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THE TIMES

Talks aimed at resolving the to local district councils. These A High Court judge accused challenged evidence that the communal conflict in were rejected by the Tamil the Home Office yesterday of man and his father had been have adjourned for a month representatives who said the using artificial and inhuman beaten up and threatened with Ringing fears that the fragile proposals went no further than criteria in dealing with appli- death and his family's house in asc-firc on may those put to an all-party cations for political asylum had been attacked and break down. conference by President Jaye- from Tamils fleeing communal looted by a mob during riots in After six days of discussions wardene last year. violence rn Sri Lanka. July 1983. which apparently made little A spokesman for the Tamil Mr Justice Taylor, quashing a "It can be of little comfort to progcsss towards solving the militants said: "The proposals ministerial decision to refuse a Tamil family to know they arc stril'c that has brought the put forward by the Sri Lankan asylum to a Tamil aged 34, bcng persecuted as Tamils country to the verge of civil Government as a solution to whose identity was withheld for rather than as individuals," the war. the adjournment was this problem are totally unac- fear of reprisals to his family in judge said. agreed by both sides meeting in ceptable and we have rejected Sri Lanka, said it was a startling Mr Justice Taylor ordered the Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. then!." The spokesman added , proposition that the applicant decision to refuse asylum to be A senior official in the Indian that it was up to the Govcrmcnt ^couid not qualify for asylum if quashed and directed Mr Ministry of External Affairs, Mr to produce more proposals and he and his family had not been Waddington to reconsider the Romesh Bhandari, had flown to they were prepared to consider singled out for persecution. case. the isolated Himalayan capital any other ideas aimed at solving The judgment effectively The British Refugee Council when the stalemate between the the problem. undermines the Home Office said yesterday that Britain had Sri Lankan Government del- Both sides used the talks to policy of granting political taken many fewer fleeing egation and the Tamil represen- register complaints about al- asylum only in the most Tamils than other wcstcrti tatives had threatened to cause leged breaches of the cease-fire exceptional cases to fleeing European countries which had the talks to collapse in failure. and though it is expected it will Tamils, and was welcomed by no historical links with Sri , under whose auspicics continue until the next round of the British Refugee Council and Lanka. In West Germany, they were held, is anxious for discussions, thcr arc doubts bodies who have been pressing between 15,000 and 20,000 settlement of the problems about whether it will hold. for Tamils to be granted were wailing decisions on between the Sinhalese majority The . Tamil representatives temporary refugee status. applications for asylum; in and the Tamil minority on the complained of violations by the France there were an estimated island. Mr Bhandari spent two Sri Lankan security forces in the Mr David Waddington, 19,000, 3,500 in the Nether- ^T-ys in informal meetings with eastern part of the island, and Minister of State at the Home lands and 2,500 in Switzerland. I ill delegations before they alleged that civilians supplied Office, stated that all appli- Fewer than 2.500 Tamils agreed to meet again on August with weapons by the security cations were considered tho- 12 at Thimpu. forces had robbed Tamil homes. have arrived in Britain in the roughly and sympathetically, past 18 months. Before leaving the capital, it Members of the Government but more was required to justify was reported, that the Bhuta- delegation promised to refer the granting asylum than the fact Mr Julius Melchior, the nese Government made ar- complaints to the authorities in that the man was a Tamil and solicitor representing the Tamil, rangements for both delegations Colombo saying they could not that there had been civil unrest said that the Home Office to go on a sight-seeing tour. reply to the allegations immedi- against the Tamil community. would have to appeal against Details of what occured in ately. The man appealing to the High the decision or review its basis Thimpu have been sketchy as