Mamanithar

"..Death never destroys great men who have lived for lofty ideals. They have an everlasting place in the history of our Nation..." Tamil Eelam Leader, V.Pirabakaran

Kumar Ponnambalam, was born on 12 August 1938. He entered Sri Lankan politics in the early 60's. In 1966 he became the president of the Tamil Congress' Youth Wing. He later became General Secretary of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress. A lawyer by profession (he was called to the Bar from Lincoln's Inn, London in 1974), he contested in the Sri Lanka general elections in 1977 and in the presidential elections in 1982. He was shot dead in Colombo on 5 January 2000.  Many Tamils will regard the open letter that he wrote to Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga a few days before he was murdered, as an enduring epitaph to his steadfast commitment to the struggle of his people for equality and freedom.

"Despite being a long time resident of Australia, you have always been conscious of the fact that you are a son of Tamil Eelam and have displayed a rare degree of patriotism and a sense of belonging to the Tamil nation, which have motivated you to render invaluable service to the cause of national liberation and freedom for our people. Having recognized the reasonableness of our cause, you have given expression to the aspirations of our people and justified our struggle for self determination. You have been a relentless campaigner for justice to the Tamil nation and have been making innumerable representations to the highest levels of Australian Government."

"During his sojourn in Tamil Nadu, Aditanar, a Tamil leader of the �We Tamils Movement� who was also Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly and chief editor of Thinathanthi, bestowed on him the title of Unarchik Kavi�ar, the poet of emotional commitment, very much in the same category as the Tamil poet of Pondicherry, Bharathidasan who has been hailed as the poet-spokesman of the Dravida Kazhakam movement. Kasi Ananthan is reputed to have proclaimed: Pirapakaran ninaittatu natakkum, that is, � What Prabhakaran thinks/wishes/wants will happen! � "

Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham is a person blessed with rare and incredible qualities. Melodious interaction, simple manners and magnanimity in approach are the hallmarks of his personality. Steadfast and honest, he is an excellent political leader. The Tamil people affectionately hailed him as a formidable fighter for human rights. His extra-ordinary attachment to the Tamil cause gravitated all towards him. The demise of Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham is an irreparable loss to the Tamil Nation.

"Dharmeratnam Sivaram, was a regular columnist for the Sri Lanka Daily Mirror and was a Member of the Editorial board of  TamilNet. He has also written for the Sri Lanka Sunday Times under the penname "Taraki." His work was regarded by many as the finest analysis of LTTE strategy and the Sri Lankan government's strategic response. He closely followed Sri Lanka's long war and its complex array of militant organizations. Sivaram  originally joined the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), which was formed following a split from the LTTE. He remained with PLOTE until 1990, when he took to journalism and became well known as Taraki.  His later writings were supportive of the LTTE.  He was  subjected to intimidation by the Sri Lanka authorities for several years - and with increasing intensity during the past year. He was murdered on 28 April 2005. .. his writings will remain a continuing reminder of his lasting and courageous contribution to the struggle for Tamil Eelam."

"Tamil Nation has lost today a highly principled man who worked relentlessly towards the freedom of Tamil Nation. A flame of freedom that burnt brightly in our Nation's capitol has been extinguished. A strident voice that fought for the unity and solidarity of the Tamil Nation has gone silent. A Tamil activist who served as a backbone to the rise of Tamil Nationalism has been killed by the cowardice attack by the enemy. Vigneswaran's loss has plunged our Nation into unspeakable grief."

"..A struggle for freedom is no evening tea party. But, a struggle for freedom also produces its heroes and heroines � men and women who have displayed strength, ability and courage far beyond the call of duty. Thillainadarajah Jeyakumar will always remain in our memories as one of the heroes of the struggle of his people for freedom.  I respectfully salute Jeyakumar's sustained contribution to the cause of his people during these many years - sustained through many trials and tribulations..."

"Mr. Kiddinan Sivanesan is a unique individual who functioned selflessly, honestly, and with courage. He is simple, courteous and loving. He is a sincere politician who possessed high ideals. He labored tirelessly for the advancement and welfare of the workers."