TNA PRESS MEET - 26th March 2009

Click the link below for the VIDEO

http://www.virakesari.lk/vira/video/video.asp?key_c=366

Senior Tamil politician R. Sampanthan addressing the media in the press meet in Colombo
We thank you for the letter sent by your Secretary dated 20 March 2009, inviting us and all the other Members of Parliament belonging to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for a meeting chaired by you, to be held on 26 March 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at Temple Trees to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country.We observe that you vaguely state that you desire to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country without any specific reference to the political issues that need to be discussed. There is also no reference to the grave humanitarian crisis prevailing in a part of the Mullaitheevu District, relating to around 300,000 internally displaced Tamil civilians. After the government designated certain areas as safe zones, these displaced Tamil civilians largely moved into these areas.We consider it necessary to state certain facts pertaining to this grave humanitarian crisis relating to the displaced Tamil civilians.
The fighting between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE’s) military formations is said to be taking place on many fronts some distance away from the said government designated ‘safe zones’. Yet the Sri Lankan armed forces have been bombing the safe zone areas by air and artillery fire killing on an average between 40 to 50 civilians on a daily basis and causing grave injuries to civilians many times more.
Despite the grave humanitarian crisis prevalent in these areas, the government has evicted all international humanitarian organizations and has since imposed restrictions on supplies to these areas tantamount to an embargo on food, medicine, shelter and other basic humanitarian items.
No independent media is permitted access to this area to report on the situation really prevailing in this area.
No functioning hospitals remain in the Vanni as government bombing campaigns have destroyed all such facilities. There are gross shortages of medicines. Despite numerous requests by the few remaining medical officers in the Vanni, the government has failed to send adequate medicine. Diseases related to overcrowding, poor nutritional intake, a lack of sanitation and exposure to the elements are becoming prevalent.. People have died recently as a result of complications which could have been easily treated had there been proper health facilities and medicine.
The Internally Displaced Persons do not have any form of toilet facilities. The government has banned all construction materials into the area and as a result building of temporary toilets has not been possible.
More than 60,000 families (240,000 individuals) are living in open areas with shelter made from tarpaulin. Due to the very hot weather conditions, staying in these shelters has become intolerable. The government has not allowed shelter materials into the area.
Even though there are around 300,000 civilians in the relevant areas, the government insists that there are only about 70,000 civilians in the area. This position of the government is inconsistent with the assessment of UN and other international agencies who estimate that there are around 200,000 displaced civilians in this area. In doing so the quantity of food aid and medicine and other essential humanitarian supplies sent is grossly inadequate and as a result the civilian population is starving to death or dying due to unavailability of medical supplies. It should be noted that within the last month, several people have died of starvation. The dead have included many children.
There is also a complete inadequacy of drinking water. Water Bowsers from Puthukuddirruppu are used for transporting water. This water is dangerous to collect due to continuous shelling and bombing of the area by the Sri Lankan armed forces. To compound matters, lack of fuel for the Bowsers and the water pumps is also hampering water collection and delivery. The situation regard to non drinking water (toilet, washing, cooking, etc) is that it is almost non-existent.
Since the beginning of this year alone, over 3000 civilians have been killed in these so-called ‘safe zones’ by bombing campaigns carried out by the Sri Lankan armed forces. Well over 8000 civilians have been gravely injured. The fact that the armed forces have been bombing these areas suggests that the civilians are being deliberately targeted. It is also our submission that the government’s failure to permit adequate food and medicine into these areas demonstrates that food and medicine are being used against the Tamil civilians as a weapon of war. The TNA has made public this grave humanitarian situation and appealed to the government to take necessary steps to ensure that the Tamil civilian population is not harmed. The international community has similarly made strong appeals to the government on behalf of the Tamil civilian population. The government has not responded to these appeals. If the military attacks now taking place, and the deprivations caused by the embargo on food, medicines, shelter and other humanitarian needs continue, a grave humanitarian catastrophe affecting the Tamil civilian population will before long occur in this area.We consider it our primary duty to protect and safeguard the displaced Tamil civilian population from this grave humanitarian catastrophe. We have to therefore earnestly request : -
That the military attacks be stopped immediately.
Ensure that adequate supplies of food, medicines and shelter are sent immediately to sustain a civilian population of around 300,000 so that the displaced Tamil civilian population is not denied urgent humanitarian needs.
Urge that UN agencies, the ICRC and other international NGOs are able to freely function in this area, and thereby ensure the fulfillment of the humanitarian needs of these displaced civilians. We should also point out that the international community has with one voice urged the government to swiftly take action on the aforesaid lines.It is in the background of this grave humanitarian crisis relating to the Tamil civilian population that we have received your invitation. The Tamil people and our party are strongly of the view that the utmost priority must be given to the resolution of this humanitarian crisis before it assumes catastrophic proportions, and that any political discussions to be purposeful and meaningful must follow such resolution.Since you have hitherto consistently followed a policy of ignoring the TNA in regard to all political issues in the Northeast, we are glad that you now wish to engage in discussions with us, recognizing even though belatedly, that we represent the Tamil people.We will extend our cooperation to any credible political process that seeks to evolve an adequate, acceptable and durable political solution to the Tamil question.We would strongly urge that you take necessary steps to address forthwith the grave humanitarian crisis pertaining to the displaced Tamil civilian population.

