These are troubling times for Tamils worldwide and many are either in a state of shock or denial.
The situation is made worse by the chauvinist, triumphalist crowing by some (NOT ALL) Sinhalese on the one hand and equally chauvinistic, unrealistic utterances by some (NOT ALL) Tamils.
In a noteworthy departure from this trend there was an email being circulated that spoke a different language. A language of realism and reconciliation.
[Pics: By HumanityAshore]
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The evolution and growth of the armed struggle for the goal of Tamil Eelam saw many Tamil militant groups emerge across the politico-military horizon. There was a time when nearly 34 outfits-big and small-existed.
Among all these, the single organization that kept the Tamil armed struggle alive was none other than the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by its charismatic leader Thiruvengadam Velupillai Prabhakaran.
As readers would have noticed the piece “last days of Thiruvengadam Velupillai Prabhakaran” has attracted many readers and comments. Among these comments was one by A kurdish nationalist , Shexmus Amed. It was a detailed in depth comment and obviously heartfelt but well thought-out.
I feel that these observations deserve to be read widely. So I’ve posted it on my blog this time and hope many will read and digest what is said.
Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with some of the points it would be good for all of us to know how another observer from a “transnational Nation” struggling for a homeland of its own perceives the LTTE led armed struggle.
As for me it was quite refreshing to see a totally different perspective from that of myriad western and Indian journalist views of recent developments.
To strike a personal note I could not but help noticing the many similarities between this opinion and that of mine about how the LTTE had conducted itself in the past.
[Kurdish women fighters on the Iraq Turkish border]
I hope this piece will generate healthy interest and constructive discussion – DBSJ
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Thiruvenkadam Veluppillai Prabhakaran is no more!
The body of the 54 year old supreme leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) was found on Tuesday May 19th near the Mullaitheevu lagoon known as “Nanthikkadal” (sea of conches). He had gunshot wounds in the head and forehead.
[Thiruvenkadam Veluppillai Prabhakaran]
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Sri Lankan armed forces have registered a significant military triumph over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It seems clear that the LTTE’s capacity to wage a full-fledged conventional war against the state has been critically undermined.
There is a lot of anxiety and concern about the fate of Sri Lankan Tamils in a transformed situation where the LTTE has been downsized from its earlier position of being the determining factor in the Island’s politics. This does not necessarily mean that the LTTE “struggle” had achieved some concrete gains for the Tamil people and that its perceived decline would have a negative impact. Nevertheless it must be realised that there are many Tamils who feel insecure about their plight in a post-war scenario.
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The beleaguered Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) embarked on a frantic last-ditch effort to hold off the anticipated “final” operation by the Sri Lankan Armed forces that seemed to have ended in failure by the evening of Sunday May 17th 2009.
In spite of the LTTE’s efforts and international pressure to bring about a “ceasefire” of some kind , the Sri Lankan Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse resolved to stand firm in its decision to go ahead with its military operations to “finish” off the LTTE boxed into a tiny area not exceeding one sq km in area.
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
There exists a “stand-off” situation between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Karaithuraipatru AGA division of Northern Mullaitheevu district.
Large numbers of LTTE cadres and key leaders are currently “boxed” in by the army between Vellamullivaaikkaal and Vattavaakal in M’Theevu district in an area of about 2 square km.
[This photograph released by the Sri Lankan military on May 15, 2009 shows what the army says is a government soldier on a beach inside the 'No Fire Zone'-Reuters pic.]
The Army after encircling the area is now establishing military positions in order to mount a no-holds barred full scale operation to go in and flush out the LTTE.
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Speculation is rife among knowledgeable circles in Colombo that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is no more among the living.
It is widely believed that the 54 year old tiger supremo who was born on November 26th 1954 has committed suicide along with more than 300 of his deputies and senior cadres in the Mullivaaikkaal area of Karaithuraipatru AGA division in Mullaitheevu district.
[Velupillai Prabhakaran]
Though the Defence ministry website says that the tiger leader trapped with his deputies is planning to commit mass suicide there are reports that the “Thalaivar” (leader) and “poraligal” (fighters) have already committed “Veeramaranam” (heroic death).
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Toronto is home to the largest concentration of Sri Lankan Tamils (250,000 plus) outside that Island.
Thousands of Tamil Canadians, mainly youths, have participated in rallies, processions, vigils, picketing, street demonstrations, sit–ins, fasts, slogan- shouting and the blocking of traffic at peak hours.
[May 13 Tamil Protest-pic by vipez]
Primarily, it is an effort to draw attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.
Carol Off interviews D.B.S. Jeyaraj
This is an audio extract from the CBC “As it Happens” program of May 12th 2009 ~ [10 minutes]
[Carol Off, co-host of As it Happens]
[mp3-audio]
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Northern Wanni reached tragically high levels today May 10th 2009 as a result of intensive artillery shelling and aerial bombardment by the Sri Lankan Armed forces.
According to medical sources at least 378 people were killed and 1122 injured as at 4.00 pm , Sri Lankan time today Sunday.
[May, 10, 2009-Mullivaaikkaal, pic: RHDS]
While this figure is based on the number of bodies brought to and number of persons treated for injuries at the makeshift hospital in Mullivaaikkaal, further casualties in their hundreds were also reported.
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
IN 1989, this writer attended a conference organised by the pro-Tiger publication Tamil Voice International in London. Among the participants were politicians,journalists and bureaucrats from India such as P. Upendra, S. Unnikrishnan, Aladi Aruna, N.V.N. Somu, K. Veeramani, A.P. Venkateswaran and Samantha Datta Ray.
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabakaran sent a felicitatory message to the conference. The delegates, consisting mainly of members of the worldwide Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, were shocked by a reference in that message. Prabakaran described the diaspora as tholaintha santhathi or “lost generation”. The diaspora representatives were seething with anger but were unable or unwilling to challenge the Tiger supremo’s poor opinion of them.
