08.01.2005.
Mr. V. Prabaharan,
Leader – LTTE.
My Dear Thamby,
This is my forth letter to you and perhaps the last one in this connection. I need not tell you that the destruction and the horror caused by the Tsunami are unprecedented and unheard of in the history of our Country. There is no guarantee that this catastrophe will not be repeated. The destruction need not be by sea. It could be from the land or the sky as well. Therefore no one can rejoice that he or she had escaped from this calamity.
Within a few minutes, several happy families were broken separated and destroyed. Hundreds of thousands have become paupers and their houses razed to the ground. How many thousand dead bodies, including those of small babies came floating? How many thousands have been widowed and orphaned? Having lost everything and only with their cloths they were wearing, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, weeping and wailing reached the adjoining villages for help. They were received with open arms by the villagers who without any difference, fed them and looked after them well without waiting for the Government machinery to start working. The Members of Parliament, of Provincial Councils, of Local Bodies and other Local Organizations joined them.
The Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims without any differences worked hand in hand. The Clergy of all religions organized refugee camps and looked after people of all faith and community. Muslims have saved Tamils and the Tamils have saved Muslims. Sinhalese women had carried food parcels on their heads and shoulders, for Tamil and Muslim refugees by walking five to eight miles, to villages where the roads had been washed off. The national disaster had fused all the three communities in to one. When the whole world is mourning for our victims it is a pity to see some people among us, trying to fish in troubled waters.
India, our closest neighbor, in response to the appeal of the Government came with medicine etc. within hours of the occurrence of the Tsunami and still continuing. Since then more and more aid started coming in from many Countries all over the World. Many ships load and 135 planes load had come for the refugees. Apart form this local people from all walks of life, the Business Community, employers, employees, up-country workers have all given their shares. Above all even small children have given their savings to the refugees.
The donors big or small, local or foreign expect their donations to be fairly distributed without any discrimination. The national disaster should have taught a lesson to all of us. It is unfortunate that some have not learnt it. Do we need another calamity to learn it?
You know me for several years. I am not greedy for power. Some who do not know me, and the novices in Politics could say anything. In fact they had said much about me. If I am greedy for power I would have been in Parliament today. I missed several opportunities in my life as a politician for the sake of my principles. Please rest assured that I am writing this letter with very good intentions. We have missed several opportunities that came on our way to find the lasting solution to our problems. Let us not miss the last opportunity that the nature had created by its destructive act.
The attention of the International Community had been focused on Sri Lanka since the Cease Fire Agreement was signed between you and the Government. Today the International Community is watching the developments in the Country and every step you take should be a thoughtful one and also acceptable to the International Community.
Those who prepared the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA), proposals should have known that these proposals will not be accepted by anyone as a reasonable one. The Tamils themselves will not accept it; neither the Sinhalese nor the Muslims. The International Community too feels that the deadlock in the talks is due to this unreasonable demand. There was agitation in Tamil Nadu India for separation long ago which was successfully suppressed with out any violence against anybody. Tamil Nadu is now satisfied with the Powers it enjoys today. I want you to reconsider the demands of yours and agree for a settlement based on a federal constitution which will be very heavily backed by all.
Every one of this Country is keen in finding a solution to the ethnic problem. I am personally of the opinion that this is the best time for it. Everybody is in a mood to adopt a give and take policy. The Government and the Opposition the religious dignitaries of all faith the Sinhalese, the Tamils, the Muslims and all other small minority groups will support a Federal Constitution, as a solution to our problem. I will not accept the JVP as a Communal Party. They are only opposed to the ISGA, but I hope that they will not oppose a Federal Constitution, since they are for equal rights for everybody, a principle that every body should appreciate. I am very sure that the International Community will not only back this proposal, they will even go out of the way to help us to draft a Constitution that will satisfy the aspirations of all sections of the people. Please consider this suggestion, which I feel is the most feasible one at this juncture, with your key members and take a wise decision. Like some others I do not endorsed or condone all activities of your cadre. I am of the opinion that most of those who claim to be your supporters in Sri Lanka or abroad maim your name by their activities. I wish to point out, that some of their activities have brought discredit for you. Therefore please be warned about them.
In conclusion I wish to emphasize that due to your lapses the areas under your control and the Vadamaradchi East are going to be deprived of the foreign aid that is coming in abundance for the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work of the refugees. No Foreign Government will ever agree to deal with an Organization with out the consent of the Government. Therefore even if all the 22 MP’s plead with the International Community on your behalf they will not succeed. I am sure at least some of these MPs know this very well. Kindly see that the Federal Party MPs fight with the Government and get the victims their due share without issuing statements and giving silly interviews. At a time when Heads of many states and representatives of World Organizations like the UN meet and discuss various measures our indifference will be construed as a treacherous act committed against the Tsunami victims.
Yours sincerely,
V. Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.
