Sri Lanka Air Force attacks convent in Vanni, deploys cluster bombs

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 07:40 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed a convent named Holy Cross Convent, located on Paranthan Mullaiththevu Road, 600 meters away from Paranthan junction Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m., a day before Christmas. TamilNet correspondent who visited the site Wednesday morning witnessed that the attacked premises was marked with Red Cross on the roof. The nearby church also sustained damage. The SLAF deployed cluster munitions in the bombardment, residents who fled the site said. 85 cows of a herd a few meters away from the convent were killed in the attack.
Karaichchi North Co-Operative society building located between the junction and the convent was also attacked by the SLAF bombers, causing the remaining civilians to flee the area. Paranthan has been bombed in more than five sorties by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers causing civilians living near the convent to flee the area. The indiscriminate bombardment has also targeted shops and other commercial establishment in Paranthan and Kumarapuram. SLAF bombed Paranthan three times Tuesday night and twice Wednesday morning, at 7:30 a.m. and around 9:00 a.m.The bombers also attacked Kugnchup-paranthan where heavy fighting has erupted Wednesday morning.

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lanka attacks hospital, settlements in Vanni, children among victims

[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 15:00 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked civilian settlements in Mu'l'livaaykkaal village Friday morning and in the noon causing injuries to 11 civilians, including 6 children, according to medical sources in Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital. A 13-year-old girl was seriously injured. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has also fired artillery shells on Maagnchoalai hospital injuring two members of the medical staff and caused extensive damage to the complex including the operation theatre. Four fighter jets of SLAF that entered the airspace over Vanni attacked Mu'l'livaaykkaal twice, first at 9:30 a.m. and at 12:45 p.m. Seriously wounded girl was identified as P. Kesana. The other wounded were identifed as 5-year-old Chitra, 9-year-old Kubendran, 15-year-old Chavithri, 16-year-old Devapriya, 16-year-old Kesaran, 20-year-old S. Subasini, 22-year-old Maruthan, 45-year-old Nagamany, 50-year-old Devarasa and 50-year-old Maruthanayagam. The SLAF bombers also bombed houses located in Ki'linochchi town twice when they attacked settlements in Mullaiththeevu. More than 11 houses were destroyed in the attacks.

3 civilians, including child, killed in genocidal Sri Lankan Army shelling in Vanni

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 13:02 GMT]
Two males who went to their agricultural lands in Kanakapuram, a suburb of Ki'linochchi town, were killed in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling Saturday morning around 11:45, medical sources at Ki'linochchi hospital said. A 17-year-old boy sustained injuries in the attack. Meanwhile, a 5-month-old child was decapitated by the shrapnel of a shell that exploded inside the hut of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on Hudson Road in Vaddakkachchi, near Thakarap-pi'l'laiyaar temple Saturday around 9:30 a.m. The mother of the baby, an IDP from Chinnap-pa'ndi-virichchaan, was wounded.

The child killed was Jeyarooban Ajanthan. His mother wounded in the shelling was identified as 26-year-old Jancy Rani Jeyarooban.

One of the males killed in Kanakapuram was identified as 41-year-old Paalaiya Pulendran, a native of Ki'linochchi who was displaced to Visuvamadu. The other male killed in the shelling was yet to be identified.

The victims had gone to their agricultural lands to unearth cassava roots in their attempt to earn money to safeguard their families.

The youth who sustained injuries at Kanakapuram was identified as Jeyakaran, from Periyaku'lam in Pu'lyampokka'nai. He was being treated at Ki'linochchi hospital.

The dead bodies of the two males killed in Kanakapuram were brought to the hospital in Ki'linochchi town and transferred to Tharmapuram.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed 6 times in Vaddakkachchi and Paranthan areas.

Condoleeza Rice spotlights Rights violations in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 12:15 GMT]United States Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, Wednesday, awarded the 2008 Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award to Michael De Tar, the chief of the Political Section of our Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for engaging "constructively with Sri Lanka while underscoring our [U.S.'s] human rights," and for proposing the roadmap adopted by the Sri Lankan Government "to induce a paramilitary aligned with the government to begin to release its child soldiers [in the east]." The situation in the East, however, has rapidly deterioted recently with Human Rights Watch accusing the Colombo-backed paramilitaries in the east for thirty murders and thirty abductions during September and October.
"Secretary Rice presented the "Freedom Defenders Award" to Yulia Latynina, an independent journalist, writer and radio host from Russia, and the "Diplomacy for Freedom Award" to James D. McGee, U.S.'s Ambassador to Zimbabwe during the same ceremony held at the Treaty Room Washington, DC.Rice said that De Tar was "a key actor in the international effort to monitor an official Commission of Inquiry investigating high-profile cases of human rights abuse, and he has responded quickly and effectively when journalists and other activists have been threatened or arrested."
The Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), a rights monitoring mission set up to oversee the investigations of rights violations by the local Commission of Inquiry (CoI) terminated its observation mission reasoning that the proceedings of the CoI have not been transparent and did not satisfy basic international norms and standards. The IIGEP blamed the Government of Sri Lanka for "absence of will" in the present Inquiry to "investigate cases with vigour, where the conduct of its own forces has been called into question." Full text of Secretary Rice's speech on Mr De Tar's award follows:"Our diplomatic effort to advance human rights is not just a job for ambassadors, and that is why annually we confer the Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award upon an outstanding officer serving at one of our posts abroad. This year’s recipient is Michael DeTar, the chief of the Political Section of our Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s 25-year conflict has escalated over the last two years, triggering a sharp increase in human rights violations by the warring parties – the government, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [Eelam], and paramilitary organizations. Michael found creative and pragmatic ways to engage constructively with Sri Lanka while underscoring our human rights concerns. Michael helped position the United States to play a leading role in the stabilization and recovery of the conflict-torn Eastern Province, focusing on disarming and demobilizing paramilitaries there. He was also a key actor in the international effort to monitor an official Commission of Inquiry investigating high-profile cases of human rights abuse, and he has responded quickly and effectively when journalists and other activists have been threatened or arrested. The Sri Lankan Government adopted Michael’s proposed road map to induce a paramilitary aligned with the government to begin to release its child soldiers. So using his extensive network of civil society and media leaders, Michael has enriched our reporting on human rights conditions in Sri Lanka. And he has not only reported, he has acted. And so I am delighted to bestow the 2008 Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award on Michael De Tar," Rice said.Meanwhile, in an op-ed column in the Washington Post, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said: "With a new administration and a new vision coming to the White House, we have the opportunity to move boldly to restore the moral authority behind the worldwide human rights movement.The moral footprint of the United States has always been vast. "Our next president has an unprecedented opportunity to lead through example by inspiring and supporting those who would reach for freedom and by being tough and effective with those who would impede freedom's march. All Americans must give him full support."

Sri Lanka in "Genocide Red Alert" watch list

Sri Lanka in "Genocide Red Alert" watch list[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 12:41 GMT]New York-based Genocide Prevention Project in a report to be published Tuesday includes Sri Lanka as one of the eight "red alert" countries where genocide and other mass atrocities are underway or risk breaking out. A comprehensive list of 33 countries is also contained in the report. Tuesday marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nation's convention on the prevention of genocide, and 20th anniversary of U.S's ratification of the treaty. "Red alert" countries include Afghanistan, and Iraq alongside regions currently experiencing genocidal conflict such as Sudan's Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These and Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka all made the list's top eight because they appear in each of the five "expert" indexes.The next 25 "orange alert" countries appear in at least three of the indexes. They include China, Colombia, Philippines and Indonesia as places where ongoing or simmering violence could flare to genocidal proportions."It is possible to identify early indicators of mass atrocity crimes. But what happens now is the international community sees what's going on, gets paralyzed and, if it acts, really only acts after the fact," said Jill Savitt, project executive director.Savitt states three factors that are likely to change the "political will" lacking in the past. First, the stated determination of Susan Rice, U.S. president-elect Barack Obama's choice for U.S. ambassador to the UN, to prevent future genocides after witnessing the after-effects of the 1994 Rwanda slaughter. Second, current discussion around the 60th anniversary of the genocide prevention convention, which calls on countries to prevent and punish actions of genocide.And third, the public "guilt" over what occurred in Rwanda and Bosnia, and what she called public "hunger for a response" to the Darfur crisis, Savitt says.Meanwhile, a task force led by Madeleine K Albright, former Secretary of State, and an advisor to Obama and Clinton, released Monday a report on world genocide threats which will likely be used by the Obama administration as a guide post to prevent developing genocides."Preventing genocide is an achievable goal," the Albright report says. "Genocide is not the inevitable result of ancient hatreds or irrational leaders. It requires planning and is carried out systematically. There are ways to recognize signs and symptoms, and viable options to prevent it at every turn if we are committed and prepared," Washington Post said, quoting from the Albright report.

