Tamil Information

NEWS BULLETIN OF THE TAMIL INFORMATION CENTRE

TAMIL EELAM INEVITABLE IF WAR CONTINUES

THE Sri Lankan military assault on the replacing of Hamilton Wana- have no doubt caused frustration the peninsula launched in May singhe with the hard-line Cecil among the people, but have failed to continued throughout June. Waidyaratne as the army commander. achieve the full results intended by Iyakkachchi and Paranthan areas ’s preference of the army. Consequently, the military north and south of Elephant Pass immediate action for a political has adopted a new strategy of came under intensive aerial solution, led to his downfall. continuously bombing and shelling bombardment and shelling from Waidyaratne has been the coastal areas of the Jaffna camps devastated other areas. The given full powers to conduct the War. peninsula completely destroying the government appears to have decided However, the army seems to realise infrastructure in these areas so that to pursue a military solution. the people will have no other that the LTTE cannot be eliminated alternative but to move to the centre Political analysts in say because of the fact that they have of the peninsula permanently. Large that there are two broad opinions in become a powerful military machine number of people have already moved the island relating to the resolution of in the pursuit of an independent state in this manner. Earlier, during the national problem. There is a of ‘’. The government airforce bombing raids, the people section of opinion which advocates strategy therefore is to marginalise the took shelter in bunkers and thereafter that all efforts and resources must be LTTE militarily and politically. went about their normal business. But consolidated and aimed at achieving a Military marginalisation takes the this would become impossible with lasting political solution. They say form of killing as many LTTE cadres the complete destruction of the such a course of action will save lives, as possible and preventing arms coastal areas. Only the LTTE would improve the economy and bring about supplies to the LTTE, effectively be able to move about in these areas the goodwill that is so necessary to seizing the opportunity provided by and vehicle movement could be easily prevent the country from disintegrat- Indian measures to curtail movement detected from the air. Furthermore, ing. of the LTTE in the Palk Strait when people move to the centre of The other section of opinion Meanwhile, various other methods the peninsula , the airforce drops comprising the majority of the have also been adopted to marginalise leaflets threatening that the army was Sinhalese and the government favour the LTTE within the Tamil preparing to advance on these areas, a military solution, according to these community. Firstly, imposition of the thus creating panic among the people. analysts. This section believes that the economic blockade has resulted in the These pressures are brought on the backbone of the L’ITE must be lack of food and medicine causing people so-that they will in turn broken before considering a political immense hardship to the people. pressurise the L’ITE. solution. Weakening of the LTTE Secondly, strict control of travel into Earlier blockades had not prevented would mean a political solution on and out of the , the people from moving in and out of the their term. In other words they will danger of air attacks and prohibition peninsula. Despite military measures not allow substantial devolution which of travel during military operations people were able to cross the lagoon would satisfy the aspirations of the have severely restricted movement. at Uriyan and Kilali and travel to Tamils. The Thondaman proposal, Thirdly, continuous bombing and Vavuniya to buy food. People adopted which was said to form an acceptable shelling of the Jaffna peninsula and over a period of time to the new basis for negotiations is a case in the dropping of leaflets by the security difficulties brought about by the point. Racial tension was whipped-up forces ordering people to vacate areas economic blockade. The 45 items by vehement protests against the within a very short period of time banned by the government from being proposal, particularly by elements creates an insecure climate and drives transported to the north, were within the Buddhist clergy. the people to psychological breakdown. available in shops in Jaffna, although The preference of the military at a high price. The reason was that option is believed to be the reason for These methods chosen by the army army personnel were involved in

