australia &
the Struggle for Tamil Eelam

An Australian Tamil stands up 
for that which he believes...

31 May 2001

[see also Amnesty International 2001 Annual Report on India 
and India & the Tamil Struggle]

M.Thanapalasingham, married and the father of two children, an erudite Tamil scholar, a citizen of Australia, an accountant by profession, and a brother of a Maha Veeran who gave his life in the struggle for Eelam, writes from Sydney, Australia:

"Vannakam. Couple of weeks ago I received a telephone call from a Federal Agent of the Australian Federal Police (Security Intelligence and Diplomatic Liaison section).

He informed me that two police officers from India wished to see me in connection with a document (copy of few pages from an address book) in the possession of the Indian Police, which contained my name and address. The motives and what context etc were not explained to me.

I replied that while I am prepared to see the Australian Agent, I was not willing to see the Indian Police officers. They agreed that I was within my rights to refuse to see the Indians.

On the following day, two agents from the Australian Federal police called on me at my residence.

I will state this publicly and for the record.

Before we started the discussion, I spelt out my reasons for not wishing to see the Indians. I told them that how one of my brothers was shot dead by the Indian army when they occupied our homeland under the guise of peace keepers. I told them how my brother's killing hastened my mother's untimely death. I also told them about the atrocities committed by the Indian army against my people, the Tamil people - and about how New Delhi's hands are stained with the blood of thousands of young Tamils who died for Tamil Eelam. I explained that I did not want to re-kindle my anger and bitterness towards the Indian army. Hence my reluctance to see them.

The Australian officials were very understanding. They said they had all the questions from the Indian Police (the reasons for asking these questions were not stated). They explained that the questions included a few which the Indians failed to file through the due judicial/diplomatic process. These questions they would not put to me. 

Among the questions they did ask me were:

Q. Are you a member of LTTE?

I replied:

'I have but a feeble and weak body and lack the courage and commitment required for membership of the LTTE. To be eligible for membership of the LTTE requires a level of determination and fearlessness that cries out "I will not lose my freedom except with my life". This I do not have. No, I am not a member of LTTE.'

Q. Have you met Pirabaharan?

To this I said:

'Like millions of Tamils living in many lands and across distant seas, I do dream of meeting him one day. To meet him so that I could bow my head in front of him and with all humility say to him: "Thank you, thank you for restoring our dignity. Because of you, we Tamils are walking with our heads held high". This is my dream. No, I have not met Pirabaharan.'

The other questions were related to some photos and names which appeared in many news papers and known to the whole world.

I thought I need to place this on record for the benefit of my children."