Yours sincerely,

R. SAMPANTHAN M.P. ( TNA Parliamentary Group Leader)

MAVAI SENATHIRAJAH M.P. (ITAK)

N. SRIKANTHA M.P (TELO)

SURESH PREMACHANDREN M.P (EPRLF )

G. G. PONNAMBALAM M..P ( ACTC)

TNA's PRESS MEET TO EXPLAIN THE DECISON TO REJECT THE MEETING WITH SL PRESIDENT

அரச தலைவர் கொடுத்த நஞ்சை நாம் விழுங்குவதா?: அழைப்பை நிராகரித்து சம்பந்தன் விளக்கம்
[வியாழக்கிழமை, 26 மார்ச் 2009, 06:58 பி.ப ஈழம்] [கொழும்பு நிருபர்]
தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகளின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் உள்ள வன்னிப்பெரு நிலப்பரப்பில் இந்த மாதத்தில் மட்டும் 500 தமிழர்கள் சிறிலங்கா படைகளின் அகோரத் தாக்குதல்களில் கொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளனர். அங்கு அடிப்படை சுகாதார வசதிகள் எதுவும் இல்லை, மருந்துகள் இல்லை, குடிநீர் இல்லை, எறிகணைத் தாக்குதல்களுக்கு அஞ்சி பதுங்கு குழிகளுக்குள் மக்கள் வாழ்ந்து வருகின்றனர். இந்த நிலையில் சிறிலங்காவின் அரச தலைவர் மகிந்த ராஜபக்சவின் அழைப்பை ஏற்று சந்திப்பதற்கு நாங்கள் குழந்தைப் பிள்ளைகள் அல்ல என்று தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் நாடாளுமன்றக் குழுத் தலைவரும் திருகோணமலை மாவட்ட நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினருமான இரா.சம்பந்தன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.
சந்திக்க வருமாறு அரச தலைவர் விடுத்த அழைப்பை நிராகரிப்பது தொடர்பான முடிவை அறிவிக்கும் ஊடகவியலாளர் மாநாட்டினை கூட்டமைப்பு இன்று வியாழக்கிழமை பிற்பகல் கொழும்பில் நடத்தியது.
இந்த மாநாட்டில் ஊடகவியலாளர்களின் கேள்விகளுக்கு பதிலளித்த போதே இரா.சம்பந்தன் இவ்வாறு தெரிவித்தார்.
அழைப்பை நிராகரித்தமை தொடர்பாகவும் கூட்டமைப்பின் நிலைப்பாடுகள் குறித்தும் விளக்கமளித்து கடிதத்தினை நேரடியாகவும் தொலைநகல் மூலமும் அரச தலைவர் மகிந்த ராஜபக்சவுக்கு இன்று அனுப்பியதாக இரா.சம்பந்தன் குறிப்பிட்டார். ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதி அனுப்பப்பட்ட அந்த கடிதத்தின் பிரதிகள் ஊடகவியலாளர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டன.
கடிதத்தை ஊடகவியலாளர்களுக்கு வழங்கிய பின்னர் அவர்களின் கேள்விகளுக்கு விளக்கமளித்த இரா.சம்பந்தன், முல்லைத்தீவில் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் 50-60 மக்கள் கொல்லப்படுகின்றனர். சராசரி 100-க்கும் அதிகமானவர்கள் காயமடைகின்றனர் என்று புள்ளி விபரத்தினை மேற்கோள் காட்டினார்.





