Group representing N&E condemns GTF-led initiative, draws govt. attention to five issues

A number of Tamil political parties and organisations have condemned the GTF (Global Tamil Forum)-led initiative aimed at promoting post-war national reconciliation though the US has welcomed it.

Tamil civil society groups consisting of university students, families of the disappeared, religious groups, labour unions, academics, women groups et al jointly rejected the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ by an association called Sanga for better Sri Lanka (SBSL) and GTF. They alleged the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ didn’t address their grievances.

They alleged SBSL and GTF ignored the pain and suffering of Tamils during the conflict and post-war period.A delegation, led by the UK-based GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran, was in Colombo recently to promote the latest reconciliation effort.

The move drew swift condemnation from TNPF MP Gajendrakumar Ponnanbalam and former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran (EPRLF) while the TNA distanced itself from the GTF effort.

The Tamil grouping drew the attention of the government and all other parties to the following issues:

1) Reduce armed forces presence in Tamil areas to the pre-war 1983 levels

2) Stop the destruction of Hindu temples, ancient Hindu sites and stop building Buddhist temples in Tamil areas

3) Stop government sponsored Sinhalese settlements in Tamil areas and stop land grab of Tamil lands by the government. Release all the civilian lands still occupied by the security forces.

4) As requested by the UN, refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC)

5) To prevent further bloodshed, hold an internationally conducted referendum to solve protracted Tamil conflict

The following were the signatories: A. Vijayakumar, President – Student Union, University of Jaffna, Y. Kanagaranjini, President – Association for relatives of the enforced Disappearances, North and East Provinces, Thavathiru Velan Swamigal, Sivaguru Aatheenam – Coordinator, Pottuvil to Polikandy Rally, (P2P), Fr. Joseph Marry (S J) – Batticaloa, T. Thangaraja, President – Employee’s Union, University of Jaffna, Vimaleswaran Srikantharuban, Women United Monitoring Society, North and East Provinces, Thavathiru Adikal, Thenkailai Aatheenam – Trincomalee, Fr. Jayanthan Pachchek OMI, Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Jaffna, Vigneswaren Gajaruban, Student Union, Faculty of Art and Culture, Eastern University, Mithilaichelvi Sripathmanathan, Working Women Society, Fr. Kandaiya Jegathas, Coordinator, Pottuvil to Polikandy Rally, (P2P) and S. Sivachandran, Centre for Women and Development.