Emulating J. R. Jayewardene is
best option for LTTE
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The temporary travel ban imposed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam by the European Union has resulted in two broadly predictable
responses on either side of the ethnic divide in Sri Lanka.
From the hardliners of the "Sinhala" side there is unconcealed glee that
the tigers have at last got what they deserved. The ban is perceived and
portrayed as the end of the road for the LTTE.
Tigers need genuine and urgent course
correction
By D. B. S. Jeyaraj
The Ramayana tells us of how the queen Sita Devi made her abduction
at the hands of Lankan King Ravana easier by crossing the " Lakshmana
Rekha" . When a worried Sita compelled her brother in law to go in
search of Rama enticed away by a demon taking the form of a golden
deer Lakshmana was reluctant to leave her alone in the forest abode.
He drew a "Rekha" or line in the sand and instructed Sita not to cross that
line. Ravana found himself unable to cross that line drawn to protect Sita.
So he took on the form of a hermit and entreated Sita to bestow alms by
crossing that line and coming near him. Sita disobeyed Lakshmana and
crossed the Rekha only to be abducted. the description Lakshmana
Rekha now depicts the limit or border one must not cross. Whosoever
crosses that line faces danger.
European Travel Ban:
A Wake up call for LTTE
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The European Union on September 26th issued a statement outlining its
revised position on the on going peace process in Sri Lanka of which it is
a co - chair. The statement released in London by the current EU head -
Britain - read as follows:
EU Declaration [Foreign and Commonwealth Office]
The European Union hereby declares its condemnation of the continuing
use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE). The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable
methods only serves to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a
negotiating partner and gravely endangers the Peace Process so much
desired by the people of Sri Lanka.
Govt. ‘ready to talk with Tigers’ [BBC]
The Sri Lankan government says its desire for peace with the Tamil
Tigers will not be affected by the recent EU statement banning the group
from visiting member states.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, cabinet spokesman, said that the position
of the government is that its desire for a negotiated settlement and to
enter dialogue with the LTTE had not been diminished by the EU decision.
Presidential polls: what the South expects and
Sri Lankan Tamils want
By Professor Karthigesu Sivathamby
The date for presidential elections has been announced. It has
heightened the internal divisions within the anti-UNP forces. As we write,
one is also not certain whether the presidential poll is to be held alone or
coupled with parliamentary elections. To most Sri Lankan Tamils, the
recriminations flowing back and forth between the factional leaders in the
anti-UNP camp are entertaining to witness.
Will Wickremasinghe continue from where he left
it? [Editorial: Uthayan Daily]
The upcoming Presidential election is going to take place at an important
political juncture.
The Tamil society, that in the past had internal contradictions, has
gathered itself into one single united people’s force and it is demanding its
right self-determination. This Tamil society has been waiting for the last
three and half years for a just solution.
Tamils, Christians short-changed again?
by Amrit Muttukumaru
"It seems clear to this writer that both presidential candidates are playing
the now traditional political football at election time with the ethnic conflict.
They are both reluctant to face up to the reality that unless and until the
stranglehold of Sinhala-Buddhist majoritarianism is tamed, there is little
hope to resolve not only the long festering ethnic crisis but also the more
recent phenomenon of Christian bashing."
Paul Caspersz: The politics of religion
by Jayantha Somasundaram
Rev. Fr. Paul Caspersz, SJ, who celebrated his eightieth
birthday was recently felicitated with a national seminar that
dealt both with global as well as national issues of
development. This reflection on the politics of religion in Sri
Lanka is penned as tribute to him.
God made the angels to show Him splendour,
As He made animals for their innocence,
And plants for their simplicity.
But man he made to serve Him wittily
In the tangle of His mind. - Thomas More
Brush Strokes of Peace in Sri Lanka
The Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) in
collaboration with the Peace Education Division of the Ministry of
Education, organized an island wide art competition on the theme ‘Brush
Strokes of Peace in Sri Lanka’ as a comprehensive interactive exercise for
peace building through children. It was conceived as a means of
transcending ethnic, religious and political barriers, creating a neutral
platform for interaction and understanding.
Fear dogs Mannar rape trial [Tamil Guardian]
The difficulty in bringing the Sri Lankan military
personnel responsible for rights abuses to justice was
highlighted last week when one victim in a high profile
rape case disappeared and the other reported receiving
death threats.
Wijikala Nanthan, one of two Tamil women raped and tortured by Sri
Lanka Counter-terrorist policemen after being arrested in Mannar in
March 2001 is reported missing this week as the trial of her attackers is
due.
Explanation called on restrictions imposed upon the
Tamil fishermen in Jaffna [BBC]
National Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka (SLHRC) has called
upon the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to report within 14 days on restrictions
imposed upon the Tamil fishermen in Jaffna.
The SLHRC has made this request upon receiving a complaint by the
fishermen in Velvetithurai, Jaffna, on the restrictions imposed by the SLA
for fishing around High Security Zone (HSZ), Jaffna.
SLHRC Jaffna co-ordinator Rohitha Priyadarshana told BBC Sinhala that
the fishermen made a complaint that the SLA is insisting Tamils need to
get a special permit before going on fishing in the HSZ waters.
Sri Lankan military threatens antiwar filmmakers
[WSWS]
Over past two weeks, senior officers in the Sri Lankan armed forces have
issued a series of barely disguised threats against filmmakers who
through their works have been critical of the military and the country’s
protracted civil war. As well as being a flagrant breach of democratic
rights and a direct intervention by the “neutral” armed forces into political
life, these actions are a clear warning that the military top brass is
preparing for war.
The white tea is never touched by an ungloved hand.
48 years old Mariyayi Kaaliyan has been plucking teas for the past twenty
five years. She likes it very much. She has to take care of her three
unmarried daughters in Nawalapitiya. [HumanityAshore]
Sri Lanka's 'forgotten' tea workers [BBC]
It is true that the plantation sector is the marginalised of Sri Lanka's
population. I prefer to make no comparisons. Tsunami has brought untold
suffering to many of our brothers and sisters in our country's coast. They
need to breath in air of hope. But negelecting the plantation sector is an
issue that international community should address. Education, housing,
medical facilities, transportation, etc are urgent needs of the 'up country'
Tamils. Yves Joseph, Kandy, Srilanka
Constructive projects are always welcome, says
Jayalalithaa
Sethusamudram project designed to destroy fishermen's
livelihood
Even as Chief Minister Jayalalithaa renewed her attack on the
Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project in its present form, she told the
Assembly on Monday that her Government has always welcomed
constructive projects of the Central Government.
Intervening in a discussion on the supplementary estimates, Ms.
Jayalalithaa said while the State Government had secured financial
assistance from the Union Government for flood and tsunami relief
operations by making representations, it opposed the Sethusamudram
project which, she said, was so designed to destroy the livelihood of
fishermen. Giving a list of joint venture projects involving the participation
of agencies of the State and Central Governments, she criticised the
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for trying to create an impression as if the
State Government was always against the Centre's schemes.
Sri Lanka: Tsunami Survivors Yearn for Permanent
Housing and Employment [Refugees International]
Nine months after the devastating tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on
December 26, 2004, the approximately 800,000 people directly affected
by the disaster face tremendous uncertainty. The transition to the phase
of long-term recovery is lagging. Priorities for immediate action include
resolving land allocation policies to enable the construction of permanent
housing to accelerate and organizing programs to provide productive
assets to people so that they can begin to meet their economic needs.
Poetry: "only the sea keeps"
Saving Faith
by Gail Ghai
Because it was the Feast of the Holy
Family
Because the Reverend.J.Pathinathan
moved the mass one mile
inland [Contd.]
