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Buddha's statues symbol of Sinhalese Hegemony!

By: V.Thangavelu, Canada

PAGE - 2

Sinhalese Colonization of Trincomalee District:

Military guarding for Buddha Statue at Triconmalee

The Government took up the restoration of Allai Kulam (Kulam in Thamil means - tank) in the Trincomalee district. Also, they restored the Kanthalai Kulam in the Trincomalee district, which was an ancient irrigation tank that had silted up and fallen in disuse during the centuries of colonial rule. Another was the Pathavik Kulam (Sinhalese - Padaviya) where lay the fertile lands of West and North of Trincomalee. These three tanks were restored; forests were cleared and blocked into units to settle Sinhalese colonists brought from the south under the cloak of giving land to landless peasants. Both Allai and Kanthalai colonization schemes changed the demographic map of Northeast province irrevocably.

The Allai Scheme was inaugurated by constructing an anicut across the Verugal river, a tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga. The entire region that received irrigation waters from this scheme was called the Koddiyar AGA's division. Today, in its place, there are three AGA's Divisions viz the Muthur AGA's Division, the Seruvila AGA's division, which was created in the late eighties when W. Dahanayake was the Minister of Home Affairs under Dudley Senanayake (1965-1970) government). The third is the Verugal AGA's Division, located at Ichchilampattai. This last AGA's division was created in the mid 198O's when K.W. Devnayagam was the Home Minister. Under Allai colonization scheme 65% of the allotments were given to Sinhalese, 35% to Muslims and Thamils none. Under Kanthalai colonization scheme the intake was 77% Sinhalese and 23% Thamil speaking. Several new Sinhalese villages sprung up swallowing many ancient Thamil villages.

The AGA's division of Seruvila is located at Serunuvara which was originally called Arippu. The old village of Kallar is now called Somapura. The Thamil village of Neelapalai is now called Neelapola. Part of Poonagar is called Mahindapura. Thirumangalai is now called Srimangalagama. Dehiwatte, Lankapatuna and Pulasthigama are some of the other new Sinhalese villages in the present Seruvila AGA's division. This AGA's division has a population of 20,187 with 17 Grama Sevaka officers divisions. It could be said without contradiction that 99% of the 11,665 Sinhalese living in this division were brought from the south and colonized by the government.

Muthalikulam (Morawewa) tank became the centre of a colonisation scheme in the 1960s. Under this scheme though initially allotments were made on a proportionate basis, subsequent violence directed against Thamil settlers on a regular basis by Sinhalese forced many Thamils to evacuate. A new AGA's division was created in the early 1970s for Morawewa, bypassing the priority list originally sent by the Government Agent, Trincomalee, for the creation of AGA's divisions in the district. The proposal to create an AGA's division at Nilaveli got shelved as a result of this move.

The Morawewa AGA's Division has a population of 9271 and 10 Grama Sevaka officers divisions. The Sinhalese constitute 56% of the total population while the Thamils constitute 37%. A considerable percentage out of the present population of 5101 Sinhalese in the Morawewa is outsiders.

Periya Vilankulam (Mahadiulwewa) colonisation scheme in the Morawewa AGA's Division was undertaken in the 1980s. Funds received from the European Community were utilised by D.J Bandargoda, Govt. Agent, Trincomalee and Gamini Dissanayake, then Minister of Lands, Land Development and Mahaweli Development, to launch this scheme.

Pathavikkulam (Padaviya) scheme was another major colonisation scheme undertaken by the state to settle Sinhalese in the traditional Thamil homeland. This scheme was executed when C.P.de.Silva was the Minister for Land and Irrigation in S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake government (1956-1959). This scheme played a key role in the 1958 riots and the activities of the Land Development Department employees during the riots had been vividly described in the book "Emergency '58", by Tarzie Vittachi.

Colonization of Padavia resulted in the creation of an AGA's division called Padavi Sripura, with a population of 11,804, almost all of them Sinhalese. This writer was attached to the Trincomalee Kachcheri (1957-59) when some of these schemes were in full swing.

Kumaresan Kadavai (Gomarankadawela) and Mudalikkulam (Morawewa) were originally Katukulampattu West and Katukulampattu East, which included the present Kuchaveli division.

In the late 60s the government started the Air Force farm near the head-works at Morawewa with a commanding position over the use of water. From that time Thamils became subject to small scale attacks by air force men and Sinhalese hooligans. The largest number of killings of Thamils took place along the Anudharapura Road and the matter was raised in parliament. This was the first instance in the island history of stationing forces permanently in the middle of an agricultural scheme. As a result the proportion of Thamils kept falling.

More Sinhalese were brought in under the Mahadivulweva (Periyavilankulam) scheme and their proportion rose to 56%. With the violence of the 8Os the gradual displacement of Thamils became a total retreat. The AGA's office, since the outbreak of war has been shifted to the Sinhalese town of Mahadivulwewa.