Tamil Women in protective custody, transferred to Ruthless genocidal Sri Lankan Army detention centre, fear for safety

Tamil Women in protective custody, transferred to Ruthless genocidal Sri Lankan Army detention centre, fear for safety[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 00:40 GMT]
The women and children who faced death threats in Jaffna from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and its paramilitary and placed under protective custody through the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in Jaffna at Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre have been suddenly moved to the detention camp run by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) inside its High Security Zone in Thellippazhai. The women and children are being denied the opportunity of meeting their family members besides fear for their safety, according to legal sources in Jaffna. They have appealed to the team of Magistrates who visited the camp to relocate them to a protection facility in Jaffna city.

Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre was vacated in order to house persons fleeing from war in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territories to Jaffna peninsula.

Meanwhile, the husbands of the above women, placed in Jaffna Prison had protested against the sudden transfer of their wives by observing a token protest fast.

Their fast, however, was given up due to pressure exerted by powerful parties in the government, the sources further said.

The women who appealed to the team of magistrates pointed out that the opportunity of meeting their family members and relatives, which they had been allowed to in Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre, is denied in the SLA detention centre where they are now housed.

The husbands of these women in Jaffna Prison suffer from mental depression and fear for their wives and children, the officials of Jaffna Prison said.

The inmates at the detention camp of the SLA, located inside the HSZ in Thellippazhai, have been treated as 'suspects' under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as they were forced to sign a document which stated that they were ex-members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in the past.

Although, the new inmates were not subjected to sign a such document, they were being treated as potential 'terror suspects' by the SLA men guarding the detention centre, legal sources that were in contact with the families said.

International media, human rights watchdogs lopsided - Jaffna MP Pathmini

International media, human rights watchdogs lopsided - Jaffna MP[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 November 2008, 20:39 GMT]"The Colombo government is embarked upon a killing spree of children and women in refugee camps who are already victims of war, displacement, cyclone and floods. This act of 'state terrorism' is in what way less deplorable than the Mumbai killings, for failing to attract condemnation and action from the International Community," asks Padmini Sithamparanathan, Tamil National Alliance MP for Jaffna. "The so-called international media and human rights organizations are shameless in exhibiting their impotency they have acquired by becoming stooges to the lopsided agenda of the international politics of terrorism which is nothing but geopolitics," she added.

Padmini Sithamparanathan, Jaffna MP
Six days of torrential rains with intermittent gale have caused the death of more than ten, injured hundreds and have displaced hundreds of thousands in Jaffna and Vanni.The people of Vanni especially face untold sufferings, deprived of everything including a guarantee to live. The latest aerial bombing of the Sri Lanka Air Force has targeted a location well known as a refugee camp according to news reports. "This heinous act has resulted in the death and injury of many, most of them, children, women and elderly, who were already suffering the misfortunes of war and nature," the Jaffna MP said. "The international media, which jumps at the slightest occasion to blare about terrorism, is by its silence and biased news reporting encourages the genocidal agenda of state terrorism in Sri Lanka."The US based Human Rights Watch, while pressuring the Colombo government to allow aid groups to help cyclone victims in Vanni, has come out with an unwarranted statement that “the LTTE bears a heavy responsibility for the suffering of the civilian population in the Vanni, by refusing to allow civilians their basic rights to freedom of movement," she said. "What the Human Rights Watch needs to do is seeing that the people get immediate aid in the very place they live. It may not have the guts to do so by pressing the International Community, but this is not the time for it to abet the wishes of the government waging a genocidal war."In its press release the HRW concedes: " Human Rights Watch has previously reported that the Sri Lankan authorities have detained many displaced persons leaving the Vanni, holding them in closely guarded militarized camps near Mannar town. The government claims this is necessary for the safety of the detained civilians themselves, but the families detained in the camps have repeatedly stated their desire to leave; the government’s detention policy violates the rights of these displaced persons to freedom of movement."In such a helpless background what justification is there for the HRW to expect the people to come out of Vanni, the MP asks. "Many civilians are cold-bloodedly killed in the East and a large number of Tamils have been arrested in the South in the recent days. Thousands of Tamils are virtually kept as hostages for a long time in custody of the Colombo government. It is a shame to human rights that Hundreds of Tamils in Jaffna have to voluntarily go into custody to safe life. " The Human Rights Watch itself came out with a statement a few days ago on the escalation of human rights abuses in the so-called 'liberated' East. The human rights organisations privately agree that there is no better place of safety for the people of Vanni.

Padmini Sithamparanathan, Jaffna MP
What guarantee the human rights groups were been able to give the Tamils of the so-called liberated East, or in the other parts of the island outside of Vanni, to justify their call now for the freedom of movement of the people of Vanni, that too at a time when there is an utmost urgency for the aid to reach their doorsteps, asked the MP. It is high time that the International Community and the human rights organisations prevail upon the Sri Lanka government to stop the war, enter into peace negotiations and resolve the human crisis in the island, she said. In the meantime, Brad Adams, the Asia director of Human Rights Watch, while asking the Colombo government on Friday to lift restrictions on UN and other groups to operate in Vanni, has said: “If the humanitarian community can operate in conflict zones like eastern Congo, Somalia, and Iraq, they can operate in the Vanni as well. The government’s argument that the safety of humanitarian workers in the Vanni cannot be guaranteed comes across as more of an excuse to conduct military operations without scrutiny than a statement of concern.”

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Air Forces bombs refugee camp in Vanni, children among killed, wounded

SLAF bombs refugee camp in Vanni, children among killed, wounded
[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 November 2008, 08:59 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir bombers attacked a refugee camp with Internally Displaced People in Naathankudiyiruppu in Kallaa'ru, Ki'linochchi in the early hours of Saturday around 1:35 a.m. Medical authorities at Tharmapuram said three persons were killed. Two, a 5-year-old child and an 80-year-old man died at the hospital. At least 18 wounded civilians, including seven children below 10 years and 7 females, were admitted at the hospital following the indiscriminate bombardment on IDP settlement. Medical authorities described the bombardment as "terrible mid-night aerial attack on refugee camp".

The 5-year-old child killed was identified as Sutharsan Sivakumar and the elderly male was identified as Raman Ramasamy. Another person, killed on the spot, was yet to be identified. There could be further dead bodies. Rescue operation was still going on, the sources further said.

The wounded were:


5-year-old girl Thayananthan Pavithra
7-year-old girl Rasenthiran Logini
9-year-old girl Aananthan Chithra
10-year-old girl Rasendran Jasintha
10-year-old male Nalliyah Jasinthan
15-year-old male Selvam
16-year-old girl Rasenthran Thavachelvi
18-year-old male Ananthan Velavan
27-year-old female Sivakumar Rajakumary
28-year-old male Rasenthiran
28-year-old female Nalliyah Pusspavalli
33-year-old male Rajendran
35-year-old female Murugesu Rugunudevi
38-year-old female Ananthan Kamaladevi
40-year-old female Kannathas Amirthavalli
55-year-old male Sangarapillai
55-year-old male Nagarajah
75-year-old female Pallaniammah

UNICEF report states, education of 250,000 children affected by conflict.

