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5 Y 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
SSN 0266 - 44 88 Vol. XX No. 7 15 JULY 2002
Published by: TAMIL TIMES LTD PO Box 121, Sutton, Surrey SM13TD United Kingdom Phone: 020 - 8644 0972 Fax: 020 - 8241 4557
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Time for direct talks 03 US envoy forfederalism O4 Early talks urged 05 Amnesty visit to Sri Lanka O6 Monitors held forcibly 07 Ceasefire violations 08 MDMK leader arrested 10 NeWS Review 12 Meeting Tamil aspirations 25 Tigers,Taxesand Tamils 29 To talk Or not to talk 31
Political power over ethnicity 33 Of nationhoods neighbourhoods 36
Tin
Though the pea a bumpy road in reci that erupted in east impact. What these east demonstrate is between the Sinhale the majority of whom have shown that th been a fractured On and Sensibilities oft Although they s Muslims perceive the and Tamils. In this Cc it WOuld be wise for them the opportunity through their electec Another disturbi ment. The number ( tional Sri Lanka Mor total of 380 total COm the LTTE. The large Sri Lanka from whe enforced recruitmen tion of the Ceasefire incident that OCCurre will for more than si) Although them Balasingham and th desCribed as 'COrdia discuss any aspect
While the propc no doubt that the st positive developmer Guns Continuet erty and indiscrimini ment of people and hundreds from the deep South. Andeq Wihare in Naaimativ into Custody on mere Tamils and Muslims Jaffna-Kandy road and the South. Rec for use after Several displaced people ha These are not mear However, it is a ment Of Sri Lanka months elapsed wa predictions of talks proved Wrong. Now likely. Apart from th İnexplicable delayir and trust the peopl One hand and on t and question the ve the LTTE to enter ir
 
 
 

TAMILTIMES 3
he for Direct Talks
eprocess has not gone of track, it must be conceded that it has been on nt times. It cannot be doubted that the Tamil-Muslim Communal violence 2rn Sri Lanka during the last two weeks of June has had an adverse videspread incidents of violence between the Tamils and Muslims of the hat the Conflict in Sri Lanka that needs resolution is not limited to the One se and Tamil communities only. It also involves the Muslim Community, inhabit the east of the country. Events that occurred during recent years relationship between the Muslim and Tamil Communities has at best 2. Without the recognition and acceptance of the interests, sensitivities Ie Muslim people, this damaged relationship cannot be repaired. peak the Tamil language, it is essential to recognise the fact that the mselves as having an identity that is distinct from that of both the Sinhalese ntext, rather than attempting to assert its dominance with superior might, he Tamil leadership to seek accommodation with the Muslims by giving of full participation in the peace process, including the proposed talks, and acknowledged leaders. ng fact has been the large number of violations of the Ceasefire Agreeif violations and complaints identified in the statement from the internaitoring Mission (SLMM) is staggering. As of 30 June, there have been a plaints of which 110 have been against the government and 270 against st number of identified complaints and violations have been from eastern e there has been a stream of complaints of harassment, extortion and t. What has been described by the head of the SLMM as "serious violaAgreement and a major blow to the trust of the SLMM in the LTEE" is the dOn 13 July in which two Scandinavian monitors were held against their
hours on board a trawler belonging to the LTTE and later released. uch delayed meeting between the LTTE's chief negotiator Mr Anton he Norwegian team took place On 15 July, the Outcome of which was and constructive', it was later reported that there was no willingness to of the proposed talks - dates or the agenda - until 2 August. Sed peace talks have been disappointingly delayed, there is absolutely ate of no-war resulting from the Ceasefire Agreement has led to many its beneficial to the people. Oremain silent and bombs are not exploding. Wanton destruction of propate killing of people have Come to a stop. The barriers for the free movegoods have been lifted. For the first time in years, Tamil people in their ar North have begun go on pilgrimages to the Katargama temple in the Jally people from the South are making pilgrimages to Nagadipa Buddhist in the North. People are walking around without the fear of being taken suspicion. The North-South movement of thousands of people-Sinhalese, - has become daily a routine. For the first time in many years the A9 as been opened and is functioning as the main route between the North ntly, the A5Batticaloa-Badulla Road in eastern Sri Lanka was reopened years. The UNHCR has confirmed that approximately 100,000 internally vereturned to their home areas and more are in the process of returning.
achievements. most 6 months since the Ceasefire Agreement (CA) between the governnd the LTTE came into effect. The expectation then and as weeks and that peace talks between the parties would commence quite soon. The taking place at Bangkok in May, then in June, thereafter in July have even a date for the proposed talks to take place in August seems une fact that this delay has stalled the momentum of the peace process, the commencement of talks is having the effect of eroding the confidence have in the peace process itself. It also Contributes to cynicism on the e other offers time and space for anti-peace negative forces to emerge y validity of the peace process. It is therefore time for the government and to face-to-face direct peace talks.

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4, AMIL TIMES
The United States Ambassador for Sri Lanka, Ashley Wills, states the United States likes its federal system and recommends it when asked, to people around the world. In an interview with Lasantha Wickremetunge, Editor of “The Sunday Leader' (23 June 2002), Ambassador Wills also said the United States will be comfortable with any negotiated solution as long as Sri Lanka is permanently at peace, is democratic and is united. Follows are excepts of the interview dealing with issues relating to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka:
Q: The most important issue for Sri Lanka today is, of course, the ongoing ethnic conflict. The United States has publicly, on several occasions, extended its full co-operation to the Norwegian initiative and a negotiated settlement. One criticism is that the support is only confined to words. In real terms what sort of support can you give Sri Lanka to settle this problem?
A: I don't think it's fair to say that our support has consisted of words only. I mentioned earlier in this discussion that moral means are sometimes appropriate and frequently resorted to by the United States. We have used our moral authority as a significant international player to promote the idea of a peaceful outcome and we will continue to do that. We also have other possibilities that we can look at depending on the circumstances. We have a modest relationship between our military and the Sri Lankan military. It has developed over the years, and doesn't involve much in the way of equipment sales, but it does involve significant training of Sri Lanka's forces, and also training on the rules of conflict; how do you protect the human rights of civilians while prosecuting a military campaign against an opponent? That is another way in which we have helped and we will continue to help. We think this is an appropriate way for us to engage with Sri Lanka. We also provide economic assistance to the country.
It is on a more modest level than was the case 20 years ago, but it's still pretty substantial and we hope that we can of fer somewhat more targeted assistance, not only at the areas affected by the conflict but throughout Sri Lanka. We think
there are victims of country, and our assi at all segments of th months ahead.
Q: There was some Acquisition and Cro ment (ACSA), whic which I understand of Sri Lanka has nov government's side, military support for combat the LTTE. TI cern raised in Tamil And even those who ongoing process w they have been cri States. They view it United States to figh explain to us exactly is all about?
A: It is a relativ ment and it really ex tion that we had for dramatic departure ( phenomenon. It allo the two countries, in to take advantage ( example when oil c be purchased. When on your port here in ple, the ACSA wou re-fuel at the same p ship would re-fuel h larly a Sri Lankan v of our ports would ti pricing. Spare parts ment could be excha basis.
But this agreem bases. We have no bases in Sri Lanka - Lanka has no wish our country. It does do with equipments tively modest agree we have concluded around the world. approaches 60 natio called ACSA agree a way of easing the tary operations of where in the world that.
Q: On the questio, tion of the LTTE,
 

15 JULY 2002
his war all over the stance will be aimed e population in the
perception that the SS Servicing Agreen was proposed and he attorney-general approved from the hat it could lead to the government to here was some concircles in the south. were opposing the elcomed it, though tics of the United as the support of the t the LTTE. Canyou what this agreement
ely low level agree(tends the co-operayears. It isn't some or some entirely new ws the militaries of otjust our military, of local pricing, for br gasoline needs to one of our ships calls Colombo, for examld allow that ship to rice as a Sri Lankan ære in this port. Simiressel calling at one ke advantage of our for military equipnged on a lower cost
nt does not allow for interest in military and we hope that Sri to establish them in not have anything to ales at all. It's a relament of the sort that with many countries think the total now ls - that have this solent with us. It is just ray for low cost miliroutine nature anyNothing more than
of the de-proscripr. Ambassador, the
United States has banned the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. The government of Sri Lanka has just announced that it will lift the proscription ten days before dates are fixed for the talks. At the same time, the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, at the press conference held in Kilinochchi said that the LTTE would use the lifting of the ban in Sri Lanka to canvass the withdrawal of its ban internationally. Now how would the United States see this? Would the United States take a cue from Sri Lanka, or would it only be guided by its own national security considerations?
A: Well, I've personally made a few comments on the subject, and much more senior officials in our government have also commented, that we will make our own decision about taking the LTTE off our list of so-called foreign terroristorganisations (FTO). So a decision by Sri Lanka to de-ban the LTTE will be noted by our government, but it will have nothing to do with our own sovereign decisions. We put the Tigers on our list of FTOs following our own analysis of the organisation. Similarly, we will make the decision to take the Tigers off the list based on our own assessment.
We have been pretty open about what it would take from the Tigers to qualify for being de-listed by the United States. Renouncing terrorism, renouncing the use of violence. These would be statements by the Tigers that would be favourably noted by our government. But then, this would have to be followed up by a period when we would match the LTTE's deeds with its words. At that future point we will make the decision one way or the other.
Q: You have been kept informed of the ongoing peace process, do you see any progress being made, do you believe that there is some lull at the moment, that the pace has slowed down?
A: I think perhaps the pace has slowed just a little bit. It is possible that the talks - this is our impression - may not begin in the next couple of weeks, or perhaps the next several weeks. But we think the slowing down, if one can call it that, might be a good thing, giving the two sides more time to sort out their positions as they approach talks. We look at this process with a very long term view. Its going to take a while, we are not distressed and we don't think that the government of Sri Lanka or the Norwegians are distressed about a slowing down. The main thing is to keep the cease-fire in effect and make sure its terms are implemented by both sides as much as possible, and then get to the negotiating table.

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15 JULY 2002
We think that this will happen. It's certainly our hope that it will happen.
Q: Talking of the negotiating table, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Tyronne Fernando, in Washington recently called upon the United States to persuade the LTTE to come to the negotiating table. Do you see yourself playing that role?
A: We hope the LTTE will decide on its own to come to the negotiating table, and, as I said, we think that will happen. One of the new factors in the equation here in Sri Lanka is that the Tigers seem to have reached the conclusion that they will do a better job of representing the interests of Tamil people by pursuing a peaceful solution rather than by continuing the so-called armed struggle. I hope they have reached that conclusion, because it is our belief that the Tamil people are tired of this conflict. There is an opportunity for negotiations that will give them a respected, secure place in a united Sri Lanka. We hope that the Tigers recognise this and will use this opportunity of negotiations to push for such an outCOl6.
Q: Mr. Ambassador, from what you have seen and heard so far of the on-going process, do you think that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran are both sincere in their efforts?
A: Well, I know that the prime minister is. I have no doubt that he is. And I have no doubt that President Kumaratunga is also committed to a peaceful outcome. In fact, I believe that it has been clear for about six or seven years that successive Sri Lankan governments were ready to make a deal to end this conflict, to find some way to devolve power in an acceptable way to some subordinate entity or entities, that would give Tamils a very substantial degree of self rule, while keeping the country united.
I think that this has been clear for a long time, as far as the point of view of successive Sri Lankan governments is concerned. I am less certain about the Tigers. I don't know what their intentions are. I hope that they have decided that they need to come to the negotiating table to do a proper job of negotiating on behalf of Tamil interests. One of the problems with the Tigers is that they have in the past taken advantage of legitimate Tamil grievances to pursue an extreme, separatist agenda, using violent means. This has brought international condemnation to them, the Tigers, and discredited the Tamil cause, which otherwise has merit. Now, we are convinced that the Tamils can have protection and find re
Pea U
The Peace Sup ing leading human tivists and academic dated 27 June, urg mentation of Cease early commenceme tions between the Liberation Tiger. (LTTE). The statem
"We, the unders Peace Support Grol concerned over incr that the peace proce out of steam. This despite the fact that (
spect in a united Sr.
fervent hope that th too.
Q: One final questi States have views ( litical system in Sri suming that the gov gers successfully r resolution of the co A: It really isn't say. That is an intel comfortable with an as long as Sri Lan peace, is democrat Lankans often ask they express curios system that we havi had a lot of success tem: it does a pretty ing good governan local governing as to the citizenry; an the fact that our so The key point: federal model are t sured in all parts o words citizens have political rights pro live in the nation; tl cial arrangements 1 central government for and what the sub and pay for; that o! powers right betwe ment and regional/ thatthe federal con secession is not pos eral system and 1 asked by people a it's not for us to sa propriate model fo cluding Sri Lanka.

TAMILTIMES5
Ice Support Group rges Early Talks
lort Group comprisrights and peace acis has, in a statement 'd the timely implefire Agreement and nt of direct negotiagovernment and the of Tamil Eelam ent said:
gned members of the p (PSG), are deeply asing apprehensions ss is beginning to run situation has arisen :ivilians on both sides
Lanka, and it is our Le Tigers realise this
on. Does the United )n what the new poLanka should be, asvernment and the Tinegotiate a peaceful nflict? appropriate for us to inal matter. We'll be y negotiated solution ka is permanently at ic and is united. Sri me this question and ity about the federal in the U.S. We have with our federal sysgood job at deliverce; it keeps as much possible, that is close d it takes account of ciety is diverse.
about a successful hat democracy isenf the nation, in other their democratic and ected wherever they at one gets the finanight, that is what the can tax and then pay ordinate units can tax le gets the balance of in the central governubordinate units; and titution specifies that ible. We like our fedecommend it when ound the world. But whether it is the apother countries, in
of the ethnic divide have secured tangible benefits arising out of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) as indicated in UNHCR reports of the voluntary return of approximately 100,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and as manifest in the unprecedented flow of civilian traffic across the divide, as well as the gradual erasure of existential and psychological trauma associated with war. There is no denying, however, that a pall of uncertainty hangs over the peace procCSS.
"This is largely due to recurring dif. ferences in perceptions between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as regards the interpretation as well as the implemention of the existing CFA. In particular, the problems relating to the CFA include contradictory reports as regards the mandatory withdrawal of the security forces from public buildings, schools and places of worship, instances of abductions and extortion by the LTTE, including child conscription, instances of threats and intimidation by both the LTTE and the security forces as a response to dissent, as well as other violations of International Human Rights norms.
"In addition, the peace process has been beset with problems pertaining to the commencement of direct talks between the GoSL and the LTTE on matters relating to interim arrangements and a just and an equitable political settlement to the Ethnic Question. Issues relating to the proposed direct negotiations in Thailand, include the timing of the de-proscription of the LTTE and the announcement of the dates for commencement of direct negotiations, the agenda for the peace talks, the specific role of Norway , the contours and powers of the proposed LTTE-led Interim Administration for the North-East, as well as the substantive issues that have a bearing on a comprehensive and a permanent political settlement to the ethnic conflict.
"There are also increasing fears amongst sections of the Sinhala and Tamil peoples that the two parties may well be preparing for war, while talking peace. Although these apprehensions have always been there whenever ceasefires and peace-talks took place in the past, the recent agreements on military cooperation between Colombo on the one hand, and Washington, New Delhi and

Page 6
6 AMIL TIMES
Beijing on the other, have created some suspicion amongst sections of the Tamil people as regards their timing. Likewise, the increasing recruitment, training and mobility of the LTTE cadres, backed by aggressive mass mobilizations by the LTTE in the North-East is causing apprehensions amongst sections of the Sinhala People that the LTTE is also preparing for war and is engaged in acts of provocation.
"These fears, maybe unjustifiable, need to be allayed. This can only be done by the speedy implementation of the CFA, observance of International Human Rights norms and the early commencement ofdirect negotiations on interimarrangements and substantive issues by the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka. The longer the delay the greater are the chances of these growing fears and apprehensions becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy.
"In this context, the recent visits to Kilinochchi by the members of the Peace Secretariat for direct face to face talks with the LTTE leadership to iron out some of these differences is timely and to be welcomed. We urge more frequent direct contacts between the GoSL and the LTTE in the run-up to the commencement of formal negotiations in Thailand. We also welcome the perseverance of the Government of Norway and its team led by the Deputy Foreign Minister Helgessen in keeping the peace process on track. Above all, we are happy that the guns have remained silent since the signing of the CFA and hope that they will remain so in the future as well. We recognize that that the road to peace is not going to be smooth, as nearly two decades of war and the accumulated distrust between and within communities it has generated cannot be eliminated within a few weeks.
“Mending war-torn societies takes time. While we recognize the need to move forward cautiously, stagnation of the peace process should be avoided at all costs. It is not our intention to be alarmist, but to flag an early warning so that appropriate measures may be taken to ensure that the peace process stays on track and does not get derailed."
The signatories to the above statement are: Sunila Abeysekera, Sunil Bastian, Radhika Coomaraswamy, Sunanda Deshapriya, Rohan Edrisinha, Ketheshwaran Loganathan, Jehan Perera, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Jeevan Thiagarajah, Joe William, Javid Yusuf.
29 June - A dele don-based internati organisation, Amnes a statement issued c ing a two week visit comed the positive e. operation from bot and the Liberation Eelam (LTTE) on rights and the peace "The current clin matic hope,” Derek delegation said. "Th ment has made a sig reducing human rig Lanka. However hur established as an in agenda.”
"The reduction i and abductions seen will only last if pra protect human rights gotiated and promot
During the first sion AI delegates tra region to meet with LTTE leadership, inc the political wing M. “The LTTE were vel ongoing dialogue on committed to access: Derek Evans said.
The delegatesm cials responsible for police forces. They v prison at short notice with inmates and m tions for improvem with the LTTE focu ment of child soldier appearances', arbitr return of internally d well as the peace pro In Colombo, de President Chandril Kumaratunga, Prim Wickremasinghe, an to discuss issues suc Prevention of Terrc and rape in custody, í ess. The delegation a bers of Parliament, international agen
 

15 JULY 2002
esty International
StS Sri Lanka
gation of the Lonnal human rights ty International, in n 29 June followto Sri Lanka welgagement and cothe government Tigers of Tamil issues of human
process.
late is one ofpragEvans, head of the e cease-fire agreenificant impact in hts abuses in Sri man rights must be tegral part of the
n killings, torture, since the cease-fire ctical measures to are discussed, need now.”
week of the misvelled to the Vanni members of the cluding the head of r Thamil Chelvan. y responsive to an human rights and and transparency,”
it with LTTE offithe judiciary and vere able to visit a where they spoke ade recommendaents. Discussions sed on the recruit, executions, "disary detention, the splaced people, as CCSS, legates met with ka Bandaranaike e Minister Ranil i various ministers has impunity, the rism Act, torture ind the peace proclso met with memrepresentatives of cies, and a wide
cross-section of civil society, including human rights groups, women's organizations, and business associations.
During its visit, AI urged both the LTTE and the government to seriously consider the human rights components of the peace process. “The move from conflict to normalcy requires the establishment of a clear and practical framework based on human rights," Derek Evans argued.
The Prime Minister and the LTTE both agreed in principle on the need for technical expertise on human rights to be made available at the forthcoming talks in Bangkok.
AI delegates engaged both parties on issues of truth and reconciliation, accountability and human rights monitoring, the protection of vulnerable groups and human rights standards for the interim civil administration in the northeast. In particular, AI discussed with the LTTE the training of police on human rights standards and the treatment of detainees. The organization recommended that the President and the Prime Minister launch a national initiative for truth and reconciliation as an integral aspect of the peace process. “Human rights in Sri Lanka have improved as a result of the cease-fire but the situation will remain vulnerable until the government and the LTTE take steps to guarantee a human rights framework for the peace process,” Derek Evans concluded.
The delegation that visited Sri Lanka comprised: Derek Evans, former Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International, currently working in the areas of conflict resolution and community reconciliation as Executive Director of the Naramata Centre for Continuing Education in Canada.
Claude Bruderlein, lecturer in international humanitarian law at Harvard University, currently specializing in the fields of peace negotiation and situations of political transition. Ingrid Massage, Researcher on Sri Lanka at Amnesty International's International Secretariat in London.

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SULY 2002
In what has been described as one of the most serious violations of the ceasefire agreement, two Scandinavian monitors, one Norwegian and the other a Dane, were held against their will for
more than six hours on board one of .
LTTE's trawlers and were later released after they were taken to Kilinochchi. According to a statement issued on 14 July by the international Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), the incident occurred on 13 July when the two monitoring team members, in the performance of their assigned duties, sought to carry out an inspection of a trawler manned by LTTE cadres under the Ceasefire Agreement between the government and the LTTE.
"This is a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement and a major blow to the trust of SLMM in the LTTE,” Major-General Trond Furuhovde, head of the Mission, said in a statement adding, "After this irresponsible behaviour, it is clear that the LTTE will have a lot to do in rebuilding people's confidence in their organisation.”
Captioned, "Two SLMM Monitors held against their will onboard a LTTE vessel', the SLMM’s statement said:
"A serious violation of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, occurred on Saturday afternoon when two LTTE trawlers, at least one with an Indian registration number, entered Sri Lankan territorial waters in Palk Bay, south of Jaffna peninsula. The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) intercepted the two trawlers at 17.45. One of the trawlers fled from the scene and managed to leave the SLN vessels and the other trawler behind by going through shallow water and go ashore close to Devils Point.
"At the same time the second trawler was adrift close to Iranativu Islands in Palk Bay being closely monitored by SLN vessels. SLN requested the advice and assistance of SLMM Naval Monitors in Jaffna around 18.00. At 20.10, with the full approval of the LTTE's Political Leadership in Kilinochchi, two SLMM Naval Monitors embarked the
Monitors held against
trawler. SLMM fo equipment onboar was controlled by
SLMM sugges miralty, LTTEPoli Kilinochchi and t Officers involved i LTTE cadres wou ashore and the rem be taken into the ci offer was rejected and the LTTE cad to disembark the tı At 23.20 SM ceived information res had started to 1 wards the shore of and SLN sailor wh trawler at this tim onto a SLN boat thi side the trawler. A SLMM Nava 1 M against their will and physically hir the trawler. The L the SLN vessels b. trawler across shall where they disemb Devils Point at 00 two SILMM Nava leased. Representa litical wing brough tors) to Kilinochch got to the SLMM Kilinochchi at 05. According to N Furuhovde, Head ( serious violation of ment and a major SLMM in the LT haviour is extreme to the success we stead of relying on monitors working solving disputes a plementation of til ment, LTTE mem treat two SLMM irresponsible beha the LTTE will ha building peoples c. ganization. I hope waystokeepwalki I hope that the LT
 
 

AMI TMIES 7
und communication d the trawler, which 4 LTTE cadres. ted to the SLN Adtical Headquarters in o the Commanding in the incident that the ld be allowed to go aining trawler would ustody of SLN. That by LTTE leadership res onboard refused awler. M Headquarters rethat the LTTE cadmove the trawler toVanni. SLN Officer o where onboard the e managed to jump at was moving alongAt this time, the two onitors were held by the LTTE cadres dered from leaving TTE cadres then left ehind by moving the ow water to the shore arked 2 Km South of .35. At this time the Monitors were retives of LTTE's Pot them (the two monini where they finally 4 Liaison office in 40 Sunday morning. Major General Trond of SLMM, “This is a the Ceasefire Agreeblow to the trust of TE. This kind of bely counterproductive have had so far. InSLMM as impartial for both parties in nd ensuring the imhe Ceasefire Agreebers decided to misMonitors. After this viour it is clear that ve a lot to do in reonfidence in their orwe will be able to find ng towardspeace and TE is stillready to do
99
SO,
Deeply regretting any inconvenience caused to the two Monitors, the LTTE in an official statement issued on 16 July from Kilinochchi in northern Sri Lanka "denied categorically that they held two members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) as hostages during a confrontation with the government, last Saturday, in the Mannar seas.”
The LTTE statement further said, "The Sea Tiger cadres brought the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission members ashore in their fishing trawler to prevent any harm being done to them and to ensure their safety. We prevented them from jumping into the turbulent sea to reach the naval gunboat. We are disappointed to note that the SLMM members have assumed that they were held against their wishes. We deeply regret if any inconvenience has caused to them. “The LTTE Political Head Office has also complemented the SLMM for its dedication, courage and commitment in executing their duties impartially to promote the cause of peace in the Tamil homeland. We pledge our co-operation and support for the monitors to carry on their admirable work.”
The LTTE's press note vehemently criticised the Sri Lankan navy for deliberately creating hostile incidents to provoke the LTTE, particularly the Sea Tigers.
"The Cease-fire Agreement recognises the existence of the naval unit of the LTTE and strictly prohibits the Sri Lanka armed forces from engaging in hostile naval operations. The Sea Tigers should be allowed, without hindrance, to perform their activities along the coastal belt of the northeastern territories under their control. We have also requested the Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission to work out an agreement on the issue between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Navy.”
Sri Lankan authorities denied that the navy had either rammed or fired at the LTTE trawler. In the meantime Colombo has asked India to gather information on the trawler concerned. "We have asked the Indian High Commission to provide us with information on the trawler which carried a South Indian registration,” Austin Fernando, Sri Lan