In 1972 Nochchikulam was re-named Nochiyagama and Sinhalese were settled down in 5,000 acres of land forcibly acquired from Thamils living in Kappalthurai and Paalampoddaru. The brain behind this scheme was no other than K.B. Ratnayake, M.P. and the then SLFP Organizer for Anuradhapura District. In 1973 during Srimavo Bandaranaike's rule a total of 10,738 Sinhalese families were illegally settled in the Trincomalee District.

Sinhalese colonists were planted all along the Thamil coastal villages like Kuchchaveli, Pulmoddai, Kumburuppiddi, Thiriyai, Thennamaravadi etc. For example in 1983 hundreds of Sinhalese illegally encroached and occupied the land adjoining Pulmoddai Agricultural Development Society.

On December 2, 1984 these Sinhalese colonists attacked Thennamaravadi village situated North of Pulmoddai, and burnt down 165 houses and 7 shops belonging to the Thamils. This resulted in the displacement of 749 Thamils constituting 147 families who were forced to irk out existence as refugees in adjoining villages. During the sixties and seventies many Sinhalese villages sprouted in and around Trincomalee town. Srimapura (Named after Srimavo Bandaranaike), Mud Cove or Sumedhankarapura , Abayapura, Mihintapura and Pattispura were some of the Sinhalese villages thus created often after driving the Thamils away. In 1984 Thamils living in China Bay and Kavathikuda were uprooted and Sinhalese took their places with the help of the armed forces.

These settlements were established with the express intention of choking the Thamils in the district by hemming them from all sides and laying siege of the town. In late seventies and eighties feverish attempts were taken to Sinhalise Trincomalee under the cloak of development.

Gigantic tracts of state and private lands were acquired by or were vested with state corporations or boards. The projects for which these lands were earmarked were intended to bring in a large influx of Sinhalese. About 500 acres of state land in China Bay was released to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. The entire extent of land from Maddikali to Palampoddaru (Monkey) Bridge on the eastern side of the Trinco - Kandy Road was vested in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. An extent of over 2000 acres of land off Marble - Bay, in the Karumalaiyoothu area in the Town and Gravets AGA's Division was reserved for the Ceylon Tourist Board for tourist development.

Land acquisition proceedings commenced in the early 80s to take over all the land - both private and state lands - on the eastern side of the Trincomalee - Pulmoddai Road from 3rd Mile Post (Uppuveli) to the Salappai-Aru Bridge, a distance of 11 miles, for tourist development.

These projects deprived Thamils of several thousands of acres of land belonging to them in Sampalthivu, Athimoddai, Nilaveli, Gopalapuram and Irakkandy. An extent of about 500 acres (originally leased to the late R.G.Senanayake) at Kumburupiddy was handed over to the National Youth Services Council to set up a training centre and a farm. About 2000 acres at Thiriyai was earmarked for use by the State Cashew Corporation.

Several state-run industrial projects have been established in the Trincomalee District. Mineral Sands Project at Pulmoddai, Sugar Factory at Kanthalai, Fisheries Harbour Project at Cod- Bay, and Bulk Petroleum Depot at China Bay are some of these projects.

These projects overwhelmingly assisted the inflow of Sinhalese into the Trincomalee district. Development projects not only brought additional Sinhalese into the district, they also resulted in the re-naming or creation of new villages.

There was a proposal to re-name Pulmoddai a traditional Muslim village as Kanijavelipura. Pudawaikadu, another Muslim village, was renamed Sagarapura after settling in a few hundreds of Sinhalese fishing families. There is a model village called Dhanyagama in China Bay. This is an NHDA assisted housing scheme to house Prima Flour Mill employees. A large village called Agbopura has sprung up near the Kanthalai sugar factory.

When Cyril Mathew was the Minister of Industries and Scientific Affairs in J.R. Jayawardene's cabinet, he embarked on a massive restoration programme of ancient Buddhist temples. The Seruvila, Vilgam Vihare and Thiriyai Buddhist temples were restored with the assistance of the Town and Country Planning Department, the Department of Archaeology and the other state agencies. The powerful minister was the chairman of the restoration committees of these three temples.

In addition as the President of the Federation of Government and State Corporation Employees Buddhist Societies. (Rajaye Ha Raajya Sangsdha Sevakayihe Baudha Samithi Sammelanaya) he began to restore several small Buddhist temples in the Trincomalee district. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was entrusted with the restoration of Rankiri Ulpotha Buddhist temple in the Gomarankadwala AGA's division. The Ceylon Plywoods Corporation handled the restoration of the Ilanthaikulam Buddhist temple in the Kuchchaveli AGA's division. The restoration of the temple at Vannathi Palam (Samanala Amuna) was handled by the Ceylon Steel Corporation. In the case of the Prima Flour Milling Project managed and run by a private Singapore based firm, it was laid down that all appointments have to be cleared by Government Agent, Trincomalee. Security was the excuse given by the government. (Source - UTHRJ Report - Appendix 11 and 111)

In October, 1998 132 Thamil families living in Linga Nagar, a village 1 � miles from Trincomalee town, were forcibly ejected by the army on the pretext of expanding the nearby Sinhalese army camp. Earlier in September 1996, 47 Thamil families were forced out for establishing the original camp.