[Sunday November 23 2008 09:11:29 AM GMT]
The current escalation of the conflict has affected 250,000 primary school children of their access to education, according to recent UNICEF report.
Mid Year Review of the UNICEF Humanitarian Action states, "Access to education for more than 250,000 primary school age children has been seriously disrupted and the current increase in displacements further aggravates this situation.The report further said the education sector was making efforts to prepare for and respond to the increasingly disruptive impact of the conflict on childrens schooling.

Contingency stocks are being prepared with supply items of 65,500 student kits, 400 recreation kits and 2,500 teacher kits for distribution in the affected districts.
With UNICEF support in 2008, 35 temporary learning shelters have been constructed enabling 5,250 displaced students to return to school, the report also said.According to the report, 8,000 children continue to live in institutions in the North and East of the country. The resumption of fighting in the north has also increased the risk of under-age recruitment by armed groups.

Despite a strengthened mechanism in place to monitor and report on grave child rights violations through implementation of Security Council Resolution 1612, the recruitment of children by armed groups continues. The UNICEF database as of June 2008 registered 6,273 children having being recruited by LTTE since 2002; of these 1,415 cases remain outstanding, including 133 children who were under 18 years as of June 2008. Other child rights violations related to conflict such as gender based violence, neglect, and child abuse," the report said.

History to abet 'structural genocide'

History to abet 'structural genocide'[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:39 GMT]The Colombo government at the height of its agenda for 'structural genocide' of Tamils, considered removing a chapter on the Kingdom of Jaffna in the history textbooks of the school children in Sri Lanka. However, to an opposing question by a JVP member in the Sri Lankan Parliament, the Minister of Education replied on Friday that they had dropped that plan. "The Colombo government has every justification to remove the Tamil Kingdom of Jaffna from the history of Sri Lanka if it wants to concede that Sri Lanka doesn't include the Tamil regions," commented Selvam Adaikkalanathan, the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian of Vanni. Sri Lankan Education Minister Susil Permajayantha admitted in the Sri Lankan parliament Friday that there was a move to remove the chapter on the Kingdom of Jaffna from the history text book for grade eight, when JVP parliamentarian Bimal Ratanaike registered his opposition for the proposed removal by saying that the chapter would not be a block to the 'Pooneryn victory' and a 'forward march by the Sri Lanka Army to reach Ki'linochchi.' The JVP parliamentarian said that Jaffna Kingdom has been accepted by historians as true fact and that the JVP was opposed to the removal of the chapter. "If the Kingdom of Jaffna had not been recorded by the Portuguese who conquered it in 1618, the Sinhala chauvinism wouldn't have hesitated to completely wipe out the memory of it," Mr. Adaikkalanathan further said.

14 Tamils arrested in Colombo by Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Army

14 Tamils arrested in Colombo[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 November 2008, 16:08 GMT]The Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lanka Army and police Saturday took fourteen Tamil civilians into custody in a lightning cordon and search operation conducted covering Obeyasekara area in Rajagiriya division in Colombo. The operation commenced early morning around 3:00 a.m. Majority of them arrested are residents of north and east and other upcountry Tamils and had been working several business establishments and staying lodges, according to police sources. They are now detained in the Rajagiriya police station and being interrogated as they failed to prove their identity and justify their presence in the location, police sources said.

Leaders of Mauritius voice against genocide in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 November 2008, 17:48 GMT]
Leaders of both the ruling party as well as the opposition of Mauritius, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Rama Sithenen and the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Paul Berenger attended an agitation against the genocide of Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka on Thursday. The focal event of the protest was the march of hundreds of Mauritian Tamils to the Indian High Commission in Mauritius, demanding the Indian government to prevail upon Sri Lanka to effect immediate ceasefire in the island and to commence talks with the LTTE. The agitators also presented a memorandum on their demands to the Foreign Minister of Mauritius and conducted a prayer at the Maariyamman Temple.
The Attorney General and Minister for Human Rights of Mauritius, Mr. Jaya Rama Valayden in his speech condemned the Rajapaksa brothers for the genocide committed on Tamils. Mauritius will not stop merely at protesting, he said.

The protest was organized by the Mauritius Tamil Temples Federation (MTTF), an organization running about 150 koyils (temples) in Mauritius, the Tamil Force an organization of youth for justice and fairness towards Tamils in Mauritius, the Hindu Maha Jana Sangham, the Tamil Union, and the Tamil Eelam Support Committee under the leadership of Ganess Permal.

The MTTF president Mr. Veeran Comaren explained to the Foreign Minister of the need of Mauritius government convincing India to take necessary action.

Former Foreign Minister Mr. Jayan Cuttaree, former leader of the opposition and General Secretary of the MSM party, former Foreign Secretary, Mr. Vijay Makhan and Tamil social activist, Thiruthondar Cheetaen were among the notables who condemned the plight thrust upon the Eezham Tamils.

While the MSM party was in power in 1985, its leader and the then Prime Minister spoke in support of Eezham Tamils at the United Nations.

Today’s opposition leader and the party chief of MMM, Mr Paul Berenger has always been supportive to the cause of Eezham Tamils.

Aya Agileshwaren, a native of Jaffna, conducted the prayer at the Maariyamman Temple

Sri Lanka: Civilians in Vanni protest against Colombo's use of humanitarian supplies as tool of war

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 November 2008, 16:07 GMT]
People in Vanni marched in thousands towards two Government Agents' offices and two Divisional Secretariat offices in four locations on Friday protesting against Sri Lanka Government's restrictions on food and essential supplies, blaming Colombo for using humanitarian supplies as a tool of war to force civilians to flee against their will into the hands of Sri Lanka Army (SLA). K. Mahathevan, a representative of Vanni Peoples Welfare Organisation (VPWO), addressing more than 5,000 protesters in front of Ki'linochchi Government Agent's office at Tharmapuram described how the supplies were reduced from 600 lorries per month in 2007 to 250 lorries per month in 2008, but only 54 have allowed to cross into Vanni in the recent days.

• Appeal to the ICRC from Vanni Peoples Welfare Organisation

The VPWO, a civil society forum with representatives of various organisations throughout the Vanni, held protests in front of Government Agent's offices at Tharmapuram and Mullaiththeevu and in front of AGA (Divsional Secretary) offices at Puthukkudiyiruppu and Oddichuddaan in Mullaiththeevu district, urging global community's awareness on the humanitarian plight of the civilians in Vanni.

VPWO's General Secretary Vethavanam, who expressed gratitude to the solidarity shown by the people of Tamil Nadu towards Eezham Tamils, said the ICRC, which was expected by the people of Tamil Nadu and also by their Chief Minister, as a neutral agency to facilitate the supplies, is now getting restricted itself by the government of Sri Lanka to even to operate the Oamanthai crossing.

"The Sri Lankan government is using food as a tool of war against civilians to force them to act against our will," said S. Thuraisingam, the president of the organisation, while addressing the participants at Tharmpuram.

"But, we have a democratic right to urge the global community and also Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa at the same time, to allow unhindered access to humanitarian supplies," he said reminding the participants that the demand is a universally recognised fundamental right.

Mr. Mahathevan, in his address said: "While the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa tells India and the world that he was allowing humanitarian supplies to civilians in Vanni, he has instructed his army at Oamanthai to continue an un-announced embargo and block additional lorries. They block essential supplies from petrol, diesel to medicines needed to cure snakebite."

When 80 lorries are forced to wait for 10 days with supplies at the crossing, what would happen to food items that need immediate preservation, he asked.

"In October 2007, 600 lorries were allowed to pass through the crossing, in November it was reduced with 30 lorries, in April 2008 only 400 lorries were allowed, in June the number becomes 370, now it is reduced to 254 lorries, but only 54 lorries have crossed over upto now," he said.