it © COLOMBO: A spokesman Court had not been involved in for deciding Tamil applications. was deliberately chosen for its for the Eclam National Liber- politics or singled out for The Home Office said last remoteness and no journalists ation Front, an alliance of four harassment. night that it would consider the were allowed entry to the big guerrilla groups, said in The judge said that the judgement. There were about country. Madras on Saturday that the decision was contrary to un- 1,500 Tamils awaiting decision. One Indian reporter who talks were a "preliminary step managed to arrive in the capital although substantial progress was quickly detected by govern- could not be made". (Reutcr ment officials who ordered him Reports). to return to Delhi on the first A statement from the govern- statement on policy towards- Sri available [light. The Sri Lankan ment team said the first phase Lankan Tamils who expressed a fear Government team, led by of the talks had closed ai'U'r IMMIGRATION of return to Sri Lanka. President Jaycwardenc's delegates unanimously agreed Mr Leon Brittun, the Home brother. 'Hector, put forward to resume negotiations on Secretary, said in the Commons that Mr Alfred Dubs, Opposition proposals for devolving powers August 12. it was only with great reluctance spokesman on immigration, said that he had decided that it was this represented a major departure necessary to impose a visa from two important traditions. For requirement for citizens of Sri the first time Commonwealth Lanka, s fellow Commonwealth citizens would require a visa to > • -\s decisiocountry. n defended enter Britain; and the British The need for it would be kept tradition of offering a haven and under rcviesv and he hoped it could hospitality to those seeking asylum be ]iAccl.irLdue,cgurse, he saidjn a_ had been breached. jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs; www.tamilarangam.net-2- OPINION Sri Lanka admits (contd. from p.7 they would be loath to relin- successes, will be very unpre- quish their powers in any dictable. The five main sort of devolution. groups are a disparate alli- The majority of the UNP ance, with strong currents of MPs are said to have their caste and political rivalries. BUTTAJ? SUMMIT. first party allegiance to the They include Marxists, as Prime Minister, Mr R. well as Tamil nationalists, Premadasa, one of the most who have called for a revolu- implacable exponents of Sin- tionary government in Sri The People's Liberation organi- halese-Buddhist supremacy. Lanka and have some sup- sation of Thamileelara (PLOT) He 'has done nothing to port among educated Sinha- despite expressing considerable lessen the irrational Sinha- lese youth. scepticism on the successful lese fears about the huge With the continuing pres- southern Indian state of sure from India to reach an out-come of the Buttan Summit, Tamil Nadu, which has given accommodation, Mr Jayewar- participated in the conference. bases and support to the dene may flind a way out of .Tamil groups. his dilemma. But it will take Comrade Uma Maheswaran, Secretary Negotiations with the a leap of huge political will. General of PLOT, expanding the Tamil guerrilla leaders, em- reasons why the group participated boldened by their military in the conference despite its scepticism of the outcome, empha- MASSACRES WILL NEVER sised that the conference provided the best means of gaining inter- national recognition. STOP THE FIGHT FOR Through its participation at the conference, PLOT has implicitly FREEDOM ! gained recognition of both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments. Whereas on the other hand through their categorical rejection of the ceasefire negotiations and subse- Tiger quent acquisence of it because of Indian pressure, the LTTE and the members of the ENLF exposed both their weak position and singular lack of foresightedness. Comrade Uma when interviewed by Comrade Skantha of the VOTE also The major Tamil militant organi- emphasised the need on gaining at least a brief respite to the em- sations operating in the North have battled Tamil people who have more now polarised into two groupings, especially during the past year according to. a .report in "The been subjected to genocidal attacks. Island" The Secretary General of PLOT em- phasised during the interview that the talks were not to negotiate The People's Liberation Organi- Thamileelam but aimed at seeking possibilities for a cease-fire. sation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) led