Until the early 1980s areas targeted for Sinhalese colonization was confined to Thamil areas of mixed ethnic communities. This policy was subsequently ditched for obvious reasons and Sinhalese colonies came to be established in areas exclusively inhabited by the Thamils. This no doubt is ethnic cleansing of the Thamils in their land of birth with a vengeance by a racist government bent on imposing Sinhalese hegemony.

As mentioned above, Trincomalee district has not seen a Thamil Government Agent since independence in 1948. District Land Officers posts are also filled by Sinhalese to ensure smooth implementation and accelerated colonization without any clich�s. The following Table 2 shows the dramatic increase in the Sinhalese population over the years.

Table 2: Changes in Ethnic composition of Trincomalee District (1827-1981)

Year Sinhalese Thamils Muslims

Number % Number % Number %

1827 250 1.3 15663 81.8 3245 16.9

1881 935 4.2 14394 64.8 5746 25.9

1891 1109 4.3 17117 66.4 6426 25.0

1901 1203 4.2 17069 60.0 8258 29.0

1911 1138 3.8 17233 57.9 9714 32.6

1921 1501 4.4 18586 54.5 12846 37.7

1946 11606 15.3 33795 44.5 23219 30.6

1953 15296 18.2 37517 44.7 28616 24.1

1963 40950 29.6 54050 39.1 42560 30.8

1971 54744 29.1 71749 38.1 59924 31.8

1981 86341 33.6 93510 36.4 74403 29.0

INCREASE
1881-1981 85406 9134% 79216 550% 68657 1194%

[Source: Census data on Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for the period 1881. No census was taken in 2001. ]

Trincomalee District covers an area of 2618.2 sq. km. This district has 11 Divisional Secretary divisions out of which Sinhalese constitute a majority in 5 of them viz Padavi-Sripura, Gomarankadawela (Gomarasankadavai), Kanthalai, Morawewa (Muthalikulam) and Seruvila. All these 5 DS divisions are situated in the Seruvila electorate which stretches from the border of Batticaloa in the south to Mullaitivu district in the north. Only three DS divisions have Thamil majority.

The Delimitation Commission appointed by the government in power in 1976 carved out a new electorate encompassing all new Sinhala settlements and named it Seruvila electorate. In the general elections held in 1977, this electorate returned a Sinhalese to parliament for the first time. Currently the one time Thamil village Kanthalai is the capital town of Seruvila electorate where 80% of the population is Sinhalese.

Pankulam, Muthalikulam, Panankattimurippu and Nochchikulam in the north of Trincomalee district and Eachilampathu and several Thamil villages are included in the Seruvila electorate.

There are three electoral divisions in Trincomalee district. Seruvila is for the Sinhalese, Muthur for Muslims and Trincomalee for Thamils. Trincomalee electoral division covers an area of 461 sq. km. Muthur electorate covers 570 sq.km. But Seruvila covers 1,598 sq.kms almost 4 times that of Trincomalee electorate. The area covered by jungles in Trincomalee district is 17, 180 hectors. Out of this 9,180 hectors belong to Seruvila electorate (the 5 DS divisions) in which the Sinhalese are in a majority.

It will be observed that while in 1881 the Sinhalese population was a mere 4.2%, it increased to a staggering 33.6% in 1981 and constituted one- third of the total population of the Trincomalee District.

According to Sampanthan, M.P., Trincomalee, between 1947 and 1981, the Sinhala population went up in Sri Lanka, as a whole, by 238 per cent. But in the eastern districts, the increase in the Sinhala population in the same period was 883 per cent. In Trincomalee district, it had gone up by 549 per cent. In Amparai district, it was even higher, at 1250 per cent. (The Hindustan Times - May, 2005)

To further reduce Thamils a minority in Trincomalee, seven new colonization schemes have been carefully designed by the government and are being implemented at rapid speed.

Agitation at Trinomalee

These seven schemes are:

1. The "Thiriyaai" scheme: This scheme is situated in the main Thiriyaai junction. The work is progressing under the supervision of a well-known local businessman named Prasanna and with the help of the Sri Lankan navy. 2. "VillangKulam" Buddhist shrine and Colonization scheme. 3. "Aandaan Kulam" Sinhala colonization scheme. This scheme is being developed in the land owned by 'National Water-Supply and Sewage Board'. Several new houses are being built in this land at rapid speed. 4. "Kandhalaai Sugar Factory" Scheme. 5. "Sinnathoduwaai Siththi Vinaayagar" Temple area scheme. This scheme is being developed in the vast amount of land forcefully taken from the Thamils in 1983. 6. Sea-Side project: In this scheme, numerous boutiques are being built by the Sinhala businessmen (also brought in to the area by the government) to cater for the large influx of new Sinhalese. 7. "PaalamPoddaaru" Buddha Shrine: This shrine is being built right next to the "Pathiniyamman" temple. Again, a new Buddha temple to cater for the new Sinhalese settlers.

