, and leader of the UNP's trade union, the currently powerful Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS). The late Gamini Atukorale (51) was among those who were involved in a serious move to oust Ranil Wickremasinghe from the leadership of the UNP, when it had suffered ten electoral defeats. After the recent victory, he aligned himself with the group that was seeking to oust President Kumaratunga, through impeachment.
The sudden demise of Gamini Atukorale has made Ranil Wickremasinghe's position in the UNP much safer, with its deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya not known to be much of a political strategist. The immediate absence of Gamini Atukorale, whose portfolios have been added to strong Ranil supporter, Defence Minister, Gamini Marapona, has somewhat, weakened the group that is demanding that the Govenment act against President Kumaratunga during its first 100 days in office.
Local Governme The President pr the UNIF to hold loc, in early March, by sent to a Bill to am ernment Elections, to the Supreme Col would compel the C polls to over 1,500 March.
The UNP's Strat polls as soon as po use of the voterswil power on Decembe its position in the lc fore its popularity prices and political of the local polls ha the UNFos strategy Budget, due in befo after it had won th now likely that the have to obtain a V manage till the loca ter which the Gove its budget, that is li fiscal and economic The IPA meanw self for the local pol considerable difficul number of its activ members, including bodies, being held i custody, for alleged and post election vic the general atmosph test the UNF, due to election violence t unchecked for near the December 5 elec ber of PA supporters pected of supportin victimized in Gover corporations and all UNP's trade union a its own way in them and appointments o interdiction and h ceived rivals.
It took nearly o December 5, electi ment to appoint t Committees, includ from the Governme to examine these ins tion violence. It reci the UNP's sweepin when Prime Ministe gave the Police"one the wake of wides
violence, then par
against Tamils too.
The Presidental

TAMILTNES 15
nt polls
evented attempts by al government polls mer not giving connd the Local Govin time to submit it
rt for assent. This
overnment to hold ocal bodies by mid
egy is to hold these ssible to make full ng that brought it to 5, and consolidate cal authorities, bedrops due to high revenge. The delay S been a setback to 1 of presenting its e the end of March, e local polls. It is : Government will ote on Account to l polls are over, af. nment will present kely to have harsh | mՇaՏԱTCS.
hile is readying itls, but is faced with ties due to the large rists, specially PA , chairmen of local n remand or police acts of pre-election lence. There is also nere offear to conthe spree of posthat was permitted ly one month after tions. A large num, or those even susg the PA, are being nment departments, thorities, with the rm, the JSS having atter ofpromotions fits members, with arassment of per
ne month after the on for the Governwo Parliamentary ing members both nt and Opposition, Lances of post-eleclls the events after g victory in 1977, * J. R. Jayewardene, month's leave', in Iread post-election ticularly directed
d some PA leaders
have held talks with the JVP on means
of countering post-elections violence, and there are some chances of the PA and JVP coming to an understanding on contesting the local elections. However, there are major differences of opinion on this within both the PA and JVP. Such an understanding with the JVP will be particularly difficult as the JVP is strongly opposed to the current peace moves of the Government. It is the most vocal opponent of the peace process, insisting that the LTTE give up the demand for a separate state before any talks begin, and wanting the ban on it lifted only after talks progress. It recently placed its views on this issue and post-election violence before Western diplomats.
The secret's out Whether it was genuine police bungling or an act of "bungling" directed by those in the UNF, a long held secret of the Sri Lanka Army came to light when the police raided an Army Safe House, at Athurugiriya, near Colombo late December. They found several army personnel, an LTTE deserter among them, with many sophisticated weapons, communications & Surveillance equipment. Appeals by the Army that this was a special unit of the Army, used for Deep Penetration Operations, were of no use, as the Police said they were investigating an alleged plot to assassinate the new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Thus came to light the existence of the Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lanka Army, that was responsible for taking out some leading cadres of the LTTE in the past one year, within areas held by the LTTE. The Army on those occasions stoutly denied having any such unit, and blamed the killings on the LTTE's own internecine battles, despite LTTE blaming these attacks on the Army.
The Army and Police blame each other, but the fact that UNF politicians were at the ready to leak the story to the Media, and refusal of the Police to check with higher ranks in the Army, and even ignore some of their appeals, indicates this could be no simple case of police bungling. The Army claims that the raid exposed a well kept secret that has also led to demoralizing of its ranks, especially as those arrested have not been released even ten days later, and are still being questioned. The smell of politics lingers heavy over the entire exercise.

Page 16
16 TAMILTIMES
The Develop Peace Proce
Dr Jehan Perera
he peace process appears to be proceeding faster than most people could reasonably have expected. Besides the announcement and observance of unilateral ceasefires by both sides, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's letter to his Norwegian counterpart requesting a resumption of Norwegian facilitation of the Sri Lankan peace process, has been reciprocated by LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran.
A Norwegian delegation headed by Bondevik met in London with top official advisor to the LTTE, Anton Balasingham. Norway's Foreign Ministry called the talks "constructive” but gave no details. The delegation also visited Colombo and had talks with all parties concerned, including the President, Prime Minister, Tamil National Alliance and the SLMC, following which it expressed cautious optimism.
Unilateral moves
After the election of the new government there has been rapid progress towards a cessation of hostilities between the government and LTTE. The LTTE's announcement of a month long unilateral ceasefire beginning on December 24 was swiftly followed by a government decision to reciprocate with a similar ceasefire of its own. In addition the government decided to action to relax the economic embargo on LTTE controlled areas.
So far the positive actions of the two parties have been unilateral ones. There are two ways to look at unilateral actions. Those who have faith in the peace process, and see no alternative to it, may see in them confidence-building initiatives. On the other hand, those who have little faith in the peace process may see these unilateral actions as being in the nature of manoeuvers to embarrass and trap the other side.
By declaring its ceasefire, the LTTE may have put the new government on the defensive a bare week after it was
sworn in, and before relationship with the their commander-i Kumaratunga. Butth under Prime Ministe singhe has taken th stride.
Ceasefires have issues in Sri Lanka. that they have endec the LTTE striking losses to the Sri Lan Obtaining agreem forces would be an i declaring a ceasefire. ing its response to any delay, the new shown confidence in notion of the peace p lar, Prime Minister has taken a huge re. shoulders.
While in India, justified his latest ( economic embargo trolled areas by refe pledge in its electic quoted as having S: care of the humani ment COn CernS On nothing to negotiat talks begin, they wi stantive issues.' I Prime Minister See humanitarian and d ance to the people a subject for barga but is part of his mitment to the pe ther unilateral act government can humanitarian and are concerned. Th lic debate and di sues as well.
Consensus in so
Today, there sus in society th won on both side fore an autocra

15 JANUARY 2002
ng SS
t could probe its irmed forces and chief President new government Ranill Wickremechallenge in its
een controversial ast experience is in disasters, with first with heavy Kan armed forces. nt of the armed nportant aspect of However, in makhe LTTE without government has implementing its brocess. In particuWickremesinghe sponsibility on his
the Prime Minister ecision to end the on the LTTE-conrence to his party's n manifesto. He is id, "We are taking arian and developDur own. There is
on that. When the have to be on suby saying this, the hs to have said that velopmental assistn those parts is not ing at peace talks, overnment's comle, Therefore, furn on the part of the 2 expected where velopmental issues e will not be a pubission on these is
ty
virtually a consenthe war cannot be the divide. Theredecision-making
process within the government that advances the peace process is unlikely to be opposed by the people at this time. It is also likely to continue in the short to medium term.
The Prime Minister has also said that peace talks with the LTTE would concern substantive issues. During the recent election campaign, the UNF leadership was markedly reluctant to spell out a political framework that could lead to a satisfaction of Tamil aspirations, in part perhaps because of the apprehension that it would be distorted by the state media and other political opponents. Perhaps another part of the reason was the belief that the framework needs to be worked out stage by stage in the negotiation process itself.
Where questions of political power and constitutional reform are concerned, there is likely to be a high degree of contestation regarding the way forward to a mutually acceptable solution. There will undoubtedly be differences between the government, opposition and LTTE. These differences pertaining to issues of governance will be reflected among the people at large. A more democratic and consultative type of decision making will be required at this stage. Civil society organisations need to be preparing the people for the restructuring of the polity in the longer term.
The international community can also play an important and effective role. The past experience with the LTTE has been one of disengagement once discussions reach substantive issues. This is on account of the wide gap between LTTE demands and what the Sri Lankan government has been prepared to offer. The success of the peace talks on the substantive issues of political restructuring would depend largely on international pressure that would keep the government and LTTE at the negotiations table, and compel them towards compromise.
No peace process, or any human process for that matter, is clean and without reversals. Already the government’s rapprochement with the LTTE shows signs of being pushed at the edges. The refusal by the security forces permit armed and uniform-clad LTTE cadre with cyanide capsules around their necks from entering governmentcontrolled areas is a pointer of prob

Page 17
15 JANUARY 2002
lems to come. Another is the demand by Tamil political parties and most recently by a Jaffna University students association to disarm Tamil para-military groups that have been fighting alongside government troops and providing them with information.
A more controversial action of the government has been its decision to remove military checkpoints and barriers in virtually all parts of Colombo, and in the north-east. While this has made traffic much easier to the relief of civilians and commercial interests, some fear that the action has paved the way for LTTE infiltration and possible future attacks in the event of a breakdown of the present ceasefire. Particularly vulnerable is the position of former government leaders who are now deprived of the bulk of their armed guards. Like all citizens they have their right to personal security, and even more so as those who served the state. So far there is no indication that the LTTE has made any promise not to assassinate its enemies, exploiting the conditions of ceasefire and the newly opened roads of the country. Perhaps in recognition of this grim reality, some members of the former government have been permitted to stay on in their high security official residences after they refused to leave them.
Non-confrontational approach
The new government's strategy is a complete shift from that of the previous government's, which was to confront the LTTE at every level. So far the government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been nonconfrontational in its approach to its opponents, whether they be those in the former government or LTTE. Instead the Prime Minister and his closest colleagues appear to be completely focused on taking the country to a different place, far removed from the present reality of an economy and society devastated by 18 years of warfare. The vision spelled out in India by the Prime Minister of a land bridge that would link Sri Lanka to India exemplifies the new approach. It seeks to transcend the grimness of the present reality with the opportunities of the future.
The government's strategy appears to be based on an assessment of the former government's failure to succeed through confrontation. After the collapse of the peace talks with the LTTE at the very beginning of its term of of
fice in April 1995, ment declared a
peace. The two-pr political strategy ai sideline the LTTE. confrontation failed
Two lessons
It seems that th under Prime Minist has absorbed two from the former go The first is that hea will not bring a so conflict. Accordin structural reforms r facto rather thand esced in by the gene whom as little info is shared. The alte ing everything in C in order to get ther of the settlement is too much controve rooted resistance in munity to fundame reform that would le across the ethnic ar Further, the LT confrontation, by it suring that the cost tional situation are civilian population, alienation toward which is made to a the problem.
The second less by the new governr standing problems in one go, but requi approach. The two of the former gov knock-out victorie Jaffna victory and th age. But even whe complished, as in th cessful holding of J. of the LTTE ensur was incomplete. It i the devolution p; passed with the bi the opposition, it would have been im sistance by the LTT Having witness to, the failure of t ment's confrontati new government ap for a non-confronta the time being at strategy that aims contested and costl be problem or risk

