Global Blog : Global Blog

Colombo's cluster bomb attack on civilians in Vanni challenges international norms

2008-11-30T10:25:21Z

TamilNet, Sunday, 30 November 2008, 02:21 GMT]

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers that attacked the hamlet of
Internally Displaced Persons bordering Piramanthanaa'ru and Uzhavanoor
in the early hours of Saturday have deployed Russian made ODAB-500 PM
cluster bombs in their indiscriminate attack that killed three
civilians, including a child, eyewitnesses told TamilNet's Vanni
correspondent on Saturday. Seven children were among the wounded.
Colombo's use of cluster bomb comes as more than 100 countries are
scheduled to meet in Oslo on Wednesday to sign a treaty banning the use
of cluster bombs.

Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target

The indiscriminate bombardment has
destroyed more than 29 shelters of the IDPs within the 'secure zone'
announced by Colombo government a few weeks ago.

Cluster bombs release miniature bomblets and are used to spread damage over a wide area.

On
28 May 2008 diplomats from more than 100 countries meeting in Dublin in
Ireland agreed on a draft treaty outlawing cluster bombs.

"Diplomats
and politicians from around the world are about to deliver the kiss of
death to one of the deadliest, indiscriminate non-nuclear weapons on
the planet," writes Chris Cobb of Canwest News Service on the treaty
banning the use of cluster bombs.

British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown has said his government will stop using cluster bombs.
However the United States opposed the ban. Israel, India, China and
Pakistan did not participate in the meeting in Dublin.

According
to Jane's Air-Launched Weapons, the ODAB-500 PM bomb was developed by
Russia to provide the Russian Air Force with a high-speed low-level
attack fuel-air explosive weapon for use against troops and material in
the field, minefield clearance, parked aircraft and other exposed soft
targets.

The ODAB-500 PM bomb is believed to have been cleared for carriage on MiG-21 'Fishbed', MiG-27 'Flogger' and MiG-29 'Fulcrum'.

Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target

Lankesiska Arm� terroriserar flytingsl�ger

2008-11-29T17:10:02Z

M�nga dog och m�nga skadades n�r lankesiska arm� idag bombade ett flytingsl�ger i norra Sri lanka.

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=27618

Tamil film fraternity fasts for Eelam cause

2008-11-22T12:01:00Z

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 November 2008, 02:20 GMT]

Packed with performance and punch lines, the entire Tamil film fraternity staged a powerful show of strength at a one-day fast in Chennai Saturday to express solidarity with the Eezham Tamils. The actors demanded the Tamil Nadu state and the Indian Union Government to immediately find a peaceful and permanent solution to the Sri Lankan problem.

Rajinikanth struck an emotional chord when he shared his personal experience of interacting with Eezham Tamils and praised 'the music of their dialect'. At the same time, he expressed concern over the fact that Eezham Tamils did not enjoy the rights they deserve in their land.

"Did they enter the war on purpose? They demanded their rights through all kinds of peaceful methods, when nothing worked out, they were forced to take up arms," Mr. Rajinikanth said. "The urgent need is to stop the war. The voice that we rise over here must be heard by Rajapaksa," the famous actor explained in his speech. He directly addressed the Sri Lankan President and said: "Rajapaksa! What are the Tamils demanding? Equal status. It is in your best interests if you recognise their rights. You have the three armed forces: the army, the navy and the air force. But have you been able to wipe out all the Tamils who have been fighting for their rights? You have not been able to do this in the past two-years of the war, as in the past thirty years. You are unable to accept your defeat. Because, for you, it is a question of ego. Accept the truth and grant them equal rights."

On the same vein, Rajinikanth targeted the Sri Lankan nation and warned them in no uncertain terms: "When poor and innocent people of suffer, a country will never improve. The people there are dying in large numbers for the past several years. Please understand that their dead bodies are not being buried, they are being planted into the land. Don't forget that these seeds will grow again tomorrow!"

The super star implored the Sri Lankan President to give the Tamils their rights and their traditional land because it was in the best interests of Sri Lanka.

Kamal Haasan said that it is the responsibility of the International Community to ensure that a ceasefire is implemented in Sri Lanka immediately.

"This meeting is taking place so that we express our feelings; we have been asked to keep away from inflammatory speeches. This is a world that takes offence when an apparent fact is mentioned � and we have seen what happens when our brothers Seeman and Ameer expressed their opinions," the charismatic actor said.

"In a society that does not guarantee fundamental rights, it is natural for radicalism to take root. When the nation attains independence, the so-called terrorists will be the martyrs and freedom fighters. Only time can be a judge. A peaceful solution should have come to Sri Lanka, but because of its absence, people have been forced to take up arms. Tamils all over the world have united for the sake of the Eezham Tamils," he said. "People in Tamil Nadu who have so much of infighting should realize this," he added at the end of his soul-stirring speech.

Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK) Chief and actor Vijayakanth remarked in his speech that people of Tamil Nadu had the right to criticize both the State and the Union Governments. "Rajapaksa is staging a major drama. The State and the Union Governments should question him. He bombs the innocent civilians and he has never showed any humanitarian concern," Mr. Vijayakanth said.

South Indian Film Artists Association President Sarath Kumar, who also heads All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK), called for a permanent solution to the ethnic strife in the island nation.

Vijay urged his fans to send telegrams to the Indian Prime Minister requesting him to intervene in the Sri Lankan problem. Ajith called for lasting peace on the island nation even as he used the opportunity to condemn critics who had spread rumours of his unwillingness to participate in the fast.

