Krishna Ambalavanar ends his 11 days long hunger strike following the letter of Swiss Foreign Minister

Krishna Ambalavanar, the Coordinator of Tamil Forum Switzerland, who launched a fast unto death demanding the immediate ceasefire in Vanni, ended his campaign Thursday (23 04 2009) around 11:30 a.m. after 11 days, having received a letter from Ms Micheline Kalmy-Ray, the Minster of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Franzisca Teuscher, MP from Bern, and Mr. Carlo Sommaruga, MP from Geneva, offered juice to Ambalavanar as a token, in front of the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

The Police took forcefully Mr. Ambalavanar to the hospital on his third day of fasting, and there he was given intravenous saline trips. However, he was adamant on continuing his hunger strike.

Meanwhile, the representatives of the Tamil Forum Switzerland, had discussions with the Foreign Ministry officials on April 20 and with the Presidential Office on April 21.

In the mean time, the Foreign Minister of Switzerland wrote Wednesday to Mr. Amabalavanar concerning his demands and the involvement of her country in finding a sustainable solution to the conflict. Following the letter, Mr. Amabalavanar has decided to end his hunger strike.

The translation of the letter is as follows:

The Foreign Ministry of Switzerland

CH-3003 Bern, EDA, MCR

A-Post

Tamil Forum Switzerland
Mr. Krishna Ambalavanar, Coordinator
Zieglerstarsse 30
Postfach 341
300 Bern 14

Bern, 22. April 2009

Demands concerning the solution for the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka

Dear Mr. Ambalavanar,

Thank you for your letter dated 13th April 2009. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs shares your worries about the welfare of the IDPs in Vanni and follows the situation in Sri Lanka closely. As my staff has already informed you during the personal interview on 14 April, the Swiss government is undertaking in the context of the possibilities a number of initiatives which are included in your demands.

In view of the worsening humanitarian situation, especially in the North of the country, the Foreign Dept. demanded the SL government on several occasions to respect the international humanitarian laws.

On 5th February, the Foreign Dept. issued a humanitarian appeal to the GoSL and the LTTE, and published it for the press. In this appeal, Switzerland issued the urgent call to the parties of the conflict to respect under all circumstances the international humanitarian laws and human rights standards, and to undertake the necessary steps to avoid or to stop the violation of international laws. The freedom to move of the concerned population must be observed by both parties. The authorities of Sri Lanka have been requested to make use of their responsibility to investigate the violation of the human rights and to bring the actors to justice. Furthermore, Switzerland reminded the parties of the conflict of their duty to facilitate relief operations and to provide humanitarian assistance quickly to the suffering population without obstacles.

In addition, Switzerland addressed a declaration to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 17 March.

Since a long time, Switzerland is active in caring for the affected people in Vanni. In 2008, it provided 5.1 million CHF of humanitarian help in Sri Lanka. It supports the most important humanitarian actors: the ICRC which is continuously present in Vanni, the World Food Program which would like to provide the population in Vanni with food and the UNHCR and NGOs as well which maintain relief programs for the IDPs in the North. Based on the precarious situation, the humanitarian relief has allocated additional means for medicines and emergency assistance. Depending on the requirement of the situation, further activities are examined.

On the ground, Switzerland is actively taking care that the IDPs in Vanni are provided with goods essential for life, the safety is guaranteed and the minimal presence and access of the international relief organizations to Vanni are maintained. In view of this, the Swiss embassy has regular contacts with the ICRC which has dialogues with both parties.

Switzerland shall continue advocating that the international humanitarian laws and the human rights are respected in Sri Lanka. In addition, the Swiss peace and human rights policy continues to support a long term oriented transformation which can bring forth a sustainable political peace order in Sri Lanka. In view of this, all Swiss actors in Sri Lanka have agreed on close cooperation and coherent proceeding in the area of human safety, in which synergies are used and a collaboration of local and international partners is sought.

Switzerland is convinced, that in the medium term, the conflict in Sri Lanka can be terminated only via a political solution, and advocates a truce and the search for a political solution. Switzerland is convinced that the international community and especially the United Nations can play an important positive role. It appeals to all the parties to bring the conflict to an end through negotiation and in the context of a political solution. For this, it offers its good office, as it did already during the peace talks of February and October 2006 in Geneva.

Sincerely Yours

Micheline Calmy-Rey
Federal Councilor