ஆங்கிலம், தமிழ், சிங்களம் ஆகிய மூன்று மொழிகளிலும் கருத்துரைத்த இரா.சம்பந்தன், முல்லைத்தீவில் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் இடம்பெயர்ந்த மக்கள் குடியிருப்பு பகுதிகளை நோக்கி அதுவும் அரசாங்கம் அறிவித்த 'மக்கள் பாதுகாப்பு வலய'ங்களை நோக்கி எறிகனை, பீரங்கித் தாக்குதல்களும் வான் தாக்குதல்களும் சிறிலங்கா படைகளால் நடத்தப்படுகின்றன என்றும் கூறினார்.
கிழக்கு மாகாணத்தில் படையினரால் கைப்பற்றப்பட்டதாக அரசாங்கம் அறிவித்த பிரதேசங்களில் கூட உணவுகள், அத்தியாவசியப் பொருட்கள் கொண்டு செல்வதற்கு மக்களுக்கு கட்டுப்பாடு விதிக்கப்படுகின்றது எனவும் சுட்டிக்காட்டிய இரா.சம்பந்தன், என்னென்ன வழிமுறைகள் உண்டோ அவை அனைத்தையும் பயன்படுத்தி மக்களை அரசாங்கம் கஸ்டத்திற்கு உள்ளாக்குகின்றது என்றும் தெரிவித்தார்.
இந்த நிலையில் அதுவும் நாட்டில் தற்போது ஏற்பட்டுள்ள அரசியல் நிலைமைகள் குறித்து பேச வருமாறு அரச தலைவர் மகிந்த ராஜபக்ச எமக்கு அழைப்பு விடுத்திருக்கின்றார். அவர் விடுத்த அந்த நச்சுத்தனமான அழைப்பை ஏற்று அந்த நஞ்சை விழுங்குவதற்கு நாங்கள் குழந்தைப் பிள்ளைகள் அல்ல என்றும் இரா.சம்பந்தன் நகைச்சுவையாக கூறினார்.
முதலில் மனிதாபிமான பிரச்சினைகளுக்கு தீர்வு காணப்பட வேண்டும். அதன் பின்னர் தான் அரசியல் விடயங்கள் குறித்து பேசலாம் அதுதான் எமது நிலைப்பாட்டு. அதற்கு நாங்கள் தயார். ஆனால் கடிதத்தில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருக்கின்ற விடயங்களுக்கு அரச தலைவர் சாதகமான பதிலளித்தால் நாங்கள் பேசுவோம் அதில் பிரச்சினை எதுவும் இல்லை என்று இரா.சம்பந்தன் தெரிவித்தார்.
தமிழ்மக்களின் கடந்த கால அரசியல் வரலாறுகளை நினைவுபடுத்தி பதிலளித்த இரா.சம்பந்தன், தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள் இயக்கம் தோன்றுவதற்கு முன்னரே தமிழ்மக்களுக்கு எதிரான வன்முறைகள் அரசாங்கத்தினால் கட்டவிழ்த்து விடப்பட்டன என்று கூறினார்.
அத்துடன் தமிழர்கள் நடத்திய அகிம்சை போராட்டங்கள் கூட வன்முறைகளால் தடுக்கப்பட்டன. இனப்பிரச்சினைத் தீர்விற்காக முன்வைக்கப்பட்ட யோசனைகள், ஒப்பந்தங்கள் அனைத்தும் அரசாங்கத்தினால் கைவிடப்பட்டன. இதன் பின்னணியிலேதான் விடுதலைப் புலிகள் இயக்கம் உருவாகியது என்று எடுத்துக்கூறிய இரா.சம்பந்தன், தற்போது இடம்பெறுகின்ற வன்முறைகளுக்கு யார் பொறுப்பு என்பதை நீங்கள் கூறுங்கள் என்று ஊடகவியலாளர் ஒருவரைப் பார்த்து கேள்வி தொடுத்தார்.

see the link below for puthinam report:
http://www.puthinam.com/full.php?2b34OOA4b3dW6Dp34d01VoK3a03O4AKb4d24SmA4e0dg0Mtjce0cf1e02cceocYS3e

SRIKANTHA MP's INTERVIEW TO ASIA TRIBUNE
Sun, 2009-03-01 13:01

See the link below for full version of the interview
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/15828

TNA fails to come up with rescue plans to save innocent Tamils other than insisting on a ceasefire to safeguard the LTTE

