by M. Nadarajan; originally published November 21, 2003 When the current US president’s father, the first President Bush, tried to get re-elected the catch phrase “It’s The Economy, Stupid” was used effectively to defeat him, blaming the state of the country’s economy on him. The current problems in Sri Lanka are being blamed on the Constitution…. Read more »
Posts Categorized: Diaspora
Tamil Student Volunteer Program
originally published November 20, 2003 Click here to find more information about The Student Volunteer Program (TSVP), an international development NGO coordinated by Canadian high school, college and university students: http://www.TSVP.ca. —————————————— The site had been updated with the Program’s latest experiences in the North and East of Sri Lanka, including: i) Progress reports from Fall… Read more »
Power Unchecked
Tamil Guardian editorial, London, November 19, 2003 Power Unchecked – Peace is jeopardised in the name of power The constitutional deadlock in Sri Lanka continued this week as President Chandrika Kumaratunga, now comfortably entrenched in her usurped positions at the head of the ministries of defence, interior and media, stood firm against Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe’s toothless… Read more »
The ISGA Compared to the B-C Pact
by Wakeley Paul, Esq.; originally published November 18, 2003 THE INTERIM SELF-GOVERNING AUTHORITY COMPARED TO THE BANDARANAIKE-CHELVANAYAGAM PACT A modest set of demands by Wakeley Paul The unimplemented B-C PACT was the closest we came to achieving a Federal Constitution. Under Section 29 of the Soulbury Constitution, Parliament was the sole legislative organ of the nation…. Read more »
A Reply to ‘A Case Against Federalism’
by Wakeley Paul, Esq.; originally published November 17, 2003 A REPLY TO “A CASE AGAINST FEDERALISM” [Published in The Island, Oct.29, 2003] http://www.island.lk/2003/10/29/featur01.htmlSinhala Supremacy for everyone’s good? OR Is it a monstrous injustice for a Tamil to be a Sri Lankan Citizen? Should we not refuse to remain a species Half Extinct? BY Wakeley Paul BARRISTER AT… Read more »
THO-USA Flyer
originally published November 17, 2003 THO USA flyer Nov 2003
TVI USA
originally published November 17, 2003 The Sangam’s AGM program on November 1, 2003 was filmed and significant parts have been shown on TVI USA. Below is a description of this service. ************************************************* http://www.tviusa.net/ TVI USA is a Tamil language television provider owned and operated exclusively by Eelam Tamils. In addition to the standard fare of… Read more »
A (un) Constitutional Coup d’Etat in Sri Lanka
by Raveen S. Nathan; November 15, 2003, originally published November 17, 2003 Sri Lanka throughout its postcolonial history has had the distinction of being a democracy that has maintained the rule of its (majority ethnic) people’s will albeit with two minor interruptions. But never in its modern history has it suffered any military or constitutional coup… Read more »
President & Premier Play a Traditional Sinhala Game
Tamil Guardian editorial, London, November 12, 2003; originally published November 13, 2003 As Norwegian facilitators flew into Colombo this week in yet another effort to kickstart their stalled peace initiative, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was already throwing in the towel as far as his government’s participation in the process was concerned. Having had the crucial… Read more »
Open Letter to SL President
by Dr. Victor Rajakulendran; originally published November 12, 2003 An open letter to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumarathunga Her Excellency, Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumarathunga President of Sri Lanka President’s House Colombo Sri Lanka Your Excellency, I have been watching closely you and your unusual, unacceptable actions during the last few days, living far away from you… Read more »
The Present Call to American Tamils
by Father S.J. Emmanuel; originally published November 10, 2003 Keynote speech at the Sangam’s Annual General Meeting by Prof. Dr. S. J. Emmanuel Our Struggle forges ahead around a New Turning Point 1. I congratulate the Tamil Sangam for the successful completion of a quarter century of pioneer service, in bringing and building together a Diaspora community… Read more »
Kumaratunge’s Coup and the Peace Process
originally published November 6, 2003 Press Release The Sangam and the world at large are shocked at the reckless behaviour of Sri Lanka President Kumaratunge, who places her own political agenda before the needs of the people of the island. On Oct. 31, 2003 the LTTE, on behalf of the Tamil people, announced their proposal… Read more »
AFTA Media Release re ISGA
originally published November 7, 2003 Australian Federation of Tamil Associations PO Box 44, Civic Square, ACT 2608 06 November 2003 AFTA Welcomes Tamil Self Governance Proposal and calls for vigilance by the International Community The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA) welcomes the proposal released on behalf of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka by… Read more »
The LTTE’s Proposals for an Interim Self-Governing Authority
by M. Nadarajan; originally published November 3, 2003 The much-awaited Proposals by the LTTE have been given to the government. Though the President had at one time offered to hand over an Interim Administration to the LTTE for a period of ten years, and the Prime Minister’s party had specified in its 2001 election manifesto that… Read more »
Vanni Trip, Section IV of Part III
by K. Mylvaganam; published November 3, 2003 I have visited Vanni thrice in the course one year. My first visit in September/October 2002 lasted for only two weeks. The second trip in January/February 2003 extended for four weeks and my last trip (May to September) gave me the opportunity to be there for four months. Actually… Read more »
Vanni Trip, Section III of Part III
by K. Mylvaganam; published October 29, 2003 When I visited Vanni for the first time in September 2002, there was only one decent place to stay overnight. And that was the A-9 Lodge as it was called then. It is now renamed as 1-9 Lodge. It is situated on the Kandy Road in Kilinochchi. When you… Read more »
The 1978 Jayawardene Constitution is Unconstitutional
by Wakeley Paul; originally published October 28, 2003 IT SHOULD BE CHALLENGED NOW WHY THE 1972 & 1978 CONSTITUTIONS ARE NULL AND VOID A SIMPLIFIED EXPLANATION FOR EVERYONE We are all aware that the UF government [per Dr Colvin.R.de Silva] created the ‘Constituent Assembly’ because of the limitations placed on the legislative powers of Parliament under… Read more »
Maveerar Day around the USA
originally published October 24, 2003 A day to Remember A day to Pray A day to Salute Maveerar Naal 2003 Let us come together to honor the Tamil Eelam Heroes Tamil Eelam Heroes Day 2003 Saturday, November 22 Chicago, IL Saturday, November 29 Queens, NY Saturday, December 6 Central New Jersey Saturday, December 6 Seattle,… Read more »
Threats & Talks, Latent Bias
Tamil Guardian editorials, London, October 22, 2003 originally published October 28, 2003 Can the LTTE be coerced into abandoning Tamil goals? Whilst the Liberation Tigers are expected to forward their proposals for an interim administration for the Northeast to the Sri Lankan government by the end of the month, Colombo has also dampened expectations of… Read more »
Expatriate Tamil Contribution to the Development of the Northeast
by G.G. Ponnambalam, M.P.; originally published October 18, 2003 (A paper presented by G.G.Ponnambalam M.P. on “Expatriate Tamil contribution to the development of the Northeast,” on the occasion of the 15th anniversary seminar/lunch of the International Tamil Foundation, on 21 September 2003) Mr. Chairman, members of the International Tamil Foundation, guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is… Read more »