Sri Lanka IV

[Channel 4]
Grim scenes at Sri Lankan camps
http://tinyurl.com/dd5tqp

Video Clips
http://tinyurl.com/c6f5er
http://tinyurl.com/d5fylo

Channel 4 just one step further then Al Jazeera.

As you have spoken, so shall it be done.

We were talking about this at some length in our team meeting today, and a colleage was saying that the average working stiff Sinhalese in Sri Lanka was becoming fairly disenchanted with the government, because of all the resources the government is putting into the war. This is a pretty huge effort, and it's not like the gov't in Columbo can really afford this.

Deaths of elderly Vanni IDPs increase in Vavuniyaa
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29280

'State terror' waging 'racist war' - Sonali Wickrematunge
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29274

Images taken with Lankan consent: UN
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b24OXd4a32f5Aoe4d4YOo6ca0ac4BP34d3LTmA3e0dW0MmIce03cYdJ0cc3vlYAde

Cluster bombs used on highly congested areas
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b34OXd4a32f5Aoe4d4YOo6ca0ac4BP34d3LTmA3e0dU0Mmyce03cYdJ0cc3vlYAde

Asian Director of Human Rights Watchdog is prohibited to visit Sri Lanka
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b34OXd4a32f5Aoe4d4YOo6ca0ac4BP34d3LTmA3e0dg0MmIce03cYdJ0cc3vlYAde

Sri Lanka minority 'threatened'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8034413.stm

Sri Lanka invites U.N.'s Ban, rebels allege starvation
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/06/AR2009050601212.html

Behind Colombo's P.R. Battle Against the Tamil Tigers

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090506/wl_time/08599189640600

Four people die inside Sri Lankan internment camps
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6234928.ece

On Sri Lanka, UN's Ban Declines To Call for Cease-Fire, Double Standard Unexplained
http://www.innercitypress.com/un1may3srilanka050509.html

On Sri Lanka, UN Responsibility to Protect Cited, Abuse of IDPs Surfaces
http://www.innercitypress.com/un1may4srilanka050509.html

Looks like the Sri Lankan government is really low on money and in a desperate position. They are circulating emails asking for donations to the local Sri Lankan embassy and material support from people especially in western countries (particularly of Indian heritage). They also opened up numerous websites using the plight of the Tamil civilians to collect funds. This is just like the tsunami drama that they did where the money did not reach the Tamil civilians who were hardest hit in the island during the natural disaster and an estimated 2 billion went unaccounted from the international communities' contribution which is still yet to be answered by the Sri Lankan government.

This is one of the methods they used to pump up their military strength.

If anyone wants to donate please donate through International Humanitarian Agencies like ICRC, UN agencies etc. Even giving to ICRC or UN agencies would be useless as they don't have access to these civilians and please pass on this message.

"Thereafter you will be the sole 'beneficiaries' of the very laws that oppress us now..."  bingo.

No support for LTTE - Canada
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2009/05/090505_canada_minister.shtml

Fierce offensive continues in northern Sri Lanka
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/may2009/sril-m06.shtml

Power appeals to Rudd over Tamils
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=13551

Canadian academics support self-determination, ask direct US action
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29282

Government sets up Tamil committee, a trick for the opposition
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15173&size=A

Sri Lanka's displaced now numbers over 192,000, UN reports
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30720&Cr=sri+lanka&Cr1=

In LTTE capital, now a ghost town, the silence of the grave
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-ltte-capital-now-a-ghost-town-the-silence-of-the-grave/455686/0

On Sri Lanka, UN Says Responsibility to Protect is a "Concept" Only, Video Not Seen
http://www.innercitypress.com/un1may5srilanka050609.html

Despair among Sri Lanka's refugees

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8037000/8037360.stm

Sri Lanka conflict: refugees 'shelled in no-fire zone'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5288145/Sri-Lanka-conflict-refugees-shelled-in-no-fire-zone.html

Tamils Ask U.N. to Appoint Bill Clinton or Kofi Annan as U.N. Envoy to Sri Lanka
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2009/5/prweb2394734.htm

Is this the end of the Tamil struggle?
http://www.groundviews.org/2009/05/07/is-this-the-end-of-the-tamil-struggle/

The Conflict in Sri Lanka: A Cornered Tiger Is Still Deadly
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090506_sri_lanka_cornered_tiger_deadliest_sort

Premier Supports Peaceful Resolution In Sri Lanka
http://www.news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2009/05/premier-supports-peaceful-reso...

Sri Lankan 'detention' camps swell with Tamils
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0507/p06s07-wosc.html

M.I.A. to Michelle Obama, Oprah: "STOP THE BOMBING OF THE TAMILS IN SRI LANKA"
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2009/05/mia_to_michelle.php

Situation Report [May08]: Shells explode among civilians waiting for food, more than 100 killed today

SLA steps up carnage on civilians
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29296

'Sea battle' near Tamil war zone

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8041725.stm

SLA removes young women to Thellippazhai SLA camp
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29298

Extortion through abduction of children increases in Jaffna
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29301

Sri Lanka: Repeated Shelling of Hospitals Evidence of War Crimes
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/08/sri-lanka-repeated-shelling-hospitals-evidence-war-crimes

How did Obama do on his first humanitarian crisis?
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/05/07/how_did_obama_do_on_his_first_humanitarian_crisis

Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a Tale of Two Counterinsurgencies
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/a-tale-of-two-counterinsurgencies-in-pakistan-and-sri-lanka/

Sri Lanka and Responsibility to Protect Arise in UN, Would Ban Take to Council?

http://www.innercitypress.com/un1may7srilanka050809.html

At UN, Obama's Magic Rice on the Speakers List, Sri Lanka Below the Basement

http://www.innercitypress.com/unsc1obama050809.html

On Sri Lanka, UN Split on Visit by Ban, Russia Lends an Ear, Monday Not Council

http://www.innercitypress.com/un1may8srilanka050809.html

An Imprisoned Sri Lankan Journalist

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/opinion/lweb09lanka.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Tamils plan renewed protest on University Ave
http://www.thestar.com/article/631787

