Access to TAMIL INFORMATION Information is a Fundamental Bight

NEWS BULLETIN OF THE TAMIL INFORMATION CENTRE NOV- DEC 1993 Nos. 28 & 29

LTTE DESTROY POONERYN ARMY CAMP

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil persons had died earlier for lack of army unit only on 13 November. Eelam (LTTE) launched Operation medical treatment and two died of Thavalai, a massive assault on the shock during the Tiger operation. Both sides have suffered heavy Pooneryn army camp and the losses. At least 1,000 soldiers and Nagathevanthurai naval base in At dawn, military helicopters and navy personnel are either dead or Kilinochchi District on 11 bombers began attacking the missing. The government has not November.The two military bases Tigers. In Tiger counter- attacks a been able to draw up a complete list lie only a few miles apart, west of helicopter was damaged. of the dead, which has left parents Elephant Pass. in a state of shock and uncertainty. Amidst bombing the Tigers used Another 435 soldiers were injured. Sea Tigers landed near boats captured at the naval base to TheLTTEhasannouncedthat411 Nagathevanthurai naval base at 2.20 ferry arms and the injured across of their cadre were killed. am in two rowing boats across the the lagoon to the Jaffna peninsula. Kilali lagoon and began attacking Early morning the Tigers There were 292 army trainees in the military’s forward defence lines. announced over loudspeakers the Pooneryn camp at the time of Search lights in the base were urging soldiers who fled into the LTTE attack and according to smashed by gunfire. Another unit of coconut groves and paddy fields to reports all were killed. Observers 150 Sea Tigers landed in motor surrender. Another LTTE unit say the trainees had been sent to boats and entered the base. They began attacking regrouped soldiers Pooneryn to prevent them deserting targeted the communications under Colonel Ranjan Silva, who the army after completion of their building and damaged the radar and pleaded over the radio for training. communication equipment cutting reinforcements. The LTTE came off links with other camps. Many under heavy attack by the air force In Operation Thavalai Tigers sailors were killed in the unexpected and many Tigers were killed. captured Rs. 300 million ($6 attack and the others retreated east million) worth of arms and towards the Elephant Pass army According to reports, some of the equipment, including two Main camp. high ranking military officers had Battle Tanks, five 120 mm artillery decided not to send reinforcements guns and five naval boats. At about the same time two Tiger to save the soldiers trapped west of units from the direction of Mannar Pooneryn. newspapers Although the military expected an in the south and Paranthan in the say Prime Minister Ranil attack in view of Maveerar Varam east , breached the defence lines and Wickremasinghe intervened and (Great Heros Week) observed by entered the Pooneryn army camp. ensured that a rescue operation was the Tigers annually to The communications room and launched. Meanwhile the Tigers commemorate the dead in the war, other buildings in the camp were also attempted, as a diversionary such a ferocious offensive had not damaged by Tiger shelling. In an measure to infiltrate Palaly and been anticipated, particularly within hour of fighting many soldiers were Kankesanthurai army camps in the weeks after the Yal Devi operation killed. Col. Ranjan Silva assembled north of the Jaffna peninsula. by the army in September to the remaining 500 soldiers and capture Killali and two days before retreated west towards Sangupiddy. On 12 November army attempts the Hindu Deepavali festival. In the Thereafter the Tigers began to land on the sand banks, east of last three months the army had been removing the bodies and the Mandaitivu was thwarted by a interviewing Jaffna people arriving captured arms. The Tigers found 36 LTTE unit from Ariyalai which in Vavuniya, to gather information Tamil prisoners locked in-one room. landed on the Kalmunai Point on preparation for a major They had been arrested during army promontory west of Pooneryn. The offensive. Yal Devi was launched to operation Valampuri in October army was only able to land at discourage the Tigers from 199 1 and detained in squalid Kalmunai following LTTE undertaking any attacks and another conditions. Most of them were old withdrawal from Pooneryn. The najor military offensive on the men, women and children. Three rescue forces reached the besieged Jaffna peninsula was being planned

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 1 for 1994. The pre-emptive strike by including ten people in one family and arms would force the the Tigers has thrown the military at Navanthurai. The genocidal government to sue for peace. But into disarray. attack came between 8.30 and hues and cries for a political 9.OOam while thousands of people solution seem to have fallen on deaf Retaliatory military attacks on were on the streets shopping and ears. The Defence Ministry has Jaffna peninsula began immediately. those killed included women and begun negotiations for immediate The Jaffna Government Agent’s children. Seventy one other purchase of arms. Reports say Rs. office was bombed on 13 November civilians were wounded. 2,000 million ($40 million) worth injuring 25 persons. Government of arms will arrive in Colombo in Agent K.Manickavasagar himself The capture of tanks and five the beginning of January 1994. was injured. On the same day St. mile range artillery guns by the Continuous bombing raids have James Church in Gurunagar was LTTE would give them an added been ordered, some reports say, by bombed killing nine civilians who advantage. The government seems President Wijetunge himself, on were praying inside. Over 50 people to have other unexpected problems Jaffna. According to the army the were injured, seven of whom died in too. Most of the Chinese supersonic intention of bombing and shelling hospital. A woman lost her leg when and other bombers had been at of Jaffna is to prevent the LTTE a children school in Kondavil was Katunayake airport from where from launching other Pooneryn-type attacked by the air force. Damage they took off for bombing raids on attacks. But the pattern of bombing by bombs to the market and shops the North- East. But international and shelling show that these are belonging to the Town Council in aviation agencies have protested nothing but revenge attacks on the Chavakachcheri is estimated at Rs. against using a civilian airport for Tamil population. The bombing 5. million ($100,000). Shelling from military planes and have warned Sri continues despite appeals from the Palaly and Mandaitivu military Lanka that air services would be Jaffna Catholic Bishop Thomas camps has caused extensive damage suspended if the bombers were not Savundaranayagam and the in many areas. Argentinean Puckara removed. The government fears the assurance given by Prime Minister planes bombed Gurunagar, Tigers may now target airports in Ranil Wickremasinghe to the Jaffna Sinnakadai and Pashaiyur and other the NorthEast using the captured Government Agent. areas in and around Jaffna town on 120 mm guns. Some observers 5 December killing 26 civilians believe that the massive loss of life

RESETTLEMENT WITHOUT BASIC NEEDS

Veeramunai village in Amparai educational needs of the 720 biggest hurdle for the villagers. District is an eye opener as far as students on roll. This school lacks a Even a sub-post office has not been resettlement programmes for library, playground and prayer hall not provided. The nearest postal Tamils are concerned Two among others. The other school now facility is three miles away. thousand five hundred and seventy houses the local police station. six persons from 580 families were The lack of basic facilities at resettled on 28.03.92 in this village The medical needs of the villagers Veeramunai even after a year from with the closest town being are catered to by the mobile hospital the initial resettlement is all the Akkaraipatru. This village was service which is available three days more important in so far as this vacated on 12.08.90 when violence in a week. The mobile service has was the first village to be resettled flared up in the area which resulted proved to bc totally inadequate to by inmates from a refugee camp in in 50 women being widowed. The the impoverished villagers. the east. The lack of facilities here fleeing villagers could not carry any prevailing for over a year is bound of their possessions with them and Roads in the village are in to have an adverse impact on all sought refuge in Karaitivu and disrepair due to.the long period of resettlement schemes and therefore Thirukkovil where they remained in neglect. There is no bus service due needs to be attended to without refugee camps until their to the state of the roads. Street further delay. resettlement. lighting is the only supply of electricity to the village. Only one of the two former schools is now functioning to meet the Communication is perhaps the