Experts Say IRA Has Criminal Empire
The Irish Republican Army may no longer want to fight the
British, but detectives say it's still in business -- as owners
of pubs and clubs, smugglers of fuel and cigarettes, bank
robbers by night and property investors by day.
Throughout the past 35 years of conflict over this British territory, the IRA
has built a sophisticated criminal empire throughout Ireland and beyond,
laundering profits through legitimately owned businesses and properties
worth more than $400 million, anti-racketeering experts say.
Cricket Takes Root in Californian Soil
by Jason Margolis
All Things Considered, September 27, 2005 · Cricket is experiencing a
renaissance in California. With the flood of high-tech workers from South
Asia, reports KQED's Jason Margolis, the old-world sport's leagues there
are booming.
Analysts: Canadian Dollar could approach parity with
the US dollar within a year?
In the Last week the Canadian Dollar hit its highest level since 1992. The
climb has been boosted by soaring energy prices. The Canadian currency
has risen almost 40 percent in the past two and a half years, and over ten
percent in just the past four months. One of the reasons for the increase
is because the Canadian dollar is now considered a petro Currency.
Blair admits BBC Katrina disquiet [BBC]
Tony Blair says he "didn't much care for" some BBC reports about
Hurricane Katrina, after claims he was angry at the corporation's
"anti-Americanism".
But the prime minister told the BBC's Sunday AM programme: "I'm not
making any great criticism of the BBC - you carry on doing whatever you
want."
Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch said Mr Blair told him the BBC World
Service coverage was "full of hate of America".
The BBC said it was committed to "full, accurate and impartial coverage".
Arts - Culture - Heritage
Short reviews of books by Muslim writers
by K.S.Sivakumaran
Former Minister A. H. M. Azwer in my perception is a trilingual interpreter,
speaker, writer, broadcaster, commentator, actor, bilingual writer and
humanist. It's not his politics that interest me, but his large-heartedness in
appreciating others whose contributions remain unsung, unwept and
un-earthed that makes me feels for him.
One example: He has published through a Thamilnadu publisher
(Manimekalai Prasuram) Manithan Maa Manithanaka (Man as a Great
Man), a book of writings by the late S. I. M. A. Jabbar. The writer's articles
collected in this book were originally published in the Colombo Thamil
news weekly Navamanai for 231 weeks. May I add for the record that
yours truly was the pioneer editor in chief of this paper which is still in
circulation? The present editor is Alhaj M. P. M. Azhar, who was a leading
Lobby correspondent for the Virakesari.
A sophisticated Sinhala film in recent times
by K.S. Sivakumaran
Despite dissatisfaction expressed that the Sinhala film industry in recent
times does not produce any more 'good' films, some outstanding
filmmakers have emerged during the past decade. And some of the
masters had also produced some exceptional films now and then.
Without mentioning the names of some of the contemporary filmmakers,
some extreme patriots of the mono-nationalists have dubbed these
creators as 'third rate' film directors.
In search of Lankan arts and society
By Ananda Meegama
In the morning, I now turn to the newspaper’s last page with a cup of tea
to read of the artistry of Shane Warne, Murali, and Vaas.
In days gone by, I started the day with Reggie Siriwardena, A. J.
Gunawardena, or Mervyn de Silva, reviewing the current cultural scene.
In the absence of a regular critic in our dailies today, I turned to some
books published during the last few decades, which have perhaps not
received their due attention, to try to understand the Spirit of the Age.
Advantage Arun
Arun's never-say-die attitude is beginning to pay off.
Whether his films were `bumpers' at the box office or came a cropper is
immaterial. The fact is that in none of these can Arun's performance be
faulted. Sincere, honest and hardworking, Arun should have gone places
already.
Probably success is just round the corner for this young man, because
diligence and perseverance cannot remain unrewarded for long.
Thamizh Cinema World Cavalcade [TamilGuardian]
A string of celebrities from the Tamil film industry came together on
Friday 23 September to show their support for Rose Day, which was held
at the Adyar Cancer Institute for young children at the Apollo Hospital.
