TAMIL NATIONAL FORUM
Selected Writings -
Fr.
Chandiravarman Sinnathurai
The Elephant in the
Room
 The
expression "elephant in the room" refers to a situation
where something major is going on, it's on everyone's
mind and impossible to ignore - like an elephant in the
room. But nobody talks about the "elephant" because
nobody knows what to do about it. It's along the same
lines as "the emperor's new clothes." The emperor's
naked but nobody wants to be the first to say so�
4 April 2006
Sri Lanka Government (SLG) has informed the people of Tamil
Eelam that the sea [not to mention the land] solely belongs to the Sinhalas. In
other words the Tamil deep sea fisherman has to starve because the Sinhala state
has chosen to rob them of their livelihood in the name of a psychotic
protectionism!
The Chairman of the North East fisheries Consortium articulated very clearly in
an interview on the 2nd of April, 2006, to the media that �the Tamil families
had to suffer as a consequence, displacements, harassment and perpetual
uncertainty since the 1980�s�. So, this is not something recent! �Without the
sea-Tigers for our protection� the Chairman protested, �we are finished�.
Now what does it tell us? In the island, there are effectively two separate
countries. However, until we rule our seas, the honor of our forefathers as an
ancient seafaring nation is yet to be restored. In terms of sovereignty however,
both the land and the sea has to be recovered.
What is said above or what is to be said below might not be palatable to
international ears. None can shut their ears and eyes and mouth for too long
however, when the ground reality is an appalling human rights catastrophe!
Batticaloa
People are only now beginning to whisper their frustrations and fears in the
Batticaloa district � perhaps not as publicly, as one would have liked to.
Speaking out publicly is not possible unless one is willing to get killed by the
State Security and the quisling forces. Reliable sources in the villages are
revealing the truth, in great fear of repercussions of course. There are
abductions of both under-age children and able-bodied adults are taking place in
the Batticaloa District � many cases are reported only to become a statistic
under the category of �disappearance�. There is sadly, no active search for the
�disappeared� at all. Such a cycle of inaction makes many cases to go
un-reported.
Testimonies are emerging that these abductions are NOT a
method for conscription. The purpose happens to be even more sinister. These
abducted children and adults are murdered and their vital organs are
smuggled into the West. Of course, this is indeed a lucrative racket in
which Western underground counterparts are believed to be involved in it as
well! The anecdotal evidences point that the main operative in the East
involved in this �abduction for organs� project is the �Karuna armed
faction�.
Scandal
We are keenly aware that some people, quite rightly, might ask for proof. Any
one can make false allegations. �Where is the evidence?� The question is whether
the SLG will be willing to investigate this human rights scandal. In the context
of fear and intimidation and lawlessness none would volunteer information for
the genuine fear of becoming a potential abducted organ donor! The State does
not guarantee protection for potential witnesses. That is the most effective way
to gag the mouth of the public and to get rid of any clues and evidences. Why?
It is common knowledge, that such human smuggling and human organs trafficking
cannot happen without the �nod and a wink� of the State Security Forces.
Many villagers in the east are willing to share these horror stories only in
strictest confidence and trace the places where these acts are taking place. But
can they report to the authorities? Can they speak to an independent human
rights organization, if there is any? Prudence would suggest the contrary. Why?
Who will give protection � protection of their human dignity and their right to
live once information is extracted from these people? Often the ones who are
willing to testify of such happenings are expendable. When naked fear reigns
every one looks over the shoulder. None would want to talk about it.
Crimes
Just because one cannot provide proof immediately that does not negate the fact
these gruesome acts are not taking place. At this stage one can neither prove
nor disprove.
It is wrong nonetheless to deny out rightly that these organized crimes against
humanity are not occurring.
The urgent question in this desperate situation is that who will empower these
people to stand up and speak in order for the world community to act genuinely
if they can by exerting pressure on SLG.
The other easy and comfortable option is to continue in denial and commit the
sin of omission. You know its happening but pretend as though it is not and wish
it would go away!
One must also stand in front of the mirror and ask oneself, �What would be my
reaction should the abducted �organ donor� victim was my friend or relative;
brother, sister, or my son or daughter?�
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