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8 TANTMES
ka's defence secretary said. The boat had the Indian registration RMS 512
“The trawler emerged from a flotilla of Indian fishing boats. As such we are curious as to how the LTTE cadres could be found on board what appeared to be an Indian trawler, Fernando adding that the trawler’s registration number, RMS 512, and was named Meenachchi and was not on the Indian authorities' list of lost boats.
The Peace Support Group (PSG) expressed deep disappointment over the LTTE's reaction to the Navy on their interception of two LTTE trawlers on July 13. They claimed that the LTTE's accusation was by no means justifiable under any circumstances and went against the spirit of the ceasefire agreement. In a statement issued, the PSG said:
"We are alarmed by the manner in which the LTTE conducted itself during its stand-off with the Navy by virtually holding as hostages two SLMM naval monitors who were engaged in their official duty of not only inquiring into the incident but in also settling the dispute." The PSG called on all parties to strictly abide by the ceasefire agreement and assist the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in its monitoring functions. The statement however expressed satisfaction at SLMM head Trond Furuhodve’s official media release which stated that the LTTE had accepted responsibility for the incident while tendering an apology. The PSG said “This is not the first time that the peace process has been tested in Sri Lanka's territorial waters since the signing of the agreement with periodic provocations from both sides. The recent incident underscores the urgency of evolving a mutually acceptable formula that would enable the legitimate logistical movement of LTTE boats between areas under their control, without in any way jeopardizing the legitimate task of the SLN in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.”
The signatories to this statement are:Sunila Abeysekera, Sunil Bastian, Radhika Coomaraswamy, Sunanda Deshapriya, Rohan Edrisinha, Ketheshwaran Loganathan, Jehan Perera, P. Saravanamuttu and Javid Yusuf had signed the statement.
Cea
July 8 - The Sri Mission (SLMM) ovi ance of the Ceasefire the government and press release issued hundreds of violation of 30 June. The larg plaints and violations eastern Sri Lanka fr been a continuous st of harassment, extort cruitment.
According to the lease, of the total va have been processed beginning of the Ce 270 have been made 110 against the Gov grand total of 380. C have been ruled as and 20 have been ru the Governmental si mon violation is abdu LTTE, or a total nu most common violat LTTE, ora total num common violation is or a total number of the Governmental si lated the Ceasefire cases of harassment tion of movement an striction on fishery. ruled violations there complaints of LTT ment/Recruitment of plaints of harassmer complaints of Abduct
Ce
Trincomalee, Sri Lan stilled and the prospects interest is again being dra ters of Trincomalee, one of ral harbors, on Sri Lanka’
"In the last six month into effect, there's be Trincomalee," says Gamin manager of the Sri Lanka
Most of the interest former British base that pi Indian Ocean fleet during India. Some of the investr line would guarantee a pe in the area- and protect the interests against Liberatic (LTTE) separatists usingt

15 JULY 2002
Lanka Monitoring erseeing the observAgreement between the LTTE has in a on 8 July identified ls by both parties as est number of comsidentified are from pm where there has ream of complaints ion and enforced re
a SLMM press relid complaints that by SLMM, since the asefire Agreement, against LTTE and ernmental side or a Df these, already 56 violations of LTTE led as violations of de. The most comction/kidnapping by mber of 21. Second ion is harassment by per of 11. Third most extortion by LTTE, 7. After that comes ide, which has vioAgreement with 6 , 6 cases of restricd with 5 cases of reIn addition to these have been made 44 E’s Forced recruitf Children, 44 comht by LTTE and 32 tions/Kidnapping by
efire Violations
LTTE. 23 complaints have been made against the Governmental side for harassment, 18 complaints have been made against the Governmental side for Occupation of civilian land and property and 16 complaints have been made against the LTTE in the cases of Missing persons.
SLMM is still inquiring into the above complaints and a special report is also being made on Occupation of schoolbuildings and places of worship. In Batticaloa district SLMM has received most complaints of possible violations, or a total of 182 complaints. Thereafter comes Trincomalee with 95 complaints and Ampara with 68 complaints made since the beginning of SLMM monitoring of the Ceasefire Agreement. The districts with the fewest complaints are Jaffna with 54 complaints, Vavuniya with only 34 complaints and Mannar with as few as 22 complaints since the beginning of the Ceasefire.
SLMM has sadly received reports of people being threatened with violence if they decide to use their right to complain about possible violations to SLMM.
Major General Trond Furuhovde, Head of SLMM, concludes: I urge all the people in Sri Lanka to change their focus from critizising each other to that of keeping the peace and assisting the parties in implementing the Ceasefire Agreement. Responsible leaders of both parties should emphasize on living up to the expectations that the people have in their ability to create a lasting Peace in Sri Lanka.”
asefire Encourages
Investors
Feizal Samaith
ka. With the guns of war or peace bright, investor wn to the deep, calm wathe world’s greatest natuSeast Coast, s, after the ceasefire came en a lot of interest in i Chandrasekera, resident Ports Authority (SLPA). in the picturesque port, a otected the Royal Navy's World War II, comes from ments that are in the pipe:rmanent Indian presence Sri Lankan government's in Tigers of Tamil Eelam he portas a future base.
The inner harbour, surrounded by ridges and low hills atop which some of the fortifications built by the British can still be seen, once provided safe anchorage for merchant ships laid up and waiting charters before the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in 1983. The inner port has been neglected since then, largely because of the Tamil separatist war, But now that a truce is in place, the Sri Lankan government wants to make best use of the port's potential.
Peace talks between the government and the Tamil rebels, originally set to start this month in Thailand, are likely to get off the ground in July or August as both sides hurl accusations of ceasefire violations. Despite this, though, no shots have been fired by either side since December, making it the longest truce ever in the history of the 19-year-long conflict that has claimed the lives of more than

Page 9
15 JULY 2002
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The sheltered waters of the main harbor, home of the Sri Lankan Navy's biggest base and headquarters of its eastern command, eliminate the need to build expensive breakwaters. "The most distinctadvantage of this harbor is that there's no need for dredging. We have the natural depth," points out SLPA’s Chandrasekera,
The commander of the Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sarath Ratnakeerthi, agrees that there is a lot of potential to develop the harbor, "But first we need peace," he says while wary of the intentions of the Tigers, who have opened six offices in the town since the formal truce. Tamil Tiger guerrillas, he says, have been infiltrating cadres into the town under the pretext of doing political work while also studying military installations.
With peace in the air, potential foreign investors have been scouting around the area in recent months. There's plenty of land available in and around the harbor, with some 2,000 hectares of state land vested with the SLPA. The SLPA, which acts as the guardian of the land, is to release about 300 hectares for an industrial zone in Kappalturai, near the town's highway.
Dr Bandula Perera, chairman of the Industrial Development Board, said the IDB planned to set up an industrial estate on 40 hectares that have been allocated in Kappalturai. However, there are concerns from minority Tamil politicians about the speed with which the government is proceeding to attract foreign investment to Trincomalee.
R Sambandan, senior Tamil United Liberation Front member of parliament from the area, rejects
government plans, saying done should be initiated and that no big investmen peace process had moved suffered several decades equal treatment are not pr hurry," he said. “We wan cludingoureconomic fut of a united country."
In the past, he point economic development, v industries or fisheries, W( ple from outside the regic potential in port developn industries, tourism,” Sa present industrializatior ceived. Development mu with representatives oft this to be foisted on us fr
Trincomalee has a of Tamils than Sinhalese munity) or Muslims. Tam north and the east of the c been discriminated agains and education by govern community.
Arjuna Mahendran Board of Investment, al could emerge if investmi proceeded before the plar was setup. The governm create an interim admini LTTE to administer then years as an interim meas
 
 
 
 
 

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that whatever was being by the people of the area ts should come in until the orward. "Tamils who have of discrimination and unepared to trust anyone in a to decide our destiny, inure, within the framework
'dout, the beneficiaries of hetherit be in agriculture, renot the Tamilsbutpeoin. "Trincomalee has great lent, agriculture, fisheries, mbandan said. "But the effort is totally ill-const be done in consultation he region. We don't want pm Colombo.” lightly higher percentage the national majority comils, who mostly live in the untry, claim that they have tinjoballocation, land use ments run by the majority
chairman of the state-run to conceded that disputes nt- decided by Colomboned interim administration inthas said it would like to tration with help from the }rth and east for about two re before a political solu
tion was found to the long-running conflict.
"As far as the oil-tank farm is concerned, that is nota problem because it involvestwo parties with land in Trincomalee owned by the Ceylon Petroleum Corp (CPC). The problems could arise if state land is demarcated for various investment before the interim administration is established," said Mahendran. He was referring to the biggest recent development in Trincomalee - an agreement to lease part of the CPC's 99 oil tanks, each with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes, to the Indian Oil Corp. The deal, signed in New Delhi this month, gives effect to some of the provisions of the 1987 Indian-Lanka peace accord that denied the use of Trincomalee to any power inimical to India and which gave India first choice in the use of the oil-tank farm.
The other major commercial establishments already in city include a flour mill owned by Prima Ceylon, a subsidiary of Prima Singapore, and the Tokyo Cement Co plant, a subsidiary of Japan's Mitsui. Among the new industries coming up in Trincomalee is a coal-processing plant that will produce coking coal for use in Indian steel mills.
During much of Sri Lanka's conflict, Trincomalee has played a key role in keeping troops and civilians in Jaffna farther north supplied with essential commodities and other requirements. Just like foreign investors, the rebels are also eyeing the city and its natural harbor as the capital of Tamil Eelam, the name of the Tamil nation for which the rebels have been battling for so many years. But the possible presence of the Indian Army to protect Indian interests may serve as a deterrent.
(Inter Press Services)

Page 10
10 TAM TIMES
Vaiko arrested f backing Tamil Tig
12 July - Police in Tamil Nadu arrested parliament member and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) General Secretary, Y. Gopalasamy (Vaiko), 58, yesterday evening on his arrival at Chennai airport from Chicago via Mumbai, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) for having spoken publicly in support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which is a proscribed organisation in India.
The bitter rival of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and regional strongwoman Jayalalithaa was whisked away by road to Tirumangalam near Madurai where he is expected to be produced in a Magistrate's court today. Some 3,000 of Vaiko’s supporters in Tamil Nadu were rounded up ahead of the arrest, which took place as he stepped off a flight from India's western commercial hub of Mumbai. Another 250 members of the MDMK party, which Vaikoheads, were detained when they tried to march on the airport at Chennai to welcome him, police and witnesses said.
"She is using POTA for political vendetta" Vaiko said at the airport. His arrest follows his speech supporting the banned Libera-tion Tigers for Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Tirumangalam on June 29. Jayalalithaa in a letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on July 2 had stated that unless actions like Vaiko's were sternly dealt with, terrorism worldwide would be encouraged. On July 8, eight MDMK office bearers were arrested under POTA from different parts of Tamil Nadu on similar grounds. The return of Vaiko to Chennai from the U.S. and his arrest were on expected lines. In fact, Vaiko had advanced his arrival from July 14 to yesterday.
Chennaipolice are cooperating with the special team from Tirumangalam led by Super-intendent of Police Ayush Mani Tewari. A convoy of vehicles acco-mpanied the van carrying Vaiko to Tirumangalam. In Mumbai, where he landed last night, and again on his plane to Chennai, Vaiko has been consistentlyunrepentant. Vaikotold reporters he would not be cowed down by the
“fascist” Tamil Na told a television cha that he stood by his: as the organisation Tamils of Sri Lank He said that the in the past strongly gle of the Tamils ( was his duty as a " back the struggle. he did not support by the struggle of Lanka and would He described Jayala arrest him as "fasci party would fight rule'. As far as th cerned, he was sur the 40-year old eth land nation would out that organisatio
After the arrest leaders on Monday, swung into action t MDMK cadres und tody pending Vaiko MK, meanwhile, h roko” (blocking tra the state today.
On Wednesday afternoon Jayalali with senior home 1 officials. The polic put down any disr because of the N So far as Jayalalith: arrest - and there Vaiko who has bee bailable warrantma time in custody - i BJP to dump the o Tamil Nadu in favo The BJP is caug cannot stand by Va LTTE against which a ban originally im sassination of the Rajiv Gandhi. Vai has two members ir isters in the ruling New Delhi. BJP Jaitley said that wh support the LTTE about Vaiko’s arres nanidhi said that PC

Dr.
eS
du government. He Innel in an interview support to the LTTE was standing by the a.
DMK leaders had y backed the strugof Sri Lanka and it Dravidian party to He said that while violence, he stood the Tamils of Sri continue to do so. alithaa's decision to st' and said that his against such “misle LTTE was cone that a solution to nic issue in the ispe impossible with
.
of the eight MDMK the State police had o take nearly 3,000 der preventive cusb's arrest. The MDas called for "road insport) throughout
and againyesterday thaa was closeted ministry and police e are determined to uption of transport ADMK agitation. aa is concerned, the is speculation that narrested on a nonly spend quite some s a message to the ther NDA allies in ur of her AIADMK. ht in a cleft stick. It iko’s attitude to the it has just extended posed after the asate prime minister ko's regional party the council of minfederal coalition in spokesman Arun ile the party did not it was not happy t. DMK chief Karu»TAwas being mis
5 JULY 2002
used and that Vaiko was being arrested by Jayalalithaa, just as he had been the victim of her misrule last year.
The Congress supports the arrest but party chief Elangovan says that whether the state should have taken recourse to the POTA was arguable.
The reactions of the other apologists of the LTTE in Tamil Nadu have been muted, like those of PMK's Ramadoss and Nedumaran, suggesting that the LTTE which is waiting for talks with the Sri Lankan government, does mot Want to over-react.
It must be noted that the MDMK did not get a single seat in the last Assembly elections. Against this background, it is debatable whether Jayalalithaa’s action against Vaiko will work in his favour or further marginalise the party, which is the main voice of the LTTE in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP will also have to decide whether it wants to go to the next general election - as and when it is held - with the motley crowd from TN or a single representative of the State, the AIADMK. Jayalalithaa's decision to arrest Vaiko is the opening salvo of a political declaration of war, since she believes that the AIADMK is here to stay - at least in the foreseeable future.
Mediamen kept away
Madurai, July 12: Police have vir-' tually fortified the magistrate’s quarters here, where MDMK leader Vaiko, arrested in Chennai under POTA, was produced. Presspersons were prevented from talking to the leader. Police said they were instructed by officials from Chennai not to allow the media meet Vaiko. Despite heated arguments between the police and the pressmen, the police did not allow the media to enter the magistrate's quarters. Police Commissioner Suriya Prasad said, “You can take photographs but definitely no press meet'. The commissioner did not even allow in the advocates who wanted to represent Vaiko. “It is our basic right to represent our client. You cannot hinder us," they shouted. “We want to know whether our client is okay...alive and in good condition...you have been harassing him since yesterday,” shouted Asai Thambi a lawyer.
As the lawyers kept on shouting, the Commissioner said any two of them would be allowed if Vaiko wanted their assistance. The lawyers were finally allowed in when Vaiko sought their

Page 11
15 JULY 2002
help. Meanwhile, MDMK partymen and lawyers described the police action as "torture', saying: "You can't ask our leader to travel another 400 km to
Vellore after he travelled all the way
from Chennai to Madurai (over 400 kms). They said Vaiko was already tired after his long journey from Chicago.
Vaiko shifted to Vellore jail
MDMK leader Vaiko, arrested in Chennai under POTA yesterday for his pro-LTTE utterances on June 29, was today remanded to judicial custody till August 7 and shifted to Vellore jail from Madurai central prison. City Magistrate (VII) Vanitha, who is in charge of the Thirumangalam magistrate court, remanded the MDMK chief to judicial custody for 27 days, rejecting Vaiko's written objection claiming that under Section 25 of the POTA a magistrate had no power to either issue a non-bailable warrant (NBW) or remand a person. After his remand, he was taken to the central prison from where he was moved to Vellore jail at the instruction of officials from Chennai, police said. However, officials did not give any reason for immediately shifting Vaiko to Vellore jail. Earlier at about 0400hrs, police officials, who were taking Vaiko to Vellore jail, returned after getting directions from the state headquarters. In a message sent through his lawyer, Vaiko said he was very happy to go to the prison for the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils. According to his law
yer, Vaiko also refused the offer of spe
cial class in the jail. "Whatever is eligible to me as an MP and income tax payer can be given to me, nothing extra... nothing special,”Vaiko said. The magistrate ordered that Vaiko be lodged in the special room.
Karunanidhi Condemns
Chennai, 11 July - DMK president M Karunanidhi tonight condemned the arrest of MDMK general secretary Vaiko under POTA and said the AIADMK government's action had only “shattered” the promise given by Prime Minister A B Vajpayee that the Act would not be misused for political purposes.The DMK had already expressed apprehension that some state governments might misuse POTA and it has been proved right now, he told reporters, adding the provisions of the Act have been misused for arresting Vaiko. POTA should be used only to
curb the activities o tants and should n tling personal score was of the firm vie tiated settlement Lankan Tamils the island republic. He Nadu government cal personalities on attention from buri me last year. It is year," he said in a to his controversia
year.
Ministers must be SALEM July 1 ing doubts over th the Prevention ( (POTA) to arrest Vaiko, the general s gress Jananayaga Chidambaram, ha moval of those Ce continue to proclair banned Liberatio Eelam.
Addressing a pi Chidambaram saic speeches backing 1 demnable, but whe invocation of POT It had been the C beginning that Act However, when it ment, the political AIADMK, the DM supported it.
At least now, h would have realise ing facilitated the Armed with such Tamil Nadu Gover ened to arrest an There were other la rorism effectively. Mr. Chidambal pressing solidarit which stood conv Gandhi assassinati leader had hurt th Tamils here. If the in the Central Go to eulogise the LT dropped from the move to ban the ambaram said the could only effect power to ban a p( with the Centre. It's misuse of PO' Chennai, July provisions of the P

fterrorists and miliot be used for sets, he said. The DMK w that only a negowould provide Sri ir due share in the alleged that Tamil was arresting politily to divert people's hing issues. "It was ; Vaiko’s turn this obvious reference l arrest in June last
! dropped
3 - Even while rais2 need for invoking of Terrorism Act the MDMK leader, ecretary of the ConPeravai (CJP), P. called for the rentral Ministers who n their support to the n Tigers of Tamil
'ess conference, Mr. d that Mr. Vaiko’s he LTTE was conther it deserved the A was questionable. P's stand from the : was a wrong law. came up in Parliaparties such as the IK and the MDMK
le said, the MDMK dits "folly" ofhavpassage of POTA.
a wrong law, the nment was emboldOpposition leader. ws to deal with ter
am said that by exy with the LTTE, icted in the Rajiv on case, the MDMK e sentiments of the : MDMK Ministers vernment continued TE, they should be Cabinet. About the WDMK, Mr. ChidState Government the arrest and the litical party rested
TA: Fernandes 19. Defending the evention of Terror
TAM TIMES 11
ism Act (POTA) and the actions of the MDMK general secretary, Vaiko, at the same time, the Defence Minister and NDA convenor, George Fernandes, today claimed that POTA was misused in the case of Mr. Vaiko.
The pro-LTTE speech in Madurai did not attract the provisions of POTA and, therefore, this arrest was a violation, Mr. Fernandes said after calling on Mr. Vaiko at the Vellore jail.
"I do not think what has happened to Mr.Vaiko falls within the ambit of POTA. He should not have been here (in the jail). POTA has been violated in this case (the arrest of Mr. Vaiko). The NDA has already made its stand very clear that this was not the purpose of POTA," he told mediapersons in Vellore.
For now, the Centre had no plans to intervene in the issue. Nor was any action being contemplated against the Tamil Nadu Government, which, according to him, had misused POTA. “Mr. Vaiko is a revolutionary. He does not need our support or anyone's help." Asked about corrective measures to prevent "misuse” of POTA, he said I am of the opinion that at some point of time, the courts will have to decide on this.'
Swamy flays TNA leaders
Chennai, July 15. Reacting to the statement made by Sri Lankan Tamil parties comprising the Tamil National Alliace (TNA) calling upon the Indian central government and the Tamil Nadu State government to release Vaiko, the Janata Party president, Subramanian Swamy, said: "The statement made by the five-party Tamil Alliance, which represents Tamils who have surrendered to the LTTE, has shamelessly appealed to the Tamil Nadu Government to free the MDMK leader, Vaiko, from prison.
These so-called Tamil leaders do not realise that in India, we value life a little more than Sri Lankans.” In a statement released here today, Dr. Swamy said, "The LTTE killed Rajiv Gandhi on Indian soil, after having lived off Indian hospitality for years. We Indians will never forget or forgive that. They (the Tamil leaders) have shamelessly forgotten that their Presidents and several Ministers have been killed or attempted to be killed by the LTTE, not to mention the decimation of Tamil leadership by the terrorist organisation.'