Rose Day was held in memory of Melinda Rose, a fourteen-year old girl
from Canada, who died of Leukaemia. Stars, including Surya and Meena,
spent time with the children and brought a smile to many a saddened child’
s face. Doctors and administrators of the Apollo Hospital were extremely
grateful for their attendance. Khusboo spent the day spreading the
fragrance of roses around the rooms at the Apollo Speciality Hospital and
also conducted a ‘Jackpot Quiz’ for the children undergoing treatment.
Director Vishnuvardha and actor Arya spent the day with the children and
then distributed sweets to all.
Tamil movie review: Glamour and action aplenty
Chanakya
Genre: Action
Cast: Sarat Kumar, Vadivelu, Salim Ghouse, Hanifa, Vincent Asokan,
Ilavarasu, Namitha, Laya.
Director: K. Venkatesh Storyline: How a man takes revenge on the gang
that killed his father.
Bottomline: Routine, herooriented.
The legend of Harold Robbins and "Carpet Baggers" still lives among our
filmmakers and film writers. Viswas Films' "Chanakya," written and directed
by A. Venkatesh, is a clever mix of glamour and action.
The former is achieved through Namitha who dances with the hero every
third reel. And when he is not dancing with her, Sarat Kumar fights hefty
men of course coming out winner.
Bungalow on Tharangambadi beach
The 19th-Century Collector's Residence in picturesque
Tranquebar has recently been transformed from a ruin to
a heritage hotel.
As bungalows on the beach go, this is a pretty grand one. What's more, it
has got not just the ocean, but history for a view: a stolid Danish fort
looming over the sands on the one side and on the other, a medieval
Pandya temple crumbling into the sea.
Genius many fold
Accomplished vocalist in two styles and ace mridangist
— T. V. Gopalakrishnan is the recipient of Chembai
Puraskaram this year.
The tonal variety and the resonance of the voice of the 73-year-old
singer held the listeners, both young and old, spellbound. It was the final
day of the Chembai Music Festival organised by the Sri Chembai
Memorial Trust in Thiruvananthapuram. The performer was the renowned
Carnatic vocalist and instrumentalist, T. V. Gopalakrishnan, this year's
recipient of the Chembai Puraskaram.
Celebrating the Cauvery
It is festival time as the Cauvery Pushkaram opens on Wednesday.
From time immemorial Tamils have guarded and worshipped their water
sources. One of the Sangam Poetry anthologies, `Paripadal,' has eight
dramatic expositions of the Vaigai. The river in floods was a common sight
and it was believed that bathing in the Vaigai at dawn and praying to the
Mother Goddess ensured one of a happy family life.
"Virgins wearing lovely bangles
Bathed in the river Vaigai saying:
May this wide world be free
Of heat, and become cool with rains.
Aged women taught them the rituals
Of the holy Thai bath in the river."
First stop on the silk route [Frontline]
Kancheepuram's silk industry is adapting to competition and changing
customer preferences by modernising operations.
Just like Darjeeling in West Bengal is known the world over for its tea,
Scotland for Scotch whisky and Champagne in France for its wine,
Kancheepuram, in Tamil Nadu, is known for its silk saris. Silk weaving in
Kancheepuram is a centuries-old tradition.
An Indian city holds its French flavor [CS Monitor]
While France gave up control of Pondicherry in 1954, this
city in southeastern India has preserved its French
connection through its colonial buildings, street signs, a
school and even sports.
On a Sunday evening at the Notre Dame des Anges church, the strings
of jasmine festooning the pedestals of Mary and Jesus and the
dark-skinned female parishioners wearing saris suggest a firm foot in
India. That is, until the priest says mass in French.
The French may have left Pondicherry, their tiny bastion in British India,
51 years ago, but this city in Southeastern India has preserved what they
left behind.
Standard
Disclaimers
Applicable
"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]