He pointed out that as early as in by Uma Maheswaran,, along with December 1983, the Central Committee the Tamil Eelam Liberation Army of PLOT had foreseen the possibi- (TELA) are in one group. lities of the present situation and made its plans accordingly. Refering to the changed stance of the TULF The other group comprises the he said, this was a welcome sign, which thereby enhanced its role in Liberation Tigers og Tamil Eelam the liberation struggle. (JUTTED the Tamil! Ealam, Liber- ation Organisation (TELO', the Eelam People's Revolutionary Libe- ration Front (EPRLF; and the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation Navy patrol kills Tamils (EROS;. j Colombo - Three Tamil had been in armoured cars* icivilians were shot dead yester- Official sources said the navy "The latter grouping.while retain- day at a bus stop near the palrol had surprised Tamil ing theit individual identities, will Karainagar navy base in norfh- youths pulling up posters anil unita under the umbrella of the ern Sri Lanka (Our correspon- there had been an exchange of dent writes). fire. ' I Eelam National' Liberation Front At an inquiry by a magistrate This is the second serious after the shootings, witnesses incident to violate the country's CENLF;. said thai those responsible were uneasy month-old cease-lire ;from the Sri Lankan navy and since Saturday jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs; www.tamilarangam.net-3- JUNE 2. 198$. JUNE 6, 198$. POLICE STATION AND NAVY POST MILLER RELEASE AT PUNHALIKKADDUVAN. ATTACKED AT TRIMGQMALEE. Mr. Rajaratnam a miller who was ab- The Police Station at Kuchcheveli ducted by unknown persons from his in Trincomalee district was attacked house at Punnalikkadduvan has been by the Thamileelam Freedom Fighters, released by his captives. killing one police personal and eight 1 others. They also attacked a navy SKILLED AND 200 MISSING AT T MALES. post, killing a navy officer and in- In Trincomalee 8 Tamils were shot juring k others. dead by Sinhalese mobs. More than 200 are missing and feared some of RADIO STATION ATTACKED. them would have been killed and the The West German sponsored radio relay rest arrested. station at Kuchcheveli was attacked JUNE 7. 1985. by the liberation fighters and sever-: al equipment belonged to the station VILLAGE WIPES-OUT. were removed. In Trinconialee, Kiliveddy and three ARMY ATROCITIES AT KUTHUR. other villages have been completely wiped out by Sinhalese mobs. More I'n a shooting spree at Muthur, the than a hundred villagers were killed Sri Lankan array sprayed bullets on in cold blood. civilians and killed a number of them The bodies were removed to Trincomale T.E.F.F. CAPTURED ARKS. General Hospital. In a village near Chettykulam, the PASSENGERS ATTACKED AT PANKULAM. Thamileelam Freedom Fighters have captured the entire arms from a At Pankulam, Trincomalee, armed convey of rural guards of the Sri Sinhalese mobs stopped a passenger Lankan government. bus travelling from Trincomalee to Jaffna and killed 1? Tamil PassengersJUNE 8. 198$. and injured 9 others who were admit- ARMS STRUGGLE WILL GOHTINUE. ted to the General Hospital, Trinco- . malee. Some of them escaped into the At a news conference, summoned in forest for safety. connection with the cease fire, the Secretary General of the Peoples ARMY WENT BERSERK AT TRINGOMALEE. Liberation Organisation of Thamil- The Sri Lankan army went berserk at eelam - PLOT - Comrade Uma Maheswaran Trincoinalee and killed 23 Tamils and has reiterated that PLOT would not put made 300 Tamils homeless, who are down the arms until the cause is refuged in Temples and Schools. achieved. JUIIE 198$. BRIDGES "BLOWM-UP. LAND-SLIP KILLS 12. At Trincomalee, three bridges were blown-up by the. Thamileelam Freedom In the up-country area, twelve people Fighters to prevent the people from were burried with life in a land-slip, army atrocities. ARMY ATROCITIES IN TRINCOMALEE CONTD. BUSIKESSMA-, N ARRESTED. At five villages in Trincomalee dis- A businessman, Mr. Thambiah was arrest- trict, 80 Tamils were shot dead by ed by the Sri Lankan Police on accusa- Sinhalese thugs with the connivance tion that he had funded arms purchases of the security forces. Also more from foreign states for the use of - than 6000 Tamils lost their homes and Thamileelam Freedom Fighters. have taken sanctuary in schools and temples of Muthur, Thorpur and Sam- PASSENGERS OIVED AND INJURED. poor villages. A bus which was travelling from Jaffna NEW PREVENTION OF TERRORISM ACT. to Colombo was stopped by armed Sinhala mobs at Kurunagal and the Tamil passen- The Sri Lankan government is contem- gers in the bus were knived and serious- plating to repeal the present Preven- ly wounded. • tion of Terrorism Act and enact a nevj Act in place of that. Under xvhich ! death penalty would be imposed for militant activities, so stated Mr. Anandatissa de Alwisjkpo;j;. Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs; www.tamilarangam.net-4- INITIATIVE BY RAJIV. JUNE 17. 1985. The Indian Prime Minister Kr. Rajiv The International Human Rights Orga- Gandhi has stated that plans were be- nisations have accused Sri Lankan ing drawn to find an acceptable sol- government for allowing calculated ution for the Tamil problem to end army atrocities against the Tamil the hostilities. According to him population in the North £ East of Sri Lanka would have a new consti- the country while outwardly talking tution very soon. about a cease fire. JUNE 11, 198$. INDIAN NAVY INCREASED PATROLLING 12 SINHALESE KILLED. The Eastern Region Navy Commander of India has stated that he had An unidentified group attacked a ordered more naval patrolling in the village called Theiwathai, in Muthur Southern Coast to protect the Indian district and as a result 11; Sinha fishermen from Sri Lankan Navy attack, lese were killed. At Paddithidal, a truck which was taking a surgeon for MORE KILLINGS BY ARMY IH TRINGO. an emergency operation was blown At a remote area in Trincomalee the off when it run over a land mine. security forces stopped a bus and Seven members of the security forces abducted 6 Tamils from the bus and were killed in the incident. later killed them. Also the Tamils JUNE 13, 198$. over UO years in the refugee camps ^~ were forced to the army camp nearby 60 YOUTHS RELEASED. for 'questioning'. Sixty youths who had been detained RAIL TRACK DAMAGED. at Busha army camp were released to Vavuniya. The railway track in between Omantai and Vavuniya was damaged by the MEDICAL STORES HEAD ABDUCTED. Thamileelam Freedom Fighters (TEFF) The Jaffna City 1'ledical Stores by setting off a bomb, as a measure proprietor and his family who were to restrict the movement of the sec- in Madras, were abducted by unknown urity forces from the South to the persons. North. JUKE 1U. 198$. GOVERNMENT ACCEPT ARI-iY EXCESS. EXPLOSION VICTIMS AT KURUNAGAR. The Minister for National Security in Sri Lanka Mr. Lalith Athulath- At Kurunagar one Arulnayagam with mudali has accepted that there were another six were killed in an explo- army excesses and so far 700 perso- sion. nal have been dismissed for that. ^ UP KILLED AT PADDITHIDAL. JUKE 18, 1985. At Paddithidal in Trincomalee, 1;0 YOUTHS IN CUSTODY KILLED. innocent Tamils were ferociously attacked and killed by armed Sinhala The Sri Lankan government has report- mobs. ed that 35 Tamil youths who were det- ained at an army post at Kaluvanchi- JUNE 16, 1985. kudy were killed in a clash between TAMILS LEFT HOMES IN FEAR. the army and the youths at the post. At Sampoor, Kolitivu, Kaddaiparichan TRAIN SERVICE CURTAILED. villages in Trincomalee, the Tamils The Sri Lankan government has inform- being the target of Sri Lankan army ed that train services beyond Vavuni- atrocities, left their homes and ya was withdrawn due to the damage living in the surrounding forests in caused to the track by the freedom fear. Several thousands of them are fighters. suffering from infectious diseases and femine. The Sinhala armed mobs EX-MINISTER OF THAMILNADU RELEASED. followed them into the forest and Mr. Somasundram. a former minister murdered 35 of them including two of Thamilnadu, who was remanded in women. custody in connection with a demons- tration calling Indian Army interven- tion in Sri Lanka, has now been re- leased. jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs; www.tamilarangam.net TAMILS BURNT IK TAR DRUI-iS. D.M.K. LEADER SUSPEGIOUS In Mannar the security forces enter- The D. K. K. leader Mr. Karunanithy ed a village and harrassed the Tamil has expressed concern about the cease refugees there and massacred 15 of fire, in analogy to the round-table them ; later, burnt them alive in conference, that the Sri Lankan tar drums. government would increase its military strength, taking advantage of the JUNE 19. 198$. cease fire to launch a major assault RAJIV ON SRI LANKAN POLICY. on the Tamils. Therefore the Tamils should be very cautious in dealing The Indian Prime minister Mr. Rajiv with the Sri Lankan government, he Gandhi, has asked the Sri Lankan added. President Mr. Jeyawardene to take material steps to stop army atro- ISDIAN MEDIA OPINION. cities. Also, the Indian High The Indian media is of opinion that Commissioner met the National sec- the opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party urity Minister Mr. Athulath and ex- would oppose to any solution presented pressed this view directly. by the government for Tamil problem. JOURNALISTS DEMONSTRATE IH MADRAS. The media also doubted their support for the Indian Prime Minister1s Thousands of journalists and writers attempts to the solution. have demonstrated their protest against the Sri Lankan army atrocities agai- JUNE 2U, 1985. nst Tamils in a huge march. At Poonagari, in an attempt to dimi- HOUSES BLOWN-UP BY ARMY. nish the morale of the state forces, the Thamileelam Freedom Fighters, went Sri Lankan soldiers in Kilinochchi face to face and attack a convoy of have blown-up three houses by explo- soldiers while they were emerging sives. from a camp. ITALIAN TOURIST INJURED. J.R.'s PRE-CONDITION FOR SOLUTION. At Pottuvil in Batticalo district, The Sri Lankan President Mr. J. R. two Italian tourists were shot and Jeyawardene, in a report states, that wounded by the government forces on there would not be any solution for, the allegation that they went beyond the Tamil Problem unless the call for the army barrier without authority. a separate state is withdrawn. He PLOT'S POLICY. also predicted that there would be a solution for the problem before the The aim of the People's Liberation end of the year and any such solution Organisation of Thamileelam is total would be presented to Pariament. emancipation of Tamils from the oppression of the chauvinistic Sri JUNE 25, 198$. Lankan government, so stated Comrade THAMILNADU GOVERNMENT'S DONATION. Uma, the Secretary General of PLOT in a news conference. He continued The State government of Thamilnadu that the struggle started when we has donated books worth of 300,000- took arms and it would end when we rupees to the Jaffna library. drop the arms. MORE REFUGEES EOUSED IN SOUTH INDIA. JUNE 22, 198$. More than 70 per cent of the refugees SAUDI ARABIA DISGUSTED who were in Rameswaram Mandapam Camp, have been housed in different parts Saudi Arabia is planning to deport of Thamilnadu. more than 2$00 Sri Lankan who have been working there for undisclosed JUI-IE 26, 1985. reasons. The Arab states including INDIAN MINISTER MET REFUGEES. Saudi Arabia have expressed their dissatisfaction to the Sri Lankan Mr. Chauhan, the Minister of Internal .government over its decision to Affairs in India met the Tamil refu- resume diplomatic relations with gees at Mandapam Camp and discussed Israel. Saudi Arabia, has also with- their problems. He also met Mr. M.G. drawn its aids to Sri Lanka for an Ramachandran, the Chief Minister of irrigation project. Thamilnadu, regarding this problem. JUKE 23. 198$. jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs; www.tamilarangam.net-6- TAMIL YOUTHS REFUSED TO GO-OPERATE. JUiNiB 28. 1985. The two Tamil youths who were arrest- GBKTRAL GOVT. OF IKDIA V7AKT TALKS. ed in connection with the murder of The Minister of Internal affairs of Batticalo U. II. P. organiser Mala India said that the Central Govt. Ramachandran, refused to give evid- had not talked to the Thamileelam ence in the court saying that it was Freedom Fighters and if the TEPF a Sinhala court as such they did not inclined the Central Government would want to give evidence in that court. be prepared to talk to them. They have been remanded in custody again. FISHERMEN ASSAULTED BY ARhY. JUNE 27, 1985. Several civilians were attacked by the Sri Lankan Army in Kiliveddy and ST. JOHN'S PRINCIPAL SHOT DEAD. Hullaitivu areas. In Thondamanar, Mr. Anandarajah, the principal of Thalayadi areas fishermen were assau- St. John's College, Jaffna was shot lted by the security forces while dead by a group of youths on alle- they were preparing to go for fishing, gations that he had arranged a JUKE 28, 198$. cricket match between Sri Lankan soldiers and Tamil students. The TRIBUTES TO MH. ANANDARAJAH. perpetrators say that he was warned In response to the requests made by several times. social and public establishments in ^ Jaffna, The Director of Education permitted to close the colleges and schools in the district on the fune- ral day of the Late Hr. Anandarajah.

Action to be taken by Sri Lankan Reciprocal steps by the militants Terms of ceasefire Government Phase I: Start on June 18. For three weeks At the instance of India, the following secret four-phase plan for a ceasefire 1. Government will lift restrictive legis- Stop using Prohibited Zone as stagin between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil militants took effect on June lation on use of roads and vehicles and area for carrying men and 18. The militants have alleged that the Sri Lankan armed forces and Covernmen suspend enforcement of the Prohibited material. have violated the ceasefire: and there are counter-allegations. Despite this, some Zone. •nprovement of the situation on the ground has been noted by independent 2. New settlements will be suspended. Stop attacks on civilians — both observers. This is the text of the original secret agreement for the ceasefire, Sinhalese and Tamils — in the North. phase by phase with a duration specified for each phase. "Secret talks" were East and elsewhere. to have come only in Phase IV, but in the actual event it was judged that talks could take place quite early in the process to explore the ground—hence 3. Security forces will carry out cordon Cease attacks in the North. East and the first round of the Thimpu talks which lasted from July 8 to 13. and searches and operations in the pre- elsewhere on government offices, In order to create a congenial atmosphere for an acceptable political solution sence of local officials and magistrates. economic targets and private propeit :o the ethnic question in Sri Lanka, certain steps need to be taken by the Govern 4. Lift Surveillance Zone and stop infu- Stop induction of men and material in "nent of Sri Lanka on the one hand and Tamil militants on the other. sion of further resources to Armed the affected areas from out^de The following series of steps should be implemented by both sides as indicat- Services and police establishments. Sri Lanka. ,-d, over periods shown against each step, (viz) Phase II: Three weeks 1. Security forces will suspend raids Cease attacks directed against and suspend curfews. convoys of security forces including police, establishments, mining of roads, railtracks and bridges. Stop carrying of arms. Phase III: Two weeks 1. Observe ceasefire. Observe ceasefire. 2. Police stations which had been closed down will be reopened and the law and order function will be carried out by he police. 3. Amnesty will be declared and-those in ustody against whom charges have not seen filed will be released. (Those who have been charged will be released after the conclusion of successful discussions). Phase IV Secret talks on substantive issues for reaching a political settlement to ink jlace between the emissaries of the Government and representatives of it amil political leadership and Tamil militant groups. The venue of these talk A militant belonging to PLOT loads could be a third country acceptable to both sides. Every effort should be mod a rocket-propelled grenade: before the ceasefire. o mfintain the secrecy of these talks and. in any case, of the course of th discussions. The search for a solid foundation for a political solution must b completed within a period of three months from the date of declaration of th Frontline, July 13-26. 1985 :easefire and the amnesty. Depending on the result of these secret talks, ope nd direct dialogue between the Government and the representatives of th jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr;amils can commenc Rtbfs;e as soon as the necessary groundwork is considcre www.tamilarangam.net-7-

Northern and Eastern prov- inces, where the Tamils, • overall, have a majority. The Minister of National Secu- rity, Mr Lalith ' Athulathmudali, has publicly denied accounts of army atrocities which have fyseh ' win war proved beyond peradventure. BRIGADIER Nairn To do this Mr "ship; and generally berated Colombo residents may Seneviratne, the head of the Jayewardene will have to the Government for its fail- notice the occasional lack of Sri Lankan army, was in an placate the powerful Maha ure in dealing with a deter- mined guerilla force. It was! fresh fish, normally shipped uncharacteristically candid Sangha, the Buddhist clergy down from the • north. But mood earlier this year. " We who have been at the fore- a moving, vituperative and at' the ethnic divide that the can never win this," he said. front of the campaign to pre- times desperate debate. guerrilla campaign lias cre- " Our writ does not run be- serve the hegemony of the It was all recorded and ated across the island has yond the sandbags that cover Sinhalese language an