TamilWeek_Aug_21

Balasingham proves his worth again as LTTE
Trouble Shooter

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj

Anton Stanislaus Balasingham alias Bala Annai the "arasiyal
mathiyuraingar" (Political adviser) of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
has done it again!

The man whose lot in practical terms has often been that of engaging in
damage control and cleaning up the "militaristic" mess caused by the tigers
has once again rendered what can only be termed quaintly as "yeoman
service".

Lakshman Kadirgamar:
Beyond Labels of Race and Religion

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while addressing the UN in
1980 quoted a line from a Tamil poet of the "Sangham" classical era
.Kaniyan Poonkundranaar.had sung "Yaathum Oore Yaavarum Kelir" (All
the world is my world, All men are my kinsmen) more than two thousand
years ago.

The P-TOMS, hostile actions and future
negotiations

By Dr. S. Narapalasingam

The interim stay order of the Supreme Court on the implementation of
four key provisions in the MoU was delivered on July 15. And yet the
argument for and against the joint mechanism now called the ‘Post-
Tsunami Operations Management Structure’ (P-TOMS) did not cease. The
intensification of the killings in the East, North and Colombo in violation of
the ceasefire agreement has presently turned the focus away from the P-
TOMS debate.

When will the President’s second term end?

By P Rajanayagam

Election fever is gripping Sri Lanka even though it is not certain that the
presidential election will be held this year as demanded by the political
opponents of the incumbent President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The main
political parties have announced their potential candidates with billboards
and posters depicting the pictures of the rivals dominating the landscape of
the main cities.

Stop the killings pronto!

By Jayadeva Uyangoda

The assassination of Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar is by far the most serious
threat to Sri Lanka’s fragile peace process. Although the LTTE has denied
its involvement in this grave violation of the Ceasefire Agreement, the
government and almost everybody else blame the LTTE. And indeed, it is
exceedingly difficult for the LTTE to establish its innocence over this high-
profile killing.

Lakshman Kadirgamar [1932 - 2005]

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Independence dawned for Sri Lanka then Ceylon on February 4th 1948.
The union jack was lowered and the national flag raised at the stroke of
midnight. Even as the flag fluttered proudly four young atheletes carrying
flaming torches entered the square and ran up the steps of Independence
hall. Together they lit the lamp of freedpm. The quartet comprised members
of the four major communities of the Island. The sixteen year old youth
representing the Tamils was Lakshman Kadirgamar.

That instance may not have been the proudest moment in Lakshmans life
as he was destined to achieve glory in many spheres of life. But on that day
as a new nation made its tryst with destiny Kadirgamar played a role that
he never ever played again. The Tamils perceived themselves jubilantly
then as an integral part of the Country. Lakshman Kadirgamar personified
the Tamil people in that ceremony.

BBC Have your Say:
Will Sri Lanka's peace process totter?

I am a Tamil living in London. I condemn the killing of Laksman
Kadirgamar. But when unidentified gunmen shot the peace activist Kumar
Ponnambalam (a well educated and top Tamil human rights lawyer)in
Colombo the peace loving President who promised to bring peace to this
nation, didn't do much. Why? One law for the majority and one for Tamils?
Also, Kadirgamar acted as if he was the foreign minister just for the
Sinhalese and he didn't represent the views of the majority of Tamil people.
- Kuha Kumaran, London, U.K.

After killing of Sri Lankan minister,
clamour for war grows in Colombo [WSWS]

Following the assassination of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Lakshman
Kadirgamar last week, there is a distinct beating of war drums in Colombo
ruling circles.

Virtually every political party immediately blamed the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and joined together on Thursday to ratify a one-month
extension to the state of emergency imposed by President Chandrika
Kumaratunga after the killing. In the course of the parliamentary debate,
speakers vied with each other in hailing Kadirgamar, denouncing the LTTE
and provocatively demanding revisions to the current ceasefire, which has
been in place since February 2002.

LTTE, Sri Lanka to discuss truce implementation
[TamilGuardian]

'This is not the resumption of peace talks
[proper]' - Norway embassy

Amid international calls for calm and renewed commitment to the ceasefire
and peace process following the killing of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, the Liberation Tigers and Sri Lanka’s minority
government agreed to hold their first high-level talks since peace moves
stalled in 2003, Norwegian diplomats and LTTE officials said this week.

The talks would focus on the implementation shortfalls of the Norwegian
mediated ceasefire agreement, they said.

“Abduction of a disabled LTTE member in Jaffna by
SriLankan forces – a serious violation” [LTTEPS]

In the backdrop of the abduction of a disabled LTTE member by GoSL
forces in Jaffna, the Head of SLMM, Mr.Hagrup Haukland met with the
LTTE’s Political Head Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan today 18 August 2005 at the
Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi.

At the outset, Mr.Tamilselvan made specific mention of the incident in
Jaffna where a disabled LTTE member who was on approved leave for
medical treatment and staying with his parents, was abducted and not
arrested as alleged by the Police.

Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka [WeeklyStandard]

Militant Buddhism may sound like a contradiction in terms, especially while
Islamic holy war is hogging the headlines. Nevertheless, in one of its
periodic flare-ups in Sri Lanka, extremist Buddhist nationalism is
threatening both the physical safety and the legal rights of that nation's
Christian minority.

