TIC has issued a number of news releases, memos, appreciation of human rights, social and cultural activists and published a number of documents on human rights and humanitarian issues to help create awareness on the situation in Sri Lanka, all of which are available for download here free.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) is concerned over developments relating to the joint mechanism between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE) for the provision of relief to the people affected by the tsunami in the north-east of the island. Most people affected by the disaster in the north-east have not received sufficient assistance to begin their economic and livelihood activities. Land allocation policies have not been resolved to enable the construction of permanent housing. The entire tsunami relief and reconstruction process has been turned into an exercise in political maneuvering and tactics.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) has been involved for the last 25 years in information work, particularly directed for the purpose of lobbying the international community about the rights and aspirations of the Tamil people. Recent developments in international law and the emphasis of the international community on child soldiers are of concern to the Tamil people. In the last five years, almost all statements on Sri Lanka by governments, the United Nations, the European Union and other international agencies, have included the issue of child soldiers. The UN has shown increasing concern regarding child soldiers and has taken several measures for the protection of children.
The Tamil information Centre (TIC) expresses its extreme shock and deep sorrow at the reported death of over sixty children and wounding of many more in air-strikes by the Sri Lankan air force in Mullaitivu at dawn on 14 August 2006. The TIC condemns the deliberate targeting of children and destruction by the air force and calls on the international community to immediately take every possible measure to bring the conflict in Sri Lanka to an end.
A joint mechanism between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for relief and reconstruction operations in the north-east has not been agreed upon although four months have elapsed since the tsunami struck the island. Discussions have taken place between the two parties but the contents of the talks have not been made public. Both parties seem to agree on the mandate and composition of the joint mechanism, but differences are said to remain on the monetary structure of the mechanism.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) strongly condemns the escalating political killings in Sri Lanka, which may plunge the country into the abyss of war and chaos. It's deplorable that people of all walks of defenders, social and community workers, NGO staff, lowers, students, women, educators, priests and members of political parties, progressive organizations and trade unions. With then die their dreams, idealism, commitment, courage, youth, love and hope. A part of us perishes with them and the hopes and dreams of communities and the nation they represent are shattered.
The tsunami of 26 December 2004 devastated the lives of millions of people in the Indian Ocean region. After a year, despite massive amounts of aid provided to the countries in the region, the long-term livelihood prospects of survivors remain uncertain. International agencies say that the pace of permanent housing reconstruction has been slow and is not meeting the expectations of the tsunami's survivors.
The Millennium Development Goals Country Report 2005 by the Sri Lankan National Council for Economic Development (NCED) says that those who bore the brunt of the tsunami attack were the most vulnerable in society such as coastal communities and those in the North and East region. The percentage of the coastal population affected, ranges from an estimated 35% in Kilinochchi to 80% in Mullaitivu and 78% in Amparai. Less than 20% of the coastal population in the southern districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota were affected. The tsunami affected the livelihoods of poor sectors such as coastal fishermen, workers in the informal sector, people servicing fisheries and tourist industries and small scale farmers, causing greater vulnerability to poverty.
The Indian Ocean region was gripped by panic when another massive underwater earthquake on 28 March 2005 devastated the Indonesian island of Nias. The death toll is said to be in the region of 1,000. Tsunami warnings were issued in the region, including in Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia and the people in coastal areas were quickly evacuated to safer places. On hearing the news about the earthquake over the BBC and from international agencies, members of the Tamil community living abroad and community organizations immediately contacted organizations and individuals throughout the north-east region and southern areas, to pass on the warning. The prompt action was appreciated by agencies and individuals in Sri Lanka.
The official death toll as reported by the Sri Lankan government stands at 30,957 as of 25 January 2005, with 20,554 in the north-east. More than 10,430 people died in Amparai District. Around 5,644 are reported missing and presumed dead, according to the Sri Lankan government. But the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) has reported that more than 14,400 are missing in the north-east. The final death toll is expected to be around 45,000 island-wide, and 30,000 in the north-east alone. There are over 15,190 injured nationwide, with more than 7,400 in the north-east. The government says that over 502,450 people are displaced from their homes by the Tsunami. Of these, 282,790 are displaced in the north-east (See Appendix 2).
The official death toll as reported by the Sri Lankan government stands at 30,718 as of 7 January 2005. More than 10,400 people died in Amparai District. Around 4,930 are reported missing and presumed dead, according to the Sri Lankan government. But the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) has reported that more than 14,400 are missing in the north-east. The final death toll is expected to be around 45,000 island-wide, and 30,000 in the north-east alone. There are over14,500 injured nationwide, with more than 5,000 in the north-east.
