We are deeply saddened to report the death of Para Kumarasamy in Germany on Sunday, 16 December 2007. We have known Para as a social and human rights activist and a writer. We take this opportunity to mention how greatly he was appreciated in the exiled writers community as a colleague and friend.
M. A. Sisira Priyankara, trade union activist and editor of the monthly newspaper Akuna, Nihal Serasinghe, member of the railway trade union Dumriya Kamkaru Ekathuva and Lalith Seneviratne were abducted on 5 February in Colombo, allegedly by the security forces. These abductions have outraged the Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim intellectuals, journalists, community leaders as well as many ordinary citizens of Sri Lanka. The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) is gravely concerned for their safety. So far, no law enforcement authority has claimed responsibility. We deplore these actions which endanger the lives of journalists and call on the government to launch an immediate impartial investigation into abductions by security forces.
The Sri Lankan government has admitted that the abduction of three Sinhalese journalists was carried out by the army. M. A. Sisira Priyankara, trade union activist and editor of the monthly newspaper Akuna, Nihal Serasinghe, member of the railway trade union Dumriya Kamkaru Ekathuva and Lalith Seneviratne were abducted on 5 February 2007 in Colombo. The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) issued a press release about the abductions on 6 February. We are pleased to hear that they are alive. TIC has repeatedly condemned censorship, and harassment, intimidation, arrest, torture, imprisonment and killing of journalists and writers who had peacefully expressed their views.
Ketheesh Loganathan was, in the best and positive sense, an idealist. He believed passionately in justice, equality and solidarity of people promoting peace in Sri Lanka. Ketheesh's assassination on 12 August 2006 shocked us all. The Tamil Information Centre strongly condemned that senseless act of violence and hatred, which deprived all of us a remarkable and a visionary leader who loved his people. He was assassinated for believing in a future without bloodshed, a future of tolerance and coexistence. He pursued the path of peace even when it did not bring him popularity. He paid a very high price for his pursuit of peace for all of us.
On 28 February 2001, the British Home Secretary included the LTTE in the list of proscribed organizations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The ban on the LTTE in Britain came into force on 29 March 2001. A proscribed organization or any person affected by the ban may appeal to the Home Secretary for the removal of the ban. If such an appeal is rejected, an application for review may be made to a tribunal known as the Proscribed Organizations Appeal Commission. Appeal on a point of law from the decision of the Commission lies to the Court of Appeal.
The desperate situation in Sri Lanka is on the agenda of the Second Session of the newly formed UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which begins today (18 September 2006). The Council is due to debate the recommendations of the UN Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions.
This evidence-based report by the Tamil Information Centre (TIC) analyses, from a human rights and public health perspective, the impact of the violent conflict in Sri Lanka on health, the health system, and relief and reconstruction. In particular it examines the deteriorating health of the population in the conflict zones of the northern and eastern Provinces. This report is the fruit of an extensive literature review and discussions with health professionals and health workers in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.
Price:
£ 5.00
Allaipiddy Case Report - July 2006
Uploaded Date: 21/04/2013
Eight persons including a six-month old infant were killed at Allaipiddy on Kayts Island on 13 May 2006. A short distance away, four other murders were committed on the same night. The Kayts Island is connected to the mainland Jaffna Peninsula by a causeway which is about a quarter mile in length. Kayts and the adjoining islands are controlled by the Sri Lanka Navy which has a heavy presence with a large camp on the beach side of Allaipiddy, several mini camps and sentry points. The interior of the island is a stronghold of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), which works in collaboration with the Sri Lankan security forces.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC), which has been continually calling for and Independent mechanism to investigate human rights violations in Sri Lanka, welcomes the announcement of President Mahinda Rajapakse on 4 September 2006 that the Sri Lankan government will invite an international commission to probe abductions, disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the island.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) is disturbed by the Sri Lankan government decision to freeze the account of Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), from 29 August 2006. The TRO is a registered charity in Sri Lanka.