Parthipan posed the question how the funds being collected in Tamil Nadu are going to reach the Tamils caught up in Sri Lankan offensive and urged all concerned to ensure independent channeling of the funds and also enable monitoring and feedback by engaging a team from various sectors, including a member on behalf of the South Indian Film Artists Association.

Vivek acknowledged that the Eezham Tamil Diaspora was responsible for arranging live performances abroad for actors and actresses from the Tamil film industry. "In every grain of rice that we eat, the contribution of the Eezham Tamils is there. So, we have a moral duty to voice for their rights and concerns," he said.

Many of the actors who spoke at the event also focused on the history of Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka, saying that the Tamils were natives of the island and justified the Tamil demand for equal status. One of the actors also said it Eezham was not an offspring of Tamil Nadu to describe Eezham Tamils' relationship with Tamil Nadu as of an umbilical cord. Quite opposite, Eezham and Tamil Nadu shared a common womb and thus siblings, he declared.

Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan photographed while concluding the one-day fast in Chennai

Mayilsamy, named Thileepan, who fasted unto death in Jaffna in 1987 as one of three personalities who had greatest impact on Tamils, the other two being Mother Theresa and M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Actor and Director Manivannan in his address said Mahatma Gandhi conceived non-violence agitation as a form of struggle against apartheid in his early ages in South Africa. "Gandhism, which originated in South Africa, and brought independence to India, attained its symbolism in Jaffna," where Thileepan sacrificed his life in his fast-unto-death campaign demanding justice from India in 1987.

Several actors expressed solidarity with the Tamils who have been uprooted due to the Sri Lankan offensive and forced into jungles amid shelling, bombardment and life-threatening snakebites.

Donations poured in throughout the day. Rajinikanth contributed 10 lakhs to the relief fund, and Kamal Haasan shelled out another 5 lakhs. Within an eight-hour span of the fast, over 45 lakh rupees was collected for the Eezham Tamils Relief Fund by the South Indian Film Artists Association headed by Sarath kumar and Ratharavi.

Other famous actors who enthusiastically participated in the fast were: Sathyaraj, Vijayakumar, Vikram, Prakashraj, Surya, Prabhu, Dhanush, Karthi, Karthik, Arjun, Vadivel, Jeyam Ravi, Silambarasan, Napolean, Goundamani, S.V Sekhar, Jeevan, Prasanth; and actresses Manorama, Kushboo, Radhika Sarathkumar, Sripriya, Nayanthara, Trisha, Sneha, Keerthi Chawla and others.

Civilians in Vanni protest against Colombo's use of humanitarian supplies as tool of war

2008-11-22T11:59:54Z

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 November 2008, 16:07 GMT]

People in Vanni marched in thousands towards two Government Agents' offices and two Divisional Secretariat offices in four locations on Friday protesting against Sri Lanka Government's restrictions on food and essential supplies, blaming Colombo for using humanitarian supplies as a tool of war to force civilians to flee against their will into the hands of Sri Lanka Army (SLA). K. Mahethevan, a representative of Vanni Peoples Welfare Organisation (VPWO), addressing more than 5,000 protesters in front of Ki'linochchi Government Agent's office at Tharmapuram described how the supplies were reduced from 600 lorries per month in 2007 to 250 lorries per month in 2008, but only 54 have allowed to cross into Vanni in the recent days.

Demonstration to condemn the Sri Lankan government that denies food supplies to Vanni people

Appeal to the ICRC from Vanni Peoples Welfare Organisation

The VPWO, a civil society forum with representatives of various organisations throughout the Vanni, held protests in front of Government Agent's offices at Tharmapuram and Mullaiththeevu and in front of AGA (Divsional Secretary) offices at Puthukkudiyiruppu and Oddichuddaan in Mullaiththeevu district, urging global community's awareness on the humanitarian plight of the civilians in Vanni.

Voice: Slogans by the demonstrators

Direct Link (mp3)

VPWO's General Secretary Vethavanam, who expressed gratitude to the solidarity shown by the people of Tamil Nadu towards Eezham Tamils, said the ICRC, which was expected by the people of Tamil Nadu and also by their Chief Minister, as a neutral agency to facilitate the supplies itself is now getting restricted itself by the government of Sri Lanka even to operate the Oamanthai crossing.

"The Sri Lankan government is using food as a tool of war against civilians to force them to act against their will," said S. Thuraisingam, the president of the organisation, while addressing the participants at Tharmpuram.

"But, we have a democratic right to urge the global community and also Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa at the same time, to allow unhindered access to humanitarian supplies," he said reminding the participants that the demand is a universally recognised fundamental right.

Voice: Speech by Mr. K. Mahathevan

Direct Link (mp3)

Mr. Mahathevan, in his address said: "While the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa tells India and the world that he was allowing humanitarian supplies to civilians in Vanni, he has instructed his army at Oamanthai to continue an un-announced embargo and block additional lorries. They block essential supplies from petrol and diesel to medicines needed to cure snakebite."

When 80 lorries are forced to wait for 10 days with supplies at the crossing, what would happen to food items that need immediate preservation, he asked.

"In October 2007, 600 lorries were allowed to pass through the crossing, in November it was reduced to 30 lorries, in April 2008 only 400 lorries were allowed, and in June the number became 370. Now it is reduced to 254 lorries, but only 54 lorries have crossed over so far," he said.

Voice: Speech by Mr. Vethavanam

Direct Link (mp3)

"Now there are many more civilians displaced. The Sri Lankan military occupies the entire district of Mannaar and vast areas of agricultural lands of the other districts, depriving our people to produce their own food."

"Every day, a new item is added to their un-announced list of banned items at Oamanthai," he said.

