Tamil Nadu leaders express sorrow over Balasingham’s death

[TamilNet, Friday, 15 December 2006, 15:33 GMT]
“I am unable to bear the sorrow over the death of my friend Mr Anton Balasingham, who I have known for many years. Balasingham grieved for his people dismissing his terrible illness as “merely a pebble compared to the vast ocean of tragedy faced by his people,” he captivated Tamils worldwide for his dedicated service to his people, developed, nurtured friendship with Norway and people like us, and kept the flame of self-respect of Tamils burning bright until his last breath,” said M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in a report of condolence issued Thursday. “I express my deep sympathies to his wife and friends," he added.

Many other leaders of Tamil Nadu conveyed expression of condolences on the demise of Anton Balasingham.

"The news of the demise of Anton Balasingham struck in our heart as a spike. Balasingham, who acted as a pillar to the LTTE leader Pirabhaharan, exposed the false and malicious propaganda of the Sri Lanka Government, and opened the conscience of the international community," Vaiko, the General Secretary of the MDMK said.

Vaiko added: "Balasingham served as the main voice of Tamileelam for more than two decades, from Thimpu Talks in 1985 to Geneva in 2006. Sinhala hirelings attempted to kill him Chennai in 1987. He narrowly escaped many Sri Lankan Army's attacks in Eelam in 1987 and 1988.

“Later, Norway with its magnanimous humanitarian gesture, saved his life by providing facilities to transplant his failing kidneys.

"The memories of my stay with him in 2000 are still fresh in my mind. I will cherish these memories. On behalf of the members of MDMK, I expressed my deep sympathies to the people of Eelam and my sister Adele Balasingham," Vaiko said.

"The loss of Balasingham, who fought for the self-respect and political rights of Tamils, is irreplaceable to the people of Tamileelam, " said Dr. S. Ramathas, the Founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

"The loss of the main voice of Eelam Tamils at a critical time, when the international community is pressuring the parties for a negotiated solution, is most unfortunate," he added.

"We regret the unconscionable decision of the Indian Government to deny permission to Balasingham when he requested treatment in Indian soil for his illness, said Thol Thirumavalavan, the General Secretary of 'Viduthalaich Siruththaigal'.

"His clarion call to the International community established that the liberation struggle of the Tamil people rested on humanitarian principles to secure democratic rights of the Tamil people," he further said.

"No one can fill the vacuum left by Anton Balasingham who had fully engaged himself in the Tamil Eelam Struggle from its inception and fought with determination in all the talks on behalf of the Liberation Tigers. I convey my condolence to his wife Adele Balasingham and the Eelam Tamils who are grieving Anton's demise," said Pala. Nedumaran, the Leader of Tamil National Organization.

K. Vijayakanth, the Leader of Tamil National Dravidian Progressive Party, in his statement said: "The Eelam Tamils suffered a great loss with the demise of Balasingham. He started his life as a journalist then worked in the British Embassy and finally served as the Theoretician of LTTE. He was a political pundit and represented the LTTE in talks with the Sri Lankan Government."

K. Veeramani, the Leader of Periyar Dravidian Party said, "The demise of Balasingham has made the misery of Tamils twofold at a time when the Eelam issue is fast moving towards a solution."

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