The expansion of these Sinhalese settlements was pointed out by the LTTE at the sixth session of talks held in Berlin and a request was made that they be stopped. The government agreed and the government's chief negotiator G.L.Peiris gave a written statement. Yet some of those settlements are still continuing. It was expected that at least this time, since there is international facilitation, the infringement would stop, but that does not seem to be the case. (LTTE Peace Secretariat)

The ground situation is that out of three districts in the Eastern province Thamils are in a clear majority only in the Batticaloa district. Trincomalee district which was once a Thamil majority district has lost that status now.

The future of Trincomalee and the Northeastern province looks bleak for the Thamil people. Thamil villages are obliterated and buried by the avalanche of state sponsored or backed Sinhalese colonization schemes. There is no sign that this land grabbing will cease or slow down any time soon. The subject of state-sponsored colonization of Northeast province should have been raised during the peace talks, but for some unexplainable reason it was not done.

[Concluded]

Meeting discussed in Trincomalee on Buddha Statue issue

[Reporting by Jeyamurugan from Trincomalee]

FCE, supporting umbrella organisations, Anti-War frontiers and prime parties of Trincomalee has once again met for more than 3 hours under one roof to find a solution on erection of Buddha Statues.

Meeting was held at Social Service Center, Trincomalle, at 3.20 pm yesterday the 12th June, and ended with press briefing at 6.30 pm.

Anti-war front facilitated this meeting, with the assistances of Fr. Aruna Perera. FCE organisers V. Jeyamurugan, Rajapaksha, Ismia participated and observer the whole meeting. Fr. Josesh, North-East Monks Association, Vanni peace Front head has taken part as a Special Guests.

At the meeting Sinhalese delegation and Tamil peoples Forum has been invited by FCE. Three members from each side selected to speak and others can give comments in writing and submit it to the speakers. White paper has been issued to participants.

I Parties view:
1. It is said that the Buddha Statue was erected during night because that was auspices time. In that 150 people, police arms forces and other monks participated.
2. As Tsunami affected the Trinco, we organized Dana and construction.
3. We feel now that Tamils and other community's agitation should be stopped.
4. Allowing the statue as it is. In future Religious Forum has to decide the construction of Temples.

II Parties view:
1. Remove statue from the public place. Remove and erect in some other places.
2. Monks are anti-Tamils and breaking the law and order always.
3. Accepting court order.

Decision of Meeting :
1. Unrest in Trincomalee will harm the peace process.
2. Care to be taken on Tsunami victims and rehabilitation to war effected people.
3. Consideration should be give to the A/L Exam
4. Postponing the Hartals.
5. Continuation of discussion in future too.
6. Final solution should come from the principal parties.

Out come of Meeting: Date has not been fixed for next meet. [THE END]

- [13-06-2005]

Justice delayed, justice denied
[Tamil Center for Human Rights, France]

All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. – Lord Buddha

Gautama Buddha known as Lord Buddha was born in the year 563 B.C. in the village (Kingdom) of Lumbini near Kapila Vastu, within the present borders of Nepal. He was born a Hindu known as Siddharthar until he gave up his Royal life and renounced everything in search of wisdom that can overcome suffering and misery, giving birth to Buddhism.

Because the Buddhist philosophy was founded on the rejection of certain orthodox philosophical concepts, some consider Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion. In Sri Lanka it is practiced as a religion. Sri Lanka's Constitution of 1978 - Chapter II Buddhism , Article 9, says "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana,…….."

However happenings in Sri Lanka consistently show evidence that non-violence and compassion, so important in the Buddha's teaching, are not respected at all. A country which has given Buddhism the foremost place in their constitution is abusing the same. Power hungry politicians and Buddhist monks are misleading the Buddhist followers in Sri Lanka.

To everyone's surprise, on 15 May 2005, a statue of Buddha was erected overnight in Trincomalee, close to the bus stand by Buddhist monks and Buddhist followers. This was done with the support of the government. The unauthorized erection of the statue on land belonging to the Trincomalee Urban Council was immediately challenged in the courts by the Special Commissioner of the Urban Council and the President of the Trincomalee District Tamil Peoples' Forum (TDTPF).

Representatives of the Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR who made a study mission to Trincomalee in August 2004 stated in the report that more statues of Buddha are appearing everywhere in Trincomalee. Below we give the excerpt from the TCHR report of November 2004. ((http://www.tchr.net/reports_visite_2004.htm)

The politically motivated overnight erection of the statue of Buddha has created tension between the Tamil and Singhalese people in Trincomalee. Several violent incidents have been reported all over the District.

The lawyers who appeared on behalf of the Special Commissioner of the UC and the President of the TDTPF told the court that they "revered Lord Buddha and are not against the Buddhist religion. But they said they suspected political motives behind the overnight erection of the statue and only a court order for temporary removal of the statute will lead to the restoration of peace in the town".

On 18 May, the Trincomalee Magistrate and Additional District Judge instructed the Police to take all possible steps to temporarily remove the controversial statue and pronounced that a long-term solution to the matter could be found, by the Urban Council taking legal action.

