Mannar, Jaffna Bishops meet SL President

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 11:46 GMT]
Rev. Fr. Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar, and Rev. Fr. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna, met Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse Tuesday in Colombo, and discussed the ground situation in the Northeast, sources in Colombo said.
Full story >>

Sri Lankan Government must make dramatic political changes - Co-chairs

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 09:05 GMT]
The Government of Sri Lanka must show that it will address the legitamate grievances of the Tamils and the Tamil Tigers must re-enter the negotiating process, renounce terrorism and violence, said Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference. Colombo must immediately prevent groups based in its territory from carrying out violence and acts of terrorism. It must protect the rights and security of Tamils, ensure violators are prosecuted and must show that it is ready to make the dramatic political changes to bring about a new system of governance. The international community will support such steps; failure to take such steps will diminish international support, said the strong worded statement.
Full story >>

Toronto protest draws the largest crowd despite a transit strike

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 07:09 GMT]
Tens of thousands of Canadian Tamils thronged Mel Lastman Square in Toronto Canada Monday inspite of a transit strike in the city to protest against the human rights abuses committed by the Government of Sri Lanka against their relatives in the North and East. The rally in Toronto was the largest of in worldwide demonstrations that were held simultaneously from New Zealand to Canada. The larger venue overflowed and the people stayed on adjoining streets.
Full story >>

Canadian Tamils join global protest against EU ban

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 02:56 GMT]
On the Tamil Diaspora's day of solidarity around the world, more than 4,000 Canadian Tamils stood in front of the federal parliament in Ottawa Monday to protest against the European Union ban of Liberation Tigers, and to condemn the killing of Tamil civilians by the Sri Lanka security forces. Four parliamentarians addressed the crowd, including a member of the governing party. All parliamentarians expressed their solidarity with the Tamil cause, and one of them promised to raise the Tamil issue in the House.


Full story >>

Germany draws record crowd to protest against EU ban

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 23:15 GMT]
Around five thousand German Tamils rallied at the grounds opposite the Railway Station in Düsseldorf Monday at 11:45 a.m., and marched via the offices of Canadian Embassy, British Embassy and the European Union, and reached the Düsseldorf parliament around 12:50. Appeals were handed over to the embassy officials and to the officials at the Parliament.
Full story >>

3000 Tamils rally in Bern, Switzerland, braving rain

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 18:08 GMT]
The European Union (EU) move to ban Liberation Tigers, despite the continued killings of Tamil activists and civilians, is unjust, said Julia Jean Marie, a French professor, addressing the Tamil rally held in front of the Swiss Parliament in Bern. "Tamil struggle has overcome many hurdles. The NorthEast has matured into a state, and with its able leadership will succeed in overcoming all obstacles standing in their way to achieve their goal of right to self-rule," said Professor Julia Jean Marie, in fluent Tamil, in Bern where more than 3000 Tamils gathered from 13:45 p.m till 15:35 p.m., Monday.
Full story >>

Two SLA troopers injured in Valaichenai attack

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 15:44 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers of the Kalkuda Army camp on Monday afternoon around 2.45 p.m. on the Pethalai road in the Valaichenai police division, injuring two SLA troopers, Valaichenai police said. Wijeyasekara, 34, and Jakath, 38, the two injured troopers, were rushed to Valaichenai hospital where they are being treated, added the source.
Full story >>

Civilian killed in Claymore attack in LTTE controlled territory

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 13:06 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers who penetrated 4 kilometers into the LTTE controlled Vilathikulam from the SLA camp in Iranai Iuppaikkulam, 20 km northwest of Vavuniya, exploded a Claymore mine killing a civilian who was cycling Monday morning, LTTE officials in Vavuniya said.
Full story >>

Civilian, EPDP member killed in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 12:47 GMT]
Two civilians were killed in Jaffna district Monday in the continuing violence that has gripped the Peninsula, sources in Jaffna said. In Erlalai North near the border of Palaly High Security Zone, Subramaniam Thevaraj (alias Ranjan) was killed by unknown gunmen at 10:30 a.m. In Navanthurai inside the Municipal district, Michael Johnson was shot dead by unknown gunmen in front of St.Nicholas Church at 12:30 p.m. Monday, sources said.
Full story >>

Australian Tamils call for an end to military occupation in Tamil homeland

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 06:46 GMT]
Over 1200 Tamils from across Australia gathered in front of their national parliament on Monday, May 29, to raise the voices in concert with the global protest campaign organised by the Tamil Diaspora. Parliamentarians from all sides of Australian politics, religious dignitaries, people who had been to the homelands and others addressed the protesters between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The parliamentarians expressed their conviction that the gathering had conveyed the level of support amongst the Diaspora for the Tamil cause. Some parliamentarians undertook to convey this message of support to the rest of the politicians.
Full story >>

US Tamils call for stop to extra-judicial killings

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 02:48 GMT]
Pointing out that "Scandinavian Cease Fire Monitors have declared that members of GOSL forces and paramilitaries are involved in extra-judicial killings," a joint press release issued by Tamil organizations in the US Sunday warned, "If the CFA and the peace process are to be saved, extra -judicial killings and other violations of human rights of Tamils must end and those responsible be punished, and paramilitaries be disarmed," and called on the US Administration to "ensure that these are implemented immediately by the Government of Sri Lanka."


