The purported arrest by Sri Lanka has shocked and dismayed Eelam Tamils – Headquarters, LTTE

Headquarters,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
09–08–2009

Mr. Selvarasa Pathmanathan, the duly appointed head of Department of International Relations Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by Honorable V.Prabaharan Head of Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam, who recently undertook the immense task of leading the Tamil freedom struggle by political and diplomatic means was kidnapped and forcibly removed from Malaysia on August 5, 2009 by the Sri Lankan government.

The purported arrest by Sri Lanka has shocked and dismayed Eelam Tamils around the world and all other Tamil communities.

In early 2009, the Sri Lankan government unleashed a ruthless war in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka, killing thousands of innocent civilians and maiming many more. The international community was fully aware that we, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam silenced our guns in order to protect our people, from Sri Lankan state terror. The LTTE leadership transformed our efforts to achieve Tamil peoples’ aspirations through adopting political and diplomatic means. This shift in our thought and operational process has brought immense support and encouraging signs from many international governments.

We vehemently condone the arrest of Mr. Selvarasa Pathmanathan while he was primarily engaged in multi-lateral talks and negotiations to free the more than 300,000 civilians and freedom fighters, held in internment camps and prisons by the Sri Lankan government, in contravention of international rules and regulations. The international community is fully aware of the plight of our people in these camps; that they are living in appalling conditions without access to basic human needs.

The arrest of Mr. Selvarasa Pathmanathan is a reprehensible act by the Sri Lankan state, particularly at a time when we have decisively silenced our guns and have taken the necessary steps towards a political path to achieve our freedom from state oppression. It is an act that that has plunged the entire Tamil community and the LTTE in shock and deep sadness. This deplorable act by the Sri Lankan government, demonstrates its intent to disregard and crush the legitimate aspirations of our people.

We urge all parties involved in the arrest to adhere to the international humanitarian norms of an unbiased inquiry, and insist that the international community honours its critical responsibility to guarantee the safety of Mr. Selvarasa Pathmanathan.

Thank you

“Pulikalin Thagam Tamil Eela Thayagam”

Ram
Behalf of Executive Committee,
Headquarters,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam