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Ilankai Tamil Sangam, USA, Inc.
Association of Tamils of Sri Lanka in the USA
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Mr. Raviraj lived an exemplary life toiling for the emancipation of the Tamil people through democratic means. |
PRESS RELEASE
November 11, 2006
We the Tamil Americans living in the United States strongly condemn the assassination of Sri Lankan Tamil Legislator Mr. Nadarajah Raviraj.
We are shocked and saddened by the senseless murder of a great human rights campaigner. We share our grief with the Eelam Tamils who mourn the loss of one of their eminent citizens.
Mr. Raviraj, who represented the Jaffna electorate, was gunned down in Colombo, the Capitol of the failed state of Sri Lanka on November 10th by nefarious elements working in cahoots with the Sri Lanka government. We hold the Sri Lankan Government headed by Mr. Mahintha Rajapakse responsible for creating and tolerating the climate of hatred and state terror that resulted in this mindless murder.
In the midst of our sorrow and gloom, we are heartened by the universal condemnation of Mr. Raviraj’s assassination. The United States Government deplored his killing expressing its “deepest sympathy for this loss to the family of Mr. Raviraj and to the people of Sri Lanka, who have been unjustly robbed of his energy and talent.” It also called for swift investigation and punishment for the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
While mourning for Raviraj, we cannot fail but recall the Christmas Eve murder of his fellow Tamil legislator and rights activist, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingam. The abysmal failure of the international community to unreservedly condemn Mr. Pararajasingam's murder has contributed to the prevailing impunity in Sri Lanka, creating the climate for the slaying of Mr. Raviraj.
Mr. Raviraj lived an exemplary life toiling for the emancipation of the Tamil people through democratic means. Even on the day before his assassination, he was in front of the UN office in Colombo calling the attention of the world to the slaughter by the Sri Lankan forces of innocent Tamil civilians in the refugee camps in the East.
We convey our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family of Mr. Raviraj. To you we pledge to treasure the memory of this great soul in the collective consciousness of the Tamil Nation spread across the globe.
Association of Tamil Americans, USA
Ilankai Tamil Sangam – California, USA
Ilankai Tamil Sangam – Florida, USA
Ilankai Tamil Sangam – USA
Ilankai Tamil Sangam –Texas, USA
Ohio Tamil Association – Ohio, USA
Carolina Tamil Americans – North Carolina, USA
Tamil Refugees Rehabilitation Organization - California
Tamil Youth Organization - USA
Tamil Welfare and Human Rights Committee – District of Columbia, USA
World Tamil Women Organization – USA
World Tamil Coordinating Committee – USA
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