“Honour the Aspiration of Tamil People” – Swiss Tamil Forum sends letter to Indian Prime Minster

Swiss Tamil Forum, a confederation of Tamil diaspora organizations in Switzerland, in a letter sent to the Prime Minster of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, has pleaded ‘to send Hon. Pranab Mukarji to Colombo without further delay’ and ‘pressurize the GoSL to immediately stop the military offensive and usage of Cluster Bombs on IDPs, aerial bombings, multi barrel rocket fire, shelling and discriminate artillery attacks’.

“We strongly believe that without the active participation of India, no justice will be done to the Tamil people. We fear, if India will not intervene at this eleventh hour all the Tamil people would be eradicated. Hence, we expect India’s immediate action”, said the letter.

In a separate letter sent to Tamilnadu chief minister Dr Karunanidhi, thanking for all his efforts, Swiss Tamil Forum has pleaded more concerted action to stop the Sri Lankan military’s genocidal war in Tamil homeland and expose Indian central government’s clear position in this conflict.

Full text of the letter sent to Dr. Manmohan Singh:

Tamil Forum Switzerland
Confederation of Tamil Diaspora Organizations in Switzerland

Ref/MSIN/07012009vtsfta
Bern, 07 January 2009

His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh
The Prime Minster of India
New Delhi

Through: Ms. Chitra Narayan
Consulate for India
Switzerland

Your Excellency

Honour the Aspiration of Tamil People

The Diaspora Tamils living in Switzerland are deeply shocked to witness the humanitarian tragedy that is developing in the North of Sri Lanka. The people of Vanni are forced to suffer due to the aggressive war of the Sinhala government. Almost all the Tamils living in the Vanni region have become displaced and face starvation due to the economic embargo imposed by the Sinhala government. More than 300,000 IDPs are forced to stay under the shade of trees and in open places experiencing aerial bombings and artillery shelling by the Sri Lankan forces.

We still consider India as our fatherland and humbly request Your Excellency to intervene to arrest the suffering of the Tamil people. Our brethren who are living in Southern India have already rendered their helping hand by collecting relief assistance to the Vanni people. The political parties representing the people of Tamil Nadu have unanimously passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, calling the Government of India to intervene by means of its good office to persuade the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) for an immediate ceasefire.

We also understand that Your Excellency has promised sending the Foreign Minister of India, Hon. Pranab Mukarji, to Colombo on this regard, when Hon Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, the CM of Tamil Nadu, and the other leaders met Your Excellency in New Delhi. However, the delay in sending the Foreign Minister of India to Colombo aggravates the hardships of the Tamil people.

The history of India and the Tamils living in the island of Sri Lanka are inseparable. From the time immemorial, we have interacted and shared our culture and other values.

Even in the recent past, India had tried to bring justice to the Eelam Tamils through various means. However, the GoSL which is infamous for not implementing agreements and dishonouring promises has jeopardised every move of India. Furthermore, the conniving Sri Lankan leaders have succeeded setting the Tamils and India against each other.

Presently, the GoSL, having collaborated with the enemies of India, namely Pakistan and China, is engaged in a genocidal and destructive war against innocent Tamil people who want to live with peace and dignity in their own ancestral homeland.

Therefore, we humbly request Your Excellency to

• Respect the feelings of the People of Tamil Nadu.
• Honour the promises given to Hon Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi and the other leaders.
• Take steps to send Hon. Pranab Mukarji to Colombo without further delay.
• Pressurize the GoSL to immediately stop the military offensive and usage of Cluster Bombs on IDPs, aerial bombings, multi barrel rocket fire, shelling and discriminate artillery attacks

We strongly believe that without the active participation of India, no justice will be done to the Tamil people. We fear, if India will not intervene at this eleventh hour all the Tamil people would be eradicated. Hence, we expect India’s immediate action.

Thanking in anticipation.

Yours Sincerely

Shan Thavarajah
Vice President

Thambipillai Namasivayam
Secretary