TAMILTIMES 17
the former governfull-scale war for onged military and med to weaken and
But both types of l.
e new government er Wickremesinghe important lessons vernment's failure. d-on confrontation ution to the ethnic gly, political and night have to be de o jure, to be acquiral population with "mation as possible rnative of explainletail to the people n to vote in favour s likely to get into rsy. There is deepthe Sinhalese comental constitutional ad to powersharing ld regional lines.
TE too thrives on [s astuteness in ens of any confrontabiled onto the Tamil creating in them an S the government ppear the source of
on evidently learnt ment is that all outcannot be resolved ire a stage by stage -pronged approach ernment aimed at s, such as by the he devolution packin the task was ace retaking and sucaffna, the resilience ed that the victory s likely that even if ackage had been bartisan support of S implementation possible due to reTE.
ed, and contributed he former governonal strategy, the pears to have opted tional strategy for east. However, no to end the bitterly y 18-year war can -free. Already the
Marxist nationalist JVP has embarked upon a massive poster campaign denouncing the present ceasefire as a spurious one and calling upon the people to oppose any de-banning of the LTTE. On the other side of the divide, LTTE proxies are making their own demands on the government.
The fragility of today's peace in the context of strong opposing forces highlights the high-risk nature of the gamble being taken by the government for peace. After 18 years of war the government and LTTE have little reason to trust each other.
Confidence building
In a situation of mistrust, confidence-building measures are undoubtedly important. The sending in of humanitarian supplies without any restriction would be one example. Release of prisoners of war would be another. It is however important that these initial measures must not undermine security of one side or the other. It is only when the security of the conflicting parties is ensured that become free to truly trust, take risks and be generous in the great cause of peace with justice.
In removing virtually all barriers to physical movement of the LTTE at this time, even before peace has been consolidated by publicly acknowledged guarantees, the new government has taken a big risk. Any interaction with those with whom trust has broken down involves risks that need to be minimised. The concerns of those who are likely to be the first victims of a breakdown of the ceasefire also need to be heeded.
There have to be guarantees before anyone's or any society's security is compromised. The present ceasefire, as stated by both sides, is temporary only, for one month though it is likely to be extended. At this time, perhaps only the new Prime Minister and his closest colleagues would be knowing whether this guarantee has in fact been obtained from the LTTE or some other party. The political courage, vision and analysis of past failures of confrontation that underlies the new government's gamble for peace needs to be appreciated.
The government's decision to lift most of the economic embargo on the LTTE-controlled areas and the removal of most security barriers in Colombo and elsewhere appear to commit the government to an irrevocable peace process, the breakdown of which would

Page 18
18 TAMILTIMES
cost it dearly.
Perhaps the government is going as far as it is on the reasoning that the country cannot afford to lose more years of economic development. Instead of growing by 7-10 percent, which it is potentially capable of doing, the economy last year shrank by almost 1 percent. With its intellectual support base strongest among the business class, the new government's focus will tend to be the economy, above all other considerations. Two key features
It appears that two key features of the government's strategy to satisfy the LTTE and bring it to the path of peace would be to remove the ban placed on it, and to set up an interim council for the North-East province.
The next major phase of the peace process will be the commencement of direct talks between the two sides. The LTTE has made the removal of the governments ban on it a prerequisite for such peace talks to commence. From the LTTE's perspective, there are at least two reasons for it would seek to have the ban removed. By removing the ban on the LTTE the government will
be conceding that t mere terrorist orga military and politic embodies Tamil asp a long history. This satisfy the LTTE lea nationalism and de gain the LTTE suffi contest the increasil being slapped on thi In 2001 alone th bans placed on it i and Australia, whicl already placed on i US. The gradual e. international bans ar their implementatio ous implications on activities in different Second, when its in those of the goverr want to be doing so joy parity of status table.
With the presen moval of security b and elsewhere, the g fectively taken the p ist violence against t civilian targets is
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15 JANUARY 2002
LTTE is not a sation, but is a formation that ations that have puld be likely to rship's sense of iny. It will also ent legitimacy to number of bans n internationally. LTTE fell foul of the UK, Canada added to the bans by India and the pansion of these I the tightening of could have seriTTE fund-raising parts of the world. gotiators sit with ment, they would as parties that enat the negotiating
; ceasefire and reirriers in Colombo overnment has efosition that terrorither politicians or not going to take
place. This is the larger risk because the possible loss of life in case of any violation of this trust is irreversible. On the other hand, the removal of the LTTE ban can always be reversed should the LTTE breach the trust that has been placed on it.
This ban was placed on the LTTE immediately after it bombed the sacred Dalada Maligawa in January 1998. Without trying to bargain with the LTTE regarding lifting the ban, it is likely that the government will once again make a unilateral gesture in lifting the ban. Of course, this is likely to generate a great deal of opposition from sections of Sinhalese nationalist opinion. Anticipating a governmental move to lift the ban on the LTTE, the Marxist nationalist JVP (which was once banned itself as a terrorist organisation) has been plastering the streets of Sri Lanka with posters warning the people against such a measure. There is likely to be a build-up of opposition to the government's actions in the days and weeks ahead. Renouncing terrorism
In this regard, the LTTE could make the government’s position more sus
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Page 19
SANUARY 2002
tainable by making a public declaration of its own that it will renounce what the world has called terrorism, even if it does not agree with that definition of the term. Such a declaration by the LTTE could take the peace process to a new level, in which the politics of trust and generosity prevail, rather than those of fear and selfishness. This will help the government to continue with the peace process in the present positive spirit and manner. Besides, a renunciation of non-battlefield violence, can help the LTTE gain more international credibility than it currently enjoys.
Most foreign countries that have banned the LTTE have done so for reasons of their own, possibly fearing an LTTE connection with other international terrorist organisations. The two key examples would be India in 1992 and the US in 1996, both of which banned the LTTE even before the Sri Lankan government had imposed its own ban. Therefore, it is unlikely that the government should suffer any international reversal as a result of lifting its own ban on the LTTE. On the contrary, the international community is likely to be supportive of a Sri Lankan decision to lift the ban on the LTTE to pave the way for peace talks. They would prefer that terrorism ends through political means than through military means.
A few days after the US declared its war against terrorism on September 11, 2001, the US embassy in Sri Lanka made a statement that a negotiated settlement was the way in which to end the country's conflict. If the United States could take this stand, then it is clear that most of the world will also be supportive of the Sri Lankan government's commitment to the cause of peace. In India this week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has made clear his belief that the Kashmir dispute and its associated terrorist problem should be settled politically and not militarily. It is most unlikely that the international community will use the lifting of the Sri Lankan government's ban on the LTTE to disadvantage the government in any way.
Indian Role
The latest LTTE proposal that India should play host to forthcoming peace talks with the Sri Lankan Govemment comes close to being yet another one of its pre-requisites for cre
ating conducive c talks. The LTTE h terms of a human that of its chief n Balasingham's po and requirement c attention. It is only ties available in In Dr Balasingham al the protracted nego would require hin contact with the LT Vanni.
The LTTE pre cabulary of pre-rec tions to foil the fo efforts to sit with table from a positi LTTE's present u that India should pl ing host brings a k istic into focus. I frame of mind that and full of surpris the LTTE has caug surprise, catchingt the most unexpec stood it in goods military combat in destruction of the is very different frc tions in which the \ of the other is nec opponent on the sp barrassing them i one's own agenda, ward, but is only ther mistrust and h
Tamil Nadu objec
In order to stre that India should pl talks, the LTTE ha Government of h trained the Tamilm in the past, thereb gation to put itself present. But India for two sets of re mainstream politic Nadu has been opp entry into the Stat. activities of the L tion of former Pri Gandhi in the Stat the Indian Peace K Lanka have lost the sympathy they onc Nadu. It is also lik leadership of Tam to host a rival clai ship of the world Ta Indian Governmen

TAMITMES 19
)nditions for peace as made its case in itarian issue, being egotiator Dr. Anton or health condition f the best hospital ' the hospital facilidia that could keep ive and well during otiation process that n to keep in direct TE leadership in the
viously used the voquisites for negotiarmer Government's it at the negotiating on of strength. The nexpected proposal ay willing or unwilley LTTE charactert reveals an LTTE is highly innovative es. Time and again ght its opponents by hem in ambushes at ted time, and has tead militarily. But which the unilateral opponent is sought »m political negotiaWilling participation essary. Putting the pot, or publicly emnto conforming to , is not the way forlikely to evoke furostility.
:tion
ngthen its proposal lay host to the peace saccused the Indian having armed and ilitant organizations y incurring an obliout for them in the is unlikely to oblige asons. First is that al opinion in Tamil osed to an LTTE re2. The underground TTE, the assassinaIme Minister Rajiv e and the war with eeping Force in Sri e LTTE much of the ce enjoyed in Tamil ely that the political il Nadu is not keen mant for the leaderamil movement. The t is likely to be def
erential to Tamil Nadu's political leadership when it decides on the LTTE's proposal. India was the first country to ban the LTTE in 1992, a year after the assassination of its former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his comeback trail in Tamil Nadu.
India has a second reason to view the LTTE in an unfavorable light, which is the reverse of what the LTTE argues. The organization that India once nurtured and provided sanctuary to turned on it with fury in 1987 after the signing of the Indo-Lanka peace accord, and battled the Indian army for two years to a standstill. Individuals may practise the politics of forgiveness as Pope John Paul exhorted in his New Year message on peace. But Governments and governmental institutions, which are worldly creations, are less forgiving. By making its request of the Indian Government, the LTTE may have demonstrated to its support base that it is prepared to let bygones be bygones and not nurture a grudge for too long. But from India's perspective the LTTE has done little as yet to merit it being hosted as a potential peacemaker. If India does accept the LTTE's proposal it will come under pressure to take the LTTE off its list of banned terrorist organizations. This would pave the way for a renewal of the LTTE's legitimacy in the international community, which has recently being taking steps to ban the LTTE. Most importantly, by involving India at a very early stage in the peace process, the LTTE may be seeking to protect its leader who is on the Indian list of wanted men and has an Indian extradition warrant to reckon with in a post-conflict scenario.
Indian interests
While the LTTE's request makes sense from its own perspective it neglects some of the requirements of diplomacy and might even be counterproductive in terms of restoring its relationship with India. There is a need to do a great deal of spadework before a great diplomatic prize is won. Audacity in international politics is generally not appreciated. No one, and certainly not a Government of India's stature, would wish to be put publicly on the spot and be coerced either materially or morally to do what it would rather not do. It appears that the LTTE's initial suggestion of India as a suitable venue for peace talks was not canvassed first with the Indian Government.