'Hundreds dead' on bloodiest day of Sri Lankan battle to destroy Tamil Tigers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/10/sri-lanka-tamil-tigers-deaths

Sri Lanka rebuffs reports that 257 civilians were killed in last 24 hours
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5303930/Sri-Lanka-rebuffs-reports-that-257-civilians-were-killed-in-last-24-hours.html

Sri Lanka artillery barrage kills 378, doctor says
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sri-lanka-artillery-barrage-kills-378-doctor-says-1682408.html

Situation Report [May10Eve]: Shelling resumed at 6 PM in Vanni

http://www.tamilnational.com/news-flash/977-situation-report-may10eve.html

-from the third innercitypress link at #18,

"Inner City Press pointed out that if Ban waits to go until after the final assault, it might become a tour of a dead zone. The advisor agreed, saying, "people will be locked in concentration camps for five years." Some say that if the UN knows that the camps they are funding are concentration camps, perhaps a change is needed. They say Ban should go now, taking the Press, and demand entry into the conflict zone." especially when, in the same article there are links to videos reporting rape of young women in the IDP camps. 

According to 680 News kipling Islington and Parklawn onramps are closed as well.  Other news reports:

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090510/Tamil_protest_090510/20090510?hub=Toronto

http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/563657

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2009/05/10/275890.aspx

http://www.680news.com/more.jsp?content=20090510_195650_6216

Just to confirm from my home, the DVP southbound is closed from the 401.  Northbound is open.

Youtube clip on when the protestors took the gardener

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arr5Ct19MPU&feature=player_embedded

Photos from a blogsite of taking the gardiner

http://torontoprotest.blogspot.com/

Sri-Lankan government perpetrates a bloodbath , according to the UN:

Sri Lanka impacts India elections
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8043778.stm

Grand response to Norway ballot: 80 percent turn out

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29325

99 percent Norway Tamils aspire for Tamil Eelam
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29326

Tamil survivors bear phosphorous burns - report
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29322

Aid workers tell donors not to fund Sri Lanka, reports Channel-4's Walsh
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29321

On the day written by blood - 3200 civilian deaths confirmed
http://www.tamilnational.com/news-flash/982-3200-slaughtered.html

Aid workers tell donors not to fund Sri Lanka, reports Channel-4's Walsh
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29321

IC, refocus whether the IDP camps are ethically a good idea - Paton Walsh
http://www.tamilnational.com/news-flash/980-its-a-man-made-crisis.html

Situation Report [May10]: A day written by blood in Vanni
http://www.tamilnational.com/news-flash/976-situation-report-may10.html

U.N. Tells of ‘Bloodbath' in Sri Lanka
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/world/asia/12lanka.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Doctor says up to 1,000 dead in Sri Lanka shelling
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090511/tap-as-sri-lanka-civil-war-2nd-ld-writet-510daa6.html

‘Bloodbath' in Sri Lanka barrage, U.N. says
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30664810/

UN condemns ethnic Tamil 'bloodbath' in Sri Lanka
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5306177/UN-condemns-ethnic-Tamil-bloodbath-in-Sri-Lanka.html

Joint Letter to Japanese Prime Minister on Sri Lanka
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/10/joint-letter-japanese-prime-minister-sri-lanka

Sri Lanka: Arrested Tamil editor speaks to the WSWS
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/may2009/slab-m11.shtml

Nervous Sonia rakes up 1987 Lanka accord
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=253879

UN: Sri Lankan attack a 'bloodbath'
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/05/200951145425251899.html

Jaffna Library: Cultural Clash
http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/id/600042/n/Culture-Clash

UN in Sri Lanka Admits 400 Killed, No Word from Ban Ki-moon on Visit
http://www.innercitypress.com/un2may1srilanka051109.html

Aid worker: Shelling kills 378 civilians in 'no-fire' zone
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/10/srilanka.tamils.fighting/index.html

Crossing the Line in Sri Lanka
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/blog+crossing+the+line+in+sri+lanka/3137557

This Sri Lankan army spokesperson at Radio France Internationale (RFI)
http://tinyurl.com/ojf6hf

NPR Media
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=103993059&m=103993045

Blog : Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa tells Channel 4 News to leave
http://blogs.channel4.com/snowblog/2009/05/10/sri-lankas-rajapaksa-tells...

Tamil protest surprises Toronto
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090510.wtamilprotest0510/BNStory/Front/home

Tamil protesters end blockade on major Toronto highway
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/05/10/toronto-tamilprotest.html

Gardiner chaos averted
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/632257

Tamils continue protests
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/632277

'More than 1,000 civilians killed' in attacks on Sri Lanka safe zone
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/sri-lanka-civilian-deaths

Torontoist vs. Torontoist in... Tamil Protests
http://torontoist.com/2009/05/torontoist_vs_torontoist_in_tamil_p.php

Tamils Take to the Gardiner
http://torontoist.com/2009/05/tamils_take_to_the_gardiner.php

Video: Mother's Day Massacre by GOSL (May 10, 2009)

Warning: The subject matter may be disturbing to some.
http://www.tamilkathir.com/news/1351/57/10-05-2009/d,view_video.aspx

appreciate these updates thirusuj.

 link to the CPA at #31 ?

Speaker criticises Tamil protests
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8044578.stm

'Sri Lanka factor' in Tamil Nadu poll

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8043588.stm

Indian election: Tamil leader calls for invasion of Sri Lanka
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/5309787/Indian-election-Tamil-leader-calls-for-invasion-of-Sri-Lanka.html

At UN, Kouchner Speaks On Sri Lanka to Select Reporters, IMF and Tariff Views Not Known
http://www.innercitypress.com/un2may4srilanka051109.html

Turkey Says UN Must Cooperate with Sri Lankan Army, PKK Off-stage
http://www.innercitypress.com/un2may5srilanka051109.html

Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler calls for ceasefire in Sri Lanka
http://www.westmountexaminer.com/article-335844-Mount-Royal-MP-Irwin-Cotler-calls-for-ceasefire-in-Sri-Lanka.html

EU Diplomats Urge UN To Focus On Sri Lankan Crisis
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905111941dowjonesdjonline000633&title=eu-diplomats-urge-un-to-focus-on-sri-lankan-crisis

Tamils battle with new lives
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_375666.html

Send US forces to Lanka to save innocent lives: Tamils to US
http://www.zeenews.com/news530984.html

Sri Lanka war zone hospital 'hit'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8045135.stm

SLA attacks hospital, 47 massacred
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29337

Sri Lanka hospital attack kills dozens
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5312230/Sri-Lanka-hospital-attack-kills-dozens.html

Shelling kills dozens at Sri Lankan hospital
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/12/sri-lanka-hospital-shelling-...

