Monthly archive

PrabhakaranThe Tamil Tigers officially acknowledged on Sunday "with heavy hearts" the death of their leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, a week ago by Sri Lankan Government troops. This is according to a statement from the Tigers. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said: "We announce today, with inexpressible sadness and heavy hearts, that our incomparable leader and supreme commander ... attained martyrdom fighting the military oppression." The LTTE's head of international relations, Selvarasa Pathmanathan, said that Prabhakaran, "was the heart and soul and the symbol of hope, pride and determination for the whole nation of people of Tamil Eelam."

By Janaka Perera

Writing in the Op-Ed page of the Daily Times (Islamabad) on May 22, on Pakistan’s war against the Taliban, Najmuddin A. Shah says: "This is a war for Pakistan’s survival. It must be fought without illusions and without yielding to the temptation to believe that one has credible and willing partners with whom a negotiated peace could be worked out." Needless to say Sri Lanka’s experience with the LTTE has been identical. It is in recognition of this that Pakistan felicitated the Sri Lankan Government on achieving a "great victory over terrorism". No doubt Islamabad will draw inspiration from Sri Lanka’s success though the background to terrorism in the two countries is vastly different. Pakistani troops have already made considerable gains in Swat valley.

By Manjari Peiris

"To deliver a health message effectively and in confidence it should consist of 3 significant factors, viz. authoritative, comprehensive and clear. The nature has gifted the human brain with science to be authoritative, religion to be ethical and art to address the wisdom with our feelings. If we use all these factors we may deliver a strong message to the society”, said Professor Carlo Fonseka, the Chairman of the National Alcohol and Tobacco Authority addressing the media on “How to deliver an effective health message to the public". Professor Fonseka said so addressing a workshop organized by Jeewaka Foundation for media personnel held in Colombo, to evaluate their contribution for tobacco control during the recent past.

Sri Lanka’s leading NGO confirms the death of Prabhakaran and his family members. He said that he received the confirmation officially from Oslo. Sewalanka Foundation President Dr. Harsha Kumar Navaratne speaking to Asian Tribune said that he received the confirmation regarding the death of the leader of Tamil Tigers from Oslo. He disclosed the death was officially revealed by the Norwegians, through "a contact person who is actually the NGO consortium fellow in Oslo." Dr. Harsha Kumar Navaratne also disclosed about the negotiations American, Norwegian Ambassadors as well as NGOs had with the Sri Lanka Government to safeguard the Tamil Tiger leadership and the cadres belonging to the outfit. He revealed after working out a plan to safeguard by surrendering, suddenly the Tiger leadership as usual reneged and went on fighting.

Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune

To rehabilitate the 7259 LTTE activists who have voluntarily surrendered to the Army, during the last six months, several new Rehabilitation camps are already set up in the North, said an Army official. Of these about 4000 have surrendered within the last two months, he told "Asian Tribune". Of those undergoing rehabilitation at present are 2214 at the Pampamadu Technical College, Vavuniya, 2171 at the Rambakulama Balika Vidyalaya, 1457 at Omantha Vidyalaya, 757 at the Pallakelle Welfare camp, 140 at Tellipilai camp in Jaffna, 120 at the Welikande camp, and 400 women at the Cooperative building in Punthottam, making up a total of 7259 persons.

Bank Ki-moonSri Lanka government is doing its utmost. Government’s tremendous efforts are commendable. However Sri Lanka Government lacks resources. There is a wide gap between what is needed and what is available. UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon spoke at a media conference after meeting Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kandy on Saturday. He said, "That is why I am here." "The long conflict is over. Now is the time to heal – for all Sri Lankans to unite for a just and lasting peace. We must help seize this opportunity," added Bank Ki-moon