Page 20
20 TAM TIMES
Rather it appears to have been first floated through the media.
This accounts for the Indian position that since no formal request had been made to them, there was no need to respond with a formal Government statement. If a request is made to India it might be more reasonable that hospital facilities alone be asked for Dr Balasingham, which would be a purely humanitarian request, rather than to ask India to play host to the peace talks themselves.
There are, however, some important reasons why India would wish to play a bigger role in the Sri Lankan peace process, with or without the LTTE's invitation to them to play host. The first would be to reaffirm India's diplomatic dominance over the South Asian region. The active diplomatic role currently being played by Norway in the Sri Lankan peace process could herald an increased western role in intervening in conflict resolution processes in South Asia as a whole. In fact due to heightened India-Pakistan tensions over the Kashmir issue, and the tragic inability of the two South Asian giants to resolve their problems by themselves, the United States is playing a conflict resolution role between those two countries. It would be in India's longer-term interests in obtaining some positive role in the Sri Lankan peace process.
A Norwegian-led success in Sri Lanka would assuredly raise an interest in similar western third party initiatives to resolve India's internal and external conflicts, which show little signs of abating. On the other hand, if India could claim joint ownership to a successful peace process in Sri Lanka, its credibility for conflict resolution would be enhanced within its own polity. However, the very costly and futile Indian effort to intervene directly in Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict from the period 1985 to 1989 will probably deter any further such initiatives. It is likely that a great deal more of diplomatic and tripartite relationship building will be necessary before India gets itself involved in a direct manner again. Therefore, in the present phase of the Sri Lankan peace process, it is likely that Norway will play the lead third party role, as it did with much sensitivity in the Israel-Palestine conflict also.
TC a V
iramanalanku 2002 - The mi1 ining the bag when 28-year-old sothy pulled out a b video camera. He t rior who had a good ded permission to held Vanni.
"It's not in the b list,” the superior o the Sri Lanka Army was a banned item when a stringent e was strictly enforce Paramsothy was to video his aged m 87, who was livi yiruppu, the virtual karan's domain, wl with her daughter 1995 when the army the Jaffna peninsul “This is my t Vanni,” Paramsoth attempts failed be obtain the pass.
At Piramanalar
This would includ ceasefire, building human rights prote fire agreement, an council underway There is no do in Sri Lanka will India by those wh polity in India. tempted to resolv disputes within own constitution, a form of semi-fe Lanka were to g resolve its own will have reason peace settlemer become propose itself, or at leas flicts. For these role in the Sri La be anticipated, coming at prese

15 ANUARY 2002
Van ni With deo Camera
n, January 17, ry officer examoked bewildered alingam Paramnd new Japanese k it to his supeook at it and nodke it into LTTE
nned or restricted ficer, a captain in (SLA), said. That or nearly 12 years, :onomic embargo
. taking it with him ther Pushpavathy, ng at Puthukudicapital of Pirabanere she moved in and her family in wrested control of
a. hird try to go to y said. His earlier :ause he could not
Kulam, army’s fron
obtaining a stable n humanitarian and tions into the cease
getting an interim
t that what happens 2 closely studied in wish to forge a new far India has atall its own internal : framework of its hich offers its states ral autonomy. If Sri further than this to nic conflict, India be concerned. The n Sri Lanka could s a model for India or some of its consons a future Indian npeace process can n if it is not forth
O
tier checkpoint, soldiers look for six banned items -firearms, explosives, binoculars, barbed wire, remote control devices and pen torch (AAA) batteries and for cement, petrol, diesel and iron rods which are restricted.
A group of 4l journalists, local and foreign, traveled in a convoy of cars led by an ICRC pilot vehicle. They were the first group of journalists to enter Vanni. Journalists were banned since 1990, when the third Eelam war erupted. It comprised 46 men and women from the print and electronic media, including TV crews from Rupavahini, ITN. MTV, BBC. And Reuters.
“When our car crossed the frontline into Vanni, we left behind the last government controlled checkpoint, patrolled by heavily armed, uniformed soldiers,' says BBC's Anna Horsburgh Porter. “On the other side we were met by their enemy, Tamil Tigers, conspicuously dressed in casual clothes andunarmed.'
1994 and NOW
They were received by Sudhakaran (Sudha Master), deputy leader of LTTE political wing and Shankar, Thamil Selvam's secretary, and conducted to Madhu Church where lunch was served. At 4.30p.m., under heavy escort, they were taken to Thunukkai, a hamlet two miles south of Mallawi, a 45-kilometer journey.
“The journey was slow and tedious,” says Thinakaran staffer S. Ganeshan who was in the group. "The roads are no more than dirt tracks full of craters, which make any journey torturous,” he said. The journey took six hours. They reached their destination by around 10.30 in the night.
The journalists were put up in three LTTE camps and served delicious chicken buriyani. They were given plastic mats, pillows and bed-sheets, all new, and requested to sleep on the ground.

Page 21
15 JANUARY 2002
Next morning, Wednesday, they were taken to another camp for a press briefing held by LTTE political wing chief S.P. Thamil Selvam.
Ganeshan, who had covered the 1994 peace talks in Jaffna, says: "Thamil Selvam sounded positive about a solution. He displayed a lot of confidence in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.” That confidence was absent in 1994.
In 1994 Balasingham headed the LTTE delegation. Thamil Selvam was his assistant. At the end of the first round, Balasingham took Ganeshan aside and told him in Tamil: Uthu ondum sari varathu, Ganeshan. Uvankal serious illai (This will not yield results Ganeshan. They are not serious about it.)
On Wednesday Sutha Master and Sankar, who Ganeshan had first met in 1994 confided that they believed that the government is serious and they had confidence in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
They also told him that LTTE had given its consent to open Kandy road for traffic between Vavuniya and Jaffna. The long stretch from Omanthai to Mukamalai is under LTTE control.
Three Matters
Thamil Selvam's briefing revolved around three matters: easing of the economic embargo, lifting of the ban on the LTTE and Balasingham's request to hold the talks in Chennai. Thamil Selvam welcomed the easing of the economic blockade and expressed LTTE's desire for total lifting. Removal of the ban is essential to talk as equals and Tamils desire India to play a bigger role in working out a peaceful solution and accommodating Balasingham in Chennai would help.
On LTTE’s disquiet about the easing of the economic blockade, Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragodas response was, "We are taking this on a step by step basis, and trying to consolidate each step.” He was present at Piramanalankulam, a small, heavily-guarded checkpoint on a dusty dirt road, to monitor the transport of goods, food and medicine and to ensure the comforts of the travellers. ihree other ministers, Interior Minister John Amaratunga who is in charge of the police, Minister for Rehabilita
tion and Reconsti Affairs, Dr. Jayala Minister for Vann tion, Noordeen N with Morogoda. S top brass includin, General Lionel Ba
Thirty lorries region. They were car tyres, cooking and other goods, along with food, ( cluding urea, medi tial necessities. Ur claiming that it col facture explosives Dr. Jayawarde will herald an era clared.
But a lot of lo main. Thirty lorris the SLA to cross ti a week would not the massive demar dents.
"Transport of be my priority,'K niya says. Getting is in itself a heavy t Purpose Cooperati have to collect the lankulam and trans Ganesh admits M and logistical capa tribute so much of The governme introduce private posing to give firs ple living in the r sion has been take
Travellers
On their return took some time to is no public transp a few private bu PiramanalankulaI charged Rs; 150 fo were a few priv charged Rs. 1000 p. eight passengers.
Bicycles are th travel. Journalists store that sells bicy they had sold ea 16,000. Now it h 7,000.
“We got five up,” K. Shanmuga "There is a great c

TAMILTIMES 21
uction and Refugee h Jayawardena, and regional rehabilitafashoor, were also o were the military Army Commander lagalle. rolled into the rebel oaded with bicycles, pots, electric cables all banned earlier, hemical manure inline and other essen'a was earlier banned uld be used to manu
he was elated. "This of peace,” he de
gistical problems res a day allowed by he line for four days pe sufficient to meet ld of the Vanni resi
essential goods will
, Ganesh, GA Vavu30 lorries every day ask. Currently, Multi ve Societies (MPCS) goods at Piramanasport them to Vanni. PCS lack financial city to buy and disgoods.
nt will have to then raders and are prot preference to peo
ebel area. No deci
n so far.
journey journalists look around. There »rt. People said only ses plied between n and Malawi and r the journey. There ate cars and they rperson. They pack
ir common mode of topped at an MPCS cles. They were that
ch bicycle for Rs.
ad dropped to Rs.
and were snatched n, the manager said. emand. We hope to
get down more."
Reverend Anthony Thevanayagam, who is in charge of the historic Madhu church, said:
"The prices of a large number of essential items have fallen by 50 to 75 percent."
There are no shops apart from roadside shacks, and no electricity. Allgood buildings were destroyed when troops advanced upto Thunukkai under Operation Jaya Sukuru. They were pushed back by the Tigers in December 1999. Journalists noticed no military activity in Vanni in the two days they were there. They were told that the girls who had their plaits crossed at the back of their head, and wore a tight belt around their waists, were Tigers fighters. They "caught' two young boys who said they were 18 but looked much younger. They pulled out, proudly, the glass cyanide capsules hanging around their necks, and proclaimed they would commit suicide if captured. Every few miles there are signs on trees warning of land mines in the fields and jungle. On their return to the check-point, they said, they saw a long queue of people-men, women and children - on the Tiger side waiting to cross over to the government side.
Some of them said they had spent 24 hours travelling to reach the front line.
Restrictions barring people from travellingto and from government controlled areas were also eased on January 15.
Civilians coming from the Vannido not need to produce documents signed by government and village officials to prove their bona fide. They need to only bring their national identity cards now. They would be given a permit to stay two weeks in Vavuniya. Earlier they got ten days.
"We are going to Vavuniya to call our family living in Canada. We are happy because we can come more of ten now and there are no problems,” said V Maheswari, a civilian living in Vanni.
Long, slippery road
Six hundred civilians would be permitted to cross each day from Monday to Friday from Vannito Vavuniya. Earlier, only seven hundred were allowed (continued on page 23)