"The message is you can't eat enough as free people. Even when you eat, you can't add spice," he said with a remark: "Everybody knows you [Colombo government] are fighting puli (Tiger), but are you also fighting pu'li [Tamarind fruit pulp, a spice]."

"Now they don't want to allow trouser-cloth. Do they want us not to wear cloth?," he asked.

The World Food Program (WFP) had decided on 200 grams of rice per person earlier, which means 1.4 kg rice per week per person. But, only 600 grams are provided due to the limited supplies, he noted.

"We condemn the Sri Lanka government, which blocks humanitarian supplies to the people of Vanni."

More than five-thousand civilians took part in the demonstration at Tharmapuram alone.

"We condemn the Sri Lanka government, which blocks humanitarian supplies to the people of Vanni."

Women, most of them mothers, took part in the demonstration

Text in the placards: Don't make food a weapon of war, Don't block cloths, Don't kill people by blocking medicine

Demonstration to condemn the Sri Lankan government that denies food supplies to Vanni people

Text in the placard: Don't block fishing

People from all walks of life took part in the demonstration in Vanni

The march began at 9:30 a.m. and concluded around

Participants marched from Number 1 school located near Neththali-aattup-paalam in Tharmapuram towards Ki'linochchi GA's office. More than 5,000 civilains took part forming a 1 km long march

Leaders of Mauritius voice against genocide in Sri Lanka

2008-11-22T11:58:53Z

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 November 2008, 17:48 GMT]

Leaders of both the ruling party as well as the opposition of Mauritius, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Rama Sithenen and the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Paul Berenger attended an agitation against the genocide of Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka on Thursday. The focal event of the protest was the march of hundreds of Mauritian Tamils to the Indian High Commission in Mauritius, demanding the Indian government to prevail upon Sri Lanka to effect immediate ceasefire in the island and to commence talks with the LTTE. The agitators also presented a memorandum on their demands to the Foreign Minister of Mauritius and conducted a prayer at the Maariyamman Temple.

March of the protesters to the Indian High Commission

Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Rama Sithanen, speaking at the agitation. Standing on his right is the leader of the opposition Mr. Paul Berenger.

The speech of the Attorney General and Minister for Human Rights Mr. Jaya Rama Valayden.

The MTTF Presdient Mr. Veeren Comaren [left] with the Foreign Minister of Mauritius.

The Attorney General and Minister for Human Rights of Mauritius, Mr. Jaya Rama Valayden in his speech condemned the Rajapaksa brothers for the genocide committed on Tamils. Mauritius will not stop merely at protesting, he said.

The protest was organized by the Mauritius Tamil Temples Federation (MTTF), an organization running about 150 koyils (temples) in Mauritius, the Tamil Force an organization of youth for justice and fairness towards Tamils in Mauritius, the Hindu Maha Jana Sangham, the Tamil Union, and the Tamil Eelam Support Committee under the leadership of Ganess Permal.

The MTTF president Mr. Veeran Comaren explained to the Foreign Minister of the need of Mauritius government convincing India to take necessary action.

Former Foreign Minister Mr. Jayan Cuttaree, former leader of the opposition and General Secretary of the MSM party, former Foreign Secretary, Mr. Vijay Makhan and Tamil social activist, Thiruthondar Cheetaen were among the notables who condemned the plight thrust upon the Eezham Tamils.

While the MSM party was in power in 1985, its leader and the then Prime Minister spoke in support of Eezham Tamils at the United Nations.

Today�s opposition leader and the party chief of MMM, Mr Paul Berenger has always been supportive to the cause of Eezham Tamils.

Aya Agileshwaren, a native of Jaffna, conducted the prayer at the Maariyamman Temple.

Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, has predominantly been populated by people of Indian origin during colonial times. Tamils and people of European, African and Chinese origins are among the minorities.

Mauritius ranks first among all countries in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to India amounting to a total of nearly 11 billion U.S. dollars.

Former Foreign Minister Mr. Jayen Cuttaree (blue t-shirt) with Mr. Paul Berenger and former Foreign Secretary Mr. Viajay Makhan on his right, among the attendees.

Taml social activist Thiruthondar Cheeten [right] holding the MTTF banner.

General Secretary of MSM and the former leader of the opposition delivering his speech

Tamil Force is an organisation of youth for justice and fairness towards Tamils in Mauritius

Participation of women in the protest.

Sri Lanka medger stora f�rluster

2008-10-20T17:59:26Z

Colombo . Sri Lankas regering medgav p� m�ndagen att landets arm� lidit stora f�rluster under de senaste dagarnas strider i norr mot den tamilska gerillan LTTE.

F�rsvarsdepartementet sade i ett uttalande att trupperna visserligen ytterligare n�rmat sig gerillans f�ste Kilinochchi, men att 33 soldater d�dats sedan i l�rdags, tre rapporterats saknade och 48 s�rats.

Enligt regeringen har gerillan ocks� lidit stora f�rluster. Elva lik av gerillamedlemmar ska ha tagits om hand av arm�n.

Milit�ren uppger att frontlinjerna g�r 10�15 kilometer utanf�r Kilinochchi. Redan f�r flera veckor sedan h�vdade regeringen att arm�n var n�ra att inta gerillah�gkvarteret, men LTTE har � som s� m�nga g�nger tidigare � bjudit mycket h�rt motst�nd. Under helgen p�stod arm�n att den hade brutit sig igenom gerillans sista f�rsvarslinje, men den uppgiften var uppenbarligen inte sann.

Omr�det uppges vara fyllt med bunkrar och andra f�rsvarsanl�ggningar som gerillan byggt.