"Now there are many more civilians displaced. The Sri Lankan military occupies the entire district of Mannaar and vast areas of agricultural lands of the other districts, depriving our people to produce our own food."

"Every day, a new item is added to their un-announced list of banned items at Oamanthai," he said.

"The message is you can't eat enough as free people. Even when you eat, you can't add spice," he said with a remark: "Everybody knows you [Colombo government] are fighting puli (Tiger), but are you also fighting pu'li [Tamarind fruit pulp, a spice]."

"Now they don't want to allow trouser-cloth. Do they want us not to wear cloth?," he asked.

The World Food Program (WFP) had decided on 200 grams of rice per person earlier, which means 1.4 kg rice per week per person. But, only 600 grams are provided due to the limited supplies, he noted.

Indian Students raise Eelam Tamils Issue in Delhi

By Sam Rajappa – TNS


DELHI – Tens of Thousands of students, coming from all the large states of India marched to the Indian parliament on Friday in New Delhi, raise the Eelam Tamil Issues at the Indian Capital.

This is the first time that The Eelam Tamil Issue was raised by students outside of Tamil Nadu. It’s a significant move says a political analyst in Delhi.

Pressing their educational demands including a 10 percent allotment of state expenditure on education, the student raise the Eelam Tamil issue as the only issue outside their educational issues as a priority. Political observers find great significance in the highlight of Eezham Tamil issue as a demand in this all India student rally.

End the attacks on Eezham Tamils, Stop the military aid to Sri Lanka and initiate a peaceful political solution to the crisis, were the demands included in the students’ agitation organized by the All India Students Federation (AISF).

Earlier a special train, carrying over 2000 students from Tamil Nadu, which left Chennai on Wednesday arrived Delhi. They joined the thousands of students arrived from all over India and camped at the Ramlila grounds in New Delhi in the cold of the winter and marched to the Indian Parliament for a distance of five km., on Friday afternoon.

Highlighting their feelings and their demand to end the sufferings of Eezham Tamils they have named their special train as ‘Messenger of Tears’.

Earlier the Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa rejected the call of immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa is in Delhi for the past two days to attend the BIMSTEC summit and met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday.

“Coming from a Buddhist country Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has only shown his arrogance in the land of Buddha by his belligerent talk of continuing war”, said C. Mahendran, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India at the Delhi rally.

Commenting on Rajapaksa’s remarks Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi accused Rajapaksa of seeking time to eliminate Tamil race in the island republic and said that the Centre should not get ‘deceived and carried away by his words’. "There should not be a single bomb dropped on Tamils or their settlements under the pretext of eliminating the LTTE. But there is no word of guarantee from Rajapakse in this regard. The Army makes no distinction between Tamils and LTTE and attacks places of worship and settlements," he charged.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who have assumed the role of guiding this country, should prevail upon Sri Lanka and ask it not to drop bombs on civilians, as no country battling terrorism drops bombs on its own people," he further said.

Unique agitation by All India Students Federation

Unique agitation by All India Students Federation
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 November 2008, 21:49 GMT]
A special train, carrying over 2000 students of Tamil Nadu, members of the All India Students Federation (AISF), left Chennai on Wednesday to march towards the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, demanding end of attacks on Eezham Tamils, stoppage of military aid to Sri Lanka and initiation of peaceful political solution to the crisis. Students from many other states of India will join them in the agitation scheduled for Friday. Such an event is first in the history of AISF, said S. Mahendran, senior leader of the Communist Party of India, guiding the students.



More than 2,000 students throng the platform before going onboard the 'Messenger of tears' train



D. Pandian, the state secretary of the CPI in Tamil Nadu addressing the participants“Your voice is going to be the voice of all. Your voice is going to be echoed in several languages when students from 18 states will join you in Delhi”, said D.Pandian, Secretary, CPI, Tamil Nadu, in his address of send off to the students at the Memorial Hall, Chennai, Wednesday afternoon.

“Ceasefire is not one-sided, said some. But when the CPI raised the matter the LTTE responded with their preparedness. Why India is still unable to press for it?”

“Rajapaksa says the Tigers have to lay down arms. A Tamil will die standing on his feet, and never by begging on his knees”, Pandian said.

Addressing the send off, MDMK leader Vaiko said that the whole world was watching the event and that he was grateful to CPI for undertaking the venture. “It was the initial effort of the CPI on October 2, that awakened Tamil Nadu on the plight of Eezham Tamils”, he said.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi President Thol. Thirumavalavan who addressed the students said, "We were fooled because we believed that the Karunanidhi-Pranab Mukherjee meeting would have put a full stop to the war in Eelam."

The speakers included, Udhayakumar, the Students Secretary of the AIADMK, Ravindra Thuraisamy, advisor, AISMK, actors Manorama and Satyaraj and poet Arivumathi.

The student participants are from all the districts of Tamil Nadu and the special train has been named ‘Messenger of Tears’ (Ka’n’neer Thoothuvan).

Many dignitaries, including CPI central committee member R. Nallakannu were at the platform, Chennai Central Station for the send off.

Actor Satyaraj flagged off the train.

3 Tamil civilians detained in Puththa'lam Genocidal Sri Lankan police station

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 November 2008, 11:30 GMT]
Three Tamil civilians were arrested in a cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and police in areas Ammaathoaddam and Pa'l'livaasal-thu'rai in Kalpiddi village in Puththa'lam district are still detained in the Puththa'lam police station and being subjected to interrogation by the police intelligence unity, civil sources said.

The operation was conducted Wednesday dawn till afternoon.

Several civilians were taken into custody and later released the same day.

Ruthless Genocidal Sri Lankan Para Military's White van abducts Tamil civilian in Puththa'lam

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 November 2008, 11:33 GMT]
Armed men who came in a white van abducted an ex-member of Kalpiddi Piratheasa Chapai (Pradeshiya Sabah) at Naavatkaadu in Kalpiddi village in Puththa'lam district Wednesday evening around 6:00 p.m., according to complaints lodged by the victim's relatives with the Police. The victim is J. Clarence, a 45-year-old father of four.

Armed men entered his house and took him by force in the white van amid cries by the family members at the house, according to neighbours.

Police sentry is located by the side of victim's house, they said.

Genocidal Sri Lankan Air Forces bombers attack again civilian targets in Paranthan

Sunday, 2008-11-09 20:07:58]Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked Kumarapuram, a suburb of Paranthan, Sunday around 12:50 p.m., causing injuries to five civilians, including a 2-year-old boy. The day was turned into another disasterous day for the child, Manoharan Vithuran, as the family was preparing to observe the 31st day rituals for their mother, Mrs. Manhoharan, who was killed in the SLAF bombardment on the same locality, 30 days ago. He was rushed to the Ki'inochchi hospital functioning in Tharmapuram and admitted at the Intensive Care Unit, according to TamilNet correspondent who visited the bombed site and the hospital. 72-year-old mother of two, Sellathurai Kamalambal, 63-year-old mother of two, Sivarasa Gowri, both from Kumarapuram, 54-year-old father of four, Nagalingam Sivarasa, from Paranthan 5th canal and a 12-year-old boy Sriskanth Tharangan from Kumarapuram were the other civilians who sustained injuries in the SLAF attack. The wounded were rushed to Ki'linochchi hospital and later transferred to Tharmapuram.

Two of the wounded, including the child, were in serious state, medical sources said. Nine houses were completely destroyed in the attack. Murugan temple at Kumarapuram, several other houses and a shop were damaged in the Sri Lankan air strike. SLAF has targeted Paranthan and its suburbs four times within the last 30 days.

Genocidal Sri Lankan Air Forces bombers attacked a settlement at the suburb of Paranathan, 6 km north of Ki'linochchi town Thursday around 2:45,

SLAF bombs Paranthan suburb
[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 November 2008, 12:34 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked a settlement at the suburb of Paranathan, 6 km north of Ki'linochchi town Thursday around 2:45, destroying houses, according to initial reports.