Page 22
22 TAMILTIMES
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15 JANUARY 2002
Another Attem At Peace Maki
Dr. S. Narapalasingam
fter four failed attempts in settling the protracted ethnic conflict since it escalated into a full-scale civil war since July 1983 with enormous losses to both sides and to the country at large, another attempt has been made by the UNP-led new United National Front government to settle the dispute peacefully. In response to the request of both the government and the LTTE, Norway has agreed to remain the facilitator of the revived peace process. After preliminary talks with leaders of both sides, the Norwegian team headed by their Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen said it was "cautiously optimistic' about the peace process. The reasons for the cautiousness were not disclosed and indeed as a facilitator of the peace process, no one can expect the team to sound pessimistic about the chances of reaching a negotiated settlement of the conflict.
In a statement issued on January 12 through the Norwegian embassy in Colombo after two days of talks with the Government leaders and other party leaders in Sri Lanka, Vidar Helgesen
(Continued from page 21) to come through on Tuesdays and Fridays. Similarly, six hundred would be allowed into Vanni during weekdays. The new regulations, thus, permit5,000 persons to cross either way while 1400 were allowed in the past. There is a move to open another entry point as demand for transport of goods and travel rise.
The Draconian laws civilians had to face in obtaining clearance from the SLA for travell from Vavunya to other parts of the country too have been eased.
Ganeshan said the overriding feelIng residents in Vanni is one ofisolauon, of being somewhere so remote that they are entirely cut off from the rest of humanity. Dharmaraj, a teacher serving at Adamban Maha Vidyalaya put this predicament pithily: I am a
said there was an confidence betwe volved in the Sri La the main focus has ing the economic et strictions, which suffering on the ci LTTE-controlled a sation of the ceases erally by both side naS SO as to enSur{ a longer term, the fi be in respect of the ing the hostilities ing conditions not East but also in th Present governmen very clearly that solely on "confide ures to lay a found
peace talks at was indicated eart now May this yea likely time. Appare team too is concen moves such as con into a mutually ag rangement rathert
teacher employed ofSri Lanka and pri doe the examinatio Examination Depal are not one of us.
Prime Ministe realises that subs building effort has tackling “substanti conflict.
“The road we short, it is a long r which you cannot tr road. It is a difficu easy road. The roa pery, rugged and f will travel on it wi sure that we delive viding the country told members of t Party at it 47th co lombo Town Hall,

TAMELTIMES 23
mpt ing
"increased level of en the parties' innkan conflict. Since initially been on liftmbargo and other reinflicted enormous vilians living in the reas and the formaliire observed unilates since last Christ2 its continuity over alt confidence might process of decreasand improving livonly in the Northe rest of the island. thas made it known it is focusing now nce-building measation for a future date.' This ter to be March but r is said to be the ntly, the Norwegian trating on the initial verting the ceasefire reed permanent arhan arranging sub
by the Government eparing the students ns conducted by its tment but told: You ou are a suspect'
r Wickremesinghe tantial confidence to be put in before ve issues' to end the
travel will not be oad. It is a road on avel fast. It is a slow lt road. It is not an ad to peace is slipull of potholes. We th eyes open to en'r peace without di7, Wickremasinghe he United National nvention at the Coon January 5. O
stantive talks between the Government and the LTTE. The latter too is not ready for negotiations on the core issues that are vital for a final political settlement. So it seems that the latest peace process at least in principle is consistent with the immediate objectives of both the Government and the LTTE.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his address to the UNP's 47th convention on January 12 said: "The road we travel will not be short, it is a long road. It is a road on which you cannot travel fast. It is a slow road. It is not an easy road. It is a difficult road. The road to peace is slippery, rugged and full of potholes. We will travel on it with eyes open to ensure that we deliver peace without dividing the country'. He also affirmed that his government's peace process would safeguard the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka while recognising the rights and aspirations of all its citizens. His remark - Sri Lanka would not have faced the current crisis if all parties had accepted the l987 Indo-Lanka Peace Accord does not mean that the UNF government will not go beyond the 13th Amendment. Whatever this may mean, the fact is that the LTTE rejected the Accord in 1987 despite the inducements and considerable pressure exerted by India.
India's present distant stand with regard to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, has been criticised by some Tamils who are either unable or unwilling to be realistic in their grasp of existing situations. India like many other countries is interested in a peaceful settlement of the conflict without endangering the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
The purpose of Ranil Wickremesinghe's three-day official visit to New Delhi (December 22-24), a fortnight after being elected as the Prime Minister was to acquaint the Indian leaders with the initiatives of his government to settle the protracted conflict in Sri Lanka and to ascertain India's present stand on the issue as well as on Norway’s facilitation role. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister wanted to give India a big role in the peace process. Apparently, India did not want either a direct or indirect role in the peace process and preferred Norway's involvement as a

Page 24
24 TAMILTIMES
facilitator.
Despite this known position of India and the various antagonistic acts carried out by the LTTE against the mighty nation that infuriated not only the northerners but also the southerners including the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, LTTE's solicitation for Chennai or Bangalore with strong preference for the former as the venue (“negotiating table' according to LTTE's political wing leader) for peace talks with the Sri Lankan government has been scorned by many prominent leaders and political parties in India. Several leading Indian newspapers also condemned angrily the proposal in their editorials as audacious with an ulterior motive aimed at stalling the peace process. Some considered the move as an indirect means to regain the legitimacy lost after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The ruling AIADMK party is determined to see that Chennai does not become a "sanctuary” for the LTTE leadership. AIADMK's stand is supported by the mainstream parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the dominant partner in the coalition government at the centre. BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy also said the LTTE should not be allowed to hold peace talks with the Sri Lankan government from India, more specifically from anywhere in Tamil Nadu.
What appeared to be a promising start of the peace process, notwithstanding the absence of any move towards discussions on political issues, the surprising proposal by the LTTE wanting to have the talks in India and for its former detester to play a greater role in the peace process has given rise to some circumspection. The reason for this can be discerned from the disruptive moves in the past endeavours which aimed at a political solution forending the conflict. These resulted in preventing the peace process reaching the critical stage where substantive matters could be discussed and settled peacefully.
In the first peace talks held in Thimphu, Bhuttan in July and August 1985 LTTE participated along with EPRLF, TELO and EROS as a coalition partner in the Eelam National Liberation Front. Although the PLOTE and the TULF were not in the front, all the
Tamil groups in the the meeting would factory political sc Thimphu talks aft putting forward four and urging the Sri L to come up with a based on these (Thi The Secondatter cal solution was dif Lanka Accord of Jul both governments i foisted on the Tam The preceding talks two governments TULF that had been dia as a moderate Ta was invited to parti While the TULF a groups accepted the cord, the LTTE afte rejected the Accord. 1987 Accord becan without a lengthy in there was no opport ing the situation.
The peace talks t ing President Prem 1989 - June 1990) v yet no political solu ing the 14 months of were noserious poli when both sides h immediate objectiv oust the Indian Pe from Sri Lanka for ( their collaboration: departure of IPKF rity forces became the Eelam war res ruthlessly for anot The third atte relatively short pe 1994 to April 19 started with high pectations, espec Chandrika Kuma mitment to find a would grant gre; regions than g Amendment. S through constitut was not the appr mind. The latter lifting of the eml restrictions on fi East coastal wat of the military fr

15 JANUARY 2002
s realising that lead to a satison, ended the wo rounds by dinal principles (an government litical solution hu) principles. t to find a politient as the Indo1987 reached by New Delhi was militant groups. /ere between the ld not even the ecognised by Innil political party pate in the talks. d other militant terms of the Acsome rethinking Since the way the e a fait accompli gotiation process, unity for reassess
hat took place duradasa's time (May was the longest but tion emerged. Durnegotiations, there tical talks. It ended ad achieved their es. Both wanted to |ce Keeping Force ifferent reasons and ucceeded. After the Sri Lanka's secuhe enemy again and med and continued er four years. pt was during the od from November when peace talks opes and great exlly with President unga’s strong comlitical solution that r autonomy to the in under the 13th was seeking it al reforms and this h the LTTE had in s more keen on the to on goods and the ng along the Northand the withdrawal Dccupied areas than
finding a political solution. The LTTE wanted the government to consider political negotiations at a later stage after dealing with the basic problems in the North-East caused by the war. After the Third Eelam war started in April 1995, not only the intense military operations in the North-East but also President Chandrika Kumaratunga's efforts to seek a political solution through changes to the present constitution nearly cost her life.
Although in 2000 Norway was actively involved in helping to arrange peace talks between the PA government and the LTTE, the two sides remained far apart suspicious of each other. LTTE's unilateral ceasefire observed during the 4 months beginning December 24, 2000 did not help either. The intensity of the war was, however, low during the period. It erupted again on a major scale on April 24, 2001 with heavy losses to the State.
Prime Minister Rani Wickremesinghe's approach now emphasises the peace process rather than a political solution, which clearly is what the LTTE also wants. Both sides have the same objective of changing the existing conditions from war to “no-war” by at least ceasing hostilities. LTTE is desperate to change the "terrorist' label given by major countries in recent times and is anxious to project itself as a peace-loving freedom movement fighting for self-rule in the North-East. The tragic events of September 11 in the U.S.A which led to the war on terrorism launched jointly by the US and her allies and the various moves in the UN and in major countries to punish terrorists and their financiers and supporters have also compelled the LTTE to remain engaged in a peace process.
The twin planks in the UNF election pledge were the restoration of peace and the strengthening of the economy through economic reforms, better financial management and implementation of development programmes in priority areas neglected in the recent past by resource constraints. People expect positive developments on both these areas as their quality of life depends crucially on them. From the ways public funds were misused in the re