Bild fr�n BBC

K�lla:

http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=148&a=842280

Fr�n TT-AFP

Sri Lanka medger tung trupp f�rlust

2008-10-20T15:29:04Z

Sri Lanka medger tung trupp f�rlust

Minst 33 soldater d�dades k�mpar de tamilska rebellerna i norra Sri Lanka under veckoslutet, regeringen s�ger.

De tamilska tigrarna ocks� lidit stora f�rluster, att f�rsvarsministeriet har sagt. Det har inget h�rt fr�n rebellerna.

Milit�ren p�st�r sig ha brutit mot en viktig rebell defensiv linje n�ra rebellerna "administrativa h�gkvarter i den norra staden Kilinochchi.

Arm�ns f�rluster �r bland de h�gsta Det har erk�nt lidande i kampen f�r att f�nga rebell-innehas stan. Arm�n driver en offensiv f�r att besegra rebellerna och avsluta sin kamp f�r sj�lvst�ndighet f�r minoriteten tamiler.

Organ

Vid f�rsvarsministeriet sagt och rebeller slogs strider i flera omr�den i s�der och v�ster om Kilinochchi p� l�rdag och s�ndag.

"Under dessa sammanst�tningar p� helgen, 33 soldater rapporterades d�dade i aktion, 48 skadade och tre andra har rapporterats saknade," ett uttalande p� ministeriets webbplats sagt. Det sade marken och radio �vervakning k�llor hade rapporterat "omfattande skadest�nd" till rebellerna. Organ i 11 Tamil Tiger soldater hade drivits in av trupper, de sades.

Det var ocks� tunga strider runt en Tiger marinbas i v�ster av Kilinochchi.

BBC: s Roland Buerk i Colombo s�ger att det �r ovanligt att milit�ren att erk�nna att vidta s�dana tunga f�rluster.

En l�ng jorden vall p� Vannerikulam till s�der om Kilinochchi - den sista stora defensiva linje skydda staden - var tagna under striderna, enligt ministeriet.

V�r korrespondent s�ger den milit�ra offensiven kan bromsats upp av den monsun regn som nu har inletts i norra Sri Lanka.

Fotografier fr�n slagf�ltet ut p� Handels-och industriministeriet webbplats visade fordon k�rt fast i tung lera.

Ministeriet h�vdade ocks� Tigers hade anv�nt giftig gas under striderna.

Rebellerna kunde inte n�s f�r kommentar och regeringen block oberoende journalister fr�n att g� i de omr�den d�r striderna �ger rum.

R�dsla f�r civila

F�nga Kilinochchi skulle vara en stor symbolisk seger f�r Sri Lankas regering - rebellerna har k�rt en civil administration fr�n kontor i staden.

Men m�nga inv�nare och rebeller rapporteras ha �vergett det f�r omr�den l�ngre �sterut fortfarande under Tamil Tiger kontroll.

En stor del av Tigers "milit�ra styrka �r koncentrerad till de �stra delarna av staden, i riktning mot Mullaitivu vid kusten.

Under tiden, Sri Lankas president Mahinda Rajapaksa har ber�ttat f�r Indiens premi�rminister Manmohan Singh att milit�ren har f�tt i uppdrag att undvika civila offer.

Det har f�rekommit protester fr�n vissa tamilerna i s�dra Indien mot Sri Lankas milit�r offensiv.

F�rra veckan, den indiska regeringen sade en milit�r seger inte skulle avsluta den etniska konflikten och uppmanade till en politisk l�sning.

Rebellerna har k�mpat f�r en separat hemland f�r ett kvarts sekel och cirka 70000 m�nniskor har d�dats i v�ld.

K�lla:

Text

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7679187.stm

Bilder �r fr�n olika hemsidor

Indiens federala modellen r�cker f�r att Sri Lanka, s�ger ledande ledare f�r KPI

2008-10-20T11:02:57Z

Indiens federala modellen r�cker f�r att Sri Lanka, s�ger ledande ledare f�r KPI

Till skillnad fr�n Indien, som har en m�ngfald av etniska grupper, Sri Lankas fr�ga �r begr�nsat endast till tv� identiteter, singaleser och tamiler. Arv av kamp och milit�ra situationen har gjort en kontextuell skillnad i Sri Lanka. D�rf�r den indiska federala modellen �r otillr�cklig f�r att Sri Lanka. Det borde vara h�gre �n detta, kanske en konfederation med konstitutionella garantier, som hindrar en enhet milit�rt blanda sig med de andra, sa C. Mahendran, h�gre ledare f�r Tamil Nadu enhet av Communist Party of India, i en intervju att TamilNet.

Mr Mahendran, gemensamma sekreterare i Tamil Nadu KPI, p� tr�skeln till en protest som anordnas av hans parti p� 02 oktober, ber�ttade TamilNet att hans parti har satt en tre-punkt efterfr�gan, f�r att stoppa kriget i Sri Lanka, inte att ge n�gon milit�rt eller ekonomiskt bist�nd till Sri Lankas regering och att komma ut med ett paket av politisk l�sning p� den tamilska krisen i Sri Lanka.

Han sa att medierna i Indien visade inte den verkliga situationen i Sri Lanka, men som endast i f�rtal av den tamilska kamp.

Mahendran kom ner kraftigt p� JVP i Sri Lanka f�r att inte acceptera federalism, som faktiskt �r en l�sning i linje med kommunistiska t�nkande. Som kommunister, det ska inte finnas n�gra bet�nkligheter f�r dem att acceptera Tamil Eelam som h�gst och federalism som minsta hj�lp av l�sning p� krisen i Sri Lanka. �ven den indiska regeringen och alla politiska partier i Indien �r f�r en federal l�sning p� Sri Lanka. Han sa att hans parti br�t f�rbindelserna med JVP, eftersom de inte kunde komma ut med en tydlig l�sning p� den tamilska fr�gan i Sri Lanka.