2 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 TIC ACCESSION LIST A selection of documents received by TIC in November / December 1993

PC 4655 SHR 3281 SHR 3266 1,000 killed in raid by Tigers Briefing: Colombo after Premadasa: Structural adjustment in : Sri Lanka: The Sunday Times; 2 l- the position of in a grassroots perspective by 1 l-93 sourthern and Central areas of the Abeysekera and others 1p. island Geneva; ICVA, August 1993. DESCRIPTORS: Attack on army London: British Refugee Council; 18p. camp / LTTE / Statement / Sri Decenber 1993 DESCRIPTORS: Economy / Sri Lankan Government / Statistics / 4p. Lanka / Development Killing DESCRIPTORS: Arrest / Southern Province / Detention / SHR 4656 Statistics / Central Province / Sri SHR 3272 VOA agreements placed before Lankan Tamils Selected parliamentary speeches of people Mr. from Sri Lanka: The Sunday Times; IO- SHR 3280 1990 to 1992: a collection from 1 o-93 Ulakat Tamilila Manadu (Newyork) various publications. lp. : Tamilila Nattai Niruvuvom DESCRIPTORS: Human Rights DESCRIPTORS: Agreement / Madras: Pannaddut Tamiluravu violation / Tamil Homeland / Sri Lankan Government / Manram; 4-7-82 Discrimination / Sri Lankan America 16p. (text in Tamil) Government DESCRIPTORS: Tamil Eelam / SHR 3282 History / Sri Lankan Tamil/ SHR 3263 Tivnppakuti makkalin inraya nilai: Human Righs violation Vanniasingham, S aadi 1993 A critique of Mr.Neville London: PLOT, June 1993 SGN 374 Jeyaweera’s research on Sri Lanka- 4p. ( text in Tamil) Preservation of palm-leaf towards a multi-ethnic democracy DESCRIPTORS: Islands / manuscripts in Tamil Jaffna: People’s Forum, Jaffna; Northern Province / Situation India: Institute of Asian Studies 18th June 1993 Report 23p. 3op. DESCRIPTORS: Manuscripts / DESCRIPTORS: Sri Lanka / PC 4657 Tamil Political History / UP Country Pakistani doctors to heal war Tamils / Book Review / Ethnic wounded OHR 267 Problem Sri Lanka: The Sunday Times: 15- Gillies, David 12-93 Human Rights, Democracy, and OHR 264 1p. “Good Governance” stretching the PARINAC, the back ground DESCRIPTORS: Refugee camp / World Bank’s policy frontiers Caracas: PARINAC; 1st June 1993 Medical facilities Canada: International Centre for 13p. Human Rights and Democratic DESCRIPTORS: NGOs / PB Development; 1993 UNHCR / Refugees / 37p. Repatriation Land, Human Rights and the DESCRIPTORS: Human Rights / Eastern Predicament World Bank / Aid OHR 265 Jaffna: University of Jaffna; 15th Wiseberg, Laurie S. April 1993 SHR 3261 Defending Human Rights 52p. Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees: Defenders: The importance of DESCRIPTORS: addendum to the memorandum to freedom of association for Human District / Ambarai District / the minister for immigration and Rights NGO,s Genocide / Polanaruwa District / ethnic affairs. Canada: International Centre for Muslims / UP Country Tamils / Australia: Australian Council For Human Rights and Democratic Detention / Human Rights Tamil Refugees; August 1993 Development; 1993 violation / Sri Lankan 26p. 31p. Government / LTTE DESCRIPTORS: Human Rights DESCRIPTORS: Human Rights violation / Negotiation / TULF / / NGOs Select Committee / Ethnic Problem / Refugees / Australia

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 3 AERIAL BOMBING- GENOCIDE, NOT SOFT OPTION

The majestic St. James Church in it should not be directed at the force to be effective in the war has to Gurunagar, Jaffna with three huge Sinhalese was the inviolate rule. target the LTTE, which needs domes built 132 years ago was That it should be directed at the ground intelligence which in reduced to rubble on 13 November Tamils is the unwritten Law. currently non-existent. Therefore at 7.20 a.m. by two bombs the air force seeks the soft option of delivered by a plane which flew in The bombardment of civilians indiscriminate bombing. Its formation with another air force and civil objects as a means of accountability does not come up as plane. Nine people were killed and conducting hostilities is prohibited every raid is claimed by the over 50 were wounded after the by international law as provided government as against the LTTE. bombing. The Mission house, the in Article 13(2) of Protocol II of With this claim to back them the air Parish Hall and the nursery were the Geneva Conventions which force continues with the soft option, also completely damaged as a prohibits attacks on civilians . At times the efficiency of aerial result of this bombing. Article 13( 1) of Protocol II bombing is questioned in the media provides that “the civilian as in the case of the Kilali offensive The Catholic Bishop of Jaffna population and individual civilians which resulted in high army DR.Thomas Savundaranayagam shall enjoy general protection casualties. The matter was raised as has described to President against the dangers arising from to why the boats could not be Wijetunge this single act of military operations”. destroyed by planes instead of barbarity and called for an end to soldiers trying to do it in a land such acts, compensation to victims . But the Sri Lankan government offensive. But the tempo could not and support for rebuilding the has blantantly violated the Geneva be sustained as any questioning of church. convention since 1984 with the the effectiveness would mean that acquiescence of all the countries what had been claimed throughout The bombing was not a freak which supply the wherewithal to is false. and uncalculated act. The Sir enable its execution. Resorting to Therefore the targeting of Tamil Lankan Government has been aerial bombing only of the Tamil civilians in the aerial bombing engaged in aerial bombing of areas population is genocide pure and continues. For the air force the solely inhabited by the Tamils simple. The perpetrators of this strategy is the soft option. But for the since 1984. It has never carried out genocide and those who abet the government it is calculated genocide. even, strafing let alone bombing on perpetrators to carry it out are the ethnic Sinhalese. As early as equally guilty. The guilt of the That aerial bombing is genocidal 197 1 there was an all out war to perpetrator and those who abet the from planning to execution is capture power by the JVP in areas crime can be seen in its true light vouched by a Reuter report filed by inhabited by the Sinhalese. Elpitiya from the aerial bombing of the ST. Minoli de Soysa on 21 November. and Wellawaya for example were James church in Jaffna. Describing the ravages caused by the centers of insurrection and armed continuing war he quotes extensively campaign to unseat the government It is because the Tamil from Dr. Daya Somasunderam one . Even then the government did not population is defenseless against of the two psychologists in the resort to aerial bombing clearly these attacks which ensures trauma clinic in Jaffna hospital. because the inhabitants were maximum effectiveness in causing Referring to a nine year old trauma Sinhalese who were bound to casualties and destruction of patient the doctor says ” She needs a suffer indiscriminately. Again in property. That the LTTE is the peaceful environment . As long as the 1988-1990 period there were least vulnerable to such attacks is she lives here and is subject to several areas where the Police and borne out by their continuing continuous bombing, she won’t army were unable to contain JVP resistance over the years; for it is recover. It’s like filling a bucket with threats to government authority. clear that if all the attacks were a hole in it”. The doctor adds that Badulla, Hambantota and against the LTTE, they should not “What we are seeing are severe Anuradhapura Districts had many be there in the picture now. Even in forms of Post Traumatic Stress no-go areas for the security forces. 1987 the Jayewardene government Disorder (PSTD), something that has But strafing and bombing by the air responded to the Indian been experienced by Vietnam force were not ordered or government on 12 February and veterans ‘. On the immensity of the demanded by anyone . The indicated that “the Sri Lankan problem faced, his words are government, the security forces and government has never carried out “Everyone is affected one way or the media in particular were clearly military operations against civilians another. We see about 100 new cautious against such attacks . That nor ever will”. However, the air patients a month. Even then I