By K.T.Rajasingham
Colombo, 01 March, (Asiantribune.com): The Tamil National Alliance has failed to come N.Srikantha M.P: "Well what actions we can take rather than appealing to the conscience of the international community, which by large remains a silent spectator?." up with any solutions to solve the human tragedy of saving the innocent Tamil civilians trapped in the conflict zone, who are allegedly held as human shield by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The TNA is hell-bent on finding ways to rescue the LTTE from being ejected from the country, by urging for a ceasefire rather than coming up with a rescue plan to safeguard the Tamil civilians from the clutches of the Tamil armed group.
After the Independent of Sri Lanka in 1948, the Tamil Political parties which represented the Tamils of the North and East of the country have failed to win the equal rights of the Tamils. In 1977 the Tamil armed groups took over forcefully from the political parties by threat and intimidations and subsequently LTTE banned other groups and waged an armed conflict up to 2007, propagating a separate mono-ethnic state agenda. Many thousands died and no solution was on sight and armed struggle was a colossal failure.
Presently, while the final battle is now being fought in Puthukkudiyiruppu, a Vanni heartland and in the Mullaitivu coasts, more than 70, 000 Tamil civilians are held hostages, in other words as human shield by the LTTE. Efforts are made to rescue them from the clutches of the LTTE .
International Community has repeatedly urged the LTTE to allow the innocent Tamils to go for safe areas.
In the meantime Asian Tribune contacted N.Sri kantha, a TNA Member of Parliament from the Jaffna Electoral district regarding TNA’s position and of its rescue plan on the ongoing human tragedy.
In the interview, Srikantha obstinately parroted that 'Sri Lanka Government should declare ceasefire and then the balance will be worked out'. He argued in an interview with the Asian Tribune that earlier the successive Sri Lanka Governments did not insist on the LTTE laying down of arms, then why the present government insists on such preposterous conditions?
When asked what action TNA has taken to rescue the innocent Tamil civilians trapped in the conflict zone, Srikantha said, "Well what actions we can take rather than appealing to the conscience of the international community, which by large remains a silent spectator."
Given below the text the interview with N.Srikantha MP:
Asian Tribune: We wish to know the latest about the conflict in Sri Lanka?
N. Srikantha MP: Precisely?
Asian Tribune: Precisely about the present position?
N. Srikantha MP: The conflict is going on.
Asian Tribune: The TNA’s position regarding this?
N. Srikantha MP: I think it is quiet known. The TNA has made it clear that there cannot be a military solution to the ethnic conflict.
Asian Tribune: At present Government says that there are about 70,000 people trapped in the conflict zone, even India endorses this figure but others say that there are nearly 200,000 civilians trapped over there? Your stance on these versions?
N. Srikantha MP: The numbers are being suppressed. We have told very categorically time and again, even in the recent weeks we said that there are more than 350,000 civilians pressed between the contending combatants in the war front.
Asian Tribune: What action you have taken to rescue them?
N. Srikantha MP: Well what actions we can take rather than appealing to the conscience of the international community, which by large remains a silent spectator.
Asian Tribune: You mean the international community?
N. Srikantha MP: The international community should intervene as there is a humanitarian crisis, virtually amounts to a genocide. Day in day out, innocent civilians are killed, injured and maimed.
Asian Tribune: As you are practicing lawyer of some repute, I wanted to know your definition of the word "Genocide," which you used just now?
N. Srikantha MP: Well you know what one meant by genocide? There is a systematic attack on a defenseless community, by the Government committed to a racist agenda and in consequence of which members of the community continues to die in large numbers and it amounts genocide.
Asian Tribune: That is your definition? A wishy- washy one?
N. Srikantha MP: I think that is the definition, one can … anybody with some proper sense would give at any given time, from any part of the world.
Asian Tribune: OK, we will take it as your version, which you just gave. Have you appealed to the Sri Lankan Government regarding the plight of the innocent civilians trapped in the war zone?
N. Srikantha MP: No, we have told the Government on the floor of the House, both in and out of Parliament during the last several months. We are repeatedly stating this. 'Please stop it,innocent civilians are getting killed.' Government has not been listening. It is hell-bent on a military agenda. That is our grievance. The Government fighting the LTTE is one thing, but a constitutionally elected Government has no business, has no power what so ever to punish the civilians who are no party to the conflict.
Asian Tribune: OK that is your stance on this subject? I wish to know whether there was any attempt by the TNA MPs to meet the Sri Lankan President and discuss these issues with him.
