Tamil Conference begins in Batticaloa amidst bomb explosion

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 August 2005, 10:35 GMT]
A district level conference supporting the Tamil National Resurgence convention held in Vavuniya on July 27, ceremonially began at 4:15 p.m. at the grounds of Batticaloa Hindu College in Batticaloa town Tuesday. More than 1500 participants from various parts of the districts, comprising Tamil national activists including academics, writers, religious dignitaries, representatives of civil organisations and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs are participating in the conference amidst threats from paramilitary cadres operating in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) held Batticaloa town. A powerful time-bomb exploded 50 meters from the grounds at 2:30 p.m., according to the Batticaloa Police.

The conference, scheduled to start on 3:30 p.m, was begun at 4:15 p.m. following the explostion of the time-bomb.

Sri Lankan troops were deployed in the area following the explosion.

Mr. Jospeh Pararajasingham, the senior Batticaloa District Parliamentarian from the Tamil National Alliance is presiding over the conference.

Father Rev. Joseph Mary of the Catholic church in Batticaloa and the Government Agent of Batticaloa district Mr. Velmurugu Sanmugam lit the traditional oil lamp.

Mr. Narayanapillai, a father of three war-dead LTTE fighters, hoisted the Tamileelam national flag.

LTTE's Batticaloa-Amparai Political Head, Mr. Ilanthirayan (Marshall), is attending the event on invitation by the organizers.

Streets in Batticaloa town were decorated with yellow and red buntings amidst threats issued from the paramilitary groups operating in Sri Lanka Army controlled areas against the participation in the conference.