dreli- printed in Hansard. But the concealed the state of eco- our camps, and we can only gion over the past 30 years. people heard none of it. The nomic collapse, social disloca- do a holding operation." He will also have to come day after, the Island -news- tion, and pervasive fear that Since the Tamil guerrillas to terms with the personal paper, nominally " indepen- ; prevails there. stepped up their armed cam- rancour that keeps him from ; dent " commented : " There j Even though time is not paign for a separate state six restoring civil rights to the j was really nothing new . on hjs side, President months ago, the army's be- former prime minister and which was said from either ' Jayewardene does not take leaguered positions have be- de Jaclo leader o f the side of the House." ; hasty decisions. "The clue to come almost a national hu- tion, Mrs Sarima The Government, in other the. old man," one senior miliation. The ceasefire with Bandaranaike. Without her words, is afraid of its owfTi UNP member told me, " is the five main guerrilla support, and even the prom- people. After the President's I that he waited 43 years to groups which was announced ise of an early general elec- summit in New Delhi last become prime minister. He yesterday at last signals a tion, negotiations are likely month with Mr Rajiv is like the sphinx, inscruta- recognition that the Govern- to fail. Gandhi, why did he not ex- ble and cautious. He had a ment's "war against terror- In Sri Lanka's present plain what had gone on 7 timetable to settle this prob- i ism " cannot be won by the state of insecurity, com- " There would have been lem, but he has been thrown I military. pounded by political and per- riots," one prominent mem- out of key. He is, I'm afraid, Yet the political options — sonal-rivalries that go back ber of the United National a little confused. perhaps Sri Lanka's last decades, that is all easier Party said. For the ' same J " You see, every time we chance to achieve ethnic har- said than done. reason, the' Government has . mony — will be for Presi- have hammered the Tamils Thanks to the heavy hand refused to publish its new : in the past they have run dent Junius Jayewardene of Buddhin Indrajith University Amendment Act, like a walk on glass. . away. Now they are hammer- Gunatunga, the government allowing for private i ing us. We have a new Members of Mr universities. i Jayewardcne's Sinhalese-Bud- press censor the Sinhalese respect for them. We. will dhist ruling UNP party pri- people have been fed a diet If the education-conscious ! have to offer them some- vately acknowledge that the of mendacity about their Sinhalese, zealous defenders i thing more now." " q Tamil groups have the country's plight. They survive of their free system, thought : Mr Jayewarclene's desire to initiative. Substantial conces- on rumour and prejudice i that the rich were being ( stand above the sordid prac- sions will have to be made if which has been blatantly j given privileges, there would ! tices of party politics has the demand for a separate reinforced by some of the '' be enormous discontent.: created other forces which Tamil state of Eelara is to demogogic cabinet ministers _ Such is the intense compe- militate Against a peaceful be deflected. vying for position to succeed tition for professional jobs, solution. the papers this past month cj Most crucially, the Sinha- the 78-year-old President. .. It is common practice for;., lese, who make up 72 per Opposition speakers in a have carried column yards of cabinet ministers in charge .. cent of the population, will recent emergency debate in a dispute 'about the appoint- of state corporations to sot have to be persuaded that Parliament accused the Gov- ment of a cardiologist at the up private company subsid- concessions do not under- ernment of state terrorism Colombo General Hospital. iaries that have no public mine the sovereignty of the and electoral rigging; Nor have the lii.-JT'tv of •""countability.-" They control state or their predominant warned of a possible army Sinhalese been told about,1 the state's patronage, and role within it. .coup and a military dictator- the real conditions ' in the several observers believe that jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs; contd. www.tamilarangam.net-8-

TH£ PHQNSY

21st October, 1945. I The report of the Soulbury Commission pleased the Board of Ministers, but raised doubts in the minds of the Minorities.

NOT AGAIN AT BUTTAN

Contact PLOT by writing to: 46 Central Road, Worcester Park, Surrey

'• a •

Published by: Thamileelam Information Bureau, BM Box 1916,London WC1N 3XX. jkpo;j; Njrpa Mtzr; Rtbfs;