Tamil Information No. 11 1 accepting bribes at Thandikulam and captures Jaffna, it will never be able to the division of the country by allowing these items to the north and to retain it. Furthermore the analysts preventing devolution and encourag- the government had no control over contend that the army strategy of ing a military solution. In such such army involvement. Currently massive-scale destruction and killing circumstances nothing more can extraordinary measures are being of the people will only serve to guarantee the success of the LTTE ta ken to prevent people from moving strengthen the LTTE. People who and the formation of “Tamil Eelam”. out or into the peninsula. Movement desired to leave the north have Therefore it is time for those who of the people to the centre of Jaffna already left. Those who remain are wish to preserve the integrity of Sri will undoubtedly create congestion those who cannot leave and those who Lanka to choose the other option: and the consequent inevitable social do not wish to leave. Those who ‘Expend all energy and resources problems will anger the people and suffer are those who are poor and the in the pursuit of a political force them to turn on the LTTE. This defenceless. The Sinhalese people solution”* is another of the army strategies. who would even die to maintain the unitary state are in fact contributing Analysts say that even if the military New Attempts at Discrimination in Education Attempts are being made by University admission on the bases problems such as education, education authorities in Sri Lanka to of merit came to an end in 1970 when colonisation, language and employ- introduce further standardisation in newly elected SLFP government ment, confronting the Tamil-speaking university admissions. The GCE introduced mediawise standardisation people made them ‘support even a (Advanced Level) examination for the under which qualifying marks for movement for the creation of a 1991/92 university admissions was Tamil students were higher than for separate state’. The UNP promised to held in August 1990. Fighting Sinhalese students. The difference in take all possible steps to remedy the between the LTTE and the Sri qualifying marks between Tamil and grievances of the Tamils when it Lankan security forces had broken out Sinhalese students for admission to gained political power. two months earlier and it was not the Engineering Faculty of the But all was forgotten when the possible to hold the examination in Peradeniya University for example UNP came to power. The new the North-East. was 23. In 1974 a ‘district quota system was introduced in university government, decided to perpetuate A special examination for the admissions in addition to mediawise stardardisation and in 1979 North-East Tamil-medium students standardisation, allocating a quota in announced that in future admissions was held in April 1991. Many students admission for each district, based on to universities only 30% would be on travelled to from the merit., 55% on district quota system the population of the district. This and 15% reserved for underdevelo- North-East with great difficulty and further reduced the number of Tamils amidst danger to sit for the admitted to universities. ped districts. This turnaround by the examination. UNP government shocked the Tamils The government appointed and the militant movement began These students are shocked to learn Keuneman Committee in 1975 gaining ground. that the “cut-out marks” (the recommened the abolition of minimum total marks required in the mediawise standardisation. The The educational facilities available four subjects to qualify for university Committee also recommended that to Tamil schools in the plantation admission) designated for April 1991 areas is the poorest in the island. In 70% of the vacancies in universities the 1960s a rule was introduced to is higher than for the August 1990 should be filled on merit, 15% on examination. For example the cut-out determine whether a school was a district quota basis and 15% should Sinhala school or a Tamil school on marks for admission to the Engineer- be reserved for backward areas. ing faculties was 280 at the August the basis of the number of citizens 1990 examination. But for the April An all-Sinhalese group of officials studying in the schools. Most 1991 examination conducted for the which assisted the Keuneman plantation children were not citizens Tamil students, it has been increased Committee opposed its recommenda- and large number of Tamil and to 3M. This would mean that less tion and made its own recommenda- Muslim schools became Sinhala Tamil students will quality for tion that 70% should be on district schools overnight. university admission. quota and 30% on the basis of merit. Standardisation badly affected the Curiously, the government disowned A similar attempt at standardisation plantation Tamils. In 1970/71, 18 its own Committee and accepted the plantation Tamils had gained was made in 1980/81. But in a legal recommendations of the government action courts ruled that the two admission to the Peradeniya examinations held in respect of Officials. University. In 1971/72 after university admissions for 1980/81 In its 1977 election manifesto the standardisation the number fell to 11. should not be treated separately. United National Party said that the The plantation Tamil schools are lack of solutions to the numerous