While this issue was in process another statue of Buddha was erected in Trincomalee closer to the Hindu cemetery in Eehamparam Road in Vijithapura on May 23, 2005.

Now a month has passed since the court order was given to remove the statue, yet it still remains. It is guarded by the Sri Lanka Army, Police and the Buddhist followers. Buddhist legal experts motivated by the government have advised to take this matter to the high courts in Colombo. In the meantime those who erected this Buddha statue wanted to have a permanent building constructed around it. This idea was put on hold on the orders of the Attorney General department. This case was postponed until 3rd August as the respondent of this case has not appeared in the courts.

In Sri Lanka, the culture of impunity prevails in all affairs concerned with the grievances of Tamils. Perpetrators of violence against Tamils are not brought to book. However any judgement against a Tamil is implemented within a few minutes of the judgement. The President who enjoys executive powers has turned a blind eye to the controversial statue of Buddha. With the court's order, being Commander in Chief of the Sri Lankan security forces, the President could have easily removed the Buddha statue, if she were genuinely for equality and justice.

The Sri Lanka Constitution of 1978 - Chapter VII - Article 33 grants the President of the Republic executive powers to even; (e) declare war and peace; and (f) to do all such acts and things, not being inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution or written law, as by international law, custom or usage he is required or authorised to do.

In Sri Lanka the extreme Buddhist political party the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), made up of Buddhist monks, tabled an "Anti conversions bill" in July 2004. The intention of this appeared to be to prevent Buddhists being converted as Christians. This "Prohibition of forced Conversions Bill" went to parliament for a second reading on Friday 6 May 2005. The parliament approved the draft and the bill was then referred to a Standing Committee. According to this bill “no person shall convert or attempt to convert…any person from one religion to another by the use of force or…by any fraudulent means”. Anyone who breaches this law would be subject to up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to SL rupees 150,000 / US $ 1,508. The penalty amounts to as much as seven year imprisonment and a fine of SL rupees 500,000 / US $ 5,027.

Buddhism and Buddhist monks are the key players of Sri Lankan politics. They are the "King makers" in Sri Lanka. Therefore the court orders on the illegally erected statue of Buddha are rendered null and void. Generally the judicial system in Sri Lanka has different standards for the Singhalese and the Tamils. Justice for the Tamils is always measured with a different yardstick.

The "Daily Mirror" published in Sri Lanka, 17 September 2003 wrote that, " …Unlike in pre-colonial times, when Buddhism was used to legitimise the rule of the kings, in post-independence Sri Lanka politicians used the Buddhist clergy to capture or retain power". (Excerpt)

TCHR along with many other solidarity organisations condemns the illegal erection of this statue of Buddha in Trincomalee. The objective of this statue of Buddha is to antagonise the Tamil people and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – LTTE which is a party to the cease-fire and MoU also signed by the government of Sri Lanka on 22 February 2002.

As the legal judgement within the National law has been deliberately ignored by the state, we urgently request the Secretary General of the United Nations, Director General of UNESCO, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on religious freedom or belief to intervene immediately to remove the statue of Buddha which was erected with political motivation. The court order issued twice by the district courts in Trincomalee to temporarily remove the controversial statue must be implemented without further delay.

The National security doctrine has failed to consider the serious signs of violence and bloodshed which could trigger the beginning of another bloody war due to this illegal erection of a statue of Buddha in Trincomalee.

- 15-06-2005

APPEAL : Little hope for the Tamils within a united Sri Lanka
[Australasia Federation of Tamil Associations]

The Australasia Federation of Tamil Associations joins the International Federation of Tamils in alerting the Australian Government and the Australian people to the current situation in the Island of Sri Lanka, which do not augur too well for a negotiated political solution.

• I colombo and in Kandy, the Buddhist clergy and the ultra Sinhala nationalists are up in arms in a sustained attempt to thwart the establishment of a joint mechanism to deliver aid to the survivors of tsunami in the Tamil Homeland. The protests are reminiscent of the 1950's and 1960’s, which led Sinhalese leaders to abrogate pacts with the Tamil leadership for limited autonomy.

• In Trincomalee in the East, statues of the Buddha have been erected in a blatant attempt to provoke the people. The Government has defied the order of the Supreme Court to remove the statues in a continuing attempt to provoke unrest. [RELATED NEWS]

• The court on 27 May 2005 has freed all the accused on charges of mass murder of 28 Tamil inmates and attempted murder of 14 others at the Bindunuwewa Rehabilitation centre on 25 October 2000, in a decision strongly condemned by the Asia Centre of Human Rights in its report of 2nd June 2005 as follows: "The ethnic biases have plagued the administration of justice in Sri Lanka. It has been almost impossible for the ethnic minority Tamils to obtain justice. The impunity accorded by the Sri Lankan government to the perpetrators of racial violence has increased the alienation of the ethnic minority Tamils." [RELATED NEWS]

• In the East in general, the situation is ominous with Tamil academics, journalists, civilians and members of the LTTE being killed almost on a daily basis. A situation that has prompted commentators to describe this situation a ‘shadow war’.