Om Indien - USA: s nukle�ra pakt, han sa att det �r farligt och f�r konsekvenser f�r hela regionen bland annat Sri Lanka.

N�r det g�ller fr�gan om Sri Lanka n�rmar sig Kina och Pakistan f�r milit�rt bist�nd, Mr Mahendran menade att ett hot mot Indiens s�kerhet blev m�jligt p� grund av kriget i Sri Lanka. Det �r d�rf�r som hans parti �r angel�get att kriget m�ste f� ett slut.

"Den indiska regeringen fungerar p� ett m�rkligt s�tt i dag. Extra-konstitutionella myndigheterna som underr�ttelsetj�nster fatta beslut i fr�gor s�som leveranser av vapen till Sri Lanka. S�dana saker att �ga rum i en extra parlamentariska s�tt utan kunskap om de parlamentariker och media , S�ger han. Exempelvis �r det land kom att k�nna till f�rekomsten av indiska radar tekniker i Sri Lanka bara n�r tv� av dem har skadats i LTTE attack i Vavuniyaa konstaterade han.

N�r s�dana fr�gor �r ifr�gasatt, �r svaret fr�n myndigheterna �r att "om Indien inte levererar, Kina kommer att g�ra det".

Den proklamerades politik f�r Indien �r att l�sa de etniska krisen i Sri Lanka, inte att d�da tamiler, sade han.

Tamil Nadu filmindustrin l�ften st�d till Eezham tamiler

2008-10-19T18:00:10Z

Tamil Nadu filmindustrin l�ften st�d till Eezham tamiler

Att hela tamilska filmindustrin i Tamil Nadu l�get i Indien till ett stilla, mer �n tv�tusen konstn�rer n�rmat sig p� den s�dra spetsen av Rameswaram (Raameasvaram), som �r bel�gen i n�rheten av �n Sri Lanka, att uttrycka sitt st�d f�r Eezham tamiler kamp. Akt�rer f�rv�ntas ocks� h�lla ett snabbt om den 01 november att uttrycka sin solidaritet med det civila som lider p� grund av milit�r offensiv fr�n den lankesiska styrkor.

Veteran filmregiss�r Bharathirajaa, som ledde till att protestera samtidigt som de konstn�rer sade medan hela v�rlden var som att lyssna till en r�st f�r de Cine artister i s�dra Indien, han passionerat hoppas att deras r�st skulle h�ras i New Delhi.

Popul�ra poet och textf�rfattare Vairamuthu som v�nde sig till insamling i Rameswaram, pekar i riktning mot Mannaar, sade tamilerna i Sri Lanka var "ursprungsbefolkningen med alla r�ttigheter till �n."Han h�nvisade till antika Tamil litteratur som talade om f�re-historiska och historiska tsunamier.

"Den 22 i denna m�nad, du [Indien] kommer att lansera en raket till m�nen befinner 3,85000 km fr�n jorden. Men, varf�r kan inte du bryr dig f�r Eezham tamiler som �r bara 16 km bort," Herr . Vyramuthu ifr�gasatte den indiska anl�ggning i New Delhi.

Protesten kr�vde att Sri Lankas milit�r b�r p�tryckningar fr�n New Delhi f�r att stoppa sina milit�ra offensiver.

Arrangemang skyndsamt g�ras l�rdag f�r mellanstationer rallyt och de tamilska filmindustrin personal reste till pilgrim staden Rameswaram av ett s�rskilt t�g fr�n Chennai.

Tamil Film Producent: s r�det, Tamil Filmregiss�r's Association, Film Anst�llda federationen i s�dra Indien och s�dra Indien Film Artistes Association hade st�tt kampanjen.

�verg�ngen anses vara ett viktigt steg i den offentliga uppvaknande i Tamil Nadu, den mest t�tbefolkade stat med 66 miljoner tamiler efter 25 �r n�r filmindustrin i Tamil Nadu senaste konvergerade till st�d f�r Eezham tamiler, efter Svarta juli anti-tamilska Pogromen i Sri Lanka.

Sk�despelaren Mansoor Ali Khan som h�nvisar till rapporter om ett eventuellt bes�k av indiske utrikesministern Pranab Mukherjee till Sri Lanka inom en snar framtid sa att Mr Mukherjee beh�ver inte resa till Sri Lanka f�r att klara ett allvarliga varning till Rajapaksa regimen och uppmanade New Delhi till skicka ett tamilska talar s�ndebud i st�llet.

"Alla tamiler �ver hela v�rlden m�ste g� samman f�r att skapa Tamil Eelam, s�ger han.

Direkt�r KS Ravikumar varnade f�r att om kriget mot tamiler �r inte upph�r omedelbart, det skulle vara avg�rande f�r n�sta parlamentsval.

Cine akt�r Livingston iscensatt en k�nslom�ssig b�n tj�nst. Framst�ende personligheter inklusive direkt�rer Balachandar, Seran, Parthibhan, Rama Nararayanan, KSRavikumar, ordf�rande Tamil filmproducenter unionen, SAChandrasekar, Amir, T. Rajenthar, ordf�rande f�r All India Ilatchiya Diravida Munetra Kazhagam, akt�rer Pandiyarajan, Livingston och presidenter av olika fackf�reningar Tamil Nadu filmindustrin deltog i protest rally och talade.

Tamil Nadu film sk�despelare kommer att delta i ett fastande protest kommer att h�llas i Halmstad den 1 november, den organisors sagt.