Sri Lanka brushes off criticism and guns for Tigers

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090512/tpl-uk-srilanka-war-c3c492c.html

Sometimes price of freedom is gloriously inconvenient
http://www.thestar.com/Article/632765

Tamil protests open political minefield for Ottawa
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090512.TAMILMAIN12ART2253/TPStory/?query=lanka+or+tamil

Tories praise Layton for diffusing Tamils' Gardiner blockade
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090511.wPOLtamil0511/BNStory/politics/

Leading Sri Lanka Tamil Politician Claims 'Genocide' by Military
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-12-voa4.cfm

Sri Lanka brushes off criticism of civilian deaths

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sri-lanka-brushes-off-criti...

Georgetown Security Law Brief: Sri Lankan minister blasts UN
http://www.securitylawbrief.com/main/2009/05/sri-lankan-minister-blasts-un-comments.html

Tories 'not prepared' to meet with Tamil Tigers
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090512/Tamil_protests_090512/20090512?hub=TopStories

SRI LANKA: WEST APPALLED AT BLOODBATH BUT ACTION IS SCARCE
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evelyn-leopold/sri-lanka-west-appalled-a_b_201946.html

Sri Lanka: Repeated Shelling of Hospitals Evidence of War Crimes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/human-rights-watch/sri-lanka-repeated-shelli_b_202025.html

Sri Lankan doctor describes shelling
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8046744.stm

Sri Lankan military will launch an even heavier military offensive after 13 May - Amnesty International
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2bIOoMe0d3lYe0ecBB4S3a4f5AS4d3cYd3cc2AmT3d434OX3a030Mm2e

SLA shells hospital again, several killed including doctor, ICRC worker
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29345

Sri Lanka: Satellite Images, Witnesses Show Shelling Continues
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/12/sri-lanka-satellite-images-witnesses-show-shelling-continues

Horrifying images of Sri Lanka torture killings, secret location in Polanaruwai.
Please do not see if you are weak hearted.
http://athirvu.com/target_news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1242174567&archive=&start_from=&ucat=4&

Another Tamil Protest Expected Downtown On Wednesday
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_34513.aspx

War in Sri Lanka Weighs on India Vote
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124215238903311539.html#mod=fox_australian

Tamil community in Toronto to stage another protest
http://www.thestar.com/article/633233

UN Security Council must act immediately to stop "bloodbath" in Sri Lanka
http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGNAU2009051110594&lang=e

Tamils In Conflict Zone in Sri Lanka Have Little Food
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-12-voa54.cfm?rss=asia

End Colombo's Media War
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124216015306112081.html

Sri Lankan Civilians Used as 'Cannon Fodder'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124221093350414729.html

More Sri Lanka civilians die in second raid on hospital in Tamil war zone
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6276272.ece

ICRC worker killed in Sri Lanka
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8047580.stm

Interview with Dr Paul McMaster, MSF Surgical Advisor, arrived in Vavuniya, in northern Sri Lanka, on April 16 and left on May 8
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=390B584F-15C5-F00A-2573FE1D1D7E6136&component=toolkit.article&method=full_html

Tamils need new tactics to woo Canadians
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Tamils+need+tactics+Canadians/1590007/story.html

Protests aren't the way, Tamil Tiger leader's Canadian family says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090513.wtamilsbrother13art22322/BNStory/National/home

Be lawful or else, police tell Tamils
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/633449

Tamils plan human chain at Queen's Park today
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090513.wtamilsplans13art2246/BNStory/Front

Army's war crimes continue in northern Sri Lanka
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/may2009/sril-m13.shtml

Eyewitness Sri Lanka: 'This is too much to take. Why is the world not helping?'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/12/sri-lanka-eyewitness-civil-war

Slaughter in Sri Lanka
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6276147.ece

NDP New Democrat petition on the conflict in Sri Lanka

SLA barrage inflicts carnage, makeshift hospital reports disaster

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29351

Obama's Statement on Sri Lanka

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30729308#30729308

[AP]
Obama: Sri Lanka must end warfare
13 May 2009
http://tinyurl.com/ooezhf

[The Australian]
Obama tells Sri Lanka to stop shelling
May 14, 2009
http://tinyurl.com/qkjqnu

"Why don't the Tigers surrender now? Would that not take away any cover for the shelling? What is the point of continuing when your people are being slaughtered?"

Tigers will surrender if someone takes the responsibility to protect the Tamil people and look after their aspirations like India, UN or western countries. They are not going to give it up to Sri Lankan government which has done nothing to make peace with the Tamil people or meet their aspirations. The people are going to die unless the International community intervenes or the Tigers re-establish their military strength. What is the point of surrendering and letting the people live in concentration camps (I am sure you have read the report of starvation, torture, disappearance, sexual abuse in these camps), or without basic freedom and living at the mercy of someone else?

"Is it because the Tigers value their cause, as hopeless as it now appears, more than the lives of their people or is there an explanation I am missing?"

Tigers do value their cause to the point that their lives become nothing. Again you have to look into history when the Sri Lankan Army invaded Jaffna in 1995, Tigers didn't want to stand and cause the lost of civilian lives so they left and most people went with them. Starvation and lack of medicine forced the people back into the government occupied Jaffna which they now regret as Jaffna is under the administration of the Armed Forces for the last 15 years locked away from the rest of the world including the rest of Sri Lanka. The disappearances, rapes, lootings, unquestioned killings, media censorship of the population of 600 000 Tamil people with 50 000 Sri Lankan troops has been their lives. Do we want this to be repeated again for another portion of the Tamil population?

