Canadian Tamils hold rally, condemn Ottawa's ban   [Canada.com]

LTTE Fishing in Tamil Nadu Waters

By Col R Hariharan (Retd.)

The political chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) B Nadesan has been vocal in talking to the media ever since the election in the eastern province concluded. In these "medialogues" the LTTE's concern on the political and military developments taking place in Sri Lanka was evident. The successful implementation of the 13th amendment in the eastern province would pave way for restoration of peace and security there. And that would be political loss of face for the LTTE. (Fortunately for the LTTE, this does not appear to be happening with the required alacrity. [TC]

Sri Lankans May Turn Against War Strategy, Defense Analysts Say

"People say they'll suffer the hardships as long as the government can finish the war,'' said Iqbal Athas, a Colombo-based correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's "military machine has yet to be badly dented'' and the group may have at least 10,000 fighters. [Bloomberg]

In Pictures: Countrywide Telegram campaign against media suppression

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Sri Lankan journalists, rights group activists and members of the civil society are seen sending telegrams at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo,to the President urging for the protection of the journalists, while wearing a black face mask saying "Stop Media Suppression" in all three languages . [TC]

Pictorial: At Kilivetti camp, waiting to go home

Several Internally Displaced Persons at the Kilivetti welfare transit camp, in Trincomalee district - are being resettled in their villages. [TW]

Resolution of the conflict in Sri Lanka can only happen at the negotiating table

One thing is certain," insists Martin McGuinness in his office at Belfast's Stormont Castle. "The resolution of the conflict in Sri Lanka can only happen at the negotiating table. Nowhere else." [FI]

Future of Karuna, The Reluctant Rebel 

by Col R Hariharan (Retd.)

Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, better known  as Karuna Amman, the dreaded leader of Batticaloa during his days in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), must be a chastened man as he was flown into Colombo escorted by British security men on July 3, 2008. His return to Sri Lanka brings to a close the episode of his ill fated trip to the UK under a false identity that saw him sentenced to imprisonment by a London court in January 2008. [TC]

The Great Sri Lankan Conspiracy Theory

Something amiss with human rights

by Namini Wijedasa

When four criminals ambush a car in broad daylight near the Polhengoda army camp, brutally assault two innocent men with heavy wooden poles - and get away, never to be caught - you know something is amiss with human rights in this country. [TC]

The war president

Sri Lanka’s army chief says the government has won its 25-year war against the Tamil Tigers. This is not true

Mahinda Rajapakse, Sri Lanka’s president, shakes out his white outfit and spreads his bare toes with a satisfied air. “We have concentrated on the LTTE [the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam],” he says, “because unless we defeat them, we will have no peace and development.” In January he abrogated a ceasefire and stepped up a brutal two-year offensive against the no-less-brutal LTTE. This week his army commander, General Sarath Fonseka, claimed the operation had succeeded. The Tigers, said the general, had lost the capability of fighting as a conventional army. “We have defeated them. [The Economist]

Return of Karuna ~ From the archives of Transcurrents.com: Will “Col” Karuna Re-Appear Dramatically or Simply Disappear?

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj [TC]

Amnesty and HRW flays UK for releasing former LTTE leader

Human Rights Watch (HRW), has criticised the British government for allowing Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan alias Colonel Karuna Amman, a former Tamil Tigers leader, to return to Sri Lanka as a free man. [TW]

Arts - Culture- Heritage

Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi (Festival of Music) was organised by the Colombo Kamban Kazhagam, which was held from March 15th-22nd 2008, at Ramakrishna Mission hall. Thyagaraja Aradhana was performed by the participating musicians and artistes on March 12th 2008, before the mega Festival of Music began on March 15th 2008.

Local musicians decorated the Isai Arnagu at dusk, while the Indian musicians decorated the Isai Per Arangu in the nights. The hall was packed with the Carnatic music lovers.[HA]

Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008 Day 1

Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008 Day 2

Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008 Day 3