Tid f�r Indien att t�nka, s�ger singaporianska Scholar

2008-10-18T18:01:56Z

Tid f�r Indien att t�nka, s�ger singaporianska Scholar

I alla partier resolution i Tamil Nadu b�r ge New Delhi en m�jlighet att g�ra vissa introspection om sitt Sri Lanka politik, s�ger TS Gopi Rethinaraj av Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore i en artikel i Hindustan Times p� torsdag. Om inte Indien kan l�sa SL i ett brett bilaterala s�kerhetsavtal relation, deras ledarskap kommer inte att ha n�gra bet�nkligheter n�r det g�ller att ge Kina eller Pakistan f�r att f� in en fot, s�ger han. "Detta �r den verkliga faran av Indiens nuvarande politiken att underl�tta milit�ra nederlag i LTTE. Om India skulle ta en h�rd syn p� sina intressen, en subtil f�r�ndring i sin st�ndpunkt om LTTE kommer att g� l�ngt f�r att skydda sina strategiska intressen i regionen f�rutom s�kra intressen etniska tamiler p� �n. "

Indiens nuvarande politik gentemot etniska konflikter p�verkas av r�dsla f�r att ett sj�lvst�ndigt Tamil Eelam kommer att �teruppv�cka separatistiska tendenser i TN. Hur n�gonsin, denna uppfattning �r felaktig, s�ger han.

I Hindustan Times p� fredagen publicerade en uppdaterad version av op-ed pj�s som d�k upp i april 2008 fr�gan om Pragati: Den indiska nationella intressen granskning. Full text of the article follows: Hela texten i artikeln f�ljande:

Dags f�r lite introspection

I alla partier m�te som leddes av Tamil Nadu: s (TN) Chief Minister M Karunanidhi den 14 oktober en resolution om att parlamentsledam�ter fr�n staten skulle avg� om centrumet underl�tit att s�kerst�lla en vapenvila i Sri Lanka (SL) i tv� veckor. Eftersom den nuvarande indiska uppfattning om den etniska konflikten har dystra p� grund av Rajiv Gandhi's mordet, det �r l�rorikt att se �ver Indiens tidigare inblandning i Sri Lanka och framtida m�jligheter.

M�let f�r Indiens SL politik sedan 1950-talet var att f�rhindra fientlig makt att f� ett fotf�ste i grannskapet. S�, under �rens lopp, Indien efterstr�vas olika politikomr�den - vissa av dem p� bekostnad av Sri Lankas tamilska intressen - f�r att blidka den singalesiska ledarskap. �ven Indiens st�d till tamilska militanta grupper p� 1980-talet retade upp SINH-aLese ledarskap. Indiens nuvarande politik gentemot etniska konflikter p�verkas av r�dsla f�r att ett sj�lvst�ndigt Tamil Eelam kommer att �teruppv�cka separatistiska tendenser i TN. Hur n�gonsin, denna uppfattning �r felaktig.

Indien: s politik sedan 1991 har s�kt den milit�ra nederlag i LTTE f�r dennes roll i Rajiv Gandhi's mordet och den indiska fredsbevarande styrkan (IPKF) fiasko. Fr�n b�rjan, dock Indiens SL politik misslyckats med att uppskatta den historiska r�tter i den etniska konflikten, som kan sp�ras tillbaka till krigen mellan de tamilska och Sinhala kungariken under de senaste �rhundradena. Det har lagt en hel generation av tamiler genom enorma umb�randen. Detta bitter historia g�r n�rmande mellan singaleser och tamiler n�stan om�jligt. Given these ground realities in Sri Lanka, what are India's options? Med tanke p� dessa marken verkligheten i Sri Lanka, vad �r Indiens alternativ?

Det �r klart att Indien inte har r�d att vara fixerade vid sitt senaste bitterhet med LTTE medan utforma sitt svar p� den etniska konflikten. Den nuvarande politiken stagnation, f�rutom f�rv�rrar sv�righeterna med Sri Lankas tamiler, kan ocks� vara till skada f�r Indiens s�kerhet. Under det kalla kriget r�dde en viss oro i Indien som Sri Lanka b�rjade bygga n�rmare f�rbindelser med USA. Denna oro �r irrelevant nu mot bakgrund av ett n�rmare f�rsvarssamarbete mellan USA och Indien. Det finns emellertid ett annat potentiellt hot mot Indiens s�dra gr�nser: Kina �r redan spelar en viktig roll i byggandet av hamnar och potentiella marinens baser i vissa Indiska oceanen littoral stater.

Indien formellt utvinns medgivanden fr�n SL genom 1987 fredsavtalet - f�r n�rvarande �r i spillror - som Colombo kommer inte att till�ta n�gon yttre befogenheter p� ett s�tt som skadar indiska intressen. Men Lanka har byggt parallella f�rsvarssamarbete sp�r med Kina och Pakistan och �n har fullmatat med kinesiska och pakistanska underr�ttelsetj�nsten kooperativ. Men Indien har bidragit till SL f�r att uppr�tth�lla sin territoriella integritet. Detta kan visa sig bli kostsamt. Indien kan inte till�ta denna situation kvarst�r samtidigt s�tta press p� LTTE och ger milit�rt bist�nd till SL. En trov�rdig fall skulle kunna byggas som en oberoende Tamil Eelam kommer att vara - f�r etniska, spr�kliga och religi�sa sk�l - v�nligt inst�llda till Indien �n den singalesiska dispens i Colombo.

Trots att LTTE �r f�rbjudet i vissa l�nder finns det ocks� en insikt om att n�gon l�sning ignorera den militanta kl�dsel kommer inte att vara l�nsamt. Indien b�r se �ver sin nuvarande politik och ut�va p�tryckningar p� SL att s�ka en politisk l�sning f�r den etniska konflikten. Vissa h�vdar att Indiens nuvarande frihandelsavtal med SL kommer att k�pa mer inflytande bland den singalesiska ledarskap.