• The abduction and murder, just a month ago of, Dharmaratnam Sivaram, a Tamil journalist has been described by a New York based committee to Protect Journalists (PJ) as a chilling message to the Tamil people and a blatant attempt to silence their voice. [RELATED NEWS]

It is abundantly clear that there is little chance of the Sinhala political establishment accepting the Tamil people's right to self determination. The Tamil people who have paid dearly in the course of their war of liberation call on the international community to heed our call to live in freedom and dignity.

We call on the Australian people and the Australian Government to take into account the advice given by the International League for the Rights of peoples at the 61st Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights earlier this year "that time is running out; that there is no hope for the Tamils within a united Sri Lanka that their only chance lies in fighting for external self-determination."

Ana Pararajasingham 0402 904 032 & Soma Somasundaram 0411 872 819
AUSTRALASIAN FEDERATION OF TAMIL ASSOCIATIONS INC.
P.O.Box 215 Enfield NSW 2136
Email:tamand@ozemail.com.au

- 15-06-2005

APPEAL: Remove the statue of Buddha, erected with political motivation
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Appeal to the Director General of UNESCO - TCHR, France

Mr. Ko�chiro Matsuura
Director General
UNESCO
7, Place de Fontenoy
75352 PARIS 07 SP

Dear Sir,

Appeal to remove the statue of Buddha, erected with political motivation

On 15 May 2005, a statue of Buddha was illegally erected overnight in the Eastern town of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka by so called Buddhists. The unauthorised erection of the statue on land belonging to the Trincomalee Urban Council (UC) was immediately challenged in the courts by the Special Commissioner of the Urban Council and the President of the Trincomalee District Tamil Peoples' Forum (TDTPF). This matter has created tension between the Tamil and Singhalese people in Trincomalee. Several violent incidents have been reported all over the Trincomalee District.

The lawyers who appeared on behalf of the Special Commissioner of the UC and the President of the TDTPF told the court that they "revered Lord Buddha and are not against the Buddhist religion. But they said they suspected political motives behind the overnight erection of the statue and only a court order for temporary removal of the statute will lead to the restoration of peace in the town".

On 18 May the Trincomalee Magistrate and Additional District Judge instructed the Police to take all possible steps to temporarily remove the controversial statue and pronounced that a long term solution to the matter could be found by the Urban Council taking legal action. On 25 May, the Judge reaffirmed his earlier judgement regarding the temporary removal of this statue. Meanwhile another statue of Buddha was erected in Trincomalee close to the Hindu cemetery in Ehamparam Road in Vijithapura on May 23, 2005.

The court order was ignored by the law enforcement agencies and the statue has remained in the same location for one month, guarded by the Sri Lanka Army, Police and the Buddhist followers.

In the meantime those who erected this Buddha statue wanted to have a permanent building constructed around it. On 13 June, this idea was put on hold on the orders of the Attorney General department . This case was postponed until 3rd August as the respondent of this case has not appeared in the courts.

But this respondent, filed another case (became a petitioner) in the Court of Appeals, challenging the order given by the Trincomalee Magistrate on 18 May for the temporary removal of the statue of Buddha. The petitioner pleaded in his appeal to nullify the order of the Trincomalee Magistrate. On 17 June, his appeal was accepted by a Buddhist Judge in the Court of Appeals, who issued a restraining order on the Trincomalee Police and Trincomalee Urban Council preventing them from temporarily removing the controversial statue of Buddha. The decision of the Court of Appeals on 17 June was a discriminatory decision rather than based on the rule of law.

In Sri Lanka, the culture of impunity prevails in all affairs concerned with the grievances of Tamils. Perpetrators of violence against Tamils are not brought to book. However any judgement against a Tamil is implemented immediately after the judgement. The President who enjoys executive powers has turned a blind eye on the controversial statue of Buddha. With the court's order, being Commander in Chief of the Sri Lankan security forces, the President could have easily removed the Buddha statue on 18 May, if she were genuinely for equality and justice.

As the legal judgement, within the National law, is partial and the state has deliberately ignored the court order of the Trincomalee Magistrate, we kindly and urgently request the Director General of UNESCO to intervene immediately to remove the statue of Buddha which was erected with political motivation, to create tension among communities. The court order issued twice by the district courts in Trincomalee should be respected without further delay.

We kindly request you to intervene immediately to prevent bloodshed and war in Sri Lanka.