Page 12
12 TAM TIMES
“Criminal defamation law scrapped: 19 June - Sri Lanka's parliament legislated on 18 June to scrap the nearly 120-yearold draconian criminal
defamation law that was used to stifle media criticism of senior politicians. Protests against the law, that had a jail term of up to two years for those found guilty, gained momentum in recent years after two senior editors were given suspended sentences forcriticising President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
"This is a major step towards making a free society,” Mass Communications Minister Imthiyas Bakeer Makar told parliament which unanimously votes to repeal the law.
Officials said defamation would remain an offence under a civil law where there was little scope for political interference. The amendment to the criminal defamation act is one of several reforms promised by the United National Party during its election campaign.
Govt-LTTE direct talks: June 19- The senior-most Government official in charge of the Sri Lankan peace process flew to LTTE-held territory 18 June for the second time in a bid to resolve differences between the two sides amid diminishing prospects for early peace talks.
Bernard Goonetilleke, who heads the Prime Minister's Peace Secretariat, traveled to LTTE-controlled northern Sri Lanka for a meeting with its political wing leader, S.P. Tamilselvan, to resolve differences between the two sides on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The LTTE maintains it will not agree to direct talks till the provisions of the truce agreement are fully implemented. An official of the Norwegian Government, which is facilitating the peace process, accompanied Mr. Goonetilleke.
One of the main LTTE complaints is that the armed forces had not vacated public buildings, schools and temples in the northeast, though they should have begun doing so by the 30th day of the truce coming into effect.
A statement from the Peace Secretariat today said that following Mr. Goonetilleke's visit, the two sides had agreed on a joint team "of Government representatives, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and other interested parties” to visit the buildings in question to ascertain the position. The two sides also discussed the still unresolved matter of public transport on the LTTE-controlled stretch of a recently reopened highway connecting northern Sri Lanka with the
rest of the country.
"On the larger a process, views wer deproscription of the between the two par dence-building meas ther strengthen the co ple in the peace eff added.
Talks in the “doldru mal peacetalks betw and the LTTE are to Articles in pro-LTT made it clear that the place according to th endar. On 17 June, Tamil Guardian, see flector Of LTTE vie gian-facilitated proc drums' because the ( neged" on its pledg truce agreement.
It accused the mi ent attitude” for not lic buildings, school north-east, and said t troops needed time tive accommodation “fallacious”.
Arguing that the sula had been sent w was at war with the made a case for a c. of the armed forces cusing the Governm "phased' approach the conflict, the jou stead of concentrati interim administrati the Government was ing this to discussio cal issues. The LTT that it does not want lution to the conflict that it wants now ist administration” whi tal controll over the 1 "The rapid progr peace initiative earlie on a common undei manent solution wo mise and accommo bedifficult, ifnot im of a peace process, solution is therefort the present with till issues' can be agr cussed,' the papers

15 JULY 2002
spects of the peace 2 exchanged on the LTTE, negotiations ties and other confiures intended to fur»nfidence ofthe peoorts,' the statement
ims': June 19-Foreen the Government be further delayed. E publications have talks would not take e Government's cal
the London-based n as an accurate rews, said the Norweess was in the "dolGovernment had "ree to implement the
litary of a "belligermoving out of pubs and temples in the he argument that the o construct alternain the peninsula was
troops in the peninhen the Government : LTTE, the weekly omplete withdrawal from the region. Acent of abandoning its to the resolution of nal has said that inng on setting up an on in the north-east, now talking of linkns on “core” politiE has made it clear to talk of a final soat this stage, and all alk about an "interim ch would give it tonorth-east. 2ss of the Norwegian r this year was based standing that a peruld require comprolation which would possible, at this stage and that an interim required to bridge such time as "core eed upon and disCated.
Govt too is not in a hurry' for talks: June 20 - Following repeated assertions by the LTTE that there would be no peace talks till the Sri Lankan Government implemented the February truce agreement in full, the Government said today that it too was in no hurry to begin direct negotiations.
"The Government wants to emphasise that it is not in a desperate hurry. We are not interested in speed for the sake of speed,” said G.L. Peiris, Cabinet spokesman and one of the Ministers directly in charge of the peace process.
He said the Government was “not unduly concerned” about the delay and that it was more important to ensure the stability of the peace process. The Government, which had first projected talks in May, had revised it to the last week of June or early July.
Tigers protest against attack: June 21 -The Liberation Tigers issued a statement today condemning the attack allegedly carried out jointly by the Sri Lanka Navy and the para military group Elelam People’s Democratic Party. (EPDP) on two of their cadres, Mr. Semmanan, the political leader in the islands and Mr. Thayalan, a political activist.
The statement said, "Mr.Semnanan and Mr. Thayalan were brutally attacked Thursday (20 June) night at about 9 p.m. at the Velanai bus company junction by . Sri Lanka Navy personnel and the antinational element, EPDP, with the sole intention of killing them. The SLN personnel and the anti-national group fled from the scene when the people of the area raised cries and rushed to the scene.... The Velanai incident has proved that the Sri Lanka Navy is all out to suppress the upsurge and the freedom struggle of the Tamil people through arms." The LTTE has called for stern action against the attackers.
UNICEF saves 60 child soldiers: Jun 21 - A UN agency said that more than 60 children recruited as soldiers by the Tamil Tigers have been demobilised following its intervention. The UNagency for children, UNICEF, said the youngsters were released over a period of one year after it took up the issue with the LTTE. "The organisation's efforts have resulted in successful disengagement of over 60 childiren,” UNICEF said in a stiatement. "However, much more needs to be done.”
The LTTE has been accused of deploying a baby brigade despite 1998 assurances to UNICEF's Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict

Page 13
15 JULY 2002
Olara Otunnu that no one under 18-years old would be used as a combatant. Last July, UNICEF's executive director Carol Bellamy accused the Tigers of breaking a pledge and continuing to recruit children, some as young as 10-years old.
UNICEF officials met with the LTTE members in the rebel-held northern Wanni region recently "to explore further opportunities to protect the rights of children affected by the armed conflict," the agency said.
"They have made a serious commitment to stop recruiting children," Ismalebbe Zanofer, UNICEF's program of ficer, told reporters. "They have agreed not to use children under 17 in combat,' adding that the verbal agreement was given by Pulithevan, a senior cadre in the LTTE's political wing, during a meeting held last week in the LTTE controlled Wanni.
Mutur LTTE office attacked: June 21 - A group of unidentified persons allegedly to be members of an auxiliary force destroyed the Mutur LTTE office today around 7 pm. At that time of the attack, the LTTE office had been closed for the day. Tension prevails in the Mutur town following the attack, residents said.
Peace process reached a hiatus: June 21 - Sri Lanka's main opposition party the People's Alliance (PA) said that the government's peace process with the LTTE has reached a period of hiatus. Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told reporters in Colombo on that "We do not know where the process is heading.' Commenting on the fact that a date for the talks had still not been fixed, Mr Kadirgamar said, "We do not know if the talks will not be held at all."
Stating that the PA has not been invited to associate with the government at the forthcoming peace talks with the LTTE, Mr Kadirgamar added, "The question of PA being associated with talks is premature because at this time the PA is in a position where it does not know what the shape and structure and most importantly what the agenda is going to be.”
Kadirgamar said that even the government did not know where the process stood. "It may well be that the government is not really thinking about it. We cannot dig out information that does not exist and the government has not reached any kind of conclusion on the agenda," he said.
Saying that the LTTE and the government have started trading allegations, Mr Kadirgamar said "The process of allegations and counter allegations is taking centre stage. One cannot discount the
possibility that the down to talks. "W a hiatus,” Kadirg knows what is goil Kadirgamar sa could be linked to of the LTTE and th not against the go' the ban will be rer the talks open. Ka position supported ing an interim adm island's embattled regions, but it sho isolation of other there is a danger o leading to a de fac become the perma a recipe for perman amar said.
British mine clear - A British mine ( the HALO Trust h project in the Jaff from Colombo said begin with a six m ern Sri Lanka, the
HALO will hel clearance activities programme in the J gramme Manager, HALO, which will tions in government an initial staff of 40 to train 500 local opened an office i day. HALO aims in manual teams, thre vegetation cutters a tal of over 300.
“We have requi the Security Forces eration plans with t said Boulter. The in four million US do funded by the UK
HALO says it
the European Com Office (ECHO) a Victimis to underta area survey of nor survey is expectedt June.
Probe into assault of the international Sri Lanka, Maj Furuhovde, has call to appoint an inde into the assault of LTTE's politicals lage on the Jaffna addition to this, the and LTTE will eac ough investigatio)

TAM TIMES 13
parties will never sit are now in a state of amar said. “No one g on." d the de-proscription pona fides on the part at the opposition was fernment's stand that hoved 10 days before lirgamar said the opthe idea of establishinistration to run the northern and eastern ld not be taken up in issues. "Otherwise, f the interim solution :to situation that will nent solution. That is ent disaster,”Kadirg
ers in Jaffna: June 21 slearing organisation, as begun a five year na peninsula, reports . Halo's activities will onth survey of northcharity said.
p in the ongoing mine to aid the resettlement Jaffna peninsula, ProRichard Boulter said. begin clearing operat controlled areas with de-miners and hopes people in the work, n Jaffna on Wedneshitially to deploy nine e mechanical units, 3 und employ a staff to
ested the assistance of and discussed the ophe Defence Ministry,” itial program will cost llars. HALO is partly Government.
is being supported by munity Humanitarian nd Foundation Pro ke a mine and danger thern Sri Lanka. The O last six months from
: June 23 - The head ceasefire monitors in or General Trond ed on the government pendent commission two members of the ction in Velanai vilisland of Kayts. "In ' Army, Navy, Police h do a separate thoron the alleged as
sault," the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said in a statement 22 June. The SLMM also said it would establish a permanent presence in the islands.
Following the receipt of the request from the SLMM, the Navy commander today said he had appealed to his men to act with discipline and assured that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Defence Ministry sent a senior Navy official, Rear Admiral Mohan Wijesekera, Chief of Staff, to carry out preliminary investigations. A statement issued by the Commander of the Navy said while the involvement of naval personnel in the incident had not yet been conclusively established, he would order an enquiry into the assault. In addition, the Navy has also requested the Ministry of Defence to undertake an independent enquiry through a committee appointed by the Government.
Addressing Navy personnel stationed in the islets, Admiral Wijesekera reiterated that the force would not tolerate ceasefire violations committed by its men. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has decided to open an office at Kayts, the main islet off Jaffna, to enable a quick response to complaints in the area.
Mannar Bishop lauds PM: 23 June - Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar, paying a glowing tribute to Prime Minister said that the Church would back him to realise his noble vision to bring peace to Sri Lanka. The Bishop of Mannar said this in welcoming the Ministers who had come to assist the Madhu Shrine which is in dire need of state assistance to keep the Shrine ready for the pilgrims attending the two great feasts on July 2 and August 15.
“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in his own humble ways has shown that he has a noble vision to achieve peace. We are with him in his efforts to bring the two parities to the negotiating table to bring about peace. The blessings of Our Lady of Madhu is with the Prime Minister in his efforts.”
Interior and Christian Affairs Minister John A.E. Amaratunga, who made a donation of Rs. five lakhs to the prelate, said that he last visited the Shrine when the IPKF was operating here and said thanks to the initiative of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today the people were able to travel freely.
Minister Jayalath Jayawardene said that the re-opening of the Madhu Road was an extension of the hand of friendship and peace from the people of the North to the people of the South.
At a conference held at the Shrine the

Page 14
14 TAMILTIMES
discussion was centred round providing facilities and amnesties to pilgrims to Madhu Church. According to the Church officials they expect to have over 150,000 devotees at the two feasts on July and August. It is claimed that July feast would be the first feast to be celebrated after two decades of war with the participation of a big congregation, while the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Sri Lanka Government and Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam remain operative creating a peaceful atmosphere.
SLMC Calls for restraint: 23 June - As tension rose in Trincomalee and other areas in eastern Sri Lanka following a complaint by the LTTE that its office in Muttur had been attacked by unidentified persons, according to newspaper reports, the leader of the SILMC, Mr. Rauf Hakeem, who is also a cabinet Minister, held extensive talks with defence authorities to discuss the issue of tension that had built up in the Trincomalee district.
"Minister Hakeem condemned the sinister elements which attempt to disturb the prevailing cordial atmosphere between the Muslims and Tamils in the East which came about consequent to the discussions between the LTTE and the SLMC leadership," the Sunday Observer reported, quoting the Defence Ministry. “The SLMC requests all peace loving Muslims to exercise restraint and not to fall prey to these extremist groups whose agendas go against the principles of peaceful cohabitation,” the state paper
said. New TULF Leader: rasingham. Anandas the Jaffna district, h President and leader ( Liberation Front (TU death of its previc Sivasithamparam. M had held the post of dent for several years, to the post of Preside Joseph Pararajasingha ian from the Battic elected as Senior Vic The party also d Mr.K.Thurairatnasing east as its National L to fill the vacancy cre of Mr. Sivasithamba, was made after sever sions at the party's ( meeting on Sunday, J Headquarters in Colo After the meetin garee said he would insecure the just rights ing people of Sri Lar would fulfil the asp leader Mr. Sivasitham that he was the one v leader's duties of the several years while Mı was in Chennai, Than long period of illness opposition to the elect sangaree as leader ( Mavai Senathirajah, a of the party, did not a
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15 JULY 200
24 June - Mr. Veeungaree, MP from is been elected as f the Tamil United LF) following the us leader Mr M r Anandasangaree Senior Vice PresiWith his elevation it of the Party, Mr. im, a parliamentaraloa district, was e President. ecided to appoint gham from Muturist parliamentarian ated by the demise am The decisions al hours of discusentral Committee une 23 in the party mbo. g Mr. Anandasando his utmost to of the Tamil speakhka and he said he irations of his late param. He recalled who performed the party for the last r. Sivasithamparam nil Nadu during his ... Known to be in ion of Mr Anandaf the TULF, Mr. nothersenior leader ittend the meeting.
He announced earlier that he was going to push for postponement of the meeting since he did not agree with several other leaders in the party. He described Mr. Anandasangaree, as incompetent to run the party at this critical juncture. He said Mr. Sangaree disagreed with him in many ways during the last elections. He said further this is an ideal time to change the old guard and infuse new blood and ideas into the party hierarchy.
LTTE on recruitment of children: June 24 - The Tamil Tigers, who have been previously accused by human rights organisations of conscripting Tamil chidren, have given an assurance to a delegation from Amnesty International that the LTTE has set the minimum age for recruitment to their organisation at 18. The leader of LTTE's political section, Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, told the AI delegation when it met him on 19 June that the LTTE had made the policy decision following the adoption by the United Nations of a treaty on recruitment earlier this year.
The few members of the LTTE who are below 18 years of age at the time of adoption of the new policy had been returned to the custody of their parents or guardians and written statements of confirmation had been obtained from the latter, Mr. Thamilchelvan told the AI team during their 3-hour meeting. In discussions with Amnesty International on the rights of children and armed conflict, the LTTE had pointed out that it was main
taining a number of child
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welfare centres in the wardevastated north and east and had complained that international humanitarian organisations were ignoring the plight of the youngsters, the sources said.
During its visit, the Amnesty delegation - which comprised Derek Evans, Claude Bruederlein, and Ingrid Massage - also met Mr. Balasingham Mahendran (Nade-san), the head of the Tamil Eelam Police Service, and Mr. Pararajasingham, head of the Tamil Eelam Judiciary, the sources said.
Derek Evans, a former Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International, is currently working in the areas of leadership development, reconciliation and conflict resolution. Claude Bruederlein, former ICRC delegate and adviser to the UN

Page 15
15 ΑΥ 2002
on humanitarian affairs, is currently Program Director at the Harvard School of Public Health and Lecturer at the Harvard Law School. Ingrid Massage is a researcher on Sri Lanka at Amnesty's International Secretariat.
General shut down in Trincomalee: June 25 - The eastern port town of Trincomalee was brought to halt by a “hartal" staged to protest against the attacks on the political activists of the LTTE at Velanai in Jaffna district and the Mutur LTTE political office in Trincomalee district. Schools, business establishments, government departments and banks were closed, roads were deserted and with a few vehicles and people out. Muslim and Sinhala schools and business establishments also were closed. Tyres were burnt down in the town at important junctions. The police removed some of the burning tyres.
A large number of navy personnel were patrolling the Inner Harbour Road in the morning. Police personnel were posted near the Green Road in the town where the Trincomalee political office of the LTTE is located. Later the navy personnel were withdrawn. The police were also moved from some areas later.
Muttur town under curfew: June 25 - Mutur town in the Trincomalee district were put under night curfew from 12 noon Tuesday (25 June) following clashes between Muslims and Tamils which ended in several injured on both sides. Five people have been admitted to the Trincomalee hospital and two are said to be in critical condition. The clashes occurred in the context of the hartal orgnised to protest against the previous attack on the LTTE office in Muttur by unidentified persons.
As tension prevailed in the town some Tamil families have sought refuge in two Christian churches. Police protection has been provided to these churches following threats from anonymous persons, the Sources said.
The police and army were sent to the town of Muttur in eastern Sri Lanka on 23 June to quell riot there following clashes between the minority Muslim and Tamil communities. At least five people were injured as the police used tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Police said that around 1,000 Tamils and an equal number of Muslims clashed around 9.30 a.m. local time following Sunday's attack of a political office of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels town. The attack on the political office was blamed on a group of Muslims.
Police said th Scandinavian cease were also summon tion under control been set on fire in on a Catholic chur Tamils marched te from three corne milepost and Mallik gans and holding pl government to tak arrest members "Os behind the attack ol
A memorandun end of the march a of the members of S referred to three in tion that had arise tack on the LTTEp Islands of Jaffna(at and allegedly assist Naval team on 2 hchanoor (64th 20.06.2002 where built crosses belo Catholic faith were ecrated by a group ( als. The members who staged a sit in fic on the road o1 peacefully dispers the police on 21.0 gang headed by o leader of Mutur wł OSAMA GROUP, on 21.06.2002 wen where the LTTE p ated. He had gottl tion severed prior LTTE office. They doors and caused table and about te: other items in the sa randum alleged tha lated incidents but executed actions or are against the Tan a fair andjust solut
Over 100,000 her 25 June - Over hun in Sri Lanka are a nearly 10,000 use urban area, directo Bureau, Senior Sup Pujitha Jayasund Jayasundera said t on the increase an nearly 500 rupees heroin. He stressed vention before dete and appealed to all erate with the poli Jayasundera also a lice officers have
tion against drug p

TAMILTIMES 15
lat members of the fire monitoring team ed to bring the situawhere a Mosque had addition to an attack 2h. A large number of owards Pachchanoor rs-Killiveddy, 58th aitheivu shouting sloacards demanding the e immediate steps to ama” group who were in LTTE Mutur office.
n was submitted at the
t Pachchanoor to one LMM in Trincomalee cidents for the situah: (1) The serious atpolitical leaders in the Velanai) by the EPDP ed by members of the 0 June; (2) In Pacmille) in Mutur on hirteen of the cement nging to the Roman 2 vandalized and desof designing individuof the Catholic faith strike preventing trafn the 64th mille was ed by intervention of 6.2002; and (3) The ne Hakim, the Jihad no now calls his gang had at about 7.45 p.m. t to Aylliady in Mutur olitical office is situhe electricity connecto the attack on the had broken open the damage to the office n chairs, the fan and aid office. The memoat these were not isowere well planned and the part of those who nils who are awaiting ion to their problems.
oin users in Lanka: dred thousand people ddicted to heroin and 's are from Colombo ir of Police Narcotics perintendent of Police era revealed today. hat use of heroin was ld heroin users spent daily for their doze of the importance of prection and prosecution Sri Lankans to coopce in their campaign. dmitted that some ponot taken serious ac)eddlers and drug us
ers in the past. The government has started a weeklong island wide anti drug campaign commencing 24 June to 30 Jun to create greater awareness on the ill effects of drugs.
LTTE announces its custom duties: 26 June - Through a formal advertisement in the Tamildaily "Sudar Oli” on 23 June, the LTTE announced its customs duty structure for goods being taken into Northern areas of Sri Lanka.
The duty ranges between 5% and 25%. But within strict limits, articles meant for personal use, could be brought in duty free. For example, a family can bring in one radio or a tape recorder worth not more than Rs.6,500. It could take one gas cooker, mixier and iron.
Interestingly, the announcement makes a distinction between "Sri Lanka' and “Tamil Eelam”. It says that “Sri Lankan' government servants coming to “Tamil Eelam” on transfer, and those people coming from "Sri Lanka” or "other countries' with an intention to live in Tamil Eelam permanently, can bring their personal effects without paying duty.
Agricultural implements and fishing gear attract the lower duty of 5%. Some food items also attract 5%. But fruits and manufactured food items attract 10 to 15%. There is a Rs.1 tax on each egg and each coconut. Cigarettes are taxed at the rate of 35 cents per cigarette and match boxes at 25 cents per box. Betel leaves and betel nuts are also classified as luxuries and a 10% duty is levied on them. The tax on health, household and beauty products varies between 8 and 20%. Products made in aluminium or siver and even polythene shopping bags attract a duty of 20%.There is a 12.5% tax on cooking gas.
here is a 20% levy on calendars and office stationery. The tax on bicycles and tractors is 7.5%, but bicycle parts attract a levy of 15%. Baby foods, toys, and books and stationery meant for school going children have been exempted from duty.
LTTE's only goal is Eelam says JVP: 26 June - Mr. Wimal Weerawansa, propaganda secretary of the JVP, said Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe had already acceded to almost all the unreasonable demands made by the Tamil Tigers even before the proposed peace talks scheduled to be held in Thailand. He said the LTTE had already widened their activities like collecting taxes, opening police stations, new banks and openly recruiting soldiers for Tamil Eelam Forces. Today the LTTE was trying to show to the

Page 16
16 TAMITMES
world that two separate states existed in this country. The LTTE's sole motive was to achieve four basic conditions required to form a separate state according to the Monte Vide convention accepted by the UNO. In a nutshell these 4 basic conditions were: 1. An army on par with the existing army of the lawfully recognized state. 2. A considerably large population of people in the proposed new or separate state. 3. Recognizable and marked borders for the proposed separate state. 4. To prove to the international community, the existence of a separate Thamil state for a long period of time.
Mr. Wimal Weerawansa claimed that LTTE by now has been capable of achieving three of these basic requirements to form a separate state of their own or in other words an “Eelam” and they are yet to touch the most sensitive point for the people in the South, that of marking their borders. "We of the Opposition have now planned to educate the masses regarding the disastrous effects of this proposed secret pact between the LTTE and the UNF government and we would even go from house to house to reveal to the people the contents of this pact'.
Violence rocks eastern Lanka: 27 June, BBC - Clashes between Muslims and Tamils have spread across eastern Sri Lanka, reportedly leaving one person dead and at least 50 injured in a number of separate attacks. The clashes which first began in Muthur town in Trincomalee district have now spread to the Valaichchenai area in Batticaloa district. It is still unclear exactly why they are taking place now.
A curfew has now been imposed in the Valaichchenai area but reports from Batticaloa say it failed to prevent a grenade attack late in the day which killed one civilian and injured about 20 people. This followed a number of small incidents in Valaichchenai earlier in the day where three buses were damaged in front of the police station and an ambulance attacked on its way back to the area from Batticaloa.
Journalists reported a grenade attack in the Valaichchenai market in the morning in which four people were injured and taken to the local hospital. As night fell, shops in Valaichchenai were reportedly still burning.
There are also reports that several shops belonging to Muslims were set on fire in another area and more minor injuries in separate clashes between the two communities.
Meanwhile, there were initial signs of trouble brewing in Ampara district in the morning but it appears the local au
thorities have calme And in Muthur Tow first started severald meeting of political ers was being held problem.
Several theories ward for why this Some argue that Mu third largest comm from the current pea the government and Others say they are f and harassment alleg the rebels. Some of gested extremist Isla ternational links are lim politicians deny exist in Sri Lanka. Bu being expressed abol oppose the peace p. might be helping to though there is no pl tions being expresse Officials say the vent the tension fro does there are likely quences for the peac
Refugees awaiting r June 28 - Over 66, staying in l l l camps Nadu in south India home, but only afte normality' in the is Lankan Minister for settlement and R Jayawardena, said t who visited the camp egorically told by th would return only a ment is created” bac Tamil Nadu play Sri Lankan Tamils ol cash-strapped State annually on providi to the refugees, besic cation to students at Though despatc. relieve the Governm cial burden, it is no them back home, un peace on the island, do not want to bec They want to come Sri Lanka when the comes normal and t in a safe environmel the media, after me ister, Jayalalithaa, a
"There are one the northeastern reg we take them back Hence, the resettle await the outcome o ernment's proposed