Tamil Information ‘NO. 11’ 2 discriminated in the supply of equipment. Recently in the Gampola TIC ACCESSION LIST District, the Sinhalese schools received A Selection of documents received by TIC in June 1992 large amounts of educational and sports equipment and musical instruments while each Tamil school received a clock and a few tennis balls. GFL 254 SHR 942 In Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar Navam Fact-Finding Missions on Sri Lanka and Jaffna a large number of voluntary Vippulananthar. 1980-1992: an annotated bibliography. teachers were teaching in schools, Norway: Sri Lanka Resource Centre; par tictilarly in rural schools. Tirukkonamalai: Sri Kanesa 2nd April 1992. In some areas without the voluntary Achchakam, 1992. . 31p. teachers it is extremely difficult to run 50p. the schools. These voluntary teachers DESCRIPTORS: H- Rights /Tamil DESCRIPTORS: Biography / Literature / Homeland / Refugees have all been interviewed by the Culture / Education / Music Education Department. But except a SHR 994 few teachers in the SHR 945 others have not recieved their Suriyakumaran, C. Sri Lanka Chronology of Events 1991 appointment. Furthermore, a large compiled by Anton S. Philip number of teachers in the North-East The Anguish of “83”: Sri Lanka’s Norway: Sri Lanka Resource Centre; who retired‘before their age of Ethnic Crisis and the way out: 1992. retirement on a scheme introduced by Articles & an Epilogue 1983-1989. the government, have so far not Colombo: KV.G.de Silva: 1990. No.1, 95p. received any retirement benefit. XII,135P. DESCRIPTORS: Human Rights Violations / The government claims that business Refugees / Militarisation / Aid is conducted in all three languages. But DESCRIPTORS: Ethic conflict /District OHR 77 Development Council / Provincial Councils. in reality correspondence from the Report on the Asian, African, Department of Education to schools is SHR 946 Caribbean and Other Ethnic Minority always in Sinhala. There are over 350 People’s Health Conferences 1991. Tamil schools in the Kegalle District Singh, Depinder The Principals of these schools say that The IPKF in Sri Lanka. London: Newham Health Authority. all Department circulars are received only in the Sinhala language. Noida: Trishul Publications, 198? 28p.

207p. DESCRIPTORS: Information / Racism / Women In the North-East the airforce has / Specific communities / Recommendations / bombed a number of schools. A school DESCRIPTORS: Politics / H- Rights / Training India / Tamil Homeland / LTTE was bombed during an examination GFL 256 recently and a number of students were GFL 255 injured. In the East schools are often Miot News Abeysekera, Vernon searched and many students have been London: Medical Institute of Tamils; taken into custody. The economic Images of Jaffna: a Government March1992. blockade has had a devastating effect Agent’s Recollections. on students in the North. Students are No.6, 1Op. unable to study after 6 pm because Australia: SLAM Publishing Service; 1989. DESCRIPTORS: Children / Events / AGM / there is no electricity. This has been Education / Computing / Appeal compounded by the restriction on 56p. kerosene supply to the North. GFL 257 DESCRIPTORS: Politics / Culture /Caste Standardisation is one of the reasons that made the Tamils to intensify their SHR 941 Vadivel, Ira campaign for rights and lack of Sri Lanka: Deliberate Killings of solutions to many long-standing Tirukkonamalai konesar kovil Muslim and Tamil villagers in vatalaru. problems led to the Tamils taking up Polonnaruwa. arms. Further experiments with Trincomalee: Hindu Dharma standardisation will swell the ranks of London: Amnesty International, June Publications; 1984. the LTTE* 1992. 56p. l0p. DESCRIPTORS: History / Trincomalee / DESCRIPTORS: Killings / Muslims / Tamils / Temple Eastern Region