A+Nd];Nfh ,af;Fdhh; ehafj;jpw;fhd kDit mDg;gp itAq;fs;

gpuhd;];> jkpoh; kdpjh; chpik ikak; Ntz;LNfhs;;

Gj;jgpuhd; fpwp];JTf;F Kd; 563 Mz;L ,e;jpahtpy; cs;s fgpyt];J mUfhikapy; cs;s Yk;gpdp vDk; fpuhkj;jpy; ,e;J rkaj;ij rhh;e;j mur FLk;gj;jpy; gpwe;jhh;. ,th; jdJ ,sik gUtj;jpy; rpj;jhj;jh; vDk; ngaUld; thOk; Ntisapy;> jdJ mur tho;f;ifia Jwe;J Gjpa Nghjidfspy; <Ll;lhh;. ,g;Nghjidfs; ,Wjpapy; ngsj;j Nghjidfshf khwpd. ,d;Wk; ngsj;j Nghjidfs; gy ,lq;fspy; je;Jtq;fshf Vw;Wf;nfhs;sg;gl;litNa jtpu ,ij Xh; rkakhf Vw;Wf;nfhs;sg;gltpy;iy. Mdhy; rpwpyq;fhtpy; ,ij Xh; rkakhf Vw;Wf;nfhs;sg;gl;lJ kl;Lky;yhJ ngsj;jk; rkaj;jpw;F> rpwpyq;fhtpd; 1978k; Mz;L murpay; ahg;gpdhy; Kd;Dhpik nfhLf;fg;gl;L ghJfhf;fg;gl;L tUfpd;wJ.

ngsj;j jj;Jtq;fSf;F Kd;Dhpik nfhLf;fgl;Ls;s mNj ehlhd rpwpyq;fhtpy; Gj;jhpd; Nghjidahd rkj;Jtk;> rhj;tPfk; Nghd;wit> gL khrkhd Kiwapy; Gj;j gpf;FfspdhYk;> murpay; jiyth;fspdhYk; jtwd topapy; elj;jg;gl;L tUtij> ahtUk; mtjhdpf;ff; $bajhf ,Uf;fpwJ. rpwpyq;fhtpy; gLnfhiyfSk;> ml;^opaq;fSk; epiwe;j ngsj;j Ml;rp epytptUfpwJ.

fle;j Nk khjk; 15k; jpfjp kdpj ,dNk mjprapf;Fk; tifapy; gjpide;J mb cauKs;s Xh; Gj;jh; rpiyia jkpoh;fspd; jhaf g+kpahd jpUNfhzkiyapy>; rpwpyq;fh murhq;fj;jpd; Jhz;jYld; ngsj;j gpf;FfSk;> ngsj;j mbtUbfSk; ,uNthL ,uthf murpay; fye;j fgl Nehf;fj;Jld; epWtptpl;ldh;. ,e;j mePjpf;F cl;gLj;jg;gl;l jpUNfhzkiy tho; jkpo; kf;fSk;> jpUNfhzkiy efurigAk;> ,g; Gj;jh; rpiyia cld; mfw;WkhW jpUNfhkiy khtl;l ePjpkd;wj;jpy; tof;F xd;iw jhf;fy; nra;jdh;.

Nk 18k; jpfjp> ,t; tptfhuj;ij tprhuiz nra;j jpUNfhzkiy kthl;l ePjpgjp> rl;l tpNuhjkhf epWtg;gl;l ,g; Gj;jh; rpiyia cld; mfw;WkhW fl;lisapl;lhh;. kPz;Lk; jdJ jPh;g;ig Nk 25k; jpfjp cWjp nra;jhh;. Mdhy;> rpwpyq;fhtpy; cs;s ngsj;j murhq;fKk; mjd; ghJfhg;G gilAk; ePjpgjpapd; fl;lisia epiwNtw;Wtjw;F vjph;khwhf> rl;ltpNuhjkhf epWtg;gl;l ,g; Gj;jh; rpiyf;F gyj;j MAjg; ghJfhg;G toq;fpAs;sdh;. ,Njtis ,g; Gj;jh; rpiyia rl;ltpNuhjkhf epWtpNahh;> ,jw;;F Xh; epue;ju fl;llj;ij epWTk; Kaw;rpapy; <Lgl;Ls;sdh;.

,g; Gj;jh; rpiy tptfhuj;jpy;> muR ePjpkd;wj;jpd; fl;lisia xU khjfhykhfpAk; epiwNtw;wtpy;;iy. khwhf xU khj fyj;jpd; gpd;dh;> mjhtJ nrd;w thuk>; ngsj;j ePjpgjpia nfhz;l kPo; guPrpyid ePjp kd;wj;jpdhy>; jpUNfhzkiy kthl;l ePjpgjpapd; jPh;g;G uj;J nra;ag;gl;Ls;sJ!

rpwpyq;fhit nghWj;jtiuapy; ,q;F jkpo; kf;fs; kPjhd vjpuhd ve;jtpj ePjpkd;w fl;lisfSk; cld; epiwNtw;wg;gLfpwJ. Mdhy;> jkpoh; tptfhuj;jpy; ngsj;j rpq;fstUf;F vjpuhd ve;jtpj ePjpkd;w jPh;g;Gk; tYtw;wjhfptpLfpwJ. rpwpyq;fhtpy; ghJfhg;Gg; gilfspd; gpujk jsgjpAk; epiwNtw;W mjpfhuj;ijf; nfhz;l [dhjpgjp tpUk;gpapUe;jhy;> ,g; Gj;jh; rpiy tptfhuj;ij jpUNfhzkiy kthl;l ePjpgjpapd; cj;juTld; kpfTk; ,yFthf mfw;wpapUf;fyhk;. khwhf ,g;Gj;jh; rpiyf;F ghJfhg;G nfhLj;J rpiyia mfw;wtplhJ ftdpg;gJ rpwpyq;fhtpy; ,UNtWgl;l ePjp Kiwfs; eilKiwapy; cs;sJ vd;gij njspthf gpujp gypf;fpd;wd.