15 UY 2002
the situation there. n where the tension ays agoa high-level and religious leado try to resolve the
have been put foris happening now. slims as Sri Lanka’s inity feel excluded ce process between Tamil Tiger rebels. ed up with extortion edly at the hands of he media have sugmist groups with ininvolved, but Mussuch groups even it there are also fears it whether those who rocess in Sri Lanka incite the trouble - roof that the frustrad are not local ones. y hope they can pren spreading but if it to be serious conse
!e process.
eturn of normality: 000 Tamil refugees ; in the Stateof Tamil are willing to return r the "restoration of land nation, the Sri Rehabilitation, Reefugees, Jayalath oday. The Minister, is yesterday, was catle refugees that they fter a "safe environk home. 's host also to 25,000 utside the camps. The spends Rs. 25 crores ng food and shelter les offering free edumong them. n of the refugees will ment of a huge finanit in a hurry to send til after the return of say officials. "They ome refugees again. back as citizens of ground situation behey feel they will be it," Mr. Jayalath told eting the Chief Minthe Secretariathere. million landmines in on of Sri Lanka. Can to the landmines?' ment would have to f the Sri Lankan Govpeace talks with the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
However, the Deputy High Commissioner here would visit the refugee camps periodically - once in three months - to facilitate the rehabilitation. A booklet on the documents required by the refugees to return home would be distributed in the camps. “The Chief Minister was very happy with this proposal,” said Mr. Jayalath. The Sri Lankan Deputy Commissioner's office in Chennai would make arrangements to issue travel documents "within one day" to refugees wishing to return home immediately, he said.
NPC on overcoming violence: June 28 - The National Peace Council of Sri Lanka in a statement issued today said, "Incidents of violence taking place in the north and east have led to curfews being declared in some areas. Members of the LTTE have been targeted for violence in two such incidents in Kayts in the north and Muttur in the east. In addition there have been acts of arson that have affected businesses and clashes between Tamil and Muslim groups. The National Peace Council is especially concerned about the violence in the east as it has served to increase tensions between the Tamil and Muslim communities. We condemn these acts of violence that have taken place at a time when both the government and LTTE are experiencing difficulties in implementing the obligations they have in terms of the Ceasefire Agreement.
"We appreciate the LTTE's restraint for not reacting violently even in self-defence and hope for similar restraint in the future as well from both sides. We also appreciate the action of the government inspeedily appointing aspecial commission of inquiry with a two week time frame to investigate the incident at Kayts. We further note that there are several mediating mechanisms in place to avoid future acts of violence, so that legitimate frustrations can be addressed and solutions be found non-violently. These mediating mechanisms include the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, the government's Peace Secretariat and the possibility of bilateral talks, as already demonstrated by the positive dialogue that the LTTE and SLMC have had with each other.
By and large the vast majority of people of all ethnic communities wish to, and would, live peacefully side by side with each other rather than be participants in inter-ethnic violence. It is important for the government, LTTE and civic groups to create an environment in which extremists will be marginalised and not rewarded or validated for their acts of violence and intransigence. There is a need to both strengthen the mediating mecha

Page 17
15 JULY 2002
nisms in place and to create awareness among the general population about the need for patience and trust so that the mediating mechanisms in place can do their work of resolving conflict in a peaceful manner.'
President wants human rights issues on agenda: June 28 - President Chandrika Kumaratunge met with a delegation of Amnesty International (AI) led by Derek Evans this afternoon presidential spokesman Harim Pieristold reporters. He said that the AI delegation briefed the President regarding their visit to LTTE areas and the President thanked the visiting delegation for their interest in the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Pieris added that a discussion ensured on the importance of human rights within the context of the current peace process and the issue of LTTE's use of child soldiers was also discussed. The President had briefed the delegation on her proposal that human rights issues be on the agenda for talks with the LTTE and the measures that she as the President had taken in the past to strengthen human rights including the setting up of the Human Rights Commission and the National Child Protection Authority, together with other executive and administrative measures. Peiris said that Amnesty International delegation also expressed their concern regarding the recent reinstatement of police officers indicted for various human rights abuses in the past.
Tamils need their own army: June 29Joseph Pararajasingham, the newly elected Senior Vice President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and a Tamil National Alliance(TNA) MP, told the visiting French and Dutch Ambassadors in Batticalao on 24 June that the Tamil people needed their own army to secure and protect their rights in Sri Lanka. "The Tamil people believe that if they are to enjoy their rights, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should be a match to the Sri Lankan army,” the Tamil daily "Sudar Oli” quoted him as saying. According to Pararajasingham, Tamil youth are joining the LTTE voluntarily and in large numbers, because of they believe that the Tamils need an army that can match the Sri Lankan forces.
LTTE calls for end to violence: June 29 - Mr. Thamilchelvan, head of LTTE political wing, said he spoke to Mr. Rauff Hakeem, Minister for Port and Shipping and leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress about the riots that broke out in the southern Thamil Eelam early last week. He said he asked Mr. Hakeem to hold talks with LTTE local leaders in the region to bring
the situation under (
Mr. Thamilchel leadership was shoc the violence continu in Amparai, Madda kkonamalai. He said contacted governme lim religious leaders
to find ways to end t
lence continued una derstandings on boʻ violence.
Cost of the war: Ju incurred a mind-bc penditure of Rs. 12 1995 to 2000, mainl The country spent on the three forces ir ture escalated to Rs 2000, an almost 1, However, Sri Lanka countries in the wor capita income of 8 76,360), according Bank report.
The country's 2000 was Rs. 264.5 14 percent of that ri the three armed forc cally nothing in the development, after ( expenditure underth exceeded the annua The military exp year period has cost sive RS. 71 19 millic weli program had c lion which means th penditure of Rs. 12 been saved, two sim grams could hav This is the cost ofth and does not take it paid in terms of hur ery and loss of natio The Central Bal the extent of econon including the cost Central Bank in Ja Katunayake airport
SLMC leader bla lence: 29 June - T Lanka Muslim Co Rauf Hakeem, who ister said Muslims : Tiger were trying them after clashes i province killed five Four days of cle ity Tamils and Mu Muslims and one more than 150 peop ties to impose curfe ther violence.
Mr Hakeem, to today that the Musl

ontrol.
van Said the LTTE ced and grieved over ing for full five days (kalappu and Thiruthe LTTE leadership nt officials and Musas well as politicians he riots. Butthe viobated due to misunh sides involved in
le 29 - Sri Lankahas ggling military ex3,148.5 million from y to execute the war. Rs. 14,610.2 million 1995. This expendi
38,285.5 million in '0 percent increase. is one of the poorest ld with an annual per 30 USS ( about Rs. to the latest Central
annual revenue for billion. This means 2venue was spent on es which left practinational coffers for lebt servicing, as the ese two heads almost
revenue. benditure for this five every person a mason. The entire Mahaost about Rs. 67 bilat if this massive ex8 billion could have ilar development pro2 been completed. e war in money terms to account the price man life, human misonal assets.
khas yet to evaluate nic loss from the war, of the attack on the nuary 1996 and the in July 2001.
mes LTTE for viohe leader of the Sri ngress (SLMC), Mr is also a cabinet Minfeared that the Tamil to ethnically cleanse n the island's eastern : people.
shes between minorslims have left four Tamil dead, injured le and forced authoriws to prevent any fur
ld a press conference im community in the
TAMITMES 17
eastern province was under threat from the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "There is fear in the Batticaloa district (one site of the clashes) that there is an attempt to ethnically cleanse them (Muslims)," he said.
There is a history of animosity be
tween the two communities with some
100,000 Muslims being chased out of the northern Jaffna peninsula in 1990 by the Tigers. Hakeem claims the Tigers have continued to intimidate and harass Muslim civilians in the east of the country.
Though a police curfew ensured the area was quiet through most of Friday, Hakeem said mobs had guttered the entire bazaar in the Valachanai town in eastern Sri Lanka destroying more than 100 shops. At least 90% of the shops he said belonged to Muslims.
He said five people had been killed in the four days of fighting while more than 150 Muslims and Tamils had been injured in the attack.
Mortars, which were fired in the town of Valaichchenai in Batticaloa district on Thursday (27 June), could not have fallen into the hands of the Tamils without the blessing of the LTTE, he said. "Muslims are fearing that there can be a 1990 Jaffna situation repeated in the east," Hakeem said.
"The LTTE claims they are the sole representatives of the Tamil people so it is important that they help maintain law and order,' he said.
The incidents in the east posed "a substantial threat” to the ongoing peace process aimed at ending the country's drawn out separatist war, he added. Hakeem said that the LTTE had a responsibility to make the ceasefire agreement work by helping to maintain law and order.
In April Hakeem, who is also Ports Minister in the Colombo government, entered into a peace deal with Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabakaran that allowed thousands of Muslims to return to their homes. The LTTE also agreed to stop extorting money from the community. But Hakeem said the deal was being ignored.
Prison standoffends peacefully: July 1 - A tense prison standoff involving about 400 inmates who took guards hostage in southern Sri Lanka ended peacefully on today according to officials.
The prisoners who raided the armoury of the prison, a Dutch colonialera fort, agreed to lay down the guns they had seized during the uprising after being told their grievances would be looked into. A senior police official in sea-side Tangalla, about 150 km south of Colombo, said some of the prisoners were army deserters who had not been charged and were seeking a quick resolution to their cases. Some of the prisoners had

Page 18
18 TAMILTIMEs
been held without charges for more than one year. There are an estimated 45,000 army deserters in Sri Lanka, which has a 120,000-strong army.
“They released the hostages and handed over the weapons,” Interior Minister John Amaratunga told a news conference. He said the ministry had agreed to speedily bring charges against the detainees or release them and also transfer some of the prisoners to other jails.
An overnight curfew was slapped on the town after the revolt in which one policeman was injured and which caused intermittent shooting throughout the night. A government hospital next to the prison was also evacuated as a precaution with one doctor saying the beds were being kept vacant in case there was a shoot-out. The prisoners had demanded that the minister of justice and the attorney general should show up.
The revolt started when several prisoners overpowered two guards and then took 10 prison officials hostage. Strikes and riots are common in Sri Lanka's overcrowded prisons, but jailbreaks are rare. About 200 prisoners staged a hunger strike at a prison on the outskirts of Colombo in April, also demanding that their cases be heard quickly.
“Don’t alientate Muslims’ says LTTE
leader: 1 July - LTT Pirapaharan has orde East not to do anythi the Muslims from th Observe the MOU b SLMC leader Rauff ter and spirit. This v Muslims by the Am organiser “Bawa” at by the SLMC MP, Kalmunai on 27 Jun port in the Jaffna ba daily “Uthayano tod Bawa said that t ing not just for the Muslims also. He sai LTTE’s political le Amparai districts, groups competing w ganisinghartals. He h hartals were disrup common man. In fu hartals should be join be organised only Tamil-Muslim ends. Bawa said that th be afraid of the LT necessary that they him. He would hims whereever they mig "You can all gather will come there. You discuss all your pro
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TE leader, Velupillai red his cadres in the ng that may alienate e Tamils and also to etween him and the Hakeem in both letwas conveyed to the parai district LTTE a meeting organised H.M.M.Harees, at e, according to a resed Tamil language
ay. he LTTE was fight
Tamils but for the d that Karikalan, the ader for Batticaloawas unhappy about ith each other in orhad said that frequent ting the life of the ture, Karikalan said, tly called and should
to serve common
he Muslims need not ITE. It was not even should come to see elf go and see them, ht want him to go. in a mosque and I can speak to me and oblems without the
slightest fear,” the LTTE leader said.
Girl recruits flee LTTE camp: July 1 - At least six teenaged girls reportedly recruited by the LTTE in eastern Sri Lanka had fled their training camps and surrendered to Sri Lankan police, officials said on Sunday 28 June. The girls, all aged either 13 or 14, turned themselves on the previous day at a police post in Mahaoya, 346 km east of Colombo, they said. Police said the girls told them they were among 80 children being trained at a military camp run by the LTTE in the Sittandy area of Batticaloa district.
SLMM on protest hartals: July 2 - In a statement clarifying media reports in Colombo regarding its position in respect of hartals being organised in the northeast of the island, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said that it “has not requested the LTTE leadership to stop Hartals and demonstrations, as might be understood from two separate newsreports today 2nd of July. Major General Trond Furuhovde, head of SILMM, met with the political leadership of LTTE in Kilinochchi on Friday and raised the issue of Hartals and demonstrations in general and the risks related to them.'
The statement added, "General Furuhovde asked the LTTE to support the
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Page 19
SULY 2002
Government and the people on the East coast of Sri Lanka in calming down the recent unrest in the area. Mr. S.P. Tamichelvan, head of LTTE's Political Section reacted very positively to this request and promised that the LTTE would use their influence to calm things down and keep the situation under control."
"The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission is not opposed to Hartals, demonstrations, meetings and other activity that can be considered as political and peaceful means of people to express their opinions. However the SLMM would like to stress that those who organize and participate in such activities must be responsible for keeping them under control and never let them lead to violent and tragic events where lives are lost and property damaged."
"The Government, LTTE, Muslim leaders and many other parties have cooperated quickly and successfully with the public in the last few days when stopping the un rest in Valaichenai and Mutur from escalating, and now the situation there is again calm and quiet. All parties can agree that such violent events only lead to escalated tension and human tragedy, that eventually harms all the people of Sri Lanka.' "All people in Sri Lanka can make complaints to the SLMM if they believe they can point out a possible violation of the Ceasefire Agreement by the LTTE, the Sri Lankan Government or any other party,’” the SLMM said.
Curfew lifted: July 2-The four-day long curfew clamped in the wake of the TamilMuslim clashes in the general area of Valaichenai - Oddamavadi 32 kilometres north of Batticaloa was lifted on 2 July morning. Tamil traders and businessmen were permitted to see the gutted remains of their shops and buildings in the Valaichenai bazaar. The area has been under curfew since Friday 28 June.
“We are ruined irredeemably because insurance companies do not pay for such calamities in the northeast,' said a trader whose shop near the Sri Lanka army's camp in the Valaichenai fisheries harbour.
Robe robs monk entry yo bar: July 3 - A Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka has been barred from taking oaths as a lawyer as his saffron robes did not conform to the dress code stipulated by the island's highest court, an official said.
Supreme Court Registrar Bandula Atapattu said the unidentified monk was told he had to come for the swearing-in ceremony clad in either the national costume of sarong and high-collared longsleeved shirt or in a Western suit.
"The robe is not someone wanting to torney,” said Atapatt the request last week nation that he would yer but only wanted education with the q cut any ice with the
Atapattu said th tempt by a monk to bar since another m years ago. His robes, of his rank.
Muslim-Tamil Peac A peace conference Gen. Sunil Tenneko ficer Commanding took place at around Charles Hall in Bat than a hundred civil community leadersfi nities attended the co In his opening st Tennekoon said the ing was to develop derstanding between lims and to discuss a “We, the Sri La Liberation Tigers, fc battlefields for 25 y are seated side by si us should explore the this is so, we, the M who speak the same to live in amity,” sai a senior leader of th of the of the LTTE is "We are firm res such as the violen should not happen ag SLA and we have d order should be estab recurrence of such some people who ar. peace process in a sy the communities in to eventually suffer tions. Our leader is peace with the Sri but he has had disc sentatives of the M country Tamils. He of all the communiti Karikalan said.
A senior leader c lim Congress anc Basheer Segu Dawo been many peace c the Tamils and Mus this conference is pa cause, unlike in the Tigers who are the of the Tamil peopl about peace and har communities and ar.

TAMILTMES 19
he correct attire for take oaths as an atu who turned down The monk's expla|ot practise as a lawto formally end his ualification did not :ourt officials. is was the first atbe registered at the onk tried some 20 too, had robbed him
e Meeting: July 3organised by Maj. on, the General Of of the 23 Division 3 p.m. on 3 July at ticaloa town. More society activists and om the two commubnference. atement, Maj. Gen. urpose of the meetconfidence and unthe Tamils and Musbout the future. nkan army and the ught face to face in 'ears. But today we deas friends. All of reasons why, while Muslims and Tamils language, are unable d Mr. N. Karikalan, he political division aid. olved that incidents ce in Valaichenai ain in the future. The ecided that law and lished to prevent the incidents. There are trying to scuttle the stematic manner. All this island will have because of their acnot only negotiating Lankan government ussions with repreuslims and the hill respects the feeling is in this island,' Mr.
fthe Sri Lanka Mus
Deputy Minister od said: "There have onferences between ims since 1985. But rticularly unique bepast, the Liberation sole representatives are trying to bring mony among the two directly involved in
the effort to re-establish good will among them. There are some youths among the Tamils and among the Muslims who have quick tempers. We believe that the Liberation can prevail on such Tamil youth. Similarly I believe that Muslim parties and leaders have the power to control quick-tempered youth among the Muslims.”
Lt. Col. Anthoniz the SILA commander for Batticaloa, Mr. Visu, the head of the LTTE's political division for Batticaloa/Ampara, the Bishop of Batticaloa, Rt. Rev. Kingsley Swanpillai, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham, Tamil National Alliance MP for Batticaloa and members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission were also present at the conference.
Confession on journalist's murder: July 4- According to reports from Jaffna, a person named Ponnambalam Tharmalingam, claiming to be a former EPDP member, surrendered at the special investigation unit of the Jaffna police on 3 July and expressed his willingness to make a confession to court in regard to the murder of Nimalarajan that took place in October 2000.
Mr. Ranjith de Silva, officer in charge of the special police unit produced Ponnambalam Tharmalingam before the Jaffna Magistrate under heavy security on 4 July. The Magistrate Mr.R.T.Viknarajah recorded the confession from P.Tharmalingam in his chamber.
The confession may throw fresh light on the investigation into the much publicised murder of journalist, Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, legal sources in the north said.
Iquiry finds no evidence of assault: July 4 - A Sri Lankan Defence Ministry inquiry into the alleged assault of two senior political cadres of the Liberation Tigers on June 20 has concluded that there was no evidence to establish a case against any individual or person.
The Board of Inquiry appointed by the Ministry of Defence to inquire into the incident in the Jaffna island of Kayts "has concluded that there is no proof of evidence with regard to the alleged incident to establish a case against any individual or person," a Defence Ministry statement was issued on 3 July said,
The LTTE had earlier complained that Mr. Semmanan, their political leader in the islands, and Mr. Thayalan, one of their political activists, were attacked at the Velanai bus company junction on June 20 by Navy personnel and members of the Tamil political group, EPDP, wearing masks.
The Board of Inquiry was appointed

Page 20
20 TAM TIMES
following the request by the head of the international ceasefire monitors in Sri Lanka, Major General Trond Furuhovde, to appoint an independent inquiry into the incident. But the two-member Board of Inquiry, which questioned 15 persons representing the LTTE, EPDP, civilians, Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Police (SLP), comprised navy officials Rear Admiral L.B. Dharmapriya and Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema.
The Defence Ministry statement added that the Board "has observed the contradictions between the statements made by the parties to the Police and the Board, lack of documentary evidence that could prove Navy involvement in the incident and the non-availability of categorical evidence to prove that any identified EPDP member had been involved in this incident.'
Black Tiger day marked: July 6 - Several thousands people gathered in Nelliady in the Jaffna peninsula Friday July 5 to mark LTTE's Black Tigers day - the first time the event had been held here since 1995. July 5 is the anniversary of the death of the first Black Tiger, Captain Miller, who was killed destroying a Sri Lanka Army base located in the Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidiyalyam-the site of the commemoration this Friday.
Several thousands people marched in procession from Nelliady junction to the school to attend the event Friday evening. Mr. Arunan, head of the Liberation Tigers” political section in Vadamarachi, lit the traditional lamp to start the event. Ms Malvilzi of the LTTE hoisted the Tamil Eelam flag. The mother of Captain Miller, whose truck-bomb attack in 1987 killed scores of soldiers and stalled an SLA advance, also lit flame in remembrance. Mr. Paapaa, a senior official of the LTTE's political section, garlanded the portrait of Captain Miller.
Tigers kill “spy': July 7 - The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) last night allegedly killed a former militant, T. Premadasa, on charges that he was a "spy" and was informing the Government of its activities, security sources said. Premadasa and his wife Pushparani were killed in a grenade attack on their house at a village in the Polonnaruwa district, about 230 km north of Colombo. According to security sources, about 20 LTTE rebels surrounded the house and attacked the residents.
The rebels have, in the past, killed civilians on charges of spying. However, the present killing comes at a time when the LTTE and the Government are observing a ceasefire aimed at ending the decades-long hostilities. The ceasefire
bars the two from f sulted in a process of military conflict. Th operates its police st areas under its contro "taxes'.
150 rescued in Red Saudi authorities sai cued 150 people fron ing boat that was rur the Red Sea.
Saudi Interior mi the vessel was found was picked up on Th 147 Sri Lankans an aboard were said to hungry. A rescue shi to the Saudi port of Ya metres west of the ca not known where thi heading for. The Sau contacted the Sri Lal embassies with a view
group.
Visit to temple near July 9 - The Sri Lan. devotees to visit and of the Sri Rajarajesw near the Palaly militar The temple is among places of worship whi tary occupied "high Jaffna's Valigamam More than 2000 resic the temple's neighbou ated by the SLA in 1 expanding the defenc Palaly military base a
The visit to the Amman temple was ar ka’s Minister for Hin Maheswaran. More 1 fifty devotees and th were escorted by the laikadduwan to Kalia the Palaly military air Mr. Maheswaran plored the possibili priest's family in the The SLA may consic ten families to resettl environs of the templ ing to him.
The Government temples occupied by curity forces within 3 cease-fire agreement Tigers in February thi however, has accused ging its feet on fully clause of the ceasefir
Muslims discuss safe - The leader of Sri Lal gress said he met Pri Wickremesinghe on S

15 JULY 2002
hting and has releescalation of the LTTE, however, ions and courts in and also levies its
Sea: July 8 - The that they had resa Sri Lankan fishhing out of fuel in
istry officials said after an SOS call ursday 4 July. The three Pakistanis be exhausted and ) towed their boat nbu about 900 kilopital, Riyadh. It is ; fishing boat was di authorities have kan and Pakistani to repatriating the
airbase allowed: ca army permitted clean the premises ari Amman temple y airport on 8 July. more than hundred ch fall within milisecurity zones' in North division. lents who lived in rhood were evacu987 and 1990 for e perimeter of the nd airport. Sri Rajarajeswari ranged by Sri Landu Affairs, Mr. T. han hundred and e temple's priest SLA from Punnamman Street near DOrt.
said that he exy of settling the temple premises. er allowing about in the immediate : initially, accord
agreed to vacate he Sri Lankan sedays of signing a rith the Liberation year. The LTTE, Colombo of dragmplementing this agreement.
y with PM: 9 July ca's Muslim Conhe Minister Ranil July to obtain as
surances of security for Muslims after violent clashes with Tamils in the east of the country during the last two weeks in June.
Rauff Hakeem said he wanted the government to reconsider the pullout of army camps from areas where minority Muslims live after ethnic clashes left at least 11 dead and hundreds of shops destroyed. "The government must rethink their strategy, the relocation of camps must be reviewed,” said Hakeem.
Under a Norwegian-brokered ceasefire agreement between the government and Tamil Tigers that has seen the guns silenced after a nearly two-decade-long ethnic conflict, Sri Lanka agreed to pull its troops from schools and temples and other public buildings that were being used as barracks.
But clashes between Tamils and Muslims picked up last month, leaving Muslims worried that their safety would be compromised in the peace process as talks start in Thailand later in the sum
her.
"During the last so many months, the LTTE has breached many of the terms of the agreement,” Hakeem said adding, "Through their diabolic actions they are trying to shift the blame on the government for everything.”
But Hakeem, also a cabinet minister in the United National Party government, said his party supports the peace agreement and would not do anything to destablilise the government, but there is "a growing concern among the Muslims that their security has been compromised.”
Ferial demands revision of cease-fire agreement: July 12- The National Unity Alliance (NUA) has demanded a complete revision of the cease-fire agreement that has been signed by the Prime Minister and the LTTE leader. The NUA is one of the constituents of the main opposition People's Alliance (PA).
"The present form of the cease-fire
agreement has number of shortcomings
which can endanger the security of Muslims and Sinhalese in the east,' Ms Ferial Ashraff, Amparai district parliamentarian and the leader of the NUA at a press conference held in Colombo on 12 July. Ms Ferial Ashraffsaid that the cease-fire agrement has failed to demarcate the boundaries of the State controlled areas and LTTE controlled areas in the Northeast province, clearly. This has resulted in creating confusion in the minds of the people of the province and members of the security forces.
"The cease-fire now in force is one sided. It should revised in such a way to provide justice to Muslims and Sinhalese in the east,” said Ms Ferial Ashraff.