Page 25
15 JANUARY 2002
cent past, it should not surprise anyone that the state coffers cannot provide all the money needed to put the frail economy on a steady growth track.
Annual defence spending has climbed to nearly one billion US Dollars and this by any reckoning is far too much for the 16 billion dollars economy. Last year's budget deficit is expected to be 10 percent of the GDP primarily due to the high military expenditure (Rs.75 billion). Presently, the country's foreign reserves is said to be sufficient to finance imports for just one and a half months. The foreign donors would also be reluctant to extend credit when the government continues to allocate annually increasing amounts of funds to finance the unending war.
Although the approach taken by Ranil ickremesinghe has been welcomed by the LTTE leadership, the speed with which he is proceeding unilaterally in restoring peaceful conditions and introducing confidence-building measures would appear to be too fast for the LTTE giving it cause for concern from the standpoint of maintaining its standing as the guardian of the Tamils in the North-East.
The irony here is that it is the LTTE that wanted as a pre-condition for talks the very steps that the government has taken promptly and would do more if the Jaffna-Kandy highway (A-9 road) could be reopened for both freight and passenger transport. The steps taken so far seem to have pleased the people in the North-East who have suffered for far too long due to various restrictions. However, as noted earlier LTTE's immediate concern appears to be to bring about a change in its present unfavourable international profile, and if somehow the ban is lifted in Sri Lanka and India this would help immensely in convincing the world that it is not a tertorist organisation.
The crucial question is how long the 3overnment and the LTTE remain enaged in the peace process without reuming the war while trying to achieve heir respective aims? The war-weary beople will prefer to live in a peaceful invironment even if a political solution is not imminent, and a state of non-war at least maintained with priority being accorded to rehabilitation work and to the clearing of landmines in order to ead normal lives. O
The
Se
he 21st century
been given a b
beginning, tha Osama bin Laden a ing al-Qaeda follov less and horrific att and Washington ha changed the dynam in the early years o President Bush put was brought upon And night fell on a
The worldwider tions to the Septemb come at different lev are both coalescing For governments ev. attacks have given : for their being, and 1 - albeit for all the wr decades of libertaria new rationale for 'g creased public expe. internal and internal waging a global wal ther you are with u the terrorists' was matum to fellow w and one by one eve cluding past champ rialism and non-alig behind the Americal tion against the al-Q. the countries on Am suspects' supporting fail to condemn all tacks. Butthe moti porting the coalitior ing than global altri
Turning Point
Osama bin Lac terrorism in New Y ton gave America th erally take the batt its Siamese twin, the regime, in far away Americans preferre vice of a coalition,

TAMLTIMES 25
World After 'ptember 11
Rajan Philips
world history has utal and big bang nks to the elusive nd his death-cravvers. Their senseacks in New York ve fundamentally c of world politics f the new century. t well: "All of this is in a single day. different world'. esponses and reacper l l attacks have els and in ways that g and conflicting. erywhere, the 9/11 a new justification much needed relief ong reasons - from n harassment. The overnment and innditure is ensuring ional security and ' on terrorism. "Eis, or you are with he American ultiorld governments, yone of them, inions of anti-impenment, fell in line l-dominated coalieda network. Even rica's list of "usual terrorism, did not Qaeda's 9/11 atration behind sup
is more self-servism.
en's trans-border ork and Washing2 license to unilat: to al-Qaeda and notorious Taliban Afghanistan. The and chose the deather than an alli
ance or taking a genuinely multilateral approach through the UN, to ensure a free hand in prosecuting its military operations. Internally, these attacks were a turning point for the Bush administration just as the 1995 Oklahoma bombing helped President Clinton to turn around what was then a faltering presidency. President Bush has now found a new purpose for his presidency and a single issue to focus on and rally the nation around rather than being challenged to demonstrate multi-foci leadership on routine matters of state.
After criticising Clinton for his engagement in peace and nation building initiatives abroad, the Bush administration found itself jolted by the 9/11 events to forsake Republican isolationism and get involved in rebuilding Af. ghanistan, vigorously mediating between Israel and Palestine, and even between India and Pakistan. But in other areas of international commitment, viz. the ABM Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol, the new administration is determined to make America retract from its earlier positions and turn it into the world's most powerful lone ranger, self-sufficient in energy and self-protected by a missile dome.
As well, after early signs of stepping away from its divisive domestic agenda in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, and despite the disappearance of budget surpluses, the Bush administration is using the prevailing patriotic fervour to push through the old Republican schemes of regressive tax cuts, Arctic drilling (for oil), and faith-based legislation. More worrisome is the evidence of creeping authoritarianism in the name of national security, including the unprecedented Presidential decree to establish “extra-constitutional” military tribunals to put on secret trial, for acts of terrorism, any individual from anywhere in the world who is not a United States citizen, and subject that

Page 26
26 TAM TIMES
person to imprisonment or death penalty. This is a dangerous trend that is already having relatively milder copycat effects in other western democracies including Canada. America's allies in the NATO are supporting the war on terrorism with varying degrees of enthusiasm, with Britain far and away from the rest led by a gung-ho Tony Blair.
A Convenient Precedent
The responses of other governments are a mixed bag. Given their own experiences with Islamic fundamentalism, notably in Cechnya, Xianjiang, and Kashmir respectively, Russia, China and India, America's old coldwar antagonists, are as implacable in their opposition to al-Qaeda and its long distance operations as are America and its western allies. They see in the American operation in Afghanistan, a convenient precedent for acting unilaterally and without external oversight against terrorism within their territories.
The circumstances of governments in Muslim countries are not so clear cut. Of the three countries, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who had been the staunchest benefactors of the Taliban regime, Pakistan has gone full circle. Pakistan's former military ruler Zia ul Haq, who was ostracized as an international parriah for hanging his civilian predecessor Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, used Islamic fundamentalism and its fight against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan for his own rehabilitation in the Muslim and Western worlds. Its current military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, who provoked Western censure for overthrowing the corrupt but civilian government of Nawaz Sharif, has shrewdly reversed this tradition and severed Pakistan's ties to the Taliban and al-Qaeda organizations in return for rapprochement with and financial aid from the West and, more importantly, to minimize the geopolitical benefits that India was poised to reap after the 11 September attacks. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has been pushed into the awkward task of choosing between running with the hare or hunting with the hound, rather than doing both as it has done in the past. Saudi Arabia is the principal source of the Wahabi Islamic sect that provides ideological immunity for the
Saudi monarchy ag fection from abroac Egypt and, later, fra post-Khomeiny Ira their oil wealth, m from supplying on ca's oil needs, to from the Islamic Ho Muslim countries. continual war in against Soviet occu tween the Taliban a to rid Saudi Arab men, urging them t and Pakistan and fi; its enemies that eve United States. Unti US, perhaps on ac ence on Saudi oil, t the Saudi duplicity ca's most reliable East, on the one ha the cross-border fo damentalism for w lam's worst infidel. that America’s clo lamic regimes is of lamic grievances : remains to be seen be shifts in Americ the Saudi rulers in An unexpectec ca's Middle East p regard to its relatio containment of Ira ent feature in Am region after the f American puppet Ever since, Friday Iranian clerics ha" ing with the call of However, there h between the Irania Laden's faithfuls a tember l l have b America into stra tentative, bedfell Elsewhere, g by internal politic by groups who ar ther terrorists or pending on who are trying to take mileage in the s war against glo Sharon provided this approach w Palestinian upris tacks on Americ can example in

15 JANUARY 2002
nst republican inirst from Nasser's h Khomeiny's and . The Saudis use it of which comes quarter of AmeriDandy Wahabism y Land to far flung hey also used the Afghanistan, first pation and later bed the mujahideens, of restive young go to Afghanistan ht for Islam against tually included the September 11, the ount of its dependurned a blind eye to of playing Amerially in the Middle hd, and bankrolling rces of Islamic fun"hom the US is Ison the other. Given eness to corrupt Ishe of the popularlsagainst America, it whether there will a's relationship with the future.
change in Ameriolicy may well be in nship with Iran. The n has been a consisterican policy in the all of the notorious , the Shah of Iran. sermons by hardline e usually been end"Death to America'. is been no love lost in authorities and bin nd the events of Sep'en turning Iran and ige, but limited and
WS. vernments buffeted violence unleashed considered to be eireedom fighters dedefining the terms, olitical and military adow of America’s all terrorism. Ariel brazen example of n he tried to equate gs to al-Qaeda's atand use the Amerifghanistan to crush
Palestinian organizations in Israel. America has had to rein in, although with limited success, both the Israeli governmentand the Palestinian Liberation Organization to prevent a fragile situation from breaking out of control. America seems to be more disposed to allow the government of Philippines to crack down on Abu Sayyaf, a small Muslim separatist group in the archipelago. The governments of Malaysia and Singapore have apprehended several young men belonging to an alQaeda-affiliated group called Jemma Islamigu whose fanciful aim is to establish an Islamic state (Daulah Islamiah) comprising Malaysia, Indonesia and the southern Philippines.
The Powerful Message
The events of September 11 have also driven home a powerful message to the ubiquitous merchants of political violence, be they terrorists or freedom fighters, or alternate between the twain, that there are new global constraints to their territorial wars, that war is not an interminable continuation of politics and that at Some point war must again give way to politics. The Irish Republican Army's(IRA) decision to decommission its arms was certainly triggered by the events September 1 l, although the conditions for decommissioning had been evolving over the last few years through agreements involving the British and Irish governments, the Unionists and Sinn Fein. In Sri Lanka, circumstances conducive to peace have not evolved to the same stage as in Northern Ireland, but September 11 has produced a catalytic ef. fect on the new Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). They have both requested the government of Norway to facilitate a new round of talks between them.
The suicide attack on the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, on 13 December, by Islamic groups with bases in Pakistan, led to an upsurge in tension and even the likelihood of yet another war between India and Pakistan, the old neighbourly foes now capable of launching nuclear missiles at each other. For the United States, an Indo-Pakistan war so close to Afghanistan would have been a far worse detraction than the perennial Israeli-Palestinian skirmish.