Tamil Information No. 11 3 JUNE DIARY

June 1 Tamils have been killed and hundreds June 11 nore have been maimed by aerial F IGHT FOR ALAMPIL: Heavily bombardment and artillery shelling of MILITARY OFFENSIVE IN armed Sri Lankan troops backed by population centres according to an THE NORTH: Over 5,000 people aircraft advanced on one of LTTE’s LTTE statement. The statement also fled from North, llavalai, key bases in Alampil in Mullaitivu accused the government of “paying lip Mareesankudal, Karukampanai, District Alampil is on the LTTE’s service to the path of peace”. Alaveddy, Mathagal and Mullanai and supply line to their camps in the took refuge in schools, temples, interior of the Mullaitivu jungles and June 6 houses and community centres, in the is a strategic target for the military. areas of Pandatharippu, Sithamkemi SHELLING FROM ARMY and Thoddilady when the security June 2 BASES: Indiscriminate shelling by he army was reported in the areas of forces attacked these areas from air, ATROCITIES OF HOME- Alampil, Kumulamunai and Semmalai land and sea. Over 200 people were GUARDS: In a memorandum to in the and reported injured and admitted to the President Premadasa, Prince Achchuveli, Thellippalai and Jaffna in hospital. Kasinathar, MP accused the Muslim he Jaffna peninsula. Over 2,000 AIR ATTACK ON ILAVALAI: Home Guards of committing people from the affected areas in Four people were killed and over 20 atrocities against innocent Tamils in Mullaitivu are reported to have fled to injured when the airforce bombed Valaichenai in the Batticaloa District. Nedunkerni and other surrounding Ilavalai. Ilavalai Hindu College, Henri According to the memorandum areas. College and Nallayan Girls College though the people have identified to were also damaged in the attack the Police the Home Guards June 7 June l2 responsible for the massacres of SOLDIERS AMBUSHED: Troops Tamils in these areas no action was were attacked by LTTE in the jungles MILITARY ADVANCE TO taken against the perpetrators by the of Mullaitivu. Ten soldiers were SENTHANKULAM: Over 2000 Police. The memorandum urged the reported killed and many others were soldiers backed by tanks, helicopter President to take immediate action to seriously wounded. The wounded were gunships and naval fire advanced stop atrocities against innocent brought to the hospital in Anuradha- seven kilometers and took control of Tamils. pura. the coastal town of Senthankulam. June 3 LTTE is reported to have offered June 8 stiff-resistance to the military% BUS MASSACRE IN KOMARI: FIGHTING IN MULLAITIVU: advance. Sixteen people have died in a bus Heavy fighting between LTTE and the massacre by unknown gunmen in the security forces was reported in the June 13 coastal village of Komari in Batticaloa areas of Kumulamunai and Andanku- LTTE ATTACKS JOINT- District Two of those killed were off lam in the Mullaitivu District JOC PATROL: One policeman was killed duty policemen and most of the claimed that they had killed over 30 and one soldier injured when LTTE others were Muslims. The governmen LTTE cardres, whereas LTTE has ambushed a joint military-police claims that the attack was carried out claimed victory in the battle. patrol at Manaduwa-Aluthwatta road by the LTTE and the LTTE denies in the Vavuniya District. any involvement. June 9 June 14 June 4 ARMY OFFICER KILLED: One senior officer and 12 soldiers were AIRFORCE ATTACKED: LTTE SURPRISE ATTACK ON killed when LTTE attacked an army attacked an air force patrol at NORTH: Over 20,000 people from convoy moving from Kattaiparichan to Morawewa in Trincomalee District Thellippalai and Achchuveli in the Mahindapura in the Trincomalee and killed 2 airmen and two para North were made homelessovernight District Reports suggests that LTTE military soldiers. Troop reinforce- when the security forces attacked have taken away large quant ities of ments were rushed to the area and these’areas from air and land without arms and ammunition. after a 30-minute fight the LTTE was any warning. Displaced people were reported to have withdraw. accomodated in refugee camps in June 10 June 15 Jaffna CIVILIANS KILLED: Sri Lankan June 5 airforce indiscriminately bombed the ATTACK ON SOLDIERS: Four areas of Thellippalai, Sandilippai, soldiers, including an officer were GOVERNMENT ACCUSED : Mahiyapitty and Sankanai destroying killed by a land mine. The soldiers LTTE accused the government of many houses and buildings. Seven were on patrol when the mine “genocidal intent” for the indiscri- civilians were reported killed and 15 exploded a few metres from the army’s minate attacks in the North. Over l00 others