Page 21
15 UY 2002
Three-member probe on Velanai incident: July 12-A three-member committee has been appointed to probe the incident on 20 June in which, according to a complaint by the LTTE, its political activists Semmanan and Thayalan were beaten up by navy personnel and masked men beleived to be members of a para military group Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP).
A Board of Inquiry appointed by the Defence Ministry found after investigation no evidence to substantiate the complaint against any person.
The committee comprising retired Air Vice Marshal Harry Gunati lake Mr. Oliver Weerasinghe and Mr.C.V.K.Sivagnanam has been empowered to inquire into the Velanai incident to ascertain those responsible for the attack and to recommend suggestions to prevent such clashes in future. The Committee has been asked to submit its report on or before 31st July this year.
Ratwatte to be indicted in HC: July 12 - The Attorney General has decided to indict all the eleven suspects including the former Deputy Defense Minister General Anurudha Ratwatte and his two sons Lohan and Chanuka in the Kandy High Court on seventy two counts in the Udathalawinne massacre case. The charges
include conspiracy aiding and abetting In this incident ten killed on the parlian December, 2001 at Kandy district.
State Counsel M submitted this to t trate when ten su thalawinne massac in court under hea Ratwatte has alrea bail. State Counsel notice of the courtt eral has made an a thorities concerned be heard before ath the High Court wit
TNA calls for rel der: July 12 - The ance(TNA) has ap government and til government to re my(Vaiko), leader Dravida Munetra K others who have b tained on charges ( visions of the Pre Act by making spe the LTTE which is arrest of Vaikoon t supportive of the
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TAM TIMES 21
r to commit murder, murder and murder. Muslim youths were nentary elections dayUdathalawinne in the
Mr. Achala Vengapuli he Teldeniya Magisspects in the Uda'e case were produced vy security. General dy been enlarged on further brought to the
hatthe Attorney Gen
pplication to the authat this case should ree-member bench of
hout a Jury.
ease of MDMK leaTamil National Allipealed to the Indian he Tamil Nadu state elease Y. Gopalasaof the Marumarchi alagam (MDMK) and een arrested and deof breaching the provention of Terrorism :eeches in support of banned in India. "The he ground that he was LTTE and his being remanded causes deep anguish to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka,' said a statement issued by the TNA on 12 April.
The statement signed by the parliamentary group leader of the TNA Mr. R. Saimpanthan further said: “The TNA expresses it's deep shock and disappointment at the arrest of Mr. Y.Gopalasamy - popularly referred to as “Vaiko” - the leader of the MDMK and a prominent members political leader in Tamil Nadu. Vaiko has frequently spoken up on behalf of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and demanded that there should a just and durable solution to the Tamil question. He has also publicly articulated the view that the armed struggle in Sri Lanka was the consequence of
the failure to evolve an acceptable solution and that therefore there was justification for such armed struggle.
"By reason of the ceasefire agreement signed between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, the armed conflict in Sri Lanka has been terminated, and ef. forts are being made to commence negotiations towards peaceful resolution with the assistance of an international third party facilitator. The international community including India has extended their full support to these efforts. The vastmajority of people in Sri Lanka irrespective of ethnicity are fully supportive of these efforts. The arrest of VAIKO in these circumstances on the ground that he was supportive of the LTTE and his being remanded causes deep anguish to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. It would be relevant to note that the Tamil people in the northeast of Sri Lanka at the general elections overwhelmingly endorsed the policy that negotiations should only take place between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.
"We appeal to both the Indian central government and the Tamilnadu government to taken steps expeditiously to release VAIKO and others who have been arrested and detained. Such step would be a recognition of the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka.'
Abduction by LTTE alleged: July 14Sri Lankan police accused Tamil Tiger rebels of abducting at least six unarmed woodcutters in the northeast of the country in contravention of a ceasefire accord. Police in Aralaganwila, 230 kilometres (145 miles) northeast of the capital Colombo, said the villagers had been rounded up in the jungle on Saturday by armed members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
"They had gone into the jungle to cut timber when the LTTE members came and took them away. One of them was released later," said police spokesman H. A. Pushpakumara on Sunday.
He told journalisstss that the Tigers were demanding 140,000 rupees (1,470 dollars) for the release of the remaining five woodcutters.
Scandinavian truce monitors observing the ceasefire agreement between the government and the LTTE had been informed of the incident, as had the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Pushpakumara said.
Under the February 22 truce between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government, both parties must "in accordance with international law abstain from hostile acts against the civilian population, including such acts as torture, intimidation, abduction, extortion and harassment.”

Page 22
22 TAMILTMES
A5 reopens after seven years: July 15The forty-kilometre stretch of road on the A5 highway, also known as the BadullaBatticaloa road, from Chenkaladi to Maha Oya which goes through territory controlled by the Liberation Tigers has been opened to the public after seven years. The opening ceremony was held near Karuththapalam July 15 attended by senior LTTE officials and Sri Lanka Army officers. Batticaloa district Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General Sunil Tennekon, Mr. Karikalan, Special head of the political section of the LTTE for Batticaloa and Ampara districts, Mr. Visu, head of the political section of the LTTE for Batticaloa and Amparadistricts and Mr. Ali Zahir Mowlana, former district parliamentarian and presently the advisor to the Ministry of Policy Planning and Implementation attended the event.
Along the road, the Sri Lankan security forces have established two checkpoints, one at Chenkaladi and the other at Pullumalai. The LTTE has established two checkpoints, one at Kalikamadu near Chenkaladi and the second at Pullumalai. Sources said that the road is opened for twenty four hours without any restriction. Several bus depots have commenced their services to Batticaloa, Ampara, Badulla and other areas from Monday, sources said. The A5 runs from Batticaloa to Badulla.
Norway, LTTE discuss talks agenda: July 15-The Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Vidar Helgesen, met with the Liberation Tigers' chief negotiator and political advisor, Mr. Anton Balasingham, in London today and the discussions lasted from 10am to 1pm, according to LTTE sources. Mr. Helgesen was accompanied by Mr. Erik Solheim, special advisor to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and Ms. Lisa Gold, an executive officer with the Foreign Ministry
The meeting was intended to explore options with regards to taking the Norwegian peace initiative forward. The discussions included the agenda for peace talks in Thailand as well as the present political situation in the Sri Lanka, the sources said,
Except that the discussions were described as “cordial and constructive”, no details were given as to the possible date for talks between the Government and the LTTE. However, a Colombo-based Tamil daily, Sudar Oli, reported that the LTTE had told the Norwegians that it would not engage in any discussion on the modalities for talks before August 2 which is 160 days since the ceasefire agreement was signed between the two parties and is also the date by which the government has to meet several new com
mitments. August 2 i the Sri Lankan arm public buildings, tem despite the commit ceasefire, the govern sure not to implemen of security concern LTTE's chief nego singham had reiteratt tion is that all terms be completed befor matters related to the date and agenda for tiations in Thailand.
Balasingham hac phasised the need of cial sea lane to enabl from northern Sri L part of the island, a unsupportive of bec tate the transportatio
SLFP power strug July 16 - The Coloml day issued a restraini ior leaders of the m Lanka Freedom Part them from suspendin ship of Colombo dist Mr.A.H.M. Fowzie. said that his restrainir till 31 July this yea major constituent of Peoples Alliance (Pu The District Col after going through the former People's Mr.Fowzie. In his pet once powerful mini net, stated that Pr Kumaratunge in the ( of the SLFP had sent explanation on a sta vocating the formati ernment. President tunge has not been power to expel mem without getting the c tive committee. Mr. advocated the nation cept in the best inter Mr.Fowzie hass sue a restraining orc Wickremanayake an senior leaders of the steps to expel him f
'LTTE should stop Muslims: 16 July deshi High Commi Doula asked the LT nating the Muslims said "The LTTE has for the last 20 years ceived suppression. do the same thing tc ity it would be para
Doula, a former)

15 JULY 2002
s the date by which y has to vacate all ples and schools and ment made in the ment is under prest this in full because s. It said that the :iator Anton Bala2d the LTTE's posiof the truce should e they can discuss talks, including the the proposed nego
i also strongly emthe LTTE for a spele its cadre to travel anka to the eastern move the Navy is ause it could facilin of weapons.
gle goes to court: po District Court tong order on the senlain opposition, Sri y (SLFP) preventing g the party memberrict parliamentarian The District Judge ng order will be valid r. The SLFP is the the main opposition A). urt made this order the petition filed by Alliance Minister ition Mr.Fowzie, the ster in the PA cabiesident Chandrika capacity of President him a letter seeking tement he made adon of a national govChandrika Kumaraconferred with any bers from the party onsent of the execuFowzie said that he al government conest of the country. ought the court to isler on Mr. Ratnasiri iMr.D.M.Jayaretna, SLFP not to take any "om the party.
discriminating the
- Outgoing Bangla
ssioner Ashraff-Ud TE to stop discrimiin Sri Lanka. Doula been fighting a war because of their perIf the LTTE were to the Muslim minorloxical.”
3angladeshi freedom
fighter and soldier who lost a limb during the war said, “When you talk about the Muslim crisis, it must be remembered that they are also a factor in the peace process in Sri Lanka because they are a sizeable community in this country. They have contributed towards the economic development of this country and become part and parcel of the country, socially, economically and politically. So, when you talk about peace you cannot keep them on the sidelines. They must be assured that they are also participants in the peace process and that peace will bring benefits to them too. It must be realized by the government of Sri Lanka as well as the LTTE that one cannot bring peace to the country without giving the right and the due share to the Muslims. It would be very contradictory for the reasons for which the LTTE is fighting a war; they will do the same thing to the Muslims. They should really look into this aspect and not give cause to the Muslims to feel unhappy and to feel discriminated against.”
The High Commissioner showered praise on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe's efforts in the peace process. He said, "The chances of peace have never been brighter. This has been due to both internal and external factors. Wickremesinghe is very sincere in his effort to bring back peace into the country. He has already demonstrated his sincerity and walked more than half the distance.'
Navy intensifies patrols: 17 July - Following the incident in which two foreign monitors of the international Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) were reportedly detained against their will in a trawler belonging to the LTTE on 13 July, Sri Lanka's navy intensified patrols yesterday as foreign truce monitors met with Tamil Tiger delegates to discuss the incident and India was asked to investigate the details of the trawler which apparently had Indian registration.
Following the alleged detention, the government has ordered the navy to beef up patrols to prevent any incursions into Sri Lankan territorial waters, the Defense Ministry said in a statement,
Hailing the services of the Scandinavian monitoring team for the manner they handled the mid-sea skirmish between the navy and the LTTE's trawler off the northern coast, the Government's Secretariat coordinating the peace process said "this latest incident has shown the true level of professionalism and courage displaced by these monitors". "They deserve our praise and our admiration for the work that they are doing to encourage peace to return our country", the statement said.

Page 23
15 JULY 2002
The Sri Lankan Navy stepped up its patrolling and surveillance to prevent illegal incursion into any part of the territorial waters of the country. The measure was taken after it was revealed that a trawler purported to be registered in India was involved in the skirmish. The vessel had been identified as "Meenachchi' bearing No: RMS 512. “We have asked the Indian high commission (embassy) to provide us with information on the trawler which carried a South Indian registration,” Austin Fernando, Sri Lanka's defence secretary said.
Uphold Ceasefire Agreement'-NPC: 17 July - The National Peace Council of Sri Lanka has in a statement issued today urged that the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement signed by the government and the LTTE. The NPC statement said, "The National Peace Council expresses its concern about the incident involving an LTTE vessel that was boarded at sea by members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). This was in pursuance of the monitoring role accorded to the SLMM by the ceasefire agreement signed by the leaderships of the government and LTTE. Instead of permitting the SLMM to perform its legitimate functions, two members the international mission had been detained by LTTE cadre for several hours in the vessel. While there have been previous violations of the ceasefire agreement that have been acknowledged by the two sides, this would count as being the most serious.
In a context in which lack of trust between the government and LTTE has been high, unilateral actions that violate the ceasefire agreement could seriously endanger the peace process. Whatever may be the grievance, such unilateral actions should be avoided and the lines of communication should be kept open. We are aware that there has been a build-up of tension between the LTTE and government forces especially over the issue of freedom to move at sea. The SLMM had been playing a vitally important role in maintaining the ceasefire, and solving problems, between the government forces and LTTE. We believe that their presence and interventions on previous occasions in which tensions existed between the two sides has contributed significantly to the maintenance of peace.
We call on the LTTE leadership to take firm action to ensure that a recurrence of this type of action will not take place in the future. We are glad that they have expressed their regret to the SLMM over the incident. But it also important that the two sides should demonstrate their genuine commitment to the peace process by upholding the ceasefire agree
ment. There are di might be experienci agreement, such as t ment at sea for legitii contentious matters by the two sides wi the ceasefire agreem the peace process in mised by actions th spirit and letter of the which stands as the c ising hope of enduri
Probe into assault begins: July 17 - A of Inquiry appointe Ranil Wickremas menced sittings at t to probe an incident two political memb LTTE had alleged carried out by Naval assisted by masked to the Eelam Peopl (EPDP).
The committee retired Air Marsha (former Commandel Force) has appeale and sought the pu gather evidence fort inquiry.
As the sittings c gan, statements oft miral Weerasekera v were recorded as we the Jaffna police.
EU delegation met Ambassadors and D sion of six Europear ited the Vanni on 1 cussions with the h Tigers' political sec selvan. The delegati Salvatore Zotta, Am Chairman of the EU Colombo.
The other deleg Elias, German Am Pagnier, Ambassad ter Hughes, Deputy for Britain, Mr. An Head of Mission for den and Mr. Harr Head of Mission Netherlands. They at the LTTE polit Kilinochchi. The tw which began at 10: “cordial and constr urces. The diploma support for the No ess. The diplomats necessity of comm opment projects in the island.
Mr. Tamilselva

TAM TIMES 23
ficulties both sides g with the ceasefire le freedom ofmovehate purposes. These eed to be negotiated thout a violation of ent. The viability of Lust not be comproit go contrary to the ceasefire agreement ountry's most promng peace.”
om LTTE members Special Committee i by Prime Minister inghe today comhe Jaffna Secretariat of alleged assault on rs of the LTTE. The that the assault was personnel who were men who belonged as Democratic Party
which is chaired by | Harry Gunetilleke I of the Sri Lanka Air i for public support blic's assistance to he conclusion of this
if the Committee behe Navy's Rear Adwho is based in Jaffna ill as statements from
2ts LTTE: July 18eputy Heads of MisUnion countries vis7 July, and held disead of the Liberation tion, Mr. S. P. Tamilon was headed by Mr. bassador of Italy and Heads of Mission in
tes were Mr. Juergen bassador, Ms. Mary or of France, Mr. PeHigh Commissioner ders Ericson, Deputy the Embassy of Swey Van Vikj, Deputy for the Embassy of met Mr. Tamilsel van ical headquarters in o hours of discussions m were describedas uctive' by LTTE soEs expressed their full rwegian peace procalso pointed out the encing urgent develthe North and East of
n is reportedly had re
quested the diplomats to urge the Sri Lankan government to implement in full the ceasefire agreement signed in February, and discussed the establishment of an interim administration in the war torn areas of the north and east.
No revision of ceasefire agreement: July 18 - The Sri Lankan government dismissed calls for its ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers to be revised. "Although several political groups have requested for the revision of the ceasefire agreement the Government considers it a complete document," Minister G.L. Peiris said at a press conference held on 18 July to announce the cabinet decisions taken the previous day.
Following communal violence between Muslims and Tamils end of last month, Minister and President of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Mr. Rauff Hakeem, had requested the Prime Minister to effect changes in the ceasefire agreement "that could provide safeguards to the interest of Muslims."
The leader of the National Unity Alliance - a rival of the SLMC- and Ampara district parliamentarian, Ms Ferial Ashraff, also had slammed the ceasefire agreement as "one sided' and demanded that it should be completely revised to protect the lives and properties of Muslims and Sinhalese living in the northeast province. However, Sri Lanka's United National Front government has declined to accede to these calls. The government also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Norwegian sponsored peace process. "No permanent decision has been taken on a date to commence peace negotiations at Thailand. However the Norwegian representative, Liberation Tigers and the UNF government are in the process of conducting lengthy discussions over the question of fixing the date for peace negotiation," Minister Peiris said.
Prime Minister leaves for US: 20 July The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, left here early this morning for a five-day visit to the United States during which he will meet the U.S. President, George Bush, other senior of ficials and sign two agreements aimed at bolstering the economic ties. Mr. Wickremesinghe will also brief the U.S. President on the current peace process.
The Cabinet spokesman, G. L. Peiris, while pointing out that such a meeting between a Sri Lankan leader and the U.S. President is taking place after 18 years, said Mr. Wickremesinghe will also meet the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and the National Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice.

Page 24
24 AMILTIMES
Agreements to develop the Sri Lankan apparel industry as well as one on double-taxation avoidance will be signed during Mr. Wickremesinghe's stay. Sri Lanka has a Free Trade Agreement with India, has also expressed its keenness to move towards one with the U.S. Mr. Wickremesinghe, who is scheduled to meet top officials of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, will also deliver lectures at the Heritage Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson Centre, Prof. Peiris said.
The Prime Minister before beginning his crucial visit to the United States, in a late evening meeting on 18 June briefed President Chandrika Kumaratunga about the reasons for his U.S. tour where he would be calling on President George W. Bush and taking part in a series of other important meetings besides signing of trade related agreements between the two countries.
Wickremesinghe also briefed the President about the current peace process aimed at ending the country's prolonged ethnic conflict while making efforts to build up strained relations between the President and a section of his ministers.
Wickremesinghe's meeting also came in the wake of strained relations between certain ministers of the ruling
United National Frol and President Kum parties have openly the cabinet meeting and Wickremesingh agreed that earlier habitation between 1 and the President problems.
But the prime m have said that the pr due to certain presic affected the goodw parties. Wickremes every possible actio put the cohabitation track.
Defence Secret July 21 - Sri Lanka Secretary Mr. Austi panied by the Sri mander, Lt.Gen. Lio Lanka Navy comma Daya Sandagiri con visit to Jaffna distric his visit was to look ofresettling thousan lies in Valikar Thenmaradchi secto undertook this tour made by the Tamil the Prime Minister Tamil families shou
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SLA officials in Jaffna have, however, said that resettlement in Valikamam north area would not be allowed at this stage due security reasons. The opening of Union College and Mahajana College at Tellipallai, which are also in the high security zone, could not be now, they said. Mr. Austin Fernando toured the Thenmaradchi division, and participated at a conference held at Chavakachcheri Hindu College.
Representatives of the displaced families told Mr. Austin Fernando that they should be allowed to resettle in their own villages and remove the military camps, enabling them to restart their cultivation in their agricultural lands, which fall within the high security zone.
The Defence Ministry Secretary told them that he would submit a report to Prime Minister on his return to Colombo. A final decision will be taken at a conference, which is scheduled for July 30 between the Prime Minister and a delegation of the Tamil National Alliance, he added.
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Page 25
15 JULY 2002
Meeting Tamil Aspir, Within a United La
Dr. Rohan Edrisinha
Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran, a lawyer based in the United States has often referred to the need for the Tamil people's right to self determination to be recognised as part of a political solution: "The essence of self determination is the people's desire to be the active agents of their history. Tamils are endowed with objective characteristics, such as a distinct language, they are united by an intuitive sense of oneness, and they have a historical relationship to a clearly defined territory. Therefore, based on an analysis of who are the historical bearers of the right to self determination, and under relevant UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice's opinion in the Western Sahara case, Tamils constitute a "people' and are the legal recipient unit of the right to self determination'. In some of his earlier writings Rudrakumaran highlighted the distinction between internal and external self determination and argued strenuously for the recognition of the former as part of a viable political solution. More recently, however, he has argued that the Tamil people’s right to self determination includes the right to an independentsovereign nation state.
It is submitted that Rudrakumaran's earlier position which focused on internal self determination offers a concept which may be possible to accommodate within a united Lanka.
Maximum devolution within a united country seemed to be the philosophy behind a proposal submitted both to President Kumaratunga and V. Prabakharan Leader of the LTTE on 20 December 1995.
Framework Document
The framework document as it was
called was prepared by a British firm
of solicitors, Bates, Wells and
Braithwaite on the Lanka Peace Suppo sisted of academic clergy from the in nity. The proposal for a confederat Ceylon, consistin autonomous States rily Tamil area (til country) and the c Sinhalese areas.
Apart from for defence and secur and currency, mair between the states, ters, each state wo to adopt its own would have to er principles set out in Constitution and ei human rights, whil structure of gover Prime Minister an autonomy in all otl for a Central Cou exercise power wi served subjects an nel of communica tion between the t of an equal numb from the states.
The Council w dent and Deputy ion from amongs specified time wit between represent The citizens of th a common natio) freedom of move reside and work i ion. The proposal stitutional Court c number of judges a suggestion tha Ceylonese judges pute be included function of the C

TAMINES 25
ations nka
, request of the Sri rt Group which cons, professionals and ernational commu
basically provided ion the Union of g of two internally , one for the primae north east of the ther for the mainly
:ign affairs, external ity monetary policy tenance of relations and a few other matuld have the power constitution which dorse certain core the Preamble to the ntrenched clauses on e setting out its own nment, have its own d exercise complete her areas. It provided İncil of the Union to th respect to the red to provide a chantion and co-ordinaWo states consisting er of representatives
ould appointa PresiPresident of the Unt its members for a h agreed alternation atives of each state. 2 union would share ality and have the ment and the right to n any part of the unprovided for a Cononsisting of an equal from each state and
O11E ΟΥ ΙΥ1ΟΤΕ ΠΟΥ)- of international reas well. The main ourt would be to in
terpret the Constitution and to ensure state compliance with the provisions of the preamble and the human rights provisions of the Constitution.
The proposal ended with a somewhat naive and impractical provision
titled 'Referendum and Guarantees’
which provided for each state to conduct a referendum if it wished "to modify the powers of the Union affecting that State.' It also declared that the implementation of the Constitution and the maintenance of peace between the States would be guaranteed by the United Nations
The proposal had several ambiguous provisions which suggested that the two states were independent sovereign entities. A provision in the Preamble for instance stated that relations between the States would be governed in accordance with "generally applicable principles of international law and justice.' The provision on the referendum might have been naive or an indirect way of including a unilateral right to secession, in which event, as well be argued later, this will make it extremely difficult for the majority of Sinhalese to accept.
Thimpu Principles
A third option may be to attempt to accommodate some of the concerns and aspirations of the Tamil people as expressed in the often quoted Thimpu Principles. The four cardinal principles placed before the Sri Lanka Government delegation in July 1985 at the Thimpu talks by the six Tamil organisations represented there (the TULF, LTTE, EPRLF, EROS, PLOTE and TELO) were:
(i) recognition of the Tamils of Sri Lanka as a distinct nationality;
(ii) recognition of an identified Tamil homeland and the guarantee of its territorial integrity;
(iii) based on the above, recognition of the inalienable right of self-determination of the Tamil nation;
(iv) recognition of the right to full citizenship and other fundamental democratic rights of all Tamils, who look upon the island as their country.
Since 1985 nearly all Tamil parties including the LTTE have reiterated their commitment to these principles.