4 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 estimate that only 10 % come for heal but mental scars cannot. A whole population is being treatment. At least 70% of the ravaged by aerial bombing which children are affected. It is worse for The Tamil population is mentally is resorted to by the government them because their personality is scarred by the continuous aerial solely because they happen to be still unformed and it affects their bombing and the Reuter report ethnic Tamils and not ethnic development”. He concludes by confirms that the long term Sinhalese. saying that physical injuries can intention is nothing but genocidal.

SITUATION REPORT

ARREST AFTER AMBUSH IN VOTER SEARCH VAKARAI REGISTRATION Police and troops surrounded Kannankudah village in Batticaloa Operational Headquarters of the Muslim Affairs State Minister District on 19 November and Defence Ministry reported the A.H.M Azwar took up the new paraded the residents at the school killing of four soldiers on 22 rules on registration of voters with grounds before two hooded men. December by the LTTE in an the Elections Commissioner on 20 Thirteen Tamils including two mbush at Vakarai in Batticaloa December following the exclusion women were taken to the army District. of many voters in the new list. camp at Vavunathivu after the Even a retired education officer search. who had served as an elections officer had been left out, according EX POLICEMAN to the representations made to the MILITARY VEHICLES KILLED minister. The minister had SEARCHED M.Ashraff of Maruthamunai, instructed all Muslim organisations suspended from police service for to ensure that all eligible voters are Defence Secretary Hamilton not reporting for work for over two included in the new list. Wanasinghe instructed army years was found shot dead on 6 commander General Cecil December at Akkaraipatru beach in Waidyaratne on 28 November to Ampara District. employ Military Police to check all COMMANDOS military vehicles for men and material transported. ENTER TROOPS AMBUSHED PARLIAMENT CO- OPERATIVE Speaker M.H.Mohamed Defence Operations Headquarters condemned the entry on 3 WAR reported on 2 December the killing December of special Army of eight soldiers including an commando units into the Co-operatives minister officer when a foot patrol was parliament without proper Mallimarachchi announced at a ambushed by the LTTE at authority. press conference on 30 November Ecchilampathai in the Trincomalee that chocolates, biscuits, socks, T- District. shirts and vests would be channeled to the soldiers in the north through SEARCH IN the co-operative stores which had BATTICALOA donated Rs. 100,000 for the purpose. Promising to visit LTTE AMBUSHED Villagers of Santhiveli in Poonagari army camp the minister were subjected disclosed that providing comforts to Military sources reported the to a search in the early hours of the the soldiers there is his killing of a LTTE member in an morning on 8 December and were responsibility. army ambush at Kaluwankemi in paraded before a hooded Batticaloa District on 6 November. informant. Seven Tamils were detained by the security forces after this search operation.

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 5 INTERNATIONAL CONCERN FORCUSES ON REPRISAL BOMBINGS

Continuous bombing raids by the women and children included. The of European Parliament that air force on distinctly civilian Government Agent of Jaffna was civilians are not targeted. But the targets was made abundantly clear among the 100 persons injured. events in November have when St.James church in Gurunagar demonstrated that his assertions and St. Anthony’s church in Intermittent shell fire from are untrue. Pasaiyoor in Jaffna District were several army camps in the Tamil The World Council Churches destroyed in air raids in November. populated areas of North East communicated with President The Kilinochchi hospital was continues to take its daily toll. Wijetunge expressing its completely destroyed by a direct hit Death and injuries resulting disapproval of aerial bombing. In and the Jaffna hospital buildings therefrom go unnoticed by a press release the ICRC has were damaged. Jaffna District outsiders. Aerial bombing of places given details of the damage to Secretariat, the centre of civil of worship and hospitals has led to the Jaffna hospital, a declared no- administration was another target mounting concerns abroad. As war zone of the ICRC. The for aerial bombing. The loss if recently as on 6 October President Vatican has been appraised of the civilian lives exceeded 25 with Wijetunge told visiting Members concern of Sri Landan churches.

DENIAL OF TAMIL VOTERS MANNAR RED CROSS MEDICINES CLAIMS DISCRIMINATED OFFICIALS IN OVER THOUSAND DETENTION The Elections Department has LIVES sent out electoral register application forms in Sinhala only to Four Red Cross officials from the Tamil voters. When this matter Mannar branch who went to Statistics at the Jaffna hospital was brought to the notice of Colombo for official purposes are indicate that 1,949 patients died in Desmond Fernando, Chairman of held in detention from 30 August. the hospital in 1993. The majority the Official Languages Commission President of the branch of the patients succumbed as a he wrote to the Elections A.A.E.Loganathan, Vice President result of :- Commissioner that his act I.C.A.John Bosco, Secretary Injuries from shelling, bombing contravenes section 22 (2) (a) of the A.Pathmanatha Crusz and member and attacks while at sea Constitution which allows for of the governing body diarrhoea citizens to transact official business S.Mariampillai are held by Crime malaria Detection Bureau without being cholera in the . produced in courts. influenza malnutrition This incident is another example of The local branch of the Red Cross The lack of medicines and how even constitutional provisions relating to Tamils are routinely has appealed to President of the vaccines has contributed to a large Ceylon Red Cross and other measure in the high incidence of disregarded by government concerned authorities for their patient deaths. Septicaemia fever departments and their officials. release or early trial. alone claimed 15 lives within two Observers believe that such acts are weeks in December. attempts to deny franchise to the Tamil population in the Presidential and General election year. IDENTITY STATISTICS OF DOCUMENTS DESERTERS JOURNALISTS VISIT A defence source indicated the PALALY President Wijetunge ordered total number deserters from the urgent action on 5 December for forces since the beginning of the Journalists flown on 15 the issue of identity cards to the northeast war as 9,7 17. The officer November to assess the Poonagarai Tamils in the Hill country. ranks included in this total was battle were instead shown around revealed as 366. Attempts made to Palaly camp in Jaffna from where persuade the deserters to return by injured troops were being ferried an offer of amnesty have failed to by air force planes to Colombo. yield results.