injured. defence lines at the town of Alampil, Tamil Information No. 11 4 JUNE DIARY the area which the army claimed to was to meet the refugees, in particular June 26 have seized from LTTE on 1 June. the returnees from India and to discuss their problems. LEAFLETTING BY FORCES: June 16 Security forces air-dropped leaflets over June 21 the Jaffna peninsula warning people to ATTACK ON LTTE: According I move away from LTTE camps. a military spokesman, 10 LTTE men DEATH OF CHILDREN ON THE were killed by army commandos whe INCREASE: According to a Hospital June 27 they stormed the LTTE camp near spokesman there has been an increase LTTE CAMP DESTROYED: JOC Karadiyanaru in the Batticaloa in the number of deaths among infants announced that they had destroyed a District recorded in the Jaffna General LTTE camp at Samanthiyaru in Hospital. The main cause for deaths June 17 were fever, bronchitis and diarrhoea. Batticaloa District June 28 MAJOR FORCED TO FIGHT: June 22 Major M Wijesundera’s efforts to SHELLING BY NAVY: The navy persuade the Supreme Court to stop REMOVAL OF Tamil REFU- indiscriminately shelled the coastal his transfer to the North on medical GEES: C.N.Ramathas, Regional areas of Keerimalai, Senthankulam and grounds had been turned down. This Co-ordinator for Sri Lanka refugees, in the North. People was the first time a member of Sri announced that 21,126 Tamils had been from these areas fled to interier places. Lankan armed forces had appealed removed to Sri Lanka and another Large-scale destruction of houses, a court to stop being sent to the 6,700 would be returned soon. schools, community centres, roads and battlefield. According to him there were 337 shops were reported. refugee camps in Tamil Nadu in June June 18 1990 and now there were only 163 ARMY ‘MOVE TO ELEPHANT TRINCO REFUGEES: V. camps with 88,000 refugees. PASS: Security forces launched major Meharajah, President of Thirukovil air, sea and land attacks on Vetrilaik- branch of the Sri Lankan Red-Cross June 23 erni coastal area and advanced to announced that there were 2224 LTTE BASE CAPTURED: JOC Elephant Pass. Heavy fightings was refugee families in the Thirukovil announced that after an intense reported at Kaddaikadu, Mulliyan and AGA division in Trincomalee. exchange of fire, Police Special Task Pullaveli. Over 5,000 troops were Force have captured an LTTE base in reported to have landed in Vetrilaik- ABDUCTIONS IGNORED: erni. Passenger train travelling from Kanjikudicharu in the Amparai District Colombo to Batticaloa was stopped June 24 June 29 Sathurukondan by unknown gunmen COMMANDOS KILLED: LTTE CBI ENTRY REFUSED: The and two passengers were abducted. ambushed an army patrol in Periya government formally refused clearance Reports suggest that security forces Poraithivu in the east killing four to the legal counsel of India’s Central guarding the train turned a blind eye commandos. Bureau of Investigation to visit to the kidnapping. Colombo to finalise India’s request for SHELL ATTACK BY ARMY: June 19 the extradition of LTTE leader V Army fired shells indiscriminately from Prabhakaran for alledged involvement ARRESTS OF PLANTATION their camps in Mandaithivu and in the assasination of former Premier YOUTHS: T. Iyadurai, President of Vethilaikemi into surrounding villages. National Union of Workers accused A shell fired from Mandaithivu camp that some trade unions were destroyed a house in Kalviyankadu. June 30 responsible for the arrests of June 25 LTTE URGED TO CHANGE ITS plantation youths. He alleged that ATTITUDE: M.I.M. Mohidin, competion between trade unions an PLANTATION TAMILS FORCED secretary, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress personal rivalaries were the reasons TO LEAVE: V.P. Ganesh President o urged LTTE to change its attitude for such arrests. the Democratic Workers Congress towards Muslims. He accused the accused the Prime Minister of trying to June 20 LTTE of ignoring the true feelings of implement the Indo-Ceylon Agreement the Tamils who wish to remain close to VISIT TO MANNAR: A fifteen and remove plantation Tamils to India. the Muslims and respect each other. member team consisting of member According to him the period within He alleged that until the LTTE's of parliament and government officers which the people should have been attitude is changed there would not be visited refugee camps in Talaimannaimanna removed under Srimavo-Sastri Pact any permanent peace in the North- Pesalai, Puthukudiyirupu, Thava- elapsed in 1979. He has urged the East. puram and Erukalampitty in the government to stop this unfair removal . Their main purpos on humanitarian grounds.