Mr. V. Prabaharan,
Leader – LTTE.
My Dear Thamby,
The Tsunami Victims and the settlement of the Ethnic Problem
This is my forth letter to you and perhaps the last one in this connection. I need not tell you that the destruction and the horror caused by the Tsunami are unprecedented and unheard of in the history of our Country. There is no guarantee that this catastrophe will not be repeated. The destruction need not be by sea. It could be from the land or the sky as well. Therefore no one can rejoice that he or she had escaped from this calamity.
Within a few minutes, several happy families were broken separated and destroyed. Hundreds of thousands have become paupers and their houses razed to the ground. How many thousand dead bodies, including those of small babies came floating? How many thousands have been widowed and orphaned? Having lost everything and only with their cloths they were wearing, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, weeping and wailing reached the adjoining villages for help. They were received with open arms by the villagers who without any difference, fed them and looked after them well without waiting for the Government machinery to start working. The Members of Parliament, of Provincial Councils, of Local Bodies and other Local Organizations joined them.
The Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims without any differences worked hand in hand. The Clergy of all religions organized refugee camps and looked after people of all faith and community. Muslims have saved Tamils and the Tamils have saved Muslims. Sinhalese women had carried food parcels on their heads and shoulders, for Tamil and Muslim refugees by walking five to eight miles, to villages where the roads had been washed off. The national disaster had fused all the three communities in to one. When the whole world is mourning for our victims it is a pity to see some people among us, trying to fish in troubled waters.
India, our closest neighbor, in response to the appeal of the Government came with medicine etc. within hours of the occurrence of the Tsunami and still continuing. Since then more and more aid started coming in from many Countries all over the World. Many ships load and 135 planes load had come for the refugees. Apart form this local people from all walks of life, the Business Community, employers, employees, up-country workers have all given their shares. Above all even small children have given their savings to the refugees.
The donors big or small, local or foreign expect their donations to be fairly distributed without any discrimination. The national disaster should have taught a lesson to all of us. It is unfortunate that some have not learnt it. Do we need another calamity to learn it?
You know me for several years. I am not greedy for power. Some who do not know me, and the novices in Politics could say anything. In fact they had said much about me. If I am greedy for power I would have been in Parliament today. I missed several opportunities in my life as a politician for the sake of my principles. Please rest assured that I am writing this letter with very good intentions. We have missed several opportunities that came on our way to find the lasting solution to our problems. Let us not miss the last opportunity that the nature had created by its destructive act.
The attention of the International Community had been focused on Sri Lanka since the Cease Fire Agreement was signed between you and the Government. Today the International Community is watching the developments in the Country and every step you take should be a thoughtful one and also acceptable to the International Community.
Those who prepared the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA), proposals should have known that these proposals will not be accepted by anyone as a reasonable one. The Tamils themselves will not accept it; neither the Sinhalese nor the Muslims. The International Community too feels that the deadlock in the talks is due to this unreasonable demand. There was agitation in Tamil Nadu India for separation long ago which was successfully suppressed with out any violence against anybody. Tamil Nadu is now satisfied with the Powers it enjoys today. I want you to reconsider the demands of yours and agree for a settlement based on a federal constitution which will be very heavily backed by all.
Every one of this Country is keen in finding a solution to the ethnic problem. I am personally of the opinion that this is the best time for it. Everybody is in a mood to adopt a give and take policy. The Government and the Opposition the religious dignitaries of all faith the Sinhalese, the Tamils, the Muslims and all other small minority groups will support a Federal Constitution, as a solution to our problem. I will not accept the JVP as a Communal Party. They are only opposed to the ISGA, but I hope that they will not oppose a Federal Constitution, since they are for equal rights for everybody, a principle that every body should appreciate. I am very sure that the International Community will not only back this proposal, they will even go out of the way to help us to draft a Constitution that will satisfy the aspirations of all sections of the people. Please consider this suggestion, which I feel is the most feasible one at this juncture, with your key members and take a wise decision. Like some others I do not endorsed or condone all activities of your cadre. I am of the opinion that most of those who claim to be your supporters in Sri Lanka or abroad maim your name by their activities. I wish to point out, that some of their activities have brought discredit for you. Therefore please be warned about them.
In conclusion I wish to emphasize that due to your lapses the areas under your control and the Vadamaradchi East are going to be deprived of the foreign aid that is coming in abundance for the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work of the refugees. No Foreign Government will ever agree to deal with an Organization with out the consent of the Government. Therefore even if all the 22 MP’s plead with the International Community on your behalf they will not succeed. I am sure at least some of these MPs know this very well. Kindly see that the Federal Party MPs fight with the Government and get the victims their due share without issuing statements and giving silly interviews. At a time when Heads of many states and representatives of World Organizations like the UN meet and discuss various measures our indifference will be construed as a treacherous act committed against the Tsunami victims.
Yours sincerely,
V. Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.