6 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 NOVEMBER DIARY

NOVEMBER 01 from the Sinha regiment of the Sri therefrom is Rs. 1225 Million ($ CHOLERA EPIDEMIC: Health Lankan army. 24.5 million). The entire opposition authorities reported over 150 cases except four MPs walked out in of cholera in the Jaffna peninsula. NOVEMBER 07 protest at the budget not being Another 300 casses are suspected. LTTE LOSSES: Operational presented by a cabinet minister. Nine deaths have been reported and headquarters of the Defence three of them confirmed as victims Ministry reported that filve LTTE NOVEMBER 12 of cholera. men were killed in a confrontation CURFEW IMPOSED: An with the army at Unnichai in indefinite curfew was imposed in NOVEMBER 02 Batticaloa District. Rifles, radios, the whole of the Northern Province POSTERS AGAINST hand grenades and ammunition had from 5p.m.. ATTORNEY GENERAL: Posters been recovered in this incident. sprang up on the walls of Colombo NOVEMBER 13 city calling for the removal of Tilak NOVEMBER 08 POSTING ON POONAGARI: Marapane for his role in the alleged TEL0 TAKES TO THE SEA: Operational Headquarters of the abetment of police crimes, After a meeting with Defence defence ministry disclosed that including sexual crimes against Secretary Hamilton Wanasinghe three attempts by LTTE to dislodge women. over the fishing rights of the troops from Poonagari had been Mannar folk it was decided that beaten back thus enabling a NOVEMBER 03 TEL0 cadres would accompany the consolidation of the position by the SPEAKER’S PEACE MISSION: fishermen in Mannar to prevent troops. This report also indicated Parliament Speaker M.H..Mohamed their being apprehended by the that fifteen LTTE infiltrators had disclosed that he was prepared to go navy as LTTE suspects. been killed at Palaly in Jaffna on a peace mission to Jaffna for District. talks with the LTTE if he could NOVEMBER 09 meet with LTTE leader DEMAND TO END NOVEMBER 14 V.Prabhakaran. EMERGENCY: Five opposition UN SPECLAL parties held a demonstration in REPRESENTATIVE: Francis NOVEMBER 04 Colombo demanding an end to Deng the UN Secretary General’s TAMILS IN UDAPPU emergency rule and for the Special Representative on on HARASSED AGAIN: Police and contolling of the rise in cost of Internally Displaced Persons visited troops surrounded Udappu village living. the Batticaloa District secretariat in the Puttalam District at 4.a.m. and met government officials and and conducted a search operation NOVEMBER 10 NGOs to study at first-hand the until 9.30 a.m.. separating visitors TAMIL ABDUCTED: problems of the displaced persons from residents. Three long -standing S.Mehanathan ( 29yrs ) a body in the district. residents were arrested and taken to guard of Puttalam. MP was abducted from a bus near NOVEMBER 15 the MPs hostel in Colombo by REPRISAL AIR RAID ON NOVEMBER 05 unidentified persons and taken in a HOSPITAL: The district hospital AUSTRALIAN INTEREST: jeep that followed the bus. at Kilinochchi was targeted by air Second Secretary Patrick Dennis of force planes and bombing raids the Australian High Commission in UNHCR SUSPENDS resulted in the death of three Colombo on a visit to Vavuniya ACTIVITIES: UNHCR announced expectant mothers at the maternity inspected the refugee camp at the suspension of its activities in the ward. Veppankulam. After visiting North citing the security of its Koolankulam village he had talks personnel as the reason for this PRESIDENT ON POONAGARI: with rehabilitation officials and decision. The decision followed a President Wijetunge appealed on NGOs. demonstration by Madhu camp state radio for calm in the south reugees demanding dry rations. over the heavy troop death toll at NOVEMBER 06 Poonagari. JOURNALIST AND DEATH NOVEMBER 11 THREAT: Iqbal Athas , defence DEFENCE LEW INCREASED: NOVEMBER 16 correspondent of Sunday Times, A proposal in the budget presented LTTE BOATS HIT: Security already under a death threat from in parliament has increased the sources reported the destruction of Army Commander Cecil defence levy from 3% to 3.5% and three LTTE boats in the Jaffna Waidyaratne received a wreath the additional revenue expected lagoon by air force planes.

7 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 NOVEMBER DIARY

EMERGENCY JUSTIFIED: Thambirajah from Koduwamadu in NOVEMBER 17 Minister Batticaloa District died in a POONAGARI COUNT: Defence participating in the debate on confrontation between troops and Secretary Hamilton Wanasinghe emergency in parliament listed the LTTE. said that 60 to 70 from among the major incidents in the country 105 servicemen listed missing could between September 23 and October BODIES UNEARTHED: Troops be captivesof the LTTE. Bodies of 20 and indicated that 3 civilians, 8 searching for buried arms on a tip 94 men including 6 officers had Policemen and 149 service off unearthed four bodies at the been recovered and bodies of 187 personnel had been killed during Amman Kovil road in Kalmunai , men had been cremated by the this period. Those injured Batticaloa District. LTTE according to this report. numbered 302. NOVEMBER 27 NOVEMBER 18 NOVEMBER 22 SEARCH CONTINUES IN ASHES OF THE FALLEN: One SERVICE PERIOD BATTICALOA: Seven hundred hundred and eighty seven urns EXTENDED: President Wijetunge villagers of Nasivanthivu in containing the ashes of cremated extended the period of service of Batticaloa District were subjected security personnel were handed over the army Chief of Staff General to a search and parade before two to the ICRC by the LTTE in Jaffna Gerry Silva by a year beyond hooded men. and Kil inochchi . 3 l/12/93 , the date of his retirement. NOVEMBER 28 NOVEMBER 19 VILLAGE SURROUNDED BY ABDUCTION AND KILLING: NOVEMBER 23 ARMY: Kiran village in the The bodies of Perinparajah and ARMY WITHDRAWAL: Army Batticaloa District was surrounded Vethivel from Kiran in Batticaloa camps at Mannar and Silavathurai in the early hours by security forces District were recovered. The two were closed down and troops were personnel who ordered all villagers youths had been abducted the withdrawn. including women to proceed to the previous day from the local temple Krishna Hindu Temple where they where they were attending a NOVEMBER 24 were subjected to a thorough religious function by unidentified ANOTHER POONAGARI search. men. COUNT: In a statement in Parliament Prime Minister Ranil NOVEMBER 29 NOVEMBER 20 Wickremasinghe informed that 241 MUSLIMS CLASH: MILITARY INQUIRY: Military servicemen including 8 officers Goonesinghepura area in central officials disclosed that a military had been killed at Poonagari. Colombo was the scene of armed committee comprising four officers clashes involving Muslims and had been appointed to inquire into NOVEMBER 25 Sinhalese. One person was killed the Poonagari debacle. ICRC PRESS RELEASE: ICRC and damage was caused to 8 reported that in the week of LTTE trishawas, 2 motor cycles, a van LOCAL ELECTIONS IN EAST: attack on Poonagari army camp and over 25 houses and shops. Minister John Ameratunge speaking and government counter- attacks to officials at the Trincomalee over 1,000 combatants and NOVEMBER 30 District secretariat asserted that civilians were admitted to the NEW GOVERNOR: Lionel local elections in the east is a Jaffna hospital. The hospital itself Fernando was appointed as the new certainty and that all arrangements was hit and its X- ray room Governor of North East Provincial were ready to ensure the conduct of destroyed on one occasion Council. Mr. Fernando had earlier elections on the appointed date. according to this report. served as Government Agent in Jaffna. NOVEMBER 21 NOVEMBER 26 TROOPS AND LTTE CLASH: A CORDON AND SEARCH: Kiran CALL FOR CESSATION OF soldier and two airmen were killed village in Batticaloa District was BOMBING AND SHELLING: by the LTTE in the Verugal area in cordoned off by troops in the early Jaffna’s Government Agent met Trincomalee District. In the hours of the morning and men and Defence Secretary in Colombo and Kattaiparichan area of the same women were taken to the Krishna called for an immediate end to district eight LTTE men were temple where they were bombing and shelling in the Jaffna killed by the security forces in an individually searched. peninsula. ambush. CIVILIAN DEATH: Veeramuthu