The eastern province was captured by the government like 2 years ago and the pro-government paramilitaries rules and makes laws while there is a makeup provincial council to fool the world that the government is willing to devolve power which is yet to happen and given like 14 dead lines the last time I checked on it. Again there is rapes, disappearances, lootings, unquestioned killings, media censorship in this province as well.

"It is not uncommon historically when a war is lost for the losing side to surrender in order to stop the slaughter of its civilians. Why not now?"

Japan was surrendering to someone who respects Human rights and willing to treat the people with dignity. The Tamils want an option anything else then the Sri Lankan government. Just because they surrender does not mean they are not going to be slaughtered.

The UN Security Council statement is PATHETIC .  It's a priority of the current UNGA President to reform the Security Council and even our Conservative MP agrees on this (it was the only thing we agreed on in a recent conversation, aside from stopping the Afghan 'mission' aggression, but i'd like that to stop now and he says 2011.) maybe he wants the UN Sec. Council to be reformed to give the US more power, which wouldn't be good either.  Obviously it needs to get rid of veto powers and become democratic, and inclusive of the 192 countries in the UNGA.

With the barrage of one-sided articles on the situation here is another point of view

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/04/20/f-tamil-tigers.html

Many rebel fighters wear glass vials filled with cyanide around their necks and are under orders to commit suicide rather than allow themselves to be captured.

Last week, two prominent rebels — the group's former media spokesman, Velayutham Dayanithi, known as Daya Master, and an interpreter for its political wing, known only as George — also surrendered.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090426.wsrilankatam...

Then you consider both combattants to be resposible for the misery of the Tamil people which is understandable. Then why do you expect one side to give up and the other side to have absolute control over the lives of the Tamils?

You might argue that it would put an end to the killings. Think about it, the government is refusing to even allow access to the people in govenrment camps, are you expecting that they will give free access after the Tigers are finished?

If the Internatioanl community even at this moment can't tame Sri Lanka and can only release statement, what makes you think the Internatioal community will do something meaningful other then release empty statement after the Tigers surrender?

Is it right to ask the Tamil community to give up thier only mean of protection when no one else is willing to take up that responsiblity?

Neelan Thiruchelvam was no angel either, people who don't know the full story might seem like an angel, but most of the Tamils view him as an opportunist politician who was willing to compromise the Tamil peoples political aspirations. Yes, he was a moderate that didn't believe in violence, same type that existed before the Tigers or any other armed movements for the Tamil who plunged the Tamil people into useless souls and watched so many riots powerless to stop or even request the president or the prime minster to take action. He was discussing and drafting a solution with then president Chandrika Kumarathunga (which would have never passed in the parliament as her own party members openly declared that no devolution to the Tamils at any cost). She needed a Tamil to showcase to the world that she was working on a solution and Neelan Thiruchelvam was her perfect candidate. His proposals were less then what the Tamils expected and still gave the Sinhalese majority control over the lives of the minority Tamils. His assassination was never investigated and just directly blamed on the Tigers, which is of course the usual practice. Chandrika Kumarathunga father who was then the prime minster of Ceylon was assassinated by a Buddhist Monk because supposedly he was trying to devolve power to the Tamils (ironically the same prime minister who was responsible for the language act which would devastate the entire country and torn up an agreement with Tamil political leader because about 300 protesters requested him to right in front of his residence).

 Sean,

 As a Tamil I can tell you this, when I lived in LTTE controlled area all my family had to worry about is the surprise drop of bombs by the Sri Lankan Air Force. When I lived in Colombo, my family didn't have to worry about Sri Lankan Air Force but we had to worry about who is going to get arrested by Sri Lankan Police, when my dad would sent money from Canada as no one was able to get a job, and I can keep on listing.....(pretty much everything else except for Sri lankan Air Force)

 For the Tamils it's not about if the LTTE is good or not (Yes, we know the crimes they committed better then anyone else and they did not commit it because they thought it would be fun to do so), it is about living freely and making our own choice. Which means, no arrest because we are Tamils, no bombing, no sexual abuse, no disappearance, able to communicate in our language, and I can keep on listing this as well.......

The last stand of Sri Lanka's Tamils - in Canada?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0514/p06s01-woam.html

Protest backlash unearths racism
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/lorrie_goldstein/2009/05/14/9451756-sun.html

CBC Interviews Phillip Koneswaran (ITR) - LTTE Sri Lanka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As2an4F1Y18

Tamils hunt for news of relatives
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8039621.stm

Sri Lanka army 'in final stage'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8051206.stm

NYT highlights satellite evidence of Sri Lanka's criminal culpability
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29367

British Tamil contests seat for European Parliament

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29366

'Safety zone' in smoke, close-quarter fighting is on
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29368

In blood steeped
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13649343&fsrc=rss

Canadian urges end to Sri Lanka war
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/14/Canadian-urges-end-to-Sri-Lanka-war/UPI-73891242340997/

SRI LANKA: Intl Condemnation Mounts, Along With Body Count
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46847

IMF loan for Sri Lanka not appropriate right now: Clinton
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h5W4Joxu6Q_w1YTk4MloheT-GsEg

Due to the overwhelming response to the Sri Lankan issue, CNN has opened another forum on Sri Lanka. Please leave your comments. Please forward.
http://internationaldesk.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/14/leave-sri-lanka-commen...
http://internationaldesk.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/12/sri-lankan-windfall/

After loud protests and wide backlash, McGuinty finds right words on Tamils
http://www.thestar.com/article/634667

A race against time in Sri Lanka's camps
http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/55987/2009/04/15-082135-1.htm

Sri Lanka vows to beat Tamil rebels within 48 hours
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090515/twl-sri-lanka-vows-to-beat-tamil-rebels-696b303.html

EU against Sri Lankan 'final assault' on Tamil rebels
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1242396121.37

UK "Appalled" Red Cross Blocked In Sri Lanka - Minister
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905150633dowjonesdjonline000463&title=uk-appalled-red-cross-blocked-in-sri-lanka---minister

Sri Lankan president says civil war in 'final phase'

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/15/sri.lanka.fighting.president/index.html?eref=rss_latest

Over 4000 injured, many with burn injuries, desperate for evacuation - SLA use white phosphorous, chemical weapons
http://tamilnational.com/news-flash/1038-burn-injured-require-immediate-evacuation.html

Analysis: China arms may have secured Sri Lanka rout of Tigers
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6295258.ece

Post Indian elections: Life and or death for Eelam Tamils
http://www.tamilnational.com/worlds-view/tnn-ireport/1036-post-indian-elections.html

Sri Lankan army 'encircling' last refuge of Tamil rebels
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/15/sri-lanka-fighting-united-nations

Military press on despite Sri Lanka calls
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/military-press-on-despite-sri-lanka-calls-1685350.html

UN Human Rights chief calls for Sri Lanka inquiry
http://www.opendemocracy.net/terrorism/article/security_briefings/150509

‘Dying Without Treatment'
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_pacific/aposdying+without+treatmentapos/3148257

Tamil Tigers fighting to bitter end
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/634767

Bloodbath will not resolve the conflict: Pathmanathan
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29375

Tigers will regroup with a vengeance' - FT
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29376

UN genocide expert wants ceasefire, UN investigators want war probes
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29377

Mano Ganeshan urges government to publicize details of Vanni detainees
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29380

LTTE takes heed to Obama's call: Pathmanathan
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29381

Sri Lanka to buy military helicopters from Russia
http://en.rian.ru/world/20090515/155021542.html

SRI LANKA: Trade Partners Considering Economic Pressure
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46870

Careless talk warning issued in Sri Lanka
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/15/sri-lank-channel-4

CNN's Errol Barnett talks with a Tamil man who is using the web to help his brother caught in fighting in Sri Lanka.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/ireports/2009/05/15/barnett.sri.lanka.irpt.cnn?iref=videosearch

Tamil protest becomes Yonge-Dundas sit-in
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/635387

Scarborough fire related to Sri Lankan conflict, monk says
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/635432

Sri Lanka military cuts off rebel sea escape
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/635433

Sri Lanka rebels 'are defeated'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8053542.stm

Sri Lanka soldiers fight Tamil Tigers, trapping civilians on beach
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6297234.ece

Sri Lanka faces 'unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6291323.ece

An exercise in cynicism
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6297047.ece

Chinese support crucial to Sri Lankan victory over Tamils
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6297463.ece

GRAPHIC: Endgame for the Tigers
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/tigers_16052009.pdf

Well, another point of view is that both sides wanted to fight. Reap what you sow.

Tigers concede as Sri Lanka's long war reaches climax

Reuters

Sri Lanka says war over, rebel leader killed

this item says there are 25,000 people still left in the conflict zone, and that the Sri Lankan army is "on a fierce attack to wipe them all" out.

http://www.tamilnational.com/indian-news/tamil-nadu/1070-dont-believe-fa...

meanwhile we get mainstream reports that ongoing bombing was from Tigers blowing themselves up.  more of the blame game coverup.  not that they didn't have a pact, but it was with cyanide.

This is a nice article from Rabble:

Sri Lanka: Finishing the work of the tsunami

http://rabble.ca/news/2009/05/sri-lanka-finishing-work-tsunami

Sri Lanka lost confidence of Tamils: Pathmanathan

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29408

War crime in the massacre of LTTE officials
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29409

What does the Tamil community expect Canada and the international community to do? This is the same international community that has accomplished zero in Rwanda, Sudan, the Congo, etc., etc. And the places where we have intervened have gone horribly. I would support economic sanctions, however I know that in other countries where this has been tried (Iraq), it has hurt innocent civilians even more and allowed for corruption and abuse.  Once it is safe to enter the country, I support aid.

I would not support any armed intervention by Canadians and I would assume most babblers feel likewise. 

What would your ideal response be thrisuj and thanks - and in your opinion what would be the ideal response by the Cdn Tamil community?

How do you feel about those recommendations?

Ghislaine,

What I want are follow as I can think of from the back of my head:

-Canada pressure Sri Lanka to allow international media, monitors and international aid agencies (including the camps, Jaffna peninsula, the eastern province (basically all of Tamil Eelam) without any interference from the Sri Lankan state)
-Canada do its part to kick Sri Lanka out of the Commonwealth
-Demand for investigations of war crimes by all parties starting from independence from Britain (including discriminatory policies)
-Stop using my tax money to fund Sri Lanka directly or indirectly (economic and diplomatic sanctions)
-Canada pressure UN and support other countries to take action on Sri Lanka
-Remove the ban on the LTTE (also establish diplomatic ties so that Tamil Canadians and Canadian government can openly work with LTTE to effectively end the suffering of the Tamil people and reform the LTTE itself)
-Recognize the right to self-determination of the Tamil people internally or externally

What the Tamil community as a whole want are from the back of my head:

-Permanent ceasefire
-Get international media into the warzone including international aid agencies (including the camps)
-Diplomatic and economic sanctions
-Remove the ban on LTTE
-Recognize Tamil Eelam

What Canada has been doing so far:

-issuing empty statements
-criminalizing the Tamil people (especially through the conservative medias)
-listening to the Sri Lankan government only and ignoring the Tamil Canadians
-conservative party playing dirty politics using the Tamil issue

What I don't want Canada to do:

-Send in the Canadian armed forces unless it is part of the UN peace keeping mission (another country directly sending in its armed forces will make it even more complicated and as a Canadian our troops belong in the barracks unless Canada is in trouble)

Senate Foreign Relations on Sri Lanka
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/05/senate_foreign.html

Tamil doubts over rebel leader's death

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8057637.stm

'Victory' holiday in Sri Lanka

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8058844.stm

Peace hopes grip Sri Lankans

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8056426.stm

Tamil-Canadian group says Ottawa's offer to help Sri Lanka needs strict conditions
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=cp_guvc9rdh333&show_article=1

Tamil rights must now be respected
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/20/sri-lanka-tamil-tigers-ltte-war

The fight for survival goes on in Sri Lanka amid reports of 15,000 killed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/19/sri-lankan-war

In Sri Lanka, UN Spokesman Has Last Visa, Press In For 2 Days, Banned From Zone?
http://www.innercitypress.com/un3may6srilanka051909.html

In Sri Lanka, UN's Ban Says He'll Visit Conflict Zone, Doctors Still in Custody
http://www.innercitypress.com/un3may7srilanka051909.html

Rebel defeat: diplomatic dilemma
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6322415.ece

Sri Lanka on brink of catastrophe as UN aid blocked
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6322658.ece

Voices: Tamil diaspora in shock

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8056176.stm

Tamils' issue: India rushes NSA to Colombo
http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/may/20/ltte-tamils-issue-india-rushes-nsa-to-colombo.htm

War's End in Sri Lanka: Bloody Family Triumph
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/world/asia/20lanka.html?_r=1&em

Rage And Despair In Sri Lanka Tamil Diaspora Overseas
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905200258dowjonesdjonline000341&title=rage-and-despair-in-sri-lanka-tamil-diaspora-overseas

Sri Lanka destroys evidence, prevents ICRC, UN access - Prof. Boyle
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29415

Colombo urged to free Tamil doctors
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/05/200952071228861776.html

UNHCR concerned about conditions in IDP sites in Sri Lanka
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/UNHCR/60bc601215cd026a157523c58a14e893.htm

Prabhakaran's myth dies with him, dreams of Eelam live on
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090520.wlanka20art0010/BNStory/International/home

Brothers led decisive victory over Tamil Tigers
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/636698

Will Tamils' 'Sun God' live on?
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/636696

Sri Lanka: activists call for release of missing doctors
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/20/sri-lanka-doctors

This Monday marks the beginning of the third phase of our struggle for independence - Vows Canadian Tamils
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2b24OXH4a32f5Ac04dcmOo0da0eA4BL34d3LTmA2e0dM0MmUce03cYdJ2cc4XlY4be

Sri Lanka war over but war of words continues
http://www.thestar.com/Article/636697

stay strong thirusuj I got a question for u b. The non-tamil ppl in the hood what kind of help can we be? I aint got money n I cant go downtown (dont know the way) what help can ppl be locally because u seen ppl are strugglin they cant put another's stuff ahead of their own cuz they wouldnt survive. A lot of ppl are at the protests cuz of family I respect that but u cant except ppl who aint tamil to come with that unfortunately is there a way to do something locally. Protest wouldnt work because nobody gives a shit if you blocc something in the hood. Majority of the ppl givin that moral support but that only goes so far what else can we do. Like also for the protest like thas yall thing to do like handle that they way Im seein it is that if others do come they wouldnt fully know what to do or communicate witha  lot of ppl or w.e like u know what I mean what can others do in the baccground. Voting in other follyticians aint the solution cuz that too long term need something now if u got an idea tell it. I know that already it bein shown as a criminal thing so riotin n shit would only prove that so we need to think of another way. What if ppl stopped payin taxes?, refusal to work wouldnt be as effective because esp the current time there nuff ppl there to replace. Even tho they take a lot of taxes out already if we could hit the gov hard economically maybe they'll listen a bit more. Idk the whole organization part but mayb that'll work comment bacc brotha na mean idk u got any ideas? cuz the protests alone aint workin gotta add something to the mix

Rexdale_Punjabi,

There are many letter, email campaigns etc that non-Tamils can participate. If you can talk about this issue (the political history, rise of LTTE etc...) to other non-Tamils and encourage others to do as well then it would be helpful as well. Another thing that I see that need to done by non-Tamils is commenting on articles, calling in on radio shows, sending email to writers who seem to be out of focus and don't have good knowledge on the Tamil people. I would say the limit for participation of non-Tamils has no end.

Money is not the issue for our community (we can raise good amount in a good period, we were so outraged when Canadian minister went to Sri Lanka announcing that she gave 3 million to the Si Lankan govermnet and announed further funding). I have a friend who grew up with his cousin and lived with his cousin and help raise his kid. Now he is in Canada doing very well. About 2 months ago he got a call from his cousin from the available satellite connection in the war zone to tell him that he is still alive and he might not get the chance to talk him again uless he is lucky. Then the phone was handed to the kid to talk and she asked if he can send some food. He was telling me this and couldn't control his tears. We have the money, what good is it when the government has food embargo? Now the people are in the camp or dead, what can we do when the government won't give access to these people and the camps (we are not going to give the money to the Sri Lankan goverment as our money will be used to sustain the military, beef up the economy and carry on this genocide)?

U.N. Leader Presses Sri Lanka on Speeding Relief to War Refugees in Camps
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/world/asia/24lanka.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

How Sri Lanka's military won
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8063409.stm

Tamil Tigers admit leader is dead
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8066129.stm

Agony in Sri Lanka's refugee camp
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065594.stm

Sri Lanka's new chapter

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8064078.stm

UN chief in Sri Lanka access plea

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8064754.stm

Even in victory, secrecy and evasion prevail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/24/sri-lanka-government-public-opinion

Tigers begged me to broker surrender
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6350563.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

United Nations "negotiator" on Sri Lanka payroll
http://puligal.blogspot.com/2009/05/united-nations-negotiator-on-sri-lanka.html

U.N. Chief Calls Sri Lanka War Zone 'Very Sobering'
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/23/AR2009052300782.html?hpid=topnews

Why Tamils are Canadians
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/lorrie_goldstein/2009/05/24/9550996-sun.html

Let the healing begin in Sri Lanka
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/let-the-healing-begin-in-sri-lanka/article1147386/

As UN's Ban Leaves Sri Lanka, Questions Unanswered, Complicity in War Crimes?
http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip2may5srilanka052409.html

Can Tamils see a future on the other side of Adam's Bridge?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/can-tamils-see-a-future-on-the-other-side-of-adams-bridge/article1150053/

Some Tamils hold out hope that leader lives
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/some-tamils-hold-out-hope-that-leader-lives/article1150896/

UN chief flies into Sri Lanka as Tamils' tales of terror emerge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/24/ban-ki-moon-sri-lanka

Honestly, none of us know what to say. He has effectively created a Tamil national consensus, united all the Tamils around the world and has effectively put the Tamil issue in front of the international stage.

With the LTTE officially confirming his death even the excuse of his existence that will be used to commit violence and deny the rights of the Tamils have been wiped out.

I personally see this as a strategic move.

Sri Lanka ignores calls for refugee access
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/05/23/sri_lanka_ignores_calls_for_refugee_access/

Imperialism and the Tamils
http://www.workers.org/2009/editorials/tamils_0528/

200,000 Tamil civilians imprisoned in Sri Lankan Manik Farm camp
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6355503.ece

30,000 civilians maimed in battle
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25530960-25837,00.html

Sri Lanka: child victims of the battle to end a bloody civil war
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/24/sri-lanka-children-civilian-casualties

Our leader Velupillai Prabakharan is dead, Tamil Tigers admit
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6355531.ece

Claims and scepticism sans evidence
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29446

As Tamil MPs Are Rebuffed in Sri Lanka, UN's Ban in Denmark, No Answers

http://www.innercitypress.com/untrip2may6srilanka052509.html

Horror for civilians trapped in Sri Lanka's 'no-fire zone'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6354888.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

MPs join rally to condemn killing of civilians in Sri Lanka
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/25/nation/3975827&sec=nation

A place where kids can be kids
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/639186

Deep rift remains in Sri Lanka, expert warns
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/front/Deep_rift_remains_in_Sri_Lanka_expert_warns.html?siteSect=105&sid=10722880&rss=true&ty=st

Sri Lanka: Human Rights Council should demand immediate access and accountability
http://www.amnesty.nl/voor_de_pers_artikel/48612

Lion, Tiger and lies
http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?sectionName=Current+Events&contentId=5517792&programId=1073754900&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL

War-ravaged Tamil population faces grim future
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/war-ravaged-tamil-population-faces-grim-future/article1149981/

Pictured: The ruined wasteland of Sri Lanka as 300,000 people are displaced after war with Tamil Tigers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1187284/Pictured-The-r...

UN Watch disappointed over 'toothless' resolution on SL
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2bIOoMe0dnlYy0ecLB4S3a4f5Ao4d3cYd3cc2AmT3d434OX3a030Mm2e

No way for Devolution of Power - JVP
http://lankasrinews.com/view.php?2bIOoMe0dnlYy0ecLB4S3a4f5AU4d3cYd2cc2AmT3d434OX3a030Mm2e

Lies, deception, complicit of war crime and GENOCIDE
http://api.ning.com/files/2Yr3J58zqaLyl7aZeCuXYuh*mW5EG1DmTGnXxEpkqDpkkvpfkCYmAO6tkd*C16Sx3vlnOj-AC0EqqdqWPgnD6Xq7VrcUSfN*/LIESDECEPTIONCOMPLICITOFWARCRIMEandGENOCIDE.htm

UN's Holmes Expected His Comments on Tamils Would Not Be Reported, Access Conditioned on Air-Brushed Coverage?
http://www.innercitypress.com/sri1holmes052309.html

I guess that is why Harper is getting a human rights award then?

BKM's comments to CNN

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/05/23/sidner.sri.lanka.un.moon.intv.cnn

Hidden from the world.. innocent captives of terror

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/322058/The-News-of-the-World-sends-award-winning-reporter-Dan-McDougall-to-reveal-truth-about-Sri-Lankas-secret-refugee-camps.html

Sri Lanka's Tamils vie for leadership role
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hby2zd9e79vqmk4l1FM0zXofangAD98DCS700

GEOPOLITICS DROWNS SRI LANKA'S TAMILS: The great game
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/4495/geopolitics-drowns-sri-lankas-tamils.html

Freedom Denied! Are We Happy Now: The Crushing of Sri Lanka's Tamils
http://mikesanddislikes.com/politics_south_asia_freedom_denied_are_we_happy_now_the_crushing_of_sri_lankas_tamils

Freedom Denied: The Crushing of the Sri Lanka's Tamils - by Mike Cowie, Straight.com

"So, with the war in Sri Lanka now over and the Tamils having been crushed adn brought to their knees, I'd like to ask just one question: Are we happy now? With the Tamils decades long struggle for self-determination quashed and their dreams of an independent homeland shattered, are we fully satisfied? Should we givce ourselves a pat on the back?"

http://www.straight.com/article-222986/croatia-freedom-denied-crushing-s...

ps:

Couldn't help but notice that most of their demos and rallys in T.O. were 99.99% brown people. And the same redneck tribe that emerges whenever Indigenous people confront this settler state over our own continuing plundering and genocide, were out in force in all the 'comments' sections of the land spewing bile and bs. Too bad, because until such time as the rest of Canada can muster the kind of passion, commitment, organization and turnouts to their demos and rallies, elite elements will continue to run our affairs as they see fit. If divided we stand united we fall.

Media rears racist head during protests 

http://rabble.ca/columnists/2009/05/sunday-morning-10-am

Has anyone seen the similarity between Serbia and Sri Lanka?  Both have provinces/territories with minorities, the Kosovar Muslim Albanians in Kosovo and the Hindu Tamils in Eelam.  Both minorities had militants who didn't follow the path of 'non-violence', the USK (Kosovo Liberation Army) and the Tigers.  But the USK has so far succeeded by its violence and the violent (but humanitarian) 11 week bombing by NATO.  Not so the Tamils who have been crushed and admonished for not following Gandhi.  And there is no US military base in Eelam.  Joe Biden has chosen the 10th anniversary of the NATO bombing to visit Kosovo.