Page 26
26 TAMILTIMES
The first three principles were rejected by the Government delegation on the grounds that they necessarily implied the destruction of a united Sri Lanka.
The leader of the delegation, H. W. Jayewardene said, "... If the first three principles are to be taken at their face value and given their accepted legal meaning, they are wholly unacceptable to the Government. They must be rejected for the reason that they constitute a negation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, they are detrimental to a united Sri Lanka and are inimical to the interests of the several communities, ethnic and religious in our country. Mr. Jayewardene assumed that they had an accepted legal meaning and that they would necessarily violate the sovereignty and unity of the country.”
This need not necessarily be so. Recognising a Tamil nation, a traditional Tamil homeland, its territorial integrity and its right to self determination could certainly imply the recognition of an independent Tamil sovereign nation state. However, many of the terms have no fixed legal meaning and may be defined in such a way that the essence of these concepts is retained within the framework of a united coun
try.
Keeping the Options Open
The skeptical explanation for the popularity of these principles among Tamil nationalist groups and parties is that the vagueness inherent in the key terms of the Thimpu Principles gives them a flexibility and manoeuvrability which is both convenient and keeps their options open.
The traditional Tamil homeland claim is one which arouses considerable emotion and is the subject of considerable debate among Sri Lankan historians. Since the scholarship and debate on the subject is inconclusive, I prefer to endorse the wording in the preamble to the Indo-Lanka Accord of July 1987 which recognises the distinct cultural and linguistic identity of inter alia the Tamils while also recognising that "The Northern and Eastern provinces have been areas of historical habitation of Sri Lankan Tamil speaking
peoples, who have a lived together in this ethnic groups'. To that they have been munity in these regi Whether one acc theory or not, I beli of a Tamil homelan the north and a subs east must be accepte the present political try. Given the viole the Tamil people o years the Tamils are chological homelanc north and a large p; their security and ( therefore, support th for reasons of dignity tice even if one has the justification base The Tamil nati north and east of the mono-ethnic in com require ethnic clean acceptable. Muslim who were expelled 1990 have the right homelands and the Muslims have at th rights of national mi ternational law. Con presented by Tamilr and the Thimpu Prin out adequately the pc lims and other mino
east.
Is a political solutic It is possible, but gulf between the two hand one has a Sri La which has enormous ing a quasi-federal in the context of in forces, some of wh increasingly militari preserving a Sil majoritarian, unitary óne has a Tamil pol has waged a long ar captured a significal tory which it admini ted to principles that they could connote a tion state of Tamil E. a genuine, not unfou

15 JULY 2002
all times hitherto erritory with other his can be added the majority com
)S. epts the homeland ve that the notion i and a merger of tantial part of the d as a response to eality in the counce perpetrated on ver the past forty entitled to a psyconsisting of the art of the east for lignity. One can, 2 homeland theory 1, security and jusioubts concerning 'd on history. on located in the country cannot be position. This will sing which is uns from the north by the LTTE in to return to their Eastern province le very least, the inorities under institutional options lationalist opinion ciples do not spell osition of the Musrities of the north
in possible?
unlikely given the sides. On the one nkan Government difficulty defendiraft Constitution fluential political ch are becoming sed, committed to hala Buddhist state. On the other, itical force which d costly struggle, it amount of terristers and commitare ambiguous as n independent nalam. There is also lded, fear that any
federal or con-federal compromise would only be a strategic advance in achieving the goal of Eelam. The bitterness and distrust on both sides and the skepticism of Tamil political groups due to the repeated betrayals of Sri Lankan Governments both with respect to the delivery on constitutional agreements and, in the few instances where this was done, with respect to the actual implementation of these arrangements, in the past forty years, hardly creates an atmosphere conducive to a constitutional compromise which must form a major part of a political solution.
Modified Thimpu Principles
l.The Tamil community constitutes a people with a distinct language, culture, tradition and identity. The Constitution should recognise the above in order to ensure that the Tamil people live with dignity and self respect.
2.The Tamil people have for centuries lived in the northern and eastern provinces and constituted the majority population in these areas.
3.There must be substantial autonomy in these areas, which is constitutionally guaranteed and secured. The people must have the right to determine their own affairs.
4.There must be complete equality particularly in the areas of race, religion and language.
5. The Constitution of Sri Lanka shall be supreme.
6.The Constitution shall enshrine basic values and principles. These shall include human dignity, equality, the promotion of human rights, non-racialism and non-sexism, the Rule of Law, universal adult suffrage and a multiparty system of democratic government, and a system of government that promotes accountability, responsiveness and openness.
7.The Fundamental Rights provisions of the Constitution shall conform to international human rights norms.
8.There shall be constitutional mechanisms to provide for effective power sharing at the centre.
9.There shall be provided in the Constitution, an autonomous canton/ unit in the East to accommodate the aspirations of the people, particularly

Page 27
15 JULY 2002
the Muslims and Sinhalese, for a certain degree of autonomy. OR, There shall be separate Northern and Eastern regions with provision for the two regions to deliberate/work together in certain situations. The Apex Council idea developed during the deliberations of the Mangala Moonesinghe Parliamentary Select Committee could facilitate such co-operation.
10. Section 29 of the Soulbury Constitution of 1946 which was the main minority safeguard at the time of independence and considered by some to be “the unalterable solemn balance of rights between the citizens of Ceylon and the fundamental conditions on which inter se they accepted the Constitution should be reincorporated in the Constitution.
ll. A provision similar to Article 235 of the South African Constitution shall be incorporated in the Constitution. “The right of the South African people as a whole to self-determination, as manifested in this constitution, does not preclude, within the framework of this right, recognition of the notion of the right to self determination of any community sharing a common cultural and language heritage, within a territorial entity in the Republic or in any other way, determined by national legislation'.
Principles 5-9 and 11 will help considerably in making Principles 1-4 acceptable in the rest of the country, respond to many of the arguments put forward against autonomy, in addition to providing guarantees for human rights and devolution of power. Principle 10 it is hoped will be of strong symbolic significance; a revival of the social contract at the granting of independence.
Attempts to provide for substantial devolution of power without judicial review of legislation and power sharing at the centre are unlikely to succeed. One of the reasons why it was so easy under the existing devolution arrangements for the centre to encroach on powers devolved to the provinces was because there was no provincial voice at the centre.
Recognition of Substantia Aut( In nearly all cou is a desire to provide power within a unite provincial/regional r centre in the form of cil of Provinces. Tł protection of devol sentatives of the de watchdogs for the i volved units. There ale, however, that i Lanka; the protectio) It is important that t cians and parties/gr feel part of the who the nation. A secon cilitate both these im or rationales. Many c mentators have indi representation at the tial characteristic of tion. I find it quite Lanka's constitution ing to promote sub within a united co gional representatio
There is also th the dominance of et the past three decad ethnic authentic Sr identity. This argum able in the current S discourse fora varie argument has recen ated by Sinhalese na venient substitute fo autonomy and dev This is unacceptable
The revival of a national identity mu recognition of subs There is also the un ticism of the Tamil why this was not dc ate post independen when the country's constitution was ado efforts to revive a k tion Sri Lanka ident a constitution makin formation initiative,
Ghia Nodia ha "Failure to tame the

TAMINES 2.
onomy ntry's where there for devolution of 'd country, there is epresentation at the a Senate or Counhe rationale is the ution. The reprevolved units act as nterests of the deis a second rationis relevant for Sri n of national unity. he regional politioups are made to ble, stakeholder in d chamber can faportant objectives :onstitutional comeed cited regional Centre as an eSSena federal constituamazing that Sri makers are seekstantial autonomy untry without ren at the centre.
e vital need given hno-nationalism in es to forge a suprai Lankan national ent is not fashionri Lankan political ity of reasons. This tly been appropritionalists as a conr the recognition of olution of power.
Y ❖ፉ ፩
genuine Sri Lankan ust accompany the stantial autonomy. derstandable scepcommunity as to one in the immedice era or, at least, first autochthonous pted. Nevertheless, ind of rainbow naity must be part of gfor conflict trans
s remarked that - ethnic flesh of na
tionalism can lead to chauvinism, racism or even fascism. Yet these manifestations of nationalism's ugly side arise not from excessive ethnicity but from the lack of a robust political expression of national feeling. When they have no political or institutional achievments to take pride in, people may boast instead of their inherited racial, linguistic or cultural identities'.
It is only where the understandably dominant ethno-nationalism is at least complemented by civic nationalism, that the principle of unity in diversity may be realised. The existence of mulltiple or cross cutting identities must be recognised and fostered to act as a countervailing force to ethno-nationalism. Such a balance of juxtaposition of the national and the regional, the overarching civic or political and the ethnic is essential for the success of a constitution for peace and reconciliation. Striking such a balance is not easy.
Yash Ghai reminds us how important this task is: “Autonomy, particularly federal autonomy, is built around the notion that the people of a state are best served through a balance between the common and the particular. If the emphasis is too much on the particular, then separation may be the better option, notwithstanding the proliferation of states. The secret of autonomy is the recognition of the common; certainly it seems to be the condition for its success. Perhaps about thirty years ago, too much emphasis was placed on the "common and for this reason autonomy was narrow and contingent. Today we may be placing too much emphasis on the particular.”
It will be seen from the proposal outlined above that the task of developing a constitutional model that meets the aspirations of the Tamil people within a united Sri Lanka is a daunting one. A new Constitution for conflict resolution must also conform to constitutional first principles and modern trends in constitution making. There is a need, therefore, for imagination, creativity, commitment and an ethos of compromise and generosity of spirit.

Page 28
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Page 29
5 JY 2002
Tigers, Taxe and the Tam
Mutukrishna Sarvananthan'
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been levying various taxes from the civilian population in the North&East province for a long time. They justify these taxes by claiming that they govern a nation of people and in order to administer, develop and provide security for that nation these taxes are necessary. Nevertheless, these taxes are an intolerable burden on the Tamil masses.
First of all, the LTTE seems to have no proper list of goods and the tax rates applicable to them. However, in practice, most of the goods are taxed at a rate of 25%. Some goods do attract lesser rates. Twenty five percent is a very high rate, especially for the Tamil civilians who have undergone intolerable hardships as a result of displacement from their homes and economic sanctions by the Sri Lankan State.
Secondly, the Tiger taxes are levied irrespective of whether the goods are taken to their territory for trading or for personal/household consumption. The taxes on personal/household consumption goods are entirely unjustifiable. Food and clothing are taxed only if they are for trading, but other consumption goods and raw materials/ inputs are taxed even if it is for personal/household use.
Taxes are two ty valorem tax, and t The ad valorem t percentage of the v service. The unit ta) of a good or service value. The LTTE ap taxes. For examp levied on new moto LKR 1,500 are lević The spare parts motorcycles, televi spare parts, chairs, ta furniture, etc are t Tigers also tax ra such as spare tyres f battery water, etc. struggle to eke out economic sanctions fertilizer and pes burdened by the Tig for tractors. Mor prohibition on takin LTTE-held areas it of the people to rec hold battery cells wi In this situation, wh taxing battery wate
Thirdly, the T based on the incol household. Thus, til fundamental tenet ( a criterion for Tige
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TAMMES 29
'S is
pes - one is the ‘ad he other "unit tax. ax is levied as a alue of a good or is levied on a unit irrespective of the plies both types of e, LKR 5,000 is orcycles (C90) and 'd on new bicycles. of bicycles and sion sets and their bles and household axed at 25%. The v materials/inputs or tractors, vehicle The farmers who a living under the encompassing fuel, ticide are doubly er taxon spare tyres eover, due to the gbattery cells to the has been a practice charge their houseth vehicle batteries.
ere is the justice in r?
iger taxes are not me of a person or he ability to pay, a of tax policy, is not r taxes. That is, all
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have to pay taxes irrespective of their income. Taxes are two kinds - direct tax and indirect tax. Generally, while the direct taxes are leviedon the income of a person/household, indirect taxes are levied on the entire population (irrespective of their income) whenever goods and services are purchased. The peculiarity of the Tiger taxes is that everyone has to pay however poor one is. The farmers harvesting paddy,
vegetable cultivators, households
plucking coconuts all have to pay a share of their produce to the LTTE. This kind of a universal tax regime discourages the people from undertaking productive activities. The people who produce in spite of economic sanctions and consequent inflated prices of raw materials/inputs may be better off receiving the relief goods sent by the government and international relief agencies than paying a portion of their produce to the LTTE as tax in kind.
Fourthly, there is alikelihood of the same good being taxed twice in Tiger taxes. That is, when traders take goods to the LTTE-held areas they have to pay a tax at the point of entry. In addition, periodically traders have to pay a tax as a percentage of their business turnover. These create opportunity for double taxation of the same good. At the end it is the consumers who have to bear this double taxation. On top of this double taxation by the LTTE, the Tamils living in LTTE-held areas do also pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the National Security Levy (NSL) of the Government of Sri Lanka, which are already incorporated in the value of goods that are taxed at the point ofentry to the LTTE-held areas. As the Tamils living in the LTTE-held areas are already pauperised, the above mentioned double taxation further marginalises them.
Fifthly, taxes are levied by a government in order to run the public administration, build economic and social infrastructure, finance other developmental activities, and protect the society and the country from domestic and external aggression. Out of these governmental functions, except

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30 TAMĦAL TES
the protection of the Tamil society and nation, the LTTE do not seem to do any other function properly and comprehensively. The administrative division of the LTTE does not seem to be providing much public service to the people under their jurisdiction. Mostly, the LTTE uses the personnel of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service to run their administration. In order to assert their foothold in the LTTE-held areas the Sri Lankan government has allowed their public officers to function in those areas. These public officers are used by the LTTE for their administrative purposes as well. That is, these public officers work for the LTTE on the salaries drawn from the Government of Sri Lanka. These public officers include agricultural officers/extension workers, irrigation officers, teachers, medical officers, etc.
The LTTE has setup various institutions in the areas under their control. The Tamil Eelam Economic Development Organisation (TEEDO), Tamil Eelam Administrative Service, Tamil Eelam Transport Board, Tamil Eelam Police Force, Mines Clearing Division, Forest Protection Division are some of them. However, the real functions and services of these institutions are not openly known. In this circumstance, we wonder whether these institutions are just setup for namesake. Moreover, whether these institutions that are involved in public services are doing their duties and responsibilities properly and sincerely is suspect. For example, we may consider the bus services of the Tamil Eelam Transport Board. The bus services provided between Puliyankulam and places like Killinochi, Puthukudiyirupu, and Mullaitivu are of very low standard. The buses plying these routes leak from the roof when it rains, and as a result the passengers are forced to hold umbrellas inside the buses. At the same time, the buses plying between Puliyankulam and Muhamalai seem to be newer ones. Therefore, the people of Wanni are wondering why the Tamil Eelam Transport Board is discriminating between the passengers travelling to Jaffna and the Wanni. Besides, the rude
behaviour of the c buses towards the come under criticis1 of Wanni.
The Tamil peop whether the high tax are necessary for su public service. In th it necessary for the II in order to run the tration?
Sixthly, for a v. LTTE has been de Government of Sri the economic sanct areas and that norma their people. It is reg after the government drawing the econor LTTE continues to in implicit economic sa the free movement of jurisdiction. For ex still prohibited from held areas from resto prohibition is in pla any moralvirtues; ins the local producers ( tax revenue accru Furthermore, the imp by the Tigers are e. imposed indirect ecc
In addition to
prohibition on goo restrictions/prohibi movement of people diction is unjustified cking and screenin enter their territory a to the fear of enem impose restrictions. bonds, and passes would like to leave til unjustifiable.
Seventhly, the taxes at Muhamalai are travelling to J. highway. The vehic goods are taxed. The this "transit tax is levied from the Tam and the Muslims ar this transit tax. This criminatory and arbi

15 JULY 2002
onductors of the r passengers has from the people
e are questioning rates of the LTTE h a low quality of s circumstance, is TTE to levy taxes ir civil adminis
ry long time the manding that the Lanka withdraws ions against their lcy is restored for rettable that, even unilaterally withnic sanctions, the mpose explicit and nctions and restrict people under their ample, alcohol is entering LTTEfthe country. This ce not because of stead it is to protect of alcohol and the ing from them. Iort taxes on goods quivalent to selfnomic sanctions.
the restrictions/ ls, the continued tion on the free undertheir juris. Though the cheg of people who rejustifiable (due y infiltration), to
age limitations, for people who Leir areas is totally
LTTE is levying from people who ffna via the A9 es as well as the salient feature of that this is only ls. The Sinhalese exempted from ethnic tax” is disrary. Would it not
be racism and pure exploitation for the sole representatives and protectors of the Tamils to impose such an ethnic tax on the very same people whom they represent and protect?
Eighthly, all governments publicly reveal their tax revenues and the public expenditures incurred from such revenues to the general public in their annual budgets. But, the LTTE has so far not revealed to the Tamil public the amount of tax revenue they collect from the Tamils (both inland and overseas) and their public expenditures out of that revenue. Today, the LTTE has graduated from being a liberation organisation to be the sole representatives and saviours of a nation. In this circumstance, the time is opportune for the LTTE to practice transparency, accountability, and maturity in their financial management. It is essential for the LTTE to publicly reveal their revenues and expenditures on an annual basis if they continue to expect the Tamils (both here and abroad) to pay taxes. It is absolutely essential for them to publicly disclose their tax revenues and public spending to the Tamil people if they are a duty bound, disciplined, and responsible protectors of a nation.
Taxes are of many kinds, and the Tiger taxes are unique. Historically, no Taxes have been popular in any society or country in any part of the World. The Tiger taxes are a major impediment to economic advancement of the North & East province. Neither the local investors, nor foreign investors, or foreign donors are going to accept the arbitrary tax regime of the LTTE. The Tiger taxes are stifling economic revival of the North&East province in the same way as the government's economic sanctions did in the past. The understanding of this fundamental truth by the LTTE would go along way towards the realisation of the peaceful, equal, and prosperous livelihood of the Tamils.
*Research Fellow, International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The views expressed are those of the author and not of the ICES.

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tes Y 2002
To Talk Oe Not tOT TE
Dr Jayadeva Uyangoda
A particularly worrying aspect of Sri Lanka's current peace process is the continuing postponement of the proposed Bangkok talks between the government and the LTTE. When there is no official engagement between the two sides at the level of negotiation, as promised when the peace process was inaugurated, it leaves room for doubt and uncertainty. The absence of explanatory statements by the government or the LTTE has naturally led to various interpretations of the present status of the peace initiative are possible. Indeed, many of then are not positive aSSeSSments.
It is also not easy to make a clear characterization of what some analysts describe as an impasse of the peace process, primarily because of the fact that there is very little hard information forthcoming either from the government and the LTTE. The media reports on the peace process are quite inadequate to form any firm judgement about the emerging trajectories in the next few weeks. It seems that both the government and the LTTE deliberately refrain from briefing the media on this issue. As a result, speculations have begun to focus less on what has been actually happening in the peace front than on the negative developments in the post-MOU Eastern province.
Interestingly, both the government and the LTTE at present are not engaged in major propaganda exercises either. However, the LTTE, unlike the government, is implementing a politically significant media and public relations strategy. They appear to have launched a dual campaign designed to achieve different objectives.
at first, the LTTE leaders located in the Northern and Eastern provinces led by Thamilchelvam and Karikalan have been doing some effective public relations work. They have been meeting local and international visitors, giv
ing media intervie the unconvinced th to peace should be spect. Most reports are quite positive a termination to stay litical engagemen ment. "These guys and make changes, sence of these posi On the other Balasingham, the L calspokesperson ol projecting a differ discloses a deep s tion with the govel Recent press i Dr. Balasingh Sivanayagam, the nalist very close t ship, indicate that softened their preing exercise. F ( Balasingham has b with the Norweg discuss the agenda has also been insis plementation of th by the Colombo constitute a pre-co tions. Informed an been expressing a tion over what h government's res peace deal in the f ministration.
Meanwhile, S Tamil journalist, raised doubts abol the UNF governm exercise. Accord there are signs of sorted to by the ( to politically iso LTTE. Another pl from some of the points that the di due to the compl tions being made

TAMLTIMES 3
blk
ws and re-assuring it their commitment reated with due refrom these visitors out the LTTE's dein the path of powith the governare willing to learn ” seems to be the estive assessments.
hand, Dr. Anton ondon-based politithe LTTE, has been ent perspective that ense of dissatisfac
nment. nterviews given by lam and Mr. London-basedjouro the LTTE leaderthe LTTE has not negotiation bargainor several weeks, een refusing to meet an interlocutors to for negotiations. He ting that the full ime terms of the MOU government should indition for negotiaalysts say that he has great deal of frustra; believes to be the eding interest in a rm ofan interimad
vanayagam, veteran in his interview has t the commitment of 2nt to the negotiation ng to Sivanayagam, a "grand design reolombo government ate and weaken the rspective, emanating government sources, ay to begin talks is x nature of preparaby the two sides. Ac
cording to this view, it is the LTTE which has asked for more time for preparations. Government thus sees no reason to be concerned with the postponement of Bangkok talks.
Yet another perspective suggests that it would be better to postpone the Bangkok talks for some time to come, in view of the fact that a compromise between the government and the LTTE on many key issues is unlikely to emerge under present political constraints. This view is prevalent among the diasporaic Tamils who have begun to feel quite pessimistic about the capacity of the UNF government, caught up in a general political uncertainty, to work out a compromise with the LTTE and implement it. To some extent, the Tamil diaspora's views are shaped by the LTTE's propaganda and in the past they have often reflected, quite accurately, the strategic thinking of the LTTE.
Two points which the Tamil expatriate intelligentsia has been making during the past few weeks need serious reflection. The first is that it is doubtful whether the Sinhalese polity is as yet ready to grant autonomy to Tamils under the LTTE leadership. The peace process has not yet healed the rift between the Sinhalese and Tamil polities and it might take a longer period than initially expected for the Sinhalese people to grapple with the reality of regional autonomy under the LTTE.
Their fears and suspicions need to be allayed over a period of time. Secondly, even seven months in power, the UNF government is still struggling to overcome its major political hurdles. It has not been able to secure a mechanism to obtain the crucial two-thirds majority in Parliament. Neither has it succeeded in working out a government by cohabitation with the President or reducing her powers, particularly to prevent her from dissolving the parliament after December. In this reading, the LTTE leadership, quite attuned to the political realities in Colombo, might not see the proposed Bangkok talks as capable of being particularly productive or useful.
The delay of talks has in any case deprived the negotiation process much needed political momentum. The best

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32 AMILTIMES
option for the two sides would have been to begin direct talks in May and then work out a schedule for future talks spreading over some time. In Sri Lanka's specific case, it is always better to begin the process of talks when there is public enthusiasm and goodwill and, more important, before the spoiler elements get activated. But, given the reality that Sri Lanka has not yet utilized that propitious moment for negotiations to begin, steps need to be taken to prevent prevarication from entering into the strategic behaviour of the two sides. Meanwhile, recent developments in the Eastern Province and the way in which some politicians have been interpreting and handling the crisis there do not give much credence to the capacity of the unfolding political process to sustain the momentum for direct negotiations between the government and the LTTE. The mistake made by the government as well as the LTTE is that they have taken the post-MOU peace conditions for granted, not realizing the new contradictions generated by the conditions of relative peace could complicate the peace initiative.
New reports emerging from Muttur and Valachchanai now show how avariety of political forces have made alliances and interventions to gain control of the economic and political life there. It is time now for the government and the LTTE leadership to have a serious exchange of ideas about the Eastern province. They should conceive new political modalitiesto manage the continuing complexities in the province within a framework that can sustain the peace process. Otherwise, they might find themselves totally unprepared, as happened in Valachchanai, to react to sectarian violence that can be organized and executed with relative ease by spoiler elements.
If further postponement of Bangkok talks is the most prudent option, then the government will have to take inno
vative stepsto sus process. A new i engagement and the LTTE leaders This has become tant in view of s ments as the visit newly appointed ister and the impe ington, DC, by Pri mesinghe. Althou might view and ti and regular diplom likely to be unders signals of what S med as a "grandd Meanwhile, a Colombo that deal a negotiation initia nize that the LTT duplex character. political entity seel ognition and respe lel level it is a guer machine, ready to t on a very short no tural conditions of tion process that wi which particular ch that might take p other. Presently, th selfhastaken primi military self. The lombo has an unav. ity to work toward sustaining the LTT identity.
Suppose the Bal poned for a few mc Such postponemen between the leader and the LTTE wo detrimental to the p breakthrough in process. Then, an on the way to Bar working out by the work document w Declaration of Prin a framework doc
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in the present peace tiative for political irect dialogue with ip is a crucial must. ill the more imporch recent developto Colombo by the hdian Foreign Minlding visit to Washhe Minister Wickregh the government eat these as normal atic events, they are ood in the Vannias vanayagam has tersign.
ny government in s with the LTTE on tive ought to recogE has an essentially At one level, it is a cing legitimacy, rectability. At a paralilla force, a military ake on the state even tice. It is the structhe conflict resolull actually determine aracter of the LTTE recedence over the he LTTE's political acy over its guerillagovernment in Cobidable responsibils strengthening and E's political self and
ngkok talks get postre months to come. t of direct dialogue of the government uld be immensely rospects of an early Sri Lanka’s peace option quite useful gkok would be the two sides a framenich can contain a iples. In fact, such ment, jointly pre
15 JULY 2002
pared by the two sides, would be of immense value and even better than going to Bangkok with a potentially controversial agenda.
We may recall that in the Northern Ireland negotiations, the British and Irish sides first negotiated a framework document which provided the conceptual contours within which the subsequent negotiations and compromises were to be worked out. In 1994-1995 negotiations in Sri Lanka, the PA government and the LTTE should have first negotiated a framework document. Although the idea was discussed in Colombo, it was not adequately pursued. The value of a framework document or a Declaration of Principles is multi-dimensional. To begin with, it will facilitate the much-needed and fresh political engagement between the top leadership of the government and the LTTE on key issues concerning the settlement process. It will also set out a mutually acceptable framework within which their strategic behaviour and conduct would be governed. A framework document can also incorporate concerns and commitments about human rights and democracy. Equally important is the possibility within a framework declaration for making the two sides committed to peaceful settlement of conflicts that are likely to emerge on the way to a settlement.
The framework can surely be a creative synthesis of the positive gains of the peace process and future possibilities for greater commitment and shared responsibilities. Finally, the framework document can be a provisional political charter in terms of which the government and the LTTE could jointly conceptualize the future trajectories of the conflict resolution process.
It will hopefully prevent them from entering into the actual negotiation process with incompatible goals and contradictory outcomes in mind.
EL ONLY)) ))--SRI LANKA
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Page 33
SULY 2002
Ram Manikkalingam
The civil war in Sri Lanka consists of three distinct conflicts. Most observers focus on the ethnic conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese, or the armed conflict between the Sri Lankan state and the rebel Tamil Tigers. But they pay scant attention to the political power conflict among the three main forces that currently have a stake in political rule in Sri Lanka - the Tamil Tigers, the United National Party (UNP) and the People's Alliance (P.A.). While the Tiger desire for absolute power in the Tamil areas has kept the war going, the competition for political power between the P.A. and the UNP has prevented the war from ending.
Conflict over power among political parties is a vital element of democracy in any country. It prevents the state from becoming an oligarchy or, worse, a tyranny. While the power conflict between the UNP and the P.A. is good for democracy, it is bad for resolving the ethnic conflict. Ending political competition between the two major political parties is not required for them to work together to resolve the civil war. The political competition for power between the two political parties should be channelled so it does not undermine efforts to end the war. By voting for Chandrika Kumaratunga as President and Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, the Sri Lankan people have called on the two leaders of the main political parties to do precisely this.
The ethnic conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese is commonly considered the hardest to resolve. Most descriptions of Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict (or for that matter any ethnic conflict) are variations of the hate-and-greed explanation. These descriptions depict Tamils and Sinhalese as either hating each other, because of conflicting nationalisms, or competing with each other for resources because of greed. Where the nationalism comes from -
ancient history, m violence - is less exists and manif hostility between Similarly, where individual interest nationalist passio: than that it ultir groups to get into While this exp and Sinhalese are flict over ethnic i resources - may evance in the past and less plausible and Sinhalese des They have come enthusiastically o solution to the cor Central governme Sinhalese to share other ethnic grou Tamils. Whatever proffered, they in some form of fec some Sinhalese a majority of the pe beginning to acc Even those who a ism are less conc{ more rights to Tan than that it will consolidate their separate Tamil au The proposal dent Kumaratung an important bas litical solution. sented after the ceasefire, go be They acknowled that the Tamil pec of the Sri Lankan ence and seek to gional autonomy. is no mystery ab of a political solu flict will look li demic and journ tinue to focus pr
 

