UN does not have any rights to appoint special representative to discuss Sri Lankan issues – Keheliya Rambukwella
National Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella stated that United Nation Organization does not have any rights to send a special representative to have discussions in regarding to Sri Lanka. He mentioned that Sri Lanka is a democratic country and it is not under the British rule.
ANC calls for ceasefire, supports independent Tamil homeland
The ruling party of the government of South Africa (ANC) have reiterated calls for a permanent ceasefire in Sri Lanka and acknowledged the need for an independent Tamil homeland. ANC MP and chairmen of the Solidarity Group of Peace and Equality Sisa Njikelana in an interview with Tamilnet, Saturday, has stressed the need for bilateral talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, an organisation that articulates the aspirations of the people. “This Government believes that by defeating the LTTE, the Tamils will just automatically fall for any offer given. I look at that with a nice cynical smile”, he said.
Vaiko urges UN intervention to end Sri Lankan crisis
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) founder V. Gopalswamy on Sunday sought the United Nations’ intervention to solve the Sri Lankan crisis. He said that the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in India should be lifted and the UN should send soldiers to Sri Lanka to stop the war. “When the world is ready to pressurise Sri Lanka to stop war, even then the Indian government is not willing to create pressure on the Colombo government.
Government doctors working in Lankan fighting area are ‘worn out’, says ICRC
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said that the government doctors working in the fighting area in Sri Lanka are “worn-out”. “The situation there is very difficult. The makeshift health facilities that are still existing are not immune of the effects of the hostilities,” the ICRC country chief, Paul Castella. The Ministry of Health staff still working there is really worn out – these people are working for months now without any break, they work day and night. And medical supplies are lacking,” he said.
(2nd update – Video added) “We Want Cease-Fire” – Tamils block streets outside Westminster
More than 30,000 protestors spilled out to stage a sit-down protest at the south east corner of Parliament Square at its junction with Whitehall and Bridge Street. Demonstrators have broken through police lines and are blocking roads around Parliament. More people are joining in. Thousands of Tamil demonstrators demanding an immediate ceasefire blocked streets outside parliament today, Monday, as soon as they heard the mass killing in Vanni. Close to thousands were killed from midnight to noon today. Casualty figure expected to rise rapidly as the war continues. More than 4000 Tamils are chanting against Sri Lanka and calling to end the war immediately.
Civilians held in Sri Lanka camps face disease threat: ‘nasty place to be’
Thousands of civilians fleeing fighting in Sri Lanka have been interned by the government in cramped, makeshift camps with overflowing drains, water shortages and the threat of disease looming large in the sweltering, unsanitary conditions. The government allowed a small group of international journalists into Menik Farm camp, which is regarded by aid agencies as by far the best-equipped of the camps. But even here, people complain bitterly about their treatment and the lack of freedom of movement.
Is Rajapaksa awaiting Kalinga?
It is easy for India and others to demand a further temporary ceasefire to let civilians in the area move to safety. But Sri Lanka is unlikely to accede to the request. It knows that while many in the conflict zone may be living under duress, prevented by the LTTE from leaving, a large mass may not really want to exit. These are people who may have direct or indirect links with the Tigers, and they might fear the worst if they fall into the hands of the state. That could partly explain how a small LTTE force is able to hold a very large civilian population even in these adverse circumstances. To that extent the LTTE may be on target when it asks if the global community has bothered to find out if civilians still with it really want to leave?
Prabakaran is my friend? Is this my statement? NDTV wrongly interpreted – Karunanidhi
While Karunanidhi’s statement made a notable waves in both India and Srilanka, today he said he didn’t tell that Prabakaran is my friend. NDTV had wrongly interpreted. “Prabhakaran is my good friend. I am not a terrorist,” the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister told NDTV in an interview when asked whether he viewed Prabhakaran as a terrorist. Subsequently asked by his daughter and DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi, who was present in the interview, whether he saw Prabhakaran as a terrorist, Karunanidhi, speaking in Tamil, said “Naan appadi paarkkalai (I don’t see that way).”
Jayalalitha, Ramadoss criticise India’s Sri Lankan policy
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party chief J. Jayalalitha said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had failed to stop the ethnic killings of Tamils in the island nation. “India has been supporting the Lankan Government’s war against the Tamils there. Karunanidhi has not done anything except for dramas like sending telegrams and letters to the Prime Minister and holding fast.
We will fight for freedom will continue as long as the Tamil rights are denied – Tamil Eelam Government
The LTTE on Monday recognized and welcomed a refreshing attitude in US, different from the other countries. It pleaded the Sri Lanka government to listen to international opinion, to stop the war and enter into negotiations. But at the same time it warned Colombo of dire consequences if the war is continued. “ The LTTE and the fight for our freedom will also continue. The methods may vary but Sri Lanka will never be able to live in peace as it imagines a military victory will bring. However, for the record the LTTE would like to emphasize again that it is always ready to explore peaceful means to resolve the conflict”, the LTTE statement issued from the political headquarters in Vanni, read.