Casualty details were not available at the moment.

Genocidal Task by Srilankan Task Forces arrests 25 males in Vavu'natheevu, Batticaloa

STF arrests 25 males in Vavu'natheevu, Batticaloa
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2008, 13:42 GMT]
Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos and police conducted a joint cordon and search Tuesday from 5:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in Kannagkudaa in Vavu'natheevu police division in Batticaloa district arresting 25 men, sources in Batticaloa said. The arrested men are held in Vavu'natheevu police station for further inquiries, residents of Vavu'natheevu said.

The STF commandos and police checked every house in the area, and confiscated the National Identity Cards (NIC), of those who were ready to leave for work. The male residents were directed to assemble at the Kannangkudaa Ka'n'naki Amman temple for further interrogation.

The NICs of the women in the houses too were inspected by the search party.

Persons on their last day of Kanthasaddi fast too were taken to be checked without paying heed to their religious rites, the residents added.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Task Forces behind massacre of 5 Tamils in Ampaa'rai - Parliamentarian

STF behind massacre of 5 Tamils in Ampaa'rai - Parliamentarian
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2008, 18:41 GMT]
Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos at Kalmunai in Ampaa'rai opened fire on five Tamil youths who were at a liquor shop and attempted to create a story through police that the victims were Karuna cadres, TNA MP K. Pathmanathan said, citing the relatives of the victims. Later, the STF attempted to place the blame on Muslims, but some Tamil Muslim youths who had witnessed the killings had helped to avert confrontation between the Tamil, Muslim communities, the MP said.

The five victims were identified as Jeaysekar Thushanthan, 20, Rajakubenthan Yogaprakash, 28, Muthuppillai Sri Sutharshan, 28, Somasuntharam Karthik, 26 and Kathiravadivel Rajakuberan, 26, a married man, all residents of Kurunthaiyadi.

Local residents told the MP that a youth witness was also assaulted by the STF commandos, the MP said.

"The STF had tried to create a story that unidentified armed men had shot five TMVP youths. If the STF suspects someone they should arrest them and investigate whether they are involved or not. Killing them in cold blood exposes the impunity enjoyed by the Sri Lanka military and the continued gross human rights violations," Mr. Patmanathan said.

"The killing of Tamil civilians should be stopped immediately and the defence ministry should take action to prevent similar incidents taking place in the future," he added.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Police arrests Tamil youth in Matale

Police arrests Tamil youth in Matale
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2008, 13:49 GMT]
Sri Lanka police arrested a Tamil youth Monday evening at Ukkuwala in Matale division in central province on a report that he has close links with the LTTE, police sources said.

The youth is being detained in the Matale police station and is under interrogation as he failed to provide satisfactory reason for his stay in the location, Police sources said.

Police added that they have received reports that the youth has been providing sensitive information collected from the area.

What is actually Genocidal Sri Lankan Government is doing.

Part 2.


Part 1.

Genocidal Sri Lankan Government first to use anti-terrorism laws to punish journalists, say media watchdogs

Colombo first to use anti-terrorism laws to punish journalists, say media watchdogs

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 November 2008, 18:53 GMT]
The International Press Freedom Mission, a group of five international media watchdogs, which visited Sri Lanka between 25th to 29th October, said in a statement released Thursday that the mission is “alarmed at the use of an anti-terrorism law for the first time in the democratic world, to punish journalists purely for what they have written,” and added that the mission “found a deterioration in the press freedom situation since its last visit in June 2007, marked by a continuation in murders, attacks, abductions, intimidation and harassment of the media.”

“S. Tissainayagam, B. Jasiharan and V. Vallarmathy have been detained since March 2008 and later charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Mission is worried about the dangerous precedent this sets for all media nationally and internationally,” the statement said.

Pointing out “the recent World Press Freedom Index published by RSF, [where] Sri Lanka fell to the lowest press freedom rating of any democratic country worldwide,” the statement said that the mission was “shocked at repeated instances of elected representatives and Government Ministers using violence and inflammatory language against media workers and institutions,” and added that the Mission is also “concerned that state-owned media and the website of the Ministry of Defence have contributed to the vilification of independent media and journalists. Such actions can only be construed as efforts to discredit media through false accusations and clearly places them in danger.”

Observing that the media in the “North and East of the country have continued to bear the brunt of the worst forms of insecurity,” the statement said, “Media access to war-affected areas is heavily restricted with journalists forced to reproduce information disseminated by the conflicting parties. Media are constantly threatened by all parties to the conflict in an effort to curtail independent and critical reporting. The International Mission condemns the murder of P. Devakumar in Jaffna in May 2008, as well as over a dozen other murders documented since 2005.”

Refering to LTTE controlled areas, the Statement said, “In the LTTE-controlled areas freedom of expression and freedom of movement continue to be heavily restricted preventing diverse opinions and access to plural sources of information.”

Members of the International Mission met with the President of Sri Lanka, Ministerial Committee on Journalists Grievances, political parties, media owners and editors, journalists and media workers, human rights and legal experts, and the international community, the statement said.

The delegation that visited Sri lanka comprised of the International Federation of Journalists (www.ifj.org), International Media Support (www.i-m-s.dk), International News Safety Institute (www.newssafety.org), International Press Institute (www.freemedia.at), and Reporters Without Borders (www.rsf.org).

Para Militery of Sri Lankan Government's White van gunmen abduct 5 Tamil youths in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 November 2008, 13:55 GMT]
Unidentified armed men in white van abducted five Tamil youths during the past seven days in Trincomalee district, according to complaints by public to Trincomalee district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, Mr. Thurairatnasingam. The fate of the five abducted youths is not known, the relatives of the youths told the MP.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) jointly conducted a cordon and search, and with the help of masked identifiers, arrested seven internally displaced Tamil youths staying in Trincomalee Cultural Hall Friday.

The relatives of the seven youths have made complaints about the arrest to Mr. Thurairatnasingam, and the youths were released on his intervention.

Genocidal Ruthless Sri Lankan Air Forces bombing kills IDP teenager, injures another in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Vanni

SLAF bombing kills IDP teenager, injures another in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Vanni

[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 October 2008, 11:20 GMT]
A 16-year-old boy was killed with his arm blown off and 17-year-old girl seriously injured in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombing the civilian settlement in Va'l'lipunam in Puthukkudiyiruupu division in Mullaiththeevu district, Thursday morning. SLAF kfir jet fighters dropped eight bombs in two sorties in the aerial strike that lasted from 9:15 a.m to 9:30 a.m, sources in Puthukkudiyiruppu said. Four houses of the residents of the area were destroyed in the bombing.

16-year-old student killed in SLAF attack in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaiththeevu

The victim killed was identified as Selvarasa Satheeskaran and the injured girl is Pathmanathan Nivethini, both internally displaced from Ki'linochchi due to SLAF bombings and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery barrages.


Nivethini is admitted to Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital.

The body of the victim killed was handed over to his relatives after postmortem examination was held in Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital.

Tamil Hindu Priest missing at Alawetti, Jaffna.

Tamil Hindu Priest missing at Alawetti, Jaffna.
[Thursday October 30 2008 08:38:07 AM GMT]
A complaint was made that a Hindu Priest named Iyadurai Shanmugavel, aged 45 years from Alawetti, Jaffna is missing, from last 20th.
The said complaint was made by his wife to the Human rights Commission of the Jaffna office that the said victim, did not return, after leaving home on 20th. Meanwhile, last 27th a student from Jaffna Technical College was abducted; hence a complaint was made by his parents to the Human rights Commission, Jaffna office.According to the complain the student

Genocidal Ruthless Sri Lankan Air Forces airstrike kills civilian in Puthukkudiyiruppu

SLAF airstrike kills civilian in Puthukkudiyiruppu[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 October 2008, 11:20 GMT]A boy was killed in Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombardment on Vallipuanm in Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mullaiththeevu district Thursday morning, according to initial reports. Meanwhile, heavy artillery barrage was reported along Northern Forward Defence Lines of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam controlled territory in Jaffna peninsula Thursday morning from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. Further details were not available at the moment.