TAM TIMES 33
yth, or recent acts of relevant than that it sts itself in mutual 'amils and Sinhalese. greed comes from - s, group solidarity or - is less important hately leads ethnic conflict. anation - that Tamils enmeshed in a condentity and material have had some rel, it is becoming less today. Most Tamils (re an end to the war. to realise - whether r reluctantly - that a nflict will require the int dominated by the political power with ps, particularly the the various solutions variably converge on leralism. Except for nd some Tamils, the ople in Sri Lanka are ept such a solution. re critical of federal:rned that it will give lils than they deserve, 2nable the Tigers to bower and establish a thoritarian state. i presented by Presia in July 1995 form s for pursuing a poThe proposals, preTigers violated the ond a unitary state. ge the discrimination ple faced at the hands State since Independredress it through reThe point is that there but what the outlines ion to the ethnic conce. While most acalistic observers conmarily on the ethnic
conflict in Sri Lanka, this is probably the least challenging obstacle to peace today.
Addressing the ethnic conflict is complicated by the armed conflict between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan State. Although the armed conflict is generally viewed as stemming from the ethnic conflict, it is also distinct in character. States claim a monopoly over the legitimate use of force in a given territory. So any state will repress those who seek to oppose it by force. It matters little to the state that those who oppose it do so on the basis of democracy, ethnicity or regionalism. And when it comes to suppressing an armed rebellion, it matters little whether the state is capitalist or socialist, authoritarian or democratic. All states have acted with varying degrees of violence and repression in stemming armed rebellions. So also have rebel groups opposing states. There are two ways armed conflicts between states and a rebel group can end - when one side defeats another or when both sides concede that they cannot defeat each other. It is not clear if this has happened in Sri Lanka.
The current ceasefire agreement between the government of Sri Lanka and the Tigers is an attempt to resolve the armed conflict. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and the Tiger leader signed it. The previous P.A.-led government was involved in drawing up key elements of it, such as the list of items to be lifted from the embargo. The Sri Lankan State has conceded that the cost of defeating the Tigers is one that it does not wish to bear. The Tigers have yet to do so. They are either bluffing, that is, they have admitted it among them but do not wish to do so to others. Or they are simply buying time. Whatever the drawbacks to the ceasefire agreement (and there are many), it is still an attempt at resolving the armed conflict between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan State, without granting either side a decisive military victory.
Addressing the armed conflict is complicated by the political power conflict among the main contenders for political power in Sri Lanka - the ruling UNP led by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the Opposition P.A. led by President Kumaratunga and the Tamil

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34 TAMILTIMES
Tigers led by their leader V. Prabhakaran. There is a distinct power conflict among these three contenders that is derived from competition over the business of rule. The UNP and the P.A. compete over who gets to rule the Sri Lankan State, while the Tigers seek to rule a separate Tamil one.
This competition cannot simply be reduced to varying ideologies of nationalism or competing policies over how to resolve the ethnic conflict or, for that matter, different socio-economic policies. Political parties are built around the express intent of securing political power. They may have different ideological leanings or social bases and therefore wish to carry out different programmes. Still, one of their central goals is to rule, simpliciter, not only ruling in order to do something else. Clearly, all three parties - the UNP, the P.A. and the Tigers - do not contend for power the same way. The P.A. and the UNP do so through more or less democratic means. The Tigers do so through more or less violently antidemocratic means. Yet, an important part of what they all contend for is power.
The position taken by these parties in elections over the past two years helps illustrate the distinction between policy on the ethnic conflict and political alliances to secure power. During the last two parliamentary elections and the most recent presidential elections, the UNP opposed the P.A. government’s political proposals for resolving the conflict - saying that it had granted too much autonomy to the Tamils. At the same time, the UNP supported talking to the Tamil Tigers, who were asking for a separate state.
This seemingly contradictory position - opposing Tamil autonomy, but supporting a dialogue with the Tamil extremist Tigers - can be reconciled. The UNP as a political party seeking to run the state was seeking Tiger support to obtain Tamil votes in areas under Tiger domination, while keepingits Sinhala base satisfied. Similarly, the Tigers seeking a separate state were implicitly supporting a political party that sought to dilute measures granting autonomy to Tamil areas. The Tigers expected the UNP to be more conciliatory towards them than the P.A. would be.
The point her (or Tigers) is opp is not. Nor is it th no differences of bers of the UNP a about the ethnic c In fact, histo tended to be mor than the UNP. R from all the claim about the conflic there is a competi litical parties ove Lanka that is quite nic conflict.
And this com complexity of res All Sri Lankan sought to, for bet dress the ethnic gional autonomy flict through cease confrontation. Oth forts, they have a explicit attention t litical power conf parties.
The proposal administration un the Northeast of Sr to address the desii of the Tigers. The U hopes to entice the them de facto rule Human rights grou the Tigers will use istration to violate living in the North nic cleansing, and 1 ers argue that an tlement needs to to setting up an int The interim admi become a means goal, rather than a both parties haggl breaks out. What such criticisms (ar the UNP-led gove set up an interim stitutes a pragmati political power col is distinct from the the Tamils.
Even as it is a cal power conflict UNP-led governm ing to address the cal power with th power conflict bety

15 JULY 2002
is not that the UNP tunistic and the P.A. point that there are pinion among memd the P.A. as a whole onflict. ically, the P.A. has : Sinhala nationalist ther, it is that apart and counter-claims based on ethnicity, ion between the powho gets to rule Sri distinct from the eth
petition adds to the blving the civil war. governments have er or for worse, adconflict through reand the armed confires and/or military er than sporadic efill paid little if any o addressing the polict among the main
to set up an interim der Tiger control in i Lanka is an attempt e for political power JNP-led government Tigers by granting over the Northeast. ps are concerned that : the interim adminthe rights of people east, engage in ethrepare for war. Othverall political setle worked out prior erim administration. histration will then to a clear political halfway house that * over until conflict ver the validity of d they are all valid), nment's proposal to administration conrecognition that the flict with the Tigers ethnic conflict with
dressing the politiwith the Tigers, the nt, however, is failconflict over politi
P.A. The political een the P.A. and the
UNP is harder to resolve (though not bloodier) than that between either one of them and the Tigers. This is because, even in the worst case where the Tigers control the Northeast or even establish a separate state, the P.A. or the UNP can still rule from Colombo. However, if either the P.A. or the UNP controls all political power in Colombo, the other party is automatically excluded. Thus the P.A. and the UNP are more reluctant to share power with each other than with the Tigers, although they are both ideologically closer to each other than each is to the Tigers.
Recent efforts by the UNP to weaken the constitutional authority of President Kumaratunga are an example of this unwillingness to share power at the Centre. The UNP is rushing through amendments to the Constitution that will prevent the President from dissolving Parliament. The President of Sri Lanka wields the power to dissolve Parliament a year after it is elected under the present semi-presidential system. When the President and the Prime Minister are from the same party, this power does not differ significantly from that of the latter under the parliamentary system. However, when they are from different parties, these powers provide a critical source of authority for a President without a parliamentary . majority. With the threat of dissolution hanging over the government, a President can cajole the ruling party to act in ways that take the interests of the Opposition are taken into consideration. The political rationale presented by the UNP for amending the Constitution to limit the President's powers is to prevent her from jeopardising the peace process by dissolving Parliament. But as Sri Lankan political columnist Tissaranee Gunesekere has astutely observed, this amendment is either unnecessary or counterproductive. It is unnecessary if the peace process is working, that is, there is no resumption of war and the negotiations are proceeding steadily. In such circumstances, even if President Kumaratunga were to dissolve Parliament, the UNP is likely to come back to power with a greater majority, not a lesser one. On the other hand, if the peace process collapses, this amendment is not going to protect the UNP from a serious political setback that may even cost them their majority

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5 JULY 200
in Parliament.
The efforts to weaken the constitutional authority of the President are counterproductive in yet another way. They jeopardise rather than strengthen the peace process. By aggravating tensions between the P.A. and the UNP further, they reduce any incentive on the part of the P.A. led by the President to support the peace efforts of the Prime Minister. And if these tensions continue after the collapse of the peace process, they will weaken the Centre's capacity to defend itself from a Tiger onslaught.
There is a great deal of common ground in the approach of the two political parties to addressing the civil war. Both argue that a political solution to the ethnic conflict will require regional autonomy in predominantly Tamil areas. Both parties hope that negotiating with the Tigers through Norwegian facilitation might lead to a reduction in the armed conflict. Still, they emphasise slightly different approaches. The President has argued in favour of a political solution to the ethnic conflict throughout her career as a political activistand leader of the country. She presented the most extensive devolution package ever drafted by a Sri Lankan government. She has consistently acknowledged the grievances of the Tamil people and has sought to mobilise support for political devolution at a moment when it was hardest to do so - in the midst of war. The President, who called for "maximum devolution' to the Tamil people in her policy statement to Parliament at the beginning ofthe previous peace process, has gone much further than the Prime Minister who calls for "extensive devolution". The President has both the political courage and the charisma to provide leadership to the country in devising a political solution to the ethnic conflict.
Through the ceasefire agreement the Prime Minister has demonstrated that he has the confidence to take a number of risky steps to reduce the armed conflict. While he may never have been associated with previous
calls for a negotiate also never obstruct When President sented wide-rangi posals in July 199 leader Wickremasi Parliament, but he outside. He made with the Sri Lank Opposition always nationalists agains cessions made to th ernment. More rec President Kumarat tiated indirect tal through Norwegial past few months he diffuse opposition with the Tigers. Thi shown that he has patience to negot armed conflict witl There is a natu litical labour betw political parties in help the country wi peace. Sri Lankan two parties to com for power by pursu complementary asp ess - addressing the the ethnic conflic structingeach othe the political mom proper political inc this collaboration ( ised in a bipartisan as peace negotiatic The negotiating chaired by the Pres Minister, who toge members. The n ought to have two S to deal with the arr other with the et Prime Minister car mittee that deals w flict, an area where some headway. The the subcommittee ethnic conflict, an been more forthcon committee will be the negotiating tea Sri Lankan gover
WWW.armaSSOCiates.Co.uk - use
 

| AML TIMES 35
'd settlement, he has ed efforts to do so. Kumaratunga preng devolution pro5, then Opposition nghe criticised it in did not oppose it an important break an tradition of the mobilising Sinhala t any political cone Tamils by the govently, he supported unga when she iniks with the Tiger n facilitation. In the has worked hard to to the peace process e Prime Minister has the skills and the iate an end to the h the Tigers. ral division of poveen the two main Sri Lanka that can end its way towards s can encourage the pete with each other ing two parallel but ects of a peace proc: armed conflict and t - rather than obr's effort to do so. If ent is ripe and the :entives are created, can be institutionalnegotiating council ns proceed. g council can be coident and the Prime ther can appoint its 2gotiating council ubcommittees - one ned conflict and the hnic conflict. The chair the subcomvith the armed conhe has already made e President can chair that deals with the area where she has ning. The role of this to advise and guide um representing the nment. Ultimately,
who has more influence in shaping the peace process will depend on the relative power of the two political parties among the people. While there is no assurance that the negotiating council will ensure that the two political parties co-operate with each other, it can provide an institutional framework that will enable the two major political parties to collaborate better in negotiating an end to the war.
Clearly none of this will guarantee that the peace process will succeed, particularly if the Tigers believe they have more to gain by going to war than working towards peace. Peace processes rarely succeed, even when both parties negotiate in good faith. When one party has consistently demonstrated nothing but bad faith, it is even less likely to do so. To counter the possibility of failure, the best that the President and the Prime Minister can do is make preparations for war together, just as they ought to make preparations for peace together.
If there is unity in peace, there is likely to be unity in war. However, disunity in peace, will invariably lead to disunity in war.
In the past few years, rhetoric aside, the P.A. and the UNP have come a remarkably long way towards a common position on resolving the two central conflicts that plague Sri Lanka - the ethnic conflict and the armed conflict. The people of Sri Lanka by voting for two political parties to rule them together have called on their leaders to set aside partisan differences that obstruct the peace process. Both parties must come to realise that an end to the civil war will ultimately benefit them both. Because whichever political party wins the competition to rule Sri Lanka, it will still have to deal with the ethnic conflict, on the one hand, and the armed rebellion of the Tigers, on the other.
(The writer is a Fellow of the Open Society Institute and an Assistant Director at the Rockefeller Foundation, based in New York. This article expresses his personal views and not those of either of the institutions).
full links - ARM Online Insuran Ce

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36 TAM TIMES
Of Nationhoods and Neighbc
Lakshman Gunasekara
July, for Sri Lankans, used to be the start of "danger' season, the most memorable being July 1983. The worst ever pogrom against the Tamil people that broke in Colombo on the 24th of July that year and lasted the week was the turning point in the Eelamist secessionist campaign. It has never looked back since or, rather, that is one of its main inspirational moments it always looks back on as it has marched forward in bloody, heroic, cruel, struggle. The other dark memories of this part of the year hark back to July 1987 when the country suffered the multiple traumas offoreign intervention, animposed 'peace accord', an extempore, ridiculously half-hearted, assassination attempt against a visiting foreign leader (Rajiv Gandhi) and, the escalation of a second major insurgency, in the South, to complement the on-going one in the North-East. And if that is not enough of a recollection, one can always recall the trauma of the July 1980 General Strike and general sacking of over a lakh of workers with the use of Emergency Powers.
Today, however, after more than thirty years of post-Independence violence of various sorts, virtually every month of the year is a commemoration of violent incidents: be they massacres, political repression, rebellions, military battles, or assassinations. Ultimately, violence is so cruel that, in these past decades, Sri Lankans have been killed, detained, or tortured not because they were Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim, LTTE, JVP, UNP, SLFP, insurgent, soldier, trade unionist, journalist, or social activist or because of any other affiliation, but simply because they happened to be there as passers-by or by-standers or passengers or residents.
The more the violence is allowed to occur without action to manage situations or engineer solutions to causal problems, the greater the danger of such tragedy, of haphazard occurrences, of
flashpoints and of
Recent incidents
The recent inci violence in the Eas this danger. Thes Trincomalee and were the result ofs nic tensions that, i. sult of the uncertai cease-fire arrangen ous aspects ofthe c unattended by th Agreement. Just as spark that ended th process was proba social squabble in E over a love affair, writer), the recent bances between Mu the East were the r cal machination or r but of a minor loca The onus for th agement of the situ with those in polit areas in which the ( tation spread. And the faultlines of the gency have alwa blurred, this “politi equally blurred.#
Classical overlap
Political contro tricts have always cal overlap of mil hegemony that is t surgency. The State in control of an are movement, in this ercises political-ide - partly through po and partly through local populace in th edly 'controlled b The same scenario course of both JVP is the classic struct that is a hallmarko
 

provocations.
dents of communal t are an example of e incidents in the Batticaloa districts immering inter-ethn turn, were the renties of the current nent and the numeronflict that were left 2 2002 Cease-fire much as the final Le 1990 negotiating bly due to a minor Batticaloa (a dispute according to one communal disturslims and Tamils in esult, not of politimilitary manoeuvre, l dispute. e subsequent manation, however, lies ical control of the ’ommunal confronin the East, where secessionist insurys been the most cal control” is also
· in the Eastern disollowed the classiitary and political he hallmark of inmilitary may seem , but the insurgent :ase the LTTE, exological hegemony litical mobilisation coercion over the
2 very area supposy the State forces. was enacted in the insurgencies. This ire of ‘dual power' any successful in
15 JULY 2002
Surgency.
In the case of the Tamil insurgency, this political overlap was even more dichotomous because of the ethnic loyalty of the populace to the insurgents in opposition to the dominating State forces. In the case of the JVP the State forces were always able to undermine the insurgents' hegemony due to the homogeneity of the population and the dominating State forces.
But in the East, there has always been yet another complication which sometimes made the overlap three-cornered. The areas of disputed control are actually an ethnic mosaic. It is not simply a case of virtually totally Sinhala State forces dominating an area populated by Tamils and infiltrated by the Tamil insurgents (LTTE). Rather, the areas under State forces' domination include a complex mix of Tamil, Muslim and, in some parts, Sinhala settlements. Indeed, in some minor towns, there is a veritable patchwork of dif ferent ethnic neighbourhoods of differing strength of numbers.
Often, this difference in numbers becomes the cause of tragedy with those in the minority becoming the easy victims of spontaneous social anger of those in the majority. Thus, even if members of an ethnic minority in a particular area are the culprits responsible for the original dispute, the responding violence by the majority ethnic group so overwhelms the minority that they become the victims of the larger conflagration.
Then, the communication of local communities comes into play literally communication by word of mouth- and the news spreads rapidly of this victimisation. Immediately, people of the victimised community in areas where they are in a majority feel emboldened to take revenge on the perceived "enemy' community. It is a veritable chain-reaction of violence spreading outwards from the original site of conflict.
To go back to our recollections of July 1983, a most stark poignant memory is that of the violence meted out against neighbour by neighbour. People literally attacked their next door neighbours over the boundary fence or wall. The hotblooded youth of a neighbourhood belonging to one community turned on individuals or whole families of another community in that same

Page 37
15 JULY 2002
neighbourhood. 1983, as well as numerous other communal riots before and after, have been so much a conflagration of neighbourhoods prompted by the aspirations, rivalries, hatreds and paranoias of nationhood.
In the East, under the current Ceasefire dispensation, the responsibility for law and order has been completely blurred by the semi-legitimisation of that overlap of political control. The distinction between the "cleared' and 'un-cleared areas (to use the State forces terminology) has become even more unclear (if you don't mind the
pun).
Cease-fire Agreement
During insurgency, the insurgents' social-political hegemony was completely covert, illegal and, in formal terms, illegitimate while the State forces' control was overt, legal andlegitimate. In this post-hostilities situation, the Cease-fire Agreement has enabled the LTTE to legally, overtly and legitimately extend its political control directly into areas once overtly andlegally under the control of the State forces. At the same time, the LTTE enjoys greater legitimacy in its control over the areas it directly controls.
On the one hand this has resulted in the further weakening of the State forces' authority even in the areas that they control in the conflict zones of the North-East, especially in the East where there has been this overlap of control. On the other, it has increased the LTTE's political responsibility for af. fairs in these same areas (areas technically outside their territory'). Perception by the Muslims
No wonder then the perception by the Muslims that the rioting was engineered by the LTTE in an effort to “ethnically cleanse' these ethnically mixed areas in order to make them purely Tamil-populated areas. The reality of course is quite different. In fact, there is considerable evidence that LTTE high command had quickly moved to mobilise Tiger units in those riot-affected localities to curb the mobs. Telephone "hotlines' became active between North and South and the LTTE high command is understood to have spoken to the national level Muslim leaders and reassured them that the LTTE was acting to bring the situation
under control.
But in a regio military forces the LTTE have mani ethnic communitie neighbourhoods f insurgency and c and trauma and tr experience of all past two decades, cions are rampant take decades befor the "authorities, v be, establish struct der that are legitim whole populace o multi-ethnic neigh in such tension an Unfortunately, eement has not be a continued proces: address the various ethnic conflict, a mixed ethnic local norities within th East region is a cr mense potential f hostilities. These ci repeatedly of the d steps to address th has specifically po mable situation in due to the ethnic p
In fact these pointed out the dar solved the issue o pointing out the te main between the as long as the front demarcated and the blurred.
On the other h sue offrontlines, n resolved. Perhaps the territories of co mapped precisely peace initiative se on spontaneous, in tal processes for th fundamental issue But while such ess may sound ide alise natural dy engineering and i those in power whi ous political compl immediate politica fraught with dang Social managemen these times of larg

TANIMLTIMES 37
where both major State forces and the pulated the various s and the patchwork or purposes of both ounter-insurgency, agedy has been the communities these tensions and suspiand it will probably e they are eased. Till
whoever they might
lures of law and orate in the eyes of the if the region, these bourhoods must live il uncertainty.
the Cease-fire Agr2n followed up with s of negotiations that score aspects of the nd the problem of ities, and ethnic mie combined Northitical issue with imor igniting further olumns have warned angers of not taking ese core issues and inted to the inflamthe East particularly lurality there.
columns have also nger in leaving unref military frontlines 2nsions that will rerival military forces lines are improperly areas of control stay
and, this second ismay be best kept unit is useful to keep ntrol unclear and unbecause the current 2ms to rely so much formal and elemene resolution of some
S.
a spontaneous procall to those who idenamics over 'social s also convenient to o want to avoid varilications within their lconstituencies, it is dr precisely because it is so necessary in e, complexand con
tinuously inter-active societies.
That is why these columns had earlier urged the LTTE to proceed unilaterally with negotiations with Muslim and Sinhala communities in the East rather than wait for Colombo to get its act together or for some elements in Colombo to intervene in the East with their own political agendas.
Challenge LTTE must face
This is the challenge that LTTE must face if it is to be convincing in its assumption of political power in the North-East. As the LTTE becomes semi-legal and legitimate and overt in its presence even in areas beyond its direct military control, the Tigers become politically and socially responsible for those populations.
The Tamil aspiration for nationhood is being fulfilled, albeit partially, in a possibly confederal sense, and that is a victory for democracy in Sri Lanka. But that nationhood must immediately begin fulfilling its promise of democratic governance if that victory is not to be hollow. The newly envisaged nationhood must fulfil its responsibility to all its citizens, otherwise it will suffer the same fate and the same illegitimacy that was suffered by the hegemonic nationhood it is escaping from.
No one else bears more responsibility for such social management than the force that claims "sole representation of that nationhood the LTTE. It is up to the LTTE to adapt to the new reality, to transform itself, and to deal differently with other forces in fulfilling this responsibility. That is the only way it can stay out of the dustbin of history. In terms of the larger Sri Lankan State, the Government in Colombo remains responsible for ensuring that regional actors are provided the space to fulfil their regional responsibilities. That is why there is a need to move beyond informal, ad hoc processes at some point and to take up core issues if not in some grand operatic "conference', at least in limited stages but with a clearly managed programme.
Social management at regional level cannot succeed unless there is social management at national level. Unless nationhoods are just and democratic, neighbourhoods cannot remain in peace for long.
(Sunday Observer - 7 July 2002)

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38 TAMILTIMES
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About People and Events
WEDDING BELS
We congratulate the following couples on their recent wedding. Siva Arul Son of Mr. &Mrs S.T.Ramalingam (Retired Teachers) of 712, Jln Rasah, Seremban, Malaysia and Sumitra daughter of Mrs. Pathma vathy Nadarajah of 81 Jln Setiakasih 9, Bukit Damansara, Kuala luimpur, Malaysia and late Mr. S. Nadarajah on 2nd June 2002 at Kalamandapam,
Brickfields, Jln Scott, Kuala, Lитриr. Vijayakanthan son of Mr. & Mrs. Vijayapalan of Uyarapulam, Anaicoddai, and Jayanthi daughter of Mr. & Mrs. K. Kailailingam of Anaicoddai, Sri Lanka on 5th June 2002 at Sri Manikka Pillaiyar Temple Wedding Hall, 359 Galle Road, Colombo 4.
Kalaimahal, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. N. Ramanathan of 262 Wricklemarsh Road, Blackheath, London SE3 8DW and Ara Vinthan Son of Mr. S. Vethasuntharam of 45 Engleheart Road, Catford, London SE6 2HN and the late Mrs Wethasundaramn on 22nd June 2002 at Sri Muthumari Amman Temple Wedding Hall, Tooting, London SW177EJ.
Srikantha Son of Mr. & Mrs. Thavapalasingam of 52 Essex Road, Willesdan, London NW10 9PD and Mona daughter of Mr. Bhaban Man & MrS.- Neera Shrestha on 23rd June 2002 at The Clay Oven - The Banqueting Suites, Wembley, Middx, UK,
Shyamsundar son of Mr. V.S.- Sockalingam, Retired General Manager, C.T.B., Jaffna and Mrs S. Sockalingam, Deputy Principal, Vembadi Girls' High School, Jaffna and of 479 Navalar Road, Athiyady, Jaffna and Sivarangini daughter of Mr. & Mrs. K. Mohanarajah of 151 Main Street, Trincomalee On 29th June 2002 af Hotel Ranmuthu, Colombo3, Sri Lanka.
Ramanan Son of Mr. & MrS Mahadevan of 3, The firs, Milton Avenue, London E6 1 BH and Kanjhana daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Selvaratnam of 16 Impasse Marette de Guillerval, 91000 Evry, France on 30th June 2002 at Sri Muthurmari Amman Temple Wedding Hall, Tooting, London SW17 7EJ.
 