Page 27
15 ANARY. 2002
Fortunately, the US was able to prevail on Pakistan to freeze the assets and apprehend the leaders of Laskar-e- Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the two groups suspected of organizing the Delhi attack, and on India to exercise caution in light of the significant steps that President Musharraf has been taking to reverse Pakistan's recent tradition of supporting cross-border Islamic incursions. The Indo-Pakistan flashpoint and Israel's anti-Palestinian exuberance were both instances where individual countries felt encouraged to act unilaterally following the American example in Afghanistan. In the absence of an international, multilateral mechanism to deal with global terrorism and its causes, the United States has to be the world's default policeman, putting out regional fires if only to maintain the priority of its own agenda.
Recycling old coldwar rhetoric
The American proclivity for isolationism and unilateralism is matched by the suspicion of and hostility to America in much of the non-western world. Each solitude labours under ugly and abstract misconceptions of the other with little understanding of the realities of the two camps. The post September l l rhetoric that emanated in both camps betray this misconception and lack of understanding. President Bush and Prime Minister Blair spoke of good and evil, and of democracy, liberal values and tolerance, on the one hand, and their polar opposites on the other. They tried to be politically correct by differentiating between alQaeda terrorists and the majority of Muslims, but the nuance was lost not only in the translation across the world but also on the pop-commentators on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the latter's simplistic and shallow thinking, al-Qaeda terrorism is the inevitable by-product of inferior nonwestern culture. For authority, they turn to a scholarly work, Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations, which itself is not immune from shallow thinking for, as Benjamin Barber (in Jihad vs. McWorld) has cogently argued, global terrorism is not the symptom of any clash between civilizations but "a dialectical expression oftensions built into a single global civilization'. The meaning of the new global dialec
tic was also lost ol wing critics of the recycled much of th ric not only to crit taliation in Afghani gest the “context fo the New York tow ton’s Pentagon.
The missing dim The collapse of World, sWeeping bu globalization, the nation state, the C United Nations, an functioning of the W and the WTO, havi gerous chasm betw economic and polit marginalized and d jority of the world Durban conference manifestation of thi tunately, it did not a proper formulat question. Mediatir the agenda of the instead, they have the trans-border ap their oil-based resources to mobilize the marginalized against America and the west. The American response to the September 11 attacks has been three pronged: military retaliation against the perpetrators of the crime, financial retaliation to freeze the sources and movement of terrorist funds, and security measures to prevent terrorist infiltration into the country. Even if they are all necessary components in the fight against terrorism, they are not sufficient by themselves.
Two missing dimensions are a multilateral framework that is more broadbased than the

TAMILTIMES 27
in some of the leftUnited States, who e old coldwarrhetoicise American restan but also to sugor the destruction of vers and Washing
ensions the socialist second it uneven economic attenuation of the liminishing of the d the undemocratic World Bank, the IMF e all created a danveen the centres of tical power and the isen franchised ma's population. The on racism' was a s chasm but, unforcome close to even ion of this central ng this chasm is not al-Qaeda terrorists; cleverly exploited ppeal of Islam and
NATO, and a political approach to address the social, political and economic frustrations in the non-western world that breed hostility to the West in general and manifestations of terrorism in the extreme.
The coldwar period provided a bipolar restraint against unilateralism by either of the two superpower camps. Since the end of the coldwar, however, the United States has done nothing to enhance the authority of the United Nations, and has either opposed or been indifferent to multilateral initiatives in regard to environmental protection, landnine and biological weapons regulations, or establishing an international criminal court. The rest of the world can do little in these matters without US leadership or, at least, its active participation. It would be a grave mistake to interpret the Taliban's rapid and seemingly unmourned collapse in Afghanistan as a vindication of American unilateralism and isolationism and, worse, extend this approach to Iraq or elsewhere.
(First published in the Toronto Peace Magazine)
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Page 28
28 TAM TIMES
Jayalalithaa Gets R to Return as Chief M
G. Sambedkar
t would not be too much of an exaggeration to describe AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa Jayaram as the 2 lo century phoenix. She is never crushed completely. She keeps bouncing back, to the dismay of her enemies and the disappointment of her critics.
She now stands exonerated in all the four cases in which she had been convicted. Trial is nearing completion in yet another corruption case, but few expect any adverse turn for her, till at least the next Assembly elections. Everything has been going her way for some time
IOW.
Not one to waste any time, she has arranged to have a constituency vacated from where she will be contesting in February next, at Andipatti in Madurai district. The MLA of that place resigned much before the verdicts were delivered. Despite the façade of sobriety she might like to wear these days, trying to make others believe that she has learnt at least a few lessons after the 1996 electoral debacle, she does remain her old arrogant, vengeful and corrupt self. One can only sigh at the prospect of her reign for over four years.
Such considerations did not weigh in the minds of their Lordships who delivered their 'not guilty' verdicts in December.
Easily the most awaited and most decisive judgement was in the two TANS-related cases. It was the convic
tion in the two TAN had prevented Jayala ing the last Assemb measuring over thre of the city and belc owned TANSI was Publications and the May 1992.
The charge was used her position a buy up the land at r rates, thus causing huge financial loss, including stamp du had convicted Jaya three years of rigoro the JayaPublication years in the other.
“The entirety of by the prosecution even a single link to spirators agreed to sold or purchased a to cause wrongful gain,” ruled Justic Madras High Court had erred in taking and market value a cepts and that the is vague, uncertain work,' he observe Anyway when property of the T. to a government b price, "no sinister in the transactions
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15 JANUARY 2002
:ady hister
-related cases that thaa from contesty elections. Land acres in the heart ging to the statesold to the JayaSasi Enterprises in
that she had mis
Chief Minister to uch below market the government a of over RS.4 crore y. A special court alithaa last year to us imprisonment in s case and to two
the evidence let in does not establish show that the conhave the property it lesser price so as
loss or wrongful N. Dinakar of the “The special court the guideline value e two different conerm "market value' nd a matter of guess
in adjoining piece of NSI had been sold dy at a comparable lotive could be seen especially when the
sale was by open tender," the judge reasoned.
Besides the TANSI was not an extended arm of the government. The sale deed was executed by the Chairman and Managing Director of the TANSI on behalf of the TANSI and stated TANSI was the absolute owner of the property. While several cases were registered against Jayalalithaa and her associates, the DMK government seemed to place a lot of hope in the TANSI cases alone as they hinged essentially on documentary evidence.
"It is a cast-iron case. We've plugged all the loopholes. Her conviction is certain, you'd see...,' investigating of ficials used to boast. And they seemed to be vindicated when the special court convicted her in October 2000.
But now the High Court has overturned the decision, brushing aside each and every point made by the prosecution.
To say that because the transaction was effected through tender there could not have been any foul play or a full time Chairman makes the TANSI a completely independent entity, autonomous of the government, or market value is almost a figment of imagination reveals not so much a considered judgement as the orientation of the judge.
Dinakar is presumably noted for his integrity and knowledge of law and he generally stretches lawyers arguing before him on the rack, with incisive questions. In fact when his appointment was announced, replacing another judge, following an application to the Supreme court, many thought Jayalalithaa's fate was sealed. But even during the hearing he wrung the prosecution counsel dry, a clear indication that he was not
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Page 29
15 JANUARY 2002
convinced of the guilt of the accused. At one time the Special Public Prosecutor burst out in open court, challenging the merciless grilling by Dinakar.
The same judge exonerated Jayalalithaa and other accused in the Kodaikanal Pleasant Stay Hotels case too. The case related to the granting of permission for the construction of a multi-storeyed hotel in the hill station of Kodaikanal in violation of the rules governing construction in hill areas. It was when the Special Court convicted her in this case to a one year term, the AIADMK cadres went berserk and burnt a bus carrying college students. Three girls were charred to death in that ghastly incident.
On earlier occasions, the High Court had passed strictures on the previous Jayalalithaa government on the issue.
But Dhinakar was taking a charitable view. “... men are fallible,” he remarked, "and therefore if an order is contrary to the rules, and hence incorrect, no prosecution can be launched.” Twenty three days later Jayalalithaa and her cohorts were acquitted by the Special Court itself in the coal scam. Not many had expected her to be convicted in it. The case against her was considered weak.
The trial is on in the disproportionate wealth case which is nearing completion in the special court. Though there too the prosecution case is considered strong, nothing much is expected to come out of it now. The only hope for those concerned with probity in public life is the Supreme Court where an appeal has been filed in the TANSI case by a DMK functionary.
Chief Justice Barucha is seen as a strong no-nonsense man, and hence the hope. But then even Dhinakar was described one such before the hearing in the High Court commenced.
Jayalalithaa herself does not seem to be unduly bothered about Barucha's inclinations. She is preparing to resume
the reins. She has a she would contest that constituency be hold, she is expect sailing. And such is fidence that she ha one ally after ar stormed out when port the candidatur son Anbumani. Th CPM had already local body polls. T ting increasingly di The TMC seem maining ally of the has chosen to nom functionary, Dr.V. Rajya Sabha electio seat rendered vacant of TMC leader G. slamming the doors Moopanar’s son G.K the seat and had bee tory noises for sor Amma could not c death of Moopanar, the TMC had, that t vanished. Hence he difference to it.
That apart she i newed her efforts to BJP. Her unsolicited vention of Terro (POTO) when the D and hawing on the have warmed the co leaders. Though at th high command is p that it has no intenti DMK, not many bel would but make sen join hands with the time of next Lok Sa in 2004, if not earlie The planetary col posed to be in her f removal of the Kan marina has triggerec astrology right acros First the police
soa,
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eady declared that pm Andipatti. And nga Thevar strongto have a smooth er new-found conquietly jettisoned ) ther. The PMK he refused to supof Dr.Ramadoss's Congress and the pne it alone in the le CPI is also getenchanted. d to be the only reAIADMK. But she nate a former BJP Maitreyan, for the to be held for the following the death &.Moopanar, thus on the TMC too. ...Vasan was eyeing n making conciliahe time now. But are less. With the whatever relevance oo seemed to have contemptuous in
s said to have remove closer to the support to the Prerism Ordinance MK was humming ssue would surely 2kles of some BJP e moment the BJP rotesting strongly on of ditching the teve it. After all it se for the party to
AIADMK at the bha elections due
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TAMILTIMES 29
minor accident in the small hours a lorry had ran into the railings surrounding the statue, partially damaging the fence. But subsequently it was put out the pedestal had been damaged and there was a danger that the statue would topple over. And then the statue itself vanished connplete with the pedestal and road in that area was relaid at an incredible speed. For sometime nobody even seemed to know the whereabouts of the statue. Then it was revealed that the statue had been removed by the government, on astrological advice.
Anastrologer close to the Poes Garden told mediapersons later that location of the statue was casting an evil eye on the rulers who were traversing the road beneath it. After all she had fought and vanquished the rulers of her time. Besides the statue of an angry woman baying for the blood of the king did not bode well for the government.
Furious protests have sprung from various Tamil nationalist quarters. A rattled government now says it is willing to reinstall the statue on the marina, but evasive on where exactly it would be put up.
The gods have kindly responded to her overtures, and hence she is in no mood to antogonise them by inauspicious gestures. Rational human beings or passionate Tamil nationalists could stew in their own juice. O
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15 JANUARY2002
beloved husband Of Meenambikai precious and loving father of Bhavani and Vathani; much loved father-inlaw of Dr. T. Maheswaran and Kamalanathan, darling grandfather of Dhanusha, Vidya and Brahen (all of UK); brother of late Sivagurunathan (Advo-cate), late Sithamparanathan, late Ratnam and Maheswary, son-in-law of late Mr. & Mrs M. Ganapathipillai of Manipay and brother-in-law of Mahes-waran (all of Sri Lanka) passed away in Colombo, Sri Lanka on O2 October 2001. The funeral rites were performed at his residence in Colombo (6a, Sulaiman Terrace, Colombo 5) on 04th October 2001 in the presence
of a large gathering of relations and friends. Cremation took place at
Kanatte, Colombo at 4p.m.
The wife, children and other family members sincerely thank all relatives, friends, past and present members of the staffs of National Savings Bank, Bank of Ceylon and Central Bank who attended the funeral, sent floral tributes and messages of condolence and who had helped in numerous ways at the time of their bereaVerment.
They regret their inability to thank them individually. - Mrs Navaratnam & Vathani
Kamalanathan, 37 Kingsfield Avenue, North Harrow, Middx HA2 6AQ, UK Tel: 0208 933 1950/ Bhavani Maheswaran, 78 Sudbury Court Drive, Harrow, Middx, UK. Tel: 0208 904 1789
Mr. C. Akilleswaran, Retired Vice-Principal, Skanda Varodaya College, Chunnakam, Sri Lanka; only son of the late Chinniah and Amirthavalli; son-in-law of the late Kathiravelu and Paripooranam, beloved husband of Selvaranee, loving father of
Bakirathy (UK) and Sivarupan (Rupan); grandfather of Kobicka, father-in-law of Hariram (UK); brother of Mrs Sushiladevi Sivayoganathan, Mrs Kamaladevi Sivasubramaniam, Mrs Sarojadevi Arasaratnam and Mrs Sarathadevi Sivagnanasund-eram (both of UK), passed away on 29 November 2001 and was Cremated at Galkissa Crematorium, Sri Lanka on 2 December.
The members of the family wish to thank all friends, relatives and members of associations who attended the funeral, sent floral tributes and messages of sympathy and assisted them in several ways during the period of bereaVerment.-- Mrs S. Sivagnanasund-aram, 105 Essex Road, Leyton, London BlO 6EG. Tel 020 89258463
Mrs Pavalam Ramasamy:
beloved wife of late Vaithilingam Ramasarny; loving mother of Eng.
Vijayaratnam (Head, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna), Vijayakumar (Jaffna), Vijayadevi, Vijayarani and Jegasothy (London); mother-in-law of Mrs Vijayaratnam (Research Officer in charge of Agricultural Research Station, Thirunelvely, Jafna), Nathan, Sundaralingam, Thillainathan (London), Naguleswary (Jaffna); grandmother of Puroshowththaman, Toothiransali, Menaka, Luxana, Anand, Luxagini and Vasantha passed away in London on November 29, 2001. The Crennation took place on December 10, 2001 in Hounsl'OW, MiddX – 77 Bulstrode Avenue, Hounslow, MiddX. TW3 3AA. Tel 0208 577 6377.