Full story >>

Jaffna Rights official receives death threats

[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 May 2006, 09:39 GMT]
Rohitha Priyadharshana, co-ordinator at the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna, received a letter Friday threatening his life if he does not vacate his post, officials in the HRC said. A man believed to be a paramilitary working with Sri Lanka Military Intelligence, gave the letter, written in Tamil, through an employee at the HRC office, according to officials. The letter included Priyadharshana has been leading the investigation in several landmark cases where Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers of Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) were blamed for killing civilians, civil society sources said.
Full story >>

Two young boys killed in SLA attack on civilian tractor

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 May 2006, 15:14 GMT]
A 12 and a 15-year-old boys were killed when Sri Lanka Army soldiers, who had moved into Thikiliveddai, an LTTE controlled border area, beyond the Kinnayadi lagoon, Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., ambushed a tractor with farmers. Three civilians were wounded, Daya Mohan, Head of Batticaloa Political Wing of the LTTE said.
Full story >>

Tamil auxiliary, SLA penetration team clash in Madhu, 1 dead

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 May 2006, 14:32 GMT]
One Tamil auxiliary cadre was killed and another rushed to Kilinochchi hospital when Tamil auxiliary cadres who were on a road clearing mission in Madhu area on Parappukadanthan Road confronted a group of 15 Sri Lanka Army personnel who were hiding with a Claymore mine attached to a tree in the area, Mannar Political Wing Head of the Tigers, S. Iniyavan said. The penetration group, spotted by the auxiliary cadres of the road clearing patrol around 3:30 p.m., Saturday, exploded the Claymore and fled the scene after exchanging gunfire with the auxiliary cadres. The clash was reported inside the holy zone of the historic Madu church, Mr. Iniyavan further said.
Full story >>

Shelling reported at Batticaloa north entry point

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 May 2006, 04:18 GMT]
Shelling and gunfire was reported across Kinnaiyadi lagoon in LTTE, SLA FDL posts located in Kinnaiyadi, nortwest of Batticaloa, civilian sources said. The gunfire was continuing for more than 30 minutes from morning 8:30. Civilians near the SLA sentry posts were moving towards Karuvakerny and Valaichenai areas. Kinnaiyadi is located 26 km northwest of Batticaloa.
Full story >>

Trader shot dead in Achchuveli, relative wounded

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 May 2006, 03:33 GMT]
A grocery shop owner was shot and killed at his residence around 9:00 p.m. Saturday in Achchuveli, close to the Sri Lanka Army High Security Zone in Valikamam in Jaffna district. A relative who attempted to rescue the victim from the gunfire, was seriously wounded. Fear has gripped Achcuveli, Puttur and Neerveli areas where killings were escalating during the recent days.
Full story >>

STF orders shops closed in Batticaloa as punishment

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 May 2006, 22:55 GMT]
"Special Task Force (STF) troopers went around the markets in Arayampathy and Kalavanchikudy areas in Batticaloa district Thursday around 12.30 p.m, assaulting many traders and forcing them to close their shops for five additional days, as punishment for their current two day voluntary shop shut down as a mark of respect for Col. Ramanan, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Deputy Commander of Batticaloa district, who was killed on Sunday" said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian P. Ariyanenthiran.
Full story >>

Sri Lanka gambles on EU ban taming Tigers

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 May 2006, 16:02 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse this week hailed the expected proscription of the Liberation Tigers by the European Union next week, saying it would compel the LTTE to the negotiating table and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera called on Middle Eastern countries to also proscribe the LTTE. But the LTTE warns that further proscriptions will precipitate the objective conditions for renewed war.
Full story >>

SLA soldier, civilian killed in Claymore attack

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 May 2006, 15:59 GMT]
Unidentified attackers exploded a side charger Claymore mine, killing an SLA soldier and a civilian, on Kokkuvil- Anaikoddai Road, 300 meters from Kokkuvil Junction, around 6:00 p.m. Thursday. The wounded trooper and the dead body of the soldier, were taken to Palaly military base hospital, Police said.
Full story >>

LTTE FDL commander dies in accidental explosion

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 May 2006, 11:17 GMT]
Lt. Col. Veeramani, a former Commander of the Charles Antony Regiment of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and later a field commanding official, responsible for the Nagarkovil Forward Defence Line (FDL) points, Wednesday night succumbed to his wounds from an accidental explosion, LTTE officials in Kilinochchi said. Lt. Col. Veeramani, who recovered from earlier wounds in the battlefield, has been in charge of FDL points in Nagarkovil.
Full story >>