Tamil Information No. 11 5 Situation Report

CALL FOR ANNUAL SLFP URGED TO DEMILITARISED CONFERENCE OF STAY ON ZONES MOTHERS FRONT T.Sitharthan, Leader of PLOTE The All Ceylon Hindu Council has The second annual conference of appealed to the leader of the Sri called on the government to declare he Mothers Front was held at the Lankan Freedom Party not to boycott temple areas in the North-East as , New Town Hall in Colombo on 23 the Select Committee. He reqested demilitarised zones. People are June. The Mothers Front was formed SLFP not to use the Tamil problem usually advised by army to go into following the disappearance of over for their political advantage. He places of worship and schools during 4O,OOO civilians in the south during added further by saying Tamil people military operations. But temples and a the 1988-90 period when a massive took to arms only because in previous number of schools have been bombed. military crackdown was launched rears the parties in the South were Twenty three civilians died when the against the JVP. Opposition leader concerned with making political army fired shells at the Vatrapalai Sirimavo Bandaranaike participated in capital without addresing the temple in Mullaitivu in May. In the meeting. A teacher from Randy grievances of the Tamil speaking Jaffna, the Tellippalai Thurkaiamman named Subasinghe who had lost his people* temple was bombed killing five son, collapsed and died during the persons who had taken refuge in the meeting+ temple+ EQUIPMENT DENIED TO MINORITY BOMBS CAUSE SCHOOLS LOSS OF LTTE CANCER Two Thousand Eight hundred and one LTTE members died in fighting Tamil and Muslim schools in the between 10 June 1990 and 10 June Chemicals exuded from bombs is E3il.l Country are being discriminated 1992 revealed LTTE leader the main reason for the dramatic in the supply of equipment. Recently Y ogaratnam Yogi* increase in the number of cancer 148 schools in the Gampola patients in the North-East, Professor educational division were given V.K.Ganesalingam said at a seminar educational and sport equipment and HILL COUNTRY on the environment at the Jaffna musical instruments by the Central University in June. When houses bum Provincial Council. Tamil and Muslim GRADUATES as a result of bombing toxic fumes mix schools and estate schools received ASSOCIATION with the air. Further, bombing has only a clock and a few tennis balls. FORMED also caused deafness and shock has These schools obtained equipment led to mental illness. Prof. Ganesa- using funds allocated by Minister lingam further said that extensive Thondaman and the Swedish bombing caused environmental International Development Agency in The Hill Country Graduate damage and was comparable to using the past years. But this year the Association was formed recently with biological weapons+ the objective of unifying the graduates Provincial Council has ensured that and involving them in social activities. required equipment is not supplied+ A lerge number of organisations which are currently functioning COMPENSATION without intellectual assistance will DELAYED benefit. Earlier failure of organisa- VICTIMS REMOVED tions og intellectuals is attributed to INVOLUNTARILY tbe fact that these organisations did Joseph Pararajasingham, MP not understand and adopt to the accuses that payment of compensation needs of the Hill country. Hill country to the affected Tamils in the Tamils hope that the Association will Kokkaddicholai massacre have been Joseph Pararajasingam accused the act in the interest of the whole delayed. In his petition to President army of forcibly removing 250 community without being affected by displaced Tamil families from Premadasa he drew attention to the surrounding villages of Alinchipothna political differences+ report of the Presidential commision recommending immediate payment+ who fled following the masscre*

Tamil Information No. 11 . 6 Situation Report

EPDP PLEDGE BAN ON FISHING SUPPORT TO MUSLIMS The Supreme Court reserved All fishing operations from judgement at the end of a record 527 mullaitivu coast to Talaimannar have Douglas Devananda, Secretary day trial challenging President been banned by the Navy to facilitate General of EPDP visited Muslim ’s election as combined security operations in the refugees in Puttalam and pledged his the country’s head of state. The court North. The Naval Headquarters have gr oup’s support to resettle the heard evidence from 977 witnesses Muslims in their home areas. He is issued orders for their men in the sea reported to have said futher that during the trial which opened in 1989. to engage any craft other than those The five-judge bench headed by Chief belonging to the Navy. An estimated EPDP, would play a leading role in Justice G P S de Silva however , did 500 fishermen would lose their daily building confidence between the not say when the judgement would be living due to the ban+ Tamil and Muslim communities and delivered+ tc live in harmony in the country+ FIREPOWER MERGER OF TAMILS CHARGED PROVINCES RULED BOLSTERED FOR JOC BOMBING OUT President Premadasa told Since the departure of the IPKF in representatives of the eight Tamil Six Tamils namely, Navaledchumi 1990, the Sri Lankan Army has grown parties that the ruling United Kathiravelu, Shanthini Sivalo- in strength from 70,000 to 85,000 and National Party’s stand on the ganathan, Suganthini Vijeyakumar, has been strengthened by the infusion permanent merger of the Northern Rasiah Nadarajah, Sithamparam of heavy equipment. According to and Eastern provinces remained the Selladurai and Arunasalam Surendran military sources, for the first time, the same as stated in the party’s election were charged at the Colombo High army is better armed than before with manifesto, which had opposed the Court in connection with the bombing the deployment of the newly acquired merger of the two provinces+ of the Joint Operations Command Chinese T-55 tanks, on which several head quarters+ cadets have been trained at Indian corps schools. AWARD FOR MENTALILLNESS IN INFORMERS However, the Sri Lankan Air-force NORTH-EAST in reported to be facing problems over Government announced attractive its F-7 fighter bombers bought from awards for information on 12 LTTE China because of lack of spare parts leaders in the Batticaloa District. Wall Around 50% of those receiving and shorter runways. Currently only posters carrying photographs of these treatment at the Outdoor Patients Katunayake is suitable for its take off leaders appeard in public places. Department of the Jaffna hospital are and landing. Defence sources indicate Security forces also carried out search psychologically affected, according to that China Bay landing strip in operations in a number of villages. Dr.T.Somasundaram of the Jaffna Trincomalee would be extended to Young men and women were ordered University. Research has revealed that facilitate operations of F-7 fighters. to assemble at temples and subjected since 1983 large number of people Meanwhile, the navy has increased to interrogation+ have suffered trauma as a result of its fire power by adding to its fleet deaths, loss of property, grievous three new Chinese built gun boats SARVODAYA injury and refugee situations. each worth Rs 150 million+ Children, particularly young students ACCUSED OF have been affected by the prevailing CORRUPTION violent situation. Reports indicate that counselling facilities in the North-East are totally insufficient for Five hundred and fifty thousand the large number of patients seeking rupees has been misused by a psvchological treatment+ Sarvodaya Branch according to Mr Jeyampathy, Regional Coordinator of the organisation at Anuradhapura*