N. Srikantha MP: First there should be a ceasefire and the rest can be worked out. We have told that very categorically at our conference on the 17th of this month. Come up with the ceasefire first and then the other things can be worked out.
Asian Tribune: The Conference means you mean is the press conference you all had at the parliamentary complex and held by R.Sampamthan?
N. Srikantha MP: Yes along with Sampan there were more than 13 or 14 of the TNA MPs were also there. Tamils in Vanni being killed in the SLAF`s indiscriminate artillery barrage and bombings
Asian Tribune: Have you appealed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to release the civilians trapped in the war zone to go to safe areas?
N. Srikantha MP: This silly question is being asked by number of people. Please understand that there is no question of anybody appealing to anybody to leave the civilians like that. There is a war going on and both sides are attacking each other.
Asian Tribune: You just now said that you have made a request or an appeal or whatever it may be, to the Government to stop the war. So automatically anyone will ask whether you have asked the LTTE also. It is a natural question and there is no need for you to be emotional?
N. Srikantha MP: We asked the Government to have a ceasefire.
Asian Tribune: Ok you asked for ceasefire? Ceasefire for what purpose?
N. Srikantha MP: You should know it better?
Asian Tribune: That is why we asked you, to know your stance better?
N. Srikantha MP: How can you think of any constructive efforts to solve this problem peacefully without any ceasefire in place?
Asian Tribune: We categorically asked you whether you have requested or appealed to the LTTE to allow the civilians to go for safer places?
N. Srikantha MP: You know this does not arise, because the LTTE has repeatedly stated that it was ready for a ceasefire.
It is the Governmnet… I am not holding the brief for the LTTE; I have certain reservations in regard to the LTTE. It is the Government that is insisting on certain conditions to be fulfilled before the ceasefire. But LTTE is ready for an unconditional ceasefire. All these times when successive Governments of Sri Lanka talked, since 1984, no since 1985 talked to the LTTE and also at the point of time with the other militant organizations and with the TULF and there was no demand for ceasefire. Even in the recent times when they were having talks there were no ceasefire concerns?
Asian Tribune: Do you mean to say that they should not ask for it now?
N. Srikantha MP: Please listen to me. There was no insistence on LTTE to agree on certain conditions. All those previous talks were held unconditionally.
Asian Tribune: That was earlier?
N. Srikantha MP: Even thereafter. Even during President Premadasa’ regime. Then followed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s regime. Then of course there was a ceasefire which came into place. That was put in place. Now for a ceasefire, the Government is laying down conditions. That is the problem we have.
Asian Tribune: As you said that this Government is an elected Government and they are now better placed than the previous governments to demand for a laying down of the arms. Even Indian Government has categorically said in the floor of the Indian Parliament that LTTE must lay down the arms and then go in for talks? Even on the other day at Thoothukudi located in Tamil Nadu, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee has clearly urged Sri Lanka to "cease hostilities" immediately and help to evacuate 70,000 of people caught in a civil war with the Tamil Tigers. This appeal does not constitute India as urging for Ceasefire, but only for a pause in hostility?
N. Srikantha MP: I am not here to argue, I am only telling my position.
Asian Tribune: That is what Asian Tribune is reiterating. As you are all supposed to be representing these very Tamils trapped in the conflict zone, the world wanted to know TNA’s position on these issues that is why we just brought to your notice? But you are simply harping on the usual allegations and blame games?
N. Srikantha MP: World knows very well the TNA’s position, now I have made it clear that "Talks" has to be unconditional. There should be a ceasefire prelude to meaningful talks between these two parties. This problem can’t go on like this. Our people are being made scapegoat.
The TNA is quiet clear that there should be a ceasefire and that is the need of the hour. Without ceasefire, there can’t be any conciliatory effect in solving this problem politically.
Therefore, the Government should agree to a ceasefire without any condition. That applies to the LTTE also.
Asian Tribune: OK, in case Government does not agree for a ceasefire without LTTE laying downs the arms, then what next?
N. Srikantha MP: Then it is left to the international community to intervene.
Asian Tribune: The international Community? Yesterday (27 February) at the UN Security Council meeting, it was clearly told that the conflict in Sri Lanka is an internal problem and they are not going to interfere?
N. Srikantha MP: We think that is not the final word? Do you think that is the final and conclusive?
Asian Tribune: We are waiting to hear from the Members of Parliament representing the Tamils their final word on this issue. Human misery should not be a case for or a subject for arguments. In conclusion we have to say that you have not answered many of our questions. Anyway thank you for your responses.
- Asian Tribune -