15 JULY 2002
Jeyagoban son of Mr.& Mrs.- Kulasingam of C/25/1/1 Soysapura, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka and Sri Janani daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Manoharan of 18/4 Union Place, Hill Street, Delhiwala, Sri Lanka on 7th July 2002 at Sri Manicka Pillayar Kovil Wedding Hall, Galle Road, Colombo 4.
Arunan Son of Dr. V & Mrs M. Balasegaram of 'Annai Illam, 54 Marlborough Drive, Clayhall, liford, Essex IG50JW and Ranitha daughter of Mrs M. Dayalakumar of 360 Thorold Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 4H.J. and the late Mr. S. Dayalakumar on 7th July 2002 at The Decorium, Woodgreen,
OrdOr N22 6UH.
Jeyapragash son of Mr. & Mr.S.BalakriShinar Of 2 Ramakrishna Avenue, Wella watte, Colombo 6 and Suganya daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Sahadevan of 45 Brockham Drive, Barkingside, Essex IG2 6QW on 13th July 2002 at McEntree School Hall, Walthamstow,
OfOr Ef7 5DP.
Senthuran Son of Dr. & Dr.- (Mrs) Sivagnanavel of 282 Coombe Lane, West Wimbledon, London SW20 ORW and Lakshmi daughter of Dr. & Dr.- (Mrs) Ramalingam of 4 Kensington Court, Kippa Ring, Queensland 4021 Australia on 14th July 2002 at 'Shangri La’, Wynnum West, Queensland, Australia.
OBETUARIES
Joseph Sripalian Williams Jaya-Ratnam, retired Consultant in Accident and Emergency, Thameside General Hospital, Ashton-Under Lyne, UK,
son of the late Mr. & Mrs JayaRatnam, Son-in-law of the late Mr. & Mrs R. M. Gunaratnam (Hartley College, Point Pedro); loving husband of Sajo, father of Darrell and Dushy; father-inlaw of Mythili and Prajeev (all UK); brother of Freddy (Sri Lanka), the late Festus (UK), Gerry (Germany); Ananthan (Canada), Dharman, Joy (both of Sri Lanka), Gracie (Canada), Yoges (Sri Lanka) & Ruby (Canada) passed away on 9th June 2002. The funeral was held in St. Matthew's Church, Chadderton, Durham, UK on 15th June 2002. The family wish to thank all friends and relatives who attended the Service, sent mesSages of sympathy and assisted them in various ways during the bereavement - 12 Rookwood, Irkvale, Chadderton, Oldham, Lancs OL 1 2TU
Mrs Nallamma Balakrishnan, the dearly loved wife of the late Ahamparam Balakrishnan, sister of late Kanagaratnam and Maheswary; much loved mother of Dr. Bobby Somasundaram (Consultant Psychiatrist, UK) and mother-in-law of Chitra and grandmother of Sanjeevan (Medical Studentat Guy's) passed away peacefully on 14th June 2002 in Colombo aged 82 years. The cremation took place at Galkissa Cemetry, Mount Lavinia on 17th June 2002. The members of the family Wish to thank all relatives and friends who sent messages of condolences. - 32 Copperfield Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK87PN, UK. Tel: 0161 44O9533.

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15 ULY 2002
In Memoriams
in loving memory of Mr. Justice Aiyadurai Siva na ndan on the first anniversary of his passing away on 25th July 2001.
Greatly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Pushpavathy, children Sivaraman, Sri Lakshmanan and Umayal; daughters-in-law Bahirathy and Kumuthiny; grand children Aarabhi, Krishna, Akhilesh, Abhilash and Kanna, sisters Pathmawathy Jayaseelan, Thilakavathy Wijayaratnam and Ankaiyatkanni Sivapiragasapillai
in loving memory of Mrs Mangay Sivasanpu on the twelfth anniversary of her passing away on 2.8.90.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her two sons - 15 Wolsey Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1XG
nis etc. available for sale at £ 1 15,000.
Please contact 020 7221 8708 or write to No 82, Blondesburg Park, London NW2 5JU.
Fat in Colombo for Sale
Modern luxury air-conditioned, single bedroom flat, freehold, exceptionally well furnished with large sitting room, kitchen and large balcony overlooking US, UK embassies and Galle Face, facilities including garage, Sauna, gym, Swimming pool, Squash, ten
ln Cherished memory of Mr. C eighth anniversary of his passi
Deep in our hearts you will alwa Loved and remembered every day. Greatly loved and deeply missed by his sorrowing wife Gunamany; beloved children Rajan and Rajini, loving daughter-in-law Janaki; Sonin-law Lakshman; grandchildren Thabojan, Prasanth and Sulakshan; sister-in-law, nephews and nieces. - 14 Greenbriar Avenue, Wheelers Hill, Melbourne, Vic 3150, Australia./ 7 Sessions Road, Laffayette 94549, California, USA.
Ranga Cu
First Anniversar "The best and the most beautif seen nor touched but are felt in Everything we do echoes with t laughter and the voice of you. You are in every conner. Every turn and twist, every old familiar spot whispers how you are missed. Yours ever loving, Jamuna Cumarasamy (wife), Darshan (son) and all family members.
in Loving Me Aiyah Sayambunather Vyramutu Raftinam Born: 30.03, 1922 Rest. 30.03.1997
Sadly missed and fondly remer Ramanathan and Loganatha Vijeyaladchumy and Thanale luxmi Thevakumar, Senthoora hya and Sathian; great grand 3 The Orchard, Wickfor Tel:(0126
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chinnathampy Rasiah on the
ng away on 24.04.94.
ys stay
marasamy y Remembrance ul things in the world cannot be the hearts" Helen Keller
emory of our
Amma Vyra muttu Rattinam Selvanayaki Born: 04.09. 1920 R6St: 09.05.2001
酸 nbered by sons Pathmanathan, n, daughters-in-law Vasuki, ichumy, grandchildren Vijayain, Bhavan, Kugan, Asha-Vidtdaughters Krishni and Vishala i, Essex SS12 OHB, UK. 8) 766624.
TAM TIMES 39
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Aug 1 Feast of St. Alphonsus Aug 2 Karthigai Aug 4 Krishna Eekathasi Aug 6 Pirathosam, Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Jesus Christ Aug. 8Aadi Amavasai; Feast of St. Dominic Aug 10Aadi Puram; Feast of St. Lawrence, South London Tamil Welfare Group (SLTWG) Trip to Worthing. Tel: 02085423285 Aug 11 Sathurthi Aug 13 Shashti Aug 14 Aadi Swathi Aug 15 Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug 16 Varalakshmy Viratham: Thiruvillakku Pooja Aug 18 Sukkla Eekathasi Aug 20 Pirathosam, Feast of St. Bernard Aug 22 Fullmoon, Aavani Avittal Aug 24 Feast of St. Bartholomew, SLTWG Drop In Tel: 0208542 3285 Aug 25 Feast of St. Louis Aug 26 Sankadakara Sathunthi Aug 27 Feast of St. Monica Aug 30 Karthigai Aug 313 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saiva Munnettra Sangam (UK) celebrates its Silver Jubilee at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 with Puja at Katpaka Vinayagar Temple and procession to hall, speeches by renowned Saivites worldwide, distribution of gold medals to winners of prizes for speaking and singing, Cultural programme, refreshments and dinner finale. All welcome. At Bhavan Centre, 4A Castletown Road, London W149HQ. Tel 02O7381 3086/4608 Aug 97 p.m. and Aug 106 p.m. Summer School Finale Concert - Music & Dance Aug 17 & 1810 a.m. to 5 p.m. A two-day Yoga Exhibition & Semifa Aug 19 to 22 and Aug 26 to 29 6.30 to 8 p.m. Vedic Astrology Course by Mr. Geoffrey Pearce Aug 31 5.30 p.m. Sri Krishna Janmashtami- Bhajans, Puja and Prasad. All Welcome.
POS Vacan
ti's School of Dance is urgently looking to employ a karmatic vousician to work as a teacher, composer, vocalist for performances. fication from a recognised music institution essential. Experience orking with bharathanatyam and familiarity of Tamil and Telugu ntial. Working knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindirequired. £ 13000 nnum. Send in your application to Nina Rajarani,
Newlyn Gardens, Rayners Lane, Harrow, Middlesex HA29TA.
none: (020) 8868 7746.
Closing Date: 15th August 2002.

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40 TAMİR TİMES
ANANDANATHAN FETED BY ALMA MATER
Mr. R. Ananthanathan of Charter House Avenue who had been resident in the UK
with his family for the last 35 years took the opportunity of his recent holiday in Sri Lanka to visit his old school St. Mary's College, Chilaw where he was captain of the Cricket team in 1955. He had also captained the Soccer and Athletic teans. He had been keen to Visit the School and as his visits to Sri Lanka had been during the school holidays, he planned a visit during term time and placed a note in the national press regarding his wish to meet his mates in school. To his surprise he received several calls stating their wish to meet him. Meanwhile, the secretary of the Old Boys' Association, invited him and his wife Mano to be present at a school assembly on 10th June 2002 to Which in addition to the Staff and pupils several old students and local members of the public were invited. The Head Master said that he was proud to receive an old boy who had contributed so much to the school and extolled the pupils to follow his example and 'do well in school to shine in life wherever they go". The secretary of the Old Boy's Association, the MP for Chilaw, the President of the local Cricket Association and others spoke, their central theme being that 'a lone Tamil boy from Jaffna could become the Head Prefect of a school where the majority are Sinhalese'.
Mr. Anandanathan expressed his thank for the reception organised and made a donation towards the Cricket Pavilion Building Fund.
GEORGES
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Two Bedroom Luxury Self Contained Apartment with cook available on
request, available at Aruthusa Lane, Wellawatte, Colombo 6. £15 per night. Telephone 020-8689 0236 O O7931.587 168 (UK)
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An Appeal fic
Cancer is one o eases in the World. undergo enormous physical trauma V Whether in a deve country. Butthe canc torn area of North a of an unimaginable
Cancer Aid for Lanka, CANE is an in the UK in 1993 an charity by the Charity lts aim is to provide ! Other assistance to C are collected throug tions from members tions from well wishe through fund-raising The association ouS assistance of t and distributed E. 20 ing treatment and cc needy cancer patien Lanka. All accounts eficiaries are availa As part of this y fort, a raffle and Clas held on 8th Septer gramme will consis Recital by Mr. Rajku, ned exponent of cart Madras and Classica Senior students of R evening commence es Hawkey Hall, Bro Essex G8 OBG.
We appeal to e generously to this w ate the hardship of deserving patients.
For further inforra Dr. J. Namasivayam Chairman
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"Early Tamilso
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In this book, th Tamils of Lanka (I pre-historic times te tury. The early hist trays the extent of penetration and sei from pre-historican it leads to the influet TannifS in the COmm cal and military aff ing this period Sou found and enduring from ancient times. times are better un
 
 
 

15 UY 2002
AD FOR T SRI ANKA harity No. 1044299) ?, Bradwell Common, 3LCkS MK13 8RE.
or Assistance
f the most feared disPatient With Cancer psychological and wherever they live, oped or developing er suffering in the war ind East Sri Lanka is magnitude.
North and East Sri organisation founded d was registered as a Commission in 1995. medical, financial and ancer patients. Funds gh monthly subscrips, voluntary contribuarS, till collections and F events.
has with the generhe people, collected ,000 to date sponsor)ntinuing care of most fS frOffi NOrf/EaSf Sri s and details of benble on request. 'ear's fund raising efssical concert is to be mber 2002. The proof a Carnatic Vocal mar Bharathy, renownatic Vocal music from | Bharatha Natyam by agini Rajagopal. The sat 6 p.m. at Sir Jammhill Road, Woodford,
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CHILD SPECIALST FOR AFFNA UNIVERSITY TEACHINGHOSPTA
The Medical Institute of Tamils sponsored a Child Specialist for the Jaffna University Teaching Hospital, which is the only General Hospital serving a population of around 450,000 and has been starved of basic necessities due to the ongoing war. Their healthcare has suffered due to the Shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, technology, drugs and basic facilities. There were no qualified child specialists in the hospital. As a result, not only was the healthcare of children affected, but also the training of the medical students at the university.
This led to the Sri Lankan Medical Council threatening to withdrawal the recognition of medical degrees awarded by the University. This would have been another body blow for citizens impoverished and deprived of their basic right to health care and education.
in response to an appeal made by the Academia of Jaffna University, efforts were made by the Medical Institute of Tamils, Thames South Region, to recruit a Paediatrician from the UK or South India, by inserting an advertisement in medical journals. Professor David Southall OBE, MD, FRCP DCH, Consultant Paediatrician and Medical Director of Child Advocacy International (a well known charity fighting for deprived children worldwide), responded to the advertisement in the British Medical Journal.
He very kindly went to Jaffna on a brief assignment as a clinician and teacher, and did a need assessment. His trip was partly sponsored by MIOT. On his return he recruited a Paediatrician, who took up the post for Six months as Paediatrician and Lecturer in the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in May this year. MIOT hopes to continue to fund this project for at least one year, it expresses its special gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Professor Southal for his selfless and tireless effort to improve the plight of those in need. Those Who Wish to Contribute towards this project are kindly requested to sent their cheque to The Treasurer, Medical institute of Tamils, South Thames Region, 15 Tall Elms Close, Bromley, Kent BR2 OTT.
REVIEW
ana-ana
eSWar
e history of the early lankai) is traced from o about the 10th cenpry of the Tamils porDravidian and Tamil tlement of the island d early historic times. ntial role played by the percial, cultural, politiairs of the island dur"th lindia exerted proinfluence on Lanka fence a study of those derstood in the Wider
geo-political context of the South Indian mainland and Lanka. From the time they gained mastery over South India, establishing their Kingdoms, they began to influence the course of the island's history as this book clearly brings out.
The ancestors of the vast majority o the Sri Lankans of today are of lindian origin. Almost all of them have come to the island from the southern parts of India. These people have thus started out from a common ethnic and cultural base in the distant past. However, in time, a pluralistic society emerged with differences in religion, language and culture giving rise to separate identities.
The Tamils to this day, share a common religion, language and culture with the Tamils of South India. They have how

Page 41
15 JULY 2002
ever, evolved a distinctive Subset of that Culture based on their historical traditions. A proper and in-depth understanding of the early history of the Tamils of Lanka is essential, particularly to a Sri Lankan of the Tamil community which is at present dispersed all over the world and growing. it needs to be aware, more So, that it is heir to a rich Tamil heritage.
The book draWS from different and diverse Sources to seek to establish and present the facts based on historical evidence. lts object is to trace the ancient history of the Tamils of Lanka from a broader Tamil perspective overlooking both lankai and South India. In the process, as seen certain myths and misrepreSentations in the recorded traditional histories of Lanka are demystified to arrive at the truth. As may be observed Sri Lanka
is referred to in the llankai as it was cal The book in pr perspective and inte in an analytic manı history of the Tamil which makes for in ing reading. It shoul fo all thOSe intereS the Tamils' ancient
The author Mr. ved in the Ministry o ka and with UNCT he has researche Tamils in Sri Lank book. He is present dieval period of the to this book, which postage. Copies co ing the author at 7 don E176PS. Tel: (
Dr. B. Rabindra An Appreciation
The Medical Institute of Tamils is in a State of Shock with the Sudden death of one of its founder members, who devotedly participated in its activities until his untimely death. Dr. B. Rabindra (Robin to everyone who knew him) passed away peacefully in the early hours of 26 June 2002 after a cardiac event in the presence of his beloved wife Kethees.
Robin was born on 30 October 1951 to Mr. & Mrs Balasubramanian and had two sisters Usha and Roopa. He was one of the bright stars of St. John's College, Jaffna and studied medicine at Peradeniya University, where he fell in love with Kethees, married her and they were blessed with two lovely daughters. After graduation as a Doctor in 1977 he worked in various hospitals in Sri Lanka until 1981. The political situation in our motherland forced him to emigrate to UK, but he always felt that he was one of those in the struggle and would have worked with his heart and Soul to achieve the Tamils' armbition. He worked in several hospitals in UK, has been a ophthalmic medical practitioner for several years and earned a very good reputation for himself and his profession by his dedicated and hard work.
His hallmark of good character, capability and excellence at whatever he did earned for him many sincere friends in MIOT and within our Tamil community. He was a keen Cricketer. He could not fulfil his ambition of visiting the seven wonders
of the world with Ke there to help those i He was so gentle t turbances as he co He leaves behi Ketheer and two lov and Meera. They w opportunity to than, support to them and the funeral in a larg May his soul res of Lord Muruga.
Ariach Tennis Cha
Mr. Kanagara (Arichu), retired F. Specialist of the W. Sri Lankan Davis his 70 birthday re. prestigious titles at fournamentS.
1. Men’S 70 S Open Veterans' Cl pionships, held at from June 1st to 820 the British No 1 in th 2. Men ’S 70 S Veterans' Open T held at Bridge of All 9th- 15th 2002. Def in the finals 6/2, 6/ In the fifties/ played representa for Royal College, reSented the Urnir Tamil Union and premier Sara Trop, Arichu was all
 
 

TAMILTIMES 41
book as Lanka and 2d in ancient times. senting a different pretation of the facts 9r COmeS Out With a
in ancient Sri Lanka resting and absorbI have a wide appeal ed in knowing about ast in Sri Lanka. . ParameSwaran SerCommerce, Sri LanD. In his retirement, f the history of the and published this y working on the mer history as a sequel spriced at £ 10 plus ld be had by contact
Walpole Road, Lon2O 852O54.42
hees. He was always n need, full heartedly. at he left as few disild. ld his loving wife Dr. ely daughters Gaythri 'Ould like to take this all those who gave to those who attended e gathering.
in peace in the hands
Dr. P. Kukathasan
andran impion at 70
tnam Aria chandran nancial Management rld Bank and a former 2up player celebrated 'ently winning the two he following veterans'
ingles at The British tycourt Tennis Cham'ournemouth, England 02 defeated Paul Drake,
finals - 6/2, 6/4. ngles at the Scottish 2nnis Championships an, Scotland from June lated Brian Fairclough f
sixties, Arichur also ive cricket. He played Colombo and later repersity of Ceylon, the Bloomfield in the then y Cricket Competition. o a nationally ranked
table tennis player.
Mr. Arichandran who now resides in Maryland, USA is the third son of the late Dr. K. Kanagaratnam, who was the Medical Superintendent of the Colombo Group of Hospitals and the late Kahmani Ammal.
MALLAR
That Mallari is normally played when the deity is taken out in procession is known to all. But as in other areas of karnatic music Malari has also taken new garbs. Gambiranaatai, a five swara scale alone is used and this goes well with the panchavakraja" as Thyagaraja described Shiva in his Chittaranjani kirthana "Nada tanum ani Sam”
The practice of playing Mallari during a temple festival procession has special significance. The music has to be dedicated to the Supreme is realised in full literally in the nearness of the decorated deity to the strains of the nadaswaram. The devotees can easily fix their eyes on the presiding deity and tune their ears to the Mallari. Another facet of the temple ritual is that Nadaswaram is the only instrument that can be heard over a long distance and in that respect it stands for the pervasiveness of Nada Brahman. Secondly the nadaswaram vidwans playing from late in the night to the wee hours of the morning were the main sources of musical education in the South. Goes with it the insight into aesthetics.
ln Bhakti rasa, the beautifully decorated deity with his consorts standing in all majesty and glory at Gopura entrance, the towering temple spire in the background. The oil soaked torches shedding light, the stillness of the light and the gentle breeze wafting the strains of music in waves induce the people around the temple town to imbibe the nuances of music while turning their thoughts to God.
Even today, in war torn Jaffna, Mallariis played and heard at every season of temple festival from the smallest to the largest by ten to twelve sets (2 nadas-warams and 2 thavils each set) of "Mela-kootam" leading the procession of the Deity. Oh! What a sight and sound! What pietyl
Sri Lanka Railway Past Employees Welfare
Association (UK)
The Seventh Annual General meeting and the "Get-together" of the above Association was held on 8 June 2002 at John innes Youth Centre, South Wimbledon, London.
The following were elected Office Bearers for the year 2002/2003.
Patron: Mr. A. Manikkam, President: Mr. C.Kannuthurai, Vice President: Mr. P. Gnananandan, Secretary: Mr. M. Selvanayagam, Asst. Secretary Mr. K. Ramasamy, Treasurer: Mr. P. Chellathurai, Committee Members: Mrs. K. G. Alwis, Messer N. Paratharajah, T. Satkunanathan, Mrs. P. Arulampalam and Mrs. G. M. Mariadas.

Page 42
42 TAM TIMES
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