Tamil Information No. 11 7 LEGAL AID ADOPT A POOR FAMILY TO UP- APPEAL COUNTRY The Dryzone Development million (£15,OOO) to set up a LEADERS Foundation (DDF), a registered Revolving Development Fund. voluntary organisation functioning DDF requests expatriates to President of the UP-Country with a North-East province focus in support a family by providing f2 ($4) People’s Front P. Chandrasekaran and Sri Lanka appeals to expatriate per week for a period of one year. two other office-bearers B.A. Cader Tamils to adopt poor families in the Donors may also consider providing and V.T. Dharamlingam are held in Tamil Homeland. The family adoption some “seed money” to begin with police custody in Sri Lanka for over a project was begun by the DDF to Contributions must be made payable year under the Prevention of assist families which have lost to Dryzone Development Foundation Terrorism Act. According to breadwinners, young widows and and sent direct to them. Donors may information received by TIC, trade orphans to enable them once again to also indicate preference of the target union rivalry is the main cause for live in the community with dignity and group,which should benefit. For their detention. self-respect as a people. It seeks to reach out to families affected by long further particulars you may contact - In a fundamental rights application, years of violence and devastation. The the Supreme Court declared in May DDF emphasises self-reliance and 1992 that their arrest and detention Sri Shanmugarajah encourages short-term credits and president were illegal and ordered them to be moral support to pursue vocation as a released. Despite the order they were farmer, fisherman or self-employed Dryzone Development not released. Currently another case artisan. Foundation has been filed against them alleging 449/3 Galle Road failure to provide information to the According to the DDF a person police. Until June 1992 they were held requires around SL Rs. 10,000 (£125) Mountlavenia, Sri Lanka at the infamous “Sixth Floor’ of the as credit grant for a year. Non- Telephone - 724862 Colombo police head quarters, where financial institutions which provide they had been subject to severe credit are not functioning in the torture and ill-treatment North-East and the co-operative Family Adoption forms are also sector has become defunct. Inter- available at the Tamil Information The cost of the bail applications national NGO input is inadequate Centre+ and the cases for the three persons considering the very large number of would amount to around Rs 600,000 families without breadwinners, widows (f 7500). Lawyers have assured us that and orphans. There are 6,000 widows this is the minimum amount required in the alone according as legal cost It is almost impossible ta to a recent survey. raise such a large amount of money in Sri Lanka The Up-Country People’s DDF believe people are credit- Front has appealed to the expatriate worthy. According to them “If the Tamils and the International assistance is channelled through Community to generusly contribute to established village level institutions assist them in their cases. If you wish and if people are properly motivated to help, please send the money they will repay the loan, specially directly to “P.Chandrasekaran, woman borrowers”. Bank of Ceylon A/C No.1410, DDF has sponsored over 200 saving Talawakelle, Sri Lanka. clubs with over 8,000 members in The Tamil Information Centre is Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Amparai endeavouring to also set up a fund to and Mannar Districts. NORAD has provide legal assistance to the large provided an initial grant of Rs. 1.2 number. of Tamils detained in Sri Lanka. If you require more information please contact the Tamil Information is published by Tamil Information Centre, Thamil House, Centre+ 720 Romford Road, London El2 6BT. Tel: 081 514 6390 SUBSCRIPTION : UK - £6.00 All Other Countries - £10.00

Tamil Information No. 11 8