Tamil Civilian killed, Genocidal Ruthless Sri Lankan Army steps up artillery barrage on Kilinochchi suburbs

Civilian killed, SLA steps up artillery barrage on Ki'linochchi suburbs[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 October 2008, 11:18 GMT]A 29-year-old man was killed at Iraththinapuram, a suburb south of Ki'linochchi Wednesday evening when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched artillery barrage targeting the suburbs of the town. Since last Friday, the SLA has been continuously firing artillery shells towards the civilian properties of the suburbs Kanakapuram, Uruththirapuram and Thirunakar where civilians were still engaged in moving their properties. Artillery shelling was reported also during the nights. On Monday, the shelling lasted from 5:30 a.m to 8:00 a.m and from 2:00 p.m until evening.On Tuesday, a 59-year-old civilian Muniyandi Chandranayagam, who was riding a bicycle on Ki'lincochchi - Akkaraayan Road, was wounded Monday when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers targeted a residential area 1.5 km south of the town, at Kanakapuram, where Anpuch Choalai, the senior citizen's welfare centre was earlier located. Several houses were destroyed in the bombardment.Mr. Chandranayagam was injured as he was on his way to salvage house hold articles from his house in Surveyor Shop Cross road.The shelling intensified Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. on civilian settlements.

Another torture incident transpired at the Sri Lanka Prison.

Another torture incident transpired at the Sri Lanka Prison.
[Wednesday October 29 2008 03:27:38 PM GMT]
A prisoner who refused to give bribe was severely tortured by the Prison officials were registered in Kegalle vicinity. Prison officials requested 500 rupees from the detained prisoner at the Kegalle Prison, and the said prisoner refused to pay, hence he was un-mercilessly assaulted was stated.
Injured was admitted to the Kegalle hospital for treatment, later was transferred to the Dambulla General Hospital was stated.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army blocks oxygen cylinders urgently needed by hospitals in Vanni

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 29 October 2008, 15:37 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Vavuniyaa has held back for weeks the vehicle bringing 52 oxygen cylinders from Colombo to Ki'linochchi public hospital urgently needed to save the lives of the Internally Displaced Persons, increasingly subjected to indiscriminate shelling, air attacks and road accidents. Although two of the three lorries with medical supplies that were waiting for weeks were allowed to reach the hospital on Monday, the lorry with oxygen cylinders was not allowed to cross the Oamanthai entry point by the SLA. There is acute need for oxygen cylinders at Ki'linochchi hospital, according to Dr. P. Brighton, the assisting Deputy Provincial Director of Health (DPDH). The stock of oxygen cylinders in the hospital is completely exhausted as the need for oxygen is very much acute in Vanni due to the victims continually being injured in the air strikes, artillery barrages, he added.Besides, the congestion of traffic due to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing in haste in large numbers along the trunk roads in Vaani has escalated the number of road accidents where many civilians are injured.S. Osman Charles, the assistant DPDH of Mullaiththeevu district said the situation was alarming also at the Mullaiththeevu hospital where many patients were warded. SLA at Oamanthai entry point to Vanni did not permit the vehicle carrying 52 oxygen cylinders to go into Vanni. Only the other two vehicles transporting medicines reached Vanni, he added.

Another Abduction by Ruthless Sri Lankan Government

Technical College student abducted in Jaffna
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 19:10 GMT]
Unidentified armed men arriving on motorbikes abducted Monday morning a 20-year-old engineering student of Jaffna Technical College from the house of his adoptive father Mr. Thambimuthu, a leading lawyer in Jaffna, in A'laveddi, according to complaint lodged by Mr. Thambimuthu with Thellippa'lai police.

The abducted student Sriskantharajah Keethan was living with his adoptive lawyer father in A'laveddi.

Thellippa'lai police said they are investigating into the abduction.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Government's White van squad abducts Prison Officer in Trincomalee

White van squad abducts Prison Officer in Trincomalee
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 19:22 GMT]
Unidentified armed men in a white van abducted a Prison Officer attached to Trincomalee prison Monday around 7:00 a.m. while the officer was on his way from his house to his mother's house, in Anpuve'lipuram in Trincomalee.

The abducted prison officer is identified as P. Kowrinathan, 42.

Kowrinathan's family members have lodged a complaint on the abduction to Trincomalee police Monday.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Government's Paramilitery Group Karuna: White van armed men abduct Tamil youth in Kuchchave'li

White van armed men abduct Tamil youth in Kuchchave'li
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 20:21 GMT]
A 25-year old Tamil youth was abducted Monday night by unidentified armed persons who arrived in a white van in Kuchchave'li in Trincomalee district, police spokesman Ranjit Gunasekara told media.

Sivalingam Ranarajah was abducted from his house located in the Tsunami housing project in Salpaiaa'ru, north of Trincomalee district.

Kuchchave'li police have commenced investigation into the abduction.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Government Violence against upcountry Tamils

Violence against upcountry Tamils

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 12:03 GMT]
A gang of about fifteen Sinhalese armed thugs entered the house of a Tamil family in Perk rubber estate in Horana electorate Sunday evening and attacked the inmates mercilessly with clubs and knives. Other Tamil families in the area along with the affected family fled into the nearby jungle to escape further attack from the Sinhalese hoodlums. The violence comes as reports in Colombo said an upcountry Tamil minister in the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, Mr. P. Chandrasekaran was currently under presidential investigation for alleged expression of support to the recent protest campaign lauched by the Tamil Nadu government that sought to protect Tamils in Sri Lanka.

About two hundred upcountry Tamil families are residing in the rubber estate in Kalupahana division. The Sinhalese hoodlums left the place after terrorizing the entire Tamil population that they would return shortly to teach them a lesson, civil sources said.

Tamil families later went to the Horana police station and made complaints and wanted police protection. They complained that they were attacked just because they are Tamils. Those fled for refuge in the nearly jungle returned to their houses the following day, sources reported.

Violence against upcountry Tamils and arrests of youngsters by armed forces have become routine and are in spate in recent times.

'All Tamils in Sri Lanka will be eliminated' is the usual slogan of the attackers.

3 IDPs wounded in SLAF attack

Ruthless Sri Lankan Airforce Bombed Innocent Tamils' Houses

3 IDPs wounded in SLAF attack

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 15:51 GMT]
A 50-year-old mother of three, a 38-year-old father of one and a 41-year-old father of two, were wounded Tuesday morning around 11:00 when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked two civilian settlements in Ki'linochchi and Paranthan, medical sources at the Ki'linochchi hospital said. The victims were Internally Displaced Persons from Mannaar and Ki'linochchi districts. 750 school children and 17 teachers were attending classes at Paranthan Hindu College at the time of the SLAF air-strike. The college is located 750 meters from the attack site in Kumarapuram where three houses and three huts were fully destroyed, according to TamilNet correspondent who visited the attack site at Kumarapuram and the hospital.

A civilian house destroyed in the SLAF attack at Kumarapuram in Paranthan

One of the victim, Vinayakamoorthy Kandeepan, was wounded in his eyes, according to TamilNet correspondent in Vanni who visited both the attack sites and the hospital.

Two Kfir bombers attacked Kanakapuram, the suburb of Ki'linochchi town at 10:50 a.m. destroying five houses with eight bombs. Casualties were avoided as most of the civilians had fled the village.

Vinayakamoorthy Kandeepan, 38, father of one, displaced from 155th Mile Post to Kumarapuran, 1 km away from Paranthan, who was wounded in his eyes was transferred from Kilinochchi hospital to Tharmapuram.

Chandran Pathmaseelan, 41, father of two, displaced from Mannaar sustained injuries in his shoulder. Sukumar Rathithevi, 50, mother of theree, displaced from Kanakapuram in Ki'linochchi sustained minor injuries.

