Tamilnation > Struggle for Tamil Eelam > Conflict Resolution - Tamil Eelam - Sri Lanka > Norwegian Peace Initiative > Interim Self Governing Authority & Aftermath > "We are being pushed again in to the war era" says Federation of Public Organizations of Vavuniya District in letter to President Kumaratunga

Norwegian Peace Initiative

"We are being pushed again in to the war era"
says Federation of Public Organizations of Vavuniya District
in letter to President Kumaratunga

6 December 2004

"...on 25.11.2004, in Vepankulam, Vavuniya, in a commemorative event organized by the people of that village, the Sri Lankan government forces attempted to take away the national flag of Tamils, which had been hoisted there, by crashing an armored vehicle in to it. The army fired indiscriminately into the people, when they rose up in anger protest. The Vavuniya Head of the Political Wing, who heard about the incident in which many people sustained serious injuries, informed SLMM in person, and went to the place of incident. He was kept at gun point by an army major and some soldiers. His hand phone, motorbike key and some documents were seized. A gun was thrust on his forehead, while death threats and obscenities were made against him in Sinhalese..."

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"We feel that we are being pushed again in to the war era, as the permanent peace eagerly expected by all the people has collapsed", states the Federation of Public Organizations of Vavuniya District in its letter to H.E. President regarding the violent activities of the Sri Lankan armed forces during the Martyrs week.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

"After the signing of the Cease Fire Agreement between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with the facilitation of the third party of Norway, the LTTE started political work in all areas of the NorthEast.

As three years have passed since the signing of this agreement, it is customary for the Tamil people to conduct national events in a spirit of resurgence. It is also usual for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to jointly participate in these events as they are our sole representatives.

In this context, on 25, 26 and 27 of November 2004, we light lamps and swear on the graves of those, who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of our people, to further their cause till it is achieved. This is known as heroes' days. It is very well known, that in all parts of our region commomemorative events are conducted by our people. While our people were conducting this special occasion, the government forces, who could not tolerate this sensational event, unleashed their dastardly acts by belittling the event, threatening the people and behaved in barbaric manner, which is unique to the army, in all the NorthEastern homeland areas. These acts by the government security forces in all the districts of our homeland, has created fear and panic amongst our people.

We feel that we are being pushed again in to the war era, as the permanent peace eagerly expected by all the people has collapsed. Due to this, the normally has been affected and our people are compelled to go into the fearsome and panicky era.

There have been some incidents recently in Valvettithurai, where two youngsters, who were playing in the playground, were cruelly killed and some people were gravely injured. They are still being treated in the hospital.

In a similar incident in Mannar District on 24.11.2004, during the commemorative event, Rev. Fr. Nobert and Vanni District Parliamentarian Hon. Vinothearathalingam and several members of public were threatened and brutally assaulted and sustained injuries. This continued in Trincomalee, where racial sentiments were flared up between the two ethnic communities and the national flag of the Tamils, which had been hoisted, was lowered and burnt without paying any respect for the sentiments of the people. An attempt was made to suppress the emotions of the people by throwing a hand grenade into them, which injured many people including the son of the Member of Parliament for the District. The district was under curfew.

Above all, on 25.11.2004, in Vepankulam, Vavuniya, in a commemorative event organized by the people of that village, the Sri Lankan government forces attempted to take away the national flag of Tamils, which had been hoisted there, by crashing an armored vehicle in to it. The army fired indiscriminately into the people, when they rose up in anger protest. The Vavuniya Head of the Political Wing, who heard about the incident in which many people sustained serious injuries, informed SLMM in person, and went to the place of incident. He was kept at gun point by an army major and some soldiers. His hand phone, motorbike key and some documents were seized. A gun was thrust on his forehead, while death threats and obscenities were made against him in Sinhalese. The death threats made against these unarmed members, who have come to do political work, has made the public more fearful. The above incident indicates that cry for peace is only on the lips, but warmongering in the hearts. We bring this to your notice that these acts by the army are in violation of the Cease Fire Agreement section 1.2(a).

These acts breached the fundamental rights of the Tamil people and brought to light that Tamil people do not have any security. We request your Excellency to take appropriate action to stop these atrocities by army and to ensure that the same shall not recur in the future. Also, we, as the Federation of Public Organizations of Vavuniya district, urge that an impartial inquiry be conducted and punishments meted out to those government troops connected with the above incidents, and to take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of the Tamil people, who live in the army occupied areas, as your Excellency is the Executive President of this country".

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