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 8 DECEMBER DIARY

DECEMBER 01 Kanagambikaikulam, Vattakachchi Soldier R.M.Premadasa of the army NEGOTIATIONS AND and Viswamadu in Kilinochchi camp at Plantain Point in MILITANCY: Speaking in District were targeted by air force Trincomalee District was killed by Parliament SLMC leader planes which resulted in five people two escaping Tigers who had earlier M.H.M.Ashraff charged that being injured. G.C.E (Ordinary surrendered. Another soldier was successive governments refused Level) and agricultural faculty injured. negotiations with Tamil moderates examinations were disrupted as a thus paving the way for the result of the bombing. DECEMBER 12 Prabhakaran factor and warned that SKIRMISHES IN EAST: Defence refusal to negotiate with Muslim DECEMBER 07 Ministry reported that Verugal army moderates would lead to Muslim US OFFICIALS IN VAVUNIYA: camp in Batticaloa District came militancy. US Ambassador Mrs.Teresita under attack by the LTTE resulting Schaffer, the Second Secretary and in the death of a soldier and injuries DECEMBER 02 two other officials from the US to two others. The killing of a LTTE TAMIL DETAINEES: Speaking embassy visited the Asikulam and cadre in an army ambush at south in Parliament on budget allocations Sithamparapuram refugee camps in Mullaitivu is also included in this for the Ministry of Justice, Joseph Vavuniya District. They also had report. Pararajasingham MP raised the discussions with the Director, issue of 970 Tamils detained at Rehabilitation , NGO officials and DECEMBER 13 Magazine and Kalutara prisons for members of the public to gauge the CO-OPERATIVES IN WAR: over three and a half years without refugee situation. Twenty lorry loads of commodities access to courts and demanded early for use of soldiers in the north trials. DECEMBER 08 collected through cooperatives as SIRIMAVO AND ETHNIC donations were officially handed DECEMBER 03 PROBLEM: Leader of the over to the army by the Minister of MUSLIMS AND SINHALESE Opposition Mrs. S. Bandaranaike Food and Co-operatives, CLASH: Aluthkade and Keselwatte reiterated at a press conference Weerasinghe Mallimarachchi. in central Colombo erupted in that an ethnic problem does exist violence following a dispute and accepted that minorities need DECEMBER i4 between a Muslim and a Sinhalese. more powers devolved from the GERMAN ENVOY STRESSES Police used tear gas and opened tire centre. She cited the 600,000 PEACE: Speaking at a function to to contain the violence. One person internally displaced and 150,000 mark forty years of diplomatic ties was killed and 15 persons including refugees in India as evidence of the with Sri Lanka the German 2 women were admitted to hospital ethnic problem. ambassador expressed the hope that with injuries. the long-standing northeast war DECEMBER 09 should be brought to an early end as DECEMBER 04 JAFFNA HOSPITAL it was an obstacle to the economic ARMY COMMANDER QUITS: SHELLED: Shells fired from the development of the country. Army commander General Cecil Mandaithivu army camp hit Jaffna Waidyaratne submitted his hospital within the “Safety Zone” DESERTER FROM ARMY: resignation papers to President declared by the ICRC. A doctor and Police Headquarters reported the Wijetunge although his period of two patients were injured and arrest of three members of a group service extends upto 15 March buildings were damaged. named Jihad with arms and 1994. explosives one for whom turned out DECEMBER 10 to be an army deserter. DECEMBER 05 AERIAL BOMBING GENOCIDAL ATTACK: Twenty CONTINUES: Muriyadippu area DECEMBER 15 six people were killed and 7 1 were adjoining the Bus Depot at SEARCH IN BATTICALOA: injured when air force planes Kilinochchi was targeted by air Police Headquarters reported the bombed Gurunagar, Sinnakadai and force planes. Seven civilians were killing of three LTTE suspects in a Pasaiyoor in Jaffna town between injured and over fifteen cattle were search operation at Kaluthavalai 8.30 and 9a.m. killed. village in Batticaloa District.

DECEMBER 06 DECEMBER 11 NO END TO WAR: Opposition KILINOCHCHI BOMBED: TIGERS KILL SOLDIER leader

9 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 DECEMBER DIARY addressing an opposition rally at DECEMBER 21 DECEMBER 26 Nugegoda charged that the war POSTERS IN BATTICALOA: ICRC DENIES COMPLICITY: would never end as the government Security forces put out posters in ICRC refuted in a press release desired its continuance. She also Batticaloa stating that terrorist newspaper reports that its official alleged that large payments as infiltration had been reported and Grenon Felder was to be deported commissions were at stake in the any one harbouring, assisting or from Sri Lanka for involvement in arms purchases. arranging contacts with them the transport of banned items to the would be dealt with. north. DECEMBER 16 SUMMARY JUSTICE: Giving DECEMBER 22 DECEMBER 27 evidence before the Polonnaruwa LOCAL GOVERNMENT AERIAL BOMBING: Two air Magistrate Courts in the POLLS ANNOUNCED: The force planes dropped six bombs in Mylanthanai massacre case Elections Commissioner the Alampil area of Mullaitivu S.Subramaniam said that soldiers announced the acceptance of District. Five members from the ordered all the villagers to assemble nomination papers between 5 and same family were killed and several in one place and began attacking 12 in January for local government buildings were damaged in this air them. Thirty five Tamil villagers elections in the eastern province raid. were massacred by the army on 8 and for the town council in August 1992. Vavuniya. DECEMBER 28 PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT: DECEMBER 17 TWENTY TAMIL WOMEN A six member team of air force WIFE OF DETAINEE KILLED: HELD: In a sweep carried out in officials returned from China after a The body of Murugesu several areas of Colombo police 19 day stay to negotiate the Kanakammah( 55 yrs ), the wife of a arrested 20 Tamil women who are purchase of a Y-8 transport plane to detainee held at Palaly army camp being held at the Bambalapitiya replace the one lost with 19 airmen was discovered by sailors at her police station. over Elephant Pass residence in Karainagar, a village under security forces control in DECEMBER 23 DECEMBER 29 Jaffna District. ESCAPEE SHOT: Police reported CHOLERA AND RAINS: Two the killing of T.Thavendrarajah a people died of cholera in DECEMBER 18 LTTE suspect. while attempting to Vaddukottai. Following heavy rains THEFT AT TEMPLE: Over Rs. escape from custody at Eravur in diseases are spreading rapidly 175,000 worth jewellery was stolen Batticaloa District. from the Nainativu Nagapooshani DECEMBER 30 Amman Temple. The Jaffna islands’ DECEMBER 24 CIVILIANS KILLED IN Assistant Government Agent REGISTRATION OF NGO’S: BOMBING: A public procession A.Thiyagarajah has complained to Following the recommendation of held to demonstrate against the the police. the Presidential Commission on atrocities directed at civilians and NGO’S new emergency regulations the economic blockade was targeted DECEMBER 19 promulgated by President by Chinese made F-7 attack aircraft TAMIL ARRESTS IN Wijehmge make compulsory the planes at Chavakacheri in the Jaffna COLOMBO CONTINUE: Four registration of NGO’s which District. Five persons were killed Tamils walking near the railway line receive assistance of more than Rs and nearly 50 people were injured. at Bambalapitiya were arrested on 50,000 per year. suspicion by police. DECEMBER 3 1 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL DECEMBER 20 DECEMBER 25 DISSOLVED: The Southern NEW RULES ON SEDITION: X - MAS KILLING: Shells Provincial Council controlled by the Under new Emergency regulations continued to be fired on the combined opposition parties was promulgated by President Wijetunge night from the army dissolved by the Governor thus sedition has been extended to acts or camps at Palaly and Mandaitivu. A bringing the third province to be publication to bring disrepute to the child was killed and some without a Council in the country. President or the Government. buildings were damaged when a Offences under the regulations carry shell exploded within the ICRC a prison sentence upto 20 years. “Safety Zone” around the Jaffna hospital.