Tension prevailed in Paranathan as panicked civilians were forced to seek shelter from the air attack.

Propaganda against the Tamil actors, was initiated by SMS, hence a Tamil youth was arrested.

Propaganda against the Tamil actors, was initiated by SMS, hence a Tamil youth was arrested by Ruthless Sri Lanka.[Monday October 27 2008 09:45:22 AM GMT]A Tamil youth was arrested at Wellawatha, as he was initiating propagandas, for the Indian film actors who did not participate in the protests organized in favour of Sri Lankan Tamils, was stated.Wellawatha police division stated that Ganalingam Piratheeban the said youth, was initiating this propaganda to his friends, through SMS facility was stated. Further Wellawatha police stated that such propaganda was initiated against the film actors, Vijai and Arujun. He was arrested last Saturday from his residence was stated. But the Wellawatha police division is stating that they have not arrested any one on this category.

Web Documentation Center for Genocide of Tamils in Sri lanka

http://www.nitharsanam.info/

Sri Lanka - Ruthless Srilankan Forces shelling kills two, injures eight

Two civilians including a teacher were killed when a shell fired by Ruthless Sri Lankam Seurity Forces (SF) hit Puthumuripu in Killinochchi area. At least 30 houses were also damaged due to the heavy shelling started at 5:30 pm aiming the civilian settlement in area according to the sources in Killinochchi.
SF troopers indiscriminate aerial and shell attacks killed hundreds and many hundreds injured within past few months while displaced close to 250,000 including 40,000 children who are living in subhuman conditions.
The Sri Lankan government forces indiscriminate shelling known to have Killed hundreds of civilians and wounded hundreds including scores of children, elected officials, religious leaders, journalists and aid workers a local aid worker told TNS in Vanni. Three decades old civil war in Sri Lanka killed at least 215,000 people according to the UN World Health Organization.

United Nations General Secretary requests Sri Lanka Government to grant other than food, essential items to Vanni.

United Nations General Secretary requests Sri Lanka Government to grant other than food, essential items to Vanni.
[Saturday October 25 2008 12:31:01 PM GMT]
United Nations General Secretary Paan Kee Moon has appealed to the Sri Lanka government to provide essential items other than food to the public in Vanni.
Hence the government is initiating to proceed with the request. Eventhough food is dispatched to vanni by containers, the basic requirements such as Tents and other facilities are in much need, hence a worst condition is prevailing, was stated by Paan Kee Moon, and requested Sri Lanka government to send emergency requirements to Vanni. Recently the United Nations "Okza" movement visited Vanni, and reported to General Secretary of United Nations that the displaced people s living conditions are in a worst condition, hence this request was made the General Secretary to Sri Lanka government was stated.Precaution to safe guard Sri Lanka Parliament from floods. A parliament working committee is appointed to protect the Sri Lanka parliament from the floods, due to the present severe rain. It is feared that if the Diyawanna Oya, which is near the Parliament, over flows, there is possibility of Sri Lanka parliament getting affected was stated.Many incidents have occurred, Parliament being affected due to floods, but actions was not taken to obstruct this situation was stated.

Lawyers appealing for Tamil youths are threatened by a movement called "death brought from the demon".

Lawyers appealing for Tamil youths are threatened by a movement called "death brought from the demon".
[Saturday October 25 2008 12:32:56 PM GMT]
It is stated that death threats are circulated to the leading lawyers by a movement called "Mahasona". Lawyers appealing for any cases, for those arrested on suspicion of Terrorism activities, are circulated with a letter threatening death was stated.
"The meaning of "Mahasona" is "Death brought from the demon" was stated. On this context, persons arrested on suspicion under terrorism act, is branded by the movement as they are supporters of Tamil Eelam Libeation Tigers and supportive to the armed struggle by the LTTE. During the year 1980, similar killing squads functioned in the southern Sri Lanka, hence about 3000 people were missing. It was named as The "Black Cat" which was a murdering movement. In Sri Lanka, similar killers groups are functioning in different periods, and they perform many murders secretly was stated. During the year 1971 such similar group , performed killings about 15 thousand persons. According to a video reporter of Netherland, in the year 1980, Sri lanka was called "Murder land". Eventhough secret killings are done frequently in the Southern Sri Lanka, Tamil Eelam Liberation tigers or other movements functioned in Northern province, did not attack its enemies in a secret manner was stated by Asian Human rights Commission, Director Basil Fernando.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army attacks Ki'linochchi hospital, artillery barrage on town

Ruthless SLA attacks Ki'linochchi hospital, artillery barrage on town

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 October 2008, 14:47 GMT]170 patients, including 60 warded inpatients with the staff of the Ki'linochchi hospital narrowly escaped Saturday evening an artillery attack launched by the Sri Lanka Army. One of the shells hit the hospital premises destroying the front wall. The buildings of the hospitals are intact, patients and the staff were still remaining inside the hospital premises, according to initial reports. At least five shells exploded in the close vicinity of the hospital. Many shells have hit the town, initial reports said.

The wall near the entrance to the hospital destroyed in SLA shelling
SLA fired shells hit the hospital premises around 4:30 p.m. Saturday while the staff were attending a monthly meeting, according to the medial officials at the hospital. 110 patients came to the hospital for OPD treatment and 60 patients, including pregnanent mothers, were warded at the hospital including the patients admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Ruthless Sri Lanka Army turns away 26 lorries/trucks with humanitarian supplies at Omanthai

Ruthless Sri Lanka Army turns away 26 lorries/trucks with humanitarian supplies at Omanthai
[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 October 2008, 13:06 GMT]
Though the officials in Colombo claimed that 54 lorries/trucks were sent to the Wanni on Friday, only 28 WFP supply lorries entered the LTTE controlled Vanni. Other lorries were turned away at Oamanthai. These include two lorry loads of medical supplies and eight carrying kerosene.

29 World Food Programme (WFP) lorries and 25 lorries of the Government Agents (GAs) were scheduled to enter the LTTE controlled Vanni on Friday.

Meanwhile, officials in Vanni said more than 200,000 displaced people who are living under trees, urgently need shelter.

For the first time since 2005, five malaria patients were admitted to Mullaiththeevu hospital. Hospital sources said they are short of medicine and oxygen cylinders, expressing fear of Malaria outbreak with the monsoonal rains.

Day by day, pathetic situation becomes fervent to the Vanni Tamils. U.N.Watch!

Day by day, pathetic situation becomes fervent to the Vanni Tamils. U.N.Watch!

[Friday, 2008-10-24 21:38:29]

U.N.Watch organization informs that the displaced peoples pathetic situation in Vanni, becomes fervent day by day. U.N.Watch organization s Leader Zo Dowelve, stated that recently they conducted a statistics in regard to the displaced people in Vanni, which revealed such accuracy.

Members from the World Food Project, United Nations Management Association, United Nations Refugees Management Center and members of many organizations, participated in the said statistics committee. Localities of Mullaitheevu, Darmapuram and Kilinochchi, where people were displaced and living as refugees were stated according to statistics.

Mainly in these areas, the women are in an insecure situation was stated. Snakebites and fever vastly affect refugees and during last week, about 40 persons were bitten by snakes bites, and 3 persons died were stated.

In the said localities 3772 school students and 4076 female students are unable to proceed with their education hence the situation was much disturbing was stated.

The report further states, in the vicinities of Puthukudiyiruppu and Dharmapuram, a situation has risen that refugees are not treated with medication, because less number of doctors are assigned for duties was stated.

Food distribution was conducted by the ICRC to the under deprived localities was stated.

ICRC, Caritas movement and United Nations Organization are the only involved in humanitarian aids in the Vanni was stated. People, who had been eating for three times a day, are eating for only two times, was stated. Every day atleast one lorry should make the distribution, and weekly atleast once, food should be distributed was stated. Back

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army arrests 9 upcountry Tamil youths

SLA arrests 9 upcountry Tamil youths

[Friday, 2008-10-24 21:39:30]

Nine Tamil youths were arrested Wednesday morning by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) with the help of three masked men during a cordon and search operation in Kirkil Estate in Uva Paranagama in the hill country, civil society sources in Colombo said. This was the first time the state armed forces had used masked men for their search operation to arrest upcountry Tamil youths.