Page 31
(1944-2001)
Sangarapillai Nadarajah of Point Pedro, Sri Lanka; son of late Mr. Sangarapilai, Advocate, Point Pedro & late Mrs Pakium Sangarapillai; brother of late Dr. S. Krishnaswamy of Singapore, late Mrs Leela Rajakulasingarn of Chicago, Mrs Valli Suryakumaran of Colombo Tel: 574912, Mr. S. Ganeson of Northolt, UK : 020 8845 7900, Mrs Pathmanathan (Mathura) of Toronto. 416 439 5995, Mr. Sriskanthan of Kandy: 226991, Mrs Kamala Kanapathipillai of Canvey Island, UK: 01268 514624 and Mr. S. Gunanayagan (Thasan) of San Jose, California. 408 578 6645. The funeral took place on Saturday, 15th December morning in Puloly West, Point Pedro.
The members of the family would like to express their gratitude to all those who attended the funeral, sent messages of sympathy and telephoned them during the period of bereavement. The late Nadarajah will be remembered as a very religious and kind-hearted individual Who Will be missed by all his family members, relatives and friends not only in Sri Lanka but also across the
SeaS.
May his soul rest in peace.
IN MEMORAM in loving Memory of
in . . ang memory o S Ganeswary Tharmalingam of
Konda vil East, Jaffna on the ninth anniversary of her passing away on 21st January
1993.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving husband Tharmalingam; children Brabalini, Bremjit and Ranjit, son-in-law Dr. W. N. Lingan-andhan, daughters-inlaw Dr. Vani Bremjit and Shamini Ranjit; grandchildren Abhirami, Sathya, Praneela, Praseetha, Prashoban, Praveen and Anjana. - 5, Beaulieu Boule-vard, Beaulieu Park, Chelms-ford, Essex CM1 6EA. Tel 01245 466363.
In loving memory of Vimal Raj Linganayagam on the first anniversary of his passing away on 5th January 2001. Deeply missed and affectionately remembered by his wife Bianca, Mum & Dad (Mr. & Mrs V. T. Linganay-agam); Appa and Amma (Mr. & Mrs L. Fernando) and all whose hearts were touched by his presence.
Address V. T. Linganayagam,
Second Death Anniver Muthuku
A. A. (28.04.1923-08.01.2000) A loving wife to her husband mother to her children and so, a wonderful grandmother to great friend to many, she wi forever remembered with gre
Linkfield, Isleworth, Middx TW
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAMILTIMES 31
90, Orchard Street, Kempston, Bedford MK427JJ.
In loving memory of Mrs Lalithambal Sandrasekeram of Temple Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka on the 3rd Anniversary of her passing away.
Born: 5.10, 1926. Called to rest: 28.1. 1999.
Love and Remembrance Last for Ever Affectionately remembered
sary of Mrs Sivapackiam marasamy
"Time heals all WOunds"
Or so they say.
But Sonne Wounds do not
heal, We are left to suffer dayby-day. As time goes by our pain still stays
Mr. Muthukumarasamy, a caring ns-in-laws and daughters-in-law, her many grandchildren and a II always be sadly missed and at fondness.- 2 Raybell Court, 76OT
In ever loving memory of Gregory Joseph, formerly of Cement Corporation (Kankesanthurai and Puttalam) and of Nigeria on the second anniversary of his passing away on January 18, 2000. Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Erin, children Dr. Eugene, Enakshi and Hyacinthe, daughter-in-law Dr. Sharnun, son-in-law Paul Wood and daughter-inlaw Neoline 338, Meadowood Lane, Vadnais Heights, Minnesoto 55127, USA. Tel: 651 482 7558.
by your loving husband, children, in-laws, grandchildren and brothers. - 37, Grove Road, Ealing, London W55DS.
25th Anniversary Remembrance
Called to Rest: 14 January 1977 In Loving Memory of the Late Mr. Mylvaganam Vanniasingam Selvanayagam of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Dear Pappa,
in our Mind and Daily Thoughts affectionately remembered on the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of your passing away on Thai-Pongal day by your loving children, in-laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren. - M. P.C., 6 Brook Road, Redhill, Surrey, UK.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Feb 1 Sandesurar Guru Poojah Feb 2 South LOndon Tamil Welfare Group (SLTWG) Drop in, Talk on Benefits. Tel: 020 8540 3285; Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Feb 5 Thiruneelakandar Guru Poojah; Feast of St. Agatha Feb 7 Krishna Eekathasi Feb 9 Sani Pirath0San Feb 10 Feast of St. Scholastica Feb 11 Amavasai; Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Feb 14 St. Valentine's Day Feb 16 Sathurthi SLTWG Drop in
Tel 02O 85403285 Feb 18 Shashti
Feb 19 Karthigai Feb 23 Sukkla Eckathasi Feb. 25 PirathoSam Feb 26 Full Moon, MaSi Maham Feb 28 Thiruvalluvar Guru Poojah At Bhavan Centre, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 911 GQ. Tel: 020 7381 3086/4608
Feb 7 6.30pm. India's Republic Day Celebrations, Speeches, Cultural programmes and Snacks. All welcome. Feb 24 6p.m. Bharata Natyam by Usha Raghavan More details from Website: www.bhavan.net/E-mail: infoG bhavan.net

Page 32
32TAMILTIMES
Kavithan's Miruthanga Arangetram
The Miruthanga Arangetram of Kavithan, Disciple of Guru Sri K. S. Bhavani Shankar and son of Sri & Srimathi Pathmam-ohan of Mitchley Avenue, Purley took place at Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon on 4th November 2001 before a large gathering of music lovers. I was delighted to be invited but was a little nervous that the Miruthangam that this twelve year child would be hugging would be some what heavy for him. After listening to his performance and watching the dexterity, he was flashing out from his face, I felt that Kavithan would be a Vidwan one day, God willing.
The repertoire was balanced and the performance above all started on time, probably because of the keen sense of punctuality of the mathematician father of the artiste. Kavithan's rendering of the rhythm cycles, pleasurable and never laboured, did Credit to him as well as his teacher and proved that the quality of Carnatic Classical music in Britain can be kept to a high standard provided that there is dedication, devotion and discipline. Indeed it is these "3Ds" that constitute the message of Sri Bhavani Shankar to all his students. Refreshingly, the packed hall was regaled with a veritable feast of music in which many ragas were featured. Among these were the much loved Kalyani, Hamsadwani, Hindolam, Kambhoji, and Revati. The main talas were Adi and Rupaka Chapu, Kavithan was not overa Wed While accompanying first class musicians on the stage. They on their part, assisted him most generously. It was after all his great day.
It was Guru Sri Bhavani Shanker's innovative idea to use the Sitar for this programme. The north Indian Hindustani instrument was played with authority by Sri Sarangan Sriranganathan, while the vocalist was the melodious Sri Kuttalam Nagarajan. The other accompanists Sri Thiruvarur Kothandapani - Violin, Sri Bangalore R. N. Prakash - Ghatam and Sri Kandiah Sithamparanathan Morsing were excellent. The whole programme was very competently compered in both Tamil and English by Kumari Bawani Sivagurunathan and Sri Muhilan PathinarnOhan.
The Chief Guest was the author Sri Reginald Massey, who in his speech congratulated the young Kavithan and
Wished him well for the Guru, the musi parents and said was an outstanding
Rasikai G. S.
Tami DOCtc
On 14th December Mental Health Unit many colleagues, members and office, Mental Health Trus Tout (Chair of the Patrick Geoghegar the recently furb fотаlly opened by FRCPsych, FFARC
In appreciation of done by Dr. Parar Mental Health Unit 1977 till his retirerr Consultant in charg fo his other responsibilities, the decided to name the
Michael LOWe the that Dr. Paran, qualifications in bo Psychiatry, was th person to lead the added that achiev was the motive that it was his Cons improvement that I procedures at this highest professione Structural modificati time, leading to the which now meets a the Royal College c
in response to the
Dr. Thaya-Paran s was a fitting name because it containe because the Word
descriptive name: referred to in Tamil WOuld translate to " a name to reaSS agitated patients C(
in appreciation o; and support she l husband, Sivakun presented with a the Trust Board Ch
The Sri La Past Empl ASSOC
The Christmas Ce ASSOCiation was December at the amidst a large g their families, frie commencing a proceedings start the switching on the President Mr. address and the Cake. The Secre
 