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 10 RETIRED SERVICE COMMANDERS THROW BALL BACK INTO PRESIDENT‘s COURT

The President sought further to political decision on his part. This Faced with the Yal Devi and drive home the point that only the is particularly so as she holds the Poonagari military disasters against army was to be blamed for the clear view that the ethnic problem the back drop of an all out military military failures. Immediately does exist. Since he continues to solution to the Tamil national following General Waidyaratne’s cling to his position that no ethnic problem President Wijetunge took resignation the President requested problem exists he cannot act two steps to absolve himself of five retired service commanders to according to the memorandum of blame. look into this phenomenon of army the “Wise Men of War” and finds failure to deliver the victory he himself in the same position as One was to place the onus for the sought even in conjunction with General Waidyaratne after the Yal military’s failure squarely on the Sri the air force and navy. Lt. Gen. Devi operation. Lankan army. Army top brass had Dennis Perera, Rear Admiral Basil earlier played into his hands by Gunasekera, Rear Admiral Alfred Pushed into this embarassing persuading President Wijetunge to Perera, Air Vice Marshal Pathman situation President Wijetunge took declare that there is no ethnic Mendis and Air Vice Marshal the second step to keep all blame problem, which could be taken by Harry Gunatillake who formed the away from him. With presidential the army as an indirect order to “Wise Men of War” in a elections due in 1994 he dealt a destroy Jaffna. However, President memorandum however did not double blow through the Wijetunge was able to reassert blame anyone in the army for promulgation of new rules on himself because of the failure of operational failures. They stressed sedition under new Emergency operation Yal Devi. Sensing Sinhala the need for a war cabinet to Regulations. Under the new rules Buddhist anger at the Kilali fiasco conduct the war and significantly nobody could articulate any President Wijetunge did not give in wanted the leader of the opposition opinion blaming him for any of his to the demands by General to be brought into such an acts. With the presidential elections Waidyaratne to bring in some form arrangement. In short. the “Wise due President Wijetunge’s priority of censorship to limit the damage to Men of War” have put the ball is winning the election war and has army morale. The Poonagari back in the President’s court sought to insure his position disaster closed all options for the without openly saying that he is to through the new rules on sedition. commander and President be blamed for the military This is the single foremost political Wijetunge was able to extract his setbacks. If the President is to act decision the President has taken resignation with the prospect of a in terms of the memorandum, he since assuming power and its sole future ambassadorial posting as is has to liaise with Srirmavo aim is securing the Presidency for the vogue for retiring commanders. Bandaranaike which needs a him through other means if not democracy.

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN WANT

Commissioner General of according the Commission. December after the suspension. The Essential Services Christie Silva Refering to the overall refugee flood situation had already speaking to the media in the 2nd situation he gave the total distrupted normal life in the district week of November disclosed that number of internally displaced and left the majority as destitutes. the government was seeking persons as 563,000 belonging to alternate humanitarian assistance to 150,000 families. the 30,000 refugees at the Madhu The food situation in the refugee camp. This follows the Mullaitivu District worsened withdrawal of the UNHCR from the with the suspension of all camp since 10 November. A role transport to the district from 11 for the ICRC in the escort fo food November. The first food convoy convoys was being considered escorted by the ICRC left on 8

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 11 SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT HAND IN CWC SPLIT

The National Council of plantation years. Although the CWC had an replanting resulting in decreasing of trade union and political party, the uphill task dealing with the labour productivity and that workers Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), government. hard bargaining by whose families have lived in the up- meeting at Hatton decided to call on the leaders proved fruitful most of country for over a century have been General Secretary M. S. Sellasamy the time and relative peace relocated to low-country estates. and eight Central Provincial Council prevailed in the Hill Country. CWC opposes extension of leases (CPC) members to submit their without proper agreements and has resignations before 17 January. The Privatisation of tea and rubber also demanded that uncultivated National Council, chaired by CWC plantations was supported by the land on estates be given to the President and Rural Industrial CWC, whilst it was vehemently workers, 98% of whom do not own Development and Tourism Minister opposed by other trade unions. The land. S. Thondaman also declared that plantation companies now say that Sellasamy was prohibited from a guaranteed offer of 300 days entering the CWC head office in work in a year for plantation The dispute between the CWC Colombo. workers is impossible and are and the plantation companies has emphatic that only a maximum of led to a tussle between the CWC The dramatic development in Hill 240 days could be offered. The and the government, particularly Country politics began with a rift in companies also say they should after D B Wijetunge became the relationship between the have no restriction on retrenchment President. The new President, who government and the CWC. and transfer of excess labour. The is also an M.P. from the Hill Throughout the early 1970s the companies further say gratuity Country is bitterly opposed to CWC supported the United National payment to workers at the end of granting lands to Tamil plantation Party (UNP) while the Sri Lanka employment should be the workers and also seems to favour Freedom Party was in power. CWC responsibility of the government the position of the estate also pledged its support to the UNP and that the government should management companies. President at the 1977 general elections and in also impress upon international Wijetunge told Thondaman at a 1978 Thondaman was appointed a lending institutions to lend each meeting on 22 November that as minister in the UNP government. company Rs 200-300 million at a ‘President of the country he would concessionary interest of 2% decide as to who should receive Despite the cordial relationship repayable over 20 years. This lands and Thondaman need not between the leaders, open means that the current five year advise him on the issue’. antagonism between members and lease of estates granted to officers of the CWC and UNP trade companies would have to be In order to bring pressure on the union Lanka Jathika Estate Workers extended to more than 20 years. CWC, President Wijetunge decided Union (LJEWU) became marked in The extended time period, the to appoint a committee to inquire the Hill Country, as both unions companies contend, is necessary to into the construction of the Kotagala competed in recruiting new make the plantations profitable. Vocational Training Institute. The members. As assaults and The companies have also construction was approved by the destruction of offices continued, the demanded a ten-year moratorium government five years ago and leaders felt the need for an on all taxes. would benefit plantation youth agreement. In late 1978 an supported by the Norwegian aid agreement was entered into signed According to the CWC, the agency NORAD. This was the last by Thondaman and former Senator number of days of work was agreed straw for the CWC. Thondaman R. Jesuthasan for the CWC and before privatisation. The cut in decided immediately to convince Ministers and work has drastically reduced the Gamini Dissanayake of the for the LJEWU. The wages of the workers lowering Democratic United National Front agreement, among other issues, further their low living standards. (DUNF) to move a no-confedence provided that the unions should not The companies have reneged on motion against the UNP’s Central canvass each other’s membership. written undertakings given to the Province Council (CPC) Chief The nomination of the Worker CWC to maintain terms and Minister WPB Dissanayake. But to Delegate to the annual IL0 conditions of employment under the dismay of Thondaman eight Conference has also been a terms no less favourable than they CWC members in the CPC decided contentious issue between the two lad enjoyed. The CWC has also not to vote for the no-confidence unions. It was agreed later that the pointed out that the companies motion. Worker Delegate would be appointed have deliberately cut back on inputs from each union for alternative such as fertilizer and agricultural The eight rebels say they cannot practices such as weeding and support Gamini Dissanayake who is