Tension prevailed among estate community when they saw high presence of armed forces and police with three masked persons.

Local residents identified two of the masked men as residents of the estates, who had previously lived in Colombo. The third was identified as a girl from outside the estate.

The arrested, M.Premnath, 23, S. Prabagaran, 23, G.Sivakumar, 23, S.Pulith, 24, R.Selvaretnam, 30, R.Chandrakumar, 31, R.Chandramohan, 31, S.Ramar, 41, and S.Kumar, 38, have been detained in the police station.

Kandavali IDP camp, Sri Lanka - September 2008

Ruthless Sri Lankan Army artillery fire kills father, son in Ki'linochchi, Sri Lanka

SLA artillery fire kills father, son in Ki'linochchi[TamilNet, Friday, 25 October 2008, 08:23 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched artillery barrage on Ki'linochchi town and its suburbs Friday evening, killing a 68-year-old father and his son around 5:20 p.m. while they were moving their household articles to Tharmapuram to escape continuing SLA artillery fire on residential areas. Six shells fell and exploded in the densely populated suburb. The two victims were reduced to pieces when a shell fell and exploded near the tractor in which they were transporting things from their house in Uruththirapuaram seeking safer place in Tharmapuram area in Ka'ndaaval'ai division.The tractor driver narrowly escaped death.The victims killed were identified as Chinaiah Ramalingam, 68, former manager ofthirapuram Multi Purpose Cooperative Society and his son Ramlaingam Vijayananthan, 32, a teacher in Ki'linochchi Aiyanaarpuram School.Ramalingam is a father of 3 children and his son Vijayananthan is the father of one child.The SLA artillery barrage began Friday around 4:40 p.m targeting the civilian settlements in Kanakapuram, Thirunakar, Uruththirapuram, Ira'naimadu, 155th Mile Post, Paarathipuram, Oottuppulam and other areas in Ki'linichchi district. The indiscriminate shelling lasted until midnight.Residents in areas under SLA artillery fire in Ki'linochchi district continuing since last week were desperately trying to salvage their household goods from their houses risking their lives.

FMM condemns death threats to Human Rights Lawyers

FMM condemns death threats to Human Rights Lawyers[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 18:46 GMT]Free Media Movement (FMM), a Colombo-based media watchdog, in a press release issued Thursday, condemned a recent letter written in Sinhala by a group calling itself "Mahason Balakaya," which warned that the human rights lawyers representing "terrorists" will be "summarily killed or receive life-threatening injuries." FMM urged the Government of Sri Lanka to "immediately denounce these terror tactics and take meaningful steps to restore public confidence in the rule of law, human rights and democratic governance." Full text of the release follows: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed by the contents of a letter posted to leading human rights defenders and lawyers, as well as given to all court registrars to be handed over to lawyers who appear for human rights cases. The letter, written in Sinhala and from a group that calls itself the "Mahason Balakaya" (Mahason Regiment), clearly states that lawyers who defend human rights cases will be summarily killed or receive life-threatening injuries. It is unclear who this group is. Mahasona is a well-known demon figure in Sinhala folklore. The FMM also learned that the Sri Lanka Army's LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol or "Digu Dura Wihidum Balakaya" in Sinhalese) was better known in the military "Mahasohon Brigade." Speculation over the origins of the letter, however, is secondary to FMM's grave concern that in the present context, this letter may instigate more violence against human rights defenders and those who appear in the defence of those such as journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who stands accused of terrorism. This disturbing letter comes just weeks after a deadly grenade attack against renowned lawyer and human rights activist J.S. Weliamuna, who is also the head of Transparency International in Sri Lanka. Reflecting the growing trend of hatred and harm against human rights activists even by senior members of the government, the letter calls human rights defenders "traitors' who deserve to be killed. It ends by noting that, "To those who support the terrorists, remember those who were killed and lost their limbs and eyes to the terrorists! Know that in the name of the nation, to make you suffer in the same manner is a blessing." The letter also notes that, "Henceforth, for every traitor who stands up to defend a terrorist, know that we will not hesitate to hasten fate which is the same as that faced by the innocent victims of terrorists in our motherland today." According to FMM, this hate speech, openly distributed with impunity, is hugely disturbing in a context of wanton violence in Sri Lanka against independent media and those who champion human rights and question the government's conduct of war. The FMM urgently calls upon the inspector-general of police to launch an investigation into the origins of this reprehensible letter. The government must immediately denounce these terror tactics and take meaningful steps to restore public confidence in the rule of law, human rights and democratic governance in Sri Lanka. Terror, in whatever form, has no place whatsoever in the democratic process, FMM noted.

Tamil Woman Shot Dead by Ruthless Sri Lankan Army

Woman shot, injured in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 22:35 GMT]Two unidentified armed men arriving on a motorbike Thursday day night at a house in Tholpuram in Valikaamam opened fire at the husband and wife. The wife was seriously injured. Her husband managed to run from the site without any injuries. The injured woman was identified as K. Janmunarany. Neigbhours took Jamunarany to Jaffna Teaching Hospital where she is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit.

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan Government Arrests Saiva priest in Kandy

Saiva priest arrested in Kandy[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 11:38 GMT]A Tamil Saiva priest was arrested on Wednesday in Teldeniya in Kandy district, and is being detained in police station for interrogation by the Police Intelligence Unit. The priest was taken into custody by a special police team which went from Kandy Police Headquarters on a report from the intelligence unit, civil sources said. The priest was allegedly associating with other Saiva priests and businessmen in Kengalle, Sengalle and Kandy for the purpose of collecting funds for the LTTE, police sources said. Police has not revealed the name of the arrested priest.

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan Government Arrests another 2 Tamil youths in Badulla

Badulla Police arrest two Tamil youths[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2008, 11:30 GMT]Badulla Police Wednesday arrested two Tamil youths while allegedly taking photographs of police station, court complex, municipal council complex, and Uva provincial Council Secretariat located in Badulla town, police sources claimed. The youths are being detained in the police station and subjected to interrogation by a police team of the Police Intelligence Unit, police sources added. Preliminary investigation by the police revealed both youths had come to meet some students of Jaffna district who have been studying in the Uva Wellasa University. While staying with them took photographs during their sight seeing tour, according to their statements to the police.

Ruthless Sri Lankan Terrorist Government arrested 2 Tamil youths in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka

2 Tamil youths arrested in Bandarawela

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 October 2008, 19:12 GMT]
Two Tamil youths were arrested in an estate in Passara by a special team of the Bandarawela Police Tuesday night on receipt of information from Colombo police headquarters. M.Thineshkumar, 23, and S.Kumar, 25, of Hendala in Colombo district had gone to the estate to attend an age-attainment ceremony for a relative of theirs in Passara, when the youths were arrested

Police said both were taken into custody when they gave two different versions, contradicting each for their visit to the estate.

Both are being detained in the Bandarawela police station.

The arrested youths will be produced in court after the investigation is concluded, police sources said

Ruthless Terrorist Sri Lankan DPU attack kills civilian, 2 wounded

Sri Lankan DPU attack kills civilian, 2 wounded

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 October 2008, 19:12 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit triggered a Claymore mine at Thikkuvil in Poonakari (Pooneryn) Wednesday around 1:00 p.m., killing a civilian and wounding two, initial reports from the Poonakari said.

The wounded were rushed to the primary health care centre in Poonakari.

The health care centre is run by the Centre for Health Care (CHC), a local NGO, which re-established the centre in Poonakari as many IDPs who had left Poonakari due to the ongoing Sri Lankan offensive, returned to resume agriculture in their paddy fields following the moonsoonal rain.