For purposes of comparison, consider: Sri Lanka is witnessing attacks on
Christians at a rate far higher than the much noted wave of anti-Semitic
violence in France. While church burnings and assaults on pastors and
congregations have been mounting since the late 1990s, they apparently
reached a crescendo early this year

Hot spring said discovered in Katkovalam [TamilNet]

A hot spring was discovered in Punithanagar near Katkovalam, in
Vadamaradchi East in the Jaffna district, in the process of digging for
laying the foundation of a new house for tsunami victims Thursday,
sources said.
Archaeologists at the University of Jaffna have been notified of the finding.

WebDefinition: Hot Spring [Wikipedia]

Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation [HA]

There are more than 100,000 landmines in Sri Lanka, according to de
mining sources. There are de mining activities, which are underway in war
torn areas in the Island.

Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation,No 05 Old Park
Road,Chundikuli,Jaffna.Telephone-0212222574. Email jaipurj@sltnet.lk

A Lankan Canadian's perspective

By K. S. Sivakumaran

To be honest in expressing my own sentiments, there is no 'Thamil
Problem" in this country, but an identity crisis of accommodating the Tamils
by a few unenlightened Sinhalas as they want a majoritarian hegemony
subjugating others under one single nation. Perhaps the respected poet,
having been far away in a distant cold country like Canada, is unable to
perceive what is really happening in this country.

Review: Being a Tamil and Sri Lankan
by Professor Karthigesu Sivathamby [NorthEastern]

2005 pp. 325; published by Aivakam, distributors: Vijitha Yapa Bookshop

Sometimes it is more interesting to investigate why a book is published at a
certain moment in history rather than what the book contains. Though one
should hasten to say that it is certainly not the case with Being a Tamil and
Sri Lankan, which provides insights into a variety of subjects of
contemporary relevance to Sri Lanka, the timing of this volume is
nevertheless of importance.

Tamil Movie Review: Priyasakhi [The Hindu]

It is a mature performance from Madhavan, who has not had a Tamil
release for a while. Be it the initial cheekiness in the romantic interludes or
the affection he shares at home Madhavan is apt. Three cheers to
Adhiyamaan for not making the sentimental scenes melodramatic and not
thrusting fight sequences into the framework.

The nuances in relationships (among those in the family) are appreciably
natural. But when will our makers realise that a hard stinging slap on the
wife's cheek is in no way a sign of manliness or mental strength? A
much-thinned down Sada (her make-up plays truant in a couple of places)
is a suitable match for Madhavan.

Ponniyin Selvan: Proving his mettle yet again

Creator Radha Mohan has done it again. With almost the entire technical
team of his debut film in tow, Radha returns to prove that his `Azhagiya
Theeyae' was not a mere flash in the pan. Sri Surya Movies' `Ponniyin
Selvan' (U) (story, screenplay and direction by Radha Mohan) is strikingly
different in content and form, most of the time. Healthy humour is its selling
point.

The evergreen lyricist [The Hindu]

Poet Vaali was overwhelmed by the encomiums showered on him.

When the Kannadasan Arakkattalai wanted to felicitate poet Vaali, a host
of others joined hands. Not surprising. Author of over 10,000 songs, Vaali
has written lyrics for a whole range of Tamil heroes from MGR to the latest.
At 75, he is still nimble with words obliging the composer and the director.
His charm is he can weave in catchy English words when the situation
demands it.

Thondamannaru Sannithi Temple
Chariot festival held [TamilNet]

The annual Chariot festival of the historic Thondamannaru Sellasannithi
Murugan Temple was held Thursday morning. The temple is located in the
east of Thondamannaru lagoon in Vadamaradchchi division in Jaffna
district. Large number of devotees from all parts of the district participated
in the festival.

Pazhani Andavar's footprints are here [The Hindu]

In order to please His devotee, Lord Dhandayuthapani made this hillock
His abode.

Perched on the 600-ft. imposing hillock, adored as Kanakagiri, Sri Pon
Velayudhaswami temple of Kinathukadavu (located midway between
Pollachi and Coimbatore) has the glory and pride of place as one of the
few shrines in Kongu Nadu, celebrated by Saint Arunagiri Nathar in his
divine hymns

Fruit to lust after [Al-Ahram-Egypt]

The mango was first introduced to Egypt from Sri Lanka,
whose fruit in turn are derived from Indian varieties.

The mango is a unique fruit, a tropical delicacy with no equal. Strangely
enough, it is distantly related to cashew and pistachio, and to no other fruit.
But it is most certainly a fruit and not a nut. The leathery skin of the fruit is
waxy and smooth, and ranges in colour from luscious green to bright
orange, canary yellow and shocking pink and scarlet.

Israelis Watch as Violence in Gaza Winds Down [NPR Audio]

In just five short days, Israel has nearly cleared Gaza of all Jewish settlers.
The process has sometimes been traumatic; scenes of violence Thursday
in one settlement, Kfar Darom, have disturbed many in Israel. But
separation from Gaza - the pullout of all the settlers and soon all troops as
well -- is now a fact.

Israeli 'tribe' faces another move [BBC]

The 8,000 Jewish settlers will, according to the government, be moved
from their homes into Israel by force if necessary.

But among the settlers are a highly unusual group of approximately 250
people, originally from north-east India, who call themselves the Bnei
Menashe.

"There are two things born from mountains, shining so brilliantly that the great bow down, driving
darkness from earth circled by roaring waters. One is the flaming sun, single wheel bright as
lightning, the other is Tamil that has no like." — from the taNTiyalankârum [Berkeley Tamil]