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 »
Posts Categorized: Politics
Chandrika’s Coup and its Impact
by T. Sabaratnam in Colombo; November 9, 2003, originally published November 17, 2003 Colombo is calm. With the daily evening showers, the weather is cool and refreshing. People are going through their normal routine life. Churches are full. Buddhist religious schools are full with little smiling children. Ramakrishna Mission is full with pavadai-clad girls. Markets are… 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 »
A Nudge for Sri Lanka Peace
by Boston Globe editorial, November 6, 2003; originally published November 6, 2003 JUST WHEN it appeared there was a chance to resolve the conflict between minority Tamils and majority Sinhalese on the island nation of Sri Lanka, President Chandrika Kumaratunga seized the occasion of a visit to the White House this week by her political rival,… Read more »
Cracks in a Strategic Jewel
by Christian Science Monitor editorial, November 6, 2003 Some conflicts in far-off lands such as Sri Lanka can’t be ignored when the country contains a strategic jewel for nations like the United States with globe-girdling navies in search of safe ports of call. Sri Lanka’s prized jewels are, first, its location in the middle of the… Read more »
Interim Self-Governing Authority Proposal
THE PROPOSAL BY THE LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM ON BEHALF OF THE TAMIL PEOPLE FOR AN AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AN INTERIM SELF-GOVERNING AUTHORITY FOR THE NORTH-EAST OF THE ISLAND OF SRI LANKA Consistent with the principles of the rule of law, the human rights and equality of all persons, and the right to self-determination of… Read more »
…And It Is Time for Action in Colombo
by Editorial column in ‘Liberation Tigers’; November 4, 2003, orginally published November 5, 2003 [translated from the Tamil] The Tigers have submitted their proposals for an Interim Administration, appropriately and succinctly titled, the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA). The formulation meets the basic requirements to contain within itself the powers that are necessary to administer the… 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 »
Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA)
Released by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, October 31, 2003 ISGA Interim Self-Governing Authority LTTE Oct 31 2003 LTTE’s proposals for an Interim Self-Governing Authority in the Northeast region of Sri Lanka THE PROPOSAL BY THE LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM ON BEHALF OF THE TAMIL PEOPLE FOR AN AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH AN INTERIM… Read more »
Lessons from the Sudanese Experience
by Victor Rajakulendran; originally published October 29, 2003 The Sudanese Experience: A Lesson for Sri Lankan Peacemakers “We hail the response of the people’s movement (SPLM) and its leader John Garang, who was responsible for the success of the last round of talks,” President of Sudan, Hon. Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir in parliament “We have come, as… Read more »
Sudan’s Peace Talks
by Editor; originally published October 22, 2003 Of primary interest to Tamils in the Sudanese peace talks are 1.) the agreement for an internationally supervised referendum in the rebellious southern areas on ‘unity or separation’ in 6 years and 2.) an agreement on security issues that calls for the withdrawal of the majority of government forces… 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 »
What Future the UN?
originally published October 15, 2003 Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, New Jersey November 14, 2003 Location: Seton Hall University School of Law, one block from Penn Station Newark at McCarter H’way and Raymond Blvd, 15 minute train from NYC Seating can be assured only to those who register in advance. Information: hotels, transportation,… Read more »
How War on Terror Hits Charity
by William P. Fuller and Barnett F. Baron; The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, MA, July 29, 2003, originally published October 12, 2003 WASHINGTON – In the aftermath of the Iraq war, American foundations and humanitarian organizations are beginning to play their traditional role of providing relief and assistance to distressed populations, just as they are doing… Read more »
Shared Sovereignty May Be Answer to Kashmir Problem
by India Abroad; October 10, 2003, originally published October 12, 2003 Though marked by terrorism, Kashmir is not just a terrorist problem, South Asia specialist Teresita C. Shaffer said. The former State Department official who is now director of the South Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a leading Washington think tank,… Read more »
Cole, Chang Lead US Patriot Act Challenge by Tamils
by TamilNet, 5 October, 2003, originally published October 5, 2003 Professor David Cole of Georgetown University and Nancy Chang, Senior attorney at Center for Constitutional Rights, New York, will lead the legal challenge against the provision of the USA Patriot Act that criminalizes the provision of “expert advice and assistance” to proscribed organizations. Plaintiffs in… Read more »
Does (or When is) History Going to Repeat Itself in Sri Lanka?
by Dr. Victor Rajakulendran, Sydney, Australia; published October 1, 2003 From the time Britain started to negotiate with the Sri Lankan (former Ceylonese) legislators to hand over the governance of the country to them, Tamil legislators have been negotiating first with the British authorities, and later with the Singhalese authorities, to get parity of status for… Read more »
‘Discussion Paper’: Sinhalese Politicians Learn Nothing and Forget Nothing
by TAGOT Press Release, Sept. 2, 2003; originally published October 1, 2003 THE ACTION GROUP OF TAMILS (TAGOT) Kotte, Sri Lanka Email: