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Colombo based Tamil daily Virakesari reported today Sep 23rd, of lorries carrying food items being denied entry at Sri Lanka military’s checkpoint in Omanthai.

The report further said:

The authorities in Vavuniya said entry was refused at the Omanthai crossing even though senior government officials recently concluded several essential and relief products will have to be sent to meet the needs of Kilinochchi district by Tuesday Sep 23. The officials had decided 20 lorries load of relief supplies will be needed. But none were allowed beyond Omanthai military check point throughout the day.

After the long wait, the lorries returned to Vavuniya in the evening. Later, the military agreed to allow 5 lorries but they couldn’t travel as dusk had fallen.

For the entire last week, officials said the military did not grant permission to transport essential food items.

Now for the second time in two weeks, rejection of entry beyond Omanthai has put severe burden on already stressed relief operations amidst emptying food stocks, officials said.

Virakesari’s report of entry for food lorries being denied comes amidst Sri Lanka defence ministry claiming several relief convoys were allowed into Vanni recently.

Sri Lanka defence website is stating essential items are being allowed into Vanni via Omanthai and Uyilangkulam checkpoints. The website of Sri Lanka military further said, 73 lorries fully loaded with essentials were allowed into Kilinochchi and Mulaithivu districts between Sep 5th and Sep 11th.

The military hq website adds rice, lentil, dry fish, spices, clothing, fuel, building materials, medicine and auto parts were sent through the check points. During this 7 day period, a total of 1,228 persons crossed into Vanni and 1,119 travelled from there to Vavuniya trough these entry points, according to a report on Sri Lank military website.

Tamil Nadu political leaders K. Veeramani and Thol Thirumavalavan courted arrest along with several supporters on Tuesday Sep 23, to demand India’s intervention in Sri Lanka.

[K. Veeramani and Thol Thirumavalavan, on Sep 23 along with supporters]

Dravida Kazhagam leader Veeramani before being arrested said the Government of India should immediately intervene in the Tamils’ issue in Sri Lanka and desist from assisting the Sri Lanka Government that is seeking a military approach.

Thol Thirumavalavan, who heads the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi said ‘It is a matter of national shame that some defence personnel from our (country) were found assisting Sri Lanka’s military establishment a few days’ ago’.

His reference was to the injuries two Indian radar technicians suffered when the LTTE executed a pre-dawn land and air attack on a Sri Lankan military base in Vavuniya earlier this month.

Report in Tamil: Puthinam.com

PMK today asked DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to ‘break his silence’ on Sri Lankan Tamil issue and take lead in solving the ethnic crisis in the island nation, according to a report by Press Trust of India News (PTI) Agency.

PTI report further said:

Replying to a specific question on the suggestion of senior politician P Nedumaran that PMK, MDMK and Left Parties, with some common agenda, particularly on Sri Lanka, could form a third front, Ramadoss told reporters that this could apply to assembly polls, but not for Lok Sabha polls.

As far as Sri Lankan issue was concerned, Karunanidhi, who was a strong supporter of Tamil Eelam, should break his long silence and come out with a clear policy on Tamils issue.

Reminding Karunanidhi that he, in 1985 had given a pledge to thousand of Youths here that they would fight for a Tamil Eelam and sacrifice their lives to achieve it, Ramadoss asked why the Chief Minister was silent now.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) participated in the National Democratic Alliance until December 2003, and was part of the Indian central government from 1999-2003. In 2004, PMK joined the United Progressive Alliance.

Virakesari Editorial, Sep 20, 2008

Amidst the continuing tensed situation in the country, Tamils being looked at suspiciously and detained for questioning is a continuing saga today; particularly those traveling to the capital from the North undergo severe hardship. Due to this Tamils arriving in Colombo carry on their day to day activities in fear.

People of the North travel to Colombo seeking many essential services in capital Colombo that are otherwise unavailable to them. Shortage of medical facilities, higher education, employment and overseas travel plans and all make it a must for Tamils of North to come to the capital.

Also, numerous Tamils move to Colombo to lead a life in peace, away from being amidst rolling juggernaut of war and destruction.

All of these people continually face search and round up operations of Police and security forces in the capital and detention thereafter for questioning.

Tamils living in Colombo with fear is apparent, as even Tamils with proper documents and identification too are arrested, detained and questioned.

Security officials in the capital say the measures have been enacted to prevent infiltration of rebels and ensure the country is protected.

Highest priority being given to protect the people and country is indisputable; yet question arises, if viewing only a section of the people suspiciously will bring about that desired result in overall safety.

[A Sri Lankan ethnic Tamil man walks past a banner outside a registration center in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. Thousands of Sri Lankan ethnic Tamils who have fled the country's embattled north and are now living in a western province lined up Sunday to give their details, following an order to register with the police. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)-via Yahoo! News]

More Pictures: on Sep 21, 2008 – Virakesari.lk

In the meantime, 21st September is established as deadline for registration by all Tamils who arrived within the past five years, at respective Police Stations of their residence. The Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said at a recent media briefing, that this measure is being taken to ensure the protection of people.

People from the North must register at respective Police Stations or assigned Buddhist Viharas along with their family members.

It is also reported that police is taking census of Tamils who arrived from five districts – Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Vavuniya.

The authorities have also said no proof will be issued for this registration; and during any future instances of questioning and round up operations, National Identity Card, passport and or letter from Grama Sevaka or related document will be required to establish identification again!

Over 60,000 people are estimated to have taken residence in Colombo over the past 5 years. The practicality of all of them, along with their family members registering within the short time frame is questionable; the deadline of September 21st was announced only on September 18th.

In the meantime, people who want to travel to Colombo after the 21st of September are perplexed over the registration requirement and how the procedure is to be adhered to by them.

The registration rules for those who want to come to Colombo after the 21st must be made clearer.

It is important that people are accorded with efficient methods for registering, to avoid long waiting and unnecessary inconveniences.

Also, the language barrier of the people of the North must be taken into consideration.

It is important officers with Tamil language skills must be present at Police Stations to assist in the registration, to ease delays and alleviate difficulties.

The Embassy of the United States in Colombo regrets to announce the death of Ambassador William Howard Wriggins on August 30, 2008, in Hannover, New Hampshire. Dr. Wriggins served as U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from 1977-1979.

Born in 1918, Ambassador Wriggins studied at Darmouth College, the University of Chicago, and Yale University. During World War II, he interrupted his studies for four years to assist the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) with relief activities in Portugal, North Africa, Spain and France. He later continued service with AFSC, providing support in Gaza.

Following his stay in Gaza, Ambassador Wriggins began an illustrious career in academia and public service. In 1960, he penned what would become a landmark work, his first published book, “Ceylon: Dilemmas of a New Nation.” His interest in South Asia, and specifically Sri Lanka, continued his entire life. He authored numerous book and papers on Sri Lanka, including a biography of former President Jayewardene, which he co-authored with K.M. de Silva, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Ceylon.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter asked Dr. Wriggins to be the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. At the time, Ambassador Wriggins was Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Columbia University. He took a leave of absence to serve as Ambassador, and resumed his duties at Columbia following his tenure. At Columbia, Ambassador Wiggins was one of the foremost scholars of Sri Lankan studies in the United States. He later became the Director of Columbia’s Southern Asian Institute, and, at the time of his death, was the Bryce Professor of International Relations, Emeritus.

Ambassador Wriggins’ interest and love for Sri Lanka spanned 50 years. He traveled frequently to the island and maintained close contact with his many Sri Lankan friends up until his death.

He survived by his wife, Sally Hovey Wriggins, three children, and six grandchildren.

To mark the life and achievements of Ambassador Wriggins, the U.S. Embassy invites those who knew him to submit words of remembrance.

The Embassy will compile the comments, anecdotes, and photos in a memorial brochure which we will present to the family of Ambassador Wriggins.

Please send your contributions to Jeff Anderson at andersonjj2@state.gov or Jeff Anderson; American Center; 44, Galle Road; Colombo 3

[Statement by US Embassy, Cololmbo, Sri Lanka, Sep 18, 2008]

Related: Books by Ambassador W. Howard Wriggins on Amazon.com

The United Nations refugee agency voiced sadness today at the deaths of eight Sri Lankans who drowned while attempting to return to their homeland by boat from southern India.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson William Spindler said the eight people who drowned last Friday were part of a group of 13 Sri Lankans who had each paid about 6,000 Indian rupees (about $140) to a local boatman for the journey from Tamil Nadu state in India to the northern Sri Lankan town of Talaimannar.

The returning refugees drowned after the boat capsized on the high seas, Mr. Spindler said, adding that that one survivor told local media that she preferred to cross illegally because it was difficult to obtain the necessary clearances to leave.

“We appeal to refugees to use official channels to return home in safety and dignity,” Mr. Spindler said. The dead included four women and two children.

Since 2006 at least 22,000 Sri Lankans have fled conflict in their homeland between Government forces and members of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and sought asylum in India. An estimated 73,000 Sri Lankan refugees now live in 117 separate camps scattered across southern India.

Mr. Spindler said UNHCR was assisting the voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankans only to the relatively calm parts of the east of the country, stressing that the official channel for refugee returns to Sri Lanka is by air.

Northern Sri Lanka has been particularly hard hit in the most recent fighting and most of the remaining UN staff in the town of Kilinochchi have now been relocated to Vavuniya after a Government request.

So far, some 29 staff have moved to Vavuniya, joining colleagues who relocated earlier this week and also staff from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters.

She said 21 UN national staff remain in Kilinochchi, and they are staff who were not given passes by the LTTE or chose to stay with family members who could not obtain passes.

[UN.org News]