Former Aid Worker Tim Martin Hunger Strike for Tamils' Plight
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/former-aid-worker-tim-martin-hunger-strike-tamils-plight

Who are the Tamil Tigers? - PAGE 12
http://issuu.com/ryerson-free-press/docs/ryerson_free_press_may_2009

Riz Khan - What now for Sri Lanka's Tamils? - 25 May 09 - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfBrzEXRMQ0

Riz Khan - What now for Sri Lanka's Tamils? - 25 May 09 - Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab_AzQ7voSU&feature=channel

"Glaring hypocrisy, blatant sophistry" Boyle slams Swiss UN Resolution
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29456

If the Tamil people have to depend on the UN for any kind of justice then we are surely screwed for life.

"

"Sri Lanka keeps state of emergency"

http://tinyurl.com/o2adsn

The Sri Lankan government will maintain its state of emergency, including sweeping powers to arrest and detain suspects, after the defeat of the separatist Tamil Tigers, according to a statement posted online ...

Veerasingham Anandasangaree, a Tamil politician, said it was unfair to keep the emergency powers in place, since most of the Tamil people "gave full support to the army to liberate them. If they are treated in this manner, there is no justice at all" ...

UN supports Sri Lanka aid effort
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8070964.stm

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Eleventh special session
26 May 2009

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the United Nations as contained in articles 1 and 2 of the United Nations Charter, including the principle of non-interference in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of States,

Bearing in mind the General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006,

Recalling the Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 on institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council,

Recalling that States have the duty and responsibility to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to all segments of the population, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), without discrimination,

Recalling its decision 2/112 and its resolutions 6/28, 7/7 and 10/15, and recalling General Assembly resolutions 57/219, 58/187, 59/191, 60/158, 61/171, 62/159 and 63/185, and welcoming the efforts of the member States of the United Nations for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and reaffirming the obligations of States to respect human rights law and international humanitarian law while countering terrorism,

Reaffirming the respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and its sovereign rights to protect its citizens and combat terrorism,

Condemning all attacks that the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) launched on the civilian population and its practice of using civilians as human shields,

Reaffirming its commitment to promoting international cooperation, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Article 1, paragraph 3, as well as relevant provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993 for enhancing genuine cooperation among Member States in the field of human rights,

Recognizing that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based on the principle of cooperation and genuine dialogue and aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all human beings,

Welcoming the conclusion of hostilities and the liberation by the Government of Sri Lanka of tens of thousands of its citizens that were kept by the LTTE against their will as hostages, as well as the efforts by the Government to ensure safety and security for all Sri Lankans and bringing permanent peace to the country;

Welcoming further the recent reassurance given by the President of Sri Lanka that he does not regard a military solution as a final solution, as well as his commitment to a political solution with implementation of the 13th Amendment to bring about lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka,

Emphasizing that after the conclusion of hostilities, the priority in terms of human rights remains the provision of the necessary assistance to ensure relief and rehabilitation of persons affected by the conflict, including internally displaced persons, as well as the reconstruction of the country's economy and infrastructure,

Encouraged by the provision of basic humanitarian assistance, in particular, safe drinking water, sanitation, food, and medical and health care services to the IDPs by the Government of Sri Lanka with the assistance of the United Nations agencies,

Further encouraged by the recent announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka of the proposal to safely resettle bulk of the IDPs within six months,

Welcoming the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers after the conflict ended in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, 

Acknowledging the continued engagement of the Government of Sri Lanka in regularly and transparently briefing and updating the Council on the human rights situation on the ground and the measures taken in that regard,

1.            Commends the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the urgent needs of the Internally Displaced Persons;

2.            Welcomes the continued commitment of Sri Lanka to the promotion and protection of all human rights and encourages it to continue to uphold its human rights obligations and the norms of international human rights law;

3.            Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to pursue its existing cooperation with relevant  United Nations Organizations, , in order to provide, to the full extent of their capabilities, in co-operation with the Government of Sri Lanka, basic humanitarian assistance, in particular, safe drinking water, sanitation, food, and medical and health care services to the IDPs;

4.            Welcomes the announcement of the proposal to safely resettle the bulk of the Internally Displaced Persons within six months, and encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to proceed in these endeavours with due respect to persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities;

5.            Acknowledges the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to provide access as may be appropriate to international humanitarian agencies in order to ensure humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the past conflict, in particular IDPs, with a view to meeting their urgent needs and encourages the Sri Lankan authorities to further facilitate appropriate work;

6.            Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to persevere in its efforts towards the disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation of former child soldiers, recruited by the non-state armed actors in the conflict in Sri Lanka, physical and psychological recovery and reintegration into society, in particular, through educational measures, taking into account the rights and specific needs and capacities of girls, in cooperation with relevant United Nations Organizations;

7.            Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to continue strengthening its activities to ensure that there is no discrimination against ethnic minorities in the enjoyment of the full range of human rights;

8.            Welcomes the continued cooperation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the relevant United Nations agencies, and other humanitarian organizations in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected people, and encourages them to continue to cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka;

9.            Welcomes the recent visits to Sri Lanka by Mr. John Holmes, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator and Mr. Walter Kaelin, Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons and encourages them to continue to cooperate in the mobilization and provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected populations;

10.             Welcomes the visit to Sri Lanka of the Secretary-General of the United Nations at the invitation extended by the President of Sri Lanka, and endorses the joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the visit as well as the understandings contained therein;

11.          Welcomes the resolve of the Sri Lankan authorities to begin a broader dialogue with all parties in order to enhance the process of political settlement and to bring about lasting peace and development in Sri Lanka based on consensus among and respect for the rights of all the ethnic and religious groups inhabiting it and invites all stakeholders concerned to actively participate in it;

12.            Urges the international community to cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka in the reconstruction efforts, including by increasing the provision of financial assistance, including Official Development Assistance, to help the country fight poverty and underdevelopment and continue to ensure the promotion and protection of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights.

27 May 2009

                [Adopted by a recorded vote of 29 to 12, with 6 abstentions. The voting was as follows:

In favour:        Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Uruguay, Zambia;

Against:          Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

Abstaining:    Argentina, Gabon, Japan, Mauritius, Republic of Korea, Ukraine].

Long thread.