by T. Sabaratanam, May 1, 2003 Volume 1, Chapter 2 Original Index of Series Original Volume 1, Chapter 3 Karikalan Thangathurai, known as mama, uncle, was in charge of the secret group. There were about 25 youths, most of them from Valvettithurai and relatives. In early 1970, Thangathurai bought two revolvers, of .22 and .38 calibre…. Read more »
Posts Categorized: Sabaratnam
Pirapaharan: Vol.1, Chap. 2, Going in for a Revolver
by T. Sabaratnam, 2003 Volume 1, Chapter 1 Original index of series Original Chapter 2 Conviction Reinforced Venugobal master’s arguments that parliamentary democratic methods would yield no result reinforced Pirapaharan’s childhood conviction that hitting back is the only option available to the Tamils. The 14–year boy placed his trust on armed struggle and the separate state…. Read more »
Pirapaharan: Vol.1, Chap. 1, Why Did He Not Hit Back?
By T. Sabaratnam, 2003 Volume 1, Introduction, Part 2 Original Chapter 1 Why didn’t he hit back? “Why didn’t he hit back,” was Pirapaharan’s reaction when he heard from his father, Thiruvenkadam Velupillai, about the burning of the Panadura Pillayar Kovil priest. His father, an admirer of the Federal Party Leader Samuel James Velupillai Chelvanayakam, had… Read more »
Pirapaharan: Vol.1, Intro., Part 2
by T. Sabaratnam, 2003 Volume 1, Introduction, Part 1 Original Vol.1, Intro, Part 2 The Language Tamil youths had been radicalized by the late 1960s. Language is a matter that touches the heart of every Tamil. They are proud of the antiquity and richness of their language, and linguistic nationalism is part of the psyche of every… Read more »
T. Sabaratnam: Pirapaharan, Vol. 1, Introduction
From the Editor Mr. T. Sabaratnam wrote a history of V. Pirapaharan from 2003-2005 that was posted on the Sangam website. This history is of the period BEFORE the war began and its early stages. The history dwells on the root causes and the background of those involved. As most of this material is not… Read more »
Pirapaharan 2, Chapter 3: The Final Solution
by T. Sabaratnam; published May 20, 2004 (Volume 2) 3. The Final Solution I was upset when I saw flames leap up in the direction of Borella. I was deeply troubled when more tongues of flame rose threateningly in that vicinity. Was the information Piyadasa had given me coming true? Telephone calls further disturbed me. Tamils… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Sex Scandal, Blackmail & Kidnap
by T. Sabaratnam; published May 19, 2004 Weekly Review Sex Scandal, Blackmail and Kidnap New Trends Tuesday’s election of the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman of Committees appeared a tame affair, an anti-climax. There was no shouting. There was no seizing of the ballot box. They were elected unopposed. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse proposed Geethanjana Gunawardene… Read more »
Pirapaharan 2, Chapter 2: The Jaffna Massacre
by T. Sabaratnam; published May 7, 2004 (Volume 2) 2. The Jaffna Massacre Must Put an End Shell-shocked Balthazzaar and his top men held a conference at Gurungar Camp on their return. The radio room had by this time informed Colombo about the blast and the death of 13 soldiers. Balthazaar got a call from… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Peace Talks to Resume Soon
by T. Sabaratnam, Colombo, May 4, 2004 Weekly Review Bala Coming Back A full-scale effort to resume peace talks stalled for over a year will be made this week, Colombo and Kilinochchi sources said. “Talks will start soon. I cannot say it will start immediately. A few procedural and other matters have to be sorted… Read more »
Pirapaharan 2, Chapter 1: Thirunelveli Attack
by T. Sabaratnam; published April 30, 2004 (Volume 2) 1. Thirunelveli Attack The Ambush Pirapaharan and his men alighted from the minibus which Sellakili parked along the crossroad that connected Point Pedro Road with Palaly Road. They walked up to the junction, in small groups of two or three, turned towards Jaffna and went a further… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Eelam Has Come to the House
by T. Sabaratnam; Colombo, April 27, 2004 Weekly Review A significant aspect of Thursday’s inaugural session of parliament was highlighted by Jathika Hela Urmaya (JHU) leader Ven. Methananda thera when he said: “Eelam has come to the House.” The presence in the chamber of 20 men in silk verti, national and salvai and a lady in… Read more »
Pirapaharan, Vol.2: Introduction
by T. Sabaratnam; published April 21, 2004 Introduction In the first volume, I chronicled the birth, childhood, growth and the political environment which conditioned the thinking of Pirapaharan. Pirapaharan 2001 He was born into a devout Hindu family, trustees of one of the famous Hindu temples in the Jaffna peninsula. He grew up in a highly… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Tamils United to Talk Peace
by T. Sabaratnam; Colombo, April 20, 2004 Weekly Review Tamils get united to talk peace; Fractured Sinhalese continue their wrangle Tamil Unity Eighteen days have passed since the April 2 parliamentary elections. In these crucial days Tamils have consolidated their unity and on Tuesday their leadership discussed at the highest level ways and means of taking… Read more »
Pirapaharan, Chapter 37: Heroic Death of Seelan
by T. Sabaratnam; published April 15, 2004 Dear Readers, With this Chapter I am concluding the first of this 3-volume series. Pirapaharan has entered the scene. From the Thirunelveli ambush Pirapaharan asserts his superiority and gives a new direction to the struggle. At this stage I seek your advice on two matters. First, is it worth… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Revolt Strengthens Pirapaharan
by T. Sabaratnam; Colombo, April 13, 2004 Weekly Review Revolt Strengthens Pirapaharan Fled in a Hurry Karuna’s revolt is now history. It collapsed abruptly. Karuna fled Sunday night in a hurry with a group of about 15 of his confidantes and bodyguards. They escaped in two vehicles. They fled towards the Tharavai-Kudumbimalai region in the Thoppigala… Read more »
Pirapaharan, Chapter 36: Breaking Heads
by T. Sabaratnam; published April 7, 2004 36: ‘We are going to break heads’ Unguarded Remark David Selbourne was a British journalist who worked for the Manchester Guardian freelanced for many other journals. He had been at Oxford University with Lalith Athulathmudali. He visited Sri Lanka in June 1982 and was introduced to President Jayewardene, Gamini Dissanayake and… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Peace Talks May Suffer
by T. Sabaratnam; published April 6, 2004 Weekly Review Peace talks may suffer under UPFA Buddhist Lobby The Buddhist lobby succeeded today in forcing President Chandrika Kumaratunga to dump her nominee and appoint its choice as the new prime minister, indicating the hurdles that lie ahead of her in taking forward the peace process. Kumaratunga wanted… Read more »
Pirapaharan Chapter 35: Tamil Blood Boils
by T. Sabaratnam; published March 31, 2004 35: Tamil Blood Boils Eyewitness Account I was in Trincomalee on 27 November 1982 with Daily News presidential reporter Norton Weerasinghe and photographer Sena Vithanagama to cover the foundation-laying function of the Mitsui Cement Factory the next morning. We met Trincomalee Member of Parliament Rajavarothayam Sampanthan at his home on 28… Read more »
Sri Lanka Scene: Close Fight in the South
by T. Sabaratnam; Colombo, March 29, 2004 Weekly Review Close Fight in the South, Massive Backing for TNA Peace Talks Sri Lanka votes on Friday and opinion polls and political analysts indicate that neither of the feuding leaders will muster enough majority to form a stable government. “Right now, it does not look like either party… Read more »
Pirapaharan, Chapter 34: Tamils Follow Militant Leadership
by T. Sabaratnam; published March 25, 2004 34: Tamils Follow Militant Leadership Traitors The decision taken by the TULF Working Committee at its meeting on 11 May 1983 at its Nallur office to contest the local government election fixed for 18 May, despite the opposition of the militants, caused the political eclipse of the moderates. That… Read more »