12 Nov-Dee 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 against the interests of plantation the Officiating Finance Secretary of Thondaman and Prime Minister Tamils and who was responsible for the CWC, of misappropriating Ramil Wickremasinghe in late the burning of the millions of rupees from union funds. December, back-stabbing seems to town in July 1983. They also continue. UNP has appointed refused to attend a meeting Sellasamy has obtained an interim CWC rebel A. Kathiresan as the summoned by Thondaman at injunction from the Colombo new CPC Education Minister and it Kotagala on 19 December. When District Court against the National appears has thrown its weight the no-confidence motion came up Council decision prohibiting him behind Sellasamy. for debate on 2 1 December the CPC entering the CWC head office and Chairman Sarath Kongahage has also complained to the police There are currently 3 1 registered upheld an objection by a UNP that all files and documents in the trade unions on the plantations and member and ruled that the motion head office had been illegally a division within the CWC will not was vague and could not be debated. removed by Arumugam. A warrant only affect the plantation Tamils has now been issued for the arrest of but will weaken the bargaining Thereafter the 268-member CWC Arumugam. Some CWC officers power of the Sri Lankan Tamil National Council decided to take say Thondaman is highly influenced community in any negotiated disciplinary action against by his grandson, former CPC settlement to the national problem. Sellasamy and the eight dissidents. Education Minister Sathasivam and The CWC has been a source of Sources say Sellasamy is suspected former police officer Kandasamy strength for the Tamils of the by Thondaman of influencing the and predict that the ‘triumvirate’ North-East, particularly since the CWC Provincial Council members, may cause his downfall. formation of the Tamil United but openly he is accused of failing Front. The leaders must settle their to discipline the rebels. Sellasamy, Although reports say that the rift differences amicably taking into for his part has accused Thondaman between the CWC and UNP has consideration the immense and his grandson Arumugam who is been healed after a meeting between problems facing the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

AIADMK ACCUSED SLFP TRY TO PARENTS ACCUSE OF SUPPORTING HOODWINK VOTERS GOVERNMENT LTTE

The All Ceylon Tamil Congress Tamil Nadu Congress (I) leader S (ACTC) and the Nava Sama Parents and relatives of over 40 R Subramaniam told reporters in Samaja Party (NSSP) have refused military personnel belonging to the December that senior police to participate in a Public meeting First Light Infantary Regiment officers in the southern state were organised by the main opposition who were involved in providing secret support to the Party the Sri Lankan Freedom Party administrative services have LTTE. He said that Tiger (SLFP) in Nugegoda recently under accused the government and the - movement in coastal areas had the banner “Fight the terrorist military for failing to provide them Resolve the ethnic conflict increased and diesel and information about the fate of their explosives were being smuggled. politically”. These parties say the relatives following the major Complaints to the police have SLFP is trying to hoodwink the LTTE attack on the Pooneriyn been ignored and the ruling public by posing to take a neutral Army Camp on 11 November. AIADMK was using the LTTE to stand in the ongoing ethnic conflict destabilise the opposition parties. to obtain votes at the next general Government release of statistics on elections. only LTTE casualities has further Tamil Nadu Congress (I) leaders angered the parents. have been saying for the past few ACTC and NSSP said that it was months that LTTE activity in the clear from the theme of the meeting state has heightened. However, that SLFP would want to treat the the Indian Home Minister has war in the North-East as a throughout said that the situation “terrorist” problem. The two parties is under control. would not accept such a position.

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dee 1993 13 MEDIA’S WAR

The Free Media Movement held a with the letter T became into the battle zones and it was a discussion on 11 November at the synonymous for the press with revelation for all. The policemen in public library in Colombo on the Tiger be it Tamil, Tea or LTTE captivity blamed the Sinhala topic “The war and the media”. Thondaman. Goebbel’s error of anti journalists no less than the Speakers took the opportunity to semiticism was studiously avoided politicians for their plight. They vent their anger at the death and by referring to Tigers and not even faulted Prof. Nalin de Silva other threats faced by journalists. Tamils. But the results have proved and Gunadasa Amerasekera for The death threat on defence the same. The war was being won being false Sinhalese. The Ravaya correspondent Iqbal Athas by army by equating Tamils with Tigers. journalists had cracked open the Commander Cecil Waidyaratne was Every Tamil arrest became a Tiger iron curtain and revealed that the foremost on the minds of the arrest in the newspaper. So did war in progress is nothing but a war speakers. every Tamil injured or killed against the Tamils. became a Tiger injured or killed. This discussion has thrown open The war was virtually against the The discomfiture of the press at the whole ambit of the freedom of Tamils as portrayed in the press. Ravaya revelations was so evident the press into focus. The electronic Any alleged offence by a Tamil in that they sought to do what media being under the complete was publicised and any similar act Ruvuyu journalists did but from control of the state ha no freedom by a Sinhalese or Muslim if the safety of Colombo. The high other than to express government reported went with no mention of casualties in the Yul Devi offensive view. With only the Lake House the ethnicity of the offender. Any gave the opportunity for boosting among the print media under state newspaper cartoon will depict a sales by questioning the successes control newspaper journalists who Tamil with holy ash or sandalwood of the operation and the first person voice any views not acceptable to paste on the fore head - a reference who did it happened to be Iqbal the government are under constant to Hinduism. But nothing even Athas. The war hysteria had been threat. remotely connected with Buddhism written and rewritten in the would be displayed with a newspaper columns that its President Premadasa virtually Sinhalese figure in a cartoon. criticism became intolerable to stifled any free expression of views those running the actual war. A in the press through many arm The editorial columns are rife death threat or wreath was twisting tactics. On becoming with suggestions for winning the inevitable in the circumstances. President, D.B.Wijetunge distanced war. Politicians are castigated for The Poonakari battle gave the himself from these dubious ways not visiting the battle zones and the opportunity for the journalists to hit even though he had docilely lack of tooth paste and cadjans for back at those who threatened them accepted them earlier. The press frontlone soldiers are highlighted. with death. Even editorial columns was in no better a position than the MPs who beat the war drums most took bold with the use of phrases NGO Sarvodaya which fell foul are given prominence in the press like tragedy, disaster and with Premadasa. But the press had and they call the efforts of the past catastrophe. But the print media to keep up sales and chose to churn presidents at solving the war as will abandon this criticism once the out news palatable to the seeking the mess of political lives of the journalists are not government and the Sinhalese pottage. The clarion call of the endangered. The Free Media public. Lake House was running the press is for the appointment of a Movement too will only cry for a war on paper even better than the full time defence minister citing halt to the attacks on journalists military would like it to be. It and Ranjan and not cry for a halt to the war. depicted the generals as Goliaths Wijeratne. Here again the press newspaper has already and victory was only a matter of deliberately loses sight of the fact led the backtracking by reserving time. The rest of the print media did that both of them failed to end the space on the front page daily for a not want to be left behind and beat war and left the situation worse picture of the Late General the war drums harder to out do the than when they stepped in. The Kobbekaduwa under the national Lake House. journalists who pedal the war and flag. The print media as a whole blame the politicians for not will emulate the Island newspaper The magic moment for all came visiting battle zones choose not to and call for another bloodletting when President Wijetunge blurted do it themselves. But foreign and the likes of Ruvuyu journalists out that there was only a terrorist journalists have done it time and will be swamped in this ground problem that remained for every one again, Among locals only the swell. to solve. Thus any word beginning “RA VA YA” journalists ventured

14 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29 DESTABILISING THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Events in December prove that immediately took hold and is The disappearances and opposition control in three continuing. The western provincial subsequent denials of abduction by provincial councils is proving council has already sought legal the persons affected have benefited irksome to the Sri Lankan remedy on the vexed question of the interests of the central government-Provincial councils control over some key educational government which dissolved the were created to facilitate devolution institutions. Judicial decisions also Southern provincial council. The of power from the centre to the led to the removal of two chief Central provincial council is also provinces and functioned without ministers whose appointments were affliated by defections, alleged mishap during their first lease of life not acceptable as per the law. abductions and government except for the Northeast provincial Consequently the Southern and interference. At present the council which was not under UNP South Western provincial councils opposition parties have control control and was diaaolved by went under the control of the over only two provincial councils. President Premadasa. Significantly opposition parties. Adding to the An objective analysis of the events the major opposition party, the equation was the prospect of a in December cast a grave doubt as SLFP did not contest the first defection among members in the to the willingness on the part of elections which led to the seven Central provincial council. the Sri Lankan government to councils coming under UNP control. allow provincial councils to In this context of party power function as envisaged in the Elections in May 1993 however, play, provincial councillors became Thirteenth Amendment to the led to three councils coming under highly prominent with compulsions Constitution. The whole issue of the control of opposition parties. from several fronts. Several devolution of power has now been The tug-of-war for power sharing councillors went missing and thrown open again. between the centre and provinces claims of abduction were made.

DEFUSING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF CONFLICT TAMILS IN THE TAMIL RESIDENTS SITUATION EAST CONTINUES HARASSED The Australian Government A. Namasivayam (63 yrs) and his which has been seeking to assist in Police harassment of Tamil daughter Rani (35yrs), a mother of residents in Colombo has taken a the resolution of the civil war in Sri three children, N.Kumar (30yrs) new turn with confusion prevailing Lanka has taken a positive step in and S.Kannan (3Oyrs) disappeared over the registration of Tamils with December. The Australian Defence on 13 November from the the local police station. In Minister announced in parliament Mannampitiya village in the decision of the government to Dehiwala and Kalubowila areas Polannaruwa District. The latest stop the sale of 40,000 grenades to police distributed new forms for disappearances add to the growing registration even after registering the Sri Lankan army although the number of Tamils listed as missing twice at the police station. Even an Australian armaments industry in the eastern province. acknowledgement issued by the stood to lose on this score. Such a police to the effect that a sale would be against Australian national interests Defence Minister registration had been done was SOLDIER disregarded when the new forms says. DECAPITATED were handed over. Observers believe that if other governments follow the Australian The decapitated body of a soldier In some other areas Tamil example. the road to peace in Sri was found in Trincomalee District residents who went to register were Lanka would be easier to traverse. on 07 November. Security sources turned away on the ground that indicated that the dead soldier had forms were not available. departed in a jeep without permission with another soldier who is now listed as missing.

Tamil Information Nos. 28 & 29 Nov-Dec 1993 GUNADASA AMARASEKARA WARNED TO KEEP OFF

A number of military officers drawing attention to how the war the battle front, why do you not have jointly written to Gunadasa should be properly conducted. at least give your services on one Amarasekara, a prominent Instead, why don’t you come to the or two days to the military exponent of the racist philosophy battle front and provide your hospital in Colombo? You are of JATHIKA CHINTANAYA professional services to the making money from Private (National consciousness) asking soldiers and give them your Channelling of patients and keep him to refrain from making support. talking of how the war should be comments about the military. A fought. It does not make any part of the text of the letter reads as Medical attention is one of the sense as to what you are trying to follows: important aspects of the war today. achieve.” You have been talking excessively “You being a dentist by profession, about the war along with your have been strongly criticising colleague Prof. Nalin de Silva in military operations in your public meetings. If you are unable publications and platforms, to come and serve the soldiers in

NEW WAR CABINET PROPOSED

In a memorandum to President to the police and entrust in the zones “liberated” D.B. Wijetunga, five former the three armed forces from the LTTE by military chiefs have proposed a with the clearly appointing and training a “War Cabinet” to conduct the war, enunciated task of State Services Task Force. functioning with the advice of the destroying the military President, the Defence Ministry and capability of the LTTE (d) Take action to retake or destroy the Finance Ministry, which would and its sympathisers. weapons and ammunitions include opposition members. captured by the LTTE. Reports say the followinghave also (b) Strengthen the military bases in been proposed in the memorandum: the North and to ensure that they are not attacked. (a) Hand over law and order responsibilities completely (c) Strengthen civil administration

JAFFNA GA SPEAKS OUT ABOUT BOMBING

Addressing a press conference in people to do so. Since batteries are people, Mr Manickavasar said that Colombo Jaffna Government Agent banned and there is no electricity the LTTE had imposed certain K. Manickavasagar, accused the supply to the North, people are strict procedures to follow in the security forces of callous and unable to listen to the radio Tiger controlled areas which might indiscriminate bombing of Jaffna broadcasts of the security forces have affected some individuals. after LTTE’s Pooneryn attack. from Palaly military base, he further added. He said that leaflets dropped by the airforce asking people to move away In response to the accusation of from LTTE camps often fell into the ill-treatment by the LTTE of the sea. It was ridiculous to ask people to move away from Tiger camps, because these camps are scattered all over the peninsula and it would TAMIL INFORMATION is published by Tamil Information Centre., be impossible and impracticable for Tamil House, 720 Romford Road, London El2 6BT. Tel:081 514 6390 SUBSCRIPTION: UK - £7.00 All Other Countries -£12.00

16 Nov-Dec 1993 Tamil Information Nos.28 & 29