fle;j Mz;L a+iy> Xf];l; khjq;fspy; ,yq;if jPTf;F tp[ak; nra;j jkpoh; kdpjh; chpikfs; ikaj;jpd; gpujpepjpfs; fle;j etk;gh; khjk; ntspapl;l tp[aj;jpd; mwpf;ifapy;> jpUNfhzkiyapy; kl;Lky;yh> jkpoPo tpLjiyg; Gypfspd; eph;thfk; jtph;e;j kw;iwa gFjpfshd jkpoh;fsps; jhaf g+kpapy;> mur kuk; fz;l ,lk;nky;yhk; Gj;jh;rpiy epWtg;gLtjhfTk;> mur kuk; ,y;yhj gFjpfspy; ngsj;j epWtdq;fspdhy; mur kuq;fs; fgl Nehf;fq;fSld; ehl;lg;glg;gLfpd;wJ vdf; $wpaJ ,q;F Fwpg;gplj;jf;fJ.

rpwpyq;fhit nghWj;j tiuapy; ngsj;j rkak; ghJfhf;fg;gl gytpjr; rl;lq;fs; cUthfpd;wd. mz;ikapy; [hjpfnfy cWka vd;w Gj;jgpf;Ffis mq;fkhff; nfhz;l murpay; fl;rp> Kf;fpakhf ngsj;jh;fs; fpwp];jth;fshf rkakhw;wk; eilngwhky; ,Ug;gjw;F> ghuhSkd;wj;jpy; Xh; Gjpa rl;lj;ij Kd;nkhope;Js;sdh;. ,r; rl;lj;ij kPWNthUf;F gy tUl fhyr; rpiwj; jz;lidAk; gy yl;rk; &gh mguhjKk; tpjpf;ff; $bajhf ,r; rl;lk; Kd;nkhopag;l;Ls;sJ.

rpwpyq;fhitg; nghWj;j tiuapy; Gj;j gpf;FfNs murhq;fj;ij Ml;rpf;F nfhz;Ltu> muir elj;j> muir ftpo;f;f cjTfpd;wdh;. ,e;j hPjpapy; jpUNfhzkiyapy; rl;lj;jpw;F Kuzhf epWtg;gl;l Gj;jh;rpiy tptfhuj;jpy; kthl;l ePjpkd;wj;jpd; jPh;g;G myl;rpak; nra;ag;glg;gl;Ls;sJ.

vdNt> rpwpyq;fhtpd; Njrpa rl;lj;jpd; fPo; nraopse;Js;s khtl;l ePjpkd;w jPh;g;ig eilKiwg;gLj;j rh;tNjr epWtdq;fshd If;fpa ehLfs;rig> If;fpa ehLfs; rigapd; fy;tp> tpQ;Qhd> fyhr;rhu ];jhgdkhfpa ANd];Nfh> If;fpa ehLfs; rigapd; kdpj chpik Mizahsh; mj;Jld; If;fpa ehLfs; rigapd; rka cld;ghLfSf;fhfd gpujpepjp Nghd;Nwhh; jpUNfhzkiyapy; ,uj;jf;fshpiaj; jtph;f;fTk;> ,d;DnkhU Nghh; rpwpyq;fhtpy; %ohky; ghh;f;fTk; cldbahfj; jiyapl Ntz;ba Njit Vw;gl;Ls;sJ.

,e;j hPjpapy;> If;fpa ehLfs; rigapd; fy;tp> tpQ;Qhd> fyhr;rhu ];jhgdkhfpa A+Nd];Nfhtpd; ,af;Fdhh; ehafj;jpd; ftdj;jpw;F> ,j;Jld; ,izf;fg;gl;Ls;s kDit cldbahf njhiy efy; %ykhfNth (gpuhd;]; jtph;e;j kw;iwa ehLfspypUe;J 00-33-1-45685555 my;yJ 00-33-1-45685591 vd;w ,yq;fj;jpw;Fk;@ gpuhd;]pypUe;J 0145685555 my;yJ 0145685591 ,yq;fj;jpw;Fk;) my;yJ jghy; %ykhfNth> jaT nra;J mDg;gp itf;FkhW gpuhd;];> jkpoh; kdpjh; chpik ikak; Mfpa ehk; jaTld; Ntz;LfpNwk;. njhiy efy; %ykhf mDg;GtJ tpUk;gj;jf;fJ.

gpuhd;]; jtph;e;j kw;iwa ehLfspypUe;J : 00-33-1-45685555 my;yJ 00-33-1-45685591
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/ 28-06-2005