Message - Tsunami Disaster
(in English &
Tamil) 29 December 2004
[see also
Tsunami Disaster & the People of Tamil Eelam - Appeal for Urgent
Humanitarian Assistance]
"My beloved and respected Tamil people,
"Our homeland has faced an unprecedented major disaster and is
submerged in deep sorrow today. A few days ago, totally unexpected
by anybody, a sudden surge of a ferocious seismic tidal wave hit the
coastal belts of the South East Asian region. In the island of Sri
Lanka, the sea belt coast from Jaffna to Galle and especially our
homeland territories became targets of Nature�s fury resulting in
massive destruction of life and property. The devastation caused by
this tidal surge has exacerbated the sufferings of our people
already affected by a war that continued for over twenty years and
has torn asunder our nation. I convey my feeling of attachment,
consolation and deepest condolences to our people who have lost
their beloved and dearest, and undergoing unbearable sorrow and
pain.
My condolences also go to our Muslim and Sinhala brethren in the
southern coastal areas, who have lost their kith and kin, and in
deep sorrow. I also take this opportunity to express my condolences
and share the grief of all the people in the South Asian nations,
India and Tamil Nadu in particular, on whom had befallen this
disaster.
"This seismic tidal surge has not stopped with taking the lives of
several thousands of our people and injuring thousands. Wiping out
several sea coast hamlets, this has also destroyed the marine based
livelihood of our people. Several families have been totally
annihilated and the social infrastructure completely torn asunder.
Habitats and homesteads of several families have been destroyed,
severely impacting on their future.
"Our Liberation organisation, Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation,
other Non-Governmental Organisations and several Civilian Based
Organisations are jointly involved in relief and humanitarian
assistance to our people who have met with this tragedy and are
eking out a life of misery. I am obliged to convey my sense of
gratitude and affection to our brethren living abroad who are
voluntarily and magnanimously extending their helping hand to the
relief activities, strengthening our resolve and giving hope to the
distressed. I request of them earnestly to continue extend this
assistance to salvage our people from the consequences of this major
disaster. I solicit the support and magnanimous assistance of the
international community and the UN agencies to help our people in
distress."
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