 

15 JANUARY2002
future. He praised ns and KaVithan's ut the Arangetram CCGSS.
Honoured
)01 at the Basildon n the presence of co-workers and of the South Essex including Mrs. Jai Trust Board) and (Chief Executive), hed Centre was Dr. R. Thaya-Paran,
OPM.
he dedicated work from the time the opened in January 2nt in 1997, as the of ECT in addition Catchment-area NHS TriSt BOard Centre 'Paran Suite”
ledical Director said
with postgraduate h Anaesthesia and а тоst appropriate 'reatment centre. He 2ment of perfection drove Dr. Paran and tant demands for ed to the treatment Centre reaching the all standards and to Ons to the Suite over Current configuration I the requirements of f Psychiatrists.
compliments spoken, aid that Paran Suite for that Centre not i part of his name but Paran is one of the by which God is AS Such Paran Suite The abode of God” - re the anxious and ming for treatment.
the encouragement as been offering her try Thayaparan was puquet of flowers by lit, Mrs Jai Tout.
nka Railway yees Welfare tion -UK brations of the above ld on Sunday, 16th r Training Corps Hall hering of members, ds and well wisher:S 12 noorn. The as is customary with the Christmas tree, annudurai's welcorne ting of the Christmas y Mr. M. Selvanaya
gam commenced the game of Tombola and the lucky winner was Mr. K. G. Alwis, who donated half the prize money to the association. In the selection of the best dressed in the gathering, the judges Selected Mrs. T. Mahade van - Best Dressed Lady and Mr. M. Balasundaram - the Best Dressed Gent and they were awarded valuable prizes by the PreSident.
After a sumptuous briyani lunch, the President speaking to the gathering complimented Mr. A. Manikkam, the patron of the Association for the yeoman services rendered by him and presented a specially designed trophy with a Railway Engine embossed with the necessary engravings. Mrs P. Arulampalam and Mrs T. Mahadevan distributed Christmas presents to the children.
it was a very pleasant occasion when Mr. K. Sivagnanam from Australia and Mr. S. Maha-lingam from Canada (both retired S. M s) and several past employees resident in the UK made it an enjoyable get together which terminated at 3p.m.
15th Anniversary Celebrations of Senior Tamils' Centre
The Senior Tamils' Centre, Ontario, Canada which was formed in 1986 with 20 members With the mission of the total well being, including the adaptation to the Canadian way of life of the aging population among the Tamil Community of Ontario has completed 15 years of service to the community and has now a membership of over 1400. The picture below is of His Worship, the Mayor of Toronto, the Chief Guest at the function making a presentation to Mrs Ratnes Sanmuganathan, President of the Senior Tamils' Centre at the 15th Anniversary Celebrations held On 17th November 2001 at the Oriole Community Centre, DO MillS
The Guest of Honour was Dr. Sudharshan Devanesan, the first Sri Lankan, who received the 'Order of Canada' in August 2001. Dr. Devanesan is Associate Professor of Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.
The services provided by the centre include advocacy, counselling, the holding of information meetings and seminars. Celebration of Age, Canada Day, Deepavali and Christmas etc have been a regular feature. The organisation of tour. - 66 tours involving over 5600

Page 33
15ANUARY2002
participants - has been an important activity. Holiday camps are conducted in conjunction with the Family Services Association of Toronto. The playing of the card game Bridge’ is the mam mdoor recreational activity and tournaments are held regularly. Drop in centres are organised. What was started as a 'birthday ' wish program has expanded into telephone comforting for the sick and feeble. The timely publication of a quarterly newsletter is an invaluable help in conducting the centre's activities. The Centre is actively involved in assisting members to obtain social housing.
UTTAR PRIYARDARSH
Recently, witnessed a brilliant production called Uttar Priyardarshi' by the Chorus Repertory Theatre at the Barbican (London)
on 28th Sept 2001, I
Uttar Priyardharshi's protagonist is Asoka, the third emperor of the Maura dynasty (324 187 BC), during whose reign the Indian empire reached its height, still not matched by the history of other kingdoms and governments of India. His predecessors, his grand father Chandra Gupta Mauraya (324 - 300 BC) and his father Bindisera gained wide reputation as ruthless military rulers whose campaigns succeeded in the conquest of much of North India. But it was under Asoka that the empire reached its highest, for it was a result of his victories in battles that the Mauraya came to rule almost the entire Indian sub-continent while maintaining a significant degree of political unity.
But it is not only military triumphs that make Asoka's life one of compelling interest. Records from some of his edicts which Asoka had inscribed on pillars, rocks and cave walls and which are our major sources of historically reliable information about hun - that he had a very dramatic change of heart after defeating the neighbouring people of Kalinga. The edicts indicate that Asoka felt great remorse over his past deeds of violent armed conflicts and embraced the ethic of promoting peace, tolerance and the welfare of all living beings under his sovereignty. Asoka's main concern, as expressed in his edicts, became the propagation of dharma a concept, which has many connotations such as truth. morality and righteousness and
familial and social :
Immediately aft conquered, King Pl intensely devoted dharma, the love inculcation of dhar remorse now. For h sorrow and regret b of a people previ involves slaught destruction. But important reason remorse. The Bra religious strives as other religions and all practised obed parents and tea courtesy to frien companions, relati places - all suffer w. and desperation of
Thus all people sha and this weighs he mind. King Priy security, self-contrc happiness for all l considers dharma important CO Priyardharshi ul value on the cons (karma) in the next
This stage prod dramatic scenes wa Thiyam. Imbued wi power, rich in imag intensity, Uttar F panoramic medita peace.
Ratan Thiyam is a of the most import theatre maker. In directors, Peter Brc and Eugene Barba Thiyam as one of directors. He is Ind Mahabharata fam pioneer of the th Movemento in Mani British influenced c the roots in fo performance to crea theatre.
Ratan Thiyam’s rec about war and
politicians who wag “Chakra Yurdha” ar pieces. He is a direc and choreograp Priyardharshi he ac precision productio)
According to Priyardharshi' is t hungry man, who experiences in life, man has difficulty So it is a play about control his own ego urges. It is a play non-violence abo attitude of waging effect of war.
 

responsibility. er Kalinga was iyadharsha became to the study of of dharma and the ma. He is moved to he has felt profound ecause the conquest ous- unconquered ter, death and there is more for the king's hmin priests and well as followers of house holders who ience to superiors, chers and proper ds, acquaintances, ives, servants and ith injury, slaughter their loved ones.
re in the misfortune avily on the King's ardharshi desires ol, impartiality and iving creatures. He
to be the most inquest. King timately attaches equences of action , birth.
luction in seven is directed by Ratan th poetry and visual ery and electrifying riyardharshi' is a tion on war and
cknowledged as one ant and influential ternational theatre bok, Tudashi Suzuki have acknowledged the world's great lia's Peter Brook (of he). Thiyam is a leatre with "Roots pur. He moved from lirama and turned to ilk and classical ate a modern Indian
ent productions are the power-hungry ge it. “Antigone’ and e two of his master tor, designer, writer her. In Uttar hieves an aesthetic,
.
Thiyam, Uttar he tale of a power has gathered many yet like any modern controlling himself. t a man's attempt to and his own violent about peace, about ut the growing war and about the
AMLIMES33
The focus is on the relationship between Priyardharshi and Ghor, the wanton destroyer and lord of hell, hired to torture the people. Priyardharshi enters hell and Ghor torments him. He finds a Bikku who is undisturbed by hell's misery and challenges Priyardharshi to look deeply into himself, to recognise and embrace the evil within him as well as good, for only by doing so will he be able to liberate himself and thus accept the gift of enlightenment.
Some of the poignant scenes were, the opening with chanting of a prayer from Jan Samvedas (monks) joined by eight members of the chorus and four narrators bearing symbols of the eight fold path of Lord Buddha setting effectively the mood of the drama, which was to unfold. This was Thiyams own invention of Buddhist rituals based on local tradition. The music very cleverly mixed bells and drums; the triumphant return of Asoka from the battle, seated in a howdah atop a prop-elephant; the dance of death by Ghor, appearances of torture devises from various historical periods we continue to manufacture more and more human torturing machines, human killing machines, more bullets and more AK-47 more missiles. There is no balance, no control.
Priyardharshi was expecting to be welcomed home, but is greeted instead by rivers of blood, represented by strips of red cloth hanging as vertical banners engulfing him, and by wailing war widows shrouded in white. Priyadharshi is swept in a whirlpool of agony which is represented by swirling red fabric that envelopes him from head to toe. Thiyam says his scenes are awash with the colour red. The aural environments created We'6 encompassing mixture of text sung, spoken, chanted and spat out.
The sensitive lighting was designed and executed by Ratan Thiyam himself. So for Thiyam and the company which had adopted this traditional Indian dramatic structure for their work a language from space, gesture, colour, light, sound, melody and rhythm is being built a. multidimentional language through which ideas are communicated at many levels and from many different angles. This makes Thiyam's theatre richly communicative across the barriers of spoken language and more accessible to international audience. It is no wonder that the mixed audience stood up and gave vent to the impact on their senses by continuing ovation. A spiritual balance was achieved.
Siva Sivananthan
Artistic Director, Gananjali Hong Kong

Page 34
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