Week's digest of top
news and views
|
Anti-Tamil Violence wreaks havoc in Trincomalee
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Thirukkonamalai or Trincomalee saw large scale violence being
unleashed against Tamils following a series of claymore mine explosions
directed against security personnel deployed in the district.
The Buddha statue and Tamil solidarity in
Trincomalee
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Today the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi or ITAK has been reborn as the
political party representing the Tamil National Alliance. The TNA is now
the shameless slave of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the name
of Tamil nationalism.
Trinco Tamil Forum leader Vigneswaran
assassinated
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Vanniyasingham Vigneswaran a Tamil political activist about to be
appointed as a Tamil National Alliance national list Member of Parliament
was assassinated in Trincomalee today friday April 7th. Vigneswaran a
senior employee at the Bank of Ceylon was shot dead by two unknown
persons as he was entering the Bank of Ceylon main branch office on
inner harbour road where he worked.
India for consensus among Sri Lankan political parties
The need for "consensus" among the pre-dominantly Sinhalese parties was
highlighted during talks Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran had with Norwegian
negotiators in the Sri Lankan peace process Eric Solheim and John
Hanssen-Bauer here.
"We support all Indian moves" for forging such a consensus,
Solheim, Norwegian Minister of Development Cooperation, told
reporters here.
LTTE will return to the table due to international
pressure - Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister
“I feel the second round will certainly take place, because unlike the previous
times, the LTTE strategy has always been to come to negotiations under
some form of pressure or the other. Then at a crucial time they leave the
table, on some flimsy excuse or the other. But because of international
pressure I don’t think it will happen now,” says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minster
Mangala Samaraweera, in a HardTalk interview to the Daily Mirror of April 8th.
Are patriotic nationals lost in patriotism
By Thanuka
The Patriotic National Movement (PNM)’s public seminar “How will Norway’s
role end”?, was held in Colombo last week. Though, what was to be
presented could have been anticipated, political analysts were interested to
know the future plans of the PNM, particularly, after the President Rajapaksa
led Government decided to proceed with the negotiations with the LTTE,
despite the election rhetoric.
Trinco Police Supdt masterminded Tamil Youth
Killing says UTHR (J)
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The latest report by the University Teachers for Human Rights
(Jaffna) has charged that the cold - blooded killing of five Tamil
youths at the Dutch bay beach in Trincomalee on January 2nd was
masterminded by the Police Supdt. of the area Kapila Jayasekera.
UTHR (J) says LTTE staged TRO abduction drama
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
”An example of the resulting anarchy is the alleged abduction of 10
TROworkers in the Batticaloa District about the end of January (first two and
then reportedly another released). The facts around these abductions
remained murky and appeared on the surface a complex plot involving
several actors, with the connivance of the state security apparatus at local
level.”
Time to end Sri Lanka time split? [BBC]
Sri Lanka is a country divided not just by war, but also by time. Officially the
country is six hours ahead of GMT. But in Tamil Tiger controlled areas, the
time difference is five and a half hours ahead of GMT, the same as in India.
Now that may change.
The change in time zone is under discussion. If it happens, it is likely to
coincide with the Tamil and Sinhala New Year on 14 April.
South Asia should unite behind one of its own [Hindu]
Why doesn't India support the candidature of Jayantha Dhanapala for the
post of Secretary-General of the United Nations?
Kofi Annan's 's term as Secretary-General of the United Nations comes to an
end on December 31, 2006. The search for his replacement has started.
Mahinda SLFP acting leader
The ruling party in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), has
appointed President Mahinda Rajapaksa as acting leader.
President Rajapaksa, a senior vice president of the party, is to temporarily
replace former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who has left for a long trip
abroad.
Course correction by International Community
urged [TamilNet]
political formula embodying shared sovereignty, and which demonstrated its
incapacity to persecute a successful war against LTTE, Gajendrakumar
Ponnambalam, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, in a paper
pres
incapacity to persecute a successful war against LTTE, Gajendrakumar
Ponnambalam, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, in a paper
presented at a symposium in Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and
Diplomacy, USA, Thursday, said, the International Community should make
clear to the Sri Lankan State that "its commitment to territorial integrity is
conditional on the Tamil Nation’s legitimate aspirations being met."
Local Polls – The Political Trends
by Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda
Results of the local government election held on March 30 do not indicate a
major change in the politics in the country. The only significant political
outcome of this election is the setback suffered by Janatha Vimukthi
Peramuna (JVP) by not being able to emerge as a major political force in the
countryside.