Om inte Indien kan l�sa SL i ett brett bilaterala s�kerhetsavtal relation, deras ledarskap kommer inte att ha n�gra bet�nkligheter n�r det g�ller att ge Kina eller Pakistan f�r att f� in en fot. Detta �r den verkliga faran av Indiens nuvarande politiken att underl�tta milit�ra nederlag i LTTE. Om Indien kunde inta en h�rd syn p� sina intressen, en subtil f�r�ndring i sin st�ndpunkt om LTTE kommer att g� l�ngt f�r att skydda sina strategiska intressen i regionen f�rutom s�kra intressen etniska tamiler p� �n. I alla partier resolution b�r ge UPA en m�jlighet att g�ra vissa introspection om sitt Sri Lanka politik.

"L�t oss tala": franska tamilska diasporan visar

2008-10-18T18:00:49Z

L�t oss tala. We are not terrorists. Vi �r inte terrorister. What is happening in Sri Lanka is genocide: Vad h�nder i Sri Lanka �r folkmord: Det var r�sterna fr�n de tusentals Eezham Tamil demonstranter som braved trotsar en regering f�rbud och samlas i Paris p� s�ndag. Reflektera �ver sina erfarenheter, herr Somasundaram Sarveswaran, en deltagare sa att det �r avskyv�rt som g�r emot alla normer f�r civilisationen �r tysta det civila r�st. "Tamilska nationella orsak och kampen mot folkmord p� ett folk �r inte terrorist fr�gor. Det finns en tendens i dag att titta p� allt som har med tamilska som terrorism. Det �r d�rf�r vi m�ste allvarligt se p� ledarna i Tamil Nadu att s�kra oss v�r r�ttf�rdig globala rummet som en prioritet, som erk�nner de tamilska r�tt till sj�lvbest�mmande p� �n Sri Lanka, s�ger han.

Mr Sarveswaran gjort alla hans v�g, 400 km fr�n Lyon till Paris, med hustru och tv� barn att delta i demonstrationen, utan att veta att den franska polisen hade minskat tillst�nd till demonstrationen.

Han sa, Frankrike, som har n�stan 100.000 tamiler som respekterar landets lagstiftning, var tysta mot d�dandet av Eezham tamiler i sitt hemland. Den franska regeringen var att ignorera unders�kningen av den 17 tamilska talar bist�ndsarbetare i den franska icke-statliga organisationen Action Contre la Faim (ACF), som p�stods massakrerades av den lankesiska styrkorna i Moothoor i Trincomalee.

En parad var t�nkt att g� p� fr�n Place de la anslutning till Place de la Bastille s�ndag den 19 oktober 3:00 - 6:00 Detta var organiserad av en medlem av den franska politiska partiet Nouveau Center d�r flera tamiler �r aktiva medlemmar. Men i sista minuten den franska polisen v�grade ge den parad av sk�l som ok�nd.

Deltagarna har v�ntat p� den h�r dagen f�r att tala med den franska regeringen, som innehar det nuvarande ordf�randeskapet f�r Europeiska unionen, om det p�g�ende folkmordet i Sri Lanka mot det tamilska folket: flygbombningar, artilleri attacker mot civila och utbredda brott mot de m�nskliga r�ttigheterna mot tamiler �ver hela �n Sri Lanka.

V�gran f�rvandlats till djup frustration och ilska som demonstranter beslutat att g� ut p� gatorna, mot att behandlas som "terrorister" och kr�vde att deras r�tt att uttrycka. Tusentals samlades p� Place de la Bastille, en symbolisk lokaler i Frankrike, d�r franska revolutionen startade.

M�nniskor visas skyltar skrivna "Vi �r inte terrorister", "Ge oss r�tt till yttrandefrihet" och "Det �r ett folkmord som p�g�r mot v�ra familjer i Sri Lanka."Den kravallpolis avsp�rrat och blockerade demonstranter fr�n att flytta. Alla satte sig ner och b�rjade att skrika slagord.

"Det var en demonstration av en fransk fackf�rening f�r l�rare p�g�r p� samma plats vid den tidpunkten. Se v�r bel�genhet, de ansl�t sig till oss skrika �t den franska polisen och ens l�mnat plats f�r en representant f�r oss att tala om sina skede" sade han.

Storbritannien skulle ge hj�lp till Vanni m�nniskor.

2008-10-17T18:03:38Z

Storbritannien skulle ge hj�lp till Vanni m�nniskor.

Storbritannien skulle ge hj�lp till Vanni m�nniskor.

Storbritannien har informerat humanit�rt bist�nd b�r beviljas till den som sker m�nniskor p� grund av den lankesiska p�g�ende krig.

Ytterligare Storbritannien har �verklagat FN behovet av bist�nd till 5 miljoner m�nniskor f�rdrivna i fr�ga om krig. Denna information distribuerades av Internationella utvecklingsfonden minister Michael Affisch om hans deltagande i g�r �r enskilda debatten h�llas p� den brittiska parlamentet.

Michael Affisch p�pekade att i norra Sri Lanka 220 tusen personer �r p� flykt och 30 tusen m�nniskor �r p� flykt fem g�nger. P� grund av den monsun regn i Vanni, f�rdrivna m�nniskor st�r inf�r enorma sv�righeter p�pekades av honom. P� detta sammanhang Storbritannien Regeringen har initierat att skicka omedelbar hj�lp till de m�nniskor som �r mitt uppe i den nuvarande sv�lt som r�der i norra Sri Lanka.