Local elections in Sri Lanka set stage for further
political turmoil [WSWS]
Local government elections in Sri Lanka on March 30 have resulted in a
clean sweep for the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA). It was
desperate to bolster its political position after its candidate, Mahinda
Rajapakse, only narrowly won the presidential election last November.
Nationally, the minority UPFA government holds power only with the support
of two Sinhala extremist parties—the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and
Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).
Lankan Muslims' historical links with India
By PK Balachandran
Sri Lanka's indigenous Muslims, called Ceylon Moors, like other communities
in the island, have had historical ties with India, especially Tamil Nadu and
Kerala in South India.
India's impact on the Ceylon Moors (a community distinct from Indian Moors
who are more recent Muslim migrants from India) cannot be ignored because
it can be seen in the language, culture and practices of the community.
Rudra Rajasingham - the quintessential cop
by Sharm de Alwis
Rudra Rajasingham epitomized the purity of sublime human nature. He was
of a rare breed as sportsman, officer and fellow. Unreservedly would the
consensus of opinion be that he was the finest IGP we have had. He brought
an aura of dignity, empathy, honesty and fair play to the highest seat in the
Police Force.
Cherishing Memories of “Yazhdevi”
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
I was given a pleasant surprise in Oslo, by Tamil friends there, after a long
journey from Copenhagen to Oslo by bus.
I had the urge to have a real Jaffna Vegetarian meal for lunch. [Read More]
Sri Lanka banks on poorest women [BBC]
Women's banks are flourishing in Sri Lanka but there are questions about
whether they really make a difference to poverty.
There is barely space to move in Philomena Aranasingham's front room. She
lives in the Kirullapone slums in the heart of Colombo, moments away from a
still waterway with sewage floating by.
Her room is swamped with red velvet curtains and silk shirts. She runs a
lucrative tailoring business from here.
Arts - Culture - Heritage
Sri Lankan Pop Music Maestro A.E. Manoharan
Although A.E.Manoharan is famous today as a pop singer few will know that
he began his entertainment career by acting in dramas and locally produced
films in the ‘50s and early ‘60s. Manoharan’s singing career began in
Colombo in 1970 when he sang for Great Friends Enterprises. In 1964 he
acted as hero in the 1st Tamil movie produced in Jaffna by Joe Devanand
named “Pasa Nila”. Since the he has acted in more than 260 films in five
languages. In 1972 he was appointed as a Producer for Dramas in the
commercial section of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.
Alliance Francaise in Yaalpaanam updates
Francophone culture
by K. S. Sivakumaran
Yours truly was in the northern capital Yaalpaanam (erroneously anglicised
as Jaffna) between March 18 and 20, on an invitation from the Directorate of
the Alliance Francaise, as a guest for a two-day programme. The man
behind the activities patronised by students in French in the institute, as well
as students studying English Literature and French in the Yaalpaanam
University was Monsieur Gerard Robuchon. He manages the institute and
also teaches French in the university.
Advertisement
A comedian, and much more!
Charle, who was conferred Kalaimamani recently, talks about his films and
future plans. A mind-boggling 567 films! A repertoire, which includes
assignments with veterans of the Tamil scene from K. Balachander to
Shankar! Recognition in the form of the Kalaivaanar Award some years ago
and Kalaimamani now! Velmurugan Thangasamy Manohar Charle's ("Please
don't spell it with `lie' as I don't want the word even in my name," he quips)
tryst with cinema is engaging indeed.
Non Profit Organization:
Conservative Leader praises Ontario Tamil Community
at Awards event
by Dhakshi Ariyakumar
It is very remarkable to note that the Canadian Tamil community in many
ways has enhanced the prosperity of the Greater Toronto Area with their
diverse contributions towards the society.
“I want to thank the Tamil Community for their hard work and contribution
made to the prosperity of Ontario in so many different ways, such as
economically, socially and culturally. I think the province is stronger and
prouder and is better off in many ways, for the contributions made by the
Tamil community, particularly by the entrepreneurs of this community,”
Conservative Leader of the Province of Ontario John Tory stated recently at
a community event.
Tamil Children's Endowment Fund
A nation’s most precious natural resource is its children. The conflict in Sri
Lanka, coupled with a state-enforced economic embargo has literally and
figuratively crippled this resource. Presently, a ceasefire and the lifting of the
embargo has brought about a climate of positive change. The conflict-
affected areas are abuzz with the theme of redevelopment and
reconstruction.
Standard
Disclaimers
Applicable
"There are two things born from mountains, shining so brilliantly that the great bow down, driving
darkness from earth circled by roaring waters. One is the flaming sun, single wheel bright as
lightning, the other is Tamil that has no like." — from the taNTiyalankârum [Berkeley Tamil]