Milit�r l�sning inte �r beslutet f�r ras konflikten i Sri Lanka var enligt honom. P� beg�ran av Joyaan Reiyanan av regerande Labourpartiet, parlamentarikern s�dan debatt. Under debatten parlamentsledamoten Paari Kaadinaar, visade sitt missn�je mot de s�ger Sri Lankas s milit�ra bef�lhavare, att "Sri Lanka tillh�r singalesiska", om detta fall, Storbritannien regeringen b�r beg�ra Sri Lankas regering att till�ta frivilliga organisationer att fungera i Sri Lanka, och alla sektorer som deltar i krig, b�r anta internationella f�rfaranden understr�ks ytterligare av honom.

PMK krav New Delhi att dra milit�rt bist�nd till Sri Lanka

2008-10-16T18:11:58Z

PMK krav New Delhi att dra milit�rt bist�nd till Sri Lanka

Den Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK, Toilers part) i Tamil Nadu stegvisa tirsdag en protest rally framf�r den lankesiska bitr�dande High Commission i Chennai, d�r mer �n 2000 tamilska aktivister deltog.

Tamil Nadu ledare som har ut�kat sitt st�d till Eelam tamiler i ett kritiskt skede, Dr S. Ramadoss, grundare ledare f�r PMK, uppmanade de �vriga ledarna att utvidga sitt st�d f�r att s�tta press p� Central Indiens regering att dra tillbaka milit�ra st�d att Sri Lankas regering som �r engagerade i ett folkmord mot Eelam tamiler.

Med en k�nslom�ssig samla in, Dr Ramadoss uppmuntras Chief Minister Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, som har tidigare f�rl�ngts till Eelam tamiler, ocks� att l�gga fram utan beaktande av eventuella p�tryckningar fr�n centrum i Indien att ut�va p�tryckningar p� New Delhi att dra sitt st�d till Sri Lankas regering. �ven om Delhi beslutar att ta bort Kalaignar fr�n sitt kontor i Tamil Nadu som Chief Minister till f�rm�n f�r hans st�d till Eelam tamiler, vi skulle h�mta honom vid makten, han proklamerades.

KS Mani, ledaren f�r den PMK part, Poet Arivumathi, Artist Santhanam, och Filmregiss�r Seeman ocks� upp deltagarna. Alla var d�mda New Delhi f�r att utvidga milit�ra st�d till Sri Lanka i st�llet f�r kr�vande Sri Lanka f�r att l�sa konflikten med fredliga medel.

Rallyt, som inleddes vid 11:00 ing�tts p� 1:00, l�sa sitt st�d f�r r�tten till sj�lvbest�mmande f�r Eelam tamiler och f�rd�ma den lankesiska staten f�r folkmord och New Delhi f�r medhj�lp anti-tamilska dagordningen f�r Sri Lankas regering.

President Mahinda s bild br�nns i Tamilnadu.

2008-10-15T18:04:16Z

President Mahinda s bild br�nns i Tamilnadu.

Mot ras suppressions till Sri Lankas tamiler, en bild av president Mahinda Rajapakse br�nts i Tamilnadu.

S�dan olycka intr�ffade i Koyambur i st�d till Sri Lankas tamiler. Vid den h�r tidpunkten, men framh�ller att alla tamiler b�r trycket centralregeringen f�r att skydda oskyldiga tamiler.

Ytterligare det var insisterade p� att dra hela den milit�ra arsenal som ges till Sri Lanka milit�ra och framtida krig tr�ningsl�ger i Indien b�r avslutas. S�dana protester organiserades av Thanthai Periyaar Diravida Olungu r�rlighet, och det var citerat i en ledande Sinhala webbplats i sin ledande nyheter.

Hungerstrejken inleddes i Tamilnadu , st�d till Sri Lankas tamiler

2008-10-14T18:08:42Z

Hungerstrejken inleddes i Tamilnadu , st�d till Sri Lankas tamiler

Som st�d f�r den lankesiska tamiler, kommunistiska Partys Tamil Division har organiserat en hungerstrejk i morgon. Protesten leds av tamilska kommunistpartiet Leader D. Pandiyan.

ADMK Leader Jayalalitha ocks� har samtyckt hennes st�rsta st�d till Sri Lankas tamilska fr�gor.

Nationella v�nstergrupper Diravida Kalagam leds av Vijayakanth ocks� har sagt, han och hans parti skulle st�d till Sri Lanka problem.

Samtidigt Pattali Makkal part Orginator, S. Ramdas har varnat f�r att inom en period av 18 dagar, b�r ett beslut g�tt i st�d f�r Srilankan tamilerna i Tamilnadu parlamentet montering, inte partimedlemmar skulle ordna en hungerstrejk i f�rsamlingen. Detta uttalande offentliggjordes p� F�RR I protest m�te p� Alwaar Pettai, i st�d till Sri Lankas tamiler.

Ledaren f�r MTMK Vaiko har arrangerat en protest, st�d till Sri Lankas tamilska, var ocks� anges.

M�nga Tamil parterna anklagar att med tanke p� tamilerna problem, det styrande partiet Karunanithi regeringen inte ingripa.

Med att besvara dessa anklagelser Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi har publicerat ett uttalande i beaktande Tamil fr�gor.

P� detta sammanhang, p� n�sta m�ndag, 6: e, ett offentligt m�te kallas, vid Mayilai, Maangollai, Chennai, agerande Diravida Munnedra Kalakam och beg�ran fr�n den centrala regeringen skulle diskuteras. Enligt k�llor, den verkliga position DMK skulle fastst�llas vid detta m�te.